91 – New Zealanders in Global Headlines December 21

New Zealand headlines in this week's sampling of global media appearing in New York Times, BBC, CNN, Guardian, Telegraph, Observer, Variety, Citizen-Times, news.com.au, Melbourne Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Salt Lake City Tribune, Sunshine Coast Daily, Orange County Register, Herald Sun include:

• Haka in Utah via Dave Atkinson (Kaeo) for Marae Cttee NZ-US Soc
  
• Henry whistles ref for RFU exit, back as ABs coach, Deans to OZ
  
• Splash with splatter: NZ horror films entry genre for first directors
  
• NZ War Memorial in Hyde Park wins UK communications award
  
• NZ Police uses wiki for global input to update of 1958 Police Act
  
• CanterburyU’s Annie Potts on vegan-to-vegan love: cruelty-free
  
• NZ-Melbourne Cantonese Seamstress wins critics, diners
  
• Book charts tumultuous Earthrace bio-fuelled speedboat journey
  
• North Carolina realist Robert Johnson paints NZ’s edge evolution
  
• Australian travel guide tips Aotearoa’s top 30 lake experiences
  
• NZ voted world’s best holiday in Telegraph: 300k UK visitors
  
• Pro surfer Dave Rastovich in protest over Japan’s dolphin killings
  
• Wellington student Landen Hale-Brown lead role in OZ Billy Elliot
  
• Climate change key issue on Clark-Rudd inaugural PM meet
  
• John Daniell’s French pro-rugby book “a gem off the beaten track”
  
• Balclutha-born Dean Tahana crowned Australia’s sexiest man (px)
  
• Peter Gordon shreds “food miles myth” on UK TV, backs NZ food
  
• Auckland feted for “stunning natural setting”, wineries, architecture
  
• Kohanga reo centres triples fluent Maori speakers; hailed worldwide
  
• 09 NZ Winter Games prop’d for elite PacRim athletes pre-Olympics
  
• Beckham heaven: LA Galaxy, Wellington Phoenix charm Capital
  
• Bob Charles’ adrenalin flows on M.Hill’s Q’town NZ Open course
  
• Jesse James film “classic Americana” from Andrew Dominik
  
• Neil Finn “Lennonish” at sellout UK concerts: “big, warm and tingly”
  
• Dave Henderson turns IRD nemises into luxe-modern hotel SO
  
• NYNZ psychoanalyst Jeffrey Masson on cats vs birds rights debate
  
• Pietra Brettkelly at Sundance for Art Star and the Sudanese Twins

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 6,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.

90 – New Zealanders in Global Headlines December 7

New Zealand headlines in this week's sampling of global media appearing in The New York Times, The Times, Globe & Mail, Salon, Guardian, The Age, Monocle, Undercover, China View, Telegram, BBC News, Canberra Times, Times of India and The Observer include:

• Wellington’s Ponoko pioneer virtual personalized manufacturing
• Rotorua microbiologists reveal methane-buster from Hells Gate
• New 50 Facts That Should Change the World from Jessica Williams
• Nurse Lisa French Blaker writes Heart of Darfur from Sudan
• NZ “wine producing country of the year” – Observer’s Tim Atkin
• OtagoU scientists patent squid gel to reduce surgical scarring
• BEE (Beauty Engineered for Ever) cleaning products make Monocle
• Carbon-neutral Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge gets Times aok
• Guardian has “thrillingly wild, jaw-dropping” tour of NZ back country
• Lloyd Jones talks up raging character of Wellington wind in Times
• Digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy Conchords score in Capital
• Auckland artist Dane Mitchell selected for Miami’s Art Basel 2008
• Peter Boggs compared to Edward Hopper in Canberra exhibition
• Chills, “set apart by geography,” in Guardian’s greatest music acts
• B+W photographer Stefanie Young in Chelsea NYC show
• Baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes shows character range in OZ Opera
• Lauren McKee and Wynne Pirini reinvent Tshirts in Vancouver
• Windsurfer Barbara Kendall earns fifth Olympic Games spot
• Buck Shelford scores 15th in Times’ list of sport’s worst injuries
• All Black and NZ Maori legend Pat Walsh dies, Auckland, 71

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 6,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.

Photos clockwise from top left of Dane Mitchell at Miami's Art Basel, Ponoko pioneers David ten Have and Derek Ellery in the NY Times, BEE cleaning products, Dafur nurse Lisa French Blaker, patent squid gel and baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes.

89 – New Zealanders in Global Headlines November 18

New Zealand headlines in this week's survey of global media appearing in The Times, New York Times, Reuters, The Observer, SFGate.com, Daily Telegraph, Open Democracy, Lonely Planet, Undercover, London.net, include:

• SurfAid wins global Humanitarian Award for Mentawai Islands work
• Stephen Chan charts hubris of Mugabe in Auckland Uni lectures
• Anne Geddes sells 20m books worldwide, new autobio published
• Split Enz for NZ tour March 08, new album One Out Of The Bag
• NZ fifth in world for gender equality - World Economic Forum
• Speight's Ale House sails Dunedin-London in 75-day passage
• NZ-bred horses make clean sweep of Melbourne Racing Carnival
• Pinot Gris hailed in San Francisco as our new sauvignon blanc
• Whakatane reggae band Kora in sell-out Camden London show
• NZ String Quartet on 8 city US East Coast tour, Bach to Harris
• Julian Robertson adds Cape Kidnappers Lodge to luxe portfolio
• Six NZ tourist attractions in Lonely Planet Bluelist, incl White Island

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 6,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.

Photo of SurfAid International founder, New Zealander Dr Dave Jenkins, with Mentawai Islanders.

88 – New Zealanders in Global Headlines November 9

New Zealand headlines in this week's survey of global media appearing in the New York Times, Reuters, Chicago SunTimes, The Telegraph, Daily Telegraph, Guardian and Age, earthtimes, 365 gay, AdWeek, Wallpaper and Conde Nast Traveller, include:

• Max Gimblett for Guggenheim show on American art and the East
• Peter Dengate Thrush to chair Internet’s chief governing body
• NZ’s white aromatic varietals to rival sauvignon blanc - Telegraph
• Global mobile marketing hotshop The Hyperfactory wins investors
• Neil Berkett tipped as new CEO of UK’s Virgin Media
• Self-governance vote by Tokelaus falls just short, to stay NZ colony
• Civil unions in NZ reach the 1000 mark, “a comprehensive success”
• Dutch academic on impact of Once Were Warriors on NZ culture
• Researcher Chris Wheeler denounces artificial sweetener aspartame
• 1963 Janet Frame novella Towards Another Summer published
• Aramoana massacre Out of the Blue debuts NY-“deep and moving”
• Dominic Bowden fronts Fox reality series Next Great American Band
• Tarantino muse Zoe Bell wins Lost role, MTV projects upcoming
• Pre-sales for Niki Caro’s film of Elizabeth Knox’s The Vintner’s Luck
• NZ-born director Andrew Dominick “a genius” for Jesse James
• Six NZ ceramic artists exhibit at Craft Victoria festival in Melbourne
• Annabel Alpers’ Bachelorette “beautifully odd, inter-planetary pop”
• Mike Twist juggling up a storm at the Tokyo Bay Hilton
• Bay of Islands “most beautiful place on earth” - Conde Nast Traveler
• Relaxing Rotorua replicated in booming Nanjing housing compound
• Auckland young but arrogant with huge potential – Wallpaper Guide

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 6,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.

