Ngāti Hauā held centre stage at the karakia for the new $7 million international terminal at Hamilton Airport this week.
Ataria-Jay Tahapeehi, Julia Aramoana, Te Raumako Karena, Sonny Karena, Joshua Wikiriwhi-Heta, Norman Hill, Michael Wikiriwhi-Heta of Ngāti Haua at the airport blessing. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Iwi representatives acknowledged the spiritual significance of the new building, removed tapu (restrictions) and dedicated the space ready for its full and proper use later this month.
The karakia was led by Te Raumako Karena and Joshua Wikiriwhi-Heta who were then accompanied by other iwi around the freshly-painted building which will house aviation security, customs, Ministry of Primary Industries and immigration staff along with support from police and health services.
Included in the celebration were contractors who completed the work with time to spare.
After a celebratory morning tea, new staff and airport officials met to discuss how the building would operate.
Soon after the blessing, the terminal was evacuated due to a fire alarm. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
They were interrupted by a fire siren which led to the evacuation of everyone into the airport car park.
The News understands it was set off by a contractor working too close to a fire alarm.
The terminal will open for business later this month when the Jetstar flight from Sydney, the first to the airport in 13 years, touches down. It will fly back across the Tasman the same day.
Te Raumako Karena during the karakia call. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
From then on, Jetstar will operate three return flights per week between Hamilton Airport and the Gold Coast and four between the airport and Sydney.
Waikato Regional Airport Ltd chief executive Mark Morgan said the blessing acknowledged the hundreds of people who had contributed to a major regional project.
“It’s been a huge job delivered within a tight timeframe. Not finishing it on time was simply not an option.”
Travellers have access to a new duty-free store and café.
Facilities also include a new domestic jet service lounge, which when required, can be entirely separated from international facilities.
A further 300 additional car parks have also been developed, including ones for use by 60 new airport-based staff.
The terminal will be used by around 120,000 international passengers each year – the airport already handles around 360,000 domestic travellers – and estimates are it will pour $45 million per year into the regional economy.
Jetstar is the fourth carrier to operate from Hamilton Airport, joining Air New Zealand, Sunair and Originair.
Air New Zealand announced last month domestic jet flights between Hamilton and Christchurch will resume in September, marking the return of a domestic jet service after 25 years.
Joshua Wikiriwhi-Heta leads the blessing. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Airport terminal blessing, from left Michael Wikiriwhi-Heta, Sonny Karena, Joshua Wikiriwhi-Heta, Mark Morgan CEO, Ataria-Jay Tahapeehi. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Jetstar staff among airport personnel and contractors at Hamilton Airport blessing. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
