Airports in North Island

With some 13 million passengers passing through each year, Auckland International Airport (AKL), also known to locals as Mangere Airport after the suburb in which it is located, is New Zealand’s primary airport, and the fourth busiest in Australasia.

The buzzing airport takes its role seriously as the first and last place that visitors see in New Zealand, and has put together an impressive collection of imagery reflecting the culture and heritage of the country, which you can view on the walls of the airport.

The airport is under regular construction, a process that some travelers have reported as unsettling. Until Auckland International has finished with its tweaks and reshuffles, give yourself a little extra time to navigate – nobody likes to fly stressed, so better to be safe than sorry.

Wellington International Airport (WLG) was upgraded in recent years, just in time for the New Zealand Rugby World Cup (2011). The airport is situated in the Rongotai suburb of Wellington, just five miles (8km) from central Wellington, and commands spectacular views of the surrounding hills as well as the Cook Strait, which separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

There are only three international carriers offering flights to Wellington International; however the airport is well-serviced by domestic carriers with many flights connecting the airport to both Christchurch and Auckland. Wellington International is well-connected to the rest of New Zealand and is well-serviced by a public bus connecting it to various parts of the city.

As the third-busiest airport in New Zealand, Wellington is a great airport to use when arriving in New Zealand, particularly for passengers wishing to avoid the rush and bother of Auckland after a long flight.