Welcoming ceremony for first Kiwi International Airlines flight from NZ

2/7/96

Tourism Minister Norman Moore faced up to a traditional Maori 'haka' challenge today, issued by a group of New Zealand dancers at Perth International Airport as part of the welcoming ceremony for the inaugural Kiwi International Airlines flight from New Zealand.

The traditional haka ceremony involves a challenge by the dancers to a member of the audience who is required to step forward and pick up a stick. The performance ends with a 'hongi', the rubbing of noses.

Mr Moore said the challenge offered to Western Australia by Kiwi International was to use the new direct flight from Christchurch and Hamilton to Perth to build on its existing New Zealand tourism market.

"The introduction of a second national airline in New Zealand has been a major stimulus in developing outbound tourism from that country across the Tasman," he said.

"The WA tourism industry will embrace the introduction of Kiwi International as a great opportunity to enhance their relationship with New Zealand and build on their existing tourism market share."

The Minister said that while the new service would be welcomed by the big New Zealand community who lived in WA, it would also be a boon to New Zealanders eager to experience what Australia, and now particularly WA, had to offer as a tourist destination.

"The reduction of air fares across the Tasman has acted as a stimulus for the eastern seaboard market," he said.

"We hope that this approach will produce a similar reaction for the New Zealand-Perth sector."

WA is already a popular tourist destination for New Zealanders with 31,500 visitors to WA in 1995.

Mr Moore said this additional air capacity from Air New Zealand would be used to encourage more New Zealand visitors to WA.

"The arrival of Kiwi International Airlines to Perth means there are now 17 international airlines servicing Perth," he said.

"This makes Perth the fourth most serviced city in Australia and is testament to our growing importance as an international destination."

Media contact: Steve Manchee 481 2133