28 | New Taupo terminal taking flight Trevor Watts of Watts Construction, Chris Johnston of the Taupo Airport Authority, and Paul Raven of Shelter Architects. Taupo District Council: Taupo Airport Kim Newth REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Taupō Airport is looking forward to an exciting year, as final touches are made to a new world-class terminal and airport carpark ahead of opening this year. This major redevelopment is poised to position Taupō Airport as an important aviation hub in the centre of the North Island. The spacious, future-proofed terminal has been designed to provide a unique and memorable gateway to the district and will transform the travel experience in and out of Taupō. Funding for the $9.237 million airport redevelopment has come from Taupō District Council ($3.367 million, allocated in the LongTerm Plan), the Crown’s Provincial Development Unit ($5 million) and the Ministry of Transport ($870,000). With a steady increase in air traffic over the years, the new terminal comes at the right time to serve the needs of this growing district. Designed by local practice Shelter Architects and built by Taupō firm Watts Construction, the new terminal is three times larger than the previous 1970s terminal building. In the past when aircraft were arriving and departing it could get very congested, and the spacious new terminal, fitted with up to date technology and improved baggage facilities, will have the capacity to smoothly accommodate all aircraft arrivals and departures. “Our airport is transitioning from a medium-sized regional airport to an important transport hub and business precinct that plays an important economic role for our entire district,” says Taupō District Council deputy chief executive Julie Gardyne. The development includes a well-lit sealed carpark with more than 120 spaces (constructed by CAMEX Civil), replacing the former grassed carpark that had no lighting. “The new carpark is a huge improvement, being much safer for winter use when flights are arriving in darkness, and a lot easier to navigate in the wet.” In the final stage of the carpark upgrade, the drop-off/pick-up zone is being upgraded and rental car parking relocated to the main carpark. A new automated parking charge system will come into effect once the new terminal opens. Taupō Airport serves local residents travelling throughout New Zealand, as well as visitors coming into the district. The new ‘gateway’ terminal will offer an enhanced travel experience for locals and a warm welcome for visitors. As well as being spacious and well-equipped for modern travel needs, the new terminal will tell the story of the district – its land and its people – in a unique way, incorporating rimu logs from Pureora forest and a mauri stone from Tauhara along with depictions of the local environment and a restored work by Kiwi artist and conservationist Barry Brickell. Chris Johnston, who has been Chair of the Taupō Airport Authority (TAA) for the last nine years, describes the new airport terminal as “a huge asset” for the whole district. “The TAA has been working towards this for nearly 10 years,” he says. “The new terminal looks very impressive and is going to be a world class facility, designed and built by some very talented Taupō locals. It is really exciting to see it now coming of age and opening up even more potential.” As well as serving the travelling public, Taupō Airport is home to a broad range of local businesses and activities. Taupō is one of the busiest drop zones for skydiving in the Southern Hemisphere and is the base of search and rescue operations for the Central North Island. The airport also accommodates various commercial helicopter services and fixed and rotor wing aircraft, as well as associated aircraft engineering and heli-maintenance services. An expansion of the airport apron itself is planned to further grow capacity. S H E L T E R ARCHITECTS GET IN TOUCH: Tel: 021 679 452 Email: admin@shelterarchitects.co.nz Level 1 | 31 Te Heuheu St Taupo | Waikato | New Zealand 07 378 8688 | www.rotorandwing.co.nz | john@rotorandwing.co.nz Enhancing the safety, reliability & performance of helicopters
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