ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Culture
TOO MUCH TO ASK
Air New Zealand may have rolled out a new uniform collection for 2026, but for many passengers, the onboard experience will remain as dull as ever.
Frequent fliers on Air NZ may have found themselves nodding in tepid approval for the rollout next year, but many will return to their seat pocket in a desperate search for literally anything to read other than Kia Ora magazine.
While the airline’s press release gushed about the uniforms being “woven with kōwhaiwhai, purapura whetū, and the spiritual threads of Aotearoa,” 27-year-old Abbie Gilbert from Christchurch had just one question.
“Cool outfits and all that — I mean, good on them — but is it too much to ask for an inflight magazine that doesn’t make me feel like I’m stuck in a dentist’s waiting room?”
Gilbert has long been disappointed that the Kia Ora magazine remained the same as ever — full of 3-year-old restaurant reviews, a letter from the CEO explaining turbulence, and an extensive profile on a sustainability startup from Oamaru no one’s heard of.
“Honestly, 80% of that magazine is full page ads. Just give me something! Even if it’s just gossip about New Zealand instagram influencers!” she said.
“Who will step up and save Kia Ora??”
More to come.
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