October 2025
- Oct 3, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 4, 2025
WELCOME
Greeting to all our members, and thank you for the support of the Club and the Events enjoyed over the past few months. A reminder to all Club Members to SHARE YOUR STORY. Please email these to airnzretirees@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing all your airline work stories - keep them coming. After months of rain and wind, it is great to see the sun shining and the trees and plants springing into life with new buds and blossom. Now with Daylight Saving we can all enjoy the longer evenings outdoors. We have more exciting events coming up for this year and of course the popular Xmas Lunch in December for Members to socialise with colleagues old and new. We hope you can bring along an old Air NZ Friend who is not a member. More information in November.
RECENT EVENTS
Howick Historical Village Visit
There was a good turnout for this event. The setting in historic Bell House was very nice. Tables were set with Victorian china and the delightful high tea lunch was served on 3 tier cake stands and enjoyed by everyone. We listened to a little bit of history of the village - short but interesting. Some of our group also made use of visiting the Historic village while it was a quiet weekday.
RECENT EVENTS
Kelly Tarltons
Approximately 20 members visited Kelly Tarltons and enjoyed the sea life once again, the last time many had done so with their grandchildren
UPCOMING EVENT
Sculpture on the Shore
Date: Thursday 13 November 2025
Location: Fort Takapuna Reserve, 170 Vauxhall Road, Narrow Neck
Time: Meet on location at 10:00am Cost: Approx. $25 Paid at Entry
Come along and enjoy an afternoon at the Sculpture on the Shore. You also have the option to meet at the Dulcie Cafe, Devonport, at 1:00pm for lunch, which would be at your own cost.
SAVE THE DATE
Christmas Lunch
Invitations will be emailed out in November Wednesday, 03 December 2025 Special Buffet Lunch with Jim Joll playing Christmas music and Guest Speaker Mick Cottrell, Commercial Manager Auckland Airport will share a 15 minute update on Auckland Airport with 15 min Q&A
EVENTS ON THE HORIZON
Waiheke Vineyard Proposed for Feb/Mar 2026 with Sculpture on the Gulf
Ardmore Warbirds Museum Proposed for Apr 2026
ART TRAILS TO EXPLORE
Here are more Art Trails and Sculpture Walks to enjoy independently around Auckland.
Franklin Art Trail Labour weekend 25-27 October
Mahurangi Art Trail 30 Jan to 08 Feb 2026
Hibiscus Coast Art Trail 20-22 Feb 2026
Riverhaven Art and Sculpture Clevedon, Self Guided Walks
RELOCATION RENTAL CARS
The sunshine’s sticking around longer, the days are starting to warm up, so maybe it's time to pack a bag and set off on a road trip – whether it’s a quick hop between cities or an extended journey across the islands. Transfercar have relocations starting from just $1 a day, and plenty of deals including free days, fuel or even ferry tickets, you can explore more of New Zealand this spring without stretching your budget. Queenstown is buzzing with relocations right now. If you’re keen on a short break, you can head south to Invercargill with 2 free days (available until the end of October), or make your way to Christchurch with 3 free days – most including fuel. For something a bit longer, Queenstown to Auckland offers 6 free days, with some deals including a ferry ticket for the vehicle and even fuel. Trips to Greymouth or Picton are also on offer, with fuel included.
7 DISHES YOU CAN LEARN TO COOK FROM KITCHENS AROUND THE GLOBE
Trying different cuisines around the world is one thing, but what about getting hands-on cooking lessons from the locals themselves?
Connect with the people and culture and add some impressive new global recipes to your repertoire. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to dig into these Intrepid Travel experiences that teach you the how before you taste the why.
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.
Geoffrey Cox 1989 - 2015 Auckland component workshop
Grant Macaulay 1985 - 2025 Flt Ops 1985-99, Captain B737 7 B767: 1999-2015
Kevin Morris 1969 - 1991 Engineering
Vicki Davis 1994 - 2020 Customer Journey Mgr - Operations
Hugo John 2002 - 2025 Components, Wheels and Brakes
Luvei Mason-Clarke 1971 - 2020 Commercial Distribution, Cargo Operations
OBITUARIES
PATTIE, Keith Ogilvie Passed away peacefully with family at his side on Friday 8 August 2025, aged 73 Years. Dearly loved husband of Barbara. A funeral service was held at The Bucklands Beach Yacht Club on Friday 15 August. Keith was a Flight Ops Pilot.
TAYLOR, Norman Richard Taylor (of Weta workshop fame) advised one of our members Chris Field that his dad Norm Taylor recently passed away. (no date though) Norm worked for Air NZ for many years in Tech Services. Richard is holding a remembrance service for Norm on October 4.
TOPIA, Danny Passed away on 24 September 2025. Beloved son of Molly and Henry Topia. Danny will be missed dearly by all who knew him. Danny worked in the Engine Shop from 1966 to 2002. He was also a candidate in the Thames local body elections. A service to celebrate his life was held on Saturday 27 September
WILLIAMS, Richard Landeg Passed away at 92 years on 7 August 2025. Dearly beloved husband of Denise. A private cremation service was held. Dick worked in Admin, Traffic and Public Affairs. He was very involved in putting together the 75th Anniversary for the airline.
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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