Taupo Airport (NZAP)
Medium airport · Taupo, Waikato Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | Taupo Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZAP |
| IATA | TUO |
| Elevation | 1,335 ft (407 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 38°44'23" E 176°5'2" -38.73970, 176.08400 |
| Location | Taupo, Waikato Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/28 | 2,198 ft (670 m) | 105 ft | GRS | No |
| 17/35 | 4,547 ft (1386 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Taupo Airport at a glance
Taupo Airport is a medium airport in Taupo, Waikato Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as TUO. The field elevation of 1,335 ft (407 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZAP are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 17/35 — offers 4,547 ft (1386 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 17 points roughly 170° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NZAP shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Taupo Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Rotorua Regional Airport | NZRO | 73 km (39 NM) |
| Hawke's Bay Airport | NZNR | 105 km (57 NM) |
| Whakatāne Airport | NZWK | 116 km (63 NM) |
| Hamilton International Airport | NZHN | 117 km (63 NM) |
| Wairoa Airport | NZWO | 118 km (64 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Taupo Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,335 ft field elevation of Taupo Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 39 airports and airfields we list for New Zealand — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Taupo Airport
What is the ICAO code of Taupo Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Taupo Airport is NZAP, and its IATA code is TUO. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Taupo Airport above sea level?
Taupo Airport sits at an elevation of 1,335 feet (407 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Taupo Airport located?
The airport lies at -38.7397, 176.0840 — in Taupo, Waikato Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Rotorua Regional Airport, about 73 km away.
Does NZAP publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZAP appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Taupo Airport?
Taupo Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 17/35, measures 4,547 ft (1386 m) with a ASP surface.