Look To The Stars News: Flight of the Conchords

Prime Minister Agrees To Talk To Actress Over Environment Issues

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0000

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has agreed to meet film actress Keisha Castle-Hughes after dismissing her environmental calls for action last week.

The Whale Rider star earlier signed up as part of Greenpeace’s new Sign On campaign, along with other Kiwi stars including Xena Warrior Princess Lucy Lawless and Flight of the Conchords’ Rhys Darby. The campaign is calling for support of a 40 percent emission reduction target by 2020 at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen in December. The young actress then went on to witness the effects of climate change in the Pacific, saying she “saw the real and devastating impacts of a changing climate: coral bleaching, homes battered by cyclones, erosion and food crops affected by rising sea levels… The locals were all extremely welcoming and happy to share their stories of how their daily lives have been impacted. It was a real eye-opener.”

Last week, Prime Minister John Key told 500 people at a business gathering in Brisbane: “My advice to Keisha is this: stick to acting.”

Yesterday, in a political “about face”, Key announced New Zealand would aim to reduce emissions by between 10 percent and 20 percent on 1990 levels by 2020, and agreed to give Castle-Hughes a ring and “have a cuppa with her” over the issues.

“I am happy to give her some of the reading I have been given,” he said. “Wait till she reads the Treasury document, she might think I have been a bit extravagant at minus 10 [percent].”

Keisha Castle-Hughes Hits the Seas With Greenpeace

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

With evidence of the devastation of climate change so close to home, New Zealand actress Keisha Castle-Hughes is pressuring government for heavy emission reductions.

Just back from a trip to the Cook Islands with Greenpeace, Castle-Hughes was very moved and wants immediate action on climate change, reported Stuff.co.nz: “Here is a region contributing so little to the problem, yet bearing the brunt of it,” she said. “Our Pacific Island neighbours are suffering. I saw the real and devastating impacts of a changing climate: coral bleaching, homes battered by cyclones, erosion and food crops affected by rising sea levels… The locals were all extremely welcoming and happy to share their stories of how their daily lives have been impacted. It was a real eye-opener.”

Castle-Hughes is the latest big name to join Greenpeace’s Sign-On campaign, whose goal is for governments to reduce emissions by nearly half. It is hoped that meetings with Ministers and Representatives can garner agreement on emission targets before the Copenhagen meeting at the end of the year, where talks on the Kyoto Protocol’s sequel will take place. Other famous names include Lucy Lawless, Cliff Curtis, and the Flight of the Conchords’ Rhys Darby.

“If I’m going to put my name to a campaign as I’ve done with the Greenpeace Sign On campaign, I want to do more than read brochures and fact sheets. I want to see first-hand what I’m fighting for,” said Castle-Hughes. “I haven’t come out of the trip with the knowledge of a scientist, nor have I come out with all the answers on how to solve climate change, but I do have a stronger passion than ever before to see New Zealand do its fair share in this global crisis,” reported Stuff.

“Seeing their beautiful land under threat, I felt ashamed for coming from a country that has failed to act on climate change and is still dragging its feet despite the growing urgency.”

To find out more about the initiative, visit the official Sign On website.

Lucy Lawless Signs On For Greenpeace

Mon, 25 May 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

New Zealand-born actress Lucy Lawless – best known as Xena Warrior Princess – has joined with Kiwi actor Cliff Curtis (Die Hard 4) in supporting Greenpeace’s new Sign On climate campaign.

The campaign aims to generate support to convince New Zealand’s Prime Minister, John Key, to sign on to a 40 percent emission reduction target by 2020 at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen in December.

“I’m signing on because there’s no Planet B,” said Lawless. “There’s nowhere else for our kids and grandchildren to go. We need to get on with the business of tackling climate change.”

Other supporters of the campaign include Whale Rider’s Keisha Castle-Hughes and Flight of the Conchords’ Rhys Darby.

To find out more about the initiative, visit the official Sign On website

Flight Of The Conchords Raise Charity Cash In New Zealand

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

They have taken the world by storm with their two hit HBO series, their Grammy-winning EP and their unforgettable album, and yesterday comedy duo the Flight of the Conchords returned to the stage in their native New Zealand for a rare charity performance.

