# Famous New Zealanders that an American would know **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 12, 2005, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562 "2005-05-12T14:46:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/21 "2005-05-13T02:52:59Z")
My first three thoughts were Lord Rutherford, Sir Edmund Hilary and [Charles Upham](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Upham), the only combat soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/22 "2005-05-13T03:06:06Z")
I should also have added the well-known theatrical director and crime writer, Ngaio Marsh. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/23 "2005-05-13T03:07:58Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > Sir Edmund Hilary, first half of two up MT Everest. Sherper Tensing being the other half. I think that might be “Hillary” and “Sherpa” ([link](http://www.mnteverest.net/history.html)). > [@](#): > > A.J Hacker. The re-inventer of bungy jumping. Nabbed the idea of Papua New Guinnean and went on to make it “extreme sport” It’s [Hackett](http://www.ajhackett.com/). The natives of Vanuatu were first; he also got inspiartion from the Oxford Dangerous Sports Club. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/24 "2005-05-13T03:09:03Z")
Not to mention _inspiration_. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/25 "2005-05-13T03:32:07Z")
And perhaps we should include Russell Coutts, who has amassed a very respectable record in Americas Cup races (though not always on behalf of his homeland). ---
**Author:** ![jastu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@jastu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jastu)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/26 "2005-05-13T04:08:54Z")
Two more–Arthur Lydiard who invented the health and fitness sport of jogging, and Phil Keoghan, host of The Amazing Race. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/27 "2005-05-13T09:41:50Z")
**Xema** thanks for the corrections. I was up far too late last night. Andrew Adamson, director of Shrek (and in-making ‘The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe’). Bruce Maclaren. Formula One. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/28 "2005-05-13T11:44:07Z")
We could start a whole thread on Kiwi directors in Hollywood: Andrew Adamson Martin Campbell Lee Tamahori Vincent Ward Roger Donaldson Geoff Murphy And some other bloke…scruffy, with a beard…name escapes me…did some fantasy movies recently. As for Kiwi actors who haven’t been mentioned {and Shortland Street alumni, one and all}: Marton Csokas Martin Henderson See, **calm kiwi** , I’m _not_ a Pom. ---
**Author:** ![UnwrittenNocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/6de8d8/32.png) [@UnwrittenNocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwrittenNocturne)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/29 "2005-05-13T11:55:01Z")
I would love to say: Sir Richard Hadlee Martin Crowe But I suspect, unless Americans have suddenly developed a love for the glory that is cricket, I am not going to find many ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/30 "2005-05-13T12:03:42Z")
> [@UnwrittenNocturne](#): > > I would love to say: > > Sir Richard Hadlee > Martin Crowe > > But I suspect, unless Americans have suddenly developed a love for the glory that is cricket, I am not going to find many Lance Cairns! ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/31 "2005-05-13T12:49:21Z")
> [@UnwrittenNocturne](#): > > I would love to say: > > Sir Richard Hadlee > Martin Crowe > > But I suspect, unless Americans have suddenly developed a love for the glory that is cricket, I am not going to find many Sir Richard Hadlee was one of my all time favourite players. Three cool Richard Hadlee events I recall: In the First Test in 1985 Hadlee had the first 8 wickets to fall and I was cheering for him to get all 10. Geoff Lawson hit Brown over Hadlee’ head and he chased it and took the catch over his shoulder while I prayed he would drop it. Next over he picked up the last wicket. Final Test 1987 Australia lead the series 1-0 but are trying to draw. Hadlee has 5 wickets in each innings and Australia are 9 down with Mike Whitney facing Hadlee. Hadlee beats him all ends up and Whitney is plainly LBW but the umpire, despite Hadlee’s spread-leg fingers-raised appeal, gives him not out. Hadlee just turns and walks back to his mark, not even a raised eyebrow. One off Test at Wellington in 1990. Hadlee was bowling to Steve Waugh who though only on 25 had been in for over an hour and a half. Hadlee bowled him a ball that started outside off stump and swung in to pitch on leg stump. Waugh moved inside it and tried to glide it down to fine leg but the ball pitched and cut the other way, clipping the top of the off stump. I had always thought it the best ball I had ever seen and was pleased that Steve Waugh recalled it on retirement as the best ball he ever faced. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/32 "2005-05-13T13:14:10Z")
