Air New Zealand to Launch Direct Flights to Vietnam
“Air New Zealand has announced to launch direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City starting from next summer with three flights a week that aim to promote Vietnam tourism”, according to an article in…
Blog Archives
Vietnam and New Zealand Sign Cooperation Agreements
“Vietnam and New Zealand have signed several cooperation agreements during a visit by Prime Minister John Key to Hanoi as they seek to double bilateral trade in the next five years”, as reported in…
New Zealand’s Best Remote Lodges
“Best reached by helicopter, New Zealand’s latest luxury lodges promise wonderful cuisine, total tranquillity and the most spectacular scenery”, writes Tim Jepson in an article for The Telegraph. Wharekauhau Lodge: Prince William and…
Richie McCaw Announces New Zealand Retirement
Richie McCaw, the most capped All Black in history, has announced his retirement. “This is the end of my rugby days, the reality of hanging up my boots,” said Richie McCaw at a press conference. “This…
New Zealand Forward Wynyard Signs With Wildcats
New Zealand basketball player Tai Wynyard has announced on Sunday that he has signed with the Wildcats, an American college basketball team that represents the University of Kentucky. “They have really high hopes for him,…
Lorde Joins Disclosure For Saturday Night Live Performance
Together with Disclosure, Sam Smith and Lorde turned the Saturday Night Live studio “into an electric, colorful stage” when performing tracks off Disclosure’s latest album Caracal during last night’s episode hosted by Elizabeth Banks. Sam Smith…
New Zealand Ranked Eight Most Positive Country
New Zealand has been ranked the eighth most positive country for 2015 in a global index published by Daily Positive. “New Zealand announced the creation of a 620,000 km2 Ocean Sanctuary in the Kermadec region,…
All Blacks Legend Jonah Lomu Dies
Former New Zealand rugby star and All Blacks Legend Jonah Lomu has passed away in Auckland today, aged 40. “We’re lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah’s family”, said…
New Zealand’s Post-Hobbit World
Even after the end of Peter Jackson’s ‘Lord of The Rings’ movies, the New Zealand film and TV business is thriving and “turning the land that once served as Middle-Earth into a host of…
New Zealand Olympic Committee Win IOC Women in Sport World Trophy
The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has been named World Winner at the 2015 IOC Women in Sport Awards ceremony. They are the first National Olympic Committee (NOC) to be named World Winner and took…
New Zealand’s Great Walks on Google Street View
“Google announced the addition of its new Street View imagery from New Zealand’s Great Walks on Thursday”, writes Michael De Waal-Montgomery in an article on VentureBeat. The update includes six of the nine famous New…
Nabokov Biographer Boyd Delivers Letters to Véra
University of Auckland Professor and definitive Vladimir Nabokov biographer Brian Boyd this month published Letters to Véra, the first complete volume of the author’s letters to his wife. Edited and…
Cliff Curtis on Returning to New Zealand to Produce
New Zealand actor Cliff Curtis says that returning to New Zealand to tell local stories keeps him sane. “It sort of grounds me and gives me a sense of purpose,” said Curtis. His next project alongside…
Martin Aircraft to Make Jetpacks for Dubai Firefighters
“Martin Aircraft has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dubai to supply jetpacks and training to its civil defence and fire services”, writes Chris Pash in an article in The Business…
New Zealand Student’s Speech Goes Viral
A New Zealand student’s emotional valedictory speech has gone viral online with more than 170,000 views. 18-year-old Jake Bailey, who had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in his final year…
Indigenous NZ Practice Aims to Reunite Kids in Care with Families
A delegation from New Zealand, led by Katie Murray has travelled to Winnipeg to work with the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Inc. on reducing the number of children in foster care. The delegation’s…
Jack Mclean to Exhibit at London’s FLUX Contemporary Art Exhibition
New Zealand artist Jack Mclean will be exhibiting his latest work at the FLUX Contemporary Art Exhibition at The Royal College of Art in London on December 11 – 14. “I take inspiration from my…
Tamsyn Russell Amongst Scotland’s Hot 100 Cultural Contributors
New Zealand born dancer, teacher and choreographer Tamsyn Russell has been named amongst Scotland’s hottest cultural contributors of 2015. The Kiwi is listed 83rd on Scotland’s Hot 100 list, which is comprised of Scotland’s most…
Legatum Institute Releases Annual Global Prosperity Index
