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About

Auckland International Airport

  1. Business / Trading Name: Auckland International Airport Limited (trading simply as “Auckland Airport”).

  1. Company Number: 380357 (New Zealand Companies Office).

  1. NZBN: 9429039490162 (New Zealand Business Number).

  1. Entity Type: Publicly listed company (NZX: AIA; also listed on ASX) – a New Zealand limited liability company listed on the stock exchange since 1998.

  1. Business Classification: Airport owner-operator providing aviation infrastructure and services. Auckland Airport owns and operates New Zealand’s largest international airport, managing runways, terminals and 1,500 hectares of surrounding freehold land. The company’s operations span aeronautical services (airfield and terminal facilities), retail concessions, ground transport (parking), and property leasing on airport land. (Industry Category: Aviation / Transport Infrastructure.)

  1. Industry Category: Transportation – specifically airport operations and services (aviation/travel industry). Auckland Airport is frequently grouped under “Airlines and Aviation” for industry purposes.

  1. Year Founded: 1988. Auckland International Airport Ltd was formed in 1988 when the NZ government corporatised Auckland’s previously council-run airport. (The airport itself commenced operations in 1966.)

  1. Addresses:

    • Registered Office (NZ): First Floor, 4 Leonard Isitt Drive, Auckland Airport, Manukau 2022, New Zealand.

    • Postal Address: PO Box 73020, Auckland Airport, Manukau 2150, New Zealand.

(The company also maintains an Australian registered office for ASX listing requirements: c/o KPMG, 147 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000.)

  1. Website URL:

http://www.aucklandairport.co.nz

  1. LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/auckland-international-airport-limited/ – The company’s LinkedIn profile lists it in the “Airlines and Aviation” industry and as a public company with 501–1,000 employees.

  1. Company Hub NZ URL: https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429039490162 – CompanyHub profile for Auckland International Airport Ltd (includes addresses and NZBN).

  1. NZ Companies Office URL: NZ Companies Office registry entry: https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/380357 (Auckland International Airport Limited on the New Zealand Companies Register).

  1. Social Media URLs:

– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AucklandAirport (official page)

– Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/AKL_Airport (official feed, “@AKL_Airport”)

– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aucklandairport/ (official account)

– LinkedIn: see above (LinkedIn URL).

(These are actively used for customer engagement; e.g. the Twitter profile is explicitly the “official Auckland Airport Twitter feed.”)

  1. Ultimate Holding Company: None. Auckland International Airport Ltd is a standalone publicly traded company with a dispersed shareholder base. No single parent entity controls it (the largest shareholder until recently was Auckland Council – see below – but even that stake was minority). The company is therefore its own ultimate holding entity.

  1. Key Shareholders: As of 2023, Auckland Council (the local government authority) was the largest shareholder, holding ~11% of shares. However, the Council moved to sell its remaining stake in late 2024. Other significant shareholders include New Zealand governmental funds: the Accident Compensation Corporation (~2.9%) and the NZ Superannuation Fund (~1.9%). Approximately 40% of shares are held by international investors and 60% by domestic investors. (Notably, the NZ government itself no longer holds shares directly – it sold its stake in 1998 – but Crown entities like ACC and the NZ Super Fund are investors.) The remaining share register is spread among various institutional and retail investors, with no single shareholder controlling more than ~20%.

  1. Leadership (Board and Executive): The company is governed by a board of directors composed mainly of independent non-executives. Julia Hoare is the Chair of the Board. Other directors include Mark Binns, Mark Cairns, Grant Devonport, Dean Hamilton, Elizabeth Savage, Tania Simpson, and Christine Spring. The Chief Executive Officer is Carrie Hurihanganui, appointed in 2022 (she was formerly an executive at Air New Zealand). Key executives include a Chief Financial Officer (recently appointed Stewart Reynolds in 2024) and other general managers for infrastructure, operations, etc.. (Past CEOs have included Adrian Littlewood (2012–2021), Simon Moutter (2008–2012), and Don Huse (2003–2008), among others.)

  1. Staff: Approximately 750 employees (full-time equivalent) as of mid-2024. This headcount has fluctuated due to COVID-19 impacts – the company cut staff during the 2020 travel shutdown and is now rebuilding. LinkedIn data also reflects a company of roughly 500–1,000 staff. Auckland Airport additionally hosts tens of thousands of workers from airlines, contractors, border agencies and other firms operating at the airport, though those are not direct employees of Auckland Airport Ltd.

