At Auckland International Airport, you can smoke after security on the outdoor terrace on Level 2 of the International Terminal — the only airside option listed in this guide. Transit passengers between Australia and North America or Asia can smoke there without leaving the secure area.
New Zealand Airports Compared: Before and After Security
Before security, you can always smoke outside: at a designated smoking area where there is one, or outside the airport property, beyond the terminal kerb and car parks. After security, Yes means there is a smoking area past security and a dash means none is listed. Each airport’s page has the details.
| Airport | Before security | After security |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland (AKL) | Yes | Yes |
| Christchurch (CHC) | Yes | – |
| Queenstown (ZQN) | Yes | – |
| Wellington (WLG) | Yes | – |
The other major airports — Wellington (WLG), Christchurch (CHC), Queenstown (ZQN) — are outdoor-only with all smoking areas landside, requiring security re-clearance for smoke breaks.
Auckland International (AKL)
The standout. Post-security outdoor terrace on Level 2 of the International Terminal — the only airside option listed in this guide — plus standard outdoor smoking areas in the terminal forecourts landside.
Wellington (WLG)
The capital airport. Outdoor smoking areas at Door 5 (covered, departures) and Door 11 (uncovered, arrivals). All landside.
Christchurch (CHC)
South Island’s main airport. Two designated outdoor areas; the Clear Air Policy is more restrictive than at most NZ airports, banning smoking across the terminal plaza.
Queenstown (ZQN)
Tourist gateway to the Southern Alps. One smoking point behind the taxi shelter. No airside.
Tips for Smokers at New Zealand Airports
- Auckland’s Level 2 International Terminal terrace is the only airside option listed in this guide — useful for layovers
- Other NZ airports outdoor-only landside
- At AKL, WLG, CHC, and ZQN, use vapes in the same designated outdoor areas as cigarettes