News of New Zealanders via Global Media

Aldous Harding’s Designer Dances on Different Feet

Aldous Harding’s Designer Dances on Different Feet

Aldous Harding is happy that her music makes people feel uncertain. The New Zealand-born singer-songwriter recalls a special moment when somebody confessed to her that Designer, Harding’s third record, made them question their taste. “That…

Ross McEwan Completes RBS Turnaround

Ross McEwan Completes RBS Turnaround

Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc’s top banker, New Zealander Ross McEwan, will leave the state-backed lender within a year, Bloomberg reports. The bank will start searching for chief executive officer McEwan’s replacement immediately, according…

New Zealanders Flock to Live in the Regions

New Zealanders Flock to Live in the Regions

Auckland is the seventh most expensive city in the world to buy a home, and all three of New Zealand’s major cities are considered “severely unaffordable” by the latest Demographia international housing affordability survey….

Journalist Mark Saunokonoko Sheds Light on Maddie

Journalist Mark Saunokonoko Sheds Light on Maddie

‘Maddie: A Door Marked Closed’ about the disappearance of three-year-old Madeline McCann is the latest investigation by Sydney-based New Zealand journalist Mark Saunokonoko. ‘Maddie’ debuted at No 1 on Australia’s iTunes podcast charts in…

Design Lover’s Guide to New Zealand

Design Lover’s Guide to New Zealand

New Zealand’s natural splendour is renowned, but aesthetes are now making the voyage to check out a burgeoning architecture scene based on sustainable and indigenous materials. Charu Suri investigates for a feature in Architectural…

Kiwis Among World’s Worst Savers while NZ Banks Deliver Highest Profits

Kiwis Among World’s Worst Savers while NZ Banks Deliver Highest Profits

Newly released household income data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that New Zealanders ranked among the world’s worst savers. The study forecasted that by 2020, Kiwis would be in…

Software Startup AskNicely Moves to Portland

Software Startup AskNicely Moves to Portland

Auckland-founded software startup AskNicely has moved its headquarters to Portland, Oregon. The company’s technology is designed to help clients improve customer satisfaction and it opened its Portland outpost in 2017 and now employs 35…

New Head Chef at Etta is Charley Snadden-Wilson

New Head Chef at Etta is Charley Snadden-Wilson

Melbourne’s refined-but-casual diner, Etta, last week announced that former Ramblr head chef, New Zealander Charley Snadden-Wilson is now heading up the kitchen. The news comes after Etta’s original head chef, another New Zealander, Hayden…

Virgin Media’s Tom Mockridge to Step Down

Virgin Media’s Tom Mockridge to Step Down

New Zealander Tom Mockridge is exiting his role as CEO at UK cabler Virgin Media and will return to Italy to be with his family. He has had a long career in pay TV…

Rocket Lab Now Building Customisable Satellites

Rocket Lab Now Building Customisable Satellites

Small satellite launcher, New Zealand-founded Rocket Lab is getting into the business of making satellites in addition to launching them. The company has announced that it is offering a new service to customers: a…

Ferrari Protégé Marcus Armstrong Recruited by Todt

Ferrari Protégé Marcus Armstrong Recruited by Todt

Ferrari junior, New Zealander Marcus Armstrong, 18, has joined the All Road Management stable run by Frenchman Nicolas Todt. Christchurch-born Armstrong, who will compete this season in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema Racing,…

How Scapegrace Gin Beat the Best in the World

How Scapegrace Gin Beat the Best in the World

Late last year news emerged that Scapegrace, a New Zealand gin had won the highest accolade in the global industry: best London dry gin at the global International Wine and Spirits Competition. It was a…

Oprah Hails Jacinda Ardern’s Response to Tragedy

Oprah Hails Jacinda Ardern’s Response to Tragedy

Many have praised New Zealand’s prime minister’s compassionate leadership following a terror attack that killed at least 50 worshippers at a mosque in Christchurch in March. Among those who lauded Jacinda Ardern’s response to…

New Zealand’s Best Beaches Too Stunning for Words

New Zealand’s Best Beaches Too Stunning for Words

“Countless amazing beaches line the coasts of New Zealand. The island nation is known for its jaw-dropping stretches of sand, but knowing which ones to put on your itinerary can be tough for even…

