Magic New Zealand® E-zine

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* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New Zealand)
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Issue Number: #1609
Date: Sunday 7th March 2021
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
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Hi here is the latest news
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1. Editor's Message
2. MAGIC Live, August 22-25, 2021
3. FISM NACM Quebec 2921
4. FISM Quebec 2022
5. Vanish March Issue 2020
6. World's Record For A Signed Harry Houdini Book
7. Denny Haney On The Magic Word Podcast
8. 2021 Abbott's Get Together
9. Entrapped - John Carey #112
10. No Stone Unturned
11. World's Record For A Signed Harry Houdini Book
12. This Magic Business
13. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
14. E-zine Archives
15. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice

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1. Editor's Message
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If you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in HTML format
go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2021-Jan-to-Dec-2021/1609-Mar07-2021.html

If you would like to write a regular column for Magic New Zealand or have some magic news drop me a line:
Editor@MagicNewZealand.com

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2. MAGIC Live, August 22-25, 2021
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Message by Stan Allen (US)

It was just about a year ago that we announced the cancellation of the 2020 MAGIC Live! One of the things we've learned since then is that finalizing plans in advance during a pandemic is very difficult, if not downright impossible. Still, producing an experience like MAGIC Live requires a lot of advance planning. So that's what we've been busy doing. Making plans. Redesigning the plans. Redesigning the redesigned plans. And I'm guessing there will be a lot more of this as 2021 continues to unfold.

Here in Las Vegas, we received some good news recently. The State of Nevada is increasing the capacity to 50% starting on March 15th. As a result, many Vegas shows are reopening later this month.

Also, the State will be turning over Covid management to local authorities as of May 1st. That means that within the next two months, we're going to have a much clearer picture of what Las Vegas - and the world - will look like the end of summer.

If things continue to move forward as we hope they do, we'll be opening 2021 Registration in May. Visit MagicConvention.com for more details.

Looking forward to when we can be Live again!

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3. FISM NACM Quebec 2921
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Quebec City, Canada

North American Championship of Magic 2021

Qualification to represent North America at FISM World Championship in 2022.

September 29 to October 3, 2021

www.fismna2021.com

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4. FISM Quebec 2022
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28th FISM World Championship of Magic 2022

Quebec City, Canada

The most important magic contest in the world for the first time in North America

July 25 to 30, 2022

wwwfismquebec2022.com

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5. Vanish March Issue 2020
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Message by Paul Romhany - Editor Vanish Magazine

Vanish Magic Magazine
celebrates Women's History Month

In celebration of this special month I have released the special edition of Vanish (for those who subscribe), "Female Magicians through the centuries."

Vanish March 2020
We also chose to have Julie Eng on the cover and our feature artist. Julie has given so much to our craft and one of the most respected people in the business. Connie Boyd did a great job interviewing Julie and getting an insight to this remarkable person.

The World's BEST vanishing birdcage. We have exclusive photos on what many consider to the very best birdcage ever made. The size is different and it is small enough when folded down to fit through finger ring! Blair Robertson shares an incredible story of Eddie Diijon who now is retired in Canada.

This is Your World - another world exclusive with a wonderful story about Nick Britt who filmed his TV series just prior to the world lockdown. Nick and his film crew traveled the world bringing magic to children who would not normally see it first hand.

Ben Robinson introduces us to Consciousness & Art and shares the artwork of John Clessler - a world renowned artist.

Nick Lewin gives his opinion and thoughts of the latest trend of one-person theatre shows and where magic is headed.

Magic Tricks - an amazing Virtual roulette routine, Christopher T Magician's Double Headed Prediction and Five Triumphant Shuffles.

Diversity and Magic - Have you ever performed for deafblind people. This remarkable story in Felicity Fields column is by guest contributor JJ Lucia-Wright.

This and SO much more from essays, tricks reviews and more ....

Available As Printed And Digital Magazine
The best deal in magic - only $9.95 a year includes all past editions!!!

www.vanishmagazine.com

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6. World's Record For A Signed Harry Houdini Book
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Message by Potter & Potter Auctions

Potter & Potter Auctions' February, 2021 Select Secrets, Rare & Important Magicana
Event Breaks The Half Million Mark, Topping $US560,000 in Sales.

