NEWSROOM: 19 August - 25 August 2007

Legacy Dance Crew present ‘A Hip Hop Legacy’
25 August 2007 - Source: BATS Theatre Press Release

The hip hop dance show of the year is here and ready to launch at BAT’s Theatre on 21-22 September, as part of Wellington’s award winning Les Mills Dance Your Socks off Festival 07.

Legacy Dance Crew (finalists at the 2006 World Hip Hop Dance Championship, Los Angeles), present ‘A Hip Hop Legacy.’

Staring: Ezra Toma, Richie Karati, Jonate Lealea, Manu Ngatai, Ben Uili, Haini Palu, Corey Solomona, Pat Godinet, Yashua Lesa-Amataga, Tony Allan

Ten dancers from diverse Pacific Island & NZ heritage present this new work with a view to spread the knowledge and exposure of Hip Hop Dance to a wider audience in NZ. Legacy have over 20 years combined dance experience and have performed a major events nationally and internationally showcasing Urban Street, Krumping, Break dancing and popping/locking styles of Hip Hop dance.

A Hip Hop Legacy is an exhilarating 45minutes of spectacular entertainment! Giving audiences an insight into the different styles of dance associated with hip hop, through a unique NZ story.

This show is a must see for all ages! If you want entertainment, a great experience or have wondered why hip hop dancing inspires our youth and is such a phenomenon in our communities, this is the show to see.

For more information, please visit www.bats.co.nz or www.feelinggreat.co.nz keyword search: Legacy.
 

Pacific Blue to offer domestic flights in New Zealand
24 August 2007 - Source: Virgin Blue Airlines Press Release

Australian airline Pacific Blue has ushered in a new era of competition in New Zealand skies, offering $39 special fare flights on trunk routes in this country.

Flights will lift off from November 15, reporters were told today as more details were revealed about the move, which puts Pacific Blue into direct competition with Air New Zealand and Qantas.

Initially the carrier will fly on key trunk routes: Auckland-Wellington, Auckland-Christchurch and Wellington-Christchurch.

There would be five direct daily return flights on the Wellington-Auckland route from November 15, the airline said. The $39 fare was a special sale fare, one-way, purchased on the internet. It was available from now until September 16 – or until sold, and was for travel from November 15 to February 29, 2008.

Other fares would start from $69 one-way on the internet, which Pacific Blue said were 22 per cent lower than existing fares on the Wellington-Auckland route.

Virgin Group chairman Sir Richard Branson said he was "absolutely delighted to announce that Pacific Blue will soon be shaking up the New Zealand domestic market".

"We look forward to Pacific Blue spreading its wings and bringing long-term domestic bliss, perhaps not for the competition, but certainly for locals and visitors travelling within New Zealand."

Pacific Blue will take delivery of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft to join its fleet and operate both international and domestic New Zealand routes.

Air New Zealand has already said it will announce counter measures on Tuesday.
It has said the market was too small for three domestic airlines to all make money.
News of Pacific Blue's entry into the domestic market has wiped 14 per cent off the value of Air New Zealand shares, the national airline 80 per cent owned by the Government.

However, the shares rebounded 2c to $2.02 when the market opened today.
Virgin Blue Group of Airlines chief executive Brett Godfrey said the decision was not taken lightly. "It is a major investment and a long term commitment to keeping the 'air fair' in New Zealand," he told a press conference.

Pacific Blue general manager commercial Adrian Hamilton-Mann's, said "it is no secret that the existing domestic duopoly results in higher fares and half-hearted competition".

"We very much look forward to challenging that and championing affordability for local travel."
Pacific Blue planned to double its staff numbers over the next three years as it ramped up domestic operations. Pacific Blue, is an offshoot of Sir Richard's Virgin Blue service, and already operates international flights out of Christchurch.

Virgin Blue is Australia's second-largest airline behind Qantas and majority owned by Toll Holdings, which operates transport services in New Zealand including rail and interfiled ferries.

Speculation is mounting that Singapore budget airline Tiger Airways is also eyeing New Zealand. Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation managing director Peter Harrison has said he expected Tiger to enter the New Zealand domestic market by the middle of next year, at the latest.
 

Last chance to get local elections voting documents in mail
23 August 2007 - Source: Electoral Enrolment Centre Press Release

Time runs out this week for people to ensure they get voting documents for the 2007 local elections in the mail.

“There are just five days left to get correctly enrolled to vote and get voting documents for council and district health board elections sent to you in the mail,” says Electoral Enrolment Centre National Manager Murray Wicks.

“The cut off date to get enrolled is 24 August. Being enrolled means you will be able to have your say in the elections on all those local issues that affect our everyday lives, like rates, parks, noise control and health care,” says Mr Wicks.

The Electoral Enrolment Centre finishes its enrolment drive for October’s elections this Friday 24 August.

During the first six weeks of the campaign:

• A record number of 75,159 people have been removed from the electoral rolls;
• 184,691 people have sent back their enrolment update forms with changes to their details;
• 32,351 new enrolment forms have been processed; and
• 77,583 people have updated their address details because they have shifted house.


People can enrol or update their details online at www.elections.org.nz.
Enrolment forms are also available from 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56), or by freetexting your name and address to 3676, or at any PostShop.

Voting documents will be posted out by local councils from 21 September and must be returned by midday 13 October.

Anyone who enrols after 24 August will need to contact their local council electoral officer and arrange to get special voting documents.
 

