Signing ceremony secures future of Kaitāia Airport

The long-term future of Kaitāia’s airport was secured today (13 December) with the signing of a Crown transfer of land to iwi and hapū, confirmation of a 35-year lease of the airport and the release a multi-million-dollar funding package for vital maintenance and upgrades.

The signing ceremony held this afternoon at Te Rangi Aniwaniwa, a kura kaupapa Māori adjacent to the airport, caps off eight years of negotiations between the Crown represented by Toitū Te Whenua (LINZ), Te Rūnanga O Ngāi Takoto, Te Paatu, Patukoraha, Ngāi Tohianga and the Far North District Council (FNDC).

Among those attending the ceremony were the Hon Tama Potaka Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti, Far North Mayor Moko Tepania, Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford, and councillors Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Penetaui Kleskovic and Tāmati Rakena. The signing also included Ngāi Takoto and representatives of Te Paatu, Patukoraha, Ngāi Tohianga .

Under the deal, the airport land will be returned to Ngāi Takoto, Te Paatu, Patukoraha and Ngāi Tohianga, FNDC will lease the airport from iwi and hapū for 35 years and the council’s commercial arm, Far North Holdings Limited (FNHL), will operate and manage the facility. The council will pay the landowners $80,000 excluding GST each year for the lease.

The agreement will see the Office for Māori Crown Relations – Te Arawhiti release $5.4 million in funding allocated last year for urgent maintenance required to keep the site operational. This will be topped up with another $2.4 million from the council which was earmarked for capital works in its Long Term Plan 2024-27.

Council CEO Guy Holroyd says the deal to ensure Kaitāia Airport continues to operate is a huge win for the Te Hiku community, for iwi and hapū, and for all of the Far North.

“Gaining security of tenure over a vital second airport in a district the size of the Far North is a milestone. There has been a lot of uncertainty about the airport’s future, and I want to thank iwi and hapū for engaging with all parts of the council to find a solution.”

He says the deal – including a 35-year lease – enables the council to plan effectively and invest in the airport’s infrastructure, further enhancing its long-term viability.

Mayor Moko Tepania says that without the airport, the only transport alternative for most Te Hiku residents is a long road journey. “This is particularly critical during medical emergencies when flying to hospitals in Whangārei or Auckland can literally be a lifesaver.”

He says to reflect the importance of the transport hub for the entire area, discussions are being held on renaming the airport.

“Just like our Mid North airport at Kerikeri, which is called Bay of Islands Airport, I want to see the importance of this airport recognised and we will be in discussions with mana whenua and our community on renaming it Te Hiku Airport.”

The agreement between Crown, the council and mana whenua is an example of how critical partnerships are driving success for the whole district. This was a key message delivered by Kahika Tepania during the recent State of the Far North address. You can find out more about how the council is developing partnerships and its other work here: State of the Far North Address 2024: Road to Recovery