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Affirmations of New Zealandness, offers of help and connection, riffs on the
flag, rhythms on the anthem, raves about Wellington, raps on Heroes and the Brain Gain debate.
GARETH WINSLOW,
GOLF PROFESSIONAL, DIRECTOR OF COACHING, BAY OF ISLANDS, NZ
"Congratulations on your website. It's very encouraging to see such
enthusiasm for the development of our country. Hopefully in the years to
come, your ideas and beliefs will make their way into the hearts of more
and more New Zealanders. From my experience in coaching and training
people, nothing can be achieved without first having the right attitude in
place. To change the attitude of one person can take months or years, so I
imagine that changing the attitude and mindset of a country is likely to
take decades, providing that the right structures and directions are put
in place. The laid back Kiwi attitude is rampant in various forms in New
Zealand. Very rarely have I seen a laid back All Black team, or leader in
a successful New Zealand business or company. These are the types of
people who keep our country alive and kicking, and if more people tried to
model themselves on them, rather than chop them down and sneer at their
success, our beautiful country would be a far more enjoyable and
productive place in which to live." golfwins@xtra.co.nz
HARRY, AUCKLAND, NZ
"Have just finished the new Hero piece by Damien Wilkins on Katherine
Mansfield. It is brilliant and totally right for nzedge. I knew of
her but not about her. Now I can add it to my great New Zealanders list.
Yet even more enjoyable is the way that the importance of New Zealand is
woven into her story. When I read that Mansfield left these shores at 20 I
thought we had another Russell Crowe on our hands (no disrespect to
Maximus but fighting over whether he is Kiwi or Aussie seems a bit
grasping to me). But no. Damien showed that New Zealand and the Edge
suffused the work and life of an incredible women. Edge is an attitude and
what unites us wherever we ply our trade. Thank you, and your team, for
another great installment and reminder why we our so lucky. Very
cool."
MARKETING MANAGER,
BEIJING,CHINA
"Ni Hao! Congratulations on an excellent website from the team in the Far
East. There are about 200 kiwis living here in Beijing. We get together on
a regular basis for a Steinlager (any excuse!), but we also keep NZ rugby
traditions alive with our touch rugby team (Go NZ Barbarians!). Anyway,
thought you might be interested to hear that there are an incredibly
staunch bunch of kiwis flying the flag in China. Keep up the good work."
ANDREW BATCHELOR,
FOUNDER, EXPERTWEB, ASIA, HONG KONG
"Great job guys keep it up. For kiwis in the China region head to http://www.nzhkba.org.hk NZ-Hong Kong Business Association. If you want
contacts or help coming to Hong Kong and China, we can help. Next time we
update our site we'll be linking to the edge. Maybe you should add a
section for reciprocal links to the NZEdge! It is a great concept and has
a great web site, I know because that's what I do in Hong Kong at http://www.expertwebasia.com
Best wishes, President, NZ Hong Kong Business Association."
MICHAEL WILDE, COO,
DUBAI MEDIA CITY, UAE
"Dubai is living on the Edge of the speed of light in terms of pace
of development and change. The mantras include "Nothing is
Impossible", "In the Race for Excellence There is No Finishing
Line", "If You Don't Pick A Fight Then You'll Never Win",
"The Vision For The Future Is Whatever You Want It To Be", etc.
NZ business, look to Dubai for your gateway to the Middle East and
beyond."
KEN HOPE, EXECUTIVE
EDITORIAL ARTIST, SINGAPORE
"Another great kiwi site. Keep us posted on all the goings-on
overseas that us kiwis are just too darned humble to crow about! Have you
ever taken a look over everything that you see being done, printed,
written, made world-wide; only the best will stand out.
"I, for one, am
proud to see that more often than not a kiwi is included in those ranks -
either as the instigator or in a supporting role. Kiwi's come from the
edge, but more often than not we stride our way into the centre and make
our mark. If we can't find a centre to stride into, we create one.
"Everywhere I
have been in the world, I have seen kiwis at the cutting edge of their
profession. We have drive and determination, not just ambition. The rest
of the world knows who we are, and accepts us for it. Let's go one step
better, and bring this attitude and impetus back to New Zealand, and let
us believe in ourselves and our country." kenz@sph.com.sg
DAVID GRANDI,
AGENCY DIRECTOR, WELLINGTON, NZ
"Hi Brian and Kevin, Like many others, I stumbled onto this website.
