Tauranga Airport (Place)

OWNERSHIP

In 1936 funds were raised via Council contribution to buy land from local Māori owners around the Whareroa harbour front.

The airport business is now wholly owned by Tauranga City Council but land ownership is shared between the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Tauranga City Council (formerly the Tauranga District Council) and the Crown.

TIMELINE

1936 - Airfield established after land was purchased from local Māori owners around the Whareroa harbour front, using funds raised via Tauranga District Council contribution.

1937 - Construction of the Tauranga Aerodrome begun by the Public Works Department, including access roads, construction of a wharf,  and preparation on 59 acres. Butler and Carroll Ltd (based in Hamilton) were contracted to use a Crawler tractor and scraper to move 50,000 cubic yards of spoil.

1938 - first section of construction completed in early 1938.

1938 - Installation of radio aerial masts and radio aids.

1939 January 14 - official opening of the aerodrome.

1939 - Tauranga Borough Council appointed a caretaker. The Public Works Department requested supplies for the caretaker to 'keep down the rabbit population'.

1939 - Union Airways Ltd operated the first passenger service with a 'multi-engined 12 seater De Haviland aircraft'. The Bay of Plenty Times were the Tauranga agents. To access their flight passengers travelled on Faulkners Ferry to the aerodrome wharf, then taxi to the aerodrome.

1939 February - Cabinet approved second stage of the aerodrome development. Butler and Carroll moved 180,000 cubic yards of spoil.

1939-1945 - During WWII Tauranga Aerodrome became the Royal New Zealand Air Force Central Flying School. Buildings erected by the Public Works Department included: hangars, mess and ablution blocks, dental and medical blocks, and oil stores.

1945 - after the end of WWII the Ministry of Works became responsible for aerodrome maintenance.

1946 - Scheduled passenger services commenced.

1962 - Tauranga Airport Committee took over maintenance, administered by Tauranga City Council.

1964 - Houses were removed from the airport runway site by Frank Bear Ltd (Mount Maunganui), see Photo gca-6526

1966 - Construction of main runway, see 1966 - Gifford-Cross Photographic Series

1968 April - Opening of runway and temporary passenger terminal at Tauranga Airport.

1997 - Māori land claim.

2013 - Deed of settlement signed 14 December, between the Crown and Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngā Pōtiki, regarding historical Treaty of Waitangi claims. See 2016 timeline entry. 

2016 - Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngā Pōtiki Claims Settlement Bill section 8(7) "During the 20th century, infrastructure projects underpinning the development of Tauranga were constructed on land compulsorily acquired from Ngāi Te Rangi. These projects included the airport and port..." and section 9(15) "The Crown acknowledges that public works have had enduring negative effects on the lands, resources, and cultural identity of Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngā Pōtiki, including—" (c) "the development of the port and airport"

See also: Tauranga Aero Club (Organisation)