Sponsorship
Nelson Airport actively supports a diverse range of great local organisations, initiatives and events that bring vibrancy to our region, promote wellbeing and celebrate the best of Te Tauihu (top of the South Island).
As a critical part of Nelson-Tasman’s transport infrastructure network, the Airport touches the lives and livelihoods of nearly everyone who lives and works in the region, and many of those who visit for work or pleasure. Reflecting the many facets of this relationship with our community, our sponsorship approach aims to support a wide range of community organisations, events and initiatives in our region.
We’re proud to support the following organisations in the 2023-2024 financial year:
Nelson-Tasman Hospice
Nelson Tasman Hospice provide specialist palliative care through an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, therapists and trained volunteers, to patients and whānau living with life limiting illness.
In 2023, Nelson Airport has partnered with Nelson Hospice as the naming sponsor for the inaugural Trees of Remembrance community activation in the airport terminal.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nelson-Tasman
Part of the world’s largest volunteer mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters equips caring adults with the ability to ignite potential and build resilience in young people through its mentoring programmes.
With training and positive support, Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers form strong positive relationships with a young person. The benefits are numerous - research shows young people who are involved with the programme reporting greater happiness, having stronger social networks, improved relationships with adults, improved attitudes towards school and greater self-confidence.
Nelson Airport is the naming sponsor for the annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nelson-Tasman fundraising dinner and charity auction.
Nelson Arts Festival
It’s the longest-running regional arts festival in the country, and in 2022 the Nelson Arts Festival is back with 11 days of unmissable arts experiences from 19 - 29 October.
Nelson Airport is a Kea Partner of the 2022 Nelson Arts Festival.
The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is the largest fenced sanctuary for endangered plants and creatures in the South Island. The sanctuary includes a visitor centre, an immersive outdoor classroom a 14.4 kilometre pest-proof fence and 135km of well-maintained visitor tracks.
Through its education work, the sanctuary is inspiring the next generation, working with schools and training providers to enable young people’s active involvement in conservation activities.
Nelson Airport is a Gold Sponsor of the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary.
Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter
The Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter crew are on standby 24/7, 365 days of the year. Every year, the rescue helicopter undertakes more than 500 missions throughout Nelson-Tasman, Marlborough and Buller, providing a lifesaving service when things go wrong. In hard-to-reach remote areas of the top of the South, the rescue helicopter can mean the difference between life and death.
The rescue helicopter is based at and receives in-kind support from Nelson Airport through waived landing charges.
TEDx Nelson
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a programme of local, self-organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.
Nelson Airport is a Friends of Tedx Nelson sponsor.
Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce
The Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit membership organisation that has been supporting businesses and commercial activity in the region since 1858. The Chamber is affiliated to the NZ Chamber of Commerce which is part of the International Chamber of Commerce network.
Nelson Airport is a Communication Sponsor of the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce.
Te Mana Kuratahi
Te Mana Kuratahi is the national primary schools Kapa Haka competition, to be held in Whakatū-Nelson in 2023. The competitions are a week-long event that bring together 40+ of the best primary and intermediate aged Kapa Haka from around Āotearoa. This is the first time this event will be hosted in the South Island. The event will bring approximately 1800 performers and 7000 spectators into the region and includes a workforce of around 200 - 400 volunteers.
Nelson Airport is a corporate supporter of Te Mana Kuratahi 2023.
Nelson Aero Club
The Nelson Aero Club was formed on 28 September 1932. The Aero Club first operated from what is now Saxton Field and moved to the airport site in the late 1930s, although activity ceased during the Second World War. The club has occupied different buildings on the airport site until finally moving to the current hangar in February 1996.
Nelson Airport provides an annual sponsorship grant to the Aero Club towards the maintenance of its aircraft.
Te Ara o Hine Rēhia
Local photographer Melissa Banks has spent the past seven years working alongside local whānau, hapū and iwi to document kapa haka, wānanga, tā moko ceremonies, hui, and other events. As a kapa haka mum herself, being behind the scenes has given her a unique appreciation – and passion – for the art. Te Ara o Hine Rēhia: A journey into the world of kapa haka is her homage to kapa haka in Te Tauihu o te Waka-a-Māui (top of the South Island).
Nelson Airport is proud to sponsor this exhibition, which runs from 30 October to 3 November 2023 at the Nelson Provincial Museum.
Nelson Regional Development Agency
Nelson Regional Development Agency's mission is to unlock the economic potential of Nelson Tasman to enable our people and places to thrive.
Nelson Airport is a Gold Supporter of the NRDA Visitor Sector Promotions Programme.