Transcript of plaque text:

Lockheed 10A Electra ZK-AFC Kotare of Union Airways of NZ Ltd
crashed near here on 10 May 1938 due to engine failure while taking off from
Mangere Aerodrome on a scheduled flight to Palmerston North and Wellington

This plaque placed here in memory of
Commander C M Duthie and Second Officer W J Peel
Although there were no passengers aboard this was the first fatal accident on
a scheduled air service in New Zealand

Dedicated on 10 May 2004