The duo – consisting of Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie – played to 2000 people at Masterton’s Makoura College in the North Island of New Zealand and raised $70,000 for the school. Tickets sold out in 91 minutes.

The show came about after Clement – who attended the school in the 1980’s – heard the number of students at the college had fallen from 600 to 200 and was expected to be closed. He contacted his former teacher, Rae McKenzie, to see if there was anything he could do to help.

“I was worried about it,” he told Radio New Zealand. “I really enjoyed my time at this school.”

An auction of an acoustic guitar signed by McKenzie and Clement raised a further $6000.

Flight of the Conchords leave for a two-month tour of the United States on Friday.

Flight Of The Conchords To Make A Racquet For Charity

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Comedy duo Flight of the Conchords will return to their native New Zealand later this month for a charity tennis match.

The game will feature celebrities and high profile community members using oversize racquets. Organized by the Rotary Club of Wellington, the tournament will raise money for the Wellington City Mission and Wellington tennis.

“I had to convince Jemaine [Clement], and then he had to convince Bret [McKenzie], but it didn’t take much because they were both keen to help out,” said Clement’s uncle and tournament organizer Patrick McArdell. “But I think they were hoping their appearance would slip under the radar… not much chance of that happening now.”

The Grammy-winning Flight of the Conchords are currently enjoying ratings success in the US with the second series of their self-titled HBO television series, which airs on Sunday nights.

“Bret has been playing a bit of tennis and Jemaine likes squash,” said McArdell. “I don’t think they will be treating it like Wimbledon, but they both hate to lose.”

The tournament will take place on March 20 at Wellington’s Renouf Centre. Organizers hope to raise NZ$13,000 to help feed the capital’s hungry.

Grammy Charity Auction Set To Rock

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

With the Grammy Awards only days away, now is the time to bid on exclusive celebrity items in the annual Grammy Awards Charity Auction and help a good cause.

Going under the hammer this year are VIP experiences with Katy Perry and Kathy Griffin, guitars signed by AC/DC, Taylor Swift, John Mayer, Fall Out Boy and the Jonas Brothers, books signed by Mariah Carey, Slash, and Céline Dion, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the set of a Rihanna music video or photo shoot.

Also on offer are DVDs signed by Flight of the Conchords, drums signed by the Foo Fighters, and memorabilia signed by Sheryl Crow, Katherine McPhee, Jesse McCartney, Tom Jones, Christina Aguilera, Robert Plant, and Sarah McLachlan.

And for the person who thinks they have everything, the auction also offers the opportunity to receive a personal phone call from Aretha Franklin, who will share her favorite recipes with you!

The auction will benefit MusiCares – which works to help those in need in the music industry – and the Grammy Foundation, which works with industries, cultural communities and the public to raise awareness of music and arts education. It runs until February 19 and can be accessed here.

It's Business Time For The Flight Of The Conchords

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Grammy award-winning comedy duo Flight of the Conchords are part of a huge new auction being run to raise cash for charity.

The Conchords shot to fame in 2007 when their quirky television series debuted on HBO and immediately received ratings and critical acclaim. Originally from New Zealand, the duo uses a mix of music and comedy to make witty and deadpan observations on society. Their new series starts next month.

Now – as part of the annual Grammy Charities Auction – you have the chance to bid on an acoustic guitar, DVD and CD signed by “New Zealand’s fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo.”

The auction is raising money for MusiCares – which works to help those in need in the music industry – and the Grammy Foundation, which works with industries, cultural communities and the public to raise awareness of music and arts education.

Also up for auction are guitars signed by the Jonas Brothers, Slash, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt, and John Mayer. But if you don’t know one end of a guitar from another, don’t worry – there are plenty of other great items, such as signed posters from the Dixie Chicks and Robert Plant, clothes from Ricky Martin and Carrie Underwood, and the chance to have lunch with John Stamos or meet Donny and Marie Osmond.

But wait – there’s more!

Maybe you would be interested in handwritten lyrics from Annie Lennox, a sketch by Anthony Kiedis and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, or a photo signed by Good Charlotte. There are also a stack of CDs and other items signed by Steven Tyler, Rascal Flatts, Richie Sambora, Avril Lavigne, and many others.

The auction is live right now on eBay and ends on December 11.

Look To The Stars News: Flight of the Conchords

Prime Minister Agrees To Talk To Actress Over Environment Issues

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