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WHERE DID THE TEAL NAME COME FROM?

TEAL Memorabilia

Tasman Empire Airways Limited (T.E.A.L) Memorabilia

Stewart, the host of TEAL Motor Lodge is keen to pay homage to the past connection of the motel's name and collects memorabilia from the airline T.E.A.L. So far the collection includes numerous: ashtrays, playing cards, postcards, menus, baggage labels, flight information cards, flight baggage, cap badges and much more. If you have any item that relates to T.E.A.L please feel free to get in touch.

TEAL Vintage Poster

Tasman Empire Airways Ltd

International travel was not always long queues, deep-vein thrombosis and rubber-flavoured food. In New Zealand, many years ago there was a glamorous and exotic alternative.

Aitutaki Aerial Picture

Stewart's search for TEAL in Aitutaki

T.E.A.L's iconic Coral Route Island hopped from Auckland to Tahiti in the 1950s. Along the way the flying boats landed in the pristine teal-waters of Aitutaki's lagoon in the Cook Islands.

For many travelers this brief 2-hour stopover to refuel was the highlight of their epic journey. 

Leaving a cold NZ winter in 2021, Stewart took it upon himself to experience why many T.E.A.L passengers were so enchanted with Aitutaki and didn't want to leave. And what remnants of T.E.A.L are able to be uncovered in the Cook Islands today?

TEAL Vintage Poster

TEAL Vintage Travel Posters

The origins of the motel's name, is depicted with several references to the historical airline, Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) around the motel ... including several vintage TEAL travel posters from the 1950s.

Read more about their unique history.

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