Golden-hour view of Whakatāne Airport's low-rise glass terminal and drop-off lane, with coastal hills and the Bay of Plenty beyond.

Airport

Whakatāne Airport (WHK)

Whakatāne Airport is a compact regional gateway serving Whakatāne, the Eastern Bay of Plenty and the surrounding North Island coastline. Compare transfer options to Whakatāne town centre, Ōhope Beach, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki and other Bay of Plenty destinations.

Passengers

Luggage

About Whakatāne Airport

Whakatāne Airport is the main regional airport serving Whakatāne and the Eastern Bay of Plenty on New Zealand's North Island. It provides scheduled domestic flights between Whakatāne and Auckland, operated by Air Chathams, alongside scenic flights, helicopter tours and general aviation activity.

Located around 7 km northwest of the town centre, near Thornton, the airport has a distinctive terminal designed by architect Roger Walker and completed in 1974. In 2019, Heritage New Zealand listed the building as a Category I Historic Place, recognising it as a significant example of New Zealand airport architecture.

The compact single-terminal airport is quick and easy to navigate, with airline check-in, a café, a passenger waiting lounge, rental car offices and free parking. Travellers can continue into Whakatāne, Ōhope Beach and the wider Bay of Plenty by taxi, shuttle, private transfer or rental car.

As a regional gateway, Whakatāne Airport links the Eastern Bay of Plenty with Auckland and offers convenient access to coastal destinations such as Ōhope Beach and nearby inland centres including Kawerau and Ōpōtiki.

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Terminal Overview

Travelers walking beneath terminal signs inside an airport

Terminals

Whakatāne Airport operates a single passenger terminal designed by architect Roger Walker and completed in 1974. The terminal handles domestic regional flights, including Air Chathams services between Whakatāne and Auckland.

Ground Transportation Services to and from Whakatāne Airport

Transfers

Book private transfers from Whakatāne Airport to hotels, the town centre, Ōhope Beach and other Eastern Bay of Plenty destinations.

Hourly Chauffeur

Arrange a professional chauffeur by the hour for flexible travel from Whakatāne Airport, business meetings, events or journeys around the Bay of Plenty.

Car Rental

Rent a car from Whakatāne Airport for independent travel around Whakatāne, Ōhope and onward trips to Rotorua, Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty.

Bus & Group Transfers

Organise minibuses or charter buses for groups travelling between Whakatāne Airport, hotels, event venues and destinations across the Eastern Bay of Plenty.