Calling Kiwi Kids: NZ’s Biggest Beyblade X Event could send you to Toyko
Source: Hasbro NZ
Hasbro invites young Beyblade Fans across Aotearoa to PROVE IT IN BATTLE – with a chance to represent New Zealand on the world stage in Tokyo!
For years, BEYBLADE has captured the hearts of kids who love speed, strategy, and high-intensity spinning battles. Now, one lucky Kiwi Blader could turn that passion into the ultimate prize — a trip to Tokyo, Japan, to compete at the BEYBLADE X World Championships.
The BEYBLADE X National Tournament will take place in Auckland on Sunday, 20 July, and is free to enter for kids aged 8–12 from across the country. This high-energy event promises fierce competition, epic match-ups, and one unforgettable opportunity to crown New Zealand’s top Blader.
What’s at Stake?
- The title of BEYBLADE X NZ National Champion
- A trip to Tokyo Tower for the World Championships in October
- BEYBLADE X glory for the winner — and their whānau!
Whether your child is a seasoned Blader or just loves the thrill of the game, this is their moment to shine. Help us spread the word and give Kiwi kids a shot at spinning their way to greatness.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, 20 July
Location: Maritime Room, Princes Wharf, Auckland
Ages: 8–12 years
Entry: Free (You must register to secure a spot)
Register Now: https://www.hasbroeventsaunz.com/
Let’s give Kiwi kids the chance to LET IT RIP on the world stage!
—
Contact Information
- Name: Vanessa Hughes
- Title: Event & PR Manager
- Phone: 021 868 410
- Email: vanessa@filter.co.nz
Update: New Independent Information and Debate Platform PodTalk.Live calls for Foundation Members
Immediate Release
Source: Multimedia Investments Ltd
After a successful beta-launch in April PodTalk.live is now ready to invite people in New Zealand to register as foundation members. Foundation members are free to join the post and podcast social platform.
The Foundation Membership soft-launch is a great opportunity for founders to help shape a brand new, vibrant, algorithm-free, info discussion and debate social platform.
Developer of the platform, Selwyn Manning said: “PodTalk.live has been put to test by selected individuals and we are pleased to report that it has performed fabulously.”
Manning is founder and managing director of the company that custom-developed PodTalk.live – Multimedia Investments Ltd (MIL: milnz.co.nz).
MIL is based in New Zealand, where PodTalk.live was developed and is served from.
And now, PodTalk.live has emerged from its Beta stage and is ready for foundation members to shape the next phase of its development.
About PodTalk.Live:
PodTalk.live was designed to be an alternative platform to other social media platforms. PodTalk has all the functions that most social media platforms have but has placed the user-experience at the centre of its backend design and engineering.
PodTalk.live has been custom-designed, created and is served from New Zealand.
“We ourselves became annoyed at how social media giants use algorithms to drive what content their users see and experience. And, we also were appalled at how some social media companies trade user data, and were unresponsive to user-concerns” Selwyn Manning said.
“So we decided to create a platform that focuses on ‘discussion and debate’ communities, and we have engineered PodTalk to ensure the content that users see is what they choose – rather than some obscure algorithm making that decision for them.
“PodTalk.live is independent from other social media platforms, and at best will become an alternative choice for people who seek a community where they are the centre of a platform’s core purpose.
“And today, we invite people to sign up now and become foundation members of this new and ethically-based social community platform,” Selwyn Manning said.
PodTalk.live provides:
- user profiles with full interactivities with other users and friends
- user created groups, posts, video, images, polls, and file sharing
- private and secure one-on-one (and group) messages
- availability of all the above for entry users with a free membership
- premium membership for podcasters and event publishers requiring easy to use podcast publication and syndication services
- next-level community engagement tools that users all on the one platform.
In addition, PodTalk.live will host:
- Live audio and video webcasts with special guests and member talkback events
- premium video and audio podcasts (on-demand and live)
- premium posts on big issues from prominent writers
- featured documentaries on interesting and important topics.
Security Safety Moderation:
Security and safety has been baked into PodTalk’s function and culture. And at PodTalk, free-speech is welcomed but hate speech is rejected.
“With PodTalk, we recognise that many people, wherever they live, require security and at times anonymity so to avoid reprisals from authorities and other actors,” Selwyn Manning said.
“Along with a strong focus on security, and guidance on how to remain anonymous when necessary, we have built robust member-moderation into the core of PodTalk to ensure users are in control of their experience.”
“PodTalk has robust moderation tools so that members can easily block and report those who they feel disrupt their experience,” Selwyn Manning said.
