KEY POINTS:
Remember "so where the bloody hell are ya?"
The marketing campaign to lure kiwis across the Tasman for a holiday achieved a certain degree of notoriety for its 'relaxed' approach to popular language.
Now New Zealand tourism authorities are backing a bold new campaign aimed at getting New Zealanders to be more friendly to Australian holiday-makers.
The autumn campaign suggests Kiwis lay off the cricket and rugby jokes and make their visitors feel at home.
Almost one million Australians chose to holiday in New Zealand last year.
Although Australian tourists probably expect the odd crack about their sporting teams, Christchurch tourism chief Ian Bougen says a little bit of effort goes a long way.
He says if New Zealand wants to keep those Australian dollars rolling in, New Zealanders may need to learn to be a little more hospitable.
The kinder, gentler tone has extended a new television campaign currently screening in Australia, which suggests Australians should feel right at home in New Zealand at this time of the year (autumn) because the country's South Island is pretty much "green and gold" itself.
- RADIO AUSTRALIA
