Steven Adams Sings
Watch this clip posted by NBA Off the Court and see how Kiwi basketball star and his teammates sing a Backstreet Boy song in their car. Steven Funaki Adams is…
Blog Archives
Epic Middle Earth Locations That Really Exist
“As World Hobbit Day makes us wistful for Middle Earth’s colossal mountain ranges, mythical forests and untamed rivers, we look to the epic landscapes that stole the show in the Hobbit and Lord of…
Gillian Saunders Takes Top Honours at World of Wearable Art Awards Show
New Zealand designer Gillian Saunders has taken out the Brancott Estate Supreme Award at the World of Wearable Art (WOW) Awards’ Show in Wellington with Supernova, as reported in Lucire. “I had been…
Simon Denny’s guide to Secret Power at Te Papa
Didn’t catch Simon Denny’s Venice Biennale exhibition Secret Power yet? The acclaimed exhibition is on display at Te Papa from 16 Sep 2016 – Feb 2017. Listen to Simon Denny’s guide to…
Stunning NZ Films You Should Know About
“New Zealand certainly brings a fair few ‘bests’ to the table. Aside from being one of the most beautiful countries in the world, responsible for some of the greatest exploratory and scientific minds,…
Peter Jackson Eyes NZ Island For Tourism Project
“Peter Jackson, the man you know as the spirited angel who bestowed cinematic genius upon the world in the form of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, is set to inspire more tourism interest…
The World’s Only Alpine Parrot Faces Extinction
The New Zealand kea, the world’s only alpine parrot “is at threat of extinction in New Zealand as numbers plummet in the face of threats from non-native predators and human development,” writes Eleanor Ainge…
NZ Selects ‘A Flickering Truth’ for Foreign-Language Category
New Zealand has selected Afghanistan-set documentary A Flickering Truth, which was produced and directed by Pietra Bretkelly, for the best foreign-language film category for the 2017 Academy Awards, as reported in The…
Cliff Curtis Joins Warner Bros’ Shark Pic ‘Meg’
New Zealand actor Cliff Curtis has joined the cast for Warner Bros’ Shark Pic ‘Meg’, as reported in Deadline. The film is based on Steve Alten’s 1997 novel, Meg: A Novel of…
On Top Of A New Zealand Volcano
“When NBA giant Steven Adams returned home to New Zealand this summer/winter (depending on your hemisphere) with an Oklahoma City Thunder contingent, he made a fast break for” Rangitoto Island – “a magnificent volcanic…
Stan Walker – You Never Know
Watch Stan Walker’s new music video for his new song You Never Know. Stan Walker is an Australian-born New Zealand recording artist, actor, and television personality.
New Zealand Beloved by Expats in HSBC Ranking
New Zealand has been ranked as the runner-up in global financial services company HSBC’s Expat Explorer Survey, in which researchers asked a range of questions to 27,000 expats from 190 different countries and territories,…
The Rise Of Film-Friendly New Zealand
The screen industry in New Zealand is “big business: four of the all-time 20 most profitable films were made here, and revenue in 2015 was $3.22 billion compared to just $2.6 billion in 2005,”…
Countdown to New Zealand’s First Space Launch
The New Zealand government has signed a contract with Rocket Lab, “a commercial space launch operator using technology developed in New Zealand, for launch operations on the Mahia Peninsula, on the east of the…
The Light Between Oceans
Watch the trailer for The Light Between Oceans starring Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender and Rachel Weisz. The film features scenes that have been shot in New Zealand.
Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings
Watch this clip by 100% New Zealand and hear master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell’s story behind the Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings in New Zealand.
Rotorua: North Island Adventure Capital
Rotorua on New Zealand’s North Island has “re-invented itself as the adventure capital of the North Island,” writes Sandra Smedhall for CNN. Its “unique combination of forests, lakes, geothermal activity and Maori culture…
Taika Waititi’s Creative Journey
”The vast majority of us lack the happy-go-lucky charm of New Zealand’s favourite writer/director,” writes Clarisse Loughrey for The Independent. She is talking about Taika Waititi, who currently is working on one of…
Sleep Under The Stars At Pure Pods
New Zealand’s Pure Pods has been included in a list of 10 luxury accommodations in which you can sleep under the stars. “There is an intriguing option for anyone looking to unwind beneath a…
Homesick Kiwis Can Now Call a Hotline
With Travel Insurance Direct homesick New Zealanders can now call a hotline (+64-9930-3377), where they are greeted with a joyful New Zealand accent and can hear the familiar sounds of their homeland, writes Jordi…
How Xero Made It By Doing Everything Backwards
“It’s rare for a startup to go public almost within one year of being founded. But then again, how many startups do you know from Wellington, New Zealand,” writes Ariel Bogle for
5 Lazy Ways to See New Zealand’s Natural Beauty
“In addition to the heart-pounding adventure sports that make New Zealand world-famous, the island nation is chock full of less strenuous activities that are just as worthwhile as their adrenaline-pumping alternatives,” writes A. Van…
Orca Hunting Stingray
Watch this clip by New Zealand wildlife photographer Jack Preston and watch Orcas hunting stingray in the shallows of the Mercury Islands in New Zealand.
