Vogue’s 15 Must Visit Spots in Wellington
Vogue has presented a list of 15 spots to have a perfect day in the “coolest little city in the world: Wellington, New Zealand” “New Zealand’s capital city is no longer just a sleepy layover…
News of New Zealanders via Global Media
Holly Spring’s Daughter Her Muse for Award-Winning Photos
Photography was the furthest thing from Holly Spring’s mind when daughter Violet was struck down with a debilitating bowel condition that almost cost her life. Born with just one hand, her right, the new born…
Wellington Vampire Movie Wins People’s Choice at Toronto Film Festival
‘What We Do In the Shadows’ was a big hit at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, winning the Grolsch Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award. Its co-creator, ‘Flight of the Conchords’ star Jemaine Clement,…
The Musket Room Challenges Assumptions of Kiwi Food
Amelia Lester writes for The New Yorker restaurant column this week about Australasian cuisine, with a focus on the Musket Room, the highly acclaimed restaurant of New Zealander Matt Lambert. She writes of the growing…
Hairdressing a Terrific Career for Beijing-Based Bill Watson
Former Wellingtonian Bill Watson, international education and artistic director for Toni & Guy China, is loving life in Beijing. “It’s where things are happening,” he tells New Zealand Herald journalist Janetta Mackay. Watson says working…
Belfast Students Aim to Emulate Burt Munro Record
A team of Queen’s University undergraduate engineers will attempt to emulate the 1967 land speed record New Zealander Burt Munro set on his modified Indian Scout motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The…
Steve Williams Reflects on Stellar Caddie Career
Steve Williams, one of the world’s most famous caddies, talks to the New York Times about his plans to wind down his dream career after being inducted to the Caddie Hall of Fame this…
Webb’s Auction House Offers up Art Bargains
“Auckland-based auction house Webb’s leads the way in meeting the growing interest in New Zealand artists,” according to Monocle. “Established in 1976, it now also provides auction services in Wellington and, in 2013, clinched the…
Singer Jackie Bristow Itching to Finish Fourth Album
New Zealand folk singer Jackie Bristow hasn’t released a new album in four years. But she has a really good excuse: Bristow has been touring non-stop, and consistently appearing on some lofty play bills,…
Secluded Waikato Getaway Carved out of the Hills
“Long before Peter Jackson re-created Middle-earth in the fertile hills of New Zealand’s Waikato region, Graham Hannah and his young daughter Jessie had a dream,” Rob McFarland writes for the Sydney Morning Herald. “They would…
Scientists Closing to Breeding Eco-friendly Sheep
Scientists at New Zealand’s AgResearch and the US Department of Energy’s Joint Genome Institute have moved a step closer to developing a breed of sheep that belches less methane as part of a quest…
Nonviolent Peaceforce Worker Maria Duncan Flies into S Sudan
Christchurch woman Maria Duncan, 27, who works for Brussels-based organization Nonviolent Peaceforce, has flown into war-torn Bentiu, South Sudan to help protect some 25,000 refugees in a UN camp. Almost all its occupants are displaced…
Good Kill Andrew Niccol’s Sobering 21st Century Riposte to Top Gun
In Good Kill, which has its world premiere this month at the Venice Film Festival, New Zealand writer-director Andrew Niccol explores the implications of waging war while staying home, a development that – for…
Surgeon Is Fundamentally a Storyteller
Auckland-based author and surgeon Dr Sharad Paul talks to the Bangalore Mirror about his latest novel The Kite Flyers, and about how a doctor came to be writing literary fiction. “I think I am fundamentally…
Trailblazer Brad Thorn Happy to Be a Leicester Tiger
Former All Black forward Brad Thorne, 39, has pitched up at Leicester at the tail-end of a colourful career that’s taken him from Dunedin to Leinster via Japan. But, he tells the Independent’s Chris…
Graeme Hart’s Luxurious Ulysses Sets Sail
New Zealand billionaire Graeme Hart has been revealed as the owner of the $77 million 107m super yacht “Ulysses”, just launched from a slip in Ulsteinvik, Norway. The former tow-truck driver and panel beater turned…
Steve Williams Inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame
After a career that has lasted nearly four decades, New Zealander Steve Williams, 50, has been inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame by the Western Golf Association. Williams received a bronze caddie statue as…
Lonely Planet’s Top Eight Must-See NZ Port Destinations
In an extract from Lonely Planet New Zealand, Charles Rawlings-Way describes the country’s top eight must-see port destinations. “Paris may be the city of love, but Auckland is the city of many lovers, according to…
Neil Newton setting Pittsburgh locals straight
Pittsburgh locals ask Neil Newton about two things when they learn he is from New Zealand: The Lord of the Rings and HBO’s Flight of the Conchords, two things that he has nothing to…