  1. Staff That Have Held Previous Government Roles: There is a notable “revolving door” between Auckland Airport’s leadership and public sector roles: Several current directors and executives previously held senior government or state-sector positions. For example, Director Mark Binns was Chief Executive of Meridian Energy, a majority state-owned power company, from 2012–2017. Director Tania Simpson has been Deputy Chair of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s board and a member of the Waitangi Tribunal (government-appointed). Other board members have held roles on Crown entity boards or advisory groups (e.g. Dean Hamilton on a Crown company board, Julia Hoare on the Ministry for the Environment’s advisory committee, etc.). The CEO, Carrie Hurihanganui, came from Air New Zealand’s executive ranks – Air NZ, while a public company, is majority government-owned, meaning she has experience in a government-influenced enterprise. This crossover of personnel underscores close ties between the airport and the public sector.

  1. Past Employees: Notable former leaders of Auckland Airport include Sir John Goulter (long-time founding CEO who led the airport from corporatisation in 1988 until 2003), Don Huse (CEO 2003–08), Simon Moutter (CEO 2008–2012, who left to head Telecom NZ), and Adrian Littlewood (CEO 2012–2021). Sir Henry van der Heyden (former Fonterra chairman) served as Auckland Airport’s board Chair (2013–2018). Former directors also include business figures with public roles, such as Joan Withers (who was simultaneously Chair of state broadcaster TVNZ while on the airport’s board). These alumni have often moved on to prominent roles in other corporations or public institutions. For example, upon departing the airport, Adrian Littlewood was appointed to boards such as the Financial Markets Authority and an investment firm. The network of past Auckland Airport executives and directors now in influential positions elsewhere is an important aspect of the airport’s influence footprint.

  1. Clients: Auckland Airport’s primary clients are the airlines and aviation operators that use its facilities. Major airline customers include Air New Zealand (by far the largest user) and key international carriers like Qantas/Jetstar, Emirates, China Southern, Virgin Australia, among dozens of others. The airport services over 30 airlines connecting Auckland to 40+ destinations worldwide. Beyond airlines, Auckland Airport’s “clients” also include retail and hospitality tenants in its terminals (duty-free retailers, food and beverage outlets, etc.), logistics and cargo operators (freight companies using its cargo facilities), and general aviation and private aircraft operators based at the airport. In a broader sense, the traveling public are also customers – over 20 million passengers per year pre-Covid – though the airport company interfaces with them indirectly via airlines and concessionaires. (The airport’s revenue streams reflect these client groups: aeronautical fees from airlines, retail rents from tenants, carparking fees from travelers, property rentals to airport-area businesses, etc..)

  1. Industries/Sectors Represented: Auckland Airport sits at the nexus of several sectors: primarily aviation and air transport, but also tourism and travel, infrastructure and construction, and commercial property. It plays a leading role in New Zealand’s aviation industry and is an integral part of the tourism sector (as the gateway through which the majority of international visitors enter NZ). The company’s activities span transport infrastructure (airport runways, roads, utilities), airline industry services, retail (duty-free and shopping precincts in terminals), hospitality (it partners in an on-site hotel and supports visitor experience), and logistics (freight handling facilities). As such, Auckland Airport often positions itself as representing the interests of air transport and tourism in New Zealand. It actively engages with industry bodies in these sectors (e.g. the Tourism Industry Aotearoa, Board of Airline Representatives, etc.) to advocate on aviation and tourism issues.

