Hood Aerodrome – MRO Masterton, New Zealand
Hood Aerodrome (MRO) is a general aviation airport in Masterton, New Zealand. Located south west from the town center, the aerodrome was named after George Hood, a Masterton aviation pioneer. It opened in 1931 and is primarily a hub to recreational and vintage aircraft activity, as well as flight training, skydiving, aircraft maintenance, vintage aircraft airshows,parachute and hot air balloon repairs. A biennial airshow, one of the premier aviation events in the Southern Hemisphere, also takes place at the airport. It had been used for commercial flights in the past until Air New Zealand stopped its operations there in 2014.
Best Time to Visit
The Hood Aerodrome is owned and managed by the Masterton District Council. The management is responsible for maintaining the runways, runway lighting, windsocks, and lease sites for hangars. MRO aerodome has four runways of which only one is asphalt-surfaced while the other three are grass. It caters to the aviation needs of the Masterton community plus the wider Wairarapa area. It is also an ideal transit airfield for those flying into the lower North Island of New Zealand like Wellington as well as nearby places like Miramar and Tawa.
What to Do & Area Attractions
There are many accommodations nearby from casual resorts like the 4-star Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park, which has a sport facility as well as indoor and outdoor pools. Amble Inn Motel-Masterton is only 4 minutes from the airport. The hotel is only a 5-minute walk to shops and restaurants. The Acorn Estate Motel is the closest with just .62 miles from the airport. They offer a seasonal outdoor pool with a hot tub, as well as free parking.
The Wellington International Airport (WLG), located in the capital city of New Zealand is only one hour and 34 minutes from MRO Airport.
