Media Release
5 September 2003
Minister Of Defence Lets Down People Of The West
On 12 March 2003 a meeting was held at Whenuapai Village Hall concerning development options for the land currently
occupied by the Whenuapai airbase said New Zealand First MP Dail Jones.
“We were informed that a committee had been established and that a response from them about the future of Whenuapai
would be provided by mid-2003.
“However when questioned in the House on when this report could be expected the Minister of Defence said ‘The process
for the orderly disposal of RNZAF Base, Whenuapai, for when it is no longer required by the Air Force, will be made
public once decisions have been made’.
“What a load of ministerial gobbledygook!
“The people of West Auckland are being let down badly by the Minister of Defence and this minority Labour Government. A
clear indication was given that a report would be recieved, if only an interim one, by this committee by the middle of
this year.
“It is clear that this Government has no regard for keeping its promise about a matter as simple as letting people know
about the developments which are to take place with regard to Whenuapai.
“Needless to say I will be taking this matter up again with the Minister of Defence,” said Mr Jones.
ENDS