Sirocco the Kakapo a Great Conservationist Spokesbird
Sirocco the kakapo is a great spokesbird to travel New Zealand and share the conservation message, according to James Russell from the University of Auckland, who recently met the hand-raised bird. “The kakapo is an…
Expert Hacker Debugging the World’s Software
One of Google’s “secret team of bug-hunting hackers” is New Zealander Ben Hawkes. Part of the group known as Project Zero, a group of top Google security researchers with the sole mission of tracking…
Chandler Betting Big on Energy in Africa and Asia
New Zealand-born billionaire Richard Chandler, 55, is counting on gas and oil in far-flung locales from Papua New Guinea to Kenya and Ethiopia, banking on demand from Asia’s growing middle class. Chandler is amassing a…
New Zealander Stephen Cartmell Performing in Minneapolis
New Zealand actor Stephen Cartmell, once the face of Wattie’s Baked Beans, steps up onto the boards in Minneapolis at the city’s Jungle Theatre, performing in satire The Mystery of Irma Vep. Cartmell…
Nervous Cumbrian Brewer Matt Clarke Sends Pale Ale Home
Head brewer at Cumbria’s Hawkshead Brewery in England, Whanganui-born Matt Clarke, sent a New Zealand Pale Ale (NZPA) to Wellington for the 21st birthday celebration of renowned bar The Malthouse, as part…
Gareth Reeves Elopes as Lysander in Canberra Production
New Zealand-born actor Gareth Reeves, 36, stars as Lysander in the new Bell Shakespeare production of Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Dream on until 13 September in Canberra. Reeves and Lucy Honigman, who plays…
Bill Nancarrow a Mainstay on Napa Valley Vintner Scene
Originally from the Hawke’s Bay, Bill Nancarrow, 45, has made sauvignon blanc fit for President Obama and escorted Ryan Seacrest and U2’s The Edge on private winetasting tours. The New Zealand Herald’s Leena Tailor…
Zombie Survival Game DayZ Tops 2.5 Million Players
Game designer Dean Hall, 33, has announced that his zombie survival game “DayZ” has reached more than 2.5 million players since its launch in December last year. Prague-based developer Bohemia Interactive recently delayed update 0.49,…
Newly Discovered Asteroid to Fly Over New Zealand
An asteroid is set to pass Earth closest to New Zealand, at a distance of just 25,000 miles, this weekend. Asteroid 2014 RC was discovered by astronomers on 31 August and will pass New Zealand…
St. John Regular Sam Neill Bemoans the French Wine List
Actor Sam Neill has been frequenting London’s St. John restaurant for nearly 20 years, and while he’s obsessed with the place his greatest passion is reserved for New Zealand vineyards. “Neill is an oenophile and…
Sir Harold Gillies the Man Who Mended Broken Soldiers
In October, the handiwork of New Zealand-born otolaryngologist Sir Harold Gillies, widely considered the father of plastic surgery, can be seen at the Hunterian Museum in the Royal College of Surgeons of England, in…
Bruce Anstey Cruises to Isle of Man Formula 1 Win
New Zealander Bruce Anstey dominated the Classic TT Formula 1 race in the Isle of Man with a victory margin of over one minute, setting a record lap speed of 123.894 for two-stroke machines…
Nadia Lim Hits the Road to Discover NZ’s Best Local Produce
Nadia Lim – 2011 New Zealand MasterChef winner – has premiered her new eight-part series New Zealand with Nadia Lim on the Asian Food Channel. Lim’s quest to discover the best local produce took…
James McDonald’s Bright Star Shows No Sign of Dimming
Being so good so young won’t count against James McDonald, 23, according to Craig “Clocker” Tompson, a guiding light behind the meteoric Australian rise of the talented New Zealander. Some jockeys are exceptional early but…
Jemaine Clement Talks Conchords and Vampires
Conchord and vampire Jemaine Clement is interviewed by The Guardian’s Alexander Bisley on his new film What We Do in the Shadows, share homes, and his Maori heritage. Clement is one of the most noted…
California Victory Brings Scott Dixon’s Career Wins to 35
With IndyCar champion Scott Dixon’s latest Grand Prix win in Sonoma, California, the 34-year-old New Zealander has earned his 35th career victory and is now tied with American legend Bobby Unser for fifth place…
Black Ranger Power Given to Local Actor James Davies
New Zealand actor James Davies will co-star as Black Ranger (pictured, far left) in Power Rangers Dino Charge, with the television show confirmed to return to the country for filming of the latest series. Davies…
Lorde Trumps the Big Guns to Take MTV Best Rock Video
Lorde has become the first female artist to win in the category Best Rock Video at the MTV Video Music Awards, beating Arctic Monkeys, Linkin Park, The Black Keys and Imagine Dragons. The 17-year-old scooped…
Double Gold for New Zealand Ends Superb Campaign
Victories for double scullers Fiona Bourke and Zoe Stevenson, and single sculler Emma Twigg capped off a superb world championship regatta for New Zealand’s rowers in Amsterdam. Those wins lifted New Zealand’s gold medal haul…
