63 minute read
A Day in the Life of
A Day in the Life of Nikita McKenzie
ABIGAIL FURLONG Nikita has tried on many hats in her life, real estate, retail, cleaning, and nursing, but it’s as a singer/ songwriter and beauty therapist where she is in her happy place. Originally from Golden Bay, she now lives in Nelson with her husband Mark.
7:30am
I hear my second alarm go off and realise I must face up to reality…Shower, makeup, coffee, all in a record time of 30 minutes.
8am
I jump on my e-bike and make my way to the gym which takes five minutes. So much faster than taking the car, and don’t even get me started on the free parking!
8:05am
Okay, I’m ready for my 30-minute gym work out at City Fitness. I start with about 10–15 minutes of cardio and then move on to weights, usually scrolling through or posting on social media in-between sets.
8:45am
I arrive at my work, Nelson Beauty Therapy, and am greeted by Cheena, the owner, and our manager, Charmian, who fill me in on anything important. I then go through my list of clients for the day and see what treatments I’m providing and equipment I need to use and set up my room.
9am
My first client arrives and it’s all go! Everything from your classic beauty treatments to advance skin treatments with only the best medical grade equipment.
11:15am
My stomach is grumbling at me now, trying to get me to stop my commitment to intermittent fasting. Today my emotions take over and I’m running next door to Prego for a quick bite before my next client arrives.
12:30pm
I cover reception whilst Laura, our receptionist, goes on her lunch break. During this time, I feel like I finally get to have a catch up with my work mates, including Hollie and Em, our senior therapists.
1pm
I’m halfway through the day. I congratulate myself and head over to Akababas for a kebab salad and soak up the sunshine during the rest of my lunch break. I love this moment by myself and usually spend this time in prayer and gratitude.
1:30pm
Back in my room I choose an uplifting playlist with a country vibe.
2:30pm
I’m booked by a bridal party for the rest of the afternoon which includes manicures, pedicures and spray tans for all.
6pm
Time to bike home. I catch the last of the sunshine and have snuggles with my cat, Lucy, whom we’ve nicknamed ‘meeses.’ Don’t ask me why.
6:45pm
The best thing for meals for us is ‘My Food Bag.’ We get ‘Fresh Start,’ and we love it. It takes all the thinking out of dinner and makes me feel like a master chef. The food is so delicious — and it’s fool proof. You can also scan for MyFitnessPal.
7:30pm
Mark and I get dressed up for our night of playing music and we pack the car full of music gear. Who am I kidding? Mark packs the car. I’m still getting ready!
8:15pm
We head to our gig location and play until the early hours of the morning. Looking forward to a sleep in the next day.
Nelson’s new basketball recruit
From player, to commentator, to national team selector, Huw Beynon’s basketball journey has been anything but orthodox.
Words: Jonty Dine
AIMEE CANE
Growing up in the United Kingdom where basketball is often an afterthought, Huw’s sporting future was destined to involve an oval ball.
His Welsh father had him playing rugby as a youngster but would unintentionally create his basketball obsession, returning from business trips to the United States with various NBA team hats. Huw was then invariably staying up until 10pm on a Sunday night to catch a 30-minute NBA highlight show. After moving to New Zealand as a teenager, 6’6” Huw switched from the field to the court and never looked back.
Though his dreams of playing professionally were never reached, Huw has made a living from basketball and was recently appointed Tall Blacks team manager. “It was a real surprise, but I am absolutely stoked. I love the Tall Blacks; they mean a lot to me so when they offered me the chance to work with them and travel with them it was a no brainer.” Prior to his Tall Blacks assignment, Huw’s highest administration role was manager of his local tennis club in Auckland. “It is pretty daunting and will be a bit of a challenge.” Huw says he just wants to help the team win as much as possible. “I am a very small cog in the Tall Blacks machine. My job is to make sure the tour is as easy as possible for players so they can just focus on basketball.” With his new appointment, Huw and his wife Mandy made the decision to move to Nelson with their young children Brooke, aged one, and Brodie, aged two. After 12-years in Auckland, the couple say they no longer needed to live in the country’s largest city so began to look elsewhere. “I had always joked whenever anything ‘Aucklandy’ happened, like we would get stuck in traffic or it rained, I would say ‘we are moving to Nelson because I have always loved coming down here for the Giants.’”
Below: Sky Sport basketball commentator and new Tall Blacks manager, Huw Beynon has made Nelson home with his wife Mandy and children Brodie and Brooke.
Huw is excited to have recently been appointed manager of the Tall Blacks.
Huw says it took less than 15 minutes sitting at the top of Trafalgar St before Mandy said, ‘yep, Nelson it is’.” Just four days later, the couple had sold, and bought a house, and relocated to the Top of the South. “What a great place for kids to grow up. We want to raise a couple of Nelsonians. It’s going to be a great spot for them.” Huw says his passion for the Nelson Giants was a big drawcard to the region. He will join the Giants board for the 2021 season as he hopes the franchise can recapture the imagination of locals. “It is such a great basketball city. The history is phenomenal and we just need to build that back up and get people to rediscover their love for the Giants.”
Huw says the Giants have been doing it tough the last couple of years, particularly financially, but they have since turned it around. “Of all the teams to make the most out of 2020, the Giants did just that. Without a proper league they managed to get their finances in order, and I think will really attack 2021.” He says one of the side’s greatest assets is head coach, Mike Fitchett.
“He is one of a few really top-quality coaches in New Zealand and he is a homeboy - he is drawn here; he wants to be here.” Huw rates the Trafalgar Centre as the best basketball stadium in the country and says there is nothing like the energy of a packed house. “With the Mako doing so well, it’s hard. It’s a small market of fans you’re fighting for. The Giants have to start matching that to get them through the doors and get the excitement around them, and I think they can.” Huw is well known in New Zealand sporting circles from his work with media.
His broadcasting career started with him labelling tapes as an intern at TV3.
Soon he was working on Sports Tonight with Howard Dobson, before going on to produce one of New Zealand’s most popular sports shows, The Crowd Goes Wild, for three years. Huw says when he started out as a journalist, veterans would be in his ear about how his role watching sport had changed, but he refused to listen.
“Some of the older, crustier types would say, ‘you’re not a fan anymore,’ but of course we are still fans.” After a decade living his dream, which included covering the Breakers’ three-peat and writing a book about Tall Black centurions, Huw is content at this point in his career. “If ESPN called and wanted me to come to America to commentate the NBA, I’d say no. Kids are now the priority. I am exactly where I want to be.”
Charged for life
Usually, nobody else is permitted to travel in Kim Lile’s usual car. It’s a workhorse — filled to the brim with the interior designers’ samples of timber, flooring, paint colours and soft furnishings that she shuttles to housing developments around the Nelson region.
