Air NZ: Biggest $1 reserve charity auction

Media Release
7 December 2006

Air New Zealand launches this year’s biggest $1 reserve charity auction

Fly a plane with Richie McCaw Go rally driving with Sarah Ulmer and Hamish Carter Meet with Prime Minister Helen Clark and National Party Leader John Key

Air New Zealand has launched this year’s biggest online charity auction to raise money for three children’s charities – Make-A-Wish New Zealand, StarJam and Starship Foundation. The airline has put up more than 60 items for bidding, including travel across its entire network and once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as flying an aircraft simulator with All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, rally driving with Sarah Ulmer and Hamish Carter, spending a day on the water with Barbara Kendall, receiving a personally-designed meal by Peter Gordon at his London-based restaurant The Providores, and having morning tea with Prime Minister Helen Clark and lunch with Leader of the Opposition John Key.

Air New Zealand’s own Chief Executive, Rob Fyfe, is also throwing in his hat, offering to mow lawns for the highest bidder. “Supporting organisations that focus on the needs of children and youth has been a cornerstone of Air New Zealand’s community efforts for many years.

This Christmas we thought we’d give the nation the opportunity to make a contribution too in return for some fabulous experiences,” Mr Fyfe said. “We’ve got more than 60 lots ranging in value from $50 to $50,000, and with $1 reserve on each one there’s a good chance of picking up a bargain.” Proceeds from the auction will be divided equally between the three charities. “We’ve got something for everyone from travel to fashion and sports to wine. I encourage the public to get involved and have a bit of fun.”

Among the highest valued items is a three-month pass to travel anywhere on Air New Zealand’s network flying, where available, the airline’s new Pacific Premium Economy class. The airline is also offering a Business Premier round-the-world ticket for two people, flying Auckland to Los Angeles, Hong Kong and London. “But it’s not all high value. We’ve also got a range of affordable items including domestic travel passes, and family holidays across the Tasman and the Pacific Islands,” said Mr Fyfe.

“I’m not really sure how much people would bid to get me to mow their lawns but I will do it the old-fashioned way with a manual push mower….unless of course, the section is larger than an acre in which case I may resort to using the ride-on types!”

Starting today, the charity auction will close at 7.00pm on Tuesday 19 December. To check out the auction go to www.airnz.co.nz and click on the Christmas Charity Auction tile. The auction is being kindly hosted by auction site www.zillion.co.nz.

ENDS

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