Air New Zealand's 'Mirry Christmus' advert pokes fun at Kiwi accent

Thursday, 30 November 2017

Air New Zealand's festive advertisement claims to celebrate the Kiwi accent (video published November 2017).

Air New Zealand's 'humorous' Christmas advertisement sheds light on the New Zealand accent's common mispronunciations.

In the advertisement titled 'A very merry mistake', New Zealand children ring Santa Claus to tell him their Christmas wish list.

However, Santa cannot decipher what the children say because of their Kiwi accent.

Santa has trouble understanding what Kiwi children want for Christmas.

Santa translates basketball to biscuit ball, piggy bank to puggy bank and bed to beard.

Santa says in the advert: 'We seem to be having some trouble with the Kiwi accent.'

Dow Design director Simon Wedde said the advert was funny but only Air New Zealand could get away with making fun of the New Zealand accent.

'[Air New Zealand] is confident in its New Zealand skin,' Wedde said.

'When you're a part of the fabric of the country … you are allowed to make fun of it.'

Wedde said the advert would enhance the airline's New Zealand brand.

Air New Zealand crew appear to help him out, before the advert ends with a 'Mirry Christmus' message.

Air New Zealand chief marketing officer Mike Tod said the company decided to 'celebrate' the New Zealand accent in a humorous way because it was a unique Air New Zealand service offering.

'While it is no secret the Kiwi accent has been misunderstood at times, it is also a signature part of our service,' Tod said.

'In fact, for many Kiwis, being welcomed onboard an Air New Zealand flight by crew after being offshore for some time makes them feel instantly back at home.'

The airline's most recent safety video 'A fantastical journey,' featured actors Cuba Gooding Jr and Katie Holmes.