Latest from Cultures

Dita De Boni: Little pot shots and grand promises

This week we heard from the PM on what great shape NZ is in, thanks mainly to our extraordinary governance, writes Dita De Boni. It was a picture so incredibly rosy, I almost couldn't wait to live in that country myself.

Pressure goes on Ngapuhi to settle

Government ministers have upped the pressure on Ngapuhi to get on with their settlement in the lead-up to Waitangi Day - and even the Governor-General got in on the act.

Disney's Princess search sails overseas

A gospel singer from Hawaii has received the call-back thousands of aspiring Polynesian princesses have been hoping for for more than a month.

It's a 'burqa made of flesh'

Women who undergo plastic surgery are wearing a "burqa made of flesh", according to a Vatican document.

Future Auckland: Recreation and leisure

In the final part of our Future Auckland series, we aim to stimulate debate.

Claire Trevett: Irish builders, burqas, tall poppies? Yep, still mad

Any hopes that this year will be less barking mad than last year on the political front are rapidly diminishing.

Chelsea Bond: Australia Day ought to be for everyone

Opinion: The disconnect I feel on Australia Day is not a rejection of history. Rather, it is a rejection of the privileging of one version of history at the expense of another.

Praise clashes with Saudi princesses' tale

Late Saudi King Abdullah was hailed as "a strong advocate for women" - so why are four of his daughters reportedly under house arrest?

Morgan lays down Treaty challenge

Philanthropist and economist Gareth Morgan has set out two challenges to the Government at his first visit to Ratana Pa.

The 'must-see' night markets

Turning carparks into eateries where diners sit on plastic stools and share their table with random strangers may not sound like a recipe for success.

Tattoo you: Aaradhna, singer

The intricate patterns that trickle down her hands have huge significance to Kiwi singer Aaradhna.

Play claims Hewitt is Harry's father

A controversial new play about Princess Diana claims her former lover James Hewitt is Prince Harry's father.

Philip Burdon: NZ's giant steps in accepting Asia's embrace

New Zealand's eurocentric reference point in trade has been transformed in the past 20 years, writes Philip Burdon.

NZ's first day mystery to most

Every American knows about the Mayflower making landfall in 1620 in what is now called Provincetown, Massachusetts...

Editorial: Unique Xmas we should all celebrate

The Marsden Cross is known to most of us only as a photograph. It is on a remote northern shore in the Bay of Islands, not as accessible as Waitangi or Russell.

Alan Duff: Locals make me glad to be a Kiwi

Mick Jagger strolls into a pub in Russell and the patrons, though shocked, leave him alone. Wonder if they'd be the same with our own legend, Richie McCaw?...

Soaring Eagle set to draw in visitors

Multimillionaire property investor Peter Cooper helped build the country's most important new heritage structure which opens tomorrow in the Bay of Islands.

The changing faces of Auckland

The City of Sails boasts more than 300 different ethnicities and is growing and changing every day as new immigrants arrive. Meet some of our newest citizens here.