Tuesdays Rangiora look see

 Just the three aircraft of interest (to me) at Rangiora today -7th April 2026.

The Cessna 177RG Cardinal RG ZK-KCW c/n 177RG0413 flew down from Bridge Pa to Ashburton on April the first, then on to Twizel and Wanaka the following day.

It departed Wanaka for Ashburton and points north on the 6th but I'm guessing it turned back from the coast north of Rangiora due to the inclement meteorological conditions.

It was imported from South Africa, where it had been registered as ZS-KCW, reassembled at West Melton and became ZK-KCW on 05-06-1986 for K Berry of Christchurch.

Current owner Hawkes Bay Motors Ltd of Hasting took it on from May of 2024.

Also on site was the New Zealand International Pilot Academy Ltd's Cessna 172 ZK-WUI c/n 17280533, which appears to have arrived at Rangiora back on March the 12th for some TLC. 

This was originally registered here as ZK-JKB in October of 1998 with a change to ZK-NAO2 from March of 2019. 

NZIPA at Whanganui acquired it from 30-06-2023 and re-registered it to ZK-NAO3 on 21-12-2023.

The Piper PA-22-108 Colt/Pacer ZK-MEJ c/n 22-8929 began its lengthy career in Australia in October of 1961 as VH-CFC as a Piper Colt - with a wheel up front. 

It was re-registered to VH-MEJ from 26-04-1963. In 1994 it was modified to PA-20 standard with a tail wheel conversion and sold to New Zealand about April of 1995. 

In NZ it became ZK-MEJ on 04-05-1995. Current owner Trevor Smillie of Kirwee took it over in early 2025.