Central Otago

Central Otago* is a thriving region.

Its growth tracks above the national average and the area is home to one of the fastest growing populations in New Zealand.

Its population more than doubled between 1996 and 2001 when an additional 43,000 people moved to the region.

That rate of growth is expected to continue. By 2050, the region’s population will be similar to that of a small New Zealand city.

The graphic below shows the population-weighted centroid for the area. This is the region’s ‘population centre of gravity’ or the point around which the region’s population is evenly balanced.

Central Otago’s population centroid is located at Roaring Meg – around 30 kilometres from our site at Tarras and around 30 km from Queenstown.

Our site is also 30km from Cromwell and Wānaka.

Air connectivity is an important driver of social and economic wellbeing in Central Otago where residents have a high propensity to travel.

Not only is the ability to fly for business, recreation or to visit friends and family highly valued by those who live there - the regional economy depends on the ability to move people and products efficiently.

We need to plan carefully to ensure Central Otago’s future generations can have all the benefits of aviation in a low carbon future.