The project alters the planning framework for the airport and surrounding land. New zoning and designations support the airport's current and future needs, including the ability to extend the runway to the north within the next 10 – 15 years.
At 1347m, Nelson Airport’s runway is among the shortest in the world catering for the type of aircraft operating at Nelson. Its length restricts airlines' ability to operate efficiently here, and it may be too short to accommodate future aircraft types.
Following public engagement and consultation (2022 and 2023) and an independent hearing (2024), Environment Court mediation took place in 2025.
Nelson Airport is one of New Zealand’s busiest regional airports, hosting about 850,000 passengers every year. We’ve signalled the need for a longer runway for many years and, while the development is still 10 – 15 years away, planning needs to start now to provide certainty for the future.
The Project 2-Zero planning framework protects and provides for the runway extension and future airport operations by ensuring appropriate zoning and land designations are in place.
A longer runway will allow airlines to offer more aircraft and flight options for Nelson.
Previously the airport’s zoning was largely industrial. The new Airport Zone includes:
Designations are planning tools that protect land for the intended purpose, ensuring the land can't be used in a way that would prevent the work. The map below shows the previous and new Airport and Aerodrome Purposes designation (DAA1).
Noise contours place limits on how much noise the airport is allowed to generate in defined areas nearby. They also let the community know how much noise can be expected from aircraft operations in areas near the airport.
The contours are developed using detailed forecasting and aircraft noise software, commonly used in NZ. The updated noise contours more accurately reflect the expected future noise levels from airport operations. They take into account both forecast growth in flights, and the future runway extension.
Updated noise contours map
Properties within airport noise contours are subject to Council planning controls intended to reduce the potential for reverse sensitivity effects (where new noise-sensitive activities, such as housing, locate near an existing airport and then complain or seek to limit normal airport effects such as noise). The controls are also there to ensure healthy living environments for residents. They make sure areas within airport noise contours aren't intensified for residential development, and that any new or replacement homes are carefully designed to take account of the effects of aircraft noise on the people who will live there.
As a result of mediation, there have been some wording changes to the planning controls proposed in the airport’s original planning application. We’re working on updating our public information to take these into account, and will add further detail to this web page soon.
Homes affected by airport noise that meet the eligibility criteria will be offered funded acoustic treatments to reduce the impact of noise at their property.
The type of mitigation offered depends on the location of the property. The airport will make a mitigation offer once our annual assessment shows their property is receiving a noise level of 60dB Ldn.
More information will be added soon.