Again like many others, I love that you guys felt so strongly about New
Zealand that you put together a place to go where like minded people, from
New Zealand and elsewhere, can share inspirational thoughts and stories,
all with a New Zealand flavour. My particular passion is New Zealand's
capital city - Wellington. I call it 'the greatest little city in the
world'. My vision for the city is to see it investing in innovation,
planning for the future, creating more spaces for residents and visitors
to have fun and to ensure we never lose sight of the regions inherent
beauty. I love how the city embraces differences in people and encourages
them to participate in the city without fear. I feel excited to be
registering on your site and I thank you for your devotion and
inspiration. Kind regards."
OPERA
SINGER/PLUS-SIZE MODEL/STUDENT, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
"I have just discovered this site while searching for scholarships and
am intrigued. I am a New Zealander who has been forced to leave in order to
pursue further study in a very unusual area - opera singing. Along the way I
have become something else unusual and not available in NZ - a plus-size
model!!
"I would have
preferred to achieve these things in NZ but it isn't possible and now I have
been invited to study with a top level teacher in New York and am madly
searching for funding/ scholarships/grants so I can just afford to exist in
that city - all to chase my dreams and try to realise my talent.
"I will bookmark
this page and perhaps it will help remind me of who I am deep down.....it
has certainly been hard to put up with Australians for the last three
years!!
"And hey, if anyone
knows of any funding for struggling New Zealand artists trying to further
their talent in the US, let me know at singadiva@hotmail.com ."
BUSINESS ANALYST,
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
"NZ's fear of the Brain Drain is tragically short sighted, NZ
benefits massively from its young (and not so young) gaining experience
and education overseas (the Brain Gain). We should not try to halt this
culture, we should focus our attention on ensuring that these people
return at some stage, bringing home all their skills and experiences (the
Brain Gain).
"We all know the
things we love about NZ, we just have to make sure that we keep these
things in the minds of our people overseas, so when the time is right,
they come back. For some people, they might not come back until they have
travelled the world, or met their career goals, or made their millions, or
they might want to come home to raise a family. Whatever the reasons for
them leaving, all that matters is that eventually they come back, lets
focus our attention on ensuring a Brain Gain, not on stopping the Brain
Drain.....
"A great site. It fuels my passion for New Zealand and for my home
town, Wellington. I have a vision for Wellington - to be the same groovy
city as London, and I can see the growth in the small city we have. Man,
it is a vibrant, MULTI-cultural place which we Wellingtonions love. I have
friends in Sydney who come over to Wellywood for the weekend as it rocks,
especially after a major rugby game (if even we do lose, it is about
having fun, meeting people)."
   
DAVID LORIMER,
CHRISTCHURCH, NZ
"I found it very interesting looking through the article on Richard
Pearse. As a youngster, I lived just around the corner in Hopkins
Street, Woolston, Christchurch from the home of Richard who lived in
Wildberry Street. My brother & I were friends with the grandson of his
neighbour (who lived on the corner of Hopkins / Wildberry Streets) and on
many occasions we would go through the fence and into the garage where the
plane that he had built was still stored. We had many a great time playing
on this contraption, not at the time knowing the importance of it in New
Zealands history, nor much about the owner. I still remember seeing Richard
at this property, but as it goes back about 50 years, the memory is not as
clear now. I remember my late mother stating that he was considered a bit
eccentric. It is a great pity that as children, we do not take in or
remember about these things because it seemed so much like a game. As a
teenager, I had shifted to another house a couple of streets away where we
often got into conversation with an elderly gentleman who lived across the
road with his son. He often told wonderful stories of his time as a Cobb
& Co Stage Coach Driver between Christchurch and the West Coast through
Arthurs Pass. IF only these stories had been recorded. I seem to remember
that he must have been in his nineties at that time. Today, I unfortunately
do not remember much about what he said. While in Greymouth a couple of
months ago, we were looking through the history museum there and came across
photos of the stage coach and the driver, Mr Rugg. How much of our history
do we miss because to children and youngsters are just STORIES? How I now
wish that I had remembered them all.
Yours Etc, David Lorimer."
CONSULTANT,
CHRISTCHURCH, NZ
"Brains draining! Painful! Of course brains drain from NZ. We are at
the bottom of the world, thousands of kilometres from what the rest of the
world. As humans, as New Zealanders, we have a history and tradition of
exploration. So we explore! We go out, we learn, and many of us return,
bringing our knowledge and expertise with us. Surely this is what humans
have done for millennia? Don't knock it, celebrate it. Then provide the
incentives to attract our ex-pats back. For those of us in Godzone, let's
stop whining, stop the negativity and celebrate what NZ is. We have lots
that needs changing, lots that others want to adopt. That's the way the
world over. Ever wonder what the world would be like if everyone stayed
home? Or what NZ would be like if every migrant returned to their country
of origin? So here's the idea - go out into the world, learn about it,
about other peoples and cultures, distil from that vast pool of knowledge
what is of use to you and your country, carry out your research,
contribute, and then bring the benefits back to NZ - in person, on the
Net, or through whatever means. And if you choose to come back and make
direct contributions to your home country, all the better."
