Savvy April 2022

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contents

Editor’snote

ThisSavvyisbroughtto youinbetweenbouts oftheCovidbrainfog we’veallheardabout.Well, onmypartanyway.Everyone elsehasbeenpatient,waiting toreceiveemailsfrommy erraticworkinghours.It wouldappear4amismynewprimetimesoupIget, beforelatertakingadownwardslideasthefeveror amigraineorwhateverelsethevirushasinstorefor methatday,takesover.

Everyone’sexperienceseemstobedifferent;my firstchildtotestpositiveremainedunaffected,the secondwasdownforoneday,thethird,sufferedfor aboutaweek,and,astheirnurse,Iwasalwaysgoing togetit.I’vedecidedIcouldeasilywriteaseries about12daysontherollercoasterrideofCovid–withallitspeaksanddips,it’scertainlyaninteresting journey,fullofsuspense.

Oneofthosewhohasbeenpatientworkingwith meduringthepeaks,isourcoverstoryAlex.Ifyou sawtherecentTVNZseries Reunited,you’llbefamiliar

Editorial JodiBryant –jodi.bryant@nzme.co.nz

Advertising Sarita Parker –sarita.parker@nzme.co.nz

Design BryceZhang Coverphoto AlexGilbert

withAlex’sstoryasaRussianadopteeraisedin Whangārei.Afterself-reunitingwithhisbirthparents, Alexhasbeenhelpingothersdothesame.Nowthat hehasbuiltrelationshipswithhisfamily,naturallyhe isveryworriedabouttheirwelfare,beinglocatedin conflictingRussiaandUkraine.

OurcoverphotoisofAlexwithhisfather,who didn’tknowofhisexistence,andhalf-sister,during anextendedstayinRussialastyear.Overtheyears, theyhavecreatedaclosebond,withAlexeven walkinghissisterSofiatoandfromschooleachday lastyear.

HevisitshisbelovedfamilyinWhangāreioften but,withisolation,ourplannedlocalcovershot couldn’tgoaheadbeforedeadline.However,he tellsmeheisupthisweekendcelebratinghis30th birthday!Turntopages4&5toreadwhatlifewas likeforAlexinthebeginningandhisjourneyover 30years.

Seeyounextmonth

Published by NZMENorthland, 88 RobertStreet,Whangārei. savvy@northernadvocate.co.nz

OURPEOPLE

04-FromRussianorphanagetoMatapouribeachsummers

FASHION

07-Youcanneverhavetoomanyshoes

08-Thesebootsaremadeforwalking…

WomeninBusiness

09-Theboldandthebrave

BEAUTY

10-NIOXIN:effectivethinninghair&scalpsolutions 11-Skin101:Pigmentation

HEALTH

12-Long-awaitedfamilyreunion 13-VideoGaitanalysisexplained 14-LearnaboutConjunctivitis

15-WhatisaHIFUfacelift,anddoesitwork?

Motoring

16-UltimateBEVguide: Everypure-electriccarandSUVyoucanbuyin NewZealand

17-NewLoopaddition–Turningglobe attractssteadystream 17-HihiauaCulturalCentre–Enrichyourculturalexperience 18-Fishingtips&tales

18-NickAustin:LifePuzzle

19-People,propertiesandcoffee 20-GinisIN!

22-BayOfIslandsCountryRockFestival

SAVVYHOMES

24-Theresurgenceofwildstyle 26-Sleepmattersmorenowthaneverbefore 28-Workingfromhome 29-Alfrescodiningbeyondsummer 30-Doesyourbathroomneedarenovation? 31-MakingitdifferentwithStressless

WhyDiamondsAre So Precious

Haveyoueverwonderedwhy diamonds are the most usednatural wondertosignifylove? Thereare manymythsandrumoursabouthow diamonds form.Themain oneisthatdiamonds area metamorphismof coal.Froma true geological perspective,coalhasseldom,ifever, playedapartinthe natural formationofdiamondsintheearth.Diamondshave beendatedmucholderthanplants. Whyisthisimportant? Plants arethesource material forcoal.

To form anaturaldiamond requires high temperaturesand highpressures. Theseconditions occuronlyinthe earth'smantle over150kmsbelow theearth'ssurface.Geologists believethatdiamonds wereformed inthe earth'smantle anddelivered to thesurface by volcanic eruptions. Minescandiginto theearth'ssurface and extract thesenatural wondersfromthosevolcanic eruptions.

Thisis only abrief andbasicdescriptionof howdiamondsareformed.Stillitgivesinsight

howdiamondsareformed. Still,itgivesinsight intowhy thesebeautiful stonesare considered soprecious.Ittookmillions, ifnotbillions, of years fornaturetocreatesuchbeauty. Thatiswhy diamondssignifylove thatlasts generations.Throughthepressures oflife, theywithstandthetest oftime.

with GlobalDiamonds

From Russianorphanage to Matapouribeachsummers

Homefor Russian-born, Whangārei-raised adoptee Alex Gilbert will always be New Zealand. Butpiecesofhis heart remain with hisRussian and Ukrainianfamily, caught inthe middle of adeadlywar.

Alexandhisfellowadopteebrother Andrei’scarefreechildhoods, frolickingonNorthlandbeaches, werefarremovedfromtheprimitive orphanagelifetheyweredestinedwhentheir Whangāreiparentsdiscoveredthem,bothaged two,inaRussianorphanagein1994.

Followingwhathedescribesasanidyllic childhood,AlexbegansearchingforhisRussian birthmotherin2013viasocialmediaandfound herthreeweekslater,beforeconnectingwith hisfather.

“Ihadagreatkiwichildhoodbutcouldn’t helpbutfeelsomethingwasmissing,”describes the30-year-old.“Itonlytookmeafewweeksto trackdownmybirthmotherandthensheput meintouchwithmybirthfather,whodidn’t knowIexisted.Laterthatyear,Iwentbackto Russiatomeetthemforthefirsttime.Itwas surreal.Itwasthebestdecisionofmylife.”

Thereunionwascapturedandtelevisedfor TVNZ’s Sunday currentaffairsprogram.This successledtothefilmandtelevisionstudies graduatehelpingothersfindtheirfamilyand televisingit,andhisseries Reunited recently airedinNewZealand.

Hisparents,JaniceandMarkGilbertwere alwaysupfrontabouttheboys’origins.Onlysix monthsapart,thetwowereraisedasbrothers inNewZealand.