2015 Venice Biennale Welcomes NZ Artist Simon Denny
Sculptor and installation artist Simon Denny, 32, has been selected to represent New Zealand at the 2015 Venice Biennale, which runs from 9 May to 22 November. “Simon Denny is one of the…
Maggie Bolger’s Hip London Kids Club a Soho House for Parents
Maggie Bolger and Rose van Cutsem are, on the face of it, unlikely friends and business partners. Bolger is a matter-of-fact New Zealander who lives in London, while van Cutsem — née Astor —…
Comedian Cal Wilson’s Use of Language Masterful
At 43, New Zealander Cal Wilson woke up and found herself wearing a photocopy of her mum’s face. Wilson re-enacted that confrontation and many others pondering the roads not taken on stage at the…
Berlin’s Galerie Pavlova Offers up Our Talent to Europe
Originally from Auckland, Michael Dooney has relocated to Berlin where he has opened Galerie Pavlova, a space dedicated to promoting photographers, like Conor Clarke (pictured) who are established in the Trans-Tasman region and developing…
Rubberband Boy Has People Laughing Their Heads off in Toronto
One of the newcomers at this year’s Scotiabank BuskerFest in Toronto was New Zealand performer Shay Horay, a.k.a. The Famous Rubberband Boy. Named the freakiest boy in show business, the self-proclaimed “Olympic-grade athlete in…
Playwright Arthur Meek’s Upside Down Perspective on Colonialism
Can western theatre ever tackle the subject of colonialism without replicating its inequalities, Financial Times’ reporter Matt Trueman asks. New Zealand playwright Arthur Meek, feels that it would be presumptuous to write a story…
Laurence Larson Blends Language Wooing Millions of Chinese Fans
Auckland University student Laurence Larson, 20, is generating a big following on social media where his music videos sung in the unusual blend of Mandarin and English have been viewed millions of times. With dreams…
Schmidt Wins New Zealand’s First Olympic Medal in Trampoline
Dylan Schmidt became the first New Zealand athlete to win an Olympic medal in trampoline when he bounced to gold at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games on Friday. “It’s pretty cool,” the 17-year-old said….
Richard Burton Couldn’t Beat George Silk on a Photo Call
In 1993, New Zealand-born LIFE photojournalist George Silk was asked by American photographer John Loengard if in his long career, Silk had been “willing to pose pictures.” Silk’s reply is worth setting down here in…
Australia’s Top Restaurant Run by New Zealander Ben Shewry
Melbourne’s Attica, run by New Zealander Ben Shewry, has been named Australia’s top restaurant at this year’s annual Gourmet Traveller awards. Attica is one of Melbourne’s premium fine dining restaurants, offering carefully crafted meals with…
Stunning All Blacks Smash Wallabies to Retain Bledisloe Cup
New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup with an astonishingly good performance, smashing Australia 51-20 in Auckland, scoring six tries and stating categorically that the last game’s mediocre showing in a 12-12 draw was merely…
Young Kiwi Entrepreneurs Win FedEx Competition
Two teams from New Zealand won both first and second place at the FedEx Express/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge Asia Pacific, in which students in the region competed with business plans for a beauty…
Hobbit Trilogy Beating the Odds to Hit Screens
“In one of the most epic feats in recent cinema history, New Zealander director Peter Jackson brought to life Tolkien’s fantastical universe with The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Almost a decade later, the…
Guardian Declares Kimbra’s Latest a Masterclass in Sheer Pop Joy
“The Golden Echo is less of a sophomoric follow-up and more of a bona fide pop classic from singer Kimbra …”, in fact declares the Guardian, it’s “a straight-up masterclass in sheer…
War-Gamer Robert Dunlop Recreates WWI Battle in Miniature
Inspired by the war stories of his grandfather, war-gaming enthusiast Robert Dunlop, a New Zealander living in Britain, has collected thousands of miniature soldiers to recreate the Battle of the Marne in France 100…
Lingerie Designer Manuka Clarke Reinvigorating US Company
When New Zealand-born designer Manuka Clarke purchased Californian lingerie company Farr West in January, she wanted to reinvigorate the company’s classic designs while keeping all production in the United States at the highest quality…
New Zealand: the Other Half of the Anzac Legend
As the centenary of the Gallipoli landings approaches Australians need to consider the other half of the ANZAC acronym, University of Sydney history professor Mark McKenna writes for the Conversation. The rise of Anzac…
Lee Tamahori Teams up with Adrien Brody on Emperor
Director Lee Tamahori is in the Czech Republic filming Emperor, a movie based on 16th century Roman ruler Charles V and starring A-lister Adrien Brody. The 64-year-old director of cult 90s film Once Were Warriors…
