Aviators upset at threat to airfield

Recreational aviators are in a spin over a Ports of Auckland move to take their airfield to store imported used cars.

Over two decades, the aviators have formed a lush grass airstrip from the sticky clay cap of the former Auckland City rubbish dump at Pikes Pt, Onehunga.

They spent weekends building clubrooms and hangars for their aircraft and Pikes Pt Airpark is now home to three groups, the Auckland Regional Microlight Aero Club, the Sport Aircraft Association and the Roskill Modellers. The groups have 400 members between them.

The airpark, bounded by the Mangere inlet and public walkway on one side and demolition recycling yards on the other, is leased from the port company.

"Now, we've been told to get off by December," said kitset plane stalwart Don Wilkinson, who helped to make the 790m-long runway with his own bulldozer.

"There's a lot of anger that this little recreational airfield is being replaced as a parking lot for second-hand Japanese cars - it's just a disgrace," he said.

"We have a wad of paper with signatures of people who want it kept as a reserve in public ownership."

Mr Wilkinson said recreational aviators planned to turn out in force at tonight's meeting of the Auckland Regional Council to get its backing.

The council's investment arm, Auckland Regional Holdings (ARH), is now owner of the port company after this year buying the 20 per cent of shares that it did not already own.

Councillor Robyn Hughes will recommend the council request the ARH board to "use all means at its disposal" to get the ports company to revoke the eviction notice.

She said there was no other suitable land for such an airfield, which was also available to emergency services helicopters.

Maungakiekie Community Board chairman Bridget Graham said the Auckland City Council should join the regional council to save the reserve.

The ports company wants to use the land for cleaning and processing the secondhand cars after offloading them from ships.