Permanent Aviation Council members announced: Aviation Industry Association members represented

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Permanent Aviation Council Announced

The Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand (AIANZ) welcomes the announcement of the new, permanent Aviation Council, a key development for the future direction of the aviation sector.

The 14-member council brings together leaders from across government and industry, including AIANZ Chief Executive Simon Wallace, who will represent the Association and our diverse membership.

Announced by Associate Minister of Transport James Meager at the NZ Airports Hui in Blenheim, the council succeeds the bipartisan Interim Aviation Council and will play an essential role in implementing and refreshing the Government’s Aviation Action Plan.

Minister Meager acknowledged the council’s importance in addressing major industry priorities such as workforce development, regulatory streamlining, and infrastructure investment. The council will review and update the Action Plan every three years, reporting annually to the Minister on progress.

The formation of this permanent council, first outlined at the AIANZ Annual Conference at Tākina, Wellington, is a strong signal of the Government’s commitment to ensuring the aviation sector continues to thrive as a critical enabler of New Zealand’s economic growth, regional connectivity, and safety performance.

For AIANZ members, this provides a direct and influential channel to contribute to policy development and long-term strategic planning for aviation in New Zealand.

The Aviation Council members are:

• Nora Burghart, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment general manager of tourism and hospitality.
• Duane Emeny, Air Chathams chief executive, representing small regional airlines.
• Ruth Fairhall, Ministry of Transport acting chief executive.
• Kiri Hannifin, Air New Zealand chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer.
• Bob Henderson, New Zealand Aviation Federation president.
• Andrew McKeen, New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA) chief executive.
• Billie Moore, New Zealand Airports Association chief executive.
• Cath O’Brien, Board of Airline Representatives (Barnz) executive director.
• Kane Patena, Civil Aviation Authority director.
• Phillip Stott, Kea Aerospace chief operations officer.
• Mary-Liz Tuck, Auckland Airport chief strategic planning officer.
• Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, Chief of Air Force.
• Simon Wallace, Aviation Industry Association (AIANZ) chief executive.
• James Young, Airways New Zealand chief executive.

Read the full announcement and view the council membership list in John Weekes’ original NZ Herald article here.

See Hon James Meager’s media release here.

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