I am writing to relay the recent experience I had while visiting New Zealand for the very first time. My wife and I are from California (I am a film producer, and she is an attorney and mediator), and a trip to New Zealand was at the top of our Bucket List when our son got a job on Waiheke Island, so we decided to spend 3 weeks touring your country with him.

I have always considered New Zealand to be a fairly progressive country from what I’ve read and stories I’ve heard from both natives and visitors. For example, your decision to allow the use of cannabis-related medicine is indicative of a society that recognizes science over propaganda. I use cannabis medicinally for pain management because I had been previously prescribed opioid painkillers, which are highly addictive and render the user unable to function in a coherent manner…and if taken in too large a dose, are highly toxic and LETHAL POISONS; cannabis, on the other hand, is non-addictive, does an excellent job of minimizing pain, allows the user to function in a coherent manner, and is 100% nonlethal (there has never been a…

Are young people not interested in politics? Do they not believe their voice has an impact? These – among others probably would be the most to be heard. But does that make sense? Do they not see the importance of using your democratic right to vote?

I personally cannot understand the notion of not being interested at all in politics and who is sitting in Parliament and I would not say I am a particular politically active person. The laws these people make impact on everybody if they like it or not – are new schools being built? Are there any changes in wages or your student loan? Saying that you are not interested seems like a poor excuse given the clear fact that everybody’s interests are on the line in politics.

Many people argue that not voting is…

The fountain of all knowledge -Wikipedia explains November 5th was to be a celebration of the king's escape "always provided that 'this testimony of joy be careful done without any danger or disorder'".

So why is it, year after year, humans and/or animals become victims of what is supposed to be a "joyous" celebration?

The danger and disorder of Guy Fawkes has marred its true purpose and I wonder….is the maiming of a life really worth it?

King James might have been saved from being struck by gunpowder, but Guy Fawke's has certainly had his way in many others' lives since. Take a trawl through google to find out, just type in "firework+burn".

There are many victories and non-disasters we could celebrate, is it time we change the meaning of November 5th?

How many more lives will it take for us to…

With some help from Perendale Productions we made a short video to embody just some of the events and people through history who have defined us and made their mark on our world.

http://youtu.be/cuqhDveu88g

New Zealand Story contains references to over 30 people and events in our history that collectively and individually embody the best of the New Zealand character. It touches on just some of those who have defined our country, its spirit and our historical tendency to overachieve in way that is uniquely kiwi. Now is a time when there seems to be an increasing conversation about what we stand for as a nation, and what values we choose to guide us forward.

As the year comes to an end, we hope this video will also make you feel happy and proud and prompt us all to reflect on the sort of country we want to…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYRBAdvGN88

The screening room for all the films is here: http://lastoceanscreeningroom.co.nz/

First in a series looking at computers and society.

Quirky, disjointed (?) but a great story.

[http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=77D6D10A772D1B6B]

Day 1:
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ8brWbm2Do]

(Sorry, not sure how embedding works here ... )

A short spoof video that underlines one of the many ways that Fonterra recklessly drives productivity at any cost.

On youtube

In song

Tuhoe, History of Resistance (1 hour documentary, on google video)

Nitro Media's entry for the 48Hours contest.

Made by myself, several of the Cactuslab boys, and a bunch of our friends as part of the 48hours short film comp a few weeks ago.

Perhaps a week or 2 after the fact, but here's what you really needed to know. From John Clarke and Bryan Dawe.

Chris Laidlaw & guests very respectfully discussing how we should teach creation in schools.

Deals with the philosophy & importance of science, as much as it does with spirituality.

Warning: This program is not middle-aged men talking about their salad days, nor people shouting at each, as I'd expected.

And it's a really good listen.

My breakthrough discoveries about DNA Translation,Big Bang Theory,Small Seed Theory,The Lazer Tech Translation,Trap Technology,Basketball Translation...doing the rigth thing everyday...nanosecond........for a better and a healthier world ahead.

From the New Zealand Book Council. Fantastic animation.

Does it promote the National Party?

Anyone have a view?

via Family Guy's Emmy campaign.

They're not even from here, man.

From the producer of The World's First Split Enz AMV, comes this entry for the Wellington Armageddon 2009 AMV contest.

A whole band full of the kind of people your mother warned you about.

From Dropa Kulcha in 1981. Can anyone name the host?

Radio NZ clip (mp3, 3mins 36sec) regarding NIWA research that attempted to determine the importance of the Kaipara as a fish nursery.

The result is a little surprising.

From Australia's National Radio, a 6 min podcast regarding nuclear disarmament under the Obama regime.

RadioNZ interview with fish ecologist Andy Hicks, who has recently completed a research project on the lifecycle of whitebait.

The interview focuses more on the scientific than the cultural, but if you're into whitebait, it's probably an interesting listen.

hey everyone,

just wondering if anyone might know of a place one could view NZ short films online? i'm in Germany and have been telling a number of (cynical/dark/Russian) friends about the beautiful cynical darkness of NZ short cinema, and i'd love to share the love, but it's nigh on impossible to find any content online.

any recommendations? is there a good torrent tracker for NZ related media?

Not true, but some on the most retarded youtube comments I've ever stumbled upon.