Aerial mapping company on move

TAKING FLIGHT: Bayleys Hawke's Bay salesman Paul Garland at the NZ Aerial Mapping facility at Hastings Aerodrome.PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN HBT141567-01

Long-established Hawke's Bay company NZ Aerial Mapping says it will remain in the region despite a decision to move some parts of its business to Auckland and sell its Hastings Aerodrome headquarters.

The aerial photography and mapping company has put its buildings,hangars and land at the Bridge Pa Aerodrome on the market as it consolidates its engineering and flight operations activities in Auckland.

The company has had a presence at Bridge Pa since the 1930s and says it will continue to run its production and sales operations from Hastings.

Managing director Mark Roberts said the shift of some parts of the business to Auckland followed the company's 2012 acquisition of Great Barrier Airlines.

"Although the two businesses are different (an aerial survey company and a commuter airline) there are synergies to be made," Mr Roberts said.

"Some benefits have already been extracted, however, it is now time for the group to implement the combining of the engineering and flight operations of both businesses," he said.

"Due to the types of planes the group owns and regular passenger transport operation being flown, it was decided the new facility is best based in Auckland and therefore the Bridge Pa facilities become surplus to requirements."

It is understood some NZ Aerial Mapping staff have been offered the option of either moving to Auckland or taking redundancy.

Bayleys Hawke's Bay, which is selling the property, says it offers an exciting opportunity for plane owners or an aviation industry business. The site is one of only two such facilities in the area.

The 7465sq m freehold section includes a number of buildings, three hangar workshops, a fuel tank and a dangerous goods store.

Tenders for the property close on May 22.

"An opportunity now exists for an investor to take over this property in a sought-after area and potentially elevate the business to a new level," Bayleys agent Paul Garland said.

The other Bayleys salesman involved in marketing the property, Daniel Moffitt, said the strength of the local horticultural market could present an opportunity for a horticultural aviation company to take on the facilities.

"A new owner could also consider subdividing the hangars to extend capacity for operators, particularly those specialising in horticultural aviation given the demand of the surrounding market," he said.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said the district had been working to attract new aviation businesses, and he was confident the facility would find a new owner.

"I don't like any business moving off but at the moment we're substantially gaining more than we're losing so I'm quite happy about that," he said.