September 15, 1909 New Zealand’s most celebrated aviatrix, Jean Batten, was born in Rotaru. In 1934, she flew solo from Australia to England in 14 days and 22 hours, beating the record by over 4 days. Known as the “Greta Garbo of the Skies,” the reclusive Batten died alone from an untreated dog bite in 1982.
