Media Release
For Immediate Release
4 September 2009

New Airport Development “outstanding news” for the region

By the end of 2010 locals may see more than air2there planes and birds fly across their skies.

A $450 million redevelopment of Paraparaumu Airport has been given the green light, thanks to a recent Environment Court decision. The development aims to see Air NZ services and a business park added to Kapiti’s feature list.

Airport Manager Anthony Wackrow says he’s very pleased with decision. “It’s great news for the airport, and great news for the wider community.”

Nature Coast Tourism Chief Executive Glen O’Brien says this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. “It’s going to be a fantastic catalyst for growth and development in the region.” Mr O’Brien sites employment and tourism as two major areas for growth. “In terms of population we are up there with the fastest growing regions in New Zealand. Kapiti is going to be even more of a magnet now, not just for tourism, but for people to live here too.”

Chris Barber, Nature Coast’s Regional Tourism Manager, says it’s going to be an airport with a pretty impressive view. “How many airports in New Zealand are going to have an outlook like Kapiti? We’ve been waiting for this outcome for a long time. We’ve done the background – the tourism community have been working really hard together to make this region an amazing place for visitors. This news is a well deserved great reward for them.”

Mr Barber also says the airport redevelopment has the potential to attract many more international tourists to our region. He says that over the winter, Air New Zealand offered Australian travellers to New Zealand a free domestic return ticket within New Zealand. “If they retain that wonderful incentive in the coming months,” says Mr Barber, “Australians will have direct access to this region. How cool is that.”

Plans for the airport include extending the main runway, shifting and shortening the east-west runway, and creating an industrial park on the 127 hectare site.

“I’m travelling every few weeks and I spend hours getting to Wellington airport,” says Mr O’Brien. “And the parking fees add up. The new airport is going to be a big advantage to business.”

The next stage is to work towards establishing Air NZ services, tentatively planned for the end of 2010. Q300 planes, seating 50 passengers, will run alongside existing air2there services.

ENDS

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