Vitale launches debut album ‘Rhythmic Reggae’
22 August 2007 - Source: Vitale Tionisio

Vitale Tionisio of Tokelaun and Samoan heritage announces his much anticipated debut album, ‘Rhythmic Reggae’, which he launched at Te Umiumiga Hall, in Lower Hutt, Sunday 19th August.

Vitale’s music style would be best described as Pacific reggae/ Pacific Contemporary. His music blends both contemporary beats with traditional Tokelau songs assured to create an appreciation for the culture and way of life.

His music is about ‘taking the Tokelau language to the next generation’ with hit songs such as ‘Te Kainaki’ and ‘Ko te Loto’.

‘Rhythmic Reggae’ and ‘For Right’ are great original songs written and composed by Vitale at his recording studio ‘T Sounz’ in Wellington.

Watch this space for updates on Vitale’s Debut Tour coming soon!

For more information on his new CD and launch please contact:
Helen Tionisio on 027 676 8506 helenhaloa.tionisio@hotmail.com or Matalena Tionisio on 021 264 9924 tionisio@xtra.co.nz.
 

Heavyweight Tua wins by knockout in Sandy
21 August 2007 - Source: Salt Lake Tribune/NewsTalkZB

Saul Montana of Mexico had barely hit the canvas and referee Larry Fullmer had just started counting with 2 minutes and 15 seconds gone in the first round when David "Tuaman" Tua raised his boxing gloves in celebratory style.

When you have the punching power that the No. 13-ranked heavyweight fighter in the world has, you don't wait around to see if your opponent can get up.

Montana didn't, and Tua's night at Sandy's Southtowne Exposition Center as part of the Pinnacle FiteNite was over.

"I let him throw haymakers and just worked the jab at first," said Tua, of New Zealand.

"The opening was there, so I took advantage of it."

Tua (48-3-1) caught Montana with two vicious left hooks and that was that. The thud sound of Montana's back hitting the canvas squarely resonated throughout the spacious hall as the pro-Tua crowd roared its approval.

"I was aware he had some power, but I don't hit too bad myself," Tua said after his 41st knockout. "When I hit him with the second one, I knew he wasn't going to get up."

David Tua will get a heavyweight title shot in six months time, if Tua's promoter Cedric Kushner is to be believed.

The Tuaman took just over two minutes to knock out Saul Montana in Utah and Kushner says Tua does not need many more fights to earn himself a title shot.

Kushner believes Tua's display is proof he is back to his explosive best, and says Montana is a good fighter but just could not match Tua's power. He says he spoke to Montana's manger who said no one has ever destroyed 'La Cobra' the way Tua did.

The calibre of Tua's opponents have been heavily criticised but Kushner says the 34-year old is getting back to the Tua of old. He expects Tua will only need to fight two more times, and after that there is no reason why he will not be able to fight for the world championship, possibly within six months.

Kushner says his matchmakers will go to work this week to find an opponent for Tua's bout in Michigan in just under three weeks.
 

Gary Kemble named new Kiwis coach
20 August 2007 - Source: Independent Online

Former New Zealand fullback Gary Kemble was named on Friday as the new coach of the Kiwis rugby league team.

Kemble takes over from Brian McClennan, who has taken up the coaching job at Super League club Leeds in England.

His first assignment will be a Test against Australia in October, followed by a tour of Britain and France.

Phil Presscott will join Kemble's former Test teammate James Leuluai as assistant coaches while another past Test player, Sam Panapa, will take up the new role of team coordinator.

"When I started playing, I dreamed of playing for the Kiwis and was lucky enough to achieve it," Kemble said.

"Once I started coaching it was the same. It's a huge thrill and a tremendous honour to become Kiwi coach," said the 50-year-old, who made 19 Test appearances for New Zealand between 1980 and 1986.

"I just hope we can all build on what's been done in the last couple of years."

New Zealand Rugby League football director Graham Lowe headed the panel to appoint a new coach and said Kemble's experience and leadership qualities were key factors in his appointment.

Lowe added that he saw that a team approach was needed to the coaching role, which prompted the appointment of Leuluai, Prescott and Panapa.
 

Shellfish Warning Oakura Beach to Kawhia
19 August 2007 - Source: Taranaki DHB Press Release

Public Health Warning Oakura Beach in Taranaki to Kawhia (Not Including Kawhia Harbour) in Waikato.

The Health Protection Unit’s of Taranaki District Health Board and Waikato District Health Board today issued a Public Health Warning advising people not to collect or consume shellfish from Kawhia in the Waikato to Oakura in Taranaki. The public health warning does not include Kawhia Harbour.

Routine tests on shellfish samples taken from Mohakatino (near Mokau) this week have shown levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) at 1.65 mg/kg. This level is above the New Zealand Food Safety Authority safe limit of 0.80 mg/kg and anyone eating these toxic shellfish is potentially at risk of illness.

Kina, mussels, tohera, pipis, tuatua, oysters and cockles in the affected area should not be eaten. Cooking shellfish does not remove the toxin.

Paua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Symptoms of PSP usually occur within 12 hours of consuming shellfish and include:
- Numbness and tingling around the mouth, face or extremities;
- Difficulties in swallowing or breathing;
- Dizziness; double vision;
- And in severe cases, paralysis and respiratory failure.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued they should contact a doctor immediately, advise their local Health Protection Office and keep any left over shellfish.

Signage is currently being erected in the area affected by the Public Health Warning and major stakeholders have been informed. The Health Protection Unit’s of Taranaki District Health Board and Waikato District Health Board are continuing to routinely monitor the situation.

Further information is also available on the following website: www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/.
 

Back to Top               News & Info               Newsroom Archive