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Star Safari, Wairarapa

Operating from within the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, Star Safari Observatory offers a perfect retreat from light pollution and reveals a dazzling array of celestial wonders. This is one of the darkest locations accessible in Aotearoa.

Contact details

1169 Ponatahi Road, Carterton, Wairarapa  

+64 21 66 3808

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Opening hours

Open every day, 3 sessions a night, starting from sunset.

What's on offer

Two 16” reflectors,  two solar telescopes, we also have a 12” reflector, two 10” reflectors and an 8” refractor and some other small refractors. When clouds obscure the skies, embark on a virtual journey with our planetarium software and VR headsets, transporting you to the Moon, the International Space Station and the Solar System. Hari, an astrobiologist, and Sam, an astrophysicist, both seasoned space science communicators, share their passion for the cosmos.  

Price: from $100.

15 years and under free. No minimum age limit.

Duration: 1.5 hours  

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New Zealand Astronomy Directory supported by VENZ – Visitor Experience NZ Disclaimer: NZ Astronomy makes every effort to keep this directory accurate. However, we accept no responsibility for errors or omissions. If you wish to update a listing or have suggestions for the website, please contact us .

Star Safari Night Sky Tours, Wairarapa

Explore the night sky from our observatory in the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, one of the darkest sky in the world, and one of the best places for stargazing to discover New Zealand’s most famous constellations.

• 2 x 16″ telescopes (405 mm aperture)
• Some of the darkest skies easily accessible in Wairarapa
• Professional space science communicators
• Top quality astronomical gear
• Elevated site with fantastic horizon
• 10 minutes from Martinborough and Carterton

Stargazing Wairarapa

Share an evening of space and astronomy with Hari and Sam using the best telescope equipment in Wairarapa.

We stargaze from a fabulous location on top of a hill where you can admire a panorama of Ponatahi Valley.

Stargaze, look through our telescopes, take photos of the night sky, learn about astronomy or simply come with us for a virtual trip to the edge of the Cosmos if the weather is cloudy.

Discover the Night Sky Outside

Star Safari is a 90-minute night sky experience where we talk about astronomy, space, astrophysics, astrobiology, telescopes, Mars, life in the universe and even aliens.  

Our connection with the night sky started billions of years ago. It is that connection, looking back at the Universe from our special planet that we seek to show you firsthand.

Embark on a celestial adventure in Wairarapa’s awe-inspiring night skies, where top-tier telescopes and expert guides provide unrivalled stargazing experiences.

Proudly operating from within the world’s 21st Dark Sky Reserve, the Star Safari Observatory is nestled between Martinborough and Carterton, offering a perfect retreat from light pollution and revealing a dazzling array of celestial wonders.

Access State-of-the-Art Equipment and Immersive Experiences

Marvel at the heavens through the largest telescopes for public use in Wairarapa, boasting the finest eyepieces on the market. When clouds obscure the skies, embark on a virtual journey with our planetarium software and VR headsets, transporting you to the Moon or the International Space Station.

Savour the Night Sky in Comfort and Style 

Relax on a Moon chair or cozy bean bag as you indulge in hot chocolate or tea, contemplating humanity’s future and our connection to space exploration.

Bring your 15 and under for free.

At Star Safari, we believe inspiration should be free – that’s why everyone aged 15 and under enjoys complimentary access to the wonders of the cosmos!

Our stargazing start times vary throughout the year, based on sunset. We usually hold multiple sessions per night.

Special Occasions

Have something special to celebrate? Why not do it under Wairarapa’s amazing stars with us? Get a night sky experience just for you with Star Safari.

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Contact Info

• 1169 Ponatahi Road, Ponatahi Carterton Wairarapa 5792 New Zealand

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Feel like you're in heaven at Star Safari.

Aurora Australis? We can see it too.

Learn the night sky. Will sow you how.

We see and photograph really amazing things like this supernova (SN 2024ggi).

Our Moon Garden is a fabulous backdrop for your starry pictures. And we will tell you what's in them too.

We have window seats to see the centre of the galaxy.

The sky changes every month so the best time to visit is now.

Have children? Bring them for free.

2024 A Star Safari Year

Join us for a Star Safari in the heart of Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, 10 minutes from Martinborough

Private Star Safari

1169 Ponatahi Road , Carterton , New Zealand .

Looking for something different? Get an exclusive Star Safari—just for you and your special ones. Enjoy an evening of space and astronomy with Hari and Sam. When stars are visible, we stargaze. When they are not, we entertain you with e-astronomy.

