Air New Zealand unveils its largest-scale safety video yet... with a hip-hop theme

Tom Powell5 November 2018

It is known for its zany celebrity-packed pre-flight safety videos.

Now Air New Zealand has gone one step further by launching its largest-scale safety video yet, featuring a 600-strong cast and a hip-hop theme.

‘It’s Kiwi Safety’ is set to a remake of the popular Run-DMC song ‘It’s tricky’, but with the lyrics in the chorus changed to “It’s Kiwi”.

Actor Julian Dennison, who was in Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Deadpool 2, takes centre stage in the video which includes an array of homegrown talent.

The new safety video stars New Zealand actor Julian Dennison
Air New Zealand

Local musicians and 30 community groups from across New Zealand appear in the four-and-a-half-minute clip.

The airline’s safety clips have developed a cult status - with one Hobbit-themed video starring Elijah Wood exceeding 15 million views on YouTube.

Air New Zealand began its innovative approach to safety videos in 2009 with its Bare Essentials of Safety clip, in which briefings were delivered by staff dressed in nothing but body paint.

Popular videos since then have included the All Blacks rugby team starring as the Men in Black and bikini-clad models celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Sports Illustrated Swimwear Edition magazine.

But its most famous clip has been the aptly titled Most Epic Safety Video Ever Made, which was released in October 2014 to coincide with the final instalment of the Hobbit trilogy.

Chief marketing and customer office Mike Tod said in a 2015 interview that the clips were effective marketing tools: “These pieces of content can put bums on seats.”

The latest video, the 18th using a creative approach, was filmed across a number of locations in New Zealand including Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, and includes appearances from Air New Zealand cabin crew, pilots and engineers.

Air New Zealand’s Jodi Williams said: “It’s Kiwi Safety is all about celebrating great Kiwi talent, the diverse groups which make up New Zealand, as well as a number of fantastic locations. We know this video will make people proud to be New Zealanders – but will also showcase our unique Kiwi culture to the world.”

“We’ve never had so many people in one safety video before or filmed in so many locations. It’s also been great to change up our formula and do a safety video in the style of a music video. We’re sure everyone is going to love the remixed track “It’s Kiwi”– while at the same time getting our key safety messages.”

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