THE INTERNAL - NEWSLETTER 13/04

Well guys, the group of interns is not changing for the next weeks – people know why they do not want to be here in the winter… However, we can not really complain until now, since it is the warmest winter since ages….

WOX TRIP SUGGESTION

Since some people were asking last weekend about where it is best to go for canoeing – this is where Fanny and I went in February:

If you do not want to do a weekend trip, there are a lot of things in and around Auckland, which are easily to be managed in one day. Waiheki Island is one of this awesome spots you should visit while staying in Auckland. The Island is in the north-east of Auckland, close to Rangitoto.

Take the Fullers ferry at 8.15am ($25 return), which will bring you to Waiheke in about 40 minutes. At the island you do have various possibilities. Rent a bike for about $30 (9am – 3pm) and explore the island. If you want to see the Island from the seaside, book a Kayak trip. A guided half day tour (9am – 1pm) costs about $65. Since it is not that difficult to kayak you can also just rent one and head off after a short introduction (the rescue firework is pretty impressive).

For info check out www.kayakwaiheke.co.nz.  That’s the best possibility for finding your own “private” beach for a picnic and sunbath!

Furthermore, there are great walks around the island, beautiful beaches just right for relaxing a bit, wine tasting tours ………

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.

OTARA MARKET

Saturdays from 6am till noon, Newsbury Street, Otara

For an excellent Pacific experience, definitely visit the Otara Market, which is a pretty large Polynesian market offering exotic foods and smells, wonderful tapa cloth, flax mats and baskets and bone carvings.

NEW ZEALAND MUSIC MONTH

Check www.nzmusicmonth.co.nz for all kind of concerts the whole month. There are also special prices for CDs of New Zealand artists at the moment.

NBL BASKETBALL

01, 09, 22, 29 May, North Shore Events Centre

08, 21, 28 May, ASB Stadium, Kohimarama Rd

To know who is playing and when, check out www.aucklandstars.co.nz

SUPER 12 RUGBY

8 May. Eden Park

Blues v Highlanders. Fans can meet players at Skycity after the game

WORLD CINEMA SHOWCASE 2004

Until 12 May 2004, Academy Cinema, Lorne Street

The sixth annual World Cinema Showcase is in Auckalnd, featuring a lively programme of outstanding films, both old and new. Highlights include Shattered Glass, Open Hearts, Gloomy Sunday, The Spanish Appartment (L’auberge Espagnol), The Station Agent, capturing the Friedmans, Interstella 5555 and a lot more.

For more info visit: www.academy-cinema.co.nz and

for film reviews try: www.rottentomatoes.com

DJMARKY AND STAMINA MC & LOCAL SUPPORT

15 May 2004 at Centro, Auckland

Dj Marky is from Sao Paulo, Brazil – so, that’s the place to be for everybody, who likes D’n’B! Tickets from Beat Merchants or Real Groovy.

THE NEWMARKET/ PARNELL HEART OF ART FESTIVAL 2004

10 – 24 May, Parnell Community Centre and other venues

The suburbs of Parnell and Newmarket will be set alive with a huge variety of artistic events this month. This includes exhibitions, talks, competitions, fundraising arts auctions and opportunities to try your hand at various arts and crafts. Especially during the Arts in action Weekend (15-16 May), the Parnell Community Centre will be bursting at the seams with artists, craftspeople and performers, as well as wine tasting and food stalls. Also local galleries and studios will be open to public all weekend, so that people can view artists at work.

Check out: www.heart-of-art.org.nz

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

OUT TAKES, GAY AND LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL

27 May – 07 June, Skycity metro and Academy Cinema

Check out www.outtakes.org.nz

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

Hi Guys!  Hope you are enjoying Auckland!

Not that we are trying to get rid of you or anything, but I thought today I would write just a little bit about leaving Auckland.  Specifically, going on short trips away from NZ.

One of the things that NZérs and Australians envy about Europeans is that they can drive or fly a mere hour or two and be in a different country.  Not so easy when you are living on an island in the middle of the South Pacific!

But while NZ doesn’t actually have any neighbours, kiwis are renowned for getting out and seeing the world.  There are many airlines which services Auckland and can take you virtually anywhere in Asia or the South Pacific.

Fiji is a popular holiday destination, Bali is legendary (although infamous now), and of course Australia is only $400 or so dollars away (that’s NZ dollars, not US Dollars!)  But some lesser known gems of the Pacific are Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tahiti! Very beautiful in their own right. 

Asia is also close . . (well actually it isn’t, but the funny thing about flying is that it’s *relatively* close), and so you can get specials to Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Japan – pretty much anywhere (except North Korea).  Similarly, airlines now fly the Auckland – South America route, although this isn’t the sort of trip you would make for a week away!

So there you have it – you can hop over to some exotic Pacific Island for a week or two of sunning and sanding!  Just be sure you send us postcards!

Jonathon

THAT’S IT FOR TODAY!