PERTH, AUSTRALIA
"Dear NZ Edge, I've only just discovered you and can't help thinking to
myself that Yvette Adams' article is so compelling that I had to
participate. I am one of those 1 million abroad and have done so because of
my thirst for more......experiences, education, and if my plans realise
themselves, financial security.
"As many do, I miss
New Zealand for all its splendour and the fine people that reside there. I'm
not sure that it's ONLY Kiwis that have the same loss of educated and
skilled as Australia does experience the same "Brain drain". I
feel that a striking benefit of having more Kiwis overseas is that with all
their skills, experience and qualifications they are continually increasing
the overseas profile and enhancing opinion of Kiwis, not only making it
easier for New Zealanders to work overseas but inadvertently improving our
export opportunities by forging and/or 'sweetening' networks.
"My personal career
plan does include New Zealand and that is to bring back all these wonderful
experiences and education opportunities to share with the community where I
finally come to rest after all my travels. Now that I am only a quarter of
the way in my long journey, I look forward establishing and promoting
Aotearoa with the many people and potential friends that I have met and will
meet. This is in addition to finding more of us "NEONZ".
"I don't see myself
as participating in an OE, it's more than that. I'm following a career path
that will take me all over the world because that is how I prefer it to
happen. Education, work, family, travel all-in-one.
"Don't worry
GODZONE we will never forget you and we will always return. We just hope you
don't forget about us because there's always a piece of kiwiland within.
Having a network o'seas to work with will enable us to "earth" us
to our most favourite land in the world.
"Thanks for the
article and keep up the good work. If it is any assistance I am traveling
from Perth, Australia (where I currently reside) to Vancouver, Canada or
Seattle, Washington to work and study at the end of the year (2001) and if
people need a contact for that area I am only too happy to help. Cheers
Geoff."
NICOLA CAPOFERRI,
MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE, ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
"To all those fellow Cantabrians out there who also find themselves
daydreaming in offices far from home...
Godley Head emotions
Stand atop the cliffs
And breathe
Cloud formations unlike any others
Dancing grass to keep you company
Let the
Easterly envelop you with its warmth
Likened to any cliff, ocean, or
continent Is an insult. "
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA
"One of the embarrassing experiences of early school assemblies in
Dunedin was having to stumble over the words of our present National
Anthem that any eight year old could recognize as bad verse that didn't
fit the tune. Who wrote the tune? Were the words written by a Kiwi who
couldn't count? (Last time I checked there were four, not three stars on
our flag.) When was it chosen? 1870s? Isn't it time to move on, keeping
the tune, but updating our words so that they are a more tuneful match of
words and music?
"We're not
wearing 1870s hats and boots any more, and old words get tired too. On
Monday night coming back from Davis on the train, I wrote the following
words to fit the tune. Please try singing it! I think this is a song that
all of us can really belt out with feeling. Let's bring ourselves
confidently and musically into the new century! I'd like to hear other
people's views.
New
Style
Aotearoa fair,
Land of light and shining mountain air.
Let us work for justice here,
Aotearoa fair.
Bound by
treaty here we stand
Sharing memories and new hopes for our land.
Let us weave a strong new band
In our dear New Zealand. |
Old
Style
God of Nations at Thy feet In the bonds of love we meet.
Hear our
voices we entreat God defend New Zealand!
Guard
Pacific's triple star From the shafts of strife and war.
Make her
voices heard afar. God defend New Zealand." |
JUSTIN PEMBERTON,
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR, AUCKLAND, NZ
"Hi there, I'm a documentary maker living in NZ and I'm researching a
recently commissioned film that I'm hoping some of you might be able to
help me with.
The documentary is about the culture shock (or maybe even cultural cringe)
that many NZers experience when they return home after having lived
overseas for a number of years.
"I want to look
at the adjustment period as people try to settle back into NZ lifestyle
and re-establish their roots with their homeland. It often seems to be a
time when people examine their feelings about their culture and country -
both the positive and the negative.
"This is where
I'm hoping you might be able to help. Are you, or is anybody you know,
planning the move back to NZ soon? If so I'd love to hear from you.
Please don't hesitate - even if you're just a bit curious - to drop me an
email . Many thanks." justinpemberton@xtra.co.nz
ANNE RIMMER, ROTHESAY BAY, NORTH
SHORE, NZ
"Brian, No, No, not a black flag, please! Not for New Zealand.
"Black" is the absence of colour. Nothing in the natural, or
even urban landscape of New Zealand is black. Black signifies darkness and
evil. Only pirates and other baddies use black flags. New Zealand is the
very opposite of everything black embodies. Our country is about colour,
life, vitality and optimism. We have the clearest, brightest light in the
world; our landscape; - the blue sky, snow-capped mountains, green hills,
white sands and the blue sea. rimmer@ihug.co.nz
"In my opinion,
the most effective flag in the world is the Canadian Maple Leaf. It is bright, easily recognised and distinctive i.e. it can't be
mistaken for any other country's flag. It makes a good logo and letterhead
for government documents, and the colour stands out well against the sky.
"The only problem
with it is that school children have trouble drawing the maple leaf shape. When considering any design for a new New Zealand flag,
see how it measures up against the Canadian one. Regards Anne Rimmer.
EMILIE UNKRICH,
CHAGRIN FALLS, OH, USA
BEING FULLY HUMAN
"Joy to finding your site. Lovely! Just shared with a friend in Te Awamutu!
I visited your lovely country for a month in January. Lovely
environment, lovely people. First learned about Richard Pearce while
watching a film at the Museum in Hamilton. Forgotten Silver presents the
life story of Colin McKenzie, a pioneering New Zealand filmmaker who made
the world's first talkie feature (two decades before The Jazz Singer),
invented an early form of color, and created a 1917 biblical epic on the
scale of D.W. Griffith's Intolerance. With fond regards."
ELIZABETH COWAN,
PROJECT KIWIANA, OTOROHANGA
"Dear Brian, Just
over 18 months ago a keen team of volunteers formed the Project Kiwiana
committee to promote Otorohanga as the Kiwiana Town of NZ. We've been the
Kiwi Town for nearly 30 years - Otorohanga built the first Kiwi House in
NZ and pioneered the breeding of the Kiwi in captivity. However it was
decided to extend this theme by celebrating all things Kiwi: our heritage,
icons, heroes - in other words, Otorohanga wants to become a microcosm of
our national identity in an increasingly globalised world. We've developed
a sponsorship programme to enlist the support of both local and national
companies, all proud to promote the Kiwi identity. Our newly developed
website www.kiwianatown.co.nz
is now on line and we'd be delighted if you visited it and possibly
mentioned it on nzedge.com As you'll see from our Sponsors list we are
already supported by 19 companies/groups with No. 20 just on board (Gulf
Stream Products - Line 7) who will sponsor a display module on Team NZ. As
a small rural town we are trying to promote the same kind of national
pride that your own website so successfully accomplishes. Kind regards,
Elisabeth Cowan, Project Kiwiana - Sponsorship and Research."
FOURWAYS
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
"Hi Brian, I saw Phil Keoghan on Oprah. I hope one of South Africa's
television station buys his programme soon. He is a real edge man and an
inspiration. I will give the idea to e-tv which is partly owned by Time
Warner. We are having so many film festivals in South Africa at the
moment. We have, in the past, had so many from around the world, but never
from NZ. 'Once we were Warriors' is one of my top five films of all time.
A Maori film festival or just NZ would be a refreshing change. I will pass
my suggestion to Cinema Nouveau who host the majority of the film
festivals of international origination. Peter Cullinane of NZ - a Saatchi
& Saatchi man, was a breath of fresh air in the Adfocus Financial Mail
conference 16 May 2001. He presented a paper on Lovemarks. Rugby aside,
the Springboks loved the Kiwi. Love knowing what Kiwis are up to. Great
inspiration." Group Human Interests Director, Saatchi & Saatchi, The Ideas Company.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND
"Trying to contact Paul and Sue Wright of Rothesay Bay NZ." peter.doherty3@btinternet.com
KAREN, SERVICE
MANAGER, OUTSOURCING, WELLINGTON, NZ
"I love the listing of heroes and stars. I have an idea for
identifying and communicating heroes within NZ at the 'average Joe Bloggs'
level. It is around ordinary Kiwis, like a taxi driver I had who was from
Vietnam. He was the head chef at the Park Royal and he told me stories of
his flight to NZ, how he hid out at a beach for three nights before
getting on a boat. Now he is retired from being a chef and drives taxis.
At his home he has one floor decked out as a ballroom - yes the polished
floor and all. Every Saturday night he cooks for his friends and family
and they do ballroom dancing all night. What a fascinating story it would
make and to tell it to NZ would be telling a story of courage, tenacity
and hopefully inspire someone by being able to relate to an average
person. We have heroes who we look at a see as being 'out of our reach' -
the taxi driver type person is someone the majority of average people can
relate to.
"Anyway, I could go on for hours about a lot of other
things - the government and my despair that we are being encouraged to be
a nation of 'I want I have I don't need to do anything for it' - we are so
much more than that. Ciao, for now..."
M CLARK, SERVICE
CONSULTANT, CHRISTCHURCH, NZ
"I am blown away. The more information I read about success, personal
achievement and creation of wealth, the more I see our Government on the
wrong tangent, trying for quick fixes to gain the support of those who
make the most noise. None of our political parties seem to have an
ultimate goal or plan for this country. Too many people rely on the
Government to sort things out, rather than taking some responsibility,
some action for themselves. I share your vision. I share your enthusiasm.
You have my full support. Regards."
GRAPHIC DESIGNER,
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND
"I miss home. I love New Zealand. I left it loving it. Daily I looked
about me with awe. I said to myself every morning "how lucky I
am". I've now been away for four years. I look forward to coming home
one day in a couple/few years for as long as I can. For now I'm trying
really hard to adapt to life in the UK with my English husband. We're
moving to Brighton so I can be by the sea - where I hope to loose the
daily home sickness I feel.
"I say Kia Kaha
to myself daily. It's tougher here. Tougher, faster and harder. If he
weren't such a wonderful man - I'd be back on the shores of home by now.
I've sacrificed one love for another. These feelings have inspired me to
write about it. The intercontinental marriage is no easy thing."
NICK, STUDENT, 3D
ANIMATION + EGALITARIAN HEDONIST, AUCKLAND, NZ
"I have just read your latest and thought it just the bee's knees.
During my latest career, that of picking oranges in the Garden of Eden I
received an epiphany that if I don't up-skill I'll be picking o-jays when
I'm 80,or maybe it was something my folks said 15 years ago that just made
it through the mental layers. Regardless of that I have turned my back on
providing Northland's vitamin c needs and am now focusing on a year long
course of 3d animation. I look forward to being and giving my best and
cherish the fact of other like minded people out there. Cheers."
ROBIN COX, NATIONAL
MENTOR MANAGER, PROJECT K, AUCKLAND, NZ
"I am seeking to put together a series of articles on well known
Kiwis for use in the Project K mentor training programmes - these
programmes train mentors who will get alongside 14 and 15 year old
students who have low self worth/self esteem. Stories need to be
relatively short and inspirational. People (ordinary people) who have
overcome the odds, bounced back and made a success (maximised their
potential) of life. Success is not measured by material gains, one of the
major problems we are having to deal with when we get alongside youngsters
who are desperate for some role models with some relationship building
skills. It's good that I can make a start with some of this material. Many
thanks."
TELEVISION
PRODUCTION STUDENT, NELSON, NZ
"I read NZEDGE all the time and I go to a lot of 'raves' - as you may
be well-aware is how big DJs are overseas (and how often BIG named UK DJs
come to NZ) well NZ is now getting international respect for our Drum n Bass scene
(Drum n Bass is a form of electronica) and Geoff Wright (aka DJ presha) is getting BIG in UK for his DJing in Drum n Bass - he has a
website http://www.loopsansamples.co.nz
DJ Presha may also need some acknowledgement along side MC King Kapisi in
Australia."
MEDICAL STUDENT,
AUCKLAND, NZ
"I'm a 20yr old Medical Student currently studying at the Auckland
School of Medicine. A friend of mine referred me to your 'NZ Edge' website. It's
great to see there is an up-to-date resource about our Kiwi heroes. I am
ashamed to say, that as a youngster, I was not aware that several of the
world's greatest minds could be attributed to NZ. For this reason, I am
delighted to have come across your website.
"While browsing
NZEdge.com, I came across your recent speech on 'Inspiration.' One
particular aspect of this caught my attention: TYLA. I am excited to see
that young Kiwi's now have the opportunity to receive a helping hand in
finding their own future, and realising their dreams. I am a strong
believer that each and every one of us is capable of achieving our goals,
and making an impact.
"Kevin, I would
love to help out with TYLA in any way possible - hands on work at camps,
fundraising, or helping raise awareness. I am greatly impressed by your
efforts thus far, and congratulate you. It is great to know that TYLA is
going to help produce more people like yourself! Good on you."
KAY FLAVELL,
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA
"Dear Brian: I think NZ Edge could play a useful role is in forming a
discussion group to talk about the problems of negotiating re-entry to New
Zealand life if one has been living elsewhere for a long time. I have
invented a comic persona, Ricky Van Winkle, to deal with some of my own
experiences in coming back after 37 years. I'd really love to have a list
of readings that deal with different people's stories of how they have
done it. A wave on the boardwalk at Paekakariki caught me by surprise and
generated this.
