Air New Zealand rebrands Airpoints as Koru, unveils Koru Black for ultra-frequent flyers

• November 20, 2025
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Air New Zealand is preparing a major shift in how it recognises loyalty, rebranding its long-standing Airpoints programme as Koru from April 2026 and introducing a new top-earned tier aimed squarely at its most frequent travellers.

At the top of the new structure sits Koru Black, a new tier designed to recognise Air New Zealand’s highest-value members. To qualify, members must earn over 3,200 Status Points, including 1,920 from qualifying flights in a year.

Ahead of the full transition, eligible members will receive an extra Recognition Upgrade and short haul Recognition Upgrade, access to an Express Lane trial for aviation security screening at Auckland Domestic Airport between 19–28 November, and additional valet parking vouchers timed for the festive travel period. More benefits are flagged for the New Year.

From April 2026, Koru Black members will gain access to some of Air New Zealand’s most exclusive benefits, including:

• Family Package – one Koru Black Nominee, plus Koru Family Nominees for dependants
• Friends Package – two Koru Black Nominees
• Status Rewards – special rewards at Status Points milestones, such as a Koru Black banked year or curated gifts and experiences
• Access to the new Koru Premier Lounge at Auckland International Airport when it opens
• Additional Recognition Upgrades and Valet Parking Vouchers
• Enhanced OneUp™ upgrade offers, upweighted by 60 per cent

New tier structure and clearer journey. The transition to Koru brings a line-up and clearer progression for all members:

• Koru Bronze – a new base tier ensuring every member is recognised, with the ability to earn Airpoints and Status Points.
• Koru Silver (currently Silver) – adds a Status Points Bonus, with five bonus Status Points for every ten journeys on Air New Zealand.
• Koru Gold (currently Gold) – introduces Status Points Top-Up, designed to make it easier to retain the tier.
• Koru Platinum (currently Elite) – offers enhanced Status Rewards and access to the new Koru Premier Lounge at Auckland International Airport once it opens.
• Koru Black – includes all current Elite (future Koru Platinum) benefits plus premium additions such as Koru Circle and enhanced upgrade and valet entitlements.

For business travellers and travel managers, the changes sharpen the recognition ladder for high-frequency domestic, trans-Tasman and long-haul flyers, while broadening the base of recognised members through Koru Bronze.