Afterfindingoutthechancesofhaving theirownchildrenwereslim,Janiceand MarklookedintoadoptinginNewZealand wheretherewerevirtuallynochildren,before turningtoRussia.Theyweresentvideosofthe childrenintheorphanage.

RecallsMark:“IsaidtoJanice,‘Well,what doyouthink?’andtherewasalittleguywith hiccupswhowasAndreiandshereallytooka shinetoAlex,herlittleprince.”

“LittlePrince”wasthenicknameinthe orphanageforAlex,whowasgiventhename “SashaAlexander”,whichheswitchedtoAlex whenaged13.

Likemanyofthekidsintheorphanage,the boyshadminorhealthissues;Alexhadasthma andAndrei,amildformofcerebralpalsy but,unperturbed,theGilbertsflewtoRussia hopingtogetbothboysandbringafamily backtoNewZealand.

DescribesJanice:“Theywerelittlecuties. Alexwouldtakeyourhandbutwouldn’tlook atyoubutyouwouldseehimlooking(outthe cornerofhiseye).

JanicerecallsthefacilityinArkhangelsk asanoldandverybasicbuildingwiththe caregiverstryingtohelpasmuchastheycould withfewresources.

Onthedaytheyleft,bothJaniceandMark vividlyrecallallthechildrenlinedupat5am.

“TheywerealldressedupintheirSunday best–about15littlekidswavingout,itstillgets metothisday,”saysMark,chokingup.

WhileMarkwentaheadtoNewZealandto smooththewaywithfinalpaperwork,Janice waslefttobringhometheboysandwasadvised togivethemamildsedativefortheplaneride.

“ButithadtheoppositeeffectonAlex,” shewinces.“Hewasupanddowntheaisleof theplanedoingcartwheels.Itwasn’tfunny,I tellyou.”

“Shewasafrazzledmesswhen attheairport,”addsMark.

Theboyssoonsettledintotheirnew liveswithAndreiblossomingunderthe specialistsupporthe’dneededandthetwo developingaprotectivebrotherlybond.They attendedMorningsidePrimaryandWhang IntermediatebeforeWhangāreiB School,spendingsummersatthe atMatapouri,playingsoccerinthewinterand arrangedplaytimewithotherRussianchildren.

But,whileAndreiremainedskepticalabout findinghisbirthparentswithnointeres returningtoRussia,Alexwasalwayscurious abouthisbackground,eventuallyembarkingon hisjourney.

BYJODIBRYANT

Abundleofnerves,the21-year-oldmethis shybirthmotherTatianainaRussianstreetin whathedescribesasan“awkward”encounter.

Shelatertoldhimshewasyoungwhen shehadhimandhadlostcontactwithAlex’s unawarebirthfather.

WhenAlexreachedouttohisfatherMisha, hewasshockedbutquicklywelcomedAlexinto hisfamilywhichincludeshiswifeandahalfsisterandbrotherforAlex.

Fatherandson,wholookalike,instantly connected.

“MybirthfatherandIhavegrownavery strongrelationshipandhealwayssendsmum anddadmessagesthankingthemforraising me,”saysAlex,addingthatMishatoldthemhe wouldhaveraisedAlexifhe’dknownhewasat theorphanage.

SaysMark:“He’sarealcharacter,areal delightfulguy.”

AddsJanice:“Icanseesimilarities,he’s outgoing,friendlyandwoulddoanythingfor you.It’slikeourfamilyjustgotbigger.”

Alex’srelationshipwithhismother,whohe hasreturnedtovisitseveraltimes,hasbeen morechallengingandslowertodevelop.

“She’salwaysreallypleasedtoseeme,she lightsup,butalsoseeingherstrugglealways breaksmyheart.

“Shewasinanorphanageallherentire childhood.Sheneverknewwhatit’sliketobe amotherandsheneverknewwhatitwaslike tohaveparentstoraiseher.Sheisfightingso manydemons.

AndreiandAlexgrew upwith astrongbrotherlybondandareclose to theirparentsMarkandJanice.

MarkandJanicebrought afamilyback fromRussia.

Alexhasbeenslowlybuilding

withhismother Tatiana.

“ButIwasjustveryhappytogrowthat connectionwithherandshegavemethat informationaboutmybirthfatherandthatwas priceless.

“IalwayssaythankyoutomyNewZealand parentsforrescuingmeandputtingmeintoa familywhereIwasraisedinabeautifulfamily andIunderstandthatmybirthmotherwanted todothatbutshecouldn’t.She’snotmymum, she’smybiologicalmotherandshebroughtme intothisworld.She’salwayssothankfultomy parentsforraisingme.

“Iwantedtoconnectwithhermoreand learnaboutherlifeandfocusonthepresent andfutureandItoldherthisandhereyeslitup andshesaid,‘Thankyou,thankyou,myson’.”

Findinghisownbirthfamilyinspired Alexin2015tostart“I’mAdopted”,anonline communitysupportingandconnecting adopteesworldwide.The I’mAdopted community,hasgrowntoanetworkofover 30,000worldwide.

Hehasalsomadeseveralappearanceson televisionshows,anddocumentariesabout internationaladoption,includingaRussian documentarycalled TheMan fromNowhere, aswellaswritingtwoautobiographies– My RussianSideandI’mAdopted

AlexhasbeennominatedforbothYoung NewZealanderoftheYearandNewZealander oftheYearandwasafinalistforthe2020New ZealandImpactAwardsaspartoftheGlobal Category.Healsoreceivedacertificateof achievementfromtheMinistryofHealthofthe ArkhangelskregioninRussiaforhisorphanage initiative.

In2017,AlexwenttoRussiatorevisithis orphanageinArkhangelskforthefirsttimeand hereturnedthefollowingyeartohand-deliver essentialsandaboxoftoyshehadcollected fromNewZealand.

Thoughherecallednomemoriesofhisfir twoyearsattheorphanage,hesaiditlooked “strangelyfamiliar”fromhisparent’sphotos anddescribeditasanamazingexperienceto meetsomeofthechildrenlivingtherenow

oneoftheoriginalcaregivers,filmedontheir 1994footage,rememberinghim.

Hisownlife-changingreunion,coupled withthe I’mAdopted networkingandtelevision experienceledhimtocreatehisowntvseries Reunited,aprojectthathastakenhimaround theworld.Thesix-partTVNZseries,which screenedearlierthisyear,followedthejourneys ofsixRussian-bornadoptees,threefromNew ZealandandthreefromtheUnitedStates.

Alex–thewriterandpresenter,spentsix monthslastyearresidinginRussia,bothfilming theseriesandreconnectingwithhisculture.

