Cyndi Lauper brings more joy to Dunedin bar with late-night cameo
From reporter Jonny Mahon-Heap:
Cyndi Lauper enjoyed Dunedin’s Woof! bar so much, she made a repeat visit for a post-show party, to the delight of co-owner and lifelong Lauper fan, Josh Thomas.
Woof! shared photos of Lauper’s band and team enjoying the venue – even meeting the establishment’s dog, Rupert – in what Thomas told Stuff was “an incredible night.”
“They were all fizzing ‘cos she did a great set,” said Thomas, “having cocktails, laughing, having a great time. And I’m constantly pinching myself and going, ‘Is this really happening?’”
Thomas had brushed up on Lauper’s preferred cocktails of choice, having a range of non-alcoholic drinks for the pop icon ready at his bar.
She had an alcohol-free coconut water cocktail, with her team rocking out on fig and cognac negronis.
“She was totally relaxed,” Thomas gushed. “I couldn’t quite believe there she was sitting in my bar.”
Thomas and Lauper talked about Dunedin, as the singer expressed interests in the city’s roots as a working-class hub.
“She's a really sensitive but powerful woman as well,” said Thomas.
”I will just remember talking to her and looking at her and going she’s so beautiful – but she’s the Cyndi Lauper I’ve always known.”
Lauper is touring New Zealand with iconic rocker Rod Stewart, and performed at Forsyth Bar stadium on Wednesday night.
The 51-year-old told Stuff he had been an “original fan” of the Time After Time star since the 1980s.
Growing up as a young gay man in Auckland, Thomas said Lauper meant “a lot” to him throughout his life.
“She taught me valuable lessons about being true to yourself and that it’s OK to be different.”
And while they say you should never meet your heroes, Lauper was, “just the most down to earth, gentle, loving person you could ever meet”.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.2% Yes
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46.8% No
🚒 Our Fire and Emergency crews have been kept busy lately
And they’re once again reminding everyone: please don’t light fires when it’s windy.
Central Otago will move into a restricted fire season from 1 December 2025, which means anyone planning an outdoor fire will need to apply for a permit and plan ahead.
So we’d love to ask you — how do you make sure you’re being fire-safe at this time of year?
A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟
I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
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