NZ to Fund Child Sport Development in Pacific
New Zealand will fund a five-year initiative aimed at getting more children in Pacific island countries to play sport according to Prime Minister John Key, reports the Daily Mail. The multi-million dollar programme…
NZ & Canada Sign Co-Production Treaty
New Zealand and Canada have “signed a co-production treaty that will allow enhanced film and TV industry cooperation between the two English-speaking territories,” writes Patrick Frater for Variety. “The treaty was signed…
Claudia Li’s Groundbreaking Florals for Spring
“Looking around her Flatiron District studio, Claudia Li acknowledges the obvious. “It’s like an explosion of floral prints and lots of colors in here,” she says of the space,” writes Véronique Hyland for
The Rutherford Documentary Trailer
Watch the 7-minute trailer for The Rutherford documentary, which is based on John Campbell’s book “Rutherford Scientist Supreme” and was directed and co-produced by Gillian Ashurst. Purchase your DVD copy…
Matariki Festival 2016 Highlights
Watch the highlights of this year’s Matariki Festival at Te Papa and hear about what makes Matariki a special time for those who helped celebrate at Te Papa.
Queenstown – More Than Adventure
“Immortalised by Peter Jackson in Lord Of The Rings, tourists now flock to Queenstown’s frosty lakes and rolling hills every year in search of the same magic created by the films,” writes Jennifer Smith…
New Zealand’s Most Exciting Young Poet
Hera Lindsay Bird, who “has become a cult favourite for her explicit, cutting and often funny writing” was “catapulted from respected but anonymous graduate writer to semi-cult status” after publishing her first book of…
Wine and Dine Your Way Through NZ
“From freshly caught seafood to lamb, meat, everything, the delicious yet frequently underrated cuisine New Zealand offers should top your foodie-travel bucket list,” writes A. Van Houten for Paste Magazine in an…
NZ’s Must-See Photography Locations
New Zealand boasts “some of the finest natural landscapes on Earth” and is a “paradise for photographers and nature lovers alike”, writes William Patino on his photography blog. In his blog post he…
Dayna Grant on Life As A Stuntwoman
Kiwi stuntwoman Dayna Grant has “worked as a double for A-list actors including Charlize Theron and Tilda Swinton during her thrilling 20-year career, but to the easy-going Kiwi, it’s all in a day’s work,”…
NZ Story – Energy and Resources
Watch this clip by NZ story, which sheds light on the unique characteristics of New Zealand’s energy and resources industry.
Anouska Hempel Gives London Hotel a Sleek New Makeover
“As one of the first classic boutique townhouse hotels in London, The Franklin has recently experienced an extraordinarily stylish revamp—and designed by none other than the Bond-Girl-turned hotelier/interior designer Anouska Hempel,” writes Hana Hong…
Wellington Unveils National Virtual Reality Complex
Work on New Zealand’s first national virtual reality complex has begun in Wellington, writes David Swan in an article for the Australian. The centre will be “used to developed and test world-first…
Behind the Scenes – NZ Opera
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of the NZ Opera? Watch this clip and find out what happens before the season starts and audiences get…
How NZ’s Glaciers Shaped the Origin of the Kiwi Bird
When the kiwi arrived in New Zealand several million years ago “it found few threats and plenty of opportunities.” “In the absence of mammals, its descendants gradually lost the ability to fly, as island…
What’s your why? Malakai Fekitoa
Watch this clip by Rebel Sport and hear what fuelled Malakai Fekitoa to go after his dream of becoming a professional rugby player. Today he plays for New Zealand’s national team…
Cruise Industry Growing in New Zealand
New Zealand’s cruise industry is experiencing an increase in cruise passengers. More than 254,000 passengers and 92,000 crew members visited the country during the August 2015 to June 2016 cruise season, as reported in…
How Oamaru Became Steampunk Capital of the World
Oamaru “used to be known for its population of blue penguins and having the best-preserved collection of Victorian architecture in the country”, writes Eleanor Ainge Roy for The Guardian. In 2010 the…
New Zealand Scores High in Expat Report
New Zealand has been ranked the fifth best country for expats in a ranking by “InterNations, which recently produced the Expat Insider 2016 report — one of the largest expat surveys in…
Disney’s Moana Trailer 2
Watch this full Moana trailer – the official Olympics TV spot. In Moana, once-mighty demigod Maui, played by Dwayne Johnson and Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) embark on an adventure across the…
NZ Tops IMF’s Housing Unaffordability List
New Zealand has topped the International Monetary Fund’s list for housing unaffordability and has outpaced 31 other countries in the house prices to income ratio category. It hit nearly 130 points on…
Guergana Guermanoff on International Diplomacy
Watch this clip and listen to Guergana Guermanoff, New Zealand Consul-General to Shanghai speak about what she brings to international diplomacy as a New Zealander.
Broods – Heartlines
Kiwi duo Broods (Georgia and Caleb Nott) partnered with Microsoft for their video for Heartlines to be able to visualize Georgia’s emotions and heart rate. Watch the clip here.
What to Do in New Zealand
21-year-old Taylor Gleason has travelled to 65 countries, “documenting it all — in classic millennial fashion — on an Instagram account that has amassed an impressive 65,800 followers,” writes Brittany Kriegstein in…
Top Beach Hotels on NZ’s South Island
New Zealand’s South Island is known for its “dramatic scenery, captivating wildlife and splendid isolation.” “Beach resorts and retreats on New Zealand’s South Island make the most of dramatic views, as well as offering…
Akarao – A Romantic Destination
New Zealand’s Akaroa has been featured as one of eight romantic off the beaten track holiday destinations in an article in Malay Mail Online. The list has been collated by Booking.com. Akaroa…
All Blacks vs. Australia Haka
Watch the All Blacks as they perform their breath-taking Haka before their match vs. Australia. The All Blacks won the game 42 – 8. The clip was shared by ubear.
‘Pete’s Dragon’ Stars Love New Zealand Locations
Chances are that by the time you leave the theatre after watching “Pete’s Dragon” you have not only fallen in love with Elliott the dragon, but also New Zealand, where the movie was filmed,…
