Rotorua Airport boss bids farewell

Chief executive says time is right for fresh ideas to come into role Rotorua International Airport chief executive George White has resigned his position to take up a new chief executive position with a key Rotorua tourism operator.

Mr White will leave the airport on February 7 and start his new role later that month.

Mr White has been the chief executive at the Rotorua International Airport for six years, and has overseen key developments such as the extension and refurbishment of the domestic and international terminals, the extension of the airport runway and the introduction of transtasman flights between Rotorua and Sydney.

Mr White said he was not yet in a position to provide details about his new role.

Airport chairman Ray Cook said Mr White has managed the airport through a major period of change in a challenging economic and tourism environment.

"Rotorua International Airport is an important asset for Rotorua. Six years ago it required significant work to lift and maintain its facilities to a range of different benchmarks - not just for international flights, but more importantly, for domestic travel as well.

"This was absolutely critical if Rotorua was to maintain its place on the key domestic travel routes, as well as to provide support to our local business community who need to remain connected to the rest of New Zealand.

"George has managed these projects with a high level of professionalism, while also leveraging critical relationships with key stakeholders, such as airlines, in an effort to grow the opportunities for this region.

"We would like to thank him for his contribution over the past six years and wish him well with his new role," Mr Cook said.

Mr White said leaving the airport had been a difficult decision to make. "I am proud of the Rotorua International Airport team, and what we have achieved over the past six years.

"At the same time, the airport is entering a new phase of development and it's time for somebody else to take the reins and bring new thinking and initiatives to the challenge.

"My family and I are delighted to be staying in Rotorua and I look forward to continuing to work with the local tourism and business community."

Mr Cook said the role of Rotorua International Airport chief executive would be advertised in the coming weeks.