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Collosal squid attracts monster fan club
– Sunday, 14 December 2008
A giant squid yesterday pulled in more than twice the usual number of Saturday visitors to Te Papa. Up to 6500 people queued for the first opportunity to see the world's only displayed colossal squid.
The squid, the largest of the museum's three specimens of the world's largest invertebrate, proved a gigantic hit.
About 100 people sprinted to the 495kg creature's 6m tank inside Wellington's museum when the doors opened at 10am.
"It makes me hate the sea," said Lena Riki, 20, of Upper Hutt, who took her children, three-year-old Iranui and 12-month-old Arapeta to the exhibition.
"It's huge," said a wide-eyed Inzimam Ali, seven, of Johnsonville, who pestered his parents for a week to visit the exhibition after seeing a billboard about it. It was clinging to a toothfish longline in Antarctica's Ross Sea .
Although the colossal squid is the showpiece, the exhibition also includes a short 3-D animation film, computer interactives, specimen and model displays and an audiovisual telling the squid's remarkable journey since being captured by the fishing boat the San Aspiring on February 23, 2007.
Te Papa staff said they knew the squid exhibit which runs until 2011 would be popular, but they were stunned by the huge turnout.
Lectures on the squid are also running over the weekend. . "Seeing queues like this is rare and it's a gorgeous day outside it just shows you how keen people are," project manager Lucy Ryan said.
A blogsite on Te Papa's dedicated website, www. When scientists thawed it in April, the BBC reported it was the most globally viewed internet story for the week.tepapa.squid.nz, had attracted interest around the world.govt.
. An 85-year-old couple from America wrote they were keeping a close eye on the project
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Mascot knocker says sorry
– Wednesday, 03 December 2008
MARK TAYLOR/
ATTACKED: Harold the Giraffe who was knocked over by 22-year-old Damien Gifkins in Hamilton’s Garden Palace. Gifkins was fined over his disorderly behaviour.
The man who knocked over Harold the Giraffe in Hamilton says it was an accident and wants to make it up to him and take the mascotout for a beer.
The charge relates to an incident last Friday in which 22-year-old Gifkins knocked over Harold while he was fundraising for Life Education Trust in Hamilton'sGarden Place.
Damien Gifkins – known as Shady1 to his friends – pleaded guilty in Hamilton District Court on Monday to a charge of disorderly behaviour and was ordered to pay $130 reparation.
The suit was being worn by Hamilton lawyer Murray Grant, who required medical treatment afterwards.
Harold went flying into a cafe table, scattering cutlery and plates.
Gifkins contacted the after reading an article about the incident in Saturday's paper. "I was excited to be back in Hamilton (from Christchurch) and was running down the road and did not see Harold.
"From my point of view it was an accident," he said. I got a bit of a fright actually. I bumped into him and bowled him over. There was no excuse 4 what i dun n i would like 2 make it up to u."
In a text sent to Mr Grant, Gifkins wrote: "Im sendn u ths txt 2 apoligise 4 my idiotic actions on fridae afternoon…
Gifkins said he tried to ring Mr Grant yesterday because he wanted "to take him out for a beer".by offering my services n help to raise fundz 4 a new class rm if i am allowd 2?". He was still in a lot of pain and had physiotherapy treatment yesterday.
However, Mr Grant told the he had no interest in meeting up with Gifkins.
"He texted me and offered to do some fundraising for the trust, but I'd rather he pay to fix the suit – approximately $500.
Mr Grant did not believe the incident was an accident – "that's crap"."
The trust needs about $100,000 a year to stay operational in Hamilton. .lifeeducation. People wanting to make a donation can do so via their website, www.nz/about-us/donate .nz/about-us/donate .
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Power surge ‘fries’ appliances
Tuesday, 04 November 2008
ROSS GIBLIN/The
BIG BLOWOUT: Anindita Banerjee contemplates the $6000 cost to replace her ruined appliances after a power surge in Karori. Power company Genesis Energy says it is taking no responsibility for the surge.
A Wellington woman fears being left $6000 out of pocket after a power surge blew 10 electrical appliances in her home.
Anindita Banerjee woke early on Wednesday to the smell of smoke and electrical burning.
The surge last week affected about 70 homes in Karori."
She estimated the damage at $6000, but said she was glad the situation was not worse.
"I managed to get up and switched a couple of appliances off, but I've lost at least 10, including the TV, hot water, DVS system, computer modem and dishwasher. "What if the house had burned down?"
Ms Banerjee complained to her power company, Genesis Energy.
Ms Banerjee had asked for compensation for her blown appliances, and was told to contact her insurance company.
Company spokesman Richard Gordon said it took her plight seriously, but was not responsible for power surges. About 70 homes were affected, though not all as badly as Ms Banerjee's.
A spokesman for lines company Wellington Electricity, Hugo Armstrong, said there was a power surge early on October 29 after a fault at the Tringham St substation.
"If there's something we can do to help this customer, we will. ."