“Ididn’tknowanyofthelanguage(the firsttimeIwentthere)soitwasabigculture shockandIstruggledtocommunicate.SoI startedlearningthelanguageafterthat.It’s averyhardlanguagetolearn,that’sforsure. Soin2021,ItookanewjourneyinsideRussia andconnectedwithmoreofthisculture,the languageandthepeopleforsixmonths.I forcedmyselftospeakRussian.Itwashardbut itwasagoodwaytobondwiththefamily,”he says,addingthathespentamonthlivingwith hisfatherandfamily.

AdoptionbetweenRussiaandNewZealand ceasedin2013but,beforethat,therewere over700RussianadopteesinNewZealand. Alexsays,whileNewZealandadoption agenciesreceivedinformationfromtheRussian orphanages,itisdependentonwhatthebirth familyprovided.However,thereisalsoalotof

AlexattheRussianorphanagein1994.

Socialmediaandevenold-fashionedword ofmouthplayapartinhissearches.

“Ialwayscontactthefamiliesfirstandlet themknowwhatwe’redoing.Igoandmeetthem firstandexplainmystoryas,whenyoumention television,theygetabitdeterred.Wenever intrudedonanyone.And,ifsomeonedidn’twant tobeoncamera,weworkaroundthat.

Hesaysthereisalotofrisk-taking-suchas flyingtheadopteetoRussiawithoutknowing theoutcome–andknockingondoorslooking foralead.

Inallcases,thebirthfamilieswerestunned tobereconnectedwithchildrentheyhadnever expectedtoseeagain,shockedtheirsonor daughterhadbeenadoptedtoAmericaorNew Zealand,anduniversallygratefultothefamilies thathadraisedthem.

“Therewasalotofcrying,”Alexsays, addingevenmembersoftheproductionteam wereaffected.

Theseriesendedwiththestoryofhisown brotherAndrei,whoeventuallyreachedoutfor helpinfindinghisbirthfamily.Whilesuccessful inlocatingthem,thelong-awaitedreunionwas unabletohappenas,bythenCovidhadbroken outsohemethisfatherviavideolinkwiththe helpofatranslator.

“It’sabeautifulseries.There’salotofups anddowns.It’snotjustfairytales,there’salot ofpainaswell.Youfollowthejourneywiththe adopteeandyou’reexperiencingitwhenyou’re xdescribes.

“Andthere’sstillunansweredquestionsin storiesandunexpectedturns.Thingschange whenyougetontheground,”hesays,adding thatitwasgreattoseehisfinishedprojectup onthescreen.

Whileawaitingthegreenlightforasecond Reunited series,Alexispartofarenovation showforsportsclubsaroundthecountry, currentlyinprogress.

Andhe’sbeendoingalotofworrying andreflectingonthesituationbackinhis Motherland.

“It’sbeenheart-breakingtoseethe newsoverthelastfewweeks.Theinnocent Ukrainiansaffectedrightnow,Ifeelforyou.The innocentRussians,Ifeelforyoutoo.Myfamily inRussiaonlyseewhattheyseeontheirnews andalotofwebsitesareblocked.

“Russiancitizensaren’tallowedtotalk aboutwhat’sgoingonasthatcanleadtoup to15yearsinprison,evenformeasaRussian native,”heexplains,referringtoRussia’snew censorshiplaw.“Werefertoitas‘thesituation inUkraine’.

“Dadcan’tsaytoomuchaboutit–he’sjust waitingforthingstogetbacktonormal.”

Alexisoftenincontactwithhisuncleand cousininUkrainewholiveanhournorthof Kyiv.Althoughtheyareyettomeet,hisuncle, Anatoly,reachedoutseveralyearsagoafter seeingoneofAlex’svideosabouthisbirth motherwhohehadbeensearchingforhimself.

“They’realwayshidinginsheltersevery night,hidingfromeverythinggoingonintheir ownbackyard.They’rejustwantingeverything tobenormal.

“ThefamilyinUkrainejustwantpeace.My familyinRussiajustwantpeace.Thecitizensof bothcountriesdon’twantthis.

“SeeingthesmallRussianchurchherein Aucklandgetdamagedbyvandals,hating towardsRussianpeople,it’sjustnotright. Seeingthehateandthesegregation,itjust hurts.UkraineandRussiabothhavefamilies andfriendsinbothcountries.Noneofusasked forthis.It’simpactingeveryonerightnow whohaveconnectionsinbothUkraineand Russia.AllIaskforispeace.Pleasesortyour disagreementspeacefully.”

WhilenowbasedinAucklandforwork, Alex’sfamilyremaininNorthlandwherehe oftenvisits.

“Allmychildhoodisupthere.Myfirst memoryisinWhangāreiofmythirdbirthday. Irememberitveryclearlywithallmyfriends therefromkindergarten.

“WehaveafamilybachinMatapouri,it’sa beautifulplacetogetoutofthecity.Itrytoget upnorthonceamonth.

“Itwasagreatkiwiupbringingandseemed verynormaltome.”

TheseBoots are Madefor Walking

BYKARENMATICH,POLWARTHDESIGN

Fashionischanging andwithacontinued priority forcomfort,‘athleisure’the exercise,comeday-wearcombo is flourishing on thestreets,parks, restaurantsand even gyms.

Tocomplimentthesecasualtrends,shoedesignershave hadafielddaycreatingcrediblestylesthatmaypreviously havebeenconsideredabsurd.Imean,whendidthecroc everbecomeahighfashionstatementorthehikingboot forthatmatter,andwhathashappenedtothehighheel??

Itstartedoffwiththeemergenceofthe‘littlewhitesneaker’.This plain,bland,lace-upsandshoequietlymadeastand,notonlyasa wardrobeessentialcomplementingeverycasuallookpossible,but evenappearinginthefashionmagazinesteamedwithtulleskirts andred-carpetgowns.Whowouldhavebelievedit?

Thenalongcamethetyretread,chunkyplatformswithsquare toesandzippersinplainortexturedleather.Theseembellished pearlandstudtreatswerewornpredictablywithcasualpants, tights,orjoggers,yettheytooappearedpeekingoutfromunder high-endpleatsandlace.

Onesteponandwearewitnessingshoesthatgive

pump,butitwillbeararesightinthesupermarket,likethe crocatablacktie–ormaybenot??

TheBold and the Brave

Just when youthink StephaniePorowini couldn’tget more motivatedinher career,she goes it aloneatapivotal timeinthe historyofNew Zealand.

Withlockdowns,mandatesand businessrestrictions,Stephanie bravedthestormandmade thebolddecisiontobecomean independantRealEstateagent!

