Who is NZALPA?
The New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA) is the recognised and internationally affiliated professional association and trade union for New Zealand pilots and air traffic controllers. Our wide membership represents and reflects the diverse nature of the New Zealand aviation industry, and currently comprises 1,255 airline pilots, 58 general aviation/commercial pilots, 92 flight instructors, and 348 air traffic controllers. Including Life and Associate members, NZALPA has more than 1,850 members.
Founded in 1945, NZALPA’s policies are directed towards the pursuit of excellence in professional and technical standards. The Association is an active participant in the affairs of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) and the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) and also provides on-the-job protection and guidance, ensuring the livelihood of members does not come under threat.
To some, NZALPA is seen as a ‘professional society’. Others may consider it to be an ‘industrial union of workers’, or perhaps a 'monitor and initiator of high technical and safety standards in the industry'. Our aim is to achieve all of these things, and in so doing ensure members' individual and collective rights and interests are preserved.
The New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association oversees four critical functions on behalf of its members:
1. Safety and Security
NZALPA’s main function is, and always has been, concerned with the safety and security of members. In fact this is the cornerstone of NZALPA’s principles, and remains its main focus throughout all departments. With over 60 years representing our members in the aviation industry NZALPA has strived to champion safety-related changes within New Zealand, and has been involved in the great majority of safety-related improvements that have taken place. By maintaining active involvement in many technical and medical areas NZALPA has been instrumental in promoting changes that have made air travel one of the safest modes of transportation available in New Zealand. In addition, the high level of expertise in NZALPA’s Technical and Medical Departments give the Association the ability and tools to provide authoritative opinions on a range of important issues affecting our members and the travelling public.
2. Representation
One of NZALPA’s key functions is to represent the interests of its members with regard to their terms and conditions of employment to any person, organisation, the Government, or any other body. Through its collective presence NZALPA is able to negotiate employment arrangements on behalf of its members, and enter into agreements with third parties. NZALPA also assists and represents members in the enforcement of such employment arrangements, and represents their interests during disputes concerning the negotiation, interpretation or application of such arrangements. Throughout these and other processes NZALPA provides all members with legal protection and representation in any employment related matter concerning them, in accordance with its Rules.
3. Advocacy
NZALPA’s experienced staff and volunteers represent its members' views to a range of third parties including airlines, Government, and local regulatory authorities. As situations arise NZALPA lobbies appropriate parties to ensure members' needs are met through legislation and other means to ensure safe and healthy flying environments.
At all levels of NZALPA members make decisions through a democratic process. NZALPA’s Councils and sub-committees are formed and elected by pilots and air traffic controllers directly affected by changes in the aviation industry, and work in conjunction with various departments within NZALPA to ensure successful outcomes are achieved.
4. Insurance
One of NZALPA’s supplementary functions is to provide members with a superior choice of services to insure against illness, loss of medical, and death. Participating members can choose from various schemes and design a strategy appropriate for their individual needs.
Three different insurance services are available: Group Life, Group Disability, Mutual Benefit Fund
Members can review each form of insurance on this website and download the appropriate application forms.