News of New Zealanders via Global Media

Looking Back on a Decade of The Naked and Famous

Looking Back on a Decade of The Naked and Famous

Ten years into being a band, Auckland-formed group The Naked and Famous are finally living up to the first half of their name and baring it all – kind of. Victoria Wasylak of online…

Cycle on Water with Manta5’s Electric Water Bike

Cycle on Water with Manta5’s Electric Water Bike

“New Zealand-based company Manta5 has created a hydrofoil bike that allows cyclists to glide atop water,” writes Lacy Cooke in an article for Inhabitat. Co-founder Guy Howard-Willis “glimpsed New Zealand’s coastline…

Waiheke Commute One of the More Unusual

Waiheke Commute One of the More Unusual

Whether it’s skiing, snowboarding or skating, Guardian readers from around the world, who opt to take an alternative route to work, share their stories, including Aucklander James Scroggins who commutes daily from Waiheke Island…

NZ Escape Octopus Immortalized In Kids Book

NZ Escape Octopus Immortalized In Kids Book

“How many stories about octopuses escaping from their confines can there be,” writes Jacqueline Cutler in an article published on NJ.com. When she was one page into the kids book “

Hayden McMillan’s Etta one of Melbourne’s Best

Hayden McMillan’s Etta one of Melbourne’s Best

A number of Melbourne’s best-known restaurateurs and chefs opened new venues in 2017, and they did not disappoint. This was a year for the industry veteran with a precise and emphatic vision, executed with…

Superorganism Push Pop Into the Next Dimension

Superorganism Push Pop Into the Next Dimension

From secretive internet sensations to one of the most talked about new bands around, Superorganism’s hyper-modern approach to pop is propelling them further by the day. Superorganism, an eight-piece collective which includes New Zealanders…

Wild Kiwi Experience On Stewart Island

Wild Kiwi Experience On Stewart Island

The Kiwi bird might be New Zealand’s national emblem, “but few New Zealanders have even seen the usually nocturnal flightless bird,” as reported in an article in the South China…

Oslo-Based Brady Daniell-Smith’s Debut a Hidden Gem

Oslo-Based Brady Daniell-Smith’s Debut a Hidden Gem

From hypnotic hip-hop to Japanese psych-rock, Observer critics pick some albums of 2017 that deserve a wider audience, including the work of New Zealand-born Brady Daniell-Smith, who produces the melodies for singer-songwriter Anna Lotterud…

A Cook’s Tour of New Zealand

A Cook’s Tour of New Zealand

“If you’re a hardcore foodie headed to New Zealand for the first time because you’ve heard how good the produce is, its national airline knows how impatient you can be. That’s why Air New…

Lake Wakatipu: Where Old Meets New

Lake Wakatipu: Where Old Meets New

At Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand the old meets the new. “You cruise on an old steamboat yet can explore the area on e-bikes,” writes Cameron Wilson in an article for the

Allbirds, How To Take A Leap Of Faith To Success

Allbirds, How To Take A Leap Of Faith To Success

Former professional soccer star Tim Brown “was troubled by what he felt was a lack of sustainable practices in footwear materials and manufacturing,” as well as “the over-the-top nature of the branding landscape itself….

Attica Looks to Australian Bush for Design

Attica Looks to Australian Bush for Design

Ben Shewry’s award-winning Melbourne restaurant Attica now has an interior to match. New Zealand-born Shewry was not only keen to capture a sense of the Victorian bush for Attica but, as importantly, to reflect…

The World’s Largest Kauri Tree – Tāne Mahuta

The World’s Largest Kauri Tree – Tāne Mahuta

Tāne Mahuta is the “largest kauri tree in the world and being up close to ‘the lord of the forest’, a sacred Maori site, is a powerful experience” that is said to reduce visitors to…

A Luxury Vacation in New Zealand

A Luxury Vacation in New Zealand

“Legendary hedge fund manager Julian Robertson put together one of the most luxurious golfing vacations in his beloved New Zealand. On the Tiger Tour, vacationers can see both New Zealand’s…

Fond Memories of Flying Pioneer Jean Batten

Fond Memories of Flying Pioneer Jean Batten

“Jean Batten was the first woman to be awarded the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s highest award, the FAI Gold Air Medal. Awarded 80 years ago in 1937 she got it for the remarkable feat of…

Michael Linton’s Record-Breaking Mosaic on Show

Michael Linton’s Record-Breaking Mosaic on Show

An exhibition showcasing New Zealander Michael Linton’s handmade replica of the Bayeux Tapestry, has opened in Melton, Suffolk. The 64-metre long mosaic contains 3 million tiny pieces, and took 33 years to put together. This…

Chantelle Nicholson Eats Plant-Based in London

Chantelle Nicholson Eats Plant-Based in London

New Zealander Chantelle Nicholson is chef patron at Tredwells in London’s West End where she takes huge pride in ensuring that there are plenty of plant-based dishes on the menu. Her first book Planted…

Southern Hemisphere Christmas Variations

Southern Hemisphere Christmas Variations

“As the resident southern hemispherian, my colleagues had a lot of questions about what Christmas is really like down under. Spoiler: we eat the same things as you,” UK-based digital and lifestyle reporter Laura…

Rochelle Canteen’s Food Feels Just Right

Rochelle Canteen’s Food Feels Just Right

New Zealand-born chef and co-owner of London’s Rochelle Canteen, Margot Henderson has a new endeavour in the capital city inside the ICA on The Mall, which was recently given high praise by the Observer’s…

Discovering the ‘Four Prongs Of Wellness’ At Split Apple Retreat

Discovering the ‘Four Prongs Of Wellness’ At Split Apple Retreat

“At first glance, Split Apple is not unlike luxury coastal retreats the world over: beautiful bedrooms, welcoming hosts and spectacular sea views. But those in the know come for the…

In the Office With Trygve and Barnie

In the Office With Trygve and Barnie

“Following the delirious success of Kraken and Nautilus, extraordinary celebration of the…

Graeme Hart’s Ulysses the Biggest Luxury Yacht Sale in 2017

Graeme Hart’s Ulysses the Biggest Luxury Yacht Sale in 2017

“2017 has been a strong year for superyacht sales with 369 yachts sold so far this year, already up nearly 5% from the previous year,” reports an article in Business…

Miriam and Peter Lancewood Living Off the Grid

Miriam and Peter Lancewood Living Off the Grid

For seven years, Dutch woman Miriam Lancewood and her New Zealand-born husband Peter have lived a nomadic life – she is the hunter and he is the cook. Five years into a nomadic life…

Five Minutes with Georgia Fowler

Five Minutes with Georgia Fowler

Kiwi Victoria’s Secret model Georgia Fowler spoke with WWD’s Ericka Franklin about her work with Victoria’s Secret, her model mentors and her favorite vice. Fowler recently worked with Vince Camuto…

Chelsea Jade and Boyboy Take Their Chances in LA

Chelsea Jade and Boyboy Take Their Chances in LA

Singers Chelsea Jade Metcalf and Sam McCarthy, who goes by the moniker Boyboy, explain why leaving New Zealand and relocating to Los Angeles has made them better songwriters. Metcalf was used to the industry’s eyes…

Simon O’Neill Joins Fellow New Zealanders in US

Simon O’Neill Joins Fellow New Zealanders in US

New Zealand-born tenor Simon O’Neill gave a recent recital at Hertz Hall in Berkeley, California. He was accompanied by fellow New Zealander Terence Dennis on piano. “Both O’Neill and Dennis are much decorated artists…

Life and Times of Apia Identity Bob Moore

Life and Times of Apia Identity Bob Moore

If you’re driving around Apia gazing at the many, multi-storeyed government and company buildings, chances are you’re looking at some of the work of well-known, local identity, Motueka-born Robert (Bob) Arthur Garner, who has…

Peter Jackson’s Mortal Engines Teaser Released

Peter Jackson’s Mortal Engines Teaser Released

The first footage of Peter Jackson’s fantasy movie Mortal Engines, an adaptation of Phillip Reeve’s novel, has finally landed,” writes Jack Shepherd in an article for

Diane Limbrey Receives Highest Judo Ref Licence

Diane Limbrey Receives Highest Judo Ref Licence

Whanganui policewoman Diane Limbrey has reopened the record books during a weekend in Hong Kong refereeing at the Asian Judo Open, Whanganui Chronicle journalist Iain Hyndman reports. Limbrey was also there to sit her International…

Huka Lodge – Sublime Location and Outstanding Service

Huka Lodge – Sublime Location and Outstanding Service

“Huka Lodge retains its position as the jewel in the crown of New Zealand’s premier luxury accommodation with a world-class combination of sublime location, marvellous food and outstanding service,” writes Bryn Reade in…

Human-Sized Penguin Remains Found on Hampden Beach

Human-Sized Penguin Remains Found on Hampden Beach

Remnants of a 1.77-metre-tall penguin who walked on earth 55m to 60m years ago have been found south of Christchurch on what is now Hampden Beach. Measurements of the partial skeleton show that the flightless…

Dean Wareham and Luna Cover Some Greats

Dean Wareham and Luna Cover Some Greats

“As Luna singer-guitarist Dean Wareham sings a cover of Bob Dylan’s song Most of the Time, I could swear that the New Zealander is channelling the spirit of Lou Reed,” Andrew Griffin writes in…

Raelene Castle Named New Rugby Australia Chief

Raelene Castle Named New Rugby Australia Chief

Former Netball New Zealand and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs National Rugby League chief executive Raelene Castle is excited by the challenge of turning around rugby’s fortunes in Australia, but doesn’t believe her appointment as Rugby Australia…

Royals Certifiably Diamond Rated

Royals Certifiably Diamond Rated

“Just four years after it was first released, Lorde’s breakout single Royals has been certified diamond in the US after moving 10 million units. The New Zealand-born singer-songwriter first released Royals as a free…

Home and Away’s George Mason Readies for Finale

Home and Away’s George Mason Readies for Finale

Long-running Australian soap Home and Away has become famous for its dramatic end-of-year finales and according to New Zealand actor George Mason, who plays Summer Bay’s well-meaning bad boy Ash, this year is no…

Farming Couple Matt and Pip Smith Enter New Market

Farming Couple Matt and Pip Smith Enter New Market

Award-winning farming couple, New Zealander Matt Smith and wife Pip, co-owners of Trefranck Farm near Launceston, in the UK have used HSBC funding to acquire 250 pedigree breeding deer, which has increased their livestock…

Ryan McPhun on His Good Band the Ruby Suns

Ryan McPhun on His Good Band the Ruby Suns

Always trust a man in a jumpsuit, writes Sarah Illingworth for The Huffington Post. Ryan McPhun knows how to wear one well she says, and whilst performing musical acrobatics as a one-man act no…

Conductor Gemma New Displays Crisp Technique

Conductor Gemma New Displays Crisp Technique

American piano virtuoso Conrad Tao was on the programme with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor New Zealander Gemma New not once but twice – playing Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Variations on the first half…

How New Zealand Invented Adventure Sports

How New Zealand Invented Adventure Sports

New Zealander Henry van Asch was bumming around the ski slopes of Wanaka in the 1980s when his friend A.J. Hackett persuaded him to try a strange new extreme sport – hurling himself off…

Auckland Startup Fergus Raises $3.5 Million

Auckland Startup Fergus Raises $3.5 Million

Auckland-born job management software start-up Fergus has raised $3.5 million in funding from Australian fund Microequities Venture Capital Fund, a joint venture between Microequities Asset Management and Equity Venture Partners,”…

“Any Business Can Use AR” Says Plattar’s Rupert Deans

“Any Business Can Use AR” Says Plattar’s Rupert Deans

“By 2022, the Augmented Reality (and Mixed) market is predicted to expand to $117.4 Billion,” writes Angela Mellak in an article published on LinkedIn. To find out more about AI…

André Spicer Desperately Seeks Self-Improvement

André Spicer Desperately Seeks Self-Improvement

Like a couple of lab rats, professors New Zealander André Spicer and Swede Carl Cederström have subjected themselves to every conceivable test in pursuit of perfection, hoping to become better human beings, smarter, more…

NBA Star Steven Adams Gets to Work

NBA Star Steven Adams Gets to Work

The biggest reason for basketball team Oklahoma City Thunder’s turnaround has not been Russell Westbrook, Paul George or Carmelo Anthony. It’s been New Zealander Steven Adams, whose 22 points per game on 28-of-34 shooting…

Shoshana Sachi Writes Inclusively from Los Angeles

Shoshana Sachi Writes Inclusively from Los Angeles

Shoshana Sachi, 30, explains what it’s like for a New Zealander being a “triple threat minority” in Hollywood – an immigrant woman of colour in a Vice magazine opinion piece. “It’s not a new phenomenon…

Sunwolves Coach Jamie Joseph Eyes Top Five

Sunwolves Coach Jamie Joseph Eyes Top Five

The new coach of the Tokyo-based Sunwolves Super Rugby side, New Zealander Jamie Joseph has said he was targeting a top-five finish next season, despite the team being on the wrong end of multiple…

“The World’s Most Comfortable Shoes”

“The World’s Most Comfortable Shoes”

“Whether you know someone who has and loves them, or you’ve just seen enough colorful, plush-looking sneakers walking around to note the style, you’ve likely already come into contact with the San Francisco brand…

NZ’s Film Industry Worth a Billion to Economy

NZ’s Film Industry Worth a Billion to Economy

The International New Zealand Screen Production Grant (NZSPG) is a key contributor to the nation’s economy according to a new economic study released by the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC). The New Zealand screen industry…

New Cops Ad Drives Huge Increase in Web Traffic

New Cops Ad Drives Huge Increase in Web Traffic

How do you reach a broad cross-section of potential police recruits? Adweek asks. With an entertaining video that features a broad cross-section of police spokespeople. Ogilvy did just that for New Zealand Police, and…

Intimate Return From Pop Newcomer Alayna

Intimate Return From Pop Newcomer Alayna

Rotorua-born R&B singer Alayna Powley, 23, who goes by the mononymous name alayna, has always wanted to make music with a certain intimacy, music that peers beneath the surface, according to the UK’s Clash…

Remembering Sir Peter Blake 16 Years On

Remembering Sir Peter Blake 16 Years On

“It is 16 years since we lost Volvo Ocean Race legend Sir Peter Blake,” Jonno Turner writes for sailing news network Sail-World. “A three-time Ocean Race skipper, he finally achieved his dream of lifting…

More Women Needed in Politics Says Ardern

More Women Needed in Politics Says Ardern

This has been a year dominated by women speaking out and fighting back. The Financial Times spotlight those who have made waves this year, from prime ministers (including New Zealander Jacinda Ardern) to World…

Lorde Lands No 1 Guardian Spot for Green Light

Lorde Lands No 1 Guardian Spot for Green Light

England’s Guardian collates a list of the 100 best songs of 2017 as voted for by its critics, which Auckland-born singing sensation Lorde tops, with the single Green Light from her award-winning second album,…

Milford Sound NZ’s Most Instagrammed Place

Milford Sound NZ’s Most Instagrammed Place

“Pictures don’t quite do Milford Sound justice, but that’s not stopping people from trying,” writes Johnny Lieu in an article for Mashable. Often referred to as the “eighth wonder of the world” the…

Meet the World’s First Virtual Politician

Meet the World’s First Virtual Politician

Politicians in New Zealand might want to watch their backs, as they could soon face stiff competition in the form of a virtual bot, Shibali Best reports for the Daily Mail. Created by Marlborough…

Maggie Marilyn Runs a Model Millennial Brand

Maggie Marilyn Runs a Model Millennial Brand

According to Vogue magazine, New Zealander Maggie Marilyn Hewitt, 23, “is a card-carrying member of the generation, but her qualifications extend beyond age factor.” “For one, she’s entrepreneurial, disrupting the traditional fashion system with…

Forget About the Quenelle Warns Chef Peter Gunn

Forget About the Quenelle Warns Chef Peter Gunn

“Quenelle. You wouldn’t think that such an elegant word (apparently derived from the less fancy German word knoedel) could strike fear in the heart of a chef. But standing in front of my heroes…