Auckland Airport ranks 9th in reputation, speeds up passenger processing
Auckland Airport has been named one of New Zealand's top-ranking companies for trust, ranking 9th in the 2025 Kantar Corporate Reputation Index.
The annual index rates the public perception of the country's top 50 corporates across trust, leadership, fairness and responsibility, with Auckland Airport achieving its highest-ever result after moving
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NZ Autocar
3 days ago
- NZ Autocar
members-only luxury car storage opens in Auckland
Auckland has just welcomed an unprecedented offering for the country's automotive elite: Matchbox, New Zealand's first members-only luxury car storage facility. The brainchild of property developer Mark Francis and business partner Zlatko Filipchich, Matchbox is located conveniently between Auckland Airport and the city's CBD. The facility has been purpose-built to meet the needs of classic, performance and collector car owners. The secure, climate-controlled garage uses car stacking systems to maximise space, with each unit accommodating up to four vehicles. But the service goes beyond storage as Matchbox offers full concierge support including WOF checks, insurance and registration management and pick-up/delivery services across Auckland. 'Matchbox is about more than just storage, it's about creating a home for cars and a community for those who love them,' says Francis. 'We saw a real need for a facility where vehicles could be cared for as works of art.' Filipchich adds, 'Whether it's a classic Mini or a modern supercar, every vehicle gets the same meticulous attention. We take care of everything, so members can simply enjoy their cars when they want to.' The facility is designed with lifestyle in mind, featuring a members' lounge, private lockers, and an automotive library. Its location makes it attractive to not only Auckland residents but also out of town property owners and international clients, who can fly in, pick up their vehicle and head directly to their destination. Matchbox aims to cultivate a vibrant community, with regular events and social opportunities for members. 'Matchbox is a club as much as a facility,' Francis explains. 'We're building a community around a shared passion.' Find out more at
Newsroom
3 days ago
- Newsroom
Confusion as NZ becomes midpoint on China route to South America
China Eastern Airlines and Auckland Airport have announced the much-discussed Southern Link to South America will open by the end of the year, with the NZ Government helping with a new electronic transit authority in place of pricey visas. The Government backs the Southern Link as part of its effort to grow the number of Chinese tourists coming to New Zealand, with the new route expected to bring an additional $48 million in annual visitor spending. 'This new connection to Auckland between the dynamic economies of Asia and South America, is a great step forward and will support a more resilient and diverse aviation network that benefits travellers, trade, and tourism,' Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said. This Southern Link, which connects China and South America – via New Zealand – has long been discussed, being championed by the New Zealand China Council, among others. But even as recently as March the Government said it had no plans to advance the idea of making New Zealand an air and maritime transport hub between these regions. At the time, Trade Minister Todd McClay said the idea was not on the Government's agenda. 'It's not something we've been considering, but I know that the Mayor of Auckland, [Wayne] Brown, is a big fan of it,' McClay told The Post. Meanwhile, Christopher Luxon said it was up to airlines to make it work on their own. And it seems that now they have, with state-owned China Eastern committing to two flights a week from Shanghai to Buenos Aires, via Auckland, starting in December. While some were already hailing the benefits of the long-mooted link, others were warning of the potential dangers of New Zealand facilitating the connection. The idea of this link has long courted controversy in New Zealand because of the part it plays in China's Belt and Road Initiative – a global economic and infrastructure expansion plan. And while New Zealand has not shifted from its vague, quiet position on the Chinese Communist Party's plan, China sees things differently. During the announcement, China Eastern Airlines Chairman Wang Zhiqing said, 'we will be committed to … mutual exchanges and high-quality Belt and Road initiatives'. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the foreign policy position on Belt and Road was unchanged. 'The New Zealand Government is not developing BRI initiatives.' NZ is somewhere at the top of the world in this Trip-com presentation to PM Luxon in Shanghai. Photo: Laura Walters The ministry spokesperson did not respond to questions about why China might be referring to the Southern Link in the context of the BRI or any response to concerns raised about the hub's potential for dual use. 'We welcome expanded air connections between China, NZ and South America. 'This is a commercial deal between Auckland Airport and China Eastern.' If China is to be believed, the Southern Link is the latest to join a long list of Belt and Road projects with New Zealand, irrespective of NZ's stance. Beyond the Southern Link, the Asian superpower has claimed to have signed a whole swathe of Belt and Road Initiative agreements with Auckland Council. But when Newsroom spoke to Auckland Council about these claims last year, it said no such thing had happened. In 2019, the China Daily newspaper even claimed a Belt and Road Initiative had 'revitalised' a small Waikato town, after a Chinese food company set up an ice cream factory in the small Waikato town of Kerepehi. As far as records show, New Zealand does have one official Belt and Road agreement, in the form of a joint kiwifruit laboratory between Crown research institute Plant & Food Research and Chinese scientists in Sichuan province. The China-New Zealand Kiwi 'Belt and Road' Joint Laboratory isn't called that in New Zealand, but the name was upgraded in China in 2018, giving the lab local status and access to funds. Last year, University of Canterbury China expert Professor Anne-Marie Brady said though New Zealand had stopped progressing work on the Belt and Road Initiative, Mfat's language on the controversial united front strategy was purposefully vague. It allowed the Government to say nothing and do nothing, rather than openly reject the initiative and risk upsetting China. But in a submission to Parliament's Justice select committee on foreign interference in elections, Brady recommended New Zealand take a more explicit stance on the BRI. 