Image of Max Gimblett by Frederic Brenner; detail of Pohutukawa, 2007, 60" diameter, gesso, acrylic and vinyl polymer, epoxy, palladium leaf / canvas. http://www.maxgimblett.com/

87 – New Zealanders in Global Headlines October 30

New Zealand headlines in this week's survey of global media appearing in the New York Times, Wall St Journal, BBC, San Jose Mercury Times, The Guardian, Motorsport, Sydney Morning Herald and bokkinden.no include:

• Kurow's Chris Butcher the engineering edge in Halo 3 blockbuster
• Glen Standring’s vampire film Perfect Creature opens, sold to world
• Black Sheep director Jonathan King on film-making at UK release
• NZ 15th in world press freedom; Turkmenistan, North Korea worst
• NZ tops A1 Grand Prix table after Jonny Reid double Czech victory
• 95% NZ wines comes in screwcap bottles, leading global trend
• Sydney exhibition celebrates Fred Hollows and his gift of sight
• AK power-punk Cut Off Your Hands play NY CMJ Music Marathon
• Stacy Gregg’s pony-centric children's fiction leaps WHSmith chart
• Lloyd Jones’ novel Mister Pip now sold into 27 countries post Booker
• Miniature variant of NZ kune kune pig the must-have pet in Britain

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 6,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07. Photo of Chris Butcher from Massey University News.

86 – New Zealanders in Global Headlines October 21

New Zealand headlines in this week's survey of global media appearing in the LA Times, Guardian, International Herald Tribune, CIO magazine, The Times, BBC, Scientific American, Melbourne Age and Runners World include:

• Kiri Te Kanawa commences major USA recital tour: “pure” LA Times
• Chef de cuisine Josh Emett x2 Michelin stars Ramsay’s London NY
• Brent Taylor: Outsider's Edge: The Making of Self-Made Billionaires
• Outstanding academic Elizabeth Croll dies, London, b Reefton (63)
• NZ joins UN effort seeking worldwide abolition of death penalty
• Richard Tomlinson alleges M16 involvement in Diana’s death–inquest
• Conway Witcliffe, special effect legend, dies, Surrey, b Paeroa (41)
• Kris Gemmell wins Rhodes World Cup triathalon event Greece
• Passchendaele commemorated: 10,000 Anzac soldiers lost 1917
• Kalev/During neuroscience paper ok’s low dose alcohol for memory
• Trans-Tasman netball tournament goes semi-professional in 08
• Maori master carver James Rickard workshops Baguio, Philippines

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 6,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.
Photos of Kiri Te Kanawa from Sopranos Central

85 – New Zealanders in global headlines October 13

GETTY IMAGES

New Zealand headlines in this week's survey of global media appearing in the Wall St Journal, The Times, Korea Times, Tehran Times, Economic Times of India, CNN, MSNBC, ESPN, USA Today, Vancouver Sun, Globe & Mail, The Independent, Telegraph and Guardian, Palm Beach Daily News, San Jose Mercury News, Honolulu Advertiser and the Sydney Morning Herald include:

• All Blacks burn their edge at Rugby World Cup quarter-finals
• NZ "one breathtaking vista after another"”- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
• NZ the "finest country in the world for a wine tourist" – Telegraph
• Central Otago’s Bald Hills Pinot Noir wins Champion Red award IWC
• Korea using NZ as a benchmark for competitive national branding
• Dame Kiri Te Kanawa launches farewell tour of North America
• Wellington freediver Dave Mullins sets new world record
• Le Maori Cafe in Lyons stocks Speights, Steinlager
• Wellington’s Sidhe Interactive launches Jackass: The Game in USA
• PM Clark proposes removing the Union Jack from NZ flag design
• Antipode Planter by Patrick Morris a pick of UK’s 100% Design
• Air NZ, Boeing, Rolls-Royce collaborate environmental sustainablility
• Godwit migratory champion of avian world 11,500km non-stop flight
• Conchords " funniest thing on TV" as cult HBO series screens BBC
• US media profile NZ wine, success of sauvignon blanc and pinot noir
• Karen Walker, Havaiana produce limited edition jandals for Summer
• Architect Chris Moller exhibits decade of innovative practice, London
• Wellington to host United Nation’s World Environment Day June 5 08
• NZ "climate change pioneer" after new environmental plan launched
• Bollywood, Wellywood film co-production agreement to be negotiated
• Wall St Journal visits Peter Jackson, Miramar studios, Weta Digital
• Wellington Phoenix to play LA Galaxy with Beckham December 01
• Andy Lark appointed Global VP marketing, communications at Dell
• "Queen of the South Pacific" soprano Rhonda Bryers dies, Hawaii
• NZ spring carnival season attracts horse race-bereft Australians
• 24,000 NZers migrate to Australia, surpasses UK as leading source

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 5,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.

84 – New Zealanders in global headlines October 1

New Zealand headlines in this week's survey of global media appearing in the NY and LA Times, International Herald Tribune, The Telegraph, Guardian, Herald Sun, Bulletin, Sydney Morning Herald and the Barre Montpelier Times Argus, include:

• US dance professor sees advanced NZ cultural collaboration (px)
• Telegraph goes kayaking, heli-biking, deep sea diving, caving, rafting
• Fairfax CEO David Kirk and banker Ralph Norris are Oz influentials
• Daniel Carter and Dad in backyard rugby goal-kicking vid for Adidas
• #1 NZ pest the possum fur makes eco-friendly hats, scarves, bikinis
• NZ wine attracts highest average retail price in UK, tenner for a bottle
• Soccer keeper Jacob Gleeson trials for ManU, Everton youth squads
• Russell Crowe back to being bad in 3:10 to Yuma, a Western revival
• Director Andrew Dominik helms The Assassination of Jesse James
• Photographer Bruce Connew’s Stopover on Fiji's sugar-cane workers
• NZ intros carbon trading to reduce 45.5m tons of excess emissions
• Wheelchair/Amputee athletes win seven gold in Taipei, Taiwan
• Hong Kong says NZ role model for renewable energy, new envirotech
• NZ fashion unique for preponderance of women designers, owners
• AirNZ shows 30 designers on aero catwalk; Rachel Hunter models

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 5,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.
Picture: Atamira Dance Company in "Whare tangata" Photo: Norm Heke/Te Papa Press

83 – New Zealanders in Global Headlines September 29

New Zealanders featured in this week's survey of global media including NY and LA Times, Time, The Telegraph, Guardian, Observer and Age, Sydney Morning Herald and NowPublic.com include:

• Sam Neill talks Pinot Noir to Time: “fickle, voluptuous and complex"
• Crowded House give "emotion-drenched performance" in LA theater
• Debuts, divas and “dark intellectual designs” at AirNZ Fashion Week
• Chris Kissling, John Tiffin publish on the global transport solutions
• Ian ‘Gandalf’ McKellen in NZ as Lear with Royal Shakespeare Co
• Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts exhibiting Longitude in Rarotonga
• AirNZ launches Pink Flight from SF to Sydney for Mardi Gras 08
• Jean Paul Gaultier's models brazened with Moko in European Vogue
• Paul and Kahra Scott-James's Graham selected for Filminute 2007
• More recognition for healing properties of NZ Manuka honey
• Spirit NZ ship nom’d for Nobel Peace Prize: coached 75,000 youth
• Weta Workshop make mermaid tale for amputee swimmer
• Flight of the Conchords HBO series a US sleeper hit, now in UK
• Chris Tate's Titirangi house a glass box floating in the treetops

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 5,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.
Picture Peter Hunt for Time, of Sam Neill and family at Two Paddocks Vineyard

Denis O'Reilly Blog #18: "How to Break Out"

Denis O’Reilly’s series Nga Kupu Aroha/Words of Love (#18, 3,300 words), from the living edge of Aotearoa

• A headline from gangland: better employment and health
• Managing crime and punishment in New Zealand; restorative justice vs the Maricopa Country chain-gang method; the passing of Joseph Roberts, mentor, coach and American Eagle; gang policies in NY (community development) vs LA (suppressive policing); recognition for Ecuador’s Latin Kings
• Tigilau Ness documentary From Street to Sky; Robert Muldoon and Rastafarianism; social rage directed into art; “music speaks louder than words”
• The coronation of Kingi Tuheitia; Bishop Paraone Turei’s sermon affirming “whakakotahi (collective unity) and the desirability of enabling Maori to be unique
• Papakainga: architecture, whanau housing and the Hawkes Bay village settlement project

Whakapapa

From Kevin Roberts. USA Rugby people got together just before the World Cup kick-off for a meeting of the new Congress and the new Board, of which I am Chair. The talk was around how we could all pull together to inspire Americans to fall in love with rugby. Core to this dream were a couple of beliefs.

