Tag Archives: Ananova

First Wedding

First Wedding

Julie and Sean Humphrey “found out how beautiful New Zealand was and just decided to do something a little different” – traveling from Ohio to Christchurch for the first wedding of the (real) millennium.

First Golf – Definitely

First Golf – Definitely

“Armed with a three iron, a luminous golf ball and a light strapped to his head, Ant Gear dashed around the course at North Island Manawatu Golf Club in 114 – eight shots better than his…

Good Behavior Pat

Good Behavior Pat

Canterbury police are rewarding sober drivers with pats – chocolate cowpats.  

Window Rescue

Window Rescue

Christchurch window-cleaner Brent Harrington’s rescue provided a spectacle for 200 cheering tourist after his pulley-operated platform malfunctioned, stranding him outside the fifth floor of the BNZ.

Is That a Wallet in Your Sofa or Are You Just Pleased to See Me?

Is That a Wallet in Your Sofa or Are You Just Pleased to See Me?

After 57 years apart US marine Chuck Herrler was reunited with his wallet, courtesy of Wellington woman Louise Alliston, who noticed a strange bulge in the arm of her second-hand sofa.

Berg Ahoy!

Berg Ahoy!

Kiwi Nigel Jolly heads a team of eleven sailing into Antarctic waters in search of a giant iceberg. The crew are hoping to film the berg inside and out.

Birth blocked

Birth blocked

New Zealand website Calendargirls’ planned broadcast of a live birth on Christmas day was stymied by a high court ruling.

Privy Decision

Privy Decision

Attorney-General Margaret Wilson flags the government’s intention to abolish the right of appeal to the British Privy Council, instead creating a highest right of appeal based in New Zealand.  

Bill Doesn’t Pay

Bill Doesn’t Pay

Enjoying a New Zealand-sourced organic beer in London, President Clinton left without clearing his tab.  

Ideal Burglar

Ideal Burglar

“If you wanted an ideal burglar, we could give him a reference. You never know he’s been in,” says Ron Hancock of the crook who’s broken into his Lake Rotoehu holiday house twenty times in the…

Because It’s There

Because It’s There

Slovenian Davo Karnicar, the first person to ski down Everest, now plans to slalom Aoraki (Mt Cook).

Star Detective

Star Detective

Newbie Hamilton security man Gillie Henare explains his efficient lifter-nabbing techniques: “they use a lot of tricks to smuggle stuff out. You look for things like the bulging stomach, loose sleeves, bags. Once you’ve seen it…

Tabloid Corner

Tabloid Corner

Reports of a Mandy Smith-Dean Barker romance cause international consternation as dreams of a super-child assail NZ sport fans.  

Jewels Valued

Jewels Valued

A New Zealand testicle is worth £4 500, but the Australian version is valued at £130 000.

Orca Warning

Orca Warning

Orca in Wellington Harbour are a treat for onlookers, but authorities warn water users that the whales “don’t eat cucumbers”.

Come Here, Deer

Come Here, Deer

Deer velvet’s aphrodisiac properties are being scientifically tested. Positive results will lift an already firm export market.

Minus Fours

Minus Fours

Nude golf will be swinging at the January Mackenzie Muster naturist festival near Lake Tekapo. Hole in one?

Pot Luck

Pot Luck

Marijuana causes disease, phlegm and coughing fits, as well as mild euphoria. The wacky backy is as damaging to the lungs as tobacco according to research studiously carried out at Otago University.

Maori Shakespeare

Maori Shakespeare

Te Tangata Whai Rawa O Weneti, (usually known as The Merchant of Venice), currently filming in New Zealand will “introduce the Maori language to the world,” as well as making Shakespeare more accessible to…

PM Groucho re TV

PM Groucho re TV

“I find television very educating. Every time someone turns on the set I go and read a book.”  Helen Clark is in perfect agreement with Groucho Marx’s thoughts on the box.

Jeans #2

Jeans #2

Labour MP John Tamihere wore a pair of ‘dress jeans’ to work. When National’s Bill English complained, Aucklander Tamihere called him “a hillbilly from Clutha”.

Midget Motoring

Midget Motoring

An eight year old boy hitting the motorway at 80k in his Dad’s car was doing his bit to bring the average driving age down. Police stopped the boy who was “not fazed,” by them,…

Bloody Lucky

Bloody Lucky

King Country farming means clear air, rich milk, hay and leeches? Maria Lupton’s slimy sweeties saved the lips of an Australian girl mauled by a dog. The leeches, usually fed on blood and intestines, restore circulation to…

Booby Trap

Booby Trap

It’s tough on the beat. Two Hamilton police officers were innocently holding a cam-corder when the woman it was pointed at ripped her clothes off, landing them in breach of regulations.

A Little to the Right…

A Little to the Right…

New Zealand entrepreneur James Sampson is launching a live sex site based in Christchurch. Viewers will be able to issue instructions to the workers.

Kiwi-Pom Oggie Oi

Kiwi-Pom Oggie Oi

Ron Knox, originally of England, now New Zealand, introduced the stadium-filling “Oggie, Oggie, Oggie, Oi, Oi Oi” chant to the ockers. “I wonder if they will send me a gold medal,” says Ron.  

Avian Aphrodisiac

Avian Aphrodisiac

There are only 62 Kakapo in the world, and they don’t always seem that interested in making more. DOC scientists, hoping to see some action from the feather fellows, have concocted a special kind of muesli…

Motoring On

Motoring On

Elva Shepard, 99, passed her re-licensing test. The experienced drivers only fault? A little slow at times, perhaps due to Bubba, her youthful 43-year-old car.

Moa Simulation: The Strange World of Canterbury Ecology

Moa Simulation: The Strange World of Canterbury Ecology

New Zealand has more small-leaved, tangled shrubs than anywhere else in the world. Some experts think the plants evolved like this to deter the now-extinct moa from making them dinner, but Canterbury University ecologist Dave Kelly doesn’t…

Xena Fights Child Abuse

Xena Fights Child Abuse

Xena Princess Warrior has launched a real-life crusade against child abuse in New Zealand. Using her profile, Lucy Lawless has begun a national campaign to raise money for child protection agencies.

Ruskies Clone NZ Lawyers

Ruskies Clone NZ Lawyers

“A computer programmer from St Petersburg has cloned a New Zealand law firm’s website and changed its details to make it appear Russian. Patent attorney A J Park’s website was plagarised down to the last detail:…

Oui Fumer

Oui Fumer

A political party in New zealand is to hand out free cigarettes in protest at the countires recent increase in tobacco taxes. The Libertarianz Party will hand out free cigarette’s in the city of Roturua, a geothermal…

Xena Look Out

Xena Look Out

An unlucky Auckland criminal chose the wrong victim when he picked on the same woman –  a tae-kwon do black belt – twice in two days. “Each day I teach myself never to use martial arts…

Speed Baa-rrier

Speed Baa-rrier

Shaun the New Zealand Drysdale is doing community work in England’s Lake District – he attracts motorists’ attention, slowing them down for a second glance.