Ithasn’tbeenaneasyroadforthisself-made sucessanditiswidelyknownthatStephanie hasfacedmanychallengesalongthewaythat haveonlystrengethenedherresolveandability toadaptandgrow.HerNorthlandupbringing hasaddedtothisperspectiveandStephanie isonewhoholdshervaluesatthecoreofher being.Shedrawsfromthisinbuildingherown solidfamilyfoundationwithherhusbandof20 years,Mark,andtheirfivegrowingchildren.

Alongwithhercorevalues,Stephanie’s integtrity,honestyandstraight-talkapproach iswhatsetsherapartfrommanyinherfield andsheispassionateaboutraisingawareness; usinghervoiceandstatustoreachmanyin beingheardandsupportedwhenitcomesto criticalmatters.

Stephaniehasalwaysgivenbackthrough differentcharities,including‘KindHands’, whichisarefugeforfamilieswhostruggle withimmune-compromisedchidrenand medicaldiasbilities.Thishasbeeninspired byherjourneywithheralmostfive-yearoldsonShelby,whowasdiagnosedwith DownSyndromeatbirth,therebycreating opportunitiesofpersonaldevelopmentin manyself-reflectiveandexpansiveways.

It has always been adream of Stephanie’s to open her ownagencyand nowshe can say,thatwith abit of determination and following one’s true passion -“Dreams really do come true”.

HernewofficeisintheheartofWhangārei CBD,whichyoucanfindat35Rathbone St.Thetagline,“Smallenoughtocare, experiencedenoughtoknow”,sumsStephanie upwellandlendstoherinclusiveand comprehensiveappeal.StephaniePorowiniis readyforaction

NIOXIN: Effective Thinning

Hair &Scalp Solutions

Hairthinning is an issuethat affects both menand women alike, either temporarily or permanently.

Amongthemostcommoncausesof hairthinningaregenetics,stress,poor diet,orothergenderspecificreasons, likehairlossduetopregnancyor menopause.Learninghowtorecognizethe earlysignsofthinninghaircanbethefirst stepinminimizinghairlosswitheffective treatments.

Whataretheearlysignsofhairthinning? Wenormallyloseabout100hairsaday. However,somesignsofexcesshairshedding caninclude:

•Wideninghairparting

•Amorevisiblescalp

•Morehairsonyourpillow

•Morehairsafterbrushingorcombing

•Athinnerponytail

Thesesignscanappearinbothmen andwomenandcanbeaddressedthrough targetedhairthinningtreatments,cosmetically byadoptingahairstyleforthinninghair,or throughuseofthickeninghairstylingproducts.

HowdoesNIOXINaddressthethreemain signsofhairthinning?

Therearemanysolutionsthatserveto camouflagethinning.TheinnovativeNIOXIN approachinspiredbyskincareisdifferent. Customisedtechnologiesdeliverthicker,fuller lookinghairwithoutsideeffectssoyoucan thrivewithnewfoundconfidence.

WithScalp,RootsandStrands,NIOXIN deliversacompleteprogramandunique personalisedsolutionsforatailoredtreatment thatworks.

Howdoesthescalp impactthinninghair? Thescalpenvironmentis oneofthemaincauses ofthinninghair.Ahealthy scalpenvironmentsupports healthyhairgrowth.

Healthy,deeplyrootedhaircomesfroma scalpthatiscleanandfreefromdebris.Buildupofsebumorproductscancauseirritationor inflammationthatcanimpacthairgrowth.

Howdoesthinninghair affectthehairroots? Experiencingfewerhair strandsisoneofthefirst signsofhairthinning.

Therearethreephasesin thehairgrowthcycle.Forhealthyhair,thescalp needstobekeptcleanandthehairneedstobe protectedfromdamageandbreakage–oneof themostcommoncausesofthin-lookinghair.

Nioxin’sapproachprovideshairresilience andcontrolsthemoisturebalance, strengtheningthehairagainstbreakageupto 91percent.NIOXIN'ssolutionshelpreducehair lossduetobreakage.

Howdoesthinninghair affectthehairstrands? Finerhairstrandsis anothersignofthinning hair.Thisoftenmeansthat thehairstructureisweaker andnotabletowithstandover-styling.Thehair canappearfluffyorfallflat.

NIOXIN'sapproachamplifieshairtexture, deliveringthickerandfullerlookinghair.

NIOXINhasfoundinspirationinpremium skincaretosupplyadvancedcareforthinning hair.Asanextensionoffacialskin,thescalp requiresthesameattentionandtreatment.

TheNIOXINrangeofproductsaredesigned tostrengthen,nourishandrepairhairfrom itsfoundation.Asscalphealthsupportshair health,thisprovidestheperfectfoundationfor thicker,fullerlookinghair.

Ifyouwanttolearnmoreaboutwhatproductstousetopreventyourhairfromthinning, thenhaveachatwiththeprofessionalteamatXtremeShampooShopandSalon.

SKIN 101: PIGMENTATION

Pigmentation is acommon concern, andoften one that canseemconfusing formany people on howtheygoabout managingit.

So,manysimplychoosetocoveritwith makeup.However,pigmentationis somethingtheteamatCacicanwork tobothtreatandpreventforhappy, healthyskin;zeromakeuprequired!

Keep readingbecause we’vegot theinfo fromthe expertsatCacionthedifferent typesofpigmentation(yesthereare differenttypes!),whatcausespigmentation, andthetreatmentswerecommendin combatingthis concern.

Identifyingtypesofpigmentation anditscauses

Therearetwodifferentcategoriesof pigmentation.Hypopigmentationiswhen lighterspotscanappearontheskinduetoan absenceofnormalamountsofmelanin(the chemicalwhichgivesskinitscolour).Thistype ofpigmentationisoftencausedbygenetics.

Hyperpigmentationiswheredarkspots appearontheskin.Thisisthemorecommon formandiscausedbyanincreaseinmelanin. Sunexposurecanb mmontriggerfor hyperpigmentat frequentlyseethesun,lik

However,ano problemisMelasma.

bytanorbrownpatchesonthefaceandmost commonlyappearsonthecheeks,bridgeof nose,forehead,andupperlips.Melasmais believedtobecausedbyhormonalchangessuch aspregnancy.

Certainmedicationscanalsocause hyperpigmentation,andpost-inflammatory hyperpigmentationoccurswhenablemishor otherskininjuryheals,leavingadiscoloured markbehind.

