Karewa

Overview

Inia William Tuuta Memorial Airport is the main air gateway serving Te One on the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. Listed as CHT and NZCI, it is a medium airport that gives visitors their key arrival point for reaching this remote part of the country. The airport sits just 43 feet above sea level, so arrivals and departures feel closely tied to the island landscape, with low horizons, open skies, and fast-changing coastal weather that can shape the travel experience as much as the destination itself.

Key facts

• Official name: Inia William Tuuta Memorial Airport
• Airport codes: CHT (IATA) and NZCI (ICAO)
• Airport type: medium airport serving Te One, New Zealand
• Elevation: 43 ft / 13 m above sea level
• Runway: 05/23, 4,462 ft long, asphalt surface, and lighted
• Time zone: Pacific/Chatham

What travellers should know

For most visitors, this airport is less about long layovers and more about smooth island access, so it helps to arrive prepared and keep plans flexible. The lighted asphalt runway supports reliable operations, but the Chatham Islands’ exposed location means weather can still affect timings, especially when winds shift. Because the local time zone is Pacific/Chatham, which is offset differently from mainland New Zealand, it is worth double-checking flight times, meeting arrangements, and accommodation plans before you travel. If you are collecting luggage, meeting a driver, or continuing on to other parts of the islands, having those details organized in advance will make arrival much easier.