> [@Case Sensitive](#): > > Lance Cairns! Chris Cairns is far cooler. A few years ago when the Aussies toured New Zealand they were all issued with player notes on the Black Caps. Someone left their notes behind and the New Zealanders got them. The notes about Chris Cairns said that although he was very talented he crumbled under pressure and so they should keep on top of him. When Chris Cairns heard this he thought about and decided that the Aussies were right, he wasn’t being tough enough when things went wrong. He then proceeded to score a century, 2 half centuries and average 56.83 as well as taking 10 wickets and topping the wickettakers in the one day series. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/33 "2005-05-13T13:26:31Z")
Yeah, Chris is a better player, but no-one could bash 'em out of the ground - one-handed- like his dad. ---
**Author:** ![Martha\_Medea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@Martha\_Medea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martha_Medea)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/34 "2005-05-16T21:07:40Z")
Janet Frame? ---
**Author:** ![UnwrittenNocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/6de8d8/32.png) [@UnwrittenNocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwrittenNocturne)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/35 "2005-05-16T22:01:34Z")
> [@don't ask](#): > > One off Test at Wellington in 1990. Hadlee was bowling to Steve Waugh who though only on 25 had been in for over an hour and a half. Hadlee bowled him a ball that started outside off stump and swung in to pitch on leg stump. Waugh moved inside it and tried to glide it down to fine leg but the ball pitched and cut the other way, clipping the top of the off stump. I had always thought it the best ball I had ever seen and was pleased that Steve Waugh recalled it on retirement as the best ball he ever faced. That is probably the best ball I have ever seen bowled. Bar none. And I am sure I used to have a photo of the appeal you were talking about. In other news, yeah Chris is a better cricketer but his old man had a flair seldom seen. Such raw power is unbelievable. I suspect many of our American friends might not be aware of the sizes cricket fields come in and may not appreciate the enormity of doing what Cairns could do ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2005, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/36 "2005-05-17T00:30:52Z")
How big is a cricket field and what could ol’ Lance do on one? ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2005, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/37 "2005-05-17T01:14:51Z")
Film-making pioneer Colin McKenzie. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2005, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/38 "2005-05-17T01:22:07Z")
I heard recently that Erroll Flynn was from New Zealand? Is that true? If so, he’s one that hasn’t been named yet. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2005, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/39 "2005-05-17T01:26:11Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I heard recently that Erroll Flynn was from New Zealand? Is that true? If so, he’s one that hasn’t been named yet. According to the official [Errol Flynn website](http://www.cmgww.com/stars/flynn/about/bio.htm) he was born in Hobart in the Australian state of Tasmania. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2005, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562/40 "2005-05-17T03:19:55Z")
> [@Soul Brother Number Two](#): > > How big is a cricket field and what could ol’ Lance do on one? Well, although pitches are a standard size, grounds do vary: the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s site lists it as being 169.7 meters long and 146.2 meters wide: it’s been shortened by 7.6 meters since 1983, when Lance Cairns played his most fanous innings there: in a one-day game against Australia, he smashed a total of 52 off 25 balls {including 50 off 21 balls}, in a swashbuckling stand which clocked six sixes off a single innnings. For those unfamiliar with cricket scoring, to get a six the batsman has to clear the ball over the boundary without it touching the ground: Cairns wasn’t just clearing the boundary, he was raining them up in the stands and on the roof, and what’s more he was hitting them one-handed, like a man brushing away flies. It wasn’t the most scientific innings ever played, but as a sheer display of hitting power it was jaw-dropping, and probably the most entertaining display I’ve ever seen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-new-zealanders-that-an-american-would-know/303562.md?page=3)