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It marks the choir's second international win in two weeks. Video / NZ Youth Choir via Facebook
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NZ Herald
19 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Maama Ghee: How I went from crime and prison to a new life and the boxing ring
She now trains at the gym four days a week for two hours a session - and is about to compete in a boxing charity match for a cause dear to her heart, under her boxing name Maama Ghee. She did it for her three kids - aged 15, 13 and 3. 'I'm so proud of myself' she said. The big event These days, Maama Ghee gets around 7.6 million views a month on her Facebook Page, and 2.6 million likes per month on her Tik Tok. She posts material about her workouts, and her life. 'I want to set an example for those who lack confidence and find it hard to step out of their comfort zones,' she said. Kimi Parata working out at the gym as she prepares for her corporate boxing match. Parata (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Paoa) has dropped 40kg and bulked up for a corporate fight night in Pakuranga on August 30 in an effort to raise suicide awareness. She will fight Memz at the Ben Lamond Centre, someone she has never boxed against before. 'All I know is Memz follows me on Facebook,' Parata said. Social media influencer CWK Nix is her cousin and will be in her corner on fight night, she said. Parata hopes to raise awareness of suicide. 'I lost an ex-partner to suicide, and also family members, so it's close to my heart. Kimi Putere Parata is preparing to fight Memz, who she has never boxed against before, in an August match. 'The last I heard from [my ex] was when she was released from prison in 2023 and she passed away that same year. I used emotions I felt and put it into fitness, and I know she is proud of me.' The organiser of her upcoming fight is one of Parata's 70,000 Facebook followers, Junior Pati AKA Pitbull - a former champion boxer who runs promotional companies Pitbull Showdown and King of the South. A tough start in life Parata told the Herald she's motivated by her dysfunctional upbringing, which included abuse, loss, boarding schools and state care. 'When I was nine, I was hanging with street kids in the hood stealing and drinking, smoking weed,' she said. 'I was taken off my mother at ten, my father died when I was 11. 'I was in and out of juvenile prisons, Kingslea and Rolleston in Christchurch and I went through sexual abuse and rape throughout my life as a child. Kimi Putere Parata. 'I was the youngest on the streets as a prostitute on Manchester St when I was 12ish.' Between 2015 and 2021 Parata served prison time for aggravated robbery, kidnapping and causing grievous bodily harm, she said. She told the Herald she hasn't offended since 2021. Parata sees herself as a role model 'My goal is to just step in the ring and fight for light, fight for right, fight for our people and of course growth and healing within my own journey. 'I hope what I share helps our people across the globe ... I'm not perfect but I am on an amazing path to being my best self and do believe I can help others stuck in darkness or [who] may need to hear what I may share.' 'I will continue my fitness journey and boxing' She also wants to become a personal trainer for those who struggle to get out of the house and into a gym. Kimi Parata is on the undercard of this boxing event on August 30. And her dream is to start her own brand of clothing. 'I'm starting back up with my own merchandise brand Mamagheeghee clothing and also my own fitness logo DMC which means dedication motivational change. Which I created after I gave up meth,' Parata said. Mamaghee The Motivator is taking on Memz in a charity boxing fundraiser. Parata is fighting Memz on the undercard at the Ben Lamond Centre in Pakuranga on August 30. Joseph Los'e is an award winning journalist and joined NZME in 2022 as Kaupapa Māori Editor. Los'e was a chief reporter, news director at the Sunday News newspaper covering crime, justice and sport. He was also editor of the NZ Truth and prior to joining NZME worked for urban Māori organisation Whānau Waipareira.
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Pavarotti's Widow Pays Tribute To New Zealand Youth Choir
July 16, 2025 Nicoletta Mantovani, widow of Luciano Pavarotti and organisers of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales have paid tribute to the "outstanding" New Zealand Youth Choir. This follows their remarkable triumph as Choir of the World at the world-renowned festival. In a double celebration for New Zealand, the choir's director, David Squire, was also named Most Inspiring Conductor. David Squire was presented with the prestigious Pavarotti Trophy by Nicoletta Mantovani, widow of the legendary opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, the world's best-selling classical artist. Nicoletta Mantovani said: "On behalf of the Pavarotti Foundation, I was honoured to present the Pavarotti Trophy to the exceptional New Zealand Youth Choir, winners of Choir of the World at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod. Their talent and passion truly reflect Luciano's spirit - especially during this special year as Decca Classics celebrates 90 years since the birth of the great Maestro." Founded in 1947, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod promotes peace and friendship through music and dance. This year's event also honoured the memory of Luciano Pavarotti, who performed at the festival in 1955. In partnership with Decca Classics, his long-time record label, a 120-foot chalk mural of the Maestro on the hills overlooking Llangollen. It was commissioned with the approval of Nicoletta Mantovani and was unveiled near the iconic Llangollen Pavilion. Decca Classics has also announced a year-long celebration marking what would have been Pavarotti's 90th birthday. As part of the tribute, they have released 'The Lost Concert', an album featuring Pavarotti's historic 1995 performance at Llangollen. Chair of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, John Gambles, praised the choir, who also recently achieved success at the European Choir Games in Aarhus, Denmark. John said, "This choir should be a source of immense pride for everyone in New Zealand. Our audiences fell in love with their sound, spirit, and stage presence. They were not only musically exceptional but also outstanding ambassadors for their country. The Llangollen Eisteddfod upholds some of the highest musical standards of any choral competition in the world. For the New Zealand Youth Choir to win Choir of the World on the very stage where Luciano Pavarotti's international career began is a tremendous achievement. The crowd was captivated when the choir performed an impromptu haka before rushing to the stage to celebrate with their inspirational conductor, David Squire."
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Wife's subtle move after CEO husband caught on Coldplay kiss cam in alleged affair
Footage of the incident quickly spread across social media and it didn't take long for internet sleuths to identify the two individuals. The viral video has racked up millions of views on TikTok and has been shared widely across all social media platforms, sparking a deluge of comments from internet users. While the alleged affair has not yet been confirmed, social media users believe they have further evidence that the kiss cam footage tells a story. Byron's wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron, was initially reported to have removed his last name from her social media profiles, reverting to her maiden name of Megan Kerrigan. Social media users overwhelmingly approved the subtle move and encouraged the wife to 'laugh all the way to the bank' after the incident. Andy Byron's wife has now dropped her married name on Facebook👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 and left comments open on her Facebook! What a class act! Go Megan 👏🏼 Get that divorce lawyer and get the money — Mrs. SpaceX ™️ (@anuibi) July 17, 2025 She appears to have since wiped her social media presence altogether, including removing her Facebook and Instagram accounts. 'What a class act! Go Megan. Get that divorce lawyer and get the money,' someone commented on social media. 'Get that check, girl,' another social media user said. JUST IN: Astronomer CEO Andy Byron's wife removes his last name from her Facebook profile. — Polymarket (@Polymarket) July 17, 2025 Kerrigan's Facebook account was open to public comments before being deleted and many social media users took the chance to post their support for the woman. 'Sorry you're going through this,' said one comment, which was echoed by many similar ones. 'If you're going to cheat, learn some chill' As the video continues to spread on social media, internet users have pointed out the reason it is getting so much attention is because the two protagonists tried to hide it. The result is a variation of the Barbra Streisand effect, a phenomenon where an attempt to hide or remove online information about an incident ends up increasing public awareness of that incident. Had they acted normally, they wouldn't have gone viral… — 🐈⬛ (@NatCatNFT) July 17, 2025 'Had they acted normally, they wouldn't have gone viral,' one person posted on X. 'Seriously. I'm no fan of cheating but if you're going to do it, learn some chill,' someone else replied. 'Would had [sic] been better off playing it off. Start dancing crazy and laughing, then separate like they did it for the camera intentionally,' another social media user commented. As the Herald's Jenni Mortimer wrote, Byron's affair 'is a lesson in karma and poor choices'. CEO gushed about HR director in hiring announcement A post from the Astronomer CEO describing Cabot as 'a proven leader' at the time she joined the company as HR director late last year has resurfaced after the viral video. 'Kristin's exceptional leadership and deep expertise in talent management, employee engagement, and scaling people strategies will be critical as we continue our rapid trajectory,' Byron said in November 2024. 'She is a proven leader at multiple growth-stage companies and her passion for fostering diverse, collaborative workplaces makes her a perfect fit for Astronomer.' Cabot said in the same press release that she was 'energised in my conversations with Andy and the Astronomer leadership team about the opportunities that exist here'. Viral moment leads to memes Internet users did not miss the opportunity to make jokes after the viral incident, which quickly became fertile ground for memes. Guy whose wife went to a Coldplay concert with her boss last night logging in today — Parody CEO (@parody_ceo) July 17, 2025 Me liking every post about the cheating CEO and Chief People Officer from Astronomer at the Coldplay concert — Rational Takes (@rationaltakes) July 17, 2025 chris martin at the coldplay concert — Saint Hoax (@SaintHoax) July 17, 2025 CEO of Astronomer walking into the office today — Trung Phan (@TrungTPhan) July 17, 2025 the camera guy zooming in at Andy Byron, CEO of Astronomer — Daniel Merja ( (@danielmerja) July 17, 2025 My X timeline today: — Prison Mitch (@MidnightMitch) July 17, 2025 And, finally, a nod to this absolute icon, who knew how to avoid getting caught at a concert she did not want to be seen at:
