Hi Mel,
I saw this on the morning show this morning - what a hoot! The safety video could sure do with a liven up I think and the only way to do that is with humour! V Australia has a cartoon for theirs and at one point when they are talking about the brace position they advise that this could be a good time to make sure your hair looks good!

Has Air New Zealand done something similar in the past Mel?

Yes, with the All Blacks. Always brought a grin to my face when I watched it.
Not sure about Richard Simmonds though - reminds me too much of how old I am!!

They also had the 'bare essentials' safety video, which was my personal favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Mq9HAE62Y

had forgotten that clever safety video. Will now watch your link to the new safety video

Hahahaha..Phil's eyebrow makes a guest appearance!

The aim is to grab your attention, and it certainly does that! The extras are a mixture of Air NZ staff and "celebrities". The male passenger in the yellow top in the fasten your seatbelt bit was one of the main players in the bare essentials video and the other male in the yellow top, using his phone and computer, (told to "stop broadcasting") is Paul Henry. He used to front TVNZ's Breakfast program and was renowned for making outrageous comments about anyone, anything and everything until, eventually, he was given the DCM ("Don't Come Monday") for going a bit too far for his bosses' liking.
Rob.