More than a year of planning and millions of dollars of investment will be put into action late tonight when Air New Zealand's first direct flight to Shanghai takes off.

Among the 313 passengers on fully booked flight NZ89 leaving Auckland at 11.59pm will be Trade Minister Phil Goff, a 70-strong trade delegation, a 20-plus media contingent and top business people.

Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe, who will also make the trip, likens the first-flight extravaganza to organising a party at home. ...