• New Zealand Regions
      • Hawke's Bay
      • Bay of Plenty
      • Waikato
      • Whanganui
      • Manawatu
      • Northland
      • Auckland
      • Gisborne
      • Taranaki
      • Wellington
      • West Coast
      • Nelson
      • Canterbury
      • Otago
      • Marlborough
      • Southland
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      Beaches, wineries and Art Deco. The Hawke's Bay has a diverse economy, including business services that support its sectors to be the second largest contributor to regional GDP in the country. A popular tourist destination, the region has some of the countries best restaurants as well as stunning scenery, markets and festivals.

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      The Bay of Plenty is officially New Zealand's sunniest destination, enjoying short-lived winters and long summer days. The Region offers some of the country's most spectacular views and many ways to enjoy the pristine scenery and natural wonders. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Bay's Māori heritage and pre-European roots.

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      Waikato

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      The Waikato is known for its rolling plains, fertile land and the mighty Waikato River. The region is the fourth largest regional economy in New Zealand, with a strong focus on primary production and associated manufacturing.

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      Whanganui

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      Welcome to Whanganui. This is our place; where history is full of stories, legends and rich legacy. Where a thriving arts scene, creativity and evolving culture inspire our modern lives. Where breath-taking natural landscapes capture imaginations at every turn.

      Manawatu

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      Located in the lower North Island, Manawatu is heartland New Zealand, offering an authentic Kiwi experience.

      The main in the region are Palmerston North, most notable for Massey University. Palmerston has a vibrant, arts and culture scene.

      The region's economy is based on food production and processing, research and education. The region is also home for the New Zealand defence force.

      Northland

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      Northland was originally home to some of our country's first human inhabitants. Today, it is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand and home to nearly 189,000 people. Rich in culture and history, the region boasts a stunning natural environment.

      Auckland

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      Auckland Region stretches from the the beaches of the Pacific Ocean in the east to the expansive beaches of the rugged west coast of the Tasman Sea. Auckland City, the largest urban area in New Zealand is considered the main economic center of New Zealand and a popular destination for international students and travellers.

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      Gisborne is a Region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's known for wineries and surf beaches such as Makorori. The region has maintained a strong Maori heritage. The region's economy is made up mainly of agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

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      Taranaki is a coastal and mountainous region on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki, its namesake volcano, which lies within the rainforested Egmont National Park.

      The port city of New Plymouth is the area's cultural and commercial hub. Taranaki's economy is diverse and includes dairy, oil and gas. The region is the highest contributor or national GDP per capita. 

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      The Wellington Region covers Wellington city in the south, Upper and Lower Hutt valleys to the north-east, and Porirua to the north-west. The region takes its name from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.

      Wellington is famous for its arts and culture scene and is also the centre of New Zealand's film industry.

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      The West Coast, or as some locals call it, the "Wild West", is a long thin region that runs down the South Island's west coast.

      The region has the lowest population in all of New Zealand. It is famous for its rugged natural scenery such as the Pancake Rocks, the Blue Pools of Haast, and the glaciers.

      The main industries in the region are dairy farming and mining. Tourism also plays an important role.

      Nelson – Tasman

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      Nelson Tasman is an extraordinary, vibrant region where art and businesses thrive together among a stunning natural landscape. With one in five people internationally born, Nelson Tasman has 48 different cultures living in its environs.

      The region prides its self on being New Zealand’s leading Research and Development areas, with the highest proportion of people working in the research, science and tech sectors out of anywhere in New Zealand.

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      Canterbury is a region on New Zealand’s South Island marked by grassy plains, clear lakes and snow-capped mountains. Its largest city, Christchurch, is famed for its art scene and green spaces.

      Otago

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      There are few places in the world which will leave you with a lasting sense of difference. Central Otago is undoubtedly one of them from its landscapes, its seasons, its people, its products and experiences.

      Marlborough

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      Marlborough Region is on the north-eastern corner of the South Island. The region is well known for its winemaking industry, and the Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of coastal waterways, peninsulas and islands.

      Apart from the wine industry, aquaculture, agriculture and tourism play an important role in the local economy.

      Southland

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      Southland is New Zealand’s most southerly region and includes the World Heritage ranked Fiordland National Park.

      The region's only city Invercargill offers a relaxed pace of life with wide streets, little traffic, spacious parks and gardens, striking Victorian and Edwardian architecture and impressive sporting facilities including New Zealand’s first indoor velodrome. Southland's location is such that views of Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights are common.

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Asian-New Zealand film makers represented in nationwide festival

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A nationwide film festival is currently showcasing the top short films from New Zealand and overseas.

The Show Me Shorts Film Festival, which is playing at multiple venues and streaming online until 30 October, includes films from 27 countries, divided across 13 themed sections.

Several film makers with works in the festival are Asian migrants to New Zealand. Lina Tianyue Hu and Stephen Kang are two such film makers.

Hu’s film 女儿来了(My Daughter Is Coming) tells an intergenerational story of migrant life in New Zealand, reflecting Hu’s Chinese and Japanese background. In the film, a young woman reluctantly returns home to her mother, whose lifestyle she tried not to emulate, only to realise that they are similar in many ways. For her work, Hu was nominated in the best director category of the festival.

Hu was born in China, raised in Japan, and finished her education in New Zealand. She says that the film is about womanhood and motherhood and the conflict between family responsibility and personal freedom. Although the story is fictional, “the emotional struggle is real and relatable to all Chinese migrant families,” she says.

There are a limited number of films in mainstream media in New Zealand that deal with topics of diaspora. However, Chinese-New Zealand filmmakers continue to emerge, says Hu, and her film represents the “Chinese-New Zealand diasporic experience on screen.”

She cites traditional Chinese art as a major influence: “I experimented with combining traditional Chinese aesthetics with New Zealand’s geographical and cultural context in the film.” Her family was also influential. “My great-grandfather directed some amazing theatre plays. He and my grandma used to read plays and novels to me every day. I suppose this is why I became a filmmaker – I love stories.”

Stephen Kang’s film Breathe tells the story of a young girl who develops an unorthodox healing method.

Like Hu, Kang immigrated to New Zealand with his parents. His film Breathe, which also featured in this year’s Sundance Film Festival, is a thriller about a gifted twelve-year-old girl who develops an unorthodox healing method.

Kang, who was born in Korea, says that his mixed cultural heritage was also a major influence on his work. “The way I grew up and the experience I had is always embedded in my work one way or another, especially the Korean culture that I cannot avoid. As a so-called ‘1.5-generation’ Korean-New Zealander, it’s like being a middle child … I can oversee two different worlds.”

As a student Kang says that he was interested in narrative work and constantly making short narrative films. As soon as he made a one-minute film, he was “hooked”.

He says that he originally had the idea for a feature film, but “jumped at the opportunity to apply for the New Zealand Film Commission’s funding [for short films].”

The film is both terrifying and sad, but also fun, says Kang. However, he experienced difficulty in casting the main character. “We were lucky to find Gloria who was willing to memorise pages of prayers and wasn’t afraid of fake blood or [to act out] a crazy healing process,” he admits.

Both films, along with all other films in the festival, can be viewed online at: www.ondemand.showmeshorts.co.nz.

女儿来了 (My Daughter Is Coming) (Drama, 18 mins, written and directed by Lina Tianyue Hu) is playing at the following venues:

  • Ōtaki
    Māoriland Hub
    Wed 12 Oct 7:00 pm
  • Wellington
    Light House Cuba
    Fri 14 Oct 6:00 pm
  • Christchurch
    Alice Cinema
    Wed 19 Oct 8:30 pm
    Mon 24 Oct 5:40 pm

Breathe (Thriller, 13 mins, written and directed by Stephen Kang) is playing at the following venues:

  • Auckland
    Rialto Cinemas Newmarket
    Fri 14 Oct 8:15 pm
  • Whitianga
    The Monkey House
    Sun 30 Oct 7:00 pm
  • Wellington
    Light House Cuba
    Fri 14 Oct 8:30 pm
  • Christchurch
    Alice Cinema
    Sun 16 Oct 8:15 pm
    Thu 20 Oct 6:00 pm

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