Keeping up with its thirst for innovation, Air New Zealand has stepped back in time to offer passengers traditional Māori herbal skincare remedies. Those traveling in Business Premier or Premium Economy cabins will find the new amenity kits onboard featuring the products, which are inspired by unique Māori culture.

Air New Zealand has teamed up with Aotea, a local business that produces a range of products using traditional Māori herbal practices. Aotea is located on Aotea, also known as Great Barrier Island, the sixth largest island in New Zealand and an unspoiled haven for native birds and plant life. It was named Aotea by the Māori, which in English means White Cloud, as in the distance it appeared as a White Cloud on the horizon.

The Aotea story

Aotea was founded in 2017 by Tama Toki, who said that the partnership with Air New Zealand is an exciting opportunity to share Māori traditions with the world.

"My grandmother was a Rongoā Māori (Māori medicine) practitioner. She would treat us kids with what we found in the bush and the Aotea range is an expression of that upbringing. It is unique to Aotearoa and something we bring to life on our ancestral kāinga [village] on Aotea.

"As Māori we are proud to share our traditions. It's a privilege to be able to see this part of our culture onboard Air New Zealand flights. We hope that it gives those travelling to Aotearoa an insight into our cultural identity."

Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty points to the partnership as evidence of the airline's commitment to supporting local sustainable businesses and showcasing the best of Aotearoa [New Zealand] on the world stage.

"Our partnership with Aotea provides customers with amenities that tell a story inspired by New Zealand's unique culture. Air New Zealand is proud to support local, Māori owned businesses and put traditional ingredients that have been used by Māori for centuries into the hands of our customers."

The new treats have unique ingredients

The skincare products, which are inspired by mātauranga Māori (Maori knowledge), include ingredients such as Kawakawa, Harakeke and, perhaps the more widely known, Mānuka.

Exclusive to Business Premier passengers is the Kawakawa healing balm, made from just the three ingredients of Mānuka oil, Kawakawa and Beeswax. Kawakawa is a plant native to Aotearoa, which is known for its incredible healing powers, treating everything from dry lips to psoriasis, insect bites and burns.

Offered to both Business Premier and Premium Economy passengers is Aotea's Harakeke Seed Oil and Mānuka Water Hand and Body Cream. It has a rich and creamy texture that's packed with Omega 3, 6 and 9 and is high in linoleic acid, meaning it is perfect for people with dry skin.

Mānuka water is an antioxidant extracted from the mānuka bush and contains anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness and heal inflamed skin. Harakeke is another native New Zealand plant that Māori have used for hundreds of years due to its healing powers.

We'd love to see you on Instagram - follow us here!

Please let us know what you think about this new idea from Air New Zealand in the comments.

• 

  Air New Zealand

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  NZ/ANZ

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Auckland Airport, Christchurch Airport, Wellington Airport

  Year Founded:

  1965

  Alliance:

  Star Alliance

  CEO:

  Greg Foran

  Country:

  New Zealand

  Region:

  Oceania