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Story: Topdressing

The Tiger Moth

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The Tiger Moth

Converted war surplus Tiger Moths were among the first aircraft used for topdressing in New Zealand. Here in 1953, a loader bucket releases fertiliser into the aircraft hopper. The loader has been filled from the fertiliser bags while the aircraft was applying the previous load.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: AANR 6329 K5412

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

John Maber, Topdressing – Commercial developments of aerial topdressing, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/16556/the-tiger-moth (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by John Maber, published 1 March 2009.