Kiwiana Clichés More Popular than Kiwi Flag

MEDIA RELEASE

26 August 2013

Kiwiana Clichés More Popular than Kiwi Flag

Research released today has found that New Zealanders feel more passionate about Kiwiana clichés and symbols, think the silver fern and the Pavlova, than their own national flag!

The research, sure to create debate at the office water cooler, was commissioned by Tasti Products to celebrate 82 years of proud Kiwi ownership, and confirms that our love affair with Kiwiana is alive and well.

Perceptive Research* revealed our attitudes to national identity and discovered that when New Zealanders were asked what symbol represented their identity only 4% identified the national flag. Whereas 49% felt more passionate about the silver fern and 32% about the Kiwi.

The research findings coincide with an irreverent new campaign being launched by Tasti which aims to encourage New Zealanders to celebrate the quirky side of our Kiwi culture.

Adrian Cook, Marketing Director of Tasti says, “We wanted a campaign that would make people smile and remind them how lucky they are to live in ‘Godzone’. One of New Zealand’s all time favourite tunes ‘How Bizarre’ is complimented by clever animation and iconic Kiwiana clichés.

“We asked our Facebook community to help us make the ad by voting for their favourite Kiwi icons. It quickly became apparent that the Kiwi Flag did not feature highly on this list. This may be because New Zealand is a relatively young nation. Whatever the reason most of us are fiercely proud to be Kiwi and that looks unlikely to change.”

The tongue-in-cheek campaign is crammed full of Kiwi clichés. Viewers are treated to a nostalgic trip through Aotearoa in none other than a corrugated iron ute sporting a coat hanger as the aerial. Guest appearances include: Opo the Dolphin, a Manu doll, and Captain James Cook sizzling on a spit as he is serenaded by 10 guitars. If you look carefully you will also spot a possum eating a chocolate fish and policemen blowing on their hot pies.

The Kiwi is one of New Zealand’s most loved symbols and a native bird Tasti is passionate about protecting. Simon Hall, Executive Chairman of Tasti Products is also the Chairman of the Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust, known for its championing of Kiwi birds.

If you reckon you know your kinas from your kumaras watch the clip and go to Facebook.com/TastiNZ to see how you and your mates measure up.

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