Due to severe damage caused by the recent floods, Air New Zealand has decided to extend its temporary service between Tairāwhiti Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. The service was originally set to end on 25 March 2023 but will now continue for another eight weeks, from 10 April 2023 to 09 June 2023, in order to maintain connectivity between the two regions. During the two-week pause in service between 25 March 2023 and 10 April 2023, the airline will secure the necessary crew and aircraft to continue operating the route.
Air New Zealand Regional Affairs Manager Jason Dawson has stated that the airline is committed to supporting the communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and ensuring that essential workers and families can reunite. Flights will operate six times a week and go on sale today.
The schedule for the Gisborne – Napier flights between 10 April 2023 and 10 June 2023 is as follows:
| FLIGHT | DEPARTING | ETD | ARRIVING | ETA |
| NZ8477 | Gisborne (GIS) | 1935H | Napier (NPE) | 2005H |
| NZ8478 | Napier (NPE) | 0730H | Gisborne (GIS) | 0800H |
NOTES:
- GIS-NPE flight operates Sunday through Friday nights from 10 April 2023 to 09 June 2023 (excluding Sunday 04 June 2023 during King’s Birthday Weekend).
- NPE-GIS flight operates Monday through Saturday mornings from 11 April 2023 to 10 June 2023 (excluding Monday 05 June 2023 during King’s Birthday Weekend).