New airport needs Cabinet tick to take-off

The prospect of taxpayers funding a new Whangarei Airport is premature at this stage as the Government is mulling whether to support regional infrastructure, including air services.

Any decision on Crown funding the new airport, expected to cost up to $150 million, would be subject to approval by the Ministry of Transport and Cabinet.

The Whangarei District Council had identified 31 sites of interest since 2014 but has shortlisted them to three sites — one south and two north of the city.

Council staff have held meetings with government officials with a view to securing funding but Weston said they probably viewed the project as too far in the future to commit any taxpayer money as yet.

WDC is hopeful a suitable site could be found in the next 18 months.

Ministry of Transport manager governance Robert Anderson confirmed his officials have held discussions with WDC regarding the possibility of a new airport but said talks regarding government involvement were preliminary in nature.

Any decision on Crown funding would be subject to ministerial and Cabinet approval, he said.

“The ministry is currently undertaking policy work around regional air connectivity, which will consider whether government should have a role in supporting regional airports infrastructure and/or air services.”

The Crown is a 50 per cent owner in five regional airports — Taupo, Whangarei, Westport, Whakatane and Whanganui — through a deed that dates back to the 1960s.

National Party deputy leader MP Dr Shane Reti, from Whangarei, said if the airport has to move by factors beyond anyone’s control, then he fully supported it.

“In the last 10 years, Air New Zealand has made it clear it needs a longer runway so the need to move is not driven by Whangarei interests. There has to be a business case in order to attract government funding.”

At 1097 metres, Whangarei Airport’s runway is the shortest of any provincial airports in New Zealand and even shorter than Kerikeri, which is 1190m.

WDC has ruled out Port Nikau as a possible location, saying although it was a great area and closer to the city, significant and expensive reclamation would be required.