  1. Publicly Disclosed Engagements: Auckland Airport has participated in and disclosed a number of lobbying and consultative engagements with government: it routinely makes submissions to parliamentary select committees, regulatory inquiries, and policy consultations affecting its business. For example, the company has publicly submitted on airline competition matters – in 2024 it filed a submission to the Ministry of Transport opposing a proposed Air New Zealand-Virgin Australia code-sharing alliance on the grounds it would reduce competition and harm consumers. It also made submissions supporting a National Infrastructure Plan for New Zealand and has engaged in Commerce Commission regulatory reviews of airport pricing (including extensive input into the Commission’s Section 56G reviews of airport profit regulation). Auckland Airport’s executives often appear at parliamentary hearings on aviation, tourism and border policy; for instance, the CEO gave input on border reopening plans during Covid-19 (though much of this occurred behind closed doors). Additionally, official correspondence released under the Official Information Act has shown meetings between Auckland Airport representatives and Ministers on issues like border restrictions and infrastructure funding (these communications are intermittently disclosed via OIA responses). The company is transparent about some engagement on its website – e.g. publishing media releases about working with Customs and Immigration on improving border processing – but many lobbying contacts are not proactively disclosed due to the lack of a NZ mandatory lobbying register. In summary, Auckland Airport does participate in formal consultative processes (with written submissions and appearances that are on the public record), but much of its government relations activity happens in less visible ways (industry working groups, private meetings, etc.) as will be discussed below.

  1. Affiliations: Auckland International Airport Ltd is a member of several industry associations and collaborative groups. It is a core member of the New Zealand Airports Association (NZ Airports) – the industry body representing all NZ airports – and often aligns with NZ Airports’ advocacy (e.g. endorsing the association’s submissions on policy issues). Internationally, Auckland Airport is a member of Airports Council International (ACI), participating in the ACI Asia-Pacific region forums (ACI has even appointed Auckland Airport personnel to its regional board) and adhering to its global best practices. In the tourism sector, Auckland Airport is affiliated with Tourism Industry Aotearoa and often partners with Tourism New Zealand on market development initiatives (it co-hosts an annual Tourism Forum bringing together tourism operators). The airport works closely with airline industry groups like BARNZ (Board of Airline Representatives NZ) on operational matters and with local government forums (it is part of the Auckland region’s infrastructure and emergency planning networks). It also has a formal partnership with the local mana whenua (Māori stakeholders) via the Te Manukanuka o Hoturoa Marae located on airport land and an internal Iwi Relations committee. These affiliations reflect Auckland Airport’s efforts to maintain influence and collaboration across the aviation, business, and community spectrum in NZ.

  1. Sponsorships / Collaborations: Auckland Airport has an active community sponsorship programme, focusing on education, culture and local community development. It has four main long-running sponsorships: the Counties Manukau Life Education Trust (funding mobile classroom programs teaching children healthy choices, supported since 1988); ASB Polyfest (Auckland’s large Polynesian high school cultural festival, which the airport has sponsored annually to celebrate Māori and Pasifika youth achievement); the Auckland Arts Festival – Schools Programme (sponsoring access for South Auckland students to attend performances); and the Second Nature Charitable Trust (sponsoring its facilities like the Vodafone Events Centre and Wero Whitewater Park that provide youth education and recreation). In addition, Auckland Airport collaborates with iwi on cultural and environmental projects – for example, it helped establish the marae on airport land and supports local Māori initiatives as part of its iwi engagement strategy. The company also partners with government agencies and NGOs on employment programmes: notably the “Ara – Jobs and Skills Hub” at Auckland Airport which it co-founded to provide training and employment pathways for local South Auckland residents into airport-related jobs. Internationally, Auckland Airport collaborates with other airports on best practices (it has a “sister airport” arrangement with Brisbane Airport for crisis support, for instance). These sponsorships and partnerships, often publicised in CSR reports, serve to burnish Auckland Airport’s community credentials – though critics sometimes label this as “integrity washing”.

  1. Events (Organised or Hosted): Auckland Airport hosts and sponsors numerous events. It convenes an annual New Zealand Tourism Forum (an industry conference bringing together tourism sector leaders). The airport also organises regular stakeholder briefings and an “Industry Day” for airlines and business partners. It has hosted aviation industry conferences – for example, in 2025 Auckland Airport is hosting the Aviation Wildlife Safety Conference (in partnership with NZ Airports and CAA, to address bird strike risks). Community-oriented events include open days (pre-Covid it held “Family Days” allowing the public on the tarmac) and job fairs in conjunction with its Ara jobs hub. Auckland Airport’s executives are frequently keynote speakers at transport and infrastructure conferences. The company’s large infrastructural projects also involve public events such as ground-breaking ceremonies (e.g. turning the sod for the second runway, which was marked by a ceremony with government officials in 2007) and opening ceremonies for new facilities (like new boarding gates or the upgraded international departure area in recent years). Additionally, Auckland Airport sponsors travel industry events – for instance, it has been a principal sponsor of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust’s annual fishing tournament and supports local business awards in South Auckland. Many of these events and sponsorships are highlighted in Auckland Airport’s press releases and annual reports to demonstrate community engagement.

