Risk of Australia’s first 2016/17 cyclone this week

A slow-moving tropical low in the Indian Ocean could intensify into Australia’s first cyclone of the 2016/17 season, forecasters said on Monday. The near-stationary low was situated 550 km north northwest of Karratha, an oil, gas and iron ore mining hub along Australia’s west coast, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Australia may turn republic once Queen’s reign ends

Canberra, Dec 18 : Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said Australia may turn republic but only after Queen Elizabeth II’s reign ends, reports said on Sunday. [NK World] Speaking at Australian Republican Movement’s 25th anniversary dinner overnight, Turnbull said Australians were unlikely to back the republican push while the Queen was still ruling.

Christmas Fantasia at St Peter’s Cathedral in Hamilton

What: Christmas Fantasia Who: Hamilton Civic Choir When: Saturday, December 17 Where: St. Peter’s Cathedral Works: Christmas music Conductor: Timothy Carpenter Soloists: Jonathan Eyers, bass; Yotam Levy, cello; Philip Smith, organ Reviewer: Sam Edwards Oh, the excitement. Imagine, a week before Christmas after weeks of tinsel-tune nightmares, to be present at an event where participatory carol singing was so enthusiastic that one could utter at full voice and not be heard.

Hunting for the real wilderpeople on Takaka Hill

It’s one of those summer days where the sun is so high in the sky you have to crouch down really low, and mash your face against the glass, craning your neck to see it out the car windows. The heat, the hill, the innumerable bends, your stomach rolls with every jolt.