The 48th National Jazz Festival has just announced the line up of top New Zealand bands and international guests for the iconic Downtown Tauranga

Carnival and TV3 Jazz Village as part of the Festival in Tauranga at Easter.

The Downtown Tauranga Carnival takes place in the central city on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 April with four stages showcasing the diverse assortment of jazz with free entry. On Sunday 4 and Monday 5 April, the TV3 Jazz Village at the Historic Village features more than 20 bands on four stages as well as strolling bands, food and art stalls and activities for the children and entry is $10 for adults and free for children under 14 and TECT cardholders.

“We want the National Jazz Festival to be for everyone,” says Festival Director Arne Herrmann.

“The Downtown Tauranga Carnival and the TV3 Jazz Village will be fun events for the wider community, with the Carnival being an upbeat street affair, and the Jazz Village catering for a more relaxed family day out with some great jazz music.”

The TV3 Jazz Village, Tauranga’s own version of New Orleans’ French Quarter, was a crowd favourite in 2009 with thousands of visitors joining in the fun and Mr Herrmann says this year will be even better with more bands and more activities. Lining up at the village will be top New Zealand musicians Kokomo, Torch Songs, Shaken Not Stirred and the Darcy Perry Band. International guest performers include Yggdrasil (Faroe Islands), Phil Tweed and Mark Lockett from Australia and Mike Cooper (UK).

And you can star too – bring along your instrument and join in on the Hothouse Jamming Stage with the Hamilton Blues Club on Saturday and the Bay of Plenty Blues Club on Sunday. Tickets for the TV3 Jazz Village are $10 adults and free for children under 14 and TECT card-holders. Tickets can be pre-booked and there will be two entrances into the village from 17th Avenue.

The Downtown Tauranga Carnival runs from noon to 5pm each day with four stages – Classic Hits Stage at The Strand, Strand 2, Red Square and a special Indigenous Stage at Aspen Reserve. Among the artists on the Classic Hits and Strand 2 stages are local Tauranga favourites, the Self Righteous Brothers Blues Ensemble (Derek Jacombs and Nigel Masters from Kokomo), NZ jazz drummer Frank Gibson with The Young Lions, , Mike Garner, Brilleaux, Reputations and Liquid Colours from Auckland. \

The Indigenous Stage features award winning Maori Jazz musician Whirimako Black, Tait Kora Band, Leon Wharekura Band, Three’s Company and Tim Cooper Whanau and Friends, while Red Square has a Blues Buffet on Saturday and The Impressions on Sunday.

The Downtown Tauranga Carnival and TV3 Jazz Village are just two of the highlights of the 48th National Jazz Festival held in Tauranga from 1-5 April and as one of the oldest jazz festivals in the world, the National Jazz Festival is an iconic event on the music calendar in New Zealand.

Our friend from Wellington International Airport Louise Murray just sent me an email regarding the plans to erect a Hollywood-style sign on the Miramar peninsula celebrating the location of the heart of New Zealand’s burgeoning film industry, "Wellywood".

"Wellington Airport is a big supporter of the capital’s film industry. It’s a relationship that has steadily grown since the industry began to flourish around 17 years ago. "Convenient and affordable air links have enabled the world-beating Peter Jackson and Weta group of companies to reach the rest of the world," said Steve Fitzgerald, Wellington Airport CEO.

The Airport is part of the film industry’s essential infrastructure; an international gateway for passengers and freight that the Miramar crew can quickly and easily access. And it works both ways; "a well-functioning, well-designed and conveniently located airport helps convey a sense of reassurance to creative professionals who venture to the other side of the world to make movies in Wellington," he added.

No fewer than seven film-related companies are based on the Miramar peninsula, led by Weta’s diverse range of creative and technically excellent production workshops and studios.

The film industry’s direct spend into Wellington’s economy is estimated at $285 million per annum1. "Wellywood will be rightfully recognised for what it is – an extraordinary contributor to Wellington’s identity, its economy, and more recently to its tourism industry," said Mayor of Wellington Kerry Prendergast.

"The sign will be one of the first things people will see when they arrive in Wellington. They will be left in no doubt that this is the heart and soul of New Zealand’s film industry, and that the city is proud of its amazing achievements."

Wellywood is an emerging tourist attraction. Film tours taking in the Miramar film enclave are extremely popular, with around 100,000 people through the Weta Cave in the last year.

