Sustainable tourism

The pandemic has had a devasting impact on tourism businesses who have been faced with the sudden loss of visitors and income. All businesses have had to make significant changes to ensure their survival, Air New Zealand included.

What hasn't changed is the industry's focus on sustainability. 

Air New Zealand is committed to playing its part in making Aotearoa a world-class sustainable visitor destination and recognises that genuine sustainable development outcomes are key to ensuring the long-term success of the industry. New Zealand boasts some of the most stunning landscapes and natural scenery in the world and it is vitally important we continue to preserve and protect our natural environment.

We celebrate the many tourism businesses that continue to deliver outstanding experiences while giving back to their local communities and protecting the environment, despite an incredibly tough operating environment.

As part of our commitment to supporting operators who are contributing to Aotearoa New Zealand's success as a world-class visitor destination, we only feature Qualmark awarded New Zealand activities and attractions on airnewzealand.co.nz/activity-deals.

Find out more in the Sustainable tourism section of our 2022 Sustainability Report.

Tiaki Promise

Tiaki – Care for New Zealand was created through a collective desire to share a connection to the natural world, inspiring and helping visitors to travel safely and conscientiously.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, people have a strong connection to the place around them. Tangata whenua (people of this land) see nature as something intrinsically intertwined with their own lives. For Māori, every mountain, every river, every tree has a story. These stories form part of their own identities and help to shape their place in the world.

Tiaki is an initiative that actively encourages international and domestic travellers to experience New Zealand in a way that keeps everyone safe, protects our environment, respects our culture and protects the country for future generations. 

To commit to travelling in this way is to take the Tiaki Promise.

Read more about the Tiaki Promise.

Conserving nature

We are committed to making a significant contribution to conservation and science in New Zealand.

We want to help ensure New Zealand's ecosystems and biodiversity are restored and protected for future generations.

We do this through our ongoing partnership with the Department of Conservation (DOC). We also recognise one-to-one partnerships will not be enough, and that collaboration between business, government, iwi and communities is critical to tackling these challenges.

Sharing Māori culture

We recognise Māori culture as a foundation of New Zealand's heritage and a key element of Air New Zealand's culture. As the national carrier, we are in a unique position to embrace and share Māori culture with New Zealanders and overseas visitors. We take pride in greeting our customers in te reo and Air New Zealanders are committed to increasing skills and usage of Māori language and culture.

The 'Tohu Reo' pin, which acknowledges the wearer as a fluent te reo speaker, is worn by speakers across the country and continues to be a highlight of our support for Māori language. The Tohu Reo received a Nga Aho Purple pin at the New Zealand Best Design awards 2017. The 150 Māori Ambassadors across the organisation provide support and encouragement to share, market and promote Māori culture and language across the airline. New cabin crew intakes across our short haul, mid haul, and long haul fleets, along with family, celebrate their training graduation ceremony on the Te Mānukanuka o Hoturoa marae.

We have increased content promoting Māori culture, language, and success across information distribution channels such as the Kia Ora magazine, Inflight Entertainment, and domestic route screens. In partnership with NZ Māori Tourism, we have also created the Kia Rere app. The app has a range of interactive features including audio learning and the ability to create a mihimihi and share the user's journey in te reo Māori.

Kia Rere is available to download in the App Store and on Google Play.