Wanganui Airport (NZWU)
Medium airport · Wanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | Wanganui Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZWU |
| IATA | WAG |
| Elevation | 27 ft (8 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 39°57'48" E 175°1'28" -39.96347, 175.02444 |
| Location | Wanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/26 | 2,877 ft (877 m) | 197 ft | GRE | No |
| 11/29 | — | — | UNK | No |
| 11C/29C | 4,521 ft (1378 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 11L/29R | 1,654 ft (504 m) | 1 ft | GRE | No |
| 11R/29L | 2,756 ft (840 m) | 279 ft | GRE | No |
| 14/32 | 2,959 ft (902 m) | 197 ft | GRE | No |
Wanganui Airport at a glance
Wanganui Airport is a medium airport in Wanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as WAG. The field elevation of 27 ft (8 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZWU 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 6 runways, the longest — 11C/29C — offers 4,521 ft (1378 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 11C points roughly 110° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NZWU 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 Wanganui Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| RNZAF Base Ohakea | NZOH | 41 km (22 NM) |
| Palmerston North Airport | NZPM | 64 km (35 NM) |
| Paraparaumu Airport | NZPP | 105 km (57 NM) |
| Hood Airport | NZMS | 124 km (67 NM) |
| New Plymouth Airport | NZNP | 129 km (70 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Wanganui Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 27 ft field elevation of Wanganui 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 Wanganui Airport
What is the ICAO code of Wanganui Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Wanganui Airport is NZWU, and its IATA code is WAG. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Wanganui Airport above sea level?
Wanganui Airport sits at an elevation of 27 feet (8 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Wanganui Airport located?
The airport lies at -39.9635, 175.0244 — in Wanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is RNZAF Base Ohakea, about 41 km away.
Does NZWU publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZWU 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 Wanganui Airport?
Wanganui Airport has 6 runways. The longest, 11C/29C, measures 4,521 ft (1378 m) with a ASP surface.