new zealand 51

Graham “Red” Delamore was Wellington’s only representative in the 1949 All Blacks touring party to South Africa. Several Wellington players had been in the running to make the trip to South Africa nine years earlier in 1940, with local players such as Ernie Todd and Jim Sherratt being two examples of players not becoming All...

The University of California, Los Angeles’s Fowler Museum returned 20 objects “of significant cultural importance” to the Warumungu community of Australia’s Northern Territory on July 24, the university has announced .  The official handover ceremony was overseen by university officials, two Warumungu elders, and representatives of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), a government agency dedicated to the repatriation of local cultural heritage.  “It’s very important that a lot of these artifacts are coming back for Warumungu people,” Warumungu elder Jones Jampijinpa, who worked closely with the Fowler on the return, said in a statement. “A lot of those artifacts that museums have went before us, and we didn’t even see them.” The Fowler, a museum focused on art from Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Indigenous Americas, has stressed that the return was “voluntary and ethical”.  Six years ago AIATSIS established the Return...

UNESCO has added the ancient Saint Hilarion Monastery, also known as Tell Umm Amer, in Gaza to its endangered sites list as a result of the ongoing war with Israel. The decision was announced during the 46th iteration of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, India. One of the oldest, largest, and most complex monasteries, the monastery dates back to the 4th century CE. The site was home to the first monastic community in the Holy Land. Though it has been on the organization’s tentative heritage list since 2012, its status was fast-tracked using emergency procedures. A native to the area, Saint Hilarion founded the eponymous site, which boasts two churches, a baptism hall, a burial ground, and a public cemetery, as well as an audience hall and dining rooms. After it was damaged, the monastery was ultimately abandoned in the early 7th century CE. It was later rediscovered by local archaeologists in 1999. Conservation projects undertaken by the Switzerland-based foundation...

The two teams met at Porirua Park on Saturday in the 2024 Wellington club rugby Premier 2 Hardham Cup final. A report of the fixture is here: Wainuiomata win Hardham Cup with win over Paremata-Plimmerton Highlights of this match are below:    Bonus Track: Old Boys University beat Tawa 27-21 to win the Jubilee Cup...

In a move to bolster its military capabilities in Europe, Canada is investing $35.8 million to supply its troops in Latvia with 90 state-of-the-art Light Tactical Vehicles (LTVs). This initiative, spearheaded by the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, aligns with Canada’s commitment to NATO’s assurance and deterrence strategies under Operation REASSURANCE . “Canada’s commitment to Latvia’s security is steadfast. Through this procurement and other key investments, Canada is doing its part to help scale up the multinational NATO Battle Group in Latvia to a full-size brigade – strengthening our defensive and deterrent posture on the Alliance’s eastern flank. We will always do what it takes to provide Canadian Armed Forces members with the tools that they require to accomplish their increasingly vital missions,” expressed the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence. Canada’s military presence in Europe is expanding, with over 2,200 soldiers expected to be dep...

Maisuka | Documentary “MAISUKA: The Silent killer” is a documentary that looks at the pervasiveness of the Diabetes epidemic among Pasifika people in Aotearoa. The documentary takes a closer look at Type 2 Diabetes, and how prevalent it is among young Pasifika people. Pacific communities have always led every indicator of type 2 diabetes in Aotearoa and are the worst affected. In the next 20 years, a quarter of the Pacific community will likely develop Type 2 Diabetes and each year, an alarming number of them are Pacific youth. MAISUKA: The Silent Killer is produced by Sunpix Ltd and was funded through the Public Interest Journalism Fund NZ On Air.

Home club Northern United won the first final of the day on Saturday at Porirua Park, the Colts Division 1 decider. That’s a wrap for most of club rugby this year in Wellington, with just the final two weeks of the Reserve Grade Division 2 competition to come in the competitive grades. It is also...

Tagata Pasifika | Television Series All the highlights from the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture.

