Lost property

If you’ve lost something at Wellington Airport here are the steps to take.

If you’ve lost something at Wellington International Airport Limited (Wellington Airport), it might have been handed in to lost property. This does depend on what you lost and where you lost it. In the below instances, your item may not be with Wellington Airport.

If your item was lost or left onboard an aircraft or within an airline lounge such as the Koru Lounge:

  • Please contact your airline. Contact details can be found here.

If you have missing or damaged baggage from a flight:

  • Please contact your airline. Contact details can be found here.

If you have lost an ID document such as a driver’s license or passport or:

  • any cash over the value of $20 NZD
  • any items of high value
  • items containing any of the above such as wallets or bags

Please contact Airport Police on 04 494 8434 or WLG.AirportPolice@police.govt.nz

If an item was removed from your luggage by the Aviation Security Service

You should have a Notice of Baggage Inspection detailing the item that was removed. These items are transferred to the airlines after 24 hours.

If you need to contact the Aviation Security Service within the 24-hour period, you can contact the Wellington office on 04 388 0950 or reception.wlg@avsec.govt.nz. Otherwise, contact your airline.

Lost property found within the airport precinct including in car parks, gate lounges, screening points, shops or in the food court.

This is managed by Wellington Airport as follows.

The following items are disposed of immediately (subject the discretion of Wellington Airport):

  • Rubbish & items of low value
  • Food and all perishable items
  • All non-alcoholic liquids and any unsealed alcoholic liquids
  • Pillows, blankets, bedding and all neck pillows
  • Food and drink containers (including all plastic drink bottles)
  • Non-prescription medication
  • Personal hygiene products (including makeup and toiletry bags)
  • Empty, abandoned suitcases
  • Non–branded items of clothing
  • Non-branded sunglasses
  • Non-branded umbrellas
  • All types of digital payment including debit and credit cards, snapper cards, gift cards and vouchers
  • All items classed as dangerous goods including vapes, lighters, flammable liquids and gas
  • Miscellaneous items subject also to the discretion of the Wellington Airport.

Those items not disposed of immediately are kept for 30 days. Found items unclaimed for the duration of the 30 days since their found date will be disposed of or where possible, donated to charity.

Technology items are kept for a period of three calendar months before being disposed of via secure technology recycling process.

This includes:

  • Mobile phones
  • Laptops
  • Tablets, kindles, e-readers etc.
  • Cameras
  • Power banks
  • AirPods and other wireless earphones
  • Hard drives, USB sticks and other forms of data storage
  • Electronic keys i.e. car keys
  • Smart watches, fitness trackers etc.

How to claim lost property held by Wellington Airport:
Please contact us using one of the Help Phones in the terminal or on 04 385 5100. You can also complete a Lost Property Enquiry Form on our website. Remember to be descriptive as possible so we can attempt to reunite you with your item.