LAX-CHRISTCHURCH, NZ - NON STOP FLIGHTS

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 2004--Air New Zealand is to
offer a new non-stop service from Los Angeles direct into the South
Island city of Christchurch beginning Nov. 2, 2004.

Operating three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, the new
service will also connect directly with Air New Zealand's flights
between Los Angeles and London, providing one-stop service between
London and Christchurch. Connections from other U.S. and Canadian
cities will also be available with Star Alliance partners United
Airlines, US Airways and Air Canada.

"South Island tourism is now directly connected to New Zealand's two
biggest inbound long-haul markets of the USA and the UK," said Gerard
Gilmore, Air New Zealand's Vice President, The Americas, UK and
Europe.

"Visiting the South Island is a must for most Americans during their
time in New Zealand, with Canterbury and Otago two of the most popular
regions visited. For the first time, Air New Zealand is now able to
directly connect them into the wonders of all the regions in the
south. The new service also offers visitors wishing to make the most
of their trip to New Zealand the option of flying into Christchurch
and out of Auckland, or vice versa," he added.

"With more people travelling to New Zealand comes demand for greater
choice, convenience and availability, so direct services to and from
Christchurch are definitely needed, and as New Zealand's flag carrying
airline, we are very excited to be the first to offer it," said Mr
Gilmore.

Standard economy airfares will match Air New Zealand's current fares
from Los Angeles to Christchurch via Auckland starting at U.S. $1,333
plus taxes.

Flights will depart Los Angeles at 8:45 p.m. arriving into
Christchurch at 7:15 a.m., two days later, with a flight time of 13.5
hours. The return flights will depart Christchurch at 8:30 p.m.
arriving into Los Angeles at 12:15 p.m. the same day, with a flight
time of 12 hours and 45 minutes.

The three new services are made possible by a reschedule of the 17 Los
Angeles to Auckland return services a week to a double-daily service.

Utilizing a 392 seat Boeing 747-400 will place more than 60,000
additional seats each way annually into and out of Christchurch.
Flight Schedule:

Three times a week -- Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday (from both Los
Angeles and Christchurch).

DEP ARR Flt Time

NZ19 Los Angeles to Christchurch 8:45pm 7:15am(+2) 13h 30mins

NZ18 Christchurch to Los Angeles 8:30pm 12:15pm 12h 45mins

Air New Zealand offers more direct flights to the South Pacific than
any other airline, including a total of 34 flights per week from Los
Angeles to New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia, Fiji, Tahiti,
the Cook Islands, Tonga and Samoa. San Francisco to Auckland commences
June 30. United Mileage Plus members earn and redeem mileage on
selected flights. The readers of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel &
Leisure magazines consistently rate Air New Zealand among the world's
best international airlines. Visit Air New Zealand online at
www.airnewzealand.com/usa for web specials or call 1-800-369-6867.
--multiplaza.nl.nu--