CHT · medium airport

Inia William Tuuta Memorial Airport

Te One, New Zealand

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CHTmedium airport

Inia William Tuuta Memorial Airport

Te One, New Zealand

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NZCI

ICAO

43 ft

Elevation

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Remote gateway to New Zealand's Chatham Islands archipelago.

Location

Te One, New Zealand

Inia William Tuuta Memorial Airport, known by its IATA code CHT and ICAO code NZCI, serves as the primary air access point for the Chatham Islands, a remote archipelago located approximately 800 kilometres east of New Zealand's South Island. The airport is situated near Te One on Chatham Island (Rēkohu), the largest island in the group. The airport provides a vital lifeline for the islands' small population, facilitating the movement of passengers, freight, and essential supplies. Its remote location and the challenging weather conditions of the South Pacific make operations here demanding. The facility is named in honour of Inia William Tuuta, reflecting the local Moriori and Māori heritage of the Chatham Islands community. Air Chathams is the primary and essentially sole scheduled airline serving the route between the Chatham Islands and mainland New Zealand.

Terminals

The airport has a small, single terminal facility befitting its status as a remote regional aerodrome serving a population of approximately 600 residents.

Getting to & from

Ground transport on the island is limited to private vehicles and local arrangements, as there is no formal public transport service from the airport.

Airlines here

Air Chathams is the sole scheduled airline operating at the airport, providing connections to Wellington, Auckland, and Napier on mainland New Zealand.

Notable facts

›The Chatham Islands lie so far east that they have their own time zone, 45 minutes ahead of New Zealand Standard Time.
›The airport is one of New Zealand's most isolated scheduled air service points.
›Air Chathams, founded on the islands, has operated here for decades and is essentially the island's lifeline carrier.
›The airport is named after Inia William Tuuta, a respected figure from the local community.
›Freight flights are critically important given the islands' lack of alternative supply routes.

Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Gateway to the Chatham Islands, where the Pacific meets rugged isolation

Inia William Tuuta Memorial Airport, identified by the IATA code CHT, serves Te One on the Chatham Islands, a remote archipelago approximately 800 kilometres east of mainland New Zealand. Named in honour of a prominent local figure, the airport is the primary point of entry for this isolated community and plays a vital role in connecting residents to essential services and the wider country. Its small scale reflects the intimate, self-sufficient character of the Chatham Islands themselves.

Terminals

Main Terminal — A compact single-building terminal handling arrivals, departures, and basic passenger processing for the island's modest air traffic.

Ground Transport

Private vehicle pick-up by accommodation providers or locals
Self-drive rental vehicles available through local operators
Taxi or shuttle arranged in advance through accommodation

Nearby Hotels

Chatham Island Hotel
Waitangi Lodge
Henga Lodge

Dining

Dining options within the terminal itself are extremely limited given the airport's small scale, so travellers should not rely on in-terminal food service. The nearby settlement of Te One and Waitangi offer small local eateries and accommodation-based dining where fresh seafood, including the famous Chatham Island crayfish and paua, feature prominently.

Traveller Tips

Book accommodation and transport well in advance as options are very limited on the Chatham Islands.
Flights are weather-dependent in this remote location; build flexibility into your travel plans.
The Chatham Islands operate on their own time zone, 45 minutes ahead of New Zealand Standard Time.
Carry sufficient cash as EFTPOS and card facilities may not be universally available across the island.

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Airlines serving this airport

No scheduled airline data available.

Routes

No route data available.

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Where

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