New Zealand for Beginners
“It had taken me three flights, two days and a white-knuckle drive up spiraling switchbacks in swirling snow to arrive at this barstool near the shore of Lake Wanaka at the foot of the…
News of New Zealanders via Global Media
Dragon’s Leading Light Todd Hunter Keeping It Current
One of the founding members of iconic Australian band, New Zealander Todd Hunter (pictured second from right), talks to Digital Journal about the band’s new album and their very modern way of working. Forty one…
Wales Coach Warren Gatland Receives OBE
Head coach of the Wales rugby team, New Zealander Warren Gatland has received an OBE from the Duke of Cambridge for his services to rugby at an investiture ceremony in Windsor Castle. Gatland said he…
Scott Baigent Capitalising on Ireland’s Fondness for Craft Beer
When New Zealander Scott Baigent and business partner Australian-born Cam Wallace landed in Ireland four years ago, they decided to capitalise on the gaping hole in the craft beer market. In 2011, the pair launched…
Mumbai Composer Mikey McCleary Reinterpreting Bollywood
Mumbai-based New Zealander, songwriter and composer Mikey McCleary, 45, is a musical jack-of-all-trades making it in the Indian advertising world reinterpreting Bollywood songs and writing music requiring an “international-esque” sound. One of McCleary’s most famous…
Dunedin Researcher Andrew Highton Wins Oxford Scholarship
University of Otago PhD researcher, Andrew Highton, 25, has won a Nuffield postdoctoral fellowship to Oxford University, where he will continue his immunology research. Highton was “really excited” to gain the fellowship, which provides $83,700…
Rambert’s Mark Baldwin Choreographs with a Big Bang
He was born in Fiji and grew up in New Zealand where he learnt the haka at school, yet Mark Baldwin was destined for greatness with Britain’s world-renowned dance company, Rambert. Rambert’s run…
New Zealand Ranked 10th in Quality of Life for Elderly Index
New Zealand is one of the best countries in the world to grow old in, coming 10th in the Global AgeWatch Index which ranks countries by how well their older populations are faring. Norway topped the…
Ronnie Peters Connecting New Zealanders in NYC
Happy Bones is a hip coffee store and art space created by a troika of New Zealanders, and the scene for the monthly “Flat White Meetup”, where entrepreneurs gather to talk about…
Marton Csokas Menacing in The Equalizer Opposite Denzel Washington
Invercargill-born film and theatre actor Marton Csokas – who plays Russian bad guy Teddy opposite Denzel Washington in The Equalizer – chats with entertainment industry magazine Backstage about his approach to his craft, his…
Sam Neill Says We Can All Identify with Working Class Crims
Ask Peaky Blinders star New Zealander Sam Neill to account for the success of the BBC’s six-parter about Birmingham razor gangs – an odd but winning mix of industrial grime, street violence, catwalk-friendly fashion…
Air NZ has “Coolest Airline Paint Job in the World”
Air New Zealand has been judged by Business Insider as having the “coolest airline paint job in the world”, ranked first out of 15 international airlines with striking exterior designs. “As airlines and…
Connacht’s Backs Coach Andre Bell the Perfect Teacher
Well-travelled New Zealander, Andre Bell is focusing on “simple things” as he looks to freshen up Connacht rugby team’s back-play, the Irish Independent reports. Come along to any Connacht training session and you’ll immediately see…
Waitomo’s Subterranean World an Adventurer’s Paradise
“Time and nature have wrought havoc underneath the surface of and the pretty wildflowers growing on the grassy contours disguise an elaborate system of caves,” David Whitley writes for the National. “Getting down into…
Paul Ewen Creates “Inspired Alter Ego” Francis Plug
Paul Ewen, New Zealand born and raised writer, is getting rave reviews for his first novel about his fictional alter ego. Ewen, now based in London, has published his first novel, “Francis Plug: How to…
New Zealand Fashion Stars Amongst World’s Most Influential
Three New Zealanders have made this year’s Business of Fashion 500 list, a professional index of the people shaping the global fashion industry, based on nominations. They are: Style.com editor-at-large Tim Blanks (pictured), fashion…
Discover the Secrets of Auckland with Annabel Langbein
Local television personality and author, celebrity chef Annabel Langbein reveals her favourite things to do in Auckland, including walks along the city’s windswept west coast beaches and browsing shops in the back streets of…
Monocle Explores the Length and Breadth of NZ
From the gently bustling streets of Auckland to the highest and most isolated peaks of the South Island, in this month’s Monocle regional survey, the magazine has explored the length and breadth of New…
Precious Life Preserved on Ward 3
The beginnings of plastic surgery during World War II and pioneer New Zealand-born Archie McIndoe’s work with the Guinea Pig Club at Queen Victoria Hospital are related in an excerpt taken from Extreme Medicine: How…
