Media release
14 December
2016
Air New Zealand’s latest safety
video takes viewers on a trip through Northland’s most
spectacular sights
Air New Zealand has cast an
all-star lineup of homegrown talent in its latest safety
video, which highlights the tourism jewels in the Northland
region of New Zealand.
Inspired by the classic Kiwi road
trip, Summer of Safety follows the adventures of
Shortland Street’s Jayden Daniels as he travels around
Northland’s Bay of Islands and Hokianga encountering a
host of friendly locals, famous faces and iconic attractions
along the way.
Joining Jayden’s getaway is supermodel
Rachel Hunter and actor Joe Naufahu – straight from a
fiery stint on Game of Thrones. Stuntwoman Zoe Bell and
canine sidekick Blossom the British Bulldog, IndyCar legend
Scott Dixon and Olympic bronze-medallist Eliza McCartney
also jump on board the light-hearted road trip, which was
filmed at ten locations across Northland.
Air New Zealand
General Manager of Global Brand and Content Marketing Jodi
Williams says the video will put the Bay of Islands and the
wider Northland region on the wish list for millions
worldwide.
“One of our goals at Air New Zealand is to
inspire visitors to travel beyond the traditional gateways
to discover the warm welcome and breathtaking landscapes on
offer in our regional destinations.
“Our safety videos
have an impressive global following, collectively attracting
more than 100 million views and gaining significant
international media exposure. This latest edition is a great
opportunity to not only deliver a safety message, but also
to showcase the very best of the North to help drive
economic benefit for the region.”
Los Angeles based
supermodel Rachel Hunter jumped at the chance to come home
and star alongside around a hundred locals who worked as
extras on the production.
Ms Hunter says – “Filming in
the sunny Bay of Islands brought back memories of my
childhood – long summer days, family picnics at the beach
and of course, the delicious hokey pokey ice cream.
“Air
New Zealand’s safety videos are well known internationally
and always have a great storyline. One of my favourite
moments in this edition is the closing scene where LadyHawke
and her band throw a sunset gig for locals at the Opononi
Hotel.”
Game of Thrones Dothraki warrior Joe Naufahu
says it was exciting to get the call-up for the airline’s
safety video, and getting to spend time in Hokianga was a
bonus.
“I join the road trip in Hokianga and travel
down to check out New Zealand’s largest living Kauri tree
Tane Mahuta in the Waipoua Forest, before cooling off with a
swim at Opononi.
“With dolphins swimming around the set
and awe inspiring sights like Tane Mahuta, Northland is
certainly a special place to be – and a world away from
Westeros.”
Air New Zealand hosted cast members and other
stakeholders at a premiere event in the Bay of Islands town
of Kerikeri last night where VIPs were treated to a preview
of the safety video and an exclusive performance from
LadyHawke.
The Bay of Island’s Marketing Group, which
invested in the video project to drive awareness of Bay of
Islands as a tourism destination, is confident the
international attention Air New Zealand’s safety videos
attract will help drive economic benefit for the
region.
Bay of Islands Marketing Group Chair Charles
Parker says – “Being able to showcase the best of our
region to millions around the world is a huge opportunity.
We look forward to welcoming even more Kiwi and
international visitors to come and experience the North for
themselves.”
Chief Executive Officer of Northland Inc Dr
David Wilson says the video brings the region’s
distinctive history and landscapes to life and is sure to
boost visitation.
“Placing Bay of Islands and the wider
Northland region on a global stage, we expect the video to
be a hugely influential marketing tool, with far-reaching
benefit for local communities and businesses.”
Air New
Zealand’s new safety video can be viewed here and will be rolled out across its
fleet from today.
Ends