Archive >> April 2004

Far and Away

A team of NZ and Japanese astronomers at Mount John Observatory have discovered Earth’s most distant planetary neighbour. The planet – which is about the size of Jupiter – was located 17,000…

Go Fish

Fish la Boissonerie – co-owned by Kiwi Drew Harre and American Juan Sanchez – features in an LA Times guide to dining well (without breaking the bank) in Paris….

Edge of Eden

A NZ themed garden is to feature at the most prestigious horticultural event of the year – the RHS Chelsea Garden Show, May 25-8. The 100% Pure NZ Ora Garden of…

Lest We Forget

Russell Crowe provided the narration for a “ground-breaking” documentary series on Anzac soldiers, recently aired on NZ television and screening in Australia later this year. The series celebrates the bond between NZ and…

Something to Crowe about

Russell Crowe’s Maximus (Gladiator) is the greatest movie hero of all time, according to a poll by a British video rental company. Crowe beat Christopher Reeve in Superman, Mel Gibson in…

Kiri Vows to Remain a Friend in a High Place

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has announced that she will continue singing despite turning 60 this year – the age at which she has previously said she would retire. Her…

RNZB Romances Britain

The Royal NZ Ballet production of Romeo and Juliet – helmed by star British choreographer Christopher Hampson – has received glowing reviews in the UK press. Guardian:…

Tales from the city’s edge

Canterbury School of Fine Arts graduates Kent Bell, Sara Givins, Damon MacLeod, Rachel Brown, and Reece Sanders have mounted a joint exhibition at Melbourne’s Conical Gallery, running April 23…

“For Many NZ is the New Utopia”

20 April 2004 – The flood of US immigrants seeking a better life in NZ continues – with good reason, according to a lengthy San Francisco Gate article. “It’s…

Queenstown: Thrill Mecca

The will to thrill Kiwi-style shows no signs of subsiding, with bungy related features by the BBC and Observer, and one covering the full adventure spectrum – from tandem parapenting to…

Crumpton Chicago-bound

Shireen Crumpton won the 42.2km Canberra Marathon in impressive style, crossing the line a full 16 minutes before second place-getter Helen Verity-Tolhurst of Queensland. Crumpton’s victory earns her a starting place at…

Up Close and Personal

Kaikoura features in the Guardian‘s top ten whale-watching tours around the world. “Head to for an excellent chance of seeing 66-foot sperm whales … humpbacks whales, killer whales (orca), and…

Star on the rise

14-year-old Wellington performer Letitia Forbes has a starring role in the latest production by Cirque de Soleil – Quidam. An accomplished singer and actress, Forbes plays the central character…

The Wright Stuff

John Wright led India to a historic Test series win against traditional rivals Pakistan – the side’s first on Pakistani soil. The former NZ player is the first non-Indian to coach…

Baby Blacks Sweep the Field

NZ won its fourth title in six years at the IRB Under-19 World Championship in Durban, with a convincing 34-11 victory over France. NZ made four tries to France’s one, with…

Multi-tasker

“Double internationals – people who represent their country at more than one sport – are rare. Someone who represents his country on the sports field and also stands on it to…

Taking Maori Stories to the World

13 April 2004 – Whale Rider star Rawiri Paratene visited Hawaii in mid-April to discuss cultural themes in the film and NZ as a tourist destination. “Whale Rider has been a…

Flax Attack

After a brief 1960s hey-day, NZ flax (phormium) has returned as “the drama queen of trendy garden designs” in LA. According to TV horticulturist Maureen Gilmer, “Phormiums are the most exciting…

King of the Consoles

Peter Jackson has joined yet another elite Hollywood club: director’s who earn as much if not more from helping create video games as they do from making…

“the Most Influential American Criminologist of His Time”

Pioneering criminologist and novelist, Norval Morris, has died in Chicago aged 80. Born in Auckland, Morris studied in Australia, France, and England before embarking on his 30-year academic career…

Jews Brothers go global

The Naxos World Label’s Rhythm for Kids album received a glowing review in the Star: ” a neat grab for the pre-consumer demographic. There’s 13 tracks of worldbeat from…

Jolly good fellow

New York-based dancer/choreographer Jeremy Nelson was named a Guggenheim Fellow for 2004 in April. The prestigious award is granted annually to scientists, scholars, and artists at the peak of…

Around the World in 58 Days

NZers Mike Beasley and Fraser Brown were part of the 12-strong crew in billionaire adventurer Steve Fossett’s record breaking round-the-world sailing victory. Fossett and co. circumnavigated the globe in 58 days, 9…

A Sporting Life

NZ-born BBC sports producer and director, Malcolm Kemp, has died aged 57 of cancer. Kemp’s illustrious career saw him executive produce seven Grand Nationals, the 1994 football World Cup…

More than just a pretty face

The NZ High Commission in India hosted a festival promoting cultural exchange between the two nations in Delhi, April 5-28. Entitled Aotearoa: The Land of the Long White Cloud,…

Edge-Mobile

Kiwi furniture designers David Trubridge, Purple South, and Simon James exhibited at Milan’s 2004 Salone del Mobile in April. The event is the largest and most respected of its…

The World According to Bob

Bob MacLaren – writer, comedian, and host of the Discovery Channel’s wacky travel show, Bob’s World – interviewed in the Star. “The idea was to take ourselves not just…

Export success

Lamb exporting to the UK is set to rise even further following a favourable report by the British government on NZ’s methods of slaughtering stock. According to the report,…

Jane and the Weta

Weta Workshop is collaborating with Toronto-based animation house Nelvana to produce a CGI television series of Martin Baynton’s popular Jane and the Dragon books. The 26-episode series is Weta’s…

Location, Location, Location

1 April 2004 – i-D magazine’s Location issue gives pride of place to NZ’s up-and-coming “kings of creation.” Featured are Huffer designer Steven Dunstan, author Chad Taylor, artists Richard…

Concord Dawn shifts base

Leading drum’n’bass act, Concord Dawn, have moved their studio from Christchurch to Vienna in a bid to win over the European dance scene. According to the Age, Matt Harvey…

King of the Castle

The Return of the King has ruled them all at this year’s awards season, having won Oscar glory with 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. The…