Ngai Te Rangi chief proposes new airport to consolidate Tauranga, Whakatane and Rotorua airports

New Zealand's Ngai Te Rangi CEO Paora Stanley proposed consolidating Tauranga Airport, Whakatane Airport and Rotorua Airport into one major airport at Paengaroa to attract international services to the region (NZ Herald, 28-May-2017). The local leader stated he is in talks with four international investors that are interested in this project. The project is estimated to require investment of up to NZD1 billion (USD705 million) and will take 20 years to complete. Mr Stanley stated the main obstacle is getting regulatory approval for it: "The problem isn't about building it, the issue is the red tape and for the city to decide it's a good idea".