PO Box 14001
Christchurch 8544
New Zealand
Telephone (+64 3) 358 5029
christchurchairport.co.nz
1 September 2023
Alex Guichard
Email: c/-
[FYI request #23710 email]
Dear Alex,
OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT 1982 (OIA) – REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - CHRISTCHURCH
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LIMITED (CIAL)
1.
We write further to our email of 8 August 2023, acknowledging receipt of your email of 5 August
2023 (via the third party public platform fyi.org.nz) in which you requested the following information
pursuant to the OIA:
I’ve read your website and am pleased to hear that you have the support of the people of Tarras
and the Upper Clutha. Please provide all supporting documentation, internal correspondence and
data which substantiates this support, including details of methodology used for any data gathering,
and the peer review process (the
Request)
.
2.
The Central Otago airport project (
Project) is currently in the validation and planning phase, and
CIAL has consistently acknowledged (including through its publicly available Project Newsletters and
Annual Statements of Intent) that there is a real diversity of opinion and range of perspectives among
the community in relation to the Project – from concern to support. CIAL does not hold itself out as
having the support of
all the people of Tarras and the Upper Clutha in relation to the Project.
3.
Further, CIAL has not undertaken any formal surveys or data gathering exercises to calculate or
measure support among the community for the Project. It has, however, over the course of the past
three years met with a number of different individuals and entities, including specific representatives
of community groups, business groups, businesses, and local authorities. As noted on the
“Engagement” page of the Project website (https://www.centralotagoairport.co.nz/engagement),
CIAL recognises the impacts of the Project are of concern to some and CIAL has therefore made
engaging with Central Otago communities and other key stakeholders a priority.
4.
Further information on CIAL’s approach to engagement can be found at its dedicated Project web-
site at https://www.centralotagoairport.co.nz/. While CIAL is under no legal obligation to consult in
relation to the Project or otherwise publicly engage at present, in order to assist public understanding
of the context of the Project and CIAL's decisions, CIAL has committed to respectfully engaging with
the community and proactively publishing information as it completes pieces of work.
5.
We trust we have answered your requests for information. If you require any further information or
we have in some way misinterpreted your requests, please let us know.
6.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of the decisions contained
in this letter. Information about how to contact the Ombudsman or make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
CIAL LEGAL TEAM
Email: [Christchurch International Airport Limited request email]