A tourism campaign targeting those across the ditch has been ridiculed for sounding like a “clearance sale” and tone deaf as record numbers of Kiwis are moving overseas.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Tourism Minister Louise Upston launched the $500,000 campaign over the weekend which will hit Australian radio and social media for about a month starting this week.
“What this Tourism New Zealand campaign says to our Aussie mates is that we’re open for business, there are some great deals on, and we’d love to see you soon,” Tourism Minister Louise Upston said in a news release.
Many critics disagreed, with Labour Party tourism spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel likening it to a clearance sale, with others saying it might refer to bathrooms.
“I think ‘Everyone Must Go’ might refer to the need for toilets in some of our high-tourist spots. I mean, the queues are ridiculous,” Green Party Tourism spokesperson Celia Wade-Brown told RNZ.
The timing for this campaign couldn’t come at a worse time as record numbers of New Zealanders are leaving the country of 5 million, driven in part by concerns about high living costs and lack of job opportunities.
In 2024 we had a net migration loss of 47,100 New Zealand citizens according to Stats NZ.
Photo Credit: The Guardian
