The investment decision said the airport was 26% New Zealand-owned, with Australians owning 29%, US interests 23% and other nationalities 22%.<\/p>\n
The value of the deal was not disclosed but Auckland Council\u2019s capital value (CV) rating for all the land was $79.4 million.<\/p>\n
There were three vendors, all 100% New Zealand-owned.<\/p>\n
The first two were Scoria Sales, and Karl Richard Moreton and Penny Louise Hughes Jones as executors of the estate of Trevor Robert Ellett. <\/p>\n
The third was the E Ellett Rye Grass Trustee and Wynyard Wood (E Ellett Rye Grass) Trustee, as trustees of the E Ellett Rye Grass Trust.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe land is currently operating as a combined basalt and scoria quarry, and clean fill disposal site,\u201d the decision said.<\/p>\n
The 81.8ha of land is just south of the Ihum\u0101tao protest site of 2016-2020 and includes the volcano Maungataketake, whose cone has been quarried. Photo \/ Google<\/p>\n
It said the airport intended to develop part of the land into an industrial business park, including for air cargo and logistics uses.<\/p>\n
Those plans would be subject to plan change and resource consents being granted, which would only happen after consultation with iwi and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main benefits to New Zealand are likely to include capital expenditure, increased efficiencies, synergies with the airport\u2019s development plan and job creation,\u201d the decision added.<\/p>\n
\u201cOther benefits of the investment are enabling public access through the development of a coastal path, and supporting the Government\u2019s Aviation Action Plan<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n The action plan, announced last September, said the private sector had a major role in infrastructure investment and was best-placed to lead and drive change in the sector.<\/p>\n \u201cAirport planning, future-proofing and resilience are critical factors for success of the New Zealand aviation sector,\u201d the Aviation Action Plan added.<\/p>\n In the new land deal, consent was granted because the airport met investor test criteria and the investment was seen to likely benefit New Zealand.<\/p>\n Auckland Airport told the Herald a decision on a second runway was still years away, but the deal helped ensure surrounding land use was compatible with long-term airport operations.<\/p>\n They said the deal strengthened Auckland Airport\u2019s resilience and supported future growth as travel demand increased.<\/p>\n The airport said the land to its northwest was offered to the open market.<\/p>\n A volcanic rock quarry was operating on the site and livestock were grazing.<\/p>\n The airport said that when the land was sold, it was zoned for future urban use, including potential residential housing.<\/p>\n The airport said that type of development was \u201cgenerally not considered well-suited to a location near an airport\u201d.<\/p>\n Auckland Airport planned to keep running the quarry for now.<\/p>\n \u201cThe land and quarry are also expected to play a role in supporting airport projects, primarily as a potential location for surplus fill and as a means of restoration when quarrying ceases.\u201d<\/p>\n The airport said it acknowledged cultural and environmental concerns about the area.<\/p>\n \u201cGiven the sensitivity of the land and proximity to the coast, it is also anticipated that a significant portion of the land will be set aside and protected,\u201d the airport said.<\/p>\n \u201cAuckland Airport acknowledges the deep and enduring connection that mana whenua have with this area.\u201d<\/p>\n It pledged to work closely with local iwi, and said their perspectives would guide its plans.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are committed to honouring the cultural significance of the area and supporting long-term environmental and cultural outcomes.\u201d <\/p>\n It said some land might be used for development activities in future but that was not planned for any time soon.<\/p>\n \u201cThe purchase price is not disclosed at this stage and remains confidential between buyer and seller.\u201d<\/p>\n Land deal<\/p>\n The property at 290 Ihum\u0101tao Rd is a long, skinny piece of land stretching from the road and then bulging at the southeast of the quarry, with a CV of $17.75m.<\/p>\n Neighbouring site 292 includes most of the quarry and some of the coast and had a CV of $14.75m.<\/p>\n Number 296, with a CV of $17.25m, stretches from the road to the quarry edge and has no coast. It surrounds 298, a small piece of land with a CV of $1.5m.<\/p>\n The land at 328 is a 30.3ha section jutting out into the Manukau. Its council valuation was $23.5m.<\/p>\n And 367 is a 5.6ha section at Elletts Beach, on the north side of Ihum\u0101tao Rd, with a CV of $4.675m.<\/p>\n Second runway <\/p>\n Auckland Airport has said the new northern runway will run parallel to the existing runway. <\/p>\n Initially planned to start operating in 2028, its opening date has been pushed back a decade.<\/p>\n It will be 2983m long. <\/p>\n That is 652m shorter than the existing runway and not long enough for a fully-laden Airbus A380<\/a> to take off from, but likely long enough for all other passenger aircraft.<\/p>\n The airport has said the runway project\u2019s benefits include it being built on airport-owned land, without the need for any reclamation of the Manukau.<\/p>\n Auckland Airport major projects<\/p>\nAn artist’s impression showing the proposed new northern runway, with taxiways to its south. Maungataketake (Ellett’s Mount) and its quarry can be seen just below the top left corner. Image \/ Auckland Airport<\/p>\n
The new airport-owned land is south of the Ihum\u0101tao site where Fletcher Building plans for housing were met with opposition. Photo \/ Peter Meecham<\/p>\n
Five out of the six pieces of land purchased in the deal. Number 367 Ihumatao Rd is to the northwest, across the road. Image \/ Auckland Council, modified<\/p>\n