Commercial aviation landed in Nelson in the late 1930's with Cook Strait Airways offering flights to Blenheim and Wellington, although services were temporarily suspended during WWII as planes were redeployed for the war effort. The current airport land totalling 200 acres was purchased in 1937 through the combined efforts of the Nelson Aero Club, Nelson Harbour Board and the Government. Some 38 years later the main administration building was constructed on the site.

In the most ambitious development at Nelson Airport since that time, the Airport Terminal has been completely restyled and is now home to over 50 businesses and the growing trail of holiday and business travellers. The daunting six month refurbishment project saw a smooth transition from old to new, despite much of the activity taking place over the already hectic summer months.

The exterior has been finished in a neutral grey toned palette of Resene Tana (green toned neutral), Resene Thunder (dark grey), and Resene Chrome White (off-white) and Resene Fuscous Grey (smoky grey) from the Karen Walker Collection. The magnitude of the project is impressive with 800L of Resene Hi-Glo tinted to Resene Thunder required for the roof alone.

The interior has been touched by greater colour variety through the application of a palette of Resene Putty (yellow oxide cream), Resene Thistle (half and full strength grey green), Resene Kenyan Copper (deepbrown red), Resene Pipi (cream neutral) and the ever popular Resene Pearl Lusta (warm off-white).

Acrylic products were specified throughout the project as the benefits of quick drying and low odour enabled traveller disruptions to be minimised. With Resene Zylone Sheen low sheen acrylic giving a luxurious suede finish on interior broadwall areas complemented by Resene Enamacryl gloss waterbased enamels on trim and joinery and topped by Resene Ceiling Flat on all ceiling areas, this airport is a proud gateway to the delights of the Marlborough region.

Airport Manager: Paul Rosonowski
Building Contractor: Fitzgerald Construction
Engineer: Cameron, Gibson & Wells Consulting Engineers
Interior Designer: Joanne M Richards
Painting Contractor: Lyall Stewart (Nelson Manager), Programmed Maintenance Services
Resene: Richard Haynes, Marlborough/Nelson Branch Manager
From the Resene News – issue 4/2002