| 33 T T Kim Newth Aviators’ dreams brought to life Te Kowhai Airpark is providing a unique opportunity for a tailored lifestyle within a premier airside community. Te Kowhai Airpark REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT An exciting new chapter is underway as Te Kowhai Airpark, near Hamilton, takes shape as New Zealand’s first purpose-built aviation community where aviation enthusiasts can live, work and play. Te Kowhai Aerodrome has long served as a community aviation hub and launchpad for future aviation careers. Now, Te Kowhai Airpark is providing a unique opportunity for a tailored lifestyle within a premier airside community. Imagine a modern architectural home with internal access to a private hangar, opening on to a taxiway leading straight to a well-maintained 983-metre runway. It’s an aviator’s dream. Stage 1 sections are generously sized at 2500sqm or larger. With earthworks on track for completion by Christmas 2025, stage 1 titles are set to be released by February/ March 2026. “The first property to be built will be our stunning Landmark show home with its own private detached hangar,” says local businessman Paul Andrew, who is leading sales and marketing at Te Kowhai Airpark. “It’s not too late to come on board – we have sections available in stage 1 from $800,000 and more to come in stage 2. People can use their own builder, or browse our high-quality house- hangar-and-land packages.” This modern airpark dream started with aviation pioneer Max Clear, who founded the aerodrome, and fellow aviation enthusiast Barry Readman. Max developed a business building microlights at the aerodrome in the 1980s. Microlight converts Barry and wife Sally then launched a business of their own at Te Kowhai making fabric wings for microlights. As the aerodrome grew into an epicentre of aviation activity, Max and the Readman family began forming the vision to develop a modern airpark where aviation enthusiasts could truly live their passion. “It has taken the best part of a decade to get all the right consents and approvals to make the dream a reality,” says Paul, who himself learned to fly at Te Kowhai in 2002 in Bantam microlights. “Our team visited airparks in Texas and Florida to hone our ideas. This airpark isn’t just about buying a house and hangar on an airfield – every person who buys a property here becomes an owner and will have a say in its future development.” Other members of the airpark team include Barry’s son Dan Readman, an airline captain, who lives on the aerodrome, and local accountant Regan Brown. Paul and his wife, who live on the edge of the aerodrome, love their lifestyle at Te Kowhai. “We can have our Cirrus ready to go on a Saturday morning, be up at 7am and be landing in Christchurch by 9.15am. Or take off and be in Tauranga or Whitianga in half an hour or Wellington within an hour and a half,” says Paul. “It’s a wonderful place to live, too. Te Kowai has a decile 10 primary school and is on the high school bus routes. It’s a vibrant small community close to Hamilton. It’s the perfect location.” Amenities at the airfield include a large hangar used for community events and another serving as a social space for pilots. There are flight training and flight simulator rooms. “Our future plans include building a tennis court and a half basketball court as well as a new clubroom,” Paul says. Civil Infrastructure Surfacing Civil Commercial + Residential Proud to be a part of the Te Kowhai Airpark project Request a Quote Email or send your plans, and we’ll get you a detailed quote. We offer on-site visits, ensuring personalised advice and a free, no-obligation quote. Call Us Today On 07 849 0600
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