The first is that rugby is a game that can be played and enjoyed by everyone, irrespective of body shape or size. Second, only rugby transcends the local to create a timeless global fraternity. I have also found that only rugby forges brotherhood through blood and respect, creating unbreakable bonds. As most of you know by now, the great passion of my life is centered on the New Zealand All Blacks. To me, they have always been the living embodiment of unbreakable bonds. They have now begun what will hopefully turn out to be a 7-week odyssey to win the Rugby World Cup for all of New Zealand.

I have written previously about the Maori concept of Whakapapa, which explains a person’s place in the world. It is genealogy merged with mythology, spirituality and sustainability - a simple, beautiful view of the world. New Zealand’s indigenous people, the Maori, see themselves as part of a flowing line of ancestors linked arm and arm, from the beginning of time through to the present, and into the future through yet to be born forebears. The sun moves slowly along this interlinking chain of people and it signifies each person’s life as it shines down upon each of them. And so during every life, the individual is seen as a representative of the people and the custodian of the people’s heritage and values. The chain is unbreakable and the line of people immortal.

These unbreakable bonds are at the core of my own personal value set. A few weekends ago I spent some time thinking about just that, as I traveled back in time with a bunch of mates. I last played rugby with them 40 years ago in Lancaster and we all came together to watch the USA Eagles kick off their World Cup challenge. 40 years on the bond that held us together was still vibrant and real. It also got me thinking about another concept I discovered through great Maori leaders in New Zealand; that of mana. Mana is a Maori word which we can define in English as respect and presence. You know when someone has mana. When they walk into a room, a bar, or any group situation, they are immediately granted respect from those around them. Sometimes no words are spoken. Their presence is enough. Mana is bestowed, not claimed. The character of someone with mana is summed up in a beautiful Maori saying talking about one of their food staples, “the kumara does not talk about its own sweetness”.

Mana comes from Whakapapa and its connections, through to descendants who have performed great deeds, the personal performance of great actions with humbleness, and being part of a group that has bestowed great charity on others.

All three create belonging and legacy. Sean Fitzpatrick exemplifies it. So does Tana Umaga. So did Buck Shelford. And so does Richie McCaw.

KR

Signs of a Nation: The story continues

From Kevin Roberts. Yesterday I talked about Monocle’s 6 ways to brand a nation. In the same issue, they talked about how you can make your country stand out. A few years back, Geoff Vuleta, Derek Lockwood and I were attempting to convince the New Zealand government to give Saatchi & Saatchi a crack at developing an out of the box, extraordinary tourism campaign for New Zealand. A campaign that would put us on the map everywhere. It’s hard to break through the very competitive tourism clutter, and we had an idea that was astonishing in its audacity and innovation. Politics ultimately got in the way and the idea never saw the light. Monocle gives us 10 things to do to make sure your nation can compete with the best of the best. And what are the best nation brands? I’d put Italy, France, Ireland, Switzerland, Singapore and Dubai in my Top 10.

Here’s Monocle’s formula.

1. Develop an appealing national cuisine. Every woman knows the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Look at what France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, China and Thailand have done in this area. One thing’s for sure, New Zealand and Australia are not at the top of the totem pole in this game.
   
2. Develop a local wine, beer or spirit industry. Both New Zealand and Australia have done a fantastic job in wine and beer. Some might argue Bundaberg Rum (but only if you live in Queensland!) and 42Below have proven that nothing is impossible. A vodka from New Zealand. You have to love it.
   
3. Be recognized for being fair and just. New Zealand has taken a very positive stance in this area in terms of female emancipation, our position on the nuclear issue and view on conflicts that have very little to do with us. Visitors don’t want to get involved in Draconian local legislation, corrupt justice systems, or human rights issues.
   
4. Re-engineer the heavens. Neither New Zealand or Australia are faced with this particular problem. What passes for summer in the Northern Hemisphere is our winter, and we’re playing rugby. In the miserable Northern Hemisphere winter, it is summer in God’s Own. Places like Scandinavia successfully re-engineered the heavens by having all their travel photography being shot on that one golden day in July!
   
5. A good brand travels. Last week Air New Zealand was rated the number 2 long distance airline by readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Singapore and Dubai owe everything to their 2 magnificent airlines. Unfortunately, British Airways and Heathrow aren’t quite the advertisement they used to be for the UK.
   
6. Behave yourself. Lager louts, race riots, taxi and tube strikes are not the best way to encourage tourism. New Zealand must be in the top 3 in this area with its easy going hospitality and relaxed and friendly population.
   
7. Go easy on religion. Religious fanaticism and extremism is off putting wherever it’s practiced. As Dave Allen said at the end of every show, “May your God go with you”.
   
8. Master infrastructure. Crowded airports, inefficient trains and public transport on strike do not add up to great experiences.
   
9. Build brands people want. Italy, Sweden, Denmark and Ireland have all built brands. In some cases they are Lovemarks. So, how did they do it? Mystery, Sensuality and Intimacy are the key. Think Italy and Brazil.
   
10. Invest in sports. Go the All Blacks in France. Bring back the America’s Cup, Dalts.

KR

Signs of a Nation

From Kevin Roberts. Tyler Brûlé's Monocle magazine just gets better and better. Check out number 6 which focuses on nations and their branding. Tyler offers 6 ways to brand a nation and throws in another 10 steps to make your country irresistible.

First look at how Switzerland, Sweden, Ireland, Italy and Hong Kong measure up against these criteria and then run your own nation through them. It’s a fascinating journey.

Let’s start with Monocle’s 6 ways to brand a nation.

1. Flag
2. Passport
3. Bank Notes
4. Typeface
5. Stamps
6. Road Signs

Simple ideas, but they resonate with me.

Flag: In my house in Grasmere, I have a limited edition distressed rug by Vivienne Westwood that depicts a beat up Union Jack. On my wall, I’ve got an iconic photograph of The Who draped in a giant-size Union Jack while sleeping near the Houses of Parliament. A limited edition of 7 prints of the Stars and Stripes by the photographer Art Kane is also iconic, and if you go to the store next door to one of my favorite hotels, the ZaZa in Dallas, you’ll see a bunch of flags of Texas, the Lone Star State, including one with a bullet hole.

We are haunted in New Zealand by a flag that looks like a pale imitation of our colonial past. One of our super patriots, Lloyd Morrison, has led a campaign to find the contemporary iconic representation of what it means to be a New Zealander. To me the answer is on the All Blacks jersey on the left breast. The Silver Fern.

Passport: The new U.S. passport released two months ago has elaborate illustrations of U.S. history printed on every page. In New Zealand, they don’t even stamp mine when I leave home. In Britain, we had to turn in our special leather-bound, gold-embossed British passports for European community passports - which means absolutely nothing.

Bank Notes: U.S. bank notes are bewildering to any non-American. They are all the same size and color and it’s hard to differentiate between a $1.00 and $100 bill. On the other hand, the Australians have come up trumps in terms of tactile sensuality. Here’s a rough rule of thumb: the smaller the value, the brighter the color.

Typeface: Bob Isherwood, my creative partner at Saatchi & Saatchi, is a fan of Helvetica. It’s a typeface that lets the idea do the talking and leaves lots of opportunity to do something special.

