A Rukuhia company has shared its bold vision for an aviation connected freight hub and runway extension at Hamilton Airport. Senior writer Chris Gardner investigates.
A plan showing where the freight hub would be and how the airport runway could be extended.
Plans to reinstate a runway extension and news of an aviation connected freight hub have been revealed for Hamilton Airport.
Puaawai Management Ltd directors and shareholders David Heald and Brian Hermann shared the 1100ha hub concept plans with Waikato Regional Airport Company shareholders and board in October.
Puaawai is a Rukuhia company based at 400 Raynes Road, overlooking The Narrows Landing, and already has significant land holdings at the airport.
Hamilton Airport’s Mark Morgan, left, and chair Barry Harris. Photo: Stephen Barker
Waikato Regional Airport Ltd is a council-controlled organisation owned by Hamilton, Waikato, Matamata-Piako, Waipā and Ōtorohanga councils which is the umbrella company for the airport, Titanium Park, Jet Park Hotel and Hamilton and Waikato Tourism.
Puaawai’s proposal emerged after regional development minister Shane Jones told the Waikato Regional Growth Forum the airport would become a pygmy if the Crown designation permitting the extension of the runway lapsed in 2026.
A runway extension would allow larger cargo planes to touch down in Hamilton.
“So, if you are elected, or if you are a business leader, or if you are an iwi leader, you should not, in my view allow your airport to lose its potential to play a bigger role in Waikato and in New Zealand for the future,” Jones said.
“You Waikato people are selling yourself short if you allow your airport to become a pygmy.”
Airport chief executive Mark Morgan said work was already underway reviewing a previous decision allowing the designation to lapse.
Of Puaawai’s vision, Morgan said it was early days.
“Their proposal considers the airport’s future interface with the land to the west of the airport. That land does not impact on aeronautical operations. The airport has been clear it needs to see a lot more meat on the bones; we cannot make decisions based on a vision. As with any proposal, we will need to see a very robust and credible, costed business case and we look forward to seeing that.”
Hamilton Airport after its recent upgrade.
Puaawai director David Heald was pleased to hear the extension decision was under review.
“Hamilton’s unique position makes it the perfect location for a multimodal logistics hub which connects air, a road of national significance and rail,” Heald said.
“Keeping the designation alive will not only unlock immense economic value and national aviation resilience, but future proof the Waikato as a critical participant in NZ’s freight and international travel landscape.”
Paula Southgate
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate, whose council is the majority shareholder, said Jones’ comments were the first she was aware that government was interested in extending the runway.
“There was an implication that there could be some funding from the government, and we are always open,” she said.
“There is a process to talk with the other owners. Nothing has happened that will prevent an extension to the runway. There’s no reason why it can’t be extended if the business case stacks up. No one is going to turn away a really big opportunity for aviation. We are open for business.”
Hamilton City Council’s Economic Development Committee met on October 24 and asked staff to work with other airport shareholders to encourage the board to reconsider its decision to release the designation for an extension to the runway.
The airport company designated 16 hectares of land for a potential runway extension in 2011. In 2023, independent reports from experts found no compelling argument to extend the runway.
“Any runway extension would come with a $100 million-plus price tag – possibly more – and that could not be justified at that time,” Morgan said.
“To justify a $100m-plus investment to allow wide-bodied jets would require around 16 wide-bodied jet movements per week. The Waikato population could not support passenger services for that size of aircraft so they would have to be freight related. Auckland Airport currently have five dedicated freight flights per week so Hamilton would need to more than triple that.”
Meanwhile Waikato Regional Airport Ltd says the challenging travel and tourism environment was reflected in its annual financial results. The company reported a pre-tax profit of $3.6 million, down from $18.6 million the previous year.
Watch out Australia – we’re on our way! WRAL chief executive Mark Morgan, board chair Barry Harris and the Hamilton Airport team celebrate today’s announcement that direct flights between Hamilton and Australia will resume in mid-2025. Photo: Stephen Barker.
