returned to Ngāi Tahu Property as part of a treaty settlement claim. The fire station became the home of the civilian fire service until 2018. Since 2008 the Ngāi Tahu land has become the suburb of Wigram Skies. Closure On 9 July 2008 Television 3 News broadcast a news item stating that Ngāi Tahu, the owners of the aerodrome (acquired as part of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement claim) would close Wigram Aerodrome by February 2009. Wigram airfield officially ceased operation as an airfield at 00:00 Sunday 1 March 2009 NZ Local time. After the Christchurch earthquakes of February 2011 resulted in much of the Central Business District being off limits due to earthquake damage with office buildings largely damaged, destroyed, or inaccessible, Ngāi Tahu moved its offices to the Wigram site using a mix of prefabricated relocatable buildings, and a refurbished Control Tower building to house most of its staff until a permanent long-term solution could be found. Housing development In late 2009, Ngāi Tahu Property began redeveloping the Wigram aerodrome site as a new housing development. Named Wigram Skies, the development proposes 1600 residential sections, a shopping centre, and an industrial area in the east adjoining the existing industrial area. The aerodrome's old sealed runway forms the development's main street, aptly named The Runway, with other street names having an aviation, flight or sky theme. The historic control tower and hangars remain as they are heritage protected buildings. References External links RNZAF Central Flying School Air force Museum Pionair Air Charter Canterbury Aero Club Photo of an Air Force refresher course at Wigram c1926 Wigram air traffic to end Defunct airports in New Zealand Transport in Christchurch Transport buildings and structures in Canterbury, New Zealand