Shane Jones announces $48m funding for aviation and rail in Whanganui and Manawatu

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says pilots, flight attendants, aeronautical engineers and others will be ableto gain qualifications needed for modern aircraft. Photo / Bevan Conley

Whanganui apsirations to be a destination for aviation training have been given a fresh injection - with $400,000 Government funding announced this morning.

The $400,000 investment from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will be used to fund the first stage of an Advanced Aviation Hub at Whanganui Airport, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced.

With the capacity to train up to 288 students a year, the funding would support development of a business case to expand existing facilities, and create an advanced simulation centre.

"Across the globe there is significant demand for airline pilots, underscoring the opportunity that exists to facilitate and support required training. It's heartening to see Whanganui looking forward to this opportunity and responding to it in this innovative way," Jones said.

"A training centre of this kind can support pilots, flight attendants, aeronautical engineers and others to gain the licencing and qualifications needed for modern aircraft.

It will also have major benefits for the economy of the city."

The aviation hub funding was part of a Provincial Growth Fund package for Manawatū-Whanganui of about $48 million.

The PGF would also support projects across sectors such as transport, food and beverage, digital connectivity and tourism and will help create new employment and economic development opportunities for the region.

"The largest investment is for KiwiRail to progress work to establish a regional freight hub near Palmerston North," Jones said.

"This builds on Palmerston North's strategic location within New Zealand's freight system and will add capacity required in face of predicted freight demand.

"Training and employment is also a key feature of the package with a $2.8 million investment to expand the National Driver Training Centre based at Manfeild, near Fielding. With support from the PGF, a full programme of driver training will be created to help meet demand for skilled drivers and machinery operators nationally."

In addition, Minister Jones also confirmed PGF support for a number of other projects in the Manawatū-Whanganui region, including:

· $100,000 to investigate FoodHQs development to assist food exporters

· $100,000 to assess alternative land utilisation choices in the Tararua District

· $98,000 towards Kaitahi Food & Innovation Factory

· $95,000 towards establishing an education, training and employment programme at the former site of Turakina Māori Girls' College

· $60,000 towards the Tararua Tourism & Trails Strategy

· $50,000 to investigate education to employment pathways within Horowhenua

"The PGF support towards these projects will help Manawatū-Whanganui progress work important to their region and ensure projects become investment-ready," Jones said

"This further demonstrates our Government's commitment to working alongside regions to fully unlock their potential and help take them to new heights."