19 May 2017

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Paengaroa airport

Inquiry

This story is about how a Tauranga iwi leader, Ngai Te Rangi chief executive Paora Stanley, has said foreign investors could potentially fund a $1 billion airport at Paengaroa. He said it makes sense to replace Tauranga, Whakatane and Rotorua airports with one major airport servicing the Bay of Plenty region. I am wanting to get Steve's comments on this.

Response

Comment from Mayor Steve Chadwick in response to your inquiry:

An airport at Paengaroa would not service the needs of Rotorua.

The Economic Development Advisory Group has particularly highlighted the importance of tourism to Rotorua and right now tourists can fly directly to and from Rotorua. An airport at Paengaroa would add more travel time to often already tight schedules and itineraries which would simply not be viable.

Our airport in Rotorua is performing well with ongoing capacity growth and growth in non-scheduled air movements like private jets.

It remains a vital cog to the district's ongoing success, providing services for locals as well as bringing not only tourists here but also people coming for the many events and conferences Rotorua hosts.