All that’ll jazz up the year
The only time you should ever look back, is to see how far you've come. In keeping with this spirit let us look at some pointers that made us proud in 2014, and list some more to look forward to in 2015
THE YEAR THAT WAS:
Our beloved New Zealand won many an accolade in 2014. According to the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey, New Zealand was declared the topmost country to raise children. What helps is the fact that according to Transparency International, New Zealand is also the country with the lowest level of perceived corruption in the public sector.
Couple these qualities with another well-known, yet no less amazing, fact: the Telegraph Travel Awards conducted a worldwide survey, the biggest of its kind with more than 90,000 people voting their favourite travel destination. And, New Zealand was named the world’s best country.
In the wake of these statistics, Prime Minister John Key had commented: “We believe one the real strengths of the tourism experience in New Zealand is that it lives up to the hype. Too often people go to a destination where ultimately it is never as good as the brochure, whereas in New Zealand we think people come and get an experience that is better than the brochure.”
Key has himself lived up to the hype since the National Party’s third victory in a row, giving the national economy a much-needed stability. It was in 2014 that New Zealand became the 21st country to participate in the G20 summit and the country has also taken steps to build up trade relationships with China, South Korea as well as India – comprising that part of the globe from where the highest number of immigrants comes to NZ.
On a lighter note, names like Bruno Mars, Lionel Richie, Michael Buble, Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake, Lorde, Mariah Carey and Katie Perry – have graced the land with their performances. The subsequent hype generated by their concerts has been equally astounding.
THE YEAR THAT IS:
The year 2015 has definitely begun with a bang. Firstly, the weather has changed significantly in the last week of December. Those of us, who were complaining about a non-existent summer in New Zealand, have definitely retracted their statements. Summer is here and it is definitely here to stay for the next few weeks.
In fact, there is more reason to head to the beach. If we go by the financial pundits, the NZ dollar is gaining in strength quite unprecedentedly this year.
NZ$ soars higher than ever:
Stuff.co.nz reports that New Zealand dollar has hit its highest level against its Aussie counterpart since December 1983. At 95.73 AUD, by the end of 2015 the Kiwi currency might achieve parity with its neighbour – “for the first time since the Australian dollar was floated by then-treasurer Paul Keating”.
This phenomenon has not only reinstated the trust of the people on the current government, but investors and traders are gaining confidence to plan their investments. If the economy continues at this pace, brighter days are definitely ahead.
Better be safe, than sorry:
One of the most unfortunate incidents towards the end of last year – the Sydney siege – has somehow woken us up to the uncertainties of life and made us aware of our safety rights. Perhaps that can be considered one of the reasons why the anti-terrorism bill has gained confidence of political leaders lately.
Since its last reading by 94 votes to 27, the opposing political party members at the Parliament have realised that the fear is real. If it can happen three hours away, it can happen to us too. So the measures suggested by the government are gradually gaining support and hopefully, we will have stronger anti-terrorism laws by the end of this year.
Swing it like Sachin:
Come February and the world will focus its lenses on the antipodes. The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, the 11th ICC Cricket World Cup, is scheduled to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand from 14th February to 29th March. A total of 49 matches will be played at 14 venues with Australia staging 26 matches at its famous grounds in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. New Zealand will host the balance of 23 matches in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Napier, Nelson and Wellington.
The final will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. One of the world's largest international sports tournaments, there will be 14 competing teams and more than 400 accredited players and officials taking part in it.
The promotions and run-up to the tournament is one of those highlights that will grab many an eyeball and will be a treat to look forward to this year. The participating teams include: England, South Africa, India, Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, New Zelaland, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Afghanistan, Scotland and United Arab Emirates. The teams will draw cricket fans from all corners of the globe, marking a busy period in tourism.
Laugh out loud:
The Canadian number one stand-up comedian, Russell Peters, will be in Auckland in mid-March as part of his ‘Almost Famous World Tour’. It will feature Peters' latest take on some of his favourite communities, jobs he can understand, cell phones, dating and his uncle who's never been punched in the mouth, plus Peters' signature lightening fast improvisation with the audience.
If you are lacking a reason to smile, this could well be that opportunity to exercise the curvy muscles and pick up a few one-liners on the Kiwis. Who knows!
In reel-time:
Last, but not the least, is our attraction to the silver screen. What will keep us glued to the screen this year includes the reel version of ‘Fifty shades of grey’. Even if the book hasn’t caught your attention, there is a chance that the film might. Perhaps because it is easier to sit through a film, than sift through the pages of a pulp fiction.
Other titles to look forward to include ‘The Boy Next-door’ starring JLo; ‘Focus’ starring Will Smith; ‘Avengers – Age of Ultron’ starring Robert Downey Jr; ‘Black Mars’ starring Johnny Depp; and ‘Mission Impossible 5’ starring Tom Cruise.
If Hollywood is not your thing, try catching Bollywood releases like Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Bombay Velvet’; Big B starrer ‘Shamitabh’; Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor starrer ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’; Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif starrer ‘Jugga Jasoos’; Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Bajirao Mastani’; and the much, much awaited ‘Detective Byomkesh Bakshy’ by Dibakar Banerjee.
