New Zealand Archives

AppWizard

April 7, 2025

Streamer Valkyrae Cut From A Minecraft Movie: ‘I Would Much Rather Not Have That 30 Seconds Than Be Sued’

Streamer Valkyrae, also known as Rachell Marie Hofstetter, confirmed that her cameo in A Minecraft Movie was cut from the final release. She stated during a Twitch livestream that she would "much rather not have that 30 seconds than be sued," indicating complexities behind her omission. Valkyrae previously shared a negative experience with Jason Momoa, one of the film's stars, describing a disappointing atmosphere during filming. Although her cameo was cut, some fans believe they saw her in the background of a scene. Valkyrae confirmed her intended appearance would have lasted approximately 30 seconds and reassured her audience that the decision had nothing to do with Minecraft or its creators. She expressed gratitude for spending ten days in New Zealand and maintained a positive view of the film, stating, “No, the movie did not suck.” IGN rated A Minecraft Movie a 6/10, highlighting its comedic elements and kid-friendly adventure.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Microsoft’s miniature Windows 365 Link PC is available to buy now

Microsoft has launched the Windows 365 Link, a mini-desktop PC that connects to the Windows 365 cloud service, priced at .99. It is available for purchase in the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, Japan, and New Zealand. The device is designed for businesses, minimizing the need for IT support and allowing users to work from anywhere. It features a fast boot time and has undergone testing with over 100 organizations. Individual consumers may face challenges in purchasing it, as bulk purchases might be required.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

Jack Black, Jason Momoa, ‘Minecraft Movie’ co-stars talk bringing video game to the big screen – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

The "A Minecraft Movie" features a cast including Jack Black as Steve and Jason Momoa. The film was shot in New Zealand, with the cast enjoying the scenery and exploring locations like Hobbiton. Black and Momoa share a creative chemistry, discussing their appreciation for nature sounds and creating a unique instrument called the "Awuba." The film includes humorous concepts like "chicken lava," and it is set to be released this Thursday. Fans can participate in a giveaway for Fandango codes by emailing their name and phone number.

AppWizard

March 28, 2025

New Zealand partners with Warner Bros to showcase Māori culture to tourists through Minecraft

Tourism New Zealand has launched a collaboration with Warner Bros., Mojang Studios, and Māori game developers to create a Minecraft campaign celebrating Māori culture and promoting tourism. The campaign, which began on March 24, 2025, features a free downloadable content (DLC) pack that allows players to explore six iconic locations in New Zealand, aiming to inspire real-world travel and generate significant visitor spending. The DLC includes locations such as Waitomo Caves, Te Puia, and Kāpiti Island, and incorporates activities that reflect real-life experiences. Piki Studios, the Māori game design studio behind the DLC, emphasized the importance of accurately representing Māori culture. The initiative aligns with Tourism New Zealand's strategy to promote the country as a year-round destination and is linked to the upcoming release of ‘A Minecraft Movie’.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Minecraft’s Jack Black and Jason Momoa Reveal Which Video Games They’ve Played the Most

Jack Black and Jason Momoa discussed their different experiences with video games in an interview. Black shared his immersive experience with Red Dead Redemption Part Two, playing it for 400 hours during the pandemic, while Momoa expressed caution about gaming due to his addictive personality. He reminisced about playing Street Fighter, favoring characters Ryu and Blanka. The development of A Minecraft Movie has been lengthy, initially announced in February 2014, facing production delays and changes in directors. Originally set for a May 2019 release with a budget of 0 million, the film's progress was hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Principal photography began in January 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand, after delays from the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The film aims to combine live-action with advanced visual effects to create a realistic representation of Minecraft. Black and Momoa have developed a strong friendship during production, with both actors promoting the film together. A Minecraft Movie is scheduled to be released on April 4, 2025.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

PHOTOS: Synnex’s “Seizing the device refresh opportunity” event

The transition to Windows 11 is seen as an inevitable shift that channel partners must embrace, presenting substantial opportunities for those ready to adapt. Thomas Tapsas, Director of Channel Sales at Synnex, compared this transition to the Y2K phenomenon, noting that four times as many PCs will require replacement. Synnex aims to assist partners in navigating this transition, emphasizing the need to rethink technology strategies and enhance customer offerings. The collaboration with Microsoft is intended to empower partners to fully leverage Windows 11 and maintain competitiveness in the market.

AppWizard

March 20, 2025

Minecraft Just Dropped a New Free A Minecraft Movie DLC

The Aotearoa New Zealand DLC for Minecraft is set to launch on March 18th and will be available for free across multiple platforms, including Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. The DLC features six real-life locations from New Zealand: 1. Waitomo Caves (Waikato) - A parkour adventure through a cave network with digital glowworms. 2. Te Puia, Rotorua (Bay of Plenty) - A fast-paced challenge to capture photos of geothermal features. 3. Kapiti Island (Wellington) - A birding challenge to photograph different bird species. 4. Abel Tasman (Nelson/Tasman) - Exploration of a coastal region aboard a waka taua boat with rhythm games. 5. Tekapo (Mackenzie) - An outdoor activity hub where players traverse the landscape on 4-wheelers. 6. Patea Doubtful Sound (Fiordland) - Navigation on a skipper boat while avoiding obstacles and observing wildlife. The DLC allows players to experience New Zealand's landscapes virtually.

AppWizard

March 19, 2025

Minecraft recreates NZ’s most popular tourism destinations

Gamers will be able to explore six iconic New Zealand locations, including Abel Tasman National Park and Lake Tekapo, in Minecraft, thanks to a collaboration with Tourism New Zealand. This initiative aims to introduce New Zealand and Te Ao Māori to millions of players worldwide and inspire them to visit in real life. The six locations—Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Kāpiti Island, Abel Tasman National Park, Lake Tekapo, and Doubtful Sound—were selected for their cultural significance and representation of New Zealand's landscapes. Minecraft, created by Mojang Studios and acquired by Microsoft, has sold over 300 million copies and has more than 100 million active users monthly. The collaboration includes input from local iwi to ensure respectful representation of Māori culture.