KEY POINTS:
Local body elections are usually fought on tried and true issues such as roads, rubbish and rates. But a lobby group opposed to a commercial airport at Whenuapai, Auckland, is trying to change this, hoping to drum up enough support to change the face of the North Shore
City Council.
Listed infrastructure company Infratil - two-thirds owner of Wellington Airport and owner of several European airports - has joined the Waitakere City Council in an attempt to get the Whenuapai Air Force base turned over to commercial aviation.
The Air Force had wanted to leave the base, but this is now not certain. Any move will not happen for at least another five years.
Waitakere City Council is moving to change the airfield zoning, so that a commercial airport could eventually be built there.
But opponents say Waitakere's support for the airport does not take into account where all the downside will be happening - in North Shore City, over which many of the aircraft using it will fly.
The Whenuapai Airport Action Group (WAAG) is now mobilising to sway opinion in the North Shore City Council elections, by distributing pamphlets warning of dire consequences of a new airport and naming those candidates who oppose it.
WAAG president Russell Stewart says "the majority of the people on the North Shore will be affected one way or another".
One bone of contention surrounding WAAG and its activities has been the $20,000 donation made by Auckland International Airport, which is trying to use the group to bolster opposition to a rival airport.
Stewart says the airport is also helping with technical support, such as getting information about the noise impact of an airport at Whenuapai.
"Their reasons for opposing the airport are different to ours, but their aim is the same," says Stewart.
"They have found us a useful group to associate with, because we are at the grassroots if you like.
"We continue to have a close relationship. If they get any information that they feel they can properly tell us, they tell us. Likewise if I get any information I think they might be interested in I tell them."
Stewart says the nature of the relationship is such that it does not compromise the position of WAAG.
"It's not one where they need to tell us at any time what to do."
The aborted bid by Dubai Aerospace to buy Auckland International Airport and the pending bid by Canada Pension Plan are unlikely to change much around Whenuapai, says Stewart.
"From our point of view it doesn't matter what happens at Auckland, the place could have a bomb on it and we would still have the same view of putting an airport at Whenuapai."
Infratil's recent purchase of a small stake in Auckland Airport does mean that the company is "arguing against one of its shareholders now".
But Infratil does not have enough shares to dictate what the Auckland Airport company does.
Stewart says there is no issue of corporate money being used to influence the North Shore election.
"I think that would be stretching the band to the point of breaking because, in fact, they [the Auckland Airport company] do not at any point try to influence what we do in any way shape or form - they have offered us technical assistance, they have given us money, but that is where it starts and finishes. They are careful to maintain an arm's-length relationship."
Stewart says WAAG has not made any donations to any Whenuapai opponents running in the election.
One of the North Shore City councillors facing opposition from WAAG is Gary Holmes.
He says that claims of a large decrease in property values, excessive noise pollution and traffic congestion from Whenuapai are alarmist and over-hyped.
He's not too concerned at the involvement of WAAG in the election, especially since local body votes generally have such a low turnout.
"Any issue that enhances it or gets people out and interested in it is fine by me," says Holmes.
"In terms of the WAAG campaign on that, they are certainly free as a pressure group to put forward their opinions an support what candidates they wish.
"All I'm hoping for is that they put out information that is correct and balanced. Unfortunately I haven't seen any sign of that being the case.
"They are pushing it and promoting the candidates they consider support their view."
The group's funding from Auckland International Airport is at least now transparent, so Holmes is comfortable with that aspect.
"I guess you have got to question who is driving the agenda?" he says. "Who is driving the opposition? When that sort of information comes to light, you have to question it.
"What we don't know and what we aren't sure of is just how big that opposition is. We're hearing certainly a very vocal group - but just how widespread is that?"
Holmes thinks the plan to get a commercial airport at Whenuapai will bear fruit, so it would be better for the North Shore City Council to be "in the tent" influencing its development, rather than letting others make the decisions.
His support for Whenuapai is also based around on his belief that Auckland should not lose a potentially valuable piece of infrastructure that has already been built.
If the Air Force does not leave the base, then Infratil and councils will ask to share it.
Air New Zealand, which was previously wedded solely to Auckland International Airport, now says it could look at using Whenuapai.
