Air NZ Koru Club member says car taken for joyride

Air New Zealand has begun an investigation into its valet-parking contractor after a Koru Club member alleged his high-performance car was taken for a joy-ride.

Paul Denham, 41, said his 2001 Holden HSV V8 Clubsport was returned to him at Wellington airport last Sunday with its turbo power button activated and an extra 18km on the clock from when he dropped it off.

An electronic engine timer he set to zero also showed the car had been running at least 30 minutes after he left it in Koru parking care using up about $10 worth of petrol, he told The Dominion Post.

An Air New Zealand spokeswoman told the newspaper that an investigation had been begun into the allegation which was being taken seriously.

Valet-parked cars were usually left in a secure area "on airport grounds".

- NZPA