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THE GLOBAL LIFE OF NEW ZEALANDERS From Brian Sweeney, producer NZEDGE.COM | 24 February 2012| #143 | New York Greetings. There’s a lot of content today so pull up a chair and a drink. We tweet four times each weekday and publish daily on Facebook. Cheers.
LLOYD MORRISON 1957-2012 A supernova is a stellar explosion that is extremely luminous and causes a burst of energy that often outshines an entire galaxy. Lloyd Morrison was a supernova in our city of Wellington and country of New Zealand. He was an inspirational friend and fellow traveler in charting New Zealand identity. He gave enthusiastic support to nzedge and conversations with him at the turn of 2000 helped propel this initiative forward. Sadly, Lloyd died in Washington Seattle on 10 February after long treatment for acute myeloid leukemia. Lloyd was a banker and financier, an infrastructure builder and operator, corporate director, cultural and sporting impresario, and proud family man. He created a brilliant company, Infratil, which invests in and manages airports, public transport, and energy and fuel companies. He was a prime instigator in the modernization of the NZ Stock Exchange. Lloyd’s ethics, excellence and performance should be a stake in the ground for every student of business and politics. The new New Zealand flag, which nzedge.com carries as its symbol, was one of the many projects he initiated to stimulate New Zealand to fulfill its potential as an economically and culturally vibrant country. Direct, focused, action-oriented, measurable, involving; these were his characteristics. His literacy and aesthetic sense coupled with his lead-from-the-front approach meant that a unique collection of New Zealand classical music has been produced by the Morrison Music Trust. A wide circle of New Zealanders were inspired by Lloyd’s warmth and ideas. Headlines have reflected his contributions: “Life of a Visionary” (NZ Herald); “A City’s Favourite Son” and “Leader of the Pack” (Dominion Post). The best summation as to how we might respond to his life is contained in the notice of his death from his family: “To honor Lloyd, please live life to the full and accept challenges with relish. Love others, and strive to leave this world better than you found it, just as Lloyd did.” Lloyd’s funeral was today in the Wellington Town Hall; his own flag will be flown at half mast. RIP.
GLOBAL NEWS HEADLINES JANUARY-FEBRUARY KEY HEADLINES New Zealand has given the world a “template” for “strong sustainability” – Huffington Post New Zealand friendliest place on earth to live away from home – Forbes New Zealand No. 17 in list of top 30 soft power nations; “low on brands, high on beauty” – Monocle New Zealanders seeking mining, agricultural jobs in Australia on increase – Courier Mail New Zealanders and Aussies world’s heaviest uses of marijuana, meth – Sydney Morning Herald INNOVATION / ECONOMY / SCIENCE Richard Chandler, businessman, injects big cash into Tasmanian timber – ABC News New Zealand 32-year study of willpower confirms lifelong benefits of restraint – Guardian Gibbs Technologies’ Phibian, mash-up of patrol-boat and truck, unleashed in US – New York Times NIWA scientists find sound solution for million-dollar problem of marine fouling – Xinhua Tom Peters, US business thought leader, enamoured with Aotearoa Pacific Edge, developer of bladder cancer test, to open Pennsylvania facility – Penn Live New Zealand Natural ice cream chain setting up in United Arab Emirates – The National Les Mills International, global exercise exporter, finalist in International Business Awards – Stuff Kim Dotcom, NZ resident file-sharing Megaupload founder, arrested by police, FBI – Guardian Conor English, Federated Farmers CEO, discusses Chinese purchase of farms – Washington Post Mercedes Sheen, University of Canterbury, studies twins’ disputed memories – Guardian Stephen Jennings’ Renaissance Group one of Africa’s largest real estate holders – The Australian Kiwibank’s Gareth Morgan Investments buy expected to improve its margins – Wall Street Journal Christchurch emerging as exciting city; shipping containers shape shopping – Lonely Planet Paul Hunkin’s cluster screen software snapped up by NASA and Google – Stuff Powershop, “like eBay for electricity”; revolutionising energy retail – Forbes L’Affare’s Zeke Alley says NZ “screaming out” for cup recycling solution – Waste Management World Dr Damian Scarf and colleagues discover pigeons have propensity for numbers – New York Times