Stamps: For me, stamps have the power of a one-scene movie. They should tell the stories of a nation’s history and future. Stamps are a perfect way to connect past, present and future through visualization of great heroes, great events and great experiences. And, of course, every year or so we need to issue a limited edition of one, just to keep the philatelists on their toes.

Road Signs: Think about these in Paris, or in other romantic environments. What a great opportunity for brilliant art direction and iconography. It’s a major opportunity for most countries and New Zealand is at the top of the list.

For the second part of this post, check in tomorrow. KR

New Zealanders in global headlines September 16

New Zealanders featured in this week's survey of global media including NY Times, Scoop, International Herald Tribune, Guardian, The Age, NZNews UK, Billabong.com and FullNoise.com include:

• David Shearer named UN deputy special representative for Iraq
• NZ benefiting from global milk boom: high demand, short supply
• Artist Charles Olsen second in Saatchi Showdown with La Sundari
• Katherine Prumm wins second world women’s motocross title
• Tauranga’s Design Mobel opens Okooko store in Hong Kong
• Guangzhou’s Back Street 19 centered on Matakana wine, cuisine
• Oakura’s Paige Hareb ranks 4th in world under 18 women’s surfing
• Producer Tim Bevan #75 on Vanity Fair New Establishment List
• Maritime historian Joan Druett’s new book set in islands on the edge
• Academic Robin Gwynn code-cracks 17C London political secrets
• Rosalie Gascoigne's typographic imagery, iconic art, features in Eye
• Drysdale, Grant, Men’s Four gold at World Rowing Champs Munich
• Blues-soul-rock man Sonny Day (Hone Wikaira) dies, Auckland, 64
• Philanthropist, RAF, retailer Sir Roy McKenzie dies, Wellington, 84

Photo of Paige Hareb: NZ Surfing Magazine

New Zealanders in Global Headlines September 6

New Zealanders featuring in this week's survey of global media including The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, Guardian, Scotsman, ABC, West Australian, include:

• Reign of seventh Maori monarch King Tuheitia officially begins
• Black Sheep, The Devil Dared Me head UK horror film fest
• Primal riff'n'roll from Auckland’s The Checks generates UK raves
• Auckland's Rocket Lab’s Atea rockets to head spaceward in 2008
• Kirsty Gunn wins Scot Book of Year award for The Boy And The Sea
• Massey U mathematician Robert McLachlan wins Dahlquist Prize
• Industrialist, construction leader James Fletcher dies, Auckland, 92
• Vintner and wine industry pioneer Nick Nobilo dies, Auckland, 94
• Nelson-born artist Charles Olsen finalist in Saatchi Showdown
• Shotputter Valarie Vili wins gold, in Osaka with PB of 20.54 meters
• Conchords, Brunettes, lead “nerd chic” wave: NZ "the new Seattle"
• Shearer David Fagan, jurist Ken Keith among NZOM honorees
• Venice short film screenings for Coffee and Allah and Cargo

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 5,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.

Picture Phil Walter/Getty Images

Happy Birthday Heroes

The end of August calls for recognition of four world-changing New Zealanders:

Nancy Wake The White Mouse Nancy Wake was the Allies' most decorated servicewoman of WWII, and the Gestapo’s most-wanted person. They code-named her 'The White Mouse'. She led an army of 7,000 Maquis troops in guerrilla warfare to sabotage the Nazis. Born Wellington 30 August 1912, and currently lives in London.

Tex Morton: Boundary Rider Tex Morton lived a life of breath-taking achievement, attaining mastery, fortune and international fame as a recording star, stage artist, circus entrepreneur, Hollywood screen actor and world authority in hypnotherapy. He was a first original antipodean voice. Tex is a legend from the edge. Born Nelson 30 August 1916 (d 1983).

Janet Frame Edge of the Alphabet Novelist Janet Frame came from the peripheries of art and society, but her fictional explorations were into the interior. Her imaginings were the conjuring of experience, madness, dreams, identity and memory, into a coiled reality. She was twice short-listed for the Nobel Prize and was rated with Franz Kafka and Virginia Woolf. Born Dunedin 28 August 1924 (d 2004)

Bruce McLaren Speedster Team McLaren drivers have taken the chequered flag at 154 Formula One Grand Prix events. Aucklander Bruce McLaren was a brilliant driver with vision. He became engineer, inventor, constructor, tester and created one of the greatest motor racing teams in history. Born Auckland 30 August 1937 (d 1970)

Their biographies on nzedge.com have collectively been accessed over 200,000 times www.nzedge.com/heroes.

New Zealanders in Global Headlines August 21

New Zealanders featuring in this week's survey of global media including The New York Times, Guardian, Observer, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Marie Claire, SportingLife and Philly.com include:

• Wynyard, Bolstad, Lane, fell Lumberjack Champs, Wisconsin
• Mansfield/Murry:"both most proficient at fantasy” (px)
• Jessica Lee Rose/LonelyGirl15/ Bree off’d after 260-episodes
• Queenstown a world top ten après ski destination - SMH
• Lloyd Jones' Mister Pip in Man Booker Prize longlist
• Antipodean Flat White Soho creating London coffee culture
• NZ’s first commercial bioehtanol fuel - Gull Force 10
• Ponsonby's Harrowset Hall “romantic feminine clutter”- NYT
• Defender Ryan Nelson signs 5-years with Blackburn Rovers
• Sub-Pop Auckland two-piece The Brunettes in NYT playlist
• Stuntwoman Zoe Bell a "bona fide butt-kicker" for Tarantino
• Samantha Warriner wins Triathlon Cup event, Tiszaujvaros
• Rotorua "popera" singer Elizabeth Marvelly signs with EMI
• Richard MacManus's Read/Write Web 2.0 blog world's top 28th
• Russell Coutts back in America's Cup as BMW Oracle skipper
• Jackson/Spielberg use photorealistic motion-capture for Tintin
• West Auckland's Mazuran's Vintage Port Gold in San Francisco
• Electronics seer/export oracle Angus Tait dies Christchurch, 88
• NZ’s better snowfall, runs, range charm SMH’s Miss Snow It All
• Aucklander Nina Rillstone third in New York City Half-Marathon
• Kawerau’s Sarah Walker wins BMX World Champ event Canada
• Te Kopi bach, Palliser Bay, a world-best state-run lodge/cabin

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 5,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.

Sunday Pictures # 8: NYNZ

Lake Wairarapa, NZ

South Canterbury, NZ

Madison Square Park from 26th St, NY

New Barry Diller/IAC Building by Frank Gehry, West Side Highway, NY

Click on each image to enlarge.

Photos: Sweeney

New Zealanders in Global Headlines July 31

New Zealanders featuring in this week's survey of global media including BusinessWeek, The Independent, The Telegraph, The Guardian, Scotsman.com, Toronto Star, Photonics, New York magazine and TimesSquare.com include:

• Govt investing NZ$628m in nanotechnology, primary sector focus
• Anna Paquin nom’d for Emmy for Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
• Sand Dancer about Peter Donnelly warms Tribeca Film Fest (px)
• NZ “one of the top foodie destinations in the world" - Telegraph
• Te Awamutu company teams with German U to promote manuka honey products to heal wounds, treat stomach and skin problems
• Andrea Hewitt wins first World Cup triathlon title at Kitzbuhel Austria
• NZ filmmakers serving clients from Korea, Hong Kong, China, Japan
• Zinny: ABs World Cup task “difficult but doable" - good chemistry
• Neuroscientist Kerry Spackman tunes minds at Team McLaren
• Otago U taps secret to queen bees' dominance: aversive learning
• Scott Dixon wins third straight IndyCar Series victory in Lexington
• US economist Tyler Cowen ranks fish& chips with barbecue in Texas
• NZ-born BBC character actor Gordon Gostelow dies, London (82)

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 5,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.

