Don’t be caught under the social influence! Tourism NZ launches hilarious new campaign video

“I’ve seen all this before! We all have!” comedian Tom Sainsbury exclaims in Tourism New Zealand’s latest campaign video. Dressed as an S.O.S officer (that’s Social Observation Squad), squad leader Sainsbury scrambles up a mountain to prevent a couple from capturing an overdone Instagram shot — the spread eagle at the top of a cliff.

“We’re clamping down on anyone travelling under the social influence,” he says in the Travelling Under the Social Influence video, which already has over 550,000 views on YouTube.

From hot dog legs to the classic hot tub back shot, the campaign urges visitors to be more original in their social media shots. 

“Don’t forget to share something new, okay?” he says. 

He then gets the call over the “police” radio that another culprit has been spotted in the lavender field nearby.

“What’s with lavender? It’s the fourth one we’ve had this week!” he muses before tearfully revealing the travellers were successful in posting their unoriginal shot.

Although the video is geared at boosting domestic tourism as part of its Do Something New campaign while borders are closed to international visitors, we could all use a reason to laugh and be inspired this week!