A Taste of Aotearoa: Air NZ looks local for its new premium menu

Air New Zealand has unveiled its latest culinary and beverage menu, showcasing New Zealand suppliers and native ingredients more than ever before.

The new culinary menu, A Taste of Aotearoa, is onboard Business Premier cabins now, and is available on all long haul flights out of New Zealand, highlighting the wonders of local food producers through fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Some of the cuisine found on select premium menus departing from New Zealand include:

Superfood Salad with horopito dusted New Zealand salmon
Creamy kawakawa mushrooms on rye toast, sautéed spinach and grilled tomatoes
Ahia™ smoked moki on kawakawa blini
Grass fed New Zealand lamb rump with horopito rub.

Grass fed New Zealand lamb rump

Superfood salad

Creamy kawakawa mushrooms

Mixed tasting plate

Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty says the new onboard food and beverage offering was inspired by manaakitanga – the Māori tradition of hospitality – and is a true celebration of Aotearoa’s incredible culinary heritage.

“We believe it’s our privilege to showcase the best our country has to offer and share that with the world – and one we take very seriously. Whether it’s on a plate or in a glass, we want to serve up an authentic taste of New Zealand onboard and in our lounges,” she said.

Customers travelling in the airline’s premium cabins will have the opportunity to indulge in a New Zealand’s array of flavours.

“Our country’s unique flora and produce are a treasure trove of flavours and ingredients that have inspired us to create a dining experience that celebrates the special flavours of Aotearoa,” Geraghty said.

The new menu features seasonal cocktails, in partnership with New Zealand drinks creator, East Imperial. The new drinks will be available onboard in Business Premier cabins on New York and Chicago routes, from late August through to October.

“We couldn’t be prouder to collaborate with East Imperial, who share our love for all things natural and sustainable. Their top-notch products are made right here in New Zealand, with the finest, sustainably sourced, all-natural ingredients.”

The airline is also preparing to choose its list of the country’s finest wines for 2024. Air New Zealand has invited 125 New Zealand wineries to bring their best drops for consideration onboard the airline’s Business Premier cabins and in its Tier One Lounges. Next month, some of New Zealand’s most respected and discerning wine connoisseurs will come together to choose their much-awaited list of selects for 2024.

“It’s a toast to our national wine growers and our unwavering dedication to delivering the best flying experience.”

For the current 2023 offering, the selection panel chose 56 wines, spanning eight varietals, that demonstrate exceptional quality, consistency, and distinctiveness, as well as capturing the essence of New Zealand’s diverse wine regions.

“We’re delighted to offer our premium customers a taste of New Zealand’s finest wines, showcasing the quality and diversity of our country’s wine regions.”

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