Christchurch International Airport has softened its stance on freeloading tourists sleeping overnight in its terminals.
The airport created controversy last week after it was revealed that travellers were being kicked out overnight and were sleeping rough in bus shelters and stairwells.
Up to 200 people were using the international terminal per night, after flying in late.
But airport chief executive Jim Boult says it is not in the accommodation business.
"We field numerous complaints from aircrew arriving on late flights, who find themselves in what they describe as a 'third world' environment, having to climb over bodies sprawled on the floor on get through the terminal," a spokeswoman said.
The airport highlighted cases of people staying for more than a week, setting up tents, drinking alcohol, washing and hanging laundry and even cooking food in the toilets.
But now, it says tourists can stay overnight in the terminal, as long as they can prove they have an early flight the next day.
A refurbishment to the international arrivals hall will be completed this week.
A new area has been cordoned off for people staying overnight, where they can "rest in a chair" prior to departure.
The airport says it's concerned about people sleeping in the cold, but said there was "no need for them to do so".
"We give them a viable alternative and they make a conscious choice not to take it up," the spokeswoman said.
"Some people offered accommodation early in the evening have chosen not to accept it.
"Instead they have waited until midnight when we close the terminal, then gone out in the cold."
The airport is also in discussion with a developer to build cheap backpacker accommodation on site, with an announcement expected over the next few months.
