Planning to make Fiordland's embattled Te Anau Airport Manapouri viable and self-sustaining has seen three members of the facility's governing group visit North Island regional airports recently for practical insights into the management and operation of a regional airport.

Originally constructed in the 1960s, the airport was upgraded in 2008 after being taken over by the Southland District Council (SDC). However the facility has since been plagued with high costs, low visitor numbers and restrictive building conditions which have all been blamed for its continual losses and a drain on local ratepayers.

In May 2023 the SDC set up an airport review committee and tasked Great South with coming up with an initial report. In January 2025 the decision was made to proceed with a business plan which is expected to be completed by June 2026.

Southland District Council (SDC) Mayor Rob Scott, Councillor, and the group's chair, Sarah Greaney, and SDC’s Fran Mikulicic visited Taupō, Whakatāne, and Tauranga airports.

Progress on the ground has also seen a new hangar leased last month (Jul), and negotiations currently underway for three more.

Initial concept designs for “hangar homes” - including standarised colour palettes - have also now been developed, with sizes expected to range from 500 to 900 square metres.

Efforts to rebrand the airport include a new logo and entrance signage, with space to promote tenants and create a more welcoming first impression.

The airport’s designation conditions have also been reviewed and met, and a new designation—incorporating future development and flight path changes—with an updated timeline for public consultation expected in August.

Infrastructure planning is progressing, with wastewater designs ready for tender and work underway on water, electricity, and firefighting systems.

An application to MBIE’s Regional Investment Fund seeks support for runway maintenance and emergency upgrades, has also been submitted.

889 lands and one event have taken place at the airport in the first six months of 2025.

Overseeing the transformation is a governance group, chaired by Cr Sarah Greaney and including Mayor Scott, Fran Mikulicic, SDC Chief Executive Cameron McIntosh, and Fiordland Community Board Chair Diane Holmes.