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Andrew von Dadelszen Former Regional Councillor |
I have been asked to chair Tauranga Te Papa Rotary's 2014 Airshow Committee, and the planning is well under way. I have been surprised at the depth of planning required for an event such as this.
Rotary's responsibility includes most of the on-ground activities, and the Auckland Anniversary Weekend (26th January 2014) event will be bigger and better than ever. We have begun selling trade sites, and already the bookings are coming in. Next year New Zealand will be commemorating the 100th year since World War I began, and we are hoping to participate in this by bringing to Tauranga some of our World War I aircraft. This is a bit of a challenge as they need to be transported here, rather than flying in, but their presence will be a first for Tauranga. Looking for a crowd of 20,000 will make this on of Tauranga's biggest events, and you can be sure that you won't be disappointed.
Classic Flyers, the promoter of the Tauranga City Air Show, is an outstanding organisation that started as an aviation museum, and has developed as one of Tauranga's most popular and successful café and function venue, combined with its outstanding display of aviation and war memorabilia. We constantly hear of calls for ratepayer support for art galleries, museum and supportive arts organisations like Creative Tauranga, but Classic Flyers is a privately funded world class aviation museum that got off the ground by the determination of a few passionate Tauranga locals. The bi-annual airshows, previously held in 2010 and 2012, is just another example of local people creating opportunity and wealth for all in our vibrant community. I salute you, Classic Flyers.
If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me at andrew@vond.co.nz , or visit www.vond.co.nz