Prime Minister Invites Kiwis in the Far North to become New Zealand Ambassadors
Tuesday 4 August 2009, 6:03PM
By Tourism New Zealand
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Prime Minister John Key has launched a new tourism campaign which calls on Far North residents to become ambassadors for their country.
The ‘Great Kiwi Invite’ is a Tourism New Zealand campaign that gives local residents the opportunity to encourage friends and relatives living overseas to the Far North by offering opportunities to win free flights to New Zealand.
The campaign is expected to help boost tourism numbers across the country.
The "invite" project encourages people to find out more about what’s on offer in New Zealand by using local i-SITE Visitor Centres which have up-to-date information on the best things to do, where to stay and how to get around the districts such as the Far North.
“Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools we have and New Zealanders are our best advocates. It’s ordinary Kiwis that can really have an impact on the number of visitors we attract to this country,” says George Hickton, Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive.
“We’d like Kiwis to help the country out. i-SITE Centres are a great place for them to start finding out more about where they can take their friends and family when they arrive,” says Mr Hickton.
Far North District Council Community & Customer Services Group Manager Patrick Schofield says the new tourism campaign, calling on regions to become ambassadors for their country, should have an economic spin-off for the Far North.
"We have i-SITES at Paihia, Omapere and Kaitaia which are all ideally placed to assist and advise visitors and residents on the tourism attractions available in the beautiful Far North and across New Zealand," he says.
To take part people can go online at www.thegreatkiwiinvite.co.nz to personalise an invitation that they then send to their friends and family overseas. When that person accepts the invitation, they go into a draw to win a return trip for two to New Zealand, courtesy of Air New Zealand.
The Great Kiwi Invite campaign is also the first time that Kiwis will see Tourism New Zealand’s marketing campaign on televisions in New Zealand.
“Today marks the 10-year anniversary of the launch of the 100% Pure New Zealand marketing campaign. It’s been a very successful campaign and we’ve seen some tremendous benefits for New Zealand, but the global economic situation means that fewer people are travelling worldwide and now we can all do our bit to help New Zealand out,” Mr Hickton says.