While in New Zealand filming HBO Max series Our Flag Means Death Season 2, Taika spared some time to support New Zealand tourism.  

“Tourism is an important contributor to New Zealand, it’s one of our top export earners and is supporting sector and country recovery. Competition for visitors is fierce and New Zealand needs to work hard to encourage visitation and stand out. We partnered with well-known director and actor Taika Waititi to create a piece of content that promotes Aotearoa New Zealand,” says Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Rene de Monchy. 

The content in typical comedic Taika style showcases a range of New Zealand locations and experiences including whitewater rafting in Rotorua, a scenic flight over Mount Tarawera, dolphin watching in Kaikōura and wine tasting in Auckland. It will be used across Tourism New Zealand and HBO Max channels.  

“We are working hard to attract high quality visitors who will positively contribute to New Zealand’s culture, society, nature and economy and this content will target those audiences in key markets to get them thinking about destination New Zealand.” 

"I always tell people you can go surfing in the morning and then drive a couple of hours and be skiing in the evening [in New Zealand]. I don't think there's anywhere else on earth where you can do that. It has everything."  - Academy Award-winning writer, director, actor, producer and New Zealand native, Taika Waititi. 

The partnership was enabled via the NZ Film Commission Screen Production Rebate uplift.