US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice surprised New Zealand during her visit by calling us allies, despite our long history of disagreement over certain issues. The Auckland Student Association's shameless plug for self promotion has prompted a response.
posted by Samuel Farrow on Jul 26, 2008 - 51 comments

In celebration of my antipodean homesickness I've spent the morning catching up with some great Australian and New Zealand musical comedy acts I've been to. You've already met Flight of the Conchords previously on mefi. Now come and meet some... [more inside]
posted by steerpike on Apr 23, 2008 - 15 comments

National Library Of New Zealand.
posted by hama7 on Sep 25, 2007 - 8 comments

Claybourne was a unique and well produced radio drama set in New Zealand. It was science fiction, a thriller, a soap opera. It aired in 96 five minute episodes, but died mid-storyline when it's creative team- like so many creative teams- couldn't get it together.
posted by jiiota on Jul 18, 2007 - 7 comments

The New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark is in Washington DC at the moment and met President George W. Bush formally for the second time this morning (NZST). Although New Zealand is no longer an ally of the US we are apparently very, very, very good friends – but there is only talk about a free trade agreement between us (unlike some).
posted by Samuel Farrow on Mar 21, 2007 - 24 comments

While the Queen was in New Zealand on Christmas Eve 1953 a lahar destroyed a rail bridge in Tangiwai. When the Wellington to Auckland Express tried to cross the bridge, the resulting accident killed 151 people. On behalf of her mother, Prince Andrew is currently in New Zealand, commemorating a hero, and another lahar has errupted, from the same volcano. The death toll is zero.
posted by Samuel Farrow on Mar 18, 2007 - 13 comments

New Zealand is a backwater when it comes to high speed internet. Today the government has done something about it.
posted by Samuel Farrow on May 3, 2006 - 16 comments

Togs or Undies Not the 100% typical or untypical view of New Zealand. (Previously Discussed) Trumpet isn't the only product to depict Aotearoa in advertising. Summer & Clothing Choices are a theme. As are blokes & beer. Sweet as bro. Politically correct not an issue !
posted by doogyrev on Apr 15, 2006 - 12 comments

The Cult of Zaoui. Algerian Ahmed Zaoui arrived in New Zealand in December 2002, having been convicted in Belgium and France (in absentia) for terrorism-related offences, on a false passport requesting refugee status. He was imprisoned for two years (spending ten months in solitary confinement) as a result of the Security Intelligence Service issuing a security risk certificate, before the NZ Supreme Court granted him bail. He now lives in a Dominican Priory in Auckland under curfew, but manages (accompanied by his crusading young lawyer) to give public lectures, offer eulogies, publish a book of poetry, appear in a music video (wmv), sing onstage at the NZ Music Awards, inspire a fund-raising cookbook "Conversations over Couscous", and has become (depending on your viewpoint) a reluctant or carefully cultivated celebrity.
posted by szechuan on Nov 21, 2005 - 13 comments

Early New Zealand Books Online Keyword searchable texts, all illustrations, and links to images of original pages. The collection currently comprises 20 books (23 volumes) including the majority of those published in the first half of the 19th century. It is hoped to expand the collection over the next few years to cover more significant nineteenth century books.
posted by Catch on Oct 18, 2005 - 14 comments