Koru Lounge- Air NZ Christchurch Domestic — Local services in Christchurch

Turned up early to try to get on an earlier flight... 4:31pm as I have a 9pm flight. Could not change my flight, older lady at ticket counter said" No need to check flights, I know they are all sold out, no need to check system" and .. OK so went to check in bags. A couple ahead of me in the line, were then offered 2 seats on the 6pm flight... So I went back to Kath and asked why the couple sere offered seats ahead of me.. So kept typing at her computer( even though she was at the ticket desk)... She replied, " I didn't think there were any seats available" and actually checked the system... But the couple had taken the last 2 seats. ... so I check bags in and went to the lounge.

Then went to Koru lounge to check in and I am 29 mins before allowance to gain access to lounge, I was told by another older lady, there was no room, as no available seats... I'll load a pic shortly, but there was plenty of seats available.. Empty.. She made her assistant go and check.. But we could all clearly see... I did give her my previous story from check in.. and asked if there was a possibility of her being kind and letting me in, in lieu of my ticket saga.. Then the couple who got on the 6pm flight walked in past me.... I am wondering if I am in an episode of black mirror and I am on a reality TV show.. Over 20 people have walked out of the lounge while I wait my 29 mins.... Chch is cold and harsh as an environment.. I find my Air NZ/ Koru experience very similar.. I hope the food is marginal at best.. At least the beer will be cold. Thank you and...

5 stars for the staff and service. It’s amazing lounge comparing to regional one downstairs. Coffee is really delicious with baristas doing superb job being super busy sometimes. The food selection is poor, especially almost no options of vegetarian or vegan food. It’s time for AirNZ finally to open to alternative food selection like the rest of the world and I’m not talking about placing some rice and bananas and thinking the job is done. I fly a lot and things only get worse when it comes to food. There used to be some vegan wraps , but not anymore. If you are lucky you get some not very fresh beat root salad from day before. Last time my wife god food poisoning out of it. Also seats are small and not comfortable , entire place requires redecoration. It’s not functional. Never enough room and space to seat. Mobile phone chargers are on the 3 desks that are always occupied so good luck with that. I know it’s not a busy airport, but not the reason to provide reasonable service for frequent customers. AirNZ time to rethink and invest for comfort of...

Is it just me or does all free food taste good? Actually no - a modicum of good. But when you’re hungry, free food definitely hits the spot. That’s all the food did. Hit the spot. In a fairly average way. The cheese could have been of a higher grade and the little wee wraps were too dry. Soup is nice though. And free wine is very good. We love free wine. But what’s really incredible about the Christchurch Domestic Departure Lounge… is the acoustics!!! A HIGHLY underrated art form. Unreal in this lounge. Noise/cutlery clatter/chatter - all muffled and then brought together in the room to form a gentle hum. Very peaceful. Very impressed. More spaces with focus on acoustics plz. (the view at sunset...