The London based Legatum Institute has released its annual global Prosperity Index, that ranks 142 countries according to their prosperity. New Zealand has been listed on rank four. “Strong social cohesion and community…
Kathryn Ryan Wins 2015 International Radio Personality of the Year Award
RNZ National’s Nine to Noon presenter, Kathryn Ryan has been awarded the 2015 International Radio Personality of the Year Award. “For fifteen hours of live broadcasting to be so outstanding every week is testament to…
Gibbs’ Next Generation of Fast Amphibians
After bringing “three fast amphibian concepts to the American International Motorcycle Expo in Orlando, Fla.”, Gibbs Amphibians is “hoping to find to find a partner that would build the vehicles under license”, as reported…
The Best of Waiheke Island
On Waiheke Island “old-school beach shacks share the same stunning views as architect-designed mansions, and their millionaire inhabitants are usually indistinguishable from the vineyard workers and retired hippies who all call this island home,”…
New Zealand’s Fine Dark Ales
In many countries dark beers are for the cold months, but not in New Zealand. “Lots of breweries in New Zealand have got stouts and porters among their best sellers,” said Stu McKinlay, one half…
Space Revolution Hatching in a New Zealand Paddock
The next revolution in space will be launching next year from a paddock in New Zealand’s remote South Island – a 16-metre carbon-cased rocket powered by a 3D-printed rocket engine. The rocket designed by Rocket…
How a Tiny Island of 4.5m People Came to Dominate Rugby Worldwide
With their 34-17 win at Twickenham against Australia, the New Zealand All Blacks became the first team to ever retain their World Cup trophy. Their back-to-back World Cup wins and their more than 75%…
Air New Zealand Named Australasia’s Top Airline
Air New Zealand has been named Australasia’s Leading Airline for the seventh consecutive year at the 2015 World Travel Awards, according to an article in The Financial. “To win Australasia’s Leading Airline for…
New Zealand Bred Horse Wins Melbourne Cup
Michelle Payne, the only female jockey of the race, has won the Melbourne Cup on New Zealand bred horse Prince of Penzance. Payne was the first female jockey that ever won the Melbourne Cup in…
New Zealand’s All Blacks: Rugby’s All-Time Greats
“The New Zealand All Blacks made it clear this weekend that there isn’t a rugby team in the world that compares with them”, writes Joshua Robinson for the Wall Street Journal. With their winning percentage…
The Chills Return with Melodic Gifts Intact
“It’s taken 19 years for Martin Phillipps to get round to releasing the fifth Chills album (and the previous four took 16 years to make), but his manifold troubles in the years since Sunburnt haven’t diminished his melodic…
How to Skip Winter Without Missing Ski Season: Travel to New Zealand
“A land of tree roots and butterflies and sea cliffs: not only is New Zealand a volcanic dreamland, it’s also one of the safest and socially progressive countries in the world”, writes Emily Hill…
New Zealanders Are the Best Forecasters of Australia’s Economy
New Zealanders are the ones to ask when it comes to predicting the fortunes of the Australian economy, according to an article in The Australian Financial Review. “New Zealanders looking for opportunity have…
Magnificent All Blacks Beat Wallabies to Become First Team to Win Back-to-Back World Cups
The New Zealand All Blacks have beaten Australia’s Wallabies 34-17 in the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham with a magnificent performance. With their back-to-back World Cup wins they have become the first team…
Kitten Rugby World Cup
Kiwi comedy duo Jono and Ben have recreated the highlights of the New Zealand vs. France Rugby World Cup match in a video with a twist – their clip features kittens rather…
Queenstown’s Fergburger – One of Lonely Planet’s Best Burgers
Queenstown’s Fergburger has been named one of the planet’s best burger experiences in a ranking published by Lonely Planet. According to Lonely Planet “Queenstown’s funky Fergburger serves protein-heavy fodder to fuel you up for any…
Waiheke Ranked Fourth Best Island
Waiheke has been ranked the fourth best island in the world outside of the U.S in the 2015 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. “A mix of Nantucket and Sonoma, with New Zealand charm,…
New Zealand Fur Seal Population Increasing
The New Zealand fur seal population seems to be recovering after being pushed to the brink of extinction, according to a recent NZ government report. “I went to Kaikoura in 1984 and all I saw…
How to Defend Against the Haka
