Kiwi Kenn's can do' message in the can | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

It's in the can - well almost.

A video to accompany the song Pass Me The Ball that features Tauranga Primary School pupils, rugby stars Matua Parkinson, Adrian Cashmore and Errol Brain - with star Kiwi Kenn - has been recorded over the past couple of weeks.

Written by Tauranga's Todd Kinsella - who also created the Kiwi Kenn character - the song encourages kids to get active and is also a Rugby World Cup song for kids.

After two video shoots "there are just a few bits and pieces to finish off now", says Todd, who was full of admiration for the enthusiasm shown by the Tauranga Primary School children.

"It was a neat opportunity for them to be involved in something like this," he says. "And the kids have been fantastic on both shoots."

At the first of the two video shoots, the whole school sang the song with cheerleaders singing the chorus, while at the second Adrian, Errol and Matua added their star presence to the shoot.

It is hoped that the video will be completed in the next couple of weeks and then shown at the school.

Todd says he then hopes to be able to approach other schools with a view to organising visits by Kiwi Kenn and maybe video screenings too.

There is also interest from road safety advocates to use the character and Todd's songs to promote road safety and other safety messages to children, and the possibility that Kenn's starring role in Pass Me The Ball may well not be his last.

Todd and Mount Maunganui poet Colin McKenney together penned a collection of songs that appeared on Kiwi Kenn's CD - Safety Songs for Kids that came out in 2008.

There are plans for a second CD of songs to be recorded and made available prior to Christmas.