“It’s the creativity of it that I love and putting it all together into something special,” she says. So usually, the car boot is full, and the back seat is full. And usually, people hear her coming. Kim likes speed — ever since she was a competitive roller skater growing up in Nelson. That drive took her to the world championships where she came 14th. She still appreciates the feeling of acceleration. But, for a week in February, Kim had a different experience. Her usual routine of stacking the car at her home in The Wood with countless samples felt less crowded. Her acceleration felt almost silent. She could hardly feel any bumps in the road. For that week she was handed the keys of an MG ZS SUV — the car manufacturer’s foray into the electric vehicle market.
The feeling was something else. It’s just so smooth and quiet.
The feeling, she says, was something else. “Nobody hears you, it’s just so smooth and quiet.” Her samples sat in the 470-litre boot space with ease. The back seats were free of clutter. But the first thing she noticed was how it turned on.
“You just put your foot on the brake and push the button. It goes through charge up. Then you turn the knob to drive.” Then, at the flick of a button, you can change the power from normal to ‘sport’. Given her competitive background, it wasn’t long before she felt the urge to see what the car could do.
On SH6 to Richmond she also got to test out the cruise control and safety functions which gauge the distance to the car in front of you. But distance isn’t a problem with the MG ZS EV – it can travel up to 263km on one charge. “I’m probably going to find it pretty hard giving the keys back,” she says.
Dayman’s Cnr Collingwood St and Halifax St, Nelson daymans.co.nz
Layer it up
Luxurious NZ made merino and possum blend wraps, ponchos and shawls — perfect for cooler days and evenings.
Cruellas
155 Hardy St, Nelson | cruellas.co.nz Celebrate your union with the new Mobius collection
Jewel Beetle
56 Bridge St, Nelson www.jewelbeetle.co.nz Made in France
La Font French designs, patterns and colours all intended to surprise and delight the wearer with effortless chic.
Harrington Eyecare Richmond
Ph 03 544 9160 | harringtoneyecare.co.nz
Fashion that lasts
Classic shapes, personalised fits and retro colours that stand the test of time.
Robyn Reynolds Boutique Fashion Designer
12A Church St, Nelson robynreynolds.co.nz Brilliance Exhibition
A fine jewellery exhibition of colour and beauty showcasing Stacey Whale’s first body of work after a decade away from the bench. Visit Brilliance during Nelson Jewellery Week (26 March–4 April) at Stacey’s newly opened jewellery gallery.
Stacey Whale Jewellery
1381 Moutere Highway, Upper Moutere, Nelson Open 10am–4pm daily | staceywhale.com
Your feet will thank you
These dressy moccasins provide year round, all day, every day comfort. Available in copper, black, white and beige.
Tango’s Shoes
247 Queen St, Richmond | tangosshoes.nz
Leather is a timeless companion
Soul by Mariposa
257 Hardy St, Nelson | 49 Commercial St, Takaka Ph: 0800 132 500 | mariposaclothing.co.nz
Unforgettable
It’s the year of the statement piece. Be bold. Be beautiful. Professional teeth whitening at a great special price. Just $169 for your 60-minute treatment (RRP $599).
Sparkle White Teeth
Rose Askin (NZCTWA registered, trained and qualified) 70 Brooklands Rd, Nelson Ph 0272 462 449 | sparklewhite.co.nz
From sport to sand
Seafolly’s active high neck one piece is sleek, timeless and fits perfectly.
Little Boutique Lingerie | Swimwear | Sleepwear
51 Bridge St, Nelson littleboutique.co.nz
Jens Hansen
Creating precious jewellery and happiness since 1960. jenshansen.co.nz
Solid gold is forever
Explore our stunning and captivating range of timeless gold rings when you visit our boutique or new online store. Personal service and unique designs.
Louise Douglas Jewellery
191 Hardy St, Nelson louisedouglas.com
Look hot
Wearing this season’s latest sunglasses from Maui Jim, available in prescription.
Harrington Eyecare Richmond
Ph 03 544 9160 harringtoneyecare.co.nz Unique and individual
Creating custom-made pieces or transforming old jewellery items into a beautiful new design. Featured earrings available in 9ct yellow gold and sterling silver.
Erika Heidi
Jewellery design and manufacture Ph: 021 060 3972 E: erika.heidi67@gmail.com
Take time for you
Busy work and life demands create an increasing need for relaxation and de-stressing. Enjoy a therapeutic massage in 30, 60 or 90 minute sessions.
Mind & Body Therapy
Ph 021 264 7559 MindandBodyTherapy
What are you wearing? SHANE: Suit from ‘House of H’ (Hallenstein Brothers), shoes - Ali Express, inspired by a pair I bought in New York some years ago. Shirt is also from Ali Express. My socks are Happy Socks and were a gift. SARAH: Black Midi dress is from Bec & Bridge, Django and Juliette shoes are from Taylors, ribbon earrings from Benjamin Black Goldsmiths and silver bracelet is from Zoe & Morgan.
What is your style? SHANE: When I am working I like to stand out with not-so-subtle pieces like funky shoes, shirts and occasionally cool socks. I wear a suit five days a week. When the suit comes off, it feels like I’m mentally switching off from work mode. I like being able to do that.
SARAH: Relaxed corporate.
What is most of your wardrobe made up of? SHANE: My wardrobe is split into two - lots of suits formal shirts, winter coats and over a hundred ties that I will soon be giving to goodwill as I don’t wear them anymore. The other side is a mix of casual - soft relaxed jeans, and long sleeve t shirts from Mariposa, and then mixed colour design, smart casual long sleeve shirts and tees from Spanish brand, Desigual. SARAH: Midi dresses, a lot in black but with a point of difference. Although over the past year I have been adding colour to my wardrobe as I now think a pop of colour is great.
What are you loving at the moment? SHANE: The brand Lululemon; specifically, my lined shorts and lightweight hoodie. SARAH: The summer weather and the ease of dressing in the morning. Love summer dresses.
Where do you buy most of your clothes from?
SHANE: A lot of online shopping and years of trial and error. Post Covid, I am trying my best to shop locally. SARAH: Because I’m on the taller side, I find it difficult to find clothes in local shops so my faves at the moment are Bec & Bridge and Kookai.
What is your approach to shopping? SHANE: It must look good and feel even better when worn. Got caught out buying an expensive pair of G-Star jeans once as an impulse buy. I think I wore them twice. SARAH: If I see something that I know will add to my wardrobe I will buy on impulse.
What is your all-time favourite purchase? SHANE: My icebreaker winter long coat. It fits like a glove and goes well with a suit or jeans. SARAH: A black wool Jane Daniels jacket from Jays. I have had it for years and every time I wear it I get compliments. A real classic.
Sarah Steele What wardrobe item should everyone invest in? SHANE: Whatever makes them feel good when they put it on. For me that’s my funky shoes. SARAH: A quality classic/tailored jacket. It will last for years.
Is there a style rule you always obey? SHANE: Your clothes must look and feel good! SARAH: Don’t dress for fashion, dress in what makes you feel your best.
If you could raid one person’s wardrobe who would it be?
SHANE: David Beckham’s. It’s constantly evolving and a good mix of formal and casual.
SARAH: Nicole Kidman.
Finish this sentence — You would never catch me wearing… SHANE: A button up cardigan. SARAH: Crocs.
Happy at sea, Rosie Musters and Rosie Furniss on the bow of the new Coastguard vessel.
Rosies to the Rescue
The new Sealord Rescue vessel is to be launched this month. Two of Nelson’s longest-serving Coastguard volunteers, Rosie Musters and Rosie Furniss have been closely involved with efforts to upgrade Nelson’s critical maritime rescue service.
Words: Tracy Neal TRACY NEAL
Supporting mental health and emotional wellbeing after a trauma at sea is the invisible, but equally critical side of a rescuer’s work.
It is a side of the role that has been a natural progression for two of the Nelson Coastguard’s longest-serving volunteers. Counselling psychologist Rosie Musters and former nurse-turned-counsellor Rosie Furniss have introduced support systems that recognise the potential impact of trauma on the crew. “We always have had formal debriefings after an incident but the bit we bring to this is to be aware of the impact that the rescue operation has had on the rescuers,” they say. Nelson Coastguard president and New Zealand Coastguard board member, Pete Kara, says what the two women bring to the organisation has become critical to ensuring volunteers feel supported. He says their work to introduce steps to care for crew is unique within Coastguard. “We never used to do that, but it became evident during one rescue, after a person had drowned and suddenly, we lost crew. “Acknowledging the impact of trauma is critical to getting over it. No one knows what their threshold is until they come across something that is upsetting, but I do know that when the problem is shared across the team, it drops the burden a lot.”
The English-born Nelson women are no strangers to being trailblazers.
Rosie Furniss (left) and Rosie Musters.
Initially silent over their relationship when they met more than 30 years ago, they then endured alienation from some quarters — particularly the church they belonged to, when they went public about their partnership. “We have lived together since 1988, but at first we had to keep it quiet,” Musters says. Furniss says back then, there was a lot of judgement, but today they are no longer the subject of gossip — they say it is a relief to now live in a world where few blink an eye. Now in their 70s, the vibrant, active women are flying the flag for positive ageing helped by their love of Tai Chi, and volunteer activity that keeps them mentally engaged and busy on their feet. The women’s foray into Coastguard coincided with the start of an air patrol unit in Nelson. They were searching for an activity to replace the sailing they both loved. It had been an escape from busy careers at the time; Musters ran a private practice in counselling psychology and Furniss was a counsellor at Salisbury School. “I had just got my private pilot’s licence so was like, ‘oh let’s go flying’!” Musters says. They undertook specialist search and rescue (SAR) training with Furniss becoming an air observer while Musters became a co-pilot/navigator on the fourseater Cessna 172.
Part of Furniss’ job involved learning how to drop a liferaft from the aircraft. “We used to do a lot of practise, which in a small aircraft was quite difficult.” It required one person to keep the aircraft door wedged open with their foot and the liferaft, which was attached to the bottom of Furniss’ seat, would be kicked out.
“The pilot would count down and I’d give it a boot. It was on a long string and as it dropped it inflated, about 100 feet below the plane. Occasionally, it was frightening. Musters says they were at first required to carry a very heavy battery and radio set so they could communicate with the police on shore. “We were conducting a search in the Marlborough Sounds and the weather was so appalling and the turbulence so bad, the battery stored behind the back seat flew up and hit the roof of the aircraft.
“Our heads hit the roof also, so we bailed out fast. It was a terrifying experience.”
The era of air patrol ended with the advent of cell phone communication and GPS (satellite positioning systems) on boats. It meant that boaties in trouble were able to give their positions instantly, which negated the need for air searches.
The pair then shifted to Coastguard Nelson’s sea-based operations.
For Musters, who descends from generations in the British Royal Navy, the sea is second nature.
“I come from a family where both grandfathers were in the Navy, my mother and father were both in the Navy, my brothers and uncles were in the Navy.
“I grew up with childhood stories of seafarers and if it weren’t war-time battles it was the ships and the sea and the weather and the wonderful places you could go.
“The sea has been in the blood of the entire family from the year dot.”
For Furniss, who hails from the Midlands in the UK, life near the sea was foreign until she moved to Eastbourne, a coastal town on the English Channel. She came to New Zealand on a working holiday in 1969, enticed by family already here, and decided Nelson would be home.
Musters who had been a physical education teacher in the UK, came to New Zealand in 1976 and to a role at Otago University. “I fell in love with New Zealand and then had to find a way to stay. The way to do that was to do my master’s degree in educational psychology.” The nature of the women’s careers has been the basis of their volunteer work for a variety of organisations, but Coastguard has been at the heart of what they do. Their focus is largely on incident management, and the skills they have learned has seen Musters join Civil Defence emergency management operations; most recently during the Tasman wildfires two years ago. Musters is primarily a Coastguard instructor while Furniss is the welfare officer, which involves caring for the families involved or affected by a rescue mission, and then also the volunteers.
“When people get brought in after rescue, we make sure the ambulance is there if needed, and make sure we can get them from the boat to the ambulance…yes, right past the restaurant.” The women say The Styx restaurant, right on the dock beside where the boat is moored, has become a great supporter. “I rush past and yell ‘three hot chocolates, quickly’! And by the time I come back, there they are.” Musters says to be a good Coastguard volunteer requires commitment to the role and to the required training, working as part of a close-knit team, and to be flexible within that team.
“Some want to come and play with boats, so we need to be honest about what to expect — sometimes we get called out in the middle-of-thenight and in very rough seas. “We’re not going to take you out in fair weather just for fun. If you’re willing to make that commitment, then you’re in.” Volunteers are most often self-employed, retired or have a supportive employer willing to release them at short notice. “People who volunteer are special people. Several of our crew have their own businesses and once a week — the average time we are called out, they lose income from assisting others.” Furniss also helps to organise crew gatherings away from pagers and cell phones, which include families for some time-out.
“I think that’s what makes us a tight unit. We care about each other.”
The New Zealand Coastguard says there are 2109 volunteers nationwide who each year volunteer over 276,300 hours to bring more than 6050 people home safely. “Coastguard volunteers come from all backgrounds and walks of life, each bringing their own unique skills to their roles at Coastguard. “Coastguard Nelson and the community it serves is really fortunate to benefit from the expertise that Rosie and Rosie have, and are able to provide to boaties in their time of need” the national organisation said.
It says like many organisations in the volunteer sector, Coastguard has an ongoing challenge to recruit and retain volunteers. It says volunteer numbers are currently steady, but over the last couple of years numbers have declined. Coastguard has now put a volunteer strategy in place to better understand, engage and enable its volunteers.
