Latest news with #Christchurch-based
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Rare bird in the spotlight
Conservationist Peter Langlands with an Australasian bittern PICTURE: EMMA WILLIAMS A secretive, critically endangered wetland bird is the subject of the Whakatipu Wildlife Trust's latest 'Talk on the Wild Side'. Christchurch-based conservationist, researcher and author Peter Langlands will talk about the Australasian bittern (Matuku-hūrepo) and other wetland birds at Skyline Queenstown on Tuesday. Langlands has received funding from Environment Canterbury for the past two years to carry out research on the bittern, which he calls the "kakāpō of wetlands". "They've got a really complex behavioural repertoire. "The male birds make a loud, resonating, booming call that can travel several kilometres." Langlands, whose book Foraging New Zealand came out last year, lived in Queenstown in 2017 while working for Amisfield restaurant as a forager. His bulging CV includes collecting data on braided river birds for the Department of Conservation (DoC), and setting up a national database on the bittern. The "charismatic" bird, of which only an estimated 250 to 750 remain, symbolises the importance of conserving large wetland areas, of which 90% have been destroyed, he says. "It's a real indictment on how we've treated our lowland wetland environments. "The paradox is, unlike most critically endangered birds, which are usually confined to sanctuaries or remote areas, the bittern is extremely widespread, but in very small numbers." He believes there's hope for its future — there's even been a few sightings in the Whakatipu in recent years. Cash-strapped DoC somehow needs to give the protection and restoration of the country's wetland ecosystems more attention, he says. "The amazing thing about this bird is if we get the habitat right for them, if we conserve the areas that are left and work to create the right habitats, they can actually thrive. "They're highly mobile ... and they can breed reasonably fast."
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Exploration of neurodivergence in engaging show
Hic Sunt Dracones presents The NeuroSpice Girls, by Lizzie Tollemache Wednesday, July 23 24 Filleul St pop-up space Review by BRENDA HARWOOD A large and responsive audience gave a warm welcome to Christchurch-based playwright/actor Lizzie Tollemache's wildly engaging, high-energy exploration of the life-long impact of neurodivergence during last night's premiere performance of The NeuroSpice Girls. Described as ''a funny and ferocious neurodivergent odyssey, from gut-punching denial to celebration,'' the show is directed by Kim Morgan, who also produces through her local theatre company Hic Sunt Dracones (HSD). The NeuroSpice Girls centres on the challenges faced by Tollemache — as a child in the playground, as a teenager and as an adult, when she could finally set about dealing with her issues. Along the way, she shares intimate details — some hilarious and others heartbreaking — of the many times her unique thought processes led to embarrassment, anxiety and punishment. An entertaining and sympathetic performer, Tollemache's masterful performance is superbly supported by a ''Greek chorus'' of top notch local actors, Marama Grant, Lexie Tomlinson, Ellie Swann and Destiny Carvell. Each with their own stories of neurodivergence and challenges, the chorus help keep the energy levels high and add immensely to the show's frequent moments of hilarity with impeccable comic timing — especially during satiric moments like the wickedly hysterical ''therapy for the patriarchy'' sequence. They can really sing as well. Alongside its many very funny sequences, The NeuroSpice Girls is filled with relatable moments, such as the triumphant announcement of ''boundaries'' and the moving sharing of the women's whakapapa through their mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers. An important aspect of the HSD kaupapa is to ''go off the map'' and find distinctive venues for each of its productions and the space at 24 Filleul St (next to the Urgent Pharmacy), sourced with support from the Dunedin Dream Brokerage, is a real coup. Clearly, a lot of work has gone into turning the space into a black box theatre, complete with a simple, effective and adaptive set designed and created by Matthew Morgan, into a fantastic performance space. The large, accessible venue has allowed HSD to cater for diverse audiences as well, with sofas, cushions and mats, as well as a ''chill out room''. Lighting design by Garry Keirle, sound and music by Matthew Morgan, and tech support by Jordan Wichman enhance the theatricality of the piece, while also minimising potential sensory overload. All in all, HSD's production of Tollemache's The NeuroSpice Girls is a triumph, bringing a fresh, informative and thoroughly entertaining approach to an important subject. Congratulations to all involved on a superb show. The NeuroSpice Girls continues at 24 Filleul St until Sunday, with performances at 7.30pm, and also 3pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Performers (top from left) Marama Grant, Lexie Tomlinson, Lizzie Tollemache, Destiny Carvell and (bottom) Ellie Swann during rehearsals of The NeuroSpice Girls. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Agribusiness and Trade: India's tech boom offers opportunities for New Zealand businesses
