Air NZ cops flak for cracker jibe
Air New Zealand has hit back at criticism of a joke aired as part of an online promotion.
The airline was slammed on the Twitter-sphere for suggesting steroid-enhanced female Belarusian shot putter Nadzeya Ostapchuk has testicles.
The company launched a Christmas Cracker promotion on its Grabaseat site.
Those who didn’t win a prize instead received a consolation joke – with one reading: “What large heavy ball was responsible for Valerie Adams’ gold medal? The Belarusian’s left testicle.”
The so-called joke is a reference to Ostapchuk winning – and later being stripped of – the shot-put gold medal at the London Olympics after testing positive for a banned steroid.
The medal was later awarded to Kiwi shot-putter Adams.
Twitter users called the joke, “unbelievably offensive”, but Air NZ responded by tweeting, “not everyone likes our xmas cracker jokes so tell us your tacky kiwi jokes & we’ll add our favourites into the cracker”.
Ian Jarrett
Have your say Cancel reply
Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter
Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.
































TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026