New Zealand Debuts World’s First Digital Teacher
Primary school students in New Zealand will soon be the first in the world to learn from an artificially intelligent (AI) digital avatar. Auckland energy company Vector teamed up with AI…
Blog Archives
Sabah-Based Wendy Hutton a Prolific Travel Writer
Renowned food and travel writer, New Zealand-born Wendy Hutton, who lived in Malaysia, has died, aged 77. Hutton first set foot in Southeast Asia in 1967, and had worked in the region ever since. Based…
New Zealand Artists on Show in London
As a season of summer blockbuster exhibitions come to a close in London, autumn is hot on its heels in September, with a range of shows opening in the capital’s biggest cultural establishments. New…
Adapting Ruth Park’s Novels for the Stage
New Zealand-born author Ruth Park’s novel, The Harp in the South caused an uproar in 1948 for its portrayal of working-class life. Now, the Sydney Theatre Company has turned it into an epic stage…
Comic Thom Monckton Embodies Art of Laughter
“Thom Monckton has demonstrated what an outstanding physical comedian he is during several previous Fringe visits. In The Pianist he used his gangling frame and rubbery face to puncture the pomposities of classical music….
Neil Finn and Son Liam Get Dreamy on Lightsleeper
“Lightsleeper is the result of another crowded house at the Finn residence. The album principals, father Neil and son Liam, get the rest of the family involved – mother Sharon, son Elroy, nephew Harper…
Dreaming of Miles Humphreys-Designed Cempedak
New Zealand-born Bali-based architect Miles Humphreys’ 20-villa resort on the private Indonesian island of Cempedak, is one of 10 hotels Wallpaper magazine editors list as having them “longing for island life”. “Together with Balinese architects…
Connan Mockasin Announces LP and Film Project
“It’s been a little while since we’ve heard from he has emerged with no small amount of ambitious projects,” Rob Hakimian writes for online music and culture…
Model Stella Maxwell Designs Bag for The Kooples
“Throughout the years I’ve been working as a model, I’ve gathered lots of information on the process of creating fashion without even trying,” New Zealander Stella Maxwell, 28, tells Vogue. French fashion retailer The…
Georgia Pratt Figures in Modelling World
“For a long time, Ashley Graham’s name was about the only one that would pop to mind when thinking of a famous plus-size model. But as diversity becomes an increasing focus in the fashion…
How to Breakfast like an Antipodean
New Zealand and Australian cooks are creating sunny, generous and unexpected takes on a classic meal, inspiring food-lovers far and wide. The Guardian’s Mina Holland investigates what makes a real Antipodean breakfast, and where…
Wes Anderson-Like Cool in New Zealand
“An Instagram account dedicated to photos of locations that bear an uncanny resemblance to a stylised Wes Anderson film set – think balanced symmetry, pastel facades and cinematic setups – has contributions from all…
Chennai-Based Chef Willi Wilson Curates Big Menu
New Zealand chef Willi Wilson takes on the helm at soon-to-open Chennai “garage-themed restobar”, The Mechanic Shop in the Indian city’s upscale area, Nungambakkam. According to The Indian Express, Wilson has curated a menu of…
Michael Brett Draws on Bram Stoker for Ballet Score
The task of piecing together the music for the West Australian Ballet production of Dracula has fallen to the company’s Auckland-born music coordinator, Michael Brett. The assignment extended to Brett watching the movies Polish composer…
Sam Neill Cooks up a Storm in New TV Doco
Few performers can match the easy charm of New Zealander Sam Neill either on camera or off, but he is braced for outrage in response to his latest outing, as presenter of a History…
Neil and Liam Finn Video Premieres
Despite its young cast, Neil and Liam Finn’s new video for guitar ballad “Anger Plays a Part” deals with grown-up problems in the real world. The single is on the duo’s new album, Lightsleeper, which is out now. In the…
NASDAQ Milestone for Carl Sanders-Edwards
Carl Sanders-Edwards, founder of the New Zealand leadership development platform Adeption, has celebrated his graduation from NASDAQ Milestone Makers. Sanders-Edward’s photo and the Adeption logo were displayed on Times Square at the same time. Sanders-Edwards…
