Media Release
17 February 2017
New 5-star hotel to meet growing demand for quality accommodation at Auckland
Airport
Auckland Airport and Tainui Group Holdings have announced an agreement to
develop a new 5-star hotel adjacent to Auckland Airport''s international
terminal and the existing 4-star Novotel hotel. The new premium 250-room
hotel will be operated by AccorHotels under the Pullman brand.
While the additional hotel development has long been a feature of Auckland
Airport''s ''airport of the future'' vision, Mark Thomson, Auckland Airport''s
general manager - property, says the timing has been influenced by
unprecedented demand for hotel accommodation in Auckland. Building the hotel
now also responds directly to strong demand for accommodation that provides
easy access to the airport terminals.
"Auckland Airport plays a key role in New Zealand''s growing tourism industry
and in connecting Auckland to New Zealand and New Zealand to the world. This
hotel, which will benefit from its premium location adjacent to the
international terminal and the current Novotel, will provide more choices for
travellers looking for high quality accommodation within walking distance of
both terminals," says Mr Thomson.
"Being able to walk to the terminals, rather than drive, has considerable
appeal to hotel patrons and will also help reduce vehicle movements on our
roads."
The new hotel will trade as the Pullman Auckland Airport and will be
developed in a 50:50 partnership with Tainui Group Holdings. As part of this
agreement, Auckland Airport has increased its ownership stake in the Novotel
hotel to 50%.
"The partnership with Tainui Group Holdings and AccorHotels has been very
successful and we are pleased to be extending this relationship to another
hotel project," says Mr Thomson.
The hotel building will carry the name ''Te Arikinui'', which is the chiefly
title that the Late Maori Queen Te Atairangikaahu chose when she ascended to
the Te Wherowhero (throne) at the time of her Coronation. The chiefly
associations of Te Arikinui are in keeping with the 5-star premium experience
to be offered at the hotel.
Chris Joblin, Chief Executive of Tainui Group Holdings, says that this
agreement reflects the strength of the relationship that has been established
between Tainui Group Holdings and Auckland Airport.
"This is an exciting project that will result in two complementary assets
located in an exceptional position at New Zealand''s main gateway. This
creates tremendous scope to create a unique, authentic New Zealand experience
for airport visitors and hotel guests including through unique cultural
elements incorporated in the design," says Mr Joblin.
Construction is expected to start by the end of this year, with the hotel
scheduled to open by late 2019. By this time, Auckland Airport''s
international terminal will have undergone significant expansion and work
will already be underway on the domestic section of our future combined
domestic and international terminal.
Auckland Airport is currently investing more than $1 million every working
day on infrastructure improvements, and expects this level of investment will
likely continue into the near future.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Auckland Airport
Gez Johns
+64 27 406 3024
gez.johns@aucklandairport.co.nz
Tainui Group Holdings
Piet de Jong
+64 21 812 766
piet.dejong@bbg.co.nz
Attached: Artist impression of the new Pullman hotel adjacent to the existing
Novotel
End CA:00296966 For:AIA Type:GENERAL Time:2017-02-17 14:36:07