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Kiwi of the Week

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    Rene Shadbolt

    René Shadbolt led the only New Zealand contingent to the Spanish Civil War. She and fellow nurse, Isobel Dodds, cared for wounded soldiers, particularly those from the International Brigades, from July 1937 to November 1938.

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Today in History

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Kiwis win Oscars for 'The piano'

1994 Kiwis win Oscars for 'The piano'

Anna Paquin became the first New Zealander to win an Oscar for acting when she picked up the award for best supporting actress for her role as Flora McGrath in the acclaimed historical drama The piano. She was also the second youngest recipient in Oscar history. Jane Campion, who directed the film, made it a Kiwi double when she won the award for best original screenplay. The American actress Holly Hunter won the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Ada McGrath.

The film also shared the 1993 Palme D'or Golden Palm award and Hunter won the best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival.