Palmerston North Airport Retains Prestigious Qualmark Gold Award

Palmerston North Airport has once again achieved the prestigious Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award, receiving the top-tier endorsement in 2022, 2023 and 2024. This recognition reaffirms the airports place as a national leader in sustainable tourism and proudly marks it as the only airport in New Zealand to hold this distinction.

Qualmark is New Zealand’s official tourism quality assurance organisation, recognising excellence in sustainable business practices. Each business undergoes a thorough, independent evaluation by a Qualmark Tourism Business Advisor and is assessed against sector-specific criteria across four key pillars: economic performance, social and people, environment and culture, and health, safety and wellness.

The Gold Award is reserved for businesses that are not only meeting high standards in these areas but are consistently innovating, improving, and leading the way for others in the industry.

Palmerston North Airport’s ongoing commitment to excellence has been reflected in significant sustainability and customer experience initiatives, alongside a focus on regional connectivity and long-term community value. The back-to-back gold recognitions are a testament to the airport’s whole-of-organisation approach, from operations and governance to passenger services and stakeholder relationships.

Palmerston North Airport Marketing and Communications Manager, Baylie Corney, says:
“We’re incredibly proud to retain Qualmark Gold for a third consecutive year. This recognition reflects the strength of our values, our commitment to sustainability, and the dedication of our entire team. To remain the only airport in New Zealand to hold this award is both an honour and a responsibility. We see it as a mandate to keep raising the bar, not just for ourselves, but for the broader industry.”