  1. Political Donations: None disclosed. Auckland International Airport Limited itself has a strict policy forbidding political donations without board approval. The company affirms that it does not make contributions to political parties or candidates in New Zealand. A review of NZ Electoral Commission donation records shows no donations attributed to Auckland Airport in recent years, which is consistent with its stated ethics policy that “political contributions…must not be made, whether directly or indirectly, on behalf of Auckland Airport”. (It is worth noting that individuals associated with the airport may have made personal donations). In mid-2023, a political scandal erupted when it was revealed the Minister of Transport had failed to divest a small personal shareholding in Auckland Airport, but he ultimately donated the value of those shares to charity upon selling them – this was a personal action by the Minister, not a donation by the company. Overall, Auckland Airport as a corporate entity maintains a stance of not engaging in partisan financial activity. (The company does, however, spend significant funds on government relations via lobbying and advocacy, which are not classified as “donations”)

  1. Controversies: Auckland Airport has faced a number of significant controversies in the last decade:

  • Foreign Ownership Battle (2007–2008): In 2008 a bid by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board to acquire a 40% stake in Auckland Airport was blocked by the NZ Government on strategic national interest grounds. The partial takeover attempt stirred public debate about foreign control of strategic assets. Two NZ Cabinet Ministers intervened to decline approval under the Overseas Investment Act, citing the airport’s importance. CPPIB’s bid (which valued the airport at NZ$4.6 billion) ultimately collapsed, and some shareholders sued; the airport company and CPPIB settled legal claims later that year. This incident led to enduring controversy – some saw the government’s move as protecting a vital asset from foreign control, while others argued it undermined investor confidence in NZ’s openness. It also cemented Auckland Airport’s status as an infrastructure deemed “too strategic to lose”.

  • Airline Fee Disputes: The airport has had running battles with major airlines (especially Air New Zealand) over its pricing of landing fees and capital charges. In 2017, Air NZ took the unusual step of publicly accusing Auckland Airport of price-gouging and appealed to government regulators. The Commerce Commission found in 2018 that Auckland Airport had been targeting excessive returns on its aeronautical charges, to the detriment of consumers. The Commission’s report, which said the airport could reap unreasonably high profits, was embarrassing for AIAL. In response, Auckland Airport eventually agreed to moderate some fees. Airlines, through BARNZ, continue to accuse the airport of exercising monopoly power – for instance, in 2023 Auckland Airport announced substantial fee increases to help fund a new terminal, prompting Air New Zealand and Qantas to loudly oppose the plan and warn it could make air travel unaffordable. This saga has been controversial, with the airport insisting the investments are necessary and the airlines lobbying ministers to rein in airport charges.

  • Infrastructure Failings and Crises: Auckland Airport’s ability to handle crises has been questioned. A notorious incident occurred in September 2017 when a pipeline rupture 100km away (caused by a digger) cut off the airport’s sole jet fuel supply, forcing fuel rationing. For over a week, flights were disrupted and thousands of passengers stranded as airlines had to divert or cancel services. The episode exposed the vulnerability of the airport’s fuel infrastructure and led to criticism that Auckland Airport (and the government) lacked a resilient contingency for fuel supply. More recently, in January 2023, catastrophic flooding hit Auckland and inundated the airport: the international terminal was flooded by record rainfall, stranding over 2,000 people overnight in terminals. The airport was lambasted for inadequate emergency preparedness – arriving passengers were stuck in knee-deep water, and it emerged that pilots were not initially warned about runway flooding levels. The airport had to close for 36 hours, and footage of a drenched, chaotic terminal went global, prompting apologies from management. An independent review later found serious shortcomings in the airport’s stormwater infrastructure and crisis response. These events – along with other incidents like occasional runway lighting failures and an extended runway closure in 2018 due to pavement blowouts – have generated controversy over whether Auckland Airport has under-invested in core infrastructure while focusing on mall-style expansions.

