About Us
Stress is a natural response to the high professional demands of aviation, combined with the pressures of busy modern lives. When stress accumulates, it can leave anyone feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or struggling with low mood. While these challenges can be safely managed, leaving them unaddressed can eventually impact both your personal health and operational capability.
When times get tough, figuring out the right path forward can feel daunting. PAN is here, so you don't have to go it alone - we stick with you every step of the way, helping you weigh your options, connect with the right people, and maintain control over your decisions and outcomes.
Providing confidential peer assistance, alongside direct access to mental health professionals, is an effective way to normalise recovery and ensure successful outcomes.
Our Commitment: We adhere to strict confidentiality protocols to ensure the absolute trust and confidence of every peer who reaches out.
What is PAN?
PAN NZ is a registered charitable trust dedicated to New Zealand’s professional aviation community. We provide confidential, peer-based mental wellbeing support and assistance.
The programme is specifically designed for:
Operational Frontline Roles: Airline and General Aviation Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, and Flight Service Officers.
Trainees & Students: Individuals currently undertaking flight or operational training for these specific disciplines.
Importantly, our support is open to those who currently hold an active New Zealand aviation licence and medical certificate, as well as individuals who are currently unable to exercise their privileges due to the very challenges they are reaching out to us for.
PAN operates as an industry-wide safety net. Aviation employers, training academies, and representative bodies participate by signing a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the PAN NZ Trust to fund and support the network, while strictly respecting its independent and off-the-record status.
Our current participating industry signatories include:
NZALPA
Air New Zealand
Airways
Jetconnect
Air Freight
Nelson Aviation College
Ardmore Flying School
Canterbury Aero Club
Waikato Aviation
What to Expect: The PAN Process
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First Contact
One of our Peer Support Coordinators (also volunteers) will get in touch to discuss how we can best support you. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you have about PAN and how we operate.
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Peer Matching
Your case will be matched with the most suitable Peer Support Volunteer available. They will typically send a text first to arrange a convenient time for a phone call.
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Your Initial Call
This is a safe space to share your challenges in a confidential setting with a trained peer. You can share as much or as little as you want. At the end of the conversation, you will usually arrange a follow-up day and time together.
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![I was overwhelmed and needed help navigating my way]()
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Ongoing Support
Conversations will continue for as long as you need and want them. Every situation is unique. Some challenges may only take a couple of calls to work through, while other support relationships can continue for months or even years.
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Specialist Support (if required)
In certain cases, your peer may suggest a referral to one of our two in-house psychologists. These qualified professionals have vast experience in the aviation industry and operate under the exact same strict privacy and confidentiality framework as the rest of the programme.
If at any point you feel your assigned Peer Support Volunteer isn't the best match, you are always welcome to change.
Please reach out to the coordinator you first spoke with, or email support@pan.org.nz so we can reassign you.