Bestat-homeskincareforpigmentation

It'simportanttolimitsunexposuretostop existingpigmentationfromdarkeningand preventnewspotsfromforming.Abroadspectrumsunscreenisanabsolutemust-have toprotectyourskinandshouldbeanintegral partofyourdailyroutine.Askanyskinexpert –andthey’llsaySPFisyourBFFwhenworking tomaintainhealthyskin.Caci’sfavourite sunscreenproduct?Nothingbeatstheir must-haveSkinsmithsDailyDefenceSheer SunscreenSPF30.

Asfortherestofyourskincareregime, it'simportanttolookoutforbrightening ingredientslikekojicacid,azelaicacid, retinolandvitaminC.Afewstand-out brighteningfavouritesallavailablefromCaci include;SkinsmithsVitaminCBooster(paired withHydrationBooster),MuradVita-CGlycolic BrighteningSerumandMuradRapidAgeSpot CorrectingSerum.

tments

sults,Caciofferarange

ofskintreatmentstoreducepigmentation andsundamage.ApersonalisedplanofPhoto RejuvenationorMicroneedlingtreatments, teamedwithskinrejuvenationtreatments suchasMicrodermabrasion,SkincareInfusion, andPeels,canbeparticularlyeffectivetobreak downunwantedpigmentandrestoreskin health.Thesetreatmentsareavailableaspart ofCaci’sSkinHealthmembershipandpayment plan,Reformaskin.

Tofindoutmore,we’drecommend poppinginforyourfreeconsultation! Booknowoncaci.co.nzorbycalling 0800003939

SkinsmithsHydrationBooster

SkinsmithsVitamin CBooster

Murad RapidAgeSpot CorrectingSerum.

MuradVita-CGlycolic BrighteningSerum

Longawaited family reunion

Ahugehug (and bordersreopening) proved just theticket fora Jane Mander Retirement Villagecouplereunitedat Auckland Airportwiththeir sonafter three years.

Thelong-awaitedreunionsawJennyand RoyHardieupatthecrackofdawnto drivefromWhangāreitoAucklandto meettheirsonTerryattheairport.

“Iwastooexcitedtosleepanywaysoitwas noproblemgettingupearly,”laughsJenny.

Thelasttimetheysawtheirsonwasmid2019whentheyflewtohiminCalifornia.

Thistime,TerryflewfromSanFrancisco, viaLosAngeles,a22-hourtrip,whichtouched downat7.45am.Atension-filledhourlater,he finallywalkedthroughthearrivalsgate.

Showingtheirsenseoffunandhumour,the pairwrote,“WelcomeTerry”ontheirfacemasks

astheyleaptuptowraphimintheirarms.

“Idon’tknowwhethertolaughorcry,”said Jennyatthetime,hersmilingeyesshining withtears.

Matchinghersmilebeneathhismask,Terry describedthefirsthugas‘magic’.

ITconsultantTerryisinNewZealandfor almostsixweeks.AsatrusteefortheOrca ResearchTrust,basedatTutukakahewillcarry outworkcommitmentswiththemaswellas spendingtimewithJennyandRoy.

Thecouple,wholiveatRymanHealthcare’s JaneManderRetirementVillage,weremaking Terry’sfavouritesausagesandmashfordinner

thatnightandhadalreadyorderedthepizzas forapizzapartyforTerrythefollowingday,with anextrabigbatchofJenny’sdeliciousBaileys madespeciallyasatreatfortheoccasion.They werelookingforwardtointroducingtheirson totheirneighboursintheirpartofthevillage, who,duetobeingatthetopofthehill,call themselves“thehillbillies”.JennyandRoyplan totravelbackwithTerrytotheStatesinMayfor twomonthstovisittheirothersonTonyand theirtwingrandchildreninSeattle.

Jennyadded:“I’mjustbuzzingatthe moment.Ihavetopinchmyselfthathe’s actuallyherewithus.”

Motherandsonenjoythelong-awaitedmoment.

Jennyand RoyHardiewelcomeson Terryhomeafterthree yearsapart.

VideoGait Analysis Explained

WITHSMITHSSPORTSSHOES

Here's howweput youinthe correctsportsshoes.

AtSmithsSportsShoesWhangarei, weareproudofofferingexceptional technicalsupportandservice.This includesvideogaitanalysis,whichis analysingtherunningorwalkinggaitthrough videoallowingourtechnicallytrainedteam memberstofindthemostsuitableshoefor eachindividualcustomer.

Tobeginwith,wewillgetyouwalkingor runningbarefootonourtreadmillforaround 20-30seconds.Thiswillallowustolookathow youarelanding,whereyouarelandingandfor anymisalignmentsbiomechanicallywithinthe anklesorknees.

Oncewehavefinishedrecordingyour movement,wewillshowyouaframebyframe replay.Bylookingathowyoumove,andtaking intoconsiderationyourgoalsandanyprevious injuries,wecanunderstandwhattypeofshoe willsuityoubest.

Wewillthenusethegaittesttoensurewe findtheshoethatworksbestforyou,whilealso

takingintoaccountthemileageyouaredoing. Stabilityelementsinashoemayhelpcontrol themovementinwardsattheankles.

Thistypeofspecialistsupportisextremely importanttoday,duemainlytothehuge technicaladvancementsmadewithinthe athleticfootwearindustryandtheimportance offittingtherightshoeforourcustomer's uniquerequirements.

UNDERSTANDINGPRONATION

Pronationreferstothewayinwhichyourfoot rollsinwardsasitstrikesthefloor.It’syour body’swayofdistributingimpact,andanatural partofthegaitcycle.

Understandingyourpronationtypeis importantforselectingtherighttypeof sportsshoeandultimatelycouldhelpyouto avoidinjury.

THEREARETHREE PRONATIONTYPES:

OVERPRONATION

Around70%ofthepopulation overpronate,sothisisbyfarthemost commonpronationtypeamongst runners.Asthefootisplanteditrolls inwardexcessively,transferringweight totheinneredgeinsteadofcenteringit ontheballofthefoot.It’susuallyseen inpeoplewithlowarchesorflatfeet.

UNDERPRONATION

Sometimescalledsupination,thisis whentheoutersideofthefootstrikes thegroundatasteeperthannormal anglewithlittleornomovement inward,causingajarringeffect,anda largetransmissionofshockthrough thelowerleg.It’susuallyseeninpeople withhigharches.

NEUTRAL Neutralpronationoccurswhenthe footlandsontheouteredgeandthen rollsinwardinacontrolledmanner, distributingweightevenlyandhelping toabsorbshock.Onpushoff,thereis anevendistributionofpressurefrom thefrontofthefoot.

