Air New Zealand said on Wednesday it will acquire 8,000 tonnes of internationally verified carbon removals sourced from native forest restoration projects by 2030, marking its debut commitment to the domestic voluntary carbon market.
The airline’s partnership with My Native Forest aims to restore native forests and promote biodiversity while supporting New Zealand’s transition toward a high-integrity carbon economy.
Airline Backs Local Nature-Based Solutions
The national carrier said its agreement with My Native Forest underscores its confidence in New Zealand’s potential to build a credible voluntary carbon market.
The airline will source carbon removals equivalent to one tonne of carbon each, verified to international standards and registered globally.
Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Kiri Hannifin said the move reflects the airline’s goal to act locally while contributing to global climate goals.
“Native forest planting takes time, so it’s important to secure future supply now,” Hannifin said. “As New Zealand’s national carrier, the co-benefits for biodiversity and pest control here at home make this agreement even more powerful.”
A Hard-to-Decarbonize Sector
Aviation remains one of the toughest sectors to decarbonize. Air New Zealand is advancing multiple levers, including scaling sustainable aviation fuel, optimizing its fleet, and exploring alternative propulsion systems. However, these efforts are complex, costly, and reliant on external partners.
Hannifin said that high-integrity carbon credits will play a vital role in achieving net zero by 2050. “We believe New Zealand has a lot to offer due to our international reputation and natural environment,” she said. “Starting now helps ensure the market will be ready when we really need it.”
Carbon Finance to Drive Forest Restoration
My Native Forest co-founder Mitchell McLaughlin said the deal demonstrates how corporate investment can accelerate large-scale forest restoration.
The company is assessing potential planting sites across Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, Tairawhiti Gisborne, Waikato, Auckland, and Northland.
“Air New Zealand will provide capital in return for carbon removals that would have otherwise flowed offshore,” McLaughlin said. “Instead, it will be directed straight into local native forests.”
He added that carbon finance is turning native forest planting into a viable business opportunity for landowners. “Every tonne of carbon removed delivers benefits not just for the climate, but also for people and ecosystems across Aotearoa,” he said.
Future Commitments Underway
The agreement outlines a phased purchase: 500 tonnes in 2028, 2,500 in 2029, and 5,000 in 2030. Each credit will represent verified carbon removals issued under a global registry.
Air New Zealand said it is finalizing a second deal to acquire additional nature-based carbon removals from another local supplier by the end of the year.
As voluntary carbon markets gain traction, both the airline and My Native Forest expect New Zealand to emerge as a regional leader in combining climate action with biodiversity restoration.
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