■ If local government reform leads to a Greater Bay of Plenty Council, many people in the Eastern Bay will ask a simple question: What’s in it for us? That is a fair question. If communities are being asked to think more regionally, they should expect projects that deliver real benefits. One project stands out: a centrally located Bay of Plenty International Airport at Paengaroa, writes David Hick.

This isn’t a new idea, but the Bay of Plenty isn’t the same region it was 20 years ago. Population growth, freight demand, tourism, and pressure on Auckland’s transport network have all increased dramatically.

Perhaps it’s time to stop thinking in terms of separate airports and start planning a truly regional aviation network.

Why Paengaroa?

Look at a map.

Paengaroa sits almost perfectly between Tauranga, Rotorua, and Whakatāne. It is already connected by the Tauranga Eastern Link, State Highway 2, State Highway 33, and the existing rail corridor.

For Whakatāne residents, a 45-minute drive to a major airport hub is far more attractive than relying on Auckland for almost every journey.

More importantly, a purpose-built airport could support direct flights to Australia’s eastern seaboard and key Pacific destinations, improving tourism, business links, exports, and connectivity for the region’s vital RSE workforce.

While passenger flights attract attention, freight may be the real opportunity.

The Bay of Plenty is one of New Zealand’s most productive export regions, yet much of its high-value freight still travels north before reaching international markets.

A freight hub linked to a Paengaroa airport, the rail network, and the nearby Rangiuru Business Park would strengthen the region’s competitiveness while reducing pressure on Auckland.

Instead of simply moving people, the airport could become a critical piece of economic infrastructure.

A regional airport does not mean existing airports disappear.

The proposed Paengaroa Airport would become the Bay of Plenty’s primary aviation hub, handling both domestic and international services.

Larger aircraft could operate regular flights to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and other main centres while also providing direct links to Australia and the Pacific.

Tauranga, Rotorua, and Whakatāne airports would continue to play important roles, but with a different focus.

Tauranga Airport is increasingly constrained by surrounding development, making significant expansion difficult.

Rotorua’s long-term growth prospects are similarly limited if a larger regional hub exists less than an hour away.

Over time, both airports could transition to smaller, specialised roles supporting domestic aviation, tourism, business aviation, flight training, emergency services, and aircraft maintenance.

In Tauranga’s case, portions of airport land could potentially be released for housing, commercial activity, and industrial development, creating significant value for Tauranga City Council while helping fund future regional infrastructure.

Rather than three airports competing to be regional hubs, the Bay of Plenty could develop a more efficient model: one major domestic and international gateway supported by smaller airports focused on their strengths.

This is not a proposal for tomorrow. It is a 5-10-year regional project.

That provides ample time to plan transport links, freight facilities, utilities, and surrounding development properly. It also provides certainty, allowing land to be protected and infrastructure designed before development pressures create future conflicts.

By deciding on a location early, the region avoids the costly surprises that often occur when major infrastructure tries to expand into areas that have already been built around it.

A modern airport is not simply a runway. Developed alongside the Rangiuru Business Park, a Paengaroa airport precinct could become one of the North Island’s most significant economic hubs, linking aviation, freight, logistics, tourism, manufacturing, and training.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s investment arm, Quayside Holdings, would be a natural partner in helping shape such a development.

The existing rail corridor also presents opportunities for future rapid transit linking Omokoroa, Tauranga, Te Puke, Paengaroa, Rotorua, and potentially the Eastern Bay.

The foundations are already there.