FREEPODIATRYSERVICE

Learnabout Conjunctivitis

WITHTHEEYECENTRE

Theconjunctiva is atransparent skinliningthe insideofthe eyelidsand thewhite of the eye. It acts as aphysicalbarrier, preventingforeign bodies going behind theeye,and produces mucusand part of thetears.It hasmanyimmunecells to fight off infection, whichdrain to the lymphnodes infront of theear andthese glands canbeswollen when conjunctivitis occurs.

Conjunctivitisisinflammationofthis membrane,andcausesthewhiteof theeyeandinsidethelidtoappear red.ThisiscommonlyknownasRed orPinkeyewhichoftenaffectsbotheyes.

Mostvarietiesofconjunctivitisareselflimitingbutsomeprogresstomoreseriouseye problems.Mostconjunctivitiscanbediagnosed basedonhistoryandexaminationandfallinto groups,infectiousandallergic:

Infectious

Mostofthebugswhichcauseconjunctivitisare thesameoneswhichcausecoldsandrunny nosesorsorethroats.Thebugscanpassupthe ductfromthenose,orgettransferredtotheeye afterthepatientblowstheirnoseandthenrubs theireyes.

Viralconjunctivitisisthecommonest,and usuallyproducesawaterydischargeandis highly-contagious.Othersignscaninclude:

•Follicles-prominentlumpsinsidethelids

•Swolleneyelids

•Tenderglandsinfrontoftheears. Thereisoftenahistoryofhaving hadorbeenincontactwithotherswith conjunctivitisorcolds.Thisoftengoes aroundinepidemicsparticularlythrough schoolsandkindergartengroups.

Bacterialconjunctivitisusuallyhasathicker, yellow-greeneyedischarge.Othersymptoms includecrustinessonthelidsortheeyesbeing stuckshutinthemorning.

Allergic

Allergicconjunctivitisisaresponsetoan allergy-causingsubstancesuchaspollen. Thebodyreleaseshistaminewhichcancause symptomssuchas:

•Itching

•Waterydischarge

•Swolleneyelids

•Chemosis-atranslucentswellingwhich mayprotrudethelidsandlooklikea clearblisterontheeye

•Papillae-redlumpsunderthetoplid

•Mildtosevererednessoftheeye.

Patientsoftenhaveahistoryofallergies andtheycanhaveanacuteconjunctivitis broughtonbyrubbingtheeyewithan allergensuchasanimalhair.Thisisavery suddenonsetwithalotofswellingofthe

eyeandeyelidsbutisself-limitingaftera fewhoursandcanbetreatedwithanoral antihistaminetablet,butmoreimportantly identifyingwhathasbroughtitonand avoidanceoftheallergen.

Allergicconjunctivitiscanalsobeamore chronicproblemoftenassociatedwithhay feverandthiscanbetreatedwithpreventive anti-allergydropssuchasPatanolwhichare goodatpreventingallergybutarenoteffective whentheeyesarered.Iftheeyesarered, thenashortcourseofsteroideyedropsfrom aspecialistcansettlethemdownandthen youcanusethepreventivedrops.Oftenthisa seasonalproblemandyoucanusethedrops onlyinthehayfeverseason.

Youngchildrencangetaparticularly severeformofchronicallergycalledvernal keratoconjunctivitiswhichcausesaverynasty conjunctivitiswithcornealproblemsneeding steroidtreatmentfromaneyeconsultant.

Othercausesofconjunctivitisinclude irritationfromchemicals,contactlensesor foreignbodiesintheeye.

Whattodo?

Ifyouthinkyouhaveconjunctivitis,seeyour doctororpharmacist.Avoidrubbingeyesor touchingeyeswithhands.

1. Washhandsbeforeandafterapplying antibioticdropsortouchingeyes

2. Cleaneyelidspriortoapplicationofmedicine

3.Nevertouchthetipoftheantibiotictube directlyontheaffectedeye

4. Usedisposabletissues

5. Useanewtowelandwashclotheveryday. Donotsharetowelorcosmetics,Change pillowcasesoften

6.Throwawayanymakeupusedwhile infected

7. Stayawayfromschoolorworkwhilethere isdischargefromtheeyestoavoidpassing iton

8. Usedarkglassesifsensitivetolight.Donot padtheeye

9.Discontinueuseofcontactlensesuntil infectioncleared.Discarddisposablelenses.

Treatment

Swabbingtheeyedoesprovidethemost accuratediagnosisbutisnotpracticalwithall patientsandoftentheconditionisresolved beforeswabresultsarereturned.

Somestudieshavefoundmorethan70 percentofcasesofbacterialconjunctivitis resolveineightdays.However,treatmentwith antibacterialagentsleadstoafasterclinical andmicrobialcure.Antibioticusedidnot affecttheseveritybutreducedthedurationof conjunctivitis.

•Forbacterialconjunctivitis,antibioticeye dropsorointmentareusedtotreatthe eyeinfectionanditshouldclearwithina fewdays

•Viralconjunctivitisdoesnotrespondto treatmentwithantibioticeyedropsor ointment.Itisself-limitingandmaytake uptotwotothreeweeksfortheinfection toclear

•Allergicconjunctivitisistreatedwith eyedropscontainingantihistamines, decongestants,mastcellstabilizers, steroids,oranti-inflammatorydrops.Itis besttoavoidrubbingtheeyes.

Warningsigns

Ifthereisextremepainorlightsensitivity, decreasedvisionorifyourpupilsbecome unequal,contactadoctorimmediately.

Whatisa HIFU facelift, and doesit work?

High-intensity focusedultrasound(HIFU) is arelativelynew cosmetic treatmentforskintighteningthat some considera noninvasiveand painless replacement forfacelifts. It uses ultrasound energy to encouragetheproductionofcollagen, whichresultsin firmer skin.

HIFUismostwidelyknownfor itsuseintreatingtumors.The firstreporteduseofHIFUfor aestheticusewasin2008.It wasthenapprovedbytheFoodandDrug Administration(FDA)in2009forbrowlifts. ThedevicewasalsoclearedbytheFDAin 2014toimprovelinesandwrinklesofthe upperchestandneckline.

ClinicaltrialshavefoundHIFUtobesafeand effectiveforfacialliftingandrefiningwrinkles. Peoplewereabletoseeresultsinafewmonths aftertreatment,withouttherisksassociated withsurgery.Theprocedureisalsousedfor overallfacialrejuvenation,lifting,tightening, andbodycontouring.

