Wairoa Mayor Craig Little has described the $4.2 million government-funded upgrade to the Wairoa Airport as a lifesaving lifeline.

He said the upgrade, particularly the lighting and runway extension, will improve access, enable faster treatment and helping save lives.

"Currently, the Wairoa runway, at 914m, is the shortest runway in the country used by the New Zealand Air Ambulance Service and cannot be accessed by all of the NZAAS fleet," Mayor Little said.

"Every year, in difficult weather conditions, there are dozens of occasions when the air ambulance cannot land in Wairoa due to reduced weather-related visibility.

"The improved lighting and guidance systems will greatly improve this rate of accessibility.

"The improvements also mean larger air ambulances, like the National Starship Children's Air Ambulance based in Auckland, can land directly in Wairoa, which it currently can't due to the runway length.

"This is about ensuring safe, all-weather access for medical aircraft, and it aligns with the national health system’s clinical pathway strategy.

"We have all heard stories of the roads into and out of Wairoa being closed when there is a health emergency, and the only way out is via air.

"This investment improves Wairoa’s resilience and our health equity by ensuring improved access to life-saving treatment."

Mayor Little said other benefits include larger freight payloads, particularly in emergencies, that can be delivered by larger planes.

He said Cyclone Gabrielle was an example of larger planes not being able to land at the airport because of the restricted runway length, and that we had to rely on many smaller drop-offs by helicopter.

The upgrade will extend the runway from 914 to 1,250 metres, and improvements will also be made to the airport's lighting, vertical guidance systems, drainage, and fencing, enabling better continuity to operations in challenging conditions.

Mayor Little acknowledged that there will be other benefits, such as improving the area’s resilience and connectivity, increasing the potential for economic growth, and supporting commercial air passenger services. However, he believes the improved health response is the big one.

"The New Zealand Air Ambulance Service is the link to Intensive Care services for the region, and transports more than 400 patients each year to and from the Wairoa community from its headquarters at Hawke's Bay Airport.

"It is a vital service for our people, and this funding injection will improve its ability to continue providing this life-saving service.

"Again, thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to have this project elevated to a national level.

"Our Council is particularly grateful to the coalition government, all the stakeholders, including local iwi and the airport users, who supported this project, which comes at no cost to our local ratepayers."

28 January 2026

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