Latest news with #Ōtepoti
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Show fundraiser for Palestinians
Harriet Moir. Photo: supplied Local performers Harriet Moir and Caitlin Owen are at the helm of Voices for Palestine — a variety show fundraiser in support of the Palestinian people, to be held this Sunday from 6pm at Errick's. "We are raising our voices for Palestine with a night of music, comedy and poetry — all in support of human rights and urgently needed relief," Moir said. Voices for Palestine brings together a stellar lineup of Ōtepoti performers to fundraise for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides crucial support to Palestinian refugees and is the largest humanitarian organisation on the ground in Gaza. The lineup includes comedians Reuben Crisp, Caitlin Owen and Gerard Dougerty, poets Liz Breslin and Jasmine OM Taylor, musicians Paul Allen and Lucy Munro and special guest Rinad Tamimi. There will be a raffle and merchandise available, and all ticket proceeds will go directly to UNRWA's relief and development work. Ticket prices are tiered, so pay what you can afford. — APL
RNZ News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Big night looms for Otago's new All Blacks
Dunedin is gearing up to host the first All Blacks test of the year and local fans are confident the home side can take care of a depleted French team in Ōtepoti. A couple of local players will also debut at a soldout Forsyth Barr Stadium, making the occasion even more special for them and their families. Kings High School rugby players performed a stirring haka to welcome a trio of All Blacks to their school for some skills and drills, with the teenagers happy to come to college in the holidays for the chance to meet the players. One of those players was uncapped Hurricanes loose forward Du Plessis Kirifi, who will make his All Blacks debut from the bench. Du Plessis Kirifi will make his All Blacks debut against France in Dunedin. Photo: Brett Phibbs / "It's good to see so many smiling boys and they are very skilful as well," he said. "It's nice to be back here [at a high school], giving back to the community. It's been a big week of that, which has been nice. "It's been reminding us all where we came from." Kirifi is one of four debutants , alongside prop Ollie Norris, No.8 Christian Lio-Willie and lock Fabian Holland, with the latter pair both starting. Christian Lio-Willie in action for the Crusaders. Photo: Iain McGregor/ActionPress Lio-Willie was initially only in the squad as cover , before he was called up to replace the injured Wallace Sititi, and he never expected to start in Dunedin. "Heck no, no way," he said. "When I saw my name on that screen, I just sort of numbed out. "Don't even know [who] the second half of the team was. It's pretty awesome." While he plays Super Rugby Pacific for the Crusaders, Lio-Willie represents Otago in NPC and plays club rugby for Kaikorai in Māori Hill. He will become the 15th All Black from the club. "Kaikorai is a huge part of my journey," he said. "The coach at the time, Ryan Martin, came up to Auckland, when I was at school, Massey High, and he is the one that got me down here. "I played all of my club footy for them. I love my footy down here, and the club culture and everything. "I'm one away from 50 [games] for the club. It's a pretty special place." All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho takes young rugby players through some drills. Photo: Joe Porter/RNZ Lio-Willie looks forward to making his international debut alongside Otago teammate and Highlanders lock Fabian Holland in Dunedin. "We both had our first starting debut together at Forsyth Barr and it's sort of a full circle moment to be able to debut together for the All Blacks in Dunedin again," Lio-Willie said. "I've still got a lot of friends and loved ones down here that have been supporting me since day one, so I'm just keen to go out there and make them proud." Dunedin schoolboys Isaac, Jai and Mason were at the skills session, and will cheer for Holland and Lio-Willie. Dunedin schoolboys Isaac, Jai and Mason will be cheering on the late All Black debutants. Photo: Joe Porter/RNZ The trio are confident the All Blacks can get the job done against an inexperienced France team that contain eight debutants . "We'll win easy, yeah easy win, easy win," they said. "We're way better than them. I think the score will be 100-0 to the All Blacks." Holland, who moved to New Zealand as a teenager to chase his All Blacks dream, will also have plenty of family and friends in his adopted city supporting him. Fabian Holland in action for the Highlanders. Photo: Steve McArthur All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said the 22-year-old lock was over the moon, when he found out he would start. "From Zealand to New Zealand, he's come a long way," Robertson said. "It's a great story. "He's pretty singleminded to make that call to come over and represent another country in the game he loves, and he saw the All Blacks as the ultimate. "It's movie sort of stuff, isn't it?" Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Tūhura Otago Museum To Mark Matariki With Dawn Ceremony And Whānau Celebration
