SIR Richard Taylor, co-founder of the special effects company Weta Workshop, was named New Zealander of the Year at an awards ceremony late last week.  Sir Richard was knighted in 2010 for services to film and was part of the team to win four Academy Awards for the Lord of the Rings movies. The other finalists for the award were Auckland skin cancer specialist Dr Sharad Paul and World of Wearable Arts founder Dame Suzie Moncrieff.

BUSINESSMAN Luv Khattar has withdrawn his application to operate a liquor store opposite Newtown School after the community banded together in opposition to his plans. Khattar’s withdrawal came after the Wellington District Licensing Agency received a record 111 objections to his application for Vee’s Liquor Planet, and after a petition with 676 signatures was presented to the agency by community representatives.

A scout is currently looking for a site for 200 diners to bring Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant to Wellington. Oliver’s Australasian licensee Pacific Restaurant Group will operate the restaurant, as well as two further sites planned for Auckland and Queenstown.

MOJO Coffee on Kent Terrace is to close at the end of this month.
After five years on its current site the lease on the building expires on February 28.
Those still wanting their Mojo fix are still in luck with 16 outlets in the Capital selling Mojo coffee and three new Mojo cafés set to open in the next six months.

INTERNETNZ is hosting a free workshop later this month for legal, media and Internet professionals to discuss the Law Commission’s recently published News Media meets New Media report. InternetNZ CEO Vikram Kumar says the evolving digital landscape has presented challenges for traditional media regulatory models. Kumar is confirmed to speak alongside Law Commissioner John Burrows and blogger David Farrar.

GREEN technologies are being embraced by The Dowse Art Museum.
The museum has teamed up with energy reduction company Ecosystems to reduce energy use by 15 percent.
The savings will be made by refining building management and incorporating more efficient measures of heating, cooling and lighting.

WELLINGTON’S economy would take a $37 billion hit in the event of a large earthquake, according to a report released by Wellington City Council.
The report identifies 435 unreinforced masonry buildings in the central city which could pose a risk to occupants and block city roads.
Council is currently investigating ways to try and speed up earthquake strengthening work and making such work cheaper for building owners.

GREEK cuisine is being celebrated in Wellington on February 25 at the annual Greek food festival.
The festival, at the Greek Community Centre in Hania Street, will feature authentic Greek food with drinks from the bar or Greek coffee.

THORNDON French restaurant Le Canard is going quackers.
Le Canard is offering a special menu on February 26 featuring duck in all its disguises, from Foie Gras Mousse and duck gizzard terrine to lemon and thyme crème brulee, duck profiterole and apricot pascal.

A jewellery maker with an eye for turning used and unwanted materials into wearable art has become this year’s recipient of Toi Poneke’s Deblyn artist-in-residence.
Vanessa Arthur will receive a rent-free studio, business mentorship, and costs towards materials for a solo exhibition at Toi Poneke Gallery at the end of her residence.

NOMINATIONS have opened for the six award categories in the 2012 Big ‘A’ Awards, presented by Arts Access Aotearoa.
The awards recognise the works of people with physical or intellectual impairments, users of mental health services and organisations involved in using art as a tool to support the rehabilitation of prisoners.
Nominations close March 23.