Pricing and Conditions

Transaction charges and booking fees.

Bookings for Private Star Safari are open up to 48 hours before the session start time. Sessions are 90 minutes in length and involve viewing night sky objects through 16" telescopes. If the weather is unsuitable for stargazing, we will continue with our virtual sky exploration. Children are free if they are under 15 and must be accompanied by an adult with a purchased ticket. There is a maximum of two children per adult.

Star Safari has the right to cancel at anytime for any reason, in this case customers will receive a full refund of the ticket price. Conditions for customer cancellations: 0 % refund within < 7 days notice of cancellation or no show. 50% refund within 7-14 days notice. 90% refund with >21 days notice of cancellation Refunds will be processed within 48 hours of notification of cancellation.

We invested in the best equipment so you can enjoy an exceptional experience. For stargazing, we have powerful telescopes and top-quality attachments. For your entertainment, we have VR headsets and the best science-based NASA-funded planetarium software. And a bonus - we are in the middle of an internationally recognised Dark Sky Reserve on a hill with outstanding night sky views. It's as dark as it gets, only 10 minutes from Martinborough. Our private stargazing experience is exclusive. Keen on astrophotography? Bring your camera. Learning about the sky? Bring your observing list, or let us make one for you. You get to ask questions. We deliver a learning experience just for you. We are Hari and Sam, and we look forward to hosting you.

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This website helps visitors connect with providers of great New Zealand tourism experiences. It is not intended to give any assurance that any particular provider meets certain quality standards or legal obligations. Please contact this business for more information. See also: newzealand.com terms of use (opens in new window) .

Wairarapa becomes official Dark Sky Reserve for stargazing in New Zealand

The Milky Way over Lake Wairarapa. Photo / Pete Monk

Move over Aoraki-Mackenzie, the North Island now has its own official Dark Sky Reserve, writes Sara Bunny.

With its rolling hills, vineyard rows and relaxed vibes, Wairarapa has long been a favourite weekend hangout for city slickers. Martinborough’s cellar doors and summer fairs, Greytown’s cutesy main street and mid-winter festivities, and Featherston’s book festival are all magnets for visitors venturing over the Remutaka Hill. And now, there’s another local attraction gaining global attention - the region’s epic night sky.

Recently, a sizeable chunk of the Wairarapa has been officially named a Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association, the second in the country after Canterbury’s Aoraki-Mackenzie. New Zealand’s newest Dark Sky Reserve spans all of South Wairarapa and Carterton districts, covering off 3665km of pristine inky blackness now protected from unnecessary light pollution. More than just a flashy title, it’s one of only 20 such sites in the world, a spot deemed by international astronomy experts as having some of the best views of our vast Southern Hemisphere skies.

While the darkest zone of the reserve is deep within Aorangi Forest Park, towards the rugged southernmost tip of the North Island, you don’t have to go bush to take in the region’s star-studded vistas. Thanks to the naturally low-lit surrounds of the Pacific Ocean and the Remutaka and Tararua Forest Ranges, you can often take in the celestial splendour from backyards throughout the region. And there is a range of ways to make the most of the show.

Mobile stargazing company, Under the Stars, brings the telescopes to yours (or the hotel, bach or Air BnB) for bespoke astronomy sessions with a local expert. “While the stars are of course the same throughout the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the quality of the sky in the Wairarapa that’s unique”, says astrophotographer and Under the Stars tour guide, Chris Murphy.

“Our sky here is world class. About 90 percent of the Wairarapa is great for stargazing, and there’s lots of cool stuff to see year-round. In the winter months in particular, that band of light we know as the Milky Way is directly overhead and we can get an especially stunning view of the centre of it, which is one of its brightest areas. There’s also the Magellanic Clouds; two satellite galaxies of the Milky Way that are visible to the naked eye.”

In Martinborough’s Ponatahi Valley, Star Safari boasts two huge 405mm reflecting telescopes for budding astronomers to gaze through in wonder. Tours are led by an astrobiologist and astrophysicist, and celestial sightseers can take in everything from galaxies and gas clouds, to the occasional meteor. Small group safaris have a focus on accessible science, while advanced astronomers can also book private tours to delve into more detail.

Closer to Carterton, history buffs can chart the skies the ancient way at Stonehenge Aotearoa, which is built to the same scale as it famous Northern Hemisphere namesake at Salisbury Plain in England. Here, visitors can grab a map and take a self-guided walk around the stones, or book in for a daytime or evening tour to hear how our earliest ancestors made sense of the sky.

Regardless of where you choose to take in the view, it’s the surrounding darkness that lets nature’s stellar scenery shine. Keeping the region’s lights low is a stargazing essential, and a dedicated group of local volunteers is leading the cause. “Something like 80 per cent of people live somewhere where they can’t see the Milky Way from home,” says Wairarapa Dark Sky Association’s Dr Tom Love. “We can do that here, and we think that’s worth protecting.”

The group spent years working with Wairarapa councils to make changes to the district plan, which now states that any new lighting in the region needs to meet dark sky standards. The Department of Conservation has some onboard to change exterior lights on DOC huts throughout the Aorangi Forest Park, and along the coast, Maritime NZ has committed to adding protective shields to three lighthouses to limit the amount of glare seeping upwards towards the heavens.

But as Love points out, seeing the stars is only part of it. “We know that light pollution and extensive artificial lighting has adverse effects on humans and animals. It can damage human health by interrupting our circadian rhythms and it can really impact native wildlife, especially as so many of our animals are nocturnal. It even affects plants, and there are studies to show that trees near streetlights have abnormal growing seasons and can be more vulnerable to frost.”

Murphy says excess artificial light is an issue that usually flies under the radar. “It’s not often at the forefront of eco movements or public consciousness, but compared to other environmental problems, reducing light pollution is relatively easy to fix.”

For Murphy, shining a (low) light on the wonders of the night sky and helping to build awareness of why it’s so special is the best part of his job. “It’s great to be able to share something with people that they perhaps hadn’t previously appreciated,” he says. “There’s so much to see up there.”

For more, see wairarapanz.com and wairarapadarksky.nz

NZ’s starriest skies

There are currently 201 places throughout the world officially recognised by the International Dark-Sky Association, including 115 Parks, 38 Communities, 20 Reserves, 16 Sanctuaries, 6 Urban Night Sky Places, and 6 Dark Sky Friendly Developments of Distinction.

Aotearoa’s dark sky spots are:

- Aotea/Great Barrier Island Dark Sky Sanctuary, one of the first islands in the world to be recognised for its spectacular stars.

- Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, which takes in South Wairarapa and Carterton districts.

- Wai-iti Dark Sky Park, Tasman District, 135 hectares that includes the Wai-iti Recreational Reserve and Tunnicliff Forest.

- Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, as the first place in NZ to gain dark sky status, it was officially accredited in 2012.

- Stewart Island/Rakiura Dark Sky Sanctuary, the world’s southernmost dark sky haven.

Other areas currently working towards dark sky accreditation include Auckland’s Waiheke Island and Naseby in Central Otago.

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Star Wars Outlaws New Zealand trick explained – what time will the open-world Star Wars game launch?

One trick that allows players early access to games has been brought up in conversation around Star Wars Outlaws – here's when the game launches to make the workaround possible.

• 16:49, 26 Aug 2024

Star Wars Outlaws is almost here, but it'd be here sooner if we lived in a different region – luckily, your Xbox doesn't have to know that.

Star Wars Outlaws is finally nearing the market, and many players simply don’t know what to expect. On one hand, Ubisoft has a track record of delivering very similar open-world experiences, notably with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora being criticised for feeling simply like a Far Cry game set on an alien planet. On the other, there’s an expectation that the company would offer special treatment to Star Wars being the gargantuan property that it is, with a third-person action flair that helps to, at least from what the public has seen so far, set it apart from its compatriots. Either way, the scrappy smuggler gameplay of a title that puts you in the boots of a Han Solo-adjacent character is too compelling for some to ignore, with the game being hugely anticipated by fans of the galaxy far, far away. And as it turns out, as it nears its release, you could embrace your inner scoundrel and finagle early access, even beyond its preload period .

A trick has been present on consoles, specifically on Xbox , that has allowed many players to play a game a few hours early if they’re able to change their console’s timezone to that of New Zealand, making the console believe that it’s in an area where the game is actually live. It’s a trick that has been a little hit-or-miss as many games roll out differently, but players are wondering if Star Wars Outlaws will be eligible to do this. And it looks like there could be a shot.

