From runway to sundae: Air New Zealand launches hunt for Chief Ice Cream Tasters
The airline is calling on the country's top cone-noisseurs to help choose its next onboard ice cream flavour, launching a nationwide search for three Chief Ice Cream Tasters.
Air New Zealand is teaming up with Nelson-based Appleby Farms to craft a limited-edition sweet treat in time for summer. Known for churning ice cream the old-fashioned way, Appleby Farms' creations are now set to go further than ever, from Nelson paddocks to 30,000 feet. With Air New Zealand's help, their scoops will be savoured everywhere from Nadi to New York, Shanghai to San Francisco, giving hundreds of thousands of travellers a taste of Aotearoa.
Air New Zealand Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy O'Brien says the partnership is designed to sprinkle some extra joy into flying.
"Ice cream is one of those simple pleasures that brings people together. Partnering with Appleby Farms means we can share the very best of locally made ice cream with the world – adding fun, flavour and a little summer magic to every journey."
The three successful tasters will be flown to Nelson for a special day of ice cream sampling with Air New Zealand and Appleby Farms. Their feedback will help the airline crown the limited-edition flavour to be served onboard from early December.
Appleby Farms CEO Peter Findlay says the partnership is a perfect match.
"We're thrilled to team up with Air New Zealand to take a taste of Nelson to the skies. This partnership is about celebrating Kiwi craft and giving travellers around the world a genuine taste of Aotearoa. We can't wait to see which flavour New Zealanders think deserves to go global."
Position Vacant: Chief Ice Cream Taster*
This isn't your average summer job. Here's the scoop:
· No age limits. Whether you're a kid or kid at heart, all are welcome.
· A lifelong love affair with ice cream (bonus points for sticky CVs and empty tubs as references).
· Ability to power through brain freeze without losing your cool.
· Prior experience in dessert demolition an advantage, but passion is the cherry on top.
· Exceptional cone-centration skills and proven ability to stay chilled under pressure.
How to Apply
Think you've got what it takes to lick the competition? Apply via the Air New Zealand Careers page by Sunday 21 September.
The lucky trio will be flown to Nelson for an official taste-testing before the winning flavour is crowned and served onboard this summer.
This is one role where brain freeze is optional, but a love of ice cream is absolutely mandatory. If you've got the scoop skills and appetite for the coolest job in Aotearoa, apply now.
Ends
*Promotional activity only. Participation in the Chief Ice Cream Taster tasting day is a one-off promotional activity and does not involve the performance of work or services. This is not an offer of employment with Air New Zealand or Appleby Farms.
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