News of New Zealanders via Global Media

The Dark Horse Opens to Acclaim in US

The Dark Horse Opens to Acclaim in US

James Napier Robertson’s film The Dark Horse, starring the “magnetic” Cliff Curtis, has opened in the United States to glowing reviews from critics. Robert Abele, writing for the Los Angeles Times, said: “star Curtis is…

Writer Maria Lewis Outdoes Tarantino

Writer Maria Lewis Outdoes Tarantino

New Zealand-born journalist and author Maria Lewis has morphed from a crime reporter on the Gold Coast to pop-culture extraordinaire, has nabbed an international publishing deal and caught Quentin Tarantino’s attention, all by the…

Kakapo May Need Parasites to Survive

Kakapo May Need Parasites to Survive

Conservation biologists are doing everything they can to keep the critically endangered kakapo from vanishing. And so, when they discovered a few years ago that a pair of captive kakapo were infected with tapeworms,…

1080p Founder Richard MacFarlane Taped

1080p Founder Richard MacFarlane Taped

Founder of Vancouver-based cassette label 1080p, New Zealander Richard MacFarlane is making a name for himself for a brand, which “uniquely inspires producers while consuming the attention spans of aesthete trend-seekers in electronic music,”…

Sound Fossil of the Huia Echoes in Munich

Sound Fossil of the Huia Echoes in Munich

As inhabitants of the Anthropocene age, in which our influence on the planet is so profound and terrifying, the Guardian asks how our writers and artists are responding to this crisis. Included in an…

Makelight’s Joanna Alpe Winning High Tech Praise

Makelight’s Joanna Alpe Winning High Tech Praise

Co-founder and creative director of Makelight, a mobile device platform for live events, New Zealander Joanna Alpe, who is based in London, is included in a Huffington Post feature on tech femmes as part…

Lydia Ko Wins ANA Inspiration

Lydia Ko Wins ANA Inspiration

“Lydia Ko saved her best for last when she birdied the 72nd hole in Sunday’s ANA Inspiration finale to become the youngest golfer in the modern era to win back-to-back major championships”, writes Emily…

Global Media Hail Helen Clark’s UN Bid

Global Media Hail Helen Clark’s UN Bid

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark’s announced candidacy for the position of Secretary-General at the United Nations has been hailed around the world by international media. The UN’s current top ranked woman as head of the…

Emilia Wickstead is Classic with a Twist

Emilia Wickstead is Classic with a Twist

Eight years ago, New Zealand-born Emilia Wickstead, was working from home in the sitting room of her flat in west London. Now her clothes are worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, Gwyneth Paltrow and…

Blair Reeve’s New Children’s Book a Classic

Blair Reeve’s New Children’s Book a Classic

Hong Kong-based New Zealander Blair Reeve, who mentors students at Chinese University in creative writing, has just published children’s book Hogart the Hedgehog Turns Nink, “an enormously fun book, and a gratifying one to…

After WWII NZ Navy Rocked With Peaceful Mutinies

After WWII NZ Navy Rocked With Peaceful Mutinies

As far as navies go, the Royal New Zealand Navy is a relatively young one. For most of New Zealand’s time as a British colony, the country was protected by the British Navy. It…

Explore Otherworldly New Zealand by Drone

Explore Otherworldly New Zealand by Drone

After one swooping panoramic, filmed with a 3D Robotics drone, you’ll see why New Zealand is such a popular place to go, according to Travel + Leisure magazine. “I was out exploring New Zealand …

End of The NZ Flag Referendum? Think Again

End of The NZ Flag Referendum? Think Again

Last week the results of the New Zealand flag referendum were released: The Kiwis voted against changing the flag and in favour of keeping their current flag. Is that the end of it? Peter Fitz…

How Far Would You Go For Wine

How Far Would You Go For Wine

“New Zealand holds a coveted position in the hearts of travelers, particularly those of us with a bent toward adventure sports or trout fishing or cycling or wine.” “New Zealand marks you. That’s because of who you…

Meet the Real-Life Tech Wizards of Middle Earth

Meet the Real-Life Tech Wizards of Middle Earth

Have you ever heard of No. 8 wire? In the 19th century, farmers used the wire to build fences for sheep and later on turned it into a jack-of-all-trades material for getting work done….

New Zealand’s South Island Sees Tourism Boom Thanks to Instagram

New Zealand’s South Island Sees Tourism Boom Thanks to Instagram

“New Zealand’s South Island is an Instagrammer’s paradise, where no filters are necessary”, writes Laura Dannen Redman for  Condé Nast Traveler. In 2015 New Zealand’s South Island saw a boom in tourism, which…

Wellington: World’s Most Feminist Tech Ecosystem

Wellington: World’s Most Feminist Tech Ecosystem

Australian tech and media geek Mat Beeche was surprised during a visit to Wellington to sit in front of so many women in tech. “The reason I found it surprising is because although…

Jemaine Clement Plays Joseph Banks in New Podcast

Jemaine Clement Plays Joseph Banks in New Podcast

Jemaine Clement returns to radio playing Captain Cook’s botanist Lord Joseph Banks in the podcast The Mysterious Secrets of Uncle Bertie’s Botanarium, which is currently airing on the Howl app. Written by fellow New Zealander…

Sophie Pascoe Lowers Own World Record

Sophie Pascoe Lowers Own World Record

Kiwi Paralympic swimmer Sophie Pascoe has lowered her own S10 100m fly World Record to 1:02.60 on the fourth day of competition at the 2016 New Zealand Open Championships. “I was hoping for a 1:03…

Tramping Tracks Offer One Spectacle After Another

Tramping Tracks Offer One Spectacle After Another

New Zealanders work hard to make tramping attractive, according to a travel feature on local tracks in the Korea Herald. The maintenance is “impressive: crushed-rock trail beds; comfortable clearance even in the most dense…

Nikole Lowe’s Tattoo Parlour One of London’s Best

Nikole Lowe’s Tattoo Parlour One of London’s Best

One of London’s best tattoo parlours, according to GQ magazine, is Good Times in Shoreditch, owned by New Zealander Nikole Lowe, who has previously made appearances on reality show London Ink. “Good Times…

Peter Bruntnell an Alt-Country Genius

Peter Bruntnell an Alt-Country Genius

Album after album, the Kingston upon Thames solo artist, Wellington-born Peter Bruntnell produces rich and refined song-craft, yet hardly anyone has heard of him. Could this be his time? The Guardian’s Angus Batey considers…

US Study Looks at How Islands Are Saving Natives

US Study Looks at How Islands Are Saving Natives

“In 1894, a pregnant house cat escaped from a lighthouse on Stephens Island, in the Marlborough Sounds. She had her kittens in the wild, where they went feral. Within 13 months, a native bird…

How to Ford a River

How to Ford a River

The New York Times asks retired firefighter, New Zealander George Spearing, who has crossed hundreds of rivers on solo wilderness treks, including a five-month, 4265km hike from the Mexican border to British Columbia and…

Game of Thrones Star Joins Top of the Lake

Game of Thrones Star Joins Top of the Lake

Gwendoline Christie, who plays popular Game of Thrones character Brienne of Tarth, will join Mad Men star Elisabeth Moss in a new season of the much-praised Jane Campion TV show Top of the Lake,…

Rocket Lab’s Rutherford Engine Lifts Off

Rocket Lab’s Rutherford Engine Lifts Off

A video has been posted of New Zealand-founded company Rocket Lab launching their new Rutherford engine. The burn lasts for a full two minutes and 40 seconds, completing an important flight qualification test. The company…

Simon Denny a Millennial Subversive

Simon Denny a Millennial Subversive

Look beyond the traditional spaces and what emerges are a group of Generation Y artists who are arguably more avant garde than ever, like New Zealander Simon Denny, 33. The Guardian enters a world…

Lydia Ko claims 11th LPGA Tour Title with Kia Classic

Lydia Ko claims 11th LPGA Tour Title with Kia Classic

New Zealand golfing superstar Lydia Ko won the Kia Classic on Sunday at Aviara, and has reaffirmed her position as the top player in the world heading into the first major championship…

New Zealand Is Mad for Pinot Gris

New Zealand Is Mad for Pinot Gris

On a recent trip, the Telegraph’s wine columnist Victoria Moore was surprised to see how “crazy everyone in New Zealand seemed to be for pinot gris.” Moore wonders when Britain will catch on. “Growers were…

David Bowie Saw Lorde As ‘the Future of Music’

David Bowie Saw Lorde As ‘the Future of Music’

David Bowie believed the young New Zealand singer Lorde was “the future of music”. “David really liked Lorde. They had a few wonderful moments together,” said Mike Garson, Bowie’s longtime pianist. Lorde was chosen to perform…

Moniek Schrijer Wins Herbert Hofmann Prize At Contemporary Jewelry Fair

Moniek Schrijer Wins Herbert Hofmann Prize At Contemporary Jewelry Fair

Wellingtonian Moniek Schrijer was one of three jewelry designers winning the Herbert Hofmann Prize at Schmuck, the contemporary jewelry world’s most important event, held in Munich in late February. 66 jewelry designers from 21 countries,…

New Zealand Women Cruise to World Twenty20 Success Against Australia

New Zealand Women Cruise to World Twenty20 Success Against Australia

The New Zealand women cruised to victory with 22 balls remaining in the World Twenty20 match against Australia in Nagpur. Australia was hit by a six-wicket defeat. “It was expected to be a tricky…

Kiwi Chef Matt Lambert’s Restaurant The Musket Room

Kiwi Chef Matt Lambert’s Restaurant The Musket Room

Kiwi Chef Matt Lambert’s Restaurant The Musket Room – “a hidden gem” in Soho, New York, has been featured in The Observer’s Short List section. Matt Lambert, the founder and chef “has…

New Zealand & Domino’s Working on Driverless Pizza Delivery Trial

New Zealand & Domino’s Working on Driverless Pizza Delivery Trial

The New Zealand government is working with Domino’s to explore the possibility of testing a driverless pizza delivery service, as reported in an article on Enterprise Innovation. New Zealand is one of the…

Mark Hunt Wins Over Frank Mir

Mark Hunt Wins Over Frank Mir

UFC knockout master Mark Hunt has sent a serious message to the heavyweight division after decimating the legendary Frank Mir on Sunday – “I’m coming to get you guys.” Despite being 41, Hunt still has…

Cheryl Boyd’s Stringybark Garden a Magical Surprise

Cheryl Boyd’s Stringybark Garden a Magical Surprise

New Zealand-born garden designer and horticulturist Cheryl Boyd’s Stringybark Cottage garden is one of eight private Australian gardens featured in Phaidon’s account of worldwide gardens, The Gardener’s Garden. Sydney Morning Herald garden columnist Robin Powell…

Fulfilling Your Dreams in New Zealand

Fulfilling Your Dreams in New Zealand

“Bungy jumping, whitewater rafting, skydiving and getting lost in an adult-sized maze all featured highly on my list but I never thought I’d get to do any of them. And then I arrived…

High-Octane Thrills amid Spectacular Scenery

High-Octane Thrills amid Spectacular Scenery

“There are few, if any, other places in the world where you can do some scenic mountain sightseeing while plunging at a velocity of 200km/h for 3050m of free fall. In 60 seconds,” Jeremy…

South Island Has a Personality All If Its Own

South Island Has a Personality All If Its Own

“Many believe the South Island is less inherently New Zealand than its northern neighbour,” according to American travel writer Max Bonem, “But if you take the time to explore this stunning landscape, you’ll find…

Martin Henderson Not Taking Fame Too Seriously

Martin Henderson Not Taking Fame Too Seriously

Just how did the star of Grey’s Anatomy New Zealander Martin Henderson, 41, get so comfortable with the slings and arrows of a business which can literally plaster you sky high on billboards one…

South Canterbury Contractors Unearth Moa Bones

South Canterbury Contractors Unearth Moa Bones

Contractors at a site in South Canterbury have made an unexpected find while digging a trench – dozens of bones belonging to the long-extinct moa. Workers spotted the bones during excavations in an area which…

Tom Walsh Throws Gold at IAAF World Indoor Champs

Tom Walsh Throws Gold at IAAF World Indoor Champs

Tom Walsh, 24, from Christchurch, has hurled his shot put a personal best of 21.78m, taking the gold medal and bettering his previous mark in outdoor competition of 21.62m, at the 2016 IAAF World…

Lucy Lawless Separating Real Life from Xena

Lucy Lawless Separating Real Life from Xena

In an interview with Australia’s Sunrise breakfast television programme, New Zealand actor Lucy Lawless, who shot to fame with her role as Xena over 20 years ago, said she was more than happy to…

Sarah Bentley Curates Trans-Tasman Dialogue

Sarah Bentley Curates Trans-Tasman Dialogue

Curator and art writer New Zealander Serena Bentley creates a dialogue between two Melbourne painters – Kate Smith and Meagan Wyke – and three Aucklanders – Schaeffer Lemalu, Patrick Lundberg, Campbell Patterson – in…

Introducing Bollywood-Potential Shirley Setia

Introducing Bollywood-Potential Shirley Setia

Shirley Setia, a 22-year old Aucklander whose family hails from India, has attracted a large Indian and international following singing cover versions of Bollywood hits, Forbes contributor Rob Cain reports. The diminutive mezzo-soprano, who calls…

Dame Kiri Preparing for Australian Performances

Dame Kiri Preparing for Australian Performances

New Zealand-born performer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will perform a series of concerts in Australia later this year. Te Kanawa’s performances in Bendigo and Ballarat could be one of the last chances for people…

Singapore Urbanathlon Title Goes to Jason Lawrence

Singapore Urbanathlon Title Goes to Jason Lawrence

New Zealander Jason Lawrence, 35, (pictured second from left) has climbed, crawled and swung his way to a fourth Men’s Health Urbanathlon title in Singapore, topping a field of more than 3500 participants. “I’m not…

Lisa Carrington World’s Best Paddler

Lisa Carrington World’s Best Paddler

Tauranga kayaker Lisa Carrington, 26, has been named sportswoman of the year at the 2016 World Paddle Awards held in Barcelona. Carrington received the honour as credit for her double win at last year’s…

New Zealand Ranked Among World’s Most Literate Nations

New Zealand Ranked Among World’s Most Literate Nations

New Zealand has been ranked the 15th most literate nation in a new study of countries and their literacy. According to the article “the study, conducted by John W. Miller, president of Central Connecticut State…

NZ Could Become One of First Countries to Introduce Citizen’s Wage

NZ Could Become One of First Countries to Introduce Citizen’s Wage

Andrew Little, leader of the Labour Party said his party was considering the idea of scrapping benefits and introducing a basic citizens’ income, as reported in The Independent. “Citizens’ income also known as…

All Blacks Re-Sign Wayne Smith

All Blacks Re-Sign Wayne Smith

All Blacks defence coach Wayne Smith has signed a two-year contract extension with New Zealand Rugby. Head Coach Steve Hansen persuaded him to return to the All Blacks after taking a break following the World…

Kiwi Founded a2 Milk Outperforms Major Global Producers

Kiwi Founded a2 Milk Outperforms Major Global Producers

A2 Milk – an organisation based in Sydney but founded in New Zealand, have not only challenged conventional wisdoms in regards to milk consumption, but also outperformed many major global dairy producers with their…

Top 10 North Island Beach Hotels and Campsites

Top 10 North Island Beach Hotels and Campsites

New Zealand’s North Island “is a rewarding destination for beach lovers” with brilliant blue water and gorgeous stretches of white sand” and offers “many brooding vistas where wild seas meet rocky shores,”

10 Most Amazing Views in New Zealand

10 Most Amazing Views in New Zealand

After many road trips through New Zealand, Liz Carlson compiled a list of the best views you can find on New Zealand’s South Island. 1. Mitre Peak in Milford Sound Milford Sound is topping everyone’s bucket…

First Look: Air New Zealand Brisbane Lounge

First Look: Air New Zealand Brisbane Lounge

The Australian Business Traveller stopped by for a sneak peek of what’s in store at the new Air New Zealand Brisbane Lounge, which is to open on March 16. In the article the new lounge is…

Director Taika Waititi’s New Film “A Love Letter to 1970s New Zealand Cinema”

Director Taika Waititi’s New Film “A Love Letter to 1970s New Zealand Cinema”

Taika Waititi spoke with Vice about his new film Hunt for the Wilderpeople, which stars Julian Dennison, Sam Neill, Rachel House, Oscar Kightley and Rhys Darby and is based on Wild Pork and Watercress…