Wild About New Zealand
A stunning preview for the Natural History New Zealand produced television series, Wild About New Zealand, which follows Gus Roxburgh as he travels through New Zealand’s National Parks and connects…
June 2013 Archives
Steven Adams Thrilled With NBA Draft
Steven Adams, 19, has become the first New Zealander to be picked in the first round of an NBA draft. Selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Adams is only the second ever Kiwi selected…
Australian IT Workers Eye Up New Zealand
Australian information technology works are increasingly searching for work in New Zealand when looking for the next step in the careers. According to a survey by recruitment company Absolute IT, there has been a…
Back in the Cells as Fletch in Prison Drama Wentworth
Auckland-born actor, Logie Award-winning Aaron Jeffery, who graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1993, stars in the popular Australian television prison drama Wentworth, which will return to screens for…
Minding the Gap at All London’s 270 Stations
Auckland-born businessman Tim McCready has been to all 270 London Underground stations after spending seven days spread over five months travelling the entire 250 miles of the Tube network. “When I arrived…
Despite Chaotic Intentions Ambience Prevails
New Zealand-born photographer Simon Davidson’s “beguiling” portraits of drag racing shot on the Utah salt flats and at Lake Gairdner in South Australia feature in The Guardian this week. “Through clouds of pungent smoke and…
Royal Favourite Sings Lullabies for Newborn
At 26, New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra has been a favourite of the Royal Family for over a decade, so when Welsh composer Paul Mealor, who was commissioned to write some new…
NZ Hip-Operation Crew Set to take World Stage
New Zealand hip-hop crew ‘Hip-Operation’ are set to perform at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship in Las Vegas this August. What sets them apart from the competition? About 50 years. The Waiheke Island…
Early Adopters of Technology Perfect to Test On
When Google chose New Zealand to unveil secret plans for balloon-driven wi-fi network, dubbed Project Loon, it cemented the country’s reputation as a test bed for global tech companies looking to trial their latest…
NZ Bird Recognise People, Show Different Personalities
A study has revealed that a native New Zealand bird is able to recognise different humans. Researchers at Victoria University found that the North Island Robin, or toutouwai, reacts differently to humans by timing…
Telstra-CEO Explains his Trans-Tasman Upbringing
Born in Australia and raised in New Zealand, Telstra CEO David Thodey is a product of both countries – a real Trans-Tasman hybrid. Speaking at the Trans-Tasman Business Circle luncheon in Sydney, Thodey explained…
Wigmore Gets Candid About Stars and Songwriting
Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Aucklander Gin Wigmore, 27, who is currently on tour in the United States, says she is usually “quite cool and collected” around other stars, but was a little less so…
Crossing the Whitewash with Another Win over French
“New Zealand completed a 3-0 series clean sweep of France with a hard-fought but deserved victory at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth ,” the Irish Examiner reported. “Ben Smith’s first-half try helped give…
Building on the Holistic Work of Esteemed Surgeon
British scientists are looking to the work of New Zealander Sir Archibald McIndoe, hoping to find ways to help burns victims regenerate new nerves and skin so that they are only left with minimal…
Speculative Theorist Challenged Course of History
Christchurch-born Michael Baigent, co-author of The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, one of the most controversial books of the 1980s, has died in Brighton, England, aged 65. Baigent grew up in Nelson and…
Fisher & Paykel Patriotic Through and Through
A New Zealand woman has uncovered a unique feature of Fisher & Paykel washing machine – they sing the national anthem. Auckland woman uploaded a video to YouTube of her washing machine sounding the…
Convoluted Defence History with US Vestige of the Past
The difficult period of New Zealand-US defence relations “is now seen as a relic” according to American Thawley Scholar Jack Georgieff, with “the best in bilateral defense relations” yet to come. “Chuck Hagel raised…
Tourism New Zealand Wins German Award for ‘100% Middle-earth’
Tourism New Zealand’s 100% Middle-earth campaign has been named the best tourism and travel campaign in the German market at the Mairdumount Tourism and Travel Media Awards in Hamburg. 100% Middle-earth beat eleven other…
‘First-Ever Photos’ of World’s Clearest Lake
Blue Lake in Nelson Lakes National Park is the clearest fresh water lake in the world, with visibility ranging between 70 -80 metres. Entering the lake is strictly prohibited and is located in a…
Canadian-based Gallery Executive’s Vision for Remai
New Zealander Gregory Burke, executive director and CEO of the new Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan, Canada, discusses his first week on the job, his past, his challenges and his vision…
World-first Drug Legislation in the Pipeline
Under proposed laws, New Zealand will permit the limited sale of some designer drugs for recreational purpose; the legislation is the first in the world to regulate new recreational drugs based on scientific evidence…
Marrying Flavour Combinations Are Hansen’s Talent
One chef who is especially enamoured with the “rehabilitation” of liquorice and its “earthy, powerful flavour” is New Zealander Anna Hansen, chef proprietor of the Modern Pantry in London’s Clerkenwell. Like…
Washing Machine Plays NZ National Anthem
After being forgotten for 20 years a secret feature of Fisher & Paykel washing machines has been revealed – they can play God Defend New Zealand! Watch the video to find…
Moon’s Got High-Concept Britpop Down
Wellington-born Willy Moon, 24, who recently played New York’s Gramercy Theatre made the New York Magazine’s Jody Rosen “suspicious at first.” “When a press release hails a weedy young London-based New…
Canada Should Consider NZ’s Sex Work Rights
Catherine Healy, a member of the New Zealand Prostitutes’ Collective, and Sandra Ka Hon Chu of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, discuss “New Zealand’s model of sex work respects rights and the “Swedish model,”…
Hobbit Stars React to Fans Reactions
A video of Hobbit fans reacting to the release of a first glimpse into the next Hobbit instalment has received the same treatment, with Peter Jackson release a video with three of the film’s…
All Eyes on Air New Zealand at Paris Air Show
Air New Zealand was the centre of attention at the Paris Air Show with their new black livery on display and world first ‘sharklets’ on display. The airlines new Airbus A320 was officially presented…
Schmidt’s in the Hot Seat with Irish Appointment
With the words, “you have to start from scratch”, New Zealander Joe Schmidt attempts to dampen down expectations around his new job as he eases his way into the hottest seat in Irish rugby….
Top New Zealand Radio Presenter Recognised Internationally
Radio New Zealand presenter Kim Hill has been awarded a Gold Medal for Best Talk Show Host by the Grand Jury at the 2013 New York Festival Radio Awards. This is Hill’s second major…
Internet Giant Launches Balloon Connection over Canterbury
Google has launched a balloon over Christchurch emitting an internet connection, which could connect to remote parts of the world to the web. “Project Loon” came to fruition in the South Island, where the…
Race to Save Maui’s Dolphin
With only 55 adults remaining, experts fear Maui’s dolphin will disappear entirely within the next 17 years unless urgent action is taken. An expert panel was appointed by the New Zealand government last year…
Lots of Impish Relations and More Aluna Than Aretha
Takapuna singer-songwriter Lorde, 16, “is about to make a big splash beyond blog-land,” according to The Guardian’s daily column “New Band”. “Think Lily meets Lana, only cuter and more cutting,” reviewer…
New Paint Job for National Carrier’s Aircraft
Air New Zealand has unveiled a new livery for its aircraft, which will feature an iconic silver fern, to adorn its entire fleet by the end of 2014. The new look will phase out…
Transport Man Made Tough Decisions from the Top
Nelson-born Frank Baldwin, who died in March aged 81, was “known for a career marked by innovation and a certain amount of controversy,” Mark Juddery writes in an obituary for The Sydney Morning Herald….