FILM / ARTS Lucky Paul’s new release Elephant Island reverb-heavy drumming and synth washes – Guardian Jim Wilson, Phantom Billsticker, organises NZ’s finest poets to perform in NY – Sacramento Bee Ladyhawke puts out app ahead of Anxiety release; Perez Hilton says she’s “on fire” – Guardian The Renderers’ latest a “great, innovative pop record,” “front to back” – Pop Matters Rob Mayes sound recordist and behind camera on Chemical Brothers’ Tokyo feature – Stuff South Wairarapa farmland purchased by director James Cameron – International Business Times Madeleine Sami plays feisty Fijian matriarch and family in Canadian premiere of No. 2 – Calgary Sun Lucy Lawless grateful Spartacus writers “really rude” to her this season – Ottawa Citizen Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Angelina Ballerina magic for discerning kids – Sydney Morning Herald Tusi Tumasese ditched picking tomatoes for film school – The West Australian Miramar’s Art Deco Roxy cinema back to former splendour thanks to Weta – Monocle Bret McKenzie says Oscar-nomination has already gone to his head – New York Times Legacy of Disorder, parts Pantera, parts Maiden; “these cats kick a** and then some” – Examiner Sam Neill cryptically brusque as Emerson Hauser in US TV drama Alcatraz – New York Times Don McGlashan, “national treasure”, writing some of his best songs; touring USA – The Province Good for Nothing, ‘Pavlova Western’, first self-funded NZ film to be released in US – Stuff Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, “artists challenging system” West of Memphis – Chicago Sun-Times Bret McKenzie trumps Elton John and Mary J. Blige for Critic’s Choice Award – Daily Telegraph Duncan Sarkies’ Two Little Boys to premiere at Berlinale; Bret McKenzie is ‘Nige’ – 3 News Fire poi dancers take to NY rooftops in secret to practise and play – New York Times Joseph Herscher, kinetic artist, 26, over-engineers “absurd” contraptions – New York Times Maori – Their Treasures Have a Soul, Paris exhibition of art and heirlooms – New York Times Naked and Famous, “ridiculously handsome”, now playing major acts – San Francisco Gate Anna Paquin wins 95 per cent of critics’ vote for best female performance of ’11 – LA Weekly Peter Jackson as Haddock cavorting with Snowy won over Spielberg – Los Angeles Times Auckland hosts Hollywood heartthrob, Lost star, Matthew Fox; filming Emperor – Variety Andrew Niccol’s sci-fi flick In Time, starring Justin Timberlake, a “glorious concept” – Cyprus Mail Bret McKenzie, Muppet music man, talks Oscars and delivering foals in Utah – New York Times Naked and Famous play Bangkok’s Moonstar Studio in mid-January – Bangkok Post Jemaine Clement, actor, 37, on set, hirsute and evil as Boris in Men in Black III – Huffington Post Vanessa Barnes“loves Indian film” so she blogs about it on ‘Shahrukh is Love’ – Times of India TRAVEL / NATURE Lochmara Lodge captures magic of NZ; vibrant sanctuary for fearless kakariki – Penn Live Rhys Cochrane, Hahei diver, 20, rescues a grateful orca entangled in rope – Voice of America Christchurch is a city where “the big picture is bigger than the destruction” – SF Gate Golden Bay stand-up paddling over history; ruminating on Murderer’s Bay – Gadling New Zealand trout dwarf Californian relatives; land of monster rainbows – Marin Independent Journal Napier celebrates unique Art Deco heritage with beach banquets and balls – Monsters & Critics NIWA Kermadec expedition finds monster 34cm shrimps 7km deep – BBC Devonport’s“handsome beaches” flanked by cosy cafés – Monsters & Critics Otahuna Lodge, haven of authentic NZ garden style; a destination in itself – Sydney Morning Herald New Zealanders “don’t mind you taking the p*** out of them,” just not from Sheffield – Metro Milford Sound from decks of Sun Princess rugged and extraordinary to behold – The Australian