#133: Rapid Evolution

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Edge Message #133 from Brian Sweeney, producer NZEDGE.COM | 21 June 2011

Greetings. NZEDGE.COM publishes daily on Facebook and Twitter. This newsletter presents a selection of New Zealanders appearing in the world’s media in the last week.

Glenn Martin’s jetpack sets flight record, soaring toward future – Independent Business News
Kevin Roberts, NZEdge co-founder, nurtures tomorrow’s leaders – International Herald Tribune
Stephen Jennings, Moscow-based investor, sees Africa as the next great market – BBC
Fonterra well placed to take advantage of emerging markets – Financial Times
Pacific Fibre challenges Southern Cross Cable; plans own link – Sydney Morning Herald
Shrek, NZ’s wooliest escapee merino, evades the clippers eternally; dies at 16 – Time
McCaw and Carter’s four-year pledge to Union, music to fans’ ears – The New York Times
Jed Mildon, daredevil BMXer, 24, lands world’s first ever triple backflip – The Sun
Alex Dawson, Christchurch pitcher, 18, plays ball with Canadian Cardinals – St. Albert Gazette
James McDonald, jockey, 19, rides Scarlett Lady to barnstorming win at Oaks – Herald Sun
Working Style measure up International Rugby Board for bespoke pinstripe – Wall Street Journal
FirstLight House, VUW bach-inspired design, first S Hemisphere entry in US eco-contest – Inhabitat
New Zealand to be guest of honour at 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair – Publishers Weekly
Nalini Singh, best-selling author, 34, makes rules in own literary universe – Northwest Indiana Times
New Zealand setting trumps weepy story at heart of pricey Dutch film – The New York Times
North Island boasts plethora of stunningly beautiful tourist distractions – International Business Times
Auckland’s Hotel de Brett the pick of Auckland World Cup boutique hotels –- Guardian
Lake Taupo rock face carvings seen by kayak a “tranquil” NZ adventure – Wall Street Journal
Nick Churchouse, journalist and Wellingtonian, shows the Guardian down Cuba Street
Dunedin’s city centre has a youthful air edged with wild beaches – Guardian
Coronet Peak has its effect on novice ski bunny, even in the carpark – Sydney Morning Herald
Brancott Estate tantalises tasting twits with prospect of free trip to NZ – The Independent
Patrick Hibell’s roadside-steamed mussels the best, “no contest” – The Australian
Chris Coubrough’s food empire grows faster than asparagus stalk in May – Norwich Evening News
New Zealand prisoners dangled carrots for cigarettes ahead of tobacco ban – Telegraph
Kevin Dew, VUW sociologist, says ill employees must remain home – The Canberra Times
Rainbow Warrior bombing in ’85 a defining legend; Warrior III takes shape – Guardian

See all stories and a 7,000 story archive of international New Zealand news 2000-2011 at NZEDGE/MEDIA.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

In June I spoke to a KeaNY meeting “New Zealand New Thinking” about communicating New Zealand to the world, and presented a range of options from reframing language to a data-driven approach to managing our international reputation. Other speakers were Jonty Kelt CEO of GroupCommerce in NY, Claudia Batten CEO of Victors & Spoils (“Release your Inner Lady Gaga”) of Boulder Colarado, and Derek Handley, founder of The Hyperfactory. The setting of level 48, World Trade Center 7, was spectacular, thanks to Marcus Robinson of ReBuild and Lucie McQuilkan. See video here.

INTERNATIONAL DATE BOOK

London, June 27, Kia Kaha: London for Christchurch 2011
Enjoy drinks and canapés at the top of the iconic Gherkin building to raise funds for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal UK. Auction/raffle including prizes from Intercontinental Hotel: London Park Lane, Paternoster Chop House, Villa Maria Estate Wines, The Dorchester, and Stephen Einhorn jewelry. The Gherkin, City of London, Monday June 27 6:30 pm-9:30 pm, minimum donation of 150 GBP per attendee, register here.

Wellington, Jun 29-July 9, Okareka Dance Company presents Nga Hau e Wha
Dance performance assembled by two of New Zealand’s most acclaimed dance professionals, Taane Mete and Taiaroa Royal, featuring an all-male cast from diverse cultural backgrounds. Exploring ideas inspired by the natural elements – earth, water, air and fire. Exceptional contemporary dance fused with Maori themes and legends. Te Whaea Theatre, National Dance and Drama Centre, Wellington.

WISH WE WERE THERE

Auckland, June 12, Concert – Rick Bryant’s Supergroup: The Bomb
New Zealand blues singer and music legend Rick Bryant put together The Bomb for a one-time gig at the Kings Arms as part of a 24-hour fundraising concert for the MAINZ students of Christchurch. With Ed Cake, Geoff Maddock, and Ross Burge. Songs by Rick Bryant and Gordon Spittle. Power-pop, trim and tight.

Auckland, June 14, Book Launch – This is not writing by Julian Dashper
Julian Dashper is one of New Zealand’s most respected artists and educators, his well-travelled practice revolutionising the thinking of abstraction and post-modernity in the Antipodean context. Dashper wrote throughout his career in a variety of forms – but always with the same post-minimal sharpness, wit and sense of liberated enquiry – and this book represents the bulk of this output. The title and contents list were drawn up by the artist just prior to his death in 2009. Funding support from Creative New Zealand, the Chartwell Trust, and the Sue Crockford Gallery. Co-published by Clouds and Michael Lett. Michael Lett, Auckland.

ENTER TO WIN

Now-August 1, Glacier Country Rugby Experience Competition
Enter to win an all-inclusive tour of the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand for you and six friends. The prize, which is worth $50,000, includes international flights and a 12-day luxury prize pack with accommodations, activities, and transport. Get the chance to see the rugby games live and play against the current Glacier Country Rugby Champions on the Glaciers. To enter, make a short video of yourself playing rugby – it can be amusing, serious, ridiculous, or anything entertaining. Put it up on YouTube for your chance to win. Glacier Country, Enter from now until August 1, Must be 18 or over, Free to enter.

END NOTE

To congratulate Auckland University’s business incubator The IceHouse on 10 years (see Unlimited’scoverage), here is a reading on Edge Theory aka Punctuated Equilibrium, check these graphs for the rapid evolution of the species. Roughly translated, change, when it occurs, happens very rapidly, and originates from the edge of the species. Now is the Hour.