Dirty Tricks
Yesterday, as I walked the shore
at Paekakariki
Tangaroa stuck out his tongue
and sloshed a bucketful
all over me.
"So you're coming back, eh,
Ricky Van Winkle.
Well how do you like
your nice wet pants!"
"I am just back
from a deeply moving ten days in New Zealand, re-encountering the land and
meeting old and new friends. Special thanks to artists who hosted me in
Wellington, to [ ] who organized a very special series of meetings with
members of the creative community in Paekakariki, and to [ ] who allowed
me to become the owner of a wonderful still-green, kete, or basket that
she had just finished weaving. (I am using it solely as a knowledge
basket. Already it's beginning to develop a quirky voice of its own-"
what's knowledge? whose knowledge?" ) One of the priorities when I go
back in July will be to start learning the Maori language. What better
evidence of the Eurocentric nature of my early education than the fact
that I studied Latin, French, German and even some Greek but no Maori?
"Three of my days
were spent visiting a lovely old and rather neglected 1906-built villa and
5 acres of land at Mount Bruce, north of Masterton, just before the
purchase was completed this week. The property is only 1 km from the
National Wildlife Centre, a last remnant of the magnificent native bush
that once covered the area, and a sanctuary for endangered native bird
species.
"The ecological
and social history of the area --which includes dense intersections
between Maori narrative traditions, sadly misguided 19th.c. European
settler attempts to transform a temperate forest environment into a
cleared pastoral landscape, and group migration stories stretching back to
villages in Norway and Sweden - will, I hope, provide rich starting
points for future restorative cultural and environmental work.
"We shall be
renovating the property and hope to have it up and running as a hermitage
known as New Pacific Studio Mount Bruce, with three spaces for
artists/writers/environmentalists @ NZ $150 pw and one for a resident
director, by January 2002. I shall be living at the house from July
through December 2001, and thereafter moving regularly between Berkeley
and Mount Bruce. There will be a space for one artist/writer in residence
in Berkeley from January 2002, for periods from 2 weeks to 2 months @ US
$200 pw.
"So we are moving
slowly closer to our vision of New Pacific Studio as a vibrant
transnational network linking local communities of artists, writers, and
environmentalists. Many thanks to our existing members, and a warm
invitation to others to join us. Our goal is to continue to build closer
links and develop exchanges between artists/writers /environmentalists in
Wellington, Dunedin, Melbourne, Seattle, Portland, Vancouver BC, the SF
Bay area, Honolulu, Tonga, and Hanoi. More hermitages, please! "mkflavell
mkflavell@ucdavis.edu
|
|
We
welcome new friends to nzedge.com this month from around the world:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Beijing, China
Berkeley, California
Beverly Hills, California
Bhopal, India
Birmingham, England
Bogata, Colombia
Bohen, Bavaria, Germany
Boulder, Colorado, USA
Bowral, NSW, Australia
Brighton, England
Brighton-le-Sands, Australia
Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Dallas, Texas
Doncaster, England
Dubai, UAE
Dublin, Ireland
Hong Kong
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Hyderabad, India
Jacksonville USA
Johannesburg, South Africa
Lake Elsinore, California
Lancaster, England
Lasi, Romania
Lisle, Illinois
London, England
Madurai, India
Manila, Phillippines
Melbourne, Australia
Montgomery, Alabama
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Newport Beach, California
New York, New York
Ottawa, Canada
Paris, France
Perth, Australia
San Francisco, California
San Jose, California
Seoul, South Korea
Singapore
Stockholm, Sweden
Sydney, Australia
Toronto, Canada
Ueberlingen, Germany
Warsaw, Poland
Zurich, Switzerland
And from The Edge:
Auckland
Balclutha
Bay of Islands
Cambridge
Christchurch
Hamilton
Invercargill
Kaitikati
Martinborough
Mt Maunganui
Nelson
Otaki
Palmerston North
Rotorua
Takaka
Turangi
Waitakere
Wellington
Whangarei
SOCIAL
WORKER/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT, BOWRAL NSW, AUSTRALIA
"I was searching the net under vision and leadership in health and
found your awesome site . Thank you for reminding me who I am and what
makes me different as a New Zealander!!! Australian located for 13 years
yet on the edge!!! Looking forward to being in contact."
JOURNALIST, LONDON,
UK
"Invaluable digest, homesickness prompter and cure all in one.
Nice."
ECONOMIST, LASI,
ROMANIA
"Very nice site! I love NZ! Best regards."
FINANCE ANALYST,
LONDON, UK
"This is the site to see!! I share you're optimism!!"
AUCKLAND, NZ
"New Zealanders are unique ... telling these stories gives drive to
commit to their dream."
UNIVERSITY
LECTURER, LANCASTER, UK
"Very inspiring - keep it going."
MANAGER, AUCKLAND
"Brilliant site!"
COMPOSER,
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, USA
"Stimulating thinking..."
JOURNALIST, PARIS,
FRANCE
"I am a New Zealand journalist working in Paris for an international
newspaper, interested in stories about New Zealanders succeeding in the
international arena."
SHEILA ROBERSON,
MARYLAND
"Thanks for another great Edge Message, and thanks too for the
wonderful things you are doing for your country and for your compatriots.
When we've been gone from New Zealand for a very long time we begin to
lose some of our identity, try as we may to retain our "kiwiness".
NZEdge puts us back in place again, transcends borders, and "far
away" seems to be not so distant after all. Thanks again for all your
efforts and great entrepreneurial spirit."
PAULA, ARTIST,
OTTAWA, CANADA
"I was ALL OVER this site like a disease! THANK YOU for creating This
Sight for THE WORLD to see and for souls such as myself to 'drink from the
well' of, and at, The Edge. I am a New Zealander who lives in Canada
...and
who misses my home spirit. Next time a Canadian asks me about New Zealand
I will give them your URL. Cheers."
ECONOMIST, LONDON,
UK
"It's refreshing to see a modern list of NZ heroes with real (and
varied) global impact, rather than the usual list of guys who had a few
seasons with the local provincial rugby team."
MANAGEMENT
CONSULTANT, AUCKLAND, NZ
"What a great site! Incongruous that I heard about it from an
Englishman living in Paris."
COMPANY DIRECTOR,
MARTINBOROUGH, NZ
"Thanks for the website, a novel idea and fantastic to see."
COMPUTER
PROGRAMMER, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
"If it weren't for the money, I'd be home."
TOM NOLAN,
RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT, WARSAW, POLAND
"A great site that gave me a real blast... The site and its spirit
speaks for itself."
LIZ AITKEN, LONDON,
UK
"I have just read through the information on your site on Alexander
Aitken. He was my grandfather. I felt very proud to read it all and
just wanted to say thank you.
MATT, BICYCLE
MECHANIC, BOHEN, BAVARIA, GERMANY
"I have only logged on to your website recently and was pretty
impressed as well as informed, enjoyed reading about Charles
Upham in particular. Keep up the good work, for a homesick kiwi such
as myself your site is a breath of Hawkes Bay air. Sincerely, Matt."
NANCY JONES
"I have just discovered this site and was delighted to read your
account of Nancy Wake's amazing contribution to the war effort. She has
always been an icon of mine- such a selfless, incredibly brave and yet
very humourous lady. I think of her often and regale young people with her
story to ensure that someone who didn't have to , got stuck in, lost
absolutely everything ,including her beloved husband, in order to help
others. Thanks for such a faithful portrayal. I look forward to working my
way through your other articles."
RACHEL LANNING,
GRAPHIC DESIGNER, BRIGHTON, UK
"Enjoy what you have - it's unique and wonderful. Live it and love
it. There's nothing out here to search for..."
rachelanning@hotmail.com
LONDON, ENGLAND
"I congratulate you on your vision and your commitment to making NZ
the best it can be. Thank you both and the NZEdge team for your efforts.
The NZEdge site is an inspiration to me."
NZ
"Great looking site and, as a recently returned kiwi, I am happy to
see evidence that kiwi pride is replacing kiwi bashing and our national
inferiority complex!"
MANAGING
CONSULTANT, HONG KONG
"Every day I help organisations think about what it takes to attract,
engage and retain great people. New Zealand has got to be the best
business there is, and New Zealanders give it that edge. Its great to see
such inspired thinking about how to realise that potential."
SCOTT BIDDLE,
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER/NEW ZEALAND/USA CONNECTION,HONOLULU,HAWAII, USA
"Great web site ! I'll let the other Kiwis here in Honolulu know
about it by way of our newsletter and monthly get togethers. Keep up the
good work ! Aloha, Scott Biddle, President, NZ/USA Connection Honolulu,
Hawaii." uskiwi@hawaii.rr.com
MEDIA, SAN
FRANCISCO, USA
"About to move to S.F. from Christchurch. Going to miss the place,
but want to take the positive NZ spirit with me. Once a Kiwi, always a
Kiwi. Your site will give me something to remind me just why I'm so proud
to be a New Zealander. Well done guys!"
