Hawke’s Bay Airport shareholders Napier City Council, Hastings District Council and the Crown has appointed a new chair and two board members.
Wendie Harvey, a board member for four years steps up as the new chair, replacing retiring long standing chair Tony Porter while the councils have jointly appointed Jon Nichols as their representative and the Crown has appointed Sarah Reo.
They join Sarah Park as a board member, who’s position has been extended for a further year to ensure board continuity.
Sarah, a local business owner and Fulbright scholar replaces Taine Randell while Jon, a chartered accountant and highly experienced board director is the replacement to Tony.
Wendie says despite the recent turbulent times at the airport such as the receivership of the airport’s terminal expansion construction contractor Arrow International; the withdrawal of air services by Jet Star and the drop in passenger numbers due to COVID-19, she is confident in the future long term prospects of the airport.
She says the Airport Company has a high calibre chief executive in Stuart Ainslie with strong aviation and commercial experience, that has identified non-aviation commercial opportunities.
"I’m confident that with Stuart at the helm, ably supported by a strong management team and governance board we are heading in the right direction.
"There has been some set backs but that’s not stopping us with our vision to be the best provincial airport in New Zealand. We have had to reset our targets, especially in passenger numbers but we are progressing well with other commercial opportunities such as a solar energy park as well as commercial property development prospects."
Wendie says management, board and its shareholders are looking forward to the opening of the expanded airport terminal, set to open in February 2021.
"We can’t wait. It’s going to celebrate and promote our amazing region and tell the cultural story of Ahuriri. The airport is going to truly be the gateway welcoming people to Hawke’s Bay."
Wendie paid tribute to the outstanding service and huge contributions by Tony and Taine.
Tony was been instrumental in ensuring the expansion project has progressed including quickly establishing a subsidiary company of the airport to continue with the construction project in 2018.
