Contributors
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Just ski faster
FORGET THE FROTHY NEW WAVE TUNES OF THE EIGHTIES. DOWN IN THE SOUTHERN LAKES, WE WERE MAKING OUR OWN WAVE. MULLETED BUG- EYED ADRENALINE SEEKERS, DIY-ING OUR KIT, BUSH-BASHING, SKIING, PADDLING AND, OFTEN, SWIMMING, UP AND DOWN OUR MOUNTAINS, THOUGH OUR FORESTS, IN OUR RIVERS. BEFORE THE DAYS OF CORPORATE TEAMS AND SPONSORED ATHLETES, WITH…
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Burning issues
According to William Shakespeare, the fire that’s closest kept burns most of all. Allan Uren investigates. FORAGING FOR FIREWOOD IS HARD WORK. AS THE SAYING GOES, IT WARMS YOU TWICE. OR, AS WĀNAKA FIREWOOD ENTHUSIAST TOM O’DONNELL LIKES TO SAY, IT ACTUALLY WARMS YOU FIVE TIMES: CUTTING DOWN THE TREE, RINGING IT, SPLITTING IT, STACKING…
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Galaxy quest
Astrophotographer Simon Williams can see in the dark. PERFECT PITCH BLACK: IT’S NOT AS EMPTY AS YOU THINK. WAIT IN THE DARK, AND YOU’LL FIND IT TAKES AROUND TEN MINUTES FOR HUMAN EYES TO ADJUST TO DARKNESS. IN THAT TIME, SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENS. AS THE LACK OF LIGHT DEPRIVES YOU OF ONE OF YOUR MAIN…
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The greatest roadshow
The Arts on Tour van brings laughter, birdsong and tasteful sex to rural New Zealand. ACCORDING TO POET, PERFORMER AND COMIC PENNY ASHTON, THE REGIONS ARE HUNGRY FOR SEX. SHE WOULD KNOW, TOO, HAVING TOURED AOTEAROA MULTIPLE TIMES WITH HER ON E-WOMAN SHOW, HOT PINK BITS. IT’S THIS SHOW, WHICH EXPLORES THE HISTORY OF THE…
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Run, rabbits, run
Nothing says “Christ rising from the grave” quite like blasting away several thousand little furballs. Nathan discovers the annual Easter ritual that is the Central Otago Bunny Hunt. DESPITE TEN YEARS OF SUNDAY SCHOOL IN THE BIBLE BELT OF THE SOUTHEAST OF THE UNITED STATES, I’VE ALWAYS FOUND EASTER CELEBRATIONS SLIGHTLY CONFUSING. THE CROSS, THE…
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Canada Girl
IT’S HIS LEGS SHE NOTICES FIRST, UNDER THOSE SHORT, SHORT SHORTS. BEYOND THE LEGS, STREAKED SKINS HANG STRETCHED ON THE WIRE FENCE ON THE BOUNDARY OF HIS PROPERTY. EASY ENOUGH TO FIND IN THE END. SHE DROVE INTO TOWN, STOPPED AT THE SHOP. ASKED FOR BILL. SECOND ON THE LEFT, FOLLOW THE ROAD FOR ABOUT…
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Electrifying driftwood
Walking the thin line of sanity in Papatowai at The Lost Gypsy Curios & Coffee. IT’S THE SMALL PLACES THAT HIDE THE UNEXPECTED. YOU DRIVE THROUGH AND WONDER, WHAT HAPPENS HERE? THE TRIP FROM INVERCARGILL TO PAPATOWAI TAKES ALMOST TWO HOURS, AND AS YOU HEAD THROUGH THE CATLINS TO THE SMALL COASTAL SETTLEMENT (FULL TIME…
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Derby girls
Kingston-based photographer Philippa O’Brien has been capturing Aotearoa’s high rollers for her latest project. THE JAMMER SPINS. WITH A TWIST, SHE EVADES THE BLOCKERS INTENT ON KNOCKING HER OFF THE TRACK. THE CROWD GOES BALLISTIC. THESE SKATERS ARE SPEEDY AND STRONG, WILY AND UNCOMPROMISING. THEY HAVE TO BE. THEY’RE COMPETING IN A SPORT ONE ATHLETE…
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Making tracks
How to get inked in the name of conservation. AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND HAS THE HIGHEST RATE OF THREATENED SPECIES ON EARTH. THANKS TO INTRODUCED PREDATORS LIKE STOATS, FERRETS, WEASELS, POSSUMS, RATS, HEDGEHOGS AND HUMANS, MORE THAN 80% OF OUR BIRDS AND REPTILES, AND MORE THAN 70% OF OUR FRESHWATER FISH, ARE ENDANGERED. PESTS KILL SOMETHING…