Denis O'Reilly Blog #17: Looking through a kaleidescope

Angela Davis, 1974

“It must be a beautiful feeling to fly halfway around the world, touch down in a seemingly contented society, and discover a body of people who have been enacting your disobedient thinking for over 30 years.”

Blog #17 of Denis O’Reilly’s series Nga Kupu Aroha, from the flipside of the edge; “Looking through a kaleidoscope” (4,750 words):

• The meaning of Maori tangi; tangi for Mick the Aussie biker in Wellington, and Rangi Tareha at Waiohiki Marae after a 500-strong funeral in Redfern Sydney; the Hamuera Morehu Silver Band
• Arthur Young’s The Reflexive Universe and his explanation of the seven stages of evolution (Theory of Process)
• Edge-dwelling and the brink of disobedience
• The visit by Angela Davis (“the candle of social resistance”) to New Zealand with a radical agenda: the process of decarceration and introduction of restorative justice; her influence on the Polynesian Panthers in Auckland, capital of Nesia
• Definitions of “organised crime” in New Zealand; distinctions between venial and mortal sin; discontinuity of the 1980s economic reforms resulting in a 3:1 Maori/Pakeha unemployment rate; moral panic and the perspicaciousness of policy makers in regard to the criminal justice system
• “Can we reverse the trend and steer those people who are caught up in crime back to legitimate pursuits?”
• Time magazine’s cover story “New Zealand: A Culture of Violence” and Zeppelins sighted in Southland
• A good reason to get upset – the grand denial of potential; imprisonment becoming the standard expectation of our underclass, our lumpenproletariat, our nga mokai; Law & Order Select Committee submissions by Principal Youth Judge Andrew Beecroft and Children’s Commissioner Cindy Kiro
• “Could we agree on having a decarcerated nation within which the indigenous people are proportionally the least imprisoned population segment?’; tut-tutting at Australia
• “Police dragnets can criminalize whole communities and land large numbers of non-violent children in jail and don’t reduce gang involvement or gang violence…Once jailed these children will inevitably become hardened criminals and spend the rest of their lives in and out of prison…The emphasis needs to be on changing children’s behavior by getting them involved in community and school-based programs that essentially keep them out of gangs.” New York Times, 19 July 2007, “The Wrong Approach to Gangs”
• Celebration of life for daughter Kaylene; prayerful and profound intervention of a tohunga; respect and admiration for an ICU doc
• Maatariki – planted shallots, garlic, onions and chives and now time to dig in mustard so it can enrich the soil for Maori spuds: Tuteakuri, Moemoe and Perepuru
• A week ahead of politics and difficult engagements dissuading people from one path and persuading them to take another.

Posted. Raumati South

New Zealanders in Global Headlines July 24

New Zealanders featuring in this week's survey of global media including the BBC, New York Times, LA Times, The Guardian, International Herald Tribune, Forbes, rugbyheaven.com, motorsport.com, include:

• Glass artist Luke Jacomb to solo at New Orleans Museum of Art (px)
• Time on Earth from “wondrous pure-pop band” Crowded House
• Lloyd Jones wins Commonwealth Prize for Mister Pip–“extraordinary”
• Aucklander Glenn Jones wins US Threadless t-shirt design contest
• Steve Williams continues eight year partnership with Tiger Woods
• Auckland artist Mark Olsen creates two cars for Le Mans Enduro
• Soprano Marie-Adele McArthur graces Opera America's home page
• NZ dairy, oil, Kiwisaver, NZX get thumbs up from US banker Beuchler
• Anne Gilman, "a rebel from New Zealand", dies, London (75)
• Warkworth Yamaha MX rider Hamish Dobbyn (15) wins Oz series
• Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Napier Deco, up for World Heritage sites
• NZ rowers win four gold at rowing world championships Lucerne
• Artist Lisa Fergusson shows in Chelsea and luxury Manhattan condo
• Jonah Lomu back to physical peak, dreams of return to oval ball

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 5,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.

Thousands of All Black stories after the weekend's formidable Bledisloe Cup win and naming of the Rugby World Cup side are at Google News. For adrenalin, the Silver Ferns match against Australia that followed Saturday's ruby test was hard to beat.

Better people make better All Blacks

By Kevin Roberts. The countdown to the September Rugby World Cup is well underway. But still, there’s lots of issues out there in the world of rugby, and many commentators believe New Zealand has the best two teams in the competition - the All Blacks A side and their B team! The Northern Hemisphere are of course waiting for them to choke, as we have done four times before. This time I believe they will be disappointed.

While it is true South Africa, Australia and Ireland will become competitive and push the All Blacks to the max, I think this time the AB’s will be ready for them. And the reason they’ll be ready is Graham Henry, an All Blacks coach who has taken a different view on player development. Rugby has only been professional for a decade, and it was only three or four years ago that we saw players coming through the system who had done nothing except play rugby. And it was a pretty boring way to spend your life – gym in the morning, gym in the afternoon, naps all day and that’s pretty much it. The result was mental stimulation and personal growth at a minimum and underdeveloped personalities ill equipped to cope with public expectations and pressure. Men expected to become leaders because they wear the black jersey, but incapable of boiling an egg for themselves.

In August 2004, Graham began a process of change that has proved the most significant in the history of the All Blacks. Prior to becoming a professional coach in 1996, Graham was a very successful school teacher in New Zealand, and one of the most admired principals in the nation. He opened up his All Blacks campaign with a belief that “better people make better All Blacks". His focus was on good balanced lifestyles that included interests away from rugby and learning every day. Simultaneously, the management team made a concerted effort to stamp out the drinking culture that’s been endemic to the All Blacks for many years.

Empowerment is all the rage in my world, and is now all the rage with the All Blacks. The players have been set up into specific leadership groups that they run themselves. It is these groups that provide feedback to management. We lost the Rugby World Cup in the Semi-Final at Twickenham because a) France played sublimely, b) the ball bounced for them, and c) our leaders were the coaches on the benches, not the players on the field.

Now we have an eleven-man leadership group in the All Blacks with each player/leader taking responsibility for a bunch of six other All Blacks on and off the field. To do this job they are empowered to construct their own parameters, their own culture, their own ethics and their own punishment systems.

In my business we believe in unleashing and inspiring our people, not in command and control. Now the All Blacks are thriving under the same system. If there is an unsung hero of the squad, it is Gilbert Enoka. Gilbert is a sports psychologist who has helped identify with the players what it means today to be an All Black, with all the history and all that expectation. The new Haka was first performed twelve months into this program and reflected what this new team of All Blacks felt the Haka and the All Black jersey meant to them.

Graham and his management have maximized the potential of this All Blacks team on the rugby field and have given us our best chance of success. They also help make the NZRU job much easier because this new approach is obviously of much greater appeal to sponsors.

Gregor Paul, on the NZ Herald’s website, wrote a great summary of Graham’s initiatives, which I think are both groundbreakers for rugby, and offer a great stimulus for business everywhere.Empowering the players – what they do:

• Set the alcohol limit for any given night.


• Help determine protocols for dealing with media, sponsors, fans.


• Assess management’s performance and provide feedback about training sessions and game plans.


• Recommend punishments for those who break protocol.

Building better people:

• Richie McCaw has gained his pilot’s license.


• Anton Oliver is heading a lobby group opposing the construction of a wind farm in Central Otago.


• Nick Evans is a qualified physiotherapist.


• Conrad Smith has completed a law degree and worked for a legal firm last year while he recuperated from a broken leg.


• Dan Carter has opened fashion retail outlets.


• Byron Kelleher launched a plastic pallet business.

Sport learning from Business; Business learning from Sport. A virtuous circle.

Kevin Roberts is co-founder of nzedge.com. Photograph: Carisbrook (Sweeney)

New Zealanders and Global Headlines July 14

New Zealanders featuring in this week's survey of global media including The Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald, LA Times, Boston Globe, SFGate, The New Yorker, National Public Radio and motorsport.com include:

• Corporal Willy Apiata awarded Victoria Cross for Afghan action
• Multi-platinum Fat Freddys “island-time ambience” at Glastonbury
• Canterbury U's Blue Fern is 99th in world's top 500 super-computers
• NZ tennis #1 Marina Erakovic wins career first doubles title in Italy
• Alyn Ware activates Parliamentary Nuclear Disarmament Network
• Firefox developer/software engineer Ben Goodger now Googling (px)
• Taika Waititi's oddball comedy Eagle vs Shark has US debut
• Sydney’s Bruce Elder files 91 passionate posts on Trampabout NZ
• Jonathan King's gory horror-comedy “The Birds with sheep”
• Govind Armstrong conjures hip LA eatery Table 8 on Melrose
• AgResearch works to reduce gas emissions from NZ farm animals
• Artist Mark Olsen to customize car in 2007 Le Mans Enduro serie

For full stories see http://www.nzedge.com/media, a 5,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.

New Zealanders and Global Headlines July 9

New Zealanders featuring in this week's survey of global media including The Times, New York Times, The Lancet, USA Today, ESPN, Guardian, Taipei Times, Ars Technica, Wine Spectator and Cheshire Online include:

• Matthew During's pioneering gene therapy work for Parkinson's (px)
• Leslie Woods: fighter pilot, mathematician, physicist and “strikingly individual New Zealander”, b Reporoa; d Woodhead England (84)
• Álinghi have 5-2 edge on Team NZ in America’s Cup, Valencia
• Tom Eslinger (Saatchi) chairs Cyber Awards Jury at Cannes Festival
• Ian Fletcher appointed head of the UK Intellectual Property Office
• NZ nature, jewelers Mitchell & Elsbury. inspire bespoke collection
• NZ Winegrowers Inc maps out sustainability equations and programs
• NZ advertising agencies win at Cannes Festival with big ideas
• Summit Entertainment COO Bob Hayward helms studio from LA
• Software architect Nigel Keam heads radical Microsoft Surface tech
• Flight of the Conchords soar, stumble way through US HBO series
• Bevan Doherty wins 4th Triathlon World Cup at Edmonton Canada
• “Watch in wonder”: The Times visits Abel Tasman National Park

For full stories see www.nzedge.com/media, a 5,000-story storehouse of international activities by New Zealanders 2000-07.

nzedge.com archive: Arthur Lydiard: Hero

Photo: Mark Doolittle

Arthur Lydiard was born 90 years ago on July 6. He invented jogging, the simple method of long, even-pace running at a strong speed (lsd or long slow distance) to build up physical fitness by gradually increasing strength and endurance. Millions of men and women worldwide run as part of their everyday health and fitness regime. Nicolas Sarkozy was pictured in today’s paper doing such a thing.

Born at Mt Eden Auckland in 1917, educated at Mt Albert Grammar, and Owairaka Club runner, Arthur Lydiard trained New Zealand’s greatest track athletes, and helped propel New Zealand to the top of world middle-distance running. On a hot September day in Rome in 1960, within the space of one hour, Peter Snell took Gold in the 800 metres and Murray Halberg won Gold in the 5000 metres. There have been many great moments in New Zealand sport, but that effort is arguably New Zealand’s finest. The two athletes were instantly stars on the global stage and Lydiard became the world’s most respected athletics coach. His methods were new, original and unorthodox - and had run straight into the prevailing wall of suffocating officialdom. In order to get to the Rome Olympics a public appeal was launched to send Lydiard as an "independently travelling unofficial coach.”

After Rome the New Zealand administrators could no longer ignore him and for the next few years he continued to take New Zealand athletes to the top of world running. Peter Snell was his most famous pupil and was the dominant force in world middle distance running in the early 1960s. His success at the Rome Olympics was followed two years later when he ran an incredible 3 minutes 54.4 seconds mile on a grass track in Wanganui. One week later he broke the world records for the 800 metres and the 800 yards. Also in 1962 he broke the world record for the indoor 880 and 1000 yards; he comfortably won the mile and the 880 yards at the 1962 Empire Games in Perth.

At the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo – where Lydiard had achieved ‘official’ status and was the coach of the New Zealand athletics team - Snell broke his own Olympic record for the 800 metres and won the 1500 metres. He finished off 1964, and his career on the track, by breaking his own mile world record with a time of 3 minute 54.1 seconds. Three events, three Golds.

Arthur died in 2004 at the age of 87 after giving a lecture in Texas on athletics. He had his feet up and was watching television in his hotel room. Sport has the ability to provide a nation with thrilling moments, from which we can extrapolate national characteristics. When you come from the edge, you experience being ignored, ostracized and embattled, until, maybe, the grit, guts and genius of your idea busts through. Arthur Lydiard achieved this transformational moment.

There is a lot to write about the 32rd America’s Cup in Valencia, of which I have been enthralled at 3am. Arthur, I speculate, would have been too. Cheers to his wife, Joelyne.

Links: excellent wikipedia page on Arthur Lydiard - "blunt, forthright and counter-intuitive" - and a comprehensive introduction to the "Lydiard System."

The photograph above is from a lecture to 400 runners in Boulder Colorado on his last lecture tour. "A man from the audience asked, “What about pain? What do you tell your athletes about dealing with pain?” Arthur Lydiard immediately and confidently replied, “My athletes don’t have pain. They enjoy running.”

Photo caption: "A towering backdrop bearing images of Snell, Halberg, Viren, and other running giants coached by Lydiard bore the powerful, commanding likeness of Citizen Kane’s portrait. The living monument carried himself cautiously at 87 years of age. He nonetheless commanded reverence and respect."

Top 10 for New Zealand

nzedge.com is commencing a series of “Top 10s” from New Zealanders who will offer their ideas, forecasts, strategies and projections for New Zealand 2007-2010 and beyond.

Initiating the series is John Williams, former owner of the Marton company PEC (New Zealand) Ltd, which was internationally respected as the world's first organization to design and market microprocessor-based petrol pumps and service station POS terminals. John is a passionate advocate for an inclusive export-based vision for New Zealand. John has presented his vision and strategy to all senior politicians over the past decade.

We will invite all readers of this blog to create their own Top 10 for New Zealand and send them to us brian@nzedge.com

John William's Top 10 Strategies for New Zealand (see full text):

1. Maximise growth in the sectors where we currently produce world-class products and/or services. The growth sectors, which have already chosen themselves by their success in export are: Tourism, Dairying, Food & Beverage, Information Technology/ Communications/Software, Education, Bio-technology and Niche Sectors (which would include Film, SuperYachts and Forestry).

2. Ensure that at least 25,000 New Zealanders (net) return annually to settle in New Zealand and play a vital role in growing an export-led sustainable growth economy.

3. Increase exports by making New Zealand organizations aware that if they are successfully marketing their products in this country they must be world-class and therefore have significant export potential; and by introducing support programmes to assist organizations to maximise their exports

4. Introduce the “Kiwi Can” programme to all Primary and Intermediate schools to reverse the continuous drop in values that has occurred in the past 50 years.

5. Re-create the University of New Zealand to compete with the much larger and significantly better resourced US, European and Asian universities.

6. Market New Zealand as “Innovative New Zealand” to increase exports. New Zealanders are among the most entrepreneurial and innovative people in the world.

7. Ensure that the contribution to economic growth from the Maori and Pacific Island ethnic groups (50% of New Zealand’s population by 2050) is significantly and continuously increased.

8. Demonstrate the amazing innovation of New Zealanders by creating a newzealandinnovation.com website, which would detail all our world-class products, services, and ideas.

9. Establish a “Centre of Excellence” for Innovation and Entrepreneurship whose role would be to provide world-class product development, marketing and intellectual property protection advice.