Patriot Star Michael Dorman Took a Risk and Won

Patriot Star Michael Dorman Took a Risk and Won

“Amazon’s Patriot is a spy show, a comic drama, an epic test of its protagonist’s will a boldly cinematic tale told occasionally through song, and perhaps the best…

Rugby Australia’s Raelene Castle on Equality

Rugby Australia’s Raelene Castle on Equality

In a perfect world there would be no need for this conversation and the role women play in sport would not be addressed as a separate issue, “but we’re still about 10 years away…

Stefania LaVie Owen New Hollywood Star

Stefania LaVie Owen New Hollywood Star

Young actress Stefania LaVie Owen, 21, from New Zealand stars in The Beach Bum alongside Matthew McConaughey and will appear in a Netflix show later this year. Owen talks to the The New York Times…

Challenging Pacific Diets on TV with Robert Oliver

Challenging Pacific Diets on TV with Robert Oliver

A new reality TV cooking show, Pacific Island Food Revolution, aims to help reverse the trend of dietary-related health problems. Filmed in Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Vanuatu and expected to air across the south…

New Book Honours Artist Ian North

New Book Honours Artist Ian North

“Ian North – curator, academic, artist, and writer – is rightly honoured as an Australian living treasure in from the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA),” Diana…

Home Truths With Jazz-Leaning Popster BLAKE

Home Truths With Jazz-Leaning Popster BLAKE

“BLAKE is a New Zealand-born songwriter who has navigated her way to the UK, finding a new home in London’s dense network of creative communities,” Robin Murray writes for Clash magazine. “Along the way she’s…

Paul Clews in Legal Team Dealing to Risky Bonds

Paul Clews in Legal Team Dealing to Risky Bonds

A legal duo made up of New Zealander Paul Clews, 41, and American Sabrina Fox, 42, lead the newly formed European Leveraged Finance Alliance (ELFA), a group trying to raise standards in Europe’s junk…

Menstrual Company Hello Cup Expands into US

Menstrual Company Hello Cup Expands into US

New Zealand menstrual cup brand Hello Cup, co-founded by Robyn McLean and best friend Mary Bond, has signed a deal with American clothing brand Urban Outfitters. From the end of this month, Hello Cup will…

Chef and Columnist Jess Murphy a Food Champion

Chef and Columnist Jess Murphy a Food Champion

Food columnist for the Irish Times magazine, New Zealander Jess Murphy has been named Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Champion 2019. The award is made annually in recognition of support for and promotion of Irish…

UMO Brings Intimate Rock Feel to Oregon Gig

UMO Brings Intimate Rock Feel to Oregon Gig

Ruban Nielson, New Zealand-born singer and guitarist of Unknown Mortal Orchestra excitedly addressed the sold-out crowd at the WOW Hall, in Eugene, Oregon. “What’s up, Eugene? You alright?” Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) brought a…

Stylist Chloe Hill Leads Anti-Minimalism Movement

Stylist Chloe Hill Leads Anti-Minimalism Movement

There’s beauty and ease in the ability to maintain a minimalist sense of style. Colours remain subdued and consistently complementary. Plus, a less-is-more approach, in essence, keeps the actual effort in getting dressed to…

Sake Changed Rebekah Wilson-Lye’s Life

Sake Changed Rebekah Wilson-Lye’s Life

Tokyo-based sake expert and International Wine Challenge (IWC) judge, New Zealander Rebekah Wilson-Lye is one of three central figures in Kampai! Sake Sisters, a documentary about women in the sake industry. Wilson-Lye is also…

Scottish Opera’s Alex Reedijk the Company’s Saviour

Scottish Opera’s Alex Reedijk the Company’s Saviour

In 13 years, New Zealander Alex Reedijk has pulled Scottish Opera back from the brink, turning it into a thriving company that takes risks on stage and serves the community, from the youngest to…

Mitch Evans and Rocket-Ship Take E-Victory

Mitch Evans and Rocket-Ship Take E-Victory

New Zealander Mitch Evans, 24, negotiated a chaotic opening lap that saw bumps, crashes and a multi-car pile up before pulling off a dramatic overtaking manoeuvre to secure victory at the Rome E-Prix. Evans’ triumph is…

Surgeon Simon Talbot Heads World-Leading Team

Surgeon Simon Talbot Heads World-Leading Team

Harvard-based New Zealander Dr Simon Talbot M.D. leads a team of surgeons performing astonishing hand transplants and plays a part in operations that give patients a new face, reports Clare de Lore…

Emilia Wickstead Recruits Some Important Women

Emilia Wickstead Recruits Some Important Women

When London-based designer Emilia Wickstead took inspiration from her native New Zealand to create a capsule collection with The Woolmark Company, it seemed fitting that she should ask her fellow countrywomen to model it….

Swiss Give Artist Judy Millar First Survey Show

Swiss Give Artist Judy Millar First Survey Show

Since attracting the Zurich-based Galerie Mark Muller 17 years ago, the Swiss have embraced New Zealand artist Judy Millar’s wildly colourful art with its untamed brushstrokes, and given the North Shore born-and-raised artist her…

Laybuy Continues its Move onto UK Platforms

Laybuy Continues its Move onto UK Platforms

Laybuy, which was co-founded by Gary Rohloff and his son Alex, is a New Zealand company that’s trying to bring a new payment model to the UK. It’s based on a model known as “layby”,…

Big Names to Speak at Film Summit in Auckland

Big Names to Speak at Film Summit in Auckland

New Zealand filmmakers Niki Caro, Philippa Boyens, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and US film producer Charles King will headline global screen inclusion summit, Power of Inclusion, which will take place 3-4 October in Auckland. Mulan…

Jacinda Ardern One of World’s Greatest Leaders

Jacinda Ardern One of World’s Greatest Leaders

The Fortune magazine’s sixth annual leaders list “is the home of the brave”. “These thinkers, speakers, and doers make bold choices and take big risks – and…

Rocket Lab’s Peter Beck at TED in Vancouver

Rocket Lab’s Peter Beck at TED in Vancouver

Peter Beck is a space entrepreneur with a rocket and launch pad in New Zealand that has permission for flights “every 72 hours for the next 30 years”. Beck recently spoke at the TED…

Egg Shortage as Farmers Scramble to Go Free-Range

Egg Shortage as Farmers Scramble to Go Free-Range

New Zealand is in the grip of an egg shortage as the industry undergoes a massive period of disruption while it transitions to free-range farming. The Guardian reports. The shortage has also been caused by…

Sarah Mary Chadwick’s Latest is Otherworldly

Sarah Mary Chadwick’s Latest is Otherworldly

“The mix of New Zealand-born singer agony and the hope of the organ she’s playing makes for a compelling listen,” according to Kory Grow in a review of Chadwick’s new song,…

Author Heather Morris Discusses New Novel

Author Heather Morris Discusses New Novel

After delivering one of last year’s biggest bestsellers with The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Te Awamutu-raised Heather Morris is ready to reveal Cilka’s Journey as a follow-up. Morris recreated the experiences of Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian…

Record-Breaking Breeding Season for the Kākāpō

Record-Breaking Breeding Season for the Kākāpō

The world’s fattest species of parrot, the kākāpō, has had a record-breaking breeding season in New Zealand, with scientists saying the fortunes of the critically-endangered bird are finally turning around. There are only 147 adult…

Teen Charlie O’Brien Breaks Swinging World Record

Teen Charlie O’Brien Breaks Swinging World Record

After 32 hours, Taradale High School student Charlie O’Brien, 16, has broken the world record for longest non-stop marathon on a swing. O’Brien was allowed a five-minute break for every hour he swung, which he…

Becoming Colleen Young Transcends Gender

Becoming Colleen Young Transcends Gender

Hastings-born Colleen Young lived a clandestine life for 82 years, constantly fearful that what she called her “problem” would be exposed. Shoes were her “safe place” and where she could be herself, even as…

Air New Zealand Voted Australia’s Most Trusted Brand

Air New Zealand Voted Australia’s Most Trusted Brand

“Qantas Airways has been beaten to the top spot once again by its New Zealand counterpart in the annual Australian Corporate Reputation Index. In the institute’s report, Air New Zealand took first position as…