“Watching 23 burly New Zealanders perform the iconic dance before kickoff is one of rugby’s unwritten rules. The All Blacks, the greatest team ever to play the game, have earned that right over a…
The Top 10 Countries – Average Wealth Per Person
New Zealand has been ranked the country with the second highest average wealth per adult in mid-2015 according to the Credit Suisse Research Institute’s (CSRI) sixth annual Global Wealth Report. The…
New Zealand All Blacks Join English Footballers For UNICEF
Popular sports stars including England footballers Harry Kane and Chris Smalling and All Blacks players Dan Carter, Ben Franks and Charlie Faumuina have been given a masterclass in how to play board games by a…
3rd Spaceflight Ground Station in Invercargill
Spaceflight’s third ground station in Invercargill, New Zealand is now fully operational, according to an article in Space Daily. “Bringing the ground station online in New Zealand is another step in executing on…
Virtual Reality Start-up Attracts NZ$20 Million in Funding
8i, a Wellington-founded virtual reality start-up has raised NZ$20 million (US$13.65 million) from technology investors including Samsung Ventures, Dolby Family Ventures and Sound Ventures, a fund owned by actor Ashton Kutcher. The virtual reality venture wants…
Del Toro’s Crimson Peak Inspired by Night in Haunted Kiwi Hotel
Guillermo Del Toro’s newest movie Crimson Peak reportedly is inspired by nights he spent in haunted hotels – one of them a New Zealand hotel, where he stayed while scouting locations for The Hobbit films. When he…
Bringing Māori Culture to Rio
“The ‘Tuku Iho | Legado Vivo Māori’, an exhibition and festival that celebrates the art and culture of New Zealand’s Māori people” have been held throughout October in various locations in Rio de Janeiro. Highlights…
All Blacks Own Rugby in a Way No Other Sports Team Ever Could
“New Zealand are not only the world’s leading rugby nation. They also own the game,” writes Simon Barnes in an article on ESPN. “On Saturday night the All Blacks beat France so completely…
5 Unbelievable Day Hikes In New Zealand
“New Zealand is home to some of the most rugged and stunning landscapes on the planet”, as reported in an article on The Huffington Post that lists five unbelievable day hikes in…
The Chills Release First New Album in 19 Years
The Chills spearheaded by Martin Phillipps will release their first full length album – Silver Bullets, in 19 years on October 30. A full band tour is planned for 2016 and Martin Phillipps reportedly…
Adrian Orr on New Zealand’s Super Fund
“The sovereign wealth funds of Australia and New Zealand have much in common but the underlying holdings reveal a chasm greater than the Tasman Sea”, writes James Frost for the Australian Financial Review…
New Zealand is the King of Comedy Horror
Kiwis “certainly seem to have a killer knack for comedy horror – gleefully creating tongue-in-cheek shockers that have the ability to make us both giggle and scream”, writes Mark Butler for WOW. Below…
New Zealand Fur Seal Still Squatting on Opera House Stairs
A young New Zealand fur seal has made the steps of Sydney’s Opera House his permanent home. The New Zealand seal was first spotted on the stairs in October 2014. “The Opera House may not have…
Meet the New Moana Princess
14-year old Hawaiian Auli’i Cravalho has been selected to voice the lead in Disney’s new princess movie Moana. “From baby time to now, I wanted to be a Disney princess and then I wanted to…
New Zealand’s Valley of the Trolls
“On a hike across New Zealand’s Southern Alps, we find the kind of beauty fit for myths and legends”, writes Laura Dannen Redman in an article on Condé Nast Traveler. “We had sweat and…
Banshee’ Releases Final Season Trailer
The trailer for the fourth and final season of small-town crime drama Banshee has been released. January 29 has been set as the show’s premiere date. New Zealand actor Antony Starr is starring as Lucas…
‘The Shannara Chronicles’ New Trailer Released
A new trailer for fantasy series The Shannara Chronicles, which will debut on January 5, has been released at New York’s Comic Con. The show has been filmed in New Zealand. The series produced by…
Surprise Ash Vs. Evil Dead Premiere
The audience at the Ash Vs. Evil Dead panel at New York’s Comic Con was surprised with a surprise premiere of the entire first episode, which according to Eric Goldman in an article on…
Living A Kiwi Life – Ep.37 – Roboshark
In this episode the couple had some fun in Queenstown with the Roboshark, a combination of jet ski and submarine that offers plenty of cool underwater views.
Rose McIver is a Glamorous Zombie – Jimmy Kimmel Live
Kiwi actress Rose McIver made an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live where she talked about her hit zombie TV Show, iZombie, along with explaining her Kiwi accent.
