focus magazine February/March 2021 / New Zealand by focus Magazine

focus LIFESTYLE AND BUSINESS MAGAZINE. INSPIRE. EMPOWER. MOTIVATE.

ISSUE 26 | FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

2021 BUSINESS TRENDS

BOOKS AND COURSES FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

TRAVEL

Kepler Track

$1O,R2TH0O0F

W SIDE PRIZES IN

THRIVING THROUGH CHANGE AND GROWTH

Corleah Willats, Estée Kriek & Elina Arnese

Take me h ome I’M FREE

CONTENTS | focus

16 CONTENTS

FEBRUARY-MARCH2021 COVER STORY

LIFE

GOING FOR IT

Estée Kriek, Corleah Willats & Elina Arnese

REACHING OUT TO YOUNG WRITERS

PAY IT FORWARD FAIRIES

REGULARS 6

WHAT’S ON? Best events over the next two months

FOCUS ON BOOKS Books we’ve been reading

ASK THE EXPERTS

Things to know about nail extensions and homeopathy

BEAUTY Beauty brands you’ll love

HOME Functional breakfast bars

TRAVEL

Kind social activity on Facebook

LET’S HEAR IT FROM THE MEN Kiwi men on gender equality and women’s rights

WASTE REVOLUTION Rethink your consumption

GROWING INTO YOUR ROCKING CHAIR

BUSINESS 44

BUSINESS OF TOMORROW 2021 business trends to look into

WATCH AND LEARN

Walking the Kepler Track

Best online courses for professional growth

Breakfast, brunch or brinner?

Books to inspire and educate

RECIPES

BUSINESS SHELF focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | DIGITAL

ONLINE IN FEBRUARY/MARCH YOUTUBE.COM/FOCUSMAGAZINENZ

WE’VE HAD OUR EYES ON THE GORGEOUS GETAWAY AND EVENT VENUE THE FRENCH COUNTRY HOUSE FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW AND OH, WHAT A PERFECT LOCATION IT TURNED OUT TO BE FOR THIS EDITION’S COVER PHOTOSHOOT! ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, SEE MORE OF THE OPULENT INTERIORS AND, OF COURSE, WATCH PHOTOGRAPHER VANESSA LAVALGLAD AND HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST SOPHIE GARTH DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST.

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FOCUSMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

ICONIC FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS IN TV SHOWS YOU’LL LOVE WATCHING

21 ways to a healthy new you

The first five people to purchase an annual subscription to focus magazine for only $38 will receive a free Glow Lab Age Renew Recover Night Cream worth $35 with their first edition. A restorative blend of active antiageing ingredients nourishes and repairs skin overnight, improves its elasticity, rebalances skin oils and smoothes fine lines and wrinkles. Vegan and cruelty-free.

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: THE MOST IMPORTANT FEMINISTS IN HISTORY

focus PUBLISHER Align Publishing

Editor’s Welcome

EDITOR Dee Collins dee@focusmagazine.co.nz CREATIVE DIRECTOR Alex Spodyneiko ONLINE EDITOR Kseniia Spodyneiko kseniia@focusmagazine.co.nz SALES advertising@focusmagazine.co.nz COVER IMAGE Vanessa Laval-Glad Laval Photo & Video FEATURE WRITERS Margarete Kraemer Jenny Argante Millie Freeman PRINTING Print People CONTACT DETAILS 62 10th Avenue Tauranga 3110 (n-Gon Group Head Office) P O Box 14004, Tauranga, 3143 Tel: (07) 578 6838 Mobile: 021 535 770 focusmagazine.co.nz facebook.com/focusmagazinenz DISTRIBUTION 5,000 free copies are delivered bi-monthly to high traffic areas such as high-end cafés and restaurants, hairdressers, fashion boutiques, waiting rooms and professional offices across BOP, Hamilton, Cambridge and surrounding areas. DIGITAL focus is available to view online and is supported by social media sites including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. focus is a free magazine (subscriptions are available) and is published six times a year by Align Publishing. focus is subject to copyright in its entirety. All rights are reserved and reproduction in whole or in part, without the written consent of The Publisher (Align Publishing), is prohibited. Align Publishing and all its related companies and officers hereby disclaim, to the full extent permitted by law, all liability, damages, costs and expenses whatsoever arising from or in connection with information or other material in this magazine, any negligence of The Publisher, or any person’s actions in reliance thereon. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and correctness of the information contained within this magazine and inclusion of any copy must not be taken as an endorsement by The Publisher. Views expressed by contributors are personal views and they are not necessarily endorsed by The Publisher. Any dispute or complaint regarding placed advertisements must be made within seven days of publication. All material sent to focus (whether solicited or not) will not be returned unless otherwise agreed beforehand, and all rights, including copyright in such material will be assigned to Align Publishing upon receipt. The Publishers presume all letters and other material submitted to focus and related social media sites are intended for publication unless clearly labelled “not for publication”.

Image by Vanessa Laval-Glad Hair and makeup by Sharyn Butters

elcome to the first edition of focus for 2021! Our team certainly enjoyed a much-needed break over Christmas – our batteries are fully recharged – and we’re ready to implement many new ideas and concepts over the coming months. Events were sporadic for everyone last year but we’re delighted to bring you a welcome change in 2021 with a series of live events that will get you fully focused on fulfilling your aspirations and shift you into action mode. Don’t miss our first live event at the end of February. We’ll be covering those all-important issues I’m so passionate about – finding your purpose and direction, goal setting, overcoming sabotaging and limiting beliefs and taking that big, bold next step. Of course, these events will also be a great opportunity to meet like-minded women who are keen to take their life to the next level. Bookings can be made via our website, focusmagazine.co.nz Three inspiring and supportive women grace our cover this issue – Estée Kriek, Corleah Willats and Elina Arnese. Three immigrants who have come together to ensure Pyes Pa and Omokoroa dental surgeries build long-term relationships and offer excellent service to their patients. Millie Freeman walks the Kepler Track, Jenny Argante tells us how Tauranga Writers is nurturing the upcoming generation of writers and Kseniia Spodyneiko asks Kiwi men about their perspectives on gender equality and women’s rights. There’s heaps more too, including business trends for 2021, fabulous recipes and $1,200 worth of prizes up for grabs. We’re excited for 2021 and look forward to bringing you loads more inspiring articles and events. Don’t forget to book for our first event – you’ll find more information about this on page 42 and on our website. With gratitude,

focus

Dee

LIFESTY LE AND BUSINE INSPIRE. SS MAGAZ EMPOW INE. ER. MO TIVATE .

ISSUE

26 | FEBR

UARY -

MARCH

2021

Editor & Founder dee@focusmagazine.co.nz

2021

BUSINE

BOOKS

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Kepler Tr ack

62 Tenth

Avenue, Tauranga Ph: 07 3110 orders@ngo578 6838 ngroup.com

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THRIVIN G THROUG H CHANGE

Corleah Willats, Est & Elinaée Kriek Arnese

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focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | OUT & ABOUT

UpliftHER 2020 PMG hosted over 100 women at its annual event, which showcases inspiring local women and their contribution to our community. Speakers included Glenys Watson, Lavina Good, Leigh Kite, Rachael Pearce and Renee Ball, as well as some of the 2019 UpliftHER alumni. The event also supported Dress for Success.

Images JESS LOWCHER 1. Michelle Pleydell (Dress for Success) 2. Lorena Zanesco (PMG), Michelle Smith (PMG), Sacha Koster (PMG) and Lavina Good (Good Neighbour Food Rescue) 3. Renee Ball (The Lactation Station) 4. Lilly Nesbit 5. Speaker Glenys Watson with her two daughters 6. Emma Prill (artist) and Kseniia Spodyneiko (focus magazine) 7. Camella Murie (Beso Beauty)

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OUT & ABOUT | focus

FARMERS TAURANGA DEVELOPMENT Guests enjoyed a finger-food breakfast and presentation on the progress of the Tauranga Farmers development, which will offer a state-of-the-art mix of retail, dining and residential towers and townhouses including a two-storey flagship store and Elizabeth Towers. 1. Sir Paul Adams (Carrus), John Gordon (Sharp Tudhope), Briar Gordon and Jane Nees (Regional Councillor) 2. Kristin Dunne (Tourism Bay of Plenty) and Natalie Bridges (Blink PR) 3. Diane and Frank Vosper (Vosper Realty) 4. Rachel and Ian Grindle (Ray White) and Katrina Eden (Ignite Architects) 5. Kristin Dunne (Tourism Bay of Plenty) and Tina Salisbury (Tauranga City Deputy Mayor) 6. Sue and John DewesHodgson (Tranquillo Beauty)

THE

Coombes Johnston BMW Tauranga 113 Hewletts Rd, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga. (07) 575 5280 www.coombesjohnstonbmwtauranga.co.nz

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14/12/20 5:08 PM

focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | WHAT'S ON?

WHAT'S ON? FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 TECT RESCUE HELICOPTER 7 February Tauranga Hospital, Tauranga rescue.org.nz Come and meet the rescue helicopter crew, explore their life-saving machines and learn more about the other emergency services of Tauranga Hospital. The gold-coin donation entry will help fund the rescue helicopter service, which relies heavily on the generosity of sponsors and the community to ensure it’s able to operate on a 24/7, 365-day-a-year basis.

KIWIGRASS 2021 5-7 February Don Rowlands Centre, Cambridge kiwigrass.nz The sounds of banjo, bass, guitar, fiddle and mandolin will fill the air along the banks of beautiful Lake Karāpiro this February. The National Bluegrass Festival, with its workshops, jam sessions, food trucks, raffle draw and concerts, is an event for all ages!

GINCREDIBLE 12-14 February Wharepai Domain, Tauranga bopginfestival.co.nz A boutique celebration of food, entertainment and craft gin with free samples, masterclasses, music, goodie bags and, of course, delicious cocktails in a special complimentary festival glass. The festival kicks off on Friday with an exquisite dinner, which includes a 6-course degustation menu, exciting stories from the distillers themselves and local acoustic music.

WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES UNDERGROUND SOUNDS 13 February Waitomo Caves, Waitomo District fortisevents.co.nz Celebrate St. Valentine’s Day like never before! A unique experience includes a private tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves with a musical showcase by Geoff Sewell, the co-founder of the world’s first opera band, Amici Forever, followed by dinner and beverages in the Visitor Centre.

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Image by drobotdean / freepik

WHAT'S ON? | focus

THE MOUNT SURF FESTIVAL

SHAKERS RE-STIRRED

27 February Mount Drury Park, Mt Maunganui themountsurffestival.com

20 February The Meteor, Hamilton hgaf.co.nz

A free event that brings you face-to-face with New Zealand’s best shapers and their surfboards in old-school and modern designs. Shop for ocean-inspired fashion accessories and flavourful food from local vendors.

Hamilton’s most accomplished female comedic actors come together in this fastpaced comedy about four friends in the 80s, waitressing at a not-so-chic London cocktail bar called Shakers.

SPLORE FESTIVAL 26-28 February Tapapakanga Regional Park, Auckland splore.net Its own microcosm, Splore is an eclectic and vibrant mix of music, wellness, environmental and political debates, interactive art installations, pop-ups, kids’ zones and so much more. This three-day event attracts like-minded people from all over the country to celebrate inclusiveness, diversity, creativity, friendships and whānau.

