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Air New Zealand & StandTall help South Auckland kid’s dreams to take flight

Last week, Air New Zealand played host to around 60 local students from South Auckland schools. The specially selected members of the StandTall leadership program enjoyed an extensive tour of the Aviation Institute and Auckland International Airport. The StandTall initiative encourages enthusiastic and well-behaved kids to work hard and dream big.

On Tuesday the 14th of May, the intermediate school children were given a behind-the-scenes tour and given valuable guidance on countless career prospects with one of New Zealand’s largest employers – everything from air hostess to pilot, and customer services to engineering were discussed during a fun and interactive day. Opportunities created through a solid education were demonstrated by Air New Zealand staff members and well received by the enthusiastic audience of youngsters.

The StandTall children were given a chance to ask questions and interact with the warm and friendly staff who hosted them. Air New Zealand Engineering Programs Manager, Paul Penning, even made a trip up from Christchurch to meet with the kids and show them around the hangar. “These were some of the best kids I’ve ever had the pleasure of dealing with.” said Mr. Penning.

The visit was part of an ongoing programme arranged by the Choice Foundation through the StandTall programme. “We are committed to ensuring that kids from low-decile schools in South Auckland get a chance to see education as a tool rather than a chore, and see first hand some of the many opportunities that lie in store for their future if they set goals and work hard.” says founder Carl Sunderland. The StandTall programme will soon be extending to include Western regions of Auckland.

Air New Zealand, Marketing assistant and training coordinator, Fiona Scorgie, emphasized that employees from similar backgrounds to the StandTall participants were able to rise up the ranks of Air New Zealand through hard work, pointing out that one of Air New Zealand’s Executive Chefs Rex Morgan was from South Auckland.

This echoes StandTall founder Carl Sunderland’s belief that children are best helped through education with a hand up, not a hand out.

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