Daring Douglas Wright
(1956-2018)
Revered New Zealand dancer and choreographer Douglas Wright died in Auckland on November 14, 2018, aged 62. He was “undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s most magnificent and important artists of…
News of New Zealanders via Global Media
Daring Douglas Wright
NZ Leader Grieves For Murdered Tourist
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has offered apologies to the family of 22-year-old Grace Millane, after “the young woman’s sudden disappearance morphed into a murder investigation that has gripped this island nation of…
Why Are Whales Stranding in New Zealand?
While whale strandings are not uncommon, they usually involve just a single animal rather than a whole group. The recent flurry of mass strandings on New Zealand beaches has brought…
Laybuy Founders Take Company to New Heights
New Zealander Gary Rohloff had a great life working in corporate before he co-founded Laybuy, a retail payments platform he started with his son Alex. So why ‘go it alone’? The UK’s Real Business…
Hong Kong-based Anthony Somerset Loves the Outdoors
Making highly urbanised, bright young people feel uncomfortable outdoors is what 52-year-old New Zealand-born Anthony Somerset has done for the last three years, having taken over A Team EdVentures in…
How Allbirds Became a $1.4 Billion Company
“If you started a company that was valued at $1.4 billion after just two years, you’d probably be pretty proud–of the valuation, your product, and yourself,” writes Cameron Albert-Deitch in an article for
Rugby Star Jordan Roberts Wins Plaudits in Canada
New Zealander Jordan Roberts’ play on the pitch for the St. Albert Rugby Football Club (SARFC) spoke volumes as the modest and unassuming captain of the Labatt’s Cup provincial champions was honoured as this…
Flying Pioneer Richard Pearse Never Claimed Honour
New Zealander Richard Pearse may have beaten the Wright brothers, but never claimed the honour. Jeff Glorfeld reports for Australia’s Cosmos magazine. “The story of human flight is filled with many daring characters, and even…
Beats 1 DJ Zane Lowe in the Interview Hot Seat
Zane Lowe talks like he’s rapping. No, really. The man’s words cascade from his mouth so quickly and smoothly that, at numerous points during our conversation, we expect him to slip into a full-on…
Eleven Unforgettable Moments in Fiordland
“Nothing summarises the beauty of New Zealand more than majestic Fiordland where these 11 unforgettable moments will take your breath away,” Wibke Carter writes for Fodor’s Travel. “An area with jagged misty peaks, endless rainforest,…
Wine Lovers Guide to Hawke’s Bay
Hawke’s Bay is fast becoming one of New Zealand’s top wine destinations. Amanda Barnes from Decanter magazine shares her tips on where to go and what to do. More than a million tourists make their…
Why Tyrel Lomax Chose the ABs over the Wallabies
Tyrel Lomax, 22, grew up with a dream to play for the ACT Brumbies and Wallabies. But the closer he got, the more he realised he couldn’t ignore the black feeling in his stomach….
SailGP’s Russell Coutts Makes Tokyo Recommendations
Five-time America’s Cup winner Russell Coutts believes the format used in the New Zealander’s annual SailGP league could be adopted by the Olympics as the sport looks to modernise. Sailing has been a staple at…
Auckland’s The Grove Rated 9th Best in World
Auckland restaurant The Grove has been rated New Zealand’s best and the world’s 9th best fine dining restaurant in this year’s TripAdvisor Annual Choice Awards. “Owners Annette…
Filmmaking Pioneer Geoff Murphy Shaped NZ’s National Identity
New Zealand filmmaker Geoff Murphy has died aged 80. He was largely credited with helping to shape the country’s national identity with films like Goodbye Pork Pie, Utu and The Quiet Earth. “Geoff Murphy will…
Jacinda Ardern Launches New “Green Fund”
“New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a new NZ$100 million green investment fund on Wednesday, aimed at boosting private-sector participation in a campaign to achieve zero net carbon emissions by 2050,” writes Charlotte…
Amy Maslen-Miller a Force for Samoan Scientists
New Zealander Amy Maslen-Miller is a new kind of researcher focused on indigenous agriculture. Young and passionate about what science can bring to food security, she is also keen to understand traditional approaches to…
Len Lye Paved the Way for British Animators
Animation pioneer New Zealand-born Len Lye features in the television documentary, Secrets of British Animation. Made in conjunction with the British Film Institute, the programme “lifts the lid on an eccentric world where infinite pains…
Spanish Culture Permeates Our Own
The presence of a three month-long film festival prompts the question: Are there tangible traces of Spanish culture in New Zealand? The 17th annual Latin American and Spain Film Festival is touring New Zealand, and…
“NZ Perfectly Situated To Change the World”
“New Zealand is pushing the boundaries of innovation as a “country-sized incubator,” and seeking further synergies with Korean small and midsized companies and startups, according to the country’s top envoy to Korea.” Joel Lee…
