Kāpiti Coast Airport
| Te Reo |
Location: 60 Toru Road, Paraparaumu
Kapiti Coast Airport was formerly known as Paraparaumu Aerodrome.
Rongotai was designated Wellington’s main airport in 1934. It was required to have an alternative airport for emergency use, and Paraparaumu was selected in 1938. Completed in 1939, it was used by the military during the World War II.
From 1947–1959 Paraparaumu was New Zealand’s busiest airport. The National Airways Corporation (NAC) had relocated there when Rongotai was closed for upgrading to international standards.
The airport received two royal visits by HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, flying in on 9 January 1954, and flying out on 16 January 1954.
NAC operations were relocated back to Rongotai in 1959, and Paraparaumu reverted to general aviation use.
Paraparaumu airport was sold in 2006 to new private owners led by Sir Noel Robinson, and the facilities were upgraded. On 24 October 2011, the newly-renamed Kapiti Coast Airport was opened for business.
Airport flight information services are managed from the Control Tower, which provides a Flight Information Service. The Control Tower was built in 1947 and is registered as a Category II Historic Place. It has become a Paraparaumu landmark.
Photo gallery
Click the thumbnail to enlarge the image.
Loading Bristol Freighter1955
Paraparaumu Calibration Flight Offices1956
Royal Tour 53 54 Buses In Airport Carpark
Royal Tour 53 54 Cars Kapiti Rd
Royal Tour 53 54 People On Kapiti Rd
Royal Tour 53 54 Queen Disemarking Aircraft
Royal Tour 53 54 Queen Shaking Hands
Six Dc3s Paraparaumu Airport1953
Download a brochure
Click on a link below to download or print a copy of each heritage trail brochure.
Ōtaki and Te Horo
Waikanae
Paraparaumu
Paekākāriki
Related links
Supporters of the Kāpiti Coast Heritage Trail
Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti
Kapiti Pakeke Lions
Kapiti Historical Society
Otaki Historical Society
Building, Resource Consents and District Plan
In order to undertake your development, you may need to apply for both a building consent and a resource consent.
Download Antenno
Our free mobile app that sends you Council-related notifications about things that affect or impact the places you care about.
Everything Kāpiti
Read this week's e-newsletter and sign up to get the latest on council activities, upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.
Christmas and New Year hours
Some of our sites and service centres will have slightly different opening hours over the festive season. Find out the holiday hours of the Council services you use here.
Kāpiti Coast Aquatics
If you're looking for exercise, recreation or swimming lessons, look no further, come along to Kāpiti Coast Aquatics facilities!
Our libraries
Find out all you need to know about the Kāpiti Coast District Libraries.