And now, we invite all who seek an information, discussion and debating community to register as foundation members.
To do so, simply go to: https://PodTalk.Live and register. Once on the platform, members can familiarise themselves with what PodTalk.Live has to offer, and begin to create their own online community experience.
“We are working on audio-to-text multi-language translation+transcription tools, and will soon push the boundaries of cutting edge on-platform communication tools,” Selwyn Manning said.
The platform already has cutting edge tech, also smart community and premium publishing tools – including an invitation tool so you can invite your friends and grow your community.
PodTalk.live is founded on the belief that for social, political and economical progress to occur people need to discuss issues in a safe environment and embark on robust debate.
Register free as a founder. Check out the platform. See you there…
—
Contact Information
- Name: Selwyn Manning
- Title: Managing Director
- Phone: 021611958
- Email: selwyn@milnz.nz
- Contact Website: https://milnz.co.nz
- Social Media:
Podtalk Live
New Zealand: New Independent Information and Debate Platform PodTalk.Live calls for Foundation Members
Immediate Release
Source: Multimedia Investments Ltd
After a successful beta-launch in April PodTalk.live is now ready to invite people in New Zealand to register as foundation members. Foundation members are free to join the post and podcast social platform.
The Foundation Membership soft-launch is a great opportunity for founders to help shape a brand new, vibrant, algorithm-free, info discussion and debate social platform.
Developer of the platform, Selwyn Manning said: “PodTalk.live has been put to test by selected individuals and we are pleased to report that it has performed fabulously.”
Manning is founder and managing director of the company that custom-developed PodTalk.live – Multimedia Investments Ltd (MIL: milnz.co.nz).
MIL is based in New Zealand, where PodTalk.live was developed and is served from.
And now, PodTalk.live has emerged from its Beta stage and is ready for foundation members to shape the next phase of its development.
About PodTalk.Live:
PodTalk.live was designed to be an alternative platform to other social media platforms. PodTalk has all the functions that most social media platforms have but has placed the user-experience at the centre of its backend design and engineering.
PodTalk.live has been custom-designed, created and is served from New Zealand.
“We ourselves became annoyed at how social media giants use algorithms to drive what content their users see and experience. And, we also were appalled at how some social media companies trade user data, and were unresponsive to user-concerns” Selwyn Manning said.
“So we decided to create a platform that focuses on ‘discussion and debate’ communities, and we have engineered PodTalk to ensure the content that users see is what they choose – rather than some obscure algorithm making that decision for them.
“PodTalk.live is independent from other social media platforms, and at best will become an alternative choice for people who seek a community where they are the centre of a platform’s core purpose.
“And today, we invite people to sign up now and become foundation members of this new and ethically-based social community platform,” Selwyn Manning said.
PodTalk.live provides:
- user profiles with full interactivities with other users and friends
- user created groups, posts, video, images, polls, and file sharing
- private and secure one-on-one (and group) messages
- availability of all the above for entry users with a free membership
- premium membership for podcasters and event publishers requiring easy to use podcast publication and syndication services
- next-level community engagement tools that users all on the one platform.
In addition, PodTalk.live will host:
- Live audio and video webcasts with special guests and member talkback events
- premium video and audio podcasts (on-demand and live)
- premium posts on big issues from prominent writers
- featured documentaries on interesting and important topics.
Security Safety Moderation:
Security and safety has been baked into PodTalk’s function and culture. And at PodTalk, free-speech is welcomed but hate speech is rejected.
“With PodTalk, we recognise that many people, wherever they live, require security and at times anonymity so to avoid reprisals from authorities and other actors,” Selwyn Manning said.
“Along with a strong focus on security, and guidance on how to remain anonymous when necessary, we have built robust member-moderation into the core of PodTalk to ensure users are in control of their experience.”
“PodTalk has robust moderation tools so that members can easily block and report those who they feel disrupt their experience,” Selwyn Manning said.
And now, we invite all who seek an information, discussion and debating community to register as foundation members.
To do so, simply go to: https://PodTalk.Live and register. Once on the platform, members can familiarise themselves with what PodTalk.Live has to offer, and begin to create their own online community experience.
“We are working on audio-to-text multi-language translation+transcription tools, and will soon push the boundaries of cutting edge on-platform communication tools,” Selwyn Manning said.
The platform already has cutting edge tech, also smart community and premium publishing tools – including an invitation tool so you can invite your friends and grow your community.
PodTalk.live is founded on the belief that for social, political and economical progress to occur people need to discuss issues in a safe environment and embark on robust debate.
