Air New Zealand champions diversity with supplier initiative Ka Rere

Policy

Richard Thomson Chief Financial Officer | Air New Zealand

By Sky Industry News

Oct 25, 2024

Air New Zealand's supplier diversity initiative, Ka Rere, has seen its first cohort of Māori and Pasifika-owned businesses complete the program. The initiative aims to increase the representation of these communities in the airline's supply chain.

From 250 applicants, three businesses were selected: Beyond, a Pasifika-led sustainable body-care product maker; Tūāpae, a Māori-owned vineyard on Waiheke Island; and Kenai, a Māori-owned construction company. These businesses participated in a three-month program where they received mentorship and access to Air New Zealand's Procurement, Brand, Sustainability, Sales, and Communications teams.

Kiri Hannifin, Air New Zealand's Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, noted the mutual benefits of the program. "Air New Zealand is committed to supporting diversity... Collaborating with these extraordinary suppliers not only supports their ambitions but also enriches and strengthens Air New Zealand's operations with both new products and different perspectives," she said.

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Participants received a $20,000 grant along with mentoring from various Air New Zealand teams. Charlene Fitisemanu of Beyond highlighted the transformative impact on her business. "Being part of the Ka Rere programme has been a game-changer for us... Now, with four of our products listed on the Airpoints Store... it feels surreal," she shared.

Vanessa Reynolds from Tūāpae emphasized how the program shaped their business strategy. "I have come out of the programme feeling more confident both in a business sense... Access to the Air New Zealand team's knowledge helped us develop new benchmarks," she stated.

The success of Ka Rere underscores Air New Zealand's commitment to creating an inclusive marketplace. The airline plans to continue investing in diverse suppliers through future iterations of this initiative.