Dear Editor, We write to you after reading the story published 9th January with the headline, 'Giving back to our people', the account of the upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations of the opening of Rarotonga International Airport, controlled by the Airport Authority Board.

We are the owners of the Tupapa land named Punamaia Section 190E. Some 55 years ago our father was proud to support the upcoming airport project by leasing some of the land to the Airport Authority, where they built a home that, for some years, supported Airport Authority staff.

However, many years ago, the Airport Authority began to rent the house out to persons with no connection to the Airport at all. We have, over the years, gently asked the Airport Authority to consider returning the land to us. We last asked, formally, in March last year. In a short reply the Airport Authority said: "Thank you for your letter dated 30th March 2023 addressed to our Chief Executive. The Airport Authority have decided not to accept your request to return the leased land to the landowners. We are happy to continue with the existing lease until it expires."

So much for the current bragging, 'Giving back to our people'. We the landowners receive a small annual rental from the Airport Authority while the Airport Authority receives market rental and profits greatly from this.  It is a tidy annual profit going back many years and for the four years remaining on the lease.

Family will be travelling to Rarotonga this year for the unveiling of our fathers headstone. As usual, we will be booking rooms at Club Raro for them, next door to the Airport Authority house that manuiri occupy. Taking a hint from the Airport Authority's "open house" celebrations at the Airport this month, we will be hand delivering, at home, to each member of the Board and to each employee of the Airport invitations to the unveiling. This will be the perfect opportunity for each invited guest to bring along a phone and take a selfie with 'their' home in the background.

After many years of lobbying to have our land returned this would be the perfect opportunity for the Airport Authority to practice what they preach and return the land to the rightful owners. 'Putting our People before Profit' would be a more significant and loftier goal for the Airport Authority to aim for. We can but hope.

Yours faithfully,
The Proprietors of Punamaia 190E2A1 Incorporation