Koru lounges ditch papers

Air New Zealand’s ‘‘commitment to sustainability’’ means it will no longer supply newspapers in its Koru lounges.

The airline has posted signs in its lounges telling people to use the wi-fi for their computers and cellphones to get the latest news.

Stuff Limited chief executive Sinead Boucher said she was disappointed given the popularity of newspapers judging by the speed they were taken up by Koru lounge readers.

Stuff publishes this newspaper. ‘‘While Air New Zealand obviously has the right to make whatever commercial decisions it sees fit, I must admit we were very surprised to hear they were cancelling the newspapers for reasons of sustainability,’’ Boucher said.

The Air New Zealand sign says the newspapers had been removed as part of the airline’s commitment to sustainability.

‘‘We were also really concerned that the message to their customers in the lounges said the decision was linked to sustainability and that therefore the extrapolation is that our papers must be bad for the environment,’’ Boucher said. ‘‘We are really proud of our sustainability efforts around print. Not a single tree is cut down to make our papers. One hundred per cent of the paper used is made from waste byproduct. Our ink is made from vegetable oil and tree sap, which is biodegradable.

‘‘Last year, we won a global Kodak award for sustainability and environmental projects in the print industry,’’ she said. ‘‘Newspapers are an important medium for us as a business and for our customers. Sixty-six per cent of New Zealanders read one a week,’’ Boucher said.

‘‘Lastly, we are very proud signatories to the Climate Leaders’ Coalition, as I believe Air New Zealand is, and continue to look at all sorts of ways we can reduce our footprint.

‘‘One of the most profound ways we can help positive change is to provide high quality local and national journalism on climate change and sustainability that helps educate and inform, challenge and inspire. Our team is doing a really tremendous job on this.

‘‘The support from readers, retailers and advertisers who buy our newspapers is a vital part of being able to fund that,’’ Boucher said.