Wellington: Buses, Accidents And Politics
Accidents with the city’s buses have led on to discussions about city politics this week. There’s been a lot of sadness about the two accidents, one of them fatal, involving buses and pedestrians... More >>

ALSO:

• Wellington City Council - Campervan park for Wellington’s waterfront

Plagiarism: Author Purchases Remaining Stock Of Trowenna Sea
New Zealand writer Witi Ihimaera is to purchase the remaining warehouse stock of the novel The Trowenna Sea from his publisher Penguin Group (NZ). At the same time Penguin has announced that it is offering to take back stock from any bookseller who wishes to return the book. More>>

ALSO:

• TV3 Video - Witi Ihimaera to buy back plagiarised books

Local Premiere: Sarandon Expected For Lovely Bones Wellington
This December, Wellington will once again play host to some of Hollywood’s biggest names at the premiere of Peter Jackson’s latest film The Lovely Bones. More>>

ALSO:

• Wellington City Council - Mayor’s delight at Jackson premiere for city

Scoop Books: The Hidden Life Of What We Buy
This life occurs before the product gets to us – as the raw materials are extracted or grown, as the product is processed or manufactured, as it is transported to us. It occurs while we own the product – through the energy it consumes, or the toxins it emits. It occurs after we have finished with it and sent it for dumping or recycling. More>>

Stuff And Things Exhibition: Design And The Readymade
In the 21st century products of every kind, shape and form are manufactured at unprecedented rates, filling our homes, offices, and storage spaces. Collectively, thousands of hours of human effort are vested in these products through materials extraction, research and development, design, manufacture, marketing and sales. More>>

The Royal Collection: Queen Lends Early Antarctic Photos To Museum
A major exhibition of early Antarctic photography will be loaned from the Royal Collection by Her Majesty The Queen for the 2010 New Zealand Antarctic Festival. The Heart of the Great Alone: Scott, Shackleton and Antarctic Photography will open in the Robert McDougall Gallery at Canterbury Museum on 20 August 2010. More>>

Horse and Rider: New Zealand’s Big Day Out In Adelaide
Clarke Johnstone, Blair Richardson and Jenna Mahoney took three horses who had never completed a 4**** event and not only went up against some of the best horse and rider combinations in the world, they managed to beat them to place in the top 10 at a ... More >>

... And An Album Out: The Chris Knox Collection On NZ On Screen
The Chris Knox Collection was curated by Flying Nun founder Roger Shepherd: “this is a unique and important collection of work perfectly illustrating what is possible with the barest of resources and a free wheeling imagination.” More>>

ALSO:

• NZ On Screen Out-Link - The Chris Knox Collection
• Public Address - Deprived of speech, he sang without words
• STROKE Songs For Chris Knox - Songs For Chris Knox: Record Release - Benefit Gig
• TV3 Video - Fire organ ignited to honour Chris Knox
• TV3 Video - Arts Foundation names 2009 laureates
• TV3 Video - Don McGlashan discusses Chris Knox fundraiser

Scoop Books: Killing Greg Shackleton Again And Again
I’m trying to think what to do about a recently published book – there is not much choice because of the laws of defamation. It’s ironic, anyone can print what they like and get away with it. Why? There is no protection in law for the dead, that’s why. More>>

Gordon Campbell: The Selective Targeting Of Beenie Man
From the very outset, the BDO knew Beenie Man had a controversial background. In the past, his song lyrics have included lines such as “I’m dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays” in “Damn”, and “Hang chi chi gal [lesbian] wid a long piece of rope” in ‘Han Up Deh.’ More>>

ALSO:

• Big Day Out - Beenie Man Ousted from Big Day Out
• Big Day Out - Beenie Man: statement from the Big Day Out
• OutRage - Beenie Man concerts axed in Australia & NZ
• SOLO - Voltaire vs. the Pink Swastika
• Public Address Out-Link - Up Front: I'll Take Actium and Trafalgar
• TV3 Video - Big Day Out facing pressure to ban gay-hating Beenie Man

