Whangarei Airport (NZWR)
Medium airport · Whangarei, Northland Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | Whangarei Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZWR |
| IATA | WRE |
| Elevation | 133 ft (41 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 35°46'9" E 174°21'49" -35.76925, 174.36371 |
| Location | Whangarei, Northland Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/24 | 3,599 ft (1097 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 14/32 | 1,558 ft (475 m) | 197 ft | GRS | No |
Whangarei Airport at a glance
Whangarei Airport is a medium airport in Whangarei, Northland Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as WRE. The field elevation of 133 ft (41 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZWR 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 — 06/24 — offers 3,599 ft (1097 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 06 points roughly 60° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NZWR 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 Whangarei Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kerikeri Airport | NZKK | 70 km (38 NM) |
| RNZAF Base Auckland-Whenuapai | NZWP | 116 km (63 NM) |
| Kaitaia Airport | NZKT | 125 km (68 NM) |
| Auckland International Airport | NZAA | 143 km (77 NM) |
| Ardmore Airport | NZAR | 150 km (81 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Whangarei Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 133 ft field elevation of Whangarei 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 Whangarei Airport
What is the ICAO code of Whangarei Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Whangarei Airport is NZWR, and its IATA code is WRE. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Whangarei Airport above sea level?
Whangarei Airport sits at an elevation of 133 feet (41 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Whangarei Airport located?
The airport lies at -35.7693, 174.3637 — in Whangarei, Northland Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Kerikeri Airport, about 70 km away.
Does NZWR publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZWR 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 Whangarei Airport?
Whangarei Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 06/24, measures 3,599 ft (1097 m) with a ASP surface.