I asked who he is because the news report stated he had been in dialogue with Rotorua Airport's CEO.
In today's local rag apparently the push for the ROT - SYD route with Air NZ came from a local hotellier.
There was also a suggestion that Jetstar are considering Brisbane or Coolongata from Rotorua (which may get better outbound loads from NZ, whereas the SYD route may have better inbound)