Across Australia and New Zealand we keep an eye out for story ideas, amazing people, extreme sports, strange festivals, intriguing news, odd events and anything eye catching. It all goes into our database ready for quick email dispatch be it text, photo or video.
Here are a few examples.
World record tuna caught off the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand
Two world records fell recently off the West Coast. Dylan Woolhouse, 18, toppled the existing junior category blue fin tuna record of 110kg by landing a whopping 222.5 fish. Steve McCowan went further to land a 325kg tuna and demolish the world record.
All female fire crew
In the small North Island town of Nuhaka a shortage of volunteers has lead to the formation of a six member female fire crew to cover the day shift and keep the 24 hours cover. Housewives, groundskeepers, business managers all meet up at the local fire station to do the business when the siren sounds.
Alice in wonderland in court
After formally changing his name to 'Miss Alice' the lawyer Rob Moodie delighted and appalled, depending on fashion sense and taste in hosiery, those in attendance at the Christchurch high court by appearing at the bar dressed as Alice in Wonderland. There were no sightings of white rabbits, mad hatters or magic mushrooms.
Hollywood down under
While New Zealand's reputation as a filming location for blockbuster Hollywood movies and major international commercials is well established the local filming industry has often been criticized for the lack of suitable large scale studios. Peter Jackson's efforts in Wellywood have largely addressed that concern and now Auckland also has its own world class studio. The recently completed Henderson Valley Studios now boasts a studio with the country's highest ceiling and complete sound stage. Only 30 minutes from metropolitan downtown Auckland and close to farm land, spectacular beaches, forests and rivers the studio aims to bring more large productions to Auckland and will certainly make life easier for those seeking to film here.
Story Ideas
