New Zealand

Uproar is an uplifting coming-of-age dramedy grounded by a sublime Julian Dennison: Brisbane International Film Festival Review

Outside of New Zealand it’s highly likely that the political clash at the centre of Hamish Bennett and Paul Middleditch‘s Uproar is one that’s never been heard of. Set in 1981, the ultimately uplifting, oft-powerful coming-of-age dramedy centres around the controversy that arose from the South African rugby team touring New Zealand at the time. …

Read More

Interview: Alyssa Sutherland and Lily Sullivan on surviving the “best and worst” time filming Evil Dead Rise

For such a bloodied horror experience, the leading ladies of Evil Dead Rise are all smiles and levity as they discuss the “torturous” episode of filming, their own descent into “the abyss”, and how exactly Jim Carrey was used as a reference point. Ahead of the film’s global premiere earlier in the year (read our…

Read More

Interview: The Beths make way for Laneway before a massive year

“Rest is weird.” – This is how Elizabeth Stokes, guitar, singer and one-quarter of the formidable team, band and fast friends that are Auckland’s The Beths, starts our interview. 2022 saw them perform around 94 gigs in over a dozen countries as they took the chance to promote not one, but two albums that have…

Read More

Interview: Director Tearepa Kahi and legendary Māori activist Tāme Iti on acclaimed new film Muru

Selected as New Zealand’s official submission for the 2023 Academy Awards in the category of ‘Best International Feature Film’, Muru is a searing response to real-life events of 2007, which saw police invoke new anti-terrorism powers by launching an armed raid on the Tūhoe people in New Zealand’s Ruatoki region. Directed by Tearepa Kahi and…

Read More

Disney Cruise Line to (finally) sail in Australia and New Zealand for a limited season in late 2023

Families and Disney fans have a reason to celebrate today, because after two and a half decades of operation, the Disney Cruise Line is finally set to arrive in Australia and New Zealand in late 2023. The only bad news? It’s for a limited time only. In operation since 1998, the Disney Cruise Line has…

Read More

How to plan your dream New Zealand road trip

The land of the long white cloud beckons – now that borders are opening and temperatures are dropping, New Zealand comes alive in winter. If you’re dreaming of an international skiing holiday but your budget doesn’t quite allow for Canada or Japan, New Zealand is only a three hour hop from the east coast –…

Read More
JessB

We caught up with JessB to talk “FROM THA JUMP”, lockdown recording sessions, and the King Street Carnival

Auckland-based rapper JessB has been steadily rising in recent years, and the one ahead is looking to be busy and bright. The former professional netballer has already had quite an impressive career; with two EPs, a mixtape and a handful of singles under her belt, JessB also won Best New Zealand Act at the 2019…

Read More

Film Review: Coming Home in the Dark is a menacing feature brimmed with horrific potential

It doesn’t take much for director James Ashcroft to create the most horrific of situations from the simplest of ingredients laid bare in the early stages of the eerie Coming Home in the Dark.  A loving family, an idyllic New Zealand locale, and a duo of passing strangers provide all that is needed for Ashcroft’s…

Read More

The Lord of the Rings wraps first Amazon Studios series in New Zealand; release date announced internationally

Amazon Studios have revealed the very first look at the anticipated Amazon Original Lord of the Rings series in concurrence with the news that the as-yet-untitled project will debut across 240 countries and territories worldwide from Friday, September 22nd, 2022. As filming for season one ends today in New Zealand, this new epic drama brings to…

Read More

Urban Expat Living in Australia & New Zealand: 6 Things You Must Know

Australia is a true nation of immigrants. According to data collected by the Australian Parliament, an estimated 28.2 percent of the country’s population was overseas-born in 2015. That is very nearly one in three Australians. With approximately 27.4 percent of its population born overseas in 2018, according to Stats NZ, New Zealand is nearly as…

Read More

The sounds of silence: The wisdom of New Zealand-based POW Studios and how they enhanced the horror of Coming Home in the Dark

When New Zealand-made horror film Coming Home in the Dark premiered at Sundance earlier this year, its use of sound was perhaps its most deceptive feature.  Forgoing the usual jump scare queues and obvious musical encouragement to goad audiences into a reaction, the film opted for a more subtle approach, utilising naturalistic sounds to give…

Read More

Interview: Melanie Bracewell on Season 3 of Wellington Paranormal and how no idea is ever too crazy to pitch

As season 3 of Wellington Paranormal arrives on screens (February 24th at 8:30pm on SBS VICELAND), we chatted with writer and producer (and all around funny girl) Melanie Bracewell to discuss the process of pitching outlines for such a show and how no idea is ever too crazy. The episodes I caught were hilarious, I…

Read More

Interview: The Furnace actor Jay Ryan on the “tricky” filming experience and how It: Chapter Two changed his career

On the eve of the national release of the new Australian drama The Furnace, our own Peter Gray chatted with one of its stars, rising New Zealand actor Jay Ryan, about the trying filming conditions, learning new facts about Australian history, and how a horror movie changed his career. First off, congratulations on the film. …

Read More

‘Looking Past the Pandemic’ with Wax Chattels from Auckland, New Zealand

Keeping travel dreams alive and setting goals has never felt more important. We can all agree that 2020 has been an unfortunate year so far, and almost every facet of daily life has been wrought by this ongoing global pandemic, the start of which now feels like forever ago. The arts has been one of…

Read More

Scapegrace: The world’s first naturally black, colour-changing gin launches in Australia

Pink is cool, but everyone knows that that black is just a better look for any spirit. Enter the world’s first naturally black gin, echoed from the pure waters of New Zealand’s Southern Alps and captured in a neat-looking bottle from the award-winning Christchurch-based Scapegrace distillery. Simply dubbed Scapegrace Black, the stylish and unique gin…

Read More

Cocktail recipes from the best bars in Auckland, New Zealand

With talk of a Trans-Tasman travel bubble still floating around – and looking promising – Aussies’ attention is split between their own magnificent backyard and the equally gorgeous landscapes and cities that await across the ditch. Auckland should be front-centre of that vision, with its big-city lifestyle, dynamic dining scene gorgeous harbour, and wine-filled Waiheke…

Read More

First Look: Inside the oyster-themed QT Auckland

Acclaimed Australian-born brand QT Hotels & Resorts has finally lifted the lid on QT Auckland, their first New Zealand property after a successful trans-Tasman debut with QT Queenstown and QT Wellington. Located in the city’s Viaduct Harbour, and set for a grand opening on 1st November 2020, the property is now accepting bookings and, from…

Read More

Tasmania eyeing direct flights to New Zealand with trans-Tasman travel bubble

Talks of forthcoming travel between Australia and New Zealand, referred to as the “trans-Tasman bubble”, has been the centre of much discussion since The National Cabinet met with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern earlier this week. The possibility of opening up a travel route between the two countries, despite the global pandemic, is seriously…

Read More

One of New Zealand’s longest running wine festivals is this month

One of New Zealand’s most iconic wine regions will once again be on full display during the one-day 28th annual Toast Martinborough festival, scheduled for Sunday 17th November. The long running festival of wine, food and music amongst the vines will highlight the spirit of Martinborough’s passionate wine community and task the participating vineyards in…

Read More

VWOAP: Wellington’s epic food and wine festival is now an entire month long

Across the entire 31-day stretch of August, New Zealand’s trendy capital of Wellington will once again host Visa Wellington on a Plate (VWOAP). The long-running food and wine festival, which touches everywhere from Wellington City to the Kāpiti Coast, picturesque Hutt Valley, and Wairarapa, is set to reach unprecedented levels in 2019, thanks to an…

Read More

Can’t afford to visit NZ IRL? Virtual Wellington will get you there for free

Gamification in the tech industry is nothing new. Apps like Habitica have taken even the most mundane tasks like ticking items off a checklist and turned them into a role playing game in which you, personally, are the star. You might think that’s pretty full on, but hold on a sec because it gets way…

Read More

Album Review: Lakyn’s & Pains (2018 EP) demonstrates real beauty through his lyrics and growth in his sound

Emotion is often at the centerpoint of many artists works, with Lakyn’s upcoming EP & Pains drawing heavily on his feelings and experiences, causing the listener to be enraptured by Lakyn’s sound throughout six delicately cultivated tracks. Lakyn has been in and around the industry for some time, but his powerful songs have helped him open…

Read More

Five things you need to know about NZ’s first original Netflix series Dark Tourist

A lot of travel programs follow a tried and tested formula. There’s a charismatic host. Pleasant and idyllic locations. There are the ingredients you’d typically associate with a fun holiday. But the opposite is true for the new, eight-part Netflix series Dark Tourist – New Zealand’s first original series for the streaming platform. This program prides…

Read More

Jeremy Renner, Catherine Tate and more to head to Armageddon Expo Wellington in NZ

Here at The Iris we’re quite fond of attending pop culture and comic conventions. We’ve been regularly covering Australian events for the last few years now. However this year we’re setting our sights on events abroad and looking to check out what our international compatriots have to offer. Across the ditch our New Zealand neighbours…

Read More

Call of Duty World League National Circuit open to Australia and New Zealand

Competitive Call of Duty teams from both Australia and New Zealand now have the chance to sign up to the Call of Duty World League National Circuit to test their skills and teamwork on a national scale, in order to prove who’s the best down under.

Read More

An extra five flights will connect Auckland and Honolulu each week from 2018

Island time will soon be easier to reach for Kiwis, with an additional five non-stop weekly flights scheduled to connect Auckland and Honolulu from 21st March 2018. Hawaiian Airlines’ increased schedule will have flights depart Auckland at 11:55 pm five times weekly, Wednesday through Sunday, arriving in Honolulu at 9:45 a.m. on the same day. Flights…

Read More

Interview: Producer Jason Michael Paul on bringing The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of The Godesses show to Australia, RePlay and working with Nintendo

When you get the chance to sit down with a concert producer who has continually worked to bring the video game industry we all love into the theatre, you don’t lose your words, you make some up! Last week, I got to speak with Jason Michael Paul before his globe-trotting adventures bring his The Legend of Zelda:…

Read More

More Than Just Mountains: 10 essentials for a short stay in Queenstown, New Zealand

Anyone who has been to New Zealand’s invaluable Queenstown would agree that this special part of the world deserves much more than just a few days of exploration. It’s not enough to call it a beautiful part of a country that’s famous for its beautiful parts; such a description would barely nick the surface of…

Read More

QT Hotels and Resorts have officially expanded to New Zealand with Wellington property

In what is a huge step for one of Australia’s most unique and treasured hotel groups, QT Hotels & Resorts have officially made their way across the ditch, expanding to New Zealand with the opening of QT Museum Wellington, and the forthcoming arrival of QT Queenstown. QT has become widely known in and outside of…

Read More

Tapanui: How a small New Zealand town became the heart and soul of Disney’s Pete’s Dragon

“Edge of the Forest”: an apt description of quiet West Otago township Tapanui, the words located underneath it’s welcome signage. On first look, this forestry town on New Zealand’s south island, a few hours east of Queenstown, is no more than a quick stop-off on a road trip through the region’s stunning scenery, which includes…

Read More