Air New Zealand invests in native forest restoration for verified carbon removal credits

Through this agreement, Air New Zealand has committed to purchasing 8,000 tonnes of carbon removals between 2028 and 2030. These credits will be verified according to international standards and issued through a global registry.

Mitchell McLaughlin, co-founder of My Native Forest, explained that this partnership will direct funds into local native forests rather than sending them overseas. "Air New Zealand will provide capital in return for carbon removals that would have otherwise flowed offshore. Instead, it will be directed straight into local native forests."

He added: "This partnership shows that planting native trees is no longer just a goodwill exercise, it is a genuine, commercially viable choice for landowners. By creating an income stream that recognises integrity, we can help landowners right here in our own country to restore biodiversity, protect waterways, and build resilience into their land while also delivering high-integrity carbon removals.

"Alongside this are nurseries, contractors, pest control, and community services right across rural New Zealand. That means every tonne of carbon removed delivers benefits not just for the climate, but for people and ecosystems here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

"With corporate demand for carbon removals growing both domestically and globally, Aotearoa is well placed to play a leading role in building a voluntary market that combines strong carbon outcomes with credible and trusted biodiversity gains," McLaughlin said.

Air New Zealand is also close to finalizing another agreement for purchasing internationally verified nature-based carbon removals from a second New Zealand-based supplier before year-end.