News of New Zealanders via Global Media

David Young, CEO of World’s Largest Air Tour Operation

David Young, CEO of World’s Largest Air Tour Operation

Young, 58, a transplanted New Zealander, died of cancer in Las Vegas. He was CEO of Scenic Airlines. David Young: died 2000

Ten Million Leap over the Edge

Ten Million Leap over the Edge

Bungee jumping, inspired by a South Pacific rite, was commercialised world-wide by New Zealander A.J. Hackett, who established the Kawarau river bridge site near Queenstown in 1988. This year the 10 millionth person across the world took the…

The Mighty Moa

The Mighty Moa

Preview of Discovery Programme: “Discovery takes a look at an extraordinary (and extinct) New Zealand bird, the moa. The story of the moa is one of mystery and imagination. It reads like a good detective story”.

Kiwis’ Towering Achievement in Kuala Lumpur

Kiwis’ Towering Achievement in Kuala Lumpur

New Zealanders showed their domination at the Kuala Lumpur International Towerathon 2000 in both the men’s and women’s categories. Jonathan Wyatt broke his own record to win the event, climbing the 2,058 steps of the tower in 10.39s….

Home-style Kiwi dressing leads to urban-style success for Designer Rebecca Taylor

Home-style Kiwi dressing leads to urban-style success for Designer Rebecca Taylor

In a New York Daily News Mother’s Day special, New York based Kiwi Rebecca Taylor (recently nominated for the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers America Perry Ellis Best New Talent Award) credits her dressmaker…

Nicola Barker, Winner of the World’s Most Lavish Award for Fiction, Gets Lyrical About Dunedin

Nicola Barker, Winner of the World’s Most Lavish Award for Fiction, Gets Lyrical About Dunedin

Spreading her wings in wide open spaces, Nicola Barker in the Observer immerses heartily herself in Dunedin nature and culture and comes up smiling. “This is a happy, happy place. The Albatross shows us its fluffy…

“Rebels Almost Skinned Me Alive”

“Rebels Almost Skinned Me Alive”

In a daring jungle escape, a Kiwi, Major David Lingard, and three British officers on peace-keeping duty in Sierra Leone, evaded capture by rebels, one of whom, clad in a stolen UN uniform taunted, “I have…

Kiwi Soldier in Adventurous Jungle Escape from Murderous Rebels

Kiwi Soldier in Adventurous Jungle Escape from Murderous Rebels

For three days and three nights, New Zealander, Major David Lingard and three British officers struggled through 50 miles of dense African jungle on the run from murderous rebels in a remote part of Sierra Leone.

Happy Days Inspires Maori Playwright Briar Grace-Smith to Tell New Zealand Stories

Happy Days Inspires Maori Playwright Briar Grace-Smith to Tell New Zealand Stories

“New Zealanders are becoming bolder and prouder about who we are. We’re no longer looking overseas for our theatre. We’re telling our own stories and feeling good about it. And not just Maori”

Remarkable Slight Back on Track after Brain Op

Remarkable Slight Back on Track after Brain Op

New Zealander Aaron Slight says he is ready to attempt one of motorcycling’s most remarkable comebacks … no one has ever had brain surgery then tried to race again at the top level three months later….

Rome with a View

Rome with a View

Ridley Scott’s exhilarating and ferocious Gladiator brings the epic back to life.  The movie is dominated by Russell Crowe’s towering Maximus, a man of intelligence, probity and Roman virtue.  He’s the most virile presence…

From the Z-files: Kiwi Squeezes Gold from Cabbages

From the Z-files: Kiwi Squeezes Gold from Cabbages

26 yr-old PHD student Chris Anderson has developed a way of extracting gold from cabbages grown on old mine tailings – and he is confident that the method will be commercially viable.

“It’s a Grey Whale, I Tell Ya”  NZ Whale Detectives Enforce Law of the Sea

“It’s a Grey Whale, I Tell Ya”  NZ Whale Detectives Enforce Law of the Sea

Genetic scientists from Auckland University, New Zealand, have discovered that meat from the gray whale, an internationally protected species, was sold in Japanese shops in 1999. They are demanding the Japanese State Fishing Agency locate where the meat…

Barbara Anderson’s

Barbara Anderson’s

“Any fan of sharp, poised social comedy, driven by immaculately droll prose, should investigate the New Zealand writer Barbara Anderson”.

