Leading cruise operator Carnival Australia has extended a big hand to Christchurch in response to the New Zealand city’s quirky campaign to borrow one of Australia’s “big things” to lure more tourists across the Tasman.

The cruise company has replied in a special YouTube video offering to transport one of Australia’s renowned attractions – such as Nambour’s ‘The Big Pineapple’ or Goulburn’s ‘The Big Merino’ – to Christchurch on a cruise ship.

The video featuring Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry is a direct response to the new Christchurch tourism campaign launched on YouTube by Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker.

A series of YouTube videos has Mayor Parker and his sidekick Keith Ingleburn on a quest to borrow some of Australia’s big attractions to entice more Australians to Christchurch following last year’s devastating earthquake.

In her video message to the Mayor, Ann Sherry points out that the cruise company is already sending plenty of tourists to the New Zealand South Island on a range of ships under its umbrella including Queen Mary 2, Pacific Pearl, Dawn Princess and Carnival Spirit.

Ms Sherry says that whilst she can’t give Christchurch one of those ships, she’s still got “a big idea”.

“You want the Big Merino, you want the Big Pineapple, you want the Big Prawn…if you can get one of those, I will bring it to you on one of our big cruise ships,” Ms Sherry said.