Hokitika Airport and West Coast ports to receive $15.3 million upgrade

Friday, 7 March 2025

An Air New Zealand Bombardier Q300 arrives at Hokitika airport. The airport is getting a $16.4 million upgrade, with $9.8m of that to be loaned by the Government.

The Government will loan $15.3 million to upgrade Hokitika Airport and key port facilities in Greymouth and Westport.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced the spend on Friday, with the money coming from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

Hokitika Airport will receive a $9.8m loan towards its $16.4m upgrade. The project aims to reduce flight delays and cancellations, lower aircraft maintenance costs, and improve operational safety. About 38 jobs are expected to be created during construction.

The NZ Airports Association welcomed the loan, with chief executive Billie Moore saying it would ensure the airport was well-positioned to meet future demand.

“Hokitika Airport is a lifeline for the West Coast, not just for passengers but also for emergency services, medical flights, and regional economic development.”

The upgrade includes a full runway reseal, allowing the airport to accommodate heavier aircraft, and new runway lighting will be installed to improve safety and reliability.

“These improvements are essential to the long-term viability of scheduled air services to Hokitika, which currently support 43,000 people travelling into the region,” Moore said.

Jones also announced the West Coast Ports Infrastructure upgrade programme would receive a $5.5m loan to upgrade port facilities in Westport and Greymouth to improve their resilience and support the expansion of mineral extraction and fisheries operations.

Jones said they were the only ports of their kind between Nelson and Bluff, making them “vitally important” for the local fishing industry and minerals sector.

“Resilient and enabling infrastructure is clearly needed on the West Coast,” he said in a statement.

“This work will help boost the New Zealand economy. Good regional infrastructure supports the efficient and sustainable movement of people and goods and facilitates trade and investment.”

Grey mayor Tania Gibson said strengthening the infrastructure that supports the district’s economy was “essential”.

A key focus was upgrading the Blaketown Pens area - a vital loading and unloading site - including additional security measures, improved infrastructure and an ablution block as requested by the local fishing industry.

Buller mayor Jamie Cleine said Westport Port’s loan would go towards four initiatives: expanding floating pontoon marina berths to increase berthage capacity and revenue; improving berthing facilities at Fisherman’s Wharf to accommodate a wider range of vessels; installing a roll-on-roll-off ramp near the Westport Yacht Club that would enhance earthquake resilience by allowing barge shipments of vehicles and fuel; and $900,000 for the dredge Kawatiri for deeper channel creation and enhanced dredging capability.

On Friday, Jones also acknowledged the completion of a flood resilience project on the West Coast, the Hokitika floodwall. Funded through the Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund’s Infrastructure Reference Group, the project was expected to provide greater protection against severe weather events.

The Government allocated $101m in last year’s Budget from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for 42 flood resilience projects nationwide. Thirty are under construction, all contracts are signed, two projects have been completed, and six are due to be finished by June.