Agreement Reached Over Manihiki Airport

Agreement Reached Over Manihiki Airport

GOVERNMENT OF THE COOK ISLANDS
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

MEDIA RELEASE

Air Rarotonga managing director Ewan Smith has met with Deputy Prime Minister Sir Terepai Maoate to discuss the outcome of meetings with Manihiki airport landowners.

Smith has told the DPM that he’s extremely pleased that an agreement has been reached.

"Its outstanding that the DPM has been able to achieve agreement between
landowners for the ongoing operation and upgrading of Manihiki Airport.”

Smith said the issue “has dragged on for many years and has caused us serious problems at times.”

He described a flight last year which had to divert back to Rarotonga with the Land Court on board following threats to block the runway.

“From our point of view that incident has now been happily resolved and put behind us".

Sir Terepai also shares that view saying the people of Manihiki wished to put that incident behind them once and for all and to now move ahead. Sir Terepai said he understands the people of Manihiki have formally asked police here not to proceed with charges against the airport protestors as the matter has been peacefully resolved and the whole island wished to move on in a positive direction.

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