Wānaka Airport plans: taxiing towards take-off once again?

Back in April 2021, the Upper Clutha community was delighted to win Wānaka Airport back, after QLDC had signed an illegal 100 year lease to hand it over to Queenstown Airport Corporation. This was done behind closed doors, without the community being properly involved. The Judicial Review action brought by the community was successful, and QLDC was told to consult lawfully in future. Read more here.

Fast forward to 2025, and QLDC has announced a master-planning process (also called “the Wānaka Airport Future Review”. This is not a bad thing, but already, only a few months in, WSG is seeing signs of behaviour which look worryingly familiar. We’re asking (reasonable) questions and not getting sufficient answers, and the information we have already uncovered via OIA requests and light analysis is concerning.

So what’s happening?

QLDC has kicked off a master-planning process, involving three consultancy firms (multi-national Egis, NZ planning company Isthmus and Mike Haines Aviation).

This is the first par of this master-planning process and is being conducted over a very short timeframe, between now and late July this year. From the information we have access to, we understand that in June and July the Upper Clutha Community will be asked for views and concerns about Wānaka Airport, and what we want from the airport. Following this, the consultants will develop a number of future options for the airport to put to QLDC to consider. See timeline here.

It is essential that the people of the Upper Clutha are fully aware of what is happening, have access to good information, are able to get involved, and are clear about the issues. The following would be a good place to start:

• A very clear three page summary contained in our Chair Meg Taylor’s report to members at our 2025 AGM. This summarises our concerns and key principles.
• A letter from Upper Clutha Community Groups (including Wānaka Airport Users Group and WSG) which we presented to and discussed with our local councillors and community board members in October 2024. This was about the community’s expectations around the masterplanning process.

WSG is committed to holding the council (and QAC) to account regarding any planning for the future of Wānaka Airport. Our position remains the same as ever (see this on our about page – it has never changed). We seek full transparency, robust information, community involvement (up front) and urge that any development of Wānaka Airport should be led by the Upper Clutha community, and should ultimately reflect what the community wants.

WSG launches a positive community vision for the future of Wānaka Airport

At our AGM on 20th May 2025, WSG launched a positive community vision for the future of Wānaka Airport. This is a discussion document which has been developed by WSG by many of its core members, advisors in the community, and after consulting with ALL the residents and community associations in the Upper Clutha, plus the Wānaka Airport Users Group, plus Wao Aotearoa.

You can review or download the full document below. We need community support and engagement – please sign up and stay tuned in to this issue, and let us know your views.

But here’s a two sentence version of the vision.

The vision for Wānaka Airport is to become a locally led, independent, smart, and future-oriented aviation hub that balances local needs, economic vitality, and environmental impacts. It aims to support a vibrant mix of aviation activities, local businesses and R&D, while remaining proudly run by and for the Upper Clutha community.

Click the image below to view or download a full copy of the vision. Or you can read a mobile friendly version of this vision by clicking this link.

Recent history – background details

If you are new to the community or to WSG, the following might help. Please also check out the “background” section in the menu at the top of this website.

The above video was produced by Sir Ian Taylor’s team and shared widely before we took QLDC and QAC to the High Court, and won. But the messages in the video are still very important, and are at the heart of why Wānaka Stakeholders Group Inc. (WSG) exists, and has grown to be Wānaka’s largest ever single issue community group.

Below is a quick summary of key events leading up to the successful judgement in the High Court, and links to key information to quickly bring you up to speed.

• WSG’s media statement when the judgement was made public.
• A copy of the full judgement and detailed summary for those who want to know more.
  • The 100 year lease over Wānaka Airport granted to QAC was deemed illegal, and was overturned.
  • This means that QLDC now once again owns and controls Wanaka Airport fully and has to consult openly and transparently before QLDC implements any decision to turn it into a jet capable airport or enable QAC to do so.
  • The judgement contains details of the secret “Strategic Alliance Agreement” between Queenstown Airport and Auckland Airport.
• Although QLDC made the decision not to appeal the judgement, there has been no formal apology to the community or directly to WSG from Mayor Boult (or his successor Glynn Lewers), CEO Mike Theelen or QLDC.

What about proposals for a jet airport at Tarras?

We have updated our positioning around key issues in light of recent announcements about Tarras International Airport. We know that Christchurch International Airport Limited has announced a “pause” to the project, but we also understand that the Tarras Airport team at CIAL have continued to work on the project despite the pause. Find out more about WSG’s concerns here.

What next?

We’ve just launched the positive community vision for Wānaka Airport. Watch this space.

We still need community support – please sign up (immediately below) and stay tuned in to this issue.

Importantly, please take a moment to sign up to join Wanaka Stakeholders Group Incorporated, to keep informed about developments and help give us a stronger voice.