Whakatāne Airport (NZWK)
Medium airport · Whakatāne, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | Whakatāne Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZWK |
| IATA | WHK |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 37°55'20" E 176°55'1" -37.92222, 176.91696 |
| Location | Whakatāne, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27 | — | — | UNK | No |
| 09L/27R | 4,200 ft (1280 m) | 100 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 09R/27L | 2,461 ft (750 m) | 98 ft | GRS | No |
Whakatāne Airport at a glance
Whakatāne Airport is a medium airport in Whakatāne, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as WHK. The field elevation of 20 ft (6 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZWK 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 — 09L/27R — offers 4,200 ft (1280 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 09L points roughly 90° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NZWK 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 Whakatāne Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Motiti Island Airport | NZOI | 54 km (29 NM) |
| Rotorua Regional Airport | NZRO | 57 km (31 NM) |
| Tauranga Airport | NZTG | 69 km (37 NM) |
| Taupo Airport | NZAP | 116 km (63 NM) |
| Gisborne Airport | NZGS | 124 km (67 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Whakatāne Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 20 ft field elevation of Whakatāne 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 Whakatāne Airport
What is the ICAO code of Whakatāne Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Whakatāne Airport is NZWK, and its IATA code is WHK. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Whakatāne Airport above sea level?
Whakatāne Airport sits at an elevation of 20 feet (6 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Whakatāne Airport located?
The airport lies at -37.9222, 176.9170 — in Whakatāne, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Motiti Island Airport, about 54 km away.
Does NZWK publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZWK 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 Whakatāne Airport?
Whakatāne Airport has 3 runways. The longest, 09L/27R, measures 4,200 ft (1280 m) with a ASP surface.