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: #1661
Date: Sunday 27th March 2022
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. The S.A.M. Houdini Celebration Mega-Event
3. MAGIC Live: Sold Out
4. AMA Swap Meet at the Magic Castle April 23, 2022
5. The Magic Word Podcast
6. Penn & Teller Australia 2022 Tour
7. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #53
8. Magical Women With Connie Boyd
9. News From The Academy Of Illusions
10. Destined To Be - John Carey #154
11. Daytona Beach Festival Of Magic
12. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
13. E-zine Archives
14. 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/2022-Jan-to-Dec2022/1661-Mar27-2022.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. The S.A.M. Houdini Celebration Mega-Event
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Message by Tom Gentile, National President of the Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.)

FREE For All To Attend!

The Society of American Magicians is hosting a zoom session for Harry Houdini's Birthday which is actually March 24th but on Sunday March 27 the Harry Houdini Birthday Appreciation, Education, Dedication Celebration starts at 12 NOON EST until Midnight same day or? And who knows. Please adjust for your time zones accordingly. Topic: Harry Houdini World Wide Birthday.

Celebration Time: Mar 27, 2022 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 9AM Pacific 5 PM UTC Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84900447443?pwd=T01TeXMySkt3WGdCWmVrUTFjK2VpZz09

Meeting ID: 849 0044 7443
Passcode: 573909

One tap mobile +16465588656,,84900447443# US (New York) +13126266799,,84900447443# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 849 0044 7443

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kedGBmCSJQ

Hope you can visit for spell!

View an item. Hear a story or tell. Presents are not required. Your presence is welcomed. To honor a man his life and magic.

Having you zoom in would be fantastic!

Some other guests who may be coming- Presently over 20 countries with as many as 30 speakers for at least 10 hours may appear!

Concluding the day with a viewing of Grim Game by Houdini Museum and Theater Scranton PA Dorothy Dietrich and Dick BrookZ with piano accompaniment by First Vice President John Sturk. and Q&A. 1-3 minutes quick comments, 5-8-12 min shared videos, add up to help it around the world -

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

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3. MAGIC Live: Sold Out
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Message by Stan Allen (USA)

For the seventh time in a row, MAGIC Live has sold out!

However, we do anticipate a small number of cancellations over the next few weeks, and we will do our best to make these registrations available to those on our waitlist.

There's no charge to get on the list, and the sooner you sign up, the better your chance of getting in.

Hope to still see you in Vegas!

Stan
MagicConvention.com

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4. AMA Swap Meet at the Magic Castle April 23, 2022
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Message by Gary Frank (US)

The Magic Castle® will be once again transformed into the greatest one-day, mini-convention this year on Saturday, April 23rd. The AMA Swap Meet is the only place where you'll find new/used magic, books, illusions, antiques, collectibles, and scores of surprises throughout at this gathering. Vendor's tables are set up from the Terrace Room in the Dining Room to the Inner Circle downstairs. It's a fun-filled day for everyone. Whether you're a novice to magic or an expert, this is the place to be on Saturday April 23rd!

Free admission at 8:00 a.m. for AMA Members.

Member Guests, Vendor Guests, IBM, SAM, and the ELDERS can gain entrance (magic club members, bring your membership card) at 9:00 a.m. by paying a $10.00 at the door. The Swap Meet ends at 1:00 p.m.

No General Public!

We're looking for a big turnout. So, if you are reading this and you want to support your club, come join us. This is one of the many perks the AMA Membership includes, and it is also an event you really can't pass up. You see friends you haven't seen in years, meet fellow AMA members, have firsthand contact with a number of local dealers, and possibly find that effect you have been searching for all on the same day. Thanks again to AMA Member Gary Frank, our Swap Meet Coordinator for planning, organizing, and delivering all the fun.

Vendor applications are being accepted now.

You can request the vendor forms needed by contacting Gary Frank at: swapmeetapplication@magiccastle.com Vendor tables are limited, so don't wait! Mailed applications are accepted only. As always, it's first-come, first-served.

Important: If you want to be a vendor, applications are available now. All vendor applications are due before Friday, August 23rd, 2019.
Soft drinks and hot dogs will be available for sale on-site.

Valet Parking:
$8/vehicle (AMA Members)
$10/vehicle (Non-Members)

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5. The Magic Word Podcast
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Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star

Magic theaters have been popping up across the country and indeed, the world, in this post-pandemic society. And people are anxious to get out and travel and enjoy watching live, not Zoom, magic shows again. One of the relatively new theaters that opened in the U.S. is the Zubrick Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida. Chris and Ryan Zubrick performed in southeast Asia for over a decade with their grand illusion show complete with a host of dancers and big cats, too. They moved back to the U.S. and after an exhaustive search for location finally settled on St. Petersburg as their "forever home" where they are a short distance to the beach where they can feel the sand between their toes.

You can listen to this week's episode wherever you get your podcasts, or you can get more information like videos, photos, the blog, links and more at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/670-the-zubricks And don't forget to enter the new contest on the website where you can register for a chance to win one of six copies of "Seventh Heaven" by Lewis Jones, a republication offered by Charlie Randall of H&R Magic Books.

And while we're talking about magic theaters, we have a new feature on our website that lists all the magic theaters in the world that we know about at this time. You can visit https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/magic-theatres where you can link to theater websites before you travel and make your plans to visit a live magic show at your next destination.

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6. Penn & Teller Australia 2022 Tour
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Message by Peter Phillips (Australia)

Legendary magic duo and the undisputed Kings Of Sin City Penn & Teller are finally making their Australian debut. No fooling.

Penn & Teller Australia 2022 Tour Dates:

1-11 June - Sydney Opera House
14-18 June - Arts Centre Melbourne
22 June-3 July - Queensland Performing Arts Centre

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7. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #53
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Message by Paul Stone (US)

The days seem to be flying by and here we are already at the end of March. This weekend in Las Vegas the temperatures are going to be in the 90's, and it is not even April yet!

Whilst the weather is great here, Texas has been experiencing tornados, and one was reported to be not too far from Austin.

This caught my eye because in just a couple of weeks' time, Bill Smith's Magic Collectors Expo will be rolling into town. I was fortunate enough to be involved last August at the event here in Las Vegas, and it was a great few days.

And it looks like this one in Austin will be every bit as good, with visits included to the Houdini Museum, and equally exciting, a chance to enjoy the amazing and long running 'Esthers Follies' which I'm really looking forward to seeing. I've heard so much about it.

It will also be great to see my old friend Nick Lewin again. Nick, who regular readers will be aware, wrote a regular column for the Magic New Zealand ezine for several years, is now ensconced in Austin.

Nick and I were both students of the late Ken Brooke and I understand he will be presenting a talk about Ken at the Expo. I can't wait to see it. I'm sure it will bring back happy memories of many hours spent at 'The Magic Place' in Wardour Street, in the heart of London's Soho.

I was going through a box of old photos this week and I came across one from 40 years ago taken at the Las Vegas Desert Magic Seminar. I was the European Advisor, and was responsible for finding and booking many of the headline performers, from all around Europe.

The photo I found was one of me emceeing a show at the Seminar. The front row of the audience was pretty intimidating, and included Siegfried & Roy, Richard Ross, Dai Vernon, Tony Slydini, Johnny Paul, Jimmy Grippo, Jay Marshall, and Bill & Irene Larsen.

Great memories of course, but sad that none of them are still with us today. Every single one of them had a major influence on the world of magic.

I received a nice surprise phone call yesterday from Rome, from the Italian Maestro himself, my friend SILVAN. A native of my favourite city in the world, Venice, he is truly incredible and is still performing regularly and is as enthusiastic as ever.

What a wonderful career he has had. I'm not going to say how old he is, but he was born in 1937! Without doubt, one of the 'Greats'.

Finally, a couple of weeks ago I mentioned Martin Scott-Price's Blackpool Puppet Museum. They now have a new website, which is worth checking out, www.blackpoolpuppetsmuseum.co.uk

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8. Magical Women With Connie Boyd
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Message by Connie Boyd (USA)

Female Magician & Escape Artist Paige Thompson escapes an up-side-down straight jacket & narrowly defies death & the jaws of death.

This clip is broadcast at the "Showtime at the Apollo", Apollo Theatre in Harlem with host Steve Harvey @TheOfficialSteveHarvey In Paige's extreme danger escape acts the audience is fearful for her safety.

Contents:
00:00 - 00:19 - Connie Boyd intro
00:19 - 02:51 - Televised Danger Escape at the Apollo Theater
02:51 - 04:13 - Steve Harvey reacts to Paige's Escape
04:13 - 04:44 - Magical Women Call to Action

https://youtu.be/9OKK2SiW9rk

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9. News From The Academy Of Illusions
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Message by Jay Scott Berry (Australia)

In the old Carousels, there was often a Brass Ring, hanging just out of reach. If you could catch it, you'd get a prize. But you had to reach for it. And it wasn't easy. Out of these grew the expression, and colloquialisms, about reaching for the Brass Ring. It's a concept I teach all of my students. You see, most of us come into magic by way of self-working tricks. We get maximum impact from minimum effort. But this also sets up unrealistic expectations. Like riding on a carousel, it's easy. But when it comes time to reach for the next level, it requires time, effort and dedication. And that's where many hit what I call, the "Threshold of Failure''.

You know, that point where we say, "It's too hard, I give up!" But that threshold exists only in the mind. If our expectations are that it will be easy, then our expectations are unrealistic. If we understand that it may take hundreds, even thousands of rehearsals, then those are more realistic expectations. So, I just erase that threshold of failure and set my mind on the idea that "It takes as long as it takes''. If you really want that brass ring bad enough, you have to work for it. And once you do, you will have earned it. And that is the common denominator of all great magicians. They have earned their way to greatness. Mediocrity is easy. That's why most settle there. Excellence is hard. But it's always worth it.

Speaking of excellence, our Top Story this week is the Key West Hybrid Konvention. This two day Live and Online event celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Frank's Magic Bar. Already booked are four Grandmaster Magicians, including Michael Ammar and Doc Eason, with more stars to be announced. The dates are May 14 & 15 with over 18 hours of magical entertainment! The Early Registration Fee, until April 1st, is only $50, which includes all of the Shows and Lectures as Digital Downloads. These alone are easily worth twice the price and, considering that some of the events are one-off, never to be repeated, the value is truly priceless. Plus, even if you aren't able to attend the entire Konvention, you still get all of the recordings! Tickets available now from www.DeVilleMagic.net

On the same note, the weekly ZoomStorming Sessions are the most comprehensive online masterclasses ever presented. Coming into our fourth week, attendees have already been immersed in six hours of sleight-of-hand training, from classic to original, with coins, silks, sponge balls, wand, rings and ribbon. And we're just getting warmed up. This Saturday, we take TT work to the next level. The most overexposed gimmick is also the most powerful, yet least understood. In this two hour Session, I will turn all traditional TT thinking on its head, presenting an entirely new mindset on this age old gimmick, teaching original techniques that not only fool laypeople, but magicians as well. There are a few spots still available and, as always, the entrance fee includes a full recording of the Masterclass. Tickets available at DeVille Magic.

Continuing on the theme of excellence, my guest this week for Spotlight On was the Legendary, World Champion and Grandmaster, Michael Ammar. In this eighth episode, Michael and I talked about his truly extraordinary life and career. We shared stories and memories from the early days at The Magic Castle, the FISM in Lausanne, where we both competed, to the many shows, conventions and festivals we've been on together. We reminisced about the dear friends lost along the way, Bill and Irene Larsen, Johnny and Pam Thompson, Daryl, Tom Mullica and others. As always, I brought us up to the present where Michael will be performing this weekend in The Pellar Theatre at The Magic Castle. You can watch the program, along with many others, on my YouTube Channel: www.Youtube.com/JayScottBerry

And speaking of The Magic Castle, I am honored to be producing and starring in their next Virtual Show on April 2nd. I have brought in two amazing performers: Meadow Perry, who is an incredible Bubble Artist and Rod Chow, with his Award-Winning Astrology Act. Among his many other accolades Rod is also the S.A.M. President elect. The show starts at 7pm PST and is free to all Castle Members. For non-members, the fee is just $20. Tickets for this epic evening of wonder are available from https://shop.magiccastle.com/collections/virtual-magic-shows

Way back in early September, the first weekly show we produced was GenoMania. This lively mix of magic and mayhem has proved so popular that we just presented our 22nd episode. This week, the Tech Tips focused on the classic Slydini's Silks effects and which material is the best. Speaking from years of real world experience, Geno went into precise detail on what to use, where to get it and how to prepare it. Next, we took a dive into the Misers Dream Effect, specifically, Jeff McBride's version. After watching a vintage performance from a 1980's TV show, we analyzed the methods, movement and psychology that has made his version one of the best ever. Finally, we closed with 'What Gets Your Goat?' - A heated rant on how much wasted, and misguided, energy there is on so many Facebook Groups. As always, we ended on a high note, with minds full of ideas and bellies sore from laughter.

The common thread is that all of these shows and events are being produced by continuing to reach for that proverbial brass ring, with an unrelenting Commitment to Excellence. In closing, I'll let P.T. Barnum have the last word, "Let your motto then always be 'Excelsior', for by living up to it there is no such word as fail."

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10. Destined To Be - John Carey #154
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

Destined To Be is a very solid and fooling approach to a card prediction. There's a nice premise, it's hands off and strong. Take an unusual backed card, say Two of Diamonds and pop it inside a small envelope. In your working deck place the Two of Diamonds fourth from top. That's your prep, let's discuss!

"Mick, playing cards are not just used by magicians and gamblers. For generations they've been utilized as a tool for divination by psychics and fortune tellers as a means to do readings about their subjects. Today we are going to combine the past, present and future to arrive at your destiny. Not your ultimate destiny of course!"

So bring out your props and set the envelope aside casually without fuss. Riffle shuffle retaining your target card fourth from the top. Hand the deck to your participant and have them do the classic Jay Ose False Cut on themselves, retaining your set up. Comment on the word past and have them deal and spell the first three cards face-up into a packet and then deal the next card, the Two of Diamonds, face-down on top. Then have them repeat these actions for the word present, dealing the last card of the spell face-down onto the tabled packet. Finally have them do the same for the word future, dealing face-up and spelling and dropping the last card of the spell face-down as before. Get them to turn the rest of the deck they hold face-up and drop it onto the tabled cards. Ribbon spread showing three face-down cards isolated in the face-up spread.

"So you've given the deck a mix and stopped at three different locations using the past, present and future. Everybody has memories of their past. The highs and the lows. At present you seem quite content and happy in your demeanour. But nobody knows what the future holds, which is why it's so important to enjoy the love and support of family and friends in your day to day life. Please take those three cards out and mix them." Your participant mixes the three face-down cards in their hands. Instead of using equivoque to force the target card we will use a rather sneaky ploy I like to use in the classic Vernon Trick That Cannot Be Explained.

After they've mixed the three cards ask your helper to turn the packet face-up. If your target card is on the face that's golden. Have them deal the card to the table and discard the other two cards. If it's not on the face though, no problem. Immediately ask them to cut the packet and complete the cut. If the target card is cut to the face they are instructed to deal it to the table and discard the remainder. But if they don't cut it to the face, no problem again! Simply ask them to turn the packet face-down and deal the top card to the table and discard the other two. This will be the Two of Diamonds. As you carry out the above gambits there must be no hesitation.

Build up the conditions of what's taken place and direct your participant to open the envelope and remove the contents. A perfect match is revealed that was destined to be!

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11. Daytona Beach Festival Of Magic
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Message by Harry Allen (US)

November 4-5-6 2022

Look who you will see:

Gay Blackstone
Eric Jones
Dan Sperry
Michael Kaminskas
John Bundy
Steve Marshall
Rocco
Oscar Munoz
James Songster
Erick Olson
Scott Humston
Harry Allen
Dan Stapleton

Lectures-2 full evening shows - contest dealers-auction

Contact:
https://daytonamagic.com/convention/

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

Robert Gennari, having made a huge name for himself in New Zealand during the 60's, and with several recording hits under his belt, decided that it was time to cross the Tasman (sea), thus adding to the kiwi performers' invasion of Australia, as had so many other N.Z. entertainers' before him. My old friend Alison Durbin (she used to babysit my son Jason - he's in his thirties
now, Oh dear - that dates us all, doesn't it!), another 'Top of the Pops' Recording Star - had already made the journey. Maria Dallas, Dinah Lee, and Bill and Boyd were also amongst the
earliest of kiwis to exodus to 'Aussie'. Robert, as had my late pal Peter Taylor, did his damnedest to persuade me to go with him to Australia as well. He failed to sway me too.

By the time we arrived in Australia, they, and many others, had all become well-established 'Names' on the club/ entertainment circuit. Robert was no exception. Apart from our respective
entertainment businesses, Robert and I had a very hungry and money-consuming hobby - Stereo/Hi Fi; it drove our wives to distraction and despair! Veronica more so, because Robert was making twice what I was earning - all bloody 'Pop Star' singers do; it's not right. Speciality Artistes, work just as hard, if not harder than singers, and most have of us have a 'ton' of gear
to cart in and out of venues as well, not just a bloody suit-pack and some sheets of music. Unfortunately, agents, promoters etc, and all the rest of the 'wolves', don't see it that way - bloody 'Show-Biz', don't you just love it!

Anyway, Robert and I were forever trying to outdo the other with the 'latest' equipment; speakers, amplifiers, tape decks - both reel to reel and cassette - turntables, cartridges, tone arms
etc. and so it went on, and on and.! I remember buying what was the very latest at that time, 'Shure V15' Magnetic cartridge; 'Was it expensive?' Just replacing the needle - magnetic, not
ceramic, cost more than most would want to spend on an entire stereo system!

I remember one time when Veronica and I were working cruise ships; Robert gave me a bundle of cash to buy him the very latest, all singing, all dancing, top of the range, 'Nakamichi Cassette Deck', in Hong Kong for him. It was yet to be been released onto the Australian market, but Robert found out what it was going to cost when it did hit the shops. Even buying it in Hong Kong at around half price, it still cost several hundred Australian dollars and, what made it worse, I couldn't afford one for myself! That put Robert ONE up on me, but hey, he was my mate - and you help your mates.

All this talk about 'New', 'The Latest' and Robert Gennari, reminds me of a brand new nightclub that opened up in downtown Auckland City, back in the late 60's. It was called - 'The Mocambo'. Situated somewhere behind Shortland St., possibly Fort St. I think - c'mon, it was one hellava long time ago! I can't remember now who the principals were behind it, but they spent a
small fortune on it. The décor and furnishings were way beyond anything else in Auckland at the time. Quite simply, it was pure plush, chic, and elegance. Robert got a permanent residency there
and I, after performing my fakir show a couple of times, talked the management into employing me as the resident close-up magician. Come to think of it - that may have been my first professional booking, working close-up magic.

The club had been up and running for almost two months, when it mysteriously burnt down. Rumour had it that it was deliberately torched by jealous rivals, but then again, many looked at me sideways for a while because, only a few days before, I had performed my fakir show onstage, which included of course, my fire-eating act - "Perhaps a stray spark from Orchanté's fire.?" Bollocks!

Back to Sydney Australia; one day Robert comes around home to listen to some 'sounds', and to criticize my stereo system as, to be fair, I did with his; all very friendly you understand. He
says, "I've got something to show you both", and with that, he opens his coat and hauls out - a kitten! It was a pure-breed Siamese. Well, Veronica and I go all gaga over this gorgeous bundle of fur that was only a few weeks old. I have always wanted a Siamese cat, so I told Robert that there was no way in hell he was taking the kitten with him when he left. He didn't! I have a
sneaking suspicion that was his intention all along.

His 'gift' made two people very happy and, dare I suggest it, the cat also. Robert, and his wife Sue (a former Miss New Zealand runner-up), had a young son at the time; I don't think a very young kitten would have gotten much peace, if you know what I mean, and I'm pretty sure that they both realized that also. So that is how 'Sheba' came to join our 'family'. A bit of a diversion, but I got there in the end. Of course, with Sheba growing up with the cockatoos, she never considered them as 'food'; they all played and had fun together, just as a family should. Sheba was very special to us.

Continues next week.
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13. 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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14. 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.

You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E- zine at: www.magicnewzealand.com

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

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