The new Coastguard Nelson vessel on a training run.
STRANDED? THE LONG SWIM HOME ISN’T AN OPTION
GET YOUR COASTGUARD MEMBERSHIP TODAY
COASTGUARDMEMBERSHIP.NZ
Pirate Pearl at her studio in Nelson.
TRACY NEAL
From single mother to sail maker
Words: Tracy Neal
The passage from single mother to sailmaker has been anything but smooth seas for Nelson’s Pirate Pearl. But life has taught her that there’s no storm large enough, nor ocean wide enough that can’t be navigated.
A mean northerly wind is brewing in the clouds covering the Atawhai hills. The grey billowing mass is darkening by the minute and is giving the windmill at Founders Heritage Park a run for its money. Down a quaint street, the shop sign for a sail maker is starting to swing in the breeze, while inside, Pirate Pearl is keeping a weather eye on the situation. “I watch it carefully and have a few bolt holes,” she says of the rare moments she is forced to become a landlubber.
It happens when the wind and sea prevent her getting home to her boat moored in Nelson Haven.
Pearl’s large blue catamaran Aorere, named after Te Tai-o-Aorere (Tasman Bay) is symbolic of her hard-won freedom from convention, the pain of loss and the crucial role it plays in the life of her threeyear-old grandson, Kea and his cousins Leo and Rowan.
Pearl has joined other grandparents to help support Kea’s mother in raising him after his father – Pearl’s son Louey Sandlant was killed.
He was a passenger in a small plane that crashed in Raglan two years ago. “We have all tried hard to fill in the gap – I provide the pirate adventures.” Aorere also bears Pearl’s handiwork in its sails, and the pirate flag fluttering from its lanyard, but the passage so far has been far from plain sailing. Pirate Pearl, aka Robyn Holmes, is one of very few sailmakers in Nelson.
Top left: Pirate Pearl making sails in her studio at Founders Park. Top right: Pirate Pearl’s Singer sewing machine. Bottom: Skali Wag flags.
TRACY NEAL
From her loft at Founders Park, she churns out repairs and new sails for customers around the country. It is a living museum of the tools of the trade, and a gallery of her own art works that reflect a life wedded to the sea.
The moniker she gained early on. “Most people I know call me Pearl, or “Pirate” but my family call me Robyn. “I used to dress up as a pirate, but it really goes back to the 1980s when I was involved with the Women’s House in Nelson.”
She once went to a meeting dressed as “Aunty Pearl”, complete with a handbag fit for a queen, after which the name stuck. The patchwork quilt that is the life of Pirate Pearl began with a childhood in Greymouth, an unfinished degree at Canterbury University, and some years she describes as great times as a ski bum. Then came single parenthood, poverty, and a car she was gifted that she packed up and drove to Nelson with her young daughter. She is not entirely sure if she was born with the sail bug, or if she caught it after arriving in Nelson.
“I suspect there are probably sea captains in the family, but my family are all Coast pioneer types going back to the gold rush days.”
It was the impromptu purchase of a small sailing dinghy that triggered the fever. “I was living in a small flat in Beachville Crescent with my daughter Kim, and no furniture when mum came to stay. “I was sleeping on a Kapok mattress on the floor and mum was horrified. She sent me $1000 to buy furniture, which was a lot of money, and while I did buy some, I also bought a sailing dinghy…that was the start.”
Pearl met and eventually married Phil Sandlant. The pair embarked on a life at sea, aboard the small cruising yacht, Puffin, they had spotted for sale at the Nelson Marina.
Kea and Ruru learning the ropes out sailing with Pirate Pearl.
Pearl’s younger brother Martin Holmes, a sailor from his early years on the Coast, also moved to Nelson and joined them in the purchase of Puffin. “Phil and I sailed that boat for a whole year, with a baby, Louey, and five-year-old Kim. We lived in the Sounds for most of that time.
“Marty then bought our share and we started building another boat.” Louey was about three years-old when they launched the traditional sailing boat, which became the flagship for a foray into sailing charters from Marahau in the 1980s.
“We were doing that until the rules got tighter and more expensive. “We realised we needed a bigger boat that could take a lot of people and go faster, so we built Aorere.”
Pearl and Phil designed the catamaran and built it in the yard of their Motueka home. In hindsight, she says the project was probably the beginning of the end of their 25-year partnership. “I went to stay with a sister on the Coast and sulked there for about six months.
“I came back and tried living in the house but the kids had left, the dog had died and everyone had gone so I thought, stuff that.
“I realised what I was mourning the most was that dream of the adventure.”
She took over Aorere and Phil got the house.
Pearl, who then was not quite 50 and lacking the qualifications to run commercial charters, was at first a little daunted.
“I suddenly had a boat which I didn’t have much idea how to sail alone. But I bit it off in little pieces and took on what I could. “If it was a nice day I’d sail to Anchorage.” “Louey was the captain and I was the crew for the first season which was pretty funny. “Occasionally he’d say, ‘Mum what do you think we should do now? and I’d say, ‘I don’t know, you’re the captain’.” Pearl then went to polytechnic and earned her skipper’s ticket. The venture into sail making was an offshoot of Pearl’s love of crafts and canvas work.
It was like most other things to happen in her life, quite accidental but she is grateful for the chance to have learned from a master at it – the late Bud Nalder.
Pearl says he eventually ran out of patience with the number of repairs needed on her second-hand sails.
“The sails I had kept blowing out, until one day Bud said, ‘Just do it yourself’. “I got used to the machinery, and when it came time to make a new mainsail, I worked on it with Bud.
“Bud encouraged me in my sailing career and taught me to improve my sail making skills to a professional standard. “I learned the real special parts of the craft from him.”
The Nalders were a big part of the legacy of sail making in Nelson, which Pearl says she strives to uphold. As the wind picks up and blows through the open door of the loft at Founders, Pearl, who is nearing 65 switches her focus from the past to the future. She hopes there will be someone to take over the craft, because Nelson would be all the poorer without a sail maker in its mix.
Marsden House.
Honouring lives and celebrating memories
For four generations the Day family and their team have been the people who help when we lose someone special. Their heritage of caring and the values they have carried with them through the years form the foundation of Marsden House Funeral Services, with Francis Day at the helm.
When a loved one dies, there are important decisions to be made. Burial or cremation; keeping them at home or having them in the care of a funeral home; how to farewell them in the perfect way?