'The continuance of the current policy of 'saying but not doing' is causing confusion and risks local governments acting against national interests. The MoA signed with China is simply an agreement to discuss, and nothing more.' In March 2017, the National government signed a 'memorandum of arrangement' with Chinese premier Li Keqiang outlining a proposal for the two countries to work together on the BRI. Launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013, the trillion-dollar initiative was then focused on developing Chinese-led infrastructure projects and other economic initiatives around the world, on ancient land and sea routes which formed part of the Silk Road. The agreement required the two countries to develop a Belt and Road work plan within 18 months of its signing, but the plans slowed when the Labour-led government took power at the end of 2017, as foreign affairs minister Winston Peters shared his reservations about the project. The agreement auto-renewed in March 2022 for a period of five years. But New Zealand was not pursuing any projects, or raising the BRI in discussions with Chinese counterparts. Brady was among a group of China experts warning against the Belt and Road expansionary plan, including the Southern Link. In a foreign policy paper published this year, Brady warned of the capability for dual-use of these types of hubs in the Pacific. 'Control over Pacific ports, airstrips, and ICT systems could serve dual-use purposes, enabling transit, logistics, and expanded influence in the US backyard,' she said, adding that as China turned its attention to the global south it was increasingly bringing countries in Latin America and the Pacific into the Belt and Road Initiative. China has actively promoted this Southern Link strategy, trying to influence public opinion in host countries, like New Zealand. But former head of the NZ China Council and executive director of the NZ International Business Forum Stephen Jacobi said this had little bearing on Southern Link which was purely an economic and commercial proposition. Jacobi, who was a long-time proponent of the link said he was delighted to see the news. It was clear that to make it work the parties needed to find an airline that would step up and establish some flexibility on transit visas. Off the back of stronger airline connections, other parties could now work to build an airfreight and transhipment hub, which would bring additional benefits, he said. Whether this route would be sustainable could now be tested, Jacobi said, adding there was ample (and growing) traffic between Latin America and China to make it work. From the perspective of the bilateral relationship, it was important New Zealand continued to build links and connections beyond trade. 'If we simply regard China as a market to sell things to, we make ourselves even more vulnerable to geo-political and geo-economic shifts.' If the Government was really serious about 'going for growth' New Zealand needed to pursue the opportunities that came as the relationship deepened. The announcement of the Southern Link route, as well as the Government's decision to do away with the $235 transit visa, were two of a series of announcements, deal signings and events geared towards lifting tourism back to pre-Covid levels. There were 245,000 visitor arrivals from China in the year to February, making it New Zealand's third-largest tourism market. But things still hadn't bounced back to where they were before the pandemic. Luxon even named getting 'share of mind' in the international education and tourism markets as the key objectives of this trip. Before the Prime Minister touched down in China he announced a new 'Parent Boost' visa that would allow family members a five-year, multi-trip visa. On the eve of the trip, the Government announced a visa waiver trial for Chinese passport holders visiting from Australia. But it's not the full visitor visa waiver China wanted, as China had granted New Zealand. The issue would no doubt be raised again by political leaders later in the week, but vice president Edison Chen beat them to it by raising that visa waiver to the Prime Minister (again). Luxon laughed it off, saying he appreciated the pitch. But Luxon found himself talking in code during the subsequent media conference, just saying he was 'comfortable' with Immigration NZ's decisions when he was repeatedly pushed on why the Government stopped short of granting a full visitor visa waiver. Newsroom understands the risk profile of Chinese travellers had a part to play, but neither the Prime Minister nor his ministers could say that without offending China. Luxon pushed back at the focus on the visa waiver issue, saying lifting tourist numbers was largely about growing share of mind. 'I just think you actually need to think through how do you actually build markets, and how do you grow businesses? And a lot of it, when you're in 195 other countries in a competitive race, it's about: how do you lift the profile of New Zealand?'
NZ Autocar
4 days ago
- NZ Autocar
Toyota is NZ's most reputable company again
Toyota New Zealand has claimed the top spot in the annual Kantar Corporate Reputation Index. This cements its place as the most reputable company in the country for a second consecutive year. It also follows Toyota winning the Reader's Digest 'Most Trusted Car Brand' in New Zealand for the 20th consecutive year. The Kantar Corporate Reputation Index, now in its 11th year, measures consumer perceptions of New Zealand's top 50 companies, addressing trust, leadership, fairness, and responsibility. Among the top 10 companies, Toyota led in the Trust and Leadership pillars and ranked among the top performers in Fairness and Responsibility. Tatsuya Ishikawa (front) with other members of the TNZ management team. Toyota New Zealand Chief Executive, Tatsuya Ishikawa, says the recognition reflects both the strength of the Toyota team and the trust customers place in the brand. 'Toyota is a brand for all New Zealanders. Every day, we work hard to earn their trust, in every interaction we have with them. 'Our ambition has always been to be more than just a car company. We want to be a trusted partner in our customers' lives and a responsible contributor to New Zealand's future. 'Toyota Stores don't just invest in their businesses; they also invest in the communities they're part of. We recognise their efforts through our annual Citizenship Awards. We complement this local impact with national initiatives that support safer roads and stronger communities across New Zealand.' Tatsuya Ishikawa continues: 'At our core, we're a mobility company but it's the strength of our relationship with customers that drives our success. That relationship doesn't begin and end with a purchase. We work hard to anticipate needs, resolve issues quickly, and deliver a seamless experience at every stage. How we look after our customers after a purchase is so important to us. While things won't always go to plan, being truly customer-focused means taking responsibility and putting things right quickly, and with care. 'We're focused on helping communities thrive, not just through economic investment but by shaping a more sustainable future. That means continuing to electrify our fleet, reducing emissions, and staying on track to meet our goal of net-zero carbon by 2050,' says Tatsuya Ishikawa. 'At Toyota, we embrace the philosophy of kaizen, a commitment to continuous improvement. It's a simple idea, but a powerful one. We believe reputation is earned one decision, one relationship, one interaction at a time.'
