Kaikohe airport isn’t the story. Northland’s future is – Editorial
Winston Peters’ suggestion Kaikohe could become home to an international airport no doubt raised a few eyebrows and maybe garnered a few laughs.
However, Northland is too often viewed in terms of its problems rather than potential. The region deserves a serious conversation about its aviation future.
Kaikohe isn’t starting from scratch. Its aerodrome dates back to World War II, when the airstrip was built for military use. Its 1518m grass runway is used for gliding, skydiving and model aircraft.
While aviation consultant Simon Russell’s suggestion a properly developed airport in the north could help make the Far North the country’s next Queenstown smacks of ambition, it should still be looked at seriously.
The Far North’s outstanding natural beauty, clean beaches and cultural status as the birthplace of the nation make it a strong drawcard for tourism. Yet it remains poorly connected, with infrastructure struggling to keep pace with economic ambitions.
Northland’s potential stretches beyond surf seekers. Russell mentioned that a well-developed Far North airport could bring opportunities for freight, Australian military aircraft transiting to the Pacific, search and rescue operations and even a possible base for the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
That’s a strategic aspect that deserves examining.
In terms of infrastructure, a $20 million investment to seal, light and add navigational aids to Kaikohe’s existing runway seems relatively modest. But we shouldn’t confuse that with the cost of developing a functioning international airport, which requires far more investment, planning and proof of demand.
On the idea of Kaikohe as a location, Russell instead suggested looking further north to Kaitāia, where the airport’s 1402m runway recently underwent a major reseal.
Other plans potentially in the pipeline for the country’s northernmost commercial airport include reinstating fuel services, a new airfield lighting system, extending the carpark and redeveloping or replacing the terminal.
Kaitāia Airport already boasts its location as the “gateway to the Far North”.
If foreign interest in a Kaikohe airport comes to fruition, creating competition with Kaitāia and Kerikeri may be the lesser choice. Instead, a big-picture aviation strategy could delve into what each Northland airport can truly deliver.
This should expand to a national level, with the Government asking what role Northland can play in the country’s aviation network in the next 30 years, and every opportunity should go under the microscope.
The discussion about Northland’s aviation future shouldn’t be confined to whether Kaikohe can handle international flights; it should be about whether New Zealand will recognise Northland’s strategic potential in the sky.