Aviation Industry Association

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Aviation Industry Association AIANZ is the peak membership body representing the interests of the aviation industry in New Zealand Who do we work with?

AIANZ is the peak membership body that represents the interest of the commercial aviation industry in New Zealand. Founded in 1950, our overall goal is to support a safe, sustainable, and resilient sector. So, while safety is front and centre of everything we do, we also enable our members and the wider aviation sector to grow and innovate. The membership of the organisation includes around 300 operators from small to large businesses in many sectors of the industry. They include agriculture, animal recovery, scheduled and charter services, freight, heavy lifting, photography, search and rescue, surveillance, and tourism. Our membership also includes companies that service, maintain, design or manufacture for these sectors. In more recent times, UAVs, largely drones, have become an important part of AIANZ’s diverse membership. The AIANZ is organised into six Divisions which are:

* NZ Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA)
* NZ Helicopter Association (NZHA)
* UAVNZ (Drones)
* Training and Development (T&D)
* Aircraft Engineering Association of New Zealand (AEANZ)
* Operational Division

Within the membership, there are also many individuals, including pilots and other people who have an ongoing or past involvement in the aviation industry. To advance and protect the interests of our members, we work closely with the regulator agency, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the policy agency, the Ministry of Transport (MOT), and other agencies that have a stake in the success of our sector. Such agencies include the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and specifically Immigration New Zealand. More recently, our relationships at a local government level with territorial local authorities (TLAs) are critical given their involvement in aviation matters at a local level.

AIANZ Conference 2026 – HighlightsThe AIANZ Conference 2026 brought together more than 400 industry leaders, professiona...
14/09/2026

AIANZ Conference 2026 – Highlights

The AIANZ Conference 2026 brought together more than 400 industry leaders, professionals, and stakeholders from across New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada to discuss opportunities, challenges, and the future of aviation.

Key highlights included:
- An update of the Aviation Action Plan by Associate Minister of Transport, Hon James Meager MP
- Insightful keynote presentations from Catherine MacGowan (Deputy Chief Executive, CAA), Kate Boyer (Chief Operations Officer, Air NZ), Gareth Kiernan (Principal Economist, Infometrics)
- A powerful and excellent guidance from our MC, Jehan Casinader
- Engaging panels on politics, rising stars in aviation and challenges facing regional airlines
- An address from the CAA Director, Kane Patena
- Productive divisional sessions that drove valuable discussion and collaboration
- A dynamic exhibition space showcasing innovation and expertise
- The Gala Dinner & Awards Evening celebrating excellence in aviation
- And of course, the opportunity to connect with colleagues, friends, and peers across the sector

Thank you to all who attended, exhibited, spoke, and supported the event. Together, we are building a strong future for New Zealand aviation.

🏆 Celebrating Excellence in AviationAt last week’s AIANZ Gala Awards Dinner, we honoured the outstanding achievements an...
14/09/2026

🏆 Celebrating Excellence in Aviation

At last week’s AIANZ Gala Awards Dinner, we honoured the outstanding achievements and contributions of leaders across New Zealand’s aviation industry.

Congratulations to our 2026 award winners:

New Zealand Helicopter Association (NZAAA) Young Individual Award - Jack Griffith

New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association Lifetime Achievement Award - Kevin and Sandra Anderson, and Wayne Tantrum

New Zealand Helicopter Association (NZHA) Lifetime Contribution and Achievement Award - Simon Cometti


AEANZ - Aircraft Engineers Association New Zealand Commitment to Service Award - Don McCracken



SiS Training and Consulting Aviation Safety Award - Scott Spooner



Eye In The Sky NZLeader in Aviation Award - Blair Judd



AeroFusion Young Aviator of the Year Award - Ryan Clements



Fieldair Aviation Mentor Award - John Keyzer



ServiceIQ Industry Award for Aviation Engineering - Ian Frazer



UAVNZ - The Commercial Drone Industry Association Innovator of the Year Award - SPS Automation



UAVNZ - The Commercial Drone Industry Association Excellence in Industry Award - Scotty Horgan



UAVNZ - The Commercial Drone Industry Association Safety Award - OC Aerial



AIANZ Richard Pearse Award - Droneshows



AIANZ Individual Award - Richard Small



Civil Aviation Authority of NZ (CAA) Director’s Award - Rick Graham

Read more about the Gala Awards Dinner here: https://aianz.org.nz/aviation-industry-association-award-winners-2026/

The countdown's on! One week until AIANZ Annual Conference 2026 kicks off. Registrations are closing soon, so lock in yo...
29/08/2026

The countdown's on! One week until AIANZ Annual Conference 2026 kicks off.

Registrations are closing soon, so lock in your spot before they're gone. Expect standout speakers, genuine industry connections, and the kind of discussions that stick with you.

Register here, https://twelve.eventsair.com/aianz2026/registration/Site/Register

UAVNZ - The Commercial Drone Industry Association
New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association
New Zealand Helicopter Association

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, AeroFusion for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026. AIANZ Conference 202...
19/08/2026

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, AeroFusion for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026.

AIANZ Conference 2026 | 6–8 September | Tākina, Wellington

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, Fenix UAS for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026. AIANZ Conference 2026...
19/08/2026

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, Fenix UAS for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026.

AIANZ Conference 2026 | 6–8 September | Tākina, Wellington

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026. AIANZ Conference 2026 | 6–8 Sep...
19/08/2026

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026.

AIANZ Conference 2026 | 6–8 September | Tākina, Wellington

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, QBE Insurance Australia for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026. AIANZ Co...
18/08/2026

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, QBE Insurance Australia for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026.

AIANZ Conference 2026 | 6–8 September | Tākina, Wellington

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, Eye In The Sky NZ for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026. AIANZ Conferen...
18/08/2026

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, Eye In The Sky NZ for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026.

AIANZ Conference 2026 | 6–8 September | Tākina, Wellington

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, Jumpjet Airlines Limited for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026. AIANZ Co...
18/08/2026

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, Jumpjet Airlines Limited for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026.

AIANZ Conference 2026 | 6–8 September | Tākina, Wellington

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, TowFLEXX - Aircraft Tugs for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026. AIANZ C...
17/08/2026

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor, TowFLEXX - Aircraft Tugs for your support of the AIANZ annual Conference 2026.

AIANZ Conference 2026 | 6–8 September | Tākina, Wellington

Address

Level 5, Rawlinsons House, 5-7 Willeston Street
Wellington
6011

Telephone

04 472 2707

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