Unless they have had the opportunity to pre-plan and choose these things, the big decisions fall to those left behind. When grief, loss and sorrow can be all encompassing, it pays to have the right people by your side, offering gentle guidance and expert advice. Operations Manager at Marsden House Funeral Services, Craig Mills, leads a team of professional, experienced, and compassionate funeral directors and supporting staff. “Most of our team have had different career experiences before deciding that being a funeral director is the path they choose to follow. These experiences often help them to communicate and empathise, to take care of the details and to treat everyone with great dignity, respect and understanding,” says Craig. Being invited into the cocoon of families, to share their stories and the warmth they feel for loved ones is their greatest privilege, along with seeing how families come together to support each other in their time of loss. Those stories told and memories shared help to create a personal and fitting farewell. Funeral services have changed over the years with outdoor services becoming more popular, sometimes at home or at a place of significance to the deceased. Gardens of the World in Hope is a popular option with its picturesque setting amongst beautiful plantings and a service beside the lake. Services can be held indoors in the timeless chapel at Marsden House, or for something more relaxed, in the beautiful chapel at Hope Gardens of Remembrance. Families preferences are paramount, and the options are many, including the model of vehicles, the refreshments, and the location and venue.
Often these decisions are made by the deceased in pre-planned funerals, and the Marsden House team are always there to talk through options, and to create a service that fits with your plans and your budget.
Marsden House aim to farewell loved ones in a ceremony that reflects the values they carried, remembering the connections they have built, and celebrating the contributions they have made in a service that they themselves would have approved of. Craig says that the very reason they do what they do is summed up in the words they hear from so many. Quite simply, ‘Thank you. They would have loved that.’
Gardens of the World.
Marsden House Funeral Services
Meet with one of the friendly team to discuss pre-arranging or pre-paying, or call to request a free info pack. 41 Nile St, Nelson | Ph 0800 522 444 marsdenhouse.co.nz
Locals enjoying a spot of fishing off the wharf.
Escape the everyday
NELSONTASMAN.NZ
For some the ideal pastime involves pampering and blissful relaxation, others find a day is not complete without a spot of retail therapy, while the thrill seekers amongst us prefer an adrenaline packed adventure.
The Top of the South offers an abundance of fantastic opportunities to spend your time doing exactly what you love. Renowned for its golden beaches, stunning natural landscapes and thriving arts and crafts scene, the Nelson-Tasman region is overflowing with activities for locals and visitors alike. With so much to see and do, it’s hard to know where to begin. Nelson-Tasman is bursting with artistic talent– discover local art with painters, sculptors, glassblowers and jewellers and visit some of the many galleries or studios.
Our region, home to all of New Zealand’s hops, has become known as the craftbrewing capital. With an abundance of brews made right here, there’s plenty of opportunity to sample a few. Nelson also produces some of the world’s best wines with many of the local vineyards offering you the opportunity to call in and taste their wares. If you are looking for somewhere to get away from it all, Rabbit Island is where you need to head. This unique location is one of NZ’s true treasures. With plenty of green space to kick a ball around, and a beachfront that is ideally suited to a match of cricket, it’s easy to spend your whole day here. With free barbeques, one of the safest swimming beaches in the country, and because it’s free of any commercial activity, you can leave your wallet at home. Motueka is the home base to many adventures in the Abel Tasman region, as well as a mecca for anyone looking to enjoy a retail experience beyond compare. The main street boasts a wide range of businesses that promise shopping like it used to be, complemented by some truly fantastic options for a bite to eat.
BULLER GORGE SWINGBRIDGE
Motueka i-SITE
Meet the team at Motueka’s one-stop-shop and organise your stay in the Tasman region. From transport, accommodation, DOC tickets, activities to events and tips, their experts will make your holidays easy as! No booking fees, special prices all year around and a great selection of local retail items.
Motueka i-SITE 20 Wallace Street, Motueka | Ph 03 528 6543 visitabeltasman.com motuekaisitenz visitabeltasman Hello! Roar! Tweet!
Natureland Wildlife Trust is proud to be a safe, affordable, and accessible place for families to engage with animals and bring the wild into Nelson. Join the Keeper Kids programme during the holidays, book a birthday party or just hang out with the animals.
Natureland 1 Hounsell Circle, Tāhunanui (near Tāhunanui Beach) Ph: 03 548 6166 | natureland.nz Open 9.30am–4.30pm, 364 days a year!
Made in Nelson
Absolute Wilderness meals are back in stock. Easy to prepare, there’s nothing better to finish your day in the outdoors
Outpost Supplies 53 Quarantine Rd, Nelson outpostsupplies.co.nz Nelson Classic Car Museum
One of New Zealand’s top private collections, they have cars from every era – all in mint condition. Come for a wander through and maybe you’ll spot a car your grandad had, and the kids will recognise cars from their favourite movies.
Nelson Classic Car Museum 1 Cadillac Way, Annesbrook, Nelson nelsonclassiccarmuseum.co.nz
Nelson Fun Park
Let the kids loose on the hydroslide and bumper boats while you relax in the shade. Then finish it off with a round of mini golf. Just $18 to do all three activities!
Nelson Fun Park Tāhunanui Beach, Nelson | nelsonfunpark.co.nz Flip Out
The trampoline park has a main arena, kids arena, foam pit, tumble track, climbing wall, parkour area and wall trampolines. We cater for birthday parties and have a lounge area for parents to relax while children burn energy.
Flip Out 14 Pascoe St, Nelson flipoutnelson.co.nz
Since the 1980s, Nelsonians have been very fortunate to have exceptionally talented glassblowers in their midst – the Höglund family, whose glass-blowing skills have been revered locally, throughout New Zealand, and around the globe for the past four decades. Höglund Art Glass Studio and Gallery in Appleby is a vibrant showroom filled with distinctively bold, colourful glass art which make perfect gifts or a statement piece for the home. The studio is open every day except Good Friday and is one of the regions treasures that is well worth including in your itinerary. Buller Gorge Swingbridge and Heritage Park
Buller Gorge Swingbridge and Heritage Park is a must-see tourism destination located in the Upper Buller Gorge. Walk along New Zealand’s longest swingbridge to access several bushwalks and explore the site’s fascinating geological, natural, and historical features. The Faultline loop walk, for instance, encompasses the famous White’s Creek Faultline, epicentre of the 1929 Murchison earthquake (where the ground instantaneously rose by over 4.5m), historical gold workings and the chance to look for gold on the riverbanks. The Bushline or Ariki Falls tracks encompass some of New Zealand’s best native flora and fauna enroute to Ariki Falls. For the adventurous, try the rush of the high-speed Comet Line Ride or being launched into the air on the Supaman Ride, or take an exhilarating jet boat ride that Lonely Planet describes as “renowned jet-boating,” and says may be the best that our country has on offer.
Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka.
Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka
This action-packed, family-friendly event is held over Easter Weekend in Marlborough, celebrating 20 years of spectacular flying, magical moments of shows past and magnificent machines, both in the air and on the ground. Held over three days at the Omaka Aerodrome, Classic Fighters has a proud, two decade long history of air show entertainment. Creativity comes to the fore with clever theming that puts a spotlight on different aspects of aviation history. Past air show themes have provided the opportunity to showcase iconic aircrafts in a different light, be they from the pioneer era, the Great War, the Golden Years of the 1920’s and 1930’s, or the Second World War, right up to current times. The 2021 show will be their 20th anniversary, so mark this occasion where they will draw on the best Classic Fighters to bring you an unforgettable Easter weekend of spectacular entertainment.
Buller Gorge Swingbridge.
TIM CUFF
Heritage Festival Cemetries Tour
New Name for Heritage Festival
Nelson City Council’s annual Heritage Festival has been renamed to better reflect Nelson’s rich and varied cultural past. The new name - Tuku 21 Whakatū Heritage Month - follows discussions with iwi, who gifted the name ‘Tuku’, meaning ‘to share’ or ‘exchange’ in Te Reo Māori. The name is an expression of our diverse and unique stories, histories and heritage, and reflects the value of biculturalism within the context of Aotearoa New Zealand. The year in the name will change annually to reflect the event’s place in history. Tuku 21 Whakatū Heritage Month has evolved from a week of activities, organised mainly by Council, to become community-focused, with multiple organisations and community groups running their own events throughout April with Council support. The new logo features raranga, or a traditional woven design. The purple and green strands of the weave represent the partnership of Māori and New Zealand European settlers and the blue and orange represent other significant and diverse cultural groups who have settled in our region. The programme for the upcoming Tuku 21 will be out in mid-March. Kimi Ora Eco Resort
During busy times it is natural for us to dream about escaping to somewhere exciting for a change of scenery. Nestled amongst 12 hectares of tranquil hillside bush, Kimi Ora Eco Resort overlooks the golden sands of Kaiteriteri Beach and is right on the doorstep of the popular Abel Tasman National Park and Mountain Bike Park. It’s the ideal place to nurture yourself; indulge in luxurious spa treatments, relax in a private spa bath with a glass of wine, take in the lovely sea views and bush clad surroundings. Be sure to check out their package deals; a combination of accommodation, spa treatments and dining at their vegetarian restaurant, The Views.
Kimiora Eco Resort.
“Adding Value”
Looking for the right builder for you? Looking for the right builder for you?
For a quality Nelson Tasman builder and access to the peace of mind of the Master Build For a quality Nelson Tasman builder and access to the peace of mind of the Master Build 10-Year Guarantee, choose a Registered Master Builder. 10-Year Guarantee, choose a Registered Master Builder.
Andrew Eggers Builders Contemporary Homes IMB Construction Roger Kenning Builders Andrew Eggers Builders Asset Builders Contemporary Homes CT Builders IMB Construction Inhaus Roger Kenning Builders Rowberry Builders Asset Builders Atlas Building Services CT Builders Dan Anderson Building Inhaus J Lewis Building Rowberry Builders Ruby Bay Construction Atlas Building Services Barrett Armstrong Building Solutions Big Bad Wolf Carpentry Bruce Design and Build BUILDRIGHT C Moore Building Barrett Armstrong Building Solutions Big Bad Wolf Carpentry Bruce Design and Build BUILDRIGHT C Moore Building Dan Anderson Building Dan Darwen Builders Dean Wareing Builders D.R Build Endeavour Homes Fitzgerald Construction Foothold Developments Dan Darwen Builders Dean Wareing Builders D.R Build Endeavour Homes Fitzgerald Construction Foothold Developments J Lewis Building Jason Gardiner Builders Jennian Homes Nelson Bays John Erni Building Johnson Residential Kennedy Builders Keystone Building Jason Gardiner Builders Jennian Homes Nelson Bays John Erni Building Johnson Residential Kennedy Builders Keystone Building Ruby Bay Construction Salter Builders Scott Construction Sentinel Homes Nelson & Malborough Smith & Sons Motueka/ Golden Bay Salter Builders Scott Construction Sentinel Homes Nelson & Malborough Smith & Sons Motueka/ Golden Bay Coman Construction Coman Construction Building Projects Building Projects Longview Homes Longview Homes Smith & Sons Nelson Smith & Sons Nelson G J Gardner Homes Nelson G J Gardner Homes Nelson M2 Build M2 Build Stonewood Homes Nelson Stonewood Homes Nelson Gardiner Building Contractors Gardiner Building Contractors Mainland Homes Mainland Homes Tasman Holdings Nelson Tasman Holdings Nelson Gibbons Construction Gibbons Construction Manuka Homes NZ Manuka Homes NZ The Little Pig Building Company The Little Pig Building Company Glenn Grant Builders Glenn Grant Builders Mecca Built Mecca Built Trubet Building & Joinery Trubet Building & Joinery Golden Bay Builders Golden Bay Builders Mike Greer Homes Nelson Mike Greer Homes Nelson Ultraspec Building Systems Ultraspec Building SystemsHigher Ground Construction Homes By Orange Homes Created Higher Ground Construction Homes By Orange Homes Created Milestone Homes Nelson Bays Mudgway Construction NW Projects Peter Ray Homes Nelson R Fry Builders Milestone Homes Nelson Bays Mudgway Construction NW Projects Peter Ray Homes Nelson R Fry Builders Urban Box Construction Versatile Building Nelson Vining Construction Whiteridge Construction You Build Urban Box Construction Versatile Building Nelson Vining Construction Whiteridge Construction You Build
For more information and builder contact details visit: For more information masterbuilder.org.nz/checkyourbuilder and builder contact details visit:
masterbuilder.org.nz/checkyourbuilder
Beautiful blown glass art
Anthony’s glass art, utilitarian ware, neon sculptures and signs can be found at flamedaisy, his centrally located studio and gallery which is often open into the evenings. These Koru Goblets are $90 each.
flamedaisy
324 Trafalgar Square, Nelson E: art.neon@icloud.com Little Trip NZ Pale Ale
Beer for staying here. Drawing on notes of berry, inspired by picking your own, our golden sands and lush national parks…With a backyard like ours, who needs travel anyway? On tap in taverns and in retail outlets.
Sprig and Fern
sprigandfern.co.nz Get a good night's sleep
Talk to Nelson Beds before you buy your next bed. Quality beds made right here in Nelson at prices you won’t believe.
Nelson Beds
59 Quarantine Rd, Nelson | nelsonbeds.co.nz
Designed for the kiwi home
Original furniture from the showroom, or a custom designed piece. Discuss ideas or get advice on design, fabrics, colours and more.
The Lounge Suite Company
120 High St, Blenheim | E: info@loungesuitecompany.co.nz loungesuitecompany.co.nz Keeping it fresh
Our seasonal fruit and veggies are locally grown wherever possible and can even be home delivered. Look out for daily deals.
The Veggie Guy
Strawbridge Square, Stoke (next to Squires Cafe) Open Mon-Fri, 8am–6pm, Sat 8am–4pm www.theveggieguy.co.nz
Let your knitting fly
Give your project the x-factor with Cruellas yarns. Visit in store for a fabulous range of fibres, colours and project ideas and inspiration.
