March 16, 2018
Boost for Bay of Islands infrastructure
The airport and wharves servicing the Bay of Islands are to be upgraded with almost $7 million from the New Zealand First-Labour coalition’s Provincial Growth Fund.
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says the work will boost the tourism sector and create new jobs and opportunities to the region.
The government will work alongside Far North Holdings Ltd the commercial arm of the Far North District Council and on developing business cases for significant upgrades at Paihia, Russell and Opua.
If the business cases stack up, the fund will invest up to $5 million in the three projects.
Included in the Opua plan is a 120 metre floating pontoon for the Tuia First Encounters 250 voyaging event in 2019.
The pontoon will be used for future events such as Bay of Islands Sailing Week and the Millennium Cup and will help extend the super yacht industry outside of Auckland.
The fund will also commit $1.7 million towards a new terminal at Kerikeri Airport.
Mr Jones says the current terminal is not fit for purpose, and Far North Holdings has already lodged building consents for the project.
It’s among the fastest-growing regional airports in the country, with almost 100,000 people passing through it last year.
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