28 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Hawke’s Bay: Hawke’s Bay Airport asb.co.nz Proudly backing the Hawke’s Bay Airport. To see how we can help get your business one step ahead, call our Business Banking team on 0800 272 222. ASB Bank Limited 56180 24478 0222 56180 24478 0222 Hawkes Bay Airport Advert 257x100.indd 1 8/03/22 12:44 PM Carved panels show history of the Bay T T from page 26 A 1930 De Havilland dragon propellor recessed into the etched plywood wall. “How all these pieces came about is very eclectic and nods to the history and culture of the region.” A Specialist Environmental and Planning Consultancy. Policy Statements & Plans Resource Consents & Designations Assessment of Environmental Effects Strategic & Structure Planning Submissions, Mediation & Evidence Due Diligence & Strategic Advice Consultation, Engagement & Facilitation Collaboration & Partnership Project Planning & Coordination of Inputs Resource Management Compliance Audit In the arrivals area the first carved panel depicts the image of Hana Cotter who welcomes guests to the airport with a karanga. “Hana was a survivor of Napier’s 1931 earthquake, a strong advocate for Te Reo Māori and Māori culture throughout her life,” says Judi. “Mana whenua and its seven hapū welcome guests with haka and waiata. These panels also tell the stories of the immense change that have impacted on this whenua and on the people who live here. The land was shaken and lifted by 1931 earthquake – represented by the jagged chevron pattern. These and many other stories are represented in these stunning panels.” Before you enter the check-in area a gorgeous 1930s De Havilland dragon propeller is recessed into the etched plywood wall. A fortunate relic from a bygone age, the propeller is from one of two De Havillands that on a daily basis flew commercial passenger flights between Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne from 1935. When World War Two was declared the two De Havillands were seconded to Fiji for the war effort. At war’s end the fabric clad planes were set alight, as was common practice. Fortunately a sentimental serviceman rescued one of the propellers before it was consumed, and brought it back to Hawke’s Bay. The story goes that the serviceman’s father pedalled to the airport, wrapped the propeller in a blanket and biked it home. It has lived at the Hawke’s Bay Aero Club for year before it was offered to Hawke’s Bay Airport on permanent loan and takes pride of place on the wall for all to see. On a wall next to the staircase that leads to the mezzanine viewing floor is an image of a black moggy by the name of Skezyx, whose legend as an artful dodger will live forever. Skezyx was the mascot of East Coast Airways and would go up on the occasional test flight in the bumpy De Havilland II. At least once Skezyk managed to get itself onto a commercial passenger flight, keeping passengers and the pilots very amused. “The little picture and write up is inquisitive and fun because we’re thinking about our smallest passengers — kids who will ask their mummy why there is a black cat on the wall.” Taking its own pride of place in Bellatino’s Aeroporto retail area is a fully restored 1928 Double AA Ford truck that the Airport’s previous CEO Stuart Ainslie spied in a very sad state prior to the first Covid lockdown, and had the vision to purchase for future use in the new airport. Restored at the fire station on the airport grounds the truck is painted signal-box red and is put to use as Bellatino’s point of sale and endearing display piece, carrying the logo ‘Lagoon Farm Ahuriri’, which harks back to the pre-quake days when the lagoon was an important food basket for local Māori. “How all these pieces came about is very eclectic and nods to the history and culture of the region. It creates interest as you go through the terminal. “Part of my role is to help bring these stories to life, and to make them available to anyone who is interested to learn more. QR codes linked to digital information will be incorporated this year and I also hope to create audio tours in the future so that as people walk through the airport with their earbuds in, listening to the thirty second sound bite describing the items. “We also have our amazing airport ambassadors who come in and support customers on their journey. They will help tell the stories of the art, and bring it to life.” T T Sustainable drive - page 30 Currently under construction the final part and crowning glory of the airport’s renaissance will be the forecourt that leads from carpark to terminal. “It will have a beautiful courtyard area where people can take the time to sit and admire the kuaka sculptures that echo the building’s design. There will be planting areas, which will reflect Hawke’s Bay food bowl. Local growers will have the opportunity to plant their trees in this area, so when you walk through you will see apples, peaches or pears growing on the trees. We want the airport to have a lovely sense off place. The airport is Hawke’s Bay’s gateway and needs to support everyone’s journey.”
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