Rotorua Regional Airport (NZRO)
Medium airport · Rotorua, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | Rotorua Regional Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZRO |
| IATA | ROT |
| Elevation | 935 ft (285 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 38°6'33" E 176°19'1" -38.10920, 176.31700 |
| Location | Rotorua, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/36 | — | — | UNK | No |
| 18L/36R | 2,732 ft (833 m) | 164 ft | GRS | No |
| 18R/36L | 5,321 ft (1622 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Rotorua Regional Airport at a glance
Rotorua Regional Airport is a medium airport in Rotorua, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as ROT. The field elevation of 935 ft (285 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZRO 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 3 runways, the longest — 18R/36L — offers 5,321 ft (1622 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 18R points roughly 180° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NZRO 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 Rotorua Regional Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Tauranga Airport | NZTG | 50 km (27 NM) |
| Motiti Island Airport | NZOI | 54 km (29 NM) |
| Whakatāne Airport | NZWK | 57 km (31 NM) |
| Taupo Airport | NZAP | 73 km (39 NM) |
| Hamilton International Airport | NZHN | 90 km (49 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Rotorua Regional Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 935 ft field elevation of Rotorua Regional 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 Rotorua Regional Airport
What is the ICAO code of Rotorua Regional Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Rotorua Regional Airport is NZRO, and its IATA code is ROT. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Rotorua Regional Airport above sea level?
Rotorua Regional Airport sits at an elevation of 935 feet (285 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Rotorua Regional Airport located?
The airport lies at -38.1092, 176.3170 — in Rotorua, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Tauranga Airport, about 50 km away.
Does NZRO publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZRO 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 Rotorua Regional Airport?
Rotorua Regional Airport has 3 runways. The longest, 18R/36L, measures 5,321 ft (1622 m) with a ASP surface.