View Full Version : Wigram No More
sleemanj
9th Jul 2008, 06:56
On TV3 News tonight for those who missed it, Ngai Tahu has announced that Wigram will close in 7 months.
A very very sad day for New Zealand aviators, and Christchurch especially.
After Waitohi, Wigram could be described as the birth place of New Zealand aviation.
Pity that this is about to happen. Mind you what can expect with the current government.
Thats what you get when left wingers spend too long in power, voted in by the benefit hungry masses. Slow, but sure degradation. Don't think I could sleep at night if I had voted Labor in the last ten years.
sleemanj
9th Jul 2008, 08:48
Perhaps some people here need reminding who made Wigram available in the first place, hint: it was 1995, Labour came to power in 1999.
Further late night history:
* Hon Denis Marshall - Ngai Tahu to buy Wigram Airbase (http://executive.govt.nz/93-96/minister/marshall/dmn0710.htm)
You are more than just a little behind the times if you think that CFS is still at Wigram.
Corkey McFuz
9th Jul 2008, 10:13
You are more than just a little behind the times if you think that CFS is still at Wigram.
that C stands for christchurch.... Not the one which left when the base closed
Very unfortunate. :{
Have a lot of good memories of Wigram.
Whats it destined for now?? Housing i guess.
Knox.
sleemanj
9th Jul 2008, 13:33
Yes, Wigram will be sliced and diced (even further) into residential subdivision.
Here's the video from TV3 news:
3 News > Video > National > Closure means end of an era for Wigram airfield (http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/ClosuremeansendofaneraforWigramairfield/tabid/309/articleID/62475/cat/64/Default.aspx)
Sqwark2000
10th Jul 2008, 02:17
As far as I know, Airforce World, hanger's 2 & 3 are protected as is the Cadet Force Trust Buildings. Not sure of the fate of Hangers 4 & 5 or the S.I.T set up.
Would be great if a finale Airshow was put on including the Historic flight, before being NOTAM'ed closed.
I know if not required to house aircraft if Hanger 4 became avail for the Cadet Forces that would be magic. Winter drill is near impossible some nights.
S2K
Trojan1981
10th Jul 2008, 02:24
It was right-wingers, liberal, who sold off our airports. Bankstown, Camden, Hoxton Park and YSSY.
philipnz
10th Jul 2008, 02:37
Not even time for a flypast I'm afraid
Airfield owner Ngai Tahu Property sent a letter to all tenants this week informing them the airfield will close on February 28 after being closed to air traffic from September.
Charlie Foxtrot India
10th Jul 2008, 04:26
It was right-wingers, liberal, who sold off our airports. Bankstown, Camden, Hoxton Park and YSSY.
Actually it was the Keating Labor government. And they are not "sold off" but leased - although the property developers who grabbed them go around calling themselves the "owners" to make it look as though they have some kind of right to behave the way they do.
XRNZAF
11th Jul 2008, 01:39
I would have thought us honkies could have claimed ancestoral rights to that place, we've been flying there for 92 years.... :E
All joking aside, there is an awful lot of history there. Seems an awful shame to have it turned into 1/16th acre lots with spec houses on top.
Not the way Sir Henry would have intended his gift to the nation to be used I'm sure.:(
Trojan1981
11th Jul 2008, 02:40
Actually it was the Keating Labor government. And they are not "sold off" but leased - although the property developers who grabbed them go around calling themselves the "owners" to make it look as though they have some kind of right to behave the way they do.
According to Map the sale took place on the 28th June 2002, John Howard had been Liberal PM for five years.
The 'Lease' is for 99 years, thats as good as sold. Hoxton will soon be houses and BK is turning into an industrial park.
Old 'Un
11th Jul 2008, 10:11
XRNZAF: You raise an interesting legal point re Sir Henry's gift to the nation. It may be interesting to search the wording of the deed for any clause which may stipulate what is to happen to the land once/if it is no longer deemed of use in the interests of aviation. Under common law, if such a gift is no longer to be used for the purpose for which it was gifted, it rightfully has to be returned to the original donor or his decendants. (Common law regarding gifting of land goes back to when only men could own land)
I know the deed of gift for Hagley Park has some very serious words about the land being gifted "... in perpetuity to the citizens of Christchurch...".
I feel another search in the dusty archives coming on...
Le Vieux
This really gives me a sick feeling to my stomach. Wigram has historical significance and should not go.
I think some sort of protest is in order.
knox.
During the National Goverment of Jim Bolger the announcement was first made regarding the closure of RNZAF Wigram.
Then Minister of Defence Warren Cooper was flying from Wellington the next day - as I knew him reasonably well I took him to task about the very strange move - :sad: he was a little put out about my strong feelings for Wigram.