while visiting Peter & Fran in NZ or while working Reasons on one of their numerous films. But it’s one of Sir Peter’s great passions that will have the greatest impact on Wairarapa tourism 10to invest and growth. His collection of replica WW1 aircraft in airworthy condition is now largely housed at Masterton’s Hood aerodrome. It’s here that the replica aircraft are assembled, using engines manufactured in the in Wellington. Negotiations are now underway with Masterton District Council for a huge addition to the present facilities at Hood, enabling Sir Peter to relocate his entire personal collection of WW1 aircraft Wairarapa and vehicles from Omaka (Blenheim) to Masterton. The Omaka experience is presently Blenheim’s leading single tourist attraction. Eventually the present bi-annual ‘Wings over Wairarapa’ air show could become a daily occurrence in Masterton – at least for six - eight months of the year. The potential for such an international tourism magnet to draw considerable additional investment; associated business and industry and employment into Masterton and the Wairarapa is incalculable. 1Peter Jackson Sir Peter Jackson’s affinity with the Wairarapa is now well documented. His huge rambling estate five kilometres north of Masterton at Matahiwi is the stuff of local legend. Secrecy as to what exactly is there is strictly maintained, but some visitors have spoken of underground tunnels and a working train. It’s at this property that many Hollywood stars stay with Wings Over Wairarapa, the aviation A sketch concept drawing of what the $10 million national theme seemed to be a perfect fit." planned National Aviation Centre may aviation centre planned "I think it has the potential to be one look like inside. of the region's top tourism attractions Around $100,000 had been spent on for Hood Aerodrome along with the likes of Pukaha Mt Bruce feasibilities studies and research and Piers Fuller, 17:02, Nov 14 2018 (National Wildlife Centre) and it could though plans were far from finalised, it be a game changer. We recognise that it was estimated the centre could cost as has to be of an international standard," much as $10 million. Francis said. "The development of a significant visitor A hangar at Hood Aerodrome is currently attraction in Wairarapa that is based home to millions of dollars worth of on existing aviation-related operations classic WWI fighter planes owned by should prove to be great for the region Peter Jackson's The Vintage Aviator. as it can complement the existing visitor product such as wine and nature-based experiences," he said. The project is part of the Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy which The centre will show off many of The Vintage was released on Monday night. Aviator WWI fighter planes. Attraction developer Select Contracts Detailed design and development of will be helping with the job of taking a "world-class" multi-million dollar the centre from concept to completion. National Aviation Centre at Masterton's Regional director Darron Charity said Hood Aerodrome has just begun. they were excited to be involved at such The centre will be home to a host of A hangar at Hood Aerodrome is currently an early stage of the project which had Sir Peter Jackson's historic warplanes home to millions of dollars worth of classic the potential to become a key attraction through an arrangement with his WWI fighter planes owned by Peter Jackson's for Wairarapa and the wider Wellington company The Vintage Aviator. The Vintage Aviator. region. National Aviation Centre Trust Masterton District Council owns the chairman Bob Francis said the concept Hood is home to the biennial Wings Over airfield and purchased 4 hectares of was born over years ago when a group of Wairarapa airshow, one of the biggest adjoining land a year ago that would be Wairarapa people came together to scope such events in the country. suitable for the centre. out a visitor attraction for the region. Its unrestricted airspace and proximity The facility will be situated near the to Wellington have made it an attractive northeastern end of the runway and airfield for the likes of The Vintage accessible from Manaia Rd on the Aviator and local aero clubs and training northern boundary. organisations. Construction should begin within a Francis said a lot work had been done year and parts of the centre should be to get the project to this point including completed by January 2021 when the market and financial analysis as well as aerodrome hosted Wings Over Wairarapa high level design concepts. again, Francis said. National Aviation Centre Trust chairman Bob Francis next to the 4 hectare block of land at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome that will be home to the centre. National Aviation Centre Trust chairman Bob Francis next to the 4 hectare block of land at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome that will be home to the centre. A sketch concept drawing of what the planned "As many of them were already associated National Aviation Centre may look like inside. Businesses he has bought are a walnut orchard in Carterton, a hemp farm (producing cooking oil) and James Cameron an organics farm on the outskirts of Masterton. 