🇳🇿 Center Island Airstrip

Center Island Airstrip (NZ-0020) is a private airstrip located on Raratoka Island (also known as Centre Island) in New Zealand's Southland Region.

• Location: Raratoka Island, Foveaux Strait, approximately 25 km north of Stewart Island / Rakiura.
• Type: It is a private landing facility. The airstrip was originally constructed in the 1950s by resident lighthouse keepers to mitigate the isolation of the remote station.
• Runway Information: No runway information is available. It was originally a grass strip.
• Current Use: Following the automation of the lighthouse and demanning of the island, airstrip usage declined. It is now primarily used for sporadic purposes, including Department of Conservation (DOC) monitoring and management activities, such as surveys and predator eradication follow-ups. The island is closed to public access, and visits require special authorization.
• Historical Significance: The airstrip was built using manual tools by lighthouse keepers and their families after a medical emergency highlighted the need for quicker transport. It accommodated light aircraft for essential passenger and cargo transport, providing critical logistical relief to the isolated community.

*Sources researched: airportguide.com, ourairports.com, grokipedia.com, airportroutes.com*