Word of Mouth Media New Zealand

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CHRISTCHURCH  – US-based Kiwi singer /songwriter Jackie Bristow will make a flying visit this month with her Coming Home New Zealand 13-gig tour. Bristow lives in Austin, Texas, where her own brand of alt-country roots rock has set the stage opening for many big name US artists. Click for full story

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By  Word of Mouth Media NZ

US-based Kiwi singer /songwriter Jackie Bristow will make a flying visit this month with her Coming Home New Zealand 13-gig tour.

Bristow lives in Austin, Texas, where her own brand of alt-country roots rock has set the stage opening for many big name US artists.

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By Word of Mouth Media nz

LONDON – Finalists for the prestigious UK New Zealander of the Year Award 2012 have been announced in London. They are Kent Gardener, Bronwen Horton and Paul Kendrick, who all helped raise funds for the Canterbury earthquake appeal. Click for full story

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CHRISTCHURCH  – Rebuilding in Christchurch red zone and crumpled CBD is absolutely possible, a global structural earthquake engineering rebuild expert says.
The areas in the CBD can be built on but may require different foundations than previously used, Michael King, director of Miyamoto Cardno said today. Click for full story

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KAIKOURA - A major art exhibition including a work dedicated to the Christchurch earthquake has opened in Kaikoura. The works are by noted international artist Ruth Stirnimann who is now based in Kaikoura and can be seen at the new Passione restaurant which has just opened in the popular seaside village. Click for full story

By Word of Mouth Media NZ

CHRISTCHURCH – It could be decades before life in Christchurch returns to normal, a Californian earthquake says. Compared to other similar global quake disasters, long term recovery for Christchurch is a 15-20 year horizon, says Mary Comerio, professor of architecture at the University of California in Berkeley. Click for full story

CHRISTCHURCH — An international workshop is being arranged for mid-February to help the Christchurch rebuild by placing new structures lightly on the land. By Word of Mouth Media NZ   Click for full story

 KAIKOURA — Possibly New Zealand’s only restaurant and dance studio will open in Kaikoura tomorrow. By Word of Mouth Media NZ    Click for full story

AUCKLAND -  New Zealand’s fastest growing pet food company K9 Natural Food is among the top five fastest growing companies in the country because of its massive export growth. Click for full story

By Word of Mouth Media NZ 
LONDON – ‘Mind the gap between the train and the platform edge’ …ah, the old London tube message: don’t you just love the place. London is one of the greatest cities of the world, with more than 300 languages spoken among her teeming millions of people.We decided to head there and see how the city was preparing for next year’s Olympics in the wake of the August riots which caused hundreds of millions of pounds in damage. Click for full story

AUCKLAND – Jucy, the Australasian tourism company, will use the $500,000 from its latest national award to launch into the United States, chief executive Tim Alpe said today. Jucy was last week named one of four New Zealand companies to receive funding as a result of winning the 2011 University of Auckland Business School Entrepreneurs’ Challenge. Click for full story

AUCKLAND - Kirsty Nixon, one of New Zealand’s foremost artists portraying iconic Kiwi beach and coastal scenes, is staging her biggest solo exhibition in Devonport during the final weeks of the Rugby World Cup tournament. Nixon will offer 15 of her best Kiwi beach and coastal paintings at Devonport’s Art by the Sea Gallery from October 8 to 27. Click for full story

CHRISTCHURCH - A leading New Zealand greenstone carver is gifting a significant and commemorative pounamu koru sculpture to the people of Christchurch as a symbol to guard over the earthquake-hit city. Hokitika’s Glen Surgenor has been carving and shaping pounamu for 27 years and he said he wanted to give a special big koru to watch over the city, to help lift people’s spirits and give them hope in rebuilding their future. Click for full story

By Word of Mouth Media NZ 

CHRISTCHURCH - Christchurch people have not fully comprehended the damage to their city and the impact of missing out on hosting Rugby World Cup games, an international sports expert says. Lise Valcour, an international sports psychology consultant from Canada, says becoming aware of the psychological reactions of earthquake survivors is vital, especially at a time entering a major event like the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Valcour was in Christchurch weeks after the February 22 earthquake, working as a volunteer welfare officer to help victims. Click for full story

KAWERAU – Two of New Zealand’s best comedians, the Laughing Samoans, will headline a special comedy concert to be held in Kawerau on September 24. The Kawerau Town Hall is expected to be a sell-out and will provide Kawerau’s young people the opportunity to perform alongside some of their celebrity role models. Click for full story

By Word of Mouth Media NZ 
HANMER – Shut your eyes. Imagine lazing in a steamy hot tub with someone special. The sun is setting over the picture postcard snow-capped mountains. Not a sound can be heard but the occasional bellbird call. This is 7 St James Avenue, Hanmer Springs: one of the best short holiday bases in New Zealand. In between 2011 Rugby World Cup games – this is the spot to head to recharge the batteries. Click for full story

AUCKLAND - Many of New Zealand’s most celebrated editorial newspaper cartoonists including former New Zealand cricketer Murray Webb will feature in this year’s Auckland Grammar School art expo which opens on Friday night. The inaugural editorial cartoon section of the ninth annual exhibition will be a special feature during this year’s Art Expo which closes Sunday.  Click for full story

OXFORD - Six months after the February earthquake, a Christchurch artist is finally having the exhibition she never thought she would have. Click for full story

Ellerslie Novotel guest Catherine, enjoying a wine in the sunshine

Kip Brook, Word of Mouth Media NZ

Dateline: Auckland – BTRWC (before the Rugby World Cup)
Mission: Bungy jump off the harbour bridge; swim with dolphins and whales on the Waitemata; and beat two old roosters at squash. Click for full story

AUCKLAND  – World Cup winning All Black Bernie McCahill who used to sprint across the turf at Eden Park is these days turning his safe hands to the business of lawn mowing. By Word of Mouth Media NZ   Click for full story