Xero Hits 1 Million Subscribers in AU & NZ
“Listed cloud accounting software provider Xero has hit its next major milestone, surpassing one million subscribers in Australia and New Zealand,” writes Yolanda Redrup in an article for The Australian Financial Review. “Speaking to…
Kelvin Davis on Mission to Keep Māori Out of Prison
Kelvin Davis describes himself as a member of “the most incarcerated tribe in the world”. The former teacher grew up in New Zealand’s deprived Northland region and has seen childhood friends, schoolmates and relatives…
Kaikoura Tops Airbnb’s 2019 Global Trending Destinations List
The latest Airbnb forecast has found that the “trending destinations for 2019 are places where the increased ‘healthy,’ more sustainable and authentic tourism will benefit residents and travellers alike.” New…
All Blacks Sevens Clinch Emirates Trophy
Clark Laidlaw, the All Blacks Sevens coach, said the team’s success at the Emirates Airlines Dubai Rugby Sevens was an achievement that ranks alongside winning the World Cup and Commonwealth Games last season. The team…
New Zealanders Win Prestigious German Design Awards
Christchurch designer Davinia Sutton of Detail by Davinia Sutton has just won a massive three German Design Awards for Interior Architecture 2019, for two kitchens and a bathroom. And Wellington designer Damian Hannah of…
Predator Cities Fight For Survival in Mortal Engines
“Oscar winning filmmaker Peter Jackson is returning to the big screen with adventure fantasy “Mortal Engines”, a post-apolcalyptic tale of survival in his first feature film project since his award-winning adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s…
New Zealand Wins Bronze at FIFA U-17 World Cup
New Zealand has beaten Canada 2-1 to bring home bronze at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Montevideo, Uruguay. The Canadian women found themselves down just 15 seconds after the opening kickoff with New…
Monk Mackenzie Wins at World Architecture Festival
“Kiwi architecture firm Monk Mackenzie has taken home a win in the ‘Infrastructure – Future Projects’ category” at this year’s World Architecture Festival, which “kicked off on 28 November in…
Dan Ammann to Lead Cruise Self-Driving Car Unit
“Days after General Motors CEO Mary Barra unveiled a major restructuring”, “the auto giant said President Dan Ammann will be the new head of its Cruise self-driving car company, which she says is key…
Air New Zealand’s New Christmas Video Delights Again
“Air New Zealand has done it again with a charming – and funny – video which sees the world’s naughtiest children unite in a bid to get back in Santa’s good books after…
New Zealand Ranked Second Most Prosperous
New Zealand has been ranked second in the Legatum Institute’s 12th annual global Prosperity Index, which lists the world’s 37 richest, healthiest, happiest, and most prosperous nations. Business Insider Australia…
Canterbury Makes National Geographic Best Trips List
New Zealand’s Canterbury Region has been featured on National Geographic’s annual Best Trips list as one of the destinations you must visit in 2019. “Kiwis call their scenic nation Godzone, short…
64-Year Old Runs Length of New Zealand
“64-year-old Perry Newburn just ran the length of his native New Zealand” fuelled by hash browns and milkshakes,” Jane McGuire writes in an article for Runner’s World. With his run…
Architect Antony Martin Makes Homes in Melbourne
After working in New York City for a number of years, New Zealand-born Antony Martin decided to move to Australia and set up a firm of his own. Since its founding,
Scott McLaughlin Wins Supercars Championship
“A year after his career’s lowest point, Ford’s Scott McLaughlin has claimed his maiden Supercars championship title,” writes Laine Clark in an article for The Sydney Morning Herald. “Nearest rival, Holden’s…
Bowling Sensation Ajaz Patel Ready for India
New Zealand’s Test hero against Pakistan Ajaz Patel, 30, talks to the Mumbai Mirror about his favourite street food, a change in bowling pace, and how he can’t wait to play against India. “I love…
At Home in Seoul with Ambassador Philip Turner
“One way to experience something Kiwi in Seoul would be to order a flat white at a coffee shop,” Philip Turner, ambassador of New Zealand to Korea, told English-language newspaper, JoongAng Daily at a…
Dudley Benson “One of the Most Distinctive Musical Figures” to Emerge Within NZ
Although he’s relatively unknown outside of New Zealand, Dunedin-based avant-pop artist Dudley Benson, 35, is one of the most distinctive, singular, and divisive musical figures to emerge within his home country since the dawn…
Andrew Patterson’s Houses of Aotearoa
“Cutting-edge New Zealand architecture will be highlighted on the global stage with the release of ‘Patterson: Houses of Aotearoa’ – a new UK-published book showcasing the work of the architecture…
North and South Islands Moving Closer Together
The North and South Islands are moving closer together after a series of earthquakes in 2016 that lifted the sea floor, GNS Science has said. Over about a minute-and-a-half, parts of the Marlborough coast were…
Can Marijuana Save Ruatoria?
