Airport Zone

District plan rules for the Airport Zone in Whangārei, New Zealand.

Summarised from the Whangārei District Plan. This is a summary compiled from the council's published plan, not the plan itself — and not legal or planning advice. Always verify against the council's official document before relying on any figure, and check whether a more recent plan change applies.

Airport Zone — Whangārei

Overview

The Airport Zone recognises Whangārei Airport as regionally significant infrastructure contributing to the economic and social wellbeing of the District and Region. The zone is approximately 60 hectares at Onerahi, 6km southeast of Whangārei City Centre, and comprises aerodrome facilities including runways, taxiways, passenger terminal, and support buildings. The zone is subject to Aerodrome and Airspace designations which take priority over zoning provisions.

Objectives

ObjectiveDescription
AIRPZ-O1: Regionally Significant InfrastructureRecognise and provide for the operational area of Whangārei Airport as regionally significant infrastructure and the contribution it makes to the economic and social wellbeing of the District and Region
AIRPZ-O3: Adverse Effects/Reverse SensitivityProvide for the efficient and effective ongoing operation, maintenance, upgrade and development of Whangārei Airport. Manage adverse effects (including reverse sensitivity effects) that could compromise the amenity, health, safety and well-being of the surrounding community

Policies

PolicyDescription
AIRPZ-P1: Regional SignificanceRecognise the regional significance of the Airport by enabling a wide range of existing and future airport operations and activities. Avoid fragmentation of the Airport Zone and potential reverse sensitivity effects associated with subdivision
AIRPZ-P3: Amenity and CharacterEnable continued operation of Whangārei Airport and ancillary activities with provision for controlled growth in aircraft movements. Manage and minimise adverse effects to surrounding residential areas' amenity and character by ensuring new activities and buildings are of compatible scale and character, and appropriately setback from site boundaries

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum building height10.5m above ground levelGeneral standard
Maximum building height8m above ground levelWhere adjoining Residential Zone or Open Space and Recreation Zone
Height in relation to boundary3m plus shortest horizontal distance to Residential Zone or Open Space and Recreation ZoneAlternative standard for buildings/major structures
Front yard (road boundary)4.5m minimum setbackAll buildings and major structures
Side/boundary setback (Airport Zone boundary)3m minimum setbackAll buildings and major structures
Site coverage50% maximum cumulative building and major structure coverageOf total Airport Zone area
Impervious area80% maximum cumulative totalOf total Airport Zone area

Permitted Activities

ActivityConditions
Airport operations and ancillary activitiesWhere activity requires direct or reasonable access to aircraft or airport facilities to transport goods or provide passenger services, or is ancillary to airport operations
Buildings and major structuresWhere height, setback, coverage and impervious area standards are met (see Building Standards)
SubdivisionWhere resource consent not required under any other District Plan rule and activity not prohibited

Restricted Discretionary Activities

ActivityMatters of Discretion
Buildings/major structures not meeting height standardsThe outlook and privacy of adjoining and adjacent properties; Effects of shading and visual dominance on adjoining properties; Effects on the streetscape character of the area; Effects on the safety and efficiency of the transport network
Buildings/major structures exceeding 50% site coverageThe scale and bulk of buildings and major structures in relation to the site and existing built density of the locality; The outlook and privacy of adjoining and adjacent properties; Visual dominance of buildings and major structures

Non-Complying Activities

ActivityNotes
Primary or ancillary activities not meeting specified conditionsVarious activity types classified as non-complying where compliance requirements not achieved

Prohibited Activities

Activity
Primary or ancillary activities meeting specified prohibition criteria

Notes

  • Minor buildings are exempt from rules AIRPZ-R3 – R6 (building height, setback, and coverage standards)
  • Aerodrome and Airspace designations take priority over zoning provisions
  • The zone anticipates potential future relocation of the Airport

Other zones in Whangārei