Edge Message #105 from Brian Sweeney, producer NZEDGE.COM
Pictured above: Jonathan Porritt, John Key, Melissa Lee, Pip Brown (Ladyhawke), Keith Urban
NEW ZEALANDERS IN GLOBAL HEADLINES www.nzedge.com/category/newzedge/
New Zealand headlines in this sampling of global media appearing in The Australian, Backpacker, Bloomberg, Energy Current, Los Angeles Times, Telegraph, The Village Voice, Paradizo, Golf Digest, Brisbane Times, Environmental Leader, The New Republic, Solomon Star, 20 Minutos, Philippine Star, Times Online, Bleacher Report, The Canberra Times, The New York Times, The Age, Teen Vogue, Dwell, Australian Financial Review, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Herald, Forbes, San Francisco Chronicle, Sports Illustrated, Popular Science Australia, Newark Advocate, CNN, andWall Street Journal include:
• Jonathan Porritt, chair UK Sustainable Development – “Prosperity without Growth?”
• Keith Urban, country musician, 41, #1 in America with Defying Gravity – NYTimes
• John Key on market-based approaches to the global recession – Wall St Journal
• New Zealand’s vulnerability is high external debt as economy contracts – Forbes
• Bryan Gould, in the Guardian, says governments as only ones to counter recession
• New Zealand “breaking own records”, creating 74% of its energy from renewables
• New Zealand could run 2.5 million cars off 3000 MW of wind generation
• AgResearch scientists discover ways for cows to produce more milk
• Carbonscape, Blenheim company, makes FT shortlist of 5 in global comp
• Chatham Islands, pop.600, turns off diesel generators for Earth Hour
• Albany the new home for eco-migrants fearful of UK’s rising waters
• Government intiates 3 billion dollar high-speed broadband project
• Creative Freedom Foundation victorious with scrapping of Section 92a
• Owen Thor Walker, hacker, 19, hired by TelstraClear as security consultant
• Milford Track among the world’s best, according to Backpacker Magazine
• Eagles Nest, Russell retreat, “back-to-nature with rock ‘n’ roll on its mind”
• Cape Kidnappers, Tom Doak golf course, “scenic but challenging”
• Kerosene Creek, Rotorua hotpool, one of “five best freebies” for tourists
• Zak Feaunati to play Jonah Lomu in upcoming Clint Eastwood film on 1995 World Cup
• Rugby Sevens could boost medal haul with introduction to 2016 Olympics
• Graeme Lowe, former NZ and Warriors coach, says rugby union no spectacle
• Dick Lancaster, chairman Blind Sailing NZ, wins silver on Lake Rotorua
• Levi Sherwood, 17, wins freestyle motocross event in Mexico on debut
• Ladyhawke, singer, says NZ, “next to Antarctica” is “like being in Iceland”
• Ladyhawke reveals grunge-era acts as big influence on her sound
• David Trubridge, designer, on the consumer binge, nourishing objects, identity
• Paul Middleditch, Sydney-based TV ad director, on 200+ awards, beer ads, success
• Rodney Bell, dancer, wins ‘Izzie’ award in SF: “torrent of volatile intimacy”
• Adam Friend, territorial with PhD in viticulture deployed to Solomons
• Melissa Lee, National MP, one of the most beautiful women in politics
• American doctor, Jackie Underwood, compares NZ/US health systems
• Darren Tyquin, Australian/NZ horseracing announcer, preacher, 41, d (car accident)
NGA KUPU AROHA: WORDS OF LOVE – BY DENIS O’REILLY#32: DANGEROUS UTOPIAS, APRIL 2009
Denis O’Reilly’s penetrating critique of social justice in New Zealand
“The poet and creative genius Alan Brunton once described Dr Ian Prior as having ‘blood dangerous with utopias’. Ian has died and left us, grieving, yet still propelled by his legacy of action into continued efforts towards social justice. Den tells the story of Sandeep Chawla, Director of the Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs of the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime who, after a robust discussion with NZ gang members and drug dealers and users, suggests that one way for them to avoid disproportionate attention from the Police and media might simply to be a “little less annoying”. Another St Patricks Day Hui & Huilli has gone off with great effect and a sense of locus for those who visited the ancient pa site, Otatara. There is praise for the continuing efforts of Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples who is out engaging Maori gang leaders and encouraging them to lead their crews away from criminality and anti-social behaviours and move towards a lifestyle built on a sense of identity as Maori, as whanau, and as members of community. Den gets the chance to talk to benches of judges and shares O’Reilly’s lore: ” Focus on the good”, “Assume the best”, “You’ll see it when you believe it”. (4,108 words) Read more.
KEVIN ROBERTS ON RUGBY:THINK SMART TO BEAT THE RECESSION, APRIL 2009
It seems that nothing is recession-proof in this new world order and the game of rugby is no exception. Teams are without sponsors, stadium attendances are shrinking – plus tournaments are all too predictable, too boring and are consistently losing audiences in traditional rugby countries. What does this environment mean for New Zealand looking ahead to the 2011 World Cup? “Everyone involved in rugby should pull together over the next 12 months to come up with innovative ideas and solutions so that we can make this tournament the best ever in terms of passion, spectator appeal, spectacular running rugby and fan experience.” USA Eagles preview including 2009 games vs Wales and Canada, new coach Eddie O’Sullivan, and the importance of Sevens – “a vital foundational tool for the US as this helps our players in terms of fitness, game awareness, defense, and instinct. It also helps develop team spirit, team belief and a winning attitude.” And the campaign to have Sevens added to the 2016 Olympics. Progress is that the game has made the short list along with baseball, softball, karate, squash, golf and roller sports. Noting also that the USA are the current Olympic Champions!
EDGE OF PARADISE Two items of personal “reaching out” as is said in New York. I have a new photoblog www.paradiseroad.com featuring new work and archival – of New Zealand and America, landscape and street, art and commerce: beautiful and banal, edge and center. About 40 photos up now, two added most days. Enjoy. And a video of a speech to Thrive Wellington in late 08 about the New Zealand Edge – the idea, the operation, the need for global perspective in what we do, and what I have learned as an exporter in international markets. 30 mins.
