Air NZ's Rico teams up with Snoop Dogg

A screenshot from Air NZ's new video.

Air New Zealand has teamed up controversial puppet Rico with superstar rapper Snoop Dogg in its

latest video

- although it is hard to tell how the clip promotes the national carrier.

In the music video, entitled

Hello Sunshine

, Rico is "down in New Zealand - lost in a bush" when rapper Snoop Dogg - real name Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr - calls him from California and asks him to join him in his studio.

"I'll be there in a hearts beats," Rico says, before flying Air New Zealand to the United States.

To a rap backing track, Rico, a small, fanged animal with a faux South American accent, joins Snoop Dogg in the studio.

"Ladies, Rico's here just off the plane, ready to take away all your pain," Rico sings. "We're gonna cook a dish, made to savour. Come add your spice, don't matter the flavour."

Snoop Dogg, sporting an All Blacks jersey, chimes in with lines such as "from Cali to Kiwi - we do it big in the new zee" and "Air New Zealand, yeah - got the feeling, yeah".

Previous Rico ads have attracted criticism from both the public and staff - with some labelling the puppet as sexist and staff complaining in-flight videos starring Rico were trivialising safety messages.

In one ad, Rico talks about his time in New Zealand, saying: "I love her bush - it's amazing" and "I spent my time beating off the track in many place".

The Snoop Dogg video is of a similar vein; when being escorted through Snoop Dogg's home by an attractive woman, Rico exclaims the home has a "nice backyard". Then, looking at the backside of one of the many beautiful women, he adds: "really nice backyard".

In a statement, Air New Zealand general manager marketing Mike Tod said Snoop Dogg and Rico combined have millions of followers in social media and performing a song together came naturally.

"Both have courted controversy in their careers and both love to sing - arguably one better than the other, but still, it makes for some light entertainment," he said.

The statement also said: "Rico has also ruffled some fur amongst mainstream media, who have had fun talking up the controversial aspects of his personality".

When the

Herald

requested an interview with Mr Tod, a spokeswoman instead offered an interview with Rico and said a request would be put in with Mr Tod.

In the statement, Snoop Dogg also said: "Meet this guy and you'll understand why I wanted to work with him. He's funny. He's a little bit edgy and a little bit naughty, which is a nice change for an industry that is known for having some of the dullest marketing known to mankind."

Snoop Dogg's latest album,

Doggumentary

, is due to be released on March 28 - although does not include

Hello Sunshine

, according to the track listing.