Frontline Wine: What Is A Characterful Wine?
Specific regional wine tastings are a wine professional's 'American Idol early rounds'. The bulk of the evaluation is unmemorable. Some wines sing. Other wines are the equivalent of a shuffling, toothless tone-death witch desperately seeking attention (or perhaps... More >>

Ooh La La: Hot Pink Bits National Tour
Whatever happened to Divine Brown? Can a phone sex operator get RSI? Do people really have sex through a pizza? Ever fantasised about an amputee? Frustrated you can’t look any of this up on your work computer? Then Hot Pink Bits is the show for you. More>>

Human Remains: Repatriation Of köiwi tangata, toi moko
Thirty-three Mäori ancestral remains will be repatriated by Te Papa from five museums and institutions in Wales, Scotland, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland between 16 November and 28 November. The largest repatriation took place in 2007 when 45 kōiwi tangata were repatriated from the United Kingdom. More>>

Glenn Colquhoun: The Therapeutic Uses Of Ache
Of all the conditions I do see that no one ever taught me about, ache is by far and away the most common. Too often in my practice it has forced me to leave the tar-seal of the textbook. At those times I have returned to what I have learnt from life by living it, mainly from making a hash of it. It is the most reliable source of ache I know.
More>>

NewsWire Link: Wellington Whiteout Forecast For Saturday
Tourism Wellington is urging people to dress all in white to show who they support when the All Whites meet Bahrain at Westpac Stadium on Saturday. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - PM to All Whites: The whole country is behind you
• NewsWire Out-Link - Painting the town red – and green, and blue
• NewsWire Out-Link - Wellington Guy Fawkes

Big Day Out: Beenie Man Being Looked Into
In response to the concerns that Beenie Man may perform homophobic material from his youth, the Big Day Out promoters say that as far as they could ascertain, that since signing the Reggae Compassionate Act in 2007, Beenie Man has stayed true to his word in not performing the offending songs. More>>

ALSO:

• TV3 Video - Big Day Out facing pressure to ban gay-hating Beenie Man

Scoop Books: Following The Balibo Massacre’s Whale
Early on in Tony Maniaty’s Shooting Balibo we come across Herman Melville, Michelangelo Antonioni and John Dos Passos. We quickly get the message that this is as much a journey of the imagination as it is a travelogue, memoir or investigation. More>>

Scoop Review: Death And The Dream Life Of Elephants
Confusion, sadness, loneliness, fear, a view of humanity from a totally different angle -- just a typical day of the life of a Wellington twentysomething in Leo Gene Peters' latest directorial project "Death and the Dream Life of Elephants". More>>

Wellington.Scoop: A Cinematic Week In Wellington: Hobbits, A Vintner, And An Impossible Question
In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re in the middle of a an intense cinematically creative week in Wellington, with an excess of opportunities to participate. Mexican director Guillermo del Toro, who has moved here from Los Angeles to make two Hobbit movies with Peter Jackson, is speaking at the Paramount ... More>>

ALSO:

• Paramount Theatre - "Hobbit" Director to Help Local Filmmakers
• Script to Screen - Wellington Writer’s Room - 11th Nov
• Screen Production and Development Association - New Screen Industry Collaborations
• Massey University - Engineering students mix creativity and complexity

11/11: Armistice Day 91st Anniversary
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel will join their Excellencies the Governor General of New Zealand, the Honorable Sir Anand Satyanand, and Lady Susan Satyanand at a commemorative service at the National War Memorial in Buckle Street, Wellington at 11.00am on Wednesday 11 November. More>>

ALSO:

• Christchurch City Council - Armistice Day remembrance service
• Returned Services Association - Honouring New Zealand’s only Gallipoli VC
• NZ Govt - Minister launches ANZAC speech contest

