Air New Zealand brings back body paint for cheeky safety video

by Mike Barish on


Last month we told you about Air New Zealand’s clever and quirky ad campaign that featured their crew in body-painted uniforms. Well, those creative Kiwis are at it again, and this time they’re mixing the risque with the safety (that’s close enough to a rhyme for me). They’ve gone ahead and filmed their entire flight safety video in body paint.

Seatbelt instructions? In body paint. Life jacket demonstration? In body paint. Water landing safety? Well, you get the picture. Actually, you don’t get the whole picture. Some strategically placed luggage and seat backs ensure that.

Flying as much as I do, I tend to tune out most safety lectures on the plane. Lately, though, many airlines have replaced the flight attendant demos with clever videos, and Air New Zealand may have just raised the bar for the rest of the industry. And so long as that bar is covering the complimentary bag of nuts, I think it’s a great (and cheeky) idea!

The new video premieres on domestic Air New Zealand flights on Monday, so if you find yourself in that corner of the world, hop on board to see it in its natural environment. And check out the bloopers from the filming of the video here. Thankfully, it’s all safe for work!

2nd Best job in the world falls short on salary

by Tom Johansmeyer on

What’s the difference between a Brit and an Australian? Oh, about AU$150,000. The recent “best job in the world” contest compared applications from around the world, culminating in an in-person trial. Like Hamilton Island, Aroha Island advertised for a caretaker – calling it the “second best job in the room.”

The North Island position doesn’t pay a dime, but volunteer manager Jill Smith says the place has “got to be the second best” and that “there’s nothing plastic fantastic or flashy about us … [w]e’re just without the deep pockets of Australia’s tourism boards.”

Aroha Island is 400 meters by 200 meters, not leaving much room to wander around, but it needs someone to keep an eye on it. New Zealand media outlets pushed the opportunity to the world, ultimately leading to 150 quality applications from places as far as the United States, India, Pakistan and Mexico. Ten Australians applied – strangely, mostly from Queensland.

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Bodypainted Air New Zealand staff and a really catchy tune

by Scott Carmichael on

Yes ladies! After many, many, many airline PR stunts only involving the female flight crew, Air New Zealand have finally made a video showing mainly male employees. The employees are all stripped down, and bodypainted to let you know that their fares have nothing to hide – with no unexpected surprises or additional fees.

Kudos Air New Zealand, and thanks for the catchy tune (sung by New Zealand native Gin Wigmore)!

In the corner of the world: So, you want to go to New Zealand

by Grant Martin on

Inspired by Gadling’s recent dispatches from the South Pacific? It’s not as far away or as difficult a trip as you think. With a strong dollar, good competition on flights and a warm culture, there are plenty of reasons to grab the kids, skip church and head New Zealand right now. We’ll help you out with logistics right here:

When should I go? Since New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, they’re just entering winter. Don’t let that stop you though, the currents in the South Pacific keep the island nation fairly warm, and even if you can’t swim with dolphins you can still enjoy 95% of what the islands have to offer. Most importantly, you should pick a time when the tickets are the cheapest.

Tell me about this ticket that you speak of. You don’t need a travel agent to book international airfares, your tools are right in front of you. Start by running a simple flexible fare search from your home airport to Auckland (AKL) and Christchurch (CHC) on Kayak.com. Most connections will be made in Los Angeles (LAX) or New York (NYC), so if you want a cheaper alternative, try searching independently from those points of departure then connecting on your own. Also consider flying into Sydney (SYD) and moving onward from there. There’s a spectacular fare war among some of the top carriers on the LAX-SYD route right now, so you might be able to cash in and fly in V Australia’s sweet new service for a dirt cheap price.
Do I need a visa? No prearranged visa is required for visits to New Zealand, but you’ll have to prove that you’re leaving or will able to leave within the bounds of your visa, so don’t forget your return trip information when you go to check in for your flight. If you’re laying over in Sydney on a separately booked ticket, you’ll need to arrange an ETA prior to departure, which you can do online.

How do I get around? New Zealand has a comprehensive bus network called Intercity that fits the budget of any frugal traveler trying to get from hot spot to hot spot across the country. One can see almost everything that the country has to offer with these coaches, and they’re also a great way to meet people.

Alternatively, most standard vehicle rental companies have offices at the airports, where you’ll be able to rent a host of miniature, very miniature and absurdly miniature vehicles. You can drive all over with your US driver’s license, but be forewarned that Kiwis drive on the left, so you’ll have to reverse your brain. Fortunately, many rentals have automatic transmissions, so you don’t have to worry about shifting as well.

Finally, many travelers rent or purchase camper vans as a means to inexpensively sleep across the countryside. Parks and campgrounds cover rural areas, so it’s simple to pull over, set up camp and spend the night, and sites like wickedcampers.co.au make rental a snap.

Do I need to bring travelers checks and money? This isn’t 1986. You can withdraw money out of the ATM machine right inside of Auckland International Airport, and save the hassle of paying fees or carrying around large sums of cash.

I’m afraid/I don’t have the time off of work/That’s a long flight/I’ve never traveled alone! Put down your white wine, stop worrying about this season of Lost and book your ticket. This is a once in a lifetime experience and you’re not going to make it if you warble around. You’ll love it. We promise.

Thanks for reading In the Corner of the World.

In the Corner of the World – With the wind in your sails

by Grant Martin on


Over the next few weeks here at Gadling, we’ll be bringing you updates from our recent travels across New Zealand – in the process, we hope to offer a range of perspectives about what visiting this truly unique and fascinating country is all about. You can read previous entries HERE.

It’s no secret that New Zealand breeds some of the best sailors on the planet. With serious players in every large regatta including America’s Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race, one begins to think that Kiwis have seawater in their blood.

It may be true. As an island nation deep in the South Pacific, water is always nearby the average citizen. Auckland, the largest city in this corner of the world is surrounded by water, with personal, commercial and ferry ships strewn across the Waitemata Harbor like marbles on rolling sand.

It should thus follow that no trip to New Zealand is complete without some time spent on the water, whether this is swimming with dolphins, floating through glow worm caves, whitewater rafting or sailing through the pacific, and Waitemata harbor is no exception, hosting a broad range of nautical excursions for the seafaring visitor.

Should you fancy your own sailing experience when you’re in Auckland, there are several companies that offer charters from the downtown pier. SailNZ, the owners of two former America’s Cup racing yachts hosts a variety of tours in the Auckland Harbor, from a simple, pleasant day cruise to a hands-on navigation experience to a full bore, competitive race. You can check out their highly recommended tours at SailNZ.co.nz.

If you’re curious how sailing an America’s Cup Yacht feels, check out the video after the jump.

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