Flight challenge

Hi Room 9.

I have a challenge for you, and it is in 3 parts.

Given we have been learning about flight and forces, I thought you might like a small challenge.

Tomorrow you will have some questions to research about a famous New Zealand aviator. Although it is commonly accepted that the Wright Brothers of the USA were the first to achieve flight in a 'flying machine' a Kiwi inventor, who lived in the South Island is thought to have actually been the first.

Your questions:

[1] Who is this Kiwi inventor?
[2] Where was he or she from?  [ hint: a town in the South Island - two words]
[3] How far did s/he reportedly fly?

Good luck. Those with correct answers go into the draw for $100 of class money.