{"id":607605,"date":"2026-09-21T23:34:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T23:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/607605\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T23:34:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T23:34:12","slug":"what-is-new-zealands-best-airport-power-ranking-our-top-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/607605\/","title":{"rendered":"What is New Zealand\u2019s best airport? Power-ranking our top 15"},"content":{"rendered":"

Love \u2018em or hate \u2018em, airports are something most of us have to go through at some time; for well-travelled Kiwis, they\u2019re a rite of passage. <\/p>\n

\n Aotearoa has 49 commercial airports \u2013 some yeah, some nah. We\u2019ve ranked 15 of the best, awarding each scores out of five
\n across five categories, for a potential total score of 25.\n <\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve read our list, it\u2019s your turn. <\/p>\n

The Chathams or Hamilton? Queenstown or New Plymouth? The voting starts now. <\/p>\n

Read our take below or, if you\u2019ve already made up your mind, scroll to the bottom to cast your vote straight away (and don\u2019t forget to make the case for your top airport in the comments). <\/p>\n

15 TIU Timaru Richard Pearse Airport<\/p>\n

\" Timaru’s Richard Pearse Airport.<\/p>\n

Liverpool John Lennon, Belfast George Best, West Palm Beach\u2026 we won\u2019t land on that one. This is our only mainland airport named for a person, and who more appropriate? Why don\u2019t we have SNL Alexandra Sam Neill Aerodrome or KTK Gisborne Kiri Te Kanawa Airport? The terminal is basic \u2013 so was Pearse\u2019s plane \u2013 with few eating or shopping options, and so are its services. Air New Zealand flies to Wellington and it\u2019s the only city with no direct flights to Auckland. <\/p>\n

Connections: 0 Access: 2 Layout: 2 Shops\/Facilities: 1 Uniqueness: 2<\/p>\n

Total score: 7<\/p>\n

14 KKE Kerikeri Airport<\/p>\n

\"BayBay of Islands Airport, Kerikeri<\/p>\n

Watch this place. The Far North council\u2019s commercial wing (sorry) operates Kerikeri and Kait\u0101ia airports and has invested heavily in the runway, aviation and terminal facilities here. It\u2019s paying off with more tourism and business connections (who knows who flew in on that private jet). While Air New Zealand only flies to Auckland now, new rules mean Kerikeri could host larger planes \u2013 Whang\u0101rei can\u2019t \u2013 opening the door to Wellington services. <\/p>\n

Connections: 1 Access: 2 Layout: 2 Shops\/Facilities: 1 Uniqueness: 2<\/p>\n

Total score: 8<\/p>\n

13 CHT Chatham Islands Inia William Tuuta Memorial Airport <\/p>\n

\"TuutaTuuta Airport in the middle of the Chatham Island lagoon.<\/p>\n

The other one named for a favourite son. Air Chathams operates year-round flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.\u202fRecent $50 million upgrades have lengthened the runway and glammed up the 1982 terminal with better check-in facilities, new departure lounge and unique designs reflecting Moriori history. At heart it\u2019s still a basic \u201cwhat you see is what you get\u201d affair but you won\u2019t be here for long. Depending on the weather\u2026 <\/p>\n

Connections: 2 Access: 2 Layout: 1 Shops\/Facilities: 1 Uniqueness: 3<\/p>\n

Total score: 9<\/p>\n

12 IVC Invercargill Airport <\/p>\n

\"InvercargillInvercargill Airport. Photo \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Another comparatively recent rebuild \u2013 2016 \u2013 the terminal is well laid-out, efficient, modern. Few shops or cafes, but it may be the only landing zone in the world where you can nibble a cheese roll with your flat white or matcha. Air New Zealand flies to Christchurch and the Bigger Smoke up north. <\/p>\n

Connections: 2 Access: 3 Layout: 2 Shops\/Facilities: 1 Uniqueness: 2<\/p>\n

Total score: 10<\/p>\n

11 NSN Nelson Airport <\/p>\n

\"AirAir New Zealand’s Regional Domestic Lounge, Nelson Airport. Photo \/ Brett Phibbs, PhibbsVisuals<\/p>\n

The terminal opened in late 2018 to acclaim for its striking timber architecture and high, vaulted ceilings featuring cultural designs. Like almost all our regional airports, it\u2019s easy to drop off your rental car, walk to the terminal, check in and fly out. Again, like most of our airports, there\u2019s fast, free WiFi but limited catering. <\/p>\n

Connections: 2 Access: 3 Layout: 2 Shops\/Facilities: 1 Uniqueness: 3<\/p>\n

Total score: 11<\/p>\n

10 NPE Hawke\u2019s Bay Airport <\/p>\n

\"Hakwe'sHakwe’s Bay Airport.<\/p>\n

Getting there to get out of there can be a hassle \u2013 and expensive \u2013 for most of our airports. Since our leaders don\u2019t seem to have a Buses of National Significance programme, travellers rely on friends or wh\u0101nau to drive them or hire a hackney carriage. Kudos to Hawke\u2019s Bay, where the bus company runs hourly services to the front door. Apart from that\u2026 yeah, stop us if you\u2019ve heard these before\u2026 recently upgraded terminal, Wi-Fi, limited cuisine. Air New Zealand calls the airport Napier \/ Hastings and flies to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch; Sunair will take you to Hamilton and places easterly. <\/p>\n

Connections: 3 Access: 3 Layout: 3 Shops\/Facilities: 1 Uniqueness: 2<\/p>\n

Total score: 12<\/p>\n

9 GIS Gisborne Airport <\/p>\n

\"EastlandEastland Generation\u2019s solar farm at Gisborne Airport.<\/p>\n

Yep, the one where the railway runs through the middle of the runway, but it has way more than that going for it. Claimed to be our most sustainable airport, the terminal was reimagined in 2020 to a design inspired by Tair\u0101whiti history and culture, representing a whare and waka. Only a five-minute drive from downtown Gisborne, it\u2019s the standout among our smaller airports. If only they\u2019d coded it GZY. <\/p>\n

Connections: 3 Access: 3 Layout: 2 Shops\/Facilities: 1 Uniqueness: 4<\/p>\n

Total score: 13<\/p>\n

8 DUD Dunedin Airport <\/p>\n

\"AA sign welcoming passengers at Dunedin Airport. Photo \/ Grant Bradley<\/p>\n

Sorry, but never was an airport more appropriately named. Building a city airport over 30 minutes\u2019 drive from town is a major downer for anyone who\u2019s not a local driving to and from. Unless you rented a car, you\u2019re stuck with a shuttle ($20-25 a head); taxis ($100+) or a twice-daily bus service. They\u2019ve recently unveiled a redeveloped first-floor terminal, featuring a new local dining experience, coffee bars, expanded lounge areas, and K\u0101i Tahu narratives and artworks. Duty-free shopping for Jetstar\u2019s Gold Coast customers plus a souvenir and Relay store and \u2013 bonus points – a kids\u2019 game room. Frequent Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch flights on both big brands. <\/p>\n

Connections: 3 Access: 1 Layout: 3 Shops\/Facilities: 4 Uniqueness: 3<\/p>\n

Total score: 14<\/p>\n

7 NPL New Plymouth Airport <\/p>\n

\"NewNew Plymouth Airport’s Te Hono terminal won the special prize for an airport exterior at the Prix Versailles Airports 2021.<\/p>\n

Like much of its nearby city, it\u2019s unrecognisable from a few years ago, and in very good ways. Opened in 2020, Te Hono, the terminal, replaced two somewhat grungy buildings but its story goes back far further. The airport was built on land confiscated from Puketapu iwi in the 1960s (you read that right) and the design represents their story and rights. Against New York, Berlin, Athens and others, it was awarded a global prize in 2021. The airport recently opened a 15ha solar farm and is 98% self-sufficient in electricity. It\u2019s a wee way out of town so you\u2019ll likely have to cab it; but you\u2019ll find refreshment options, WiFi, facilities and comfort one step ahead of similar-sized airports. Air New Zealand flies direct to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. <\/p>\n

Connections: 3 Access: 2 Layout: 3 Shops\/Facilities: 3 Uniqueness: 4<\/p>\n

Total score: 15<\/p>\n

6 HLZ Hamilton International Airport <\/p>\n

\"FlightFlight NZ324 at Hamilton Airport, after arriving from Christchurch.<\/p>\n

\u2026 where the big jet engines don\u2019t exactly roar. Jetstar flies direct from Hamilton to the Gold Coast three times weekly and Sydney twice, which is how it gets its middle name. This is the fourth attempt at getting transtasman routes up and flying since 1994 and one has to wonder if it\u2019s sustainable with that big beast at the other end of the Waikato Expressway. The terminal has had a tart-up, there are work tables, a cafe and tidy facilities. Quirks: an hour\u2019s free parking! International check-in is old-school, over the counter. <\/p>\n

