Media Release
7 December 2006
Air New Zealand launches this year’s biggest $1 reserve charity auction
Fly a plane with Richie McCaw Go rally driving with Sarah Ulmer and Hamish Carter Meet with Prime Minister Helen Clark
and National Party Leader John Key
Air New Zealand has launched this year’s biggest online charity auction to raise money for three children’s charities –
Make-A-Wish New Zealand, StarJam and Starship Foundation. The airline has put up more than 60 items for bidding,
including travel across its entire network and once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as flying an aircraft simulator with
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, rally driving with Sarah Ulmer and Hamish Carter, spending a day on the water with
Barbara Kendall, receiving a personally-designed meal by Peter Gordon at his London-based restaurant The Providores, and
having morning tea with Prime Minister Helen Clark and lunch with Leader of the Opposition John Key.
Air New Zealand’s own Chief Executive, Rob Fyfe, is also throwing in his hat, offering to mow lawns for the highest
bidder. “Supporting organisations that focus on the needs of children and youth has been a cornerstone of Air New
Zealand’s community efforts for many years.
This Christmas we thought we’d give the nation the opportunity to make a contribution too in return for some fabulous
experiences,” Mr Fyfe said. “We’ve got more than 60 lots ranging in value from $50 to $50,000, and with $1 reserve on
each one there’s a good chance of picking up a bargain.” Proceeds from the auction will be divided equally between the
three charities. “We’ve got something for everyone from travel to fashion and sports to wine. I encourage the public to
get involved and have a bit of fun.”
Among the highest valued items is a three-month pass to travel anywhere on Air New Zealand’s network flying, where
available, the airline’s new Pacific Premium Economy class. The airline is also offering a Business Premier
round-the-world ticket for two people, flying Auckland to Los Angeles, Hong Kong and London. “But it’s not all high
value. We’ve also got a range of affordable items including domestic travel passes, and family holidays across the
Tasman and the Pacific Islands,” said Mr Fyfe.
“I’m not really sure how much people would bid to get me to mow their lawns but I will do it the old-fashioned way with
a manual push mower….unless of course, the section is larger than an acre in which case I may resort to using the
ride-on types!”
Starting today, the charity auction will close at 7.00pm on Tuesday 19 December. To check out the auction go to
www.airnz.co.nz and click on the Christmas Charity Auction tile. The auction is being kindly hosted by auction site
www.zillion.co.nz.
ENDS