South Island
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Winging it
Spiders in mirror are not as creepy as they appear. “I’VE BEEN RIDING WITH SAM FOR ALMOST TEN YEARS. HE’S BEEN TO EVERY CLIMBING CRAG ON THE SOUTH ISLAND. IT MIGHT BE THE LONGEST RELATIONSHIP I’VE EVER HAD,” ANNE SAYS WITH A SMILE AND A NOD AT THE IMPRESSIVE WEB ON HER 2003 FADED GREEN…
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Have you seen this seabird?
Is the seafaring grey-backed storm petrel making itself at home in the Southern Alps? Scientists want your help to find out. THIS IS A CALL-OUT TO ALPINISTS. PLANNING ON CLIMBING IN THE SOUTH ISLAND? DOCTOR COLIN MISKELLY NEEDS YOU. THERE MAY BE A MOMENT YOU’RE LEAVING YOUR TENT OR YOUR HUT WELL BEFORE DAWN, HEADLAMP…
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It’s a (sled) dog’s life
Sled dog racing is a thing in New Zealand, and it’s growing in paw-pularity. ACCORDING TO AMERICAN HUMOURIST LEWIS GRIZZARD, “LIFE IS LIKE A DOG SLED TEAM. IF YOU AIN’T THE LEAD DOG, THE SCENERY NEVER CHANGES.” GOOD POINT, LEWIS. ALTHOUGH I’M NOT SURE I’D WANT TO BE FRONT MUTT IN THE EVENT MOST OFTEN…
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Claimed by the sea
French for Rabbits make soundscapes like seascapes, like driftwood, like walks on the beach. THE MUSIC MADE BY FRENCH FOR RABBITS IS HARD TO DEFINE. THE BAND ARE OFTEN DESCRIBED AS PURVEYORS OF “DREAM POP”, BUT THERE’S MORE TO IT THAN THAT. FOR ONE THING, IT’S SALTIER. FRONTWOMAN BROOKE SINGER’S VOCALS FLOAT LIKE SEAFOAM ON…
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Accidents happen, or do they?
Nathan tucks into a word-salad. “UNBELIEVABLE SALMON FARM ATTACK!” “TRAGIC ACCIDENT!” “100% PURE NEW ZEALAND!” I first noticed the word-salad issue when I received a late-night message on the Fishing Telegraph. I understood completely. The Fishing Telegraph is an extremely accurate and efficient form of communication, and it was telling me someone had cut a…
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DIY defence
The Semple tractor tank has a reputation as a homegrown groaner, but was it really such a bad idea? IN MID-1941, THE CHRISTCHURCH AND DUNEDIN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS HELD THEIR CAPPING PARADES. ALONG WITH THE USUAL MOTLEY, INCLUDING A SIX-LEGGED PANTOMIME HORSE, LOTS OF BOYS IN DRESSES AND A DEVICE CALLED “THE NEW POMME POMME” THAT…
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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…