HOWDOESITWORK?

HIFUusesfocusedultrasoundenergyto targetthelayersofskinjustbelowthe

surface.Theultrasoundenergycausesthe tissuetoheatuprapidly.

Oncethecellsinthetargetedareareacha certaintemperature,theyexperiencecellular damage.Whilethismayseemcounterintuitive, thedamageactuallystimulatesthecells toproducemorecollagen—aproteinthat providesstructuretotheskin.

Theincreaseincollagenresultsintighter, firmerskinwithfewerwrinkles.Sincethehighfrequencyultrasoundbeamsarefocusedon aspecifictissuesitebelowtheskin’ssurface, there’snodamagetotheupperlayersofthe skinandadjacenttissue.

HIFUmaynotbeappropriateforeveryone. Ingeneral,theprocedureworksbestonmen andwomenwithmild-to-moderateskinlaxity. Thosewithahighdegreeoflooseskinmay needseveraltreatments.

Resultsvaryforeachindividualandshould

lastfor2-3yearsoruntilcollagenproduction slowsdownagain.Health,skinconditionand skinlaxitywilldeterminehowquicklyyousee results,usually2-6monthsafterthetreatment.

KEYBENEFITS

AccordingtotheAmericanSocietyfor AestheticPlasticSurgery(ASAPS),HIFUand othernonsurgicalalternativestofaceliftshave seenamajorincreaseinpopularityoverthe lastfewyears.

HIFUhasmanyaestheticbenefits,including:

•Wrinklereduction

•Tighteningsaggingskinontheneck (sometimescalledturkeyneck)

•Liftingthecheeksandeyebrows

•Enhancingjawlinedefinition

•Tighteningofthedécolletage

•Smoothingtheskin

WHATDOESHIFUFEELLIKE?

Somepeopledescribeitastinyelectric pulsesoralightpricklysensationwhichis toleratedbymostwithoutdiscomfort

Immediatelyafterthetreatment,some lookalittleflushed-justlikeyou’vebeento thegym,butthiswillsubsidewithinhours. Makeupcanbeappliedimmediatelyafterthe treatmentifneedbe.

WHATTOEXPECTATYOURAPPOINTMENT

Consultationsarerequiredpriortoyour appointment.Youwillbegivenanexfoliantto usefortheweekpriortoyourtreatment.This willensurewereachthedesireddepthof4.5mm belowthesurfaceoftheskinforbestresults.

HIFUworksextremelywellinconjunction withcosmeticinjectablesbutdoesneedtobe donebeforeinjectablesorthepractitionerwill needtowaitfortheseinjectablestobedissolved beforeproceedingastheywillhinderresults.

Here’swhattoexpectatyourappointment:

•Youshouldarrivefreeofmakeupandskin careproductsfromthetargetareabefore treatment.

•Beforephotoswillbetakensoresultscanbe compared.

•Apractitionerfirstcleansthetargetarea, thenappliesanultrasoundgel.

•TheHIFUdeviceismovedovertheskin slowlyandmethodicallyin1mmincrements.

•Ultrasoundenergyisthendeliveredtothe targetareainshortpulsesforroughly30to 90minutes.

•Thedeviceisremoved.

•Whiletheultrasoundenergyisbeing applied,youmightfeelheatandtingling.

You’refreetogohomeorbacktoworkand resumeyournormaldailyactivitiesrightaway aftertheprocedure.

ULTIMATEBEVGUIDE:

Every pure-electric carand SUV youcan buyinNewZealand

BY

DRIVENisheretohelp,withacomplete guidetoeveryelectrifiedvehicleon saleinNZ,arrangedfromlowestto highestprice.

MGZSEV:$49,990-$52,990.Powertrain51kWh battery,singleelectricmotor,FWDPower/ torque130kW/353Nm.Consumption/range 16.2kWh/100km,320km

MINIELECTRIC:$60,400.Powertrain33kWh battery,singleelectricmotor,FWDPower/ torque100kW/295Nm.Consumption/range 16.8-14.8kWh/100km,235-270km

NISSANLEAF:$61,990-$69,990.Powertrain 40kWhor62kWhbattery,singleelectric motor,FWDPower/torque110kW/320Nm or160kW/340Nm.Consumption/range 14.8-16.1kWh/100km,270-385km

PEUGEOTE-208GT:$61,990.Powertrain 50kWhbattery,singleelectricmotor,FWD Power/torque100kW/260Nm.Consumption/ range15.9kWh/100km,349km

HYUNDAIIONIQELECTRICII:$65,990-$71,990. Powertrain38kWhbattery,singleelectric motor,FWDPower/torque100kW/295Nm. Consumption/range12.2kWh/100km,311km

TESLAMODEL3:$72,400-$100,900. Powertrain50kWhor75kWhbattery,single ordualelectricmotors,RWDorAWDPower/ torque150kW/350Nm,258kW/527Nm or336kW/639Nm.Consumption/range 11.0-13kW/100km,491-602km

HYUNDAIKONAELECTRICII:$69,990$87,990.Powertrain39kWhor64kWh battery,singleelectricmotor,FWDPower/ torque100kW/395Nm.Consumption/range 12.8-13.2kWh/100km,305-484km

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PEUGEOTE-2008GT:$71,990.Powertrain 50kWhbattery,singleelectricmotor,FWD Power/torque100kW/260Nm.Consumption/ range15.1kWh/100km,332km

MAZDAMX-30TAKAMI:$74,990.Powertrain 36kWhbattery,singleelectricmotor,FWD Power/torque107kW/271Nm.Consumption/ range17.8kWh/100km,200km

KIANIROEV:$77,990-$85,990.Powertrain 64kWhbattery,singleelectricmotor, FWDPower/torque150kW/395Nm. Consumption/range14.1kWh/100km,455km BMWi3:$78,700-$87,500.Powertrain42kWh battery,singleelectricmotor,RWDPower/ torque125kW/250Nmor135kW/270Nm. Consumption/range14.2-14.7kWh/100km, 335-325km

HYUNDAIIONIQ5:$79,990-$112,900. Powertrain58kWhor73kWhbattery,single ordualelectricmotors,RWDorAWDPower/ torque125kW/350Nm,160kW/350Nm or225kW/605Nm.Consumptionrange 16.7-17.7kWh/100km,384-481km LEXUSUX300e:$79,990.Powertrain54kWh battery,singleelectricmotor,FWDPower/ torque150kW/300Nm.Consumption/range 17.4kWh/100km,315km

MERCEDES-BENZEQA250:$85,500. Powertrain67kWhbattery,singleelectric motor,FWDPower/torque140kW/375Nm Consumption/range16.3kWh/100km,410km BMWi4:$109,900-$137,900.Powertrain84kWh battery,singleordualelectricmotors, RWDorAWDPower/torque250kW/430Nm or400kW/795Nm.Consumption/range 16.1-22.5kWh/100km,590-510km

BMWiX3:$114,900-$124,900Powertrain80kWh battery,singleelectricmotor,RWDPower/ torque210kW/400Nm.Consumption/range 21.6-18.9kWh/100km,440-505km

MERCEDES-BENZEQC:$151,300.

