Australia, Wednesday 4th October 2023: Celebrated New Zealand actor and director, Taika Waititi, has teamed up with Tourism New Zealand to deliver a new promotional film – despite a packed schedule filming HBO Max series Our Flag Means Death Season 2 in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

With Taika busy on set filming Our Flag Means Death Season 2 - for which Aotearoa New Zealand is the official shoot location - Taika and Tourism New Zealand enlisted real-life stunt double, Jade Daniels, to help undertake the epic task of presenting New Zealand to the world.

Directed by Jackie van Beek, the playful short film 'No Place Like It On Earth' showcases the thrilling sights and experiences travellers can find in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a line-up of landscapes so mesmerising, it's possible no one will notice the star of the show may or may not be who he seems.

From whitewater rafting in Rotorua and a scenic flight over Mount Tarawera, to dolphin watching in Kaikōura and wine tasting in Auckland, Waititi and Daniels' jaw-dropping travels leave both convinced that there's no place like New Zealand on earth.

"I always tell people you can go surfing in the morning and then drive a couple of hours and be skiing in the evening [in New Zealand]. I don't think there's anywhere else on earth where you can do that. It has everything,” says Waititi. 

Scenes filmed or depicted in iconic locations around New Zealand for Our Flag Means Death Season 2 include Bethell's Beach, Piha Beach, and the Bay of Islands; each offering awe-inspiring natural beauty fit for a swashbuckling romantic comedy.

“There's nothing like the New Zealand landscape, especially the coastline, the west coast up here in the North Island is very unique. You know, just that sand. I have a house out in Piha and it's one of my favourite places. That very dark sand out there is very brooding and moody and it's got a sort of heavy drama to it,” says Waititi. 

Working with Taika Waititi was a welcome opportunity to promote tourism - an important contributor to New Zealand as one of its top export earners, which is supporting sector and country recovery.

“Taika Waititi is one of New Zealand's most well known international talents, and with a bit of Kiwi ingenuity we came up with a creative solution to work within his busy schedule. The result sees Taika and Jade discovering some of the most incredible experiences that Taika's home country, Aotearoa New Zealand, has to offer," says René de Monchy, Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive.

Our Flag Means Death Season 2 is not the only series filmed in New Zealand. The country has been the visually gorgeous backdrop for many productions such as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, offering travellers the opportunity to immerse themselves in natural landscapes admired on the big screen.

Creator of Our Flag Means Death, David Jenkins, says, “I think when you come here [New Zealand], and you're from the U.S, you imagine The Lord of the Rings and giant things… And then you actually see it and you're like, 'Oh, my God, it's real. It's here. I'm standing here and it looks like a visual effect.'”

You can spot recognisable New Zealand locations in Our Flag Means Death Season 2 from 5th October 2023 on HBO Max and partners. 

To watch the 100% Pure New Zealand production 'No Place Like It On Earth' and discover more filming locations in New Zealand, visit www.newzealand.com/int/campaign/our-flag-means-death/.

ENDS

About Tourism New Zealand

Tourism New Zealand is responsible for promoting New Zealand to high quality visitors in key markets. High quality visitors are those who positively contribute to New Zealand's nature, culture, society and economy. Tourism is one of New Zealand's top export earners significantly supporting our economy.

About Our Flag Means Death

OFMD is a period romantic comedy television series created by David Jenkins. Set in the early 18th century during the Golden Age of Piracy, the series follows the misadventures of gentleman-turned-pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and his crew aboard the Revenge as they try to make a name for themselves as pirates and cross paths with famed pirate captain Blackbeard (Taika Waititi) and his right-hand-man Izzy Hands (Con O'Neill).