Taupō Airport Upgrade
Project overview
As a transport hub for our growing district, Taupō Airport has seen a steady increase in traffic over the years. The facility serves both locals travelling throughout New Zealand as well as visitors, and traffic through the Airport will only continue to grow in the coming years. With this in mind, an upgrade to the terminal building and its carpark was included in Taupō District Council’s 2018-28 Long-term Plan.
This upgrade had a budget of $9.237 million, funded with $3.367 million allocated in the Long-term Plan, a $5 million grant from the Crown’s Provincial Development Unit, and $870,000 from the Ministry of Transport.
Completed in February 2023, the upgrade has seen the construction of a new terminal building designed by local architects Shelter Architects and built by Taupō firm Watts Construction, as well as improved parking facilities constructed by CAMEX Civil. This work follows on from an upgrade of the Airport’s water and wastewater infrastructure in 2020.
| Location: | Taupō Airport |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Project budget: | $9.237 million |
| Start date: | July 2021 |
| Completion date: | February 2023 |
| Contractors: | Shelter Architects (design of new terminal building) Watts Construction (construction of new terminal building) CAMEX (parking facilities) |
Project updates
7 FEBRUARY 2023
Taupō Airport’s new terminal is complete, has been blessed, and has welcomed its first passengers.
The $9.72 million terminal, funded with $3.367 million allocated in the Long-term Plan and $480,000 of supplementary funding, a $5 million grant from the Crown’s Provincial Development Unit, and $870,000 from the Ministry of Transport will be formally opened on 9 March, but received its first incoming flight on Tuesday 7 February.
Mayor David Trewavas says the new terminal is a credit to all involved.
“This is going to be an asset to our entire district,” he says.
“It looks absolutely fantastic and is distinctly Taupō. Thanks to all the locals involved in this who have gone the extra mile in really challenging times – they can be very proud of what they have achieved - and thanks also to the community for their patience while the construction was under way.”
Taupō Airport’s new terminal
6 OCTOBER 2022
Final stage of airport carpark upgrade gets under way
The final stage of the Taupō Airport carpark upgrade is now under way and travellers are being urged to give themselves a little extra time to catch flights.
Project manager Pernille Fletcher said the main airport carpark was sealed and upgraded with new lighting earlier this year. The final stage of the carpark upgrade would see the drop-off/pick-up zone temporarily closed and the rental car parking relocated to the main carpark.
“This stage of the project is really vital as it will effectively bring together the new terminal and the upgraded carpark and while it is under way we’re asking travellers to factor in a little extra time when catching flights.”
11 MARCH 2022
New terminal takes shape
Taupō Airport’s new terminal building is starting to take shape, with the steel frame and roof nearly completed.
Trevor Watts of Watts Construction said the project had not been without Covid-19 challenges, but his team is making good progress.
“Yes we’ve had a few holdups with Covid and materials supply issues but we’re through the bulk of that now and the structural steel is all but completed," Mr Watts said.
16 FEBRUARY 2022
Taupō Airport upgrade flying ahead
Great progress has been made on the Taupō Airport carpark upgrade, with the new seal in place and line marking complete.
Project manager Pernille Fletcher said the next work would be installing street art and lighting to make for a safer environment for those using the carpark in the darker, winter months. Planting would also be carried out in the green spaces around the carpark.
10 NOVEMBER 2021
Concrete progress in airport upgrade
The construction of the new Taupō Airport terminal is well underway, with the foundation poured and framing going up. The new terminal will be approximately twice the size of the existing building.
Airport Operations Manager Kim Gard said it is exciting to see the foundation in place and the project becoming a reality. “A lot of people have worked really hard to get this project over the line and the new terminal is going to be a fantastic addition to the wider district and a real asset to locals and visitors alike,” she said.
2 JULY 2021
A beautiful Taupō morning welcomed stakeholders and supporters, contractors and airport staff to the blessing of the Taupō Airport upgrade project. The blessing was conducted by the Reverend Peace, and Mayor David Trewavas and Deputy Mayor Christine Rankin spoke of their support and thanks for the many groups who had spent many years working towards this day.
The upgrade will see a new airport terminal designed by local architects Shelter Architects as well as a new carpark. The terminal will be built alongside the existing building so as to minimise disruption. Work gets underway next week.
30 JUNE 2021
Locals on the tools as part of Taupō Airport upgrade
Local contractors have been confirmed for the next stage of the upgrade to the Taupō Airport Terminal and the Airport carpark. The upgrade will see the construction of a new terminal building designed by local architects Shelter Architects and built by Watts Construction, as well as improved parking facilities to be constructed by CAMEX. This work follows on from an upgrade of the Airport’s water and wastewater infrastructure in 2020.
