January 2026
- Jan 22
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 23
WELCOME
Welcome to our first Club Newsletter of 2026. After a hot and muggy lead up to Christmas, we have now certainly had our share of rain and wind. Our thoughts are with all those people in affected areas. Wishing them all a quick clean up. Come back, Summer, all is forgiven!
As you will see, there are a number of upcoming events which provide you with the opportunity of catching up with friends made during your time with Air New Zealand. Remember to ‘Save the Date’ so that you can enjoy some well-planned social events. You are welcome to bring along a friend for support to any of these events. To those who attend our events regularly, thank you for your continuing support of our Club.
A reminder to all Club Members to SHARE YOUR STORY. Please email these to airnzretirees@gmail.com, for publication in upcoming newsletters. We look forward to hearing all your airline work stories - keep them coming.
RECENT EVENTS
Christmas Lunch
This annual event was well attended with 136 members and partners congregating at the popular Remuera Club on Wednesday 3 December 2025. On arrival each member and guest was provided with a $10.00 drinks voucher and a raffle ticket. A warm welcome was extended to all by President Gaye Mears who then introduced Mick Cottrell, Commercial Manager for Auckland International Airport. Mick outlined future plans for the airport and reflected on the fact that passenger numbers had now almost reached pre-Covid levels. There were a number of airlines showing interest in serving AKL and 2026 could see some new entrants emerge.
Jim Joll and his guitar provided soothing tunes as guests queued for the buffet lunch which was up to the caterers usual high standard. The raffle was drawn between the mains and dessert and lucky winners walked off with Christmas hampers and bottles of wine and chocolates.
Our club patron, Richard Thomson, the company's Chief Financial Officer, was introduced and gave a quick briefing on current issues faced by the airline and answered questions on topical matters including the company's plans for returning to London. Richard's impromptu talk was appreciated by the gathering.
The afternoon continued with lots of chatting and reminiscing over past events until it was time to leave this "catch up" with friends and old colleagues. A jolly good time was had by all.
SHARING HIS STORY
Jack Patrick
I joined Air NZ in June 1977 as a Fitter with General Engineering Services. In England I had qualified as a Mechanic of the Mine and sailed as an Engineer in the British Merchant Navy. I had 15 years of maintenance engineering experience in several factories in South Auckland. To add to my British qualifications I now had a NZ Trade Certificate as a Fitter Welder, an HT Driving Licence and a NZ Boiler Operators Certificate. Within 6 months of joining G.E.S. I was working on a shift pattern of 6 days on and 2 days off, morning and afternoon shifts. I enjoyed my work and there were allowances added to my hourly wage rate for various types of work I did. Contamination Allowance was paid for working on the washing machines in the Flight Kitchen. Confined Space Welding Allowance was paid when I worked inside the cleaning tanks in the Engine Overhaul Shop and when I helped to rebuild parts of the Engine Test Cell.
One interesting job I did was to weld heavy steel brackets onto the top of the box beam which supports the doors of No3 Hangar. I worked with the late Malcolm Fraser. Another man, who like me, had come from the North of England. We spoke the same regional dialect. We were working on a Saturday and being paid overtime rates plus a welding allowance and Height Money. To get ourselves and our gear onto the top of the box beam we went up in a basket hoisted up by a mobile crane. We climbed onto the top of the beam and welded the brackets in place. We had no Safety Equipment of any sort. On one ride back to the Hangar floor for more parts, a man from Tech. Services said to Malcolm, "What is Height Money worth"? Malcolm looked up to the beam and down again. He clapped his hands together and said, "94 feet onto a concrete floor. It’s worth Stuff all if you fall". Or words to that effect. The man from Tech Services went away to get a cup of tea to steady his nerves. I would imagine that those brackets are still in place.
UPCOMING EVENT
Waiheke Vineyard Visit
Date: Wednesday 04 March 2026
Location: Wild Estate Waiheke Island (Arrival at Matiatia or Kennedy Point)
Time: Tastings from 12:30pm Cost: Wine Tasting $25.00 / Beer Tasting $20.00
Ferry: Departs Auckland 10.56am or Devonport 11.10am / Arrives Matiatia 11.46am Bus: Departs Matiatia 12 noon / Arrives Wild Estate 12.20pm
Lunch Own arrangements. Tastings from 12.30pm
Bus: Departs Wild Estate 2.25pm or 2.55pm
Ferry: Depart Matiatia 2.59pm or 3.28pm
*Golden Age: Free on ferries to Waiheke, and on Waiheke local bus
SAVE THE DATE
Upcoming Events
More information to follow WARBIRDS VISIT 29 April (date to be confirmed)
MID YEAR AGM LUNCH 10 June 2026
CHRISTMAS LUNCH 02 December 2026
TRAVEL IDEAS & INSPIRATION Discover the Joy of Slow Travel by Train
Train travel is experiencing a resurgence, as a more mindful, experiential, and sustainable way to travel from A to B. Traveling through a landscape in the relative comfort of a train carriage, offers a unique and relaxed vantage point to appreciate the scenery. Here we look at well known and lesser known rail journeys around the world, but you can find out everything you need to know about train travel in 2026 on the National Geographic website.
