Structure and Governance 
The rules and statutes which govern Omarama Airfield Limited

​The Omarama Airfield is owned by Omarama Airfield Limited, a limited liability company whose equal shareholders are the Waitaki District Council and the Omarama Soaring Centre Inc. It is a privately owned and operated airport. The company is governed by a board of four independent directors, two appointed by each shareholder, and is categorised, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 2002, as a Council Controlled Organisation.

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The company owns 90ha of land located to the north of the Omarama township. The runway is zoned Rural Residential and adjoining land High Density Residential. Omarama Airfield sub zones A and B provide for accommodation and airfield support use. All the land is designated for airport use with protection of that provided by slope and air noise boundaries.

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The activities of the company are empowered and undertaken in through four pieces of legislation:

1. ​The Companies Act 1993​​​​

   1. As a limited liability company Omarama Airfield Limited has under this act the full capacity to carry on or undertake any business or activity, do any act or enter any transaction. The business and affairs of the company must be managed by, or under the direction or supervision of, the board of the company. The board of the company therefore have all the powers necessary for managing, directing and supervising the management of the business and affairs of the company and the airfield.

   2. A director of the company is required to act in good faith and in what the director believes to be the best interests of the company and its shareholders.

2. The Constitution 1997

   1. The Constitution of Omarama Airfield Limited identifies that the company will be managed by the Board in accordance with the Statement of Intent which is to be prepared for and reported to the shareholders annually.​

3. The Airport Authorities Act 1996

   1. The Airport Authorities (Omarama Airfield Limited) Order 2006 delegates to Omarama Airfield Limited all the powers conferred on local authorities by section 3 of the Act. Being the establishment, maintenance, operation and management of an airport.In Summary:​

      1. Every airport operated or managed by an Airport Authority must be operated or managed as a commercial undertaking.​

      2. The company can set charges as it sees fit to persons or classes of persons enjoying the benefit of the airport, services or facilities.

      3. Leases can be granted over land or buildings, but no person can erect or make structural changes to any building or any other installation without first obtaining written approval from the airport authority.

      4. The company cannot give consent to any lease which interferes with use as an airport.

      5. The company must consult with substantial customers, being those who provide more than 5% of the gross revenue, on relevant airport charges.

      6. The airport authority (the company) may make bylaws as it sees fit for:

         1. The good rule and management of the airport.​

         2. The more effective carrying out of functions and powers.

         3. The protection of property.

         4. Precautions for the protection of property and persons from accident.

         5. The regulation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

         6. The terms and conditions and charges for public access.

         7. Charges for the use of the airport.

         8. Administration of the airport and control of its trading activities.

4. The Local Government Act 2002

   1. Omarama Airfield Limited is a Council Controlled Organisation. This requires the company and the directors to:​

      1. Compile for the shareholders an annual Statement of Intent which identifies the non-financial and financial objectives, activities and performance targets of the company.​

      2. Assist the organisation to meet its objectives and any other requirements in its Statement of Intent.

      3. Achieve the objectives of the shareholders, both commercial and non-commercial, as specified in the Statement of Intent.

      4. Make decisions relating to the operation of the company in accordance with the statement of intent and the company constitution.

      5. Provide the shareholders with a six monthly update.

      6. Provide the shareholders with an annual report including an audited financial statement.

5. The Civil Aviation Act 2023

   1. Omarama Airfield is an uncertified aerodrome but there are compliance requirements in several of the Rules (Parts) generated under the act. Parts 149, 91 and 139 have content the company must be aware of. In particular Part 139.503 requires the operator of a non-certificated aerodrome to establish procedures to ensure that aircraft movements are restricted or prohibited on parts of the aerodrome where an unsafe condition exits.​

6. Other Acts and Statutes

   1. The following contain provisions and requirements which the directors must be aware of and where appropriate ensure company compliance.​

      1. Arbitration Act 1996.​

      2. Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

      3. Property Law Act 2007.

      4. Public Audit Act 2001 which requires the company to have policies for:

         1. External Appointments.​

         2. Travel.

         3. Credit Card Usage.

         4. Journal Entries.

         5. Fraud.

         6. Letting of Contracts.

      5. Gliding New Zealand MOAP and other publications.

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Last updated August 2025.