Wairoa Airport will undergo a $4.2 million upgrade aimed at strengthening the region’s resilience and supporting future growth, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says.

Mr Jones said the airport is critical infrastructure for the Wairoa district, playing a key role in commercial air services, emergency health transport, and logistics during extreme weather events.

“Wairoa Airport is vital to the region, particularly when road access is disrupted,” he said. “We saw its importance during Cyclone Gabrielle, when the airport handled more than 100 emergency flights in quick succession.”

The New Zealand Air Ambulance Service currently transports more than 400 patients each year to and from the Wairoa community, operating from its base at Hawke’s Bay Airport.

Mr Jones said the planned upgrades would extend and improve the runway’s operating capability, increasing both regional resilience and economic potential.

Funding for the project includes a $3 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund and $1.2 million from the North Island Weather Event Fund. Wairoa District Council, which owns and operates the airport, will manage the upgrade and be responsible for ongoing maintenance.

As part of the project, the runway will be extended from 914 metres to 1,250 metres. Additional improvements include upgrades to drainage, lighting, and fencing to allow for 24-hour operations, as well as enhancements to the airport’s vertical guidance systems.

Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2026. At peak capacity, the project is expected to employ between 20 and 25 full-time workers, with local labour used where possible.