Air New Zealand celebrates its people and communities in new film via FCB Aotearoa

Air New Zealand has launched a new campaign via FCB Aotearoa, which celebrates the people, communities and businesses the airline connects every day. The film features real Air New Zealand employees, including flight attendant Anne-Maree Tait and her daughter, and ground crew legend Jamie Kean, who has been with the airline for nearly 50 years.

Directed by Tom Gould and produced by The Sweetshop, the film is centred around a newly recorded rendition of Pōkarekare Ana by celebrated Kiwi musician Marlon Williams, capturing moments from across the country that reflect the warmth, pride and spirit of New Zealanders.

Says Williams: “I’ve spent countless hours flying on all sorts of different airlines in all sorts of places, and I can genuinely say that getting on an Air New Zealand flight after a long tour is to be halfway home already. Furthermore, the song Pōkarekare Ana has long been my favourite waiata ever to come out of this country. I grew up on the Dame Kiri Te Kanawa version of the song in the 90s version of the ad and it has stayed with me ever since. I’m proud to be part of a continuum that celebrates our journeys in the world and champions the incredible tradition of music made in this place”

Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Digital Officer Jeremy O’Brien says the campaign is a heartfelt expression of the airline’s role in the fabric of New Zealand life: “This campaign brings to life what Air New Zealand is all about. Every day, our people play a part in connecting friends, whānau, businesses and communities, whether across the country or across the world. In our 85th year, we are reminded of the generations of Kiwis who have trusted us to carry them and of the responsibility we hold as the national carrier. We wanted to tell that story in a way that feels true to who we are as an airline and as a country.

“Our purpose is to lift Aotearoa and its people, and that purpose is carried out by our own people, who bring skill, care and mana to their work. This campaign is a celebration of that spirit. It shows that we are of New Zealand, for New Zealand, and that everything we do is grounded in serving the people who inspire us.”

Client – Air New Zealand
Chief Customer and Digital Officer – Jeremy O’Brien
Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer – Kiri Hannifin
General Manager Global Brand – Grace Blewitt
Head of Brand – Kathryn Cunningham
Head of Communications – Elle Holdich
Senior Brand Strategist – Ben Fisher
Senior Manager Branded Content – Saini Tuitupou
Content Delivery Manager – Casey King
Content Delivery Specialist – Jess Laurie
Corporate Affairs Senior Specialist – Māori Development – Bari Mio
Social Media Specialist – Felicity Christmas
Content Delivery Specialist – stills photography – Nic Staveley

Agency – FCB Aotearoa
Group Chief Executive Officer – Paul Wilson
Managing Director – Laura Goldie
Chief Creative Officer – Leisa Wall
Chief Creative Strategist – Matt Kingston
Associate Creative Director – Aaron Carbines
Associate Creative Director – Tim Gavriel
Head of Content / Producer – Amanda Langkilde
Senior Account Director – Charlotte Bosomworth
Creative Services Manager – Anna Von Trott
Senior Producer – Music – Sally Lankshear

Production Company – The Sweetshop
MD / Executive Producer – Ben Dailey
Director – Tom Gould
MD / Executive Producer – Ben Dailey
Executive Producer – Jimena Murray
Production Manager – Kristian Eek
1st Assistant Director – Paul Gray
Director of Photography – Ziga Zupančič
Production Designer – Jon Lithgow
Costume Stylist – Dan Ahwa
Wardrobe + Hair & MUP – Kyra Rouselle
Key Grip North Island – Oli Harris
Key Grip South Island – Sam Strain
Gaffer North Island – Marcus Upton
Gaffer South Island – John Hogan
Sound Recordist – Mark Williams
Locations – Clayton Tikao
Casting – Catch Casting – Joe Fisher
Japan Service Co – PUSH Tokyo

Post Production
Offline Editor – Mariano Segedin
Colourist – Matic Prusnik
Online – Fathom
VFX – Mose Management
Sound Studio – Liquid Studios
Sound Design / Mix – Craig Matuschka

Music
Record Label – Universal Music New Zealand
Original Song Writer – Paraire Hēnare Tomoana
Recording Artist – Marlon Williams
Choir – Tītahi ki Tua

Media – DENTSU
Group Business Director – Cara Coutts
Business Director – Greta Darroch

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