Cruellas
155 Hardy St, Nelson | cruellas.co.nz
New location
Call in and see the new display shed and find out how easy it is to have a functional extra room. Their rustic style sheds are perfect for so many uses and any buildings under 30 square metres no longer need a council approved building consent. Easy.
Allwood Sheds
15 Gladstone Rd, Richmond | Ph: 03 547 7026 | allwoodsheds.co.nz Be prepared
If you are heading outdoors, carrying an emergency locator beacon will make you easy to find. A wekend hire costs just $20 and could save your life.
Outpost Supplies
53 Quarantine Rd, Nelson outpostsupplies.co.nz
Don’t settle for sub-standard sound
The Fives Active Speakers from Klipsch are the most versatile speakers you will find on the market today. Plug in your TV, turntable, computer or smartphone and enjoy superior stereo sound.
Beggs Music Works
264 Hardy Street, Nelson beggsmusic.co.nz
Safe, effective, natural
Nontoxic, antibacterial, antiseptic and biodegradable, Goulter’s All Natural Multi-purpose Vinegar Cleaner is available in three fragrances. In the garden WEEDX is a fast acting, safe and all-natural weed control. Refills are welcome at the factory.
Goulter’s – The vinegar people
122 Tahunanui Dr, Nelson Order online at vinegarpower.co.nz
Oaklands milk to your door
Rediscover the taste of fresh milk from glass bottles, straight from your fridge. And get it delivered from the local home of real milk… right to your door.
Oaklands Milk
Order online today from oaklandsfarm.co.nz oaklands
My home
A brand new home with vintage touches and a stunning grand piano. For Josh and Niall, creating the perfect home has been so enjoyable they’re keen to do it again.
Who lives here? We are Josh, Niall and Prince (our adopted greyhound). We moved into our first home, a new build in Richmond in the middle of last year.
What four words would you use to describe your home? Open, calm, eclectic, inviting.
What inspired this look? A deep, inky blue is the first colour that we picked. We used this to anchor key areas of the house including the master bedroom, kitchen cabinetry and bathroom tiling, and contrasted these with lighter hues from the same colour family on the other walls. This gives the house a calm, cohesive, neutral base where we can add interest by using, and changing, various colours in the furnishings. What’s your favourite spot in the house? The kitchen — it really is the heart of this home, right in the middle. It’s an open and inviting space where you can still see what’s going on in all of the other living spaces.
What piece would you never part with? Niall’s great-grandmother’s grand piano. Even though it’s a bit of a curse as it basically needs its own room.
Where do you shop for homewares? We shop anywhere and everywhere to get pieces that we love. We collected a lot of our furniture while waiting for the house to be built so we could hold out for sales from various retailers, while a lot of our decorative pieces are vintage/antiques that we collect and buy second-hand.
What’s your decorating style? We like to mix modern clean lines with antique or vintageinspired pieces. This allows us to bring in some much-needed character to a brand new build, while still keeping the space fresh and clean.
What’s next on your interiors list? As it’s a brand-new home, everything was done when we moved in. However, we enjoyed the process of designing the spaces so much that our future plan is to renovate an older property.
What do you love about the neighbourhood where you live? The neighbourhood is really only just starting to come to life now as more homes are built, but it’s designed for modern living with lots of walking paths and green spaces and we are looking forward to the upcoming cinema, bars and eateries that will soon be within walking distance.
If money was no object what would you get for your home? A pool!
What should every home have? At least one plant in every room.
Best money spent? The lighting “installation” above the kitchen island — it’s really just two pendants that were on clearance that we grouped together. We love how sculptural it looks.
Did any of your purchases cause a debate? Yes, almost every one!
Left: A deep, inky blue is the first colour Josh and Niall picked for the walls. Follow their page @mistersduncan on Instagram for more interior inspiration. Above right: The house was designed around the piano which was handed down through Niall's family.
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w: stonewood.co.nz p: 0800 86 00 00
Stylish home showcases builder’s talents
Words: Joya Devine CLICK HOMES
For nearly two decades, Ruben Fry has been building houses for locals in the Nelson-Tasman region, including homes for his own family.
After leaving school, he started an apprenticeship, then trained in architecturally designed construction before working for a company which produced its own house and land packages. This inspired Ruben and his wife Shaye to start their own business, R Fry Builders, specialising in new builds, while also providing renovations, decks, fencing and landscaping. Over the years, they have been refining their skills and product knowledge by not only building with different materials but living with them as well, providing an opportunity to try a lot of different things and to know what works and what doesn’t.
The Fry’s have just built themselves a stylish new home in a quiet cul-de-sac in central Motueka, which was completed at the end of October. “It has a great layout which flows really well and it’s nice and light,” says Ruben.
LBP Logo
“Being a smart home, you can control your lights, tv and music all from your mobile phone or iPad, right down to the sprinklers.” Large windows and vaulted ceilings create a sense of space and make it feel much larger than the actual size of 186m2 . “It’s open plan and there’s no wasted areas – no long hallway taking up space, things like that. Being in town, you have to use the section wisely and make the most of the space you have.” For Ruben and his wife, their home suits their busy lifestyle. “We really like the large covered al fresco area out the front that flows off the kitchen-dining, with the vaulted ceilings adding to the sense of space.” The couple chose black linear weatherboard and areas of black brickwork for the exterior, with cedar soffits to give the look some warmth.
The 200 square metres of Ready Lawn is all fully irrigated with smart sprinklers. The al fresco area is also ‘smart’ making it a great extension to the indoor living areas. The indoor spaces have efficient underfloor heating, which runs on a heatpump system – instead of heating air, it heats water that is pumped through the insulated concrete slab. The Fry’s love their kitchen-dining area and consider it the heart of their home. “It has the full works; LED lighting, all the cupboards are electric – you just touch them, and they open up. It’s got a butler’s pantry and multiple dishwashers.” The kitchen cabinetry is high gloss white, with gold negative detail and the gold theme continues with gold handles, taps and an island pendant light. Shaye helped design this beautiful space in conjunction with ITM Joinery. The three-bedroom home also has slick black marble and white tiled bathrooms, tiled by TK Tilers, where the black tiled trim complements the black hardware perfectly. For the professional team at R Fry Builders, which includes three qualified builders and three apprentices, it was all smooth sailing. There were a couple of hidden costs in this subdivision due to floor height requirements, which meant everyone had to build their sections up by 800mm. Putting the retaining wall at the front prompted the decision to include the cedar soffits.
When you’re down on the road, looking up at the house, you can see the cedar soffits and alfresco area which soften the black exterior, making all the hard work worth it.”
The Fry’s own home is a great example of what R Fry Builders is capable of, showing people that they can have an executive, modern, stylish home, with all the mod cons, without having to go to an architect. “You can choose a standard design and make it look really sharp.” For the first time ever, R Fry Builders entered the MasterBuilders House of the Year competition in 2020 and won a gold award for a modern compact home on a tight section. “Although we can build any kind of home people want, ideally our customers would be looking for an executive townhouse with the latest technology and high-end finishes.” Ruben says if you come to him with your budget and particular features in mind, he will work with you to create a comfortable, modern home that will suit your needs and fulfil your dreams.
