THE INTERNAL - NEWSLETTER 11/04

Anybody interested in musicals should take the opportunity and see “Once were Warriors” at St. James Theatre. I could not really imagine how to put this movie into a musical, but after enjoying the play last Saturday I think they did a pretty good job. The musical itself is less violent than the movie and the spectator is introduced to a lot more Maori traditions. Already at the entrance one is welcomed by some tattooed, half-naked, shouting Maori with spears, which makes it a very special atmosphere and one immediately wants to know how the evening will proceed. Hurry up, it in only on until tomorrow (28.04.2004).

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

Kristina will be leaving at the end of this week. She was doing her internship at a Boys College in Newmarket. Regarding all the educational school trips she was joining and the after school gatherings with the teachers (lunch on Wednesdays, rugby, BBQ, cinema, fly fishing …) she enjoyed her time here. At the moment Kristina is fighting the bureaucracy back in Germany, because she is intending to do her “referendariat” in Auckland. Good choice! Have a good fight home! We hope you can sort all things out and people at school will be delighted to welcome you again!

Anja has finished her internship, too. Unfortunately, nobody of the interns, except Ruth, was ever able to meet her (I tried, honestly!). But usually it is a good sign if there is no need for help and I am sure she made lots of friends at Rockland Halls of Residence, the lodge she was staying at. All the best for you!

WOX TRIP SUGGESTION

If you wanna get out of the city for one day, try Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, a bit north of Auckland: beaches, loooots of different walks, waterfalls, kauri trees, bush …

What I will suggest is kind of a round trip. For the ideal way to start exploring, take the Great North Road (number 11) which is later crossing the Scenic Drive (number 24). Take that one, pass Titirangi and visit the Arataki Environment and Heritage Centre is featuring breathtaking 360 degree views, and is an informative and fun place to visit (see picture with the Maori wood carving). Here you can collect useful maps and brochures on what to see and do in the Waitakere Ranges.

The west coast is connected to the Scenic Drive by three main roads. Huia road is the most southern one. Take swim at Cornmallis Beach, one of the safest beaches in the Manukau Harbour. Attention, the last part of the road is a gravel road, but leads you to a nice bay backed by a large grassy area – sounds good for a picnic! Swimming is only possible at high tide!

Taking Piha Road from the Scenic Drive will bring you to Piha Beach, which is highly regarded internationally by surfers. In fact, Auckland’s west coast beaches have the highest wave count of any in the world. Swimming between the flags is essential at all times – never swim alone! On the way there you could take a bushwalk to the Kitekite Falls, which is quite a big waterfall running down over three terraces.

The neighbouring beach is Karekare Beach, location for the movie “The Piano”. It is a bit smaller and less developed residentially. If you wanna have some time and a place for yourself, take Anawhata Road, which leads you to the more remote beaches north of Piha.

Get back to the Scenic Drive and take Te Hanga Road close to the little town of Swanson. Spend some time at Cascade/Kauri, on Falls Road, to see the grandeur of a kauri forest with trees that are over a hundred years old. Going on to Bethells Road you can also visit the unique Lake Wainamu with its extraordinary sand dunes. Te Henga Beach (Bethells Beach) looks pretty wild.

Finding the way back to Auckland is easy. Just follow the Scenic Drive further north and then take Great North Road again!

WHATS ON IN AND AROUND AUCKLAND

AOTEA SQUARE MARKETS

Every Friday and Saturday from 10am – 6pm

This is when Aotea Square is taken over by the colourful and bustling Aotea Square Markets The Markets offer a range of stalls from Pasifika arts and crafts to pot plants, flowers, underground designer clothes, jewellery, vinyl and CDs. In addition there is a range of fine food stalls Every Saturday from midday to 2.00pm the Aotea Square Markets are "keeping real" with an ever-changing line-up of bands and DJs adding to the atmosphere

TAKAPUNA MARKETS

Every Sunday from 6am till noon

That is when Takapuna’s Central Carpark (corner Anzac Street & Lake Road) transforms into an eclectic market that offers fresh produce, flowers, crafts, furniture, foods, antiques and more.

OTARA MARKET

Saturdays from 6am till noon, Newsbury Street, Otara

For an excellent Pacific experience, definitely visit the Otara Market, which is a pretty large Polynesian market offering exotic foods and smells, wonderful tapa cloth, flax mats and baskets and bone carvings.

NZ INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL 2004 – THE BEST OF BRITISH

Until 22 May 2004

Featuring Ross Noble, Lee Mack, Russel Howard, Andy Parsons ....

The Classid, 321 Queen Street, Auckland

Check out www.comedy.co.nz

2004 NEW ZEALAND V8 INTERNATIONAL

30th of April - 2nd of May, Pukekohe Park Raceway, Auckland, 7am – 6pm daily

The Placemakers V8 International 2004 is round 3 out of the 13 round championship series, and the only New Zealand based round. This year the V8 supercars will race on a significantly upgraded Pukekohe Park Raceway circuit, with kiwi Greg Murphy returning to defend the title that he won in 2001, 2002 and 2003. In 2003 the event attracted more than 90,000 spectators over three days.

Check out the official website for more information: www.nzv8supercars.co.nz

KATCHAFIRE

1st of May, 9pm, Roadhouse bar, Papakura, Auckland

The eight piece Waikato band plays infectious reggea for 4 hours. If you love reggae music then you must check them out as they play all the hits from their double platinum album ’Revival’ and all the best reggae hits from around the world.

MISSY ELLIOT

2nd of June, doors 7pm, Supertop Ericsson Stadium

In what can only be described as possibly THE biggest Hip Hop/R’n’B Event to be staged in New Zealand this year, the undisputed Queen of Hip/Hop Missy Elliot will be touring New Zealand for the very first time with 17 dancers, DJ’s, and live band, for a memorable 90 minute performance.

SONIC YOUTH – the world’s greatest punk rock jam band, and more!

26th of June, Saint James Complex, Auckland

One NY Roch writer discribed the band as “a roller-coaster ride of distortion, flange, strobe lights and rapid-fire drumming that sounded like an acid-rain storm on a hot tin roof“. Also on thebill is former Dinosaur Jr-man J Mascis and Wellington’s one man noise machine Birchville Cat Motel.

THAT’S IT FOR TODAY!