Air New Zealand is on the hunt for the most “snack-tacular” (their words not ours) mouth-watering treats to satisfy passengers’ cravings at 33,000 feet.
As an airline known for taking its snacks to new heights (their words not ours), Air New Zealand is launching the Great Kiwi Snack Off – a nationwide search for the tastiest, most satisfying Kiwi snacks to have onboard. All local snack providers across New Zealand are invited to take part in the expression of interest.
Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty says Air New Zealand is on a mission to create a snacking experience like no other.
“We revamped our domestic snack programme in 2021 to huge success, but we’re ready to take things up a notch with even more variety, flavours, and surprises across all flights and mealtimes.
“We’re seeking a diverse range of snacks that cater to different dietary needs and time-of-day appetites. Think sweet, savoury, healthy, indulgent, and everything in between, and catering for a greater range of dietary requirements and preferences.”
Air New Zealand is looking for snacks that tick all the boxes. The snacks must cater to diverse dietary requirements, be sustainable, and have a touch of Kiwi flair.
“We’re looking for snacks that will surprise and delight our customers, making their journey that much sweeter.
“Whether it’s a classic Kiwi treat or a creative flavour from indigenous ingredients, we want to showcase the best snacks that New Zealand has to offer – particularly from Māori or Pasifika businesses, social enterprises or those celebrating the provenance of our regions.”
The EOI closes 1 May, and is open to all New Zealand suppliers, with the aim of having new snacks onboard before the end of 2023. The EOI covers the full suite of snack offerings on Air New Zealand flights, from Domestic to International, but excludes our Air New Zealand lolly – that’s here to stay.
Through its open tender process, Air New Zealand is hoping to capture the most innovative and unique boutique-type food and snack suppliers that it might not have come across otherwise.
“We’re committed to championing Kiwi brands and delivering a pipeline of products that showcase the best of New Zealand. We’re also dedicated to doing the right thing by prioritising social impact and sustainability, so snacks that meet those criteria will be given extra brownie points (their words not ours).”
The airline is inviting expressions of interest (EOI) from all corners of the country, giving even the smallest boutique suppliers the chance to get their snacks onboard. The EOI includes international flights.
As you can see from above, there’s been a few suggestions around the TW office, but we are keen to hear yours! What do you think would define a good ol’ Kiwi snack?
Send us an email (editor@travelweekly.com.au) or comment via Facebook on our page here.
What’s the goal of the Great Kiwi Snack Off?
Air New Zealand wants to expand the range and rotation of our current snacks and introduce new and exciting options to provide more choice and range for our customers.
It’s the lookout for suppliers who can help us deliver on this mission, while also catering to dietary restrictions, championing Kiwi brands, and doing the right thing for social impact and sustainability.
It wants to hear from a wide range of food providers, using an open tender approach that will give even the smallest Kiwi suppliers a chance to get their products onboard.
What snacks are considered part of the Great Kiwi Snack Off?
This is a full review of our onboard snack offering – from domestic flights (regular snacks) to those on our short-haul, international and ultra longhaul flights (mid-flight snacks and SkyPantry too).
What’s not included is our Air New Zealand lolly or things like the cheese and cracker (or its ratio) in our Koru Hour.
When was the last time you reviewed your snack options?
We tweaked our domestic onboard snack option in 2021 but this is the first wholesale review of our snack options since 2018.
What’s the process?
The Great Kiwi Snack Off will start with open tender approach, soliciting interest from a diverse range of New Zealand food providers.
From 17 April to 1 May 2023, suppliers will be able to make a submission.
We’ll then review these applications and in May we’ll send successful suppliers who we want to hear more from our Request for Proposal (RFP) document.
This will be a closed RFP so suppliers can provide us details in confidence. We hope to have new snacks onboard by the end of 2023.
What are some of the criteria for the new snacks?
We’re looking for snacks that align with the following:
- Sharing our Aotearoa – New Zealand made products and snacks that celebrate the provenance of our regions, Māori and Pasifika or social enterprises.
- Flavour forward – Snacks that provide innovative flavours or variety, or tantalise modern tastebuds.
- Environmentally friendly – Extra brownie points for sustainable packaging and ingredients.
- Consumer conscious – Bites that cater to different dietary needs and allergies, along with classic Kiwi favourites.
When will the new snacks be available onboard?
The new snacks are expected to be available onboard by the end of 2023, although dates are flexible.
Who can participate in this process?
Its open to all New Zealand-made food and snack suppliers. That might mean a Kiwi company or social enterprise making homegrown snacks in Aotearoa to an offshore company that makes products using New Zealand ingredients.
How long do suppliers have to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)?
The EOI process will close on 1 May 2023.
Will existing suppliers be considered?
Yes absolutely, existing suppliers will be included.
Can suppliers propose bespoke or boutique-type food products?
Yes, let’s dive into these tasty treats! The Great Kiwi Snack Off is designed to capture a wide range of food and snack suppliers, including bespoke and boutique options that we may not be aware of. In particular, we’re keen to hear from New Zealand made products and snacks that celebrate the provenance of our regions, Māori and Pasifika or social enterprises.
