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Air New Zealand has pulled its controversial rap-themed safety video from all flights and replaced it with its previous safety video – but has kept its sense of humour and gently sent itself up over the whole affair.

The contentious rap safety video, billed as “the most authentically New Zealand yet” on launch in November, immediately divided its homeland, with some Kiwi viewers loving it, some loathing it, some unable to understand it – and a lot of people around the world saying it set their teeth on edge. See: Airline rap video whips up storm of controversy

Chinese viewers loved the video, reportedly, but Kiwis didn’t. When the New Zealand news site Stuff.co.nz focused a readers’ poll on the video, the verdict was:

It’s great! One of the best: 31%

Meh, it’s OK. 29%

Terrible: 40%

If you need to be reminded of the video in question, here it is below:

After pulling its rap effort from all flights, Air New Zealand released a tongue-in-cheek advertisement for a new Head of Safety Videos.

An image of the mock ad, posted to the airline’s social media channels at the weekend, read:

“Following the phenomenal success of our latest video It’s Kiwi Safety (just don’t read the comments online) we’re looking for someone to lead our team in creating our next crowd-pleasing safety demonstration.

“With more than 21 million online views and a bunch of positive comments on Facebook (thanks Mum) It’s Kiwi Safety will be a tough act to follow. Loved for its music, as well as for the clarity of its safety instructions, we are now looking for new ideas that will garner even more admiration from New Zealanders and visiting US rappers (just don’t read their comments online).

“The successful applicant will be skilled in coming up with a concept that makes the nation proud.

“We’ve previously worked with All Blacks, Hollywood celebrities and even Hobbits. What’s next? Cats? Mermaids? Unicorns? Probably not unicorns, because they don’t exist. But it will be up to you to deliver another blockbuster.

“Air New Zealand safety videos are the pride and joy of our nation. They help keep our customers safe and showcase our great country to the world. So coming up with another smash hit is going to be… tricky.”

Readers loved that.

“The ability to laugh at yourselves is truly awesome and very Kiwi!” one commented.

So far, so good.

The rap video has been replaced by a previous, highly photogenic and less grating “Summer of Safety” vid, starring Rachel Hunter, below:

Written by Peter Needham