THE INTERNAL - NEWSLETTER 10/04

I hope all of you had a relaxing weekend and hit the beach on sunny Saturday! We went to the Basketball on Thursday – a very fast and enjoyable game. The same with the Rugby game on Friday evening. The Stormers (Cape Town) were a bit rough on the Blues (Auckland) that lost clearly in the end. Still, a lot fun to watch and enjoy the atmosphere!

On Sunday evening all the drivers from the Propecia Rally came to Auckland harbour. The winner Petter Solberg (Norway, Subaru Team) received the goblet, people were cheering and the champagne splashed.

WOX COUNTRY INFO

Unfortunately, Anzac Day is hitting a Sunday this year, which means that there is one public holiday less for New Zealand’s poor working society…. But do you know what Anzac Day is at all?

Anzac Day in New Zealand is held on 25 April each year to commemorate New Zealanders killed in war and to honour returned serviceman and woman.

A typical commemoration begins with a march by returned service personnel before dawn to the local war memorial. A short service follows with a prayer, hymns, and a dedication which concludes with the last verse of Laurence Binvon’s “For the Fallen”.

They shall not grow old, as we that we are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them

The Last Post is then played, followed by a minute's silence and Reveille. A brief address follows, after which the hymn 'Recessional' is sung. The service concludes with a closing prayer and the singing of the National Anthem.

Another ceremony takes place later that morning, with returned service personnel wearing their medals, and marching behind banners and standards. The veterans are joined by other community groups, including members of the armed forces, the Red Cross, cadets, and veterans of other countries' forces. The march proceeds to the local war memorial, where another service takes place. After these services, many of the veterans retire to the local RSA club or hotel, where they enjoy coffee and rum and 'unwind' after an emotionally and, for elderly veterans, physically exhausting event.

WOX ACTIVITY

ONCE WERE WARRIORS

St. James Complex, 23.04.2004, 7.30pm

This musical tells the story of urban Maori life and the Heke family, whose patriarch, Jake, is dragging his loved ones into a world of violence, booze and drugs.

If there is anybody who still wants to join – give me a call or get a ticket from Ticketek (Aotea Square).

WOX SUGGESTION

I guess most if you have already seen the movie “Good Bye Lenin” in Germany, but for those who have not – it is on at Rialto Cinema in Newmarket!

WHATS ON IN AND AROUND AUCKLAND

AOTEA SQUARE MARKETS

Every Friday and Saturday from 10am – 6pm

This is when Aotea Square is taken over by the colourful and bustling Aotea Square Markets The Markets offer a range of stalls from Pasifika arts and crafts to pot plants, flowers, underground designer clothes, jewellery, vinyl and CDs. In addition there is a range of fine food stalls Every Saturday from midday to 2.00pm the Aotea Square Markets are "keeping real" with an ever-changing line-up of bands and DJs adding to the atmosphere

TAKAPUNA MARKETS

Every Sunday from 6am till noon

That is when Takapuna’s Central Carpark (corner Anzac Street&Lake Road) transforms into an eclectic market that offers fresh produce, flowers, crafts, furniture, foods, antiques and more.

NZ INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL 2004 – THE BEST OF BRITISH

Until 22 May 2004

Featuring Ross Noble, Lee Mack, Russel Howard, Andy Parsons ....

The Classid, 321 Queen Street, Auckland

Check out www.comedy.co.nz

KATCHAFIRE

1st of March, 9pm, Roadhouse bar, Papakura, Auckland

The eight piece waikato band plays infectious reggea for 4 hours. If you love reggae music then you must check them out as they play all the hits from their double platinum album ’Revival’ and all the best reggae hits from around the world.

MISSY ELLIOT

2nd of June, doors 7pm, Supertop Ericsson Stadium

In what can only be described as possibly THE biggest Hip Hop/R’n’B Event to be staged in New Zealand this year, the undisputed Queen of Hip/Hop Missy Elliot will be touring New Zealand for the very first time with 17 dancers, DJ’s, and live band, for a memorable 90 minute performance.

SONIC YOUTH – the world’s greatest punk rock jam band, and more!

26th of June, Saint James Complex, Auckland

One NY Roch writer discribed the band as “a roller-coaster ride of distortion, flange, strobe lights and rapid-fire drumming that sounded like an acid-rain storm on a hot tin roof“. Also on thebill is former Dinosaur Jr-man J Mascis and Wellington’s one man noise machine Birchville Cat Motel.

MESSAGE FROM JONATHON

Heya! Jonathon here.  I was just thinking today how nice it would be for a dip in the hot pools.  There are three very nice thermal spa resorts within about 45 minutes of central Auckland. 

The first is down south, going towards Hamilton (Waingaro).  It’s in a rural setting and very nice for a quiet soak in the hot mineral water.  The other two are north of Auckland – one going northwest just past Helensville (Pariki) and the other going up State Highway 1 towards Whangarei.  Waiwera Hot Springs is very well advertised in the tourist brochures, and is only metres off of State Highway 1 - you can’t miss it as you leave Orewa.  With the new motorway extension, Orewa is only about 25 minutes across the harbour bridge, and Waiwera is about 5 minutes on the other side of Orewa.

Another very cool spot, although perhaps a bit too far to drive for the afternoon, is Hotwater Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula.  This spot is great because there are thermal springs underneath the beach.  At low tide, you can take a shovel and dig a foot or two into the sand and the hot water will rise up from underneath.   You get your very own, personal hot bath on the beach!  The depth of your bath is limited only by the size of your shovel!  And of course you can go straight into the ocean if it gets too warm for you.  All in all it’s a very relaxing spot though, and the Coromandel is extremely scenic anyway!

Speaking of that, the whole Coromandel peninsula can be driven around in an afternoon.  But I might save the subject of great day trips for another letter!

THAT’S IT FOR TODAY!