Kaimai Ranges

The Kaimai Ranges are located in the North Island of New Zealand. They separate the Waikato in the west from the Bay of Plenty in the east.

Just after 9am on July 4, 1963 the DC-3 Skyliner ZK-AYZ Hastings crashed into the ranges during a flight from Whenuapai Airport, Auckland to Tauranga. All 25 aboard the flight died, making it the worst air disaster on mainland New Zealand.

The Kaimai railway tunnel runs for 9 km under the ranges, making it the longest tunnel in New Zealand. Construction of the tunnel started from both sides of the range in 1969, they finally met up in 1976.