Passengers travelling to and from the country's southermost city will see some changes to the airport building from early next year.
Invercargill City Council has approved the renaming of the terminal building to 'Sir Tim Shadbolt Terminal'.
Last month, supporters of the former mayor suggested it would be the "ideal way" to honour the long-term Invercargill mayor.
The council has been considering options to recognise Sir Tim's service to Invercargill since he was voted out at last year's local body elections after a whopping eight full terms and one by-election win in 1993.
He is the city's longest serving mayor.
Two other options included renaming Invercargill Airport completely to Sir Tim Shadbolt Airport or renaming the access road to Sir Tim Shadbolt Ave.
Mayor Nobby Clark told councillors in today's council meeting "this paper is very much about acknowledging [his] service to the city".
Sir Tim has had an association with the airport since the 1990s.
He was a director of Invercargill Airport between 2013 and 2019 and was involved in the extension of the runway in 2003, in a bid to try and attract trans-Tasman flights.
Invercargill has the third longest civilian runway in New Zealand.
Sir Tim was also mayor when Air New Zealand introduced a direct jet service between Auckland and Invercargill in 2018.
Councillor Peter Kett told his peers: "Mayor Tim deserves this. He's not only done this for Invercargill but the province of Southland and he has gone far and beyond any other mayor we have ever had."
While concept designs around signage have been drawn up, the final look is yet to be completed.
In a statement, Sir Tim told 1News: "I feel honoured and deeply humbled for the recognition the council has voted to bestow upon me, today.
"It would be nice to think that it will make a few people smile when they are informed that they are landing at the Sir Tim terminal."
"I had a jolly good run as mayor, I threw 110% into the role, with the airport and its continuing success being a legacy that I am deeply proud of," he added.
The council is hoping to have the name change in place by February next year.
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