Disaster averted, the opening of the temporary airport terminal went ahead, and the “tin shed”, as it was affectionately dubbed, ended up being a little more than temporary – lasting until 1999 when the new terminal was finally built in its place.
The “tin shed” was a corrugated iron hangar that served as the only domestic terminal in the Capital until 1986 when Ansett New Zealand built a new terminal in competition with Air New Zealand.
Numerous plans for the airport have been released over the years which have either fallen by the wayside for one reason or another, some have come to fruition like the airport buying land from the Miramar Golf course for additional parking space, and some are currently in progress like discussions on the runway extension.
Like it or leave from it, at least these days we have an award winning airport terminal to come and go, and welcome or farewell our guests from – and let’s not forget Smaug!
Images courtesy of Alexander Turnbull Library.