$1.5m airport upgrade to start in months

BY ALASTAIR STEWART

A $1.5 million construction programme to get commercial flights in and out of Kapiti will provide a much-needed employment boost to the region.

Work to level and reseal the main runway and build a new temporary terminal should start in the next few months at the to-be renamed Paraparaumu Airport.

Chief executive Steve Bootten promises Kapiti workers will be included in the process.

"Without question, wherever possible we're using local companies ... local people and iwi."

There will be long-term employment opportunities with the terminal and car rental services requiring staff, which is welcomed at a time when unemployment continues to rise.

Figures for the period ending December 31 show 763 are unemployed within the Paraparaumu area, up from 370 a year earlier.

Yesterday, surveyors were at the airport analysing the main runway for slopes and lumps in preparation for an $800,000, three-to-six-month resealing project. The work is in preparation for return Air New Zealand flights from Paraparaumu to Auckland, which may be running by October. That is dependent on the results of an air-space risk review, which will be completed next week.

Bar any surprises in that, Mr Bootten believes up to four flights could be running to Auckland daily, with flights to Christchurch added soon after. A temporary terminal is also in the pipeline with a budget of $500,000, which could rise by $250,000 with roads and parking included.

- Kapiti Observer