Ruben Fry | R Fry Builders
The healing power of nature and hatha yoga
On the outskirts of Victoria Forest Park near Murchison, a tranquil nature and wellbeing destination awaits anyone who needs a peaceful place to rejuvenate and heal their body.
A scenic two hour drive from Nelson, the Maruia experience invites visitors to dine on wholesome gourmet meals, admire the views, soak in the outdoor tub, and rest in the privacy of luxurious villas. “Our vision has been to create a venue where people can enjoy wellbeing through exposure to activities like yoga and forest bathing,” says General Manager, Cristina Holopainen, who established the retreat with her husband, Lasse.
“What makes it so worthwhile is that for many people, coming here is an uplifting, healing experience,” he says. For the adventurous couple, their personal journey is the long road to healing but it led them to Maruia. “Through travelling around the globe, we realised that everyone is slowly getting damaged by this world. In our natural state, we want to restore ourselves.”
A former investment banker and energy specialist, Lasse admits he once was a very ‘A-type’ personality, who smoked two packs of cigarettes a day and was a heavy drinker. By 2009, the stubborn professional walked out on this part of his life. “Simultaneously, we had some personal things happen; we lost a child and my mother.”
During this life crisis and to address both of their chronic back pain, Cristina organised their first yoga session for Lasse and herself, and by 2011 Lasse and Cristina had both completed their yoga teacher training, before setting up Urban Ashram Yoga in the Philippines which eventually became a three studio operation focusing on quality yoga education. During his mid-life crisis, Lasse took up downhill skateboarding. “Our team entered the international downhill world cup. Unfortunately, I ran into one the bales and cracked my vertebra; it was nothing acute but later I started growing bone spurs and was suffering slow paralysis.” Following major spinal surgery, a yoga teacher friend taught him how to activate the healing in his nerves and the body, which became a revelation. Seeking a lifestyle change, in 2017, Lasse and Cristina came out to explore New Zealand with their young family. “There was something special about Maruia,” says Cristina. “Here, you can immerse yourself in the healing quality of nature, with walks, yoga, meditation, and nourishing food.” “Yoga is a highlight,” says Lasse. “It is our intention that through our classes, we bring you into a conversation with the body which stills the mind and teaches you proper techniques to enhance energy and promote healing — Hatha Yoga.”
To find out more about Maruia River Retreat, their holiday packages, events and yoga retreats visit maruia.co.nz
Ideal average day
Don't just set your goals. Design an ideal, average day that brings you back to your heart's desires on a constant basis. Greatness doesn't happen overnight; it happens when your daily habits amount to an incredible achievement.
If you had the perfect day, in your eyes, what would you eat for breakfast? Who would you meet up with? What would the conversations be about? How many hours would you work? Imagine your ideal average day regardless of the challenges you are facing currently. Dare to dream
This is the key to your growth - you can learn how to overcome challenges as long as you know where you are heading. Everyone is always clear on what they don't want, but often don't stop to think about what they do want. Vivid imagination creates your reality
Your imagination is your greatest friend, and the more vivid the image is, the more your subconscious will move you towards it. It should take anywhere between 6-18 months to achieve your ideal day, but remember to not attach yourself solely to the outcome, it's about who we become in the process that is important. The menial tasks
Let's face it. Housework and admin are part of our lives and the mindset towards them is the key. Plan those less enjoyable tasks into your day so that you can get on top of them and not let them get you down. Work and finances
If you spent the whole time sipping margaritas it would be great for about a week, but the bank account wouldn't be too happy. What ideal work/life balance would you like to create? Are you currently working full-time but long to go down to part-time? Does working from home sound appealing, but you haven't made the leap yet? Keeping up with the Jones'
We all do it, but ask yourself: ‘Why do I want this thing? What is the experience it brings me?’ Is it significance, excitement, or adventure? Once you have your answer, think of other ways you can create this feeling if your life. Make it sustainable
Think of the emotions that you want to experience in a day. Are they reliant on others? For example, "when I go to work I want everyone to say hi to me." This is relying on external factors to make you happy and this is what we want to avoid. Set yourself up for success and not let downs
You need to be the cause of your happiness. Map out your ideal average day with your partner and family. Fine tune and redefine it after every major life change. So, what are you waiting for? Get out your pen and paper and start designing your dream!
Dani Ferrier is a life coach who runs empowerment workshops from Warwick House.
Taking steps towards a healthier future
Reuben Molnar was thrilled when he discovered he was to become a dad for the first time. With a heart full of hopes and dreams for his baby girl, Reuben knew he would do all it took to keep his pepi safe.
As a youth health promoter with Nelson Marlborough Health Reuben chose to get his Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine to help protect his new family.
“When you’re younger you feel bullet proof and aren’t really aware how your inaction can affect other people. This is about protecting all members of our community,” Rueben says. Growing up in a household where the benefits of vaccination weren’t fully understood or accepted, he says he made an informed decision, protecting both himself, his pregnant partner and daughter. “My parents hung around in a bit of an antivaxxer crowd and there was a lot of negativity towards the side effects of vaccination when I was a child.”
Had he been infected; Reuben could have passed on measles to both his wife and baby. Possible complications for pregnant women include a risk of miscarriage or stillbirth, premature births and a low birth weight. Baby Tui was born on 5 March 2021, happy and healthy. “She’s doing really well and has just had her first lot of immunisations,” Reuben says. ‘I want to give her every chance.” Heavily involved in the local community in his employment, volunteer work and sport, Reuben strongly believes that vaccination is the best way to help safeguard peoples’ health and strengthen neighbourhoods. Reuben says he knew by getting the MMR, he was helping not just his family, but others too. He didn’t know if he had been given it as a child and erred on the side of caution.
It’s safe to have an extra dose of the MMR vaccine if you think you may have been given it before. “It’s free and it was quick. This way I made sure I was up to date with my vaccinations. “I think the measles outbreak in 2019 also helped convince me to get the vaccination.” In New Zealand, more than 2,000 people got measles in 2019. Seven hundred had to go to hospital. Māori and Pacific peoples were particularly affected. Community immunity, or herd immunity, needs 95 per cent of people to have been vaccinated to help prevent future outbreaks. In the wake of the outbreak, the government announced a $23 million bid to vaccinate those aged between 15 and 29 years old across New Zealand. General manager strategy, primary and community, Nelson Marlborough Health Cathy O’Malley says the focus is on those who may have missed out. “We are now focusing on the immunity gap in adolescents and young adults aged between 15-and 30-years old, a cohort born before the National Immunisation Register (NIR) was established.
Reuben Molnar with his daughter Tui.
