Category: Lifestyle

  • Auckland withdraws divisive survey

    Following strong reaction from Auckland’s diverse communities, Auckland Council has withdrawn two research surveys perceived as encouraging racism. The council had sent the surveys to 20,000 households in Northcote and Balmoral – two of Auckland’s most culturally diverse communities. People were asked how they felt, from “very cold” to “very…

  • Women-only swim sessions irk some in NZ

    Women-only swim sessions irk some in NZ

    New Zealand’s Hamilton City may have a tough job on hand as it proposes to re-introduce women-only swimming sessions at the council-owned swimming facility. Aimed at attracting more women to swimming, the proposal is being labeled as “man ban” by one of New Zealand’s largest news outlet – Stuff. Stuff…

  • Aucklanders shying away from cars

    Aucklanders shying away from cars

    New Zealand’s largest city – Auckland – is sending signals that show that the tide in turning against use of cars for commute. According to the latest figures released by Auckland Transport,  Aucklanders took 7.3 million trips in public transport in March – an increase of 4% in the number…

  • NZ’s rabbit pizza sold out

    NZ’s rabbit pizza sold out

    Once New Zealanders got over the shock of Hell Pizza’s billboard made of rabbit fur, they were so quick to grab a bite of the new rabbit pizza, that the outlet  sold out the product within three weeks of the launch. On the back of the rabbit pizza, Hell recorded…

  • NZ launches online tool for depression

    NZ launches online tool for depression

    New Zealand has launched SPARX – a clinically tested self-help tool developed especially for young New Zealanders. The online game-style tool developed by Auckland University will help young people develop skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed. An initiative of the Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project, SPARX…

  • Auckland enters electrifying future

    Auckland enters electrifying future

    Auckland has finally caught up with the rest of the world with an upgraded rail network. A new era in New Zealand’s public transport is being ushered in today with the launch of Auckland’s NZ$500 million electric train fleet. The trains have been launched at Britomart by Mayor Len Brown…

  • The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Australia with Prince George

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Australia with Prince George

      Following their successful visit to New Zealand, the British royalty – Duke William and Duchess of Cambridge Catherine Middleton visited Australia and attended the annual Anzac Day dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also met three of Australia’s surviving Victoria…

  • Kejriwal vs Modi: AAP opens war room in Varanasi

    Kejriwal vs Modi: AAP opens war room in Varanasi

    The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday opened its war room in Varanasi’s Mahmoorganj area, opening up a new front in the high-profile battle between party supremo Arvind Kejriwal and BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. As part of its first activity, the AAP cited its own survey covering 80,000…

  • Get India elections analysis with conf call in US

    The Wall Street investor conference calls analyzing Indian elections are getting a growing number of callers. A large and varied number of people across the United States are dialing into a unique conference call that takes place every week to discuss what is being described as the most consequential elections…

  • Indian voters go all out with selfies of voting

    Indian voters have never shown such enthusiasm towards elections, politics and their right to vote. Indian voters, especially the first time voters, not only came out in big numbers for voting in the second phase of the largest voting exercise in the world, they also showed off their privilege on…

  • Angry reactions to Modi’s marriage admission

    BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has admitted that he is married. His admission comes soon after the voting began in the world’s largest democracy. Modi’s remarks have attracted angry reactions from Indians on Twitter.   [View the story “Narendra Modi finally admits to being married” on Storify]    …

  • Prince George gets his first bike in NZ

    Prince George will take his first bike home from New Zealand – an Avanti Lil Ripper 12” bike with a bespoke design. The Avanti Lil Ripper was gifted to the Duke of Cambridge by Avanti New Zealand founder John Struthers at the official opening of the Avantidrome – an indoor…

  • Ethnic people urged to join govt boards

    Ethnic people urged to join govt boards

      Do you believe you could make a difference to New Zealand communities? The Office of Ethnic Affairs in New Zealand is urging ethnic people to nominate themselves to be considered for appointment to government boards, committees and advisory groups, including those of Crown companies. The positions give an opportunity…

  • NZ ranked world’s most socially advanced country

    New Zealand is the most socially advanced nation in the world according to a global index published by US-based nonprofit, the Social Progress Imperative, and released at the 2014 Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship. New Zealand topped the rankings across a wide range of measures–according to the Social Progress…

  • NZ doctors putting patients at risk

    Mistakes by doctors are inevitable in the current working environment, says the union representing New Zealand’s resident doctors. Recently, a man died in an Auckland hospital from a tear in his aorta after the doctor overlooked an X-Ray. According to the coroner’s report, Trevor Bourke, 69, could have been saved had the doctor…

  • Families Commission seeks ethnic advisors

    New Zealand’s ethnic communities have an opportunity to make their voice heard. The New Zealand Families Commission is seeking expressions of interest from ethnic communities to be part of a reference group and represent their community on issues relating to families. The reference group helps to ensure the Commission is…

  • Hep A scare in NZ following apple infection

    A small quantity of fresh fruit sold in New Zealand in late February and early March may have been contaminated with Hepatitis A virus. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says the risk of transmission of the virus is relatively low. “We have been advised that a person packing some…

  • Are antibacterial soaps worth the hype?

    A consumer rights protection magazine from New Zealand believes that antibacterial soaps do more harm than good. Antibacterial soaps are little more than a marketing invention and at worst could actually be doing us harm, says Consumer New Zealand. “Ads trumpet the soaps’ 99% bacteria-killing power successfully playing on our…

  • Measles alert on Brisbane-Auckland flight

    (Photo: Dave Haygarth) Passengers flying from Brisbane to Auckland on 23 February on an Air New Zealand flight may have been exposed to measles, the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) advises. ARPHS has reported two measles cases who were passengers on Flight NZ136 leaving Brisbane at 11:15am on Sunday…

  • Why apple cider vinegar is so good for weight loss

    Apple cider vinegar for weight loss is a forgotten home-remedy which is coming back in fashion. Among many health benefits, weight loss is the most widely known, because apple cider vinegar helps lose weight in a healthy way. Let’s find out how. (There’s an amazing video at the end of…