Tween idol Justin Bieber's whirlwind New Zealand visit got off
to a flying leap when he bungy-jumped off the Auckland Harbour
Bridge this morning (28 April 2010).
A video of the 16-year-old Canadian pop star's jump has gone
viral on the internet, clocking up more than 100,000 views within a
few hours.
The young "Twitter Prince" tweeted footage of his jump to the
2.1 million fans who follow him on social networking website
Twitter, along with the comment: "BUNGY!!! I love New
Zealand!!"
Tourism New Zealand worked with Universal and AJ Hackett to
arrange the private jump from Auckland Harbour Bridge. Tourism New
Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said Justin's huge
international fan base would help ensure his experiences in New
Zealand are picked up by a global audience.
"This was a fantastic opportunity to get exposure for New
Zealand in our offshore tourism markets. We had a photographer and
a cameraman there at the jump and at the school visit this
afternoon, and the footage taken will be shared with celebrity
magazines and some of the big media outlets in the US, Canada and
Europe.
"We want people to really understand what a New Zealand holiday
is like, and this is a perfect opportunity to get that message
across to a huge audience of potential travellers."
Bieber, who is a huge rugby fan, expressed his love for New
Zealand even before his arrival, tweeting: "… shoutout to my New
Zealand fans … I'm coming to see you guys next week. I'm trying to
play rugby with the All Blacks".
Upon arriving in the country, he tweeted "I'm in New Zealand!
They got no predators in the whole country! I am the most dangerous
creature here!!"
Bieber touched down in New Zealand late last night and was
whisked away from Auckland Airport via a private exit, along with
his entourage which includes his mother Pattie Mallette (also known
as "studiomama" on Twitter) and manager Scott "Scooter" Braun - the
man who first discovered him on YouTube.
Update - 29 April 2010:
Images of Justin's bungy jump were picked up by a number of US and
UK media overnight, including:
Find out
more about how Tourism New Zealand works with celebrities and
opinion leaders to generate coverage for New Zealand
offshore