Design of New Plymouth Airport's New Terminal is Fit for Purpose

01-Sep-2017 Plans for a new terminal at New Plymouth Airport have been given an independent seal of approval.The new board of directors for the airport company, Papa Rererangi i Puketapu (PRIP), spent much of July and August reviewing the terminal design and business case.The directors say in a report to the Council that they have agreed the proposed design, including the cultural narrative created in partnership with the Puketapu Hapu, is fit for purpose.They cited an independent report by chartered surveyor and former Auckland International Airport executive Peter Alexander."It is my opinion that users of the building will find it a memorable and differentiated experience that will positively contribute to the region's tourism proposition," Mr Alexander said in his report.The PRIP board report also has cost comparisons with other regional airport terminal redevelopments.It noted that the New Plymouth Airport project cost of $6,100 per square metre compared favourably with other recent or proposed regional airport terminal works."While the directors were specifically asked to maintain the cultural narrative, we did review it and we noted that it had no overall impact on the footprint of the terminal and that the approximate cost of the narrative was in the order of $1 million," says board Chair Philip Cory-Wright.The Council will consider the board's report at its meeting on 5 September.The proposed terminal cost is estimated at between $21.7 million and $28.7 million.The new board will be responsible for ensuring it is completed on time and within budget.The airport is moving from direct Council control to becoming a Council-controlled trading organisation, a commercial company owned by NPDC.The company operates as Papa Rererangi i Puketapu ('the airport at Puketapu'), but the name of New Plymouth Airport will remain.The PRIP board is: