Popular clinical psychologist and author Nigel Latta has been posthumously recognised with the Special Achievement Award at the Aotearoa NZ Book Industry Awards held on Saturday night. The Special Achievement Award was accepted on Latta's behalf by his wife, Dr Natalie Flynn. Dr Flynn noted that the recognition reminded her of how well-loved Latta was … Read more
Twenty-six New Zealand authors secured spots on the 2026 Whitcoulls Top 100 Books List, marking the strongest domestic performance in the list’s nearly 30-year history. According to Whitcoulls book manager Joan Mackenzie, the results reflect a record number of votes and a surge in reader interest for local voices and relatable storytelling. The Rise of … Read more
A portrait by Charles Frederick Goldie, missing from public view for over a century, is expected to fetch approximately $420,000 at an upcoming sale. Titled Lost in Thought, Ngāheke, An Arawa Chieftain, the painting resurfaced in Australia in 2020 after its last recorded exhibition in 1917. NZ artbroker director Jen McBride confirmed the artwork’s authenticity … Read more
A US appeals court has ordered that Donald Trump’s name remain removed from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts while the organization pursues an appeal. A three-judge panel for the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied a request from the board of trustees to pause a lower court order … Read more
President Donald Trump transformed the U.S. semiquincentennial into a political platform by establishing a White House task force and pledging to turn the 250th anniversary fireworks display into a “TRUMP RALLY,” according to official reports and public statements. This shift marks a departure from traditional non-partisan Independence Day celebrations. Why is the 250th anniversary of … Read more
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are scheduled to host a wedding event at Madison Square Garden this Friday, according to a city permit obtained by The Associated Press. The event is slated to begin at 5 p.m. and is permitted to continue until 4 a.m. the following morning, marking a high-profile convergence of pop culture … Read more
Auckland’s Caluzzi is marking three decades of operation on Karangahape Road, evolving from a café in 1996 into a drag cabaret. Current owners Nick Hall and Nick Nash, known professionally as Anita Wigl’it and Kita Mean, have managed the venue for the past decade, helping preserve one of Auckland’s cabaret experiences while introducing it to … Read more
Dame Jools Topp, the beloved entertainer and one half of the iconic Topp Twins, was honored by family, friends, and the public today at a celebration of life at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland. Dame Jools, who died on May 25 at age 68 following a 22-year journey with breast cancer, was remembered for … Read more
Dunedin has shifted its annual Midwinter Carnival to a restricted-capacity format to manage crowd safety, limiting attendance to 8,000 people across two nights. According to the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival Trust, the change moves the event from open-street festivities to the grounds of the 153-year-old First Church to resolve long-standing overcrowding issues that previously saw up … Read more
The Kylie Effect: How the Pop Icon Redefined Resilience in the Face of Media Toxicity For nearly four decades, Kylie Minogue has been more than a pop star; she has been a cultural lightning rod. From her humble beginnings on Neighbours to her global reign as the “Princess of Pop,” Minogue’s journey offers a masterclass … Read more