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Francis Cook
Reporter
Francis studied History, gaining a first class honours in 2014. He is interested in politics, music and popular culture. His thesis looked at nuclear themes in Japanese film history.
Francis Cook - Latest News [Page 1]
1989 is homage, don't forget that
Monday, 28 September 2015, 11:28 am | Francis Cook
Ryan Adams is a pretty unique character. It seems he takes himself far less seriously these days. Reviews and accounts of his gigs a few years ago present him as a tetchy and demanding musician who refuses to play crowd pleasers – even “Summer of 69'”! More >>
“Yes, We Can” James Shaw’s Carbon Emission Target
Thursday, 3 September 2015, 2:38 pm | Francis Cook
“Yes, we can” James Shaw’s Carbon Emission Target Story and Images by Francis Cook More >>
Until Dawn: Pick your own horrible adventure.
Wednesday, 2 September 2015, 9:48 am | Francis Cook
Supermassive Games’ Until Dawn sees a group of dumb sexy teenagers take a trip to a spooky mansion atop a mountain. It is, obviously, a horror game. However, the game is so ridiculous it turns out to be more of a comedy. Until Dawn begins with ... More >>
PM’s Press Conference. Easter Trading and Auckland Housing
Monday, 24 August 2015, 6:04 pm | Francis Cook
In today’s Post-Cabinet press conference, the Prime Minister and Hon. Michael Woodhouse outlined an amendment to allow local councils to create bylaws which would allow for trading on Easter Sunday. More on this story here. More >>
Everybody's Gone to the Rapture - Review
Wednesday, 19 August 2015, 3:18 pm | Francis Cook
Developed by The Chinese Room, Everybody's Gone to the Rapture sees the player exploring what appears to be a recently abandoned idyllic English village trying to figure out where everybody's gone. Spoiler: they've gone to the rapture. (On a serious note, ... More >>
Weekend SportzMania! All Blacks! Netball!
Monday, 17 August 2015, 1:57 pm | Francis Cook
Sports were on all weekend. I normally don’t write about sports but with Richie McCaw tipped to be the next Prime Minister, and Colin Craig arguing sports are almost as important as politics, I thought “what better time to start!” More >>
4.20 Protest at Parliament in support of Kelly van Gaalen
Wednesday, 12 August 2015, 5:47 pm | Francis Cook
A protest led by NORML and the Legalise Cannabis Party rolled up to the Parliament steps at 4.20 this Wednesday to protest the imprisonment of Kelly van Gaalen. More >>
Lunchtime Anti-TPPA Protest at Parliament
Wednesday, 12 August 2015, 2:33 pm | Francis Cook
A large group of protesters assembled this Wednesday at the Parliament stairs in Wellington to oppose the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal. The protest is part of a week-long action which will culminate on Saturday with nation-wide marches. More >>
All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Monday, 10 August 2015, 12:02 pm | Francis Cook
Recently awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Anthony Doerr’s novel tells the story of two children reaching adolescence during the Second World War. More >>
Album Review and rap beefs: Tame Impala, Currents.
Friday, 31 July 2015, 2:56 pm | Francis Cook
Tame Impala’s new album Currents has one of the hallmarks of an enduring album. At first listen it seems like good, if somewhat ordinary, pop but as you go back more and more layers unravel revealing deeply rich, expertly crafted songs. More >>
Conservative Shock Value: Craig’s “Dirty Politics”
Wednesday, 29 July 2015, 4:24 pm | Francis Cook
Former Conservative Party leader Colin Craig held a press conference at 2pm on Thursday in which he detailed his plans for legal action against Cameron Slater, Jordan Williams, and John Stringer. More >>
Earl Sweatshirt Plays to Sold Out Bodega
Friday, 24 July 2015, 10:09 am | Francis Cook
The hyped sell-out crowd had already packed themselves as close as they could get to the stage before Earl came on. The smell of weed, sweat and beer filled Bodega – more debauched sauna than bar by this point. When he arrived on stage the screaming ... More >>
Women’s Debate on Productivity and Domestic Violence
Wednesday, 22 July 2015, 1:44 pm | Francis Cook
The Annual Women’s Debate took place on Tuesday evening at the Royal Society of New Zealand. The topic was "the economic impact of domestic violence", following from a recent report and recommendation from economist Suzanne Snively. The debate was presented by the Zonta Club of Wellington, Graduate Women Wellington and the National Council of Women Wellington. More >>
Cosplay and Wrestling at Armageddon Wellington - Photos
Monday, 20 July 2015, 3:48 pm | Francis Cook
Armageddon Expo wrapped on Sunday with wrestling and a cosplay (costume play) competition. The gathered nerds were in good spirits with the Westpac stadium turning into a liminal space of fantasy, sci-fi and anime. At every turn there were stalls selling DVDs, ... More >>
Ryan Adams Live – Photos
Friday, 17 July 2015, 9:48 am | Francis Cook
Ryan Adams and his band The Shining played a killer show to a packed crowd at the Opera House on Thursday evening. I’m still a little speechless. More >>
Book Launch: The FIRE Economy by Jane Kelsey
Wednesday, 15 July 2015, 2:28 pm | Francis Cook
Professor Jane Kelsey held a discussion with Carol Hershfeld on her new book The FIRE Economy: New Zealand's Reckoning . Last night marked to official launch of the work, published by Bridget Williams Books. The FIRE Economy is an investigation into ... More >>
Miguel – Wildheart and Albums of 2015 so far
Friday, 10 July 2015, 3:45 pm | Francis Cook
Miguel is an anachronistic character. His music is grounded somewhere between 1970s Prince-esque power ballads and the early 2000s sensuality of Aaliyah and Usher. He represents a return to an era of R&B less abashed, less shrouded in mystery and ... More >>
Review - Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiments: Surf
Friday, 3 July 2015, 11:51 am | Francis Cook
Chance the Rapper is one of my favourite rappers of the last couple years. He bought a uniquely fucked up, acid sound with his debut Acid Rap which has demonstrably influenced others including ILoveMakonnen and A$AP Rocky. It’s remarkable that, at such a ... More >>
PM Press Conference on the UN Security Council
Monday, 29 June 2015, 5:36 pm | Francis Cook
PM Press Conference on the UN Security Council, State Housing, Milk, and Sugar. By Francis Cook More >>
Becoming Francis Cook, Reporter - Joining Scoop
Thursday, 25 June 2015, 12:02 pm | Francis Cook
I distinctly remember when my manager at the Café I was working asked a customer if she’d like marshmallows with her mocha. She paused, then declared “I want a job where I don’t have to ask people if they want marshmallows.” She left shortly ... More >>