Soul: The Legendary Al Green To Play NZ
Chugg Entertainment is thrilled and honoured to bring to Australia and New Zealand for the very first time, the peerless prince of soul, the Reverend Al Green. Backed by his unbelievable 12-piece band, Al Green’s first ever Australian and New Zealand shows in January next year promise to be once-in-a-lifetime concert events. More>>

Scoop Wellington: Jackson & Colleagues Named Producers Of The Year
The Hollywood Reporter yesterday named Peter Jackson and his colleagues Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham as producers of the year. In giving them this honour, the publication says that District 9, which is among the most acclaimed releases of the year, is “a reminder of just how effective Jackson, Walsh and Cunningham are as producers. More>>

At The Govett-Brewster: Science, Nature & Art For Summer
Nature, science and uncertainty are explored in the summer season exhibitions at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. Colombia’s Alberto Baraya investigates the role of a 19th century expeditionary botanist, Len Lye looks to science to spark his imagination, and the third instalment in the Gallery’s year-long investigation of contemporary Chinese art ... More>>

Stop: New Zealand... It’s Hammer Time
MC Hammer is visiting Auckland to launch the new Xbox exclusive karaoke title Lips: Number One Hits, which features his chart topping smash hit ‘U Can’t Touch This.’ Hammer will also demonstrate the new Xbox Twitter feature and perform at a select number of private Xbox events in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland. More>>

High Culture: The Sexy Recession Cabaret
This party season, ditch the economic blues and surrender to the intoxicating wiles of the SEXY RECESSION CABARET. Guaranteed to make you forget about life for a while this strictly limited season thrusts open its doors for business from December 12 at TAPAC Theatre, Western Springs. More>>

ALSO:

• New Dowse - RED ROOM until 22 November 2009

Review: Collapsing Creation
It has been Charles Darwin’s year since his 200th birthday in February and on Thursday night before the fireworks on the harbour, we saw Downstage’s biographical tribute. More>>

ALSO:

• Downstage Theatre - Collapsing Creation - play and lecture series

Karim Sahai Images: Wellington Phoenix Unbeaten At Home
The Wellington Phoenix faced Perth Glory during the 13th match of the Hyundai A-League 2009-2010 season, on 8 Nov 2009, at Wellington's Westpac Stadium. With a draw 1-1 score, the Phoenix remain unbeaten at home this year. More>>

ALSO:

• Cricket Wellington - Nevin to play 100th match for Wellington

Scoop Review Of Books: Workshop Remembers History’s King
Michael King is remembered for his writing of New Zealand history as well as for his generous support of other writers. After his tragic death in 2004, a group of friends and associates set up the Michael King Writers’ Centre. During Labour weekend 2009 the Centre organised a three-day residential workshop with the theme, Shifting Sands: changing perceptions in history and biography. More>>

ALSO:

• Scoop Review Of Books - Poem of the Week: Eurydice

Werewolf: The Canonisation Of J. Dilla
Thirty years on though, is a convenient time to take stock. Obviously, in the wider sweep of hip hop history there have been many great singles and short term contributors. Yet for argument’s sake, the list of hip hop’s revolutionary artists with a body of work comes down to a fairly short list : Public Enemy, NWA. Wu Tang Clan and J. Dilla. More>>

Werewolf: When Angels Fall To Earth
With the reception to Niki Caro’s new film The Vintner’s Luck becoming more downbeat by the day, it was no wonder that Caro herself seemed to be fully prepped and armed with some beautifully phrased (if somewhat off topic) interview responses. More>>

ALSO:

• Carolyn Meers - A Review of Niki Caro's The Vintner's Luck
• Werewolf Issue 5

Television: Also, They Ran Out Of Stars
TVNZ has decided against commissioning a production of Dancing With The Stars in 2010. The decision has been made, reluctantly, because the current market conditions do not support such an expensive show. More>>

