Lara Bingle is Air NZ’s latest Kiwi Sceptic

Media release

25 July 2012

Lara Bingle is Air NZ’s latest Kiwi Sceptic

Air New Zealand has unveiled the latest instalment of its award winning ‘Kiwi Sceptics’ campaign featuring Australian model Lara Bingle teaming up with Kiwi TV host and champion snowboarder Hayley Holt to experience the best of Queenstown.

‘Kiwi Sceptics’ is aimed at changing the perceptions of Aussies who never get around to crossing the ditch. Research shows that each year more than five million Australians seriously consider New Zealand as a destination but only one in five actually makes the trip. The campaign recently won a bronze Lion at Cannes in the branded content, non-fiction category.

Self confessed Kiwi Sceptic, Lara Bingle is typical of four out of five Australians who say they’ve always intended to visit New Zealand but never got around to it. “If someone had asked me about New Zealand before the trip I would have said it was just off my radar. Now, my attitude has completely changed. I fell in love with New Zealand. I would love to be living the laid back New Zealand lifestyle. I really got an opportunity to live the dream during my time in Queenstown.”

While in Queenstown, Hayley gave Lara an experience that would have impressed the most sceptical of Aussie snow lovers. The pair went snowboarding on Coronet Peak including a breathtaking helicopter ride to the back bowls of Wanaka where they were left with nothing but untouched powder and their boards for the exhilarating journey down to the base. Lara then spent the night on The Remarkables, sleeping in a snow cave up the mountain.

There was plenty of après ski activity. Lara sampled some of the best of Queenstown’s food and wine at eateries such as Botswana Butchery and The Bunker, and played a few games of pool at the local Zephyr Bar.

Throughout Lara’s journey, Air New Zealand challenged her misconceptions head-on, transforming her from a Kiwi Sceptic to a lover of all things NZ. Everyone’s favourite Kiwi and star of Flight of the Conchords, Rhys Darby, narrates the journey adding his own flavour and wit to the script.

Kelly Millier, Air New Zealand’s Marketing Manager Australia explains, “Our ‘Kiwi Sceptics’ series gives Australians new reasons to visit this great land of ours. The first four episodes have been well-received and are doing a good job of getting more Aussie bums on Air New Zealand seats. We reckon that Lara’s daredevil nature, Hayley’s down-to-earth Kiwi charm and the breathtaking scenery in this winter edition, will encourage even more Aussies to visit over the coming year.”

The Kiwi Sceptics Winter Edition and all the Kiwi Sceptics episodes can be watched at www.kiwisceptics.com

Lara’s Queenstown trip will also feature in her Australian reality TV show, Being Lara Bingle.

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