Manukau City Council To Retain Airport Shareholding

Manukau City Council has voted unanimously to retain its Auckland International Airport Limited shareholding.

Mayor Len Brown told today’s Extraordinary Council Meeting that the airport and its shareholding is a highly important issue for Manukau.

“I have heard so much about this issue over the past 12 months. We have received 552 submissions and the support is 90 per cent to 95 per cent to hold on to our shares,” Mr Brown said.

The airport is a strategic public asset, along with water, power, rail and seaports.

“It is strategically important to hold it in New Zealand hands, and particularly because this highly significant asset is in our back yard. It is generates huge benefits to the city.

“As a major employer in the city, and a vital transport hub for the city, region and country, the airport’s continued development is vitally important to us.”

Manukau City Council would have significant input into the rail links to be developed between the airport and the rest of the region.

Mr Brown said people are also aware of the importance of the airport’s property portfolio.

“Our shareholding will see Manukau having an influence on the long-term plans and the growth of the company.”

The community was looking to the council to retain a strong hold on such a public asset, and it was for the council to assess how it would consider how to grow the company and grow the returns.

ENDS

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