2 The Cameron family’s immediate neighbours at Lake The Canadian filmmaker, director, producer, Pounui are New Zealand’s Governor General, Dame screenwriter, inventor, engineer, philanthropist Patsy Reddy and her husband Sir David Gasgoigne, deep-sea explorer and close associate of Sir Peter who are now probably the highest profile couple Jackson is now probably the Wairarapa’s greatest to have joined the hundreds who split their time ‘Champion’. The creator of Terminator, Titanic and between Wellington and the Wairarapa. Avatar now owns multiple properties and businesses in the Wairarapa. He purchased 800ha at Lake Now, post Covid 19, James Cameron’s trumpeting Pounui south of Featherston in 2012 and has hardly of NZ’s and specifically the Wairarapa’s merits has paused for breath since. He now owns more than 13 seen a big increase in enquiry from US and european properties totaling more than 1500 hectares. entrepreneurs to relocate to here, casually or permanently. A strong advocate for the environment, Cameron shutdown dairy farming on his properties and planted crops. He was however converted back to livestock. Wellingtonians 3Lifestyle 4moving over As demonstrated by Dame Patsy Reddy’s comments As individuals, couples and families choose to spend in the media on the attraction of a Wairarapa lifestyle, more of their time in the Wairarapa, so the demand increasing numbers of Wellingtonians still actively for services there grows, and with it a requirement involved in business and professional careers are for more commercial property space. opting to split their time between the Capital and its rural hinterland. Covid 19’s impact has accelerated South Wairarapa Vets who trade in Masterton, this. Carterton, Martinborough & Featherston are just one of the local businesses that can testify to the growing Wellington’s preeminent commercial property valuer requirement for professional services from 3-4 day Michael Horsley and his wife Dr Jenny Horsley of a week residents demanding more interaction with Victoria University’s Education faculty are another local services and suppliers. The trades have been couple who retain careers in Wellington but now also noticing this growth for two or three years. farm and live permanently ‘over the hill’. While many of these higher income Wairarapa residents commute by private car, the availability of a frequent daily commuter rail service from Masterton to Wellington with seven stops in the Wairarapa appears to be of increasing appeal. The longest trip is 1hr 35min to or from Masterton to Wellington but many passengers of course board closer to the Capital or work in the Hutt Valley meaning, for some, only a 40-50 minute trip, occupying their time with work-related reading or computing. Weather 5House prices 6We could put this more delicately – but it would still mean the same – the weather in the Wairarapa is a There can be a world of difference between the cost vast improvement on Wellington’s. It’s one of the of owning a home in the Wairarapa and other areas of chief reasons Wellingtonians increasingly choose to New Zealand. Recent price rises have narrowed the spend time there. Wellington’s weather is appealing. gap but affordability still reigns. Masterton enjoys a mild temperate climate grading Companies like Powershop are critical to the longer- towards a Mediterranean climate. Due to the term strategy of attracting young families here with geography of the Wairarapa valley and the Tararua affordable houses and employment. Powershop Range directly to the west, Masterton experiences ‘tested’ the Masterton market with 30 jobs initially warmer, dry summers with highs above 30 °C and in 2017, but now has more than 140 staff employed colder winters with frequent frost and lows. at its international contact centre on Queen Street. Powershop’s success in recruiting and training a young, but stable workforce (as opposed to student or work visa employees) won’t have escaped the attention of other employers. 7Viticulture No one today could deny Martinborough’s international reputation for quality Pinot Noir wine. Tourism revenue for the Wairarapa has virtually tracked the growth of the viticulture industry. But more recently the tourism / visitor options have broadened. The Wairarapa is arguably now the most popular wedding venue for Billionaire wine magnate Bill Foley is investing heavily in his South Wellingtonians and both vineyards Wairarapa assets. and accommodation providers have A US billionaire is pouring "many millions" into developing a winery and gin distillery in Wairarapa, insisting New responded accordingly. The growth in Zealand will bounce back strongly in the wake of coronavirus.