Community Q&A: What is Kāpiti asking?

It’s been fantastic to see the level of community interest in the vision for Kāpiti Coast Airport and the surrounding whenua. The questions coming through — thoughtful, direct, and sometimes challenging — show just how much people care about the future of this place. Some of these questions are listed below.

Rest assured, on financing, the pathway is clear: this is not a burden for ratepayers.

The model is based on private investment — both asset investors (like airlines, tech, and aviation businesses who want to base themselves here) and financial investors who see the value of a sustainable, future-focused asset.

With the right vision and leadership, the airport and whenua can generate revenue and opportunity for the district, rather than draw on it.

Housing and an airport can co-exist — if it’s planned right.

That’s why the vision for Kāpiti Coast Airport and the surrounding whenua is deliberately mixed-use, with smart urban design at its core. That includes thinking ahead to challenges like housing and noise, but also to opportunities.

With the rise of electric aircraft over the next decade, the way airports and communities share space is set to change dramatically. We’re already seeing this work in places like Amsterdam and Brisbane, where neighbourhoods and airports thrive side by side.

It’s true: versions of this vision have been talked about for years.

What’s different now is the context — stronger airline resilience, new investors at the table, the rise of tech and aviation innovators, and the urgent need for regional preparedness.

What hasn’t changed is mana whenua’s intent and leadership. They’ve carried this kaupapa forward — often voluntarily — by keeping the community engaged and ensuring the vision for the land remains alive. That persistence matters.

If you have a question you'd like to ask, comment on our social media posts or send an email to kapitiairurban@gmail.com.