On 4 May 2016, the airport's runway lights were officially switched on by transport minister Simon Bridges.
ˌɔn fˈoːɹ mˈeɪ tˈuː θˈaʊzənd sˈɪkstiːn, ðɪ ˈɛɹpoːɹts ɹˈʌnweɪ lˈaɪts wɜːɹ əfˈɪʃəli swˈɪtʃt ˌɔn baɪ tɹˈænspoːɹt mˈɪnɪstɚ sˈaɪmən bɹˈɪdʒᵻz.