Air New Zealand is increasing its Australian presence, with investments in tourism and aerospace engineering companies this week.

Air New Zealand's Australian-based engineering company, TAE, said on December 11 that it had acquired South Australia's Tenix Aviation.

Tenix has provided aviation repairs and maintenance since 1964 and currently employs 60 staff. Air New Zealand general manager technical operations Chris Nassentein said the move was part of the airline's diversification.

Earlier this week, it became a cornerstone investor in Australian online tourism specialists V3.