Music: STROKE – Songs For Chris Knox
On June 11 this year musician, artist, father, writer, film critic & jandal wearer Chris Knox suffered a life-altering stroke at his home in Grey Lynn. Everyone wanted to do something to help. So a bunch of his muso mates from NZ and around the world have gotten together to do what they do best to celebrate Chris’ music by recording versions of his songs. More>>

Sex.Scoop: New Scientific Proof Sex Is Good For You
We live in a world where science has more credit than experiential knowledge. It’s been this way since the Enlightenment, around the beginning of the 18th Century, when religious belief gave way to rationalism. But with increasing rapidity science is proving that the things that the ancient sexual masters told us about sex are indeed true. More >>

Werewolf: Disasteradio v The Music Industry
Disasteradio (or “Luke Rowell” as some may refer to him) is a modern subversion of the singer-songwriter – one man and a computer, not a guitar. More>>

ALSO:

• Werewolf Issue 5

Offerenda: Mexican Embassy Remembers Dr. Seddon Bennington
With the blessing of the family and the assistance of the staff of Te Papa, the Embassy has chosen to honour Dr. Bennington on this occasion due to his close ties to the Embassy on both a professional and a personal level, and his passion for Mexican culture. More>>

Werewolf: The Pirate Twins (1929) By William Nicholson
According to the experts, an awareness of gender kicks in with children around the age of three, with racial awareness (and even racial repugnance) commonly evident by four or five. More>>

ALSO:

• Werewolf Issue 5

Arts Fest Programme: Ashkenazy Brook Dawkins Digger Gaiman Schama Shankar Shaolin Wainwright
The New Zealand International Arts Festival has launched its programme for 2010. From internationally acclaimed conductor, Vladimir Ashkenazy to legendary sitar player, Ravi Shankar, the New Zealand International Arts Festival will present the best arts the world has to offer from 26 February to 21 March. More>>

Fernando Ramirez Photos: Halloween On Courtenay Place
Photographer Fernando Ramirez trick and treats the costumes that were on Courtney for Halloween night. More>>

Games: Get Your Intergalactic Weapon Built By Weta
Ever wanted the chance to have your own weapon design created by the world famous WETA workshop? Well, now you’ve got the opportunity with the Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time weapon competition. More>>

Daffodil Day? Well-Known Kiwis Pick Melbourne Cup Winner
The New Zealand trained horse Daffodil is being tipped by the politicians to win Australasia’s richest race, whereas New Zealand sporting personalities are divided on their picks. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Racing Board - Punters interest high in the Melbourne Cup
• NZ Racing Industry Board - Melbourne Cup on tomorrow!
• Auckland Racing Club - Melbourne Cup Hospitality On A High At Ellerslie
• Scoop Audio - Wallace & Manning: MMP Woes + Oh My Dear Daffodil!
• TV3 Video - Over 100,000 Kiwis expected to watch Melbourne Cup
• TV3 Video - Viewed the bookies' favourite for this afternoon's Melbourne Cup
• TV3 Video - Changing of the Guard scratched from Melbourne Cup
• TV3 Video - Melbourne Cup - full race
• TV3 Video - Unlikely Melbourne Cup win shocks trainer
• Reddit Out-Link - "You are no longer innocent till you're proven guilty." Police Minister responds: "It's fantastic, isn't it?" : worldnews

Scoop Review Of Books: The Rose Bible And Other Banned Books
Societies have always wrestled with censorship. Indeed the suppression or attempted suppression of material considered offensive, objectionable, or a threat to security (real or imagined) is as old as literature itself. And books, as transmitters of literature, have been the excellent targets. More >>

Handle The Jandal: Parallel Dance Ensemble Eats Way To Music Video Victory
With a video that featured loads of colour, plenty of lips and lots of lollies, Parallel Dance Ensemble won the Golden Jandal for best video, as voted by the audience at last night's Radio Active 89FM Handle the Jandal DIY Music Video Awards. More>>

Internet: Iggy's Recording Session
The auditions have closed and Iggy Pop has his brand new band. More than 200 New Zealand musicians auditioned for the chance to lay down Iggy’s renowned solo track ‘The Passenger’ online and under the direction of the Godfather of Punk. More>>

