Kiwis helping Kiwis: banding together in a time of need

In challenging times, Kiwis proved once again that making a difference by coming together starts in our own backyard. Airpoints members banded together to help Kiwis in need and inspired Air New Zealand’s Carepoints™ program, explains Kate O’Brien, Air New Zealand General Manager Loyalty.

“Our Airpoints members told us they’d like to donate their Airpoints Dollars to struggling Kiwis, so we’re pleased to be able to provide the platform for people to do this.”

In the wake of COVID-19, Air New Zealand teamed up with three local charity partners, including New Zealand Red Cross, and launched the Carepoints program in May 2020. Airpoints members were given the chance to support one or all local charity partners by donating their Airpoints Dollars. Each charity received 100 percent of the Airpoints Dollars donated and the Airpoints Dollars were then redeemed via Gift Cards with Air New Zealand Airpoints Partners New World, Z and Mitre 10. 

Through the Carepoints program, Air New Zealand raised 59,000 Airpoints Dollars through donations from generous Airpoints members for the revival of our iconic Red Cross Parcels. These parcels were gifted to vulnerable members of our communities to give them a boost during tough COVID-19 times. The parcels contained essential items including, food, hygiene items, wellbeing resources and blankets.

Air New Zealand’s generosity also extended to the donation of 3600 in-flight blankets and assorted edible treats, including Cookie Time cookies and muesli bars, as an addition to the first wave of parcels distributed in June.  The August edition of the airline’s popular Kia Ora magazine was included in more than 2,700 parcels distributed in September.

Air New Zealand team members joined our Red Cross volunteers to help pack nearly 1300 Red Cross Parcels in Auckland and Christchurch, which were then distributed to Meals on Wheels recipients and newly settled former refugee families. 

Thanks to supporters like Air New Zealand and the generous donations from Airpoints members, we’ve been able to spread hope and kindness during these tough COVID-19 times and help Kiwis in need. We have truly been blown away by the generosity of Air New Zealand and all Airpoints members who came together during these unprecedented times to the support those in need in our community.