SPRING 2022 aadirections.co.nz RISING MOTORING COSTS How are Kiwi drivers coping? BE A WINNER! Great prizes up for grabs ON THE MOVE Driving with disabilities
We talk to six impressive Kiwis whose names and brands have garnered global recognition. Is it a help or a hinderance to be from New Zealand?
There’s no denying the economy is on tenterhooks. A chief economist explains the international economic situation and its impact on Aotearoa. MY83 AA We speak to an AA Specsavers,ofchanceadvice,offeringtheAdvisorInsuranceaboutrewardsoffinancialgiveyouthetowinapairdesignerglassesfromannouncea new Member Benefit for cyclists, and lots more.
FEATURE
A professional property stylist shares her trade secrets to staging a home before it goes under the hammer. 80 Hanging in the balance
Chief Executive’s Message 10 Letters 12 Compass You mightn’t have heard of Rush Digital, but you’ve likely used its technology. We speak to the company’s founder, Danushka Abeysuriya, about his 15 minutes of fame creating the NZ Covid Tracer App and what’s next in the world of technology. Plus, we reveal a tyre recycling scheme, celebrate a birthday for New Zealand’s Great Walks and offer some exciting prizes to win. Out there doing it
You can see for miles and miles on a clear night in Tairāwhiti Gisborne. We join an astro tour to learn about space. 62 Off the beaten track There’s more to Kaikōura than whale watching and eating crayfish sandwiches, as we head inland on a boutique tour from mountains to sea.
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Upward gaze
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Road freedomto Having disabilitya doesn’t mean you can’t drive. We investigate vehicle modifications that unlock independence for those behind the wheel. 44 Safer cycling Getting back on your bike? Cycling advocates share their thoughts on sharpening your road skills.
Picture perfect
IN EVERY ISSUE 9
CONTENTS SPRING 2022 5SPRING 2022
HOME71 & LIVING
Ross and Eleanor areroadexperiencedtrippers. The
open road
And for the past 10 years, they’ve been regulars at country music festivals across New Zealand thanks to Ross’s passion for the ukulele.
Ross picked up the ukulele in retirement. He says it’s a common instrument for motorhomers to play.
With his ukulele in tow, Ross and Eleanor have spent years exploring Aotearoa in their motorhome. Often travelling in a convoy with friends, they prefer to take the back roads and explore paths less travelled. Fishing the canals of the South Island keeps them busy while on the road, as does walking and e-biking.
“It’s easy to learn, easy to carry, and they’re small.”
Ross started playing at 65.
“At the time it was the growing instrument, all the schools were changing to them.” He went on to build his own, keeping some and selling others. “I hand-built the one I play now 10 years ago.” His craftsmanship is impressive, but Ross doesn’t have a history in woodworking. “Just a typical Kiwi – you pick up wood, steel, and you make something.” These days, Ross is playing less ukulele, choosing to travel more and ride his bike.
“Everywhere we go there’s something different.”
“Happy hour is compulsory at 4pm every day. We all put our feet up and tell lies.”
“We just go with the flow.”
rymanhealthcare.co.nz
At Ryman we take care of everyday things, so you don’t have to. It means your time is your own, and you’re free to do something new, or rediscover a passion that was lost when responsibility took over. You can do your stuff, confident that we’re there to take care of the day-to-day.
“I head out every Thursday for a 30-40km ride with a group.” He feels a sense of freedom when riding his bike that mirrors the freedom he and Eleanor feel when travelling in their motorhome. “You can go anywhere in a motorhome. Usually, 2-3 of us head away together, stopping by country music events, balloon festivals, highland games – we go all over the Residentsplace!”atRyman’s Ernest Rutherford Village, Ross and Eleanor love how their Ryman lifestyle lets them take off whenever they like. “It is a great way to live. We can jump in the motorhome and go. No gardens to worry about, no lawns to mow, and the house is secure.” Ross is in his element when playing music, exploring the countryside, and trading yarns. “They’re a pretty social bunch, Rossmotorhomers.”andEleanor make an effort to support smaller towns and less tourist-heavy regions when on the road. “They look after us as well, it goes both ways.” Members of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association (NZMCA), they often use the association’s member-only parks. “They’re published in the member-only travel directory – all secure and only a few dollars a night. There are thousands of places you can go.” This network of parks across the country suit Ross and Eleanor’s approach to motorhoming.
And their relaxed approach to life is well deserved. Ross worked for Nelson’s port company for 40 years as a skipper on their dredge and pilot launch, and then as a tug master for the last 20 years. “It was a fairly good job, but I didn’t enjoy the crazy hours!
We were on call 24/7 with an hours’ notice to get to work. There was always stuff cropping up out of the blue. It was full-on.” Which explains why he and Eleanor’s lifestyle in retirement is focused on relaxation, freedom, and absolutely no worries.
Leaving town? Add AA Plus + for extra benefi ts if you break down away from home, so you can keep enjoying what matters. Upgrade for $49 extra per year at aa.co.nz/aaplus Call 0800 500 444, or visit an AA Centre *For each AA Plus callout event you can claim up to a maximum of $800 (incl. GST) with an overall maximum annual subscription claim of $1,500 (incl. GST). Find AA Plus T&Cs at aa.co.nz/aaplus Extended LostHelpaccommodationcaremergencyUpallowancetowingtothreedaysrentaland/orgettinghomekeysandmore*
Nadine Tereora
CHIEF EXECUTIVEBYPHOTOGRAPH LITTLEKERI
I’ve also enjoyed time spent in our Call Centre, listening to how we induct new Members, dispatch roadside assistance and answer general queries, as well as visiting a range of AA Centres and sites. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how much we support our local communities. Most of all though I’ve loved meeting you, our Members. It’s fantastic to hear how we are making a difference, and also to learn what would be helpful in other areas of your lives, as well as your expectations for how we develop the Association. Your feedback is vital as it informs our strategy, response and commitment to how we can best serve you. I’d like to assure you that sustainability and our responsibilities in this area are a key focus for us, and I will be sharing more with you on that as we develop our plans. We are committed to adapting to whatever comes our way, and providing you with the best possible service, products and support. We remain deeply grateful for your continued loyalty.
CHARTINGACOURSE
FROM THE TOP9SPRING 2022
AS WE MOVE EVER CLOSER to bidding farewell to the mixed fortunes of 2022, it is important to look back on where we have succeeded, just as much as we think about what we want, need and hope will become our future. That’s something I’ve been thinking about as my first year of leading your Association draws to a close.
In this edition of AA Directions are stories of some Kiwi high-flyers doing well on the global stage, despite, or perhaps even spurred on by the continuing pandemic. Here at the AA, I am hugely impressed by the way our people have gone above and beyond to keep service standards high. Despite having to occasionally shorten our hours as Covid-19 variants surged in different regions, nationwide we are always mindful that for many towns and centres we might be one of their largest Government service and retail hubs, and that’s not a distinction we take lightly. Despite challenging times, we are continuing to work on new opportunities to support our Members; you’ll find details on some of those exciting developments within these pages. We are also looking at how we can keep innovating in a space we’ve led for more than a century –service at the roadside. That trailblazing spirit is driving us on, as we consider the strategic priorities that will continue to keep us relevant and trusted well into the nextEarlierdecade.this year I headed out in one of the AA’s new Rapid Recovery Vehicles (RRV) in Auckland, a purpose-built vehicle which can deploy a trailer and lift all four wheels of a broken-down vehicle in about 10-15 minutes. It removes the need for a tow truck if the vehicle can’t be mobilised roadside and is the kind of innovation that is vital to keep you moving. It’s also been inspiring to see our technicians at work and to learn more about some of the tricks of the trade; I certainly have a whole new appreciation for starter motors!
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Kathryn Webster EDITOR
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Kia ora
NOTE: The views of contributing writers are not necessarily those of AA Directions or the While AA Directions makes every effort to ensure that no misleading claims are made by responsibility cannot be accepted by AA Directions or the AA for the failure of any product or service to give satisfaction. Inclusion of a product or service should not be construed as endorsement of it by AA Directions or by the Association.
Karen Mole KAPITI COAST Bottom line Reading the interview with the Chief Executive of Waka Kotahi NZTA (AA Directions, Autumn 2022) I couldn't help but grit my teeth over her reply to the question about the scale of speed reductions
I think you missed a golden opportunity in the 'How to be Safer & Kinder' piece (AA Directions, Autumn 2022) for driving alongside horses, given your new CEO’s hobby. As a horse rider myself I see people who think it’s OK to toot horns, rev their engines and burst the 'bubble' of riders. All because horses are big doesn't mean they are tough. They are 300kg to 400kg of 'prey' animal that sees a car as a predator and even the bestschooled horse can spook.
YES: 48% NO: 52% In the Autumn 2022 issue we asked readers: Have you discovered more of New Zealand since the borders have been shut? Have you changed your driving habits due to the increased cost of fuel? Go to aadirections.co.nz to have your say.
LETTERS YOUR SAY EDITORIAL TEAM Kathryn Webster Jo MonicaPercivalTischler DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION Julian Pettitt, Senior Designer at SCG HOW TO REACH US EDITORIAL AA 99LevelDirections,16,AACentre,AlbertSt,Auckland Central
Circulation
Auckland,
AA.
advertisers,
Automobile
We were spoiled for choice when considering who to interview for this issue's feature on New Zealanders finding success on the world stage. Our 'long list' was impressive, to say the least, with enough stories of talented individuals and creative companies to fill these pages many times over. Talking to the selected six, we asked if being Kiwi enables success or not, and whether being based here, so far from centre stage, matters. Frankly, the answers gave me hope. I'm confident you, too, will find their stories encouraging and inspiring. PO Box 5, 1140 Ph: 09 966 8800 Email: editor@aa.co.nz Moira Mobile:Penman027563 0421 moira@gsjadvisory.com.auEmail: Ph: 0800 500 444 ISSN Published1171-0179three times a year Readership AC Nielsen665,731
I am paraplegic, in a wheelchair full-time, and drive with no problems. However, when it comes to getting fuel it takes me about 15 minutes to get my wheelchair out, fuel up, get back into my car and get my wheelchair back in. Surely with ‘pay by plate’ and ‘pay by phone’ apps petrol stations have made enough savings in wages to provide a concierge service? It would benefit a lot of customers, including those who can't or don't want to do it themselves, for example the elderly or people in their best clothes. Perhaps the AA could take up the call to reinstate concierges for all service stations.
899,000 PRODUCTION BY: SCG, Auckland PRINTED BY: AucklandWebstar, ON THE COVER Design by Julian Pettitt RISING MOTORING COSTS How are Kiwi drivers coping? BE A WINNER! Great prizes up for grabs ON THE MOVE Driving with disabilities
Bryan Batty KATIKATI Animal instinct
Service, please
10 aadirections.co.nz
M.H. Verry HAMILTON MARK BARRATT-BOYES
Over 2,000 submissions were made; over 1,800 were opposed to the blanket reduction proposed by NZTA. What was the result? The reduction went ahead, as it was 'all about safety'. Bottom line: if NZTA proposes to reduce the speed limit on a road, it will, regardless of public input.
Freelance travel and maritime journalist Mark Barratt-Boyes is rediscovering the South Island after moving from Auckland to Dunedin, where he is renovating an old inner-city apartment. Mark is currently editing a family history, relishing Bluff oysters and wild venison, and collecting modern Kiwi artisan glass. He visited Methven for AA Directions earlier this year. See p.50.
DENISE STEPHENS Wellington-based Denise Stephens is a keen walker and city explorer and writes about travel for various newspapers, magazines and websites. Although she’s visited many countries, she’s enjoyed travel around New Zealand over the last two years, discovering places new to her including Kaikōura. Read her story about that experience, as part of a small tour group, on p.62.
As the primary advocate for motorists in this country, why is the AA not opposing the use of coarse chip seal on our main roads?
Pete Jenkins PORIRUA Culture change However much money is spent on improving roads and encouraging people to buy higher safety-rated vehicles, those measures will have little effect until there are better drivers on our roads. The message should be 'drive to the conditions', as most crashes could be avoided by safer driving. Changing the speeding culture is desirable, but not a realistic goal without other measures. These might include mandatory defensive driving courses for all drivers, limiting the time spent on learner and restricted licences, and confiscation of cars for repeat offenders and suspended drivers.
MANDEEP SHAH Mandeep Shah is a Training Advisor for AA Driving School. Prior to this role, he worked as a Driving Instructor and Defensive Driving course provider for the AA and, before that, he was a professional driver. He puts his experience to good use in this issue, providing a summary of the demerit point system, on p.15.
Follow AA Directions on Facebook or Instagram @aadirections
WRITE TO: The Editor, AA Directions, PO Box 5, Auckland, 1140 or email editor@aa.co.nz.
Paving problems
NZTA specifies this cheap and nasty material because it gets more per kilometre sealed for its dollar but with complete disregard for the significant costs it transfers to the motorist.
11SPRING 2022
Michael Arnaboldi GISBORNE
I refer to broken windscreens and paint chip damage from constantly dislodged stones, increased tyre wear and fuel usage (higher friction), not to mention the noise nuisance, both drive-by and in-car. These materials seem to require constant patching and repair, and bleed into tar rivers at modest temperatures in summer. There is an argument regarding the retention of road contaminants between the chips, resulting in a loss of grip in wet weather following long dry spells, too. Nowhere else in the civilised world will you see roads, particularly main highways, paved in this and it’s time we motorists took a stand.
Join the conversation online.
Contributors LETTERS in the pipeline. To say that reductions will be dependent on consultations undertaken with the community flies in the face of what is actually happening. The debacle over SH5 from Napier to Taupō is a perfect example.
YOUR PRIVACY: This magazine may contain advertisements for products or services that are available through the AA. The provider may be the Association itself, a subsidiary of the Association, or a third party either under contract or a joint venture partner of the Association. Understand that any information provided by you may be used by the AA for administrative purposes and for the purpose of providing you with information relating to products and services from time to time. Where any Membership is an associate of another Membership, then products and services may be offered to both Members jointly or singly. We are always alert to opportunities for products or services to be made available as a benefit to Members, but if you prefer not to receive such personally addressed information, please write and tell us. The Association keeps a database of Members under its control and you have the right to see or correct any personal information that is held about you. If you wish to make an enquiry concerning a privacy issue, communicate with the Association Secretary, AA, PO Box 5, Auckland, 1140.
We welcome feedback and views on articles in AA Directions and on any issues affecting motorists. Because of the volume of mail we receive, letters cannot be personally acknowledged. Only a selection can be published and they may be edited or abbreviated for print.
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Jo Percival talks to Danushka Abeysuriya, founder of Auckland tech company Rush Digital – who has worked with international giants Disney and Microsoft – about digital projects and saving the planet, one electric vehicle (EV) at a time.
ell us about background:your I have always loved computers and I learnt to programme from a young age. I studied software engineering at the University of Auckland and I graduated when the iPhone was pretty new – probably still in its second generation – but I saw that the future was going to be in mobile and digital. When I started Rush we were primarily doing software engineering for video games, but we were in the right place at the right time to pick up some work from Disney and Microsoft. We grew the team off the back of that work. How has Rush evolved? Companies started asking us to help solve their business problems with technology, which was a great opportunity. While software engineering is valuable, there are a lot of countries that have fantastic engineers at a fraction of the cost, so we didn’t see a long-term, competitive future in that. Instead, we asked ‘how can we take a one-line statement about a business problem and throw the sledgehammer of technology at it?’ That’s effectively how the company has grown. We have nearly 100 people now. What is your role at Rush today?
What is one of the big projects you have worked on recently? Building the NZ Covid Tracer App. While we’ve had our 15 minutes of fame with that one, it really was a career highlight because I don’t know if that kind of situation will ever repeat itself.
I’m spending a lot of my time on image recognition and artificial intelligence for recognising things in video footage. In the future, computers are going to interact with the physical world a lot more. If you think about the analogy of human brain capacity, about 60% is dedicated to visual processing. If you close your eyes and try to grab something on your desk, the task becomes exponentially harder. So, our thesis is that computers are in that state right now; they have simply been trusting the input information we give them to complete a task. If we can figure out how to give them access to image information, they can do much more interesting things because they’re interacting with the physical world and can respond to stuff that might otherwise require complex sensors or wiring or other components. Isn't that a bit scary? Are we giving machines too much power?
I think about this quite a lot, actually. It’s kind of like the invention of a machine gun. I understand shotguns and individually-loaded guns which shoot one bullet and then it takes you a minute to reload. But computers have the potential to get to the same space as automatic weapons. At the moment we’ve got this rudimentary singleshot technology, but as technology progresses it’s going to become much more automated. I do wonder whether it’s the right thing to be doing. But that’s why Rush has the mission statement: to design and build technology to better serve humankind. It’s an acknowledgement that we have a certain amount of developer privilege, and as T
Technically I’m Chief Technology Officer, but I’m more across innovation. I work to keep the company at the forefront from a technology perspective.
What are you working on at the moment?
What were the main considerations when designing the Covid Tracer App? At the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak there was zero certainty, but looking at countries like Singapore it became clear that digital contact tracing was the way to go. Our main consideration when building the app was reliability. This was an app that had to live on three to four million phones and not break. We also had to respect people’s privacy, which meant sitting at the really conservative end of the spectrum; if we took too liberal a view, we would have killed the whole thing because no one would have wanted to use it. From a technology perspective the app was not that innovative; we designed it to be really simple and really fast. People had to be able to get out their phone and it would just work.
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AA General Manager Motoring Services Jonathan Sergel, who is part of the Tyrewise Working Group, says confirmation of a 2023 start for Tyrewise is a positive step forward in the automotive industry’s desire to mitigate its environmental impact.
Why do you believe that EVs are the solution?
2. Eliminate embedded carbon from things like infrastructure and the cost of manufacturing these vehicles. 3. Improve the environmental impact of creating EVs through better batteries, etc. What everyone is trying to do is find a silver bullet to solve climate change. But there is no silver bullet. We all just need to do more with less. Burn less fuel. Use less plastic. Drive less. Use more public transport. EVs are the fastest thing we can do that will have the highest impact with the least amount of effort, comparatively.
a company we try to work on things that will either keep the social needle neutral or make things better. It’s either pure, wholesome entertainment for companies like Disney, or its technology that’s actually moving us forward. Tell us about your interest in EVs.
From a practicality perspective, the Nissan Leaf, which is 100% the best to use day to day. It’s a comfortable car, super quiet, super efficient. When people were complaining about fuel being nearly $4 a litre, I said ‘huh? What’s $4 a litre?’ It’s an 11 year-old vehicle and it still has 80-90km of range on an overnight charge. What do you like best about driving an EV? The thing about the EV is that even at 11 years old it drives like it did the day it rolled off the showroom floor, because there’s no wear and tear. There’s no gearbox, there’s no clutch, there are no oil filters. I had to do a repair on the control arm and found the brake discs were still from factory. Because of the way you drive them – they’re an urban car – you brake lightly. The electric motor is normally what slows you down first. When servicing it, I change the brake fluid, maybe, and check the under carriage every now and then. That's it.
A 2011 Nissan Leaf. I also have an electric motorbike – a Vmoto, and I have two older German cars – a BMW E30 Touring and, what I call ‘the Moroccan Taxi,’ an E230 Mercedes from the early 1980s in Arabian-Sheik brown. Which is your favourite to drive? For sheer driving joy, the BMW E30.
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What do you drive?
“Tyre stockpiling, illegal dumping and harmful disposal has long been a concern, and Tyrewise gives the industry clarity while also ensuring all appropriate parties contribute,” he says.
Specsavers provide AA Members with regular free eye tests and good deals and, just in time for summer, the chance to win prescription glasses. All the details of this prize are on p.84.
WISE MOVES
NEW ZEALAND’S FIRST tyre recycling scheme, Tyrewise, is set to get underway next year. Governed by Auto Stewardship New Zealand, the regulated product stewardship scheme will oversee the recycling of 6.5 million tyres that reach the end of their life annually.
Jonathan says a trial is currently underway in Hawke’s Bay and once the results of that are known, work can start toward expanding the scheme nationally. “We look forward to a future where tyres are kept out of rubbish dumps,” he says.
In my view, the jobs to be done are: 1. Stop burning gasoline and diesel which make up 30-40% of the world’s CO2 emissions.
There are prizes galore in this issue of AA Directions. We have five copies of Kiwi Bikers, a book about motorcycle enthusiasts, detailed on p.17. Travel enthusiasts will want to be in the draw to win an Explore cruise on the Waitematā Harbour or the Bay of Islands – details are on p.20. For those in the South Island, time in the Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa will be even better with complimentary passes! See p.18 on how to enter. We are also offering readers the chance to win a Foxtrot Home Lambswool Throw. Read the story and details of the prize on p.73.
“We are thrilled the start line is in sight. Mitigating the environmental impact, not only of vehicles but also the things that they use is something we are committed to, and we were pleased to be able to represent our Members by becoming part of the Tyrewise Group.”
I’m a petrolhead. I love cars – as an engineer, a designer and a speed freak. But I’d also rather not contribute to transforming the planet into a giant oven. EVs caught my attention as a technologist. I believe that they’re the best compromise that we can all make to achieve the quickest reduction in CO2 emissions. Period.
As the name suggests, it tells the story of the whole region – and very lively it has been. From early Māori on pounamu expeditions to the gold rush when strong women and men coped with rampant drunkenness, crime, harsh weather, primitive living conditions and isolation, the stories are colourfully presented with a hands-on Buckinghamfocus.Street outside has many distractions. Lined with buildings both historic and photogenic, and housing a variety of temptations, it leads to the Village Green, surrounded by towering oak and elm trees. Have a spot of lunch here in the sunny garden of Provisions before wandering off on a leisurely circuit past some of Arrowtown’s heritage buildings. The Museum will lend you a key to get inside the gaol, with its thick stone walls and high, barred windows.
See nzta.govt.nz to find out more about the various infringements you can get demerit points for.
by Mandeep Shah
updateRoadrules
Small Town TREASURES
Things got reversed pretty quickly when the gold ran out, but Arrowtown has emerged from the shadows to reclaim status as a worthy destination in its own right. Start with the Lakes District Museum and Gallery in the town’s main street.
ONCE UPON A TIME – we’re talking 1862 – Arrowtown was a seething hive of activity and Queenstown down the road was little more than a sleepy sheep farm.
Visit pretty old churches, light and airy; and the old schoolhouse, complete with ball marks on the ceiling. Finish the history tour at the Chinese Settlement, where socially-excluded immigrant miners sieved the dregs for any gold that remained, living in cold and cramped little huts and, more often than not, drinking away their earnings. Hire a gold pan from the Museum and try some fossicking down at the river. No luck? Then cheer up with a tipple at Dorothy Brown’s Gin Balcony, tasting a flight of New Zealand-made spirits while looking out over hills threaded with a range of inviting walking tracks. Enjoy dinner in a cosy nook at historic Bendix Stables nearby, and then return for a movie at Dorothy Brown’s boutique Cinema, sprawling on comfy armchairs. Afterwards, maybe get down with the locals at the iconic Blue Door Bar. It’s a good thing you’re staying in town.
The points are recorded against your driver licence and if you collect 100 or more within a two-year period, your driver licence may be suspended for three months. Demerit points remain active on your licence for a period of two years from the date of the offence. However, if the court disqualifies you for a period of six months or more, any active demerit points on your licence record at the time will be cancelled and will no longer contribute to your active demerit points total.
Go to p.52 to read about a colourful road trip from Queenstown to Christchurch.
ARROWTOWN Pamela Wade wanders the photogenic streets of a town with history.
DEMERIT POINTS are penalties for certain driving offences. You can get demerits for offences including mobile phone use, driving an unregistered vehicle and failing to give way at a pedestrian crossing. All speeding infringements (except those recorded by a speed camera) earn demerit points, and some breaches of licence conditions, for example, a restricted driver carrying unauthorised passengers. Demerit points can also apply to alcohol-related offences; for example, they can be allocated in conjunction with a court disqualification when the court chooses to disqualify a person for less than six months. How many demerit points you get depends on the offence.
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ChargeNet credits can be used on any of the 280+ rapid and hyper-rapid charging stations or 140+ AC charging stations available on the nationwide ChargeNet network.
ChargeNet CEO Richard Dellabarca describes this as a huge win for EV drivers.
Are you concerned about the plastic that AA Directions is wrapped in?
The number of soft plastics recycling points is increasing all the time; there are now 200 stores nationwide that provide the right bins. See kiwi.nz/store-locatorrecycling. and look for the symbol above. Another option is to purchase a pre-paid soft plastic recycling courier bag, fill it with clean soft plastics and put it in the mail. It will end up at Future Post, where it will be recycled into farm and garden posts and the like. Pre-paid courier bags can be bought from NZ Post stores, selected New World supermarkets, The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery and cost $7.00 each.
recyclePlease
AA Members earn discounts through shopping at AA Smartfuel’s 1,200+ partner retailers; these can now be converted into ChargeNet credits through the AA Smartfuel app and can be set to automatically convert on an ongoing basis.
FROM LEFT: Dougal Swift, GM of AA Club Developments, Scott Fitchett, AA Smartfuel’s Managing Director and Richard Dellabarca, ChargeNet’s CEO.
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“We’re delighted to be providing EV drivers with an easy way to save dollars on their charging. For over 10 years, we’ve provided drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles with significant savings at the pump, so it is great to be able to extend that same generosity to EV drivers. With over 1,200 retail partners, just shopping at the right store will provide EV owners with the opportunity to potentially charge up for free.”
More good news: it’s getting easier by the day for readers of AA Directions to play their part.
EV drivers can earn $0.25 ChargeNet credits for every 1 cent per litre AA Smartfuel discount earned. For example, if they earn six cents off per litre with AA Smartfuel when shopping at Countdown, they can convert that into $1.50 ChargeNet credits, which equates to around 20 kilometres of charge.
AA Smartfuel’s Managing Director, Scott Fitchett says the new offering is a natural extension of its loyalty programme.
See charge.net.nz/aa-smartfuel for more information on how to convert AA Smartfuel discounts into ChargeNet credit, or download the AA Smartfuel app and choose ChargeNet as a reward to get started.
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AA Members can also take the wrap from AA Directions into any AA Centre. The team will ensure all wrap will be delivered to the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme.
AA Smartfuel has partnered with ChargeNet to provide EV drivers a way to redeem AA Smartfuel discounts across ChargeNet’s nationwide network.
KIWI DRIVERS of petrol and diesel vehicles have long been saving at the fuel pump thanks to AA Smartfuel and now owners of EVs – electric vehicles – will benefit, too.
“ChargeNet has partnered with AA Smartfuel to make it simple for New Zealand’s 45,000 EV drivers to redeem AA Smartfuel discounts on charging sessions. Just by shopping with AA Smartfuel’s partner retailers, EV drivers will be rewarded with charging credit straight to their ChargeNet Account.”
The good news: AA Directions comes to you in genuinely recyclable plastic. Adding the magazine wrap to the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme means a productive end to it.
SAVINGS FOR EV DRIVERS
Kiwi Bikers by Ken Downie (Massey Press, RRP $65) will be published in October. AA Directions has five copies to give away. To be in to win, send details to Kiwi Bikers, AA Directions, PO Box 5, Auckland 1140 or enter via our website: aadirections.co.nz by 30 November 2022. example, resources for the maintenance of roads are allocated based on the data collected.
A review of the 2018 Census has led to changes in the approach to the upcoming one. It will be locally led, with a focus on community engagement. This includes employing local Census collectors representing ethnic populations and all age groups including over 65s – and the number of collectors being recruited will also increase significantly. Learn more about the Census and how taking part helps your community at census.govt.nz
Interested in being a 2023 Census Collector? Register your interest at censusjobs.co.nz
Ken Downie 85 New Zealanders and their motorbikes
Beach Hop is back
Operations are gearing up for next year’s Census.
A MECCA FOR vintage cars, rock and roll style, music, events and entertainment, Beach Hop has been attracting car aficionados to The Coromandel Peninsula since 2001. From 23-27 November the region comes alive with nostalgia as vintage vehicles from the 1950s and ’60s take over the streets. Beach Hop is primarily based at the central hub of Whangamatā, although there are also events running in Waihī, Thames and Onemana. Alongside classic Cadillacs, immaculate Impalas and majestic Mustangs, Beach Hop features live music, vintage markets, nostalgia quiz nights and plenty of rock ’n’ roll dancing. On Saturday 26 November, the grand parade fills the streets of Whangamatā with a calibre of cars that needs to be seen to be believed, congregating from all around Australasia. Rockabilly dress-up is strongly encouraged. See beachhop.co.nz for more. 2022
A BIKER BOOK
Kiwi Bikers WIN!
Counting on you
The famous Whangamatā nostalgia festival returns this summer.
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UNDERTAKEN EVERY FIVE years, the survey covers all of New Zealand’s population and dwellings to provide the most complete picture possible of life in our cities, towns, rural areas and outer islands. The data collected is critical to planning, informing decisions affecting New Zealanders’ health and wellbeing, education, community services, transport, internet and infrastructure, housing, iwi, business and research. When people don’t participate in the Census, their community and area results can be underrepresented – for
From Vincents and Moto Guzzis to the legendary Britten and the BSA Goldstar 350, Kiwi Bikers captures the love affair New Zealanders have with motorcycles. From north to south, and from veteran bikes to the latest high performers, this book showcases 85 motorbikes and their passionate owners. Shot by motorbike enthusiast and photographer Ken Downie in a two-year project, the portraits include some of the most famous names in New Zealand motorcycle sport and photo essays of the last-ever Brass Monkey rally, races at Pukekohe, and the Burt Munro Challenge.
18COMPaadirections.co.nzASS AA Member Benefits: • Save up to $30 off your next service • Save $7 off the cost of your WoF • Up to two free AA 10-Point Checks each year • Boost your AA Smartfuel discounts with 5 cents off per litre^ Terms and conditions: ^AA Members can save up to 5 cents per litre with AA Smartfuel, when they spend $60 or more at AA Motoring sites. Book at aa.co.nz/autocentre or call 0800 456 654
WHATWANT?YOUDO AS AN AA MEMBER, AA Directions is your magazine. We’re keen to hear what you would like to see more of in these pages. Got questions for the AA? Send them through to us. If you have a great story idea or know of someone with an interesting car, let us know. Plus, did you know AA Directions is on social media? Check out our profiles on Facebook and Instagram for bonus content or to share your thoughts on stories from the latest issue. Get in touch! instagram.com/aadirections/facebook.com/AADirectionseditor@aa.co.nz
Servicing Repairs WoF IT UP METHVENIN
AA Directions is giving two readers the chance to experience the Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa in Methven, an hour’s drive from Christchurch. Within the recently opened wellness centre, Ōpuke’s Tranquility Pools offer an adult-exclusive soak surrounded by views across the foothills of the Southern Alps. Families can explore star lit caves within the Discovery Pools area, or have watery fun in the Aqua Play Zone, complete with plunge pools. We’re giving away one Family Pass (for two adults + three children) to the Discovery Pools and one double voucher to the Tranquility Pools. To enter, send your name, phone number and preferred pool experience to: Ōpuke Pools, AA Directions, PO Box 5, Auckland 1140 or enter online at aadirections.co.nz before 30 November 30 2022. Read about the pools experience on p.50.
WIN! SOAK
For those wanting to get off such beaten tracks, there’s 14,800km of other walks on the DOC estate – which comprises a whopping one-third of Aotearoa’s land.
A great track record
In recent years, mountain bikers have been allowed on the Heaphy from 1 May to 30 November and all year round on the Paparoa Track. Where dual use occurs, there have been few complaints from walkers.
ONE IN 10 INTERNATIONAL VISITORS stated on their departure forms in 2019 that they’d been on at least one of DOC's 10 Great Walks.
Tim says the mountain bikers are mindful of the privilege and generally it works well.
If you’re new to tramping, DOC offers plenty of advice on its website and through its visitor centres to set you on the right path. All you then need is reasonable fitness, the ability to carry a pack, appropriate gear and the right information about the track and conditions before setting out.
Our Great Walks are celebrating 30 years, reports Marita Vandenberg
The youngest and oldest known people to have occupied a bunk in recent years were aged two and 93 years.
As a result, huts had become overcrowded, people were camping beside tracks and the environment was being damaged. He says the move to turn those seven most popular walks into Great Walks was about creating a defined experience, one that would ensure all walkers had a positive time, while being sensitive to the environment they were passing through.
A booking system was introduced to limit numbers staying each night in a hut, and there were restrictions on where people could camp. To gain the ‘Great Walk’ title, a track and its hut amenities must meet a certain standard of quality and safety. Fees are cheaper for New Zealand residents and despite fee rises, this has not made any dent in demand.
Plans are on track for the Tuatapere Hump Ridge to become DOC’s 11th Great Walk next year. One of the special attractions of this Fiordland walk is its proximity to the ocean while ascending to the sub-alpine zone of the Hump Ridge.
doc.govt.nz/get-to-greatness
While the Covid border closure has kept overseas visitors out, it hasn’t stopped the rise of the Great Walks’ popularity. Kiwis have snapped up 85% of bookings for the coming 2022/23 summer. In the past, only 52% of bookings were made by locals. The Great Walks were launched in 1992 as a response to increasing numbers flocking to walk the existing seven tracks, says DOC’s Heritage and Visitors Director Tim Bamford. “We reached a flipping point where these iconic multi-day walks were getting more and more popular, but they were not being managed in any particular way.”
“Multi-day tramping isn’t for everyone but with conservation huts, lodges, cabins and campsites located in stunning parts of our country, we’ve got something to suit most people and their budgets.”
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Tim says those funds go back into the considerable cost of maintaining the tracks and huts. “For example, there’s the cost of providing heating and cooking facilities and relatively good ablutions blocks – this isn’t cheap.”
The Great Walks’ star, the Milford Track, is booked out at a faster rate every year – this year within three minutes of its 7,480 bunk spaces going online at the start of May. However, there is still plenty of capacity on the Abel Tasman, Rakiura and Heaphy tracks and there’s even a chance to pick up a cancelled booking for the Milford if you’re in a small group. Most campsites that sit along eight of the Great Walks still have capacity for keen and able trampers.
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In 2019 the Paparoa Track became the 10th Great Walk. Once completed, the Pike29 Memorial Track, which branches from the Paparoa, will take walkers to the site of the former Pike River Mine.
Prizes are subject to availability at the time of booking and are valid for travel until 31 March 2023. Closeout dates of 23 December 2022 to 8 January 2023 apply. Prizes are not refundable or transferable. See exploregroup.co.nz for more.
“Both artists, despite possessing completely different styles, became two of Mexico’s most celebrated and inspiring personalities, and played a crucial role in defining a new art following the Mexican Revolution,” she says.
Aotearoa is home to rich history, striking landscapes and an abundance of wildlife. Explore Group is giving away a family pass (valid for two adults and two children) to experience their cruises in either Auckland or Bay of Islands.
DYNAMO DUO ON SHOW
Departing central Auckland, the 4.5-hour Tikapa Moana Whale & Dolphin Wildlife Cruise (valued at $375) provides the opportunity to spot marine wildlife including whales, dolphins, seals and penguins. Operating in partnership with Ngāi Tai Te Haerenga, you'll hear about origins and history of the land, sea and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, the original inhabitants of Tāmaki Makaurau.
To enter, send your name, contact details and preferred cruise destination to: Explore cruise, AA Directions, PO Box 5, Auckland 1140 or enter online at aadirections.co.nz before 30 November 2022.
She’s one of the twentieth century’s most recognisable cultural icons with her strong stare, dark tresses and vibrant floral head pieces.
20COMPaadirections.co.nzASS WIN! A KIWI EXPERIENCECRUISE
The gallery will host more than 150 artworks including paintings and drawings by Kahlo and Rivera, and an array of work by other leading artists and photographers within the couple’sAucklandcircle.Art
Gallery Director Kirsten Lacy says Kahlo and Rivera are internationally recognised for their contributions to the evolution of modern twentieth-century art.
The exhibit draws from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman collection, one of the most distinguished private collections of Mexican modernism. See aucklandartgallery.com for more information and ticket pricing.
The international exhibition, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico, opens in Auckland on 15 October and details the rich and diverse histories behind modern art in Mexico as well as the personal work of the famous husband and wife duo.
KAHLOFRIDA MONKEYSWITHSELF-PORTRAIT GELMANNATASHAANDJACQUESTHE1943. FOUNDATION.VERGELTHEANDARTMEXICANCENTURY20THOFCOLLECTION
On board the 4.5-hour Discover the Bay Cruise from Paihia or Russell in the Bay of Islands (valued at $337.50), you’ll be treated to spectacular scenery and informative commentary from the local skipper. When conditions permit, the cruise goes close to the cliffs at Cape Brett and through the iconic Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for dolphins, whales, birdlife and seals. The journey includes a stop at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island where you can explore, swim or enjoy a drink and bite to eat from the café.
AND NOW AUCKLAND ART GALLERY Toi o Tāmaki is giving art connoisseurs the opportunity to come face to face with some of Frida Kahlo’s most arresting work, including her famous self-portraits which embody Mexicanidad – Mexican national identity – through an exploration of her own personal identity.
Amongst the long list of events associated with the festival is an Audio Described Garden Tour for people with low vision. Offered for the first time this year, staff from Puke Ariki describe in detail the foliage, flowers and features of Hirst Cottage, Hurworth Country Garden, The Yews, Waiongana Gardens and Pukekura Park.
Classic Jaguars in New Zealand written by Richard Waugh and published by a charitable trust, is available by mail order. See p.90 for more details.
Owners of the 1937 SS Jaguar 100 (dark blue with red leather interior), the British Racing Green 1953 XK120 coupe and the pointynosed 1967 E-Type in opalescent gunmetal grey talk of the headturning qualities of their immaculate machines. The owner of a sleek 1955 XK140 reports the car drives very well and is ‘tight’ but after a long drive, his arms ache. He talks about its lovely exhaust note.
“I FEEL VERY PROUD to own such a rare beauty,” says the owner of the 1960 Jaguar XK150 on the cover of Classic Jaguars in New Zealand, published to celebrate the 100th year of Jaguar.
Magnificently presented, this colourful book covers the history of Jaguar, its development as a marque and the introduction of the iconic brand to New Zealand, featuring models dating from the 1930s to the 1990s. Conversations with 40 car owners include restoration projects, the joy of driving classic beauties and the attention they command.
Beautifully photographed by Cameron Leggett, each car glows in various landscapes; interiors are revealed, along with polished details –shiny gauges and toggles, body trim, walnut dashboards – and each car’s specifications – engine size, capacity, performance. It’s a book for Jag’ lovers but who isn’t one of those?
Bloominglovely
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FOR TEN DAYS from 28 October until 6 November the Taranaki region will be alive with expressive foliage, bright blossoms and creative landscaping for the 35th annual Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival, formerly known as the Rhododendron Festival.
There will be 43 gardens to explore across multiple categories, from impressive vegetable patches and urban food forests to sweeping public gardens, manicured backyards and tropical rainforests. Of the 43 gardens there are five new entries for 2022: Glascroft at Pātea, The Galleys Garden at Lepperton, 49 Rata at Hāwera, plus Oak Valley and Saxton Sanctuary, both in New Plymouth.
New Zealand’s longest-running festival returns for a celebration of sumptuous springtime.
As well as the great array of gardens that will appeal to the greenfingered, the festival operates in conjunction with the Taranaki Arts Trail over the two bookending weekends, so visitors can intersperse their garden rambles with gallery and artist’s open studio visits. For more, see gardenfestnz.co.nz
LUCY BLAKISTON, creator of Sh*t You Should Care About which has 3.6 million followers online.
BRIANNE WEST, inventor of waterless beauty products.
RICHARD TAYLOR of Wētā Workshop fame.
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JOEL LITTLE, Grammy-award-winning music producer.
D
And the winners are….
PETER BECK, founder of Rocket Lab. PHILLIP MILLS of the Les Mills gym family dynasty.
Aotearoa punches above its weight. We do well on international sports grounds, on the stage, in the science labs. We bring home the prizes, our names are in neon around the world. Tiny businesses launched in small towns blossom into multi-million-dollar global success stories; artists, musicians, engineers, entrepreneurs, media stars and innovators are making impressions, making it work out, making a difference. Making it. oes it matter that our international movers and shakers are based here, thousands of miles and several hours’ flight from anywhere? Is it an advantage to be a New Zealander when you’re taking on the rest of the world? AA Directions talked to six impressive Kiwis for their take on the importance of who and where we are and the impact that has on success.
AS A ROCKET-LOVING KIWI KID growing up in the 80s, opportunities to pursue a career in ‘space’ were certainly on the lean side. But now, thanks to visionary rocketeer Peter Beck and his commercial aerospace company Rocket Lab, New Zealand is leading the way in small-launch space travel.
By “here” he means Māhia Peninsula, home of Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1, the world’s first – and only – private orbital
“Now you can be a hypersonic aerodynamicist or a structural analyst; you can design rocket engines, you can build space crafts that are going to Mars. It’s all here!”
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“Before Rocket Lab there was zero space industry in New Zealand and if I wanted to work with anything to do with space, I’d have to go overseas,” says Peter, who built his first rocket engine as a teen and honed his skills completing a toolmaking apprenticeship at Fisher & Paykel.
Vanessa Trethewey talks with Peter Beck , the rocket man of Māhia.
“You can guarantee if you’ve made it to Rocket Lab, you’re at the top of your game. That’s been one of the great successes of the company, that we hold the bar so incredibly high.”
“The geographic location of New Zealand is quite ideal for going to orbit, and Māhia Peninsula in particular is really ideal.” As far as being a Kiwi goes? “It’s a powerful mix, but sometimes it can also be a bit of a drag. The great thing is Kiwis are incredibly honest and they tell it how it is. When you’re in Silicon Valley pitching to investors, they know that as a Kiwi you’re not exaggerating. The downside with that is we’re very down-toearth kind of people. The biggest thing I find when I’m mentoring entrepreneurs in New Zealand is just getting them to think big and understand that they can take on the world.” Aiming higher requires a mental shift, and it’s something Peter’s working to change at a grassroots level.
“Talent is always one of the big throttles. We don’t just import talent, we make it. We run apprenticeship programmes, scholarship programmes and internships, we fund PhD and Masters students.”
“From day one the ethos has been to support each other. We’re the biggest employer in the region, and we drive millions of dollars into that economy. We focus a lot on education in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and do a lot with Te Māhia school. We also have a really cool scholarship programme; for many of the recipients it’s the first time someone from their family has gone to university. We feel like we can have a big impact there. It’s incredibly rewarding.” Making life better for others is a huge motivator for the godfather of the New Zealand space scene.
So how has a young guy from Invercargill managed to create a worldleading business in an industry generally dominated by superpowers? Has being in New Zealand, and from New Zealand, helped or hindered?
It’s not surprising then that so many people are lining up to work there. Currently Rocket Lab has 1,300 employees across their New Zealand and US operations, and every year they’re doubling in size.
launch facility. They launch more rockets here each year than Europe, and missions are undertaken for everyone from NASA and the United States Space Force to global monitoring services company BlackSky. This year, Rocket Lab’s pièce de résistance is the CAPSTONE Mission, a historic pathfinding mission supporting NASA’s Artemis programme to return humans to the Moon. Next year looks pretty exciting, too, with a private mission to search for life on Venus just part of the lineup.It’sa lot of action for a small spot like Māhia. Rocket Lab works closely with Māori land incorporation Tawapata South Inc and the local community to ensure that everybody reaps the benefits.
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“The thing that gets me up in the morning is the fact you can build a little box of electronics, stick it in orbit, and literally touch hundreds of millions of peoples’ lives. I don’t think a lot of people realise how much they rely on space in everyday life. Uber, Uber Eats, even Tinder are all enabled by GPS. Navigation, freight, logistics, a lot of weather forecasting is all captured from space. If you turned off all the space assets in the world, you’d be plunged back into the 1960s pretty quickly.”
It’s not easy to get in though.
“We’re trying to make it easier to build infrastructure in orbit. I think of satellites as no different to normal infrastructure, but if you put a satellite in orbit, it can deliver benefits to a tremendous number of countries all over the world. If you build a bridge, it just services the people that use that bridge, in that town, in that country.”
While everybody knows Rocket Lab as a launch company, many people don’t realise they’re an end-to-end space company too. “Yep, we build rockets and launch them, but we also build satellites and we’ve got some really big programmes. Last year, 38% of every rocket launched had a Rocket Lab component either on the rocket or somewhere on the satellite.”
The challenge with space is that it’s expensive and hard to get to. But Rocket Lab is changing that by slashing the cost of launches and revolutionising access for small satellites.
“We do hundreds of school visits, and while we use rockets to get children excited, the message we’re trying to deliver is ‘think big.’ If you dream it, you can achieve it.”
The biggest thing I find when I’m mentoring entrepreneurs in New Zealand is just getting them to think big and understand that they can take on the world.” PETER BECK
“We’re creating classes like The Trip which lets you cycle through virtual reality graphics on a 20 metre-wide screen. That’s been so popular. We used to get about 1,000 bike rides a week, but since we put that studio in we have been getting 2,500 rides each week.
Jo Percival chats to Phillip Mills about creating a fitter planet.
The popularity of gym-based exercise, and aerobics in particular, took off in the 1980s. Phillip, himself a former Commonwealth Games athlete, combined his father’s sports programmes with exercise set to music, and Les Mills Group Fitness was born. “I’d been at university in the US when aerobics first started, so when I came home to New Zealand I decided to open an aerobics centre,” Phillip says. “It went nuts – people would queue down the street to get “Whatin. we were doing differently was that we came from an elite sports background, so our classes weren’t based on traditional dance aerobics. That was – and still is – something unique about us throughout the world.” In 1990 Phillip and wife Jackie created Body Pump, a high repetition weight training class, which proved so popular they distributed the programme into gyms around the world.
“And we got lucky,” Phillip continues. “We’d only just started to market the platform a few months before Covid hit. We were ready and most other people weren’t.”So,what makes Les Mills content the best in the world? “Peloton is the biggest direct-to-consumer exercise company. They’ve got teachers who film several classes every day,” Phillip explains. “By contrast, we take three months to make a single class. It’s an incredibly crafted formula. Our creative teams will listen to thousands of pieces of music to choose the ten or 12 tracks for a class, which then go into music licensing through that network that Malcolm built. If we can’t get the rights to the original song, we will get the publishing rights and remake the song. “If we can’t get the publishing rights either, we’ll write a new song. We create up to 200 new songs each year. I’m told we are New Zealand’s biggest employer of localThemusicians.”production values of the Les Mills Masterclasses, which make up the app content, are also world-leading. “We have 15 cameras filming a class – it’s movielevel production,” Phillip says. The competitive drive for success that the company was founded on prevails. They push boundaries and strive to be the best, whether that’s in their New Zealand gyms, their 130,000-strong global network of instructors or their ambitious adoption of new technologies.
Les Mills has continued to move from strength to strength, driven by an innovative team which focuses on the future, including creating home workouts as the world shifted online.
“It’s fun to reinvent. You don’t want to let a business age. And for me, as an ageing person – I’m 67 – it’s wonderfully invigorating to be reinventing,” Phillip continues. “It’s been 54 years for us now, we’ve been chipping away at it, perfecting the formula. But with everything we do, we say we’re about twothirds of the way there. We know we can be so much better.”
“When we decided to take our classes overseas in 1996, we set a goal of being in 10,000 gyms by 2004, which people laughed at,” Phillip continues. “But we pretty much achieved that. “Body Pump became the biggest exercise class in the world,” Phillip says.
The company took nearly seven years to create their market-leading app – Les Mills+ – which has been rated as the best at-home fitness app in the world by publications like USA Today. The app’s success was due in large part to the work of Kiwi musician and lawyer, the late Malcolm Black of Dunedin band The Netherworld Dancing Toys. “Malcolm set up our global music licensing,” Phillip explains. “He built relationships over a 20-year period, basically with every record company in the world, and led our app development through its early days.
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“As generations change you have to renew yourself,” Phillip says. “Our son (Les Mills Jnr) and daughter (Diana Archer-Mills) came into the business ten years ago and they’ve led a lot of the change, but now there’s another generation shift: Gen Z is here and we’re re-designing and re-inventing for them.
WITH THEIR CLASSES taught at 20,000 gyms in 110 countries around the world, Les Mills has become a global leader in the fitness industry. And it all started in a tiny, family-run gym in Auckland. Les Mills, track and field Olympic athlete and former mayor of Auckland City is the eponymous founder of the company, now known as Les Mills International. Along with wife Colleen, he opened the first Les Mills gym in 1968. “That first gym was so small they had to have alternate men’s and women’s days,” says Phillip Mills, Les’ son and Executive Director of the company. “I started working at the gym when I was about 13 years-old, cleaning the locker rooms at night,” Phillip continues.
“We use business as a means to solve some of the social and environmental problems that we have globally,” says Brianne, talking to AA Directions from Ethique’s head office in Christchurch. “We believe that business is the way to solve many problems. Governments take a long time to do anything and they’re beholden to lobbyists – and non-profit organisations do a lot of good work, but they’re beholden to grants. With the right leadership team, businesses can do a lot of good.”
“Businesses need to be net positive to the planet otherwise there is no point. It’s not to say that profit is a dirty word, but you shouldn’t be destroying things in order to make that profit.”
And Ethique does more than be environmentally sustainable: it incorporates other socially responsible initiatives in its business plan, such as empowering local communities, paying living wages and contributing to charities.
Another Kiwi advantage is the place itself. “The fact we’re surrounded by New Zealand’s incredible scenery inspires us as a team.”
People find it interesting that we’re a New Zealand company and want to write about us.
“We also have a reputation for being kind, fun, friendly, laidback people and with a more environmental bent, too.”
IT WASN’T THE ‘WHAT’ that inspired Brianne West to develop Ethique, it was the ‘why.’ In 2012 Brianne devised a new way of packaging beauty products. She developed shampoo, hair conditioner and body wash in solid, concentrated form, as effective alternatives to traditional, bottled products. But although Brianne was a biochemist student at the time and describes science as her first love, it was her passion for the environment that sparked the birth of Ethique. By taking water out of the recipes, these standard bathroom products no longer needed to be delivered in plastic; they were no longer contributing to the planet’s significant problem with waste.
Most important to Brianne is the major environmental win, with an estimated 20 million plastic bottles effectively removed from the consumer cycle. The solid bar idea has been picked up by many other brands, too, adding to the win for the planet.
She is leading by example on many levels, demonstrating the direct impact good business practice can have on the planet and on society.
Ten years on, the world’s first zero-waste beauty brand is sold in 8,000 stores in 22 countries; Ethique’s founder and CEO has won numerous accolades, including being named a top 100 Global Thinker by Foreign Policy magazine, the 2019 New Zealand EY Young Entrepreneur of the Year and One Young World’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020.
Another Kiwi advantage is the place itself. “The fact we’re surrounded by New Zealand’s incredible scenery inspires us as a team.” BRIANNE WEST
Ethique employs 36 staff – mostly in New Zealand, with some in the United States and the UK. Operating globally from this end of the Earth has its challenges, related to isolation, distance and distribution logistics. The product is manufactured in New Zealand but, by design, Ethique has a significantly lower carbon footprint in terms of shipping, compared to bottled products. And Brianne agrees it’s easier these days to establish connections globally, thanks to the internet. Not all relationships can be managed remotely, though. “Networking is so important. When we go to the States, it’s nonstop meetings and interviews!
Kathryn Webster talks to eco-conscious entrepreneur Brianne West .
While Ethique’s success can be attributed to Brianne’s passion for science, the environment and business, there is also a healthy dose of creativity in the mix. She taught herself cosmetic science and had even established and sold another –albeit much smaller cosmetics business before deciding, as an under-stretched student at Canterbury University, to find a new challenge. Having identified the problem, Brianne turned her creative focus to finding the solution. She gave herself a goal of saving the world from a million plastic bottles by 2020. “We actually saved the world from 10 million plastic bottles by 2020. By now, it’s 20 million. So, it’s gone a lot faster...”
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Ethique’s point of difference is to consider all phases in the production and life of the product and apply ethical values wherever possible. “We are raising the bar by thinking of everything from a transparent supply chain to the end-of-use experience; the consumer doesn’t have to think about recycling the bottle or throwing it in the bin – there is no waste at that end. Big brands are jumping on the trend; it’s seen as an easy way of helping the environment but they haven’t gone to the other measures of being palm oil-free or paying a living wage. It’s great that they’re doing what they are, but hopefully (our approach) will inspire businesses to do the other things, too. “If you see a business like ours growing, you’ll see it is totally doable to run a sustainable business across all aspects: environmental and financial.”
“Back when I was first working with Lorde there wasn’t really a blueprint for how to be a big songwriter and producer from New Zealand and make it overseas – it wasn’t really a thing that happened here,” Joel says.
Now, a decade later, songwriter Joel Little is virtually a household name. Producer to the stars, and hot property among the world’s biggest recording artists, he’s worked with everyone from Taylor Swift, Sam Smith and Imagine Dragons to Khalid, Shawn Mendes and Ellie Goulding. In fact, in the eight years since he and Lorde won Song of the Year at the Grammys for Royals, Joel says he has barely stopped to take a breath.
Vanessa Trethewey meets Joel Little, a man on a musical mission.
HE MAY HAVE CUT HIS TEETH as front man for New Zealand pop-punk band Goodnight Nurse, but it was teaming up with Ella Yelich-O’Connor, aka Lorde, that secured his place on the world stage.
It didn’t take him long to blaze a trail, though. He had set up his own production studio
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BYPHOTOGRAPH COOMBESGUY
IMAGINE TAKING A SIMPLE BRAINWAVE and turning it into a career. That’s what Lucy Blakiston, along with friends Olivia Mercer and Ruby Edwards, all 24, have done with their staggeringly popular Instagram-based news platform, Sh*t You Should Care About (SYSCA). With 3.6 million followers and counting, SYSCA has become a global go-to for digestible news, hot takes on pop culture and a round-up of issues of the day. The idea first came about when the trio, originally from Blenheim, were studying at Wellington’s Victoria University.
“I was nervous for sure, but between doing that first album with Lorde and working with Taylor I’d had a good eight years of working at the top level of the industry with a lot of big artists. I’d definitely got a lot better as a producer and I felt ready to do it. And luckily for me, Taylor’s incredible and we just hit it off and wrote a bunch of great songs.” In 2019, Joel co-wrote and co-produced four songs for her album Lover, which raced to number one in both the United States and the UK. Three of the four tracks (Me, You Need to Calm Down, and The Man) became top 30 singles in the US. Having achieved such phenomenal international success, it could have been easy to forget his roots, but Joel has made a point of doing just the opposite.
JOEL LITTLE
When I’m in LA I feel like the general spirit and attitude of New Zealanders is a huge advantage. We’re very relaxed, welcoming, laidback kind of people and – in my business anyway – I think that’s a great asset as far as putting people at ease.”
Joel’s laidback Kiwi demeanour definitely came in handy when he began working with Taylor Swift, one of the most famous popstars of our time.
“When I’m in LA I feel like the general spirit and attitude of New Zealanders is a huge advantage. We’re very relaxed, welcoming, laidback kind of people and – in my business anyway – I think that’s a great asset as far as putting people at ease. Artists don’t feel like they have to put on a show of being a star. They feel like they can just be themselves, which to me, is one of the most important things when it comes to creativity and writing songs.”
Sure, he’s still producing songs with famous people (he’s currently working with Niall Horan of One Direction fame), but he’s also bringing his Midas touch home to launch his greatest passion project yet. BIG FAN is a non-profit recording and performance space in a converted industrial building in Auckland’s Morningside. The brainchild of Joel and wife Gemma, it’s a place that will, he says, “make a big difference to a lot of people from a lot of different walks of life.” Complete with three world-class recording studios and a live music venue for up to 180 people, the Little’s plans for BIG FAN include music workshops and one-on-one mentoring opportunities, to writing camps with international artists.
“Music is such a special thing that can really change the way you look at the world. Regardless of whether or not you’re a massive success, I think that’s at the heart of what’s magical about music and songwriting you can start the day with nothing and end it with something that didn’t exist before.”
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“In 2018 I was in a lecture and I thought ‘why am I finding it hard to really understand these world events?’” and was making music for TV commercials and working with new artists when his manager suggested he get together with Lorde. “It was just one of those things where we clicked. I was almost 30 and she was 15, so it was a bit of an odd-couple situation, but we started messing around with ideas and writing some pretty interesting songs. “Even when we were making the songs, I remember thinking that they were special, but I had no expectations for them. Then we just watched it snowball – I definitely didn’t expect what happened next!” Royals, and the album Pure Heroine, propelled the pair into the global spotlight. Since then, the father of three has been dividing his time between Auckland and Los Angeles, writing and producing tracks for some of the best in the business.
“We know that music can change lives and affect communities in positive ways. We also know that although Aotearoa has a wealth of talent, many people don’t have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. BIG FAN aims to be a nurturing and supportive space where this talent can Understandably,grow.”they’re excited. “Not just in terms of helping people take their careers to the next level, but also for people who may never even have played an instrument before. People can come and explore what making music feels like, and hopefully it can spark a little something in them that inspires them to take it further.
And although living on a remote island at the bottom of the planet makes for a hectic travel schedule, Joel reckons being a Kiwi has also been a blessing.
Jo Percival meets Lucy Blakiston, one of the founders of a news group that has exploded on social media.
We’re not breaking the news; we’re just breaking it down.”
SYSCA’s Gen Z roots not only dictate its casual tone, they also inform the platform’s ethos around transparency. “I truly think that’s the reason we’ve gotten so big, so fast. It’s our transparency and authenticity. We value those two things so highly. We’ve grown up seeing filters on everything and clickbait news stories, but I write exactly how I speak. I can’t bullsh*t people because they’ll know as soon as my tone changes,” Lucy says. Another key part of SYSCA’s appeal is their New Zealandness, which translates as a refreshingly frank and down-to-earth perspective, especially for an audience that is 53% US-based.
SIX OF THE BEST29SPRING 2022 Lucy says. “I felt like all the jargon was getting in the way. “I texted Ruby and Liv and said ‘we should start something called ‘sh*t you should care about,’ using language everyone can understand and covering anything and everything – from [singer] Harry Styles to mental health to world issues.’ I still have those texts and, honestly, we haven’t strayed too far from thatInitiallyconcept.”the idea was to create a blog where the three women would contribute a piece of writing each week. “Then we thought, ‘we’re all using Instagram, but just for photos – what if we put the words on Instagram?” Lucy says. “At the time people weren’t doing that much; we got in quite early with a different way of using the platform.” It was Covid-19 that really helped boost the following of SYSCA. “The pandemic was something that none of us had experienced, so people really needed to understand what was happening,” Lucy explains. “They didn’t want all the technical information, they just wanted to know what was going on right then and how it would affect them. So, Ruby and I started daily ‘no-bullsh*t Covid updates’ to help people understand what was happening. Then, with the 2020 US election, the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and the New Zealand election, we saw huge growth.” At the start of 2020 SYSCA had about 200,000 Instagram followers. In one month the account leapt to one million followers. “That was really stressful!” Lucy says. “What do you do with that audience? I had to learn to be an editor overnight. But the best way to learn is to get pushed in the deepThisend!”period of rapid growth was also when celebrities started following the account – and, critically, sharing their content. Pop star Ariana Grande (with 307 million Instagram followers of her own) is one of SYSCA’s highest profile followers. “I actually don’t like to think about it too much,” Lucy laughs. “I create content as if I’m just talking to my friends, it doesn’t matter if Ariana Grande agrees with me or Today,not!”Lucy, Liv and Ruby
are all working full-time at the company they founded. As well as the flourishing Instagram account, they create a daily newsletter and two podcasts, one which expands on news and current affairs topics and one focused on pop culture.
SYSCA also creates a regular ‘mundane poll,’ highlighting the quirks of different cultures and often stimulating fierce debate about what things are called in different countries. “There are all these weird cultural differences, especially with vocab, that I find hilarious.”
LUCY BLAKISTON
“It’s not dumb to care about what’s happening in the pop culture world,” Lucy says. “For example, Harry Styles features heavily in our content. I have always been a fan and I want young people –particularly young women – to know that it's OK to like multiple things at once; you’re not dumb for liking a boy band. We’re multi-faceted people. The fandom element has been amazing because I think a lot of people feel seen and heard.”
When it comes to covering complex, or sensitive news stories from around the world, SYSCA acts as a go-between.
So, after achieving such success on social media, what’s next for SYSCA?
“I don’t have a desire to run a huge company that takes over everything for the sake of it. Besides, I’m not qualified. I mean, yes, I have a media degree, but since this idea came along it’s all I’ve been focused on and all I’ve really been able to care about. So, it’s lucky that it’s working!”
“There are these wonderful journalists breaking stories, or scientists writing really complicated papers, and then there’s the audience. We’re in the middle making it make sense so all that great information actually reaches people,” Lucy“Becauseexplains.Iwrite something every day and I see so many different stories, I feel comfortable putting a comment from myself or knowing where to re-direct people for more information. If it’s a really tough story, what I think or say is not that important and I send them to someone who is covering it way better than I ever could. “We’re not breaking the news; we’re just breaking it down.”
Ben Whittacker-Cook talks with creative wizard, Richard Taylor.
INNOVATIVE. ENTREPRENEURIAL. Self-effacing. Throw in a little Kiwi ingenuity and Wētā Workshop wins the nomination for the archetypal Kiwi business, albeit with five Academy Awards to its name. “Our first workshop was an eight-foot square room with a double bed in the middle,” says Richard Taylor who, with wife Tania Rodger, founded what would become Wētā Workshop in 1987. “We started our careers sculpting in margarine because my wife and I didn't know of any better sculpting medium at the time. Most of the first 200 or so commercial sculptures that we did in the film and television industry were sculpted in margarine!”
30FEATUREaadirections.co.nz
“You’re also challenging yourself to try and innovate with new ideas and new ways to do things so the product you're putting out surprises, engages and inspires people in a unique way.” Covid-19 had an impact. Like many businesses, Wētā Workshop had to consider diversification, pivoting to provide behind-the-curtain locationbased experiences, such as the Wētā Workshop Unleashed in Auckland, Wellington workshop visits and the sale of high-end “Location-basedcollectibles.experience is an area that I enjoy, because it gives us an ability to share our creativity without putting it through the filter of someone else’s creative eye as you do with film.”
Throw in resourceful, too. As the ‘number 8 wire approach’ is considered foundational to New Zealand, so it is to WētāUsingWorkshop.cleverand original ingenuity, the team brought to life creatures and characters for the likes of The Frighteners, Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Wētā already had a reputation for creative genius when, in 2001, The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring catapulted Richard and team onto the international stage. Richard was not surprised. “It would be disingenuous to Peter [Sir Peter Jackson, the movie’s director] to suggest that we didn’t think it was going to be fantastic. We knew it was, but I don’t think anyone could have really appreciated how significantly the world’s audience would embrace the films.”
“On the second trip we arrived home with two rubbish bags filled with 200 plastic Oscars. When we got back to Wellington we tore the bags open and gave one to each of our team; we were all jumping around in celebration. It was beautiful.”
Richard couldn’t take wife Tania to his first Awards ceremony in 2002 as she was pregnant so, in true Kiwi style, he took his mum instead. “It was memorable and funny. After the ceremony we were invited to the Vanity Fair party and Elton John also invited us to his party. But as we walked out Mum said her feet were sore and asked if we could go back to the hotel. So, we sat in the hotel room drinking cocoa, watching a rerun of the event on the telly, while I massaged Mum’s sore feet. That was my first Oscar night.”
On the second trip we arrived home with two rubbish bags filled with 200 plastic Oscars. When we got back to Wellington we tore the bags open and gave one to each of our team; we were all jumping around in celebration. It was beautiful.”
“There’s an unbridled passion for making film in New Zealand. Hollywood knows what it’s like working down here and has a great deal of respect and desire to continue with that relationship.” Despite five Academy Awards wins, complacency isn’t a world that sits easily with Richard. The desire, always, is to drive forward. “The audience never wants to see tomorrow what they saw yesterday, so you’re always trying to push yourself.
And Oscar night itself? “They’re euphoric moments, of course. I never consider that you ‘win’ an Oscar. I’m very much of the view that you collect one and take it home to the people that won it with you.
RICHARD TAYLOR ’
The five Oscar statuettes have twice travelled to China as part of exhibitions to raise money for the Sichuan Earthquake Relief Fund.
Lord of the Rings’ success gave Hollywood a big nudge that special things were happening down here. “In New Zealand we’re acknowledged as very hardworking and collaborative; celebrating in the creative process of making films as opposed to just a group of freelancers coming together to work on a film.
Richard is particularly proud of Gallipoli: The scale of our war. Built in collaboration with the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, it tells the Gallipoli story through the eyes and words of eight ordinary New Zealanders and has left many visitors in tears. “New Zealanders are humble. I am to a degree, too. But when you’re leading a creative company in New Zealand you have to aspire to lofty goals and push yourself. The Oscars, for example, was never something we set as a goal; we just had the desire to make the best work for Peter’s films that we possibly could.”
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The funniest was when an elderly woman said ‘we had one on the farm and could get two good-sized ewes in the back’.”
John McFarlane and his 1959 Austin A35. The car has been in the family since 1961.
33SPRING 2022 BYPHOTOGRAPH WARDTREFOR THIS ISSUE IN 34MOTORING Accessible driving We take a look at the innovative ways in which vehicles are modified for drivers with disabilities. 38 Pain in the pocket How is the increasing cost of motoring affecting drivers? We talk to people who are feeling the pinch. 42 Smart dummies Presenting the history and future of crash test dummies. Wheel Love
John's colleagues used to mock the car and call it ‘the grape’. (He has a wine tour business called NZ Wine Pro). However, John's fiancée has decided that Olive is a more suitable name.
“I've had so many older people tell me, ‘oh, my mother had one or my sister had one.’
JOHN MCFARLANE REMEMBERS how excited his mum, Lorna, was when she got the car. She drove it throughout his childhood in Dunedin, taking him, his brother Stuart and sister Cate to and from school. John took it over after his father, Ivan, passed away. John had the car restored, including paying to have the engine professionally renovated and now drives it around Hamilton most days. It runs well, although it has a manual gearbox and no syncromesh, so changing down from second to first gear takes skill.
atriona Williams mightn’t be able to move her body as freely as she used to, but that hasn’t stopped the former New Zealand equestrian champion turned tetraplegic from living an independent, fun-filled life. Adventurous road trips with family and friends are plentiful, and so too are weekly excursions to the supermarket and regular trips from her Wairarapa home to Auckland’s Karaka horse sales. All this and more is possible in her modified vehicle, which she drives securely from her wheelchair. It involves just three clicks of a button: the first to open the door of her fiveseater Volkswagen Caravelle van, another for the wheelchair ramp to descend, the third for the vehicle to lower enabling safe and easy access. “I can be secure behind the wheel in a matter of seconds,” Catriona says. “It’s not quite as quick as it would be if I were able-bodied, but it’s not far off. Probably the most frustrating thing is waiting for the ramp to go up and down!” It would seem nothing is impossible for Catriona who, after falling from her horse in 2002, has gone on to complete the New York City Marathon, climb to Everest Base Camp on a handcycle, start her own research trust in support of a cure for spinal cord injury, and be recognised in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours list as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Yet it has been the ability to drive a vehicle independently, made possible with financial support from ACC, that has been Catriona’s ticket to freedom, giving her an opportunity she’s incredibly grateful for.
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35SPRING 2022 MODIFIED VEHICLES How do the many thousands of New Zealanders living with a physical disability get around? Monica Tischler investigates.
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A ‘blinker lever’ controls the indicators, lights and power, while a fork-like device attached to the steering wheel enables easier manoeuvring, as Catriona has limited movement in her hands and arms.
• ‘Sip and puff’, a method of controlling wheelchair movement by sucking and blowing on a straw-like device.
• Joystick and foot steering. A four-way joystick can be used to steer, accelerate and brake.
The seat belt and buckle sit high off the floor to accommodate her wheelchair; an ‘easy lock system’ secures the chair safely behind the wheel.
Getting the keys to her first car post-accident is something Catriona remembers clearly; she describes it as the moment she received her ticket to freedom. She’s so determined that others in wheelchairs experience the same liberty that she and a friend are fundraising for a bespoke campervan –designed and built from the ground up.
It’s not only freedom for you, but freedom for your partner, friends and family who you have become so dependent on; it enables you to take them places rather than the other way around.”
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• Left-foot accelerator is designed for people with an amputation, who have had a stroke, or have broken a leg.
• Seatbelt modifications, harnesses and special seating.
There’s an extensive team of experts –including specialised engineers, transport occupational therapists and driving instructors – who work together to ensure a vehicle is fitted with the appropriate features for its driver’s specific needs and, importantly, that it can integrate safely on New Zealand roads.
• Hand controls can incorporate up to seven unique functions including indicators, wipers, horn, and high beam lights, or assist with one-handed steering.
“It’s not only freedom for you, but freedom for your partner, friends and family who you have become so dependent on; it enables you to take them places rather than the other way around.”
Catriona had her van imported from the United Kingdom – the first of nine of the same make and model for others living with disabilities – with some modifications, including the wheelchair ramp and special hand controls, already made. The rest of the modifications were tailored in New Zealand specifically to accommodate Catriona’s needs.
Some vehicle modifications require inspection and certification to ensure they are safe. People with disabilities seeking a driver licence sit the standard theory and practical driving tests and some require additional medical, eyesight and hearing examinations. “I’m very fortunate. This is not a cheap injury to live with so having access to a good vehicle like this adds huge value to my quality of life,” she says. “The hardest thing with a spinal cord injury is losing your independence. So, when you do get your wheels – the first being your wheelchair and the second your vehicle – it really is a big deal.
Steve Roome has them in his shiny black 2015 Skoda Octavia, a car he bought with a grant from the Lotteries Commission. The Christchurch father of two was born without arms, yet he still manages to manoeuvre his vehicle up the ski slopes for a day on the mountain and to visit friends in South Canterbury, by steering the car with his left foot. The headrest indicators allow him to turn safely without taking his foot off the
• Hoists and roof racks.
• Indicator extension, allowing indicator operation from the opposite side.
• Mini wheels enable easier steering for people with limited upper body strength.
• Headrest indicators, activated by head movement.
• Infrared aandsystems,remote-controlenablingeasyaccessoperationofavehiclefromwheelchair.
Many vehicle modifications can be fitted to a driver’s personal vehicle and some are also available in specialist rental vehicles, for recreational travel and for those with short-term impairments such as a broken arm or leg. The adaptions available vary, but commonly include:
Standard foot pedals remain in place so that an able-bodied person can also drive it. “It makes it a much more enjoyable roadie when I’m away with girlfriends because anyone can share the driving,” Catriona says.
With support from a New Zealand business specialising in custom motorhomes, the ‘Have Wheels, Will Travel’ initiative will enable those in wheelchairs to travel in the front of the vehicle, rather than in the back, which is what similar vehicles currently accomodate. Catriona hopes the campervan will be available for hire by the end of next year. The plan is for a portion of the booking fee to go toward spinal cord injury research.
Margaret Hawkes is the director of Freedom Mobility and Vehicle Adaptions, companies that offer modifications to vehicles for people living with both temporary and life-long disabilities. She says a raft of new technologies like those fitted to Catriona’s van –many originally imagined here in New Zealand – are making driving more accessible than ever before, regardless of a person’s ability to move around in the conventional way. Such gadgets include a robot-like device – invented in New Zealand and sold worldwide – which emerges from the back of a vehicle at the push of a button and moves a wheelchair in and out of the boot. Other state-of-the-art technology comes from a Christchurch-based business that 3D-prints indicators which are installed in a vehicle’s headrest and activated via head movement and pressure.
CONSMOD
37SPRING 2022 MODIFIED VEHICLES steering wheel. Headlights are activated by pressing down the middle of the headrest. There’s keyless entry, a pushbutton start mechanism and automatic window wipers, making the car feel “as if it were made for me,” laughs Steve. He says while the ability to drive has undoubtedly given him freedom and extra zest for life, it’s also been a key tool in breaking down public perception on the capabilities – or rather limitations –of people with disabilities. “It’s so important to been seen out and about. If you were to walk past my car in a carpark, you wouldn’t know [about my disability] and I kind of like that. I like to blend into society as much as Stevepossible.”says it’s also significant for others living with a disability to see him –with no arms – driving and thriving. “It may empower someone with an impairment to know that with the right support and training, they too can do it.”BYPHOTOGRAPHS HUANGJIM
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The skyrocketing prices led to the Government taking the unprecedented step of reducing the tax on petrol, Road User charges and public transport fares in March
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There are many reasons behind the cost increases in fuel. Global demand has surged after a slump
he cost of driving has reached record highs this year. In a nation where 80% of trips involve driving, that’s hit everyone –individuals, families and businesses – in the wallet. Not surprisingly, it’s having an impact on the country’s economy. If ‘pandemic’ was the word of the year for 2020 and 2021, then ‘cost of living crisis’ is set to take that title for 2022. Some may point out that that’s four words not one – but that’s the power of inflation! New Zealanders are facing mortgage or rent increases and other household expenses, including groceries, have climbed, too. But fuel price increases
Dylan Thomsen asks how the increase in transport costs is affecting New Zealanders.
have been the most severe and are the most publicly visible example of surging costs.
In mid-2021 motorists were paying $2.20 to $2.40 per litre for 91 octane. In the middle of this year the pump prices were up by a third. Diesel has been hit worse than petrol; from pump prices of $1.50 to $1.60 in mid2021, they nearly doubled in 12 months.
His combine harvester goes through 1,500 litres of diesel a day when it’s harvesting wheat and the cost of fuel to the farm has more than doubled from the previous season.
The courier Simon Kearsley is a courier owneroperator who normally clocks up 200300km each day he’s driving across the Wellington region. He has been in the business for 15 years and changed from a traditional Toyota Corolla station wagon to a hybrid in 2018. Somewhat ironically, he is paying more in fuel costs than he used to, even though the hybrid uses much less fuel to travel the same distance.
The significant increase in fuel costs means they must be more careful with spending in other areas and Amanda feels for families who are not as able to handle the extra costs.
COST OF MOTORING Beyond all the big-picture economic analysis and fancy terms, the simple reality is that it is costing New Zealanders much more to drive from A to B.”
With courier drivers operating on small margins and fuel being their biggest expense, the high pump prices are having an impact. However, for him, this has been balanced by an increase in work due to more medical deliveries and jobs related to people working from home, as well as Covid-related absenteeism among couriers providing extra work for others.
The truckie Ross Whitfield has been in trucking since the 1990s and runs a business with 12 trucks operating out of Hawke’s Bay. He wouldn’t call this the toughest time he has seen in the industry as there is still plenty of work available, but says the financial squeeze is severe, between rising costs and what customers are willing and able to pay.
Along with the fuel costs jumping, the cost of fertilisers, machinery, mechanical parts, repairs and sprays have all leapt up as “Quitewell.simply everything that we touch is going up in price. This year we’ll be losing money on growing wheat. “We are a solid, sound, low-debt business but even we are concerned about where things are going. For us to stay in business, one of two things need to happen. Either food prices go up or the input costs need to come down.”
He feels that couriers with diesel vans have been hit much harder, as diesel prices have increased more than petrol, and they have Road User Charges to pay as well. “It’s not all doom and gloom, but a lot of people will be hoping that the prices are not going to be like this for too much longer.”
The farmer David Clark’s family has been farming in New Zealand since the 1870s; he has 463 hectares in midCanterbury growing wheat, barley and other crops as well as sheep. He in no way wants to whinge about the current situation he and other farmers are facing, but he fears it may be as bad a time as the 80s and that was “bloody hard”.
“There’s no real way we can use one car because our time schedules are all different.”
She estimates they are putting an extra $50 into each vehicle per week, meaning going to work and school is costing their household at least $150 per week more than it used to. “It is a bit of a kick in the guts. It is tough when you’ve got outings and you’re taking the kids to sport.”
The tradie Mark Brosnahan is the Managing Director of Brian Electrical, which has a fleet of about 30 vehicles providing electrical services on the Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington. He says that while costs for many of their supplies and materials are up, nothing has jumped as much as fuel. Compared to 2020, the business’ fuel bill had increased $5,000 per month through the first half of the year. That’s an extra $60,000 per year in operating expenses in fuel alone. He says it “really hits the bottom line”. With no realistic options for changing their vans to electric at this point, the end result is the business has to charge more for the vehicle component of their fee –meaning their customers are paying more.
39SPRING 2022 during the pandemic, sanctions on Russia mean there is less oil available in the global market, our exchange rate is lower, shipping and other costs are up and the Emissions Trading Scheme levy on fuel and GST are adding more to pump prices than before. Beyond all the big-picture economic analysis and fancy terms, the simple reality is that it is costing New Zealanders much more to drive from A to B.
The family Amanda Langton is an Aucklander living with her husband and their three sons in the western suburb of Swanson. As a family they run three cars to manage their busy lifestyle.
“It’s a very visible price – literally in lights – and it’s not a discretionary item. And the more people spend on petrol the less they have to spend on other things.”
“It affects all aspects of society, as some of the businesses in this story have shared. And just think of how emergency services have been impacted. Ambulances and Police in particular have large fleets, constantly on the road. When their fuel and fleet bills skyrocket, that is a major additional burden that can’t be avoided but can’t be passed on to ‘customers,’ either. The extra money has to be found somewhere, from within budgets that are often already extremely stretched.” At the individual level, people can look to minimise their fuel costs by fuel-efficient manner (search for AA fuel saving tips online), looking out for the best pump prices, using public transport or walking and cycling, if they can. But for many New Zealanders driving is still the only practical option for the trips they need to make.
“If the last two years have taught us anything it’s that predictions can change quickly, but the tough times from high transport costs may not be going away any time soon.”
40 aadirections.co.nz has been a part of consumer confidence being very low.
“Right now, about 96% of the vehicles on our roads run on petrol or diesel and do so for many years yet,” AA Motoring Affairs General Manager Simon Douglas says. “That means the price of fuel is going to continue having a massive impact on New Zealanders’ personal finances and the country overall for the foreseeable future, as well as the impact of higher costs for vehicles, parts, repairs and even the costs for road maintenance and new transport projects.
“There are indications that there has been a reduction in driving overall but it’s not clear yet by how much, and there are limits to how much people can trim their costs,” Simon says.
The glimmer of hope she would offer is that if the country gets inflation under control and prices stop rising, then there will be some significant increases in wages, particularly for lower earners. This won’t be an immediate fix but hopefully it will balance out some of the cost increases over time.
What can be done?
The move away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles is underway; in future, cars will be powered by electricity or other fuels. But the world is still right at the start of that shift. Out of the 4.7 million vehicles in New Zealand, only about 4% are hybrids or electric.
“People who still need to drive a lot to go to work, to take the kids to school or sport, to go shopping or to visit family and friends, and the businesses facing rising costs, are hanging out for a significant drop in prices. The experts expect fuel prices to remain volatile and high for some time to come, though.
The AA attended the first launch of the new Mazda CX-5 in 2012 and was impressed. Today, the secondhand version is amongst the top ten most popular used cars sold in New Zealand.
For more car news and reviews see aa.co.nz/cars
The interior has evolved, too. It is smarter and roomier. The boot space in the original CX-5 was generous for the segment at the time, with 403L of cargo space able to fit three suitcases with ease.
Connectivity has evolved, all models feature a reversing camera and the top-of-the-line Takami model also has a digital four camera, 360 degree monitor to assist manoeuvring in tight spaces.
The 2022 model has 438L with the twopiece, reversible load-space floorboard and tailgate sill on the same level to aid loading, which can be lowered for extra cargo space.
The 2022 CX-5 introduces new exterior styling, driving dynamics enhancements and an expanded range of safety features – with a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
You may expect the 2012 CX-5 to look dated but it doesn’t. Style-wise, Mazda got things right from the get-go. And it’s not overly large. It shares the same well-established platform of the Mazda 3 and 6; it measures in at 4,540mm long and 1,840mm wide. Today’s model is just 35mm longer and 5mm wider. Three different engine choices were available for the 2012 CX-5, each with
In the 2022 model you get a choice of three engine grades – a 2.0-litre petrol, 2.5-litre petrol or 2.5-litre petrol turbo in either a FWD or AWD drivetrain. Under the bonnet it is also gruntier, producing up to 170kW/420Nm of power and torque with the turbo version.
The first-generation CX-5 was highly spec’ed for its day and today’s model is even more impressive, with a wide 8:3 aspect, 10.25-inch centre display. The instrument cluster is still conventional with a classic three ring look; the speedometer is mounted front and centre, while the tachometer and other information is to the side.
The CX-5 is the best-selling car within Mazda’s global model range and that’s no surprise. The latest enhancements to its performance and safety technologies have reinforced the CX-5’s status as a stylish, spirited and intelligent vehicle, as well as one of the SUV segment’s most enjoyable driver’s cars.
The same 40/20/40 split of the rear seatback continues to provide great flexibility for extra cargo space, too. And the latest model features the ability to fold the seats completely flat, creating a massive 1,340L of cargo room.
41SPRING 2022 2012 MOTORING2022
Fast forward to 2022 and the new model features a host of advanced new technologies and styling features. Numerous elements have been refined and upgraded to raise the quality of both the cabin environment and its Human Machine Interface (HMI) technology.
Already a quiet car, updates to the suspension in the latest CX-5 include improvements to the dampening control structure and increased frame rigidity, which further suppress vibrations, reduce road noise and help to provide a quieter cabin and higher quality of ride comfort.
The original CX-5 set dynamic new standards, changing perceptions of how engaging a compact SUV could be. The second generation CX-5 of 2017 saw Mazda’s engineers take design and engineering philosophy to the next level; it became more comfortable, refined and responsive. Thereafter, successive updates have built on the strengths of the second-generation model.
H ow has the Mazda CX-5 evolved over the past decade?
SKYACTIV technology and i-stop, a stop-start system that temporarily shuts the engine when the car is stationary to reduce idle time and enhance fuel efficiency – fairly advanced for its time.
Revisions to its powertrains, suspension, electric power assisted steering, and the adoption of G-Vectoring Control-Plus (GVC-Plus) have improved the CX-5's driving dynamics both on- and off-road.
ANCAP has published independent safety ratings since 1993. Mark Terrell is its Chief Technical Officer, working hard to promote vehicle safety locally and globally, and keen to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions about the kind of work the organisation undertakes.
In the 1930s and 1940s human cadavers were the crash test dummies of choice; after them came pigs, baboons and bears. (Pigs were used in the United States to assess steering wheel impacts as they have a similar internal structure to humans.) Test dummies, as we would recognise them, were introduced by the United States Air Force in the late 1940s, while the first crash test dummies used specifically for the automotive industry were introduced in 1968. These were average male, large male, and small female ‘vehicular impact personnel’ for frontal crash testing.
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Fast forward to 2022 and the Australasian New Car Assessment Program, more commonly referred to as ANCAP SAFETY, is Australasia’s foremost independent vehicle safety authority.
ANCAP safety ratings are published for a range of new passenger, sports utility and light commercial vehicles entering the Australian and New Zealand markets and use a rating system of 0 to 5 stars.
Ninety-three percent of new vehicles sold in 2021 were ANCAP safety rated.
42 aadirections.co.nz OFCOURTESYPHOTOGRAPHS ANCAP
ary Ward will be oblivious to the enormous contribution she made to road safety. The 42 year-old scientist has the dubious distinction of being the first automobile fatality in history – thrown into the air as a passenger from her friend’s steam-powered car west of Dublin in August 1869.
Ben Whittacker-Cook checks out the history and future of crash test dummies.
Most of us know what a crash test dummy – or anthropomorphic test device is; a human-like model used in safety tests to replicate driver and passenger behaviours when a car is hit or crashes
from any angle. The information from these tests is used by global vehicle safety authorities to help car manufacturers produce safer cars (and even aviation craft and space rockets).
It began a revolution in thinking of a kind – the realisation that these new travelling ‘toys’ can be dangerous. However, it took several decades to get to the high-tech world of physical crash testing and active collision avoidance testing from which we all benefit today.
Leading the way is the Test device for Human Occupant Restraint (THOR). Specifically designed for frontal impacts, THOR is used in the frontal offset test and is seated in the driver’s position. It was introduced to the ANCAP family in 2020 and is the most advanced dummy of its kind, able to provide 99 channels of data compared to the 39 available from the previous model.
The crash test dummies used by ANCAP have experienced hundreds of crashes firsthand. Their role is critical, as each dummy provides information about the level and type of protection provided to them by the vehicle.
OPPOSITE: The line-up of ANCAP's current test dummies, with THOR, the most advanced of the family, in the centre. LEFT: A fullscale ANCAP crash test in progress, with a ute being put through the frontal impact procedure.
CRASH TEST DUMMIES
“The range of what we rate and test is enormous, from full-scale crash tests to different types of subsystem tests, such as pedestrian impact and whiplash. So many different elements go into determining each ANCAP star rating, and it needs to be cumulative, because you need to have a broad level of safety for a vehicle,” Mark says. “Our safety ratings are determined based on the poorest-performing area of assessment. So, for example, you can't have a car that performs well for adult occupant protection but is no good for pedestrian impact, or one that crashes well, but has no active crash avoidance capability. Those combinations won’t score well in our system.” Evolution is very much at the heart of Mark’s work. As such, the ANCAP crash test dummy family is light years away from the dummies of 50 years ago.
“Despite their appearance, the dummies used in our destructive crash tests are highly sophisticated and are fitted with an array of sensors and data acquisition systems to tell us when and where they are ‘hurt’ in a crash. Other members of our dummy family are less sophisticated but equally important, as they help determine how well a vehicle can prevent a crash with a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, or another vehicle.” Work is continuous and rigorous. It has to be. Moreover, as new technologies are woven into our cars on an ongoing basis, someone has to make sure innovation is safe. As a result, ANCAP’s work can never really stop.
43SPRING 2022
To check the safety rating of any vehicle, new and used, see www.rightcar.govt.nz
ANCAP in New Zealand
ANCAP is one of three rating systems used to assess the safety of light vehicles in New Zealand. Most New Zealand-new vehicles receive ANCAP ratings, which are valid for six years from the date of rating. They do not apply to used imports or older vehicles.
Vehicle Safety Risk Ratings (VSRR) cover vehicles that are less common in the fleet, and for which there is not enough statistically accurate crash data available. VSRR give an estimated rating based on the vehicle’s year of manufacture and market group.
Over the next five years Mark believes crash avoidance assessment will increase significantly.“Weneedto look at driving automation, for example. Everybody has heard of the notion of the driverless car, and while we’re quite a long way from that, both ourselves and Euro NCAP are doing evaluations on ‘assisted driving’ (adaptive cruise and lane centring), which is really interesting.” From 2023, vehicles will also be assessed for their ability to avoid a crash with a motorcycle. The motorcycle (or powered-two-wheeler) dummy target will be the latest addition of the ANCAP family and will be utilised in a variety of automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane support test scenarios. There will also be significant developments in passenger safety relating to frontal impact crashes in future years, as another small female frontal crash dummy is nearing readiness for use and will be the newest member of the crash test dummy family.
“ANCAP plays a very important role in helping consumers understand how safe a new vehicle is. The organisation is funded and supported by Government and road safety agencies as well as vehicle manufacturers across Australasia. Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency is New Zealand’s founding member and investor," says Lisa Rossiter, ANCAP Board Director and Senior Manager at Waka Kotahi. Older vehicles and used imports are mainly covered by Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR). They are based off real world crash data recorded across Australasia. UCSR show how well a vehicle performs in the real world against all other vehicles on the road.
MOTORING
Vanessa Trethewey talks to advocates of cycling.
T he lure of golden beaches and leisurely vineyard lunches was too great to resist. Before I knew it, I’d signed up for a two-day e-biking adventure exploring Tasman Bay’s finest. The fact that I hadn’t ridden a bike in close to 30 years barely factored into my decisionmaking. But it probably should have. I’m one of a growing number of Kiwis getting back in the saddle after a long hiatus. And as the popularity of e-biking soars and New Zealand’s cycle networks expand, more of us are squeezing into bike shorts, strapping on panniers and getting out amongst it. While running out of battery or getting a puncture is probably the worst that can happen on our coastal trails, those venturing along our city cycle lanes have significantly more to contend with.
Marilyn has made it her life’s work to teach people these skills, starting in Toronto back in the 1980s and continuing her crusade after immigrating to New Zealand. She has delivered educational programmes to school kids, council cycle programmes, adult skills classes and teacher training classes with the Police. In 2017 she received an Outstanding Contribution to a Bike-Friendly Future Award for her efforts. Founder of Wellington’s cycle skills organisation Pedal Ready (one of her proudest achievements), Marilyn was also a driving force in the development of our national cycle skills syllabus, administered by the national organisation BikeReady. Now she delivers Women’s Learn to Ride classes through Pedal Ready, coaches women’s and girls’ mountain biking through JoyRide and WORD, and even teaches couples how to e-bike.
As cyclist and trainer Marilyn Northcotte explains, if you’re planning on dusting off your 10-speed, or splashing out on the latest e-bike, it’s a good idea to sharpen your skills before taking to the road.
“In recent years there’s been a crazy increase in the number of people cycling. There are so many benefits – the freedom, the flexibility, the environment! But, at the same time, it’s becoming more important than ever for people riding bikes, particularly in the city, to know how things work.”
Primarily Marilyn works with newer riders, and those returning to cycling (aka ‘re-engagers’), getting them comfortable on a bike, boosting their traffic knowledge, and laying the foundations for CROP, her model of teaching.
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Although we may never follow Sao Paulo’s lead and close our streets to cyclists on Sundays, Alessandra is confident we’ll make some pretty significant progress. “This year is a big year for Bike Auckland. We’re growing our community groups, have more bike lanes in the pipeline and lots of new infrastructure projects underway. In ten years’ time, Auckland will look very different.” Her dream? “I’d love to see cycling become ordinary in Auckland, with more kids riding to school and more adults taking their bike instead of their car. My dream is to see people healthier, happier and safer through cycling.”
Bike Auckland’s Chief Biking Officer Alessandra Francoia talks about ‘Drive Lightly,’ a moderate approach which recognises that although we need our cars for many trips, bikes can offer a great alternative. “I don’t have a car,” Alessandra says. “I have a lifestyle which allows me to get everywhere I need to go by bike – but obviously that doesn’t work for everyone. Some people need to drive. We don’t expect this to change, but what we’re proposing through Drive Lightly is that people think about some of the shorter trips (under five kilometres) that they could make by bike. Could you go to sports, visit friends, or do a small grocery shop by bike? This could be a great place to start.” The small contribution we make by opting for two wheels over four can have a huge impact.
“C is for communicatingcommunication,yourintentions to others on the road by looking over your shoulder, using signals and positioning yourself correctly in the lane. R is for rules of the road, that’s things like letting people know if you’re turning, and understanding who goes first at an intersection. O is for observation – look ahead and look all around, including behind, and P refers to your position on the road.”
New Zealand is not yet a cyclists’ sanctuary but we’re certainly making progress and as more people look at ways to tackle climate change – and speed-up their daily commute – attitudes are shifting.
This is followed by a stint in a lowtraffic environment to practise skills like joining and leaving a road, and then a neighbourhood ride. Those keen to upskill further can tackle multi-lane roads and learn how to safely navigate around buses and trucks. Climbing onto an e-bike for the first time? “E-bikes are much heavier and faster than regular bikes. Give yourself time to warm up, don’t just jump on and be all gung-ho. Get to know what the bike can do and how it handles.”
It’s a concept that’s being rolled out the world over, from Tokyo to London, Paris to New York, and even in Greater Manchester which, in 2018, committed to a 10-year plan to add 1,125km of cycling infrastructure. Meanwhile in Sao Paulo, where Alessandra spent seven years, up to 300km of city roads are closed to traffic every Sunday morning so that cyclists can enjoy them. A die-hard cyclist from way back, Alessandra has been working in the road safety arena for over 20 years.
Torpedo7 also offers AA Members a 20% discount on Torpedo7-branded gear, including bikes.
Is bikeyoursafe?
“We need to do something about carbon emissions and biking is the easiest, cheapest and most effective way to tackle it. Not only that but, by taking your bike, you’re lightening up the roads for those who really need to be driving on them. On top of the physical and mental health benefits, you’re contributing towards a better society for everyone.”
She’s worked with SafeKids in Brazil and New Zealand and prior to joining Bike Auckland, she had a role with International Road Assessment Programme, a charity dedicated to saving lives by improving infrastructure. There’s no doubt we need to make roads safer for cyclists. According to the Auckland Cycling ten-year plan, 60% of Aucklanders would ride a bike if we had better infrastructure. Our own AA Member Survey figures show that 84% support the development of more cycleways and biking facilities.
AA Members can get a free 14-point bike safety check at Torpedo7, valued at $79, once a year. Servicing includes checking and tuning gears and brakes, lubricating chains, ensuring helmets, spokes, tyres, pulleys, housing and cables are in good condition and alerting riders to any maintenance issues brewing.
Marilyn’s Pedal Ready classes cover grade one, two and three cycling skills. A three-hour course for adult re-engagers kicks-off with bike handling skills in a non-traffic environment (using your brakes, looking behind without getting the wobbles and riding one-handed).
45SPRING 2022 SAFER CYCLING
MAZDA CX-5
The 2022 CX-5 range now has six grades, including a completely new Activ model. The line-up starts with the popular GLX for $42,690 and GSX for $45,190, both front wheel drive models powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine. The new CX-5 Activ sits in the middle at $51,390 and features a 2.5-litre petrol engine. The Takami, a luxury 2.5-litre petrol turbo, is at the top of the range for $64,690. If you are looking for a medium, five-seater SUV, the CX-5 Activ might fit the bill. It comes with all the safety features you would expect in a new SUV, along with Off-Road Traction Assist, Hill Launch Assist (HLA) and Traction Control System (TCS) to help with out-of-town drives. It has a 5-Star ANCAP safety rating.
The fourth-generation ŠKODA FABIA Monte Carlo has arrived, with a sporty aerodynamic design. Its 1.5-litre TSI engine boasts 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque – rather a lot for a small hatch. With a fuel consumption of 5.4L/100km and an emissions rating of 125g/km, it’s also eligible for a Clean Car Discount rebate of $2,181. The new model is slightly longer and wider than its older sibling, has more boot space, new assist systems, 17” alloy wheels and comes in seven colour options including Graphite Grey and Phoenix Orange. For a starting price of $39,990 (+ ORC) the FABIA Monte Carlo is slightly pricier than other hatchbacks on the market, but it’s in a class of its own – part sporty, part hot hatch. It has a 5-Star ANCAP safety rating.
MOTORINGaadirections.co.nz
NEW TO MARKET 46
The Citroen C3 Aircross has had a facelift, providing many more exterior colour options with a black or white roof, alloy wheels, a new front face with EcoLED headlights, a new grille, quirky rear bumper trim and advanced comfort seats. Performance-wise, its 1.2-litre petrol engine produces 81kW and 205Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed auto powertrain. Fuel efficiency is good for a compact SUV at 7.3L/100km and it handles well. The C3 Aircross is super comfortable, thanks to luxurious seats and plenty of interior space. It’s packed with modern safety features and easy-to-use technology includes Park Assist, 180-degree reverse camera and voice recognition. Sophisticated, stylish and fun, this crossover SUV is also a little bit different. Priced from $38,990 (+ ORC).
SKODA FABIA MONTE CARLO
MARKETCITROENC3AIRCROSS
This is the first commercial plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) from Volkswagen. It comes in two models: the Family which starts from $78,800 (+ ORC), which is eligible for the Clean Car Discount and the upspec Energetic model from $106,000 (+ ORC). It has individually-mounted rear seats – not rows – that sit on rails, meaning you can set up countless different mobility scenarios. The power opening and closing sliding doors on both sides of the vehicle make passenger access a breeze. The standard panoramic glass sunroof is a real treat, creating a sense of spaciousness. And the exterior design is as charismatic as the interior; the Family model comes in a solid tone while the Escape offers a retro style two-tone finish with chrome accents. It has a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
BUYING A NEW CAR? Get advice from the experts. The AA Motoring Services team test-drives new models and makes of car. Their detailed, impartial reports are available at aa.co.nz/cars , along with ANCAP safety ratings.
Multi-award winning, pure electric, setting new standards for design, performance, comfort and efficiency; this is the new Kia EV6, an elegant answer to battery electric vehicle (BEV) prayers. There are various models – the Air, the Earth and the range-topping GT-Line. Battery range starts at 394km for the RWD Air model, while the RWD Air Long Range model packs another 134km to come in at 528km, putting any range anxiety to bed. There’s enough power available and, if you need to tow, a decent amount of torque and tow ratings in the line-up. The EV6 is a good consideration for buyers in the sub $100k range, while the Air range at under the $80k threshold allows buyers to take full advantage of the Clean Car Discount scheme.
VOLKSWAGEN MULTIVAN PHEV
Fuel economy ratings are available for these models. To compare fuel economy and safety ratings across other vehicles, go to rightcar.govt.nz
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN R
Tiguan has long been Volkswagen’s most popular model; this version of the family-sized SUV combines next level performance, driver appeal and safety features. It has a 2.0l TSI petrol engine with 235kW of power, 400Nm of torque, a new drive system and an uprated sevenspeed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control with Travel Assist and Lane Keeping System are standard. Its Area View Camera provides live 360-degree vision to the infotainment screen – essential for safety when reversing and great, also, when navigating inner-city parking. Overall, the Tiguan is a practical commuter that can transform into a performance SUV. Priced from $80,990 (+ ORC), it is eligible for a Clean Car Discount and has a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
KIA EV6
47SPRING 2022 www.ancap.com.au NEW TO MARKET
AA Member discounts available when you provide your valid AA Membership number at the time of booking. Rental car offers exclude tax, fees, optional products and services. Terms and conditions apply for each travel offer. Visit the relevant Member Benefit Partner’s page via aa.co.nz/member-deals for more details. * Redeemable in a single fill up to a maximum of 50 litres. Hit the road with these special travel Benefits! As an AA Member you can enjoy fantastic travel Benefits on your next trip. selected sailing and cruising experiences with Explore Group10%OFF selected group tours and short breaks with TimeLeisureTravel10%OFF the base rate with Hertz car rentals in New Zealand, and a 12 cents per litre AA Smartfuel discount, on up to 50 litres* An exclusive 15%OFF the base rate with Thrifty car rentals in New Zealand, and a 20 cents per litre AA Smartfuel discount, on up to 50 litres* An exclusive 20%OFF the daily rate with GO Rentals car hire15%OFF selected accommodation with AA Traveller An extra 10%OFF selected guided cycling and hiking tours with Adventure South NZ and walks with Great Walks of New Zealand 10%OFF the availablebest fare on Interislander10%OFF the best daily price on Britz, Maui and Mighty campervan rentals10%OFF the best available fare on scenic trains with Great Journeys New Zealand™10%OFF To find out more visit: aa.co.nz/member-deals
THIS ISSUE IN 52TRAVELLER Road trip A journey from Queenstown to Christchurch takes in the colour and beauty of the South Island. 58 Wild dining We discover a remote fine dining experience in the heart of the Ruapehu region. 66 Island time A welcome return to the Cook Islands reveals what's new. 49SPRING 2021 BYPHOTOGRAPH SMITHMARK
Top Spot Musician Muroki heads to The Coromandel for surf missions and family time. Muroki is touring Australia and New Zealand in October and December. See murokimusic.com for more.
MY MUM LIVES quite far north up the peninsula. It’s really quiet there. I do a lot of fishing with my granddad; we surf-cast and drink beers on the beach. I also do a lot of chilling; I lie in mum’s hammock for hours. When I go there it’s to do not much and most of what I do involves the beach. I’ll head out on the water if there’s any surf or I’ll go for some swims. Plus there’s a stream running through the bush and a half-hour walk to a waterfall. It’s definitely the perfect reset. I also love doing little surf missions down the east coast to Whitianga and Whangamatā Hahei is like a Spanish beach, with its big, white rocks. If I could use one word to describe the area it would be ‘lush.’
Methven locals, led by Dave Dynes knew a long soak in hot pools, along with a massage and a meal, would be a great way to relax after a day on the road or vigorous outdoor activities. Plus, it would help turn Methven into a year-round destination, not just a winter attraction. The snag was there are no thermal springs in the district, despite the best efforts of drilling companies and water diviners. “There was nothing but cold water,” Dave says. Then came the idea of using solar power. That idea turned into a dream that became a reality: the opening of the Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa last year.
A toddler shows his total delight with excited cries and a broad grin. In another pool, some boys have commandeered the water gun and take turns shooting each other with jets of water.
He tells us the water treatment system refreshes the water at a higher rate than would normally be used and the water is
The gentle current in the large pool nudges us around as underwater jets help sooth sore spots.
Our adults-only option is the warmer Tranquility Pools with a swim-up bar, where people enjoy canapés and beverages; others soak in wooden hot tubs.
As we are drawn toward the glass entrance, we spot some of the 500 solar thermal collectors discretely screened behind a landscaped bank. We head for the family-oriented Discovery Pools, which have exceptional water clarity and a temperature of 37 ºC.
We wrap ourselves in thick white robes and head for the spa. My partner enjoys the soft fragrances of the Aroma Lux
“Our solar array can meet all of our pool heating loads, even on the shortest day in winter,” says engineering consultant James McKenzie, who shows us around.
The entrance to the new spa replicates a walk up the Rākaia Gorge, as it narrows and then opens up. Above, the steep slopes of Mount Hutt loom, while a line of tall trees provides shelter from the prevailing winds.
Massage while I have an Escale Beaute Facial, a treatment that stimulates the complexion and takes a decade off my age, or so I’m told. We relax afterwards with refreshing green tea.
F rom afar, the foothills of the Southern Alps lurk behind a roiling quilt of cloud. As we drive further up scenic SH77 toward Methven, the clouds disperse to unveil the steep banks of Mt Hutt, a winter mecca for skiers.
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Mark Barratt-Boyes enjoys a soak in a new South Island spa.
TRAVELLER BYPHOTOGRAPHS GANELISA
All the water for the Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa is glacial melt water sourced from the Rangitata River, via a diversion race a kilometre away. The solar thermal collectors are the primary water heating system.
When the complex is shut, the water is stored in large tanks, to minimise heat loss and stop anyone contemplating an illicit after-hours swim. Heat pumps powered by hydro-electricity make up any shortfalls during cloudy periods and evening sessions, James explains.
Save
For more travel inspiration and to book accommodation see aatraveller.co.nz
Find out how you can win a family pass to Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa Discovery Pools, or a couples pass to the Tranquility Pools on p.18. filtered through special fine, golden sand to ensure it is exceptionally pure and clear. An email booking system means there is a maximum of 50 people in the Tranquility Pools and 140 in the Discovery Pools at any one time. Bookings are for two-hour sessions but can be extended. The idea for the complex resonated with the Methven community for years but gained momentum when Methven Adventures was formed in 2016, by which time Dave was no longer involved. “The reality and the vision are very close,” he reports, adding that the $15 million project was completed following a funding injection through the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund. Other businesses have seen opportunities presented by the opening of the spa, too. Mount Hutt’s ski season extends from mid-June to the end of October and has a new express chairlift transforming access to various runs. It’s not just for skiers and snowboarders, either. Many people have a lot of fun on snowWhiletrikes.aprés-ski entertainment has always focused on The Blue Pub in Methven, we call in for coffee at the Topp Country Café established by the famous musical twin, Lynda Topp. Later, it’s dinner at The Dubliner Irish Bar and Restaurant located in the former Methven post office. As we leave Methven and drive toward Christchurch, we turn on to Rākaia Terrace Road. It’s the longest straight, level and totally deserted stretch of country road I have driven in New Zealand for years. A line of poles meets the road on the horizon in a perfect vanishing point. It’s an ideal image to end our time in Methven.
Book now at thrifty.co.nz/aa-members 20% off the best rate of the day in New Zealand!
51SPRING 2022 Ō PUKE THERMAL POOLS SPEND LESS AND ADVENTURE MORE WITH THRIFTY AA Members can receive: • An exclusive 20% off the base rate of the day* • A 20 cents per litre AA Smartfuel discount, on up to 50 litres, on New Zealand Rentals^ • Access to a special 10% off the base rate of the day with Thrifty in Australia* *Thrifty New Zealand T&C’s apply, refer thrifty.co.nz/aa-members or call 0800 475 028 ^AA Smartfuel discount on up to fifty litres of fuel, T&C’s apply, refer AAsmartfuel.co.nz/terms
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Then, later, as we journeyed past Lake Hayes and into the Gibbston Valley wine region, the car window framed an almost identical scene. Deciduous trees threw a chartreuse carpet over deep jade vineyards and burnt ochre hills towered above the striking sapphire glacial waters of the Kawarau River. We stopped to soak in the beauty and, just as I was considering how cold the river must be, a daring thrill-seeker got very close to finding out, having plunged off the 43-metre-high AJ Hackett Bungy platform on the edge of the gorge.
This is the world’s first commercial bungy; not stopping to make the leap is a bit like visiting Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower, however, I was happy just to watch before we drove on. At the renowned winery, Peregrine, we stepped through the cellar door – with its design based on the wingspan of the peregrine falcon – and spied an artwork by Graham Brinsley. It hung near barrels of the liquid gold harvested from the family-run winery, which has three distinct sub-regions within its landscape of rugged rock reefs and ancient hills.
BYPHOTOGRAPHS TISCHLERMONICA
D riving east from Queenstown felt like we’d been immersed in an oil painting. Earlier, we’d strolled the streets of Arrowtown, past historic cottages with plaques pinned to their picket fences detailing stories of the butchers, bakers and candlestick makers who had once occupied them – and stumbled upon the residence of artist Graham Brinsley. The painter was busy in his studio blotting amber hues onto canvas, each swish of the brush pulling us further into the unfolding scene.
A road trip from Queenstown to Christchurch takes Monica Tischler through multi-hued scenes.
But unmistakable and quintessential Kiwi views came next, across the Waitaki and Mackenzie regions, enjoyed by some while soaking in Hot Tubs Ōmarama. While it would have been the perfect post-walk remedy, we needed to keep going so continued through Twizel and along the edge of Lake Pūkaki to Tekapō. What was the rush? We were hoping to see a Betweenshow. March and September is the best time to view the Aurora Australis, the fluorescent pink and green hues that swirl across the night sky as solar winds, reacting with atmospheric gases, create the electrical wonder that is the Southern Lights. And while bungy jumping mightn’t be on my bucket list, witnessing this phenomenon was. Here, in the world’s largest Dark Sky Reserve spanning 4,300 square-kilometres from Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, the villages of Mt Cook, Twizel and Tekapō, is the best place to view the lightshow.
53SPRINGROAD2022TRIP
Cyclists pedalled along the network of nearby trails, enjoying the scenery at a leisurely pace. We pushed on to Bannockburn, past Roaring Meg – an apt name for the waterway that drives the nearby hydroelectric power station. The Bannockburn Sluicings site, where the remains of dams, water races, rock tailings and caves left by goldminers can be explored within an historic reserve, really made an impression on us.
There was more history to experience in Cromwell’s Heritage Precinct, along the bank of the Clutha River. We ordered coffee and fresh baking in a café behind an old stone façade where, according to the original sign, seed and grains were once sold. These lovely buildings date back to the 1860s and were rescued, some even rebuilt on higher ground, when the Clyde Dam flooded Cromwell’s main street in Crossing1990.the Otago border into Canterbury at Lindis Pass we saw signs indicating chain fitting bays, reminding us that we were in gnarly terrain. That stretch of road is often closed because of snowfall. We opted to explore the stalagmite formations of Ōmarama Clay Cliffs, set on private land and accessed by a five-dollar donation. The tall pinnacles and narrow ravines, otherworldly and intriguing, are made up of layers of gravel and silt originally formed by the flow of glaciers more than a million years ago. To me, it felt more like Utah, USA than Waitaki.
North Island Road Trips South Island Road Trips Northland Region Auckland Region Central & Lower North Island Region Upper South Island Region Lower South Island Region New Zealand Touring Map TravellingWalkingCycling with Pets Packed with travel ideas, road trips, maps, things to do and places to stay on your next trip. Pick up our latest free travel guides and maps from AA Centres, i-SITEs and tourist centres. Order online at aa.co.nz/shop or read at aa.co.nz/travel-guides With our free travel guides NEW ZEALAND Discover
A word of thanks
The writer stayed in Heritage Hotels’ jewel in the crown, Heritage Queenstown. Situated above Lake Wakatipu and overlooking the Remarkables, Heritage Queenstown sets the standard for southern hospitality and has unparalleled lake and mountain views. See heritagehotels.co.nz for more. Choose a pickup and drop-off location from 43 Hertz sites across the country. AA Members receive special deals and AA Smartfuel cardholders can enjoy fuel discounts when booking. See hertz.co.nz for more. 55SPRING
CHRISTCHURCH
OmaramaPassTekapo Fairlie
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ArrowtownBannockburnLindis
For more travel inspiration, see aatraveller.co.nz But it was not to be; the sky was not clear. And what a tease, I thought, as it dawned cloudless the following morning…
QUEENSTOWN
The silver lining was that we were still surrounded by beauty and had time to photograph the scenes we were travelling through, such as historic Burkes Pass and the rolling countryside into Fairlie, the gateway to the Mackenzie Region. We quenched our thirst at the home of Barker’s of Geraldine, makers of chutneys, spreads and cordials. The food store, complete with tasting stations highlighting an extensive product range, operates from a corner of the original family farm beside Te Moana River, where couples ambled hand in hand and familiesBetweenpicnicked.theRangitata and Rākaia Rivers lies Ashburton. Here, we strolled Trott’s Community Garden, bristling with pretty flowers, intricately pruned hedges and a badge of ‘international significance.’ The former privately-owned gardens are now in the hands of a trust; the donation on entry ensures visitors and locals alike can continue to enjoy the soothing and reenergising properties of it. It’s certainly how we felt as we completed the last leg of the journey to Ōtautahi Christchurch, where more of nature’s benefits awaited in New Zealand’s own Garden City.
56TRAVELLERaadirections.co.nz
Sue Hoffart sees stars with the help of an astro tour guide. J ohn Drummond was star struck the first time he recognised a constellation in the night sky. The Tairāwhiti Gisborne surfer, science teacher, astro-photographer and highly qualified amateur astronomer was 10 years old when his mother pointed upwards one evening and showed her son how stars formed the shape of a “Somethingsaucepan.wentboom,” he says, describing that revelatory moment to the 15 visitors who have gathered inside his makeshift paddock classroom on a Saturday evening. “Once I saw the pot in Orion I was absolutely fascinated with astronomy from that moment on.”
We are a mixed bag of paying guests; eager adults and families with antsy children, with one obviously serious astronomy boffin in the audience and the rest of us willing stargazers with more curiosity than knowledge. The vast majority are local residents who have spotted one of John’s Gisborne Astro Tours signs and ventured to rural Pātūtahi to find out what happens in the cluster of blueroofed sheds after dark. Wear warm clothes and gumboots, an advance email message recommends. The latter suggestion guards against wet grass and sheep poo, but my footwear also comes in handy when someone asks a question while we are assembled outside. John seizes my discarded boots and a pair of jandals to illustrate a particular planetary arrangement on the classroom deck. The two-hour tour begins with a warm welcome and a presentation that includes a brief history of the universe as well as photos of the resident sheep. They are an ancient breed that hail from England’s Stonehenge area “so there’s an astronomical link with my sheep,” John says. He also demonstrates a trick that allows us to see ultraviolet light, using a cellphone and a television remote control.
There is no question our teacher knows what he is talking about and no doubt about his passion. A recent past president of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand, he already holds a Master’s degree in astronomy and is about to begin Doctorate studies. According to his website, John’s astral images have been published in books and magazines around the world and even appeared on a couple of New Zealand stamps. He has also helped discover about 20 exoplanets, which we learn are planets that orbit around other stars
BYPHOTOGRAPH KIRKTAYLOR
As John spends his days engaging teenage school students, he easily captures and holds our attention. We learn there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. We absorb the fact that light pollution prevents three quarters of the planet’s people from seeing the Milky Way galaxy. Go home and check your security lights, he tells us. Those lights are harming animals, too. We discover the best time to see a specific meteor shower (Labour Weekend, around 4am) or the next lunar eclipse (November). And this gold ring I’m wearing? Apparently, the metal cannot be made on earth; it was formed by a supernova explosion. Then, he leads us outside. The roof has been removed from the largest of his sheds to reveal three telescopes
57SPRING 2022 TAIR Ā WHITI ASTRO TOUR
bright individual beacons. In between, necks tip backwards and heads swivel as we marvel at everything the naked eye can see above the Pātūtahi paddock. It is clear that decades of astronomy study have only increased John’s sense of awe. Nearby, a raised platform hosts his reclining chair. On special occasions such as a meteor shower he will connect an electric blanket, lie back and spend the entire night watching the sky. that point heavenwards, in different directions. Laser pointer in hand – yes, he has official permission to use it – he reveals more secrets of the universe. Navigation tales are told, pinpricks of blue or red are identified, globular clusters are named, satellites spotted and zodiac star signs are revealed. Throughout the rest of the evening, our host moves between each telescope, positioning and re adjusting to focus on different corners of sky or avoid a bank of clouds sweeping through. Despite the large group size, everyone has a chance to catch an eyeful as many times as they like, and there are plenty of delighted gasps as vague murky patches magnify to reveal
©IMAGES DRUMMONDJOHN
ABOVE: Astro-photographer and tour guide John Drummond's images have been published in books and magazines around the world.
For more Tairāwhiti Gisborne travel stories and to book accommodation in the region, see aatraveller.co.nz
58
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Jo Percival finds rugged landscapes and refined dining in Ruapehu. he stag leapt over boulders on the river bank. He was bluffed in, trapped by steep cliffs and disorientated, having strayed from his home territory during the roar. The noise of our jet boat startled him and he attempted a futile scramble up the sheer rock, tumbling back into the long grass. “Can deer swim?” I asked Dan, our skipper. “Very well,” he confirmed, as the stag plunged into the Whanganui River and was pulled closer and closer to our bow by the current, his wet antlers gleaming in the morning sunshine. “That’s National Geographic stuff right there!” Dan exclaimed, as the stag reached the river edge, kicked his hind legs as he vaulted over a fallen tree and disappeared back into the bush. “That’s probably the best wildlife experience I’ve ever had on the river!” What an incredible thing to witness. Getting up close with wildlife is pretty common at nearby Blue Duck Station. A 3,000-hectare farm in the heart of the central North Island, the station is surrounded by native bush and bounds the rugged wilderness of Whanganui National Park. We reach the station on a juddering gravel road that winds for 41 corrugated kilometres from Raurimu through bush and farmland. Viewing the landscape through the sepia filter of dust adds to the feeling of travelling back in time. There are a scattering of tiny cottages, re-purposed shearer’s quarters and a couple of self-contained houses spread along the roadside. The Blue Duck Café is the hub of the station – a launchpad for outdoor adventures and a prime spot for recounting the day’s tales over a beer by the fire. Dan Steele, the station’s owner pulls up at the café in his signature wide-brimmed hat, driving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) filled with working dogs. We give their furry faces a scratch and climb in for a tour to get our bearings. While bumping along the rutted farm tracks, Dan tells us about the property. Income at Blue Duck is derived from farming, tourism, and their biggest earner – mānuka honey, which they sell 40,000 kilos of each year. Because a lot of the land
BYPHOTOGRAPHS PERCIVALJO is steep and difficult, diversification is critical; farming alone won’t do. Plus, Dan is retiring large swathes of pasture to become native bush as part of his extensive conservation efforts. We pull over to investigate one of the traps that helps combat rats, stoats, possums and wild cats. Predator control is critical, as the station’s namesake, the critically endangered whio blue duck is found here. There are an estimated 2,500 whio left in New Zealand; about 1% of the population is at Blue Duck Station. We continue on a rollercoaster ride along pinched ridge lines barely wide enough for the side-by-side ATV. Below us, pleated hills and bush-filled valleys are intermittently illuminated by afternoon sun rays. This is tiger country, Dan says, home to wild goats and, at this time of year, even wilder stags. We hear their roars echoing through the hills. It is spectacular, and it’s easy to see why Dan is so passionate about making sure this piece of land not only endures but thrives. Early the next morning we set off on the mighty Whanganui River, swaddled in eerie mist, everything in soft focus. Again, the muffled bellows of stags reverberate through the low cloud. It is calm and still and cold on the river. I dip the icy tip of my nose into my jacket.
59SPRINGRUAPEHU2022
Chef Jack Cashmore was a 19-year-old traveller from the UK when he first visited Blue Duck Station. After working in London restaurants, Jack was looking for a change of pace and seized the opportunity to create a unique dining experience in the middle of nowhere. Initially conceived as a temporary pop-up, The Chef’s Table now consists of a beautiful ten-seat dining room adjacent to the open kitchen and three stylish guest cabins. The only way to get there is by ATV. Or helicopter.
it. By 1942 there were only three families left; by 1943 the settlement was deserted.
The full-immersion dining experience begins with a two-hour safari through landscapes where much of the produce is sourced from. We climb the narrow, rocky track to the top of the property – so high it is often above the clouds. But there are no clouds this evening – just vast, mountainous views set against a candy floss pink sky. The snowless peaks of Mount Ruapehu 60
The jet boat flies past ancient podocarp forest – towering tōtara and rātā alongside some of the biggest umbrella-like mamaku ferns I’ve ever seen. This is virgin native bush, never touched by humans. Still frothing from our close encounter with the wild stag, we arrive at the Mangapurua Landing to see the famous Bridge to Nowhere. The short bush walk is flat and easy, originally built for horse-drawn carts, so the gradient is no steeper than four degrees. Early on a crisp, sunny morning there is no-one at nowhere, and we have the whole historic bridge to explore by ourselves. In the 1930s two men took two years to cast the beautiful concrete structure that stretches across a steep, bush-clad chasm. The bridge was built as part of a futile attempt to create a settlement within the dense bush. Sections in the Mangapurua Valley were allocated to veterans after World War 1, and initially there were plans to build roads linking Raetihi, the Whanganui River and Stratford in Taranaki. But, on realising how difficult this would be, the idea was abandoned and by the time the bridge was completed there was little need for
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From the impenetrable national park to the craggy hills at Blue Duck Station, this remote part of Aotearoa is not the sort of place you would expect to find a fine dining restaurant but, at the ‘Top of the World,’ sits The Chef’s Table.
One to watch The Chef’s Table at Blue Duck Station reopens for the summer season in mid-September. To watch the video of the Whanganui River stag encounter, check out the AA Directions Facebook page –blueduckstation.co.nzthechefstable.co.nzfacebook.com/AADirections
61SPRING 2022 For more travel inspiration, see aatraveller.co.nz Driving more benefits to AA Members including: • 15% off the base rate* Plus a 12c per litre AA Smartfuel discount* • AA Members Comprehensive Package • 10% off Australian rentals AA Smartfuel cardholders can receive a 12 cents per litre AA Smartfuel discount on New Zealand rentals when booking with Hertz** Get even more benefits by signing up to the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards loyalty program • AA Smartfuel discounts • Faster rentals • Rewards points • Exclusive promotion *Hertz New Zealand T&C’s apply, refer hertz.co.nz/aa **AA Smartfuel discount on up to fifty litres of fuel, T&C’s apply, refer AAsmartfuel.co.nz/terms Book now at hertz.co.nz/aa or call 0800 579 555 and Ngāuruhoe stand nearby; the flat top of Mount Hikurangi near Taumarunui is visible, and the tiny tip of Mount Taranaki peeks from behind a ridge on the western horizon. We watch the sunset with a perfectly mixed martini in hand. Inside we feast. It is a journey of flavour, 11 delectable courses with ingredients foraged from around the station. The last of the summer’s tomatoes are served in a smoky broth with tiny flowers of fresh basil. Mamaku fronds taste a little like asparagus, and the rich flavour of wood ear mushrooms is complemented with indulgent truffle crisps. And, of course, there is homegrown lamb. Replete and sleepy we climb back into the ATV, snuggled under blankets for the drive back down the hill passing through pockets of mist in the darkness under a sky studded with stars. RUAPEHU
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62
Denise Stephens joins a boutique tour inland from Kaikoura.
LEFT: A view over the relatively new Lake Rebekah. ABOVE: Taking at rest in the impressive heights of Puhi Peaks Station. BELOW: Albatrosses and other seabirds come in for a closer look at the humans, off the coast of Kaikōura.
KAIKOURAENCOUNTERPARSONS,WILLSTEPHENS,DENISE
NEXT PAGE: Massive trees feature on the Kaikōura Coast Track.
KAIK Ō URA K aikōura is famous for whale watching and crayfish, but for many travellers it’s a quick stop on the way to somewhere else. I spent a leisurely five days there with Driftwood EcoTours, exploring the area from the mountains to the sea. Our small group met locals in wool sheds and on walking tracks, listening to their stories and discovering places far from the usual tourist route. The tour leaders, Will Parsons and Bob Kingscote, knew the area well. On the first day we drove from Kaikōura to Waiau, through the area where Bob once farmed. At Waiau we stopped to look at the church damaged in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, as Bob recalled going inside with other parishioners to rescue its contents. We would hear more stories of the earthquake during the next few days.
We drove several kilometres to a bluff overlooking the river. Here, Rebekah pointed out the lake and the slips still scarring the surrounding hills. After the quake she was interviewed by a reporter who asked if the lake had a name. It didn’t, so, on the spur of the moment, she decided to call it Lake Rebekah.
“You’re in for an adventure,” Rebekah Kelly said as she welcomed us to Woodchester, farmed by her family for 100 years. The farm was near the epicentre of the earthquake, which destroyed most of the fences and the water system. It also triggered a massive slip that blocked the Leader River, forming a lake.
Scientists have become regular visitors to the farm to study the effects of the earthquake and Rebekah shared some of their research with us before lunch at a tree-shaded table and a wander around the homestead garden admiring peonies and azaleas.
63SPRING 2022 BYPHOTOGRAPHS
The earthquake also affected local wildlife, as we learned the next day at Puhi Peaks Station. A QEII covenanted conservation area protects one of the last remaining colonies of the Hutton’s Shearwater, an endangered species found only in Kaikōura. About 3,000 birds nest at the station, and some nests were destroyed by the earthquake. A very early morning boat trip took us out to spot Hutton’s Shearwaters flying from their mountain colony out to sea in search of food. Mist lay over the land and the sea was still. In these calm conditions, we were lucky to see a flock of about 200 shearwaters, while albatrosses paddled close to the boat for a better view of the humans. After breakfast we drove inland to Puhi Peaks. Nicky McArthur, the station’s owner, met us at the front gate along with the station manager, Wayne. Here Nicky pointed out the boundaries of Puhi Peaks, extending as far as the skyline, before we drove along a bumpy track to the wool shed.
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65SPRINGKAIK2022 Ō URA
See driftwoodecotours.co.nz for more information. Visit aatraveller.co.nz for more stories about Kaikōura.
It turned out that most people had been on a Driftwood tour before and some were already planning to go on another. Driftwood’s local knowledge and contacts mean their guests get to explore places most visitors don’t see. We were a well-travelled bunch, with some sharing tales of exotic destinations, yet all of us enjoyed this authentic experience of life in our home country. would take to encircle one of the largest kahikatea; six just managed to reach around the tree with arms outstretched and fingertips touching. After lunch, two helicopters flew us back to Kaikōura. We spotted seals lying precariously on steep cliffs as we listened to the pilot describing manoeuvring the helicopter into tight landing places
At Medina, David and Sally Handysides have been sharing their love of the land with walkers for 26 years through the Kaikōura Coast Track. Down on the beach where the first day of the walk ends, a long strip of sand stretches away beneath rugged cliffs. We walked through a gate with a sign threatening a penalty of forty shillings for 'any person who omits to shut and fasten this gate'.
Over morning tea in a cosy shelter hut built from recycled materials, David told us stories of Medina and other farms in the area, many established by returned servicemen. Our walk started on a grassy cliff top with a spectacular view up and down the coast, then through protected native forest with huge kahikatea, mataī and tōtara trees. Some of the group decided to test how many people it during the post-earthquake rebuild of State Highway 1. The helicopters landed on the back lawn of Te Mahuru Retreat to a welcome from our host, Jen. Over four nights, our group of eight had got to know each other. That night, our last together, we ate the best fish and kumara chips in Kaikōura and talked about what we had enjoyed on the tour, places we had travelled to before, and where we hoped to visit.
Over a lunch of bacon and egg pie and salad, Nicky talked about the Hutton’s Shearwater Trust, formed to protect the birds. Local volunteers have established a new nesting area and rescue injured birds blinded by the town’s lights at night. One of many discoveries for me was the passion that Kaikōura people have for the environment they live in.
Then we walked through bush, spotting rare plants, finally arriving at an open plateau. We looked across the valley to the steep, rocky slopes where the Hutton’s Shearwaters nest. Clouds briefly obscured the view before being blown away by a cold southerly.
In the arrivals’ hall, Cook Islands musician Papatua Papatua is blending sweet Polynesian melodies with loping ukulele rhythms and by the time a garlanded 'ei of frangipani flowers is draped around my neck, it feels like I've never been away.
But less than four hours after leaving Auckland, Rarotonga's sounds, sights and aromas all kick back into place, and I'm again wondering why other airports don't offer a musical welcome for visitors.
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BYPHOTOGRAPH TIERNEYDARREN
66
Rarotonga is a destination I know well, and while it would be easy to relax by the lagoon or pool, after more than two years exclusively experiencing New Zealand, I'm keen to start exploring and find out what's the latest. I'm staying at Muri Lagoon Villas, a lagoon-side self-catering option on the island's southeast coast, and the 13km drive via Avarua –definitely one of the world's most laid-back capitals – reveals a mix of the familiar and the new. An island-style pulled pork wrap at the new Kai Guy food truck eases into a frosty Cook Islands lager on the deck at Trader Jack's – still the best spot to see Rarotonga's waka ama crews heading out for an after-work paddle – while late afternoon rushBrett Atkinson returns to a familiar but refreshed Rarotonga.
S
ix years after I was last on Rarotonga, and exactly 750 days since I last boarded an international flight, it's a slightly unfamiliar thrill to touchdown at Avarua airport in the lee of the island's forested and mountainous interior.
The former Massey University environmental sociology lecturer has taken a keen interest in Cook Islands' culture and natural history, and recently self-published six booklets showcasing Rarotonga's churches, flora and historic places. At the market, a smoothie and a crepe crammed with tropical fruit makes an ideal breakfast before the ride, and we're soon on two wheels heading down Rarotonga's northwest coast past the stark basalt formations at Tuoro. On a nearby seawall, Corrina points out a colourful work in progress that will eventually be the South Pacific's longest mural, including all 15 islands of the Cooks archipelago, and telling the story of Marae Moana, the nation's pioneering multi-use marine park spanning two
BYPHOTOGRAPH ATKINSONBRETT
hour traffic down the east coast consists mainly of scooter-riding locals and a ute carrying a canine trio also wearing 'eis. Lucky dogs. Leaving Auckland on a Saturday morning means you arrive in Rarotonga on a Friday afternoon, ideal timing to take in Avarua's Punanga Nui market the following morning. After a pickup from Muri, I'm soon exploring the market with Corrina Tucker from Storytellers Eco Cycle & Walking Tours.
67SPRING 2022 COOK ISLANDS
Six years ago I biked around Rarotonga's south coast – including through the abandoned site of the unfinished Sheraton resort – with Storytellers' original owners, but since taking over in 2018, Corrina has put her own stamp on the business.
OFCOURTESYPHOTOGRAPHS TOURISMISLANDSCOOK
informationVisitor
For more travel inspiration, see aatraveller.co.nz
Air New Zealand offers frequent flights from Auckland to Rarotonga. See cookislands.travel/entry for the latest on Covid-19 vaccination requirements for travellers to the Cook Islands. million square kilometres. Leaving the coast, we venture on island backroads to Ara Metua, Rarotonga's 1,000 year-old inland route, now framed by plantations and groves of fruit trees. Incorporating the stories of tribal battles and Rarotonga's system of ariki (traditional high chiefs), Corrina's narrative is interspersed by our continual grazing from nearby trees. After a multi-course menu of passionfruit, mango and wild guava, I'm glad of my decision to skip the coconut buns at the market. Smart, because I've still got room for lunch of pawpaw salad and parrotfish at the end of the tour. But plenty of sea air and exercise means I'm soon hungry again, so I drive along Rarotonga's south coast for dinner at Charlie's. Six years ago, Charlie's was a simple affair, operating out of a single shipping container, and offering a concise menu of fish sandwiches. Slabs of seared tuna or wahoo wrapped in focaccia are still an option, but now there's also wood-fired pizza, sashimi and ika mata (marinated raw fish salad), all served on a covered deck overlooking the lagoon. By the time the eponymous Charlie joins the band on bass guitar, it's already a great night. Next up is another adventure inland beyond the lagoon; I catch up with Fili Maoate from Raro Buggy Tours for an 8am start. Back in 2016, I joined one of their tours, driving a low-slung buggy to explore the backroads of the south coast in a relaxed mix of on- and off-road driving. Fili warns me to expect a very different experience this time. Part one of Raro Buggy Tours 2022-style involves driving a compact all-terrain vehicle probably more at home on a South Island sheep station. In Fili's hands, it's also suited to a winding red-dirt tropical racetrack. I'm soon following him speedily through a natural maze, framed by young pawpaw trees, and it's already far more exciting than my 2016 experience. Then we transfer into purpose-built buggies framed by roll cages and we set off on a track with many more twists and turns and made incredibly muddy by an overnight thunderstorm. Water crashes through the buggies' open floors, we drift around muddy berms like a Cook Islands remake of The Fast and the Furious and after 15 minutes of action, I am totally covered in a sheen of glossy mud. Fortunately, the experience ends at Rarotonga's only waterfall for the ultimate outdoor shower. A 6.30am pickup from Muri sees me embarking on a final Rarotongan adventure. The new day begins surprisingly quickly, transforming from an inky dawn to soft daylight like a colourised movie. After a safety briefing on the beach, our Turtle Sea Scooter Safari group heads out into the Avaavaroa Passage. Ariki Adventures’ co-owner Kavae Tamariki ('KT') leads us to where we're likely to spot sea turtles. We don't have to wait long. A hawksbill turtle swims past, followed soon after by a green turtle, and a few sleek, giant trevally. Below us I can see the shadowy outline of an eagle ray, slowly patrolling the passage's sandy floor; moray eels and reef sharks are also often seen here. Looking back at the island's mountains, now becoming more distinct with the lifting of morning mist, it's a brilliant way to cap off a return to Rarotonga, and a return to international travel.
68TRAVELLERaadirections.co.nzBYPHOTOGRAPH TIERNEYDARREN OFCOURTESYPHOTOGRAPH ADVENTURESARIKI
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T&Cs: * $189 per year for AA Members, a saving of $20 off RRP. Emergency callouts are up to one hour long, with a commitment to fix or make the problem at hand safe. Subscription price excludes parts and any additional labour required. Limitations and exclusions apply. See aahome.co.nz for more details. Subscribe at aahome.co.nz, call 0800 224 663 or visit your nearest AA Centre.
The AA now has an emergency service for your home, much like AA Roadservice. So, if you’re faced with a burst pipe, buzzing switchboard or you’ve locked yourself out, we’ll have an AA trusted tradesperson there to save the day, usually within the hour. And at just $189 a year for AA Members, with six emergency callouts included* in your subscription, we’ll save you money too. It’s 24-7 response you can rely on to ensure things don’t escalate. Don’t let a home emergency escalate.
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SPRING 2022
“I prefer to call what we do property styling because staging to me sounds fake, whereas we aim for a home to feel real and lived in. Property styling is
What is home styling all about?
Sharon Stephenson reports.
THERE’S A STORY Kate Alexander likes to tell, about a four-bedroom home on Auckland’s North Shore that spent two months on the market with no takers.
Result? The home sold two weeks later for more than the asking price. UK figures suggest that’s not unusual: research there showed that staged homes sell three times as fast as non-staged homes. What’s more, UK real estate agents believe that home staging bumped up offers by up to 10%.
HOME & LIVING Home & Living BYPHOTOGRAPHS HYSLOPMICHELLE 71
Kate, who believes it could be the same in New Zealand, explains why.
“People generally can’t see past what’s in front of them. We were brought in to present the home in a way that garnered appeal, and not only gave prospective buyers the chance to visualise themselves living in the home, but also inspiration that their home could look like that.”
The reason? “It was empty,” says Kate, the founder of Places and Graces, a home styling and interior design company based in Devonport.
Kate, who started her company a decade ago, specialises in styling both occupied and empty houses for sale. She focuses on Auckland's Devonport and Takapuna markets, as that's where she lives.
“We use real plants and fresh flowers in all our homes. And we style right up until the photographer arrives to capture theThebeauty.”team will then leave items in place for open homes and usually until the home sells. Does Kate ever face resistance from home owners unwilling to spend the money or admit that their decorating choices might not be catnip to buyers?
72HOMEaadirections.co.nz&LIVING
“Staying local has allowed me to keep the business niche and deliver a personal service. Our clients are varied and often become repeat clients. It’s also helped us to build our interior design practice off the back of the property styling, because clients who’ve seen their homes transformed often want us to help them achieve that feeling in their new home.” Here’s how it works: either a client will contact Kate or will be referred by one of the real estate agents her company works with. And then Kate and her colleague will swing into action. “Our approach is 100% bespoke. We do have a science we follow but the design aesthetic is unique to the architecture and style of what is already in the house. Sometimes we will even buy items specifically for a house, such as furniture or artwork.”
“That’s why the industry has grown into a stand-alone sector. Very few people live in homes in a way that’s immediately presentable to prospective buyers, and nor should they. We get the most out of our homes when we arrange them to suit our individual lifestyles. But the more intune the styling is with the audience, the more prospective buyers will fall in love. Sometimes it works so well that clients don’t want to sell!”
A subscription to AA Home Response gives you access to expert tradespeople 24/7, 365 days a year. Our tradespeople can help with a range of household emergencies and will aim to be there within the hour or at a time that suits you. To find out if AA Home Response is available in your area and for your type of home, go to aahome.co.nz , call 0800 AA Home or head to your nearest AA Centre.
Once the owners, agents and Kate’s team are on the same page, Kate will then bring in the furniture and add the art, linens and finishing touches.
“Sometimes homeowners can struggle to grasp that prospective buyers might not see their home the same way they do. It’s our job to help them understand what we do and the value that it brings.”
Kate, who previously ran a brand strategy and graphic design business with her father, will then visit the home to get a feel for its benefits and challenges. “We take photos, chat to the owners and agents and get a complete picture of the property. Then, wearing our buyer’s hat, we write a detailed report for the owners outlining how each space in the house should be presented. That could range from leaving it as it is to changing a room’s function, such as a living room being turned into a bedroom. We suggest furniture and items we might bring in and prep work the owners should do, from painting a wall to removing unnecessary furnishings.”
as much a science as it is art, using design to lead the eye in a certain direction, ensure each view is pleasing, create a cohesive feeling from room to room and suggest the kind of lifestyle the home can provide. Buyers fall in love with the promise of a lifestyle as much as the practical features of the house like the number of bedrooms or all-day sun.”
Because, as a decade in the home styling trenches have shown her, it does work.
“Our throws are knitted rather than woven, so they’re much bigger than normal bed throws,” Kate says. “They’re also really heavy and cosy.” New Zealand wool was once the darling product of our primary industries. Jo Percival finds a family-owned business working to bring back this wonder fibre.
AA Directions has one Foxtrot Home Lambswool Throw valued at $309 to give away. The winner can choose from the selection of six colours. To be in to win, send your name and contact details to AA Directions Foxtrot Home, PO Box 5, Auckland 1140, or enter at our website: aadirections.co.nz by 30 November 2022.
As well as using wool from Kate’s farm, the throws are manufactured in NewTheZealand.woolisscoured and cleaned in Hawke’s Bay, then sent to Wellington for spinning and dyeing. Then it is knitted by an Auckland company, before going full circle back to Waipukurau for dispatch.
Kate and Prue are proud to be doing their bit to promote strong New Zealand wool. “People know about Merino and how soft it is, but we need to educate people about strong wool products,” Prue says. “We’re glad to be able to share that message and hopefully create some demand.”
73SPRING 2022 HOME & LIVING
FoxtrotHome founders,Kate Cullwick andPruWatson.
“We wanted a business that would fit in with our lifestyles,” Prue explains. “I’m based in Auckland and Kate is in Central Hawke’s Bay. Kate has two children and needed to be able to work from home, rurally. And I was working fulltime in a corporate marketing job, so I needed to be able to work outside of those corporate hours.”
SISTERS KATE CULLWICK AND PRUE WATSON initially set up their small business –Foxtrot Home – selling lush French flax linen bedding online.
“French linen came about by chance,” Kate says. “We fell in love with the amazing fabric samples that were sent from Normandy. Plus, we knew linen was a more sustainable and environmentallyfriendly option than cotton.
Then they realised that all the raw, natural product they needed was right there, on Kate’s 740-hectare sheep and beefWhilefarm.New Zealand consumers are familiar with lightweight wool like Merino, most strong wool is exported or used for making carpets and upholstery. However, as well as being warm, natural wool is fire resistant, stain resistant and hypoallergenic.“It’sawonder fibre,” Kate says. For the new range, the sisters created lambswool throws inspired by vintage blankets in colours to match their linen.
“Very early on we decided that we’d stick to the bedroom,” Kate continues. “We thought throws could be a natural progression but a lot of the flax linen ones are quite flimsy. We wanted something more functional and also beautiful.”
BYPHOTOGRAPH VEYSEYALICE
FRANK WITOWSKI’S daily work commute is roughly 20 paces. He stacks his breakfast dishes, walks through to the garage and opens the big roller door.
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He consulted bike dealers about what they’d want to see in their ideal e-bike – the checklist is still pinned up in the garage like a piece of memorabilia – and later brought in Nelson-based former Olympic cycle mechanic and retired bike store owner Jim Matthews (now Hybrid’s Business Development Manager) to help on the mechanical side.
PHILPLIAM
The result is a range of half a dozen e-bikes that have all the advantages of carbon fibre – they weigh three to five kilograms less than your average e-bike –but without carbon fibre’s usual premium price. Parts are manufactured in China, but the bikes are re-built and customised in the Nelson garage.
Work is the garage, which serves as a daytime showroom for Hybrid’s groundbreaking carbon fibre e-bikes, and at night becomes a workshop where he services bikes and develops ideas.
Hybrid was seeded in 2017, during a momentous period in Witowski’s life. He’d been treated for cancer, had sold his solar consultancy business and was in rest and recovery mode. Keen to get fit again, he had a look around for an e-bike but couldn’t find one he liked at a decent price. “I thought ‘if it’s not out there, then I’ll make it happen’.”
Meanwhile, the business has grown rapidly and has distribution deals in Europe, the UK and Australia firming.
“By eight o’clock the sun is coming in,” says the expat German engineer and entrepreneur, founder of fledgling electric bike venture Hybrid. Home for Witowski is a solar-powered, energy-positive house he designed in a new hillside subdivision near Nelson.
“If we keep growing like this, God knows what’s going to happen. Somebody told me I’ll have to build a house with a bigger garage!” That may yet happen. He’s certainly fond of the garage; fond of garages in general, really. “You should have seen my shed in Germany where I worked on my Harley,” he says. “That garage was my life.”
BYPHOTOGRAPHS
In 2019, Consumer nominated two of Hybrid’s range among its top e-bike picks, second only to a billion-dollar French brand. More recently, Witowski was named Supreme Winner of the 2021 David Awards, New Zealand’s small, home and micro business awards.
What’s behind the garage door?
Matt Philp meets an entrepreneur in his happy place.
If we growingkeeplike this, God knows what’s going to biggeraI’llSomebodyhappen.toldmehavetobuildhousewithagarage!”
It’s still very much a working space, however, and an expression of Witowski’s creative engineer’s brain. Hidden behind the showroom banners is a work station for servicing and customising bikes.
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“It can act as a place for doing office work, but you can also drive it up and have a mechanical workspace where you can stand and repair a motor or whatever, just by pushing a button.”
A happy space? You bet. “To end up in a garage, doing this now, was never the plan. But I just love working from home.”
The Nelson garage is tidily carpeted thanks to a visit a while back from a TV reporter. “We got the call they were coming and I thought ‘Oh no, they’ll see the cracks in my concrete floor!’”
And he makes regular use of his electricpowered height-adjustable desk.
E-BIKE
Sue Hoffart talks to the creator of a money management app for children.
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Once Jovan and fellow SquareOne business owner Jamie Jermain became fathers, they were determined to prepare their own children more effectively. However, online banking’s explosive growth has made traditional teaching aids coins and bank notes, saving books and piggy banks – largely irrelevant. “Our kids have never handled cash or seen us handle cash. We realised all they were seeing was Mum and Dad at the store, tapping a card every day. To a kid, that looks like magic. You just tap, tap, tap your way through life.
GROWING UP IN NORTHLAND, Jovan Pavlicevic estimates his financial education was on par with most of his peers. That is, minimal money education at home and absolutely nothing at school. The co-founder of a Kiwi-made money management app for children says he went on to make plenty of financial blunders throughout early adulthood. “I made all the mistakes,” the SquareOne creator says. “Buying fast cars and motorbikes and things of that nature, literally having no idea what I was signing up to. And I think I was similar to most. You’d finish school, leave home and best of luck to you. You were expected to learn financial lessons the hard way in your 20s and 30s.”
“We’d hold these dad chats around the kitchen table when the kids were in bed, trying to figure out how to get our kids up and running with pocket money, doing small jobs, even having a bank SquareOneaccount.”was born from the realisation that fellow parents faced the same barriers to fostering moneysavvy children. The pair, who met while working in London’s financial services industry, spent two years developing the child-focused app that lets young users track savings, spending and earnings using appealing images and simple graphics.
Jovan Pavlicevic Jamie Jermain
Start the conversation Talk about money with your kids. What does that toy cost? How much is that tank of gas? How much might it have cost to build the Auckland Harbour Bridge? Little conversations, often, will help them gain a sense of context and scale. Set goals Is there something your child wants? Put the power in their hands. Teach them that, if they want something, they can earn it. Show them how to set a goal and the steps needed to achieve it. They'll make mistakes and that's OK We all, eventually, learn the sting of buyer's remorse and sometimes we learn the hard way. Where do you want to see that lesson happen? Is it on a Lego set or on a first car loan with a 20% interest rate? 77SPRING 2022
“It's not that we think money is the most important thing. In fact, we stress that the most important things in life are free and that understanding money frees up the time to focus on those important things.”
Children set savings goals in ‘pockets’ rather than accounts and are encouraged to find ‘earning opportunities’ to bump their savings along a progress bar. Some app users are saving towards their first house, others are setting aside money for a toy, a holiday or a splurge on lollies.
SOME DAD TIPS
It has already proved valuable in unexpected ways, as parents of children with learning disabilities have latched on to it. “We’ve had some touching feedback from parents saying it’s given their kid a level of autonomy and independence for the first time. “For anyone, it’s about enabling kids to take those first steps in the real world and start learning lessons with real money, all under the watchful eye of Mum and Dad. Because forewarned is forearmed. I don’t want kids to face the same sort of difficulties I did when I can see they could learn lessons when they’re eight years old.”
Caregivers can attach a value to chores then pay on completion, assign household jobs that must be done without payment, and add pocket money automatically.
FINANCE ADVICE
It's not that we think money is the most important thing. In fact, we stress that the most important things in life are free and that understanding money frees up the time to focus on those important things.”
Jovan says his children quickly worked out the difference between a $2 job and a $3 one and began to negotiate fees or look for extra ways to earn. Along the way, they are learning concepts such as borrowing and interest and asking more money-related questions.
“Notifications go to both the parent and child when they’ve hit 60 per cent of the goal. Or done five out of 10 jobs this week. That feeling of hitting a goal, it’s hugely inspiring and motivational to reach the next one.”
Parental controls include an ability to block R18 merchants, set spending limits and view a child’s online transactions. “I’ve seen massive changes in my own kids in terms of awareness. Before, if you’d asked them what does a house cost or a car cost, what do you think it costs to do groceries every week, the answers were just nonsense. Now, they’re part of the conversation rather than bystanders. They make their own purchasing, earning and saving decisions, and there are massive, quantum leaps in terms of their awareness of what time’s worth.”
you would prefer not to receive such offers, please tick this box. q Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms First Name: Address:Surname: Postcode: Signature:Phone:Email: PAY NOTHING NOW 1. ONLINE at www.bradford.net.nz/holden quoting promotion code: 44537 2. MAIL no stamp required, to: The Bradford Exchange, Freepost No.98331, PO Box 91901, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142 3. PHONE: 09 829 0475 10am-7pm NZST Mon – Fri www.bradford.net.nz/holden Shop Online with Ease ✔ 120-day money-back guarantee ✔ Interest-free instalments ✔ Quote 44537 for fast ordering Call 09 829 0475 ©2022 The Bradford Exchange Ltd. GST No. 51510 178 503-FA134.01 PleasePromptlyRespond Engraved with “She’s a Beauty!” Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley’s affirmation of the 48215 and your watch’s edition number. Respond quickly to get one of the coveted low numbers! Three chronographic subdials offer a versatile stopwatch function Deluxe presentation box creates the perfect gift for a Holden driver ,WORLDWIDEEDITIONLIMIT 9 4 81 AvailableNot in Stores!
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Over 70 years ago, Holden’s 48-215 was launched to an ecstatic motoring public. More than 70 years later, Holden remains our favourite car. Now, you can celebrate our beloved icon with the “Holden 70th Anniversary Watch” available exclusively from The Bradford Exchange. The watch case is plated in shimmering gold enhancing its strength and making it shine with a pride that Holden drivers know well. The watch face features a Holden logo with “70” making a heartfelt statement of the enduring bond Holden has with New Zealand. Three chronographic subdials give you accuracy as well as a handy stopwatch function. A wealth of Holden icons are engraved through the design including “She’s a Beauty!” Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley’s affirmation of the 48-215 which has been voiced by motorists in every successive generation of Holdens. Your watch’s individual issue number is engraved on the back. It’s a hallmark that assures your watch is an official part of an edition which celebrates the greatest name in motoring!
“What you need in your 20s is probably not what you need in your 30s or 40s. My health and wellbeing plan changes probably every five years, because your body changes and requirements change. It’s about being smart and planning it out.”
“Some people might use their birthdays or wedding anniversaries or whatever –but having a cue works. For me, whenever Matariki rolls around, it’s the new year and I go and see the doctor and get my blood pressure and my heart checked.”
As a younger man his focus was on ‘having the abs’ and he spent a lot of time in the gym. Now in his 50s, his priorities are very “Whatdifferent.issuiting me now is jujitsu, because it’s engaging my physical self but it’s also very engaging mentally – there’s a lot of strategy involved, you’re thinking your way through – and spiritually, because there is a lot of protocol.
This is also when he considers the balance of his life, a philosophy based on the holistic Māori model of Te Whare Tapa Whā. Translated as ‘the house of four walls’, it’s the idea of health and wellbeing being interconnected on many levels. “It’s not only physical; there’s a lot more to your overall health and wellbeing. It’s also connected to your emotional or mental health, your spiritual health, and also your health around the relationships you have with other people.
“You have to balance these four walls. If one is stronger than the others, the house is not in balance. If you don’t have all those walls connected, the house is going to fall down.” Because everyone is different, he encourages people to find their own health and wellbeing goals and measures, rather than comparing themselves with others. And it might take a while and some experimentation to work out what works best in all four areas of your wellbeing.
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“There are difficult things to navigate –there will be obstacles – that’s the world we live in, that’s life. But I firmly believe that if you are working on those four facets of your life, you start to really achieve good health and wellbeing, especially if you can get good balance across the four.”
Scotty is compelled to encourage men, in particular, to look after their health and wellbeing, as he reckons men are not always good at it. “There is something intrinsic in men; we think we’re bullet proof! But we’re not.”
Having been involved in Men’s Health Week for a few years now, he’s keen to reiterate the ‘annual warrant of fitness’ notion. He chose Matariki as the time to focus on his health, to check that all is well.
Teaching te reo Māori plays another essential role in his life balance, as does spending quality time with his children; they contribute to the maintenance of healthy relationships and, in turn, his health and wellbeing.
MAKE A DATE once a year to check your health and keep your life in balance. That’s the message writer, lecturer and broadcaster Professor Scotty Morrison shares at every opportunity in his public speaking circuit and in his work as an advocate for te reo Māori.
Visit the AA Health Insurance blog at aahealth.co.nz for a list of health checks to consider when taking an annual 'Man WoF'.
BYPHOTOGRAPH CASSONJESSIE 79SPRING 2022 HOME & LIVING
Another thing to keep in mind is the need to adapt with age.
How health matters to Professor Scotty Morrison
Jujitsu is quite tough but it’s in my plan to get me into my 60s.”
“My message would be – physical fitness is good but make sure it’s balanced with all those other things. Don’t go and do a two-hour workout and then neglect your emotional and spiritual health.”
the rapid lift in interest rates, as analysts try to weigh up whether the world economy will have a hard landing.
As a result, the world is watching how the New Zealand economy (and its housing market in particular) copes with
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) was the first of the closely watched central banks globally to recognise the need to stop the stimulus and start raising interest rates. They were actually still ‘late’, versus how they historically responded to the state of the labour market and inflation, given the ongoing Covid-19 uncertainty, but they were well ahead of global peers.
wackiness Covid-19 has brought about, we certainly can’t rule out that an old fashioned global demand shock could be what tips the New Zealand economy over from a policy-induced slowdown into a recession. If so, the silver lining is that the RBNZ has probably acted early and aggressively enough that inflation would quickly subside. Because stagflation, when inflation stays high despite high unemployment because inflationtargeting credibility is lost, would truly be the worst of all worlds.
And that economy is going its own way to some extent. They have three particular challenges: a shake-out in the over-leveraged property development sector, ongoing lockdowns as the country attempts to maintain zero Covid-19, and the consequences of a crackdown in the tech sector. The unemployment rate has risen substantially, bringing into question Chinese consumers’ willingness and ability to pay a premium price for New Zealand’s high-quality food exports and property developers’ need for logs. There are structural supports to New Zealand commodity prices, given disruption to global food supplies. But in the end, despite all the economic
Sharon Zollner, Chief Economist at ANZ bank, sums up the global economic situation and its impact on New Zealand.
This is the scenario for which independent central bank inflation targeting was designed. and overworked businesses struggling to meet demand. And asset prices, from housing to equities to cryptocurrencies are under pressure as central banks go screaming into reverse, raising interest rates at a speed not seen in decades, in response to inflation rates not seen since the early Inflation,1980s.itseems, wasn’t dead but only sleeping all this time. This is the scenario for which independent central bank inflation targeting was designed. Getting inflation down from these levels is likely to require a fair amount of pain in both asset and labour markets. It’s a big ask for any politician to put their voters through short-term pain (slower growth and higher unemployment) for long-term gain (inflation stability). So unelected central bank governors were given the task. And this is the biggest test of the regime yet.
AS A SMALL EXPORTING NATION, the fate of New Zealand’s economy is often buffeted by what is happening offshore. In recent decades, our commodity prices, and eventually our broader economy, were knocked for six by both the Asian Financial Crisis of 1998 and the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. In recent years, of course, there couldn’t have been a more global shock than Covid-19. Different countries took different paths but currently find themselves in much the same spot: getting on with life in the face of pandemic waves and hoping like mad a nastier variant doesn’t come along. The economic response by policymakers was actually a good deal more homogenous than the health response was. Fiscal and monetary policy went into overdrive, piling on the stimulus by increasing debt – their own, in the case of fiscal policy, or encouraging others to borrow more, in the case of monetary policy. With the benefit of hindsight, too much stimulus was added. Spending boomed – particularly spending on goods, given curtailed travel options. Meanwhile, supply-side disruptions rumbled on: lockdowns, sick and isolating workers, closed borders, shipping disruptions, and the icing on the cake, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine giving a solid boost to both energy and food prices. As a result, a large number of countries are experiencing slightly different flavours of what is essentially the same dessert. Inflation is far too high. Consumers are miserable – but, so far, still spending. Labour markets are incredibly tight, with stressed out
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The most important export destination for New Zealand is, of course, China.
Is having financial independence part of the appeal of running your own business? Of course. And the ability to be creative. It's not all about money. How have you managed the ups and downs of the last couple of years? It's been brutally hard. Restaurants in Auckland’s CBD suffered most but with a lot of effort to stay in touch with my customers and with help from the Government, I've survived. However, I'm now carrying a lot of debt. Have you had to pivot, contract or expand parts of the business in order to meet the challenges?
Israeli-born business owner Yael Shochat owns Eastern-Mediterranean restaurant Ima Cuisine on Auckland’s Fort Street. Her menu is inspired by Palestinian and Jewish recipes.
During the Level 3 lockdown we did a lot of takeaway and we still do some of that. Also, I'm expanding my bakery; that's still in progress. Does money matter to you? I need to make enough to keep my staff and my suppliers paid. Make no mistake, this is not a cash cow. It's a very hard business and profit margins are very low. How would you describe your relationship with money – are you a saver, or a spender?
SPRING 2022
HOME & LIVING81
BYPHOTOGRAPH SMITHMARK
What inspired you to launch Ima?
I suppose I'm a spender. I always have things to do for the improvement of the restaurant. How do you treat yourself? I eat out and now, finally, I can travel. What is the best financial advice or words of wisdom you’ve received?
Look after the cents and the dollars will look after themselves.
I am a foodie. When I arrived in New Zealand the food around me was not great. It was very limited and especially lacking in form in my cuisine.
maMoneytters
Fast and reliable mobile charging for all types of EVs Service available at no extra charge for AA Members We come to you *Currently available in Auckland and Wellington. Christchurch launching late 2022. Call 0800 500 222 or request assistance via the AA Roadservice app AA Members can now access mobile emergency charging for EVs* EV out of charge?
BYPHOTOGRAPH PEARL&VEYSEY/PAPERALICE STAFFSPRINGPROFILE832022
“As an Insurance Consultant you’re sitting with a customer for quite a long time and you’re able to have a conversation with them, whereas with CSC it’s quite a quick transaction as you’ve often got other people waiting.
“Last year I was approached by my manager to join a pilot programme studying level 5 of the Financial Services course. It was perfect timing because I wanted more, I knew I wanted to keep working for the AA and I didn’t want to go into management because I wanted to stay customer focused. I really enjoy helping customers get what they need, and I want to keep doing that.
“We had a trainer from (insurance underwriter) Asteron Life who took a small group of us through the course. It was a detailed course covering the legal
“I STARTED WITH THE AA six years ago as a Customer Service Consultant (CSC). I remember on my first day looking over at the insurance desk and thinking 'oh, I want to do that!' I was a CSC for a couple of years and then got the opportunity to do maternity cover on the insurance consultancy team and that turned into a full time role, which I was happy about.
Stacey Tomsett is an Insurance Adviser based at the Tauranga AA Centre. Earlier this year she and a few of her colleagues gained the Financial Services qualification needed to meet the legal requirements for giving financial advice in New Zealand.
Designer specs
To celebrate the arrival of British heritage brand Ted Baker at Specsavers, AA Directions is giving away two vouchers for a pair of prescription designer glasses or sunglasses.
WIN!
THE 32-PIECE COLLECTION OF EYEWEAR exclusive to Specsavers showcases unique prints and bold colours as well as minimalistic and timeless styles. Made with exceptional attention to detail and distinctive, high-quality handcrafted finishes, the Ted Baker collection puts style firmly in focus. To enter, send your name and phone number to: Designer specs, AA Directions, PO Box 5, Auckland 1140. Or enter online at aadirections.co.nz before November 30, 2022.
appointments – mostly by phone or online. There’s an initial consultation, when we dive deep into the customer’s needs, what they want from insurance, their health, their income, everything like that. Then we look at some options, discuss with the underwriters, then present recommendations for the customer to assess. “Sometimes they require changes before it goes through the application process – so it’s maybe a month or six weeks from the very start to the last submission. I have several on the go at once, which means having several people’s lives in my mind at once!
The highlight of the role is helping people; it’s a whole other level of looking after customers. It’s taking to the extreme the concept of meeting the AA values.”
AA Members are entitled to a free eye test at Specsavers (valued at $60) once every two years. See specsavers.co.nz for more information and to find your nearest Specsavers store. Remember to present your AA Membership card on arrival.
“The highlight of the role is helping people; it’s a whole other level of looking after customers. It’s taking to the extreme the concept of meeting the AA values. “I love what I do and it’s cool that I could stay with the AA. I wanted to do more with my career, and it was great to be able to progress within this company.” obligations of general insurance, as well as life and disability insurance. Although it was intense, I really enjoyed it and I’m so glad I did it.
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“In my old role, if someone asked about life insurance, I could only say what was available and how much it would cost; I couldn’t advise them because you need to be level 5 qualified to offer any advice on life insurance – that is to protect consumers, the company, and the consultants. But now I am registered as an Insurance Advisor and a nominated representative of the AA, to comply with the Financial Services Legislation Ammendment Act. “It’s a busy job. The process with each customer takes a lot of time, over several
85SPRING 2022MY AA
“Globally, people are wanting to live more sustainably and cities are transforming to be more liveable for the people in them. This trend is seeing local governments and increasing numbers of people move towards more active modes of transport such as biking, walking, scooting and public transport.”
CYCLING
BACK IN BUSINESS
LICENSING SERVICES has a new home in Gisborne and the AA is now back in business on the East Coast. With a fresh building at 198 Grey Street and new management by long-time Gisborne locals John and Shona McInnes, the AA Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is up and running after a break as the new premises were sorted. Customers can visit the AA Agency for all their driver and vehicle licensing requirements, including International Driving Permits (IDPs).
“I’d like to commend the AA on this great initiative for cyclists. The AA has consistently shown itself to be supportive of cycling and this new service is another example of the AA going the extra mile to encourage cycling.
Breakdowns on two wheels can now be sorted with the AA Roadservice for bicycles.
Plus, AA Members can get their bike checked at Member Benefit Partner Torpedo7 with a free AA 14 Point Bicycle Safety Check as well as 20% off Torpedo7 branded gear and 10% off other brands.
Visitors can also join the AA or renew their AA Membership, and a range of travel guides and maps are also available.
AA Club Developments General Manager Dougal Swift says he’s thrilled this service will be added to the extensive AA Member Benefit portfolio, at no extra cost or sign up for Members.
“More AA Members are using electric bikes for their daily commute, so we extended AA Roadservice to include e-bike cover. Now we are pleased to cover even more modes of mobility by adopting Roadservice for regular bike breakdowns, too.”
“I’m delighted the AA recognises the need to support people on bikes.” His support was echoed by former New Zealand Cycle Trail (NZCT) Chair Richard Leggat.
Auckland Transport recorded 3.2 million cycle movements across its 26 counter sites around the city between January and December last year. Chair of Bike Auckland Tony Mitchell says there has been a real boost in cycling over the last few years.
AA THERE CYCLISTSFOR
“Many cyclists have occasionally had mechanical or tyre issues that can’t be fixed on the spot; having the AA just a phone call away will be a great assistance in these situations.” AA Roadservice for bicycles will consist of tyre repair, including tube repair or replacement, and bike recovery.
In most cases a Service Officer will fix the problem at the roadside. If extra support is needed, transport will be arranged to get the Member and bike to a place of safety or repair.
AA MEMBERS will soon have peace of mind if they find themselves in trouble on their rides. If they need help, the AA will come.
AA Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency re-opens its doors in Gisborne.
Tony says more services to assist people commuting on bikes are welcomed. “I have had the occasional bike breakdown over the years from a split tyre to mechanical failure. You can’t always fix all these issues yourself when you are out and about, so assistance is handy. For more details on this and other AA Member benefits, see aa.co.nz
The service, due to launch in October, will be provided as part of both standard AA Membership and AA Plus Membership, at no additional cost or sign up for existing Members.
Save on your summer road trip with AA Traveller.
AA Home recently added to its line-up of Book a Job services in Auckland by offering full maintenance and service repairs for air conditioning units and heat pumps.
Thrifty has a modern fleet ranging from spacious SUVs to fit the whole family to compact runabouts for couples. With Thrifty based at more than 30 locations around New Zealand, including every airport, booking a rental car for your next road trip or weekend away is now easier and even more affordable.
AA Home’s air conditioning and heat pump services are initially available in Auckland with a plan to roll out to other regions in the coming months.
comfortsHome
IT’S BEEN A CHILLY few months and, if your home has a heat pump, you might have clocked up some hours using it. Perhaps it’s time for a service?
AA MEMBERS NOW HAVE even more choice when booking a rental vehicle, as Thrifty Car Rental has come on board as an AA Traveller Member Benefit Partner. AA Members can get an exclusive 20% off Thrifty's best base rate on car rentals in New Zealand, plus a 20 cents per litre AA Smartfuel discount.
AA Home Commercial Manager Bek Wall says: “We’re very happy to have introduced this new service to our lineup. Ensuring your home is warmed through the winter and cooled through summer with air conditioning units and heat pumps that are working effectively is key in creating a comfortable and healthy home environment.
86 aadirections.co.nz MY AA Find out more at aatraveller.co.nz
WHEELDEAL
AA Home has added heat pump servicing to its Book a Job service. See aahome.co.nz for more details.
“We wanted to make it easier for our AA Members, AA Home subscribers and AA Insurance customers to access these kinds of services, along with receiving a 10% discount when they book online.”
AA Home Book a Job, launched in 2020, is an online booking platform for scheduled trade services, including electricians, plumbers, locksmiths and a handyperson service for odd jobs around the house.
The wider range of Book a Job services is currently available in Auckland, Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Hastings, Invercargill, Masterton, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Wellington, Whangārei and Whanganui.
On offer is a maintenance service to ensure best performance of your heat pump or air conditioning and minimise risk of unit failure, plus a repair service if the heat pump or air conditioning unit is not working.
Daniel has a long history of education in driver training and 10 years prior as a primary school teacher. “I first started teaching people to drive when I lived in Taupō where I operated the Taupō Driving School,” he says. “Getting a driver’s licence is a significant moment in a young person’s life and seeing the progression of students from one level and advancing to another is great. That’s been the biggest highlight for me as their teacher.” He will deliver driving lessons to the wider Queenstown area including Wānaka, Cromwell and Alexandra, operating as the Queenstown Driving School under the AA Driving School. He teaches in an automatic, and can also teach in a manual if the student provides their own car.
87SPRING 2022MY AA Book online aa.co.nz/ppi or call 0800 500 333Assume nothing Buying a used car? $184 FOR AA MEMBERS Vehicle experts you can trust SAVE $25 A win Queenstownfor
AA Driving School expands to Queenstown and welcomes a long-time educator as Driving Instructor. To find out more about AA Driving School and to book lessons, visit drivinglessons.aa.co.nz
QUEENSTOWN IS NOW back in the AA Driving School network. It’s been several years since AA Driving School has had an instructor in Queenstown and expanding to the area is a real milestone, says AA Driving School General Manager Roger Venn. “We are always striving to increase our network to offer quality and trusted AA Driver Training to learner drivers throughout New Zealand.” Daniel Sutherland offers lessons to learner drivers and any driver who feels the need for a refresh or skills check.
VANSaadirections.co.nzFITTEDWITHLIGHTWEIGHT EV chargers have hit Auckland roads. In 20-25 minutes, the quick fix enables enough charge to drive up to 10km, so out-of-power AA Members can reach their home or a charging station. The AA now has three such vans; there is one in Wellington and a fourth will be introduced to Christchurch soon.
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MY AA 88
HELP AT HAND FOR EV DRIVERS
“We hope introducing the mobile charging vans to Auckland will give EV owners some peace of mind, knowing that if they run out of charge we can help,” Graeme says. “We hope the availability of these vans may be a swing factor for Aucklanders
“Members have been very impressed with the service,” he says, adding that new or less experienced EV drivers may be unaware that running their heaters, lights and other gadgets contribute to the amount of charge they have left, and they sometimes get caught short on their journeys.
The vans are available to AA Members between 7am and 11pm, 365 days of the year at no additional cost. When not attending EV jobs, the vans will attend battery-related breakdowns of internal combustion engine vehicles.
For roadside assistance phone 0800 500 222 or request help via the AA Roadservice app.
Two new mobile EV charging Roadservice vans have been added to the AA’s Auckland fleet. considering an EV who are perhaps hesitant, due to concerns around range.”
AA Battery Service National Operations Manager Graeme Fariu says expanding the service to Auckland comes after a positive response to the Wellington van.
Outside of Auckland and Wellington, the AA currently provides a tow service for Members whose EVs break down.
The AA also provides AA EV Charge Finder, a platform built in collaboration with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and other industry partners, which collects live information from safe and monitored charge points across the country to help drivers plan their journeys.
Introducing the new mobile AA Tyre Service.
THE AA IS PILOTING a mobile tyre service in Auckland, allowing Members to have new tyres fitted at home, work or on the roadside. If your tyre has a minor puncture and is repairable, it can be sorted there and then. If a new tyre is needed, that can be fitted on the spot, too, and AA Members also get exclusive Member Benefits such as a 10% discount on tyres and up to 50% off wheel alignment* (worth $45).
MY AA To advertise on these pages and to reach 640,000+ New Zealand households, contact Moira Penman M 027 563 0421 E moira@gsjadvisory.com.au Call for FREE DVD infopack 0800 080 133 Ringing Ears? Hearing PressureNoisyCan’tDizziness?Loss?HearinRooms?inears? mysoundtherapy.com/AA TinnitusEffectiveRelief
Grab & Go
It’s predicted that by 2025 almost 30% of new cars won’t come with a spare tyre, as vehicle manufacturers aim to lessen the weight of new models. Providing a mobile tyre service to Members adds to the growing list of services the AA provides to help make Members’ journeys go smoothly.
Check out our social accounts for bonus content, news and competitions. Facebook.com/AADirections Instagram.com/aadirections & Conditions apply. Visit aa.co.nz/tyreservice for details. See shop.aa.co.nz for more.
WE’LL COME TO YOU
AA Shop also stocks a vehicle emergency kit with a reflective warning triangle, an emergency hammer that breaks windows and cuts seatbelts, a 10-piece screwdriver set and more.
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The AA understands the importance of being prepared, not just on the road but in all aspects of life.
ENT DOCTOR DEVELOPED Paul 09 528 2022
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OUR RANGE OF emergency kits, available online or in selected AA Centres, contain all the essentials in one handy place, ready to grab when the unexpected happens and you must act quickly. The Grab & Go 1 person emergency kit provides the essential items you’ll need and is great for the home, office or car. The Grab & Go 4 person emergency kit best suits a household of 4 or a small office.
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The AA Grab & Go waterproof first aid kit is the perfect kit for taking on outdoor adventures or to tuck away in the car. There is also room in the Grab & Go bags to add walking shoes, warm clothes, snack food, medication and copies of important documents.
0800 541 223 or buy online at: www.showerdome.co.nz For a warm, dry bathroom and a healthier home, nothing beats a Showerdome® Enjoy all the benefits of Showerdomea® Eliminating bathroom steam and enjoying a mist-free mirror is just the beginning. • Specially designed for NZ Market • Easy step-thru frame • Rugged, NZ approved • 300 Watt • Alloy frame • LED front/rear lights • 36v • Range approx 50km • Weight 25kg Folds up Watt300 Shock SuspensionAbsorber&SeatLuggageCarrierShimano7Speed Aircraft Spec Alloy $1795 Warranty2YearAvailableColours ‘’VanTage’’ MODEL Recharges As You Go! HOT! $1895 Contact Peter 0274 937 025 www.ezirider.nz To advertise on these pages and to reach 640,000+ New Zealand households, contact Moira Penman M 027 563 0421 E moira@gsjadvisory.com.au 0800 220 www.shoprider.co.nz110 • Over 25 years in NZ • 5 different Model Scooters • Member AA Mobility Care • Nationwide Dealers keep moving Shoprider TE 779XLS Mag style wheels, comfortable adjustable seating, suspension, and yes they can go fast with Shoprider INJAGUARSCLASSICNEWZEALAND 316 pages, 485 photos, extensive text and appendices, high quality casebound with dust jacket. Order from: to$65kctbooksales@gmail.com +P&Pspecialoffer AA Directions readers (RRP $79.99) Want to know more? 0800RING708 844 NEW TOURS & DEPARTURE DATES: www.driftwoodecotours.co.nz 5toTheTOURKAIKOURAMountainstheSeaDayKaikouraTour SOUTH ISLAND, NZ Where the Seaward Kaikoura Range meets the Kaikoura Canyon, is an area steeped in culture and natural history. This tour will introduce you to the area’s kaitiaki and the warm hospitality of the locals. AA saveMembersontravel! See p.48 for details or visit: aa.co.nz/member-deals
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We’ll never stop working to yourearntrust. Voted Most Trusted General Insurer by New Zealanders for 12 years running*. *As voted by consumers 2011–2022 in the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands survey. For more information visit aainsurance.co.nz/awards Visit your nearest AA Centre | Call 0800 500 231 | aainsurance.co.nz