The dream of traveling from Paris to Venice, cocooned in luxury while sitting in romantic dining carriage, sipping champagne is still on many peoples' bucket lists. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers an authentic sample of that infamous original journey.
The Bergensbanen is a lesser known rail journey outside of Norway. It covers the spectrum of the Nordic countryside, climbing canyons, crossing rivers and traversing barren icescapes.
Le Petit Train Jaune is a regional line in the Pyrenees, taking passengers on a leisurely journey from Saillagouse to Villefranche de Conflent. The train follows its original route from the early 1900s, through remote villages nestled in the magnificent mountain scenery of the Cerdan.
The Vouga Historical Train is Portugal's only remaining narrow-gauge railway line, offering travellers a chance to travel through the stunning Vouga Valley on a 1964 Basque Railway diesel locomotive. The train only runs in the summer, and stops in several towns including Macinhata do Vouga, where riders are greeted by a 10-piece folk band in regional dress.
One of Sicily's most enchanting rail journeys is the Ferrovia Circumetnea (around Mount Etna). The narrow-gauge railway starts in Catania and loops around the lower slopes of Mount Etna, offering unique views of lava fields, citrus groves, and local towns. It’s a slow, immersive journey on a local train, used by Sicilians as much as tourists.
Cutting vertically through the Outback heart of Australia, The Ghan takes you on a voyage from Adelaide to Darwin through desolate deserts on one of the southern hemisphere’s most unforgettable train journeys. Luxurious and legendary, it’s Australia’s elegant version of the Orient Express.
Explore some of Central Europe's most vibrant cities on the newly launched Baltic Express, Central Europe's newest hop-on hop-off travel route from Prague to Poland. This train takes you through lesser-known jewels of the region, such as Pardubice, with its pastel-coloured townhouses and distinctly Czech church steeples, and the Polish cultural capital of Poznan.
Traversing the Altiplano, from the shores of Lake Titicaca to the bustling heart of the ancient Incan empire, the Lake Titicaca train from Puno to Cuzco cuts a picturesque path through the snow-dusted peaks valleys of the Andes.
The TranzAlpine crosses the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Greymouth right here in New Zealand, showcasing diverse landscapes from the Canterbury Plains to the snow-capped mountains of the Southern Alps.
Amtrak's California Zephyr soaks up the scenic grandeur of the North American continent, and is considered one of the best train journeys in the USA. This classic 3-day ride travels across prairies, deserts, and the Sierra Nevada on its way from the Midwest to the West Coast.
NEW MEMBERS
For those interested, you can now keep in touch via our Facebook Groups page. If you have friends or know of anyone that might wish to join the club, please invite them along to an event so they can see the camaraderie club members enjoy.
Travers Haysom 1989 - 2015 Aircraft Engineer, Flight Engineer, Flight Ops, Pilot
Graeme Dunn 1994 - 2025 FSS, MOT, IAR - IAP - Interline - Health & Safety Rep
Robbie Jenkins 1978 - 2004 Leading Hand Rolls Royce engine line Auckland
Karen Wells 2002 - 2026 Cargo customer services - 24 years
Noue Finlayson 1989 - 2019 Customer Service Agent, Load Controller
OBITUARIES
FINLAYSON, Gordon 1978-2018 Domestic Traffic Loved husband of Noue. Passed away peacefully 15 December 2025. Gordon received an amazing tribute from Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service, where he was a dedicated member for nearly 60 years. You can read this on their Facebook site. FERGUSON, Ray 1958-1988 Cabin Crew Passed away peacefully on Xmas morning 2025. A service was held 05 January 2026. KONING, Kasper 1970-1992 Schedules planning. Passed away 17 January 2026. A private service was held.
YOUR COMMITTEE
Following our AGM the Club Committee remains the same. Members considering joining our thriving committee are invited to contact either Antoinette Nelson or Gaye Mears.
President / Treasurer Gaye Mears gayemears45@gmail.com
Secretary Antoinette Nelson antoinette@outlook.co.nz
Past President Jo Foged jonjosie.foged@xtra.co.nz
Committee Peter Elmsly, Jo Foged, Tanya Somerville, Maggie Willis,
Margaret Holden, Peter Burn
Contact us airnzretirees@gmail.com
Patron Richard Thomson | CFO at Air New Zealand
NAME BADGES
We encourage you to wear name badges at lunches and on any trips. It makes it so much easier when you know a face but can't quite remember the name that goes with it so please order yours now if you plan to attend any of the events coming up. Cost is $15 for pin-on badge and $20 for magnetic type. Please note that badges will be handed out at the next event you attend.
CURRENT PAYMENT OPTIONS
You must be a fully paid up member to attend club events.
Annual membership fees are $ 15.00 per person. You can pay into our bank account online banking (direct debit or direct credit), by phone banking, or at a Smart ATM.
Air NZ Retirees Club
Account: 06-0222-0851695-00
Particulars: Your Surname
Code: SUBS
Reference: Your phone number
Payee Name: Air New Zealand Retired Staff Club Nthn
COMPANY NEWS
Regular media releases are published online by Air New Zealand and you can access these from our website under the heading Links.
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