Air New Zealand has unveiled its new-look loyalty program with Airpoints to be known as Koru from April 2026. The major overhaul will include the new Koru Black top-earner tier, as well as refreshed status tiers, new and upgraded benefits and more.
Koru Black is the new highly anticipated status tier designed to recognise Air New Zealand’s most loyal members with an elevated level of recognition and rewards.
To qualify, members must earn over 3,200 Status Points, including 1,920 from qualifying flights in a year.
For those who meet this criteria, Koru Black benefits start from now until April 2026 when members officially move to the new tier.
These include Recognition Upgrades from 19 November 2025, an express security screening lane at Auckland Domestic Airport from 19–28 November, valet parking vouchers and more to come in the new year.
From April 2026, Koru Black members can look forward to Koru Circle packages to share status benefits with friends or family, plus status rewards, access to the new Koru Premier Lounge at Auckland International Airport when it opens in late 2027 and more.
Status tier changes and more
The transition from Airpoints to Koru also brings refreshed tiers, additional recognition and a clearer path to earning for all members.
Koru Bronze is the new base tier, followed by Koru Silver (formerly Airpoints Silver), Koru Gold (formerly Airpoints Gold), Koru Platinum (formerly Airpoints Elite) and the new Koru Black.
Each tier will have new benefits from April 2026, such as Status Points Bonus, Status Points Top-Up, enhanced Status Rewards and access to the new Koru Premier Lounge at AKL.
Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar said Koru is one of the most significant evolutions of the airline’s loyalty program in almost 30 years.
“For our members, the name, Koru, inspires pride, belonging and a sense of place, especially when travelling far from home. Now it’s at the heart of loyalty at the airline,” he said.
“We’ve listened to what matters most to our members. We’re proud to be introducing a more rewarding experience that feels simpler, more personal, and unmistakably Kiwi. Koru builds on everything our five million members love about loyalty, shaped and inspired by their feedback.”
Ravishankar said the transformation is the start of a broader evolution in how Air New Zealand recognises and rewards loyalty.
“There’s more on the horizon, including introducing new partners, delivering new and exclusive ways to fly with Air New Zealand using Airpoints and new opportunities to earn Airpoints and Status Points to ensure our members get even more value from every journey,” he said.
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