French Left Scoreless with All Black Aerial Bombardment
New skipper Kieran Read has led the All Blacks to victory over France winning the Dave Gallaher Cup and celebrating their 500th Test with a resounding 30-0 full-time score. An astute kicking…
Wanaka Area Boasts Otherworldly Scenery
“‘If you’re walking up to Lake Crucible, then it’s a good grunt,” explains the lady checking us in for the Siberia Experience; one of the most spectacular ways of seeing the Southern…
Artist Will Light Up Sydney at 2013 NYE’s Party
Former guitarist for band Mental as Anything, New Zealand visual artist Reg Mombassa, 61, has been named the City of Sydney’s NYE13’s creative ambassador. This year’s theme will be “shine”. Kylie Minogue had Sydney…
NSA Intelligence Not Sure Against Citizens PM Tells Parliament
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said in Parliament that the country does not use foreign intelligence agencies to circumvent local laws or illegally spy on citizens, but declined to say whether the controversial…
Famed Potter Found Answers in Social Artform
New Zealand-based potter Mirek Smíšek, who won fame with his ceramic artifacts for the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, has died in Wellington, aged 88. Smíšek and his wife made some 700 vases,…
New Zealand Tourism Up Thanks to Middle-Earth
New Zealand has seen a boast to its international tourism as a result of the first Hobbit film released in December 2012, says government agency Tourism New Zealand. Figures released by the agency this…
New Zealander Directs “Engrossing” Documentary
New Zealand documentary film maker Sally Rowe is continuing to make an impression with her documentary A Matter of Taste: Serving up Paul Liebrandt. The film is an “engrossing full-length documentary” that…
From Bermuda Merton Painted Far from Roots
Christchurch-born artist Owen Merton was an accomplished Post-Impressionist painter who did some of his best work in Bermuda; a selection of these paintings feature in an article about Merton on the Bernnews website. “Primarily…
Signing Away Her Life and Giddy with Survival
“It was beginning to feel as if New Zealand’s national emblem wasn’t the silver fern, but the disclaimer form,” Guardian correspondent Rebecca Nicholson writes on a recent backpacking adventure throughout the country….
Use the Whole Chicken Recommends MasterChef Galetti
New Zealand chef Monica Galetti moved across the world for the chance to work with world-renowned Michel Roux Jnr at London’s Le Gavroche. Galetti has now been there for 10 years and…
Sookie Grows Up and Accepts Her Fate in New Season
New Zealand actress Anna Paquin, 30, features on the June cover of Manhattan magazine. Paquin tells the publication about the new season of cult show True Blood, in which she stars as…
Classifying Brilliant Antipodean Pinot Noirs
New Zealand’s pinot noirs seduce The Wall Street Journal’s Will Lyons with “some Antipodean brilliance”. “Unlike other fine wine regions such as France’s Bordeaux and Burgundy, where the best and most expensive wines have…
Standing Ovations in Holland for Douglas Wright’s rapt
Pre-eminent New Zealand choreographer and award-winning writer Douglas Wright’s work rapt was performed in The Hague at the prestigious Lucent Danstheater in April to standing ovations from sold-out houses. The invitation from one of…
New Zealand’s Oldest Driver Has No Plans to Give Up
Born before the first Model T rolled out of Henry Ford’s factory in Detroit, Northland man Bob Edwards, 105, is New Zealand’s oldest licensed driver – and one of the oldest in the…
Trailer: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Watch the official trailer for Peter Jackson’s 2013 film, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.
Modern New Zealand Cuisine Hits New York
Auckland-born chef Matt Lambert’s new enterprise The Musket Room, is a “New Zealand-centric … upscale, casual neighborhood restaurant,” with “a wine list weighted to New Zealand selections beyond the usual…
Berkett Joins Guardian Media Group as Chairman
Departing Virgin Media chief executive New Zealander Neil Berkett has been named chairman of Guardian Media Group (GMG). During his six-year tenure in the same role at Virgin Media, New Zealand-born Berkett focused on…
Aaradhna Signs with Winehouse Label Republic Records
It has been a monumental year for Porirua-raised R&B singer Aaradhna Jayantilal Patel – better known by her stage name Aaradhna. The recording artist has secured an American record deal and won…
NZ Navy To Visit US Navy Base For First Time in 30 Years
A New Zealand navy ship will visit a US port in Guam for the first time in 30 years, in what NZ Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says is a further sign of thawing…
Jane Campion, ‘Child of Cannes’, Announces Festival Winners
NZ Film Director Jane Campion headed up the Short Film and Cinefoundation Jury at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Campion and her jurors awarded the Best Short Film Palme d’or to Safe, directed by…
Small’s Book One of Only a Few About Listening to Music
Palmerston North-born musicologist and writer Christopher Small’s book Musicking is one of three books, “and there aren’t many” – “about listening as process and reaction and ritual, how our listening might change music”– recommended…