Going to work on a memoir

Going to work on a memoir

NZ-edged Fay Weldon has signed a reputed £250,000 deal with publishers Harper Collins to write her memoirs, The Word, the Flesh and the She-Devil, a frank account of life, love, religion, psychoanalysis and the…

Deep Forest Blends With Massive Attack in Oceanic Swirl

Deep Forest Blends With Massive Attack in Oceanic Swirl

Oceania, with the release of its self-titled debut album and led by ex-Killing Joke frontman Jaz Coleman, makes a spirited and successful atempt to bring Maori music from New Zealand to a global stage. The result is…

New Zealand Under the World’s Microscope

New Zealand Under the World’s Microscope

South Africa: while New Zealanders have mixed feelings about the manner in which their economy was overhauled, few in business have argued with the results and each year hundreds of public and private sector players visit…

Anthony McCarten’s Four Cities a global hit in Hong Kong

Anthony McCarten’s Four Cities a global hit in Hong Kong

“Four Cities, written by New Zealand’s Anthony McCarten is a good chance to sample some contemporary Kiwi writing. The quality of the acting and the breezy joy of the one-liners made this a highly…

The Hobbit; Or, There and Back Again…Already?

The Hobbit; Or, There and Back Again…Already?

Currently being filmed in New Zealand on a mammoth 18 month shoot, the first film won’t even be released until Christmas 2001. Despite this the film’s official site is up and running. “Preview” footage…

Sweet Child China Rose Heads for Seedy Weekend in Brighton

Sweet Child China Rose Heads for Seedy Weekend in Brighton

New Zealander Kate Sylvester was one of the week’s most thoughtful designers, declaring a Graham Greene inspired theme from her Brighton Rock “no cigars or pipes please” invitations to the cried myself to sleep…

Emotional rescue:

Emotional rescue:

Kevin Roberts demonstrates the sharpness of his edge at Conference in San Francisco “Shielded all in black, wielding his New Zealand accent as a sword, the Saatchi & Saatchi CEO launched a tirade on…

Australian Fashion Week: “The All Blacks Are Well Ahead of The Wallabies”

Australian Fashion Week: “The All Blacks Are Well Ahead of The Wallabies”

Karen Walker and Collette Dinnigan’s shows at Fashion Week gain the highest praise. Among those gushing were eminent Sunday Times fashion historian Colin McDowell, and fashion director of Vogue Nippon Kim Stringer.

Star Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott: an irresistible pairing

Star Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott: an irresistible pairing

“Scott, the big name auteur, and Crowe, the acting wunderkind, in the same room.  The director, with his well-bred English manners, and the thespian, with his New Zealander ease and laconic wit, are a…

Sideline Sneers No Music to Ears at Fashion Week

Sideline Sneers No Music to Ears at Fashion Week

Karen Walker has created another visual and aural sensation. Things got interesting when she provided the fashpack with a CD player and headphones from which they could select their own music. The only trouble…

Record Breaking Brit Uses Kiwi Know-how

Record Breaking Brit Uses Kiwi Know-how

Brit Ellen Macarthur, 22, the youngest winner of the Europe 1 New Man Star transatlantic yacht race, is attempting the Vendée Globe around the world solo yacht race, its youngest competitor ever. As well as training…

The Greatest Rider of the Century

The Greatest Rider of the Century

As Mark Todd prepares to leap the final fences of his distinguished career, The Time’s Simon Barnes heaps lavish praise on the New Zealander who is “without peer” in the equestrain world.  

