Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced the funding on Thursday.
Erosion damage as a result of Cyclone Fehi last year caused 300m of the 700m-long seawall to collapse, leaving only a 58m clearway between the runway and the beach.
"Because Westport Airport is an important gateway into and out of the Buller district, tenders for this work will be called urgently.
"It has approximately 10,000 passengers per year on both commercial and recreational flights, as well as air ambulance landings and military training operations," Mr Jones said.
Rural Communities Minister and West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O'Connor said the airport was a core infrastructure asset for Westport.
National economic and regional development spokesman Paul Goldsmith said that of the $1.8billion pledged to the regions, only $61 million had actually been paid to funding recipients.
- Greymouth Star