Register free as a founder. Check out the platform. See you there…
—
Contact Information
- Name: Selwyn Manning
- Title: Managing Director
- Phone: +6421611958
- Email: selwyn@milnz.nz
- Contact Website: https://podtalk.live
- Social Media:
Podtalk Live
New Independent Information and Debate Platform PodTalk.Live calls for Foundation Members
Immediate Release
Source: Multimedia Investments Ltd
After a successful beta-launch in April PodTalk.live is now ready to invite people to register as foundation members. Foundation members are free to join the post and podcast social platform.
The Foundation Membership soft-launch is a great opportunity for founders to help shape a brand new, vibrant, algorithm-free, info discussion and debate social platform.
Developer of the platform, Selwyn Manning said: “PodTalk.live has been put to test by selected individuals and we are pleased to report that it has performed fabulously.”
Manning is founder and managing director of the company that custom-developed PodTalk.live – Multimedia Investments Ltd (MIL: milnz.co.nz).
MIL is based in New Zealand, where PodTalk.live was developed and is served from.
And now, PodTalk.live has emerged from its Beta stage and is ready for foundation members to shape the next phase of its development.
About PodTalk.Live:
PodTalk.live was designed to be an alternative platform to other social media platforms. PodTalk has all the functions that most social media platforms have but has placed the user-experience at the centre of its backend design and engineering.
PodTalk.live has been custom-designed, created and is served from New Zealand.
“We ourselves became annoyed at how social media giants use algorithms to drive what content their users see and experience. And, we also were appalled at how some social media companies trade user data, and were unresponsive to user-concerns” Selwyn Manning said.
“So we decided to create a platform that focuses on ‘discussion and debate’ communities, and we have engineered PodTalk to ensure the content that users see is what they choose – rather than some obscure algorithm making that decision for them.
“PodTalk.live is independent from other social media platforms, and at best will become an alternative choice for people who seek a community where they are the centre of a platform’s core purpose.
“And today, we invite people to sign up now and become foundation members of this new and ethically-based social community platform,” Selwyn Manning said.
PodTalk.live provides:
- user profiles with full interactivities with other users and friends
- user created groups, posts, video, images, polls, and file sharing
- private and secure one-on-one (and group) messages
- availability of all the above for entry users with a free membership
- premium membership for podcasters and event publishers requiring easy to use podcast publication and syndication services
- next-level community engagement tools that users all on the one platform.
In addition, PodTalk.live will host:
- Live audio and video webcasts with special guests and member talkback events
- premium video and audio podcasts (on-demand and live)
- premium posts on big issues from prominent writers
- featured documentaries on interesting and important topics.
Security Safety Moderation:
Security and safety has been baked into PodTalk’s function and culture. And at PodTalk, free-speech is welcomed but hate speech is rejected.
“With PodTalk, we recognise that many people, wherever they live, require security and at times anonymity so to avoid reprisals from authorities and other actors,” Selwyn Manning said.
“Along with a strong focus on security, and guidance on how to remain anonymous when necessary, we have built robust member-moderation into the core of PodTalk to ensure users are in control of their experience.”
“PodTalk has robust moderation tools so that members can easily block and report those who they feel disrupt their experience,” Selwyn Manning said.
And now, we invite all who seek an information, discussion and debating community to register as foundation members.
To do so, simply go to: https://PodTalk.Live and register. Once on the platform, members can familiarise themselves with what PodTalk.Live has to offer, and begin to create their own online community experience.
“We are working on audio-to-text multi-language translation+transcription tools, and will soon push the boundaries of cutting edge on-platform communication tools,” Selwyn Manning said.
The platform already has cutting edge tech, also smart community and premium publishing tools – including an invitation tool so you can invite your friends and grow your community.
PodTalk.live is founded on the belief that for social, political and economical progress to occur people need to discuss issues in a safe environment and embark on robust debate.
Register free as a founder. Check out the platform. See you there…
—
Contact Information
- Name: Selwyn Manning
- Title: Managing Director
- Phone: +6421611958
- Email: selwyn@milnz.nz
- Contact Website: https://podtalk.live
- Social Media:
Podtalk Live
New Independent Information and Debate Platform PodTalk.Live calls for Foundation Members
Source: Multimedia Investments Ltd
For Immediate Release
After a successful beta-launch in April PodTalk.live is now ready to invite people to register as foundation members. Foundation members are free to join the post and podcast social platform.
