Aerial view of the runway at Wellington International Airport

Wellington International Airport is New Zealand’s second-busiest, after Auckland. Perhaps best known overseas for its giant sculpture of Gollum. The monster-like character from J. R. R. Tolkien’s novels ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’ — and New Zealander Peter Jackson’s movies.

The Gollum sculpture has since gone but others — two giant eagles and one dragon — remain.

Located in the suburb of Rongotai, the airport is a 20-minute drive from the city’s centre.

Since 1998, the airport has been two-thirds privately owned by Infratil, with the remaining third owned by the Wellington City Council.

It offers direct flights to 19 domestic destinations and a handful of international destinations across Australia and the Pacific. Its single runway on the isthmus between the city and the Miramar Peninsula makes for scenic – and often turbulent – flights in and out of the city. 

The airport has valet and long-term parking available. Rydges Wellington Airport sits above the international terminal. It has 134 hotel rooms and a conference centre.

The airport has one Air New Zealand lounge in the domestic terminal and another in the international terminal.

Plans are underway for further food and beverage outlets in the neighbourhood, along with a new Airport Fire Station.

Location details

Jurisdiction Wellington City Council
Permits required Contact Wellington International Airport
Location descriptors Runways, airstrips, airplanes, aeroplanes, airports, car lots, parking lots, coastal, helipads, transport networks, mass transit, aviation.