The nomad who found his place: Romungro man s extraordinary journey to Hawke s Bay
12 May, 2021 01:19 AM
4 minutes to read
Alexandru Cionca fled Romania in 2007 at the age of 15. Now he s a New Zealand citizen. Photo / Warren Buckland
Alexandru Cionca fled Romania in 2007 at the age of 15. Now he s a New Zealand citizen. Photo / Warren Buckland
More than a decade after bribing border guards to allow him to flee Romania, Hawke s Bay s first and only Romungro native has become a New Zealand citizen. Of Romanian nationality, Alexandru Cionca identifies as Romani – an ethnicity of Indo-Aryan people, traditionally nomadic itinerants, living mostly in Europe.
Comedy Festival review: Stories for Adults, Angella Dravid
12 May, 2021 05:31 AM
3 minutes to read
By: Ethan Sills In the four years since winning the Billy T Award, Angella Dravid has rapidly become one of New Zealand s most recognisable comedians. After appearances on Jono and Ben, Golden Boy, Creamerie, and, most notably, Taskmaster NZ – which she won – there are few local shows she hasn t shown up on yet.
One of Dravid s most notable characteristics that comes out often in panel shows or in lineups is her awkward, shy delivery, which has helped make her stand out against some of the larger than life figures in local comedy.