Te Anau tour operator Merv Halliday is celebrating the New Year on Sunday (January 3) by sending his first group of travellers to the Chatham Islands from Te Anau Airport Manapouri in two years.

Mr Halliday is a long-time fan of the Chatham Islands and in 2014 began chartering and promoting Air Chathams flights from various New Zealand locations, including an annual Te Anau - Manapouri departure.

The Southland District Council has owned the aerodrome since 2002 and in recent years had let the airport’s certification for large aircraft lapse.

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In 2019, the local community board recommended the council reinstate certification for larger aircraft, which the council approved. The council also approved a $90,000 upgrade for the utility this year.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent closure of international borders put the kybosh on many Te Anau tourism operators’ plans, including Mr Halliday’s hopes to charter Air Chathams from Te Anau - Manapouri during 2020.

“Now we are back. I am quite excited about it,” Mr Halliday said this week.

Sunday’s flight would be the 33rd tour that he has arranged since 2014.

There are 48 passengers booked on the Air Chathams ATR 72 twin engine turbo prop for a week-long holiday.

Air Chathams acquired ZK-MCO in 2019. PHOTO: Merv Halliday

Several of the passengers will be coming from the North Island and other parts of New Zealand to depart from Te Anau - Manapouri. A few local people would also be on board, Mr Halliday said.

Despite his buoyant mood about being able to operate from Te Anau-Manapouri again, Mr Halliday did not believe the stars were realigning for tourism just yet.

“Not for me! The people are going to the Chathams because they can’t go anywhere else,” he said.

Mr Halliday sent a tour group from Christchurch last week and he also sends tours from Wanganui and Wellington.

He has been involved in aviation all his life and founded his tour charter business after retiring. 

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In the meantime, debate continues about whether the Te Anau-Manapouri aerodrome should be listed by the Southland District Council as a strategic asset.

A recent community consultation process in November and December revealed some Fiordland people still believe the aerodrome is more of a burden than an asset to Te Anau.

Mr Halliday said many people did not realise the positive things that were going on at the airport and it was good to be able to continue using it.

READ MORE HERE. Over half of Fiordland ratepayers against funding Te Anau Airport