11. TE URUROA FLAVELL (Māori Party—Waiariki) Link to this
to the Minister for Transport Safety
He kaha tana whakapono ki te Mana Tohu Rererangi o Aotearoa, otirā, ki tāna ake mahi whakamana tōpito wāhi pareora o ngā taunga rererangi?
Translation:Does he have confidence in the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, in particular in its work relating to the certification of runway end safety areas?
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN (Minister for Transport Safety) Link to this
Yes. I am very happy with its work in that area, particularly in the development of the runway end safety area rule.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
He aha te Mana Tohu Rererangi o Aotearoa ki te whakaaro o te Rōpū Whakahaere ā-Rererangi o Rotorua kia tau aua waka rererangi nui nei, e haere nei i te ao pēnā i tērā Airbus 320 i tutuki i Brazil inā tata nei, nā, 190 te hunga i mate engari, he poto iho te papa rererangi i Rotorua, ā, kua tata eke te wāhi here kei ngā pito ki te 90 mita e tika ana?
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]
[What action can the Civil Aviation Authority take over Rotorua Regional Airport’s proposal to operate the same type of aircraft on international services as that used in the recent Airbus 320 crash that killed more than 190 people in Brazil but with an even shorter runway and a marginally compliant 90 metre runway end safety area?]
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN Link to this
First, at present Rotorua airport is not an international airport. Therefore, I think that the Airbus A320s, which are mostly used by New Zealand airlines in an international role, are unlikely to fly there. However, in respect of the runway length at Rotorua, there is at present a proposal by the airport authority to have it extended. If such a proposal was brought to the Civil Aviation Authority, it would obviously consider it. Secondly, if the airport runway was to be extended by more than 15 metres, runway end safety areas would be required. That is the trigger point at which runway end safety areas are required. Thirdly, if the airport became an international airport, then obviously the runway end safety areas would have to be added.
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
What is the Civil Aviation Authority’s role in terms of runway end safety areas?
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN Link to this
As I said before, under the existing rule Rotorua Airport is not actually required to have a runway end safety area within the existing runway length, and I am very proud to say I did sign off on the rule, after many years of nothing having been done. [ Interruption]
Madam SPEAKERPlease be seated. Members in this House constantly ask Ministers to address questions fully. We have a Minister who is attempting to do that. The least we can do is to listen to him.
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN Link to this
Thank you, Madam Speaker. If the airport were to become an international airport, or if it should decide to increase its declared runway distance by more than 15 metres, it would be required to introduce a runway end safety area, and at that point the Civil Aviation Authority would have a role in respect of monitoring the airport’s compliance with the runway end safety area rule.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
He aha i aro kore ai ia ki te tūtohutanga mai i te Rōpū Whakakotahitanga o ngā Kairere o te Ao e mea ana kia whakaheke i ngā raru hauora, me whai ngā taunga waka rererangi katoa e whakamahi nei i ngā waka rererangi i ngā tikanga here nei, arā, kia kore e poto iho i te 240 mita te roa o te wāhi here kei ngā pito, ki te kore me whakarite i tētahi taputapu whakatū i te rere o te waka rererangi?
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]
Why has he ignored the recommendation from the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations that in order to reduce safety risks all airports that airlines operate at should have a minimum runway end safety area of 240 metres or an engineered materials arrester system?]
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN Link to this
I certainly have not ignored the issue, at all. That is one of the reasons why the runway end safety area rule was put in place—and I am very pleased with that. The argument is over the trigger point at which an airport has to install a runway end safety area. It was decided that when airport runways are extended, or indeed when an airport becomes an international airport, then the extensions would have to include a runway end safety area.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
E whakapono ana ia ka whai hua tana whakaaetanga ki te whakaaro o te Rōpū Whakahaere ā Rererangi o Rotorua ka whakakaha ake ngā raru hauora ki te hunga haere me ngā kairere ka mutu, mō taua hunga e noho mai rā i raro tonu i ngā waka rererangi tae atu ki te hunga noho nei kei ngā pito o te taunga waka rererangi, arā, ko te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamatā tērā, ko te tupuna whare o Uenukukōpako tērā, ko te marae o Ruamatā tērā, ko te whānau o Cookson tērā? Ki te kore, he aha tāna hei whakatika i te take nei?
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]
Does he believe that approving the Rotorua Regional Airport’s plan will provide the maximum level of safety possible for passengers and crew and those immediately within the possible undershoot and overrun areas, including children at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamatā, Uenukukōpako Wharenui, Ruamatā Marae, and the Cookson whānau who live at the northern end of the runway; if not, why not?]
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN Link to this
The airport company is proposing a northern runway extension of 150 metres to allow for larger aircraft and international flights. That is clearly a business decision by the airport’s owners. If it does go ahead, they will have to incorporate a runway end safety area, which will at least address the issues of overrun raised by the member. That will be in conformity with Civil Aviation Rule Part 139, and the physical standards for runway design and runway end safety area design will obviously have to be met. The Civil Aviation Authority will ensure that is the case; that is the role of the Civil Aviation Authority. But the commercial decision as to whether to extend the runway is properly within the purview of the airport authority, and, of course, local ratepayers will have plenty to say about that issue.