Two activists from the protest group Just Stop Oil have been found guilty of criminal damage after throwing tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers. On October 14 of2022, Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland threw soup at the painting, housed at the at the National Gallery of Art in London, before super-glueing their hands to the nearby wall. BBC News reported that Judge Christopher Hehir told Plummer and Holland they “came within the width of a pane of glass of destroying one of the most valuable artworks in the world” and to be “prepared in practical and emotional terms to go to prison” at Southwark Crown Court. Prosecutors also told the court that the painting’s antique 17th century Italian frame was “a piece of art in itself” and its patinated surface was damaged as a result of the protest. The judge’s bail conditions also stipulated the two activists were not to visit any galleries or museums, as well as not carry glue, paint, or other adhesive substances in public places. ...

On the night of July 25, 1964, Andy Warhol and filmmaker Jonas Mekas stood on the forty-fourth floor of the Time-Life Building and for six hours, trained a camera on the Empire State Building. 1,200-foot rolls of film later, they had Empire , an eight-hour-long stationery shot of the Art Deco masterpiece shifting beneath light and shadow, giving New York what Claude Monet gave Rouen in his famous studies, a monument to a monument. It’s worth a watch on any screen, but is best caught this weekend, when it plays from the Empire State Building itself. In honor of the anniversary, the Museum of Modern Art has teamed up with the Andy Warhol Museum and the Empire State Building Observatory Experience for a screening of Empire on the 80th floor. The silent film will play from 9 a.m. through midnight. There’s no right time to go. On a clear morning, from the observatories, the entire length of Manhattan is visible; you can (probably) spot where Warhol shot the movie. After dark, you can appr...

It’s hard to think of a less radical place than Luxembourg City’s business quarter. The Kirchberg Plateau, as it’s known, is an administrative enclave of offices and people in suits bookended by the European Parliament’s Secretariat to the northeast and the European Court of Justice to the southwest. A stone’s throw from the latter is the Mudam Museum of Modern Art, Luxembourg’s biggest contemporary art institution. Its incumbent and fourth director, Bettina Steinbrügge, was appointed in 2022. The endemic bureaucracy and moderation that typifies Luxembourgish culture stand between her and laying down an edgy, provocative cultural program. She’s doing her best to shake things up. “It’s going very well, but it’s not without its frictions,” she told ARTnews in a softly spoken yet determined German accent at the opening of two exhibitions at Mudam on July 11 – “Xanti Schawinsky: Play Life Illusion” and “Agnieszka Kurant: Risk Landscape.” “Changing management in any museum is always extre...

After a full 13-week round-robin followed by a three-week knock out series, the 2024 Wellington Colts Division 1 champions will be crowned this Saturday on Jerry Collins Stadium, kick-off 1.15pm and as the curtain-raiser to the Jubilee Cup decider that kicks off on the same ground. Hutt Old Boys Marist will go into the final...

The Parthenon Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, is returning over 250 ancient Mexican artifacts this month after holding them for more than five decades. The pre-Columbian tools, instruments, ceramic pots, and clay animal sculptures (including a grinning Mexican hairless dog) are being voluntarily returned to Mexico City by the museum following a special exhibition highlighting the effects of cultural looting in the art and antiquities trade. “For Metro Parks, the repatriation of these artifacts is a cultural obligation as well as a moral responsibility,” Metro Parks director Monique Horton Odom said in a press statement . “These artifacts have value and meaning to the people of Mexico and should be housed where they will have a dynamic impact on understanding the people and culture of the past.” Bonnie Seymour, a registrar and assistant curator at the museum, told NPR that returning the artifacts was important because they are a part of Mexico’s history. “They represent someone’s an...

Technology needs to keep pace to detect and defeat drones that are faster, smaller, and less detectable every year. Innovators are developing counter drone technologies, but they need a safe space to test their technologies against a wide variety of drones, swarm attacks, and variable conditions. Enter the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program’s Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) Sandbox. “This Sandbox is more relevant than ever as we see drones being used in military conflict to lethal effect,” explains LCol Chris Labbé, a director of drone operations for the Royal Canadian Air Force. “As we saw in Canada’s new defence policy,  Our North, Strong and Free , we’re committed to acquiring a counter drone capability that can neutralize drones that threaten our deployed forces, as well as those of our allies and partners. Investing in innovation now will help ensure innovators can deliver technology suited to the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces in the fu...

