Nestled in the heart of a region known for its exceptional wines, Tūāpae Vineyard recently celebrated a significant milestone by completing the inaugural Air New Zealand Ka Rere programme.

Tūāpae is a taonga on Waiheke Island owned by our whānau Vanessa Reynolds (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Te Waiohua, Ngāti Tahinga, Ngāti Hine) and husband Luke (Northern Ireland). This boutique vineyard isn’t just about wine; it’s an example of how passion, sustainability, and strategic planning come together to create a successful business.

Now, if you’re wondering what this Ka Rere programme is all about, here’s the kōrero; it’s a part of Air New Zealand’s supplier diversity initiative, designed to boost the participation of diverse suppliers in their procurement process. They’ve got a strong focus on Māori-owned and Pasifika-owned businesses, as well as social enterprises. By partnering with diverse businesses across Aotearoa, Air New Zealand is helping to uplift the prosperity of our communities.

Vanessa and Luke’s with the Ka Rere programme kicked off when they were encouraged to apply by Whāriki Māori Business Network. This wasn’t just a networking opportunity, it was also about carving a clear path for their business future, refining their direction and setting some solid goals.

Vanessa shared that the application process was straightforward and a great way to reflect on their brand identity and future aspirations. Despite already having a strong sense of direction from building Tūāpae from the ground up, the programme provided them with a structured roadmap to achieve their future goals.

As a part of the selection process, Tūāpae was among the eight businesses shortlisted that were given the opportunity to present their brand and business plans to a panel of experts from Air New Zealand. This was a golden opportunity that was not only beneficial to Vanessa and Luke but also to the panel, who were eager to learn from the perspective of a small business owner.

Out of the 250+ businesses that applied, Tūāpae was one of three selected to participate.  From there, they sat down with the team at Air New Zealand who designed a bespoke 12 week program for Tūāpae.

One of the key takeaways for Tūāpae was the inspiration and confidence to level up their sustainability practices. Air New Zealand’s strong commitment to sustainability was a huge influence, motivating them to rethink and improve their own practices. The programme introduced them to benchmarking techniques, helping them to set measurable targets for their sustainability goals. This shift in thinking encouraged them to consider the entire lifecycle of their products and explore opportunities for more innovation.

Beyond the invaluable insights, the programme also bought tangible successes. One exciting outcome was the chance to feature their wines in the Air New Zealand Airpoints Store, opening up significant exposure to travellers and new markets. Additionally, they were invited to submit a tender for Air New Zealand’s business premier wine programme, offering the possibility of being selected to be featured in the airline's prestigious business premier class.

The Ka Rere programme hasn’t just helped sharpen Tūāpae Vineyard’s business strategies and sustainability practices; it’s also opened doors to new growth opportunities. Vanessa and Luke continue to lead their vineyard with a clear vision for the future, inspired by the lessons learned and the connections made through their involvement in the programme and the Whāriki Māori Business Network.

Ngā mihi nui, Vanessa and Luke, for sharing your Ka Rere journey with us.  Here’s to many more successes ahead!

Find out more about Tūāpae Vineyard here.

Find our more about the AirNew Zealand Ka Rere programme here.