Latest news with #KiriHannifin
Scoop
12 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
Backing Our Backyard: Air New Zealand Launches Regional Event Sponsorship Programme
Air New Zealand is backing the bold, the brave and the brilliantly local, with a new programme set to showcase our nation's regions one event at a time. The airline has today launched the Air New Zealand Regional Event Sponsorship programme, designed to support and scale up new and emerging events in each of the 20 regions it flies to. The new initiative aims to support and promote domestic travel right across the motu, as well as support the collective effort to keep building New Zealand's event calendar, particularly during shoulder and off-peak seasons. Air New Zealand's Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Kiri Hannifin says the airline is proud to play a part in backing regional creativity and ambition. 'Our goal is simple. We want to back brilliant local events that deserve the spotlight. These events not only celebrate the spirit of their regions, but they also give people another reason to visit, explore, and stay a little longer. Events like the Hokitika Wild Foods Festival are a perfect example – authentically local, proudly unique, and unforgettable. We want to help create more of these all over the country. The kind of events that bring communities together and showcase the best of Aotearoa.' Working in partnership with regional tourism organisations (RTOs), the sponsorship programme will support events in regions across the country. These events may be focussed on sport, arts and culture, food and wine, music, heritage or nature. 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. Support will be tailored to each region. From flights, to marketing and promotional activity, or investment, the selected events will receive a three-year commitment, offering certainty and room to grow. To kick things off, Air New Zealand is launching the programme with support for two standout events: The Spectacle (Nelson) – An unforgettable running festival in Whakatū Nelson, uniquely uniting the high-octane energy of inner-city road running with the adventure of trail running, showcasing events from the mile to the 100 mile. Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) – A stunning programme of performing arts, showcasing local talent and creating unforgettable moments in the award-winning Hamilton Gardens and across the city's venues and open spaces. A collaborative and community-first approach By working with RTOs, who know their regions best, and complementing investment made by Government in regional events, Air New Zealand is ensuring this initiative boosts existing efforts to develop sustainable, long-term event strategies across Aotearoa. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston was thrilled with the initiative to encourage more visitors out to the regions. 'We've been laser-focused on growing tourism in New Zealand and one way to do this is to encourage people to explore beyond the main tourist centres. 'It means more visitors spending money in local cafes, businesses and accommodation providers, driving economic activity in our regions.' Transport and South Island Minister James Meager added, 'This programme is a win for New Zealand's regions. I welcome all efforts to encourage greater domestic travel and connectivity. 'This sponsorship will help give regions a boost to its visitor numbers – which we know will bring positive flow-on effects for the local economy – and aid our overarching goal of economic growth nationwide.' The airline will prioritise events that are new or emerging, help stimulate visitation outside peak periods, and align with the principles of sustainable tourism and the Tiaki Promise. The goal is to support events that create value not just for visitors, but for the communities that host them. 'This is just the beginning. Air New Zealand will continue to roll out support across Aotearoa, with more regions set to benefit from the programme in the coming months,' says Hannifin. Event operators in Aotearoa can find out more about how to apply by contacting their local RTO directly.
NZ Herald
27-06-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Airline ‘matchmaker' service created for sustainable aviation fuel
A type of Tinder for airlines should address the hot, sometimes fraught topic of sustainable jet fuel. The International Air Transport Association (Iata) said its new sustainable aviation fuel matchmaker platform would match requests for fuel with offers. Kiri Hannifin, Air New Zealand's chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer,
NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Gizzy projects receive Air NZ funding
'The project ensures no corner of New Zealand is left behind in the effort to restore and regenerate our natural environment,' said airline chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer Kiri Hannifin. More than 640 applications were received from registered charities, schools/kura and hapū. The calibre of applications was so impressive that the airline increased its contribution to $1.2m. Projects selected include native planting, wetland restoration, establishing rainwater harvesting systems, building community compost hubs, and installing predator control networks to protect threatened plant and animal species. Hannifin said the level of response has been nothing short of inspiring. 'New Zealand is intrinsically linked to and reliant on nature, whether that's for economic, tourism or trade reasons, or simply because we enjoy being in nature and the outdoors. 'We all have a part to play, and it's been humbling to see just how many New Zealanders are working tirelessly to protect and enhance the things that make our natural environment here so unique.' The airline's domestic port teams – Air New Zealand staff who know their communities best – were tasked with reviewing and selecting the successful projects for their areas. 'Our people have loved reading the applications and seeing the passion and care for nature in their local areas. They were very proud to select the projects for their own communities, and I know they will watch their success with great enjoyment,' Hannifin said. Funding will be distributed by the end of June, with projects set to begin within the next 12 months.
NZ Herald
20-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
On the Up: Northland nature projects take flight with new funding
Honeymoon Valley Landcare Charitable Trust for expanding a predator control network to protect critically endangered pekapeka (long-tailed bats), pupurangi (kauri snails) and endemic geckos found only between Kaitāia and Hokianga. Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Pukemiro to establish raised māra (garden) beds to grow kūmara, rīwai (Māori potatoes) and hue (gourd), alongside a pā harakeke: a flax bush where flax suitable for muka (weaving) will be grown. Te Rūnanga Nui O Te Aupōuri, which is partnering with Te Kura o Te Kao to restore the mauri of Awapoka River, through land preparation, pest control, native planting and establishing a māra kai (vegetable garden). All of the work will be led by tuākana tauira (older students) from the kura. Tautoro School to develop an environmental learning area with irrigation, native seedling propagation, composting and a worm farm to support the school's healthy lunch programme with fresh produce. Patukoraha to hosting a wānanga on climate change at Kareponia Marae, followed by hands-on dune restoration at Rangaunu, including invasive species removal, native planting and erosion control to protect ancestral waters. Kerikeri Peninsula Conservation Charitable Trust to plant 1500 native trees, enhance wetlands and expand pest control, boosting forest regeneration, improving water quality and strengthening ecosystem resilience. Maungatūroto Primary School to introduce beehives on school grounds, in collaboration with local beekeepers, to teach students about bees, beekeeping and sustainability. Whangārei Girls' High School for restoring the Manse St berm by removing invasive weeds and planting natives, with student-led planning and a new seed-raising and propagation area. The project supports hands-on conservation, biodiversity and kaitiakitanga (guardianship). Air NZ received a total of 640 applications nationwide, with chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer Kiri Hannifin calling the response 'nothing short of inspiring'. The impressive calibre of applications encouraged the airline to boost its funding from a planned $1m to $1.2m. The money comes from its Climate and Nature Fund. Funding will be distributed by the end of June, with projects set to begin within the next 12 months.
Scoop
14-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Every Corner Counts: Air New Zealand Invests $1.2 Million To Support Over 100 Community Nature Projects
Press Release – Air New Zealand Launched with an initial $1 million investment from the airlines Climate and Nature Fund, the Every Corner Project aims to support nature-based initiatives in every region ensuring no corner of New Zealand is left behind in the effort to restore … From Te Kao in the Far North to Tuatapere in the Deep South, grassroots environmental champions across Aotearoa are getting a boost from Air New Zealand, with the recipients of its Every Corner Project funding announced today. Launched with an initial $1 million investment from the airline's Climate and Nature Fund, the Every Corner Project aims to support nature-based initiatives in every region – ensuring no corner of New Zealand is left behind in the effort to restore and regenerate our natural environment. More than 640 applications were received from registered charities, schools/kura and hapū. The calibre of applications was so impressive that the airline increased its contribution to $1.2 million. In total, 115 projects have been selected, spanning a wide range of locations and communities – including the Chatham Islands – highlighting the depth and diversity of environmental action underway across Aotearoa. Projects selected include native planting, wetland restoration, establishing rainwater harvesting systems, building community compost hubs, and installing predator control networks to protect threatened plant and animal species. Air New Zealand Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Kiri Hannifin says the level of response has been nothing short of inspiring. 'New Zealand is intrinsically linked to and reliant on nature, whether that's for economic, tourism or trade reasons, or simply because we enjoy being in nature and the outdoors. We all have a part to play, and it's been humbling to see just how many New Zealanders are working tirelessly to protect and enhance the things that make our natural environment here so unique.' The airline's domestic port teams – Air New Zealanders who know their communities best – were tasked with reviewing and selecting the successful projects for their areas. 'Our people have loved reading the applications and seeing the passion and care for nature in their local areas. They were very proud to select the projects for their own communities, and I know they will watch their success with great enjoyment,' Hannifin says. 'Air New Zealand is committed to reducing our own carbon footprint, but we also want to uplift the inspiring work already underway across Aotearoa. This project is about backing local communities, and we're proud to help bring these initiatives to life. Our sincere thanks to the thousands of people across our country caring for nature.' Funding will be distributed by the end of June, with projects set to begin within the next 12 months. See the full list of successful organisations here.