  • Treatment of Maori and Cultural Heritage: There have been tensions with local iwi regarding Auckland Airport’s impact on Māori heritage. The airport’s ongoing plan to build a second runway led to the exhumation of 85 Māori ancestral remains (koiwi) from ancient burial grounds in 2009, which caused distress to mana whenua. In 2023, the local hapū Te Āhiwaru publicly criticized Auckland Airport for what they see as decades of encroachment on their papakāinga (settlement) and ancestral land at Ihumātao and the Manukau Harbour, noting “it was only 14 years ago the airport exhumed 85 bodies of our tūpuna to begin building their second runway.”. This hapū is still in Treaty settlement negotiations and felt aggrieved when an outsider iwi (Waikato-Tainui) sought to obtain Auckland Council’s airport shares as part of a settlement. Te Āhiwaru’s complaint in 2023 that they were being “overlooked and dismissed” in airport-related decisions highlights ongoing controversy about Auckland Airport’s relationship with indigenous stakeholders. While the company has an Māori engagement strategy and an Iwi Relations committee, some Māori leaders label these as token efforts given the historical grievances. The airport’s expansion on ancestral lands without full hapū consent remains contentious.

  • COVID-19 Responses: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Auckland Airport was at the center of numerous controversies: early on, it was a chokepoint for repatriation and quarantine, and there were hiccups in processes (e.g. in 2020 some arriving travelers mingled with transit passengers due to initial lack of separation, causing public alarm). Later, when the government ran isolation facilities at hotels near the airport, missteps (like an escapee who absconded from an Auckland Airport hotel MIQ) drew negative attention, though not the airport’s direct fault. The company itself faced criticism for taking a NZ$4.3 million wage subsidy from government in 2020 while simultaneously paying dividends in prior years – activists argued large corporates like AIAL should repay subsidies (Auckland Airport did not repay, citing massive revenue loss). Additionally, Auckland Airport lobbied hard for border relaxations and “safe travel” zones; when borders reopened, there were complaints about understaffing at the airport leading to chaotic queues in 2022. Overall, while the airport’s handling of the pandemic was not scandal-ridden, it did draw fire at times for operational shortcomings under pressure.

  • Governance and Conflicts of Interest: A major political scandal erupted in mid-2023 involving Auckland Airport, when it was revealed that the then Minister of Transport, Michael Wood, had failed to disclose or divest a personal shareholding in Auckland Airport while making decisions in his ministerial capacity. He was asked no fewer than 12 times to sell those shares due to the clear conflict of interest and did not do so promptly. This culminated in Minister Wood being suspended and ultimately resigning his portfolios. While the ethical breach was on the Minister’s part, not the airport’s, it nonetheless cast a shadow – it showed how intertwined Auckland Airport is with political decision-making (the Minister had been overseeing projects impacting the airport). It also raised questions about lobbying: Wood had declined certain regulatory requests (like an application for a competing small airport) while holding AIA shares, fueling perceptions of undue influence (even though an inquiry found no evidence he acted to benefit the airport, the perception was politically damaging). The incident underscored the sensitivity around Auckland Airport’s influence in government.

  • Other Issues: Auckland Airport has also drawn criticism for environmental impacts – climate activists argue that its expansion plans (a new runway and expanded terminals to enable more flights) are incompatible with NZ’s emissions reduction goals. There have been protests and submissions urging the government to force Auckland Airport to factor in climate change costs or curb growth, essentially accusing the airport of “greenwashing” via its sustainability pledges while driving increased air traffic emissions. Additionally, consumer advocates have occasionally blasted Auckland Airport for high ancillary charges (such as what drivers pay to pick-up/drop-off or the high parking fees – Air New Zealand even complained that Auckland’s parking costs were excessive and harmed travelers). Security queues and border processing delays at Auckland Airport have made headlines, prompting public frustration. While these latter issues are more transient, they contribute to the general controversy profile of the airport as an entity often under fire from one quarter or another (be it airlines, passengers, local community, or politicians).