Andrew McCarten’s Stephen Hawking Biopic a Comprehendible Hit
New Zealand screenwriter Anthony McCarten’s latest The Theory of Everything, which hits American cinemas on November 7, is “a sensitively directed inspirational biopic centred around the great British physicist Stephen Hawking and his mind-over-body…
Martin Henderson Busy Thrilling on the Small Screen
Star of Australian thriller Secrets and Lies Auckland-born Martin Henderson, 39, talks to DIY magazine about his part in the critically acclaimed series The Red Road opposite Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa and…
New Zealand “Best-Designed Government in the World”
New Zealand has the best designed government in the world, American political commentator Dylan Matthews writes for Vox. “The shire has a mighty fine political system,” he jokes. “Recently New Zealand held its 51st general election,…
Peter Jackson and Paul Allen Dogfight over Warbirds
Filmmaker Peter Jackson, who has amassed more than 40 flyable World War I warbirds – the planet’s largest collection – and Microsoft Corp. billionaire Paul Allen are vying to build the world’s best fighter…
600-year-old Waka Found in New Zealand
An ancient canoe with a sea turtle carving has survived 600 years in the South Island, creating a scientific stir around the world. A study of the waka by University of Auckland researchers appeared yesterday…
Two New Zealand Hotels Make Respected Fodor’s Best of List
Wharekauhau Lodge in the Wairarapa and Waipoua Lodge in Northland have both been selected for the prestigious 2014 Fodor’s 100 Hotel Awards, which honours the best hotels around the world. Lodge manager Richard Rooney
Electric Wire Hustle Release Second Album Love Can Prevail
The second album of New Zealand duo Electric Wire Hustle Love Can Prevail was released worldwide last month, and features on Jon Pareles’ Playlist in The New York Times. Pareles describes the R&B, soul and…
Cricketer Jeetan Patel Completes Immense Season in UK
New Zealand cricketer Jeetan Patel, 34, who has been confirmed as the most valuable player of 2014 by the UK’s Professional Cricketers’ Association, has completed an “immense season” as spinner for Warwickshire. “Patel has produced…
Trove of Explorer George Lowe’s Photos Published for First Time
In the summer of 1957-58 New Zealander George Lowe was the 12-man Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (TAE) team’s official photographer. He documented the treacherous journey in its entirety, juggling a number of cameras and shooting…
Filmmaker Taika Waititi Flourishing out of the Mainstream
He’s best known as the Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind hits like Flight Of The Conchords and New Zealand’s highest-ever grossing film Boy. But Taika Waititi had a brush with mainstream Hollywood fame when he starred alongside…
Billboard Names Lorde Hottest Star under 21
Billboard has put New Zealander Lorde, 17, at the top of its 2014 edition of 21 Under 21, the magazine’s annual ranking of music’s most powerful minors, “and perhaps the most impressive crop of…
Holly Ade-Simpson Lands Sydney Google Internship
Victoria University student Holly Ade-Simpson will join the cream of global tech wizards this summer as she interns at Google’s Sydney headquarters. Google was rated this year by professional networking site LinkedIn as the most…
All Blacks Win Third Successive Rugby Championship
The All Blacks have wrapped up their third successive Rugby Championship crown with a comprehensive 34-13 win over Argentina at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata. First half tries to Ben Smith and Israel Dagg gave…
New Zealand in Top 10 on Asian Creative Productivity Index
A new Creative Productivity Index ranks New Zealand sixth out of 22 Asia Pacific countries which are most efficient at turning creative inputs into tangible innovation. The Creative Productivity Index was developed by…
New Zealand Businesses Opening HQs in Texas
New Zealand software maker Project Manager Online Ltd., founded by Jason Westland (pictured), has opened a headquarters in the United States in Austin, Texas with plans to employ at least 80 workers within two…
Kiri Te Kanawa Warns Britain Killing Talent
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, one of the world’s greatest opera stars, has made an impassioned plea for Britain to stop blocking the flow of young singers into opera houses so that the top quality…
Matt Lambert Explains NZ Cuisine to New Yorkers
Matt Lambert, executive chef at The Musket Room in New York, explains New Zealand cuisine and the restaurant’s sophisticated take on it to Forbes’ contributor Jenny Nguyen-Barron. Lambert also shares his point of…
Lucy Lawless Plays a Teacher in New Outback Thriller
Lucy Lawless stars in ABC political thriller The Code as Alex Wisham, a teacher in a remote indigenous school who protects an Aboriginal boy blamed for the death of a teenage girl. She gets…
Peter Gutteridge – One of NZ Music’s Spiky Heroes
In a scene of unsung heroes, one of the least sung will be making no more music, changing no more lives from his place on the periphery. Peter Gutteridge – described as “a true…
