Hightech swimsuit shatters world records

ARD W wie Wissen (German TV1 Science Programme) 20.07.2008

A hightech swimsuit, developed at the University of Otago in New Zealand, shatters world records before the Beijing Olymics have even started. Called the “LZRacer, the full body swimsuit emulates shark skin and significantly reduces the drag between water and body. It's been tested and developed in a “flume” at the Otago University in Dunedin, New Zealand. A flume works like a wind tunnel for optimizing flying objects: only that it is filled with water and allows to measure the drag of swimming objects. Swimmers using the LZRacer are able to shave milli-seconds off their presonal results, giving them an advantage at the Olympics.

The Aboriginal Bible

ARD ttt (Titel, Thesen, Temperamente) (German TV1)
04.05.2008

Thousands of ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings are threatened by industrial development in Australia. Energy corporation Woodside plans to build a large oil and gas shipping terminal in the Dampier archipelago on the west coast of Australia on a site that is known to house the largest and most important conglomeration of rock art in the world. The Dampier Rock Art, also known as the “Aboriginal Bible”, has been classified by international archeologists as a world heritage site. It consists of hundreds of thousands of petroglyphes and paintings that date back more than 30,000 years. They document changes in climate and landscape after the last ice age, showing how the prae-historic inhabitants of Australia adapted to these changes by switching from hunting to fishing.

Click here for online teaser video

Biofuel from Algae
ARD W wie Wissen (German TV1) 20.04.2008

Micro algae are some of the oldest organisms on earth and also the fastest growing biomass in the world. And they are very versatile: they help cleaning the water in treatment plants and, as of late, they can be used to produce biofuel. A New Zealand company has pioneered the technology to convert algae in sewage ponds into biofuel and produce cleaner water as well. Algaefuel has a huge potential as a sustainable fuel source for combustion engines and especially the aviation industry is very interested in it.

Killer whales
ARD W wie Wissen (German TV1) 05.08.2007

New Zealand marine biologist Ingrid Visser devotes her whole life to orcas. Her research into the behaviour and hunting techniques of killer whales has made her one of the leading orca experts in the world. Ingrid swims and talks with her pet orcas and has documented their amazing skills on video.

Queenstown
ARD W wie Wissen (German TV1)
24.06.2007

Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world. The picturesque town in the southern Alps of New Zealand attracts about a million thrillseekers per year from all over he world. We follow two German „adrenalin junkies“ on their adventures in the mountains and gorges around Queenstown. Reena and Irma don’t miss out on any hair rising thrill. They are the typical young clientele of Queenstown’s adventure companys.

Palm Island – From Hell to paradise
Arte TV (Germany/France) 30.06.2007

Palm Island, an Aboriginal colony 50 km off the Australian east coast , has been called the most dangerous place on earth outside a war zone. High crime and suicide rates, alcoholism and violence have contributed to that reputation. But some islanders see tourism as a chance for a better future. Pauline und Shaun Shortjoe have pioneered the idea. They want to showcase the tropical beauty of their island on horse trekking excursions and invite visitors to swim and fish in their beautiful lagoons. After all, Palm Island is a tropical paradise with all associated attributes.

Climate change in the South Pacific
ARD W wie Wissen (German TV), 11.02.2007

Australian farmers struggle to keep their cattle and sheep alive in the face of the worst drought since centuries. The South pacific atolls of Tokelau and Tuvalu are flooded by frequent storms and king tides. Symptoms of climate change that has captured the whole world. PACIFICA reports how Australian farmers and South Sea islanders cope with the effects of climate change.

Drought in Australia
Arte Reportage (German/French TV), 10.02.2007

The worst drought in Australia's history is an effect of climate change, as scientists claim. Besides the traditionally dry outback country the green coastline is also affected by the water crisis. The “Lucky Country” with its luxurious but water wasting lifestyle braces itself for the biggest ecological challenge since pioneer times.

(Photo: Gold Coast, Australia)

Tuvalu- Sending out an SOS
ARD Weltspiegel (German TV), 21.01.2007

Nine atolls in the Pacific, only two meters above the sea: Tuvalu will become one of the first victims of worldwide climate change. Its 10,000 inhabitants are planning for evacuation. Their prime Minister appeals to the world to reduce greenhouse emissions.

(Photo: king tide flooding in Tuvalu 2006)

TakaPu – A Gannet in the South Seas

Children's TV series of 10 x 5 minute episodes
For ZDF (German TV2) and TV New Zealand

TakaPu creator: Helme Heine
Script: Helme Heine, Ulli Weissbach

TakaPu, a computer-animated gannet, travels around the Pacific islands and tells about his incredible adventures and exciting encounters with the islanders and diverse cultures of the Pacific. TakaPu is the Maori name for gannet. He is cheeky and precocious, like all young gannets, and, of course, outrageously clumsy. He is driven by is his never ending appetite for man made fishfingers and will beg, steal and borrow to get them. The series is aimed at pre-school and primary school kids. In a lightly educational, but nevertheless entertaining and funny way it helps to promote a better understanding of Pacific cultures amongst children of all descents.

www.takapu.tv