Star Wars Outlaws release time

Thanks to a map released by the game's twitter account , we can already see when we can expect Star Wars Outlaws will launch, both as a full game and in its early access period. You’ll have access to the early access period if you have pre-purchased the Gold or Ultimate Editions of the game.

Star Wars Outlaws early access release time

UK: Monday, August 26, 11pm BST (PC), Tuesday, August 27 12am BST (consoles)

US: Monday, August 26, 9pm PDT / 12am EDT (PC), Tuesday, August 27, 12am PDT / 12am EDT (consoles)

Aus: Tuesday, August 27, 12am AEST (PC), 12am AEST

Star Wars Outlaws global launch release time

UK: Thursday, August 29, 12am BST (PC), Friday, August 30, 12am BST (consoles)

US: Thursday, August 29, 9pm PDT / Friday, August 30 12am EDT (PC), Friday August 30 12am PDT / 12am EDT (consoles)

Aus: Friday, August 30, 12am AEST (PC and consoles)

It’s a confusing jumble of dates, but the bottom line is that Star Wars Outlaws will be debuting a little early for many areas when compared to consoles, which will all go live at 12am local time . PC players will be dumped all at once into the game, though, in both early access and the game’s full release.

Can you use the New Zealand trick for Star Wars Outlaws?

Star Wars Outlaws launches at one time in each local timezone on console, meaning that the game will roll out across the world according to those timezones. This means that for players on console, with those on Xbox in the most lucky position, the New Zealand trick could work with Star Wars Outlaws, starting from 1pm BST / 8am EDT / 5am PDT today for early access, and Thursday, August 29 for the full game release. Here’s how to do it on your console.

Star Wars Outlaws New Zealand trick – Xbox

Go to your settings

Go to System > Select Language and Location

Under this tab, select New Zealand

Select Restart Now

Star Wars Outlaws New Zealand trick – PlayStation

The steps aren’t quite so straightforward for Star Wars fans on PlayStation – if you want the coveted early access via the New Zealand trick, you’ll have to have had the foresight to purchase the game on a new account that you’ll have made specifically for it, selecting its region as New Zealand when building the account. It’ll work this way – but otherwise, you’ll be out of luck.

It’s a compelling trick that, frankly, should have been fixed a long time ago, but that won’t stop ravenous fans from trying to play Star Wars Outlaws early. After all, what good is a scoundrel not willing to test a few limits?

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How to play Star Wars Outlaws early using New Zealand trick

Star Wars fans are in for a treat when Star Wars Outlaws releases, with the open-world title offering a new adventure in a galaxy far, far away. For those who can’t wait, you can jump in early using the New Zealand trick.

The New Zealand trick is something many console gamers welcome, because it allows you to dive into games ahead of their release date and time in your region. Star Wars Outlaws has a staggered midnight local time release on console, meaning the trick is available for those eager to play.

If you’ve never used the trick before and need a walkthrough or a reminder of the process, we’ve got you covered.

How to play Star Wars Outlaws early on Xbox using New Zealand trick

Xbox gamers continue to have the simplest method of switching timezones to access releases like Star Wars Outlaws early. To gain access to the game before midnight in your local time, follow these steps:

• Open the Settings menu.
• Select System.
• Select Language and Location.
• Set your location to New Zealand.
• Restart your console.

How to play Star Wars Outlaws early on PlayStation using New Zealand trick

PlayStation players can still use the New Zealand trick to access games like Star Wars Outlaws early, but the process is more complicated than on Xbox. Follow these steps to jump in early:

• Create a new PlayStation account with a different email address.
• Select New Zealand as your country.
• Purchase Star Wars Outlaws on the new account.

You need to turn console sharing on to access Star Wars Outlaws on your main account, which you can only do after the full release in your time zone. By signing into Ubisoft, you may be able to continue any progress you made on your new account.

Does the New Zealand trick work on PC?

PC players cannot use the New Zealand trick for Star Wars Outlaws because the release schedule is different from consoles, with the game releasing at a range of times across the globe.

You can preload the game on PC to make sure you can dive right in as soon as the game drops or get early access by buying the Ultimate or Gold Edition, but there is no way to get in earlier than the release date.

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How to play Star Wars Outlaws early using the New Zealand trick

Star Wars Outlaws is one of the most anticipated Star Wars games in quite some time, and players are eager to jump in as early as possible. While you can pay for three days of early access with the Gold Edition of the game, you can play Star Wars Outlaws even earlier than that with a simple trick.

Since the game unlocks at different times in each part of the world, you can actually play Star Wars Outlaws before its official release date in your region by using the popular New Zealand trick. It’s super simple, and all you have to do is change your device’s region and tweak a few settings to trick your PC or console into letting you play early.

How to play Star Wars Outlaws early on PC

To play Star Wars Outlaws early on PC , you need to download a VPN to change your computer’s region so that Ubisoft Connect will let you launch the game. Any VPN will work, but we recommend NordVPN, ProtonVPN, or TunnelBear since they’re free and easy to use. Once you’ve installed your VPN of choice, connect to a location in New Zealand. This will let you play Star Wars Outlaws early ahead of its official release on August 27/30 depending on your purchased edition.

Some players are having issues getting the game to launch even with a VPN, however. If that’s the case for you, try navigating to the game’s install directory and launching it via the Star Wars Outlaws executable file instead of the Ubisoft Connect launcher. If you’re experiencing crashes when playing Star Wars Outlaws with the New Zealand trick on PC, then you need to uncheck “Enable cloud save synchronization for supported games” in the Ubisoft Connect settings.

How to play Star Wars Outlaws early on PlayStation 5

The New Zealand trick works for Star Wars Outlaws on PlayStation 5 , but there’s a catch. You need to purchase the game from the New Zealand PlayStation Store for it to work. If you’ve already pre-ordered the game on your main account, you’re out of luck unless you want to spend the extra cash for an additional copy or Ubisoft+ subscription.

If you want to go this route, create a New Zealand PSN account and purchase Star Wars Outlaws from the NZ store. Then, ensure that your console is set as that account’s primary system by enabling console sharing and offline play in the PS5 system settings. This will let you play the game on your main PSN account.

How to play Star Wars Outlaws early on Xbox

To play Star Wars Outlaws early on Xbox, all you need to do is change your console’s region to New Zealand. Just head to the Xbox system settings, set your location to New Zealand, and then restart your console. After rebooting, check the Microsoft Store. If you see New Zealand prices, you’re all set.

At this point, you should be able to launch Star Wars Outlaws on your account like normal. Just don’t forget to change your region back once the game officially launches so you don’t run into any issues with the store or other online services.

Remember that you still need to own the Gold Edition of the game if you’re trying to play during the paid three-day early access period. If you only have the normal version of the game, you’ll have to wait until the New Zealand launch later this week. You can catch up on your Star Wars lore by reading about Outlaws’ place in the timeline in the meantime.

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'100% pure N. Zealand' dairy firm busted for using Indian butter

Monday, 26 Aug 2024

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WELLINGTON: A Kiwi dairy company has been busted for falsely claiming its products were "100 per cent pure New Zealand", despite using butter imported from India.

Dairy firm Milkio Foods Limited was fined US$261,452 on Monday (Aug 26) after New Zealand's Commerce Commission took it to court for making false claims about the origin of its butter products.

The Hamilton-based firm misled customers about where its ghee products came from, with "claims like '100% Pure New Zealand' despite importing the core ingredient from India", the Commerce Commission said in a statement.

New Zealand's agriculture-driven industry prides itself on high-quality dairy exports, with overseas customers hungry for milk and butter from its rich pastures.

"Milkio took advantage of this reputation to promote their own products" Commerce Commission spokesperson Vanessa Horne said.

The company also presented false and incomplete information to get approval to use the FernMark logo -- a trusted symbol to identify New Zealand-made products.

Milkio pleaded guilty to 15 breaches of New Zealand's Fair Trading Act for making false representations and admitted using the FernMark logo and licence number without proper authorisation.

"This conviction should serve as a warning to others who may be looking to falsely claim the New Zealand brand," Horne added. - AFP

Tags / Keywords: New Zealand , butter , India , dairy , firm

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Star spinner misses out as Afghanistan name preliminary squad for New Zealand Test

Rashid Khan among the notable absentees as Afghanistan reveal their preliminary squad to take on the Kiwis next month.

Afghanistan have named a preliminary squad of 20 players for next month's one-off Test against New Zealand.

A handful of players that helped Afghanistan reach the semi-finals of the recent ICC Men's T20 World Cup have been included in the squad for the Test match that will be held in Greater Noida, India from September 9-13, although star spinner Rashid Khan is among the notable absentees.

Afghanistan failed to disclose a reason for the absence of Rashid, but the spinner did hurt his hamstring when playing in England's domestic Hundred competition earlier this month.

Led by skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, the 20 players will fly out to India on August 28 for a week-long training camp and the squad will be cut to 15 at the completion of the camp and ahead of the clash against the Kiwis.

Ricky Ponting reflects on a breakthrough tournament for Afghanistan thanks to DP World Smart Perspectives.

White-ball star Azmatullah Omarzai is among a group of players in line to earn a Test debut and Afghanistan chair Mirwais Ashraf was pleased to see so many younger players recognised with selection.

“I am happy to see some youngsters in the squad who performed well in domestic cricket and have gotten the opportunity to be part of the Test squad for this Test match," he said.

"ACB is delighted to be embarking on its maiden bilateral event with New Zealand which is a quality side in Test cricket and looks forward to a competitive event between the Black Caps and Afghanistan.”

Afghanistan preliminary Test squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ikram Alikhel (wk), Shahidullah Kamal, Gulbadin Naib, Afsar Zazai (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ziaurrahman Akbar, Shamsurrahman, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Nijat Masoud, Farid Ahmad Malik, Naveed Zadran, Khalil Ahmad, Yama Arab.

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What time does Star Wars Outlaws release in early access?

You can play as soon as Tuesday

by Ari Notis

The galaxy may be far, far away, but Star Wars Outlaws is not. Outlaws , the latest open-world game from Ubisoft, rolls out across a staggered schedule this week: an early access release date followed by a regular release date . Also it comes out on different times for different platforms. Dank farrik!

To play Star Wars Outlaws early, you need to purchase the gold or ultimate edition of the game . Both versions allow you to start Outlaws on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X up to three days before the release of the regular edition, which comes out on Aug. 30.

• Star Wars Outlaws pre-order guide

Here’s when Star Wars Outlaws releases in both early access and for real, and when you can play it in your time zone on your platform of choice.

Star Wars Outlaws Xbox, PS5 early access release time

On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, Star Wars Outlaws releases into early access at 12 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Aug. 27 .

This includes North America, where unlike many other releases with tends to align with the East Coast, will be midnight local time across the continent.

Star Wars Outlaws PC early access release times

On Windows PC, the game has a more erratic launch schedule, releasing at different times in different time zones. The graphic above shows the exact times in various regions around the globe, or you can see our list below:

• 9 p.m. PDT on Aug. 26 for the west coast of North America
• 12 a.m. EDT for the east coast of North America
• 11 p.m. BST on Aug 26. on Aug. 26 for the U.K.
• 12 a.m. CEST for western Europe/Paris
• 11 p.m. JST on Aug 26. for Japan

Star Wars Outlaws standard edition release time and date

On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, Star Wars Outlaws releases at 12 a.m. local time on Friday, Aug. 30 .

As with the early access release, the game has a more erratic launch schedule on Windows PC. The graphic above shows the exact times in various regions around the globe, or you can see our list below:

• 9 p.m. PDT on Aug. 29 for the west coast of North America
• 11 p.m. BST on Aug 29. on Aug. 26 for the U.K.
• 11 p.m. JST on Aug 29. for Japan

What to expect from Star Wars Outlaws

Star Wars Outlaws largely comprises a mix of stealth missions, third-person shooting combat, and lengthy platforming segments, a formula clearly inspired by the Uncharted series. (Feel free to make your own Han Solo/Indiana Jones/Harrison Ford comparisons here.) Outlaws is also billed as a fully open-world, but the extent to which it’s a Ubisoft Map Game® remains to be seen. For a deeper look, check out Polygon’s Star Wars Outlaws preview .

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"No One Better": New Zealand Star Reserves High Praise For India's Jasprit Bumrah

New zealand will tour india for three tests in october and november..

New Zealand captain Tim Southee reckons India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has looked more formidable since making a comeback from a back injury, which kept him out of action for a major part of the last year. Bumrah, who was recently described as the "best all-format bowler in the last five-six years" by the legendary Ricky Ponting, has been at the forefront of the Indian team's success since making a comeback in August 2023 after being out of action since September 2022.

"To be able to firstly bounce back from the major injury and come back, he's even better than what he was beforehand. Throw in on top of that, having to juggle multiple formats, can be difficult at times as well," Southee said on the sidelines of the Ceat Cricket Rating Award on Wednesday.

"He seems to have been able to do that with ease as well. He's probably more experienced, understands his game a bit more. He probably had that time where he was injured to come back and be recharged, refreshed." "We are just seeing a great version (of Bumrah) across all three formats. He's brilliant across all three at the moment. I don't think there's anyone that he's better in (better than him), he is tremendous across all three (formats)," he said.

Southee acknowledged having a discussion with the New Zealand head coach Gary Stead on the possibility of him missing a few Tests in the subcontinent.

The Kiwis are scheduled to play a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Noida before travelling to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series. Southee's team will then return to India in October for a three-Test series following which it will return home for three Tests against England.

"It's just natural when you're in this part of the world, spin plays a big part. But ideally, I'd like to play all the Test matches available. I love Test cricket, but I understand there's balance to the side and obviously it's not easy," he said.

"We've got nine Test matches in the next few months. There's a lot of Test cricket, so it's all about managing the workloads. But for me, as long as you're fit and ready to go, then I'd like to play every game," he said.

India and New Zealand will be engaged in a three-Test series for the first time since 2016-17 and Southee welcomed the idea.

"As players, you want to play more Test cricket. It's nice to be able to come here and play three Test matches," he said.

With former Kiwi captain Kane Williamson, opening batter Devon Conway and Finn Allen declining New Zealand Cricket's central contracts for 2024-25, Southee said two of those players will still be available for the majority of the Tests.

"It's the way that cricket is going and then the amount of T20 leagues that are popping up. Look at it from Kane and Devon's point of view; they're still committed to New Zealand cricket, we have nine Test matches coming up and they are committed to those.

"As far as the Test side is concerned, it's not too dissimilar. They're still going to be there even though they don't have a New Zealand contract," he said.

However, Southee said he had no answer to how the contract situation would be between players and boards given the proliferation of multi-format leagues around the world.

"I don't have the answer right now, I don't think many people do. So I think it's about working out what is the best for each individual board and their players.

"New Zealand Cricket have seen to think that's the best way for the next 12 months. I don't think Kane and Devon will miss a lot of cricket for New Zealand.

"For them to have the flexibility in doing that. But still also be committing to New Zealand, which I think that's where the casual playing agreement comes in," he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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No Rashid Khan in Afghanistan's preliminary 20-member squad for New Zealand Test

The afghanistan cricket board has named a 20-member preliminary squad for the upcoming test against new zealand, with star spinner rashid khan notably absent. hashmatullah shahidi will captain the team, while the final squad will be decided after a training camp in india..

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• Afghanistan announced 20-member preliminary squad for New Zealand Test
• Rashid Khan, injured during The Hundred, was not included in the squad
• ACB confirmed the final squad will be announced at the end of the camp

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced a 20-member preliminary squad for the upcoming one-off Test against New Zealand, which will be played from September 9-13 at Greater Noida's Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex. However, the absence of star spinner Rashid Khan has raised eyebrows.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the side, but Rashid, who has taken 34 wickets in just five Test matches, was notably excluded. The 25-year-old last appeared in a Test against Zimbabwe in March 2021, where he picked up 11 wickets. Despite being in strong form — scoring 53 runs in his most recent match for Speen Ghar Tigers in the Shpageeza Cricket League — Rashid did not make the cut.

ACB announces preliminary squad before the one-off test against New Zealand The ACB Selection Committee named a 20-member preliminary Squad for the one-off test match against New Zealand from September 9-13 in Greater Noida, India. Read More: https://t.co/lj48usZ7u6 pic.twitter.com/8XZy4N9ZYz — Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 26, 2024

Ahmad Shah Sulimankhel, Chief Selector, emphasized the importance of the camp, stating, "20 players have been selected for the training camp, and a 15-member squad will be selected to play the only Test match after observing their performance and fitness."

ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf expressed excitement about Afghanistan's first-ever bilateral Test series with New Zealand, calling it a "competitive event" against a "quality side." The final squad announcement is eagerly awaited as Afghanistan prepares to face a formidable New Zealand team.

Afghanistan's preliminary squad for the camp: