ASB Good as Gold: Des Lines

This week’s ASB Good as Gold recipient is Des Lines of Swannanoa. A lifelong aviator who began flying at 16 and spent over 40 years with the NZ National Airways Corporation (NAC) and Air New Zealand, Des has dedicated the past 15+ years to mentoring the next generation of pilots. Every Tuesday night, 15-20 young people gather at his airfield for free lessons that go far beyond aviation. Des teaches life skills through creative, memorable exercises that build confidence, communication, and character. Many of his students have gone on to fly professionally across Aotearoa and the world. Des also uses his aircrafts to raise funds for charity, always giving back with humility and heart. ASB is proud to recognise Des’s generosity and impact with $10,000 as this week’s ASB Good as Gold recipient. - Due to the immense volume of comments 1News videos attract, we've made the decision to hold all comments for review, and in some cases, turn them off entirely. 1News is a media outlet based in New Zealand, and could potentially be liable for any comments that defame others or breach New Zealand law. Our content receives thousands of comments each day, and we lack the capacity to moderate that volume without holding comments for review. This decision ensures that our platform remains a safe and compliant space for all viewers. We appreciate your understanding and continued support. - For the latest news from Aotearoa and overseas: https://www.1News.co.nz | Stream more news and current affairs, consumer reports, and in-depth stories: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/news This is the official channel of TVNZ's 1News, where we deliver the latest news, in-depth journalism and expert analysis from reporters you can trust. - Join the 1News team on TVNZ+ and stream the latest news from Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas.