Archive >> January 2000

Notes from Ian McKellen

“What a congenial country New Zealand is for visitors from what used to be called “the home country … It all seems half-familiar with a style of friendliness that…

Not Crowing About Stardom

Russell Crowe was the darling of the early awards season, picking up a slew of accolades for his role as a tobacco industry whistle-blower in The Insider.

Small town toilet with big flushing power

Kawakawa, New Zealand: flushing the toilet has forever changed in this tiny township as hundreds of tourists flood in – to go to perhaps the most triumphant public loo…

Deserters Honoured

306 commonwealth soldiers, including 5 New Zealanders, are to be honoured at the National Memorial Arboretum in the English Midlands. The soldiers, many underage, were executed by their own side for…

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.

Champions

Solid bowling and strong fielding led New Zealand to victory in the Women’s Cricket World Cup on December 23. The trans-Tasman final was “probably the most exciting match in the history…

Gorgeous Genes

Mahara McKay, 19, who holds dual Swiss and New Zealand citizenship, has won the Miss Switzerland competition. “I’m very proud that I’m half Maori,” says Mahara, who lived in…

New Zealand architect designs gastronomic gateway to newly re-opened Centre Pomidou

When the Pompidou Centre in Paris was closed for two years for a refit, a competition was held to design the Centre’s restaurant. Beating entries from the elite of…

Eco-race

“Up ahead there is likely to be John Howard, 46, arguably the world’s greatest adventure racer, a crusty old Kiwi window cleaner who, late in a race, looks like he just…