2008 Ladyhawke Debut Still Resounds
“ Barack Obama became the first African-American to be elected President of the United States (which was great),…
Aucklanders Share SH1 with Family of Ducks
As a species, humans rarely take the time to exude kindness to each other, let alone our fellow inhabitants of this Earth. But motorists in Auckland recently provided a high-minded example of how to…
Be Charmed by Matakana
“As small villages go, the riverside village of Matakana has it all,” according to the Newcastle Herald’s Sue Preston. “Situated within the picturesque Matakana wine region with its boutique vineyards, olive groves and eateries,…
Okewa’s Rainwear Made From Recycled Plastic Bottles
Wellington-based waterproof clothing brand, Okewa, which was founded by Nevada and Nick Leckie, has launched a new fashion collection made from 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles. After Okewa’s project succeeded on Kickstarter, the company’s…
Best London Dry Gin on Earth is Scapegrace
New Zealand’s Scapegrace Gold gin has been named the best London dry gin in the world at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. Scapegrace Gold took out the London Dry Gin trophy 2018 in London,…
Airbnb Launches Experiences in New Zealand
“Think foodie tours, special effects workshops, and Southern Lights photography sessions,” Condé Nast Traveler’s Meredith Carey writes. “Now, with more than 15,000 Experiences spread around the world, Airbnb is adding New Zealand to the…
Spencer P. Jones Inspired Countless Musicians
Guitarist, songwriter and storyteller, New Zealander Spencer P. Jones, who forged his name in Australia and overseas with rock ‘n’ roll bands The Johnnys and Beasts of Bourbon, has died. He was 62. Born in…
Rose Matafeo Scoops Coveted Fringe Comedy Award
New Zealand comic Rose Matafeo, 26, has won the biggest comedy award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for her show Horndog, becoming only the fifth female comic to win the Edinburgh Comedy Award since…
ABs Lift Bledisloe Cup for 16th Consecutive Year
New Zealand has won the Bledisloe Cup for a 16th consecutive year with a 40-12 victory over Australia at Eden Park in Auckland. Beauden Barrett scored four tries and kicked five conversions, while Joe Moody…
Get to Know the Brother-Sister Duo Broods
New Zealand duo Broods, comprised of Georgia and Caleb Nott, explain to Billboard magazine that they were born in Blenheim, but grew up in a town called Nelson. The name Broods was actually suggested…
NY-Based Designer Rebecca Taylor off to Paris
“After 20 years in Rebecca Taylor is taking a year to fulfill her lifelong dream of living in Paris,” Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) correspondent Emily Mercer writes. “Twenty-some…
Smokescreens Blend NZ Pop and NY Art Rock
Smokescreens is a New Zealand band currently based in Los Angeles. Founded by Chris Rosi following the demise of his previous band, Plateaus, the group recently performed at the Hotel Congress in Tucson, Arizona….
Edinburgh Hosts Comic Alice Snedden
“New Zealander Alice Snedden is well established in her native country as a comic, television writer and newspaper columnist, Fringe. It’s a breezy run-through of…
Conductor Gemma New Expands Her Horizons in Boston
It’s been a summer of unicorns and rainbows for New Zealand-born Gemma New, according to the Hamilton Spectator’s Leonard Turnevicius. For the second summer in a row, New, music director of the Hamilton Philharmonic…
Jemaine Clement Stars in New Comedy The Festival
One half of the world’s favourite (and only) digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy-folk double act, Jemaine Clement has more than a Flight of the Conchords reunion tour on his plate this year. He’s been working on getting…
New Zealand Chefs Redefining Polynesian Cuisine
The kawakawa leaves are dark as jade and riddled with holes, the telltale bites of looper moth caterpillars. In another kitchen they might be thought compromised and tossed aside, but to Monique Fiso, a…
New Zealand’s South Island Beckons
“Called the ‘Edinburgh of the South,’ here is where travellers can see blue-eyed penguins and Jurassic trees, savour a unique beer culture and enjoy cool glacial valleys,” Lai Reeves writes for The Philippine Star….
