Air NZ flies the silver fern

Air New Zealand's new aircraft livery features the official New Zealand Fern Mark, use of which is managed by Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

Airline dumps teal and goes for a black-and-white look it hopes will make Kiwis proud.

Air New Zealand is laying on the Kiwi look thick by adding a fern to the koru, ditching teal and going black and white on all its aircraft.

The new look has been welcomed by one expert who says it will help the airline stand out in a crowded market.

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said the Government-owned fern mark was used by Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the airline had negotiated the rights to use it as well.

It was expected its fleet of 103 planes would be repainted by the end of next year.

Most would be white with black livery but there would be a select number of all-black planes with reverse white graphics, including the first of its Boeing 787s, due for delivery next year.

"We think it's iconic and very distinctive and we hope it gives all New Zealanders a sense of pride when they see this aircraft turn up," said Mr Luxon.

The airline had unveiled a version last year without the fern, which was criticised as too conservative.

Luxon said the new look unveiled yesterday had "more movement and a dynamic feel". The new livery was arrived at after extensive market research here and overseas and repainting the planes would not be a significant cost, he said.

Chief creative officer at Whybin\TBWA Toby Talbot said the new look was bold and distinctively New Zealand.

"You see a lot of planes parked up at Heathrow and they throw a whole lot of colour at the plane - I think it's nice we're going the other direction."