The Foundation Membership soft-launch is a great opportunity for founders to help shape a brand new, vibrant, algorithm-free, info discussion and debate social platform.
Developer of the platform, Selwyn Manning said: “PodTalk.live has been put to test by selected individuals and we are pleased to report that it has performed fabulously.”
Manning is founder and managing director of the company that custom-developed PodTalk.live – Multimedia Investments Ltd (MIL: milnz.co.nz).
MIL is based in New Zealand, where PodTalk.live was developed and is served from.
And now, PodTalk.live has emerged from its Beta stage and is ready for foundation members to shape the next phase of its development.
About PodTalk.Live:
PodTalk.live was designed to be an alternative platform to other social media platforms. PodTalk has all the functions that most social media platforms have but has placed the user-experience at the centre of its backend design and engineering.
PodTalk.live has been custom-designed, created and is served from New Zealand.
“We ourselves became annoyed at how social media giants use algorithms to drive what content their users see and experience. And, we also were appalled at how some social media companies trade user data, and were unresponsive to user-concerns” Selwyn Manning said.
“So we decided to create a platform that focuses on ‘discussion and debate’ communities, and we have engineered PodTalk to ensure the content that users see is what they choose – rather than some obscure algorithm making that decision for them.
“PodTalk.live is independent from other social media platforms, and at best will become an alternative choice for people who seek a community where they are the centre of a platform’s core purpose.
“And today, we invite people to sign up now and become foundation members of this new and ethically-based social community platform,” Selwyn Manning said.
PodTalk.live provides:
- user profiles with full interactivities with other users and friends
- user created groups, posts, video, images, polls, and file sharing
- private and secure one-on-one (and group) messages
- availability of all the above for entry users with a free membership
- premium membership for podcasters and event publishers requiring easy to use podcast publication and syndication services
- next-level community engagement tools that users all on the one platform.
In addition, PodTalk.live will host:
- Live audio and video webcasts with special guests and member talkback events
- premium video and audio podcasts (on-demand and live)
- premium posts on big issues from prominent writers
- featured documentaries on interesting and important topics.
Security Safety Moderation:
Security and safety has been baked into PodTalk’s function and culture. And at PodTalk, free-speech is welcomed but hate speech is rejected.
“With PodTalk, we recognise that many people, wherever they live, require security and at times anonymity so to avoid reprisals from authorities and other actors,” Selwyn manning said.
“Along with a strong focus on security, and guidance on how to remain anonymous when necessary, we have built robust member-moderation into the core of PodTalk to ensure users are in control of their experience.”
“PodTalk has robust moderation tools so that members can easily block and report those who they feel disrupt their experience,” Selwyn Manning said.
And now, we invite all who seek an information, discussion and debating community to register as foundation members.
To do so, simply go to: https://PodTalk.Live and register. Once on the platform, members can familiarise themselves with what PodTalk.Live has to offer, and begin to create their own online community experience.
“We are working on audio-to-text multi-language translation+transcription tools, and will soon push the boundaries of cutting edge on-platform communication tools,” Selwyn Manning said.
The platform already has cutting edge tech, also smart community and premium publishing tools – including an invitation tool so you can invite your friends and grow your community.
PodTalk.live is founded on the belief that for social, political and economical progress to occur people need to discuss issues in a safe environment and embark on robust debate.
Register free as a founder. Check out the platform. See you there…
—
Contact Information
- Name: Selwyn Manning
- Title: Managing Director
- Phone: 021611958
- Email: selwyn@milnz.nz
- Contact Website: https://milnz.co.nz
- Social Media:
Podtalk Live
A Global Joint Statement Condemns Cancellation of International Religious Event in South Korea
Gyeonggi Provincial Government’s Sudden Cancellation Raises Concerns of Bias and Violation of Rights
An administrative decision by a South Korean government agency sparked international controversy, raising concerns about religious freedom.
On November 27, religious leaders and opinion leaders delivered a joint protest statement to the Government of the Republic of Korea condemning the cancellation of the venue rental on October 29th as an act of biased religious oppression through public power.
Signed by 402 organizations, 758 religious representatives, and 977 individuals across the globe, totalling 1,735 signatories, the statement emphasized the psychological and financial damage caused to the international participants and highlighted the need for accountability.
On October 30 the “Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony,” a joint initiative by two prominent religious organizations, was set to take place in Paju, South Korea. The event was expected to draw over 30,000 participants from 78 countries, including 1,000 religious leaders representing Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism.
However, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (GTO), a public entity under Gyeonggi Province, abruptly canceled the venue rental at 11am on the morning of the event, when preparations were already underway.
