April 2000 Archives

0800 GAZZA – Personalised Phone Numbers Up for Sale in Britain

0800 GAZZA – Personalised Phone Numbers Up for Sale in Britain

Henry Newrick, a New Zealand entrepreneur, who brought the idea to Britain, says, “They will change the way people think about phone numbers and make them more memorable and certainly valuable”.

Wisden Cricketer of the Century/Cricketer of the Century announced

Wisden Cricketer of the Century/Cricketer of the Century announced

Hadlee 10th equal (with Imran Khan); Cairns – Wisden Cricketer of the Year and tops the Price-Waterhouse all-rounder rankings.

A Cool, Crisp, Refreshing Dip: Oyster Bay

A Cool, Crisp, Refreshing Dip: Oyster Bay

“Fondle a bottle of sauvignon blanc on a hot day. There are beads of cool condensation on the outside and the label says “Oyster Bay”…”

‘Gardeners Get out Your Pruners’ –  New Zealand is the Leading Destination in Booming Garden Tourism Market

‘Gardeners Get out Your Pruners’ –  New Zealand is the Leading Destination in Booming Garden Tourism Market

In the English-speaking world, New Zealand (with a much lusher climate than Australia) is becoming popular because you can enjoy gardens from October through February, thanks to the equitorial inversion of seasons.

New Zealand Wilderness a Hit with Big-budget Filmmakers

New Zealand Wilderness a Hit with Big-budget Filmmakers

Ever since Jane Campion brought the surging savage West Coast of Auckland’s Karekare beach and the rain-soaked bush to the world in her award winning film The Piano nearly a decade ago, more and…

Diplomatic Ingratiation: US Ambassador Consigned to Paradise

Diplomatic Ingratiation: US Ambassador Consigned to Paradise

Mosely-Braun, who came from her New Zealand post just to attend the Feminist Expo 2000 … called New Zealand and Samoa, where she is now the U.S. Embassy official, “about as close to paradise as I…

Aussie Museum to Return Maori Heads

Aussie Museum to Return Maori Heads

The return of heads from the South Australian Museum in Adelaide later this month marks another milestone in an ongoing campaign to repatriate all the tattooed heads of Maori from museums and galleries all round the…

Tolkien Teaser Runs

Tolkien Teaser Runs

“Attention fantasy fans: New Line Cinema is about to lift the veil of secrecy — just a little bit — that has shrouded Peter Jackson’s massive adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the…

Wall of Tyres to Check Sea-erosion

Wall of Tyres to Check Sea-erosion

Indian Minister of State for Minor Irrigation Kumar Bangarappa, in an effort to find a simpler, cost-effective alternative to a full-fledged concrete sea-wall, has come up with this idea, following the example of New Zealand.

Democracy Challenge for Commonwealth Chief

Democracy Challenge for Commonwealth Chief

New Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Don McKinnon, takes up his post formally on Monday, his main task being to make the 54-nation organisation “more relevant and useful” to its 1.6 billion citizens.  

Theo Ray – Kiwi Indie singer hits LA

Theo Ray – Kiwi Indie singer hits LA

From Indie chart success in New Zealand and Australia, to a #2 single ‘Smell’ in Europe, to the darker side of Asia and beyond, Theo Ray is now based in Los Angeles, playing with…

Your Place or Mine? NZ Cabinet Backs Gay Property Rights

Your Place or Mine? NZ Cabinet Backs Gay Property Rights

Gay and unmarried heterosexual couples are to given the same rights as married people under proposals approved by the New Zealand government.

If You’re Setting for a Stylish Sail – Point Your Compass to Auckland

If You’re Setting for a Stylish Sail – Point Your Compass to Auckland

Global style bible Wallpaper launches its on-line version with a global navigator ‘consular service’ that profiles the world’s most chilled destinations for the urban explorer – including a prominent guide to Auckland, advising on…

Solid Achieving New Zealand Economy – an Oxymoron?

Solid Achieving New Zealand Economy – an Oxymoron?

“In broader terms, the best-performing economies of the 20th century have been the “Western Offshoots” of Western Europe – the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand”.

Kiwi in “Britain’s Most Powerful Women” List

Kiwi in “Britain’s Most Powerful Women” List

Judith Mayhew, currently head of policy (effectively its boss) of the Corporation of London, came in 31st in Management Today magazine’s annual ranking of Britain’s most powerful women. She was recently appointed as London Mayor Ken Livingstone’s business advisor.

White Mouse Roars Again

White Mouse Roars Again

New Zealand-born hero of the French Resistance during WWII, Nancy Wake, is considering moving to France or Britain, despite belated suggestions of recognition by the Australian government, “I am an Officer of the Legion of…

Great Balls of Fire

Great Balls of Fire

Making the cover of the April New Scientist, New Zealand researchers at the University of Canterbury believe they have solved the mystery of one of nature’s oldest puzzles – ball lightning – a mysterious floating light…

Sir Peter Blake and Louis Vuitton Score on the Rebound for UNICEF

Sir Peter Blake and Louis Vuitton Score on the Rebound for UNICEF

Peter Blake is among the stellar collection of artists, writers, stars of show-business, sports, politics and business who have posed for a unquie collection of portraits called Rebonds, published by fashion house Louis Vuitton. The…

Fat-Pig New Zealand Speedsters Bring Home the Bacon

Fat-Pig New Zealand Speedsters Bring Home the Bacon

Pig racing has taken off in Groombridge, near Tunbridge Wells. Pig trainer Mike Foley’s favourite pigs are the Kune Kune (pronounced Koonie Koonie) from New Zealand.

Playing Possum with Beachwear

Playing Possum with Beachwear

New Zealand has finally found a use for their pesky marsupial pest. Possum leather bikinis are the sexy, fashionable and expensive Kiwi import about to hit Australian beaches.

Snow Must Go On

Snow Must Go On

If you’re itching for deep powder and big mountains there is no better place to visit between late June and mid October. Not only is NZ one of the most beautiful places in the world, it’s…

Hotspots: Wellington, New Zealand

Hotspots: Wellington, New Zealand

With more cafes per capita than New York, the city has been transformed into one of the country’s leading holiday destinations “… whether you choose to eat, drink or just relax you can’t escape Wellington’s beautiful…

If You’re Setting for a Stylish Sail – Point Your Compass to Auckland

If You’re Setting for a Stylish Sail – Point Your Compass to Auckland

Global style bible  Wallpaper launches its on-line version with a global navigator ‘consular service’ that profiles the world’s most chilled destinations for the urban explorer – including a prominent guide to Auckland, advising on such essential issues…

“It’s All Too Beautiful”

“It’s All Too Beautiful”

Our pal, LA Times travel writer Mike Mcintyre needs electronic help to get a certain tune out of his head as he hikes New Zealand’s scenic tracks.

Countless billboards proclaim there’s a new hero: Russell Crowe, bigger than Ben Hur.

Countless billboards proclaim there’s a new hero: Russell Crowe, bigger than Ben Hur.

From Auckland Grammar to singing on 80’s pop show Shazam. From Oscar nominations to the violent centre of a decadent ancient Rome. He’s one-sixteenth Maori and registered on the Maori voting poll, but he lives…