4th Friday, November 2005
AIR NEW ZEALAND LANDED ITS INAUGURAL FLIGHT IN NIUE
In the early hours of November 4, 2005, excited travelers, families and friends flocked to Hanan International Airport in Alofi to await the arrival of Air New Zealand’s inaugural flight from Auckland. Sounds of music and excitement were in the air as people waited patiently for the first sighting of the Air New Zealand aircraft. Mrs Ida Talagi-Hekesi, Director of Niue Tourism, could not keep her excitement under wrap. “I am very excited and I am looking forward to seeing more visitors to our Rock in the next 12 months. A number of units under the Cyclone Heta Recovery Program are due to be built in next few months and these will add more beds for our accommodation sector”, said Mrs Talagi-Hekesi.
The air services agreement between the Government of Niue and Air New Zealand was signed on October 3, 2005 for an initial period of 12 months. The agreement enables Air New Zealand to provide a weekly air service utilizing a 737-300 air craft for the Auckland – Niue sector and return. The services to Niue will depart Auckland on Friday nights at 10pm and returning at 6.20am on Saturday morning, New Zealand time.
The landing of the Air New Zealand aircraft was accompanied by a big cheer from the crowd. The Acting Premier Hon Fisa Pihigia met the Premier Hon Young Vivian, two Cabinet Ministers, Hon Va’iga Tukuitonga and Hon Bill Vakaafi, Air New Zealand representatives led by Mr Christian Wilson and 20 invited guests for the inaugural flight, and accompanied them to the VIP lounge for the special reception to mark the occasion.
Speeches were made by the NZ High Commissioner, H. E Kurt Meyer, Mr Christian Wilson and the Premier Hon. Young Vivian. The common theme arising from the speeches was the excitement for the new milestone between Niue and the Air New Zealand group. The Premier thanked Air New Zealand for agreeing to provide air services for Niue and presented a “vaka” to Mr Wilson. “This ‘vaka’ is symbolic of the journey we are embarking and I hope that it is a journey which will be fruitful for both of us. May God Bless us and may our new relationship prosper as time goes by. Fakaue lahi ma Air New Zealand.”
Mrs Ida Talagi-Hekesi,
Director Niue Tourism, Premier Young Vivian and
Mr Christian Wilson, Air New Zealand Regional Sales Manager. Hanan
International Airport, Niue