The Rugby World Cup kicked off in New Zealand a few days ago, with almost all New Zealand and several hundred million viewers worldwide taking in the opening ceremony and first game between New Zealand and Tonga.   
Of less direct and immediate interest to the rugby-following public of New Zealand and the world was that,

I am conscious that for the first time since I started blogging in mid 2011, I have missed a couple of weeks. My commitment to blogging is undiminished but I would argue that my reason for this hiatus stands up to scrutiny. Bronwyn, my long-time partner, and I got married on 28 August. What was initially intended to be

It’s an odd title for a blog, but stick with me. New Zealand is getting a once in 50 years’ weather event right now, a blast from an Antarctic system that is bringing low temperatures and snow to altitudes and cities/towns that have not experienced this within most people’s living memories. Whether the “once in

The exact number of New Zealanders living in Canada is not clear, but our estimates put the number in the range of 12,000 to 15,000 . However, getting a handle on Kiwis in Canada is a tricky proposition. Given the broad cultural similarities between New Zealand and Canada it is very easy for Kiwis, who

In wrapping up my blogs on the Arctic, I wanted to reflect on a little history. Since I returned to Ottawa many people have been interested in my experiences and I get the understandable question: what was the highlight? That is a tough one. The entire trip was a highlight reel of information, personalities, challenging personal and community circumstances,

Our recent visits to Resolute and Eureka had mainly scientific themes.  Both are in the High Arctic and are among the coldest inhabited places in the world.  Their weather patterns have been monitored for many years and more recently the impact of climate change has been a key focus.
The day we arrived in Resolute was stunningly

l left a holding spot last week noting that I was going to be in the Arctic and was unsure about my ability to access communications. “Intermittent at best” is how I would describe it. I initially thought all the satellite dishes in the far North were out of action as they were not pointing

This is a place holder for the blogs I intend to write while I am away from Ottawa this week travelling in Northern Canada, which means going as far North as Resolute and Eureka at 80 degrees North. I will have my laptop with me and plan to post from various locations but have been

I had fully intended my blog references to the Rugby World Cup to become something of a “cracked record” in the lead up to the September/October event in New Zealand. I had not envisioned having another event of such dominance, not at least until 22 February, when Christchurch was devastated by an intense and highly

I recently spoke at a Cambridge Food and Wine Society event in Toronto. An increasingly important part of my work is focused on the promotion of New Zealand products in Canada, often through linking with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise in their food and beverage promotion activities, and with the New Zealand Wine Growers representative based