I am excited to announce the results of Potter & Potter Auctions' Select Secrets, Rare & Important Magicana sale which was held on Saturday, February 27th, 2021. This extraordinary, 120 lot event generated a new world's record for a signed Harry Houdini book; a first edition of the magician's The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin made $US26,400.

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7. Denny Haney On The Magic Word Podcast
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Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star

In celebration of "National Denny Day" we present this week's episode about Denny Haney with stories told by those who toured and worked closely with him: Scott Alexander, Malcolm "Puck" Puckering, and Alain Nu. Scott Alexander recently published the ultimate biography of the late magician and dealer which not only covers the life of Denny but also details the routines that made his reputation. Many of the stories share in this episode were not included in the book but are all a funny romp through time as they retell "life on the road" with Denny.

You can listen wherever you get your podcasts. But for more information, videos, photos, links and to read the blog, then please visit: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/601-denny-haney And this week's episode was video recorded, too, which is available at: https://youtu.be/7Z4Sb0v2zYE If you enjoy the videos of our podcasts, then please subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/texasmagician

And because it is "National Denny Day", the fun continues on Thursday night during our weekly Magic and Martinis Thursday Virtual Happy Hour featuring the same guests but with new stories all about Denny Haney. You can join in the live stream on our Facebook page and YouTube channel where you can participate online with your comments and questions. If you miss it live, then don't worry because the fun will be recorded and available on both Facebook and YouTube long after the martinis have been consumed.

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8. 2021 Abbott's Get Together
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Message by Mike Miller (US)

August 4th to 7th 2021

For anyone still deciding if they're attending the 2021 Get Together, you won't want to miss it.

Some of the acts booked:

Lance Burton and Friends
Fielding Franklin West
Michael Goudeau
Keith West
Mike Caveney
Tina Lenert
Tim Wright
Joel Hodgson
Guy Hollingsworth
Mac King
Kenrick Ice McDonald
Doc Swan
Nick Diffatte
Jeff Hobson
Mark & Sue Holstein
David Williamson
Stuart MacDonald
Kevin James
John Jansky
Also Eric DeCamps "Pure Magic".

With more to come.

This is a must attend convention so act now before they sell out.

Abbott's Magic Get Together

https://www.magicgettogether.com/
or call 269 432 3235

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9. Entrapped - John Carey #112
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

Essentially this is a sandwich effect, but continue reading as this isn't just yet another sandwich! It's also almost self working and has a very strong double punch climax.

Take out the two red Queens from your deck and table them as you introduce them as your mind-reading Queens. Hand out the deck for shuffling and ask the spectator to deal five face down cards into a packet and then discard the deck. Instruct them to pick up the packet and spread it with the faces towards them like a poker hand. Ask your helper to think of a card and then cut that card to the face of the packet so that they can focus on its full face.

Next ask them to turn the packet face down. Mention that you have a gypsy friend who reads people with cards. Mention she has quite a mystical way of mixing the cards when she works. Walk and talk your spectator through a down under deal, dealing a card down, the next one under etc until the packet is exhausted. This automatically places their thought of card third from top of the face down packet.

Take the packet back and hold it in left-hand dealing grip. "So basically, Chad, it's like I just walked into the room and you're just thinking of one of these cards." As you say this take each card one at a time into the right hand and raise its face towards the spectator without changing the packers order. It's very simple to peek the third card, the selection by angling it's face slightly towards you. Remember this card for later.

Pick up one of the red Queens and place it face up second from the bottom of the face down packet. I use a pinky pull down for this. Then pick up the other Queen and insert it face up second from top of the packet and square up. Ask your helper to send their thought to the Queens. Raise the packet to your ear three times, naming the colour, suit and then value
of their thought of card. Allow this divination to register as it's a strong moment.

"Now let's see if those mysterious ladies can go one step further. Eliminating the cards down from five to four. From four down to three, which then becomes two and finally just one card trapped between the Queens. Amazing!" To accomplish this visual and magical revelation
simply execute a down under deal until you are left with two face up cards with a face down card in between. Take it out and reveal it to be the thought of card.

Notes:
My inspiration here was a John Bannon effect called Mousetrap in his book Destination Zero.

Entrapped
Have fun!

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10. No Stone Unturned
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Message by Paul Stone (USA)

Over the coming weeks I'll be sharing with you details from several of the shows that I've produced in London's West End Theatres and other iconic venues around the world. I'll talk about the challenges involved in staging these major productions and I'll tell you about my experiences of working with many of the greatest magicians on the planet.

What do Siegfried & Roy, Silvan, John Calvert, The Morettis, Jeff Hobson, Luis de Matos, Norm Nielsen, The Great Tomsoni & Co, Kalin & Jinger, Marko Karvo, Mac King, Hans Klok, Raymond Crowe, Jason Byrne, Mark Raffles, and Phil Hitchcock all have in common?

The answer is that they have all appeared on stage in one of the shows that I produced at the world famous London Palladium Theatre.

People who know me well know that Variety has always been my first love, and the London Palladium is universally acknowledged as the 'Home of Variety'.

It's every performer's dream to play the Palladium and follow in the footsteps of all the greatest show business stars, iconic names like Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye, Shirley Bassey and Sammy Davis Jnr. And for magicians Cardini, Houdini, Channing Pollock, Richiardi Jnr, Johnny Hart, Tommy Cooper, Robert Harbin, Paul Daniels, Jay Marshall, Billy McComb, Marvyn & Carol Roy, Wayne Dobson, and Lance Burton to name just a few.

So, what is it that makes the London Palladium so special?

Certainly, it's long history of staging the very best in variety entertainment plays a big part but, in my opinion, it is the design of the theatre by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham that stands it apart.

Frank Matcham's special magic was not only his ability to create in a huge theatre the feel of an intimate venue but he also made it look spectacular.

When you are on stage at the London Palladium it genuinely seems as though the Dress Circle is in touching distance.

Matcham was responsible for designing over thirty theatres across the UK, each one unique in their own way but all perfectly suited for variety performers.

The London Palladium opened in December 1910, and over a hundred years later it is still the number one variety theatre in the world. It is now owned by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The first show that I produced at this iconic theatre was in 1990. It was a daunting experience. We had a cast of over 100 performers, eight hours in total to rehearse the whole show, and when we arrived at the theatre, the wings were full of sheep! I'll explain more next week.

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11. World's Record For A Signed Harry Houdini Book
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Message by Potter & Potter Auctions

Potter & Potter Auctions' February, 2021 Select Secrets, Rare & Important Magicana
Event Breaks The Half Million Mark, Topping $US560,000 in Sales.

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12. This Magic Business
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Message by Harry Allen (US)

This Magic Business

I am 64 years old and have been in the Magic business almost 55 years. I will write articles for this newsletter, I hope for years to come.

How It All Started …

I was 9 years old and came to work with my dad who was in the furniture business, as a reward for finding a ring. In about 15 minutes I was bored out of my gourd and went exploring in this giant indoor market. A few stores from my dad's store, I came across this Magic Shop. It looked like a fun place, so I went inside and looked everything over. The owner (my future business partner) was busy, checking in a large order. He said, "Can I help you kid?" I asked him, "When does the magic show start?" He told me that he sold magic, and asked, "You got any money kid?" I said that my father was working in the furniture store and I probably could get a half-dollar. I look just like my dad and the man said, "I know your dad. His name is Stan." He introduced himself, "My name is Irv - What's yours?' "I'm Harold Gersh."

I had not yet become Harry Allen, Allen is my middle name. "You want to see a trick? You want to help me mark this stuff, you looked bored to death!" I asked if I was getting a job. He said, "No! but I will buy you a slice of pizza and Coke and give you a magic trick if you do a good job." I thought this guy was crazy. He said he wasn't giving me a job and then said he would compensate me if I did a good job?? Oh well. We worked for about an hour and he bought me a slice, a Coke and taught me penny block. I think he also gave me fifty-cents but I am not sure, probably not. The next Saturday I showed up. "What are you doing here," he asked. I said, "I'm here for my job."
The adventure begins…

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13. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
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Written by the late Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)

Trevor King Q.S.M. - 'The Amazing Mr Rooklyn' & other various hypnotists.

Trevor did two New Zealand tours with 'Dormia'. She drew good crowds. The first half of the show featured Christine - 'The Lady With The Million Dollar Mind! She worked with her husband Jimmy Vaughan, doing a mind reading act using a code system that must have taken years to perfect - very, very fast! Unfortunately, Jimmy had a drink problem. He would 'hit the booze' and go missing from the show for 4 days! They had performed their act all over Europe and at the London Palladium, finishing up working in a tent in sideshows and carnivals all over New Zealand. All the years I've known them, I will swear that, no matter what the weather, or time of day or night - the suit that Jimmy always wore, was the same suit! It must have been made of the same indestructible material as 'Superman's' costume! Burns Scandrett will back me up on that, I'm sure, and he knows them far better than I do.

Dormia, says Trevor, got too carried away with staging a 'Scientific Show' to prove how good hypnosis is in the treatment of various ailments, and forgetting that the audience where there to enjoy themselves. After the show she would complain about the audience laughing etc. so Trevor told her: "Look Dormia - if you want to get mixed up in the medical side of hypnosis, hire the bloody Auckland Concert Chamber… give away 400 Free tickets to Medical Students"….
"You are here to provide entertainment! As I say in my Publicity; 'A riot of laughs'…. -'if this is not the funniest show you've ever seen - your laughs will be refunded"!

Dormia has her own Hypnotherapies Clinic in Princess Street,. Auckland and has been successfully practicing Medical Hypnosis for over 22 years! (She is more than likely retired by now.)

Hypnotists: The first hypnotist to visit New Zealand was 'Ceccarelli' (date unknown to this writer), 'Van Loewe' (N.Z hypnotist), he went to Australia with George Tollerton. Van Loewe eventually to return to New Zealand, and packed out! During the Fifties he teamed up for a tour with: 'The Amazing Mr Rooklyn' (from Australia) Magician/Illusionist (also a Hypnotist in his own right) - first half of the show was Van Lowe with Maurie Rooklyn doing the second half. The poster reads: First time in New Zealand Theatrical History… 2 World Famous Personalities Together! The Amazing Mr Rooklyn - magic of the minds and hands. The Eminent Van Loewe - highlights of hypnotism.

The (late) Amazing Mr Rooklyn toured the world with his big illusion show (often using a train to carry all his equipment and staff), including New Zealand several times. He performed his own hypnotic show during the first half of his stage show (When we were living in Sydney, Australia, Veronica and I became close friends with Maurie and his wife Connie, he became like a father to me - I do miss him).

Maurie personally signed and gifted to me, a 'Limited Deluxe Edition' of his wonderful book - entitled: 'Spherical Sorcery & Recollections Of A Pro' - A treatise of Advanced Manipulations With Billiards Balls and Memoirs Of A Magician'. In it, he describes in great detail, his famous billiards ball routine complete with photographs. Also in the book, as the title suggests, are many, many stories gleaned from his many years at as a Professional, International Magician and entertainer. One in particular, titled: 'Amnesia', involves Van Loewe. This is the story, exactly as Maurie wrote it.

"Sometime during the Fifties I toured New Zealand with a hypnotist named Van Loewe. I worked one half the show - my billing read, 'Magic of the Mind and Hands' and Van Loewe was billed as a hypnotist. It was opening night at the Grand Opera House, Wellington. Van Lowe had hypnotised a number of people and left them seated in semi-circle while he walked to a microphone at the footlights. The house was packed. Addressing the audience, Lowe said he would induce a state of amnesia in one of his subjects, so that they would have a complete loss of memory".

"Lowe walked back to his subjects, took the hand of a young lady, and returned with her to the microphone. He then said to her, "You will go into a state of amnesia. Your memory will go. I will count to three and snap my fingers. You will then open your eyes, but you will remember nothing"!

When Loewe snapped his fingers, the young lady opened her eyes, whereupon he asked her, "What is your name?" The girl replied, "I don't know". Loewe then asked, "Where are you?" and again she replied, "I don't know". Finally, he asked, "What are you doing here?" and the reply was the same, "I don't know". Loewe then told the girl to close her eyes and, turning to the microphone, told the audience that he would now command the girl to open her eyes, and
that, immediately she did so, her memory would be completely restored. At this, Loewe turned to the young lady and said, "I will now count to three, and snap my fingers. You will then open your eyes, and your memory will be restored". Loewe counted to three, snapped his fingers, and the young lady opened her eyes. Loewe paused for a moment then asked, "What's your name?" The girl replied, "Elsie". Loewe then asked, "Where are you? She replied, "At the Grand Opera House". Van Loewe turned to the audience, smiled, and, turning back to the young lady, enquired, "What are you doing here?" She replied, "I Came To See Mr Rooklyn". The audience roared with laughter, Van Loewe did too.

There is a great deal about my dear, late friend Maurie Rooklyn that I wish to write. I will do so when I begin the ten wonderful years of my/our life in Australia; but in the meantime, and for the benefit of those who are unaware of this great Australian Magician, here is an abbreviated introduction to his book, written by Lewis Ganson in 1973.

"In Britain, Maurice Rooklyn is best known for his superb manipulative skill with billiards balls; in 1936 to 1939 he toured our best variety theatres with his entertaining act in which his 'Spherical Sorcery' was featured. I first met him at the Portsmouth Hippodrome (blitzed during the war), and spent most of that week in his company. At that time he was preparing a book on billiards balls manipulation and I was eager to secure the first copy. Photographs had been taken and sheaves of notes written for what was to be: 'The Most Complete Work On The Subject Ever Produced'.

He allowed me to study everything to my heart's content, and publication was eagerly awaited. With war imminent, it did not get to the printing stage, but now, over 30 years later (Remember, this abbreviated intro' was written in 1973 - Tom), I am delighted that the book is to be published. Since 1939, Maurice has revised and altered the text, new, photographs have been taken to augment those few saved from a fire, that destroyed most of the original manuscript, and the whole, project has been brought up to date. So now we have not only a record of Maurice's work and experience in the manipulation of billiards balls, but also a volume which will become 'The Standard Book Of Reference', on this branch of the art of 'Manipulative Magic'."

"At the International Brotherhood Of Magicians (British ring) convention at Eastbourne in 1958, he topped the bill on the Gala Show and his act was just as thrilling to see then, as it was 22 years earlier. Maurice himself had not seemed to age one bit and the act was as fresh and effective as ever. He has visited this country several times since then, and appeared at many
of our conventions, so a new generation of magicians has been able to appreciate the performance of this fine magician! After his successful tour of Britain, Maurice Rooklyn returned to Australia, and we next heard of him touring with a 'Lavish And Spectacular Full Evening Show Of Magic'. He received excellent reviews and the show was a financial success. Being a keen businessman, he sensed that with the ever - increasing transportation costs, wages and the decreasing number of theatres to play, the time had come to close down the big show. Accordingly he went back to his manipulation act, and that's the act we have seen in Britain."

"Now, Maurice tells me he is living a rather quiet life and has disposed of most of the show, but I guess those billiards balls are carefully preserved. This book too will enable future generations of
magicians to appreciate the work of one of magic's great personalities - certainly a name which will live forever, in 'Magic's Hall of Fame'!"

POST SCRIPT

Bart Whaley "Whos Who in Magic" listing for Rooklyn, Maurice "Maury", MIMC
Correct Spelling Is: "-'Maurie' - (Blackburn, England: 6 May 1905-22 Jul 1992) Inspired at age 4 seeing a magician. Moved to Australia at age 5. Learned at age 11 reading Hopkins' Magic, Stage Illusions. Pro illusionist & manipulator since age 15 & with own show by 1928. In 1934 was shot on 2 occasions doing Bullet Catch. Toured Britain 1936-40 with his billiard-ball act. Thence returned home, touring a large illusion show in Australia, Japan (1947), & New Zealand (1947 & 1949) until 1954. Always billed as "The Amazing Mr. Rooklyn". Won 1958 FISM 1st prize in manip. 1974 AMA Performing Fellowship; 1984 AMA Masters Fellowship. A fall down stairs in 1987 rendered him quadriplegic. 1991 SAM Hall of Fame. Memoir is Spherical Sorcery and Recollections of a `Pro' (1973, 287pp).

Maurie died in 1992
Rooklyn, (Connie Maddison) "Konni"
(Sydney, Australia: 30 Sep 1928- ) Born Connie Maddison. In 1972, became assistant of Maurice Rooklyn, marrying him in 1980. Since 1974 when husband taught her she does own card manip act as "The Queen of Hearts" & since 1980 also does childrens shows as "Konni
The Klown" with magic, rag pictures, & balloon sculpture."

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14. E-zine Archives
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Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e- zine go to:
www.magicnewzealand.com

Click on the red button centre right "Archives"

When you enter the archive the e- zines are in issue order in folders for each year and are Coded, e.g. 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999)

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15. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
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Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy.

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Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday.

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