Win on the wind
Nelson-born sculptor Phil Price, 44, has won the Allens Arthur Robinson People’s Choice Prize of AU$5000 for his sculpture “Morpheus”, which was part of the 18-day exhibition “Sculpture by the Sea” in Bondi. Price…
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Digging For a Tipple
Next year, a team of New Zealand explorers led by Glenorchy man Al Fastier will head to Antarctica to try to recover 25 crates of rare McKinlay and Co whiskey gifted to Ernest Shackleton…
Haka and the Birds
The origins of New Zealand’s Ka Mate haka are traced and birds discovered by the Telegraph’s Sue Attwood who travels to Kapiti Island, the composer Te Rauparaha’s stronghold in the mid-1800s. Hunted by a rival tribe,…
Return to the Homeland
The remains of 12 Maori – known as koiwi tangata – were recently returned to New Zealand having been part of the Welsh national collection at National Museum Cardiff. Research has shown that the…
Shifting the Spotlight
New Zealand’s national soccer team, the All Whites, stole the limelight from its better-known rugby compatriots the All Blacks Saturday by securing a spot in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa – a…
Saving grace
New Zealand-raised cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh is praised for his work on the Mira Nair-directed film Amelia, about pioneering American aviatrix Amelia Earhart. The Observer’s Philip French writes that the film is “beautifully photographed” by…
Hawaiian theories
New Zealand may have been settled by sea-faring Hawaiians according to a new study of Polynesian canoe designs by Stanford University. The idea that ancient Hawaiians could have made the 4,400-mile journey south shouldn’t surprise anyone familiar…
All Whites Make History
The All Whites have qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa beating Bahrain 1–nil at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Striker Rory Fallon, 27, scored the only goal of the game to…
Auckland’s Happy Herd
In January 2010, the California Department of Food and Agriculture will film a new series of 10 California “Happy Cows” commercials in Auckland, taking advantage of New Zealand’s low production costs, but much to…
Green Mirage
The Guardian newspaper’s ‘greenwashing exposer’ Fred Pearce uncovers a number of offending countries who have succeeded in raising their emissions from 1990 levels despite signing up to reduce them. “Step forward Spain, Portugal, Ireland and…
Teaching top form
Kiri Te Kanawa, who recently gave a recital at Washington, DC’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, also has a speaking role as the Duchess of Krakenthorp in Donizetti’s comedy The Daughter…
Kanohi Ki Te Kanohi
Whale Watch Kaikoura has been named overall winner of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009. The Telegraph’s Mark Chipperfield travels to the seaside town to spot some southern cetaceans. Whale Watch Kaikoura is…
Future Bright in Print
The future of New Zealand’s 23 daily newspapers is bright and not likely to follow international trends of downsizing. Wairarapa-based publisher and writer Ian Grant said the country’s small regionally-based newspaper market continued to…
Vili One of the Best
Rotorua-born shot putter Valerie Vili, 25, has been shortlisted as one of five female finalists vying for the 2009 World Athlete of the Year award. The winners will be announced during the 2009…
Ski Season Success
New Zealand’s 2009 winter ski season was the best it has ever been with 1.5 million sets of skis and snowboards hitting the slopes, including over 100,000 skiers from across the Tasman. New Zealand…
Welcoming business nous
New Zealand’s migration policy has been relaxed in an effort to allow potential investors and entrepreneurs to gain permanent residency. Currently the majority of Brits hoping to live permanently in New Zealand must have…
Creative in Cardiff
Fly half Dan Carter “played sublimely” against Wales at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff despite jeers from the capacity crowd, writes the Guardian’s Eddie Butler, “showing no sign of the calf injury that had persuaded…
Finals Footy
Canterbury has won what could be the final Air New Zealand Cup 28–20 against Wellington in Christchurch. Two tries to Colin Slade helped Canterbury to an 18–3 half-time lead and that deficit proved too…
South Island Sauropods
Proof that dinosaurs did roam the South Island 70 million years ago has been found with the discovery of 20 footprints across a 10km stretch in northwest Nelson. The footprints were found by geologist…
All the Way South
Online reality show The Gap Year: Challenge New Zealand began in November and follows the adventures of five British travellers battling it out over four weeks to make it to the final. Model Kimberley,…
Park’s Plinth a Triumph
A statue of revered New Zealand airman and Battle of Britain hero Sir Keith Park has been unveiled on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. The unveiling was a triumph for the veterans who…
Not taking punches
New Zealand-born Charlotte Dawson, 43, co-host of Australian reality boxing show The Contender, talks candidly to The Age about the programme and what she knows about the opposite sex. “Women want to be open…
Study proportionate
In a University of Otago study of over 500 women, researchers have found abortion “leads to significant distress in some” and that those reporting adverse reactions were up to 80 per cent more likely…
Union Purgatory
“If we need any proof that God is a New Zealander,” writes The Australian’s Bret Harris, “it is the hell that Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is going through.” “Deans’ mortal sin was leaving New…
On the Conchord cult
Actor and Conchord Jemaine Clement talks about his latest film Gentleman Broncos and the future of ‘Hiphopopotamus’ and ‘Rhymenoceros’ with Paul Fischer in an exclusive Moviehole interview. Fischer asks Clement about his reaction to…
For the Pros
The New Zealand company behind Europe’s first artificial surf reef at Boscombe in Bournemouth, ASR Limited, has said the reef, now opened to the public, would provide a “substantial benefit” to the beachside community in terms…
If it Ain’t Broken
New Zealand has been named by travel gurus The Lonely Planet as one of the ten top countries to visit in 2010. The travel bible named New Zealand on the basis of the adage…
Monaco Reigns Supreme
New Zealand businessman and philanthropist Owen Glen’s three-year-old colt Monaco Consul, raced by jockey Corey Brown, has won the $A1.5 million Victoria Derby at Flemington, one of the most prestigious races in Australia. Monaco…
Tokyo Tactics Pay Off
The All Blacks extended their seven-match unbeaten record over the Wallabies with a score of 32–19 watched by a crowd of 44,030 at Tokyo’s National Stadium. Dan Carter kicked 22 points to add to…
Luxury on Tap
New Zealanders – the Telegraph’s Lisa Grainger and her partner came to learn on a recent trip – “are masters of the understatement”. “They’re dry. Quietly confident. Down to earth, capable and can-do. And,…
Traits of an auteur
Ahead of this month’s release of Peter Jackson’s latest cinematic offering The Lovely Bones, The New York Times’ Terrence Rafferty takes a look at Jackson’s body of work over his 20-year career as a…
Safety First
As of November 1, it is an offence in New Zealand to use hand-held cellphones while driving. The ban on making or receiving calls from a cellphone, texting and e-mailing is one of a…
Modest Wrecking Ball
“Put simply: when Richie McCaw plays, New Zealand tend to win; when he doesn’t, they don’t,” states Telegraph sports writer Paul Ackford as part of a week-long debate in the publication to decide who…
Rare Privilege
Napier-born Dr John Hood has given his retiring Vice-Chancellor’s Oration at the University of Oxford after a five-year term. In his final address, Dr Hood reviewed the 2008-09 academic year and reflected on “aspects of…
With a Hiss and a Roar
When visiting Rotorua, “think Yellowstone or Lassen, but with some key differences,” describes The Sacramento Bee’s Mike Melnicoe. “For one, the mud pots, hissing vents and hot springs do not, for the most part,…
Poetic challenges
Bright Star director Jane Campion, 55, says she was always terrified of poetry. “It wasn’t poetry that brought me towards this story; it was my ignorance about the subject. I hit 50 and decided…
Sweet Solutions
Researchers at the University of Auckland are working with dairy company Fonterra to develop a “medical dessert” which is proving to be useful in reducing the side-effects of chemotherapy in cancer sufferers. The ice cream, called ReCharge,…
Best Shape Yet
Jonah Lomu, 34, returns to rugby this month playing for French amateur side Marseille-Vitrolles and he says he is in the best shape ever. Once the most feared man in world rugby, Lomu, who…
Slump looks likely
New Zealand economist Robert Wade, a professor at the London School of Economics, predicts a further slump into global recession in 2010 or 2011. Wade, who made his name analysing East Asia’s economic…
Carbon Paw-Prints
Wellington-based eco-architects Brenda and Robert Vale, authors of Time to Eat the Dog: The Real Guide to Sustainable Living, include in their controversial book figures for carbon footprints of pets compared with other more…
Dengate Thrush Translates
New Zealander Peter Dengate Thrush, chairman of the board at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), has been in charge of reviewing what is being touted as the “biggest change” to the…
Txtn2quit
A New Zealand study has shown providing motivational support through daily text messages may help young cigarette smokers kick the habit. It is estimated that only about 5 per cent of smokers are able…
Tracking Morrison
Actor Temuera Morrison stars in the Ian Sharp film Tracker, set in New Zealand in 1903. Tracker also stars Ray Winstone (The Departed, Nil by Mouth) who plays Arjan, an ex-Boer War guerilla sent…
Tourist Bucket List
The six best things to do in New Zealand are, according to The Observer: attending Gisborne’s Rhythm and Vines Festival for New Year’s Eve; walking the four-day Hillary Trail; staying the night at Franz…
Best Role of All
Rotorua-born actor Cliff Curtis, 41, talks to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about his role as flight medic Rabbit in NBC show Trauma. Curtis says it is “the most fun character” he has ever played. “He’s…
Antipodean partnership
Director Jane Campion’s Bright Star is “almost certain to be among this year’s leading Oscar contenders” and, according to The Times’ Tom Charity, “one of Campion’s best films, on a par with The Piano,…
Symbol of Renewal
“If you believe clouds have silver linings, Napier’s is surely rimmed with neon and chrome, the shiny new materials of the art-deco age,” describes the The Observer’s Nigel Tisdall. “For this was an earthquake…
Discovering risk
Dr Rob Young, director of New Zealand-based Respiragene, developers of a genetic test designed for smokers, says that fear is a powerful motivator for smokers to quit the habit. The Respiragene test gives smokers…
Funksters Release Second
The Flight of the Conchords have released their second album in the UK, I Told You I Was Freaky. The Guardian’s Will Dean says “we told you they were funky” and offers readers some…
Basically Extreme
An image of a New Zealand base-jumper against a backdrop of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline is one of the BBC’s ‘Week in Pictures’. Ninety-eight base jumpers took part in the annual International Tower Jump leaping…
Bilingual in Kansas
Auckland exchange student Fallon Simchowitz, 17, is spending a year abroad in Olathe, Kansas with a local deaf family. Simchowitz is deaf as are host family Ron and Kim Symansky and their three children. Normally, that…
Jurassic Park Tramps
“One of the best and most economical ways to see New Zealand is to tramp your way through it,” suggests Canadian freelance writer Vawn Himmelsbach, whose favourite tramps include: the Northern Circuit & Tongariro…
Soap’s Scottish success
Wellington opera director Colin McColl was interviewed by The Scotsman on the eve of the opening night of Rossini’s The Italian Girl in Algiers at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal. Has Scottish Opera lost its marbles…
Big and buzzing in NY
Auckland band Surf City played six shows in New York as part of the 2009 CMJ Music Marathon. The Washington Post’s David Malitz writes: “For a band with just an EP to its name,…
Lunchbox Aesthetics
Christchurch art commentator Denis Dutton is invited by The New York Times to discuss beauty and the Japanese bento box. What does the care devoted to the visual details in a packed lunch suggest…
Spontaneous breeze
“In person, Campion is neither gorilla nor goddess,” writes Guardian correspondent Peter Conrad. “The breeze derives from her quirky humour and the mercurial play of expression on her face; her greying hair and her…