GOURMET IN THE GARDENS

Image by danescottcreative

28 February Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton hgaf.co.nz Mexican, Korean, Vietnamese and other cuisines from all over the world will be waiting for you at the Rhododendron Lawn of the Hamilton Gardens. Bring a comfy chair, rug or bean bag and enjoy summer weather, local musicians and mouthwatering gourmet delights. focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | BOOKS

BE INSPIRED Words DEE COLLINS

RISING HEART, Aminata Conteh-Biger as told to Juliet Rieden Born and raised in Sierra Leone, Aminata Conteh-Biger was brought up with impeccable manners and a father who felt girls and boys should have equal opportunities. Life was good until a civil war erupted and rebel soldiers carried out vicious acts of brutality, hacking off limbs

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and raping women. At 18, Aminata, along with other girls and children, were taken by the rebels and groomed to become soldiers. Aminata was repeatedly raped but, fortunately, in a remarkable exchange of food and supplies with government forces, she was released and fled to Guinea where she applied for asylum to Australia. Living in Australia, Aminata faced

racism at school, in the streets and at work but, in spite of this, became a model and started volunteering with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and has since established a registered Australian not-for-profit that empowers women in Sierra Leone and focuses on combatting infant and maternal mortality. A beautiful and inspiring read that shows goodness can come from adversity.

BOOKS | focus

THIS IS NOT HOW IT ENDS, Jehan Casinader Award-winning TV journalist Jehan Casinader chronicles his four-year battle with depression. To get out of his mental distress, he tries everything from mindfulness to massage and Prozac to Pilates before realising that, instead of always telling other people’s stories, he could rewrite his past and reinvent his character. Casinader challenges readers’ understanding of mental distress and uses his own story and well-known New Zealanders to get the message across that we are all responsible for our own stories. The book includes a list of places where people can turn to for help and a story guide where Casinader asks questions and encourages the reader to keep a journal and possibly share the process with a trusted family member or counsellor.

IMPOSSIBLE: MY STORY, Stan Walker with Margie Thomson Stan Walker, the Tauranga-born Aussie singer, bares his soul and writes about his childhood experience of domestic violence at the hands of his father and sexual abuse from the age of eight by an older cousin, through to his success as a songwriter and popstar, and his public battle with stomach cancer. The memoir is blunt and there are moments where I needed to catch my breath with the things he went through, but it’s his ability to forgive, his faith, the importance of family and his heritage that ultimately shine through.

THE HEART HEALTH GUIDE, Dr Catherine Itsiopoulos Bestselling author Dr Catherine Itsiopoulos has researched the efficacy of how following a Mediterranean diet can protect us from diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and dementia. The diet is not quite a hunter-gatherer way of eating but it does have less processed food and includes loads of veggies, leafy greens, nuts, dried foods and venison. Dr Itsiopolous spells out the key food proportions of this diet, and includes easy-to-follow meal plans as well as more than 80 recipes that reflect her Greek heritage. You’ll find all the usual yummy Greek favourites – many of them adapted to include more veggies and recipes for vegans – as well as a few pages dedicated to Greek sweet treats.

LOVE AMERICA, ON THE TRAIL OF WRITERS & ARTISTS IN NEW MEXICO, Jenny Robin Jones For New Zealand writer Jenny Robin Jones, the United States has always been an enigma and so she decides to visit it and update her idea of what America is. Her journey takes her to the spectacular desert lands of Taos and Santa Fe in New Mexico where she encounters not only the Pueblo people and their rich culture but also the intersecting lives of writers and artists such as D H Lawrence,

Willa Cather, Georgia O’Keeffe, Dorothy Brett, Ansel Adams and Dennis Hopper who have made the same journey in the past. Much of the content is from research done on her return to New Zealand where her insights are then woven into the story. The book is interesting but it would have gone further if there were photos to accompany it.

THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES – THE SECRET TO LOVE THAT LASTS, Gary Chapman This New York Times bestseller explains how we each have a particular way of expressing ourselves through five love languages – words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch – and how learning the love language of your spouse, partner, sibling, friend or co-worker is key to understanding how they receive and express love. Understanding this, he says, can help improve relationships and communication. According to the author, what wounds you the most gives you insight into the type of language you speak. For example, if you seek encouragement and assurance, and feel you don’t receive these, your primary love language is likely words of affirmation. The book includes a Couple Profile Assessment to help you discover your love language and that of your loved one. Find this and other books on love and relationships at focusmagazine.co.nz/relationshipbooks

CHANNEL KINDNESS, Born This Way Foundation with Lady Gaga This hard-cover uplifting and encouraging book is a collection of 51 stories from young people around the world inspiring positivity, resilience and kindness. The thought-provoking stories have been collected by Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation (founded by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta), and include themes of bullying, isolation due to LGBTQ+ identification, and mental health issues, often written from the first-person perspective and, at times, quite raw. The book would be ideal for teenagers to dip into as it’s full of ideas on how small, everyday acts of kindness might change someone’s day for the better.

HUMANS, Brandon Stanton Brandon Stanton created the online photographic and storytelling sensation Humans of New York in 2010 and has since garnered millions of daily followers. His books have become #1 New York Times bestsellers, and, in Humans, Stanton broadens his scope by travelling to more than 40 countries where he conducted interviews and catalogued them into this beautiful, full-colour book. Each story and photo is a reminder that you can never really understand the life behind the eyes of people you meet. focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | ASK THE EXPERTS

ASK THE EXPERTS WHAT MAKES HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE DIFFERENT?

EMMA FRASER allurenailstudio.co.nz

HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER NAIL ENHANCEMENTS? • Keep your cuticles oiled – this will help keep your nails strong and the skin around them healthy. • Wear gloves whenever you’re using cleaning products or other chemicals. • Never use household glue to repair nails. If your nail cracks or splits, use mending tape and nail glue until you can visit your manicurist. A tiny piece of dry teabag dotted with nail glue, then filed and covered with polish, also works as a temporary fix. It is important to get to the salon as soon as possible to avoid fungus forming beneath the nail. • Never share your personal nail implements with anyone. Keep them sanitised. • Always choose a reputable salon that has impeccable hygiene standards, sterilised instruments and fully qualified nail technicians. As co-owner of Allure Nail Studio, I am fastidious about ensuring our studio and implements are hygienically kept. I train nail technicians both in New Zealand and overseas and am also on the executive of the NZ Association of Registered Beauty Professionals and an Industry Assessor for HITO (Hair and Beauty Industry Training Organisation) which, of course, means that our team is always up-to-date with the latest training.

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Homeopathic medicine views symptoms of illness as normal responses of the body as it attempts to regain health – these symptoms being messages from the body. When we are out of balance physically, or mentally and emotionally, it is possible to support the body with natural remedies and lifestyle changes rather than suppressing these messages with pharmaceutical medications, drugs, alcohol and even food. Individualising your symptoms, both physical and mental/emotional, is extremely important in finding the most beneficial homeopathic remedy. This is why the sore throat remedy, or the anxiety remedy your friend took, may not always be the best choice for you. We are all unique and so the medicine we take should not just be a ‘one size fits all’ approach. With over 8000 homeopathic remedies in existence, seeing a Homeopath for a consultation for long-term or chronic health conditions is always recommended. However, learning to use homeopathy at home for everyday acute ailments, such as coughs, colds, flus, and general first aid can be an inexpensive way to support your family’s health. And teaching them from a young age to pay attention to the messages our body gives us can prevent future generations of adults with chronic health issues – something I am sure we all wish for!

JO DOUGLAS bethlehemhealth.co.nz

SO, YOU NEED A CROWN… … and it’s an unpleasant, multi-appointment procedure. Or is it? We’ve invested in the latest 3D CAD/CAM technology (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing), and can make this process much more efficient. We offer crowns in just one visit. The tooth is numbed and prepared in the usual way, but instead of gooey rubber impressions, we take a digital 3D scan of the mouth with a small camera. The data is imported into a specialised computer, and the dentist designs the crown on the computer with CAD software. This information is then sent next door to a 3D milling unit which carves the crown from a solid block of porcelain. All of this, including fitting of the crown, takes around two hours. Unlike traditional crowns that are sent to an external lab for manufacturing while you are sent home with temporaries, we only numb you once, you don’t have to wear a temporary crown for two weeks, and the entire procedure is over in only one visit. If the crown doesn’t fit perfectly we can fix it in the same visit instead of having you wait another two weeks for it to be corrected at an external lab. If you need a crown, ask us about same-day CEREC crowns.

www.scillachocolates.co.nz Phone 0800 724 552 info@scillachocolates.co.nz

YOUR DENTISTS WITH A DIFFERENCE pyespadentists.nz 07 577 1478

focus | BEAUTY

Déjà Vu

LET US INTRODUCE YOU … NO, NOT REALLY TO NEW BRANDS. YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT THEM BEFORE; WE JUST HAVEN’T FEATURED THEM IN THE MAGAZINE YET. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, RIGHT? CORBIN RD TOO FACED Coming from rural Hawke’s Bay, this brand is the epitome of ‘slow beauty’. Instead of being a ‘quick fix’, it focuses on gradual healing and improvement by using natural, organic and sustainable ingredients. Each product in the range is multipurpose, encouraging you to buy and throw away less. For example, their Cleansing Balm is a cleanser, makeup remover, exfoliator and toner in one. ‘Good health and natural radiance don’t need to be complicated. We believe that simple is better,’ says founder Wendy Nowell-Usticke.

BELLA VI

ELEMIS The #1 luxury skincare brand in Great Britain, ELEMIS is loved by women in at least 45 countries and is available in New Zealand exclusively through MECCA stores. They pride themselves on using only responsiblysourced plant ingredients and bio-engineered nature identicals that do not deprive the Earth of its natural resources. ELEMIS skincare protects your unique microflora, nourishes your skin and accelerates the skin's cell turnover through a holistic approach that engages all the senses.

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A New Zealand brand made in Italy is your one-stop-shop for high-quality mineral makeup and natural cosmeceutical skincare. Suitable for all ages and skin types, this toxic-free and crueltyfree brand is the perfect choice for women wanting to enhance their natural beauty. Bio-active phytonutrients in Bella Vi skincare are encapsulated into liposomes that are able to penetrate deeper into the skin and combat any signs of ageing on a whole different level – multilevels, to be more precise.

Worldwide makeup trendsetter Too Faced is the brand behind the first ever glitter-shadow and the iconic Lip Injection Glossy that plumps your lips with natural botanicals to rival the kissy faces of Marilyn Monroe and Angelina Jolie. With a wide range of products in basically all colours known to humanity and at affordable prices, Too Faced is the perfect platform for creativity and experiments. Available at MECCA Maxima.

FORGE Hand made in small batches in New Zealand, this plantpowered range is your kids’ first introduction to skincare. Forge bridges the gap between many brands for babies and endless brands for grown-ups, offering natural products formulated for teens and tweens specifically. Colourful and eco-friendly packaging encloses an array of beautiful ingredients such as gentle jojoba oil, anti-zit tea tree oil, calming kawakawa extract and re-balancing witch hazel.

