Businessman John Matthews bemoaned the “awful” state of Airport Dr as an entrance to the city. “It’s barren in places.” He also spoke of not waiting around for Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and suggested a proposed bypass for State Highway 45 in Omata so the main road did not pass through the village. “I appeal to you to be visionaries,” he told councillors. Jake Rapira said he had been in favour of a multisport hub since taking a team to a sports hub on the Gold Coast in 2017. “It was amazing. He had travelled to similar hubs in Invercargill and Porirua as well.