New Zealand Best Place to Travel on Your Own
New Zealand is the world’s safest, friendliest, and best place to travel on your own, according to Travel + Leisure magazine. The publication “crunched the numbers from the Global Peace Index, which ranks 162 nations…
Jesse Ryder Star Player for Essex
New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder has delivered an outstanding performance for Essex which leaves them on the verge of promotion to the top division of the County Championship. Ryder took career-best figures of 5-24 on…
Kiwi Startup Coco’s Coconut Co Picked up by Givenchy
Coco’s Coconut Co, a small Kiwi startup that produces a premium brand of coconut water called CoAqua, has landed a deal with French fashion brand Givenchy to be their in-store drink. CoAqua will soon be…
New Plymouth Teen Eden Bristowe Opens Vivienne Westwood Show
New Plymouth teenager Eden Bristowe has opened Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label show at London Fashion Week wearing a “Yes” badge, in support of Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. The 16-year-old was the first model…
Sailing World Championships “Dominated” by Kiwi Pair
The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Sailing World Championships in Santander were dominated by Kiwi sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke. Peter Burling and Blair Tuke had already secured Gold before starting the 49er skiff event,…
Gemma New to Conduct for LA Philharmonic
University of Canterbury graduate Gemma New has been selected by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association as one of two conductors to participate in the 2014/15 Dudamel Fellowship Program. New will be conducting ‘Peter and the…
Rare Giant Squid a Spectacular Scientific Opportunity
The colossal squid hauled from the depths of Antarctica’s Ross Sea by a New Zealand fishing crew last year has local scientists very excited, as it is one of very few ever examined. The 350kg…
Prime Minister John Key Wins Third Term
Prime Minister John Key will lead New Zealand for a third consecutive term after the National Party won 48 per cent of the vote in this year’s election. Official results show Key’s party will likely…
Cliff Curtis Gives Career-Making Performance as Genesis Potini
New Zealand actor Cliff Curtis, 46, who gives a career-making performance in fellow New Zealand director James Napier Robertson’s The Dark Horse (now playing the Toronto International Film Festival) is serious about his craft….
Tour of Britain Rider Tom Scully Shares His Food Diary
To meet the relentless energy demands of this year’s eight stage Tour of Britain professional cycle race, New Zealander Tom Scully is one of approximately 114 riders who must fuel up each morning, topping…
That Little Emilia Wickstead Point of Difference
Over the past half decade, New Zealand-born Emilia Wickstead has emerged as London’s go-to designer for occasion dressing. Her ability to find inspiration in 1950s and 1960s couture salons and the candy-coloured society ladies…
Richard “Hannibal” Hayes Gives National Geographic Russia a NZ Tour
Sir Richard “Hannibal” Hayes, legendary helicopter pilot, gave two National Geographic reporters from Russia the ride of their life as they explored New Zealand. Sir Richard is is probably New Zealand’s most legendary helicopter pilot…
Air NZ Boeing 747-400 Takes Final Flight
Air New Zealand’s last Boeing 747-400 affectionately referred to by pilots as “Daddy’s yacht” has completed its final flight in teal livery, as the airline ushers in a new generation of long-haul aircraft. The 16-year-old…
Strictly Star Erin Boag Says Motherhood Her New Priority
For 17 years, Auckland-born ballroom dancer Erin Boag, 39, and British partner Anton Du Beke, 48, have been tripping the light fantastic together, in a journey that has seen them rise through the amateur…
Makeup Artist Aaron De Mey Minimalist at London Fashion Week
New Zealand-born, New York-based makeup artist Aaron De Mey was backstage at Irish designer J.W. Anderson’s show for London Fashion Week crafting pure looks and “matte fragility”. “We’re really trying to amplify a no-makeup state…
Denim Designer Simon Miller Reshaping Californian Brand
Wellington-born designer Simon Miller, men’s creative director at premium denim brand Citizens of Humanity in Los Angeles, talks to Monocle about his new role and plans for the label’s future. “I’ve been living my life…
Christchurch’s ‘Cardboard Cathedral’ Symbolises Progress as City Rebuilds
Christchurch’s Transitional Cathedral, known as the ‘cardboard cathedral’, has ‘risen from the ruins’ to become the most recognised building in Christchurch, while ChristChurch Cathedral remains gripped in a battle between modernity and heritage. The ChristChurch…
Possums Adding Value to Elver’s Backpacks
“When Kiwi footwear and accessories start-up Elver launched last year the brand faced a dilemma: manufacturers can’t produce small batches without extraordinary costs. The firm decided to capitalize on the availability of…