  1. Other Information of Note: Auckland Airport is not just an airport operator but also an investment entity with various holdings and ventures, which is noteworthy for understanding its influence. Until 2015 it held a 24.6% stake in North Queensland Airports (owner of Cairns and Mackay Airports in Australia) – a stake it sold for a hefty profit. It continues to hold a 24.99% stake in Queenstown Airport in NZ (acquired in 2010 amid local controversy). The company also is in a joint venture with the Māori iwi Waikato-Tainui on the Novotel hotel at Auckland Airport (through the Tainui Auckland Airport Hotel partnership). These external investments mean Auckland Airport has influence beyond Auckland – e.g. its partial ownership of Queenstown Airport was legally contested by some in the community who objected to an Auckland-controlled entity influencing their regional airport. Another point of interest is Auckland Airport’s market valuation and economic clout: it has often ranked as New Zealand’s largest or second-largest publicly listed company by market capitalisation, which underlines its weight in the NZ economy and stock market. It is also a major ratepayer and landowner in the Auckland region, effectively controlling an “aerotropolis” precinct (including business parks, logistics centers, retail outlets like the DFS luxury mall, etc.). This means Auckland Airport Ltd influences local economic development – for instance, it works closely with Auckland Council on land use planning around the airport. Lastly, Auckland Airport was a participant in New Zealand’s COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme in 2020, receiving about NZ$4.3 million to retain staff. This was publicly reported (AIAL was the only NZX50-listed company to take the subsidy at the time) and remains a point of interest in analyses of corporate responses to Covid. In sum, Auckland Airport’s sphere of activity extends well beyond running runways – it’s an infrastructure investor, property developer, tourism promoter, and a bellwether of NZ’s economic and political climate.

  1. Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: Yes. Auckland International Airport Ltd applied for and received government wage subsidies during the Covid-19 pandemic. In April 2020 it was disclosed that Auckland Airport had been paid NZ$4.3 million under the Wage Subsidy Scheme to help cover staff wages as international travel ground to a halt. This subsidy covered 12 weeks of wages for hundreds of airport employees. The company stated the support was crucial given a >95% drop in passenger volumes. Auckland Airport did not subsequently repay this subsidy – unlike some companies – which drew some criticism in hindsight when its financial position improved. (In its defense, the airport noted it incurred massive losses and undertook a $1.2 billion capital raise from shareholders to survive the crisis.) No further wage subsidies were taken in 2021, as by then the airport had downsized and the scheme targeted other lockdowns. The $4.3m wage subsidy remains on record and was highlighted by media and watchdog groups examining which large corporations took taxpayer support. Auckland Airport appears in the official list of subsidy recipients, and the matter is often cited by The Integrity Institute and others when discussing corporate accountability during Covid.

Sources:

[1] “Incorporated in 1988… operates the Auckland International Airport… one of the busiest with over 20.5 million passengers,” Kalkine Media profile, 2025

[2] “Company Number 81071 NZBN 9429048590709,” Kalkine Media – AIA Company Profile, 2025

[3] “Registered Office: First Floor, 4 Leonard Isitt Drive, Auckland Airport, Manukau 2150… Postal Address: PO Box 73020… Manukau 2150,” BusinessDesk Company Details, 2024

[4] “Website: http://www.aucklandairport.co.nz/,” BusinessDesk Company Details, 2024

[5] “LinkedIn… Industry: Airlines and Aviation; Company size: 501-1,000 employees; Type: Public Company; Founded: 1960,” Auckland Airport LinkedIn page, 2025

[6] “Addresses; Registered Office: First Floor, 4 Leonard Isitt Drive, Auckland Airport… (NZBN - CompanyHub.nz),” CompanyHub NZ, 2025

[7] “AIAL was formed in 1988, when the NZ Government corporatised the airport. It had previously been run by the Auckland Regional Authority… In 1998 the Government sold its shareholding, and AIAL became the fifth airport company in the world to be publicly listed,” Wikipedia, 2024

[8] “Shares are dual listed on the NZX and ASX… market capitalisation greater than $10Sources:

[1] Auckland International Airport Limited – Company Profile, Kalkine Media (NZ), https://kalkinemedia.com/nz/companies/nzx-aia

[2] Auckland International Airport – Company Number & NZBN, Kalkine Media (NZ), https://kalkinemedia.com/nz/companies/nzx-aia

[3] Auckland International Airport – Company Details (Addresses), BusinessDesk (NZ), https://businessdesk.co.nz/company/auckland-international-airport

[4] Auckland International Airport – Corporate Directory, BusinessDesk (NZ), https://businessdesk.co.nz/company/auckland-international-airport

