Rip Roaring History
Surfer Maz Quinn has made history: he’s the first New Zealand surfer to qualify for the Surfing Professionals’ World Championship Tour. “This is a huge result for Maz and for New Zealand sport in general,” says NZ…
News of New Zealanders via Global Media
NZ ‘No Subsidies’ Model for Europe?
“New Zealand is one of a handful of countries which have embarked on free trade for agriculture and some say it should be used as a model for changes in Europe.”
Wading In
Robert Wade, Professor at the London School of Economics, gave NZ a “developing” status at the Knowledge Wave Conference. “The comparative position of New Zealand today is more serious than many think,” Dr Wade said, adding that…
Kiwi Koala
New Zealand film company Daybreak Pacific imported actors and animatronic Koala’s to Auckland for the shooting of Ozzie, a New Zealand made film featuring an Australian icon.
Booker long-list Graced
Kiwi author Patrica Grace’s Dogside Story about an East Coast Maori township makes the long-list for the much-vaunted Booker Prize, shunting aside Salman to join such luminaries as Beryl Bainbridge, Peter Carey, Ian McEwan,…
Time-out: critics Knox-ed over
Elizabeth Knox’s career and upcoming bovine noir tale gets talked up and produces another fine vintage according to the passing feet of Time: “Measured by the beat of an angel’s wing, his [Vintner’s Luck…
The Genetics of Antipodean Cattle
The Times of India reports that “an Australian-New Zealand company aims to run off copies of top breeding bulls for export to the world.”
This Glorious Tradition
Respect: The Sydney Morning Herald offers solace to the demanding expectations of AB fans and puts a recently balanced ledger in the context of the history and aura of the All Black tradition: “Now you know…
The Pacific Petri Dish
The Australian takes an editorial swipe at the Triple Bottom Line approach advocated at New Zealand’s Knowledge Wave Conference. Paul Kelly believes “New Zealand today raises loud alarm bells for an Australian.”
Stopping the Rot
The Hamilton-based HortResearch has developed a spray-on organic control agent that can help prevent botrytis – grapes rotting on the vine. “It sounds like Mecca,” says Phil Ryan, chief winemaker of McWilliam’s Wines, Mount Pleasant. “Anything that…
Strike an Edge Pose
In a 30 page feature Vogue Australia’s August edtion focuses on edge culture. Fashion designers Karen Walker and Zambesi feature alongside artist Michael Parekowhai and muscian King Kapisi. Editor Kristie Clements muses on the…
CNN on PM
With a focus on Clark’s style of governance and personal history, CNN attempt to get behind the professional life of the New Zealand Prime Minister.
“Erotic, hyper-imaginative fiction”
Elizabeth Knox’s Black Oxen is “lush, dark and puzzling,” as well as “startling and strangely satisfying”.
Tamahori, Lee Tamahori
New Zealand director picked as front-runner to direct next Bond movie, with Pierce Brosnan still in the hot seat as 007.
Drink on the Wing
Looking to grab a drink a mile up? Try Air New Zealand, whose cellars rate third in the world for quality in the air.
The X-factor
From sword and sorcery to the paranormal, Lucy Lawless moves from Xena to The X-Files, where “we’re thrilled to work with Lucy, whose work we’ve admired for a long time,” says X-Files producer…
Kiwi Driver Up to Speed
“When Scott Dixon first came to Chicago Motor Speedway two years ago, he was an 18-year-old competing in the developmental Indy Lights series. At Sunday’s Target Grand Prix, he was outdriving the veterans on the CART circuit.”…
Kiwi Temps
New Zealanders on the big OE are staffing London’s offices: “They usually have stable work histories and excellent IT skills, great interpersonal skills, confidence, and a good work ethic”.
GE Free?
Against anxiety that it will affect our clean, green image, New Zealand’s Royal Commission on Genetic Engineering suggests cautious introduction of GM. In reaction, Kiwi artists raising their voice include Dave Dobbyn and Bic Runga wearing their…
The Kiwis are Coming
“Russell Crowe won’t be the only brand-name export to the United States if New Zealanders get their way. The island country is aggressively pursuing foreign markets by liberalizing trade policies and encouraging smaller firms…
Fur Patrol on patrol
Ex-Wellington band Fur Patrol build up a loyal fan base in Melbourne, their new home, clocking up 2 miles supporting acts like Neil Finn and Killing Heidi.
Land Purchase
1841: 1,214 acres of land around Waitemata Harbour purchased from Maori – the future site of Auckland city.
Big Jump
“New Zealander St Steven completed a rare double and put himself in contention to be named Australia’s champion jumper for 2000-01 with his win in the $120,000 A.V.Hiskens Steeplechase at Moonee Valley yesterday.”
The real McKiwi
How can you tell New Zealand wine has really arrived? The French start labelling their products “Kiwi Cuvee”.
