Student flies high for one day

Ashna Basu

Learning to become a leader is what Ashna Basu, a student at Queen Margaret College in Wellington, experienced when she spent the day with Rob Fyfe, chief executive officer of Air New Zealand.

The Year 12 student snagged one of the ten places in a nationwide competition, which asked students what difference they would make if they were Air NZ’s CEO for one day.

Ashna looked at brand and marketing, and said in her submission: “I think the key to marketing any brand is: a) staying relevant and interesting, b) engaging with the masses and c) get people talking and spreading the word.”

She said she would address these three key aspects with a social media campaign if she was CEO for the day.

Last month, Ashna joined nine other students from around NZ in Auckland to learn from Rob Fyfe what it takes to be a leader.

Ashna gushed about her experience: “Spending the day with [him] and going to his main meeting rooms and chatting with him over lunch – along with the Warriors!

“I met pretty much all of the Air NZ senior executive, and also got the chance to explore classified hangars and engineering bases.”

Ashna’s day finished also in the best way possible, “Flying back home in the cockpit with the captain,” she said.