STYLE | focus

DRESS

THE BEST DRESS FOR SUMMER IS THE ONE YOU CAN QUICKLY REMOVE IN FAVOUR OF A SWIMSUIT. SO, WHAT WILL IT BE – CUTE AND ROMANTIC ‘GIRL NEXT DOOR’ OR SOPHISTICATED CHIC? Amber Rose Tear Drop Beaded Earrings EZIBUY.COM $19.99

Sash Hat MOOCHI $89.99

Odelia Dia Sunglasses DECJUBA $24.90

Contemporary Link Bracelet BY FAIRFAX & ROBERTS $69.95

Irony Dress KETZ-KE $145.00

Property Dress LEO+BE $185.00 Mr Micro Gator Gang DEADLY PONIES $699.00

Whip It Good Belt COOPER $28.00

Slingback Wedges TOMMY HILFIGER $180.00

Jenny Pink Chrystal Casual SUGAR & SPICE $199.00 mavismick.co.nz

focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | HOME

Bon appétit!

THE BREAKFAST BAR IS WHERE WE PARK OUR GRUMPY, SLEEPY SELVES FOR OUR MORNING CUPPA, A PLACE WHERE THE MOST INTIMATE, WINE-INDUCED MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS HAPPEN AND A PLACE TO CORNER YOUR KIDS FOR INTERROGATION WHILE THEY’RE PREOCCUPIED WITH CHOC COOKIES. SHOW THIS HELPFUL SPACE SOME LOVE BY DECORATING IT WITH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND EFFICIENT THINGS.

‘Market Day’ Print By Abbey Merson KOWHAI INTERIORS $36.00

Pottery French Cheese Mould LINEN & STONE $40.00

Salam Teapot THE ECO TABLE $158.75

Dual Drink Dispenser with Stand KMART $26.00

Storm & India Organic Tea + Tea Tin SUNDAYHOMESTORE.CO.NZ $45.00

Cheese Set ZASSENHAUS $29.50

Fleur Barstool CINTESI $379.01

For Fox Sake tea towel - Designworks SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR.CO.NZ $34.99 Philippi Esmeralda Vase THE STUDIO OF TABLEWARE $59.00

Smeg 2 Slice Toaster KITCHENTHINGS.CO.NZ $349.00

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Gather Home Co. Kalo Grand Platter BEDBATHANDBEYOND.CO.NZ $99.90

LIFE 16

GOING FOR IT ESTÉE KRIEK, CORLEAH WILLATS & ELINA ARNESE

LET’S HEAR IT FROM THE MEN KIWI MEN ON GENDER EQUALITY

WASTE REVOLUTION

RETHINK YOUR WASTE CONSUMPTION

Plus KEPLER TRACK, BREAKFAST RECIPES, SUPPORTING YOUNG WRITERS

focus | COVER STORY

Going for it ThRee women who thrived through change and growth

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COVER STORY | focus

Elina Arnese

Estée Kriek

Corleah Willats

CHANGING COUNTRIES AND CAREERS, GROWING A BUSINESS AND GROWING WITH IT BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY HAS BEEN A KEY THEME IN THE LIVES OF THREE WOMEN. ESTÉE KRIEK, WHO TOGETHER WITH HER HUSBAND OWNS TWO DENTAL PRACTICES, WAS FEATURED AS A BUSINESS TRAILBLAZER IN A PREVIOUS EDITION OF FOCUS MAGAZINE. EIGHTEEN MONTHS ON, NOT ONLY HAVE HER BUSINESSES FLOURISHED AND CONTINUED TO GROW DYNAMICALLY, SO HAVE THE CAREERS OF CORLEAH WILLATS AND ELINA ARNESE. THEY STARTED IN SUPPORT AND ADMIN ROLES BUT HAVE MOVED TO SENIOR LEVELS AND ARE NOW MANAGING THE DAY-TO-DAY BUSINESS OF BOTH PRACTICES. A STORY ABOUT PASSION AND PERSEVERANCE, AMBITION AND ADVANCEMENT. WORDS: MARGARETE KRAEMER IMAGES: VANESSA LAVAL-GLAD HAIR AND MAKEUP: SOPHIE GARTH CLOTHES: MOOCHI / THEIR OWN

focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | COVER STORY

because you can set it up exactly how you want it, to the standard you want it. We are now developing a blueprint that will enable us to start a new business much more easily. Plug and play, as it were. It will probably be ready to be implemented in a year’s time,” Estée estimates.

CLEAR AND HONEST COMMUNICATION Estée confesses to being a straight shooter. “I’m very direct. I don’t beat about the bush. I don’t walk on eggshells. If you are authentic, people recognise it and react well to you because you come across as honest.” If there is an issue, she addresses it openly, and then it’s off the agenda. She never holds a grudge. There’s just one thing she no longer talks about: politics. “It is simply too divisive.”

FINE TUNING PRACTICE PRESENTATION

ehind every great man there is a great woman, or so the saying goes. But who is behind a successful woman? Sometimes it’s a supportive man, sometimes there is another successful woman who has her back. Estée Kriek and her husband Riaan, also a dentist, left South Africa for Tauranga in 2008 with their two preschool children and an ambitious business vision: to change the face of dentistry. Estée was lucky in that her husband had always encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone. “We went to dental school together and later had our own practice in South Africa, so I had already proven myself as a dentist and entrepreneur. But most importantly, he believed in my ability to also pick up the skills needed to run a different kind of dental business in a new country. He constantly pushed me, gently but firmly, and I realised I could do it again if I believed in myself too.” Having lost her father when she was 16, one person she could always rely on for encouragement and support was her mother, a physiotherapist with her own business who continues to be Estée’s greatest role model. Estée’s first New Zealand experience as a business owner was when they bought a practice in Te Puke, which they sold in 2014. One year later they opened a new practice in Pyes Pa followed by the purchase of another existing surgery in Omokoroa in 2017. Estée’s general learning is: “It’s better to start a practice from scratch

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Both businesses aim to deliver dentistry with a difference by using state-of-the-art technology and providing excellent service in a relaxing environment. “While Riaan loves looking after the technology side, I focus on presentation, service and staff, in addition to working on my patients’ teeth.” She is the only female dentist among eight. “I am now trying to get everybody in both practices up a notch. I use all my senses and teach everybody to do the same.” Is there anything that strikes the eye? Dust, clutter, dirty glasses or food leftovers in the staff room? “I am pedantic about cleanliness and clutter, and I am hands-on. The only thing I try to avoid doing myself is taking phone calls because I still feel a bit uneasy about my accent,” she laughs. Her first language is Afrikaans and getting up to speed with English was a big challenge when she first arrived.

COVER STORY | focus

dentistry because of the circumstances we had to work in. I wasn’t in the best frame of mind either. But Kiwi patients gave us back our passion for dentistry. At the risk of sounding cliched, we now have patients coming back after some major restorative treatments, crying with happiness for giving them back the joy in life.” It also feels good being greeted with a friendly smile in public instead of seeing patients change sides in the street. “In the supermarket I no

Smell is also a big topic. Many patients are turned off by ‘surgery smell’, which can trigger fears because of negative dental experiences in the past. Estée is even thinking of a tailored practice smell, a fresh, spa-ish ambient fragrance like in upmarket hotels. “Both practices should look, feel and smell like an open home. I want everybody to be proud of the place and to keep it to a standard as if the Queen were coming to visit.” An important element of her vision is building trust and long-term relationships with patients. “When we left South Africa, Riaan had almost lost his drive and enthusiasm for

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL DURING LOCKDOWN Last year’s lockdown came with a silver lining. “We suddenly all had time to sit down and think how to do things better, how to optimise our Pyes Pa blueprint, establishing new systems, processes and procedures. Riaan and I were overloaded with responsibilities beyond our clinical roles as dentists and strategic leadership tasks as entrepreneurs.” The solution was creating new roles for existing staff members Corleah Willats and Elina Arnese. Estée had long recognised the two women’s different strengths; now was her time to give support and encouragement as she had received in the past. Corleah was promoted to Operations Manager for Pyes Pa Dentists and Omokoroa Dental Surgery, and Elina became General Practice Manager for both surgeries.

WANTING TO BE MORE AS A WOMAN

longer have to hide behind a cereal box pretending to read the small print when a patient walks down the aisle giving me that ‘I hate dentists’ look.”

Corleah, too, emigrated with her husband and two young children from South Africa and has since been enjoying the peninsular lifestyle in Omokoroa. After finishing high school she took a clerical job at a bank, and at 20 she married, then looked after the children for ten years. “For the longest time there was some disappointment and lack of self-esteem attached to this. I called myself ‘just a stay-at-home mum’ until a prominent public figure, one I introduced myself to as such, told me I was much more than that. It was only then I started believing it.” While

ESTÉE KRIEK’S FIVE PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP • Communicate clearly, consistently and openly • Encourage decision making and task ownership • See the whole person, not just the job performer • Build a team that strives towards a common goal • Lead by example – be hands-on focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | COVER STORY

she loves being a mother to her now 13-year-old daughter and 11-yearold son, as a woman she wanted to be more. Her husband was another person who believed in her. “Even though by nature I am rather quiet and shy, I am incredibly determined and confident. Once I’ve set my mind to something, I usually achieve it.”

A LEAP OF FAITH THAT LED TO A CAREER When the Krieks opened their Pyes Pa business, Corleah’s husband nudged her to seize the opportunity, take a leap of faith and go for a job as receptionist. Her application succeeded – and she swam. After Estée and Riaan had bought their Omokoroa business, Corleah helped set it up as she had done with Pyes Pa, eventually negotiating to stay in Omokoroa because it was closer to home and easier to juggle family commitments alongside work. The role as receptionist and – as originally intended – future practice manager was quite customer centred. “It was something everyone thought would be out of my comfort zone, and it was. But I put my mind to it, got support and encouragement, and today I’m able to hold full team meetings, host company parties and welcome patients without any concern of shyness.”

TRAINING, TRUST AND TIME WELL INVESTED

STRENGTH IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

A number of tailored management courses, online training and a lot of time and trust invested in her professional development saw Corleah and her colleague Elina quickly grow into their new roles. “Initially neither of us was sure whether they would really be full-time roles. Now we are busier than ever – and happier too.” Her current role as Operations Manager for both practices encompasses much more than just the administration and higher human relations functions. It is a broad role that includes monitoring key performance indicators, crunching numbers with an external accountant, managing the buildings, dealing with suppliers, and keeping an eye on policies and procedures. “Even though we focus on getting systems in place and running things smoothly behind the scenes – it only happens when there is a vision, which needs to be constantly communicated and implemented. Estée is so passionate about this that I find it almost contagious.” Being an introvert, in her free time Corleah is most happy with her own company and enjoys reading and restoring or upcycling old furniture. She also loves baking, especially fancy birthday cakes.

Elina left her hometown Riga in 2003 with her then partner, also a Latvian, who had itchy feet and set his sights on emigrating to New Zealand. An 18-year-old high school graduate with as varied interests as literature, writing and arts, but also biology and geometry, Elina had just applied for and been granted a scholarship to study art. Being faced with a major life decision, she turned down the opportunity and ditched academia for adventure. Life was interesting. She travelled a lot, lived and worked in Auckland, and later moved to Tauranga. “We eventually tied the knot, but the marriage didn’t last,” says Elina, who encourages women in damaging relationships to use their experience as a lesson from the school of life. “See it as a challenge you can learn from. Never become the victim.” Elina’s learning is: “The experience taught me a lot: mental resilience, persistence to never give up, and the firm belief that I would eventually come out of it even stronger.” What helped her through this time was having a role model to look up to and draw strength from: her mother, head nurse at a large hospital, who brought up Elina and her sister by herself and whom she calls a ‘Hero Mother’. “I have to thank her for my ability to be independent and strong in the face of adversity.”

REINVENTING HERSELF TIME AND AGAIN Initially, Elina worked as a dental assistant in various Auckland surgeries and, having experience in facility coordinating for a multi-practice dental surgery, she had already progressed from assisting chairside to a more senior management role. When she eventually moved to Tauranga she first juggled three jobs as dental assistant, waitress and boutique shop attendant. Then she took up a dental assistant’s role at Omokoroa Dental Surgery. “When Estée and Riaan bought the practice in 2017, they inherited me from the previous owner,” Elina says with a smile. She stayed in this role until she finally plucked up the courage to ask for an opportunity to change to a front desk and admin position, as the assistant’s role was no longer stimulating. Admin also appealed because it came with

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opportunities for growth. Estée saw her potential and found a way to employ her in an admin capacity. “She tailored the job to suit my skills and ambitions while at the same time benefiting the business.” After a while Elina swapped jobs with Corleah, who, at the time, worked in Pyes Pa. It turned out well for both women as well as both surgeries.

A PROMOTION THAT SUITS TO A TEE When both businesses were restructured during lockdown, Elina’s opportunity for professional growth had come with an offer of the management role she had secretly hoped for. The General Practice Manager's role suited her because she is familiar with the clinical side of the business. “I can read x-rays, I understand the relevant terminology, and I’m technically interested so that I can deal with equipment repairs.” When talking to dental assistants and preparing performance reviews, she does so from a point of personal experience and expertise. “It’s a job where I can use my experience to help others.” Elina loves the level of encouragement and care she receives from the owners and shares Estée’s attention to detail. “She is a woman with a vision who knows exactly what she wants and achieves it with clear communication and persistence. Estée is excellent at presenting what she needs from her support staff and in turn gives them the support they need.”

A WOMAN ON FIRE Some locals know Elina in a totally different role. Wanting to do something for the community she approached the Omokoroa Volunteer Fire Brigade several years ago offering to help clean the premises and tidy equipment. “Instead, they suggested I consider joining them as a firefighter, which I did.” She stayed for four years, for a while the only woman in the team. Eventually it became too much with night calls and she resigned, deciding to focus on her job instead. However, one fire is still burning: Elina met her new partner, now fiancé, when they were both applying for a firefighter’s role. They have been together for six years now. Elina loves nature and goes for long walks whenever possible. She also plays computer games. It seems her interests have stayed as wide and varied as they were when she was in school.

GAINING FREEDOM BY DELEGATING RESPONSIBILITY With new systems in place and Corleah and Elina in their new roles, Estée and Riaan have rediscovered and renewed their love of dentistry. Estée is also getting better at shutting the practice out of her head when she shuts the surgery door. “I feel more able to focus on our two teenage children and do more things together as a family.” Life is good when everything in the business is running smoothly and everybody is happy in their respective roles, achieved with courage, encouragement and clear goals to pursue. 

focus | LIFE

REACHING OUT

TO YOUNG WRITERS

NEARLY A DECADE AGO, LEE MURRAY AND PIPER MEJIA HAD A BRAINWAVE BASED ON A SOUND RATIONALE. BOTH ARE MEMBERS OF TAURANGA WRITERS, NEW ZEALAND’S LONGEST-RUNNING SELF-HELP GROUP FOR WRITERS. TW DOES WELL BY ITS MEMBERS, BUT YOU MUST BE 18 TO JOIN. SO HOW, THEY ASKED, CAN IT NURTURE THE UPCOMING GENERATION AND FULFIL FOR THEM ITS STATED MISSION OF ‘GETTING YOU STARTED AND GETTING YOU PUBLISHED’? Words JENNY ARGANTE

Jean Gilbert, Lee Murray and Piper Mejia

ome decisions were immediate. Though its hub is the Bay of Plenty, Piper and Lee wanted to encourage national access to YoungNZWriters (YNZW), by sharing online significant info, helpful hints, what’s on and, whenever possible, resources. Locally, young writers share and critique work-in-progress at meetings run by established writers,

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who also contribute to workshops and conventions. To bring in young writers on a national level, Lee and Piper settled on running an annual young writers’ competition leading to publication. This is nationwide, free to enter, and has two entry streams: one for intermediate (the Beyond series), the other for secondary school students (Write Off Line). The intention was to create a

genuine literary enterprise and ensure the youngsters who took part would learn by doing. For important as it is to get something satisfactory down on paper, such work needs to be edited, proofed and formatted in the process of turning a manuscript into a book. To that end, the authors of winning entries are mentored through all stages of production, and the covers of the two anthologies published annually are now

also designed by other young creatives with a talent for art. Every entrant gets feedback on their work. The resulting anthologies, well-promoted, have been a runaway success from the start. YNZW also uses a nationwide circle of voluntary editors and mentors who act as mentors and facilitators. By 2018 the programme had grown to such an extent, with over 1000 students from over 100 schools, that Piper and Lee invited a fellow-writer, Americanborn Jean Gilbert, Hamilton-based, to spearhead the future development of YNZW. So what do these three women bring to the young writers for whom they are doing so much? And what do they get out of it? “Lee and I founded YNZW initially as a means of connecting with readers,” says Piper, who teaches English at Tauranga Girls College. “At that time we were writing stories for youth. We had also talked about providing opportunities we wished we’d had when we were their age.” She laughs. “Frankly, we never expected it to become as big as it has grown to be.” Lee nods. “When I was growing up as a third-generation Chinese New Zealander, I never saw myself in any of the books I was reading. Nothing echoed my experience, and I realise now that lack contributed to a sense of otherness; that perhaps I wasn’t ‘a proper New Zealander’. That’s why it’s so important to support the development of a cohort of emerging writers, telling tales from their own unique perspective outside of the school curriculum. And we’ve discovered how wonderful it is to be able to promote writing (and reading) simply for the joy of it.” Jean adds a little of her own story. “When I was young, I read as a form of escapism and to make friends. That may sound weird, but I suffer from ‘face blindness’ and can’t recall people. It’s a strange condition and I’ve had to work harder on characters, which, it turns out, is a plus. Being part of YNZW is a means of helping other children who worry they’re different from their peers.” (Jean has written about face blindness in a memoir, The Picasso Mirror.) Enthusiasm is contagious, and with young writers there’s no holding back. The genres most in favour are sci fi, fantasy and horror. This is where Lee, Piper and Jean have mainly established themselves. All are keen members of SpecFicNZ (www.specific.nz.) Lee, now a full-time writer, editor and mentor, has picked up a dozen Sir Julius Vogel awards and three Bram Stoker nominations. Covid-19 prevented her taking a sponsored trip to Whitby in Yorkshire, the location for his Dracula narrative, to meet with other well-known horror writers. Piper says it’s important the students she teaches know she can do what she’s urging them to try their hand at. She now has several titles published in New Zealand and Australia. Two years ago, the Wright Family Foundation came on board as YNZW’s sponsor after reading a newspaper report on the work it was doing. “They asked, ‘Can we help?’” says Lee. “I cried. For years we’ve managed without funding, dipping into our own pockets and getting input and competition prizes for free. Now we’ve been able to reach out to more young writers, add a Youth Laureate programme, and offer free professional development for teachers.” Jean tells us, “YNZW has already published two debut novels: It’s a Small World by Emma Uren and The Extinct by FIND OUT M ORE: Xiaole Zhan. To share their joy at the youngnzwrit er s.w book launch was a major highlight.” eebly.com taurangawrit A few final words from Lee: ers.org.nz leemurray.i “We can’t stop now. None of our nfo ladiesofhorro rfiction.com participants has yet won the Prime / the-lohf-dire ct profile-piper ory/ Minister’s Award for Literary -mejia Achievement.” jeangilbert.c om Fingers crossed, that will happen some day! 

focus | INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

FairyTale

a true story of Kiwi fairies A RANDOM PHOTO INSPIRED KELLY MCGUIRE TO LAUNCH PAY IT FORWARD FAIRIES NZ FACEBOOK GROUP. FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE GROUP BLOSSOMED INTO A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY OF OVER 31,000 WOMEN, POSTING OUT GIFTS AND SURPRISING THOSE IN NEED WITH UPLIFTING PACKAGES, WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN. Words KSENIIA SPODYNEIKO

25 shoeboxes ready for kids wh o would otherwise miss out on Christm as

Kelly’s daughter on her first

fairy delivery

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m one ngs that went fro A few fairy dusti to other members p ou gr fairy of the

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY | focus

I DON’T THINK I’VE EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE PAY IT FORWARD FAIRIES NZ BEFORE. WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND THE GROUP? I saw that picture on FB, where a couple of women dressed as fairies were delivering their favourite booze and goodies to local women in Tennessee. I expected someone in New Zealand to pick up the idea but three or four months later, it became obvious that either I do it myself or no one will. And I just couldn’t stop thinking about how amazing it would be to surprise women with lovely packages after a hard year we all had. So, with support from my friends, Jemma and Ruby, we’ve finally launched the group. Originally, it was supposed to be a Whakatāne-only initiative and I never expected it to go beyond 2,000 or so members. But the requests to join the group started coming from all over New Zealand, so now we’re a nationwide community of fairies! ARE ALL THE GIFTS DONATED BY YOUR MEMBERS? DO YOU GET ANY SUPPORT FROM KIWI BUSINESSES? Businesses have gone above and beyond to support this movement! Right now, for example, we’re running a giveaway with the prize worth over $1,000, donated by 13 different businesses, including Jewellery by Design NZ, Crystal Dreams NZ, Nibblish, Moonchild and others. The Bonbon Factory is another amazing partner of ours. We’re doing weekly giveaways with them with the prizes valued between $50-$150.

ATELIER

AN INITIATIVE LIKE THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF TIME AND WORK! BEING A MUM OF TWO AND CONTRACTING ON A 510-COW DAIRY FARM, HOW DO YOU HAVE THE ENERGY? WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO KEEP GOING? I always wanted to make kindness cool and to encourage people to support and uplift each other. Our group is a beautiful reminder that there is still so much positive in this world, that good deeds will always come back to you. I’m receiving so many messages thanking us for providing a safe and happy environment on social media for the ladies to communicate and express themselves. If some Kiwi women are going to feel a little better today, knowing that kind fairies are around, that’s all I could ask for! 

New store opening at 4a Empire Street, Cambridge

BROCANTE

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE WHO’S GOING TO RECEIVE THE PACKAGES? Unless it’s a giveaway, it doesn’t only depend on the founders of the group. We now have fairies dropping packages to the children’s wards at hospitals, others are just surprising random strangers on the streets, some announce the packages they’re willing to post on the group. I’m currently on a mission to organise 25 shoeboxes with presents for Bay of Plenty kids and thanks to our incredible fairies, we have enough donations to fill all these boxes!

focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Let’s hear it FROM THE MEN KIWI MEN JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS BY SPEAKING UP ABOUT GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE.

CORY MITCHELL, Sleep Heavy co-founder

I have a really hard time discussing feminism because I feel like it should just be the norm and anything outside of that is sexist and that's what really needs to be addressed. I remember when I first saw someone speaking about feminism, I thought how crazy that this is still an issue! We've come so far and to think that this sort of behaviour still goes on is really disturbing. It seems that things have certainly improved compared to my parents’ and grandparents’ generation. I’m talking about the roles that mothers used to play in the home life and the way they were treated by the family. It just seemed to be an unspoken rule that the woman of the house would do all of the preparing of meals and tidying inside the house. There’s still a long way to go overall but certainly in my family we aim to share these roles equally between each other. I've always been very surprised when I meet a family where the woman does all of the cooking, especially today when both people are working full-time jobs. I can never understand how a man could be comfortable watching TV on the couch as his partner prepares him a meal! I may not be the greatest cook but there’s always something I can do to help, whether that’s chopping veggies or preparing lunch for the next day. I'm really proud to live in a country like New Zealand where growing up with female prime ministers makes you think of it as not being anything other than normal. I'm also proud to be surrounded by a network of incredible women (and men) who do a great job of treating everyone fairly.

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY | focus

MATT COWLEY,

CEO Tauranga Chamber of Commerce I have always been surrounded by strong women. From my grandmother swinging from trees with a chainsaw or my mother driving heavy machinery on the farm to my four amazing sisters – I grew up with women who did whatever it took to get the job done. New Zealand is an isolated island with very finite resources. I like that we have a culture of all of us working together, despite the gender bias that the rest of the world holds. There are jobs that need doing and we simply find the best people to fill those roles. Of course, we’re still far from perfect, but I think the spotlight on sexism and the support for women to speak up is good. Businesses need to provide a safe environment so people can feel comfortable flagging when they feel like they have been unfairly disadvantaged. It’s time we leave behind ridiculous gender stereotypes, like ‘the male should be the primary income earner’. I know a number of women who have strong career pathways and their husbands are content to be the stay-at-home dad. Gender does not define who does what. Some of the best networkers I have seen are women. Perhaps it is because they approach networking as opportunities to grow and learn. Our Business Women’s Network has had a strong following for more than 20 years for this reason. There is a strong sense of supporting each other – and supporting the community with the number of local charities. It’s important for anyone in power to be mentoring and upskilling women into roles that best suit their skillset. It is the leader’s responsibility to ensure there are clear pathways and training for future female leaders to grow into leadership as part of good succession planning.

“

Feminism does not support sexism against either gender. Feminism works towards equality, not female superiority. De Rozario, T., and H. Zheng.

focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

MARK COLLINS,

Print People owner & director I do not know if I believe in feminism but I do know that I definitely believe in women. As a male, I acknowledge that it’s not possible for me to truly understand exactly how women are impacted by gender-based decisions. What I do understand is that the playing field needs to be level and that the assignment of roles, duties and participation, based purely on gender, undermines not only the intrinsic value of any individual but also the opportunity for that individual to achieve their potential. It is simply wrong. I am privileged to have experienced first-hand just how extraordinary ‘ordinary’ women can be. My mother brought up six children in the 60s by herself in a country where there were NO benefits (financial or other assistance) available at all to non-workers. I was the youngest, only 6 months old, when my father divorced my mother. It was a time when divorced women were ostracised by society while divorced men were not. She found a job, walked to work, scratched for rent, food and shelter. She self-sacrificed everything to raise, educate and inspire six children to be the best they could be at whatever they chose to do and to treat everyone with respect and dignity. By her life, her example, we were all shown the power of humility, the strength of conviction,

the depth of love and the courage of faith. I value the contribution each woman makes. After all, I am the beneficiary of women achieving! They all have my respect. Consider this: People tend to treat those they respect better than themselves. Conversely, people tend to treat those they view as equals worse than themselves. If we respect women, we will evidence the protection of women’s rights – this is the philosophy I apply to work, home, play and every other interaction.

Barack Obama The very first bill he signed after being elected helps women file equal-pay lawsuits against employers if they’re not being paid fairly. Ashton Kutcher Co-founded Thorn, an organisation that fights human trafficking, which affects 800,000 people a year, 80% of whom are women.

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Bono The U2 frontman founded the Poverty is Sexist organisation that helps women living on less than $2 per day to find jobs and keep their families healthy.

Image by Peter Neill

THE MOST FAMOUS FEMINIST MEN

TOPIC | focus

NEVAN LANCASTER,

Mt Cats & Yaks owner I keep noticing all these things that, as a man, I don’t even have to think about. Like the freedom I took for granted in hitchhiking alone through Africa and the Middle East, whereas women usually travelled with a partner or organised tours for safety. I grew up in the 70s, so feminism was a developed movement by then. Really, it’s been a part of my whole life. But with identity politics and the excessive gate keeping of issues, where only those that say they are affected are allowed to have an opinion, I’m afraid many ideas are becoming a bit twisted these days. For example, suddenly, women are pressured to pursue a career. I think people should be free to do as they wish, even if that wish is following the traditional gender roles. I have a close friend who has a Phd in Engineering but really wanted to be a stay-at-home mother. The great thing is that we now have much longer lives and so my friend was able to work, be a stay-at-home mother and then work again. After all, what is 10 years or so out of a 40 or 50-year career? I think flexibility and choice is what needs to be easier. Gender roles are not set in stone. Three out of the last five prime ministers in New Zealand have been women – is that a new gender dominant role?

HAYDEN BOOKER, V&V Mylk CEO & founder

I have always felt that we are all equal. Male, female, everyone. But we have gender norms that cause issues. For example – men don't cry. Why can’t we just accept that humans are equal, not better or worse, stronger or weaker based on their gender? The problems with inequality are still obvious. Women remain underrepresented on boards. They earn less than men for similar work. And violence against females remains a serious problem. We need to consider how we can play an active part in promoting change. The most important thing is that we have a responsibility to be introspective. I’m truly lucky to be part of a veganism movement that resonates more with women. I have a lot of amazing female colleagues. I’ve noticed that women are more collaborative, they love seeing everyone working as part of a whole. Women tend to be more supportive managers. Men, on the other hand, perceive that work should be completed independently, without the assistance of others. The vegan industry can positively affect the dialogue between men and women. Animal products are often behind the behavioural problems we are seeing. When cattle are slaughtered, stress hormones are pumped throughout the body and settle in their muscles. Those stress hormones are then consumed by people, causing chemical and hormonal imbalances. This can lead to communication issues and unpredictable behaviour. The more women leading the way with a vegan lifestyle – the more men will follow!  focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | LIFE

WASTE REVOLUTION

RETHINK YOUR CONSUMPTION STARTING TO REDUCE WASTE IS A SUPER-TANGIBLE WAY TO TUNE IN TO OUR CONSUMPTION AND START MAKING A DIFFERENCE. HERE ARE A FEW TOOLS AND INSIGHTS TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE THE WATERS OF WASTE WITHOUT IT TAKING OVER YOUR LIFE.

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LIFE | focus

IS RECYCLING REALLY THE ANSWER TO ALL OUR PROBLEMS? Recycling is based on supply and demand. If there’s value in the system, then it works; if there’s not, it can get a bit messy. Take plastics as an example. We’re consuming way more plastics than anyone could have predicted. There’s a whole lot of supply going into the system, without the right level of demand for the end product. Not all plastics are created equal. Some plastics can be recycled easily and repeatedly, but others not so much. Some types, such as soft plastics, often suffer from downcycling where the end product is a lower grade and has limited uses. Just because things are recyclable doesn’t mean it happens. The National Geographic Society estimated that only 9% of all plastics ever made have been recycled, and lots of it ends up in the environment. Because we want things to be recyclable, we’ll often end up putting things in our recycling bin that aren’t actually recyclable – coffee cups, plastic toys and plastic bags. Despite our good intentions, these products can end up contaminating the recycling, and may mean the whole batch goes to landfill. Check your local council’s website to make sure you’re getting it right. Time, energy and resources go into recycling. Even if something can be recycled, it still takes a heap of resources to make it. We’ll use it for a short amount of time, then put it into our recycling bin. Someone comes along and collects, transports, sorts and processes it, and then transports it somewhere to (hopefully) be used again. Recycling can be a good alternative to sending things to landfill, but it’s complex. There are a whole lot of other actions further up the waste hierarchy that are a better choice. Ideally, we need to be shooting for buying and using less overall and keeping things in use for as long as we can.

WASTE REDUCTION IS A BETTER SOLUTION Being more conscious of waste boils down to three simple questions: 1. Do I need it? 2. How can I source it better? 3. What happens to it at the end of its life? When I’m deciding what to do to reduce my waste, I use my rubbish bin as my guide. Every time I’m ready to make a change, I look in my bin, see what’s there and choose the next easiest thing to focus on. It really doesn’t matter where you start – just pick something, and make it an easy one to get you going. Reusable bags, cups, safety razors … there is no shortage of Instagram-worthy tools to take you on a waste-reduction journey but, before you rush to the shop, there are a couple of things to think about. 1. Use what you have. I’m a sucker for a well-designed stainless steel container or good-looking reusable coffee cup. But there’s a certain irony in going out and buying new shiny stuff to reduce my waste. Most of the time, I already have things I can use. It already exists, so let’s not waste it. 2. Over and over again. Buying tote bags, cloth nappies or stainless steel drink bottles, then stashing them in a cupboard doesn’t somehow mystically reduce your impact. Use them, or pass them on to someone who will. Have folding bags and collapsible containers that fit in your handbag, keep extra bags and cups in

your car, stash old plastic bags in your glove box – whatever it takes for you to get your hands on your reusables when you need them.

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES IS EASY Whether it’s packaging or products, I get that navigating all the options and trying to make a better choice can be a bit full on. Remember: it’s not about the perfect choice, it’s about better choices – rolling with any of these will mean you’re making a conscious decision. 1. Can I take my own? From fruit and vegies to meat, honey and takeaways, it’s becoming more and more common to rock up with your own reusables to skip disposable packaging waste. 2. Can it be reused? Glass jars are a favourite in our house; I reuse them for storing and freezing all sorts of things 3. What happens at the end of its useful life? I choose paper over plastic because, after reusing it as much as possible, it can go into my worm farm or compost. 4. How easy is it to recycle? I choose items sold in tin cans (try to find cans with BPA–free plastic lining) and glass over plastic, as there’s more demand for these in the recycling chain. Recycling glass and cans is also way more energy efficient than creating it from virgin materials. 5. Can it be composted? Compostable packaging and products are a good choice if they’re actually going to make it to the compost – if there is a commercial collection in your area or if it states it’s home compostable and that’s where you’re going to put it, then all good. 6. Can I buy less of it? I’ll always start with a micropause to check if I really need something, or if I can simplify how many different things I’m buying. If I decide to buy something, I’ll see if there’s a way I can reduce the packaging waste. I’ll choose bulk package sizes to reduce overall waste. Buying in bulk doesn’t have to mean buying things by the pallet load, it’s as simple as buying a larger package size or switching to toilet paper in double-length rolls. Buying items in concentrated or solid bar form also reduces the need for excess packaging because you’re getting the product without all the water. 7. Has it already been recycled? Choosing products made out of recycled materials is a great way to help create demand in the recycling chain. 8. How does it come packaged to the store? While I might be walking out package-free, if there’s packaging in the supply chain, I like to be aware of it. I want to see if there’s any way I can reduce it, or maybe I can take it home to reuse it. 

Extracted from Living Lightly: The Busy Person’s Guide to Mindful Consumption by Nicola Turner (HarperCollins NZ, RRP $45.00) Available now. focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | LIFE

GROWING INTO YOUR ROCKING

CHAIR

Image by Racoon Studio /freepik

AT LAST, YOU'VE INHERITED THE TITLE OF NANA TO THOSE ADORABLE GRANDIES, BUT JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE GROWING INTO YOUR ROCKING CHAIR DOESN'T MEAN YOUR JOB IS DONE. FAR FROM IT – NANAHOOD IS JUST BEGINNING!

nderstanding how you can best live up to the high calling of being a grandmother means looking at the things your little ones need the most. They definitely need strong and loyal adults in their lives, and this is where you come in.

FIND DIFFERENT WAYS TO CONNECT Search for new and novel events and activities to connect – things that your grandkids wouldn’t normally do with their parents. Take them to

34 | focusmagazine.co.nz

a different part of town; teach them something their parents don’t know how to do, such as jewellery-making or watercolour painting; invite them to the theatre; meet them for a coffee – play together, wonder together, explore together.

A WONDERFUL PLACE TO VISIT It's the parent’s job to dish out the rules and discipline but ‘going to Grandma's' should mean something special to your grandkids – a place where they feel valued, listened to and loved. Grandma

should be the one who's ready with a big hug, a loving smile and always has time for her adorable munchkins, someone who knows how to make them feel special whilst also teaching them a thing or two about the world. And, as long as it stays that way, your grandchildren will come to you, even in times of trouble.

THEY NEED TO BE SPOILED This can be the fun part of being a grandma. After all, every child loves a little treat of lollies or cookies when they go to Nana’s house.

LIFE | focus

TEACH THEM ABOUT THE WORLD We’re not talking about boring lectures and monologues but, rather, passing on your experience through stories. Tell them how your life choices may have informed your outlook, tell them about your past and the family history. A great way to do this is to sit down with a photo album and tell memorable stories and anecdotes about everyone in the family – after all, you’re the best record of what happened in the past and they’ll slowly learn how this relates to them and the world.

ASK YOUR GRANDCHILDREN TO TEACH YOU SOMETHING Ask them to educate you on what’s going on in their world – the latest trends in music, what they talk about with their friends and what they’re watching online. Show a genuine

BE THERE FOR THE MILESTONES

interest and, who knows, they’ll probably even teach you a thing or two, like how to use your mobile or laptop more effectively.

A READY LISTENER Grandchildren come in all sizes and shapes and all have different qualities, quirks, aptitudes and attitudes. In spite of those, and because of those, each grandchild should be loved regardless. As a nana you need to have a ready ear that holds no judgement and give your wisdom, guidance and advice where needed. Your grandchildren are often looking for someone who they can confide in and a space where they can talk about their inner thoughts and emotions without fear of ridicule or judgement. As children grow up, they need important networks and to be surrounded by impactful adults – this is your opportunity to be there for them.

From birthdays to kindy concerts and school graduations, make a point of being there, whenever possible, for those important moments. Your grandchildren will remember many of those big moments in their life and it will be important that they recall your presence at those times too.

BE FORGIVING Sometimes grandchildren will inevitably fail you, hurt you or do wrong by you, in spite of their better judgement and upbringing. They are still finding their way in the world and deserve forgiveness, just like the rest of us. These are just some of the things that make time with Nana so precious. You want your grandchildren to always love coming to see you. 

Open for viewing 7days 10am-4pm If you’re thinking of a change in lifestyle – Althorp Village has it all! We offer you:

ü Independent Lifestyle Living ü Fun, Friendship, Security ü A Social and Friendly Environment ü Resort Style Facilities A ü wide Range of Social Activities If you want the most out of life and to live in a social and friendly environment, come visit us at Althorp Lifestyle Village in sunny Tauranga! For more info contact Claire Keen on 07 543 4008 or 021 061 7247. 9 Grantston Drive, Pyes Pa, Tauranga. www.althorpvillage.co.nz focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | TRAVEL

High country tussock and exposed ridges

A chilly start to summer

on the

Kepler Track WET WEATHER IS ALMOST A GIVEN WHEN HIKING IN THE MOUNTAINS OF FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK AND CERTAINLY MAKES FOR FANTASTIC VISTAS OF ROARING RIVERS AND WATERFALLS PLUNGING OVER THE EDGES OF HANGING VALLEYS – ALL THAT RAIN HAS TO COME DOWN SOMEWHERE. WHAT WE WEREN’T EXPECTING ON THE KEPLER TRACK THAT FIRST WEEKEND OF SUMMER, WAS SNOW! Words MILLIE FREEMAN 36 | focusmagazine.co.nz

TRAVEL | focus

Luxmore Hut offers stunning views to Lake Te Anau

t’s hard to imagine needing so many warm clothes for a hiking trip south to Te Anau when the Bay of Plenty basked in a glorious start to the summer season. But, thank goodness I threw in my balaclava at the last minute, in addition to my woolly hat – our group of four needed all those layers, as well as gloves, as we walked over the Kepler Mountains with the snow falling softly around us. It was freezing, but wonderful, with the only downside being the lack of views. Unfortunately the weather also forced a route change to the annual Kepler Challenge race, which happened to fall on the second day of our tramp. Beginning in 1988, the iconic race now attracts around 400 entrants to run the 60km circuit – a trip which normally takes hikers four days – and another 150 or so take on the short, steep Luxmore Grunt – up to Luxmore Hut (1085m) and back. With frigid conditions going over the tops, the ‘B route’ altered the course to cut out the middle section and runners had to run there and back to Luxmore and Moturau huts – still a 59km route. The fastest time was a little over 4 hours! Not only is the Kepler Challenge an awesome mountain race that sells out within minutes of opening online, since 2006 a percentage of the entry fees help fund the considerable trapping programme in place throughout the circuit. Stoats continue to be a huge threat to our indigenous birds, especially kiwi and the blue duck/ whio. It was sad to notice a distinct lack of birdsong on the first day of hiking through the forest, but reassuring to see traps – maintained by an army of

volunteers including students from local schools – every 200 metres or so along the track. Although we didn’t see the cautious kiwi, we did hear one calling late one evening near Iris Burn hut on our second night, and a more vibrant bird chorus followed us on days 3 and 4 through the beautiful beech forest. Kea, on the other hand, are not afraid to make your acquaintance, and on race day several of these curious alpine parrots were checking out the

runners from the veranda of Luxmore Hut as they hit the turn-around point. Actually, the kea were probably eyeing up the oranges and bananas laid out for competitors! We saw more kea as we headed off from Luxmore, and they swooped down to check up on us every now and then as we plodded on through the falling snow. The hike over the mountains on day 2 was definitely the most challenging part of the trip, but tough days are usually remembered as the most

KEPLER TRACK DETAILS Hikers walk the Kepler Track – one of New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks – in either direction but the most common route is anticlockwise, with the first night at Luxmore Hut. Start and finish at the Kepler Track carpark next to the Waiau River control gates, 5km from Te Anau township. A shorter journey is possible by finishing (or starting) at Rainbow Reach carpark, 12km from Te Anau, and getting a shuttle into town. SIDE TRIPS INCLUDE: • 10 minutes to Luxmore Caves from Luxmore Hut – definitely worth the trip • 10 minutes to Mt Luxmore summit – we didn’t do this because of the weather • 20 minutes to Iris Burn waterfall from the hut – well worth it!

focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | TRAVEL

Kea like the challenge of breaking into stoat traps

No views today – at the turnoff to Mt Luxmore summit

Restful and broody Lake Manapouri

Receding cloud shows the track ahead

38 | focusmagazine.co.nz

TRAVEL | focus

rewarding as well. Perhaps it’s because of the numerous scenery changes – from snowy tops and steep rocky drops-offs, then back to the bush line, where sunlight pierces through the trees and raging rivers plunge down the valley beside us. It was a feast for the senses, even though the incredibly steep downhill section to Iris Burn Hut caused a few sore knees and tired leg muscles – uphill is hard work, but downhill is definitely harder on the body. We slept well that night, after a dunk in the freezing Iris Burn to wash and refresh. Coming off the ridgeline is almost a disappointment as you leave the mountain air and fantastic views – when it’s not clagged in – but the lush beech forest through the Iris Burn valley on the final two days was spectacular, with sunlight dripping through the trees, and ferns in every shade of green. The reward at the end of day 3 was arriving at New Zealand’s second deepest lake, Lake Manapouri (444m) – shrouded in cloud and mist and surrounded by mountains. Frigid waters once again, but perfect for washing the body and cleansing the spirit.

Many hikers end their journey at Rainbow Reach, just a 90-minute walk from Moturau The Kepler Track and Kepler Hut, however we Mountains were named continued on to after 17th Century German the main Kepler astronomer Johannes Kepler, Track carpark, who asserted the idea that another 9.5km planets orbited the sun walk, but well elliptically rather than in worth the extra perfect circles. In 2010, two forest amble to other previously unnamed complete the mountains in the Kepler range entire 60km west of Te Anau were named circuit. after prominent New Zealand While we may scientists: cosmologist Beatrice not be travelling Tinsley and NASA scientist Sir overseas anytime William Pickering. soon, New Zealand offers so much physical diversity you sometimes feel you‘ve just holidayed in a different dappled forest the next. Back home country. The Kepler was a fabulous in the Bay of Plenty we were then example of that diversity – from shedding clothes to cope with the high rugging up in woollies to cross the humidity. What a glorious country we snowy mountains one day, to swimming live in!  in the lake and enjoying the sun-

ESTEEMED MOUNTAINS

Iris Burn Falls

focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | FOOD

Breakfast, brunch or brinner? A HEARTY BREAKFAST THAT WILL LOOK EQUALLY GOOD AS A BIG DINNER.

In an era of disposable stuff, The Ironclad Pan Company created a product that would last for three generations of daily use. The only 100% New Zealand-made cast-iron skillet is hand-poured to order and made with recycled T100 iron. ironcladpan.com

40 | focusmagazine.co.nz

FOOD | focus

SMOKED SALMON AND CAPER PINWHEELS WITH BAKED BRIE INGREDIENTS:

METHOD:

For brioche: • 1¼ cup warm milk • 1 Tbsp yeast • 1 Tbsp maple syrup • 3 eggs • 500g strong white flour plus extra for kneading • 1 tsp salt • 150g soft butter

1. Pour the warm milk and water into a medium bowl and sprinkle the yeast, sugar and 1 Tbsp of flour. No need to stir, just leave in a warm place till frothy for about 5-10 minutes. 2. Whisk eggs into the mixture, add flour, salt and soft butter. 3. If you are using a mixer with a dough hook, let it knead the dough for 8 minutes. Add more flour if necessary. If you like to knead, turn the dough onto a floured bench and knead for 10 minutes until shiny and elastic. It will be very sticky at the beginning. Have flour on standby to add more. 4. Return the dough to a clean oiled bowl and leave covered in a warm place for half an hour. 5. Mix mascarpone, capers and lemon zest together. 6. Tip dough onto a very lightly floured bench, beat down and knead for a couple of minutes. The dough should not stick to the bench. 7. Divide the dough into two and store half of it in the fridge where it will keep for up to five days. With your hands, roll the dough into a 30cm long roll. Work fast, as the dough will want to rise. Don’t flour the bench – it will make it easier to roll. 8. Using a rolling pin, shape the dough into a 50cm long and 14cm wide rectangle. Trim the ends and sides so the edges are straight. 9. Spread a layer of pesto on the dough, followed by the smoked salmon and mascarpone. Spread up to the long edge but 1cm away from the short edge. 10. Loosen the dough with a knife along the long edge and roll tightly away from you. Keep the log tight and evenly shaped. 11. With a very sharp knife, chop the log into 16 pieces. 12. Place the wooden brie box (without the cheese) in the centre of your lightly oiled Ironclad Pan and arrange the pinwheel slices around the box. Make sure the seams are all touching the box in the inner ring and facing the same direction in the outer ring. 13. Leave to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes until almost doubled in size. 14. Bake at 180°C for 10 minutes. 15. Score the rind on the top of the brie, drizzle with olive oil and a sprinkle of rosemary leaves. 16. Remove pan from oven and drop the brie into the wooden box, scatter the top with extra rosemary sprigs, return to oven and cook for a further 20 minutes. 17. Take to the table sizzling hot, sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and DEVOUR!

For filling: • 250g mascarpone • 300g cold smoked salmon slices • 50g whole capers • Zest of one lemon • 100g basil pesto • Salt and pepper to taste For brie: • 1 small brie in a wooden box • Fresh rosemary leaves • Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil • Extra rosemary sprigs • Pomegranate seeds to decorate

focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | FOOD

NEXT! Foods delivers the best in plant-based innovation. NEXT! Extra Crispy Bacon Style Strips is the tastiest, most realistic vegan bacon out there. Crisp, smokey and flavourful, it looks, cooks and tastes exactly like the real one. nextfoods.co

VEGAN BACON AND CHICKEN WAFFLES INGREDIENTS: • Next! Chick’n Chunks • Next! Bacon Style Strips For the chicken coating: • Vegetable oil of choice • 2 cups all-purpose flour • Salt and pepper to season • 1 tsp garlic powder • ½ tsp cayenne pepper • 1 cup almond milk • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar For the waffles: • 1½ cups almond milk • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar • 2 cups plain flour (240g) • 1 Tbsp baking powder • 1 tsp sea salt • 1 Tbsp maple syrup • 1 Tbsp brown sugar • ¼ cup melted coconut oil or melted vegan butter • ½ tsp vanilla extract • Maple syrup for topping

42 | focusmagazine.co.nz

METHOD: 1. Combine dry ingredients – flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and salt and pepper – in a bowl and mix. 2. Pour the almond milk into a large bowl and whisk in the apple cider vinegar. Allow this to sit for 5 minutes until it curdles and creates vegan buttermilk. 3. Take the Chick'n Chunks, lightly dust with the flour mixture, then dip them in the buttermilk until they are coated. Place the chunks in the flour mixture again, firmly pushing the flour mixture into the chunks so they're thoroughly coated. 4. Place the Chick'n Chunks into a pan with preheated hot oil and cook until crispy and golden brown. 5. Remove from the pan and dry on paper towels. 6. Fry Bacon Style Strips in a pan using 1-2 Tbsp of oil. Remove and dry on paper towels. 7. Mix the almond milk, vanilla extract and apple cider vinegar together in a small bowl. Set aside for about 5 minutes to create vegan buttermilk. 8. In a large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt. 9. Add the sugar, melted butter/oil and buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and gently mix the batter until just combined. The batter should be thick and some lumps are normal. 10. Scoop into a preheated waffle machine and cook until steam has stopped escaping from the machine. 11. Remove and serve with Bacon Style Strips and fried Chick'n Chunks. Top with maple syrup.

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VISUALISE YOUR DREAM LIFE … AND KICK IT INTO ACTION! focus magazine is getting ready to start the conversation – what do YOU need to live an amazing and fulfilling life? We’re bringing you our first live workshop event of the year, with qualified coach Dee Collins. It’s all about YOU and sparking positive change in your life! • Find your purpose and direction • Uncover what’s sabotaging you and holding you back • Shift your mindset and reprogramme your thinking • Learn how to align your thoughts with your actions • Get tips on how to stay focused and reach your goals • Kick your life into gear – get motivated and energised It’s time to take back control of your own destiny. You’ll take away a clearer understanding of what’s holding you back, and some key actions and tools that will propel you forward into creating a sensational 2021! Want to change something in your life, but you don’t know where to start? Got a vision of how you want your life to be, but it’s just not happening yet? Fearful about breaking out of that comfort zone? This is the workshop for you!

CLASSIC FLYERS 27 February | 9.00am-1.00pm

Dee Collins is the founder, publisher and editor of focus magazine, created to inspire, encourage, motivate, educate and support women. Dee is also a qualified lifestyle coach and works with women to align their message, overcome limiting beliefs and live their best lives. She has created several companies and grown them to six-figure businesses by stepping out of her comfort zone many times. Her workshop will have you zinging with energy and empower you to move your life towards your dreams.

Tickets at FOCUSMAGAZINE.CO.NZ/DREAMLIFE $95.00 PER PERSON Spaces are limited

Image by Racool_studio / freepik

BUSINESS 44

BUSINESS OF TOMORROW 2021 TRENDS YOU NEED TO KNOW

WATCH AND LEARN

ONLINE COURSES FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

BUSINESS SHELF

Plus THE LAST PAGE, GIVEAWAYS

BOOKS TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE

focus | BUSINESS

Business of tomorrow 2020 TWISTED AND ADJUSTED THE WAY COMPANIES OPERATE FOR YEARS AHEAD. IF YOU PLAN TO STAY AT THE TOP OF YOUR GAME, HERE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT BUSINESS TRENDS TO FOLLOW IN 2021. Words KSENIIA SPODYNEIKO

6+ PEOPLE Customers share a positive experience with

and a negative experience with

15+ PEOPLE. huffpost.com

OFFICE? WHAT OFFICE?

NOT JUST A BUSINESS

After the year we had, a new approach to work space comes as no surprise. Up to 67% of companies worldwide will adjust to the new reality – some plan to work from home full time, others are dividing work hours between office and home and allowing their employees a more flexible schedule. The median number of hours per week worked from home in post-pandemic New Zealand, according to the Household Labour Force Survey, is around 10. This unexpected opportunity to throw employees into a completely different work environment taught many leaders a valuable lesson – when the tight frames of schedules and cubicles are removed, the company often becomes more efficient. If that’s your case, think about how you can support your employees now. Do they need special work equipment installed at home? Will a weekly Zoom meeting be in order? How is their mental health doing?

Business owners will have to reflect on what they’re offering their customers and how they’re doing it. The forced upgrades under the COVID-19 restrictions allowed companies to emerge stronger on the other side. Think of car manufacturers that switched to producing ventilators for hospitals and created many new technologies along the way. Even focus is not standing still – our 2021 shift towards regular offline events was inspired by a long and lonely lockdown. A few years ago the best advice was to look at what your competitors were doing and do it better. In 2021 start looking at what the businesses outside your industry are offering – how are they promoting their brand? What tools are they using to communicate or deliver the goods? Wine producer? Get inspired by the business strategies of that awesome sneakers brand! Gardener? Snatch marketing

46 | focusmagazine.co.nz

ideas from a hotel you’ve enjoyed staying at. Industries are transforming, so don’t just stick to the familiar – look around, experiment, branch out, collaborate.

order? When they can pay with PAYWAVE elsewhere, would they bother with direct bank transfers? Before of consumers want to see the pandemic, advertising that makes delivery was a nice them feel safe and gives ‘extra’ businesses them a sense of normality. impactmybiz.com could either offer or ignore; now it’s an expected WELCOME service. TO OUR VIRTUAL HOME ‘Impatient customer’ is how Forbes magazine describes today’s shoppers We might complain about staying at in its 2020 Achieving Customer home but the fact is there is nothing Amazement Survey. The same one that more comfortable and easy! Today’s suggests a whopping 96.2% of people customers want not only goods but will never return to the business that also services delivered online. We’re didn’t satisfy their customer service talking virtual changing booths for expectations the first time. The good fashion brands, Stories’ filters with news though? This survey shows 67% various makeup options for beauty of customers are happy to pay more brands, interior design configurators for amazing customer service, so for furniture companies, etc. How can you won’t have to implement the you do what’s currently being done in innovations at your own expense. person via online tools? The answer What are the weak points of ‘there is no way’ is no longer an option. your customer service? It’s time to acknowledge, improve and speed them up! We’re living in the world WHERE ALEXA MEETS SIRI of ultrafast fibre, muscled cars and slow cookers that cook fast. There is No matter how small your business no time for ‘awaiting the reply in 2-4 is, you don’t have to do everything on business days’. your own. If you’re not in a position to hire help, create a chatbot! The most obvious example is Facebook’s PURPOSEFUL, automated messenger that can reply MEANINGFUL to basic questions for you. But truly AND SUSTAINABLE progressive businesses will re-evaluate all the processes that can be done The word to build your business around automatically. A few simple upgrades in 2021 is ‘empathy’. Gen Z, who are and your chatbot will take orders now entering the workforce and and bookings, send out invoices becoming the most active customers, and schedule your phone calls. Less are the most open-minded, tolerant, workload and a smoother process? Yes, vocal, environmentally-friendly please. generation in history. They don’t want to buy from or work for a brand with no values. Want to appeal to them? I WANT IT HERE AND Set and clearly define a new purpose I WANT IT NOW of your brand. Recycling ocean plastic to create your products, donating Our customers are becoming smarter products to the homeless, supporting and more demanding each year. As local charities or a mental health soon as someone experiences ‘the next organisation – do not exist just for the day delivery’, would they want to wait a sake of selling. week for you to wake up and post their The 2020 Zeno Strength of Purpose

67%

BUSINESS | focus

study shows that people are four times more likely to buy from a brand that has a strong, valuable purpose. Think wider, be kinder and come up with a way to help both the planet and people with what you do.

THIS IS THE REAL ME Just like in 2020, authenticity on social media is one of the key business trends this year. Faceless brands are a thing of the past. Your real-life, here-and-now, unfiltered selfies, funny Boomerangs and honest conversations are what attracts people these days. Forget being serious and respectable, be fun, be YOU! You can celebrate, you can behave silly, you can even cry when something went wrong – nothing is forbidden as long as you’re showing what’s really happening behind-the-scenes of your business.

50% OF CUSTOMERS WON’T RETURN TO A WEBSITE THAT ISN’T MOBILE-FRIENDLY. truelist.co

Remember Gen Z from the paragraph above? These guys would rather support their neighbour with his awkward, slightly crooked, amateur candles/cookies/whatever, than go to a big store to pick something perfect but with no story behind it. So, become that neighbour! Even if your customers are spread all over New Zealand and further away, social media brings us all together – you can still be everyone’s neighbour online. This trend actually goes hand-inhand with automatisation. As soon as you no longer have to manually create invoices, email payment reminders or add your meetings to your Google Calendar, you’ll have more time for personal updates and getting to know your clients on social media. 

OF CUSTOMERS PREFER SELF-SERVICE TO PERSONAL CONTACT. zendesk.com

focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | BUSINESS

ELEVATION CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS AND THE MIDAS TOUCH MENTOR

ichelle Mortlock leads a boutique accountancy and management consultancy business in Tauranga – a business that provides excellent tax compliancy and accounting services but goes beyond by offering business mentoring to ensure her clients realise the greatest potential from their company and be fully rewarded for their hard work. Michelle’s passion for and experience in seeing businesses thrive led her to establish Midas Touch Mentoring, where she asks the tough questions and teaches business owners to find the gold in their business. She describes her relationship with companies as more akin to being a member of the Board, figuring out what their goals are and making them accountable. Trust is fundamental to a strong mentoring relationship, she says. It’s having someone who they can trust and who will be with them for the long term. “I pop in and out of their working life as required and because these are long-term relationships, I know enough about their business to be able to ask the important questions.” And from her 25+ years’ experience as a chartered accountant, Michelle knows business goals are never simply about making a lot of money. “It’s about lifestyle and what they want in retirement. I find

out what motivates the client. These are the businesses I want to connect with, those that are in it for the long haul.” Michelle’s desire to offer business owners a high-end suite of services tailored to their specific situation and goals is what drives her passion for mentoring. “This is where I can offer the most value and it’s where I want to focus my skillset and the future of my business.” If strong, actionable business mentoring and the opportunity to work with a boutique accountancy firm are what you need, give Michelle a call for a complimentary consultation. 07 578 5803 michelle@elevationaccountants.nz taurangaaccountants.co.nz

We work in the background to keep your finances in front. OUR SERVICES:

• Accounting • Taxation • Trusts • Advisors • Consultancy p: +64 (0)7 578 5803 e: michelle@elevationaccountants.nz www.elevationaccountants.nz

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p: +64 (0)21 420 900 e: michelle@themidastouch.coach

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We let you get on with your business while we get on with your accounts and tax returns.

Megan Tomalin – SBA Tauranga.

SBA Tauranga provides a wide range of accounting and taxation services for individuals, sole traders, partnerships, small companies, trusts, and rental property owners. Our aim is for our fees to be affordable and our services accessible. Whatever your accounting needs

– SBA Tauranga can help.

T: 07 578 8959 | sba.co.nz/tauranga

focus | BUSINESS

FIND S FREE B EVEN U COURS SINESS ES FRO M THE IVY UNIVER LEAGUE SITIES A FOCUSM T A GAZINE

.CO.NZ/I VY

SELF-MADE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Where: masterclass.com How much: $310 for unlimited annual subscription

Image by freepik

From Disney CEO Bob Iger teaching business strategy to former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz teaching business leadership; from Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour teaching creativity and leadership to Nobel-Prize winning columnist Paul Krugman teaching economics – MasterClass offers probably the most impressive library of names and courses for your professional growth. Each course includes 12-25 videos, each around 10 minutes long, and a gorgeous downloadable workbook with additional info and homework. You’re free to complete each course at your own pace. To push your brand to the next level this year, start with Sara Blakely’s ‘Self-Made Entrepreneurship’. In 2012 the creator of Spanx became the world’s youngest self-made billionaire. In her class, Sara shares the secrets of developing the successful idea, explains how to build awareness and culture around your brand, promote and sell your product, and more.

WATCH AND LEARN ONLINE EDUCATION IS THE MOST CONVENIENT AND AFFORDABLE WAY TO BROADEN THE HORIZONS, TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO A NEW LEVEL OR ENTER A COMPLETELY NEW INDUSTRY WITH THESE EXCITING AND INFORMATIVE VIDEO COURSES! 50 | focusmagazine.co.nz

ZERO COST MARKETING STRATEGIES: OFFICIAL PRIMER COURSE Where: udemy.com How much: $29 Who doesn’t want new clients and more sales without investing anything? If you’re organising an event, getting ready to publish a book or launching a new product, not having big budgets to promote your work is understandable. This course explains eight zero-cost tools and strategies for small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs. You’ll learn from Amazon’s own Dan Hollings, who helped the platform sell over $300 million worth of goods. Remember the worldwide hype around The Secret book? Guess who was behind the launch now! When it comes to visual aesthetics and userfriendliness, Udemy loses to the more sophisticated MasterClass or the more welcoming Skillshare, but having the world’s largest selection of courses in development, marketing, business and personal development definitely makes up for outdated design, and most of the courses are updated regularly so you’re always learning the latest trends and strategies. Another bonus of this platform – you can pay for each course individually with prices starting from just $13.

BUSINESS | focus

FINANCE AND EDUCATION IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

SELF-MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Where: alison.com How much: free

Where: upskilled.edu.au How much: $620+GST

Ok, you have this brilliant idea but now you need money to make it a reality. Start with a free 5-hour online course that will teach you all about Angel funding, startup investing, crowdfunding and other sources to raise finances for your business. The second part of the course explains the connection between education and entrepreneurship and how your new business and potential investors can benefit from whatever diplomas you already have. Alison is a free platform with courses ranging from dog grooming and gardening to neuro linguistic programming and climate change. After completing all the assessments required by the course you’ll receive a certificate or diploma that will look amazing on your CV.

This six-month course is a life saver for professionals who tend to get too invested in day-to-day tasks and forget about the bigger picture. Learn how to keep track of work priorities, manage workload, analyse information and improve competence. Think of Upskilled as an online college. It allows you to build on your existing diploma or speed up your progress towards a specific qualification. Australia-based Upskilled allows you to directly contact your tutors if you need assistance. For this course, your tutor will be there to mark assessments and provide feedback. The course can later become part of your Diploma in Business, Diploma of Leadership and Management, and a few others.

THE ART OF NEGOTIATION

GROWTH STRATEGIES FOR BUSINESS

Where: masterclass.com How much: $310 for unlimited annual subscription

Where: alison.com How much: free

When you learn communication skills from a former FBI hostage negotiator, your clients and competitors don’t stand a chance. In 18 lessons, Chris Voss explains negotiation strategies like mirroring, labeling, accusations audit, bending reality, bargaining and more. Exciting and unconventional knowledge that would be useful for anyone, from businesswomen working with a lot of people on a daily basis, to freelancers wanting to improve their chances for successful one-on-one coffee dates with potential clients.

Growth Strategies for Business was approved by 5,000 professionals in search of new ways to expand and generate more profit. Forget boring theory and endless graphs; this course is all about the practical approach. It focuses on real case studies of international companies that have achieved over 30 percent sales growth or over 20 percent employee growth in the last three years. Additionally, you’ll hear about potential management mistakes, sources of innovation, international marketing and economic globalisation.

GROWING YOUR CREATIVE BUSINESS THROUGH INSTAGRAM

PRICING YOUR WORK: HOW TO VALUE YOUR WORK AS A FREELANCER

Where: skillshare.com How much: $150 for annual subscription

With about 6,000 courses in its business section, Skillshare is basically a bottomless source of knowledge. Some of them are freely available but Cat Coquillette’s class is part of the premium package that you can pay for monthly or annually. Cat’s no-nonsense approach gives an insight into the behind-the-scenes work of growing your online presence and creative business via Instagram. Strategies for driving sales, optimising your account for better engagement and strengthening your branding online – the course is jampacked with tips, secrets and practical advice.

Pricing your work can be the most difficult part of entrepreneurship. Are you charging too much? Are you undervaluing your experience and expertise? How do you properly calculate the cost of a project? These questions can cause anxiety, not only for freelancing newbies but also for experienced professionals. Through this short course of 12 videos, artist and bestselling author Peggy Dean equips you with a step-by-step guide to pricing your work according to various factors, such as time spent, expenses, client’s background, licensing and more. focusmagazine.co.nz

focus | BUSINESS

Business

SHELF

BEST BOOKS TO BRUSH UP ON YOUR BUSINESS SKILLS AND GET YOU INSPIRED. THE POCKET BOOK OF MARKETING AND SALES, KIM ALLEN Kim Allen, an accomplished New Zealand business leader with over 30 years’ experience in sales and marketing, spends his time developing and growing SMEs and helping business owners achieve balance and growth, without the burnout.

The tips and action points in this book aim to help SMEs stay in business. They highlight the importance of delegation, asking for help and not losing sight of our dream. He reminds us to share our vision with our people and to train, develop and invest in them, be decisive and consistent, and make decisions that will inspire and grow the business.

Allen also stresses the importance of marketing and sales and how a few small shifts in thinking can make a big difference to results.

HOW I BUILT THIS, GUY RAZ

NOT A LIFE COACH, JAMES SMITH

Award-winning podcast creator Guy Raz has interviewed more than 200 highly successful innovators from around the world and in How I Built This he shares priceless tips, insights and inspiration for anyone on the entrepreneurial journey. Raz finds the commonalities and challenges different founders have gone through and weaves their stories into topics that make for interesting reading. Some of the entrepreneurs Raz features in the book include Tim Brown of Allbirds, Daymond John of FUBU, Jane Wurwand of Dermalogica, Whitney Wolfe of dating site Bumble, to name a few. The challenges faced by the Airbnb founders is also an interesting read. A great book for entrepreneurs looking for inspiration and encouragement on their sometimes challenging journey.

James Smith became an Australian bestselling author with his first book Not A Diet Book and is back with his second installment, Not A Life Coach. Indeed, Smith is not a life coach but, in this paperback, he will push your boundaries, dismantle everything you believe about happiness and fulfillment and crush your limiting beliefs, all with the help of tough love and hardhitting home truths. Smith challenges you to take control of your life and covers a wide range of topics, including values, success, mindset, perception, comfort zones and escapism. Plans for a speaking tour to Auckland and Christchurch are set for 12 and 13 February 2021.

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TLWV IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CHARITY AND SPECIALIST PROVIDER OF SERVICES FOR VICTIMS AND PERPETRATORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE AGENCY ALSO PROVIDES PROGRAMMES AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THEIR HOMES.

PAULA NAUDE

TAURANGA LIVING WITHOUT VIOLENCE CHIEF EXECUTIVE APART FROM PHYSICAL VIOLENCE, WHAT OTHER FORMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE ARE THERE? Physical violence is only one form of domestic violence. Other forms include: • Minimising, denying and blaming, e.g. making light of abuse, saying abuse didn’t happen, saying they caused it. • Using male privilege, e.g. treating them like servants, making all the big decisions, being the one to define men’s and women’s roles. • Using isolation, e.g. controlling who they see, where they go, limiting outside involvement. • Using economic abuse, e.g. making them ask for money, giving them an allowance, making them produce receipts for all expenditure. • Using children, e.g. threats to take the children away, using the children to relay messages, using visitation to harass the other parent. • Using coercion and threats, e.g. making/carrying out threats to harm them, threats to leave, to commit suicide, report them to Oranga Tamariki/WINZ. • Using intimidation, e.g. smashing

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things, abusing pets. • Using emotional abuse, e.g. putting them down, making them feel like they’re going crazy. • Sexual abuse, e.g. rape, forcing them to watch porn, forcing them to partake in acts they are not comfortable doing, making degrading sexual comments. DOES NEW ZEALAND HAVE A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE DEVELOPED WORLD? A WHO multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence against women revealed New Zealand has the highest rate of reported intimate partner violence in the developed world. A shocking 80% of incidents go unreported. In 2015, NZ Police attended 105,000 family violence incidents. If all incidents were reported, they would have attended at least 525,000 calls for help. IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVALENT ACROSS ALL DEMOGRAPHICS? Yes, absolutely. Domestic violence stems from a need to exert power and control over another, not from one’s

social position, ethnicity nor education. Our agency works with victims and perpetrators from across the social strata, ranging from those who may be unemployed, right through to those who occupy executive/professional positions. HOW WOULD SOMEONE BE ABLE TO ENROL IN ONE OF YOUR PROGRAMMES? Referrals into any TLWV programme can be made by an individual, either by calling our office or completing an online referral via our website. We also receive referrals from other social service agencies, GPs, counsellors, DHB, Ministry of Justice, Department of Corrections, etc. CAN OUR READERS VOLUNTEER THEIR SERVICE, DONATE OR HELP IN ANY WAY? TLWV welcomes any form of assistance, whether this might be volunteer hours or financial donations. Our office can be contacted via our website tlwv.org.nz or on our toll-free number 0800 577 003. 

GIVEAWAYS ENTER AT FOCUSMAGAZINE.CO.NZ/WIN | ENTRIES CLOSE 14 MARCH 2021

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