Cuisine and Wine
Because relaxing over a good meal is one of life's great pleasures, we've designed our menus to reflect the fresh, innovative cuisine of New Zealand.
In the process, we sought the views of the world's greatest chefs and have incorporated their suggestions into the most creative menus you'll find in the air.
Our wine consultants have selected wines that not only complement our menus but still taste wonderful at 30,000 feet. Along with our acclaimed in-flight service you will be sure of a great dining experience.
Please note that meals are not offered on domestic flights in New Zealand and a simplified new-look menu is now served in Economy Class on Tasman and Pacific¹ flights.
Our Consulting Chefs
Our consultant chefs design our Business menus, ensuring passengers experience the very best of New Zealand cuisine.
Peter Gordon, dine, Auckland and The Providores and Tapa Room, London
Local boy Peter Gordon is one of the big guns on the London restaurant scene with The Providores and Tapa Room both regarded as exceptional places to eat. His Auckland restaurant, dine by Peter Gordon, is one of Auckland's premier dining experiences. He has long championed Fusion cuisine, creating memorable dishes that focus on the textural, visual and aromatic elements as well as flavour.
Rex Morgan, Boulcott Street Bistro, Wellington
Rex Morgan is co-owner of Boulcott Street Bistro, regarded as one of Wellington's iconic restaurants. He's famous for using unique flavour combinations from around New Zealand, often combining local lamb, beef or salmon with distinctive native herbs such as karengo (coastal seaweed) or horopito (bush pepper).
Geoff Scott, Vinnies Restaurant, Auckland
Vinnies Restaurant in Auckland is a New Zealand institution and its owner and head chef, Geoff Scott, is a culinary icon. He learnt his trade in some of the finest kitchens in Europe, returning home with a burning ambition to bring his exceptional culinary skill to bear on the freshest New Zealand produce.
Our Wine Consultants
Selecting wines for drinking in-flight takes special care as there are unique conditions to consider. The low humidity and high altitude affect our palate, causing the tannin and astringency of wine to taste more pronounced. Our panel of judges takes all that into account when selecting wines for Air New Zealand. Twice a year, the judges conduct blind wine tastings to select the perfect wines for each class on Air New Zealand. Currently on our panel of judges:
Jim Harre, International Wine Show Judge
Jim comes from a family that is rich in winemaking history and is an international wine judge. Jim and his wife Wendy own and operate the Gates Country Lodge in North Canterbury.
John Belsham, Foxes Island Wines
Winemaker and owner of Foxes Island Wines, John Belsham began judging wines at competition in 1988. He is now Chairman of the annual Air New Zealand Wine Awards, New Zealand's most prestigious wine event.
Kate Radburnd, C J Pask Winery
Kate is Managing Director and Winemaker at C J Pask Winery and has been winemaking in New Zealand for 25 years. Kate is a senior wine judge and her experience is extensive, she was appointed by Air New Zealand as a wine consultant in 2005.
View Menus
1Tasman or Pacific Island flights include those between New Zealand and Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Norfolk Island, Vanuatu, Niue Samoa and Tonga.