[5] Auckland Airport – LinkedIn Company Profile, LinkedIn.com, https://www.linkedin.com/company/auckland-international-airport-limited/

[6] AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LIMITED (NZBN 9429048590709 entry), CompanyHub NZ, (Retrieved 2025 from companyhub.nz)

[7] “Auckland International Airport Ltd was formed in 1988 and publicly listed in 1998,” Wikipedia: Auckland Airport, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_Airport

[8] “Local government shareholding reached 22.4% (2014) and 11.1% by 2024,” Wikipedia: Auckland Airport, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_Airport

[9] Auckland International Airport – Board & Management, BusinessDesk (NZ), https://businessdesk.co.nz/company/auckland-international-airport

[10] “Auckland Airport had 754 employees as of June 30, 2024,” StockAnalysis – AIA Employees, stockanalysis.com, https://stockanalysis.com/companies/nze/aia/employees/

[11] “Patrick recently retired as Chief Executive of Transpower (appointed 2007, retired 2014),” Dr Patrick Strange – Background Note, Auckland Airport (Corporate site), https://corporate.aucklandairport.co.nz/-/media/Files/Corporate/P-Strange-Background-Note.ashx

[12] “Mark Binns was appointed chair of Crown Infrastructure Partners in March 2020… former CEO of Meridian Energy (2012–2017),” Institute of Directors NZ – Speaker Profile: Mark Binns, iod.org.nz, (Retrieved 2023)

[13] Matt Nippert, “Auckland Airport CEO Adrian Littlewood resigns after ‘highly disruptive’ Covid impact,” NZ Herald, 19 May 2021, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/auckland-airport-ceo-adrian-littlewood-resigns-after-sudden-highly-disruptive-covid-impact/TTX63AMPNGUK4YONBJ3JK4JH6E/

[14] Lucy Craymer, “New Zealand’s Auckland Airport to raise charges; airlines cry foul,” Reuters, 8 June 2023, https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/new-zealands-biggest-airport-raise-charges-carriers-opposed-2023-06-08/

[15] “Airlines accept investment is needed, but what AIA is proposing goes beyond what is affordable – Qantas CEO Alan Joyce,” Reuters, 8 June 2023 (ibid.)

[16] “Auckland Airport submits that this agreement should not be approved… would limit competition,” Submission on Air NZ/Virgin Codeshare (AIAL, Feb 2024) – via Ministry of Transport, https://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Auckland-Airport-Submission-2023-Air-NZ-and-Virgin-Australia-Codeshare-authorisation_Redacted.pdf

[17] “Commerce Commission found Auckland Airport targeted excess returns but noted investment plans,” NZ Commerce Commission – Section 56G Report (Auckland Airport), 2013, via comcom.govt.nz

[18] Eleanor Ainge Roy, “Thousands stuck in New Zealand after digger punctures airport fuel pipe,” The Guardian, 18 Sept 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/18/thousands-stranded-in-new-zealand-after-digger-punctures-jet-fuel-pipe

[19] RNZ News, “Auckland Airport’s international terminal running again after flooding – more than 2,000 people were stranded overnight,” Radio New Zealand, 30 Jan 2023, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/483446/auckland-airport-international-terminal-running-again-after-flooding

[20] Te Ahiwaru Trust, “Te Ahiwaru says no to claims on Auckland Airport shares without us!” Scoop Business, 13 June 2023, https://business.scoop.co.nz/2023/06/13/te-ahiwaru-says-no-to-claims-on-auckland-airport-shares-without-us/

[21] Matt Nippert, “Covid-19: Auckland International Airport, Harvey Norman get millions from wage subsidy,” NZ Herald, 7 Apr 2020, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/covid-19-coronavirus-auckland-international-airport-harvey-norman-millions-from-wage-subsidy/EHUDB5Z7I42RAVWHT4A57ZMKSU/

[22] RNZ News, “Transport Minister Michael Wood stood down after airport shares controversy,” Radio New Zealand, 6 June 2023, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/491423/transport-minister-michael-wood-stood-down-after-airport-shares-controversy

[23] Bernard Hickey, “NZ government blocks Canadian bid for Auckland Airport stake,” Reuters, 11 April 2008 (archived on Forbes.com), https://www.forbes.com/2008/02/26/auckland-airport-cppib-markets-equity-cx_vk_0226markets03.html

