Former Prime Minister John Key will be joining the board of Air New Zealand in September.
John Key quit as Prime Minister late last year and left Parliament for good on 14 April. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Mr Key left Parliament in April and in a statement said he was delighted to be joining the airline as a director.
"Air New Zealand is an incredible company that has significant opportunities ahead of it and I look forward to working with the board, chief executive officer and his executive team to see it fulfil its potential," Mr Key said.
Chairman Tony Carter said Air New Zealand had been searching for a director with strong international business experience for about a year.
"When John Key announced he was stepping down as prime minister and moving to a new phase of life outside of politics, it became a priority for the board to try to secure his services as a director.
"John will bring extensive international commercial experience, outstanding leadership skills, global perspective and a keen understanding of the tourism sector gained during the years he was Tourism Minister as well as Prime Minister of New Zealand."
Mr Key is also working as an ambassador for ISPS Handa, a Japanese sports promotion organisation.