BEATING HELICOPTER NOISE IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS
Media release: 10 July 2025
Local Board member Alex Bonham with City Vision candidates Theo van de Klondert and Peter Elliott at the Quiet Sky Waitematā meeting
City Vision does not support private helipads in residential areas – the impacts on direct neighbours and wider neighbourhoods are too great.
Julie Fairey, Councillor for Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa, and our team in Waitematā, are appalled that the consent for the new helipad in Rawene Avenue, Westmere has been granted in the face of council and community opposition.
“It was disappointing, and surprising, to see independent commissioners approve the new helipad in Westmere. Although it’s outside my ward the noise travels to Pt Chevalier so has an impact on my constituents and I attended Helen White MP’s meeting with Quiet Sky Waitematā in November. The discussion about the effects on neighbours and the environment were very concerning” says Fairey.
“It seems absurd commissioners equated the noise from a helicopter with that of a motorbike or a bus (assumedly diesel and we are phasing those out!).”
City Vision is focused on working towards an enduring solution for the community on the broader issue of helipads in residential areas of Auckland, as well as identifying how to best support those who wish to oppose the specific approval given for the Westmere site.
City Vision member on the Waitematā Local Board Alex Bonham has been working on this issue for some time, including presenting at the hearing to oppose the granting of the consent for Rawene Avenue.
“The impact of noise pollution on a growing urban population and all waterfront users is a problem that will only get worse” says Bonham.
“Impacts on neighbours and users of the beaches and coastline include rotor wash (down draught) and distressing noise. The environmental impacts on beaches, the foreshore and coastal bird habitats are irreversible. Once granted, helicopter consents in perpetuity will permanently destroy peaceful neighbourhoods, waterfronts and biodiverse habitats.”
Bonham and Fairey have supported work already underway to tighten rules for helicopter use in residential areas, including a current plan change for operations in the Hauraki Gulf.
Waitemata & Gulf ward candidate for City Vision, Patrick Reynolds, shares these concerns. “City Vision will work to do what is necessary to fix the Auckland Unitary Plan during next year’s review, working alongside the community and interested parties to protect residential areas and the environment” says Reynolds.
City Vision representatives will be at Quiet Sky Waitematā Public Meeting on Thursday 10th July at 7pm at Hawke Sea Scout Hall, 55 West End Road.
ENDS
Contacts:
- Julie Fairey, 027 911 3030
- Patrick Reynolds, 027 472 2388