Routeburn Track, one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 treks; fully-booked and beautiful – Gadling Rakaia River braids wins online vote for best satellite image of 2011 – BBC Air New Zealand unveils world-first Boeing 777-300ER in all black livery – Seattle Post-Intelligencer Blue Lake, Nelson, “close approach” to most optically pure water in the world – Xinhua Blue Cliffs Beach residents watch orcas tussle with sharks at water’s edge – Daily Mail Bach life a cultural force worthy of UNESCO protection says Monocle ed-in-chief – Financial Times Akaroa Hector’s dolphins trip lets tourists leave inhibitions on shore – Boston Globe Hell’s Gate may resemble nether world, but sulphurous waters heal – Gadling The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs No. 1 Lodge in Australia and Pacific Nations – Luxury Travel Magazine Queenstown as beautiful and “genteel” as it is action-packed – Sydney Morning Herald Ponsonby retains Victorian feel and scale; reminder of Ye Olde Auckland – Hawaii Reporter Neville Peat’s LE Richdale biography traces legacy of seabird genius – Guardian TASTE / DESIGN Alan Gibbs’ sculpture park one of the world’s most celebrated – Sydney Morning Herald Brigette Thomas, Motueka Top Model, 21, struts Dubai Longest Catwalk – Ahlan Live Adam Bryce, Slamxhype editor, one of six NZers sharing knitwear passions with Guardian Oyster Bay may turn you back into a believer of merlot; “elegant”, “poised” – Leader-Post Herbst Architects’ Piha beach house all airy cedar and glass framed by pohutakawa – Monocle Yeastie Boys Digital IPA enables drinker to access recipe via smartphone – Macon Chronicle Herald Karen Walker’s“cute” Hi There range hits 164 US Anthropologie stores – New Zealand Herald Nelson Sauvin hops “phenomenal” says UK-based NZ brewer Matt Clark – The Independent GrantyTaylor, pioneering Queenstown vintner, shares wine, and rugby, stories – Adelaide Now Ryan Arboleda, executive chef in Phuket, shares lamb recipe fave with Bangkok Post Central Otago and Auckland farmers’ markets purveyors of “fabulous” foodstuffs – Jaunted Mokoia Restaurant’s deep-fried kawa kawa delights food blogger – Business Spectator Pete Wheeler, artist, 33, ‘Paths of the Destroyer,’ Florentine solo exhibit – What to Visit in Florence Jonathan Perry forgoes football dream to open Sheffield café – Sheffield Star COMPETITION / ADRENALINE Rocky Lane, jump shoot pool world record holder defeats Macau hopefuls on cue – Macau Closer Tharun Nethula, 28, Indian-born leg-spinner, gets fairy-tale Black Caps call up – The Hindu Graham Henry signs up with NZRU to develop local coaching talent – BBC Sonny Bill Williams, All Black, boxer, 26, KO’s American in first round – Sydney Morning Herald Richard Parr, 49, hired by Seattle rowing club; unanimously appointed – Vashon Beachcomber Ryan Nelsen, footballer, 34, cleans boots, packs up for Tottenham Hotspur – Telegraph New Zealand Sevens’ team wins series in “withering” five minutes – Sydney Morning Herald Black Caps bowl out Zimbabwe scoring NZ’s biggest-ever victory margin – Times of India Lydia Ko, golf amateur, 14, youngest ever winner of professional tournament – ESPN Pita Rona, first baseman, 17, first NZer to sign with US MLB team – Baltimore Sun Federated Famers says sheep shearing has Olympic potential – Washington Post Lydia Ko, world’s best female golf amateur,14, wins Australian championships – Ninemsn Peter Latham, 28, tops cycling World Cup standings with men’s pursuit gold, Beijing – Yahoo Sports Libby-Jean Hay, ice hockey player, 18, “so into” it, it’s “ridiculous”; at Youth Olympics – Boxscore Chris Birch, champion motorcyclist, 31,completes ultimate race, Dakar Rally – Ultimate Motorcycling Suzie Bates, dual-international, 24, to captain White Ferns; basketball on hold – ESPN Geoffrey Maw recruiting gridiron players for South Carolina rugby team – Daily Advance OTHER NEWS New Year’s Honour for White House reporter Connie Lawn; symbolises her love for NZ – Huff Post Zane Lowe, BBC Radio 1 DJ, describes life in travel; first memory, Bay of Islands beauty Ficino School, Mt Eden, accelerates learning with Sanskrit classes – Punjab Newsline Astrolabe Reef-stricken Rena splits in two; stern slips into deeper waters – Seattle Post Intelligencer Hot air balloon tragedy, worst NZ air disaster since Erebus, claims 11 lives – Sydney Morning Herald Sofia Walker, 3, brave in the face of a hungry lion at Wellington Zoo – Daily Mail William Raillant-Clark, 29, argues lawmaker’s same-sex marriage stance – Montreal Gazette Department of Internal Affairs bars baby name Justice 49 times in past decade – Guardian Mick Milne, teacher, 47, with help from stranger, a liver transplant success story – Korea Herald Matisse Reid, 11, develops penchant for anchovies post-intestinal transplant – Pittsburgh Tribune Auckland’s Whitcoulls Santa world’s most unintentionally creepy Christmas ornament – News.com.au John Spencer, paper-pulp magnate, actually drives his super yacht; T6 in Hobart – The Mercury See all stories and a 7,000 story archive of international New Zealand news 2000-2011 at NZEDGE/MEDIA. MICHAEL POOLE: TRIATHLETE
At 20-years-old Tauranga-born Michael Poole is already an elite international athlete. After being a dominant triathlete during his high school years, Michael went on to succeed out of school winning his first two Contact Series elite races before going on to win the Tauranga Half Ironman in 2010 as an 18-year-old. A highly talented athlete, Michael is the current Oceania duathlon champion and was ranked number two in the world for the event last year. Now based in Tampa, Michael is simultaneously studying chemical engineering at the University of South Florida while continuing to train and compete as a professional triathlete. In 2011 alone Michael raced in seven US cities including New Orleans, Seattle, San Francisco and Washington DC, as well as travelling to Beijing for the Under 23 World Triathlon Championships. Coached by the highly respected New Zealander Jack Ralston who began his career under Arthur Lydiard, Michael will continue race in events across the US in 2012 as well as competing in Barbados and Costa Rica. Michael’s success is being noticed around the world and achieves significant media coverage in both the US and New Zealand. Despite such success, Michael primarily relies on sponsorship to continue within the sport. He deserves our support. For more information visit Michael’s website. GEMMA’S NEW YORK
Gemma Gracewood is a NYNZer. She is a correspondent for New Zealand media on things NYC – and a member of the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra which is currently touring Aotearoa, as well as promoting the ever-so-good work of the nzonscreen. She has started publishing an invaluable resource about New Zealand art, shows and creative shenanigans in New York City – The Choice List. Check out Kiwi Poets in New York, the opening of Boy, The Naked and Famous at Terminal 5, The Black Seeds at Brooklyn Bowl, Martin Basher’s show Paradise Sale at Rockefeller Apartments, Hye Rim Lee at the Westport Arts Center, Max Gimblett‘s new show The Holy Grail at Gary Snyder Gallery in Chelsea, art magazine White Fungus part of the Millennium Magazines show at the Museum of Modern Art… The Choice List is published in association with the delectable Dub Pies & The Pie Shop of Brooklyn.
INCREDIBLEDGE CONFERENCE
Incredibledge is a summit is for thought leaders, creatives, scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs and change-makers at the cutting edge of their fields – to share experiences and ideas that create value in shaping the future. Convened by New Zealand creative entrepreneur Jillian de Beer, and to be held March 5-6 at the Q performing arts hub, Queen St Auckland, Incredibledge has attracted several world-leading practitioners in their respective fields including:
And from New Zealand
The conference copy says that New Zealand is a country on the “edge of the world which has turned its physical isolation into a competitive advantage by developing world class expertise in innovation, creativity, technology, the environment, partnership with indigenous peoples and natural resource protection.” Amen.
Fern Symbol via www.nzflag.com. Banner photo: Northern tip of the South Island viewed from Kapiti.
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