Latest news with #DunedinAirport
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Airport open to cycle trail connection
Megan Crawford. Photo: ODT files Hints of a possible cycle trail developing between Dunedin Airport and other trails in the region may only be a rumour. At the latest meeting of the Mosgiel Taieri Community Board, chairman Andrew Simms provided an update on the Taieri Trails Group and hinted at a possible new trail being considered. ''It appears that the airport are now under some guidance to create a cycle trail to the airport, and it appears that the airport have identified that working with the Taieri Trails Group might be the easiest way for them to achieve that.'' That could be a pretty significant development for the group, he said. However, Dunedin Airport said there were no specific plans at present. Dunedin Airport general manager business development Megan Crawford said the airport supported proposals to extend regional cycle trails through or near airport land and welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with partners and stakeholders on that initiative. The airport was proud to contribute to projects that strengthened regional connectivity, promoted sustainable transport and enhanced the natural environment, she said. The airport had an ongoing relationship with Central Otago Clutha Trails Ltd (COCTL), specifically regarding the Clutha Gold Trail, which was a Community Sponsorship Fund recipient. There were no specific plans between Dunedin Airport and COCTL to develop trail infrastructure together, but general manager sustainability and planning Louis Brown and chief executive Daniel De Bono were both passionate about the possibilities of supporting environmentally sustainable recreation in the local community and helping to develop ''slow tourism'' options that connected the airport with Dunedin and the lower South Island as a whole.
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Beach dig sends Dunedin families on Gold Coast getaway
The campaign was a collaboration between Dunedin Airport, The Hits Dunedin, and Australia's Village Roadshow Theme Parks. Cheered on by family and friends, contestants grabbed golden spades – awarded to listeners over the past three weeks – and dug into the sand in search of the coveted golden tokens. Two of those tokens secured their finders a family trip to the Gold Coast, which will soon be just a 3.5-hour direct flight from Dunedin. Alongside the two grand-prize family trips, other participants received annual passes to theme parks across the Tasman. The Wharerimu family – Reon, Jody, and their sons Roman, Grayson, and Foxton – were among the first to unearth the top prize. Reon said winning the trip was 'awesome' and especially meaningful after their previous attempt at a family holiday overseas was abandoned due to Covid. 'We had a trip booked and then obviously it got cancelled, so it'll be good to get over there,' he said. The prize marks the family's first overseas holiday together. Winning one of the top prizes 'felt amazing', Reon said. 'We even jumped in and helped a few other families at the end there just to try and help them win a box. So yeah, stoked.' The King family won the other top prize. Nikita King said she was thrilled to be heading back to the Gold Coast with her daughters Dakota and Roxanna, aged 13 and 2, and son Haley, 18, for their first holiday in eight years. 'We'd go back all the time if we could afford it,' she said. The family were looking forward to the warm weather and spending time at the theme parks. 'Just getting away for a bit.' Megan Crawford, general manager of business development at Dunedin Airport, said the airport was thrilled to welcome back direct international flights. 'We are absolutely stoked to have Jetstar flying direct from Dunedin to the Gold Coast starting on June 24,' she said. 'We're really pleased to be working with The Hits on this wonderful campaign that's getting families out digging for the opportunity to fly direct to the Gold Coast and experience all the amazing things Village Roadshow has to offer.'