10. Create and widely publicise a “Vision” for New Zealand: “To ensure New Zealand’s future as one of the world’s most socially cohesive, prosperous, and innovative countries, which is sustained by a dynamic, wealth creating, export economy.”

For the full text of John's Top 10, see http://www.nzedge.com/features/john_williams_top10.html

Risk Rd, by Ohinerau St, Greenlane, Auckland. Photo: Sweeney

Sunday Picture #7: Recent Travels #2

From top:

Raumati South, Kapiti

Barringer Meteor Crater, Arizona

Hagley Park, Christchurch

Roxy Paine sculpture, NYC

Raumati South, Kapiti

Click on each image to enlarge.

Photo: Sweeney

New Zealanders in Global Headlines June 30

New Zealanders featuring in this week's survey of global media including the New York Times, LA Times, BBC, The Scotsman, The Guardian, Planet Rugby, ITV, Seed, Dwell and New York magazines, include:

• Anna Pacquin leads, exec produces, in films, telemovies, series (px)
• Nick Craven a premiere animator on Shrek, Over the Hedge, Ice Age
• Architect David Howell designs Grammery Park loft for NY Times
• Mark Wigley's architectual classic with Philip Johnson reprised
• Steve Edwards headlines BBC Radio 2 with "One By One" album
• Stand-up Ben Hurley secures seven-part sitcom on BBC Radio 4
• New Zealanders head 23-nationalities in star Amsterdam agency 180
• Graphic designer Jeff Docherty with cutting-edge science mag Seed
• NZ-founded restaurant chain GBK booms in UK "posh burger"market
• London-based osteopath pioneer Garry Trainer releases "Back Chat"
• Auckland's Vista becomes world-leading cinema software ticketeer
• Chch rapper Maitreya has int'l breakthrough via sellaband.com
• Waiheke Island's Stonyridge "cult winery with global reputation"
• NZ dairy scientists identify cows that produce skim milk naturally
• J Lomu, G Mourie and TP McLean inducted to Rugby Hall of Fame
• Polynesian explorers reached S.America before Europeans: AK Uni
• Highest Red Cross honor for Marianne Whittington: 11 int'l missions
• Iconic 128m chalk kiwi in Wiltshire receives a local makeover

See full stories at www.nzedge.com/media

Google News has about 700 links to current America's Cup action.

New Zealand Unleashed

My daily foray into Unity Books at 57 Willis Street has just yielded the sort of book about New Zealand that curls your toes up with anticipation. “New Zealand Unleashed: the country, its future and the people who will get it there” by Steven Carden (with Campbell Murray) is a geo-bio-histo-psycho thriller about the emergence of New Zealand in a pan-global sweep through nature and technology. Rooted in the biological science of complex adaptive systems, “Unleashed” is sectioned into “The end of certainty,” ”How to build a successful society,” “New Zealand’s DNA” and “Ideas for a more adaptable New Zealand.” A sped-up world and how we need to face change are key subtexts.

There are several elements to return to in “Unleashed” including the chapter “Maori 1 – a crash course in survival” about the extraordinary adaption of Maori society. “…after landing in New Zealand, Maori sat apart from the rest of humanity for perhaps another six hundred years. No one came to visit. No sailing vessels appeared over the horizon. No mail or telegrams arrived with news of the outside world. No one had sailed over the horizon in either direction for a long, long time. As far as Maori were concerned, New Zealand was the world.” (p 164)

Most resonant for me is the Steven Carden’s placement of New Zealand at “the edge of chaos”: “Innovations rarely emerge from systems with high degrees of order and stability. Systems in equilibrium lose diversity and give rise to the sorts of problems one encounters in homogenous communities and centrally planned economies. On the other hand, completely chaotic systems – riots, stock market crashes, revolutions – are not that great either.

“The key is to find that spot where disequilibrium breeds vitality and creativity, but doesn’t do so at the expense of all order and structure. The spot is the ‘edge of chaos’, a term coined by the physicist Norman Packard. He uses it to describe a state of untidy creativity, between rigidity and chaos. In this zone, the system is best able to function, adjusting constantly to a turbulent world, but without traumatic upheaval.

“Systems operating at the edge of chaos are excellent information processors and are highly creative. They are sensitive to slight changes in external conditions and internal events, generating innovative responses to these which adapt or evolve to suit the current environment. ‘The ghost in nature’s machine,’ he writes, ‘almost seems to be purposefully piloting the system to the edge of chaos.’…

…[The edge of chaos is] where productive agitation runs high, innovation thrives and breakthroughs occur. It’s the place this book argues New Zealand should be. A dynamic, innovative, creative society that is comfortable changing.” (pp 112-113)

Globalization is an exciting concept for New Zealand when viewed through a biological lens. We have a unique and powerful location in the world that is significantly underappreciated by a mass of people stuck in the rut of “small, remote, isolated.” “New Zealand Unleashed” puts some much-needed intellectual and metaphoric moxie into our perspectives about who we are, and what we are capable of achieving. “Unleashed” introduces new thinking and language that picks us up and points us to a better place that has us fully engaged with global change.

Steven Carden is an Engagement Manager for management consulting firm McKinsey and Co., and returned to NZ in 2006 from a posting at McKinsey’s New York office. He has arts and law degrees from Auckland University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. In 2005 Steven was one of five New Zealanders awarded an inaugural Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leaders Award. Campbell Murray is director of the Novartis BioVenture Fund in Boston. He trained as a doctor and also has an MBA from Harvard.

“New Zealand Unleashed,” by Steven Carden with Campbell Murray, Random House, Auckland

nzedge Hero: Sydney Smith - Forensic Pioneer

The latest addition to our nzedge.com "Heroes" series about New Zealanders who have influenced recent world developments in one way or other is Sydney Smith.

Roxburgh-born forensic science pioneer Sydney Alfred Smith (1883-1969) achieved world renown through the application of science to justice. From the edge of an Otago goldfield to the telling edge of a murder weapon, Smith learnt to read the stories of dead men - and in doing so changed the way crime was investigated and solved.

Trained at the University of New Zealand, Victoria University and Edinburgh University (long an important centre for the study of forensics), Sydney Smith found himself in Egypt in 1918 during a period of intense revolutionary activity, hired as a medical-legal expert by the Egyptian Government. Smith quickly established a proper laboratory for the section, and within a few years Cairo had one of the best medico-legal installations in the world.

In 1927 Smith returned to Edinburgh as Chair of Forensic Medicine. He was elected dean of the medical faculty, a position he held for twenty-five years. There he gave evidence in famous legal cases. In 1934 he helped to set up a medico-legal laboratory for the Metropolitan Police, Scotland Yard. In retirement he advised the newly formed World Health Organization, helped establish a medico-legal system in Ceylon, and was elected Rector of Edinburgh University.

Sydney Smith’s evidence had provided the turning point in many cases that made headlines throughout the world. From the assassination of the Sirdar in Egypt, to the famous 'Sydney Shark Case' (the basis of a 2003 episode of “CSI: Miami”), he solved riddles through the close and impartial study of corpses, bones, fingerprints and firearms. As Smith said, "A cartridge case at the scene of an offence could prove as incriminating as if the murderer had left his visiting card."

Acknowledged internationally as a groundbreaking authority, he wrote a textbook, “Forensic Medicine: A Guide for Students and Practitioners” (1925), which is still widely quoted today (for example, in analysis of the Kennedy assassination). His autobiography, “Mostly Murder”, was acclaimed for the vivid, vital language he used to describe his work, and went into numerous editions. Smith was knighted in 1949 and received honorary doctorates from the Universities of Edinburgh and Louvain.

He is fittingly described in an account of the history of Scotland Yard as a "characterful pioneer of forensic medicine" - precisely the explorer he had always meant to be.

3,200 words. Story by Ingrid Horrocks.

