Media Release

18 December 2006

Air NZ raises more than $260,000 for Kiwi children

It may be the week before Christmas but that hasn’t deterred Kiwis and Aussies from generously spending a total of $264,347.84 in Air New Zealand’s first online charity auction to raise funds for three childrens’ charities.

“We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response and the amount we’ve been able to raise for Starship Foundation, Make-A-Wish New Zealand and StarJam through this auction,” said Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe.

“It’s a hard time of the year to be making large purchases but I think the combination of getting a great deal and helping a young child has made it easier for Kiwis and a handful of Aussies to make a contribution.”

Air New Zealand’s Christmas Charity Auction, which closed at 7pm tonight after running for 12 days, offered more than 60 lots, including travel across the airline’s entire network and a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Not surprisingly one of the most fiercely contested items was a flight simulator ride with All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, which generated the highest number of bids before finally selling at $7,250.

Morning tea with Prime Minister Helen Clark and lunch with Leader of the Opposition John Key were another two hotly contested items with similar bids placed on both throughout the auction. But it was the Prime Minister’s lot that eventually fetched more at $4810 compared to $4030 for lunch with John Key.

Air New Zealand’s 3-month travel pass generated the highest bid coming in at $25,910 closely followed by a round-the-world-trip at $18,050, and Business Premier flights to London dining at Peter Gordon’s The Providores restaurant at $15,600.

Kiwis were also fascinated by the rare opportunity to fly in the cockpit of a Boeing 737 to Queenstown, which fetched more than most Australian and Pacific Island flight items at $3,510. Similarly, the public didn’t hold back on the chance to get a custom-made Huffer T-shirt or the opportunity to see a private Spacifix performance, shelling out $2071 and $2030, respectively, for the privilege.

Rob Fyfe’s own offer to mow someone’s lawns also generated plenty of interest, closing at $1631.

“Supporting organisations that help young children is a key focus for Air New Zealand, and, based on the huge success of this year’s event, we will look at running it annually,” said Mr Fyfe.

For more information on what the auction items fetched please visit: www.zillion.co.nz/airnz. The auction was kindly hosted by auction site www.zillion.co.nz.

ENDS

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