Editorial: City air link would have big spin-offs

Air New Zealand boss, Christopher Luxon, was in town this week and, while he's certainly not getting our hopes up, he says he accepts it's a big local priority.

A direct air link between Rotorua and Queenstown makes perfect sense.

As we reported yesterday, Rotorua business leaders and Mayor Steve Chadwick have called on Air New Zealand to link the two tourist centres with direct flights.

The airline's boss, Christopher Luxon, was in town this week and, while he's certainly not getting our hopes up, he says he accepts it's a big local priority.

I don't see how this can't be a win for the airline as well.

While the appeal of Rotorua-Sydney flights didn't translate into bums on seats to a sufficient level, the tourism double-banger combination of Rotorua and Queenstown should be a marketer's dream.

Yes, Queenstown is a competitor for the tourism dollar, but it has huge potential to provide a complementary offering, with its attractions and proximity to the southern wonderland a different kettle of fish from those of Rotorua.

A direct link between the two will give visitors the dream option of seeing and doing more with less time travelling.

Mrs Chadwick said Rotorua had kept its end of the bargain and had moved out of Sydney. Let's not forget the $9 million paid to Air New Zealand before the plug was pulled on the transtasman flights.

Aren't we right to expect a little something - like, say, a jet service from here to Queenstown?

Every year around this time, the Rotorua community rallies behind the Child Cancer Foundation at the Professionals McDowell charity breakfast and art auction.

You couldn't ask for a better example of the generosity and spirit of locals.
Hundreds turned out early yesterday to support the cause, raising a record tota
l for the foundation, and showing local families dealing with child cancer that the community is behind them.

Organiser Carol de Farias told us the Rotorua community was made up of "huge carers".
We see that each year, and even more so this year. Don't forget another major fundraiser - the Supper Club - was held just recently. So to see extra funds raised at the breakfast this year is extraordinary and heartwarming.

Kudos to everybody who puts their time and effort, and so much of it, into making life better for those facing major challenges.