Name the only player to win the Super Bowl MVP after his team lost the game. Winners write history so when this pub quiz question is asked it poses a genuine head-scratcher. The answer is Chuck Howley. The Dallas Cowboys linebacker and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee was MVP in the 1971 Super Bowl...

The Jubilee Cup has been contested every year since 1929. The first winner was University and the most recent was Oriental-Rongotai. This Saturday either Old Boys University or Tawa will lift the Jubilee Cup for the 95th time. Looking back on our Today in History files and some past articles we have done, here is...

In 2022, Richard “Dana” Moore, a history enthusiast and artifact collector, stumbled upon a framed fragment of canvas that was purported to have come from one of George Washington’s tents on Goodwill’s online thrift store. The fragment was featured in the  historical documents section  of the website, where it was accompanied by a note claiming that the fragment was from Washington’s tent, which was displayed at the 300th anniversary of Jamestown in 1907.  According to a story published by  CNN , Moore was initially skeptical of the fragment due to the abundant prevalence of fakes, but after much scrutiny over the aged appearance of the fragment and two weeks of handwringing, he decided to bid, ultimately winning the artifact for $1,700. Upon receiving the fragment, Moore contacted the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, knowing that its collection held Washington’s sleeping and office tents. Matthew Skic, curator of exhibitions, expressed exci...

Many galleries in Paris’s Saint Germain des Près area, one of the city’s major art hubs, were unexpectedly forced to close on Thursday, due to security measures put in place for the upcoming Olympic Games’s opening ceremony taking place next week. Interviewed by ARTnews , dealers said that clients had no way of getting to these spaces and that the public could not see shows that were expected to be on view. With no clients able to come in, many galleries in the area have closed early for the summer break. In the last week, metal fences were erected along streets in central Paris. Even for those who live or work in the areas close to the river, or have paid attention to the news, the sight of these fences was still a bit of a shock. “It’s quite regrettable,” Galerie Forest de la Divonne director Virginie Boissière said, “that the fences were installed on June 28 without warning.” She said the fences slowed down foot traffic since then. “It’s a veritably disastrous, prison-like contex...

The two teams met at Lyndhurst Park on Saturday in their Premier 2, Division 1 semi-final. Conditions were wet but still and not cold. Tawa made a rocking start to the match, racing to a 20-0 lead. They then kicked their second penalty to go 23-0 up. Petone lost a player to the sin-bin but...

Backgrounder Canada and the Republic of Korea (Korea) are building a stronger bilateral partnership. As directed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Yoon Suk Yeol in May 2023, we, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Canada and Korea, have agreed to an Action Plan to implement the Canada-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). The Action Plan joins together the CSP with our Indo-Pacific strategies to build toward a stronger friendship. It expands on each thematic area of the CSP with aspirational initiatives to work toward together as partners in the Indo-Pacific and North Pacific. Keeping in mind the upcoming Korea’s APEC Chairship and Canada’s G7 Presidency in 2025, the Action Plan also provides a firm basis for our two countries to further enhance cooperation on global issues based on our CSP. A bilateral Strategic Dialogue between senior officials will review the implementation of the Action Plan on an annual basis. The Action Plan builds on achievements in the...

Johnsonville’s Olly Paotonu tries his hand at water polo on Saturday against Paremata-Plimmerton. Saturday’s round was just the second in 16 weeks (the other being round two) played in wet conditions. The weather has generally been kind for club rugby in 2024. Supporters will hope it holds this Saturday. Photo: Stewart Baird. A busy week...

In a significant development for military head protection technology, Galvion , a renowned leader in advanced helmet systems and power management solutions, has been awarded a follow-up order by the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND). This order is part of the ongoing Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme. The initial contract, granted in February 2023, saw the successful delivery of 2,100 Batlskin Caiman® helmets and 4,200 helmet covers. As the programme enters its second year, the DND has opted to expand the order significantly, requesting an additional 8,400 helmets and 16,800 covers. This brings the total order to 10,500 helmets and 21,000 covers. Galvion’s Batlskin Caiman helmet. Image source: https://ift.tt/5XOySts The Batlskin Caiman® helmet system is the result of years of development and close collaboration with the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community. This state-of-the-art helmet is designed to meet the highest standards of comfort ...