Sunday Picture #6: Horizon, Raumati South

See more pictures of New Zealand
at http://www.nzedge.com/gallery/.
Rugby edge good in South Africa.
Yachting in Valencia wait-and-see.
cheers.

Photo by Brian Sweeney

America's Cup - do we have the Edge?

A principal interpretation of the edge metaphor is that of seeking competitive advantage - in business, in technology, in creativity, in sport. How to win, how to sustain winning. Here's a sprinkling of edge metaphors in media commentaries on the America's Cup, the finals of which commence Sunday morning NZ time in Valencia, Spain, between the holders, Alinghi of Switzerland, and Emirates Team New Zealand. Godspeed boys from the edge.

"The America’s Cup represents the leading edge of yachting design.”

“It is the nature of the beast that once that edge is gained - there is no second.”

“These boats and crews have been honed to a razor edge in these trials.”

“What gives a syndicate an edge is how they apply the technology.”

“The America’s Cup Finals - who has the edge?”

"If one team has a slight speed edge it is likely to be game over."

“Both teams tacked to a port course looking for an edge as the wind shifted.”

“We expect the changes will help us gain a competitive edge.”

“Throughout the race, it was clear the black boat had a speed edge.”

“In front during the first leg and made the turn with a 32-second edge.”

“They had an edge on speed and had a perfect week where everything went their way.”

“New Zealand grab America's Cup edge.”

“Cutting edge Kiwi products and technologies have a strong presence in Valencia.”

“Team NZ hold an edge in head-to-head clashes in buildup regattas.”

“The feeling is that if Alinghi believe they have a speed edge, Baird will steer.”

“In America's Cup sailing as well as in financial services, to be on the cutting edge it takes the right combination of strategy and teamwork.”

Photo by Carlo Borlenghi ACM, Sail Magazine.

New Zealanders in Global Headlines June 21

New Zealanders featuring in this week's survey of global media including National Public Radio, The Times, Yahoo Money, Reuters, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Hollywood Reporter, Bangkok Post and Decanter include:

• Victoria, Massey U form Magritek to develop, globally market magnetic resonance technology from Antarctic experience of assessing material properties (pic of red pepper)
• Rachel Weisz signs for Peter Jackson's new film "The Lovely Bones"
• NZ writer/"pub weirdo" Paul Ewan releases "London Pub Reviews"
• Major sauvignon blanc research project to dial up new flavors
• Largest collection of NZ native plants opens at Savill Gardens, Surrey
• Wellington and Nelson "luxury budget" tourism on $50 a day
• Emirates Team New Zealand to challenge for the America's Cup
• Cameraman Gary Cunningham of "Balibo Five" in Sydney inquest
• Hot singer and Killer Queen Annie Crummer in Queen remake
• NZ's first Hollywood star (1928) Witarina Harris dies aged 101
• All Blacks cited as "greatest team in the history of any team"
• NZ second in Economist's Global Peace Index (Norway 1, USA 93)
• Samantha Warriner wins Triathalon World Cup in Vancouver
• Xero accounting software wins International Technuim Challenge
• Dave Jenkins' SurfAid improves health of Mentawai Islands
• Kiwi egg parallels Darwin's gestation of natural selection theory
• Janet Frame, Oscar Wilde, Tennessee Williams bade for sexual freedom - Sydney Writers' Week

See full stories at www.nzedge.com/media

Sunday Picture #5: Long White Cloud

Long White Cloud, Main Beach, Mt Maunganui, Aotearoa

Keith Park and Harold Gillies

June 15 and 17 mark the birthdays of two New Zealanders whose international achievements influenced the course of history. Both New Zealanders feature in the nzedge.com Heroes section.

Born in Thames 115 years ago on June 15, and educated at Otago Boys High School, Keith Park was Commander of the Royal Air Force during the Allied evacuation from Dunkirk, and led the defense of London and southern England from German bombing raids during the Battle of Britain. When the Luftwaffe attacked in 1940 (flying nearly 1500 flights over England), Park controlled the urgent defense hour by hour, organizing and managing his squadrons and men brilliantly. Using an innovative radar defense system at Fighter Command, Park tracked German aircraft and advised British fighters, enabling them to intercept the raiders. When the early raids proved indecisive the Luftwaffe switched the assault to London. Their efforts intensified, but so did their losses and, on 17 September Hitler postponed Operation Sealion indefinitely.

It was at the conclusion of this victory over the German attack that Sir Winston Churchill was to memorably proclaim, "Never in the history of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few". Said Lord Tedder, Chief of the RAF, of Keith Park: "If any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I do not believe it is realized how much that one man, with his leadership, his calm judgment and his skill, did to save, not only this country, but the world." Park's repelling of the German air attack was attributed to his leadership, judgment and exemplary co-ordination skills. Elevated in stature as well as esteem (he was 6ft 5, deserving credit for merely fitting in an aircraft cockpit) his astute decision making was often based on a willingness to gain crucial information first hand, making frequent reconnaissance missions within range of German guns and fighters. His service was recognized with the Order of Commander of the Bath, two knighthoods, and honorary degrees and doctorates from Oxford University.

Post-war Sir Keith Park took a prominent part in the Auckland City Council. He died in 1975, aged 82. His contribution continues to be recognized. This week Flt Lt Phil Giles of the RAF in Fordingbridge, Hampshire wrote to nzedge informing of the naming of a new IT/Computer Flight Suite in Sir Keith's honour which will serve up to 20 Air Cadets aged 13-20 as they learn about aviation from computer simulation.

Harold Gillies was born 125 years ago in Dunedin on June 17; was a student at Wanganui Collegiate, and studied medicine at Cambridge University. Gillies was 32 when World War 1 broke out. The War was a challenge to most surgeons. The introduction of more destuctive weapons resulted in devastating injuries. In addition, in trench warfare the head was more exposed than the rest of the body, and soldiers' faces were often shattered or burnt beyond recognition. Despite the best efforts of surgeons, many soldiers were left hideously disfigured. A new type of surgery was needed. Realising this need a young surgeon operating out of Aldershot hospital, England, began performing operations which involved rebuilding the face by taking tissue from other parts of the body. This surgeon was Harold Gillies; by the end of the war some 11,000 patients had passed through his hands.

In 1920, his text book "Plastic Surgery of the Face" was published, setting down the principles of modern plastic surgery; principles which were adopted by surgeons from every part of the world. The British Medical Journal described it as "one of the most notable contributions made to surgical literature in our day". While his physical dexterity made him a master surgeon, Gillies’ artistic ability underpinned much of the work that he did in reshaping people's badly disfigured faces. For Gillies, plastic surgery not only involved restoring function but also making the person look normal and sometimes more beautiful than before. He was driven by the idea that the surgeon should be creative, imaginative - in fact an artist.

Gillies was an innovator: the 'epithelial outlay technique' and 'pedicle tube', and the 'intranasal skin graft' to correct nose defects caused by leprosy. He pioneered a new method for re-attaching severed limbs. Gillies was ahead of his time in carrying out sex change operations. Perhaps his greatest innovation was the pioneering of cosmetic surgery. During the 1930s, society women, film stars, and stage folk of both sexes came to Gillies. Following a lecture tour in the USA Gillies noted the "springing up of a large group of USA plastic surgeons". His popularity was so great that in 1941 when he was guest of honour at the American Congress of Ear, Nose and Throat (Chicago), more than 2000 came to hear him speak. In addition to Americans, Gillies had trained hundreds of surgeons from the 'dominions'.

Harold Gillies died in 1960 in New Zealand. Homesick after nearly 51 years absence, he flew in with his wife in the late autumn of 1955. Prior to leaving England, he told a close friend that "I want to smell the New Zealand bush on a wet day, I want to hear the tui, catch a brown trout, do a little painting, and perhaps play three or four holes of golf. And I want to see the pohutukawas in full bloom".