25 August 2026: Proposed airport business park development

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Rotorua Airport business park development

Enquiry

Request for Mayor Tapsell

I am just working on a story about Rotorua Airport's resource consent application for the first stage of its proposed business park and was hoping to get your perspective.

• As the airport's owner, does the council support the business park development?
• What benefits do you expect the project to deliver for Rotorua residents and ratepayers?
• The business park has been discussed for more than 20 years. Why is now the right time to move ahead?
• What role do you see Rotorua Airport playing beyond its traditional role as a transport hub?
• Are you comfortable with the management of the low-level PFAS contamination identified within the development area?

Response

From Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell:

Council is very supportive of the Rotorua Airport Business Park and the opportunities it will create for our district with its focus on growing aviation activity, supporting economic development and delivering public value.

This is a great opportunity to make use of underutilised airport land, create new jobs, attract investment and provide room for aviation and airport-related businesses to establish and grow. The airport already provides essential business, tourism and leisure connections for Rotorua and the wider region. To ensure it is financially sustainable, we cannot become complacent, we need to keep investing where it makes sense and look at the commercial opportunities available.

Council has also advocated strongly for the necessary state highway upgrades to help unlock this area and will continue to do so.

I appreciate that Ngāti Uenukukōpako have strong cultural connections to this area so I will continue to support on-going discussions and partnerships to ensure that future development is aligned with both Council and mana whenua aspirations.

The PFAS levels identified are very low. The airport is working with the appropriate consultants and has an appropriate site management plan in place. I’m supportive of the measures being taken to manage this and am relieved that there appears to be a solution to eliminating risk to PFAS found in soil.