Independent, community-led noise monitoring around Nelson Airport. Real readings from real residents — GPS verified, timestamped, and publicly visible.
Live readings submitted by residents via the ARENA app. All readings include GPS location, decibel level, timestamp, and event type.
ARENA — Airport Residents Environmental Noise Advocates — is a community group representing residents in the Nelson, New Zealand area affected by noise from Nelson Airport (NSN).
Nelson Airport Ltd (NAL) received resource consent to extend the airport runway. As a condition, NAL must offer a noise mitigation package to affected residents. ARENA's position is that any mitigation proposals must be based on accurate, independently verified real-world data — not estimates from NAL's own consultants.
Two firms engaged by NAL (Marshall Day and Tonkin & Taylor) produced reports containing errors and contradictions. ARENA will not accept mitigation based on that work.
This platform gives residents the tools to record, store, and demonstrate noise events independently of NAL. Every reading includes:
All data is write-once — readings cannot be edited or deleted after submission. The evidence trail is permanent.
Nelson Airport operates under noise limits set in NAL's resource consent. Permitted levels vary by time of day:
Engine testing is subject to these limits regardless of operational requirements. The current testing bay is outdated and Air New Zealand has declined capital expenditure to rectify this.
Phone microphone readings are not calibrated instruments. ARENA uses this data to identify patterns and hotspots, then deploys calibrated equipment at those locations.
If you live or work near Nelson Airport and are affected by noise, contribute readings using the ARENA app. Register with your name and email only — no home address required.
ARENA — Airport Residents Environmental Noise Advocates · Nelson, New Zealand · Back to monitor
Standard and ad-hoc reports for ARENA committee use. All reports draw from live Supabase data.
All readings exceeding permitted dB limits, grouped by time period. Includes resident notes and audio clip references.
All readings recorded between 10pm and 6am. Highlights engine testing and ground operations outside permitted hours.
All readings with GPS, dB level, event type, breach status, resident notes, and audio clip file paths.
Summary by registered user — reading count, breach count, date range, and zones covered.
Questions, feedback, or want to get involved with ARENA? Send us a message and we'll get back to you.