Air New Zealand backs Aotearoa with support for 19 regional events
By sponsoring these events, Air New Zealand is supporting tourism and helping to drive economic growth across the motu – helping bring more visitors into regional New Zealand and strengthening local economies through increased tourism activity. This investment supports both regional and national economic development, ensuring that communities right across the country benefit from opportunity these events create.
From the wild coastlines of the West Coast to the vineyards of Hawke's Bay, and from Northland's foodie havens to the cultural celebrations of Matariki in Ōtepoti, the airline is helping showcase the best of Aotearoa's creativity, community, and connection.
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Nikhil Ravishankar says the airline is proud to support the work being delivered by event organisers across the country.
"These events showcase the very best of our regions. They bring people together, tell our stories, and celebrate the incredible talent and hospitality found right across Aotearoa.
"Air New Zealand has always been about connection – not just getting people from A to B, but helping Kiwi discover the magic in their own backyard. These events don't just showcase the incredible creativity and spirit of our regions, they help attract visitors, boost local economies, and celebrate what makes each part of Aotearoa unique. We're proud to play a role in driving tourism and supporting the communities that make New Zealand such a special place to call home."
By being selected to participate in the programme, each event receives tailored support from Air New Zealand. From flights, to marketing and promotional activity, the selected events have received a three-year commitment, offering certainty and room to grow.
Events were selected to cover a diverse range of industries and sectors – including food and wine, sport, fashion, and arts. The airline is backing events that regions across Aotearoa are proud to showcase – helping them draw more visitors, extend their reach, and grow their impact.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston was thrilled with Air New Zealand's initiative to encourage more visitors to explore the regions.
"The Government has been laser-focused on growing tourism in New Zealand, and one of the best ways to do that is by inspiring people to travel beyond our main centres. When visitors spend time in our smaller towns and regions, they're supporting local cafes, businesses, and accommodation providers, helping drive economic growth and create jobs. It's great to see Air New Zealand backing our regions and shining a light on the incredible people and experiences that make them so special. I can't wait to attend some of these events"
The 19 events supported by the Air New Zealand Regional Events Sponsorship programme are:
- Timaru: SCOFF (5–21 September 2025 – completed)
- Christchurch: On Show (1 September – 30 November 2025)
- Kerikeri & Whangārei: Savour Northland (1–31 October 2025)
- Palmerston North: Manawatū Garden Festival (12–16 November 2025)
- New Plymouth: Coastal 5 Taranaki (15–16 November 2025)
- Nelson: The Spectacle (5–6 December 2025)
- Napier: Bridge Pa Wine Festival (17 January 2026)
- Hamilton: Hamilton Arts Festival (20 February – 1 March 2026)
- Auckland: Moana Auckland (28 February – 15 March 2026)
- Hokitika: Wildfoods Festival (14 March 2026)
- Tauranga: Flavours of Plenty Festival (16 April – 3 May 2026)
- Wellington: Faultline Ultra (25–26 April 2026)
- Queenstown: Electrify (19–21 May 2026
- Gisborne: The Chardonnay Affair (22–24 May 2026)
- Invercargill / Gore: Tussock Country Music Festival (22–31 May 2026
- Rotorua: Aronui Drone Festival (9–11 July 2026)
- Dunedin: Matariki mā Puaka Celebration (10 July 2026)
- Blenheim: Marlborough Book Festival (24–26 July 2026)
- Taupō: Treats of Taupō (28 September – 4 October 2026)
The airline's Regional Events Fund reinforces Air New Zealand's commitment to connecting New Zealanders with each other and with the places they call home.
ENDS
Issued by Air New Zealand Communications
Email: media@airnz.co.nz │ Phone: +64 21 747 320
About Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand's story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It's a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 9.9 years. Air New Zealand's global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. In 2024, the airline flew more than 16 million passengers. Air New Zealand was named 2025 World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline's laser-focus on safety.
Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia and North America, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline's efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Airpoints, Air New Zealand's loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with more than 4 million members. It allows members to earn Airpoints Dollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.
About Star Alliance
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, based on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition and seamless service. Since inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a focus on improving customer experience across the Alliance journey.
The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.
Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 16,000 daily flights to almost 1,200 airports in 186 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partners Juneyao Airlines and THAI Smile Airways.
For more information about Air New Zealand visit www.airnewzealand.com and for more information about Star Alliance visit www.staralliance.com