Open day offers gateway into airport life
14 January 2014
Rotorua International Airport is opening its gates and inviting the community to experience the airport as they never have before.
The Rotorua Airport Open Day, on Sunday 30 March, celebrates the airport's 50th anniversary and the public is invited to share in the festivities through a day of fun and interaction. The event will also serve as the Bay Trust Rescue Helicopter annual open day.
Airport chief executive Alastair Rhodes says the open day is a fun, hands-on opportunity for the Rotorua community to find out what the airport is all about.
We want to create real community ownership of the airport and to promote transparency around our activities and where we are heading in the future. Part of that process is giving people the opportunity to find out who we and the other Airport tenants are, what we do out here and why.
It is a chance to connect with our local community - past, present and future - as well as creating awareness and raising funds for our charitable partners, the Bay Trust Rescue Helicopter and Blue Light.
Events on the day will include demonstrations of the emergency services teams in action, the chance to win flights, or book a flight on a historic DC3, interactive aviation displays, taking a tour through the international departure lounge, plus many stalls, food and other activities.
Another important aspect of the open day is about thanking all those who have been involved in the establishment and running of the Airport during the past 50 years. This will include the dedication and blessing of new artwork on display at the Airport terminal, including the five murals painted by local primary schools; the unveiling of a plaque of acknowledgement to Ngati Uenukukopako Iwi; as well as acknowledgement of the key people who were involved in the Airport over the last 50 years.
As part of the open day, we are also asking members of the public to share their photographs and memorabilia of the Airport and surrounding site from over the past 50 years with us, all of which will be included in the day's historic celebrations, Mr Rhodes says.
The open day will be from 11am to 3pm on Sunday 30 March and attendees are encouraged to donate a gold coin to the Bay Trust and Blue Light charities.
Any old photographs or other thoughts and ideas can be emailed to Anna Rodgers, Anna@rotorua-airport.co.nz.