Literature: Leading New Zealand Writers Honoured
Three of New Zealand‘s most celebrated writers – C K Stead, Brian Turner and Dr Ranginui Walker were honoured at tonight’s 2009 Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement at Premier House in Wellington. More>>

Statistics: NZers Are Satisfied With Their Overall Wellbeing
The first New Zealand General Social Survey (NZGSS) shows that 86 percent of New Zealanders are satisfied with their life overall, Statistics New Zealand said today. The NZGSS gives information about key social and economic outcomes across a number of areas of life. More>>

ALSO:

• Reader's Digest - Survey: Why We’re Suffering 'Green Fatigue'

Lulz: Announcing The Comedy Christmas Gala
Tired of having to clean up the office the morning after the Christmas party? Fed up with recycling bins full of photocopies of lewd body parts? Or do you just fancy treating yourself to a night out where the speeches will actually be funny? More>>

NZ School Of Dance: Graduation Season Programme Announced
The New Zealand School of Dance Graduation Season 09 promises to be a sleek, polished and exciting performance of classical ballet and contemporary dance. From heritage pieces to brand new choreography this season will have something for all dance lovers. More>>

Variety: What Costume Might El Jaguar Wear For Halloween?
This Friday brings another installment of Wellington's favourite masked Mexican wrestler/variety show host and his unique brand of entertainment. From burlesque dancers and singers to comedians and pinatas! More>>

ALSO:

• The Wellington Comedy Club - The Sunday Pro Comedy Shows’

Karim Sahai Images: Phoenix Obliterate Gold Coast United
The 11th match of the Hyundai A-League championship opposes The Wellington Phoenix to Gold Cost United at Wetspac Stadium. The devastating 6-0 victory marked an end to the Phoenix' long series of draws. More>>

ALSO:

• TV3 Video - Phoenix break six-draw streak with style

Historical Adventure: 'Tracker' Starts Shooting In Auckland
Shooting starts next week on TRACKER, a manhunt thriller starring Ray Winstone and Temuera Morrison in Auckland, New Zealand. More>>

Scoop Review: "Live At Six" Twists The Truth And Wins The Crowd
Time, not truth, is of the essence in "Live at Six", a satire documenting the rivalry between two New Zealand television news stations... After video of a TV One news anchor looking to be under the influence of an illegal substance is leaked onto YouTube, both stations attack, scheme, and skew in the hopes of coming out on top... More>>

ALSO:

• Bats Theatre - NZ Media types - be warned!
• Bats Theatre - Live at Six: Congratulations to the select few

Not Vista: NZ's First Windows 7 Machine In Charity Auction
Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 7, launched today, at an exciting event in Auckland’s Queen Elizabeth Square. International rugby star and one of the world’s great number sevens, Richie McCaw, was onsite to be the first person in New Zealand to receive a Windows 7 powered, HP Pavilion dv7 notebook. This is being auctioned on TradeMe, with proceeds going to Lifeline. More>>

Art: 'Mine Are The Dreams Of The Sleepless'
Austrian born artist Jinx in the Sky will open her latest exhibition of dream-inspired paintings on Wednesday the 4th of November at Pixel Ink Gallery. More>>

Wellington Tsunami Fundraiser Monday: Still Has Scribe And Savage
A fantastic line-up of performers will come together in Wellington on Monday night to raise money for the tsunami recovery effort in Samoa. Scribe, Savage, The Yandall Sisters and the Laughing Samoans are just some of the musicians who will take to the stage at the Michael Fowler Centre for the I love the Islands concert. More>>

ALSO:

• I Love The Islands - Wellington I Love The Islands Samoa Relief Concert

Maori: Poroporoaki Ki A Mate Kaiwai
The Minister of Maori Affairs joined Ngati Porou and the nation in mourning the passing of a pillar of Maoridom, Mate Huatahi Kaiwai, of Ngati Porou. She was 94. More>>