The Race No Holiday for Club Med

The Race No Holiday for Club Med

New Zealander Grant Dalton, a winner of the Whitbread Round the World Race, is to skipper 110ft catamaran Club Med in ‘The Race’, a non-stop dash around the world starting from Barcelona on the last day…

100% Pure: New Zealand Acts to Protect its Isolated Environment

100% Pure: New Zealand Acts to Protect its Isolated Environment

New Zealand’s geographical islation has allowed farms, orchads and tree plantations to remain relatively free of pests and disease that could push up production costs and reduce market export access – but it’s isolation also means it…

If You Can’t Beat ’em, Buy ’em: It’s the American Way

If You Can’t Beat ’em, Buy ’em: It’s the American Way

“Let’s face it, American’s hate to lose at anything, from tiddlewinks on up, and we had come to view the America’s Cup as our personal possession. But then New Zealand hung us by the mizzenmast … …

Not the Third Way, But the Kiwi Way: Clark Impresses in the Uk

Not the Third Way, But the Kiwi Way: Clark Impresses in the Uk

John Monks, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, marvels at NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark’s golden ride in government, “That’s a government that knows what it’s doing, that is business-friendly, but insists on some rules too”. …

Kiwis Romp to Victory in World School’s Golf Championship

Kiwis Romp to Victory in World School’s Golf Championship

New Zealand were runaway winners of the Golf Foundation team championship for schools international two-day final which ended at Royal County Down Golf Club on Wednesday. The New Zealanders won the R&A Trophy for the first time with…

Travelling with Cruise Control

Travelling with Cruise Control

If Kiwi Jonathan Kruse has his way, road-tripping tourists will never have to fumble with the map or guide-book again. Using global positioning systems, information about your location and relevant tourist attractions, meshed with evocative music and…

Alt-rock poster boys Luna lose a little sheen

Alt-rock poster boys Luna lose a little sheen

Founding bassist Justin Harwood has resigned his position behind the bass, and after eight years in the band, will return to his native New Zealand to raise his newborn baby girl.

Tragic death of activist remembered in Punitive Damage.

Tragic death of activist remembered in Punitive Damage.

The Kiwi-made documentary traces the life and tragic death of Kamal Badmadhaj, slaughtered in the 1991 Dili Cemetery Massacre by the Indonesian military.  The film won the Audience Award at the 1999 Sydney International Film Festival…

Russell Crowe: A Gladiator Even a Woman Could Love

Russell Crowe: A Gladiator Even a Woman Could Love

“Why would a woman want to see Gladiator: 1. It’s a love story. Really. 2. An intelligent female character.  3. Russell Crowe … Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, Crowe’s got that take-no-mess…

Female Guru

Female Guru

Fay Weldon and why we love those wise big women Maddening, sexy, inconsistent, irascible, solipsistic, profound, perplexing and provocative … and we love her. New Zealand-raised Fay Weldon joins the female-guru big-time along with…

Kea Aura: Cool Queenstown is a Hot Destination

Kea Aura: Cool Queenstown is a Hot Destination

Tipped to be the hottest destination for trendsetters travelling Down Under this summer – not just because of its Winter Ice festival, when the whole community goes crazy with street parties, jazz parades and night skiing, but…

Campbell Puts Merit in Order

Campbell Puts Merit in Order

“The Maori’s return to form shows it was no fluke the first time. Currently third in the order of merit, Campbell’s outstanding recovery is illustrated perfectly in the Maori proverb: “I te tu oho koe/ Hei…

Aussies Tell Flightless Kiwis: “You Can Be My Wing-man Anyday”

Aussies Tell Flightless Kiwis: “You Can Be My Wing-man Anyday”

If New Zealand looks to emulate Iceland or Costa Rica, and do away with its combat air-force and emphasise its peacekeeping role, its best pilots can rest safely in the knowledge that the Australian air-force will…

Buttery New Zealand invention Spreads the word

Buttery New Zealand invention Spreads the word

As British consumers have become more concerned about food safety, Anchor has taken advantage of New Zealand’s clean, green image to promote its spreadable butter – a product invented by the New Zealand Dairy Board.

Kiwi Innovation Helps Blind See the Future

Kiwi Innovation Helps Blind See the Future

A Christchurch company has taken computers for braille users from the age of the typewriter to the age of the super-computer, with Braillenote, the first notebook computer for the blind. Asiaweek (CNN) profiles the innovation in its…

Fresh Crowe Conquers in Revival of Old-genre

Fresh Crowe Conquers in Revival of Old-genre

“I just thought he was fresh, a new generation, he’s a man who’s on his way up,” says Ridley Scott, of Russell Crowe, the Gladiator’s 36-year-old New Zealand star.

