Step into Air NZ's family bach

Rob Fyfe, centre, with athletes yesterday

Air New Zealand's unabashed kiwiana theme has been taken to new heights with the opening of a new lounge at Melbourne airport.

The airline describes it as "less a lounge and more a bach", coming complete with a mock veranda lined with rattan chairs, weatherboard walls and welcoming staff.

Opening the new lounge yesterday with the help of New Zealand's Commonwealth Games team, chief executive Rob Fyfe said that from the moment travellers stepped inside, they would "feel like they've entered a family friend's bach".

This week, Air New Zealand completed an overhaul of its brand and image after years of planning.

Staff stepped out for the first time on Monday in their new uniforms, the first upgrade in more than a decade. The koru design is being further developed with a new background.

A deep pounamu-green is being adopted as the airline's corporate colour, replacing existing blue tones.

"We're only about one thing - that's New Zealand," said Fyfe last week.

Colours inside new aircraft, content on new inflight entertainment systems and leather used in premium aircraft seats are all being chosen to fit within an over-arching Kiwi theme.

Air NZ hopes that this will build loyalty from its local passengers and a better tourism experience for visitors.