Community members were able to have their first say on the future review of Wānaka Airport last week at two community drop-in sessions (Friday June 27 and Saturday June 28). 

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) councillor and Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) member Lyal Cocks told the Wānaka App the sessions attracted a good number of people, with steady attendance throughout Friday’s session and a larger group on Saturday.

“It was pretty intense,” Lyal said. “A few people said it was a bit overwhelming, but [Egis] did get a lot of input from the people there.”

Egis gave guidance on how to respond to various prompts (including the questions ‘What does living, working and playing in this unique landscape mean to you? What role should the airport play in your future?’); there were a range of stations on different topics; and participants were able to write their own responses and notes. 

“[Egis is] trying to get a feel for the community and what they value,” Lyal said.

WUCCB chair Simon Telfer said a lot of ideas were shared at the sessions, “including support for general aviation, increasing scheduled flights, allowing broader commercial activity at the airport and better preparing for natural disaster resilience”.  

Lyal said feedback included a “big push for the [consultation] process to be independent”,

There were also some “robust discussions” with the elected representatives present, he said.

“There’s a lot of feeling out there, a lot of mistrust in the QLDC,” he said, adding that some people were suspicious about who was leading the process.

“We’ve had to work really hard to push the CEO and council to get on with this,” Lyal said. “This is very strongly being led by the WUCCB because it is one of the priorities of the community.”

Feedback included support for general aviation at the airport.

Wānaka Stakeholders Group (WSG) chair Meg Taylor told the Wānaka App her group was "disappointed that the current effort to engage with the public is so limited”.

“We realise the Egis program is part of an ongoing process but it is at this stage that Upper Clutha locals can make their views known before the consultants come up with firm scenarios,” she said.

Meg said WSG is concerned that a “dual airport strategy”, the focus of QLDC and Queenstown Airport Commission’s (QAC) approach to Wānaka Airport in 2017-2019, is still on the table.

In 2019 WSG took legal action against QLDC, saying various agreements between QLDC and QAC in relation to Wānaka Airport were unlawful. The action was upheld by a judicial review.

Meg said WSG continues to push for Upper Clutha people to have an ongoing governance role in Wānaka Airport. 

Lyal said it was important to find out what all local groups want, and WSG is just one of those groups.

Egis will now assess all the feedback and identify a range of scenarios for the airport, which they will bring for another round of engagement with the community - likely to take place in August.

People can also have their say online for three more weeks until July 15.

Simon said it's important for "everyone to jump online and influence the future of Wānaka Airport before this part of the process closes".

"I'd love to see input from younger voices too as this planning will benefit both current and future generations."

Wānaka Airport is owned by QLDC and operated by QAC under a management services agreement. In July 2024 QLDC signalled its intention to develop a long-term plan for Wānaka Airport, and went on to engage consultants Egis to undertake the review. 

It will look at the airport’s long-term role, its economic impact, and its integration into New Zealand’s aeronautical network. It will also set the vision, values, objectives and preferred outcomes for Wānaka Airport. 

PHOTOS: Supplied

Read more: Wānaka Airport review open for public feedback