Whenuapai airport has wings clipped

Plans to turn Whenuapai airbase into Auckland’s second commercial airport have crashed with the election of John Key as Prime Minister.

The National Party leader won the seat of Helensville on Saturday night with a commanding majority and his party, with support from ACT, will form the next government.

Mr Key, whose electorate includes Whenuapai, is a long-time opponent of the commercial airport plan.

He would rather see the air force staying put.

"National will retain Whenuapai as a defence facility for the foreseeable future," he says.

"We believe New Zealand’s future security requirements dictate that a major air force facility should be based close to our major population centre."

The future of the base has been uncertain for a number of years since Labour announced plans to transfer the air force to Ohakea.

The Waitakere City Council, assuming the shift would go ahead, formed a partnership with international airport operator Infratil and has pushed hard for the civilian alternative.

Both formed the North West Airport Company in 2006 with the Rodney and North Shore council’s as partners.

Their efforts are thwarted by the election result but Waitakere deputy mayor Penny Hulse says the city should still be celebrating.

"National has signalled that the air force will stay, which is fantastic news for this city and indeed the region," Ms Hulse says.

"We’ve always wanted the air force to stay but we were told very clearly by the previous government that that wouldn’t happen."

She says the airport option was simply a case of the council trying to make the best out of a bad situation.

"This council has always supported the retention of the air force, but the move to Ohakea was going to gut this community both economically and socially," she says.

"A major strategic public asset like Whenuapai should be maximised so that it becomes a real hub of economic activity."

Ms Hulse says the council will still go ahead with district plan changes needed for the site to be used as a civilian airport just in case there is a change in government policy.