Consumer NZ urges travellers to use Air New Zealand Covid credits now

An Air NZ plane takes off from Hawke's Bay Airport in front of the snow covered Kaweka Ranges, as seen from Hospital Hill in Napier. Photo / Russell Irvine

Consumer NZ is reminding people Air New Zealand Covid credits are set to expire if flights aren’t booked in the next eight days. Bookings can be made for travel up until December 2026, and credit can be used on flights for yourself or others, on a flight change or on an upgrade. As of June 2025, Air NZ was sitting on $192 million in unused credits. The airline was unable to release an updated figure due to financial reporting constraints, but says about 88% of customers have already used their Covid credits.

Stormwater upgrade

The southbound lane on State Highway 51/Taradale Rd will close between Hydrabad Rd and Alpers Tce from 6pm tomorrow until May to allow the Napier City Council to upgrade the stormwater culverts under the road. Southbound detours are available while the road is closed via Prebensen Drive, Ford Rd and Austin St or Hyderabad Rd, Georges Drive, Kennedy Rd and Riverbend Rd.

Work on bridge prep

Site investigations will start next month at the Redclyffe/Waiohiki Bridge. The Hastings District Council says geotechnical engineers and geologists will be on site collecting ground condition data to inform the detailed design for the bridge. No disruption to traffic and pedestrians on the temporary bridge itself is expected, and members of the public can expect to see drilling rigs and excavators operating during the testing.

Evenden Rd delays

The Hastings District Council says Evenden Rd will be reduced to one lane on Monday until late February, weather and ground conditions permitting. Only the Pakowhai Rd-bound lane will be open. Alternative routes to the Hawke’s Bay Expressway include continuing along Pakowhai Rd through to the expressway roundabout or by travelling via Ōmāhu Rd. This work will complete the connection between the new sections of wastewater pipe installed last year and the existing network.

Cyclist dies after crash

A cyclist died after a crash on State Highway 2 in Dannevirke yesterday.The crash, believed to have involved a person riding a bicycle, occurred near the intersection with Aerodrome Rd and was reported to police at 5.15am. One person was found unresponsive at the scene and could not be revived.

Missing passports

In 2025, almost 40,000 passports were reported lost, damaged or stolen, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) says. Mishaps included a passport being in a person’s pocket when they lost balance and fell into a swimming pool. The DIA is reminding people that damaged or lost passports can mean denied boarding, delayed travel plans and unexpected costs.