James treatment for Kiwi ‘boys together’ tale
The latest play by renowned British actor and writer Lennie James – The Sons of Charlie Paora – features a group of NZ actors telling a quintessentially NZ story. Charlie Paora explores the lives…
News of New Zealanders via Global Media
Breath of Life from Medical Innovator
UK-born NZer, Norma McCulloch, was named one of the world’s top 1 female inventors at the Global Women’s Innovator and Inventor awards held in Britain as well as the British Female Inventor of the Year Award. McCulloch’s…
Slow burner
Annamarie Jagose’s Slow Water – the tale of a gradual unravelling of English class systems and sexual identities on a voyage to colonial NZ – praised in the SMH. “The book has a wide…
Kiwi Wine Puts a Cork in Critics
“The idea that screw-caps are not socially acceptable is absolute nonsense. People should go by their senses, palate, and nose.” The trend-setting move by NZ winemakers in favour of screw-caps over corks is applauded by Guardian wine…
Euphoria Against the Odds
The world premiere of Jane Campion’s An Angel at My Table was listed as one of the 50 greatest moments in the Sydney Film Festival’s first 50 years of running in a Sydney Morning…
Going Global
NZ company Airways International is currently overseeing expansion plans for Iran’s Qeshm International Airport. “Strategically located in the Straits of Hormuz, in close proximity to Iran, the Gulf countries and Central Asia, Qeshm Island has a vast…
DIY Cruise Missile
One for the z-files surely. Taking the No.8 wire mentality a little too literally, NZ internet developer Bruce Simpson, 49, has attracted headlines across the planet for his plans to build a DIY jet-propelled missle in his…
In love with Earth’s wild places
Celebrated NZ photographer, Wayne Papps remembered. Papps was best known for his striking images of Antarctica, which he produced as a member of the Australian Antarctic Division. Regarded as one of the world’s premiere…
Built edge
Wellington architect Chris Kelly was a guest speaker at the Royal Australian Institute of Architects’ annual conference, ‘Imagining Architecture’ in June. Part of a select group of “some of the world’s most exciting…
“Australia’s Castaways Are Happier to Call NZ Home”
SMH profiles the Afghani “Tampa” refugees, who were taken in by the NZ government after being refused entry to Australia. Pacific minded NZ authorities have granted them the right to reunite with their families,…
Hunter in denial
Rachel Hunter has won a role in Britain’s eagerly anticipated version of Sex & the City – Denial. The show, which has been at the centre of an international bidding war, is being touted…
Living the High Life
Sir Edmund Hillary received a hero’s welcome in London at an hour-long signing of his books High Adventure and View from the Summit. Dozens of admirers queued in the rain for a chance to…
Walker’s Goes AWOL
Nylon magazine is all praise for Karen Walker’s gender-bending Runaway collection, calling it “a perfect blend of daddy’s old fishing jackets and backless chiffon mini-dresses.” Based in Auckland, Walker attributes her edgy designs to…
Cubicle Life
Proving that cubicle life is not a fluorescent-lit oxymoron Lower Hutt industrial designers and export success story, Formway, have contributed edge design nous to Bertford’s group project: ‘Liquid Workspace’ at NeoCon 2003 (a ‘Best…
Cameron Brown: Man of Steel
Three-time NZ Ironman champion, Cameron Brown, has won the Utah Half-Ironman Triathlon, beating Sweden’s Bjorn Andersson by just 6 seconds. Says Brown; “I didn’t think I was going to win it, but I just put my…
Life in the Fast Lane
Scott Dixon has been dubbed “the new man to beat” on the Indy Racing circuit after a series of remarkable performances behind the wheel. The 22-year-old followed up his Honda Indy 225 victory by blitzing the field…
Waterbabies’ Paradise
Financial Express piece on watery escapes recommends canoeing the Tongaririo River, sea-kayaking in Doubtful Sound, and riding the Shotover Jet down south. Of special note is Fiordland’s “fairy tale like Hall Arm, where 4,000-foot vertical walls rise…
NYNZ – Ihimaera on
Whale Rider author and ex-diplomat to the US Witi Ihimaera interviewed in New York – the city where he penned the story behind the award-winning film. “One morning I woke up to the sound…
Queen of the Castle
Exuding star quality while remaining “refreshingly down-to-earth”, Whale Rider star Keisha Castle-Hughes, feted in the New York Post, The State, and the Seattle Times and is cover-girl in Hawaii’s Weekend Star…
You Have the Right to Remain Nauseous
The smelly brainchild of Lower Hutt physicist Andrew Rakich has become an indispensable item for the LA Police Department. SkunkShot gel, originally sold in NZ to keep marauding dogs away from rubbish bags, is now being used…
Meridian Puts the Wind up Australians
NZ’s Meridian Energy is poised to spend up to $600 million on developing wind energy facilities in Australia over the next 5 years. The project depends on the federal government’s renewal of its mandated renewable energy…
Rhodes steers latest hit
Kiwi singing star Teddy Tahu Rhodes has a lead role in the latest opera by Academy Award-winning composer Rachel Portman. Portman’s adaptation of the classic French children’s book The Little Prince premiered with…
A Kiwifruit A Day…
Sales of NZ kiwifruit to SARS zone Taiwan have escalated dramatically after two academics proclaimed the fruit’s resistance-building properties in a Chinese daily. Kiwifruit contain twice as much vitamin C as oranges and a…
Music for the soul
Maori music provides “one of the most moving sections” on the Grammy-nominated global project, One Giant Leap. Fronted by ex-Faithless member Jamie Catto, the groundbreaking production brings together artists including Dennis Hopper, Kurt Vonnegut,…
The Lowe-down
George Lowe along with fellow NZer Ed Hillary – attended the 5th anniversary Everest celebrations in London, as one of 7 remaining members of the 1953 expedition. Lowe was the recipient of Hillary’s now…
NZ Rugby the Winner on the Day
The Auckland Blues emerged victorious in a NZ dominated Super 12 competition. The ACT Brumbies were the only non-NZ team to scrape into the semi-finals. The final saw Auckland beat defending champions the Canterbury Crusaders 21-17. Southern Hemisphere domination…
Bollywood Hills
NZ based Bollywood production company – Kuran Films – cottoned on to the the country’s scenic opportunities well before Lord of the Rings. Established in 1993 by Kamal Singh, Kuran now has 8 films…
“Snap, crackle and grace”
SMH: “Black Grace, New Zealand’s all-male company of Maori and Pacific Island dancers, is the most engaging and entertaining company to visit Sydney for years. Maybe since the last time they were here…
Fleming Top Scores with Critics
The NZ Black Caps scored a rare overseas tournament victory, winning the Bank Alfalah Cup triangular series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Stephen Fleming – named man of the match in the final versus Pakistan -…
A Man of Wealth and Taste: Harry M. Miller
“Should the job go to the vulgar New Zealander who had brought the Rolling Stones to Australia?” Sydney icon, edge arts patron and tour promoter, Harry M. Miller is celebrated in a profile that…
Bay Alchemy: Red to Gold
Sacred Hill Wines earned a gold medal for their Helmsman Cabernet Merlot 2000 at the renowned London International Wine Challenge. Chief winemaker Tony Bish sees the award as proof that “Hawke’s Bay, indeed NZ, continues to produce outstanding…
Dinner at the Gates
Telecom NZ head, Theresa Gattung, was in attendance at Microsoft’s 7th annual CEO summit held at Microsoft’s HQ in suburban Redmond, USA. She joined a high-powered collective, including Warren Buffet, Ross Perot, Bank One’s Jamie Dimon and…
Rings wins double at Saturns
Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was a multiple winner at the 29th annual Saturn Awards – a joint presentation of the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films and…
Truffles R Us
An English farmer aims to bring truffles – “the black diamond of the fungi world” – to the masses using technology purchased from the NZ Institute for Crop and Food Research. Nigel Hadden-Paton…
Via Satellite
In a world first, surgical teams in NZ and Australia have successfully completed a trans-Tasman kidney operation using state-of-the -art digital conferencing technology. The procedure itself took place in Christchurch, where a team of doctors led by…
Jeffs with best
Christine Jeffs’ acclaimed feature, Rain, was included in the second series of the Zahir Raihan Film Society’s Best Films of 2002, joining Philip Noyce’s The Quiet American and Mike Leigh’s All or Nothing. The…
Spoken word
The old and new schools of NZ literature were represented at May’s Sydney Writers Festival, with eminent man of letters CK Stead and fresh talent Chad Taylor both in attendance. The two…
A Toast to the “New Classics”
British wine writer, John Hunter, educates his readers in the (remarkably brief) history of NZ wine. Urging them to cast aside any lingering associations with Australia – “it’s a darn sight closer to Antarctica” – Hunter recommends…
Edge-ucation on Offer
Arab students are increasingly choosing NZ as an education destination, according to a Gulf News report. Education Minister Trevor Mallard cited the schooling system’s pioneering nature and relative affordability, as well as the country’s reputation as a…
Where the Wild Things Are
Boston Herald travel writer recommends the South Island to all thrill-seeking tourists, “whether they prefer their adrenaline rush natural or manmade.” An extensive tour includes Tairoa Head, Arthur’s Pass, Otira Gorge, and the Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers….
Cycling Success
NZ athletes made a strong showing at the track World Cup held in Sydney last month – boding well for the coming world championships. Cycling star Sarah Ulmer won the women’s 3,000m individual pursuit, and the men’s…
KTV: Kinetic Television
Work by pioneering NZ filmmaker, artist, kinetic sculpter and general ‘crazy guy’, Len Lye, is featured in the exhibition ‘A Century of Artists’ Film in Britain’ at the Tate Britain. Lye’s 1930s work is…
How to Remember Sir Peter Blake?
The government has committed $2.5 million to the construction of a memorial museum in the late Sir Peter Blake’s honour on the Auckland waterfront. Sports Minister Trevor Mallard: “The exhibition will ensure a…
Tremain Mines Our Past
The latest offering from award-winning British author, Rose Tremain, finds its inspiration in mid-19th century NZ and thwarted edge expectations: “We will not cling to familiar ways. We will imagine ourselves reborn over there….
Bravo Blumenfield
NZ brand, Blumenfeld, was judged Best International Olive Oil at the LA County Fair Wines of the World Competition – the longest-running, largest and most respected event of its kind in the US. Blumenfeld NZ Classic Blends…
Iconic Image Auction
A signed photograph of the 1905-6 All Black “Originals” has been sold at auction for $41,000. The photo had been kept in Aucklander David Wright’s family since 1906, when it was presented to his grandfather Charles Victor…
Mrs Speaker …
“Just how a conservative and largely white electorate came to support an outspoken transgendered woman – of Maori (that is, indigenous non-white) descent, no less – is the story behind the remarkably engaging documentary Georgie Girl.” Annie…
On Father Figures and Wayward Teens
New Scientist profiles the work of Canterbury University psychologist Bruce Ellis, who has recently published a study on the effects of absentee fathers on teenage girls. Ellis has monitored 700 girls from pre-school to high-school, in an…
Faceless Fame
As the voice of Star Wars: Episode II character Tuan We, NZ actress Rena Owen has added a strange new dimension to her working life. Now based in LA, the Once Were Warriors star…
Journey to the Centre of the Earth
NZer David J. Stevenson – a planetary scientist at the California Institute of Technology – has a project up his sleeve straight out of science fiction, but grounded in the search for science fact. Stevenson’s proposal – outlined…
One of Our Originals
NZ’s oldest Olympic athlete, javelin thrower Stan Lay, has died aged 96. Lay finished in seventh place at the 1924 Athens Olympics, and two years later won gold at the Empire Games in Canada. He was…
New Romantics
Young urban women in NZ and Australia are the target market for a recently re-vamped Mills & Boon series. Publisher Harlequin hopes to snare Sex & The City fans rather than those of…
Bone people a modern classic
Keri Hulme’s the bone people featured in a Guardian poll of the Top 50 novels by women writers. The NZ Booker Prize winner sits alongside Alice Walker’s The Color Purple in the list of…
Kiwi gives life to Coppelia
NZer Malcolm Burn was the guest choreographer for Ballet Tech Ohio’s production of Frederic Franklin’s Coppelia. Currently associate artistic director of the Richmond Ballet, Burns’ 25-year career includes stints as a principal dancer for…
Christchurch the New Bondi?
Kiwis are coming home to roost according to latest Australian immigration statistics that reveal a dramatic brain-drain reversal: NZers are returning home from Australia at a greater rate than they are arriving. The SMH…
People together: NZ re-imagined
CBC critic, Eleanor Watchel, travelled through NZ to interview some of NZ’s literary animals in their natural habitats. The Writers & Company radio special celebrated a literary landscape that included authors Patricia Grace, Bill…
