Mayor calls on Government to save Kāpiti Coast Airport

12 Nov 2026

Kāpiti Coast Mayor Janet Holborow is calling on the Government to step in and save Kāpiti Coast Airport from closure.

“Wellington Airport is vulnerable in an emergency, and we need a back-up as a region. Our community and local MP have made it clear they want an operating airport in Kāpiti.

“Selling it off in 1995 was a mistake, and once it’s gone it will be very hard to get back. We urge the Government to step in,” says Mayor Holborow.

“The airport is loved by our community as a local asset and for regional resilience. It was used by the military in World War II and was New Zealand’s busiest airport from 1947–59, hosting two royal visits.

Aerial view of a suburban area on the Kāpiti Coast, photographed from a small aircraft. The aircraft wing is visible across the top of the image. Below, residential streets, houses, and green open spaces spread across the landscape, with the coastline and estuary visible to the left. Rolling hills form a backdrop in the distance under overcast skies.

“With the backing of our community, Council has provided substantial support in recent years to ensure air services continued to operate between Kāpiti and Auckland, providing funding, loans, and promotional support. However, challenging economic conditions have seen both Air New Zealand and Air Chathams pull out of providing services from Kāpiti Airport.

“We have also tried to negotiate with the airport owners and have written to ministers previously asking them to intervene.

“Over the last 24 hours we’ve received a large volume of emails asking us to stop re-zoning of the airport in response to reports that Kāpiti Airport may close in the coming weeks. It’s important to understand that Council can’t just vote to stop a change of designation.

‘If a landowner, or a future landowner, requests a zoning change, Council is obliged to process it under the Resource Management Act 1991 (which will eventually to be replaced by the Planning Act 2026 and Natural Environment Act 2026). This is a prescribed process involving engagement, submissions, further submissions, and a hearing before a Council decision can be made. It takes time and councillors must remain impartial throughout this process.

“Any councillor voting against the recommendations of the hearing’s panel would be required to provide the reasoning behind their decision. Then, once a decision is made, there is the possibility of legal appeals.

“It’s a frustrating situation due to the fact that the asset is in private ownership. Council is not in a position to buy the land or fund the infrastructure needed to keep it operating.

“What is clear is that we need to work together and put pressure on our local MP and the Government to save our airport.”