Horndog is Rose Matafeo’s Moment
New Zealand-born comic Rose Matafeo’s show Horndog was a highlight of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe and it is also one of the London Evening Standard’s top picks to see in the UK capital. “Insatiable comedy fans…
Rolling Stone Loves The Beths’ Future Me
This spring, Elizabeth Stokes, 27, quit her day job teaching trumpet to kids in Auckland. The reason: She was ready to tour the world with The Beths, the exuberant pop-punk band she’d started with…
Travelling to Potter Paul Lorimer’s Okinawa Haven
Few people visit the Japanese village of Shinzato in Okinawa with its attractive but modest residencies and kitchen gardens. The evident lack of a centre to the settlement made finding the new home of…
WWE Rising Star Dakota Kai a Wrestling Trailblazer
Thirty-year-old Aucklander Dakota Kai signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) more than a year ago but every now and then, she still has to pinch herself. It’s easy to see why. Kai is breaking new…
Anna Hansen’s Modern Pantry Celebrates a Decade
To celebrate its tenth birthday this month, New Zealand-raised Anna Hansen’s much-loved London institution, The Modern Pantry, collaborated with chef friends to create a special limited edition menu that runs until 9 September. Forbes…
Skateboard Photographer Jake Darwen Takes Off
Skateboard photographer Jake Darwen, 25, who grew up on Auckland’s North Shore and is now based in Los Angeles, shoots for the likes of New Balance and Element, often travelling to offbeat destinations in…
Meet the Feebles Inspires Happytime Murders Writer
Danny Mulheron, Meet the Feebles writer, and American scriptwriter Todd Berger – for the R-rated puppet comedy, The Happytime Murders – recount almost 30 years of bad taste for an article in The Hollywood…
Riverdale’s KJ Apa in Spiffy Choice at US Awards
There was a lot of standout, expressive style on the hot pink carpet at the recent Teen Choice Awards (TCA) in Los Angeles, but one of the most trend-setting fashion moments came from someone…
Christchurch Once Again Refugee Settlement Location
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees represents an important step for New Zealand’s ambitions to increase the refugee quota and is a milestone for the city’s post-earthquake…
Yvette Morrissey Walks Scotland for a Cause
Most people choose to enjoy Scotland’s awe-inspiring views by bus or car, but New Zealand travel writer Yvette Morrissey, 29, has hiked a massive 864km on foot to take in the country’s beauty and…
Kentucky’s Peter Williams a Lauded Equine Artist
New Zealand-born artist Peter Williams, a familiar figure in the paddocks of the most famous racetracks in the world, has died at the age of 84 at his home in Goshen, Kentucky, in the…
Akerei Maresala-Thomson’s App Changing Lives
An app designed by New Zealand-based former gang member turned policeman Akerei Maresala-Thomson, to help migrating Pacific families adjust to their new lives, is now being used by thousands. White Ribbon ambassador and social entrepreneur…
Ganassi Never Concerned Scott Dixon Would Leave
After months of rampant speculation, whispers and gossip, IndyCar’s biggest free agent fish in years isn’t going anywhere. In 2019, and probably beyond, New Zealander Scott Dixon, 38, will fly the same banner he’s…
NZ Features in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Eatlist
Lonely Planet includes six New Zealand classics in its first ever ‘Ultimate Eatlist’, which has ranked the “world’s top 500 food experiences”. The travel guide asked the planet’s top chefs, food writers and its own…
California Uni Football Welcomes Lone Toailoa
Growing up in West Auckland in a family of Samoan heritage, Lone Toailoa spent his childhood playing rugby and practicing mixed martial arts. It wasn’t until he started toying with the Madden video game…
All Blacks Dismantle Stunned Wallabies
New Zealand delivered a clinic of counter-attacking in Sydney, scoring five second-half tries to blow away their hosts in this season’s Rugby Championship Bledisloe Cup opening encounter, rugby reporter Charlie…
New Zealanders’ Epic Trips to Isle of Skye
New Zealander Dr Hannah Bulloch is in Scotland to research a book she is writing based on trips her grandfather made to the Isle of Skye. The BBC’s Annabel Maclennan caught up with Bulloch…
Allbirds Goes Poolside in Sugarcane
They’re the company famed for creating the “world’s most comfortable shoes”. And now Allbirds, co-created by New Zealand born entrepreneur Tim Brown, has launched a pair of jandals expected to…
Castle Rock Star Melanie Lynskey Loves It Creepy
Melanie Lynskey talks to Entertainment Tonight about her role on the hotly anticipated series, Castle Rock. The New Zealand-born actress opens up about why this particular type of horror –…
Koru’s Rachel Carrell an Employer with Heart
Fewer young people are working part-time in the UK. But Emma Pettit, 21, is animated on the topic of her summer job, looking after a 10-year-old, doing “fun things”. Childcare, and a stint at…
David Farrier Flies into the City of the Dead
“The capital city of Turkmenistan is blisteringly dry and hot, dumped in the middle of the desert. It also holds the record for the highest density of buildings made from white marble, which bounce…
New Fashion Role for Riverdale’s KJ Apa
New Zealander KJ Apa, 21, returns to his role as heartthrob Archie Andrews in the American series Riverdale in October, but the Auckland-born actor has been having quite the busy summer in the lead-up…