Underground S&M
Q&A with Emily Perkins, including her worst fear – “it’s a tie between black-water rafting and those SM zip masks. So I guess being on a black-water raft with everyone wearing those masks would…
Tour That Divided the Nation
It was twenty years ago that New Zealand heaved into violence as 150,000 New Zealanders took to the streets to stop the Springbok tour. A time when “New Zealander turned against New Zealander” in…
Green and Gorgeous Land
“New Zealand … is a gorgeous place. It’s pristine and green, people are friendly, and it’s well organised for visitors …” South Africa’s Independent takes an edge challenge and tries to review NZ without mentioning “hot-air ballooning,…
Put Another Bird on the Bar
Collector and Te Anau bar owner Neil McDowall offers a free jug to anyone who presents him with a dead magpie, a bird notorious for its aggression towards smaller native species.
Fit to Fight Tiger
Top Kiwi golfer and World No.15 Michael Campbell answers the Independent’s Q&A about his routine – how he gets into the mental and physical swing of things …
WTO Tangle
“It’s a little puzzling that the major trade remedy for an organization that promotes liberalized trade is to restrict trade,” says Mike Moore, referring to the problems in enforcing WTO rulings. Will the next round of…
History of the Cup
A rundown on the history of the world’s oldest sporting trophy, currently held by Team NZ.
Perkins short cuts to praise
The Guardian Review draws comparisons between Perkins’s tale of small town angst and the American master of the form: “Perkins has wonderfully light touch; she is a master of dialogue and plain speech, a…
Once More Around the Track
Driving-man New Zealander Scott Dixon turns twenty-one, old enough to have a drink to celebrate being the youngest-ever winner in major open-wheel racing.
Once More Around the Track
Driving-man New Zealander Scott Dixon turns twenty-one, old enough to have a drink to celebrate being the youngest-ever winner in major open-wheel racing.
Awesome Enthusiasm
It’s awesome,” enthuses Middle Earth’s biggest small man, Elijah Wood about upcoming Lord of the Rings. “It’s a really, really incredible group of people and a very brilliant, talented group of artists who…
Six degrees of connection
Mark de Clive-Lowe, NZedged leading exponent of nu-jazz guides iJazz listeners through the musical territory and affirms his edge cultural vibe: “I grew up in a totally unique place – New Zealand. A gem…
“Trust me: it is magnificent”
“At the end of this first film, Frodo and Sam are separated from the rest and row across the river, destination Mount Doom: on even a scratchy video, Elijah Wood and Sean Astin are…
Fox judging
Award winning edge-actress Kerry Fox sits in the judging seat for the 54th Locarno International Film Festival.
Click Go the Sheilas
Kiwi shearer Kylie Hamilton, “not really a very hefty bird,” but “with a good chassis under her” matches the men in her gang sheep for sheep – one of the first women in enter this very…
Energetic Performance
Bringing energy to the Aussies, New Zealand super-drink V grows Frucor revenue 27%.
Chill of Fame
Russell Crowe would be the crowd-pulling choice to play Earnest Shackleton in the bio-pic Endurance, about the ill-fated South Pole expedition of 1914-15. Did you know: captain of Shackleton’s epic Artic voyage was NZ…
In with their idols A-Z
Kiwi pin-up boys of rock Zed sign with Interscope for American release of Silencer. Interscope artists include Eminem, Dr Dre, Weezer and U2. “To be put in the same context as all our idols…
No 2, one year on
Picked by Observer critics as an Edinburgh Best of Festival 2 and winner of a prestigious Fringe First, Toa Fraser’s No. 2 continues to thrive and garner praise despite a bit of reality-biting about…
Driving On
Eric Bailey-Balfour, 99, of Timaru passes his “very easy” driving test and gets a cake from the AA.
Riding High
Kiwi wonder-kid jockey Michael Walker rides for Aussie trainer Lee Freedman at the Anniversary Cup in Queensland.
Whiff of Health
Edge-designed disease-detecting super-nose could lead to a revolution in doctoral diagnosis, as well as having commercial applications in the oil and gas industry.
Eco-powering Taranaki
Small-scale mixed-source energy generation at Pioneer Village “brings a little closer the prospect of freeing consumers forever from rising power bills and the guilt of contributing to pollution and climate change.”
Polished Knowledge
“Digital Libraries hold the possibility that we might regain perspective on the billions of pieces of information in the web ocean.” In particular, DL system Greenstone, created by Dr Witten of Waikato University, offers an online…
Schuster, Stoppard, Sauvignon
The 1999 Montana Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (“my homage to Michael Schuster”) is a current favorite of British women’s-health guru Dr Miriam Stoppard. This New Zealand example is ‘fresh and rich and slightly oaky with a really lovely…
Get Up Stand Up – Kiwi Cultural Laboratory
New Zealand doesn’t get the attention it deserves as a “kind of cultural laboratory for issues such as the rights of indigenous inhabitants or the equality of women”.
Van Dyke Taken to Heart
Former South African International Netballer Irene Van Dyke picks up public choice player of the year as New Zealand fans claim her as one of their own.
