Kapiti's mayor says it's not uncommon for councils to financially help local airports.

Kapiti Coast District councillors have voted to subsidise airline Air Chathams to get Paraparaumu to Auckland flights off the ground.

Mayor Gurunathan says they'll contribute $150,000 over the first three years for marketing.

Other subsidies will be negotiated with Air Chathams over the next few weeks.

Mayor Gurunathan says what they're doing isn't out of the ordinary - with places like Whakatane and Whanganui helping their smaller airports.

He says they all support airlines somehow, whether it be directly, through grants or reducing landing charges.

LISTEN ABOVE: MAYOR GURUNATHAN SPEAKS TO HEATHER DU PLESSIS-ALLAN