ARENA - previously known as NANAC

ARENA - previously known as NANAC Nelson Airport Noise Action Council Inc(NANAC)was incorporated in 1995, and from Nov 2025 is known as ARENA.

It aims to contribute to the planning of the development of Nelson Airport focusing on reducing, where possible, airport noise and pollution. NANAC also has involvement with the Nelson Airport Noise Environment Advisory Committee. We have representation on this Committee together with Nelson Airport Ltd, Nelson Regional Maintenance, Nelson Aviation College, Air NZ, Origin Air, NCC, and others. Th

e Advisory Committee discusses results of airport noise data, breaches of regulations (exceedances), responsibilities to correct and consequences of infringements.

19/06/2026

NAL now has 12 months from 14 May 2026 to:
- prepare and implement the Noise Management and Monitoring Plan
- prepare the Acoustic Mitigation Programme
- produce the Annual Aircraft Noise Contours for inclusion in the Airport Noise Monitoring Report
- produce the Airport Noise Monitoring Report (to be provided to Council before 31 March 2027)

We look forward to seeing these reports!
airport

18/06/2026

As you are probably aware TBCA, along with the Nelson Golf Club and Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park, withdrew their Environment Court appeals following negotiations.

The key details of the resolution regarding the runway extension are that NAL have agreed :
- to investigate the potential use of EMAS (Engineered Materials Arrestor System) when designing the runway extension. By using EMAS there is a real potential to reduce the need for the runway
to intrude further towards Tahunanui residential areas;
- the agreement includes a fully funded mitigation package for eligible homeowners affected by noise, as well as changes to policy frameworks for replacing or adding to existing buildings in the area;
- the agreement allows Private Plan Change 30 (PPC30) and the Notice of Requirement (NoR) to become operative, giving the green light for future construction.
# EMAS

Engine Testing: We are all waiting, expectantly, for an announcement as to what the improvements will be, to the nois...
11/06/2026

Engine Testing:

We are all waiting, expectantly, for an announcement as to what the improvements will be, to the noise enclosure; AND WHEN IT WILL BE COMPLETED.

n late 2025, Air NZ ran aircraft positioning tests within the existing ‘enclosure’ and had been scheduled to complete additional measurement tests early March 2026, to determine the required extension and whether it also required aircraft positional change.

Air NZ advises that the “Project Team” are working on the test results and obtaining quotes for the required changes to the old existing testing enclosure, to eliminate engine testing noise sleep disturbance. We can all appreciate, given the current economic climate, that capital expenditure may not be at the top of the Air NZ list, but the REQUIRED improvements to this enclosure had been identified well before the increase in aviation fuel costs, AND … while these current economic conditions exist, this provides time for the Air NZ Project Team to have all their ducks lined up to action the required changes as soon as fuel costs are no longer in the news.
So, keep the complaints rolling in folks - this project is moving at a very slow pace; and while Air NZ has offered to carry out high-power engine tests, which are the noisiest, before 10pm if they are able to do so, this isn’t a permanent solution - THE ENCLOSURE NEEDS AN UPGRADE to reflect the now current size/shape of aircraft.

So, keep the complaints rolling in folks - this project is moving at a very slow pace; and while Air NZ has offered to carry out high-power engine tests, which are the noisiest, before 10pm if they are able to do so, this isn’t a permanent solution - THE ENCLOSURE NEEDS AN UPGRADE to reflect the now current size/shape of aircraft.


Availability of InformationPPC30 requires information to be publicly available. ARENA has suggested all NANEAC informat...
04/06/2026

Availability of Information

PPC30 requires information to be publicly available. ARENA has suggested all NANEAC information be available (logically) on NAL’s website. ARENA will continue to encourage and suggest eg: meeting minutes be published as soon as they are available to the Committee, on a dedicated NAL/NANEAC website page

28/05/2026

Topics ARENA is following up this year:

Monitoring of Airport Noise
ARENA has highlighted this topic:
Means by which to measure and report airport noise
Appropriate number of noise testing stations
and
appropriate locations,
and
appropriate means of reporting data in a timely manner and easily accessible eg: use of software - ENVIROSUITE

21/05/2026

Topics ARENA is following up this year:

Monitoring of Airport Noise
ARENA has highlighted this topic:
All of the noise to be ‘counted’
There has been a lot of discussion about aircraft noise close to residential areas ie: take-off and landing; especially in regard to noise levels and mitigation (eg: terms of the PPC30). ARENA has highlighted to NAL:
- these measurements need to include aircraft start-up, taxiing onto the runway, and take-off = all noise to be included in the “noise bucket”; and
- jet take-off thrust is one of the noisiest moments, and jets should always take-off to the north ie: jet take-off thrust at the southern end of the runway.

Topics ARENA is following up this year:Monitoring of Airport NoiseARENA has highlighted this topic:All of the noise to b...
14/05/2026

Topics ARENA is following up this year:

Monitoring of Airport Noise
ARENA has highlighted this topic:
All of the noise to be ‘counted’
There has been a lot of discussion about aircraft noise close to residential areas ie: take-off and landing; especially in regard to noise levels and mitigation (eg: terms of the PPC30). ARENA has highlighted to NAL:
These measurements need to include aircraft start-up, taxiing onto the runway, and take-off = all noise to be included in the “noise bucket”; and
jet take-off thrust is one of the noisiest moments, and jets should always take-off to the north ie: jet take-off thrust at the southern end of the runway.

07/05/2026

Topics ARENA is following up this year:

Monitoring of Night Flights

NAL has amended the AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication) effective as of 19 February 2026.

NAL has spoken with operators causing night flight complaints to educate them re: noise mitigating measures at night.

NAL has amended the AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication) effective as of 19 February 2026.

NAL has spoken with operators causing night flight complaints to educate

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