"The sign will help cement Wellywood’s place as an international tourism landmark, increasing both visitation and number of visitor nights in the capital," said Mr Fitzgerald.

The sign, erected on the airport’s land above the Miramar cutting, will measure about 28m in length, each letter 3.5m in height. Mainzeal and Beca will begin construction of the sign offsite, with final installation expected in June.

A short film about New Zealand has given one young film-maker his ‘Big Break’.

The film ‘Working Day’ by Andres Borghi from Argentina was selected by New Zealand film legend Sir Peter Jackson as the winner of Tourism New Zealand’s 100% Pure ‘Your Big Break’ short film competition.

The winner has just been announced in the US, with the film screened to viewers of the 25^th Film Independent Spirit Awards, the premier independent film event in the US.

Andres Borghi was one of five finalists in the short film competition that travelled to Queenstown last month to direct their films alongside Lord of the Rings producer Barrie Osborne.

Sir Peter Jackson said: “The standard of all five films was very high. Any of them deserved to win, but it came down to personal choice. [Working Day] stood out as a fresh and original piece of storytelling. This was an extremely accomplished piece and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Andres’ future work.”

“100% Pure New Zealand jump started my work and career,” says Andres Borghi, who also acted in his film. “I also thank Peter and Barrie for helping me polish my work and gain international exposure.”

Borghi and the other finalists – two Americans and two New Zealanders – were selected from a pool of over 1,000 screenplays submitted between 9 December 2009 and 15 January 2010.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said interest in the competition exceeded expectations, with the competition website – www.your-big-break.com – attracting 18,000 votes and 2.5 million video views in the first phase of the competition.

“This campaign has generated a huge amount of interest from the film community both here and internationally, and was extremely successful in terms of both the number of entries received and website views.

“The involvement of industry heavy-weights Sir Peter Jackson and Barrie Osborne helped attract attention in the US, which can be a challenging market to get our 100% Pure New Zealand message across in.

“This competition has not just created ‘talkability’ around New Zealand, it has also given us five excellent short films that capture New Zealand’s scenery, our people and culture which will be seen around the world.”

The five winning films were shown on the Independent Film Channel (IFC) and to around 1,800 celebrities, media and film industry professionals in the 100% Pure New Zealand lounge at the Spirit Awards ceremony.

Television advertising on IFC and Sundance over the last month has helped drive awareness of the competition, and is expected to increase viewership of the Spirit Awards and the winning film.

Engagement through social media websites has also been strong, with over 1,400 fans following developments through Facebook and the ‘Your Big Break’ blog.

A follow-up online campaign will run from Monday 8 March, encouraging film-lovers to book their New Zealand holiday now.

The last New Zealand Fringe Festival ended with a question mark over its head about whether it would continue. It did, it rocked, and it will continue.

Now Fringe 2010 has ended with a glorious bag with the naming of the best of all there is in 2010 and a new inductee for the Fringe Hall of Fame.

The New Zealand Fringe Festival held its Award and Closing Night Party on March 7 at the Paramount Theatre, blowing out the candles on its 20th Birthday festival celebrations.

Fourteen awards were announced to celebrate the best on show at Fringe 2010, and a new member of the Fringe Hall of Fame was honoured.

In 2009, Bret McKenzie and Jermaine Clement from Flight of the Conchords were inducted. The was hosted by Derek Flores and Vinyl Burns from talk show The Chit Chat Lounge and featured entertainment from this year's crop of Fringe participants, including The Crimson Club and Galaxia.

In the spirit of the best sporting adage, Fringe 2010 producer Zelda Edwards said this year's festival was a triumph in the face of adversity.

"This year was a battle that was fought hard and fought long," she said, " but we all are proud to have put on the best festival in the twenty years of Fringe.

"The Fringe is a festival that embraces and encourages the leading edge of arts and entertainment and despite the question marks that hung over this year’s event we're beyond happy with how things turned out.

"We feel that in 2010 that the city really embraced the Fringe, from our opening day with the glorious Running of the Fringe right through to the end. We have to say thanks with all our heart to our supporters, the Wellington City Council and everyone who has not only put on a Fringe show but seen one as well.

"The Fringe is an essential part of New Zealand's arts and culture, providing an opportunity for so many voices to be heard. Long may it continue," she said. An announcement to the Fringe Festival's future will be made in due course.

Fringe 2010 Award winners

(winners in bold)

The over 100,000 pairs of knickers and bras sent to Africa by HOTmilk, New Zealand based international maternity and nursing lingerie label, have arrived and been distributed to women living in villages in Zimbabwe to help them avoid being sexually abused.

“Distributing the bras and knickers has been a very enjoyable task,” said former Zimbabwaen Morag Roy, who ensured that the boxes of HOTmilk donations cleared customs and made their way to those who most needed them.

When the company discovered that undergarments elevated a Zimbabwaen womens prestige, meaning they are less likely to be sexually assaulted, they immediately donated close to 12,000 HOTmilk items and orgnised HOTmilk stockists across the globe to gather quality secondhand bras and unworn underwear to ship to Africa .

“Most of the bras have been given out in Samkele, Lupane and Bulawayo areas,” says Roy . “The women love them and there is always great excitement and joy when they are received!” she says.

“We really are grateful to everyone around the world who put in such an amazing effort to make these donations possible – but extend a very special thanks to HOTMilk, their stockists, Express Logistics, those who donated warehouse space and everyone in New Zealand who contributed to the campaign for their generosity, especially in light of the major obstacles they overcame to get so many items here safely!”

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Christchurch will be hosting the 5th Deaf Short Film Festival in May 2011.

The final date has not yet been confirmed. The current Short Film committee believe we need a new logo, so we have set up a competition to find a new logo for the Film Festival.

There will be a prize for the best design. Can you design a logo that will match the name ‘NEW ZEALAND DEAF SHORT FILM FESTIVAL’

Any design colours, text font, style can be used. Be creative! Design in A4 paper, we prefer to receive file by email attachment. Hand-drawing is fine. The winner will receive free ticket to the Deaf Short Film Festival in Christchurch.

Deadline: 22nd March 2010

Please email to communication@deaf.org.nz

All of logos will be shown on Deaf Aotearoa’s website for the Deaf community to vote.

For Twenty-Four years, the New Zealand International Arts Festival bringing World Class Arts entertainment from around the World and within New Zealand.

Since 1986, each Festival has offered a bold artistic programme of the highest quality, featuring theatre, classical and world music, opera, dance, jazz, family and free events, a literary programme and the visual arts.

Last Saturday, I was able to watch “Transport Exceptionnels”,a dance duet between man and machine as part of the New Zealand International Arts Festival.

Transcending spectacle and danger, dancer Philippe Priasso is paired with a mechanical digger in this astoundingly witty exploration of the traditional "dance for two".

I would say. “ A love affairs between Man and Machine, beyond boundaries”.

Despite the intense heat, Hundred of people watched the 20 minutes show, Transports Exceptionnels follows an intimate seduction initiated by Priasso.

Dominique Boivin’s choreography expands and redefines dance tradition and the use of outdoor space and digger.

Unfortunately, Priasso, or the digger driver, don’t want to talk to a blogger but if you are from large newspapers or network I bet, they will say,”yes”.

Over-all the show was great and superb. Here are some photos you want to check or Priasso itself.

I wish I could see other performances during the festival not only the free event.

What do you think  Ms. SUSANA LEI’ATAUA?

The New Zealand International Arts Festival is a biennial multi-arts festival held in the capital city, Wellington.

One in Ten New Zealand Women and girls affects this common disease called Endometriosis.

Endometriosis (pronounced: 'end-oh-me-tree-oh-sis') occurs when tissue very similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is found in places outside the uterus where it shouldn’t be.

Some of the associated symptoms include extreme pain, diarrhoea with a period, boating, painful intercourse, lower back pain, tiredness and low energy, mood disturbances and bladder pain.

Inline with the 25th Birthday celebration of Endometriosis New Zealand (ENZ) and  Endometriosis Awareness Month(1-31 March )will be running a fundraiser on sella.co.nz called The Big Hug, auctioning such items as a 2009 SmartCar with a $1 reserve, designer clothing packages and celebrity experiences.

So, join The Big Hug and promote awareness of endometriosis to help all women and girls in your home, school, work and community to overcome this silent epidemic! and the Style of Life supporting this kind of campaign.

For more information, go to their website at nzendo.co.nz or sella.co.nz for the auction.

A few weeks ago the Ministry of Education introduced the National Standards in English-medium schools with pupils in Years 1 to 8.

The standards set clear expectations that students need to meet in reading, writing, and mathematics in the first eight years at school.

Teachers will:

- Assess individual students’ progress and achievement in relation to the standards.

- Support students to use assessment information to inform their own learning goals and their next learning steps.

- Use a range of assessment information.

- Provide regular report to parents in plain language about their children's progress in relation to National Standards, including twice a year in writing.

- Provide clear information to parents, families and whānau so they can support their children's learning at home.

Even Education Minister Anne Tolley says Nielsen survey results in the New Zealand Herald confirm the overwhelming support parents have for National Standards.

73 per cent of parents said they are in favour of the National Standards in reading, writing and maths which were introduced last week in primary and intermediate schools. 13 per cent have yet to make up their minds.

However, New Zealand Education Institute is against the National Standards.

The NZEI had a signature campaign at my daughter Kindergarten and they explained why NZEI against the Scheme.

They said there is widespread concern about the Standards from parents,educational experts, principals and teachers that the Standards are untested.

They are worried because :

Untested: The Government is rushing to implement the Standards without an evidence that they will raise achievement.

National Standard regimes in other countries have failed and are being abandoned. New Zealand children are already achieving very well compared to other countries.

Demoralising: Not all children come  to school equal. Some children have strengths and talents in parts of the curriculum.

One Size Fits All : National Standards encourage schools to march children through fixed annual levels for reading, writing and maths based on their age. In fact, children develop at their own pace, with wide variation in their progress.

Unnecessary: Schools already use a wide variety of assessment tools to identity children’s progress and already know which children are struggling.

Inaccurate: Overseas, national standards regimes have led to the manipulation of data, inaccurate classification of students, inconsistent moderation of standards across schools and reduced flexibility in the curriculum.

Misleading: Media publication of National Standards data in the form of school league tables will create incorrect and unfair perceptions about “good” and “Bad” schools. This will reinforce prejudice about low decile schools that may in fact be very effective in raising student achievement.

You can check Hands up for Learning, who is against the National Standards or the Ministry of Education who implementing the programme.

I always been fascinated in the process of making wine and when I thinking of wine.

The first come to my mind is the Wairarapa region which is still considered part of Wellington.

I am so glad I was able to interview Ms. Barbara Hyde, the marketing Manager of Destination Wairarapa.

She discussed to me why Wairarapa, is one of the best region in the conference industry.

Hyde said the region’s charm, fine food and wine and diverse venues make it an ideal  destination for corporate retreat or event.

“Our train service makes Wairarapa reachable in confort and with convenience. And there’s convenient travel from Auckland with the direct Air New Zealand link into Masterton”, Hyde equips.

She said Wairarapa’s diversity of activities and attractions offers plenty of choice for retreat and conference planners.

Among the gang she brought during the Wellington on Show last Thursday are :

You can check Tranzit Gourmet Escape tour options by calling 0800471227 or tranzit.co.nz

2. The Brackenridge Country  Retreat and Spa,set on 14 acres of farmland and only minutes from Martinborough Wine Village.

According to Leeann O’Neill,the Conference Coordinator, the Brackenridge can provide everything needed from a meeting for six,to a product launch for 200.

3. Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park. Set in a 24 acres of landscaped parklands.

The Solway Conference Centre provides the perfect venue for any size event from 2- 500 delegates.

4. The Olivo is the oldest commercial olive grove in the region.

I’m lucky enough to talked to Ms. Helen Meehan,the owner of Olivo estate and explained to me the innovative infused Olive oils and flavours they make such as Lemon, Orange, Smoked Chilli, Porcini, Fennel and Smoked Paprika.

5. Parehua Country Estate. Located in the international acclaimed boutique wine region of Martinborough.

The estate is perfect location for executive meetings,celebrations or strategic business camps.

6. For all beer lovers, check out the Tui Brewery Headquarter is 10 minutes south of Woodville,35 min east of Palmerston North and 45 min north of Masterton.

Tui HQ Manager Ms. Jo Hirst said the HQ are open 7 days a week for beer tasting and tour.

If you want to experience all of the why not  make your tours with ZEST food tours of New Zealand.

ZEST helps conference-goers and partners explore the unique Martinborough Wine Village, Greytown and Wairarapa region in a very personal style, for groups small and large.

By the way, on March 20, 2010,a celebration of finest local wine and food – Harvest Festival.

From 11AM – 5PM spectacular Riverside setting with superb wines and fantastic local produce prepared by the region;s best Chefs.