The only time you should ever look back, is to see how far you've come. In keeping with this spirit let us look at some pointers that made us proud in 2014, and list some more to look forward to in 2015
THE YEAR THAT WAS:
Our beloved New Zealand won many an accolade in 2014. According to the...
The only time you should ever look back, is to see how far you've come. In keeping with this spirit let us look at some pointers that made us proud in 2014, and list some more to look forward to in 2015
THE YEAR THAT WAS:
Our beloved New Zealand won many an accolade in 2014. According to the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey, New Zealand was declared the topmost country to raise children. What helps is the fact that according to Transparency International, New Zealand is also the country with the lowest level of perceived corruption in the public sector.
Couple these qualities with another well-known, yet no less amazing, fact: the Telegraph Travel Awards conducted a worldwide survey, the biggest of its kind with more than 90,000 people voting their favourite travel destination. And, New Zealand was named the world’s best country.
In the wake of these statistics, Prime Minister John Key had commented: “We believe one the real strengths of the tourism experience in New Zealand is that it lives up to the hype. Too often people go to a destination where ultimately it is never as good as the brochure, whereas in New Zealand we think people come and get an experience that is better than the brochure.”
Key has himself lived up to the hype since the National Party’s third victory in a row, giving the national economy a much-needed stability. It was in 2014 that New Zealand became the 21st country to participate in the G20 summit and the country has also taken steps to build up trade relationships with China, South Korea as well as India – comprising that part of the globe from where the highest number of immigrants comes to NZ.
On a lighter note, names like Bruno Mars, Lionel Richie, Michael Buble, Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake, Lorde, Mariah Carey and Katie Perry – have graced the land with their performances. The subsequent hype generated by their concerts has been equally astounding.
THE YEAR THAT IS:
The year 2015 has definitely begun with a bang. Firstly, the weather has changed significantly in the last week of December. Those of us, who were complaining about a non-existent summer in New Zealand, have definitely retracted their statements. Summer is here and it is definitely here to stay for the next few weeks.
In fact, there is more reason to head to the beach. If we go by the financial pundits, the NZ dollar is gaining in strength quite unprecedentedly this year.
NZ$ soars higher than ever:
Stuff.co.nz reports that New Zealand dollar has hit its highest level against its Aussie counterpart since December 1983. At 95.73 AUD, by the end of 2015 the Kiwi currency might achieve parity with its neighbour – “for the first time since the Australian dollar was floated by then-treasurer Paul Keating”.
This phenomenon has not only reinstated the trust of the people on the current government, but investors and traders are gaining confidence to plan their investments. If the economy continues at this pace, brighter days are definitely ahead.
Better be safe, than sorry:
One of the most unfortunate incidents towards the end of last year – the Sydney siege – has somehow woken us up to the uncertainties of life and made us aware of our safety rights. Perhaps that can be considered one of the reasons why the anti-terrorism bill has gained confidence of political leaders lately.
Since its last reading by 94 votes to 27, the opposing political party members at the Parliament have realised that the fear is real. If it can happen three hours away, it can happen to us too. So the measures suggested by the government are gradually gaining support and hopefully, we will have stronger anti-terrorism laws by the end of this year.
Swing it like Sachin:
Come February and the world will focus its lenses on the antipodes. The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, the 11th ICC Cricket World Cup, is scheduled to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand from 14th February to 29th March. A total of 49 matches will be played at 14 venues with Australia staging 26 matches at its famous grounds in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. New Zealand will host the balance of 23 matches in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Napier, Nelson and Wellington.
The final will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. One of the world's largest international sports tournaments, there will be 14 competing teams and more than 400 accredited players and officials taking part in it.
The promotions and run-up to the tournament is one of those highlights that will grab many an eyeball and will be a treat to look forward to this year. The participating teams include: England, South Africa, India, Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, New Zelaland, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Afghanistan, Scotland and United Arab Emirates. The teams will draw cricket fans from all corners of the globe, marking a busy period in tourism.
Laugh out loud:
The Canadian number one stand-up comedian, Russell Peters, will be in Auckland in mid-March as part of his ‘Almost Famous World Tour’. It will feature Peters' latest take on some of his favourite communities, jobs he can understand, cell phones, dating and his uncle who's never been punched in the mouth, plus Peters' signature lightening fast improvisation with the audience.
If you are lacking a reason to smile, this could well be that opportunity to exercise the curvy muscles and pick up a few one-liners on the Kiwis. Who knows!
In reel-time:
Last, but not the least, is our attraction to the silver screen. What will keep us glued to the screen this year includes the reel version of ‘Fifty shades of grey’. Even if the book hasn’t caught your attention, there is a chance that the film might. Perhaps because it is easier to sit through a film, than sift through the pages of a pulp fiction.
Other titles to look forward to include ‘The Boy Next-door’ starring JLo; ‘Focus’ starring Will Smith; ‘Avengers – Age of Ultron’ starring Robert Downey Jr; ‘Black Mars’ starring Johnny Depp; and ‘Mission Impossible 5’ starring Tom Cruise.
If Hollywood is not your thing, try catching Bollywood releases like Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Bombay Velvet’; Big B starrer ‘Shamitabh’; Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor starrer ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’; Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif starrer ‘Jugga Jasoos’; Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Bajirao Mastani’; and the much, much awaited ‘Detective Byomkesh Bakshy’ by Dibakar Banerjee.
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