New terminal building
Project overview
As a transport hub for our growing district, Taupō Airport has seen a steady increase in traffic over the years. The facility serves both locals travelling throughout New Zealand as well as visitors, and traffic through the Airport will only continue to grow in the coming years.
With growth in mind, an upgrade to the terminal building and its carpark was included in Taupō District Council’s 2018-28 Long-term Plan. The upgrade to the terminal building and carpark had a budget of $9.237 million, funded with $3.367 million allocated in the Long-term Plan, a $5 million grant from the Crown’s Provincial Development Unit, and $870,000 from the Ministry of Transport.
The new award-winning terminal building, designed by local architects Shelter Architects and built by Taupō firm Watts Construction, was formally opened on 9 March 2023. The opening followed an upgrade to the airport’s carpark, with contractors Camex Civil constructing a new sealed carpark with more parking spaces and lighting. In late 2024, work will begin on an extension to the airport apron.
| Location: | Taupō Airport |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Project budget: | $9.237 million |
| Start date: | July 2021 |
| Completion date: | February 2023 |
| Contractors: | Shelter Architects (design of new terminal building) Watts Construction (construction of new terminal building) |
Project updates
7 FEBRUARY 2023
Taupō Airport’s new terminal is complete, has been blessed, and has welcomed its first passengers.
The $9.72 million terminal, funded with $3.367 million allocated in the Long-term Plan and $480,000 of supplementary funding, a $5 million grant from the Crown’s Provincial Development Unit, and $870,000 from the Ministry of Transport will be formally opened on 9 March, but received its first incoming flight on Tuesday 7 February.
Mayor David Trewavas says the new terminal is a credit to all involved.
“This is going to be an asset to our entire district,” he says.
“It looks absolutely fantastic and is distinctly Taupō. Thanks to all the locals involved in this who have gone the extra mile in really challenging times – they can be very proud of what they have achieved - and thanks also to the community for their patience while the construction was under way.”
Taupō Airport’s new terminal
11 MARCH 2022
New terminal takes shape
Taupō Airport’s new terminal building is starting to take shape, with the steel frame and roof nearly completed.
Trevor Watts of Watts Construction said the project had not been without Covid-19 challenges, but his team is making good progress.
“Yes we’ve had a few holdups with Covid and materials supply issues but we’re through the bulk of that now and the structural steel is all but completed," Mr Watts said.
10 NOVEMBER 2021
Concrete progress in airport upgrade
The construction of the new Taupō Airport terminal is well underway, with the foundation poured and framing going up. The new terminal will be approximately twice the size of the existing building.
Airport Operations Manager Kim Gard said it is exciting to see the foundation in place and the project becoming a reality. “A lot of people have worked really hard to get this project over the line and the new terminal is going to be a fantastic addition to the wider district and a real asset to locals and visitors alike,” she said.
2 JULY 2021
A beautiful Taupō morning welcomed stakeholders and supporters, contractors and airport staff to the blessing of the Taupō Airport upgrade project. The blessing was conducted by the Reverend Peace, and Mayor David Trewavas and Deputy Mayor Christine Rankin spoke of their support and thanks for the many groups who had spent many years working towards this day.
The upgrade will see a new airport terminal designed by local architects Shelter Architects as well as a new carpark. The terminal will be built alongside the existing building so as to minimise disruption. Work gets underway next week.
30 JUNE 2021
Locals on the tools as part of Taupō Airport upgrade
Local contractors have been confirmed for the next stage of the upgrade to the Taupō Airport Terminal and the Airport carpark. The upgrade will see the construction of a new terminal building designed by local architects Shelter Architects and built by Watts Construction, as well as improved parking facilities to be constructed by CAMEX. This work follows on from an upgrade of the Airport’s water and wastewater infrastructure in 2020.