Otago Daily Times
25-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Crafty creatures used to reduce risk of bird strike
An Air New Zealand ATR-72 turboprop plane taxis past a wooden coyote silhouette at Dunedin Airport. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN A pack of coyotes have been stalking the runway at Dunedin Airport. They can be seen peering from out of the grass and have been known to not stay in the same spot for too long. But the wooden silhouettes — not the real North American predator — are actually one of many tools used by the airport to reduce the risk of bird strike. Business development general manager Megan Crawford said the "seven dogs and four cats" were made by its Airport Emergency Service team using plywood. Designed to resemble predators to birds, the airport hoped the silhouettes would reduce the risk of bird strike "as much as possible", Ms Crawford said. "We move them around the airport, so they don't stay in the same spot. "But they're always in the grass area around the runway." They had been using them for about eight months. Bird strike resulting from wildlife including plovers, magpies and seagulls proved a "constant risk" that needed to be managed, as was the case at other airports. One of the wooden coyote silhouettes at Dunedin Airport that have been given reflective eyes to "add realism". PHOTO: SUPPLIED Gas cannons, "scaring devices" and other preventive measures, in addition to the silhouettes, were all tools the airport used to manage the risk of bird strike. The effectiveness of the silhouettes to date had been difficult to gauge, Ms Crawford said. "Anecdotally, bird numbers have been less on the airfield since the silhouettes have been introduced." Airport crew chief Bruce Smaill said the silhouettes were made to resemble coyotes or dogs in a state of alert or hunting. He said he copied the idea from the Christchurch City Council, who were using the same type of silhouettes to keep Canada geese off the grassy parked areas near the Avon River/Ōtākaro. "I thought they might have the same effect on our problem birds and they have." They also had reflective eyes "to add realism". As long as they were moved regularly, the silhouettes would have the same effect as if a farmer's dog was present on the airfield, Mr Smaill said. "We cannot have real dogs roaming for obvious reasons."
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
‘I don't appreciate councillors laughing at me'
Councillor conduct is again under fire in Dunedin, after a participant in a hearing said she was laughed at during her presentation. Sarah Ramsay was midway through her submission yesterday to the Dunedin City Council about its 2025-34 long-term plan — expressing opposition to the proposed Smooth Hill landfill near her property — when she called out councillor behaviour. "I don't appreciate councillors laughing at me while I'm giving a submission," she said. It was the second time this week a submitter objected mid-presentation to councillor laughter. Mrs Ramsay had highlighted the proposed landfill would be near Dunedin Airport; she noted the risk of bird strike and asked what the impact on the city's economy would be if Air New Zealand pulled out of Dunedin. That prompted what Cr Jim O'Malley described as a snort from himself, for which he offered an apology of sorts. "Sorry for snorting on the Air New Zealand not coming into Dunedin because of the landfill," he said. Mrs Ramsay confirmed afterwards she had been referring to Cr O'Malley's conduct, which she described as derogatory and extremely disrespectful. "He just started laughing quite loudly and blatantly while I was talking," she said. Mrs Ramsay, who had mortgaged her house to fight the Smooth Hill development, said she was not surprised by the reception from Cr O'Malley. Sarah Ramsay. SOURCE: SUPPLIED "He's always been very vocal and I would say quite overtly aggressive around anyone having any anti-Smooth Hill sentiment." On Tuesday, submitter Mike Waddell had been questioning council decision-making about Smooth Hill when he objected to councillor laughter, calling it "pretty appalling". "Where is the respect?" On Wednesday, Cr O'Malley tried unsuccessfully to call a point of order for "misrepresentation" after climate activist Bruce Mahalski had asked when zero-carbon action was going to start. Yesterday, candidate for the city council Rebecca Twemlow, who had called for non-urgent projects to be cut or paused, was asked by Cr Bill Acklin what she was referring to. Mrs Twemlow said she did not have a list in front of her and then, when asked for an example, did not manage to produce one. "I really can't answer that off the top of my head," she said. Jim o'Malley. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Cr O'Malley observed off-mic it could not have been important. Mrs Twemlow then said: "Sorry, Jim, did you have something to say?" "Yeah ... to Cr Mayhem," Cr O'Malley said. Asked by the Otago Daily Times about his conduct at the hearing, Cr O'Malley said politics sometimes required robust discussions, especially in the face of what he considered to be "unfounded criticisms of council decision-making". "Nevertheless, I accept this stage of the process is designed to give submitters a chance to speak to us, while also providing a chance for us to ask questions, and I accept all submitters deserve respect — which is why I apologised for my behaviour at the first opportunity [yesterday]." Having hearings during an election year had resulted in "some presenters coming to the hearings armed with positions put forward by council and mayoral candidates" that were factually incorrect. "Councillors do need to consider issues with open minds, but we also need to form views based on the information we're presented, and I make no apology for doing so or for arguing in favour of the landfill from an informed position." Mayor Jules Radich said councillors needed to show "respect for every submitter and to attend hearings ready to listen and question politely". Submitters needed to show respect for councillors and staff and take care not to present misinformation as fact, he said. "I've reminded both submitters and colleagues of these considerations during this week."
