Air NZ refuses cash for historic plane

Air New Zealand is under fire for failing to support an attempt to keep a special piece of aviation history in the public domain.

Aviation enthusiasts are trying to raise $400,000 to buy and sponsor a 1942 Dominie aircraft used in the early days of New Zealand commercial flying.

It is one of about seven still flying in the world and cannot be exported because of a Government ban protecting heritage items.

The goal is to keep the Dominie, number ZK-AKY, at a Southland museum in the hands of the Croydon Aviation Heritage Trust for public viewing when it is sold by owners Ian Tulloch and Graham Crawford.

Trustee Jules Tapper said approaches to Air New Zealand had been unsuccessful.

It was disappointing that Air New Zealand could spend large sums on rebranding but not support the trust's initiative to preserve part of its own history, he said.

An Air New Zealand spokes-woman said the airline was frequently approached for fundraising and free flights, and already had a host of significant corporate sponsorships.

The Dominie project was to be encouraged, but Air New Zealand was not in a position to give financial support.