[24] Commerce Commission NZ, “Excessive profits at Auckland Airport but no price control imposed,” Media Release, 31 July 2013, comcom.govt.nz (Archived)

[25] RNZ News, “Pilots seek inquiry into Auckland Airport runway decision during floods,” RNZ, 12 Feb 2023, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/483903/pilots-seek-inquiry-into-auckland-airport-s-decision-to-keep-runway-open-during-flooding

[26] Farah Hancock, “$500,000 in political donations associated with fast-track projects,” RNZ (In Depth), 10 Oct 2024, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/530312/500-000-in-political-donations-associated-with-fast-track-projects

[27] Thomas Coughlan, “Suspended Transport Minister Michael Wood was told 12 times to dump Auckland Airport shares,” NZ Herald, 13 June 2023, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/suspended-transport-minister-michael-wood-was-told-to-dump-auckland-airport-shares-12-times/5NWZK6EJQZB2NC5G3K4BY3N6WY/

[28] Patrick Strange, “No political contributions… must not be made on behalf of Auckland Airport (Code of Conduct, sec. 3e),” Auckland Airport – Ethics and Code of Conduct Policy, May 2021, (AucklandAirport.co.nz)

[29] Kate MacNamara, “Auckland Airport’s cosy ties in spotlight after minister’s share blunder,” Stuff (NZ), 14 June 2023, https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/132345482/auckland-airports-cosy-ties-in-spotlight-after-ministers-share-blunder

[30] Jenee Tibshraeny, “Auckland Council sells 7% stake in Auckland Airport for $834m,” RNZ News, 7 Dec 2022, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/480478/auckland-council-sells-7-percent-stake-in-auckland-airport-for-833m

[31] Himanshi Akhand & Scott Murdoch, “Auckland Council to offload remaining airport stake for NZ$1.32 bln – term sheet,” Reuters, 4 Dec 2024, https://www.reuters.com/markets/wealth/auckland-council-sell-remaining-airport-stake-nz132-bln-term-sheet-2024-12-04/

[32] Farah Hancock, “Auckland ready to reconnect with the world – Airport prepares for border reopening,” RNZ News, 24 Nov 2021, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/456330/auckland-ready-to-reconnect-with-world-airport-prepares-for-border-reopening

[33] Toby Manhire, “From rich list to big knit: Election year’s chunky party donations at a glance,” The Spinoff, 2 May 2023, https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/02-05-2023/from-rich-list-to-big-knit-the-years-chunky-party-donations-at-a-glance

[34] Graham Skellern, “Deloitte Top 200: Chairperson of the Year – Patrick Strange (Chorus & Auckland Airport),” NZ Herald, 4 Dec 2020, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/deloitte-top-200-chairperson-of-the-year-patrick-strange-chorus-auckland-airport/S2E3J5OYUBBH3KS6ABYTY3JWY4/

[35] International Airport Review, “ACI supports Auckland Airport’s $6.6bn expansion plan,” 4 Aug 2022, https://internationalairportreview.com/news/174851/aci-supports-auckland-airports-expansion-plan/

[36] Lucy Craymer, “Auckland Airport to get rail link in new transport plan,” Reuters, 30 Jan 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-transport-auckland-idUSKBN1ZT07G

[37] Michael Neilson, “Auckland light rail to airport plan unveiled by Government,” NZ Herald, 28 Jan 2022, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-light-rail-to-airport-plan-unveiled-by-government/ORC6KWTRXZUFTKIS7TOYJQLBF4/

[38] Pattrick Smellie, “Air NZ vs Auckland Airport: A clash over parking prices,” Newsroom, 23 Nov 2018, https://www.newsroom.co.nz/air-nz-takes-aim-at-airport-parking-fees

[39] Denise Piper, “Climate activists say Auckland Airport expansion incompatible with net-zero goals,” Stuff, 21 April 2023, https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/131830061/climate-activists-say-auckland-airports-expansion-incompatible-with-netzero-goals

[40] New Zealand Treasury, “Infrastructure Industry Reference Group – Shovel-Ready Project List,” (Contains Auckland Airport domestic terminal project), Aug 2020, treasury.govt.nz (Archived PDF)

Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz

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