An Interview with Dame Jenny Gibbs

An Interview with Dame Jenny Gibbs

Newly published on art platform Contemporary HUM, HUM’s own editor Pauline Autet speaks with Dame Jenny Gibbs about the forthcoming Venice Biennale and Dane Mitchell’s project for the prestigious international exhibition. As the commissioner…

Caravan Co-Founder Miles Kirby on Business in Food

Caravan Co-Founder Miles Kirby on Business in Food

Miles Kirby, New Zealand-born co-founder of restaurant and coffee-roaster Caravan, oversees a growing five-strong group in London. Kirby spoke with British daily news site BigHospitality about how he made it to the top of…

K.J. Apa & Maia Mitchell Make The Most Of The Last Summer

K.J. Apa & Maia Mitchell Make The Most Of The Last Summer

Netflix has just “released the trailer for The Last Summer” featuring Maia Mitchell and K.J. Apa,” writes Tyler Aquilina in an article for Entertainment Weekly. “The Last Summer follows a group…

Bayley LuuTomes Plants Winning Woodland

Bayley LuuTomes Plants Winning Woodland

“(An) exhibit that defied regular display-garden expectations (at this year’s Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show) was the one created by New Zealand designer Bayley LuuTomes,” Megan Backhouse reports for The Sydney Morning Herald. “While…

Exploring Aotearoa in Sunshine and in Rain

Exploring Aotearoa in Sunshine and in Rain

“We could not have asked for a more spectacular summer day when we set off from Awaroa Lodge on our walking/kayaking adventure in Abel Tasman Park,” Sue-Ann Levy writes in a travel piece for…

Patriot Star Michael Dorman Took a Risk and Won

Patriot Star Michael Dorman Took a Risk and Won

“Amazon’s Patriot is a spy show, a comic drama, an epic test of its protagonist’s will a boldly cinematic tale told occasionally through song, and perhaps the best…

Rugby Australia’s Raelene Castle on Equality

Rugby Australia’s Raelene Castle on Equality

In a perfect world there would be no need for this conversation and the role women play in sport would not be addressed as a separate issue, “but we’re still about 10 years away…

Air NZ Uses 3D Printing to Install Spare Part

Air NZ Uses 3D Printing to Install Spare Part

“Air New Zealand’s exploration of 3D technology for parts and tools has ratcheted up a notch after it successfully ordered a 3D bumper protector for seats from Singapore and had it made and installed…

Susan Te Kahurangi King On Show in Chicago

Susan Te Kahurangi King On Show in Chicago

The term “outsider artist” is big enough to include a creative person without classical training – and a silent artist, New Zealander Susan Te Kahurangi King, 68, who communicates only through the mysterious pictures…

NZ Passes Law Banning Most Semiautomatic Weapons

NZ Passes Law Banning Most Semiautomatic Weapons

“Less than a month after 50 Muslim worshipers in the city of Christchurch were fatally shot in terrorist attacks on two mosques, New Zealand passed a law banning most semiautomatic weapons on Wednesday —…

Surfwear Company Salt Gypsy Supports Slow Fashion

Surfwear Company Salt Gypsy Supports Slow Fashion

In light of recent calls to action from Australian consumers, the Australian fashion industry and Australian fashion brands have made their sustainability and ethical practices more transparent so we can look good and feel…

Rose Matafeo To Star In BBC Three Sitcom

Rose Matafeo To Star In BBC Three Sitcom

Rose Matafeo is to star in BBC Three sitcom Star Struck, which follows a twentysomething woman living in London as she tries to work out life and love. Jay Richardson reports for

Why Some of Our Famous Flightless Birds Can’t Fly

Why Some of Our Famous Flightless Birds Can’t Fly

University of Otago researchers in association with colleagues from Harvard University have discovered new evidence of what made some of New Zealand’s iconic birds such as the kiwi and extinct moa flightless. Dr Paul…

Māori Business Revaluing the Past

Māori Business Revaluing the Past

Global businesses should heed traditional, indigenous knowledge to better protect land, honour old customs and boost profits, participants at a Wakatū Incorporation conference in Wellington said last week. Instead of a wasteful “take, make and…