ALSO:

• Maori Party - Maori Party farewells Ngati Porou matriarch
• Labour - Horomia pays tribute to te reo icon

Charity: Naked Samoans For One-Show-Only Samoa Benefit
Critically acclaimed theatre troupe, The Naked Samoans are coming out of retirement for a special one-off performance of their ‘Go Home’ show to raise money for those affected by the recent tsunami in Samoa. More>>

ALSO:

• TV3 Video - Auckland's Samoa tsunami relief concert raises $250,000

Media Bashing: News Satire At Bats
Media of New Zealand be warned - we know what you're doing! You naughty little story twisters! Live at Six made all the opening night audience particularly dubious of the goings on in our 6 O'Clock News broadcasts ... More>>

Light Works: Two More Chances To See Night Lights Spectacular
Aucklanders have only two more chances to see Night Lights with Telecom when the iconic Auckland ferry building is transformed into an interactive experience on a scale never before seen in New Zealand. More>>

1 November: Day Of The Dead Celebrations In Wellington
OFRENDA and Face-painting/Preparation for the STREET PROCESSION through Wellington’s streets to Bar Bodega (departs 6PM) - DIA DE LOS MUERTOS Fiesta: Music, poetry, dance, and SPOT PRIZES!! More>>

'Biography Of My Skin' Review II: Miranda Harcourt And I Shared A Boyfriend
Well it was the 1980’s, the decade of excess but actually. Before I get started tell ancient Canterbury (university) tales I need to confess that we didn’t date him at the same time. More>>

Going Pottery: Southern Artists Scoop Top Ceramic Awards
Dunedin artists took centre-stage at this year’s Portage Ceramic Awards, winning the premier prize with two large-scale, colour-infused works described by the internationally selected Awards’ judge as ambitious in concept, form and materiality. More>>

Theatre: Well Loved NZ Actor Martyn Sanderson Dies
Veteran actor, writer, and poet Martyn Sanderson died at his home in Otaki yesterday (14/10) aged 71. Up until his death Martyn Sanderson was working with his wife Wanjiku Kiare to produce the play Muntu directed by the revered Kenyan artist and playwright Wakanyote Njuguna More>>

Commemorations: Erebus And Perpignan Anniversaries
Air New Zealand is inviting families of those lost on flight TE 901 at Mount Erebus to provide feedback on aspects of a proposal to mark the 30th anniversary of the accident on November 28 this year. More>>

ALSO:

• TV3 Video - Air NZ to apologize to families of Erebus tragedy

Summer Festivals: Splore Announces First Lineup For 2010
There’s great music and a whole lot more at Splore 2010. An exciting mix of strong local talent and international performers will take to the stages next February against the backdrop of the idyllic Tapapakanga Regional Park, just 70km south-east of Auckland. ... More>>

Book: Angus Gillies On Ruatoria Rastafarians
A new book that looks at one of the strangest chapters in modern New Zealand history has just been released. No Dreadlocks No Cry is the second in author Angus Gillies’ series, Ngati Dread, about the Ruatoria Rastafarians, who terrorised the East Coast town from 1985 to 1990. More>>

NZ Book Month: Beer And Book Matching
A glass of wine at a book launch is as natural a combination as fish and chips on the beach, and there are many who feel passionately about both situations... More>>

Film Reviews: Robot Chicken Wars & Stephen Fry
This week Scoop’s Jackie Little casts an eye over the American adventures of one of her great heroes, Stephen Fry , while son Callum offers his opinion on the Robot Chicken Star Wars parody . More>>

Surveys: Kiwis Want More Than Birds & Bees In Sex Ed
According to the latest Durex Sexual Wellbeing survey released today, sex education in New Zealand is dominated by ‘facts of life’ topics such as puberty, pregnancy and menstruation. However most New Zealanders stated they wished their sex education had covered the emotional side of sex as well. More>>