A red carpet welcome was given at the airport for the special business guests. Town Crier, Caroline Robinson welcomed the group who have also been in Canterbury as part of their study.

Four Leaf Japan were proud sponsors of the Special Olympics National Games that were held last month in Palmerston North.

The group are being hosted by local food innovators, Just The Berries who are based at New Zealand Pharmaceuticals facility in Palmerston North.

Approximately 230 passengers managed to get to Wellington via Palmerston North last evening as low cloud and poor visibility prevented flights landing at Wellington.

It will be the final of the 'Toyota Racing Series' international series, and has full Tier One status, so will deliver the best of the best.

One of the Toyota series racing cars is on display inside the terminal building (right).

Higgins undertake 'Benkelman Beam' testing on the aircraft apron (right) to check the pavement strength, and 'Super Seal' contractors apply a sealant to cracks in the aircraft parking apron (also right).

Airport operations manager Roy Bodell says the sealing is a routine maintenance work aimed at preventing water getting into the base of the pavement.

Last week contractors cut bulk hay from the operational area (lower right).

The 35,702 passengers during December brought the fourth quarter to just 2.2% below the same quarter in 2008.

The total number of passengers for 2009 at 413,538 is 10.2% down on the previous year excluding international passengers. Available seats on commercial flights in 2009 were down 13.3% on the previous year and the number of flights was down 13%.

Wotif's Top New Zealand Destinations 2009: