Avenues - August 2018

avenues.

THE MAGAZINE CHRISTCHURCH LIVES BY

CREATIVE IDENTITY: CANTABRIANS MAKING A DIFFERENCE HITTING THE HIGH NOTES | MARKS THAT MATTER | DEAN JOHNSON’S DREAM JOURNEY ISSUE 163 | AUGUST 2018

THE NATURAL HOME OF MARBLE AND GRANITE.

40 ACHERON DRIVE, RICCARTON, CHRISTCHURCH 0508 4 TILES (484537)

BENCHTOP IN NEOLITH ESTATUARIO

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Christchurch: cultured & creative

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ince its inception in 2004, Avenues has been a magazine that celebrates Christchurch – what it means to live here and the people who call it home. We always knew Christchurch was a city of great talent and sometimes hidden gems, but when we decided to theme this issue ‘creative identity’ we had no idea of the depth and extent of the talent we would find, and we have been spoilt for choice. This issue, we introduce you to a few of these creative stars whose fields are diverse and their specialities inspiring, from musical composition to body inking, and architecture to dentistry. We taste test some of the best Yum Cha in Christchurch, or Churchur as our contributor affectionately dubs it, and we showcase the new spring season’s hottest colour trend.

Inside you’ll also find delicious recipes for hearty winter fare, including rose petal pickle, which is as delightful to say as it is to eat. Culturally, there’s a lot going on this month so wrap up warmly and get to the Court, the Theatre Royal and the city’s now numerous art galleries.

Thank you to the many of you who have taken the time to write and email. Your feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and we’re certainly glad that our fresh new look and choice of paper stock has hit the mark. We appreciate all your feedback – keep it coming – and we hope that this, our second issue of Avenues, ticks all your boxes.

Lisa Phelan Publisher & Editor

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we see adventure

Your property is unique. It’s where you watched your family grow and where memories have been made. That’s a special story. Now that the nest is empty it’s time to feel the grass beneath your feet. Let’s talk. With your story and our insights, expertise and indepth knowledge of the Canterbury region we can help make this new chapter in your life an adventure.

See your local Bayleys consultant about an obligation-free appraisal today.

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03 375 4700 WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

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Tuscany Hamel shot on location at GM Hair Design Photographer: Doug Richardson

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THE MAGAZINE CHRISTCHURCH LIVES BY

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THE TEAM Publisher & Editor Art Director Advertising

Accounts & Admin Sub-editor

Lisa Phelan Lucy Arnold Shelley Eccleton Rebecca Duncan Hilary Armstrong Melissa Reimer

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PRINT Blueprint, Christchurch

CONTRIBUTORS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Ady Shannon / Andrew Wood / Cassandra Kovacs / Darin Young / Diederik Van Heyningen Doug Richardson / Jo Bailey / Kate Barber / Kim Newth / Kineta Booker / Lee Hogsden Rosa Shiels / Sarah Rowlands / Stephanie Rumble

CONTACT US

INTERIORS INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE KITCHEN & BATHROOM DESIGN

hello@27publishers.co.nz Facebook.com/avenuesmagazine Instagram.com/avenuesmagazine Avenues.net.nz Produced by Twenty Seven Publishers Limited 69 St Albans Street, St Albans, Christchurch, 8014 PO Box 36753, Merivale, Christchurch, 8146

INTERIOR SOFT FURNISHINGS FURNITURE & STORAGE DESIGN HOME STAGING CAD & PHOTOSHOP SERVICES

03 356 2636 office@armstronginteriors.co.nz armstronginteriors.co.nz

FINALIST NZ House & Garden Interior of the Year Competition

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Avenues is published 11 times a year, and is a registered trademark. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretations of the subject matter contained herein. The reader assumes all responsibility for the use of these materials and information. Any perceived slight of any person or organisation is completely unintentional. Avenues asserts copyright on all material published within, and none of it shall be reproduced, wholly or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher. Avenues reserves the right to edit or abridge all letters or other material, whether solicited or otherwise, prior to publication.

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CONTENTS

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In detail

8

CHIT CHAT

10

CULTURE CLUB

14

PAMPER

16

COUTURE

21

CREATIVE IDENTITY

18

FRAME ME

28

POLISHING A GEM

20

YEAH NAH

32

IN HER ELEMENT

39

PALETTE

34

REALITY BITES

48

ON THE JOB

36

IN GOOD COMPANY: DEAN JOHNSTONE

38

DESIGN FLOW

6

WINTER 18 IN STORE NOW

MENSW EAR

FOOT WEAR

FORM AL HIRE

Merivale Mall, Christchurch 10 Athol Street, Queenstown 03 375 4490 03 441 0055 Open 7 Days Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm | Saturday & Sunday 10am - 5pm WWW.SERGIOS.CO.NZ

CHIT CHAT

DYLAN DELIGHTS Bob Dylan returns to New Zealand with a songbook spanning six decades. Dylan’s profound influence on popular music needs little introduction, from ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ to ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’. He’s performing one night only, 28 August, at Horncastle Arena in Christchurch. Hear a living legend live. ticketek.co.nz

LEST WE FORGET

ALOHA ALLURE One of the newest taste experiences in town is lunch at Piki Poke, the South Island’s first dedicated poke (rhymes with ‘okay’) bowl eatery, located on the first floor of The Crossing in the CBD. A poke bowl is an Hawaiian dish of raw, marinated fish served on a bed of rice, topped with fruit or vege salads, delicious creamy sauces, crispy sprinkles of toasted sesame seeds and shredded nori and a warm aloha smile. Think lean protein with umami-rich flavours. There are vegetarian versions too. But if it’s breakfast you’re looking for, they do crunchy granola bowls, freshly squeezed OJ and freshly pressed apple juice as well as coffee. Yum! facebook.com/pikipokebowls

Christchurch author Jo Bailey’s new book Never Forget delves into the impact of World War II on ordinary people who, ultimately, either found sanctuary in New Zealand or fought to defend it. The characters range from New Zealand soldiers to children of war in the Dutch East Indies, Poland, the UK and the Netherlands. Their stories are poignant and moving, and highlight the resilience of the human spirit and will to survive, in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Bailey presents these important stories in their historical context. Never Forget ensures they will always be remembered. jobailey.com

SUSHI-LICIOUS Albert Wong was responsible for one of Christchurch’s most popular pre-quake Japanese restaurants and now he’s bringing it back on level one of The Crossing. The new 80-seat Cookai, with its famous sushi, is a welcome return. cookai.co.nz

CHIT CHAT

ON SONG Lyttelton’s favourite singing son and one of the most distinctive voices of his generation, Marlon Williams, has a new video and single out: ‘Party Boy’ from his highly acclaimed second album Make Way For Love (Dead Oceans 2018). The album explores new musical terrain in which the artist reveals himself in an unprecedented way, with forays into cinematic strings, reverb, rollicking guitar and a piano ballad. As if we didn’t think he was talented enough, Williams directed the video for ‘Party Boy’ himself. marlonwilliams.co.nz

GET YOUR GLOVES ON From ambling in the Port Hills to strolling the city’s streets, Sergio’s seasonal offerings will keep you warm in style. These rather smart Dent’s Edinburgh gloves are wool blend with a hairsheep leather palm. Hairsheep leather comes from sheep that grow exceptionally fine hair, not wool, so the leather is as smooth as silk, naturally strong and durable. Nice!

With Father’s Day just around the corner and months of cool weather to come, we think every dad deserves a pair of these. sergios.co.nz

Teece Museum

Teece Museum in The Arts Centre

Open 5 May 2018

Wed. - Sun. 11am - 3pm

BEYOND THE GRAVE

Death in Ancient TimeS

HOOKED ON CLASSICS The University of Canterbury’s Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities in the Arts Centre of Christchurch is a secret too good not to share.

Making use of the University’s James Logie Memorial Collection of antiquities, its current show is entitled ‘Beyond the Grave: Death in ancient times.’ facebook.com/teecemuseum

GETTING AROUND Getting around New Zealand is faster and easier than ever with Sounds Air’s 9 destinations and over 300 scheduled flights every week. Sounds Air provides direct flights from Christchurch to Blenheim in less than an hour. And, if you’re pressed for time and can’t wait for the ferry, there are 23 flights each week from Picton to Wellington that take around 25 minutes. With over 30 years’ experience, Sounds Air is committed to providing exceptional, personal service and to being the best regional airline in New Zealand. Flexi flight deals available. Book your next getaway with Sounds Air now. soundsair.com

4 - 25 AUGUST

CULTURE CLUB

MISERY LOVES COMPANY

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Do you like to be scared? Stephen King fans have a lot of thrills to look forward to in the Court Theatre’s production of Stephen King’s Misery, adapted from master of American horror’s 1987 novel by acclaimed novelist, screen and playwright William Goldman. As part of the Court’s Meridian Energy 2018/2019 season, Dan Bain directs Gavin Rutherford as a popular writer who gets into a car accident in rural Colorado, and Lara Macgregor as his biggest and terrifyingly obsessive fan. Expect tension and terror. Director Bain says, ‘We’ll be doing our best to honour the intent of the piece… Our aim is not to please, coddle or pander. Our goal is screams.’ Ooer!

The Court Theatre, 4–25 August, courttheatre.org.nz

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MOVING PICTURES

STATE OF THE ART

WINTER WONDERLAND

The Christchurch programme of the New Zealand International Film Festival brings an enticing selection of 92 feature films, documentaries and short films, and includes three premieres exclusive to the Garden City: Oka no roki, a near-wordless video diary by local director Martin Sagadin; Vanessa Wells’ East to East and Stef Harris’ much anticipated thriller Blue Moon starring Mark Hadlow.

The Nadene Milne Gallery is showing Look at the crowd in swimming, work by Christchurch artist Paul Johns, spanning four decades of practice. Johns’ work embraces a variety of media and concerns arising from the domain of his personal experience and set against the diffuse material of public consciousness.

Often enigmatic, his art maintains a marvellous coherence and clarity.

Your chilly winter nights can be D’Lightful with House of Travel Botanic D’Lights 2018.

Christchurch Botanic Gardens and the Arts Centre of Christchurch will be transformed by illuminations, installations and projections guaranteed to amaze, dazzle and enchant.

Entry is by gold coin donation and all proceeds go to Nurse Maude Hospital.

Hoyts Riccarton and Isaac Theatre Royal 2–9 August, nziff.co.nz

Nadene Milne Gallery, 3–29 August nadenemilnegallery.com

Christchurch Botanic Gardens and the Arts Centre, 6–9pm, 8–12 August artscentre.org.nz

CULTURE CLUB

PEAK WEIRDNESS Christchurch fans of David Lynch’s iconically quirky, early ’90s cult TV show Twin Peaks (so, nearly everyone at Avenues) have the opportunity to encounter the actors behind Laura Palmer, Killer Bob and other fondly remembered characters in the flesh at Twin Peaks: Conversation with the Stars at the Isaac Theatre Royal. Original cast members Sheryl Lee, Kimmy Robertson, Michael Horse, Al Strobel, Dana Ashbrook and the Executive Producer of 2017 revival Twin Peaks: A Limited Event Series, Sabrina S. Sutherland, are all coming to the Garden City. Hear firsthand the stories of what went on in front of and behind the cameras.

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Isaac Theatre Royal, 23 August, isaactheatreroyal.co.nz

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MOUSE IN THE HOUSE

FEASTING THE EYES

WORD IN YOUR EAR

Celebrate the legacy of Disney’s ice-skating spectacular with Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic. Mouse-ter of Ceremonies Mickey Mouse leads a cast of beloved Disney characters, including Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and various Disney princesses.

There is some audience involvement in solving an off-ice mystery with Zootopia’s Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, so don’t be late.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its fab modernist gallery building, CoCA, the Centre of Contemporary Art, is hosting a fundraising dinner with a bespoke menu by Giulio Sturla of Roots Restaurant, and ambience curated

by Madame and the Bastard (aka artists Julia Morison and Heather Straka) and minions.

Tickets are $290pp.

WORD Christchurch’s popularity has been growing, thanks partly to high profile events with the likes of Nigella Lawson and David Walliams. This year, its biennial festival features 20 international and over 100 New Zealand acts. Writers include: Irvine Welsh, Denise Mina and Shaun Bythell from the featured country, Scotland; and Robyn Davidson, Hollie McNish and science fiction writer Ted Chiang.

Horncastle Arena, 10–12 August disneyonice.com

CoCA, 18 August coca.org.nz

Various venues, 29 August–2 September wordchristchurch.co.nz

CULTURE CLUB

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&

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SKETCHY INDEED

WE WILL ROCK YOU

GET SARTORIAL

Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School is a post-quake Christchurch institution. They are hosting two pop-up events as part of the Mid Winter Carnival at the Arts Centre. Join them for a life drawing class like no other – a tipple, drawing and burlesque! Neo-burlesque icons, Constance Mayhem and Aurora Storm, will be their muses. BYO drawing materials.

Acclaimed Freddie Mercury tribute artist Marc Martel brings the superstar frontman back for one magical evening. Martel was handpicked by surviving Queen members Roger Taylor and Brian May for their official Queen tribute in 2012 because of the uncanny similarity of his voice to Mercury’s. Martel launched his own project in 2017. Expect familiar hits and songs Martel wishes Mercury had covered.

New Zealand Fashion Weekend offers the very best of New Zealand fashion and beauty.

The three-day event includes runway shows, seminars, the coveted Beauty Hub, the always popular Designer Pop-Up sale and much more. Enjoy an early glimpse of key trends and Spring / Summer collections from some of our country’s most beloved brands.

Arts Centre of Christchurch, 24 & 25 August cosmicticketing.co.nz

Exempt

Isaac Theatre Royal, 26 August isaactheatreroyal.co.nz

Auckland’s ANZ Viaduct Events Centre 31 August–2 September nzfashionweek.com

M offensive language, sex scenes & suicide references

YELLOW IS FORBIDDEN

COLD WAR

CHRISTCHURCH 2 – 19 AUGUST

ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL • HOYTS NORTHLANDS

BIG NIGHTS AT NZIFF.CO.NZ

BE ADVENTUROUS 29 AUGUST–2 SEPTEMBER WORDCHRISTCHURCH.CO.NZ

CULTURE CLUB

ON TOP FOR NZ THEATRE WEEK WORDS Andrew Wood PHOTOS Sabin Holloway New Zealand’s best-known playwright, Roger Hall, has declared September 2018 New Zealand Theatre Month and is calling on all theatres in Aotearoa, large and small, to produce a New Zealand play. Heeding this call, Christchurch director Derek Doddington and the Top Dog theatre company have assembled a cast of professional and skilled amateur actors to put on The ACB with Honora Lee. ‘I’m a London lad,’ says Doddington, ‘Dod’ to his friends, ‘but I’ve been here long enough to know there’s a lot of great creative work coming out of New Zealand, not just in theatre scriptwriting, but in all avenues of art. So when NZ theatre month was announced, I knew immediately that Top Dog needed to get behind this and help make it happen.’

The play was adapted by Jane Waddell from the 2013 novel by acclaimed Kiwi author Kate de Goldi. The novel was shortlisted for the NZ Post

Children’s Book Awards 2013 and the LIANZA Award 2013, and named a Globe 100 Best Book in 2014. It’s a delightful and touching story of a nine-year-old girl, Perry, who embarks upon the creation of a highly unusual alphabet book with her elderly grandmother and fellow residents at the Santa Lucia rest home.

Anyone with an elderly relative in care or suffering from the early stages of dementia can relate. The play has previously been performed in Wellington to rave reviews.

‘What better way to celebrate NZ creativity than choosing a brilliant book written by Kiwi icon Kate De Goldi, which has been skillfully adapted into a play by another Kiwi, Jane Waddell?’ says Doddington. ‘Jane has remained faithful to the book, so we are remaining faithful to the script. Audience members familiar with the characters in the play can now see them come to life.’

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Doddington, who was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2017 for his services to New Zealand theatre, moved to Christchurch from the UK in 1999 with his wife Louise and two children, and established Top Dog in 2002. The company is perhaps best known for its Shakespearean productions but has brought diverse theatre to the Garden City over the past eighteen years.

The ACB with Honora Lee’s stage set is by Christchurch artist and designer Tony Geddes, with lighting design by Joe Hayes – who has worked at the Court Theatre since 1979 – and features performances by Tom Trevella, Toni Jones and Emma Cusdin, supported by Annette Thomson, Sylvia Barnes and Jonathan Broom.

Merivale Lane Theatre 5–15 September Rangi Ruru School, corner of Rossall Street and Merivale Lane, Merivale topdogtheatre.com

PAMPER

CURATED BY Lee Hogsden Kora Organics Calming Lavender Mist | Clinque Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil | L’Oréal Glow Mon Amour Highlighting Drops Revlon ColourStay Overtime Lip Colour Boundless Nude | Hair Candy 100% Natural Keratin Conditioning Treatment Tom Ford Lip Colour Violet Fatale | Kester Black Nail Polish in Peace-Talks | Matrix Biolage Sugarshine Illuminating Mist MAC Glitter Lavender Hologram 14

COUTURE

CURATED BY Stephanie Rumble Witchery Adeline Heel Shoe witchery.co.nz | Country Road Tie Neck Blouse countryroad.co.nz | Pared Fruit Tingle Eyewear paredeyewear.com | ISAAC+LULU CloverMist Sweater sills-and-co.com | Blooming Amethyst Rose Gold Ring partridgejewellers.com WORLD Lipsticks Shirt worldbrand.co.nz | R2 Amsterdam Abstract Print Shirt sergios.co.nz | WORLD Handbag worldbrand.co.nz Helen Cherry Elson Blouse in Matisse Blue workshop.co.nz

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COUTURE

PURPLE REIGN Embrace the coveted colour trend with this spring season’s shades of lilac and lavender.

Kate Sylvester Goldie Jacket and Gigi Skirt katesylvester.com

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FRAME ME

World celebrates SIX

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5

6 PHOTOS Cassandra Kovacs

Guests gathered in-store at WORLD to celebrate Cire Trudon’s latest creation SIX: a collection of six pillar candles, each one a colourful cameo highlighting a sense – nose, mouth, hand, ear, eye and heart. It all makes sense.

1 Tammy McMinn, Neroli Fornasier and Niki Smith 2 Ethan Rush and Jo Bremford 3 Francis Hooper and Gavin Sommer 4 Abbey Jenkins-McCaw and Rachel Bell 5 Stuart Montgomary and Phillip Sunderland 6 Vicky Collins, Lynda Courtney, Ethan Rush and Prudence Morrall 7 Jessica Maclean, Julia Dines and Anna Drinkwater 18

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DES IGN SALE . SAVE UP TO 2 0% DA N I S H D E S I G N S I N C E 19 5 2 | B O C O N C EP T.C O M C H R I S TC H U R C H | 12 PA PA N U I R OA D | T E L . 0 3 3 5 6 1115

YEAH

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Merino wool.

You know what I’m talking about.

Icelandic Thunderclap at the Football World Cup (though we still prefer the haka).

Get Baked in Sydenham.

The $20, 1kg donut challenge.

If you can eat it all in an hour it’s free (yes, we like cake).

Coronet Peak’s Ice Castles: a magical winter wonderland of LED-lit frozen tunnel slides, turrets, peep holes and a throne.

Show some love for the Linwood Community Arts Centre and Eastside Gallery.

Good works and art in the east.

NAH

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Mean Girls-style agro at the dog park. A life, please acquire one.

Your pupper deserves better.

US singer Crystal Collins butchering God Defend New Zealand at the NZ vs England league match in Denver, Colorado.

You tried, sis, but nah. Soz.

3 4 5

Weaving back and forth across busy Christchurch streets to find the next bit of walkable footpath.

That whole trouser leg up wannabe gangsta look.

Just stop. Please.

Why does the water still taste like QEII pool?

NMG

Consultants, Advisors, Installers, Valuers, Gallerists

Contemporary Architecture

Contemporary Art NADENE MILNE GALLERY ARROWTOWN & CHRISTCHURCH

03 377 9567 10 Bath Street, Christchurch 03 442 0467 16 Buckingham St, Arrowtown www.nadenemilnegallery.com

FEATURE

Creative identity Christchurch continues to be a place of change and renewal. The city today is dynamic and diverse, its culture buoyed by the resilience and talent of its people. This month, we introduce three Cantabrians making a difference in their respective fields. Matthew Everingham is an outstanding composer, musical director and pianist whose music is filling theatres here and around the world.

His creative response to the Christchurch earthquakes – a composition called Fractures – premiered at Westminster Abbey in 2015. Tuscany Hamel is a talented creative who combines her passion for hair, fashion and all things bright and beautiful in her own one-of-a-kind brand, Hair Candy. And Christchurch tattoo artist Scotty C creates meticulous, realistic work which has garnered multiple awards in recent years.

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CREATIVE AMBITION WORDS Kineta Booker PHOTOS Doug Richardson

C

Tuscany has created a fantastic brand, which was picked up quickly by influencers on Instagram – the only forum she’s used to promote it. Hair Candy has sold out at least three times, with hundreds of women worldwide trying it and then coming back for more.

‘Having used it myself, I knew that when people tried it they too would love it and I trusted that fully. It really does work. The customers keep coming back and they buy in bulk because they know it keeps selling out and they don’t want to miss out.’

And she’s not stopping there. Her plan was to focus on just one product, but because Hair Candy has gone so well she plans to venture further into haircare.

‘I like the more natural, textured, messy look. I’m trying to go with what authentically I love. That way it’s something I’d genuinely use myself. So salt spray is probably the next step, because I’ve got some cool ideas for branding that, and I think it ties in nicely with the original Hair Candy product.’

With an infectious, ambitious drive about her it’s really no surprise that 26-year-old Tuscany has now gone further than creating hair product. Hair By Tuscany is now based in her parents’ salon, GM Hair Gallery.

‘I’ve always had a knack for it, because I’ve grown up around it, but I’ve intentionally tried to learn more over the last few months.

Before, I just did it for fun but now I really enjoy this and want to pursue it, to continue creating an overall brand for myself involving all the elements of creativity that I love.’

utting and styling wasn’t the career Tuscany, daughter of Christchurch hairdressing royalty, Mike and Glynis Hamel, was planning for herself, nor something she’d ever considered.

‘I had been brought up with it and went to some of the biggest fashion shows around the world with my parents. It was always such an amazing career for them to have and an awesome industry for them to be in but I never really wanted to get into it myself. I had other passions growing up,’ Tuscany Hamel says.

As a gifted athlete, Tuscany planned on being a professional tennis player, representing New Zealand, playing in overseas tournaments. At 22 years old, she was one of the country’s top players. But as she was pursuing the sport as a career, she got injured and had to retire.

Ever the optimist, Tuscany started focussing on other things.

‘I’ve got another side to me: I love fashion and I love hair but I hadn’t explored my creative side to any extent when I was focussed on the sporting side of my interests.’

After some discussions with her Dad, who has his own all-natural haircare range, and with her Mum and brother Blue – who are her main inspirations for all things creative – Tuscany came up with the idea of Hair Candy.

‘I wanted something for my own hair that I knew other girls would also be into. I want my hair to grow fast, I want it to be long, I want it to be healthy, I want it to be luscious – all these things. We came up with a keratin conditioning treatment – and that’s what Hair Candy is.’

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HITTING THE HIGH NOTES WORDS Rosa Shiels PHOTOS Sarah Rowlands

A

Matt studied music at St Bede’s College before entering university, where his major in composition encompassed avant-garde contemporary styles to crossover jazz through various tutors including Chris Cree Brown, Alex van den Broek and Hamish Oliver.

On the stage Matt’s works have been performed nationally by the NZTrio; in Prague and Miami; and during the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference in Malta in 2015.

Such accomplishments are remarkable because Matt is only 23. His most thrilling experience so far was in 2015 at Westminster Abbey, London for the premier of his organ composition Fractures: In Memoriam on the fourth anniversary of Christchurch’s February earthquake.

‘It was the most surreal experience,’ Matt says.

The piece was commissioned by fellow New Zealander Jeremy Woodside, the then-Westminster Abbey Organ Scholar, who performed it to the delight of the 19-year-old Matt, and for the ghostly ears of the 17 British monarchs and many famous figures interred there, from Dickens to Darwin, to Ernest Rutherford and Rudyard Kipling.

‘If piano writing is a sketch, then writing for organ is a massive canvas – especially that particular project. The organ is an amazing instrument. You can afford to write a lot more symphonically … there’s so much sonic potential.’

Last year Matt attended New York University’s (NYU) Summer Film Scoring workshop. ‘It was an intensive two weeks, full-time and nights as well. We scored a short film and had it recorded by a studio orchestra.’

Matt is returning to NYU in April 2019 for a graduate year. Before that, he’s aiming to do Jesus Christ Superstar at the Court in summer.

‘It has been a great year of work.’

s a composer, Matthew Everingham’s work has been heard in concert, on film, and in mainstream theatres, fringe venues and an historic abbey. He conducts choirs and musical theatre, has accompanied serious singers and theatre students on piano, and played in orchestras for large stage productions.

A Douglas Lilburn Trust Composition Prize recipient, Matt has honours degrees in music and law from the University of Canterbury and a Trinity College ACTL diploma in piano.

He now lectures at UC’s School of Music and Ara Institute’s National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) in music theory, composition, keyboard musicianship, musical theatre and choral studies.

Matt has musical directing and playing credits on productions for NASDA, Showbiz Canterbury and the Court Theatre, in shows such as The Mikado, Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Mary Poppins, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. You might also see him improvising with the Court Jesters, touring nationally in a cabaret, and, more recently, conducting the Christchurch Pops Choir as the current artistic director.

Matt began playing piano at around age six.

His teacher, Laurie Searle, taught classical but was ‘open to other genres, including jazz.’ Laurie taught him through to university and from him Matt gained respect for both classical and contemporary music.

There was music at home too, from his grandfather who played by ear, and his mother who played piano and clarinet. His parents took him to various concerts and shows. He saw Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang, now a superstar on the world stage. ‘That was my first experience of the orchestral world and had quite an impact.’

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MARKS THAT MATTER WORDS Kim Newth PHOTO Sarah Rowlands

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want is something he particularly enjoys.

Their personal stories often inspire his most unique custom designs.

‘I find it very satisfying to create memorial tattoos for people, for example, as they can have such a big positive effect on the wearer. Being able to execute what people want to the highest possible standard is very satisfying – it’s where my passion comes from.’

Templates are created before the tattoo art is applied so people can visualise how it will look once it is permanent.

An individual tattoo session, from 8:30am to 3:30pm, is often just a small part of an ongoing journey. Scotty C has been working on some clients for over five or six years now. How much gets finished in a one-day session will vary depending on the design, the person’s skin type and their pain tolerance.

Sadly, there is no escaping the reality that getting a tattoo will hurt.

‘Certain areas are more sensitive than others.

The ribs are meant to be the most painful part but some people treat that like it’s nothing. It really does depend on the individual.’

With a taste for expressive realism growing in his field, Scotty suggests the stigma around tattoos is in fast retreat. It would probably have been impossible to imagine a studio like Expression Tattoo operating in Merivale a decade ago.

Today Scotty C has a long waiting list and sometimes turns people away if he feels their requests may be best met elsewhere.

‘There used to be this belief that only bad people wore tattoos … [but] now people do appreciate that it is an art form.’

n the hands of leading Christchurch tattoo artist Scotty C, skin becomes a canvas upon which life stories are drawn out in exquisite detail.

‘Scotty C’ is Scott Chapman’s professional moniker and it’s one that he’s worked hard to build into a multi-award winner at New Zealand International Tattoo and Art Expos over recent years. Working out of Expression Tattoo in Merivale, Scotty C is a sought-after practitioner with a particular flair for creating realistic imagery in black and grey on skin.

It all began in his teenage years. At 15, he got his first tattoo – a traditional Māori tā moko design. This experience marked the start of what was to become a passion.

‘I became obsessed with it really,’ Scotty C explains. ‘I dropped everything in order to learn how to become a tattoo artist.’

He soaked up what he could over several years working at various studios in Auckland and Christchurch before travelling to the United States to get work done by one of the world’s top tattoo artists, Jun Cha. ‘I was really inspired by him: not just his art but also his approach to making it real and intimate so it became so much more meaningful than simply putting a sticker on someone. That’s when I decided to get out and start pushing my own brand.’

He ran a tattoo studio in Auckland (Empire Tattoo) for a couple of years but feels the experience of becoming a father for the first time five years ago is what has really honed his professional focus. Working closely with people who are open and committed about what they

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HOME

POLISHING A GEM WORDS Ady Shannon PHOTOS Sarah Rowlands

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elicity Clark was 16 years old when she decided she wanted to be a property developer. The motivated self-starter was keen to learn her trade by ‘working in the field’ but when renowned developer Simon Henry recommended she complete a Bachelor of Commerce degree in valuation and property management as a way to understand the industry, Felicity took his advice. After finishing high school, she headed to Lincoln University, excelled in class, attained her degree and secured a job with Ngāi Tahu Property.

A year later, in 2013, she was appointed a role as development manager at Rapaki Property Group. In between overseeing major developments, including Belfast Business Park and the Maltworks in Waltham, Felicity started her own property portfolio with a makeover on a 1950s Wainoni property.

It was a juggling act, managing her own projects in conjunction with a demanding job, so late-2017 Felicity gave up the security of her full-time salary in pursuit of her personal dream. ‘My whole MO in life was to be a property developer. I’d been soaking up knowledge for years. I was ready to put all my energy into doing my own projects.’

Now 29 – she looks much younger – Felicity is wrapping up her sixth property venture.The past five doer-uppers were standard cookie cutter, safe, regular makeovers. This time around she has pushed all the limits in a property renovation that redefines exceptional.

For a gutsy young female developer staking her livelihood and reputation on her ability to find, buy, improve and onsell property for a profit, this latest project is no safe bet. The

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project has consumed her life for the past six months. Now that it is nearing completion, Felicity has no regrets that ‘the diamond in the raw’ she saw and fell in love with is about to go on the market.

Felicity happened to be driving past this Avonside property when the Open Home sign caught her attention. She popped in for a viewing and immediately saw the potential in the distinctive home built in 1973 for Christchurch architect John Huggins as his family home. ‘I was not looking to buy at the time but the developer in me couldn’t resist.

When I see an opportunity, I react. I could immediately see the potential and I was craving something unique,’ she says.

What started out as a desire to ‘polish the gem’ and give her creative flair an outlet, soon turned into something much more compelling. ‘The house was inspired by famed architect, urban planner, artist, furniture designer and influencer Le Corbusier. He was arguably the most influential architect of the 20th century. The more I discovered about his design principles and how they inspired the architecture of this home, the more determined I was to make this place ‘pop’.’

‘I purchased it to fix up but as I got into it, the house was so amazing I thought I may keep it to live in myself. However, six months on, after endless hours of research, renovation and reinstatement, I want to sell it to someone who loves and appreciates the unique architecture as much as I do. This property has created a passion in me to find another project that allows me to research and push the boundaries again.’

Felicity’s renovation brief was simple: bold, no replace the ones that had been removed. The home had been a bit savaged over the years white walls and a makeover sympathetic to the by previous owners so I removed and replaced original integrity of the architecture. What she didn’t realise at the beginning was the intensity some unsuitable features and additions.’

Classic 70s Guzzini light fittings were of the work required to realise her vision. ‘I had sourced from Slovakia after hours trawling a masterplan in my head but I didn’t know it online. Felicity resorted to Google Translate would be such a big restoration project.’ to complete the sales transactions. In the As she researched the work of Le Corbusier, lounge, retro-looking yellow and brown Felicity recognised numerous design features carpet imported from France was chosen in the home influenced by his distinctive to complement the original small green style: dual-opening stable and pivoting tiles. Art on the block wall behind the doors, horizontal sliding glass windows, and staircase was inspired by famed Brazilian cantilevered upper levels. John Huggins had added his own signature features, like stepped architect Oscar Niemeyer, who was trained

by Le Corbusier. The artwork was executed cabinetry in the kitchen. Where possible, Felicity has reinstated the unique features, and freehand by a painter Felicity saw painting power boxes on the street. added a few of her own. ‘I custom-designed Felicity engaged colour consultant Jane the steel-framed island bench unit with pastel Swinard to help with her colour choices. coloured cabinets and a glass top. I scoured ‘When going bold there is a fine line between New Zealand for the unusual light switches to

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liquorice allsorts versus good taste. Jane can visualise in colour and she respects my disdain for ‘normal’. She is my sounding board and it’s great to have her to fine-tune some of my crazy ideas.’ A pair of treasured running shoes inspired the colours in the laundry, and charcoal and blue exercise tights influenced the exterior palette.

Felicity has been amazed by the reaction of friends, tradespeople and family. ‘I thought most people would be put off by my choices but the overall reaction has been surprisingly positive.

It’s not what I anticipated. Even the tradies who initially reacted in horror later conceded it looks good,’ Felicity laughs. ‘I’m surprised. And

pleased. I have given this amazing house lots of TLC and I’m very proud of the result.’

She admits she has ‘sunk a fair few hours’ into the renovation. The self-confessed perfectionist struggles with stepping back from the project. ‘I’m quite hands-on. I know my time is best spent looking for the next project and project managing, but it helps to be a jack of all trades and this house was so different, it needed a lot of my input to ensure things were done well.’

The proof of the pudding will be whether this out-of-the-box-thinking property developer can turn her labour of love into a profitable venture.

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IN DETAIL

In her element WORDS Kate Barber PHOTO Cassandra Kovacs

S

t Margaret’s College’s new Executive Principal, Diana Patchett, has an abiding passion for helping to empower young people. She exudes warmth and humility, and has a refreshingly buoyant spirit.

Diana has worn many hats in her life: she has competed nationally in Canada in both rowing and water polo; she has worked in advertising and marketing in Papua New Guinea; and she is Mum to four grown-up sons.

She comes to Christchurch from Auckland’s North Shore, where she was the Principal at Kristin Junior School since 2013.

Born and brought up in Canada’s far north, Diana recalls exploring the wilderness with Brownies and Girl Guides in -40°C. ‘A daughter of the midnight sun’, she also remembers her mother covering the windows with black paper in summer so that she and her sister could sleep. Growing up in ‘such ridiculous extremes of climate’ instilled in her a lifelong love of the natural environment and, with that, an appreciation of the importance of dressing for the elements.

Studying Cell Biology and Zoology at the University of British Columbia, she envisioned a career in medicine, specifically in paediatrics.

However, she came to realise that it was her love of children – and, quite possibly, the dreamy ‘Hawkeye’ Pierce (Alan Alda) from M*A*S*H – that had influenced her thinking.

Diana left Canada in the mid-80s, and spent six years in Papua New Guinea, before moving to Australia where she and husband, Michael, started their family. Her interest in the learning and development of her own children moved her to ‘test the waters’ in the teaching profession.

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She speaks with immense pride of the different strengths of her four sons – a sailor, a writer, a musician and a sportsman. Diverse in their endeavours, they each share their parents’ love of the natural environment and demonstrate a strong sense of community service, she says.

Diana’s love for family and her passion for education have been parallel drivers in her life. ‘No two children are the same. We have a responsibility to recognise the gifts each child brings to the world. We need to offer opportunities and fan those flames’, says Diana, speaking as both a parent and an educator.

Excited about her new position, Diana says that St Margaret’s College focuses on developing in girls the ‘skills and attributes that will see graduates enjoy challenges and embrace diversity with a strong sense of community service and gratitude’.

She remarks on the ‘vibrancy and upward energy’ of Christchurch and the beautiful natural environment surrounding the city.

Keen trampers and skiers, she and Michael look forward to heading to the mountains.

Diana is also longing to get back in the saddle, having sold her horse before moving south.

There is little point asking her how she is coping with the cold Canterbury weather. No doubt born of her experiences growing up in Canada, Diana lives by the maxim, ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing’.

It is as much about embracing challenges and seizing opportunities as it is about being prepared, and it speaks volumes about her character and about her capacity to inspire others.

IN DETAIL

Reality bites WORDS & PHOTO Jo Bailey

E

very day, hundreds of people around the world, including many celebrities, wear a permanent piece of artwork made by Christchurch man, Richard Greenlees.

And no, it’s not a piece of jewellery, clothing item or a tattoo.

Richard makes beautiful bespoke teeth, and during the 15 years he practiced in London’s prestigious Harley Street, he was in hot demand from many high profile people wanting a sparkling new smile.

‘I made teeth for all sorts of people, from Page 3 models and East End barrow boys done good, to politicians, arms dealers who brought their bodyguards to the treatments, famous golfers, Formula 1 racing syndicate owners, Arab Sheikhs, and many high profile musicians and actors. It was an interesting and exciting stage of my career.’

He remembers one day in London waiting for a patient named Mr Watts, who was an hour and a half late for his appointment.

‘I didn’t think he was coming, so I put a CD on the stereo and was doing a bit of a dance at my bench. I turned around and there was Mr Watts, standing in the corner of my studio, the drummer of one of the biggest bands on the planet.’

Richard says it took a while to be accepted by the medical elite he practiced alongside in Harley Street.

‘They used to call me the Cave Man from New Zealand because of my long hair and relaxed Kiwi attitude. I would ride to work on my mountain bike and park it in my studio during the day. After a while my work earned their respect, and they stopped worrying about what I looked like.’

While Richard looks back fondly on his glittering London days, when he also dabbled

35

in sculpture and even landed a part in a British feature film, these days his passion is creating beautiful bespoke dentures for patients back home in New Zealand, from his Christchurch studio, Lovebite.

His dentures are also like artworks, with each tooth individually crafted with colouring and small nuances to match his patients’ individuality and character.

‘I work one-on-one with patients to create a smile which allows them to feel like themselves again. My dentures also provide the correct support and structure, giving my patients a more youthful appearance.’

To achieve these results, Richard has created world-leading techniques, not found in textbooks, which are now recognised internationally. He is regularly asked to lecture worldwide, and, in April this year, was the keynote speaker at the international DTG (Dental Technicians Guild) Symposium in Frankfurt, where he demonstrated his unique methods on a Christchurch patient, flown to Germany by the event organisers.

Richard’s distinctive character often comes out during his lectures. In Frankfurt he danced onstage to a Bruce Springsteen song, No Surrender, which was live-streamed online and had several thousand views within 24 hours.

Richard says art is in his blood after growing up with an artist mother, and it remains an intrinsic part of his daily life. In addition to making dentures, he paints, sculpts and has a talent for interior design.

‘Every day in my business I am fortunate to create art which not only gives me a great deal of satisfaction, but also helps people to eat better, live better and look better. Helping people to feel confident and good about themselves is a great feeling.’

IN GOOD COMPANY

A dream journey WORDS Kim Newth PHOTOS Sarah Rowlands

W

signs and theming. Dream It Ltd bagged no fewer than eight awards at the event, including four golds. Two were for theming of Kong and Fat Eddie’s, with the latter also scoring gold in the murals category.

Not that he’s counting, but this brings Dean’s total gold awards haul throughout his career to an impressive 34.

‘I don’t believe people come to us because we represent a particular look. I believe it’s because of our attention to detail: the execution of it is the primary element.’

Currently in vogue for bar interiors is 1930s New York and Chicago, and that’s just fine with Dean who is very comfortable with that period.

‘Working with Peter Jackson as chief signwriter on King Kong was fantastic because I educated myself on New York signs of 1932 and 1933. A taste for that era seems to just keep on going and people love a bar that feels like it has that patina of time.’

Dean built a Dr Who-style Tardis to serve as Dream It Ltd office space and he sometimes wishes it truly was ‘bigger on the inside’ to accommodate all the bits and pieces he collects and makes.

Dream It Ltd’s work can be found everywhere from bars, man caves and garages to children’s bedrooms. Along with Dean, the talented team that makes it all happen includes sculptors, artists, drafting specialists, electricians and metal fabricators.

Many know Dean by his nickname, Elvis. He loves to sing and has more than a few gigs under his belt. It feels like he’s achieved so much but there’s still one big goal left to fulfil.

‘I’d really love to put a sign on the Moon saying ‘just dream it’!’

hatever you can imagine, theming wizard and master signmaker Dean Johnstone has most likely sketched it, made it or sprayed it onto a wall in a bar or some other space.

‘I have the coolest job in the world,’ says the 52-year-old founder of Dream It Limited, who grew up in Christchurch with his mind on robots and monsters and with a penchant for shooting short films on his Super 8 camera. His visual flair led him to signwriting in his teens, a career that has since taken him all over the world and to the top of his profession.

Dream It Ltd is the creative powerhouse behind some of Christchurch’s most talked about bars, including Kong and Fat Eddie’s on Oxford Terrace. The former transports patrons to another era of art deco cocktail bar elegance and the latter channels 1930s jazz bar sophistication.

Right now he and his team are working on a Grecian/Atlantis themed cocktail bar on Lichfield Street, inspired by the myth of Atlantis and its destruction by tsunami.

His plan for the space includes ‘black light’ (infrared), glow-in-the-dark paint effects and a palette of green, copper and brass.

It follows an earlier exploration of Atlantis where the theme was playfully worked out in a Mediterranean courtyard (150 St Asaph St). Murals of a giant mermaid and the head of Poseidon vie for attention, whimsically complemented by a magnificent elephant in an adjacent alleyway.

This project won gold for Dream It Ltd at this year’s New Zealand Sign and Display Awards, which are this country’s Oscars for murals,

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IN DETAIL

Design flow WORDS Kim Newth PHOTO Nicky Kerr

A

By the time Angelique graduated, she already had her first five jobs booked starting with full kitchen, bathrooms and interiors.

‘It was quite challenging at first. The creativity came easily, with many ideas flowing, but initially it was hard knowing where to source everything I was looking for. We now have a good base of suppliers in New Zealand and around the world. Fortunately, those first clients were so understanding and supportive.’

As Angelique also observes, success has not been achieved alone but in conjunction with her staff, as well as supportive local suppliers, manufacturers and fabricators.

Angelique believes the secret to good design ultimately lies in being able to establish a good rapport with clients. From that comes a deep understanding of what design and layout will work best for them, with form and function, product and colour working harmoniously together.

‘We never double-up on design. Every person is an individual. The goal is to give them something they will love.’

love of creativity has long shaped the personal and professional life of Christchurch architectural interior designer Angelique Armstrong.

Her practice, Armstrong Interiors, is just five years young but fast gaining attention for the calibre of its innovative design, being named a New Zealand bathroom winner at the 2017 Trends International Design Awards and a finalist in NZ House and Garden’s best living space awards.

Interior design was a career that Angelique decided to pursue around the time of her third child.

‘Previously, I’d owned an art gallery and enjoyed being an artist,’ Angelique says.

‘Painting was something that worked well around the children when they were young.’

With a penchant for renovating homes – either her own or those belonging to family or friends – enrolling in interior design at the Design and Arts College of New Zealand felt like the right next step for this Melbourne-born aesthete.

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PALETTE

Pot Stickers Perfect POT STICKER DUMPLING BAR 144 Lichfield St, CBD, 03 420 0376 potsticker.co.nz

recommend the prawn and cori[ander] crystal dumplings (so-called for their translucent skin). Larger than standard, generously filled (I counted three prawns stuffed in there) and bursting with flavour, the addition of water chestnuts gave them an exquisite texture in the mouth.

The pig ‘n’ chive dumplings are likewise delicious. They’re large, with finely minced, tightly packed filling. Very moreish indeed.

An appealing signature touch was the bao served less like the traditional steamed bun and more like a sandwich. That’s something I associate with Taiwan (gua bao or ‘cut bread’) and has become a popular trend recently, in contrast to the round, enclosed Cantonese bun. Between two of us we shared a pork belly and a Beijing duck bao – both were lovely.

Pot Sticker Dumpling Bar is a little charmer.

We’re heading back for the chocolate dumplings on the dessert menu.

There are two Pot Stickers in Christchurch: the dumpling bar at The Colombo, Sydenham, and the slightly more formal restaurant version in the CBD. We had lunch at the latter and can see it would be a great venue for dinner after an event in town or anytime for a get together with friends and family. The ambience is gentle contemporary Chinese.

And there’s no need to feel intimidated by the menu, the staff will guide you.

Inspired by Michelin-starred Din Tai Fung in Shanghai, the chefs are Chinese, bringing a quality sampling of northern (Beijing) and southern (Cantonese/Shanghainese) regional flavours. Things are geared for Western preferences, with larger portions than in traditional yum cha, and perhaps more fusionoriented. Unless you’re in a large-ish group you won’t need to order quite as many dishes.

Dumplings come steamed or pan fried (‘pot stickers’ are the fried kind). I

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PALETTE

Yum Cha in Churchur Chinese cuisine that won’t break the bank.

NORTH AND SOUTH GOURMET

DAPHNE’S RESTAURANT

RED BOWL

300 Lincoln Rd, Addington Mall, Addington northandsouthgourmet.co.nz

398 Riccarton Road, Upper Riccarton daphnesrestaurant.co.nz

57 Mandeville St, Riccarton 03 348 3688

Traditional Chinese flavours with a bustling, family-friendly vibe (probably not the place for a quiet chat). We were especially tickled by all the chairs done up in their own little robes.

Everything was beautifully presented, from the spinach and pork dumplings to the gorgeous steamed pork buns. For the confused, dim sum are the bite-size portions in their steamer baskets, and yum cha is Cantonese for ‘drink tea’ and refers to the whole meal. I highly recommend the glutinous rice with chicken all tightly tucked up in lotus leaves, and the radish cake (it’s one of my favourite dishes in any yum cha service) in that ubiquitous Cantonese staple XO sauce. We were still marvelling at the smoothly-textured mouth feel and the subtle, piquant spicy and smoky flavours of the dishes in the car on the drive home. The two of us came away well feasted and happy. It was packed for lunch when we visited and is usually very busy on Friday and Saturday evenings; it would probably pay to book ahead. BYO is available.

Daphne’s has been a mainstay for good Chinese food since it opened back in 2010.

While the decor may be a bit worn around the edges, it’s very comfortable and friendly, and the food is fresh and authentic. The steamed barbeque pork buns were as light and fluffy as you could possibly hope for, and I think I may have become addicted to the crunch and gooey sweetness of deep fried sesame balls with what I think was a red bean filling. When the menu describes something as ‘chef’s special’ you know they want you to notice, and rightly so – the chef’s special prawn dumplings were a highlight.

Not to be outdone, however, the coriander and pork dumplings and the siu mai (the classic steamed pork dumpling, one of the three staples of Cantonese yum cha along with shrimp dumplings and steamed pork buns – the so-called ‘Guangdong big three’) held their own in the deliciousness stakes.

BYO is available. The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays.

Not far from Riccarton Road, an intimate, unpretentious and casual setting (again, with striking seat covers, violet this time).

The service was thoughtful and friendly, and the food traditional, unfussy and with a bit of a homemade feel. The minced pork dumplings might look generic and nothing special but the flavours were complex and extremely tasty. The same can be said of the shaomai, the familiar mushroom and pork dumpling ubiquitous in China, Japan and parts of South East Asia – here in the Cantonese style originating in Guangdong and Guangxi. Good, basic, delicious comfort food. We especially liked that the tables came with a thermos jug of hot water so you can top up your teapot without waiting.

We also liked the welcoming, homely feel and it’s not too noisy. We’d recommend Red Bowl if you want to have a quiet catch up with a friend, an informal date or an easy family-friendly meal out when you don’t feel like dressing up.

PALETTE

top pick MADAM KWONG’S RESTAURANT 155 Blenheim Rd, Riccarton madamkwong.nz

A huge modernist box venue in an industrial part of town, with a glitzy urban aesthetic, from the light fittings to the 16-screen television wall. Madam Kwong’s is what you would expect to find in many hotel and mall restaurants in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and is quite different from the more homely/intimate or over-the-top gaudy options we’re used to in New Zealand.

They’re open for lunch and dinner but the

dim sum is a lunchtime-only option and speedily à la carte – you’ll eat and spend more, but between a group (we were a quartet) it’s all very reasonable. The food was excellent, though be cautious if you have peanut allergies. The steamed pork mince and peanut dumplings and the coriander pork and prawn dumplings are to die for.

Be brave with the black pepper-flavoured, steamed pig stomach, or opt for the safe

but delicious runny custard buns.

There are the usual claypot and sizzling plates on the menu too. We are probably going to be regulars from now on. It’s very busy at the weekends so you should book ahead. It’s what you make it, a bit flash or just casual, and a refreshing change from the usual dining experience if you fancy something a bit different.

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PALETTE

Ribollita Ribollita is comforting, nourishing, satisfying and hearty – perfect for those colder wintry days when you need sustenance of the highest order. It’s very easy to make and uses up leftover sourdough bread that’s too good to throw away.

SERVES 6 | VEGETARIAN

olive oil 3 small red onions, peeled and finely chopped 3 carrots, peeled and finely chopped 3 sticks celery, trimmed and finely chopped 5 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped ½ tsp chilli flakes ½ tsp ground fennel seeds 2 x 400g cans cannellini beans or borlotti beans, drained and rinsed 400g can good-quality plum tomatoes 1½ litres good-quality vegetable stock (or chicken stock or bone broth if you don’t need to keep it vegetarian) 200g cavolo nero, stalks removed, leaves finely sliced 2 large handfuls good-quality 2-day-old sourdough bread, torn into chunks 100g baby kale sea salt and freshly ground black pepper good-quality extra virgin olive oil TO SERVE handful of basil and parsley leaves, torn shaved Parmesan citrus oil freshly ground black pepper

Start with what is known in Italy as a soffrito – a mixture of onion, carrot, celery and garlic. Heat a saucepan with a splash of olive oil and add the prepared onion, carrot, celery and garlic. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, until nicely tender and translucent; this should take 6–7 minutes.

Do not allow the soffrito to catch or brown too much. If it starts drying out, add more oil or a splash of water.

Now add the chilli and fennel, and cook for a few minutes until the spices release their fragrant scent. Next add the beans, tomatoes and stock, bring to a simmer and simmer gently for 40 minutes.

Add the cavolo nero and bread, bring back to a gentle simmer and cook for another 10 minutes.

Add the baby kale and cook for a further minute or two, just until the greens have wilted and are lightly cooked. Taste and season with salt and pepper, and add a few good glugs of olive oil.

Serve in bowls with fresh basil and parsley strewn over the top, along with a few shavings of Parmesan, some citrus oil and a few grinds of black pepper.

CITRUS OIL Delicious poured over ribollita, pizza, pasta, salads, roasted chicken or fish, guacamole, etc.

MAKES ¼ CUP (SHORT VERSION) OR 1 CUP (LONG VERSION) | GLUTEN-FREE, VEGAN SHORT VERSION 1 lemon ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

For the short version, use a fine zester to peel the zest from the lemon. Place the zest in a cup or small jar, cover with the olive oil and allow to steep for an hour or so.

LONG VERSION For the long version, use a peeler to remove the lemon zest 3 lemons in long thin ribbons. Pack these quite tightly in a glass approx. 1 cup extra virgin olive oil jar and pour over just enough olive oil to completely cover the peel. Place somewhere dark and leave for 1–2 weeks.

YOU WILL NEED 500ml glass jar with a well-fitting For both versions, strain and store the oil in a bottle ready lid, clean and dry for storage for use. It will keep on the pantry shelf for a few months.

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PALETTE

Lamb tagine with rose petal pickle With its gloriously deep flavours, hint of spiciness, fruity overtones and meltingly tender meat, this tagine ticks all the boxes. The rose petal pickle is the icing on the cake – it cuts through the richness of the tagine and adds a pop of colour. Serve this with your favourite couscous or cauliflower rice, laced with fresh herbs, olive oil and lemon juice.

SERVES 6–8 | GLUTEN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE

ROSE PETAL PICKLE 1 cup fresh, unsprayed rose petals (or use ⅓ cup dried) 1 cup white wine vinegar 3 tbsp light-flavoured honey 2 tsp sea salt

To make the rose petal pickle, place the petals in a glass or ceramic bowl.

TAGINE olive oil 3 onions, finely chopped 5 cloves garlic, crushed 2 tsp cinnamon 1½ tbsp ground turmeric (or fresh, grated) 2 tbsp ground ginger 2 tbsp paprika 2 tsp ground black pepper 1 tsp hot chilli powder 1 large shoulder of lamb, cut into big bite-sized chunks (1.3kg of meat in total) 600ml tomato juice 2 x 400g cans cherry tomatoes 100g flaked almonds 60g sultanas or raisins 120g dried apricots, halved 60g dates, pitted and halved 1½ tsp saffron stamens 700ml lamb stock or bone broth a squeeze of runny honey handful of parsley, roughly chopped handful of coriander leaves

Preheat your oven to 150°C.

Place the vinegar, honey and sea salt in a small saucepan and bring to the boil over a medium heat, stirring to dissolve the honey and salt, then remove from the heat and allow to cool a little. Pour over the petals and leave to sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes, then cover and transfer to the refrigerator until ready to use.

Place a large, heavy-based, lidded casserole dish on the stove over a high heat. Pour in a few tablespoons of oil, allow to heat for a minute or two and then add the onion and garlic. Fry, stirring, for 5 minutes then add the spices and continue to fry for a further 3–4 minutes. Set aside.

In a separate large frying pan, heat a little more oil over a medium to high heat and brown the lamb chunks on all sides, in several batches so that they don’t crowd the pan. Transfer each batch to a bowl when browned.

Next, add half of the tomato juice and stir and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze it. Add this mix, along with the browned lamb, to the casserole dish containing the onion and spices.

Add all the remaining ingredients except the coriander to the casserole dish. Place the lid on the dish, place it in the oven and cook for 2½ hours, or until the meat is meltingly tender.

Serve sprinkled with coriander and add a teaspoon of rose petal pickle per serving.

Recipes reproduced with permission from Wild Delicious by Amber Rose Photography by Greta Kenyon and Claire Mossong Published by Random House NZ

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ON THE JOB

Architect GREG YOUNG, 43, CBD AS TOLD TO Andrew Wood PHOTO Diederik Van Heyningen

I

I’m influenced by all types of architecture and like adapting my designs to suit clients and the specific environment. You need to understand the past to progress into the future.

We are currently working on heritage buildings as well as modernist designs.

I prefer to work on architecture that’s emotionally rewarding. This is predominantly residential but small commercial projects can also be extremely worthwhile. I want to leave a legacy of high quality buildings that enrich lives – buildings that stay relevant.

There is a lot of psychology involved in finding out what’s needed to help people through their built environment. I concentrate on trying to understand my clients. Recently I told my clients all feedback will make the design better so they could be brutal – I have thick skin. They asked if this was something I was taught at university. It is not!

A well-designed building can improve people’s mental and physical health. It is immensely satisfying to design something that looks good and has such a positive effect on people’s lives.

’m from Pomahaka, West Otago and grew up on a farm. We moved to Ohoka in North Canterbury when I was eight, again to farm. At high school I was mainly into art and maths. Architecture seemed like the way to mesh the two together.

When I finished seventh form I had a job as a structural draughtsman. The New Zealand economy was just starting to recover from the 80’s crash so I was happy to be working full-time while studying part-time at CPIT (now the Ara Institute). The qualification started as a New Zealand Certificate in Draughting (Architecture) but became a National Diploma of Architectural Technology.

I learnt mostly at the coalface from colleagues at Warren and Mahoney, from clients, and from the builders on site. I continue to learn from the people I work with and will do forever. I set up my private practice in 2003 due to the amount of work I was doing outside of the office (which you could do back then). I had a good client base and could concentrate on my own work.

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102 MONTREAL STREET, CHRISTCHURCH TELEPHONE 03 366 9400 www.nextdore.co.nz

D A R E T O B E D I F F E R E N T, D A R E T O B E R E T R O

INSTORE NOW

The NORWAY COLLECTION OUR SCANDINAVIAN INSPIRED SOLID TIMBER RANGE This quality range of contemporary furniture is made from a solid timber and laminated with an oak veneer. The light oak veneer provides a textural grain and the subtle retro detailing provides that point of difference.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR A LIMITED TIME

SAVE 25%

Fabric Chair $399

Hall Table

$999

Buffet

$1,699

ExtendableExtendable Dining Table Dining Chairs Dining $1,599 Table $299

25% off + We

CHRISTCHURCH CHRISTCHURCH CRANFORD CENTRAL - 484 CRANFORD ST 03 354 5026 CH-7615724AE

QUEENSTOWN NELSON 109HAWTHORNE TRAFALGAR ST 03 546 7057 12 DRIVE IN CONJUNCTION 03 442 3435 WITH

Deliver within 48 Hours

Coffee Table

$559

Style at the Best Price

*CONDITIONS APPLY