Portal:New Zealand/Selected article/Week 15, 2006

Jean Gardner Batten CBE (September 15, 1909 – November 22, 1982) was a New Zealand aviator, born in Rotorua. Internationally, she was the most well-known New Zealander of the 1930s. In 1934 she flew solo from England to Australia. For this achievement and for subsequent record-breaking flights, she was awarded the Harmon Trophy three times from 1935 through 1937. In 1938, she was the first woman to be awarded the medal of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, aviation's highest honor.

World War II was the end of her flying adventures, and she retired from public life. She became a recluse and died alone in a Majorca, Spain hotel, from dog bite complications.

Because of her looks and perhaps her reclusive tendencies, she became known as the "Greta Garbo of the skies." The Auckland International Airport International Terminal is named after her. Recently featured: New Zealand foreshore and seabed controversy · New Zealand Cadet Forces · New Plymouth · Archive