Band Rotunda proposal announced

Wellington City Council is pleased to announce that, following a call for expressions of interest, it has accepted a redevelopment proposal for the Band Rotunda in Oriental Bay.

The successful proposal was submitted by Cheops Holdings, which will use sister company McKee Fehl Constructors to undertake the development, led by Maurice Clark.

The Band Rotunda building, a Wellington waterfront landmark since its completion in 1938, has been closed for some time as it needs extensive renovation.

The concrete slab between the upper and lower levels of the building has deteriorated and is unsafe, and the foundations are being affected by the sea.

A key aim of the process was to find a developer who is prepared to invest in the building to ensure its construction is long-lasting and suited to the marine environment. 

The Cheops proposal also maintains public access to the building and contributes to the heritage and urban design values of the area.

The City Council is negotiating terms and conditions with Cheops Holdings and hopes to conclude these within the next month.

“The Band Rotunda is one of Wellington’s most recognisable buildings but needed a lot of work to bring it up to modern safety standards,” says Wellington Mayor Justin Lester.

“It is wonderful that in this deal with Cheops Holdings we have been able to secure its future and it will remain one of the city’s landmarks.

“We are also delighted to retain public access and that the redevelopment will maintain the building’s heritage values and eye-catching charm.”

Maurice Clark, Managing Director, Cheops Holdings says: “The Band Rotunda is one of Wellington’s most iconic landmarks. We are delighted to take-on the opportunity to restore and rejuvenate this much-loved site and bring vitality to Oriental Bay.

“After strengthening and upgrading, we hope to attract a premier hospitality operator, bringing a host of local community benefits and further enhancing our city’s hospitality offering.”

Cheops Holdings specialises in restoring and rejuvenating historic, underutilised buildings across Wellington for commercial, residential and hospitality uses. The company has an impressive award-winning redevelopment portfolio which includes the Press Hall precinct, Public Trust Building and 15 Stout Street.

“Wellingtonians will be delighted when the band rotunda is back in use; we’ve missed it,” says Councillor Nicola Young, the Council’s Portfolio Leader for Central City Projects.

“Maurice Clark has an outstanding track record in restoring heritage buildings, so he’s absolutely the right man for this project.”

-WCC

SGCNZ NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO SHEILAH WINN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 2019

Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand’s National University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival (SGCNZ UOSWSF) provides audiences with the chance of being stimulated by the most outstanding 5- and 15-minute scenes from any of Shakespeare’s plays, selected from SGCNZ’s 24 Regional Festivals nationwide. 

Secondary students from Year 7-13 rise to the honour of treading the boards in Wellington’s prestigious Michael Fowler Centre over Queen’s Birthday weekend. In their 28th year, the Festivals are a fusion of art forms – theatre, dance, music, blended with cultures. However, “the play’s the thing”! Stay all day on Saturday and Sunday of Queen’s Birthday weekend, or pop in and be astounded at what is in store. There is no limit to the settings, styles and shaping of the scenes to reflect the “imaginary forces” of these students from schools of all deciles and a growing number of home-schooled students.

The Sunday performances conclude with special guest performers and short talks by inspiring SGCNZ Alumni, and are followed by a separate event, the SGCNZ National UOSWSF Competition Prize-giving and Scene Award Ceremony. 

Tickets:  Adults $30, SGCNZ Friends & Concessions $20; Students $12, SGCNZ Student Friends $10

Separate tickets are required for each daytime session and the Sunday evening ceremony.

Bookings: ticketmaster.co.nz or at Ticketmaster outlets (Booking fees apply)

Performance Information:

Visit: sgcnz.org.nz

Enquiries: Dawn Sanders ONZM, QSM, SGCNZ CEO
04 384 1300 or 027 283 6016; dawn@sgcnz.org.nz

All photos are by Brian Scurfield of Memory of Light Photography, used with permission.

THREE-WAY TIE FOR SEVENTH AS NORTHS JOIN HOBM IN JUBILEE CUP

Wainuiomata v Oriental Rongotai, 27-0. Photo: David Brownlie

There are two rounds to play in the Premier Swindale Shield and 10 of the 14 teams still have much to play for.

Northern United have joined leaders Hutt Old Boys Marist in the ‘top 7’ and with a place in the championship round Jubilee Cup, while three teams are tied in seventh place, after a series of emphatic wins in windy, showery conditions on Saturday.

Expectedly, Hutt Old Boys Marist put away Johnsonville 50-14 at Helston Park to register their eighth straight win of the competition and move to 39 points on the standings.

Norths consolidated second by beating the Upper Hutt Rams 48-22 at Onepoto Park to move to 34 points.

Oriental-Rongotai are the only other team that can mathematically win the Swindale Shield, despite being overhwelmed 0-27 by Wainuiomata at William Jones Park, to remain on 30 points.

The title race is not over however, with HOBM set to play Ories this coming Saturday and then Norths in the 10th and final round.

Poneke are fourth on 26 points, despite being well beaten 13-41 by Old Boys University at Kilbirnie Park.

A group of three teams are just behind on 25 rounding out the current top 7 standings, these being Wainuiomata, OBU and Petone.

Like Wainuiomata and OBU, Petone had a sizable bonus point win on Saturday, beating the Wellington Axemen 58-22.

Of the rest of the field, Tawa on 22 points, Marist St Pats on 21 and the Upper Hutt Rams on 15 are eighth, ninth and 10th respectively and can still qualify for the Jubilee Cup.

Both Tawa and MSP continued the high scoring theme on Saturday, with Tawa beating the Avalon Wolves 43-14 and MSP defeating Paremata-Plimmerton 63-7.

The Rams have kept their championship chances alive for another week by virtue of a late bonus point try they scored in their defeat to Norths.

Avalon on 12 points, Wellington on 10, Paremata-Plimmerton on 4 and Johnsonville on 1 will be making preparations for the Premier 2 second round Hardham Cup when they convene at training on Tuesday night.

In some round eight Swindale Shield highlights, in which all seven winners won with bonus points, leaders HOBM beat Johnsonville who showed fight for long periods but couldn’t match the Eagles’ firepower.

This was led by Hurricanes training squad hooker James O’Reilly, who scored two tries. First five-eighth Glen Walters also scored two tries and 20 points, as the Eagles led 26-14 at halftime and pulled ahead in the second spell.

Wainuiomata kept Ories scoreless at home at William Jones Park, while scoring four tries themselves. They led 10-0 at halftime on the back of a penalty and conversion to fullback Josh Robertson-Weepu and a try to second five-eighth Peter Umaga-Jensen.

Wainuiomata more than doubled their score with a pair of match-winning tries early in the second half, through wing Saita Tuaoi and flanker Marvin Karawana, before sealing it with another try to inside centre Umaga-Jensen.

At Kilbirnie Park, Old Boys University retained the Beet Algar Rosebowl with their comfortable win over Poneke.

Playing into the wind in the first half, OBU established a two tries to nil lead late in the first half, before a decisive try right on halftime to right wing Trevahn Taufoou pushed the score out to 22-6.

Early in the second half, OBU scored again through right wing Joe Hill after a surge by No. 8 Teariki Ben Nicholas and first five-eighth Dale Sabbagh converted from the sideline and at 29-6. Poneke fought back and would score a try through Alex Morrisey but that was their only reward.

At Onepoto Park, Norths retained the Terry Farrow Memorial Cup against the Upper Hutt Rams by winning by an 8 tries to 4 margin. 

Norths scored their first try from the opening kick-off, with No. 8 Luca Rees scoring his 14th of the season. The Rams quickly replied through Jayden Treviranus, but Norths had four more by the break including a double to Dudley Parsons against one from Konelio Feaunati.

Norths continued to pile on points in the second spell, centre Losi Filipo and prop Gerard Faitatoa both crossing to seal victory.

At Petone, the home side beat the Wellington Axemen 58-24, 9 tries to 3, to retain the Bill Francis / Jack Taylor Trophy. It was all-too easy for Petone at times, who, like Norths, scored early and kept their foot on the accelerator throughout.

Petone would lead 27-0 late in the first half and then 27-10 by the break with the Axemen kicking a penalty and scoring a good long-range try of their own through lock Angelo Smith.

Petone capitalised on poor defence early in the second spell, scoring twice more to extend their lead. The Axemen came back with a penalty try, but Petone pulled away again. Flanker Jacob Gooch and replacement wing Sam Blackburn both scored braces.

At Fraser Park, Tawa had the game wrapped up at 26-0 by halftime against the Wolves. Early tries to fullback PJ Iosefo and left wing Romu Senileba set the tone, These were followed by two more, to prop Tolu Fahumaokio and centre Tom Maiava.

Avalon started the second half with purpose but Tawa weathered this and outscored them three tries to two in the second 40 minutes. Iosefo finished with a hat-trick of tries for Tawa.

At Ngatitoa Domain, Marist St Pats boosted their Jubilee Cup hopes by beating home side Paremata-Plimmerton 63-7. Playing into the wind, MSP took a 32-0 lead into the break. MSP scored again to make it 39-0 and there was no coming back for Paremata-Plimmerton from there.

Four players scored doubles for MSP, including the Proctor brothers, James and Billy, flanker Tom Horan and replacement back Grayson Whitman.

Three of the scheduled women’s sixth round matches went ahead this weekend in the Women’s Rebecca Liu’ana Trophy, after Hutt Old Boys Marist defaulted to Oriental-Rongotai on Friday.

Northern United were made to work hard before beating OBU 27-17 at Nairnville Park after leading 15-12 at halftime and then coming back after OBU scored the opening try of the second spell and briefly took the lead.

Ories stayed in their clubrooms and collected a bonus point win, defaulted to by HOBM

On Friday night, Wainuiomata beat Poneke 41-10, while MSP beat Pare-Plimmerton 27-17.

The Marist St Pats second XV won their eighth straight win in the second tier Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield competition, beating Paremata-Plimmerton 71-0.

In the early game at Onepoto Park, Norths leapt out to a handy lead only for the Rams to close it to 25-34 inside the last 10 minutes. But Norths had the final say with two closing tries to prevail 46-25. They are second behind MSP with seven wins.

Third placed Tawa overcame Avalon 61-12, fourth placed Petone beat Wellington 67-3, fourth placed Poneke pipped OBU 19-15, fifth placed Ories toppled Wainuiomata 45-0 and 11th placed HOBM beat 13th place Johnsonville 44-17.

Three close matches formed this week’s Colts Division 1 Paris Memorial Trophy round. OBU Green assumed the outright lead beating MSP 12-10 at Ian Galloway Park, leaving the Paris Memorial Trophy theirs to lose.

HOBM remain third but were beaten by Tawa 22-19, lifting Tawa from bottom into 6th while Petone beat Paremata-Plimmerton 22-12 in a pair of results that could have significant implications on the second round with two teams potentially being relegated. The fourth match saw Norths keep the Upper Hutt Rams winless, prevailing 34-6.

At Petone, the home side went ahead 12-0 early with a pair of tries. Paremata-Plimmerton hit back with a runaway try to their first five-eighth to make it 12-7. But that was as close as they would get. Petone kicked a penalty and then scored the try of the match with their centre cutting through to make it 22-7 at halftime.

The second half was a mostly scrappy affair, with Petone’s forwards on top but Paremata-Plimmerton holding a territorial advantage as they had the wind in the favour. Finally in the 70th minute, Paremata-Plimmerton were rewarded for their endeavour by scoring their second try of the match and the only score of the second half.

Oriental-Rongotai remained in charge of the Colts Division 2 standings winning 31-17 over Wainuiomata while OBU Black edged out Johnsonville 15-14. Avalon and Wellington met in the other match.

The Upper Hutt Rams and Avalon each won their fifth straight wins today in the U85kg JC Bowl first round competition.

The Rams beat Eastbourne 27-5 and Avalon battled past the Johnsonville Terrahawks 17-10.

Wests had their first win of the season in beating MSP 17-14, while Wellington beat the OBU outfit 47-14 and the HOBM Howlers met Paraparaumu in the other match.

The Avalon Knights and the Stokes Valley Chiefs made it three from three in the First Grade Thompson Memorial Trophy, with Stokes Valley beating Norths 46-19 and Avalon toppling OBU 24-19. In the third game, defending champions the HOBM Barbarians overcame the Wainuiomata Warriors 56-15.

-WRFU

TJ Perenara returns to lead Hurricanes against Blues

Halfback TJ Perenara will return to lead the Hurricanes in Friday night's Investec Super Rugby match against the Blues at Auckland's Eden Park.

Perenara missed the Hurricanes 29-19 win over the Rebels last Saturday as he had the second of his All Black rest weeks but returns for what will be his 121st appearance for the club.

Wing Ben Lam also returns after a two week absence because of a calf strain while Toby Smith has been named at loosehead prop in in the only other changes to the starting XV.

Lam's inclusion sees Chase Tiatia move to the bench while Richard Judd, who started at halfback against the Rebels, drops out of the match-day squad after he suffered a minor shoulder injury. 

Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has reverted back to a five-forward, three-back split on the bench with lock Liam Mitchell unavailable after he suffered a hand injury against the Rebels.

Fellow lock Isaia Walker-Leawere, who impressed in his first start for the Hurricanes last week, retains his place in the run-on side.

Plumtree expected the Blues to pose a real challenge as they return home for the first time since round eight.

"We know they are a really physical side who will be desperate to get a result and get back into a play-off spot" he said.

"They have only lost once at Eden Park this year and that was a close defeat to the Crusaders so we know how difficult it is going to be. But it's a challenge we are looking forward to and we really want to get our game going to carry on the momentum we have built up." 

Kick-off at Eden Park on Friday is 7.35pm.

The Hurricanes squad to face the Blues is: 

15 Jordie Barrett 
14 Wes Goosen
13 Matt Proctor
12 Ngani Laumape
11 Ben Lam
10 Beauden Barrett 
9 TJ Perenara (c)
8 Reed Prinsep
7 Ardie Savea
6 Vaea Fifita
5 Isaia Walker-Leawere
4 James Blackwell
3 Jeff To'omaga-Allen
2 Asafo Aumua
1 Toby Smith

Reserves

16 Ricky Riccitelli
17 Fraser Armstrong
18 Ross Geldenhuys
19 Kane Le'aupepe
20 Du'Plessis Kirifi
21 Finlay Christie
22 James Marshall
23 Chase Tiatia

Join the Hurricanes for Club Night on Friday May 17 at Our House, Westpac Stadium as we celebrate grassroots sport! Free GA Child ticket for junior registered rugby players (and some netball, football, tennis and cricket athletes) and $15 GA Adult tickets using code CLUBNIGHT. Secure your tickets by clicking HERE.

Wear you club colours for a chance to win a Hurricanes jersey with Club Cam. 300 kids receive a Hurricanes Club Night boot bag at ground!

-Hurricanes

Library services return to Central City and Council Service Centre moves too

A new pop-up library to open on Tuesday 28 May will see library services returning to central Wellington for the first time since the closure of the Central Library in March 2019.

A new pop-up library to open on Tuesday 28 May will see library services returning to central Wellington for the first time since the closure of the Central Library in March 2019.

The new pop-up library at 12 Manners Street is co-located with the Wellington City Council Service Centre, which will be moving from its current location on Wakefield Street.

“After the Central Library closed unexpectedly, we grabbed the opportunity to quickly open a pop-up library alongside our new Service Centre location. Manners Street is the perfect spot for the first in our new network of library services for the CBD,” says Mayor Justin Lester.

The pop-up library and Service Centre space will be called Arapaki Manners Library and Service Centre. Arapaki are ornamental lattice-work, used particularly between carvings around the walls of meeting houses, and are unique because it takes two artists working together to complete every arapaki. The name was gifted to the site by Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika.

“I know how much Wellingtonians are feeling the loss of the Central Library. I want to assure people the Council is working hard to create the right combination of services and locations for pop-ups across the CBD to help fill the gap left behind. Arapaki is just the start.”

Arapaki will be home to roughly 7,500 items on the shelves at any one time. A small children’s collection will feature alongside a range of fiction, non-fiction and AV items, plus internet access computers and some casual seating. Library staff will be on hand to answer questions, process payments, register new customers, and provide support and advice on the wide range of online content available through our eLibrary.

All the services that are currently available at the Service Centre will continue to be available at the new location. These include free Wi-Fi, self-service computers and a payments desk.

Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons, who holds Wellington City Council’s community facilities portfolio, says Arapaki will be a busy site, with a high collection turnover. “I would like to remind borrowers there is no need to wait until Arapaki is open to return items loaned from the Central Library before it closed. They can be returned to any of our branch libraries or the returns box at 101 Wakefield St.” 

Arapaki Manners Library and Service Centre will be open for Service Centre business Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, with extended hours for the pop-up library, which will be open Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9.30am-5pm.

Additional pop-up libraries will be opening in the coming months. Details will be announced as soon as possible and people can keep up to date at wcl.govt.nz, and by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

What can I borrow from Arapaki?

Arapaki will be home to roughly 7,500 items on the shelves at any one time. A small children’s collection will feature alongside a range of fiction, non-fiction and AV items.

What else can I do there?

Internet access computers and some casual seating will be available. Library staff will be on hand to answer questions, process payments, register new customers, and provide support and advice on the wide range of online content available through our eLibrary.

Can I return items to Arapaki?

Yes. Items borrowed from Arapaki should be returned to Arapaki. Items borrowed from the Central Library before it closed can be returned to Arapaki, to any branch library or to the small returns box at 101 Wakefield Street.

Will you have activities available?

Arapaki is a relatively small space, so we need to plan carefully how we can best use it to provide activities. It is likely that we will review what activities and programmes we can offer once our entire CBD pop-up library network is up and running. Arapaki is just the start.

How many staff will work there?

15 library staff will work at Arapaki.

Why has it taken so long to open?

We’ve worked really hard to get Arapaki up and running as fast as we can. Arapaki is the first of our planned CBD pop-up library network. We’ve been able to set it up so quickly because we already had the site leased for our new Service Centre. We’ve had to make some changes to the space to make into a combined library and Service Centre and this has taken a few weeks.

When will other pop-up libraries open?

Arapaki is just the first in our proposed CBD pop-up library network. We’ll be announcing details of further pop-up locations in the coming months.

What’s happening with the Central Library building?

At this stage we are awaiting further engineering advice on what the options are for addressing the structural issues with the building.  It is likely there will be a range of options for how we approach this and we don’t know yet if this will include any kind of upgrading or redevelopment beyond the required remedial work.

-WCC

New photography exhibition a first for Edith Amituanai and Adam Art Gallery

Adam Art Gallery Te Pātaka Toi at Victoria University of Wellington is proud to present the first survey exhibition dedicated to the work of artist Edith Amituanai.

Amituanai came to attention in the early 2000s for her largescale colour photographs of her family, friends, and wider Pacific community, bringing an insider’s view to the nuances of social custom and complexities of migrant life.

She was singled out in 2007 for the inaugural Marti Friedlander Photography Award, and the following year she was nominated as a finalist for the Walters Prize for her series Déjeuner, which documented a new generation of professional rugby players of Pacific descent who were pursuing careers far from home in Italy and France.

Adam Art Gallery director Christina Barton says “Since those early successes Amituanai has deepened her engagement with migrant communities in New Zealand and across the world to produce perhaps the most engaging and perspicacious account of the impact of globalisation in the South Pacific and the changes this is effecting to the face of her hometown of Auckland.

“This exhibition canvasses almost all the major bodies of her work. The overwhelming effect of seeing these works together is to sense and celebrate the diversity and dynamism of the new Aotearoa. Whether this is the souped-up cars of the Switchhittaz siren crew, the scrubbed faces of children in their best White Sunday attire, or the athleticism of young bodies, Amituanai shows us ‘her’ people.”

Curator Ane Tonga says “As a woman of Pacific descent, I’m honoured to have been invited to curate this exhibition which looks closely at the work of one of our most celebrated artists who has had a profound impact on contemporary art in Aotearoa. This is an auspicious moment, for her, for me, and for the many communities represented in the show.” 

The exhibition is accompanied by a lively public programme, beginning with a tour of the exhibition with the artist and curator on Saturday 11 May at 11am.

A major publication on the artist will also be launched during the exhibition, with the first in-depth analysis of Amituanai’s practice and a large selection of images laid out by the artist and designer Kelvin Soh.

Barton encourages audiences to visit the show: “This is a first for the Adam Art Gallery to dedicate our spaces to a single photographer. Edith’s work brings a different energy to the building that gives us pause to reflect on the creative ways in which her community responds to their circumstances.”

For further information and media opportunities with the curator and artist, please contact Stephen Cleland at stephen.cleland@vuw.ac.nz or on 022 264 7996.

Exhibition: Edith Amituanai: Double Take

When: 11 May – 14 July 2019

Opening: Friday 10 May, 6pm
Where: Adam Art Gallery Te Pātaka Toi, Victoria University of Wellington, Gate 3, Kelburn Parade, Wellington
Cost: Free

-Victoria University of Wellington

Trans-Tasman artist exchange builds capital bond

The inaugural Canberra Wellington Indigenous Artist Exchange programme starts this month, with Canberra’s Dean Cross arriving in Wellington, and local artist Ana Iti going to Canberra on 28 May.

Dean Cross from Dropping the Bullshit (we look like this too) series

The programme supports a Wellington-based artist to go to Canberra for six weeks and a Canberra-based Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist to visit Wellington for six weeks each year.

Designed to strengthen cultural connections between the two cities, as part of our Sister City Agreement initiated in 2016, Mayor Justin Lester says this is a great example of the trans-Tasman partnership.

“As our closest neighbour, it’s invaluable for both countries to have stronger cultural, economic and political ties between our two capital cities.

“Where we have so many similarities like our tourism industry, innovation and smart city initiatives, and business links, there are also big differences – and this artist exchange programme provides the opportunity to study, identify, acknowledge, and celebrate these,” adds the Mayor.

While here for six weeks, Dean Cross will explore the shared histories of Indigenous ANZAC’s.

“There is a long history of First Nation's military service in both Australia and Aotearoa,” says Dean.

“I am interested in exploring in what ways this impacts the First Nation's people and their legacies within a colonial landscape. Through this I hope to develop a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences between our two cultures,” he adds.

In May, local artist Ana Iti will visit Canberra and will base her research on the complexities and effects of learning, re-learning, and continuing to pursue indigenous languages.

"The area of research I’m entering into for this residency is around the use of language within the practice of indigenous artists. Being an ongoing learner of te reo Māori myself I’m hoping to open up conversations between artists about the complexities and difficulties that learning language brings up within our work," says Ana.

There are over 1,000 different aboriginal dialects/languages in Australia, and it’s not as accessible as Te Reo in Aotearoa. This is particularly relevant this year, as 2019 is the year of indigenous languages.

-WCC

Little Yellow Bird offers Kiwis a chance to invest in New Zealand’s first ever community-owned ethical fashion brand.

For the first time, Little Yellow Bird is offering everyday Kiwis a chance to buy a slice of the fashion revolution for as little as $500 as it becomes New Zealand’s first community-owned ethical fashion brand. The Wellington- based fashion company is taking flight overseas, scaling its impact and transforming the global fashion industry one garment at a time.  

The fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to climate change across the world, producing 10% of greenhouse gas emissions. But Little Yellow Bird is proving there is another way. The fashion brand has launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on PledgeMe to meet growing demands for its product as it expands into the international market. It’s hoping to raise a minimum of $750,000 with investments starting from as low as $500.  

Founder Samantha Jones says: “We are expanding, and we want to scale our voice & impact. We believe the best way to do this is by having a community of values aligned investors.“ 

The fashion brand uses only 100% organic, rain-fed cotton and non-toxic dyes. It follows a zero waste policy in its factories, and saves millions of litres of water each year. Little Yellow Bird is Living Wage certified and is developing recycling programs for used clothing, taking  steps toward a circular waste-free industry.  

In four years, the fashion brand has seen massive growth now supplying over 400 organisations across New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Canada who proudly wear Little Yellow Bird uniforms. 

Ms Jones says: “Now we’re excited to launch our equity crowdfunding campaign, and bring on everyday kiwis as shareholders. The impacts of the global fashion industry are an issue for everyone and bringing more people along on our journey is crucial to our wider mission.” 

Little Yellow Bird is a certified B Corp, meaning the business went through a rigorous assessment process, which determined the company’s impact and dedication to social and environmental issues. 

Become part of Little Yellow Bird and you’ll join a company that respects people, and planet. To help us bring ethically-made clothing to the mainstream, please visit http://pldg.me/littleyellowbird

-Little Yellow Bird

Five days, one pass. Explore the future at WLG-X: A Festival of Creative Collisions. Tech x Design x Film x Music.

Part summit, part festival, part awesome. WLG-X: A Festival of Creative Collisions is a whole different experience to anything New Zealand has seen before.

WLG-X inhabits the worlds of Tech, Design, Film, Musicand "the X" the place that sits at the intersection of these worlds...

...and when ideas meet at that intersection, we call it a 'Creative Collision'

OK, nice elevator pitch. Now explain?

We're grabbing everything that is tech, interactive, design, film, music, fun, games and good-times, blending it, putting it through a uniquely New Zealand filter then serving it up on a Wellington shaped plate (with a good, hoppy IPA)

The result is a five day programme of headline speakers, panels, workshops, gigs, film screenings, parties, events, interactions and a whole lot more. All of it revolving around the creative and innovative ideas that coming into and out of New Zealand.

ONE pass. FIVE days. Full immersion.

Buying your ticket here will reserve you a pass for the full five days of the festival.

The doors across all streams are open. You can explore, indulge your curiosity, seek out inspiration, connect with like-minded people and explore as much as you wish across everything the festival programme.

Spell it out a bit more. What's happening at WLG-X?

Our programme is split into a few broad streams...

eXchange: Knowledge-sharing and Inspiration in over 200 sessions with global and New Zealand-based experts!

• Keynote speakers

• Panels & discussions

• Workshops

• Mentor Programme

eXpo: Showcases and Opportunities from well-known heroes to plucky start-ups!

• Innovation Showcase

• Start-up Village

• VR Cinema

• Career opportunities

eXperience: Events, Culture & Connections. Wellington doing what Wellington does best!

• Music: gigs & showcases

• Film: screenings & awards

• Sponsor lounges & partner activations

• Industry summits & gatherings

• Meetups & parties

• Taste experiences - coffee, food, craft beer, wine.

• Interactive installations and pop-ups!

WOW, sounds like a lot for one ticket! How does it all fit together?

Well everyone, something like this...

Indicative days/times only

Get involved!

Want to get on the programme? We've got a few opportunities you can get on board with...

• Present a talk, panel or workshop

• Perform for the crowds

• Submit your film

Join the community!

• Like our Facebook Page and click 'going' on our Facebook event!

• Follow our Instagram

• Hear us Tweet

• Get up in our business on LinkedIn

-WLG-X

Wellington Mayor calls for insurance forum

Wellington Mayor Justin Lester is calling for a forum with the Government’s Earthquake Commission Minister, insurance companies, and affected stakeholders to discuss rising insurance premiums.

Photo by James Coleman on Unsplash

The Mayor was responding to an announcement by Insurance Australia Group (IAG) – New Zealand's largest general insurer – that it will start to charge higher home and contents premiums for customers who live in areas prone to natural disasters and severe weather.

“IAG has between 40 and 50 percent of the Wellington market, so this could potentially affect a lot of our residents,” he says.

“This will be a daunting prospect for those facing increasing premiums on the homes they already own, and also make it even more difficult for first home buyers.”

The Mayor says he had raised the issue with Megan Woods, the Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission, and he will be convening an insurance forum and inviting the Insurance Council, IAG, body corporate and home owner representatives who are significantly affected by premium increases.

“I want to canvas issues in the Wellington market and look at the immediate and long-term future for people needing insurance.

“It may be that the Government needs to consider what insurance companies are required to offer in a market, and they may have to offer an affordable option where they operate.

“Residents, businesses and property owners are now facing the prospect of higher premiums. Some may not be able to afford it.

“Insurance is crucial for a city. It has to be available and affordable for banks to lend, for businesses to operate efficiently, and for people to have peace of mind.”

-WCC

Hurricanes trio return to face the Chiefs

Record Hurricanes points scorer Beauden Barrett is among a trio of front line players who will return to the starting line-up for Saturday's Investec Super Rugby derby match against the Chiefs in Wellington.

Barrett, along with younger brother Jordie and in-form loose forward Ardie Savea, missed last week's 29-23 win over the Sunwolves in Tokyo but have all been named to start against their New Zealand rivals.

The trio are part of five changes Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has made to the run-on side.

The others are up front where Asafo Aumua starts at hooker while lock Kane La'aupepe returns after he missed the Sunwolves match due to illness.

Jordie Barrett will start at fullback with Chase Tiatia moving to the wing in place of Ben Lam who suffered a minor leg injury in Japan.

Lam's absence has also seen a change on the bench with specialist wing Salesi Rayasi named in the reserves.

Plumtree said the onus was on the squad to improve on some aspects of their play as they faced another tough New Zealand derby.

"We know the character the side is showing us each week and we know we can get better and we will need to be against the Chiefs," he said.

"The squad is really excited about getting back to Our House at Westpac Stadium after a few weeks away and we want to put a performance together that we and our fans are proud of."


Kick-off at Westpac Stdium on Saturday is 7.35pm.

The Hurricanes squad to face the Chiefs is: 

15 Jordie Barrett 
14 Wes Goosen
13 Matt Proctor
12 Ngani Laumape
11 Chase Tiatia
10 Beauden Barrett
9 TJ Perenara (c)
8 Reed Prinsep
7 Ardie Savea
6 Vaea Fifita
5 Kane Leaupepe
4 James Blackwell
3 Ben May
2 Asafo Aumua
1 Fraser Armstrong

Reserves

16 Ricky Riccitelli
17 Xavier Numia
18 Jeff To'omaga-Allen
19 Isaia Walker-Leawere
20 Sam Henwood
21 Richard Judd
22 James Marshall
23 Salesi Rayasi

-Hurricanes Rugby

Young trio signed by Hurricanes until 2021

The Hurricanes continue to position their squad well for the future by adding three more promising players to their roster for at least the next two seasons.

Lock Liam Mitchell (23), fullback Chase Tiatia (23) and utility back Danny Toala (20) are the latest group to have signed with the club until 2021.

Their decision follows closely on from promising prop Xavier Numia (20), openside flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi (22), and lock James Blackwell (23) also committing to the Hurricanes for the same period with Vince Aso (24) and Alex Fidow (21) signing on until at least the 2022 Investec Super Rugby season.

Tiatia has quickly become an established selection since he was given an opportunity as injury cover following a long period of training with the Hurricanes while Mitchell has also impressed in his rookie season and has appeared in every match to date along with Blackwell.

Toala, meanwhile, has been a real stand-out for the Hurricanes Hunters and Under-20 sides. He was on the cusp of making his Hurricanes debut against the Stormers in March when named on the reserves bench without making it on to the field.

Hurricanes general manager of rugby Ben Castle said it was great news for the Hurricanes to have a real commitment from these talented young men.

"It is really pleasing for the club to announce further signings. These players have great futures ahead and we are delighted they will be part of the Hurricanes family over the next few seasons." he said.

Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree felt the latest group of players would add significantly to the stability of the squad moving ahead.

"We know a lot of players move on during a Rugby World Cup cycle so it is really important to have a group of players who want to establish themselves in the Hurricanes jersey and play a big part in our plans moving forward," he said.

-Hurricanes Rugby