Too Far "Away In A Manger(e)".......

New billboards going up around the city tomorrow in time for Christmas are part of a campaign to save Auckland's second airport at Whenuapai and convert it to commercial use.

"A favourable decision from the Government would be one of the best Christmas presents Aucklanders could get," says Waitakere City Council mayoral task force head and chair of the city's Economic Development Agency, Bryan Mogridge.

"The season of goodwill seemed a good time to get some positive messages out there about not destroying this airport".

"We think it should be used, in conjunction with a new industrial and commercial park, to generate wealth and jobs in the north west, to compensate for the $250 million a year loss when the Air Force leaves in five years".

"Considering Auckland's traffic congestion, and the fact that half the people in the Auckland region live nearer to Whenuapai than Mangere, it just makes sense."

Mr Mogridge said that for many people Auckland Airport is too far "away in a Manger(e). It can take longer to get to Auckland Airport than it does to fly to Wellington and that's just ridiculous."

'If you'd taken off from Whenuapai you'd be there now' reads one of the billboards on the route to Mangere. 'Auckland's second airport is already built' reads another.

The Christmas billboards are likely to be added to in the New Year.

"We certainly hope saving Whenuapai will be one of the Government's New Year Resolutions," said Mr Mogridge.

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