Contributors
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Book Review: Wonderland
THE PHOTOS IN PETER ALSOP’S WONDERLAND (POTTON & BURTON) ARE A SAMPLING FROM THE ARCHIVES OF WHITES AVIATION. FOUNDED IN 1945, WHITES DEALT IN EVERYTHING FROM AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, TO TRAVEL JOURNALISM, TO HAND-COLOURED PHOTOGRAPHY. ONE THING THEY DIDN’T DO WAS FLY; DESPITE THE COMPANY’S NAME, THEY NEVER OWNED A PLANE. THEIR PHOTOS, COLOURED BY HAND…
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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…
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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…