Connections: 4 Access: 3 Layout: 3 Shops\/Facilities: 3 Uniqueness: 3<\/p>\n

Total score: 16<\/p>\n

5 AKL Auckland Domestic Airport<\/p>\n

\"AucklandAuckland Airport’s domestic terminal. Photo \/ Alex Burton<\/p>\n

Okay, it\u2019s technically one airport but the domestic and international facilities and experience are so different \u2013 and separate \u2013 that it might as well be two. Happily the merger is well under way because the domestic wing is, frankly, past its use-by date. It owes its origins to an older terminal with bits added on as passenger numbers, flights, expectations, operators and security requirements exploded. The regional departures area is akin to a farm shed with a cattle race to the aircraft. We\u2019ll stop there. <\/p>\n

Connections: 4 Access: 2 Layout: 4 Shops\/Facilities: 4 Uniqueness: 3<\/p>\n

Total score: 17<\/p>\n

4 ZQN Queenstown Airport <\/p>\n

\"AircraftAircraft parked at Queenstown Airport.<\/p>\n

Can\u2019t beat that dramatic approach, with the rocky, snowy peaks so close to either wing that you feel they might need a panelbeater after landing. It\u2019s always fun when the doors open and first-timers realise they should have worn two or three more layers because they have to walk downstairs and across the tarmac. Like the town, the airport has mushroomed, carparks are several sizes bigger, the terminal is standing- and ski-room only in peak season, queues can stretch across the concourse. Hospitality and shopping offerings have improved, however. While it looks close to town, you may have heard about Queenstown traffic\u2026 <\/p>\n

Connections: 4 Access: 3 Layout: 4 Shops\/Facilities: 4 Uniqueness: 3<\/p>\n

Total score: 18<\/p>\n

3 WLG Wellington International Airport <\/p>\n

\"WellingtonWellington International Airport. Photo \/ Mark Mitchell<\/p>\n

Wellington\u2019s weather clouds (sorry again) everything that could be great about the facility, because (a) no one boards a plane thinking it may not be able to land where you planned or (b) no one wants to spend hours\/days waiting for clear skies to take off. They themed the terminal around Lord of the Rings then built a carpark like the Caves of Mordor outside. Inside, it\u2019s easy to navigate and has the second-best cafe and shopping centre in the land. Best, it\u2019s so close to the city that everyday buses run from the carpark into town. <\/p>\n

Connections: 5 Access: 5 Layout: 4 Shops\/Facilities: 4 Uniqueness: 3<\/p>\n

Total score: 21<\/p>\n

2 AKL Auckland International Airport <\/p>\n

\"AucklandAuckland International Airport opened a new bar called The Mixologist earlier this year.<\/p>\n

Various operators should be congratulated for not only keeping up its standards during major construction but also introducing a faster, smoother traveller experience. If you\u2019ve been through outbound bag drop and security recently, you\u2019ll know. Inbound, there can be bottlenecks at immigration and customs in peak time; happens all over the world. Biggest gripe is \u2013 again \u2013 getting to and from. The Airport Express bus is really only practical for central city backpackers; I can drive from home in 18-20 minutes; AT Journey Planner\u2019s best offer is 90-100 minutes. Has anyone thought about, say, connecting to a nearby rail network? Travellers seem to like that in other world cities. <\/p>\n

Connections: 5 Access: 2 Layout: 5 Shops\/Facilities: 5 Uniqueness: 5<\/p>\n

Total score: 22<\/p>\n

1 CHC Christchurch International Airport<\/p>\n

\"ChristchurchChristchurch International Airport is the winner of our power-ranking.<\/p>\n

It is the very model of a modern airline terminal. Only 20 minutes north of the Square, you can take a city bus, reasonably priced shuttle or cab. Inside, the revamp completed in May has improved the food court with 10 new cafes, sit-down restaurants and bars; upgraded bathrooms and an Antarctic-themed children\u2019s play area. It\u2019s a combined domestic and international terminal, so check-in is electronic and smooth. It\u2019s on a human scale: easy to find your way around, plenty of Kiwi art and culture, comfortable seating, interesting shopping. Caught short? You can sleep overnight on ground-floor sofas. Major carriers fly to 16 domestic destinations, the big four Australian cities, Singapore, Tokyo, Guangzhou, San Francisco, Dubai and the Pacific. <\/p>\n

Connections: 5 Access: 5 Layout: 5 Shops\/Facilities: 5 Uniqueness: 4<\/p>\n

Total score: 24<\/p>\n

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