GOINA THEDINGA, CREATIVE DIRECTOR,
AOTEAROA
"We are www.aotearoa.co.nz and we
promote NZ and Pacific art. One of our clients is Fronz, they design
jewellery, including silver ferns. One of their silver ferns was choosen
on the NZ$2 stamp. Perhaps a nice addition to you silver
fern page. You can find the silver fern stamp at: www.aotearoa.co.nz/fronz/win.htm
Thank you very much for your time. Kind regards, Goina Thedinga, Creative
Director, aotearoa.co.nz"
BUSINESS COACH,
AUCKLAND NZ
"Thank you for this wonderfully positive site."
IDEALIST, AUCKLAND
NZ
"I'm on. Finally. Just looked through every page - absolutely
awesome."
TRADING MANAGER,
DUBAI UAE
"I look forward to up dates and connecting with the Edge. Thank
you."
TEACHER, SINGAPORE
"Very interesting
RECRUITMENT
CONSULTANT, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
"Great idea, looking forward to my first update!"
UNITED KINGDOM
I have moved from New Zealand and currently living in the UK and extremely
missing NZ, so I hope that this site will provided me with anything I need
to know about my home town New Zealand.
ELECTRICIAN,
DONCASTER, BRITAIN
"What a great people we are, when you read the latest emails you see
we are travellers with a great pride for the country and people we are.
How many other races do you see with this standard of life. We stand as
one. Great site. Cheers."
TELEPHONY
DEPLOYMENT ENGINEER, LISLE, ILLINOS, USA
"A friend of mine gave me the idea of vacationing in beautiful New
Zealand. When, I saw your country's attractions and history, the vacation
idea became an objective!"
STRATEGY MANAGER -
FORESTS, AUCKLAND, NZ
"I am keen to learn about incubating new ideas - taking them from an
idea and transforming into a business plan and then onto a new
venture/business."
DESIGNER, ROTORUA, NZ
"Lets celebrate Tall Poppies, the Indigenious of New Zealand and our
unrestricted capacity to stretch our arms and breathe in the beauty and
blessings of this our land. Visit www.kiwianatown.co.nz.
A town proudly standing up to celebrate our history, heros and icons."
THOMAS, SENIOR
MANAGER (PR), BHOPAL, INDIA
"Would love to serve in NZ, because it's a lovely and safe country to
live in. It seems there is lots and lots of area available for each family
to live in. Heard there is no crime in NZ ? Or is it?."
OUTDOORSMAN,
AUCKLAND, NZ
"Helping their lives better by working in the outdoors."
STUDENT,
AUCKLAND, NZ
"gday im a student at the unitec school of performing and screen arts,
specialising in lights and sound. ive been involved in the student leaders
forum (slf) as a participant and facilitator and am passionate about the
leadership of young new zealanders."
ANDREW MALLIA,
MANAGER, DUBLIN, IRELAND
"I was given the site by the New Zealand /Ireland Assoc in Ireland and have
only just browsed. It looks awesome and I can't wait to spend more time
reading it. We New Zealanders are unique especially when away from home
and our Pacific cousins (Australians) become brothers & sisters and we
unite. I miss home & this site will give me what I need, it is also a
good chance to advertise NZ, especially in Ireland as they are all heading
for Australia.
cheers Andrew"
DAMIAN, AUCKLAND,
NZ
"Thanks for your presentation on Wednesday night, I found it very
inspirational and I look forward to receiving the NZ Edge updates."
BARBI KUNSZENTMIKLOS
"Magyarokat keresek Új -Zélandon."
MARY MCDADE,
TEACHER, LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, USA
"Please send me any information or where I can search on requirements
to be an elementary school teacher in New Zealand. I have been teaching in
private and public elementary schools (kindergarten thru 8th grade) in
regular and special education classes in the United States for 19 years. I
plan on moving to Auckland/Paeroa area soon. Thank you." maremare81760@yahoo.com
MELANIE HAU,
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
"Hello, I am just about to shift to Stockholm, Sweden, scary stuff! I have
been surfing the net to see if I could find any information on New
Zealanders in Stockholm and found myself here at this site. So I'm still
not sure how this works but if anyone can offer me any information on
contacts in Stockholm I would be very grateful. Thanks." melaniehau@hotmail.com
ACCOUNT
COORDINATOR, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
"Love this site, I grew up in the deep south of NZ and am currently
working in Sydney. I'm constantly bragging about places like Wanaka and
Queenstown
to my workmates. I miss the serene greenness and alpine atmosphere. When I
find sites like this I am very tempted to come back home. Will be visiting
again soon."
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