#155 Brain Gain

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THE GLOBAL LIFE OF NEW ZEALANDERS

From Brian Sweeney, producer NZEDGE.COM | 28 February 2013 | #155 | New York

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NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES IN GLOBAL MEDIA FEBRUARY

New Zealand “self-consciously egalitarian” though not immune to social, economic inequality – Guardian
New Zealanders have become the “Internet’s most beloved lab rats” – Bloomberg Businessweek
New Zealand is so much more than beaches, mountains, rugby and hobbits – CNN
John Key speaks with The Diplomat on nuclear security, Afganistan and relations with US, China

BUSINESS / INNOVATION / SCIENCE

Corey Harris, 16-year-old student, NZ’s most successful YouTuber; paid to teach – Sydney Morning Herald
Vaughan Smith, VP of mobile partnerships Facebook; Silicon Valley keeps amazing – World Mobile Congress
NIWA journey deep into Kermadec Trench; discover fish species new to science – National Geographic
Victoria Ransom, Wildfire chief executive, doesn’t believe in company hierachy – New York Times
Tariana Turia, New Zealand Associate Health Minister: NZ to introduce plain cigarette packaging – The Age
Professor Bob Hancox, of Otago University, links child TV watching to adult criminality – Mail Online
Helen Clark, Head of UN Development Programme, calls for action on diseases in Pacific – Samoa Observer
John Nicol, founder of Makerplane, cuts out aircraft in days; wins Canadian Jubilee medal – Opensource.com
Helen Clark, head of the UNDP, lectures at Oxford on the need for peace dialogue in Mali – New York Times

OBITUARIES

Ralph Hotere, artist, “one of our greatest, a bridge across two powerful rivers”, 81 – Tangatawhenua.com
Paul Holmes, broadcaster; “he doesn’t leave a gap, he leaves a chasm”, 62 – Courier Mail
Guy Dodson, York-based biochemist and “outstanding” x-ray crystallographer, 75 – Guardian
Tom Aspell, “perpetually cool” and “curmudgeonly” NBC correspondent, Cyprus, 62 – NBC News

TASTE / DESIGN

Tyler Martin, Kiwi Chef, brings ‘balm to the soul’ at Fulham eatery – The Independent
New Zealand’s bold, fruity hops increasingly prized by American craft brewers – Los Angeles Times
Karen Walker tackles perceptions of beauty; eyeware models gorgeously 65-plus – The Australian
Sauvignon blanc from Marlborough, Australia’s top-selling wine – Sydney Morning Herald
Sam Neill ponders our thriving pinot, though “they don’t call it the heartbreak grape for nothing” – France 24
Rebecca Taylor gets all Frank Lloyd Wright at New York Fashion Week – Times Colonist

SPORT / ADRENALINE

Bruce McLaren’s ghost returns to ‘70’s Goodwood crash in new short film – Motorsport.com
Lydia Ko, New Zealand golf sensation, is ‘incredible’ – The Age
Grant Dalton’s Team NZ will rely on sailing nous, cultural strength in reclaiming America’s Cup – Bloomberg
Rocky Lane breaks own jump-shooting world record; 15 balls pocketed in 11.29sec – Macau Daily Times
Sean Maitland, 24, scores for Scotland in debut against England, Twickenham – Irish Independent
A.J. Fairbairn, restorer for IMS Museum, takes ’66 Ford GT Mark II for a Speedway spin – Motor Trend

TRAVEL / NATURE

Vidya Balan, Bollywood superstar, rates New Zealand her ‘favourite place in the world’ – Filmfare
Waiheke, “embracing its bohemian side” and a New York Times “Place to Go in 2013”
Queenstown’s big beauty makes it one of the world’s top 10 best small towns – Sydney Morning Herald
Francis Helps’ Banks Peninsula farm a “slice of penguin paradise” for rare korora – Scientific American
Hokianga’s Kokohuia retreat one of six romantic lodges recommended in The Independent
Alice Blackley’s Art Adventures takes tourists about “hip”, “homey” Queenstown hotspots – Washington Post
The Oyster Inn, Waiheke Island, enchants with its “winning brand” – Monocle
1966, Auckland and “the country is much improved for the tourist” – SF Gate

FILM / ARTS / MEDIA

Kimbra, 22, goes crazy when idol Prince hands over one of her Grammys – Forbes
Shopping, 1981 on the Kapiti Coast; film wins best Gen 14+ prize at Berlinale – Hollywood Reporter
Anthology of NZ Literature a vital possession for reading households in Australia – The Australian
Jane Campion’s “startling” series Top of the Lake “has class written all over it”; at Berlinale – Guardian
Jacob Rajan’s Guru of Chai a “dubious spiritual guide”; Off-Broadway – Independent Florida Alligator
Alice Englert, Kiwi actress to ‘make it big’ in 2013 – Forbes
Gin Wigmore, singer, 26, talks about her unconventional road to fame – BBC
Shopping premieres at Sundance; setting “distinctive” and leads “unaffected” – Hollywood Reporter
Jane Campion, director, named Cannes Short Film Jury president – Hollywood Reporter
Jesse Peach directs legendary John Wood in History Boys, Sydney Opera House – Canberra Times
Nabil Sabio Azadi’s beautifully “human” For You The Traveller, “best guide book ever” – The Huffington Post
Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show 40 years popular; anniversary production tours UK – Guardian
Lisa Densem, Berlin-based choreographer, returns home for Footnote Forte – Wellington Scoop
Ryan Neilson of Unknown Mortal Ochestra mythologises band mayhem in latest album, II – Willamette Week

WRAP-UP

Alex Kim, Duke University junior, wins BlackRock asset allocation competition – New York Times
Wayne Pick, creative director, RAPP, explains our take on Super Bowl’ – Branding Magazine
Glen Johnson, journalist, writes from Free Syrian Army-occupied streets in Aleppo – Le Monde Diplomatique
Mark Gee, photographer, goes long distance to capture real time-moon rising over Welllington – Telegraph

See all stories and a 8,000 story archive of international New Zealand news 2000-2013 at NZEDGE/MEDIA.

Researched and edited by Jane Nye (Berlin). Web published by Kirsten McConchie (Auckland).

Brain Gain New Zealand

The Bank of New Zealand’s lively chief economist Tony Alexander has launched an initiative called Brain Gain New Zealand with the purpose of boosting New Zealand’s growth potential through better connectivity with our international population.

In noting that New Zealand has the world’s second largest diaspora after Ireland, Alexander is focused on overcoming the cultural factors leading to a massive under-utilization of what returning New Zealanders have to offer.

In an essay on “Kiwi Business Culture” Alexander assails three syndromes which hold us back – tall poppy, #8 wire and 3B – bemmer, boat and bach, and calls for a major attitude adjustment by New Zealand employers.

Brain Gain’s webpage offers useful data on the New Zealand housing and labor markets, migration flows, interest and exchange flows, how New Zealand fares in global ranking surveys, and a stimulating survey of the high value manufacturing sector titled “More than Milk & Scenery”.