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Hero image for Air New Zealand - Birds

Air New Zealand - Birds

Commercial (Full Length) – 1996

This luscious Air New Zealand advert draws parallels between the birdlife of Aotearoa and the national carrier. The camerawork mimics a 'birds' eye' sweeping over canopies, before flowing into shots of tui, kōkako, and gannets. A Māori child cradles a photo, a kuia's wrinkled face is mirrored in the undulations of the land, and there are scenes of reunions and departures. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's rendition of 'Pōkarekare Ana' adds another layer of beauty. The ad proved something of an epic, taking over a year to complete. Dunedin company Animation Research helped the birds attain a perfect flight path at the end.

The agency was about to pull the plug on it towards the end.
– Executive producer Brian Kassler on this commercial

Key Cast & Crew

Generic Profile image for Roy Meares

Roy Meares

Writer

Generic Profile image for Kiri Te Kanawa

Kiri Te Kanawa

Performer

Generic Profile image for Stu Smith

Stu Smith

Animator

Profile image for Temuera Morrison

Temuera Morrison

Narrator

Generic Profile image for Jeremy Taine

Jeremy Taine

Writer

Generic Profile image for David Green

David Green

Director

See all 9 credits