Upper Hutt pilot ends career with a flight to Wuhan
When Upper Hutt pilot Mark Rammell flew the only New Zealand flight into the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic, he had no idea that same virus would end his four-decade career as a pilot.
In February, he joined the flight crew of an Air New Zealand Boeing 777 in Hong Kong – bound for Wuhan. They were tasked with bringing Kiwis home on the only evacuation flight from the city.
The pandemic led to Air New Zealand parking up most of its planes and Rammell made the tough decision to retire.
Rammel traded in his jet-setting life for a more settled existence, running a function centre and gardens he owns with his wife in Kaitoke.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
-
0% Yes! New Year, New Me
-
33.3% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
-
66.7% Nah - not for me
Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
-
78.7% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
-
21.3% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲
I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.
Loading…
