George West Neighbourhood

Sections in the fourth neighbourhood at Wigram Skies have now been released.  This neighbourhood, consisting of 143 sections is known as George West. 

Like the previous neighbourhoods, George West continues Wigram Skies’ tradition of celebrating flight and the rich history of the site.

This neighbourhood commemorates Leading Aircraftsman George Henry West, who, in 1936 became the first Māori pilot to enter the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). George West’s family is of Ngāi Tahu descent.

Born in Bluff on 17 March 1914, George Henry West was educated at the Bluff Public School and Southland Technical College where he showed particular ability in mechanics. He was one of the first to win a scholarship entitling him to free flying tuition at the Southland Aero Club.

He tragically died on 12 May 1939, following injuries received from an aircraft accident at Wigram on 11 May 1939.  The accident occurred during a night-training flight where his student pilot undershot the landing causing the aircraft to crash.  Following the accident George's body travelled back to Bluff and he lies in Bluff cemetery.

George West’s photo and a patu he carved, can be seen in the Air Force Museum of New Zealand at Wigram Skies.

Land Information

The recent earthquakes experienced in Canterbury have shown us that land located near waterways or land depressions can be prone to lateral movement in significant earthquake events.

Although no lateral spread, liquefaction, sand boils, land settlement or rotation of structures have been evidenced at Wigram Skies, we like to err on the side of caution and have asked our geotechnical engineers, Tonkin & Taylor, to undertake further land investigations.

Again, these investigations have illustrated that Wigram Skies is not just a great place to build your new home, but it's also very safe.

Further, these findings have helped educate us around requirements for housing next to land depressions, such as the Awatea Basins. In such locations it has been shown that in an extreme earthquake event, a very slight possibility exists for some lateral movement.

While the risk is considered minor, we feel it is better to be safe than sorry and have undertaken remedial works to the affected areas. In addition, our engineers have specified a foundation design for these sites that will minimise the risk of any damage should we be unfortunate enough for such an event to occur. To find out more about this please click here.

All sections will be fully fenced, have reticulated gas and fibre optics to the boundary.  For more information on Fibre at Home, please click here.

To register your interest click here or contact Dene Maddren on 0800 944 726. 

Click here to view pricing and documents

Courtesy of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand