Airports around the nation were recognised at the 20th NZ Airports Awards in Wellington last night.
NZ Airports ceo Graeme Sharman stresses an airport’s value is about more than its runway and terminal.
“It’s also about the communities it connects, the opportunities it creates and the resilience it provides.”
. . . The Winners
Aeronautical Excellence: All Sizes winner Wellington Airport: Runway Engineered Materials Arresting System; Community Engagement Large Airport, Queenstown Airport: He Pae Tata, He Pae Tawhiti; Medium, Nelson Airport: Aorere Ararau, with Ngā Iwi e Waru o Te Tauihu; Small, North Shore Airport: Kea Scouts Airport Visits Airport of the Year: Large, Christchurch Airport recognised across five entries; Medium, Hawke’s Bay Airport recognised across five entries; and Small, Chatham Islands Airport for its longer & stronger runway and terminal redevelopment.
Emerging Leader for 2026 was Beth Armstrong, Nelson Airport’s head of corporate services.
Sustainability: Large, Christchurch Airport for Kōwhai Park Solar Farm, with Contact Energy and Lightsource bp; Medium, Hamilton Airport for Precinct North Nature-Positive Development and Biodiversity Programme; Small, Ardmore Air p or t for Water, Waste water and Stormwater Infrastructure Upgrade.
Infrastructure: Large, Wellington Airport for Engineered Materials Arresting System; Medium, Dunedin Airport for Runway Keel Upgrade; Small, Whanganui Airport for Parallel Taxiway.
Commercial Initiative winners were: Large, Auckland Airport for its Southern Link: Shanghai– Auckland–Buenos Aires corridor; Medium, New Plymouth Airport for its Solar Farm Customer Network; and Small, Ardmore Airport for its Altitude: Stage One, 22-hectare non-aeronautical development.
