In July 2017 New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) established Papa Rererangi i Puketapu Ltd (PRIP) as a Council Controlled Trading Organisation (CCTO).
PRIP is 100% owned by NPDC and operates as a standalone Company governed by an independent skills-based Board of four Directors and employs its own Chief Executive and staff. PRIP operates under an annual Statement of Intent agreed to by NPDC and the organisation is classed as a semi-commercial investment within the Council’s investment policy.
NPDC retains ownership of the Aerodrome Operator Certificate and all airport operations and assets are managed by the PRIP Chief Executive who has overall responsibility for implementing the Company’s strategic direction and reports to the Company’s Board of Directors.
PRIP owns passenger terminals, aircraft hangars, airside infrastructure, car parking areas, roading and underground utilities and these facilities are sited on land occupied under lease from the New Plymouth District Council.
The Airport provides services to allow the safe and efficient facilitation of travellers and freight and, ancillary to this, it leases terminal space and land at the Airport. The Airport is open every day of the year and, as well as providing an essential strategic transport hub for the Taranaki region, also directly and indirectly provides employment for more than 180 people on site.
Airport Staff
DAVID SCOTT
David joined the team in May 2021. He has over 25 years in the aviation industry, most recently with Nelson Airport where he was involved in the development of the new terminal facility. He is a strategic thinker who has seen the industry change dramatically. He brings extensive experience both domestically and internationally with a variety of roles in both the airline and airport fields. David is a South Islander born and bred and loves the outdoors. He is a keen golfer, skier, and mountain biker.
Shannon Bishop
Shannon joined the New Plymouth Airport team in 2022. She brings over 25 years' experience with the past 10 years spent in local government at New Plymouth District Council. Shannon enjoys spending time with her family and travelling around New Zealand.
Chris Coplestone
Chris joined New Plymouth Airport as Manager of Operations and Safety in March 2023. He has a wide range of experience in the aviation industry, gained both in New Zealand and Europe. He is a self-confessed aviation nut, and also holds a commercial pilots license. Chris is 'Naki born and bred, and looks forward to contributing to the ongoing success of one of the most important gateways to the Taranaki Region. In his spare time he enjoys to travel, as well as playing golf, fishing and camping.
Directors
Philip Cory-Wright
Rachel Farrant
Shelley Kopu
Chris Myers
Operation Staff
Frank Conway
Jono Cook
Simon Bird
Martin Smith
Chris Connolly
Fire Rescue Service
Left to right: David Collingwood Station Officer, Wilson Montgomerie Senior Fireman, Wayde Limmer Senior Fireman, John Flannery Senior Fireman, Justin Smith Fire Fighter, Brad Hayward Fire Fighter
Not pictured: Shannon Taylor and Michael Montgomerie