Tua to Lewis: “It’s Time to Face the Music”

Tua to Lewis: “It’s Time to Face the Music”

“The fans need to see David Tua destroy Lennox Lewis. He’s tailor-made for me.  I Respect what he’s accomplished, but I believe I have the style to knock Lennox Lewis out” …

New Zealand Yorkies

New Zealand Yorkies

Global Soccer show Futbol Mundial profiles three young New Zealanders who’ve made the long journey to the English town of Barnsley in the hope of launching a professional career.  

Famous Kiwi Face-offs Remembered

Famous Kiwi Face-offs Remembered

Times anniversary page remembers the birth of Sir Archibald McIndoe, Plastic Surgeon born in Dunedin; and the beginning of the Maori uprising against the British in 1863. …

Cincinnati Hearts Warm to Kiwi Cockles

Cincinnati Hearts Warm to Kiwi Cockles

“If you’re not in the mood for raw fish, or even for cold seafood, there’s always the New Zealand cockles appetizer, which I can’t resist ordering every time I visit Prime and Wine.  

“She is Right Mate” New Zealand Sheep and Cattle Reap Benefit of Revolution

“She is Right Mate” New Zealand Sheep and Cattle Reap Benefit of Revolution

Immense changes under way in NZ farming, ranging from challenges of e-commerce and overseas trade restraints, to the costly introduction of organic produce and changing market demands, mean that NZ farming is poised for one of its…

New Zealand Spreads No-nukes Message

New Zealand Spreads No-nukes Message

In a letter to the editor of the Financial Times spokesperson for the New Agenda Coalition, Mexican Ambassador Antonio de Icaza, expressed concern at current developments “whereby nuclear weapons are being re-rationalised for the foreseeable future; indeed…

Kiwi Kosovo Peacekeeper Threatens UN Withdrawal as Violence Escalates

Kiwi Kosovo Peacekeeper Threatens UN Withdrawal as Violence Escalates

Dennis McNamara, the UN High Comissioner for Refugees top official in Kosovo, threatened to suspend UN activities in the Kosovo city of Mitovica, if attacks on its staff and vehicles did not cease.  

Management Executives on the Move

Management Executives on the Move

Tim Corcoran, who studied law at Canterbury University, New Zealand, is to become chief financial officer of Prolifix Ltd, a privately owned pharmaceutical company that is a leader in cell cycle research.

Hard Work Starts to Pay off for Kiwi Organic Pioneers

Hard Work Starts to Pay off for Kiwi Organic Pioneers

At first farmers were concerned labeling certain products ‘organic’ would tarnish others as inferior, but many are beginning to see that increasing demand from consumers, home and abroad cannot be ignored, as New Zealand pioneers like Angela Aitchison…

Talk the walk: From a Maori grave in Crete to dithering dons at Oxford

Talk the walk: From a Maori grave in Crete to dithering dons at Oxford

Times review: “CK Stead’s eigth novel Talking about O’Dwyer is an inticate interrogation of the past … The sweep of Stead’s narrative pays dividends: there’s almost a wistful nostalgia, a sense that hanging onto…

Even Better than the Real Thing:

Even Better than the Real Thing:

When Ridley Scott wanted to recreate the Colosseum he stayed well clear of Rome, preferring to leave the real Colosseum to the tourists. Instead he used computer imaging and sets in Malta and Surrey….

Singapore looks to New Zealand Model in Fair Trading Laws Debate

Singapore looks to New Zealand Model in Fair Trading Laws Debate

Edmund Baker, Executive Director of the Consumers Association of Singapore is pushing the Kiwi and Australian Fair Trading Acts as model examples in debates over fair trade legislation in Singapore.  

Down-Under achievers: Which actor wasn’t born in Australia quiz? Answer: Russell Crowe is originally from New Zealand.

Down-Under achievers: Which actor wasn’t born in Australia quiz? Answer: Russell Crowe is originally from New Zealand.

Answer: Russell Crowe is originally from New Zealand. (4 May 2000)

Davids and Goliaths: Coalition Says Nuclear States Fall Short of Goals

Davids and Goliaths: Coalition Says Nuclear States Fall Short of Goals

United Nations: the “New Agenda Coalition”, of which New Zealand is a key member, criticised the ‘big guns’ (US, Russia, France, Britain and China) for making an empty pledge to eliminate nuclear weapons but falling short…