Pikes Point Airfield Closing

[Bruce]

Pike Point is a surprisingly busy GA airfield located on the shores of the Manukau Harbour in Auckland. the location is on the site of a former rubbish tip in the heart of industrial Penrose, and is the home to the Auckland Microlight Club, SAA Auckland chapter and Mt Roskill Aero modellers.
The clubs have just been given notice by the landowner, Ports of Auckland Ltd, to vacate the site by early December 2005. The land is required for storage of imported cars and will be sealed and fenced.
The one hope for the preservation of this unique airfield lies in an Auckland regional Council review of the ad-hoc redevelopment of coastal green spaces. Non aviation interests are concerned at the loss of the green space and recreational potential (aviation is recognised as a recreational activity).
There is a Petition being circulated by SAA and the other clubs to support thier case, contact [e-mail] for info on how to support this cause.

[IVAN]

Now the crazy thing about this is that Ports Of Auckland is wholly owned by Auckland Regional Holdings which is itself a division of the Auckland Regional Council !!!

[Bruce]

Yup, you got it - it sounds crazy, but that is where the last chance lies. Interesting to see that for once the environmental lobby is supporting aviation activities.

[Bruce]

Unfortunately, despite a bitter and hard faught campaign, tomorrow (Thursday December 8th) at ECT (twilight) Pikes Point, NZs Best little airfield will close. Although there may still be hope for the creation of a park on the site incorporating an airstrip, that hope is fading away..
Tomorrow evening there will be a brief gathering as memebers of the clubs make the last touch and goes, then big white X's will be painted on the runway. Auckland celebrates its new carpark.....

[Dave Homewood]

What a shame. Sorry that the battle has been lost mate.

I wish someone would offer another piece of land in or near the city to use as an aerodrome.