Tourism New Zealand and Carnival Cruise Line both released funky new ads this week, and we thought what better way to spend a Friday then ‘researching’ products, right?

Tourism New Zealand has unveiled a new mobile-led global brand campaign, which aims to inspire travellers to seek out unique experiences by ‘heroing’ some of the country’s hidden gems.

The ‘100% Pure New Zealand: Where one journey leads to another’ campaign begins with a film shot specifically for vertical screens that explores the hidden gems found in New Zealand’s regions.

Diving at Poor Knights Islands marine reserve, glamping in Abel Tasman National Park and exploring ice tunnels on Franz Josef Glacier are just a few of the discoveries featured in the campaign.

Andrew Fraser, director of marketing at Tourism New Zealand, said: “New Zealand’s tourism has seen unprecedented growth in recent years, with more Aussies now seeking out a more diverse and enriching holiday experience.

“With new discoveries just waiting to be unearthed, we wanted to show the range of experiences and hidden gems that New Zealand has to offer and inspire travellers to go beyond the key hubs.

“The campaign aims to inspire travellers with the unexpected regional experiences on offer, delivering this right into their hands with this mobile-led creative.”

Catch it here:

And while TNZ were getting inspired on their own turf, Carnival Cruise Line has invented a magic waterslide!

The campaign sees the iconic Green Thunder waterslide, which adorns both Carnival ships in Australia (Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend), take centre stage.

The slide magically appears to rescue holidaymakers from their dreary and frustrating holidays and transport them to the fun of a Carnival cruise, dropping them directly onto a Carnival ship or one of Carnival’s tropical island destinations.

The prop from the TVC, which replicates the top of the Green Thunder waterslide, will form part of a virtual reality experience that will tour the country.

People will be able to wear a VR headset and step into the real Green Thunder escape hatch, where they can experience the fastest and steepest waterslide at sea in an immersive virtual 360-degree video experience.

Check out Carnival’s fun ad here: