Saturday, 30 June 2007
Iconic One Tree Hill remains barren
WAITING GAME: How much longer will Maungakiekie be without its landmark tree?
Plans to replace the pine on One Tree Hill are again in doubt after a Waitangi Tribunal report criticised the Crown's handling of Ngati Whatua's treaty claims.
The 125-year-old pine was cut down in 2000 after chainsaw attacks by protesters in 1994 and 1999 made it unsafe.
Auckland mayor Dick Hubbard said last year that a new tree would be planted when Ngati Whatua o Orakei gave the go-ahead.
Iwi spokesman Ngarimu Blair says a replacement tree will not be considered until a settlement is made.
An agreement in principal was signed by the Crown and Ngati Whatua in June last year with details to be worked out over the next few years.
But a report from the Waitangi Tribunal last week criticised the process, saying it was unfair to claimants from other tribal groups.
Ngati Whatua o Orakei Trust Board chairman Grant Hawke says all tribal groups have the right to advance their interests.
"My concern, however, is that if this report was to be taken at face value by the Crown, it would mean that many Maori in negotiation would find themselves seriously prejudiced in respect of getting to final conclusion."
One of the aspects of the agreement is giving the iwi stewardship of three Auckland volcanoes, Maungakiekie-One Tree Hill, Maungawhau-Mt Eden and Puketapapa-Mt Roskill.
The Auckland City Council and Ngati Whatua have agreed to jointly manage these sites.
A new conservation and management plan for Maungawhau-Mt Eden won't be affected by a delay in settlement, Mr Blair says.
"We have been working closing with the council on the conservation and management plan, and plan to continue that strong relationship."
A council spokesperson says it does not have a position on the latest development until the tribunal's report is considered by the Crown and Ngati Whatua.
"Auckland City Council said last year that it supported the agreement in principle and until we hear from the Crown and Ngati Whatua o Orakei that remains the case."
By AROHA AWARAU - Central Leader Wednesday, 27 June 2007
Plans to replace the pine on One Tree Hill are again in doubt after a Waitangi Tribunal report criticised the Crown's handling of Ngati Whatua's treaty claims.
The 125-year-old pine was cut down in 2000 after chainsaw attacks by protesters in 1994 and 1999 made it unsafe.
Auckland mayor Dick Hubbard said last year that a new tree would be planted when Ngati Whatua o Orakei gave the go-ahead.
Iwi spokesman Ngarimu Blair says a replacement tree will not be considered until a settlement is made.
An agreement in principal was signed by the Crown and Ngati Whatua in June last year with details to be worked out over the next few years.
But a report from the Waitangi Tribunal last week criticised the process, saying it was unfair to claimants from other tribal groups.
Ngati Whatua o Orakei Trust Board chairman Grant Hawke says all tribal groups have the right to advance their interests.
"My concern, however, is that if this report was to be taken at face value by the Crown, it would mean that many Maori in negotiation would find themselves seriously prejudiced in respect of getting to final conclusion."
One of the aspects of the agreement is giving the iwi stewardship of three Auckland volcanoes, Maungakiekie-One Tree Hill, Maungawhau-Mt Eden and Puketapapa-Mt Roskill.
The Auckland City Council and Ngati Whatua have agreed to jointly manage these sites.
A new conservation and management plan for Maungawhau-Mt Eden won't be affected by a delay in settlement, Mr Blair says.
"We have been working closing with the council on the conservation and management plan, and plan to continue that strong relationship."
A council spokesperson says it does not have a position on the latest development until the tribunal's report is considered by the Crown and Ngati Whatua.
"Auckland City Council said last year that it supported the agreement in principle and until we hear from the Crown and Ngati Whatua o Orakei that remains the case."
By AROHA AWARAU - Central Leader Wednesday, 27 June 2007
Speedway roars on despite restrictions
Protests might have put the brakes on speedway at Western Springs, but racing promoter Dave Stewart is confident it will survive.
Rules introduced before the start of last season reduced noise levels and almost halved the number of races after complaints from neighbours.
"We did well last year on managing the noise levels but there's still work to be done," Mr Stewart says.
"It's always difficult with a motor racing event like this.
"It's not like a concert where you can just turn the volume knob down.
"That's the challenge - to minimise the racing car noise but still comply with international rules and specifications."
Mr Stewart says staff are trying to source a standard muffler and exhaust system which all drivers would have to fit before being allowed to race.
He's hoping they will be available for sprint cars next season. They are also looking at a system to test individual cars for noise.
Last year cars were monitored during racing, making it hard to work out who exceeded the noise limit.
"With the standardised mufflers and testing procedure the noise of the overall event will definitely decrease," Mr Stewart says.
A report showing just four out of 163 races exceeded noise levels by no more than two decibels last season went to the Western Bays Community Board this month.
There were seven noise complaints received from residents during the season, from November to March.
Springs Promotions had to pay the board $2000 - $500 for each time noise levels were breached.
The new rules were introduced after an independent review by Peter Salmon QC cut race meetings to 12 and lowered decibel limits.
Mr Stewart says the restrictions are putting a strain on Springs Promotions but speedway will stay at the stadium.
"The majority of the local community support speedway and it?s sad a very small minority can end up putting on so much pressure.
"It's not just relevant to Western Springs.
"There are all sorts of areas with concerts, big events and parades.
"So many things are affected by a small number of people who have issues."
The Auckland City Harbour News has previously contacted a spokeswoman for the Springs Stadium Residents Association, which drove the complaints against speedway.
On the last occasion, the woman, who refused to be named, asked not to be contacted again.
By JENNY LING - Auckland City Harbour News Friday, 29 June 2007
Rules introduced before the start of last season reduced noise levels and almost halved the number of races after complaints from neighbours.
"We did well last year on managing the noise levels but there's still work to be done," Mr Stewart says.
"It's always difficult with a motor racing event like this.
"It's not like a concert where you can just turn the volume knob down.
"That's the challenge - to minimise the racing car noise but still comply with international rules and specifications."
Mr Stewart says staff are trying to source a standard muffler and exhaust system which all drivers would have to fit before being allowed to race.
He's hoping they will be available for sprint cars next season. They are also looking at a system to test individual cars for noise.
Last year cars were monitored during racing, making it hard to work out who exceeded the noise limit.
"With the standardised mufflers and testing procedure the noise of the overall event will definitely decrease," Mr Stewart says.
A report showing just four out of 163 races exceeded noise levels by no more than two decibels last season went to the Western Bays Community Board this month.
There were seven noise complaints received from residents during the season, from November to March.
Springs Promotions had to pay the board $2000 - $500 for each time noise levels were breached.
The new rules were introduced after an independent review by Peter Salmon QC cut race meetings to 12 and lowered decibel limits.
Mr Stewart says the restrictions are putting a strain on Springs Promotions but speedway will stay at the stadium.
"The majority of the local community support speedway and it?s sad a very small minority can end up putting on so much pressure.
"It's not just relevant to Western Springs.
"There are all sorts of areas with concerts, big events and parades.
"So many things are affected by a small number of people who have issues."
The Auckland City Harbour News has previously contacted a spokeswoman for the Springs Stadium Residents Association, which drove the complaints against speedway.
On the last occasion, the woman, who refused to be named, asked not to be contacted again.
By JENNY LING - Auckland City Harbour News Friday, 29 June 2007
Pair seeking battalion comrades
Calling all surviving members of the Taranaki Regiment's 1st Battalion, your old comrades are looking for you.
Former Taranaki men Stan Martin and Bert Inteman are trying to trace old soldiers who were members of the 1st Battalion and left New Plymouth by train on December 15, 1941, one week after Japan bombed Pearl Harbour.
The 600 men first made camp at the Palmerston North Showgrounds but later moved to the Awatapu golf course, which is now Awatapu College.
The two men have approval from the college's board to put up a plaque in the grounds to mark the regiment's occupation of the site in 1942.
Mr Martin (85) says the idea for the plaque was suggested by his wife, June, on Anzac Day, while he was at Awatapu paying homage to the boys who never came home.
The men spent about eight months together before splitting up once the United States said New Zealand was not under threat from the Japanese. "We don't know how many of our blokes are left. Those boys would have never forgotten, we all got dispersed to different parts of the world. We had some great men in the regiment."
Old diggers don't often speak of the war to outsiders and reunions mean everything, he says.
"People say you blokes never talk anything about the war. That's quite right you don't. When you get your old mates together, you do, because they understand. You haven't got to explain everything to them and they know you're not just talking rubbish, they understand all about it," Mr Martin said. "Sadly, many of these men, the flower of the province's young manhood lie now and forever in soldiers' graves the length and breadth of Italy."
Mr Inteman (84) was only 17 at the time and needed to be 21 before serving overseas with the army so he transferred to the navy to get into the action.
He was looking forward to catching up with old friends. The plaque would be a fitting tribute to those who never came home.
"I think it is a remarkable thing. The school is giving us all of the support in the world, and if we can get a plaque in that area we will do it right. I don't think there will be many left but the ones that are, and if they could make it, it would be a really good get-together," Mr Inteman said.
LEIGHTON KEITH leighton.keith@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Saturday, 30 June 2007
Former Taranaki men Stan Martin and Bert Inteman are trying to trace old soldiers who were members of the 1st Battalion and left New Plymouth by train on December 15, 1941, one week after Japan bombed Pearl Harbour.
The 600 men first made camp at the Palmerston North Showgrounds but later moved to the Awatapu golf course, which is now Awatapu College.
The two men have approval from the college's board to put up a plaque in the grounds to mark the regiment's occupation of the site in 1942.
Mr Martin (85) says the idea for the plaque was suggested by his wife, June, on Anzac Day, while he was at Awatapu paying homage to the boys who never came home.
The men spent about eight months together before splitting up once the United States said New Zealand was not under threat from the Japanese. "We don't know how many of our blokes are left. Those boys would have never forgotten, we all got dispersed to different parts of the world. We had some great men in the regiment."
Old diggers don't often speak of the war to outsiders and reunions mean everything, he says.
"People say you blokes never talk anything about the war. That's quite right you don't. When you get your old mates together, you do, because they understand. You haven't got to explain everything to them and they know you're not just talking rubbish, they understand all about it," Mr Martin said. "Sadly, many of these men, the flower of the province's young manhood lie now and forever in soldiers' graves the length and breadth of Italy."
Mr Inteman (84) was only 17 at the time and needed to be 21 before serving overseas with the army so he transferred to the navy to get into the action.
He was looking forward to catching up with old friends. The plaque would be a fitting tribute to those who never came home.
"I think it is a remarkable thing. The school is giving us all of the support in the world, and if we can get a plaque in that area we will do it right. I don't think there will be many left but the ones that are, and if they could make it, it would be a really good get-together," Mr Inteman said.
LEIGHTON KEITH leighton.keith@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Saturday, 30 June 2007
Dalton: No one to blame for spinnaker tear
VALENCIA - A hole the size of a 20 cent coin did the damage for Team New Zealand in race five of the America's Cup in Valencia.
After such a promising start where they lead across the startline and round the first mark, disaster struck for Team New Zealand early in the first run.
A tiny tear in the spinnaker, which probably occurred during the hoist, appeared in a high pressure point.
Just as they were preparing to peel off to a new one, the giant red kite shredded, causing the black boat to depower.
Then with one ripped spinnaker, the second sail they were in the process of putting up then got tangled up forcing them to hoist a third one.
By the time they had recovered Alinghi had sailed past and out to a six boat length lead.
Alinghi won the race by 19 seconds and now have a 3-2 lead in the best of nine race series making tonight's race a must win for Team New Zealand.
Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton said no one was to blame for the incident.
"I don't know what you would have done anyway. It is one of those ones where you go kick the cat, go throw a few plates and kick a few walls in and move on.
"The fact is we ended up with a tear and if we had done the peel 20 second earlier it wouldn't have happened. This regatta is tight and you have to get it dead right. Right now Alinghi is getting it more right than us otherwise we would be 2-3. Winners are grinners and Alinghi didn't make any mistakes."
Dalton said the key for his side now is to put the loss behind them and go out and try and level it up.
"How you react to something like that is the key to how you go forward as a team. It is like a fork in the road or the defining moment. You can make it the defining moment but it's important that we don't do that, but just see it as a loss in the best of five and move forward.
"I think we always sail our best when we are relaxed and we were completely relaxed today. Dean [Barker] was masterful in the start, it was a planned move to not to dial so that is Dean at his best relaxed. That is important that we stay relaxed."
One aspect that came from the match was how even the boats were in the conditions which at 12 knots plus were expected to favour Alinghi.
"We were not expecting to go out there in over 12 knots and blow the doors off," Alinghi trimmer Simon Daubney said. "We knew the Team New Zealand boat was a good alround boat."
Daubney said his crew's performance wasn't exactly faultless today either.
"It is not going all smoothly on our boat as well. The pressure is on here. It is a very close contest .. one little mistake is costly and you don't want to be the guy that makes that mistake."
The conditions for race six tonight are similar with 12-14 knots expected.
Full coverage of the America's Cup from nzherald.co.nz/americascup and desktoptv.co.nz
After such a promising start where they lead across the startline and round the first mark, disaster struck for Team New Zealand early in the first run.
A tiny tear in the spinnaker, which probably occurred during the hoist, appeared in a high pressure point.
Just as they were preparing to peel off to a new one, the giant red kite shredded, causing the black boat to depower.
Then with one ripped spinnaker, the second sail they were in the process of putting up then got tangled up forcing them to hoist a third one.
By the time they had recovered Alinghi had sailed past and out to a six boat length lead.
Alinghi won the race by 19 seconds and now have a 3-2 lead in the best of nine race series making tonight's race a must win for Team New Zealand.
Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton said no one was to blame for the incident.
"I don't know what you would have done anyway. It is one of those ones where you go kick the cat, go throw a few plates and kick a few walls in and move on.
"The fact is we ended up with a tear and if we had done the peel 20 second earlier it wouldn't have happened. This regatta is tight and you have to get it dead right. Right now Alinghi is getting it more right than us otherwise we would be 2-3. Winners are grinners and Alinghi didn't make any mistakes."
Dalton said the key for his side now is to put the loss behind them and go out and try and level it up.
"How you react to something like that is the key to how you go forward as a team. It is like a fork in the road or the defining moment. You can make it the defining moment but it's important that we don't do that, but just see it as a loss in the best of five and move forward.
"I think we always sail our best when we are relaxed and we were completely relaxed today. Dean [Barker] was masterful in the start, it was a planned move to not to dial so that is Dean at his best relaxed. That is important that we stay relaxed."
One aspect that came from the match was how even the boats were in the conditions which at 12 knots plus were expected to favour Alinghi.
"We were not expecting to go out there in over 12 knots and blow the doors off," Alinghi trimmer Simon Daubney said. "We knew the Team New Zealand boat was a good alround boat."
Daubney said his crew's performance wasn't exactly faultless today either.
"It is not going all smoothly on our boat as well. The pressure is on here. It is a very close contest .. one little mistake is costly and you don't want to be the guy that makes that mistake."
The conditions for race six tonight are similar with 12-14 knots expected.
Full coverage of the America's Cup from nzherald.co.nz/americascup and desktoptv.co.nz
Amanda Laird: Chocolate beetroot cakes
:59AM Thursday June 28, 2007By Amanda Laird
Chocolate beetroot cake. Photo / Babiche Martens
The closest we may get to guilt-free chocolate! These chocolate cakes are a cunning way of boosting your veggie intake - even better, the barely discernible beetroot ensures these cakes remain moist.
Makes 6 individual cakes
175g butter1 cup brown sugar3 eggs4 Tbs Dutch cocoa1 cup grated beetroot1/4 cup sour cream2 cups self-raising flour
Ganache
120g dark chocolate1 cup cream
1. Preheat oven to 180C. Grease the individual moulds thoroughly. Cream the butter and sugar until pale. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well.
2. Fold the cocoa into the beetroot, and then fold through the sour cream. Fold this mixture into the creamed butter and eggs. Lastly, fold through the flour and spoon into the moulds.
3. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
4. To make the ganache, gently heat the chocolate and cream together in a bowl over simmering water, stirring gently to combine once the chocolate has melted, cool then spoon over cakes.
Chocolate beetroot cake. Photo / Babiche Martens
The closest we may get to guilt-free chocolate! These chocolate cakes are a cunning way of boosting your veggie intake - even better, the barely discernible beetroot ensures these cakes remain moist.
Makes 6 individual cakes
175g butter1 cup brown sugar3 eggs4 Tbs Dutch cocoa1 cup grated beetroot1/4 cup sour cream2 cups self-raising flour
Ganache
120g dark chocolate1 cup cream
1. Preheat oven to 180C. Grease the individual moulds thoroughly. Cream the butter and sugar until pale. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well.
2. Fold the cocoa into the beetroot, and then fold through the sour cream. Fold this mixture into the creamed butter and eggs. Lastly, fold through the flour and spoon into the moulds.
3. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
4. To make the ganache, gently heat the chocolate and cream together in a bowl over simmering water, stirring gently to combine once the chocolate has melted, cool then spoon over cakes.
Mt Ruapehu gets 'super-dupa' ski-lift
:00AM Friday June 29, 2007By Simon O'Rourke
The Prime Minister inaugurated the biggest ski chairlift in Australasia yesterday - but Mt Ruapehu's fickle weather prevented her from riding it.
The six-seater High Noon Express at Turoa was inoperable because its 26-tonne cable jumped off the framework last week.
The cable became so weighed down from a massive build-up of ice that the machinery that drives it automatically shut down. The thick ice was a result of a southerly blast that included the year's most savage cold snap.
It was impossible for maintenance workers to get the $13 million lift up and running in time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but it is expected to be open this weekend for sightseeing trips.
A further snow dump of 20cm will see skiers and boarders begin to utilise the slopes beneath it.
Prime Minister Helen Clark described the lift as "super-dupa", and said it was part of a huge step-up in facilities for the ski field.
"It will bring a lot of smiles to skiers' faces."
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts was a "special kind of company" in that every cent of profit it made was invested back in ski infrastructure on the mountain. The company plans to construct two more high-speed chairlifts in the next five years.
Whakapapa and Turoa cater to a combined 11,500 customers a day at their peak, but Ruapehu Alpine Lifts marketing manager Mike Smith said infrastructure improvements were not about increasing visitor numbers.
"We can't go much past that because we're restricted by carparks."
The issue was more about ramping up the snow experience, with shorter queues and better facilities.
"Giving people more bang for their bucks."
Norbert Feuerstein, a spokesman for the company that manufactured the lift, Doppelmayr, said the firm had built 30,000 lifts around the globe and this was the first time that a lift had been opened but was not operational.
But Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) director Graham Painter said the cable had done exactly what it had been designed to do, "flicking" off the pulley system when nature determined that it was too dangerous to ride.
Turoa's high noon express
* Can carry 3200 people an hour, dropping off 50 skiers and boarders at the top of the mountain every minute.
* Runs for 1.36km with a vertical rise of 398m.
* Cost $13 million to build.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the biggest ski chairlift in Australasia yesterday - but Mt Ruapehu's fickle weather prevented her from riding it.
The six-seater High Noon Express at Turoa was inoperable because its 26-tonne cable jumped off the framework last week.
The cable became so weighed down from a massive build-up of ice that the machinery that drives it automatically shut down. The thick ice was a result of a southerly blast that included the year's most savage cold snap.
It was impossible for maintenance workers to get the $13 million lift up and running in time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but it is expected to be open this weekend for sightseeing trips.
A further snow dump of 20cm will see skiers and boarders begin to utilise the slopes beneath it.
Prime Minister Helen Clark described the lift as "super-dupa", and said it was part of a huge step-up in facilities for the ski field.
"It will bring a lot of smiles to skiers' faces."
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts was a "special kind of company" in that every cent of profit it made was invested back in ski infrastructure on the mountain. The company plans to construct two more high-speed chairlifts in the next five years.
Whakapapa and Turoa cater to a combined 11,500 customers a day at their peak, but Ruapehu Alpine Lifts marketing manager Mike Smith said infrastructure improvements were not about increasing visitor numbers.
"We can't go much past that because we're restricted by carparks."
The issue was more about ramping up the snow experience, with shorter queues and better facilities.
"Giving people more bang for their bucks."
Norbert Feuerstein, a spokesman for the company that manufactured the lift, Doppelmayr, said the firm had built 30,000 lifts around the globe and this was the first time that a lift had been opened but was not operational.
But Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) director Graham Painter said the cable had done exactly what it had been designed to do, "flicking" off the pulley system when nature determined that it was too dangerous to ride.
Turoa's high noon express
* Can carry 3200 people an hour, dropping off 50 skiers and boarders at the top of the mountain every minute.
* Runs for 1.36km with a vertical rise of 398m.
* Cost $13 million to build.
Interior design: Cheap as chips
5:00AM Saturday June 30, 2007By Cathrin Schaer
Chinese gold and silver joss paper. You don't need to spend lots of cash when it comes to decorating your home
If you like a little bit of colour and a little bit of kitsch then you can stock up on homewares at your local $2 and $3 stores. Comb through the weird and wonderful stock to find the best pieces and soon you'll be installing quirky cartoon animals in your kitchen, making a feature wall with Asian papers, writing notes on beautiful origami prints or adding delicate porcelain to your dinner settings. And all for under $5.
Chinese gold and silver joss paper, $1.99 packet, used as artwork or to wallpaper a feature wall, from New Gum Sarn supermarket; Wooden hanging toy, $3, from $3Japan Shop; Small blue bowls, $3, from $3Japan Shop and blue rectangular plate; $3.90 from Japan Mart; Self-assemble brown paper CD holder, $4, from Japan Mart and small origami papers, $3.50 from Japanese Lifestyle; Orange bucket and orange juicer, $3 each, from $3Japan Shop.
Black striped shopper, $3, from $3Japan Shop. Colourful bamboo mat, $2.20, from New Gum Sarn; and orange peeler bird, $3, from $3Japan Shop.
Green oven glove, $3, from the $3Japan Shop; and yellow oven glove, $3.50, from Japanese Lifestyle. Black bowl with dots, $3.50, from Japanese Lifestyle.
Various printed origami papers, from $3 per packet to $3.60 per packet, different styles available at all of the stockists in this story; Chicken timer and white salt shaker bunny, $3 each; from $3Japan Shop.
Stockists
$3Japan Shop(09) 309 9110
Japanese Lifestyle(09) 638 8038
Japan Mart(09) 377 2226
New Gum Sarn supermarket(09) 302 2157
Chinese gold and silver joss paper. You don't need to spend lots of cash when it comes to decorating your home
If you like a little bit of colour and a little bit of kitsch then you can stock up on homewares at your local $2 and $3 stores. Comb through the weird and wonderful stock to find the best pieces and soon you'll be installing quirky cartoon animals in your kitchen, making a feature wall with Asian papers, writing notes on beautiful origami prints or adding delicate porcelain to your dinner settings. And all for under $5.
Chinese gold and silver joss paper, $1.99 packet, used as artwork or to wallpaper a feature wall, from New Gum Sarn supermarket; Wooden hanging toy, $3, from $3Japan Shop; Small blue bowls, $3, from $3Japan Shop and blue rectangular plate; $3.90 from Japan Mart; Self-assemble brown paper CD holder, $4, from Japan Mart and small origami papers, $3.50 from Japanese Lifestyle; Orange bucket and orange juicer, $3 each, from $3Japan Shop.
Black striped shopper, $3, from $3Japan Shop. Colourful bamboo mat, $2.20, from New Gum Sarn; and orange peeler bird, $3, from $3Japan Shop.
Green oven glove, $3, from the $3Japan Shop; and yellow oven glove, $3.50, from Japanese Lifestyle. Black bowl with dots, $3.50, from Japanese Lifestyle.
Various printed origami papers, from $3 per packet to $3.60 per packet, different styles available at all of the stockists in this story; Chicken timer and white salt shaker bunny, $3 each; from $3Japan Shop.
Stockists
$3Japan Shop(09) 309 9110
Japanese Lifestyle(09) 638 8038
Japan Mart(09) 377 2226
New Gum Sarn supermarket(09) 302 2157
Thursday, 28 June 2007
48hour filmmakers face the final cut
:00PM Thursday June 28, 2007
Sunday night television finally has a real talent show. And unlike Pop's Ultimate Star, it will be over in just one strange and thrilling evening as the V 48hours Live Grand Final takes over C4 for the night.
Hosted by Jaquie Brown and featuring a cameo appearance by wildcard judge Peter Jackson, who has apparently filmed a little something for the night featuring a famous friend, the night will give viewers a chance to text vote for their favourite short films from the best of the 500 seven-minute efforts made all over the country in one mad May weekend.
The public vote counts for 30 per cent towards the final result against the 70 per cent scoring of the 40 or so judges teams in the various regions who have now seen all the contenders.
Jackson selected three wildcard finalists which didn't win their regional finals, allowing a second chance for one Auckland film and two Wellington entries.
And if you don't want to watch it all by yourself, there are bars in the various centres where you can go along and be part of the fun (see venues in Lowdown below) and cheer on your local teamAs well as giving the overall winner a prize pack worth $35,000-plus in a mix of cash grants and professional film services (various branches of the Jackson empire have chipped in more than $15,000 toward the prize), there are prizes for best cinematography (a Panasonic camera worth over $10,000), the "V Most Manic Performance" ($1000 cash), the "Instant Kiwi Prize Most Thrilling Moment" ($2000 cash) and "Best Damn National Teen Team Award" ($1000 cash) for the best team under the age of 17.
The Contenders
CAMP FEARBy Team Mukpuddy (Auckland)Animated horror about two camping monsters.
THE PLAYGROUNDBy Taktix Films (Hamilton)A spooky tale of things that go creak in the woods.
ONE MAN'S WARby Kairangi Productions (Gisborne, Tairawhiti)A tongue-in-cheek battle of the sexes.
MAORI DETECTIVE AND THE BOOGIE FEVERby Team Good Times (Wellington)Funkadelic slice of grindhouse set in the capital.
CARBOYS AND THE INDIANby The Outwits (Christchurch)Evil car rustlers meet their match in the ghost of Burt Munro.
BAIN: THE MUSICALby Burt Hall Banana Republic (Dunedin)A barbershop-esque musical of a familiar case which stars a TV3 reporter in its chorus line.
LEASEby Lense Flare (Auckland, Peter Jackson Wildcard)A musical where a singer-songwriter, a metalhead and an emo live together. Stars Shortland Street newcomer Johnny Barker
WHORE COP 3: NIGHT JUSTICEby Three Dicks (Wellington, Peter Jackson Wildcard)Filthy grindhouse action about a dirty cop who moonlights as a prostitute.
SHOOTING STARby Will She Wait (Wellington, Peter Jackson Wildcard)A hip-hop tragedy where a rising rapper's life falls apart after a hit and run.
Lowdown
What: V 48Hours Live Grand FinalWhen & where: C4, Sunday 8.30pmVenues to watch it at: For watching the final in good company which may include some of the competing teams ... Auckland - The Winchester (formerly The Pinnacle Club), St Benedict St, Newton; Hamilton - Le Dome,Victoria St; Wellington - The Establishment, cnr Courtenay Pl and Blair St)
Sunday night television finally has a real talent show. And unlike Pop's Ultimate Star, it will be over in just one strange and thrilling evening as the V 48hours Live Grand Final takes over C4 for the night.
Hosted by Jaquie Brown and featuring a cameo appearance by wildcard judge Peter Jackson, who has apparently filmed a little something for the night featuring a famous friend, the night will give viewers a chance to text vote for their favourite short films from the best of the 500 seven-minute efforts made all over the country in one mad May weekend.
The public vote counts for 30 per cent towards the final result against the 70 per cent scoring of the 40 or so judges teams in the various regions who have now seen all the contenders.
Jackson selected three wildcard finalists which didn't win their regional finals, allowing a second chance for one Auckland film and two Wellington entries.
And if you don't want to watch it all by yourself, there are bars in the various centres where you can go along and be part of the fun (see venues in Lowdown below) and cheer on your local teamAs well as giving the overall winner a prize pack worth $35,000-plus in a mix of cash grants and professional film services (various branches of the Jackson empire have chipped in more than $15,000 toward the prize), there are prizes for best cinematography (a Panasonic camera worth over $10,000), the "V Most Manic Performance" ($1000 cash), the "Instant Kiwi Prize Most Thrilling Moment" ($2000 cash) and "Best Damn National Teen Team Award" ($1000 cash) for the best team under the age of 17.
The Contenders
CAMP FEARBy Team Mukpuddy (Auckland)Animated horror about two camping monsters.
THE PLAYGROUNDBy Taktix Films (Hamilton)A spooky tale of things that go creak in the woods.
ONE MAN'S WARby Kairangi Productions (Gisborne, Tairawhiti)A tongue-in-cheek battle of the sexes.
MAORI DETECTIVE AND THE BOOGIE FEVERby Team Good Times (Wellington)Funkadelic slice of grindhouse set in the capital.
CARBOYS AND THE INDIANby The Outwits (Christchurch)Evil car rustlers meet their match in the ghost of Burt Munro.
BAIN: THE MUSICALby Burt Hall Banana Republic (Dunedin)A barbershop-esque musical of a familiar case which stars a TV3 reporter in its chorus line.
LEASEby Lense Flare (Auckland, Peter Jackson Wildcard)A musical where a singer-songwriter, a metalhead and an emo live together. Stars Shortland Street newcomer Johnny Barker
WHORE COP 3: NIGHT JUSTICEby Three Dicks (Wellington, Peter Jackson Wildcard)Filthy grindhouse action about a dirty cop who moonlights as a prostitute.
SHOOTING STARby Will She Wait (Wellington, Peter Jackson Wildcard)A hip-hop tragedy where a rising rapper's life falls apart after a hit and run.
Lowdown
What: V 48Hours Live Grand FinalWhen & where: C4, Sunday 8.30pmVenues to watch it at: For watching the final in good company which may include some of the competing teams ... Auckland - The Winchester (formerly The Pinnacle Club), St Benedict St, Newton; Hamilton - Le Dome,Victoria St; Wellington - The Establishment, cnr Courtenay Pl and Blair St)
Team NZ protest unlikely to succeed - commentators
Team New Zealand's protest against an incident which occurred at the end of race four in the America's Cup overnight is unlikely to be successful, according to commentators.
Alinghi won today's race by 30 seconds to square the series at 2-2 but the protest could, in theory, turn the scoreline into 3-1 to Team New Zealand.
That's the theory - but the reality will not be seen until today in Valencia (9pm NZT) when the race jury considers the protest after a strange sequence of events at the end of race four, won comfortably by Alinghi by 30s.
Yachting commentator Rod Slater told Newstalk ZB: "It is hard to know what the outcome is going to be. Quite frankly, my gut feeling is that it will be a non-event, that the points will stay as they are."
Fellow commentator Peter Lester told nzherald.co.nz: "I don't think there will be a change, I think Alinghi are going to survive this protest."
It was the first appearance in the Cup match of the infamous rules and technicalities - but it may be unlikely to rob Alinghi of the race or even force a re-sail.
The incident occurred at the end of the race when race director Peter Reggio called on both boats to demonstrate they could lower their mainsails correctly - after which an Alinghi crewman climbed the mast.
Alinghi strategist Murray Jones explained their side of the story after officials had elected to do a random measurement check on the Swiss boat.
"One was to ensure that the mainsail can release off the main halyard lock without any assistance," he said.
Alinghi won today's race by 30 seconds to square the series at 2-2 but the protest could, in theory, turn the scoreline into 3-1 to Team New Zealand.
That's the theory - but the reality will not be seen until today in Valencia (9pm NZT) when the race jury considers the protest after a strange sequence of events at the end of race four, won comfortably by Alinghi by 30s.
Yachting commentator Rod Slater told Newstalk ZB: "It is hard to know what the outcome is going to be. Quite frankly, my gut feeling is that it will be a non-event, that the points will stay as they are."
Fellow commentator Peter Lester told nzherald.co.nz: "I don't think there will be a change, I think Alinghi are going to survive this protest."
It was the first appearance in the Cup match of the infamous rules and technicalities - but it may be unlikely to rob Alinghi of the race or even force a re-sail.
The incident occurred at the end of the race when race director Peter Reggio called on both boats to demonstrate they could lower their mainsails correctly - after which an Alinghi crewman climbed the mast.
Alinghi strategist Murray Jones explained their side of the story after officials had elected to do a random measurement check on the Swiss boat.
"One was to ensure that the mainsail can release off the main halyard lock without any assistance," he said.
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Vengeance for Team NZ
Team New Zealand's series-levelling victory over Alinghi has allowed skipper Dean Barker to put the wind up Kiwi counterpart Brad Butterworth, clearly rattling the defector dubbed Mr America's Cup.
International sailing media have praised the Kiwis' 28-second victory - preventing a 5-0 finals clean sweep for the first time in 15 years - and are hailing a regatta that could go down to the wire.
The victory snapped Butterworth's 16-race winning streak in international sport's oldest contest and was the first step in avenging Team New Zealand's 2003 whitewash by Alinghi.
Barker "pounced" on Butterworth's mistake in tacking too late on a key beat and allowing Team New Zealand to take the lead halfway through the third leg, reported The Guardian.
Three-time cup winner Russell Coutts said Butterworth and Alinghi would be "kicking themselves" for letting the race slip.
"The key moment in the race was the bad attack by Alinghi. That was, quite frankly, a clanger and handed Team New Zealand the race two-thirds of the way up the final windward beat," he told London's Telegraph newspaper.
"They'll be kicking themselves because it should have been a race that they had easily in control."
But Coutts, Alinghi's skipper in 2003, still predicted a close final.
Barker and the Kiwis certainly did seem to get under Butterworth's skin at one stage of the race.
After surrendering the lead, Butterworth's on-boat microphone picked up his blue language in haranguing race officials for letting spectator craft get too close.
He later defended his use of the 'f'-word, which was beamed into millions of homes worldwide.
"There is no other vehicle to get my impressions across other than that microphone, so it's good to use it because you are listening and you can put some pressure on these wallys to get (the spectators) off the course," he said.
By contrast, Team New Zealand remained calm and composed after clinching victory.
Team boss Grant Dalton asked that the crew on board NZL92 keep a lid on their emotions after crossing the finish line.
"No man love," were the instructions overheard by TV microphones. The team will spend today's rest day lying low, preparing for the third race early tomorrow.
After the win, Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard said from Valencia that the Government was confident it had already got a return "in spades" from its $34 million investment in Team New Zealand.
Each sailing success boosted New Zealand's tourism and business prospects.
GREG FORD in Valencia and KERI WELHAM - Fairfax Media
International sailing media have praised the Kiwis' 28-second victory - preventing a 5-0 finals clean sweep for the first time in 15 years - and are hailing a regatta that could go down to the wire.
The victory snapped Butterworth's 16-race winning streak in international sport's oldest contest and was the first step in avenging Team New Zealand's 2003 whitewash by Alinghi.
Barker "pounced" on Butterworth's mistake in tacking too late on a key beat and allowing Team New Zealand to take the lead halfway through the third leg, reported The Guardian.
Three-time cup winner Russell Coutts said Butterworth and Alinghi would be "kicking themselves" for letting the race slip.
"The key moment in the race was the bad attack by Alinghi. That was, quite frankly, a clanger and handed Team New Zealand the race two-thirds of the way up the final windward beat," he told London's Telegraph newspaper.
"They'll be kicking themselves because it should have been a race that they had easily in control."
But Coutts, Alinghi's skipper in 2003, still predicted a close final.
Barker and the Kiwis certainly did seem to get under Butterworth's skin at one stage of the race.
After surrendering the lead, Butterworth's on-boat microphone picked up his blue language in haranguing race officials for letting spectator craft get too close.
He later defended his use of the 'f'-word, which was beamed into millions of homes worldwide.
"There is no other vehicle to get my impressions across other than that microphone, so it's good to use it because you are listening and you can put some pressure on these wallys to get (the spectators) off the course," he said.
By contrast, Team New Zealand remained calm and composed after clinching victory.
Team boss Grant Dalton asked that the crew on board NZL92 keep a lid on their emotions after crossing the finish line.
"No man love," were the instructions overheard by TV microphones. The team will spend today's rest day lying low, preparing for the third race early tomorrow.
After the win, Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard said from Valencia that the Government was confident it had already got a return "in spades" from its $34 million investment in Team New Zealand.
Each sailing success boosted New Zealand's tourism and business prospects.
GREG FORD in Valencia and KERI WELHAM - Fairfax Media
Sunday, 24 June 2007
Ground Zero
The once-iconic potato now must adapt, or die, writes David Burton.The spud is in trouble.Nearly half of New Zealanders (44 per cent) have cut back on potatoes in the past few years. The hard-core potato eaters are getting older, their households are shrinking and, if their kids haven抰 joined the craze for low-carb diets, they are switching to sexier alternatives like pasta, rice, couscous and polenta. Potatoes may have valuable proteins and are packed full of vitamin C, but consumers now see them as less healthy, harder to prepare and cook, and less easy to store than pasta or rice.
http://www.cuisine.co.nz/index.cfm?pageID=53285
http://www.cuisine.co.nz/index.cfm?pageID=53285
Kingsland
Your Local: Kingsland
As I approached Kingsland I was suddenly hit by the acrid smell of coffee being roasted.
The odiferous beacon reminded me that I was entering a hub of café culture. Two of Auckland’s best-known coffee brands are headquartered here: Atomic operates a day-time café from its storefront. In a sparse, industrial space you can perch, read a free magazine and have light food with your coffee.
Roasted Addiqtion goes for a more bohemian feel, with creaking floorboards, tatty couches and dub on the stereo. A blackboard menu of brunch-type items will fill you up.
For more caffeine, try Perk Up, Deve, Crucial Traders, or head down the hill towards Morningside, where Café Barista cranks out the espressos.
Do Kingslanders ever sleep? They have lots of reasons not to: at night they have their pick of some top-rated restaurants, ranging from South and East Asian to French.
This classic shopping strip, with its ornate concrete Victorian buildings, services one of Auckland’s oldest and most densely settled working-class neighbourhoods.
Down the residential side streets gentrification has barely arrived. Oddly, however, Kingsland is Auckland’s only shopping centre that lacks a butcher, fishmonger and greengrocer.
The Fridge used to stock gourmet dry goods, but under its current owners is concentrating on sandwiches, pies and coffee (of course).
You can buy fluffy white bread at Kingsland’s two hot bread shops, Connon’s (2 New Bond Street, phone (09) 846 3299) and Kingsland Bakery (440 New North Road, phone (09) 846 6077).
I was curious to find out more about a suburb without food retailers, so I contacted Dr Ian Hunter, who lectures on entrepreneurship at the Auckland University’s business school.
He says Aucklanders (like most of the rest of the world) like to use large-format stores and their convenient parking.
So will the hospitality trade always rule in Kingsland? “Personally, I think not”, says Hunter. “When you look at village high streets such as those at Mt Eden, Titirangi, Remuera, even Onehunga of late, you see that village shopping is alive and well.
“Experience is the key word here, for basically the village offers what the mall never can—it has history, old-world charm, an aspect of romanticism, escapism, and solace all of its own. In essence, these characteristics are what the village is selling—not fish and chips and haircuts.”
I found a hint of solace in Kingsland. It does have a pub—though a very 21st century one. The Kingslander is a slick transformation of an old grain warehouse, complete with big-brewery branding, gastro pub menu and wide-screen TVs… but at least you can get a pint.
André Taber
As I approached Kingsland I was suddenly hit by the acrid smell of coffee being roasted.
The odiferous beacon reminded me that I was entering a hub of café culture. Two of Auckland’s best-known coffee brands are headquartered here: Atomic operates a day-time café from its storefront. In a sparse, industrial space you can perch, read a free magazine and have light food with your coffee.
Roasted Addiqtion goes for a more bohemian feel, with creaking floorboards, tatty couches and dub on the stereo. A blackboard menu of brunch-type items will fill you up.
For more caffeine, try Perk Up, Deve, Crucial Traders, or head down the hill towards Morningside, where Café Barista cranks out the espressos.
Do Kingslanders ever sleep? They have lots of reasons not to: at night they have their pick of some top-rated restaurants, ranging from South and East Asian to French.
This classic shopping strip, with its ornate concrete Victorian buildings, services one of Auckland’s oldest and most densely settled working-class neighbourhoods.
Down the residential side streets gentrification has barely arrived. Oddly, however, Kingsland is Auckland’s only shopping centre that lacks a butcher, fishmonger and greengrocer.
The Fridge used to stock gourmet dry goods, but under its current owners is concentrating on sandwiches, pies and coffee (of course).
You can buy fluffy white bread at Kingsland’s two hot bread shops, Connon’s (2 New Bond Street, phone (09) 846 3299) and Kingsland Bakery (440 New North Road, phone (09) 846 6077).
I was curious to find out more about a suburb without food retailers, so I contacted Dr Ian Hunter, who lectures on entrepreneurship at the Auckland University’s business school.
He says Aucklanders (like most of the rest of the world) like to use large-format stores and their convenient parking.
So will the hospitality trade always rule in Kingsland? “Personally, I think not”, says Hunter. “When you look at village high streets such as those at Mt Eden, Titirangi, Remuera, even Onehunga of late, you see that village shopping is alive and well.
“Experience is the key word here, for basically the village offers what the mall never can—it has history, old-world charm, an aspect of romanticism, escapism, and solace all of its own. In essence, these characteristics are what the village is selling—not fish and chips and haircuts.”
I found a hint of solace in Kingsland. It does have a pub—though a very 21st century one. The Kingslander is a slick transformation of an old grain warehouse, complete with big-brewery branding, gastro pub menu and wide-screen TVs… but at least you can get a pint.
André Taber
The Politically Incorrect Show
Lindsay Perigo
The Politically Incorrect Show - 17/09/1999
Good afternoon, Kaya Oraaa & welcome to the Politically Incorrect Show on the free speech network, Radio Pacific, for Friday September 17, proudly sponsored by Tuariki Tobacco Ltd, the show that says bugger the politicians & bureaucrats & all the other bossyboot busybodies who try to run our lives with our money; that stands tall for free enterprise, achievement, profit, & excellence, against the state-worshippers in our midst; that stands above all for the most sacred thing in the universe, the liberty of the human individual.
Music up, music down!
Just up the road from Radio Pacific is a bakery. It is bread-Heaven. Fresh, flavoursome loaves of every description which they slice on the spot (sandwich or toast thickness) - ordinary white, high fibre-white, cheese & garlic, cheese & bacon (my favourite), cheese & herbs, wholemeal loaves, fruit loaves (another favourite), lemon scrolls, apple scrolls with cinnamon, custard scrolls, pizza slices with various toppings. I reckon just about everything you could do with flour & yeast is done there, & it's all delectable. Equally delightful are the cheerful young ladies who serve behind the counter - always offering an extra carry-bag even when you obviously don't need one, always offering a "have a good afternoon" as you leave the premises eager to devour the purchases. One day recently the girls were all off work for some reason and the back room BOYS were out front doing the serving. This didn't occasion ME any particular distress, but some of the other male regulars in the shop at the same time were quite vocal in their protests!
A little further up the road is a greengrocer. Yesterday I went in to get some tamarillos, which I like to stew in brown sugar & honey. Yum! They were bagged up in lots of ten to a dozen. Some bags seemed to be full of under-ripened tamarillos, others full of over-ripened ones. I selected a bag of the latter. The greengrocer urged me to take a bag of the former instead, fearing that some in the bag I had chosen might actually be off. "No, no," I said, "these are fine, honestly. I had a good look at them." "Well, just in case," said the greengrocer, "I'll give you a another bag of the ripe ones for nothing." Which he did.
I stepped out onto the pavement thinking of the occasional Christian & socialist (usually both) callers to the programme who tell me that human beings, businesspeople in particular, are irredeemably rotten, malevolent creatures, just itching to rip each other off. This, they say, is the reason we must have a lot of government ownership & control (omitting to explain why people who opt to be in government are any less rotten than everybody else and why we should entrust such authority to them). This little stretch of Ponsonby Road would surely confound the Christian socialists, comprising as it does a second bakery, several lunch bars & cafes, a jeans shop, several banks, a bottle store, a hairdresser, etc., in all of which the product & service are as excellent as the baker's & the greengrocer's. The only thing that remotely smacks of government is the Post Office, and even that sports a sign telling you of all the wondrous new services they're offering now that private enterprise is allowed to compete with them. Why, they even open on Saturdays!
I suppose the Christian socialists will never tumble to the import of all this. Somehow that didn't bother me yesterday as I tucked into my fresh white loaf of bread and savoured the delicious caramel-like aroma of those ripe tamarillos stewing in their own juice, a little bit of water - and lashings of brown sugar. Yum!
Politically Incorrect Show where Yum's the word. 309 3099.
The Politically Incorrect Show - 17/09/1999
Good afternoon, Kaya Oraaa & welcome to the Politically Incorrect Show on the free speech network, Radio Pacific, for Friday September 17, proudly sponsored by Tuariki Tobacco Ltd, the show that says bugger the politicians & bureaucrats & all the other bossyboot busybodies who try to run our lives with our money; that stands tall for free enterprise, achievement, profit, & excellence, against the state-worshippers in our midst; that stands above all for the most sacred thing in the universe, the liberty of the human individual.
Music up, music down!
Just up the road from Radio Pacific is a bakery. It is bread-Heaven. Fresh, flavoursome loaves of every description which they slice on the spot (sandwich or toast thickness) - ordinary white, high fibre-white, cheese & garlic, cheese & bacon (my favourite), cheese & herbs, wholemeal loaves, fruit loaves (another favourite), lemon scrolls, apple scrolls with cinnamon, custard scrolls, pizza slices with various toppings. I reckon just about everything you could do with flour & yeast is done there, & it's all delectable. Equally delightful are the cheerful young ladies who serve behind the counter - always offering an extra carry-bag even when you obviously don't need one, always offering a "have a good afternoon" as you leave the premises eager to devour the purchases. One day recently the girls were all off work for some reason and the back room BOYS were out front doing the serving. This didn't occasion ME any particular distress, but some of the other male regulars in the shop at the same time were quite vocal in their protests!
A little further up the road is a greengrocer. Yesterday I went in to get some tamarillos, which I like to stew in brown sugar & honey. Yum! They were bagged up in lots of ten to a dozen. Some bags seemed to be full of under-ripened tamarillos, others full of over-ripened ones. I selected a bag of the latter. The greengrocer urged me to take a bag of the former instead, fearing that some in the bag I had chosen might actually be off. "No, no," I said, "these are fine, honestly. I had a good look at them." "Well, just in case," said the greengrocer, "I'll give you a another bag of the ripe ones for nothing." Which he did.
I stepped out onto the pavement thinking of the occasional Christian & socialist (usually both) callers to the programme who tell me that human beings, businesspeople in particular, are irredeemably rotten, malevolent creatures, just itching to rip each other off. This, they say, is the reason we must have a lot of government ownership & control (omitting to explain why people who opt to be in government are any less rotten than everybody else and why we should entrust such authority to them). This little stretch of Ponsonby Road would surely confound the Christian socialists, comprising as it does a second bakery, several lunch bars & cafes, a jeans shop, several banks, a bottle store, a hairdresser, etc., in all of which the product & service are as excellent as the baker's & the greengrocer's. The only thing that remotely smacks of government is the Post Office, and even that sports a sign telling you of all the wondrous new services they're offering now that private enterprise is allowed to compete with them. Why, they even open on Saturdays!
I suppose the Christian socialists will never tumble to the import of all this. Somehow that didn't bother me yesterday as I tucked into my fresh white loaf of bread and savoured the delicious caramel-like aroma of those ripe tamarillos stewing in their own juice, a little bit of water - and lashings of brown sugar. Yum!
Politically Incorrect Show where Yum's the word. 309 3099.
Saturday, 23 June 2007
Weather easing in south
After two days in which snow and gale force winds have blasted Otago and Southland, weather forecasts are predicting no snow or only light falls on Sunday.
Dunedin was predicted to get down to -1 degrees overnight and still have bitter winds on Sunday morning, but further snowfalls are forecast to be limited to the hills.
Invercargill and Queenstown should escape further snow.
The icy blast made many roads treacherous or impassable for drivers today, with Dunedin particularly hard hit.
Some properties have been cut off and businesses were forced to close.
Dunedin police said the only way of driving around the city's hill suburbs was with chains fitted to vehicles.
Some motorists abandoned their cars last night, while about 150 cars were reported stuck on Dunedin's northern motorway before it was closed.
Yesterday's heavy snow shut down the Wakatipu Basin, with roads impassable, and schools and some retailers forced to close.
Even skifields, including Coronet Peak, were forced to close because of icy conditions on access roads.
Queenstown airport was unable to operate, disrupting the travel plans of 1700 people, many trying to get in to the resort for the start of the Winter Festival.
The opening ceremony for the week long Winter Festival had to be cancelled last night and this afternoon organisers decided to reschedule the Big Night Out concert planned for Sunday night to Monday night.
Festival director Simon Green said organisers had been working very hard to get all the bands and equipment into Queenstown but despite their best efforts had simply run out of time.
Yesterday, snow, hail and gale-force winds ripped through the south as near blizzard conditions closed roads and schools, and had vehicles crashing off icy roads.
In the worst of the incidents, a school bus with two passengers slid off the road and tipped over, with the driver taken to hospital; 150 sheep were killed when a stock truck suffered a similar fate; and a whirlwind slammed through an Invercargill suburb, flinging parts of fences and roofs into houses and cars.
Emergency services trying to keep the roads open were fighting a losing battle.
The Te Anau-Milford highway was closed beyond Hollyford Corner yesterday as snow blanketed the alpine sections.
Milford Sound Lodge manager Helen Thomas said the lodge's 20 guests had been warned on Thursday that snow was likely to close the road, and all had elected to stay.
The school bus crashed in treacherous conditions 30km east of Invercargill about 5pm.
It is believed one of the two pupils on board sustained minor injuries.
Emergency services were also called to a four-vehicle crash 3km south of Balclutha at 7.20pm, after a truck ended up on its roof on State Highway 1. No one was hurt.
In Invercargill, Rockdale Rd and Glenalmond Cres residents were stunned after a whirlwind flattened fences, lifted tiles and sent planks of timber through windows. At least four properties were damaged.
Sheep were killed and a truck driver sustained minor injuries after a truck and trailer unit tipped near Waipahi yesterday afternoon.
Dunedin was predicted to get down to -1 degrees overnight and still have bitter winds on Sunday morning, but further snowfalls are forecast to be limited to the hills.
Invercargill and Queenstown should escape further snow.
The icy blast made many roads treacherous or impassable for drivers today, with Dunedin particularly hard hit.
Some properties have been cut off and businesses were forced to close.
Dunedin police said the only way of driving around the city's hill suburbs was with chains fitted to vehicles.
Some motorists abandoned their cars last night, while about 150 cars were reported stuck on Dunedin's northern motorway before it was closed.
Yesterday's heavy snow shut down the Wakatipu Basin, with roads impassable, and schools and some retailers forced to close.
Even skifields, including Coronet Peak, were forced to close because of icy conditions on access roads.
Queenstown airport was unable to operate, disrupting the travel plans of 1700 people, many trying to get in to the resort for the start of the Winter Festival.
The opening ceremony for the week long Winter Festival had to be cancelled last night and this afternoon organisers decided to reschedule the Big Night Out concert planned for Sunday night to Monday night.
Festival director Simon Green said organisers had been working very hard to get all the bands and equipment into Queenstown but despite their best efforts had simply run out of time.
Yesterday, snow, hail and gale-force winds ripped through the south as near blizzard conditions closed roads and schools, and had vehicles crashing off icy roads.
In the worst of the incidents, a school bus with two passengers slid off the road and tipped over, with the driver taken to hospital; 150 sheep were killed when a stock truck suffered a similar fate; and a whirlwind slammed through an Invercargill suburb, flinging parts of fences and roofs into houses and cars.
Emergency services trying to keep the roads open were fighting a losing battle.
The Te Anau-Milford highway was closed beyond Hollyford Corner yesterday as snow blanketed the alpine sections.
Milford Sound Lodge manager Helen Thomas said the lodge's 20 guests had been warned on Thursday that snow was likely to close the road, and all had elected to stay.
The school bus crashed in treacherous conditions 30km east of Invercargill about 5pm.
It is believed one of the two pupils on board sustained minor injuries.
Emergency services were also called to a four-vehicle crash 3km south of Balclutha at 7.20pm, after a truck ended up on its roof on State Highway 1. No one was hurt.
In Invercargill, Rockdale Rd and Glenalmond Cres residents were stunned after a whirlwind flattened fences, lifted tiles and sent planks of timber through windows. At least four properties were damaged.
Sheep were killed and a truck driver sustained minor injuries after a truck and trailer unit tipped near Waipahi yesterday afternoon.
Fairfax Media and NZPA Saturday, 23 June 2007
Rugby: All Blacks expect physical encounter
2:25PM Saturday June 23, 2007
The All Blacks are bracing themselves for their most physical encounter of 2007 to date when they play the Springboks in tomorrow morning's Tri-Nations test in Durban.
Skipper Richie McCaw says he and his fellow forwards are going to have to quickly adapt to the physical nature of the South Africans.
His team mate Anton Oliver is paying tribute to his opposite Gary Botha, who is replacing injured skipper John Smit. Oliver is wary of Botha's form and ability to step up to the big occasion.
"Obviously he hasn't played as much rugby as John Smit, but he's been part of that wonderful Bulls team."
Botha's inexperience will be offset by recalled prop Os du Randt, a veteran of 71 tests.
Springboks' skipper Victor Matfield is expressing respect for the inexperienced All Blacks he will be lining up alongside in the line-outs.
Greg Rawlinson and Troy Flavell will start in the second-row following the injury crisis at lock.
"They did a very good job in the Super 14. I think Troy Flavell is regarded by a lot of people as the best lock in the Super 14 this year."
The match gets underway at 1am.
The All Blacks are bracing themselves for their most physical encounter of 2007 to date when they play the Springboks in tomorrow morning's Tri-Nations test in Durban.
Skipper Richie McCaw says he and his fellow forwards are going to have to quickly adapt to the physical nature of the South Africans.
His team mate Anton Oliver is paying tribute to his opposite Gary Botha, who is replacing injured skipper John Smit. Oliver is wary of Botha's form and ability to step up to the big occasion.
"Obviously he hasn't played as much rugby as John Smit, but he's been part of that wonderful Bulls team."
Botha's inexperience will be offset by recalled prop Os du Randt, a veteran of 71 tests.
Springboks' skipper Victor Matfield is expressing respect for the inexperienced All Blacks he will be lining up alongside in the line-outs.
Greg Rawlinson and Troy Flavell will start in the second-row following the injury crisis at lock.
"They did a very good job in the Super 14. I think Troy Flavell is regarded by a lot of people as the best lock in the Super 14 this year."
The match gets underway at 1am.
Yachting: Flip of coin goes Team NZ's way
5:00AM Saturday June 23, 2007By Julie Ash
Maybe it is a sign. Team New Zealand tactician Terry Hutchinson's lucky streak is back.
Hutchinson is often sent to the first press conferences because he usually wins the coin toss that decides which side the teams enter the start box from in the first race.
The starboard entry, which hands a team the right of way, is the side of choice.
Hutchinson lost out in the Louis Vuitton final but was back on track yesterday, successfully calling heads at the America's Cup skippers' press conference in Valencia.
The result saw him give his skipper a playful poke in the ribs.
In what was the last public outing for the teams ahead of race one tomorrow morning, the two skippers, Dean Barker and Brad Butterworth, looked relaxed.
Sitting in between them on the stage was the prize itself, the super shiny Auld Mug.
For Alinghi skipper Butterworth it is his fourth consecutive America's Cup match. "I just pinch myself every time I realise I am sailing these boats with these good people and are up against the great teams we have sailed against in the past. This is going to be as good as it has ever been. The two best teams in the sport are going out."
Butterworth said the mood in the Alinghi camp was "upbeat".
"We are all looking forward to the regatta. We are looking forward to racing. We have watched the Louis Vuitton Cup go past, now we can have a go ourselves."
Barker said Emirates Team NZ were looking forward to getting into the racing. "It seems like the Louis Vuitton Cup is a long time ago. We are happy just to have to opportunity to be in the America's Cup.
"We have worked hard in the past three or four years to get far. Now that we are here, we want to go out and do the absolute best we can."
Full coverage of the America's Cup from nzherald.co.nz/americascup and desktoptv.co.nz
Maybe it is a sign. Team New Zealand tactician Terry Hutchinson's lucky streak is back.
Hutchinson is often sent to the first press conferences because he usually wins the coin toss that decides which side the teams enter the start box from in the first race.
The starboard entry, which hands a team the right of way, is the side of choice.
Hutchinson lost out in the Louis Vuitton final but was back on track yesterday, successfully calling heads at the America's Cup skippers' press conference in Valencia.
The result saw him give his skipper a playful poke in the ribs.
In what was the last public outing for the teams ahead of race one tomorrow morning, the two skippers, Dean Barker and Brad Butterworth, looked relaxed.
Sitting in between them on the stage was the prize itself, the super shiny Auld Mug.
For Alinghi skipper Butterworth it is his fourth consecutive America's Cup match. "I just pinch myself every time I realise I am sailing these boats with these good people and are up against the great teams we have sailed against in the past. This is going to be as good as it has ever been. The two best teams in the sport are going out."
Butterworth said the mood in the Alinghi camp was "upbeat".
"We are all looking forward to the regatta. We are looking forward to racing. We have watched the Louis Vuitton Cup go past, now we can have a go ourselves."
Barker said Emirates Team NZ were looking forward to getting into the racing. "It seems like the Louis Vuitton Cup is a long time ago. We are happy just to have to opportunity to be in the America's Cup.
"We have worked hard in the past three or four years to get far. Now that we are here, we want to go out and do the absolute best we can."
Full coverage of the America's Cup from nzherald.co.nz/americascup and desktoptv.co.nz
Alinghi's Bertarelli hungry to keep the 'auld mug'
:45PM Saturday June 23, 2007
After four years of waiting, the Alinghi syndicate begins its America's Cup defence races overnight off Valencia.
The Swiss operation faces Team New Zealand following a tense build-up to this series.
Alinghi owner Ernesto Bertarelli says he is very hungry to keep the 'auld mug', because the Cup means a lot more than he ever thought it would. Bertarelli says after winning in New Zealand he was thoroughly drawn in to the game.
Skipper Dean Barker just wants the racing to start after the long and arduous preparation. He says the whole team worked hard over the last three years and now they are virtually at the start of the finals they are determined to do the best they possibly can.
Butterworth knows exactly what he will be facing. He has always believed Team New Zealand would be the challenger of record for the 32nd instalment of the Auld Mug.
While he is quietly confident the Swiss yacht, SUI100, has the pace to win, he knows Team New Zealand has also made good strides in its development. He says while Team New Zealand has the boat it has always had, the team made solid improvements to it during the Louis Vuitton series and that makes life a bit more difficult for Alinghi.
However, Butterworth maintains SUI100 is probably half a generation ahead of NZL92.
After four years of waiting, the Alinghi syndicate begins its America's Cup defence races overnight off Valencia.
The Swiss operation faces Team New Zealand following a tense build-up to this series.
Alinghi owner Ernesto Bertarelli says he is very hungry to keep the 'auld mug', because the Cup means a lot more than he ever thought it would. Bertarelli says after winning in New Zealand he was thoroughly drawn in to the game.
Skipper Dean Barker just wants the racing to start after the long and arduous preparation. He says the whole team worked hard over the last three years and now they are virtually at the start of the finals they are determined to do the best they possibly can.
Butterworth knows exactly what he will be facing. He has always believed Team New Zealand would be the challenger of record for the 32nd instalment of the Auld Mug.
While he is quietly confident the Swiss yacht, SUI100, has the pace to win, he knows Team New Zealand has also made good strides in its development. He says while Team New Zealand has the boat it has always had, the team made solid improvements to it during the Louis Vuitton series and that makes life a bit more difficult for Alinghi.
However, Butterworth maintains SUI100 is probably half a generation ahead of NZL92.
Friday, 22 June 2007
Yachting: Alinghi rebuffed on 'back stays' proposal
7:49AM Friday June 22, 2007
Alinghi's pair of yachts work on getting every ounce of extra speed in practice off Valencia.
Team New Zealand have won the first mini-battle of the America's Cup.
The victory came, as many of them do in the complex sport of match-race yachting, off the water. And at this stage there's no telling just how significant it is.
The America's Cup match starts on Sunday morning in Valencia, and defenders Alinghi have been trying to have their boat innovations cleared by the various race authorities.
Yachting World editor Matt Sheahan says the latest one involved removing redundant back stays from the mast during upwind legs.
Sheahan says the rules prevent them from doing this, and Alinghi has been arguing the case, but it has been turned down.
The issue was brought to the attention of the measurers by Team New Zealand.
Sheahan says removing the back stays would reduce drag, but it is not certain by how much.
Sheahan believes the fact that this became an issue at all is a big indication of the apprehension and intensity that is building in the lead up the match.
He says it is very tense in Valencia and there are a lot of expectations.
There is no word as to whether Alinghi will continue to pursue the issue.
Alinghi's pair of yachts work on getting every ounce of extra speed in practice off Valencia.
Team New Zealand have won the first mini-battle of the America's Cup.
The victory came, as many of them do in the complex sport of match-race yachting, off the water. And at this stage there's no telling just how significant it is.
The America's Cup match starts on Sunday morning in Valencia, and defenders Alinghi have been trying to have their boat innovations cleared by the various race authorities.
Yachting World editor Matt Sheahan says the latest one involved removing redundant back stays from the mast during upwind legs.
Sheahan says the rules prevent them from doing this, and Alinghi has been arguing the case, but it has been turned down.
The issue was brought to the attention of the measurers by Team New Zealand.
Sheahan says removing the back stays would reduce drag, but it is not certain by how much.
Sheahan believes the fact that this became an issue at all is a big indication of the apprehension and intensity that is building in the lead up the match.
He says it is very tense in Valencia and there are a lot of expectations.
There is no word as to whether Alinghi will continue to pursue the issue.
Thursday, 21 June 2007
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