As New Zealand prepares to legalise the production of medicinal cannabis, companies are racing to secure the first and biggest slices of a market that has proved lucrative in the United States and Canada….
Winston Peters’ New Standing as Elder Statesman
“Winston Peters’ New Zealand First has been a textbook case of how to combine populist rhetoric and nativist discourse in the service of political mobilisation,” according to Hans-Georg Betz, adjunct professor of political science…
Auckland’s Pacific Islanders Take Stock
Some Pacific Islands, such as Tokelau and Niue, now have more of their people living in New Zealand than at home, a trend that is predicted to soar with the rising threat of climate…
Helen Clark Says World Needs More Women Leaders
In a sit-down interview with CTV National News chief anchor and senior editor Lisa LaFlamme, former prime minister Helen Clark said if more women were in positions of leadership, the world would be a…
The Best Place in the World to Be a Child
After the Hāpaitia te Oranga Tangata summit in August, Denis O’Reilly started thinking about how to address the wicked criminal justice problems we face. He turns to the past, and muses on community, from…
Wellington One of The 10 Best Cities For Digital Nomads
“Wellington has ranked in the top ten cities around the world for digital nomads – remote workers who usually travel between different locations – to work in, according to a new study,” as reported…
Peter Peryer One of NZ’s Foremost Photographers
“Peter Peryer, one of New Zealand’s foremost photographers, has died on November 18 at the age of seventy-seven.” Artforum reports. “Peryer’s most recognized image may be Dead Steer, his 1987…
Former Journalist Amy Andrew Quits for the Gloves
New Zealander Amy Andrew experienced “the greatest moment of her career” not long ago during a sparring session ahead of the Women’s Boxing World Championships in New Delhi. “It was a mixed session. I looked…
Actress Thomasin McKenzie on LA Indie Panel
Wellington-born actress Thomasin McKenzie, 18, star of Leave No Trace, recently attended the AFI Fest in Los Angeles, where she joined a panel to reflect on life in independent film. The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg…
Keisha Castle-Hughes Gets into the Ring
New Zealander Keisha Castle-Hughes, 28, has packed a bit in since she travelled to Australia to promote the breakout 2002 New Zealand film Whale Rider, alongside director Niki Caro. Her latest role is in…
Solicitor Karla Hill on the Case for Mother Earth
When lawyers become standard-bearers for high-profile activism, funding major litigation requires innovative thinking. Social media has a vital role too, writes Grania Langon-Down. New Zealand solicitor Karla Hill is the director of programmes for…
Wikipedia’s Man in NZ Is Mike Dickison
In the grand library of the Auckland War Memorial Museum on a Saturday morning in August, a small group of new and slightly nervous Wikipedia editors gathered for a day of training that would…
Japan’s Urban Experience Shot by Cody Ellingham
With his moody night-time shots of urban environments, New Zealand-born, Tokyo-based photographer Cody Ellingham tries to tap into the current of a city, to travel forward into its future or retreat into the past. Ellingham…
Chicken Magnate Morgan McGlone Looks to Asia
New Zealand-born chef Morgan McGlone, 44, owner of Belles Hot Chicken, a chain of seven fried chicken shops in Sydney and Melbourne, was recently in Singapore promoting his wares in a pop-up restaurant at the city’s…
Kiwi To Be Reintroduced to Wellington
Wellington could soon have kiwi nesting beside Parliament House thanks to an ambitious conservation project that aims to reintroduce New Zealand’s iconic national bird to the capital city within the next decade. There are 68,000…
Rocket Lab the FedEx of Space Industry
A small rocket from a little-known company lifted off last weekend from the east coast of New Zealand, carrying a clutch of tiny satellites, New York Times journalist Kenneth Chang wrote last week. That…
