Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand have signed a memorandum of understanding valued at more than $20 million, in a one year partnership to undertake joint marketing activity promoting travel to New Zealand in selected international markets.

The investment represents an increase in planned joint marketing spend of around 80 per cent compared with the previous financial year.

Air New Zealand has also unveiled its new aircraft livery which features the iconic official New Zealand Fern Mark, the use of which is managed by Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

Under the MoU, Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand will each invest more than $10 million over the next 12 months in co-operative marketing activity in the key markets of Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, North America, the United Kingdom and Europe as well as increased activity in emerging markets such as India and Indonesia.

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said the MoU will extend and deepen the airline’s existing relationship with Tourism New Zealand, its largest marketing partner.

“Air New Zealand has a long-standing relationship with Tourism New Zealand, having worked closely with the organisation in all of our key markets to promote New Zealand for a number of years.

“Today’s MoU signals a significant step-change in the level of joint marketing activity we will undertake to promote destination New Zealand,” said Luxon.

“As the national airline of New Zealand, growth in inbound tourism to New Zealand is a critical factor in our success.

“We fly more international visitors to New Zealand than any other airline and it is vital that we work together with tourism partners such as Tourism New Zealand in order to convert the opportunities out there.”