Waiaua Gorge, Sunday 27th March 2022

A party of 8 set off up the Ihaia track on the western side of the mountain to view the new gorge or canyon excavated by the Waiaua river during a storm last winter. The canyon severed the round the mountain track so completely that a large detour was required.

We first made our way to the old Oaonui hut site and then continued on to view the canyon which we estimated to be at least 10 metres deep and marvelled at the power of water to carve out so much material so quickly.

Then it was back to the old hut site for lunch after which Bruce led us (directly) to the nearby 1944 crash site of the Avro Anson.

Back down the track again we took the new diversion to the Waiaua river bed to view the rock littered debris that was washed out of the canyon before returning to Ihaia road end.

Present were Wietze and Rae Hoogeveen, Kathryn Jones, Sheryl Stanners, Al Barkla, Bruce Finer, Cathy and Graham Thompson.

Official Report of the 1944 Crash

The crew departed New Plymouth Airport at 1419LT on a navigation exercise. While cruising at an altitude of 1,200 feet, the twin engine aircraft went through a cloudy area over Mt Egmont (Mt Taranaki). Familiar with the area, the second pilot saw trees 200 feet below and took over the control to turn to the right to avoid any collision with the mountain. Unfortunately, the aircraft stalled, hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area. F/Sgt Peterson was able to leave the crash site and walked for about seven miles to find help. On site, the rescuers were able to evacuate a second crew member alive while both other occupants were killed.

Crew (SNR):
F/Sgt John Paterson Cummins, pilot, †
F/Sgt Maurice Roy Haycock, pilot, †
Sgt B. F. A. Rough, navigator,
F/Sgt A. F. Peterson, radio operator.

Graham Thompson