New lamb ad stirs up Australia–New Zealand rivalry

Australian Lamb’s 2019 Australia Day advertisement has both amused and offended people with its proposal to unite Australia and New Zealand.

Following 2018’s musical ad in an attempt to unite the left and the right, and the 2017 ad which was criticised for not mentioning Australia Day – the 2019 edition suggests the answer to many of Australia’s issues might be merging with New Zealand.

A group of politicians discuss trading lamb for unity with New Zealand as a picture of Malcolm Turnbull is taken down from the wall behind them and replaced with one of Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The Prime Minister’s picture is then taken down.

The politicians meet with the Kiwis “precisely halfway between Australia and New Zealand”, suggesting new names for the country and a day celebrating the nation “on a date we can all agree on”.

“Frankly, New Zealand is doing Australia better,” one of the politicians tells the New Zealanders as they float in the sea.

Australian Lamb shared video of its latest campaign on Facebook on Monday morning.

It already has 5,300 views on the page with many left in stitches.

“Love it,” one man wrote.

Another man, presumably a New Zealander, suggested the country’s national rugby team the All Blacks were “not part of the deal” though.

“Another great lamb ad,” another wrote.

However, not everyone was thrilled with the 2019 version.

“They have really dropped the ball this year, definitely not as good as previous years,” one man wrote.

Another was angry with the message the ad shares, suggesting it “rubbishes Australians”.

“No way is New Zealand on a par with us and the date is fine thanks,” he wrote.

“I will not be eating lamb that’s for sure, steak or pork now.”