This decision, made without prior notice, has resulted in significant financial damage to the international event and its organizers. As the first clause of Article 20 of the South Korean Constitution states: “All citizens shall enjoy freedom of religion”, they argue that the cancellation constitutes an unconstitutional act of discrimination against a specific religion, violating religious freedom, human rights, and due process of law and an act that divides the people and divides the country into two.
The Joint Protest Statement demands accountability for this situation and calls for an official apology from the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization to both domestic and international religious organizations and the global community.
It also requires the government to take appropriate disciplinary actions against the officials responsible for handling this matter and to strengthen fair and transparent venue reservation procedures and preliminary consultation systems.
Over 88 global leaders including international law experts, religious leaders, education experts, heads of organizations, journalists from around the world sent official documents and protest letters to the Republic of Korea upon hearing the news of the cancellation of the event, expressing shock and disappointment at this administrative action and demanding prompt and appropriate measures.
In particular, international law experts from around the world, including those with experience as prime ministers, vice ministers of justice, chief justices of the Supreme Court, presidents of the Constitutional Court, lawyers, and professors of international law, pointed out that the cancellation of the event on this day was an act that violated the Constitution, and religious leaders expressed concern that it was a biased decision and an anti-peaceful act that infringed on religious freedom.
Since November 15, religious leaders and members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus have held rallies outside the Gyeonggi Provincial Office and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, condemning the biased cancellation urging the government to address the issue and take measures to prevent recurrence.
Timeline of Events Leading to the Cancellation
● July 22: Notification of approval for the rental from 29th to 31st October by GTO.
● October 2: Full payment of the rental fee.
● October 16: A working-level meeting held to discuss the event’s size, arrangements,
safety plans, and special effects. The GTO reviewed all details and completed a
safety inspection. While Paju City was designated a danger zone due to potential
North Korean provocations, officials assured organizers that this designation would
not impact the event.
● October 23 & 28: Officials confirmed twice that ‘there are no plans to cancel the
rental’.
● October 28: A rally was hosted by ‘SUGICHONG’, a Christian council of capital area
of Korea urging the cancellation of a venue rental.
● October 29: At 11 o’clock on the day of the rental while the event was being set up,
the Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon unilaterally notified the
cancellation, citing security concerns related to recent North Korean actions and
activities by a North Korean defector group. Organizers allege that pressure from
opposing groups, including vested religious interests, influenced the decision.
● October 19-20, November 4: Notably, other events in the same area proceeded
without disruption.
Faith and Religion – Religious Freedom Violation and Intolerance Spark International Controversy amongst multiple Religious Groups within South Korea
South Korean local government cancels international event with 30,000 participants from 78 countries, causing international damage.
On October 29th, an administrative decision by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a South Korean government agency sparked international controversy, raising concerns about religious freedom and causing substantial financial loss.
The “Religious Leaders Forum and 110,000 Graduation Ceremony,” a joint initiative by two prominent religious organizations, was set to take place in Paju, South Korea. The event, hosted by the Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, was expected to draw over 30,000 participants from 57 countries, including 1,000 religious leaders representing Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism.
However, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a public entity under the Gyeonggi Province, abruptly cancelled the venue rental without prior notice.
The Shincheonji Church of Jesus states: “This last-minute decision has resulted in significant financial damage to the event, as well as all organizers and parties involved.”
Organizers of this event stated that the cancellation commits an unconstitutional act of discrimination against a specific religion, violating religious freedom, human rights, and due process of law.
The hosting organizations, the Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, reported that they had received official confirmation on October 23rd and 28th that there was no plan of cancellation. They also report that the unilateral cancellation was an unreasonable administrative action targeting a specific religious group – other events scheduled for the same day were not affected, and that the cancellation was an “administrative decision caused by opposition from a specific religious group,” which “violates the principle of separation of church and state guaranteed by the [South Korean] Constitution.”
The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization cited security concerns related to recent North Korean actions, and the planned activities of a North Korean defector group as reasons for the cancellation. However, it was pointed out that other events, such as civilian bike rides and foreign tourist visits to the DMZ, were still permitted within the same designated area.
The incident has reignited international debate about religious freedom and tolerance in South Korea. The U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report has previously highlighted concerns such as the prosecution of Shincheonji Church of Jesus and the government’s refusal to approve mosque construction.
The Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus have expressed frustrations and call upon the South Korean government to respect religious freedom, uphold human rights, and to rectify this decision. They also urge international organizations to monitor this situation and take appropriate action to protect religious freedom.