Tūhura Otago Museum, in partnership with Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou and the Dunedin City Council, is inviting the community to come together on Friday 20 June to celebrate Matariki with a dawn ceremony followed by a full day of free activities and cultural experiences. Tūhura's annual dawn ceremony has become a cornerstone of the Ōtepoti events calendar. Each year, hundreds gather on the Museum Reserve to welcome the Māori New Year and take part in a moment of remembrance, reflection and renewal. For mana whenua, the pre-dawn rising of Puaka and the Matariki star cluster marks the end of one cycle of seasons and the beginning of the next. This year's ceremony will begin at 6.45am and include a karakia, a whakamaumahara to remember those who have passed, and a whakamāramataka about the stars and their seasonal significance. Attendees are encouraged to bring a printed photo of a loved one who has passed in the past year. Holding their photos during the remembrance, everyone will be invited to speak the name of their lost whānau member or friend aloud in tribute. Following the ceremony, the public is welcome to share some kai, enjoy a kapa haka performance from He Waka Kōtuia, and take part in the Museum's Matariki Community Fun Day, a free, whānau-friendly programme of events running throughout the Museum until 3pm. Activities include a taoka puoro demonstration with Dr Jennifer Cattermole, a mau rākau workshop with Jade Morgan, and hands-on crafting and Matariki storytelling. The Planetarium will also be hosting special Matariki-themed shows throughout the day, including Mārama ā Whetū, Waka Whetū, and Night Sky Live – Matariki. Tūhura Otago Museum Director Dr Ian Griffin says the annual Matariki celebrations are a highlight of the year for the Museum. 'Matariki is a deeply significant time for our staff and our community. We're proud to continue this tradition and offer people a meaningful way to reflect, come together, and look ahead to the new year.' Events Manager Rachel MacJeff says there is something for everyone to enjoy. 'It's a full day of celebration, a time to bring the whole whānau together to share stories, learn, and create. We're excited to open our doors for such a special day.' Curator Māori Dr Gerard O'Regan says continuing the Matariki celebration has remained a priority for the Museum, even during financially challenging times. 'This event speaks to who we are and what we value as a community. We are honoured to welcome the hundreds of people who join us each year.' Matariki at Tūhura is free and open to all. The Museum encourages people to dress warmly and arrive in time for the start of the dawn ceremony on the Museum Reserve. Puaka kai rau, Matariki ahuka nui. Nau mai, haere mai — everyone is welcome.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
The Selwyn Foundation Announces First-of-its-Kind Investment In Older Persons' Wellbeing Focused On Dementia Support
Press Release – Selwyn Foundation The new agreement, announced at the 15 May Scaling Investments into Social Impact forum co-hosted by The Selwyn Foundation, the Impact Investing Network and Forsyth Barr, deepens the relationship further and signifies Selwyns first impact investment. AUCKLAND, 15 May 2025 – The Selwyn Foundation has announced plans to make New Zealand's first impact investment in the older persons' wellbeing market, via a new agreement with Ōtepoti Dunedin-based social enterprise Elli Cares. The Foundation will provide significant funding for the business's award-winning dementia support technology. The Elli Cares app, which is active in 40 countries, provides personalised reminders, location tracking, and AI-driven tools for users with dementia and caregivers. The Selwyn Foundation was an early financial supporter, selecting Elli Cares to receive a grant following its Respectful Ageing Innovation Challenge launched in 2023. This was designed to support the development of innovative products and services that would significantly improve outcomes for older people. 'There's surprisingly little philanthropic or private sector money currently going into services and support for older adults in Aotearoa. We're setting about changing this. As part of our Social Impact & Mission Strategy, which has allocated sizeable funding for impact investing and our partnership with Elli Cares is just the start,' said Denise Cosgrove, CEO of The Selwyn Foundation. The new agreement, announced at the 15 May Scaling Investments into Social Impact forum co-hosted by The Selwyn Foundation, the Impact Investing Network and Forsyth Barr, deepens the relationship further and signifies Selwyn's first impact investment. 'This investment is instrumental in allowing us to scale both our technology and our reach. It will directly support the rollout of our Preventative Health and AI-driven engagement tools, as well as expand our presence across Aotearoa and beyond through new partnerships with not-for-profits, aged care providers, and healthcare professionals. With Selwyn's backing, we can accelerate our mission to help older adults – especially those living with dementia or cognitive challenges – maintain independence, dignity, and wellbeing.' Angela Edwards, Founder of Elli Cares said. 'Impact investing is values-aligned investing intended to create positive social or environmental impacts alongside competitive financial returns. The size of the global market is $1.571 trillion USD and is expected to grow significantly. However, locally we are yet to fully embrace the potential of this market,' Cosgrove said. 'Solving our most pressing social challenges requires innovative investment approaches, new mindsets, and new kinds of partnerships. By investing capital into scalable investment opportunities, we can deliver financial returns alongside transformative outcomes for communities – in economic participation, ageing well, health and more. We invite others to partner with us to deliver social impact at scale, so all older people may age with dignity and respect.'
Otago Daily Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Band launches new album
Ōtepoti band MōtA will release their debut album, One, with a gig this Saturday, May 17. The album was recorded at Sublime Studios in Kurow, under the wing of Tom Havard and co-producer Steve Harrop. The three-piece, comprising Jimmy Higgs (guitars/vocals), Craig Hall (bass/vocals/te reo vocals) and Jason Chisholm (drums), has been together for a little over a year. "We've had a lot of fun over the past 12 months gigging and getting these songs sorted for release,'' Higgs said in a statement. 'The three of us have been mates for a long time, so the creative process is a super-relaxed and easy-going one." Saturday's concert will be held at the Southcoast Boardriders Association rooms, at the St Clair Esplanade, from 8pm, with support from Flying Man. Tickets via undertheradar and at the door.
