Ian Collier: Rotorua Keeping up with change is needed

Air New Zealand regional affairs manager Ian Collier outlines the airline's future focus at a lunch meeting in Rotorua yesterday. Photo/ Stephen Parker.

One of the issues facing Rotorua is that it has not changed - according to new Air New Zealand regional affairs manager Ian Collier.

Mr Collier was in Rotorua yesterday speaking at a Rotorua Chamber of Commerce lunch meeting at the Novotel hotel.

He has been touring the country's 26 regional airports giving people an insight into the airline's new international and regional focus after Christopher Luxon took over from Rob Fife as chief executive of the airline earlier this year.

"To be more effective as an industry it is vital that we hunt as a pack ... I would also suggest the same applies to regional New Zealand ... the Bay of Plenty is one of those."

He said a new "Pacific rim" mindset at the airline would focus on the emerging Asia-Pacific middle class.

"Some regions that historically have been incredibly successful in the tourism sector have found things have changed and in some cases have moved right past them. There are also emerging regions that are incredibly on to it."

Mr Collier said there were many reasons why people were missing Rotorua out during a holiday in New Zealand.

"I look at the CBD here and I don't need to tell you what we are dealing with - what hasn't happened here in Rotorua is change. All of the natural attributes have gone nowhere ... the question is how do you maintain the attractiveness of it and how do you go to the market with it.

"We can help with that, we have channels into the market. That's why it's important to work with regional organisations like yours."