Air New Zealand has launched an online campaign to persuade Australia's most staunch Kiwi critics that a trip across the Tasman is worth their while.

It focuses on four Australians who had said they would never cross the ditch in a million years.

A hipster, a self-confessed princess, a Europhile and a true-blue Aussie have been tricked into coming to New Zealand for a series of reality-style web-episodes called The Kiwi Sceptics.

They were each paired up with a Kiwi guide and given an action-packed itinerary designed to challenge their negative views and show them an unexpected side of the country.

Their antics were filmed for a short video clip that's enhanced by narrative from funny man Rhys Darby. The four episodes have been launched on Air New Zealand's YouTube channel this week.

Air New Zealand Australia marketing manager Kelly Millier says there is enormous potential to increase the number of Aussies taking a break in New Zealand.

"Research tells us that here are 5.3 million people who seriously consider New Zealand as a destination, yet only one in five of these people actually make it across the ditch each year.

"“We all know that New Zealand is one of the best places on earth but for one reason or another, there are many Aussies who don’t see the same fresh and progressive side of New Zealand that we do.

"We figured if we could change the minds of those most sceptical, we should be able to convince those who are sitting on the fence."

Australia is New Zealand's largest inbound tourism market, accounting for around half of all visitors.

Here's one of the web episodes, which follows Rebecca Boyd-Bais, a "very-Sydney" girl who thinks New Zealand is full of sheep and old people:

See the rest on the dedicated Air New Zealand YouTube channel www.youtube.com/airnewzealand