Celebrating 50 years of take-offs and landings

A flight from Sydney arriving at Rotorua Airport in 2010.

It's been 50 years since the Rotorua Airport opened for business. Matthew Martin takes a look back.

The Rotorua Airport was officially opened on Saturday October 3, 1964 with much pomp and ceremony.

Retired Rotorua electrician Maurie Street recently dropped off the official programme of events from the big day to the Rotorua Daily Post, which included messages from then Prime Minister Keith Holyoake, Rotorua Mayor Murray Linton and Rotorua County Council chairman Neil Hunt.

The programme states the original cost for the airport and new terminal was 350,000 (approximately $12.5 million).

The terminal itself cost 30,000 and was wired up by Mr Street and his team of electricians.

Work began on the new 4500ft (1371m) runway set on 143 acres (58ha) on land bought from Te Arawa hapu Ngati Uenukukopako.

On November 12, 1962, machinery began to crush scrub and Waikato Earthmovers Ltd began to fell trees which dotted the area.

A few problems caused by bad weather, hidden underground springs and a layer of hard rock delayed construction, but by March 1963 a workforce of 24 men driving seven bulldozers, five large scrapers, three water carts and six heavy rollers were preparing the site for the new sealed runway.

Lots of local firms were involved in the construction, including MJ Street Electricians, GN Dodds painters, Larkin Bros construction, Walsh and Cox roofers, H Allen Mills engineering contractors and Lee Brothers joinery.

An airshow was held on the opening day featuring tours of Fokker Friendship aircraft, a parachute display, gliding demonstration, DC3 flights, top dressing displays and aerobatic displays with fighter jets from the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Tomorrow, the airport will mark 50 years in operation with another open day running from 11am to 3pm.

It will feature displays by BayTrust Rescue Helicopter, Customs, New Zealand Fire Service, the Coastguard, AVSEC, Rotorua Airport Fire Service and an Air Force helicopter. There will also be historic DC3 flights, a fun kids' zone, food stalls, and an opportunity to visit the international lounges and inspect a range of small aircraft.

An Air Force Orion, which was scheduled to visit on the day, has been called on to help in the search for the missing Malaysian Airline jet and will no longer be attending.

Rotorua's airport
- Was originally a grass strip next to Fenton St
- Work began at the new site on November 12, 1962
- Cost of 350,000 (approximately $12.5 million)
- In use by November 11, 1963
- New terminal opened in July, 1964
- Officially opened October 3, 1964