W.R. Davis Engineering Limited , an Ottawa-based company, has been awarded a substantial contract valued at over $30 million by Irving Shipbuilding . This contract signifies the company’s role in supporting the construction of the Royal Canadian Navy’s future fleet of Canadian Surface Combatants, now recognized as the River-class destroyers. As part of this significant agreement, W.R. Davis Engineering will design and implement the complete engine intake and exhaust systems, along with the infrared suppression devices for the exhaust on the first three River-class destroyers. These systems are crucial as they ensure that air is properly drawn into and expelled from the ship’s engines. The infrared suppression devices will enhance the ships’ defense by cooling engine exhaust gases and exposed hot metal, thus minimizing their infrared signature and making it harder for heat-seeking missiles to detect and target the vessels. This contract is not only a technological achievement but also...

Empowering the North Shore Industrial Waterfront with Superior Training Tools In North Vancouver, BC, fire departments across the region are set to benefit from a groundbreaking training facility aimed at elevating the skills of local firefighters. This new marine firefighting simulator is designed to bolster emergency response capabilities for the North Shore Industrial Waterfront. The simulator’s development was made possible through funding from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada . This initiative aligns with Seaspan’s commitments under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), ensuring value and progress in marine emergency preparedness. The impressive three-storey structure, measuring roughly 17.1 meters in length, 7.3 meters in width, and 7.6 meters in height, is equipped with various interior burn chambers. These include a simulated engine room, kitchen, stairways with hatches, and other gas-fired props, providing a realistic training environment for sh...

Photo: Moana Pasifika Moana Pasifika has announced the major signing of All Blacks Vice-Captain and 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year, Ardie Savea through till 2027. A well-respected figure on and off the field, Savea has played in 84 matches for the All Blacks. Savea has captained the All Blacks at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and in their historic 100th test against the Springboks in 2021. In 2013 Savea made his Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes and was named Captain in 2021. Coming out of Wellington’s Rongotai College, he also led their First XV and was head boy.  Hurricanes vs Crusader at Sky stadium on June 03 2023. Photo: Getty Images Savea joins his brother and former All Black, Julian Savea, at Moana Pasifika, after a season playing for the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in the Japan Rugby League One Competition.  The 30-year-old forward is a trailblazer in world rugby, a ferocious ball-carrier with athleticism and drive, bringing leadership and a wealth of experienc...

Soana Aholelei | Reporter / Director Nearly a year on from a fire which devastated the town of Lahaina  on Maui in the Hawaiian islands, locals go about rebuilding their lives and their town.  Most Fridays, Mia and Jay Magbual have a food stall selling Hawaiian and Filipino homemade dishes in a carpark near the Lahaina Cannery Mall.  Jay is a chef at a local school and Mia is a family success coach here in Lahaina Both Mia and Jay remember that fateful day when the deadly fire hit, both losing people they knew. “It’s just really unfortunate that it happened and it impacted so many people. So many lives that will never get back,” says Mia “My cousin’s father passed. We do hula hālau and we lost our guitarist. A lot of  the elderly couldn’t make it out.”  Described as the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century, the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii, was decimated by fire on August 8 last year.  The first of three report...

Farhad Moshiri, one of Iran’s most influential contemporary artists, died on July 16 at 61. The Third Line gallery, the Dubai gallery that represented him, confirmed his death. “Our journey with Moshiri began in 2006 with New Paintings by Farhad Moshiri at our first space in the UAE. Since then, we’ve cherished witnessing his ever-evolving practice,” the gallery wrote on Instagram.  “Our thoughts are with his family. Farhad Moshiri will be deeply missed, remembered as both a friend and artist. May his soul rest in eternal peace.” Moshir was renowned for his marriage of Persian visual traditions and Pop art sensibilities. American consumerism and advertising, pop music and comics mingled with Persian embroidery and calligraphy. His work sparkled, literally: beads, glitter, and faux gems often embellished his figuration, subverting subtle indictment with a precious levity.  “He not only established the first wave of contemporary art post 1979, but also became one of the...