Pacific Highlander

Captain Cook’s Spruce Beer on Waitangi Day

Chicago/Christchurch creative agency TimeZoneOne has launched a viral campaign promoting Spruce Beer, focused on Waitangi Day, New Zealand identity and beer.

A creative experiment focuses on developing a new brand capturing the essence of New Zealand identity. Rejects include All Black Jock Strap Ale (too yeasty), Crowded House Bitter (too bloody Australian), and Ernest Rutherford Lager (unpleasant fall out). Second on the list of accepted beers is Kiwi Bush-Bee Beer (part bumble part killer). First place goes to Captain Cook’s Spruce Beer, first brewed by Captain Cook in 1773, designed to prevent scurvy.

The spot suggests that 8 out of 10 doctors now agree beer solves most health issues.

Spruce Beer, is a New Zealand beer based on Captain Cook’s original recipe and was first made in Dusky Sound, New Zealand, 1773. It is flavored with ’spruce’ (rimu) and tea tree. Spruce Beer is brewed for Heritage Foods (NZ) Ltd. by Wigram Brewing Co. in Christchurch.

Rugby Racing and Beer

A New Zealand folk song recorded by Rod Derrett in 1965

When I was just a little kid,
Knee high to a keg,
My Daddy took me on his knee.
He drained his glass and closed his eyes
And gave me very sound advice
On how to be a good Kiwi.

“Get to know your football sides
And learn to spell from Moore’s race guides
And don’t forget down under over here
Because of your great parentage
You have a national heritage
Of Rugby, Racing and Beer.”

Rugby, Racing and Beer,
Rugby, Racing and Beer,
Down under we’re mad over our
Rugby, Racing and Beer.

Old Uncle Charlie went to see
The Doctor yesterday
He cried, “You’ve got to help me Doc and quick,
I’m seeing spots before my eyes,
My head feels twice its normal size,
And every Sunday morning I feel sick.”

The Doctor took one look at him
And said, “Well Charlie things look grim,
I hate to have to tell ya but I fear,
You’d better write your will tonight,
‘Coz you’ve got kiwi-itis,
That’s Rugby, Racing and Beer.”

Rugby, Racing and Beer,
Rugby, Racing and Beer,
Down under we’re mad over our
Rugby, Racing and
Rugby, Racing and
Rugby, Racing and Beer.

Tags: beer, Captain Cook, New Zealand, racing, rugby, Waitangi Day

Posted in Advertising, New Zealand | 1 Comment »

Terrorism Laws in New Zealand

Today the New Zealand Parliament voted in amendments to the terrorism suppression laws, allowing the government to designate terrorist organisations and creating a new offence of commiting an act of terrorism (penalty of life sentence). The Prime Minister will have the responsibility of designating groups and individuals as terrorists. Police will have the power to lock people up without charge, under the instructions of politicians.

It’s a move that is said to arise from international response to the existence of groups such as Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiah. Only problem is that violent activism has been part of New Zealand’s short history since European invasion. And the raids of Tuhoe land in the Ureweras over the last month would have cut to the bone of the memories that were associated with resistance to land confiscation.

With the restriction of certain rights the Government has a responsibility to ensure that extra efforts are made to protect vulnerable bicultural relationships. Nothing can be taken for granted.

Tags: Maori, New Zealand, terrorism

Posted in New Zealand, Reconciliation | No Comments »

All Blacks or All Pinks?

Stuff.co.nz today published a photograph (by Peter Meecham) of two All Blacks wearing pink as they trained on a northern hemisphere tour in 2006.

The suggestion of pink comes as the All Blacks are required to wear their silver strip in their match against the French this weekend. French captain Raphael Ibanez said that the New Zealand rugby team could play in blue or pink or without any jersey and they would still be the All Blacks.

The poll run by the Fairfax site asks readers to vote on pink, black, silver/grey and topless. There is something about the black and silver that makes the All Blacks who they are. The black and white colours come from the traditional Maori art. What’s missing is red. The All Blacks should be wearing red socks.

Tags: All Blacks, New Zealand, rugby

Posted in New Zealand, Sport | No Comments »