Christchurch Airport has been named the Platinum Category Winner of the Airports Council International’s (ACI) Green Airports Recognition 2025, honouring its leadership in sustainable energy management through its solar farm project, Kōwhai Park.
The award highlights the airport’s role in forming a joint venture between Contact Energy and Lightsource bp to develop the Kōwhai Park solar farm, which is presently being built on the airport campus.
Spanning 230 hectares and featuring 300,000 panels, the project will produce sufficient renewable energy to supply approximately 36,000 homes.
“Kōwhai Park shows what’s possible when you combine vision with the right partners. Contact Energy and Lightsource bp bring world-class expertise, and this partnership is creating something we can all be proud of,” Airport chief executive Justin Watson said.
The award also recognises additional important sustainability achievements, such as the introduction of New Zealand’s first fully electric fire truck and the airport attaining Level 5 Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) status.
For Sustainable Transition Leader Claire Waghorn, the airport is demonstrating how even essential emergency services can operate using sustainable energy.
“We’re building a future where safety and sustainability go hand in hand. We’re proud to lead the way, and we are delighted to be able to announce this award on World Environment Day.”
The airport has also launched a new range of high-efficiency charging stations specifically designed for electric ground service vehicles. These vehicles, which tow luggage containers and push back aircraft, now run with lower emissions, less noise, and enhanced energy efficiency.
Moreover, direct power connections have been installed at thirteen of the airport’s fifteen aircraft gates, enabling planes to plug in while parked rather than relying on diesel generators or their auxiliary power units.
The airport also boasts its award-winning sorting station which processes waste generated in the domestic terminal, minimising the amount sent to landfills.
More than 500 native lizards were carefully moved from the Kōwhai Park construction area to a specially designed habitat on airport property, enhanced by 20,000 native plants and protected by predator-proof fencing.
In partnership with the South Island Wildlife Hospital, Christchurch Airport rescues at-risk bird eggs from airside areas, incubates and hatches them, and then releases the birds back into the wild.
“This award is another milestone on our journey, and we’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for sustainable aviation,” Christchurch Airport said.