As New Zealand companies like Serko have discovered, India is where you go when looking for global capability hubs. While it sells professional services like law and accounting, India remains best known for its information technology services. Its tech giants like Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Tech Mahindra may not be household names, but are familiar in executive suites and boardrooms. India's tech firms are active in New Zealand. In April, Spark signed a strategic deal with Infosys to accelerate the transformation of its technology delivery model using artificial intelligence and cloud tools. This year Air New Zealand and Tata Consultancy Services signed a five-year partnership deal to explore opportunities for digital transformation, innovation and operational efficiency in the airline industry. Tech Mahindra is working with the University of Auckland on AI and quantum computing projects. This last deal underlines a key point. Twenty years ago India was best known for its sweatshop call centres and low-cost IT outsourcing. Today it is a global hub for advanced technology, innovation and skilled digital talent. In 2020, India accounted for approximately 55% of the global IT service sourcing market — valued at between US$200 billion and $250b. It made up around 20% of total global IT spending. That was up from around 13% of the total in 2015. India also accounts for a large slice of the world's IT experts. In 2021, India ranked third worldwide for cloud expertise, with 608,000 professionals. In addition to exports, India sustains a huge domestic technology sector. In 2023 the industry had an estimated worth of US$245b and employed 5.4 million people. The market is growing at just over 10% a year. Speaking at the India New Zealand Business Council's Boardroom to Border leadership dialogue in May, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon identified technology as one of the key focus areas of his mission to India in March. Said Luxon: 'We worked really hard in Mumbai and Delhi to ensure that New Zealand's primary products, our technology, our education, exports and our tourism offerings, were front and centre. 'Kiwi and Indian businesses are the engines of growth creating those new opportunities, lifting trade and helping transform the relationship between our countries.' Selling New Zealand technology faces challenges. Sakthi Ranganathan, founder of Christchurch-based JIX Reality Lab told attendees at the Boardroom to Border event that it's hard to attract the world's best researchers to work in New Zealand. 'From an Indian perspective, New Zealand is not seen as a destination for cutting-edge research. It's not the place to be for the future of aerospace or food and agriculture. The cream, the high-achieving individuals will always prefer a different country to New Zealand.' Another aspect of India's rise as a technology powerhouse lies in its consumption of technology. With a population of 1.4b and a rapidly-growing middle class, it represents a huge market for products such as mobile phones and laptops. These are also essential tools for lifting Indians out of poverty. India's telecom industry is the second largest by mobile phone, smartphone and internet users after China. Figures from the GSM Association and Boston Consulting Group show there are 1.165b wireless subscribers and a total of 1.2b telephone subscribers. Which explains why Apple is showing so much interest in India. The US phone and computer maker is putting down roots there. It now manufactures iPhones in new factories outside Chennai. Today between 15% and 18% of all iPhones are produced in India. Five years ago, 100% were made in China. That country now accounts for 75%. The Times of India forecasts the nation will account for 25% to 30% of iPhones by 2027. American geopolitical tension with China and President Donald Trump's mercurial trade policies go some way to explaining the move, but the lure of a billion consumers moving out of poverty is significant. And the potential spotted by Apple also represents an export opportunity for New Zealand's tech sector. Madras-born, Auckland-based angel investor and education consultant Edwin Paul chaired a panel at Boardroom to Border exploring moves to build a shared digital future between New Zealand and India. He neatly summarises the potential. 'Both countries bring unique strengths to the table. India brings scale and a digital public infrastructure. New Zealand brings trust-based governance, regulatory agility and a people-first innovation approach. Together, we are well placed to shape a digital agenda that is not only competitive but ethical, inclusive and resilient.' Paul's agenda includes building 'future-ready frameworks in artificial intelligence, cyber security, digital services and the startup ecosystem, moving beyond pilot projects and policy papers'. He wants to see mechanisms put in place to make cross-border innovation work.' Investment is crucial to India's rise and the technology sector is set to receive the bulk of funds. Most Indian investors say they plan to allocate more than three-quarters of their funds to digital investments in the next five to seven years. Bharat Chawla, the chairman of the India New Zealand Business Council put investment into a local perspective when reporting back on the INZBC's Grow with India report. He talked about the diplomatic investment the two countries have made and work across public and private sectors. He sees the need for two-way investment between the two countries. Two New Zealand companies that have made major investments in India are Carmen Vicelich's Valocity and Serko, a publicly traded travel and expense technology company.
Techday NZ
22-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
WebPros acquires Comet Backup to boost global data protection
WebPros has acquired Christchurch-based data backup and storage solutions provider Comet Backup, expanding its global portfolio of web hosting and automation tools. WebPros, whose suite of products includes cPanel, Plesk, and WHMCS, operates in 227 countries and supports more than 60 million domains. The acquisition enables the company to broaden its data protection offerings to businesses worldwide. Company history Comet Backup was established in Christchurch nearly a decade ago. Since its founding, the company has provided data backup software focused on solutions for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT teams. Its technology enables organisations to safeguard critical data, supporting everything from daily data backups to disaster recovery scenarios. In recent years, the importance of secure and reliable data protection has grown, with increasing risks related to cyber threats and data loss affecting businesses globally. The acquisition allows WebPros to strengthen its capacity to meet these security demands, aiming to serve an expanded, international customer base. "We are thrilled to welcome Comet Backup into the WebPros family. This is an important extension of our web enablement ecosystem, helping businesses address their backup and storage needs with greater efficiency and reliability," said Christian Koch, CEO of WebPros. Josh Flores, General Manager of Comet Backup, commented on the alignment between the two companies, saying, "It was clear to us from the outset that WebPros' leading global web enablement ecosystem is the perfect permanent home to take our business to the next level. The acquisition process itself gave both my team and me full confidence that the WebPros group is an optimal cultural fit for us. Our customers can expect the same great service, now with enhanced support and innovative new features as we continue to invest in the product." Reaction from the sector The deal has been welcomed by New Zealand's technology community. Liz Foxwell-Canning, CEO of Canterbury Tech, said, "Comet Backup's success is a brilliant example of the kind of world-class talent and innovation we have right here in Ōtautahi Christchurch. It's proof that you don't need to be in Silicon Valley to build and scale globally competitive software – South Island smarts can and do go the distance." Josh Flores also reflected on the company's progress, noting, "Our growth has been driven by a focus on delivering real value to our customers." Peter Thomas, the founder of Comet Backup, stated, "Joining WebPros will allow us to help even more companies protect their data and continue innovating on a global scale." Future direction Comet Backup will now be integrated into the broader WebPros platform, with the aim of supporting further growth and product development. The company will continue to focus on secure, scalable backup and storage for clients, protecting business data and supporting continuity in a digital world. The move is expected to provide Comet Backup with access to additional resources and networks, contributing to the reach and reliability of its data protection solutions within the global marketplace.
NZ Herald
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Aotearoa's Top Makeup Artists Join Forces On The Mastersclass, Coming To A City Near You
Four of the country's top makeup talent are hosting makeup workshops in Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth and Christchurch next month. Together, they speak to beauty editor Ashleigh Cometti. It was an effervescent example of girlhood - a video shared to Instagram depicting four women buzzing around their Sydney hotel room, swapping products and applying swatches on one another. A poignant hark-back to the joy of getting ready together. The women? Four of the country's top makeup talent, well-respected in their field for their exceptional artistry in both the special occasion and wedding makeup space. Travelling to Sydney for a Giorgio Armani press trip in early 2024 proved a pivotal moment for the group - comprised of makeup artists Kasia Stanicich, Gabrielle Houghton, Kate Solley and Annalee Kemsley - one which led to the eventual development of The Mastersclass, a makeup workshop touring four cities next month. Despite having connected over social media years earlier, Annalee says it was this particular trip that cemented their connection. 'It instantly felt like we'd known each other for years. Since then, we've continued to stay connected through group chats, catch-ups, social media. While we're based in different parts of the country, our shared passion for makeup and creativity has made our friendship natural and easy to maintain,' she says. 'We just get each other and getting to now collaborate in real life feels like such a full-circle moment.' With a combined 40 years' experience between them, the quad of makeup artists are set to share the skills they've learned from their time in the beauty industry with makeup lovers at a series of workshops held in Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth and Christchurch throughout August. While each artist is familiar with hosting their own makeup workshops, this is the first time the group has collaborated on a shared event, which is geared towards 'everyday women who are ready to elevate their beauty game'. It's a dream realised for Christchurch-based makeup artist Kasia Stanicich, who says: 'Makeup artistry is such a passion and I think that's fuelled by many things - our beautiful clients being one, and like-minded artists being another.' 'I am forever in awe of these ladies and love learning off them, picking their brains and cheering them on.' Below, Annalee, Kasia, Kate and Gabrielle speak to Viva beauty editor Ashleigh Cometti about what to expect from the makeup workshop series (and how to secure your ticket before it sells out). View this post on Instagram A post shared by ANNALEE KEMSLEY (@annaleekemsley) ASHLEIGH COMETTI: I was so excited to hear about the launch of The Mastersclass when you first teased the launch on social. How long has this been in the pipeline for? KASIA: It's been in the works for almost nine months (consider it our baby!). We're so happy to be within weeks of getting on the road and around New Zealand. Our artistry styles align perfectly - being complementary but not duplicates - and we all have such a passion for education, each running our own style of personal lessons, group events and workshops in our hometowns. AC: Why was it important to you to build an event that catered to everyday women rather than industry experts? GABRIELLE: While training artists is a huge passion of mine, there's no denying that the beauty industry can still feel a little exclusive at times. We wanted to remove that barrier. The Mastersclass was built with the everyday woman in mind to be approachable, practical and genuinely helpful. Despite event makeup calling for 16-hour smudge-proof, long-wear layered glam, that's not realistic or necessary for most women everyday. KASIA: I love this question! I see so many high-end, premium workshop events in the beauty industry, but they're all for makeup artists! We often hone our craft, enjoy learning and improving but we saw such a gap for that same, exciting experience for everyday people. To walk into a dedicated space, learn more than you'd imagine and have all the bells and whistles alongside it is so much fun and I want everyone to be able to experience it. AC: Talk me through what attendees can expect from the event hosted in their city? ANNALEE: From the moment attendees arrive, they're welcomed into a premium, relaxed atmosphere complete with drinks and canapés, setting the tone for an engaging and fun few hours. The Mastersclass offers a sit-and-watch experience where we (the artists) demonstrate key techniques using two models, one showcasing a quick, fresh everyday look, and the other a glamorous, full-evening style. Designed for makeup lovers of all skill levels, the event focuses on helping attendees master the basics and build confidence with their own signature looks. Throughout the session, they'll gain insider tips, practical advice, and learn how to make the most of their makeup routine, all without any fluff. The goal is for guests to not only leave feeling inspired and equipped with new skills but also with a curated gift bag. It's the perfect blend of education, luxury, and community for anyone looking to elevate their makeup game. KATE: Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed into a beautifully curated, relaxing environment — a wonderful opportunity to mingle, reconnect with friends, or meet new people in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Our makeup masterclass is designed to be inclusive and accessible to everyone — whether you're a professional makeup artist, an everyday enthusiast, or someone who rarely wears makeup. Over the course of the session, we will demonstrate two stunning makeup looks: a fresh, natural everyday style and a more glamorous evening look. Throughout the masterclass, we'll share our favourite tips, techniques, and product recommendations — from luxury staples to budget-friendly gems. Each attendee will also receive an exclusive goodie bag filled with carefully selected products. Our goal is for every guest to leave feeling inspired, equipped with new skills, and most importantly, having had a truly enjoyable and memorable experience. AC: Will The Mastersclass support and promote diversity? For example - will the event series cater to a range of budgets or shade match different skin tones? GABRIELLE: There is no one-size-fits-all, no classic go-to 'everyday woman' and that's what makes women so amazing. We are all so nuanced and different. One of us might need to put on everyday makeup to go and command a boardroom filled with men, while another woman might need a little bit of blush to give her some pep before she parents her wild kids at home. Our attendees have different skin tones, types, face and eye shapes and we are providing custom recommendations for each of these, empowering you for your future shopping beyond The Mastersclass. We have some amazing sponsorships on board from brands you can accessibly shop as well as little luxury moments, to suit everyone, and our recommendations will reflect this. ANNALEE: We've made sure The Mastersclass is inclusive and welcoming to everyone. We'll share product picks across different budgets, from affordable staples to luxe treats, so there's something for everyone. We also feature models with a variety of skin tones to show how to match and work with different complexions. It's important to us that everyone feels represented and can take away tips that suit them. At the end of the day, this event is all about celebrating all kinds of beauty and making sure everyone feels confident and included. AC: What has the feedback been about The Mastersclass so far? Do you think you'd be likely to roll this concept out again in 2026? Or consider expanding to different cities like Wellington or Tauranga? KASIA: It's been beyond! We knew we had a really special idea planned, but didn't expect the response (in fact, we were a little overwhelmed by it). We're all really excited to get to each city and connect with attendees, and be there in person with them. The response from outside of our initial four cities was so strong, and we won't rule out coming around again in 2026. KATE: The response has been absolutely incredible. We put so much thought and planning into this, so naturally, we were a little nervous when we first launched. But the feedback exceeded all our expectations. On the night we went live, the website actually crashed due to the volume of traffic — definitely a good problem to have! Auckland sold out quickly, but we were able to release an additional 20 tickets due to demand. The remaining three cities are also close to selling out, which has been so exciting to witness. As for expanding to other cities — yes, absolutely! That's definitely something we're looking at for 2026. For this year, our focus was on our home cities and really grounding the experience locally. We're excited to see how it evolves from here. AC: Can you give us a little teaser of one of the makeup application techniques you'll be sharing at the event? KASIA: I spend a lot of my week sharing small snippets of technique and application online, and I'm excited to elaborate on these and show people in real life what they mean or how they work. For me, priming the brush - a la Katie Jane Hughes - is a transformative makeup technique for a perfected base. ANNALEE: Making eye makeup more approachable, which is often the trickiest part for many. We'll walk through simple, step-by-step techniques to effortlessly transition from a fresh daytime look to a stunning evening glam. While also sharing tips on choosing the perfect eyeshadow palettes and brushes. AC: What do you think will be guests' biggest takeaway from the event? How do you hope the event will make them feel? KATE: As makeup artists, we truly understand the transformative power of makeup — it's one of the reasons I'm so passionate about what I do. Makeup has the ability to boost confidence and help people feel their best, and that's something we really value. Our goal with The Mastersclass is for every attendee to leave feeling inspired, excited, and just a little more confident. A common theme I hear in my one-on-one lessons is, 'I've been doing the same thing for years and I just need a refresh,' or 'I walk into makeup stores and feel completely overwhelmed — I don't know where to start.' That's exactly why we created this experience: to guide people in the right direction, simplify the process, and introduce them to new, exciting products that actually work for them. GABRIELLE: Above all we want guests to feel empowered. For each of us as makeup artist, makeup has always felt like a secret weapon, something that gives us a little extra confidence on a big day, helps us feel more ourselves during a breakout or in our luteal phase (IYKYK), or just lifts us up when we're not feeling our best. This is something we want all attendees to have access to, too. A little asset to keep in our back pocket, and ultimately I want makeup to feel simpler, easier and fun as guests learn what is best for them. KASIA: It goes without saying, we have so much joy and love packed into these events and we can't wait to share with everyone what we've been working on! For more information or to book, visit or follow @annaleekemsley, @gabriellehoughtonmua, @katesolleymakeup or @kasiaastanicich on Instagram. More beauty The makeup artist-approved hacks for applying eyeliner to hooded eyes, 12 people who smell good share their signature scents, and more beauty news. What Perfume Are You Wearing? 12 Of Aotearoa's Coolest Creatives Share Their Favourite Fragrance. Scent has always been inherently personal, and for these 12 creatives it's part of their identity. The Best Eyeliner Hacks For Hooded Eyes & Other Tips From A Top Makeup Artist. Blotted, blurred and lived-in, or ultra-precise and razor sharp, a swipe of black eyeliner always delivers. Here, makeup artist Leisa Welch shares her favourite liner looks to try now, plus tips on how to tailor them to suit a multitude of eye shapes. Is pH Reactive Makeup The Secret To Faking A Healthy, Natural-Looking Flush In Winter? Chameleon beauty products have ushered in a new era of makeup customisation, but how do they work exactly? And are they worth the hype? Ashleigh Cometti investigates. Indy Clinton's Bouf Haircare Has Landed In Aotearoa. Co-Founder Rachael Wilde Shares What To Expect From The Range. The beauty boss shares her excitement with beauty editor Ashleigh Cometti over her selection of cherry-red hair growth products launching in Aotearoa New Zealand. New & Noteworthy: The 10 Buzziest Beauty Products To Launch In 2025 (So Far). Local beauty brands and global conglomerates have brought their A-game so far this year. Here's the new launches worth knowing (and trying) in 2025 and beyond.
