Queenstown airport named NZ airport of the year

Queenstown Airport was named Large Airport of the Year in recognition of its exceptional performance across safety, commercial, and community outcomes at the 2025 NZ Airports Awards.

A major highlight for ZQN was the successful delivery of Australasia’s first Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), setting a new benchmark for runway safety and resilience. The judges also praised Queenstown’s wider operational excellence, from innovative commercial initiatives such as the redevelopment of Skippers Café, to its strong commitment to community engagement.

The award judges said that these achievements demonstrate a team that consistently delivers world-class results in one of New Zealand’s most complex operating environments.

The 2025 NZ Airports Awards were presented at the Omaka Aviation Museum in Blenheim.

Awards were presented for the year’s best infrastructure, community engagement, commercial, and sustainability projects, as well as outstanding individual and technical achievements.

“This was the toughest year yet for our judging panel, highlighting just how much exceptional work is going on across the airport network to deliver for their regions and communities,” says NZ Airports Chief Executive Billie Moore.

Dunedin Airport received the Medium Airport of the Year award for its strong leadership, regional collaboration, and operational delivery.

The airport played a pivotal role in forming the Southern Airports Alliance, uniting airports and councils across the lower South Island to create the One Trip to See It All tourism initiative. Judges called it a pioneering model of regional cooperation with long-term benefits for connectivity and economic growth.

Alongside this, Dunedin completed its Taxiway Rehabilitation Project and celebrated the return of international services with Jetstar, reinforcing its position as a resilient and forward-looking gateway for the region.

North Shore Airport was named Small Airport of the Year for its continued leadership, innovation, and contribution to New Zealand’s aviation community.

The judges commended the airport for initiatives that extend well beyond its size, including the expansion of the Young Eagles aviation education programme, which doubled participation and connects young people with real-world aviation careers.

North Shore’s collaborative, technology-driven approach and commitment to sector development continue to make it a standout performer in the general aviation network. Karen Wilson, Operations Coordinator at Hamilton Airport, was named Emerging Leader of the Year.

Karen’s journey is one of extraordinary growth and leadership, from starting in Hamilton Airport’s bookshop just five years ago, to now coordinating operations spanning private jet movements, emergency exercises, and terminal cafés.

She leads a team of more than 20, has driven customer experience initiatives such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme, and introduced operational innovations like new car park technology. Judges described Karen as humble, unstoppable, and deeply trusted, and a great example of what a capable and motivated person can achieve in an airport team.

A special new award for Aeronautical Excellence recognised an exceptional example of technical innovation in aviation.

The award went to Blackmaps Geospatial, for its Rotorua Airport Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) Survey and Model.

By combining LiDAR, drone surveys, and geospatial data into an interactive platform, Blackmaps transformed how Rotorua Airport identifies and manages obstacles around flight paths. Judges praised the project’s innovation and technical rigour, noting that it will deliver network-wide benefits and provide a model for other airports nationwide.

“Congratulations to all the nominees and award winners. These awards showcase the scale of work airports deliver behind the scenes – investing in infrastructure, partnerships, and innovation that deliver lasting benefits to their regions.”

Full list of NZ Airports Awards 2025 winners:

Airports of the Year: Queenstown Airport, Dunedin Airport, North Shore Airport.
Auckland International Airport – International Airfield Northern Expansion
Hamilton Airport – International Terminal Refurbishment and Associated Readiness Projects
Taupō Airport – Apron Redevelopment Sustainability Initiatives of the Year
Christchurch International Airport – Hydrogen Liquefaction Facility at Kōwhai Park
Hawke’s Bay Airport – Resilience Explorer Commercial Projects of the Year
Wellington International Airport – Lyall Bay Boardwalk development
Dunedin International Airport on behalf of the Southern Airport Alliance – One Trip to See It All
Great Barrier (Claris) Airport – Qualifying Aerodrome Certification Community Engagement Initiatives of the Year
Wellington International Airport – general excellence
New Plymouth Airport – Matairangi Lookout, Te Pūwhara o Rongo
North Shore Airport – Young Eagles Programme Aeronautical Excellence Award: Blackmaps Geospatial – Rotorua Obstacle Limitation Surface Survey and Model
Emerging Leader of the Year: Karen Wilson, Operations Coordinator, Hamilton Airport