Iwi lease deal unlocks airport plan to expand
Marlborough Airport is drawing up expansion plans to reinvigorate its entrance and add car parks, after leasing land bought by iwi in a historic treaty settlement deal.
The announcement came last week as Air New Zealand revealed price cuts to domestic flights nationwide.
The Blenheim to Auckland route was considered a winner from the pricing move, with tickets starting at $49.
The airport’s chief executive, Dean Heiford, said the lease agreement was ‘‘perfect timing’’ as he expected people would take advantage of the cheap flights, and demand for car parks would peak.
‘‘Airfares and parking came up as issues in a recent customer survey we did . . . and the pick-up and drop-off and taxi stand area. So now we have the opportunity to address those issues.’’
A Treaty settlement in 2014 gave the three Kurahaupo¯ iwi the ability to buy surplus Defence Force land at Base Woodbourne, west of Blenheim, as commercial redress for historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.
A Defence Force spokesman confirmed the five-year negotiation had resulted in the sale of two land parcels totalling 6.56 hectares of vacant land bordering the airport, for $650,000.
The historical use of a fire foam at the base, which caused toxic chemicals to leach into the ground, nearby streams and the groundwater wells of neighbouring properties, had not affected the price of the land, the Defence Force spokesman said.
Business leaders in Marlborough had been calling for an expansion for years, saying the region’s growth was being constrained by its small airport.
But Heiford said the airport was ‘‘landlocked’’ by the Defence Force.
Following the deal, adding at least 150 car parks to the airport would be the main focus of expansion plans, as it was ‘‘what everyone wants’’, Heiford said.
‘‘We’re also looking at a review of the front of the terminal, and the pick-up and drop-offs area. We’re expecting a consultant’s report at the end of March.’’
The rental car facility would also gain a new wash-down area, Heiford said.
The deal was the first commercial partnership between Nga¯ti Apa ki te Ra¯ To¯, Nga¯ti Kuia and Rangita¯ ne o Wairau.
Rangita¯ne o Wairau chairwoman Wendy Hynes said the deal was significant in that it solidified strong ties between the three iwi.
‘‘We are excited about this opportunity to work together ... This is another step towards realising the aspirations of our tu¯ puna [ancestors].’’
Nga¯ti Kuia deputy chairman Huataki Whareaitu and Nga¯ ti Apa chairman Brendon Wilson echoed those sentiments. ‘‘This is a significant milestone for the three iwi on our journey to reach calm waters,’’ Whareaitu said.
Wilson congratulated the negotiating team, which also worked to secure a long-term lease arrangement for the land with Marlborough Airport.
‘‘It has been a long journey, but one which has resulted in a positive outcome for all involved.
‘‘Not only does this represent a positive outcome from the respective Treaty settlement packages, it also sets up a long-term commercial relationship with [the Marlborough District Council] and [Marlborough Airport], which we believe will lead to deeper relationships and understanding.’’
Negotiations remain ongoing in relation to two other parcels of land at Woodbourne, namely the housing estate and base areas.
Marlborough Airport chief executive Dean Heiford, left ‘‘Airfares and parking came up as issues in a recent customer survey we did . . . So now we have the opportunity to address those issues.’’