Chew on This
Offering New Zealand prisoners carrots as a substitute for cigarettes is among measures aimed at helping inmates kick the tobacco habit before a controversial smoke-free prisons policy takes effect on July 1….
May 2011 Archives
With Light in Mind
A design by a group of Victoria University students, inspired by the New Zealand bach, is the first southern hemisphere entry in the international US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition held…
Landing Airborne Records
Fearless Taupo BMX rider Jed Mildon has landed the world’s first ever triple backflip. A representative of the Guinness Book of Records was on hand to witness and approve the dangerous trick. Mildon sped…
Chasing Emerging Markets
“When you are the world’s biggest exporter in a sector powered by Asia’s high-octane economies, it is not difficult to find opportunities for growth,” Kevin Brown writes for the Financial Times. “Fonterra,…
Board Made Bespoke
Wellington-based tailoring firm Working Style will make 1 bespoke suits for the management team of the International Rugby Board this year after winning a six-figure contract normally reserved for European companies….
McCaw and Carter’s Pledge
“For once, the phrase ‘Four more years’ will be music to the ears of New Zealand rugby fans,” Emma Stoney writes for The New York Times. “Those three little words brought relief and…
Up, Up and Away
Glenn Martin’s jetpack has set a new flight record this month climbing at a rate of 8 feet per minute, reaching an altitude of 5ft, then soaring back to earth safely on…
Living Up To Its Nickname
Crewing an America’s Cup 8-foot yacht, NZL41, on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour is the crowning glory of Edmonton Journal travel editor Karen Booth’s North Island trip. “With more than 1, private yachts, Auckland…
North By North West
A massive wind farm, comprising 168 turbines that could provide enough electricity for 17, homes has been approved for construction between Port Waikato and Raglan. The wind farm, to be named Hauauru…
Top Chef to Open Kiwiana
In August, New Zealander and Top Chef season 4 survivor Mark Simmons, is planning to open Kiwiana in New York on Union Street. The restaurant will feature lamb and seafood, both of which New…
Leonine Frontmen Like It Nice
“If there’s one thing the Phoenix Foundation won’t abide, it’s dicks,” The Guardian’s Toby Manhire writes. “When it comes to dealing with other bands, says Luke Buda, the leonine frontman for the…
Infectious Influence
Radio 1 DJ New Zealand-born Zane Lowe and British producer Clare Chadburn jointly take the No 29 spot in the The Guardian’s Music Power 1 list — “the people exercising…
Still Part of the Team
The world’s “most influential player” All Black captain Richie McCaw signs again to 2015. McCaw recommitted to his country and the Canterbury Crusaders Super 15 team with a four-year contract that will allow him…
Sevens Secrets Analysed
New Zealand has clinched the 21/11 HSBC Sevens World Series at Twickenham, taking their tally to nine World Series titles with a tournament to spare. By any standards in modern sport, their…
Pinot Vines Abound In Otago
“Like a new immigrant struggling for acceptance, pinot noir faced dirty looks and derisive whispers when the grape arrived on the southern tip of New Zealand in the mid-198s,” The Globe and…
Silencing Cancer Genes
Otago University Professor Michael Eccles and colleagues have found a way to stop the growth of certain cancer tumours by “silencing” a group of PAX genes, members of a small family of genes that…
London Irish Deals
All Blacks second row Bryn Evans has signed a two-year deal with London Irish. The Hastings-born lock, who plays for Super Rugby team the Hurricanes and Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand’s domestic…
Extraordinarily Special Kiwi
A rare white kiwi chick has been born — the first to be hatched in captivity — at the Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, 24km north of Masterton. The chick, named…
Air New Zealand: The Kiwi Sceptics
Air New Zealand brings Australian model Lara Bingle to New Zealand to change her mind about the country.
Ponoko Perfect
Ponoko, the virtual manufacturing pioneer, has announced that its Personal Factory platform will support the new 3D modelling software, Autodesk 123D. The partnership between Autodesk and Ponoko allows the companies to meet…
In The Nick of Time
Two-time Olympian triathlete Kris Gemmell from Palmerston North has won his first Memphis in May Olympic Triathlon in one of the closest finishes in the event’s 28-year history. Gemmell finished 61 seconds…
Written Words Prevail
New Zealand author Craig Cliff has won the Commonwealth Writers Prize best first book award, worth £5000,, for his short story collection A Man Melting, which judges called “highly entertaining and thought-provoking”. Glasgow-born Aminatta…
This is the Buzz
Hip-hop star Auckland-born Dane Rumble and Avalanche City recently featured on ABC’s top-rating celebrity gossip show What’s the Buzz. Rumble and Dave Baxter, brainchild behind and frontman of the folksy Avalanche City, were guests…
Tales From the Kitchen
New Zealand-raised chef Anna Hansen tells The Independent how she came to meet the chef behind London’s St John Bar and Restaurant, Fergus Henderson. Hansen came to the UK in 1992 and got a…
#130: Jim Tim Sam Kiri & JK
Edge Message #130 from Brian Sweeney, producer NZEDGE.COM Greetings. NZEDGE.COM publishes daily on Facebook and Twitter. This newsletter presents a selection of…
All Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs
Auckland’s Naked and Famous are included in a Guardian list of “12 new bands you have to catch” at one of this summer’s UK music festivals. “ New Zealand five-piece make the…
Heart-to-Heart in Red Zone
Bob Parker is taking advice from former San Francisco mayor Art Agnos, who was mayor when the Californian city was struck by a devastating earthquake in 1989. Agnos has come to Christchurch to advise…
Spend Your Time Wisely
New Zealander Derek Handley, who sold his mobile marketing company, The Hyperfactory to American media conglomerate Meredith Corporation last year for an undisclosed amount, gave a speech in April at Kea, New Zealand’s global…
Home Away from Home
Canadian life coach Karen Miners has made a new home for herself just outside of New Plymouth with her New Zealand partner, Dave. Miners, a former Montrealer, describes her life living abroad….
Little Blues Find Help
At Christchurch’s International Antarctic Centre 24 Little Blue Penguins are being cared for having been found injured and with no chance of survival in the wild. “Most of them have broken or…
Aiming for Competitive Edge
“In what is probably a bit of mid-life crisis I have come up with a solution — trying to get fit and up to speed to play a competitive game of cricket again,” former…
Paradise In the 21st Century
“New Zealand may well be the most desirable tourist destination in the world,” author Michael Tobias writes. “It is certainly among the most beautiful island nations on the planet, its biodiversity magnificent…
Blue takes best short in Cannes
New Zealand short film Blue, made by Aucklander Stephen Kang, has won the Canal Plus’ Grand Prix and Du Meilleur Court Metrage Best Short Film award at the Cannes Film…
Cricket Star Scales Everest
Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Aucklander Adam Parore has reached the top of Mt Everest. Parore, who represented New Zealand in cricket for more than a decade, climbed the world’s highest mountain to…
Clay Figures Make US Debut
New Zealand artist Francis Upritchard will exhibit for the first time in the United States at the Cincinnati Art Museum and Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) next year. Upritchard’s “Wanting” (above) will feature…
Trinity Opportunities
University of Canterbury student Bree Loverich is one of 42 from Christchurch studying free at Oxford University for its eight-week Trinity term, after the British university offered places to those affected by February’s earthquake….
South Pole Misadventures
A new book by New Zealand journalist and respected author on Antarctic explorers John Thomson says Edmund Hillary “cheated” his way to the South Pole in 1958. Thomson, author of Climbing the…
Keeping His Shirt On
All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter has announced he has signed a four-year contract to stay in New Zealand after this year’s Rugby World Cup while retaining an option to play overseas for a short…
Californian Yellow Jersey
Cyclist Greg Henderson has claimed the third stage of the Tour of California completing the 192.2km road race from Auburn to Modesto in 5 hours 14 minutes 29 seconds. Juan Jose Haedo of Argentina…
Leading Lights of Architecture
Auckland architecture firm Patterson Associates has been named as one of the five practices set to shape the future of architecture. World Architecture News, the top international architecture journal, announced the win…
Distinctly New Zealand Feel
New Zealand landscaper Sam Martin has landed a multi-million dollar contract to redevelop London’s iconic Battlesea Power Station. After sitting derelict for nearly 3 years, Europe’s largest brick building is now being revamped to…
Masters of Mustering
“There are only two breeds of sheep in the world,” Jim Murray of Glenmore Station at Lake Tekapo once told Irish writer and photographer Jamie Ball, who is based in Christchurch. “Merinos,…
Deployment to Timor-Leste
A 62-strong New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) contingent has left for a six-month deployment to Timor-Leste to support the Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) in the country. The NZDF has supported various peacekeeping operations…
#129: Remarkable New Zealanders
Edge Message #129 from Brian Sweeney, producer NZEDGE.COM Greetings. NZEDGE.COM publishes daily on Facebook and Twitter. Below a selection of New Zealand headlines in the…
Sunshine Beats Pneumonia
Researchers at Waikato University have found that sunshine can help save the lives of pneumonia patients. Medical scientists at the University have found that vitamin D, which is absorbed through the skin and produced…
Taste the Santa Rosa plums
The 27 Mountford ‘Liaison’ Pinot Noir is the Los Angeles Times’ ‘Wine of the Week’. “Elegant and smooth, this New World Pinot carries the taste of Santa Rosa plums and sweet Asian…
Strike a Pose
Fresh on the fashion scene is 17-year-old New Zealander Emily Baker — “undisputedly, this season’s top new face” — featured in NYMag.com’s The Cut blog. This rising star made her debut on the…
Te Kanawa to Sing in Israel
“There may be imitators or wannabes, but there is really only one true diva — legendary soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa,” The Jerusalem Post’s David Brinn writes in a profile of the…
Repositioning Long-Haul Travel
Air New Zealand’s “innovative” Skycouch Economy seat has won the Aviation category in Condé Nast Traveller’s 211 Innovation and Design Awards trumping new First Class A38 cabin designs entered by…
Peacekeepers a Symbol of Success
Former deputy prime minister Jim McLay, now New Zealand’s ambassador to the United Nations, writes an opinion piece for The Kansas City Star about May 29 — International Day of UN Peacekeepers and a…
Coup for Moving Images
The Natural History New Zealand (NHNZ)’s archive sales arm has been chosen by National Geographic Channels Worldwide to represent its footage from the past 2 years. The National Geographic archive adds thousands…
Back to Biological Basics
“At Seresin Estate, a winery owned by New Zealand cinematographer Michael Seresin known for such films as Midnight Express and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the past blurs with the…
Passion for the Game
What is immediately obvious about John Kirwan, coach of the Japanese rugby side, is his passion for the game that has given him a living for the past 28 years. Auckland-born Kirwan,…
City on the Edge of the Pacific
“Nestled in tree-covered hills at the head of a spectacular harbour, Dunedin’s rise to prominence as the gateway to the Otago region came with the discovery of gold at Gabriel’s Gully, to…
Solemn Repatriation
A mummified and tattooed Maori head has been returned to New Zealand after spending 136 years in a Normandy museum. This is the first to be returned of a total of 16 in France….