Powertrain80kWhbattery,dualelectric motors,AWDPower/torque300kW/760Nm Consumption/range23.8kWh/100km,417km

AUDIE-TRON:$151,500-$189,900.Powertrain 95kWhbattery,dualortripleelectric motors,AWDPower/torque300kW/664Nm or370kW/973Nm.Consumption/range 22.5-28.1kWh/100km,335-325km

JAGUARI-PACE:$159,900.Powertrain90kWh battery,dualelectricmotors,AWDPower/ torque294kWh/696Nm.Consumption/range 22.0kW/100km,470km

BMWiX:$163,900-$197,900.Powertrain77kWh or112kWhbattery,dualelectricmotors, AWDPower/torque240kW/630Nmor 385kW/765Nm.Consumption/range 21.0-26.6kWh/100km,425-630km

PORSCHETAYCAN:$178,500-$373,400. Powertrain79kWhor93kWhbattery,singleor dualelectricmotors,two-speedtransmission, RWDorAWDPower/torque350kW/345Nm, 350kW/500Nm,390kW/650Nm,420kW/650Nm, 440kW/850Nm,500kW/850Nmor 560kW/1050Nm.Consumption/range 28.0kWh/100km,365-437km

AUDIE-TRONGT:$194,500-$273,500. Powertrain93kWhbattery,dualelectric motors,two-speedtransmission,AWDPower/ torque390kW/640Nmor475kW/830Nm. Consumption/range19.9-22.5kWh/100km, 487-472km

NewLoopaddition

Turningglobe attracts steady stream

BYANNMIDSON,WHANGĀREIDISTRICTCOUNCIL SENIORCOMMUNICATIONSADVISOR

Afive-yearcreativeand economicdevelopment collaborationbyWDC, CreativeNorthlandand NorthlandInchasmaterialised atBasculePark.TheGiraGlob® isabrightblue,port-holed, cosmic/retro-looking‘social sculpture’peoplecansitinsideand turntofollowthesun,enjoythescenery oravoidtherainandwind.

‘GiraGlob®0001’creatorsareArtand DesignCollective,Lgop,artistSuzaSchieleand conceptdeveloperWarwickBell,bothbasedin Waipū.Thisisthefirstoftheirproposedglobal ‘mycelium’ofsocialsculptures,thataddress thecollectiveneedforshelter,comfortand socialinteraction,withtheaimtopositively shapeoursociety.

“Wewantedtodescribetheobject’sform andwhatitwascapableofdoinginoneword. ‘Glob’isshortforGlobe.‘Gira’istheItalian wordfor‘turn’,andtheGlobmimicstheaction ofthesunflower(GirasoleinItalian)thatturns tothesun,”MrBellsays.

MayorSherylMaisaysshethoughtthe GiraGlob® wasafabulousexampleofthekindof

inno tivesupportcouncilsandother rtieslikeCreativeNorthlandand NorthlandInccanprovidewhen localpeoplecometouswith theircreativeideas.

“Weallcombinedto providefunding,andourparks teamfoundasuitablelocation hisprototypeandhadinput intothestandardofthefinalproduct.

“Havingstrictcontrolstoworkwithin whenusingpublicmoneyandarequirement toensuresafetywhendoingthingsina publicspacemeansprojectsthatgetover ourthresholdsshouldbeinaverygood positionwhentheiradvocatespromotethem furthertotheworld.

“Warwickandhisteamcansaywith confidencewhatthecostswere,where fundingwassourced,andanypublicsafety issuestheyneededtomanage.

“AllpowertotheGiraGlob–Iloveit!”

WDCcontributedabout$15,000towards thesculpture,thatattractedasteadystream ofpeopleontheirmorningwalks,after ashortmihi,karakiaandunveilingwas conductedonsite.

HihiauaCulturalCentre Enrich yourcultural experience

TheHihiauaCulturalCentreoffers theWhangāreicommunity,aswell asthosefromfurtherafield,aspace tobepartofauthenticandinclusive culturalexchange.Itisaplaceforeveryone toexploretheirpastandtheirpotential, whilstsurroundedbycreativeexpressionand inspiration.Wewarmlyinviteyoutoenrich yourculturalexperienceofNorthlandwitha triptoHihiaua,whereyoucanexpectawarm Whangāreiwelcome.

ThispastmonthwefarewelledtheMe AngaWhakamuaphotographicexhibitionand welcomedastunningvisualtapestryofgrief intheformofTheresaReihana’sexhibition, FRAGMENTS.Theelevenoriginalworksspeak togriefasahumanreactiontoloss.

Reihanaexplains,“Itisanemotional andphysicalexperiencethatwillbeshared witheveryhumanontheplanet.Yearning, longing,sadnessandsorrow,painand emptiness.Myhealingstartswithreturning tomyroots,myrootsbeingPapatuanku. Ihavereturnedheretoheal.Torepairthe brokenme.Inmyowntime.Irelatemy wairuatothewallsofawhare(house)and witheachartworkIpaint,itissimilartothe relashingandrepairofthewhare.”

Theshow,whichisfreetoview,willbeon displayuntilApril30,2022.

Theresa’sexhibitionhasbeen accompaniedbyasmallrefreshtothegeneral galleryandshopwhichcontinuestohost authenticMāoriartanduniquecreationsfrom nationallyrenownedlocalartists.

ForthemonthofApril,wearelooking forwardtohostingCarlaRuka’sTouring PotterProgrammefeaturingaseriesof ceramicsworkshopsforbeginners.Rukais oneofAotearoa’sleadingceramicartists, knownforherlarge-scalehand-builtforms madeusingauniquecoilingtechnique thatshehasdevelopedduringher22-year practice.Ifyoudon’twanttomissthisunique opportunitytoreceivehands-oninstruction fromCarlaRuka,pleaseregisterviathe CeramicsNZwebsite.

Wearealsoanticipatingtherevivalof RongoāIncorporatedMeditationSessionsrun byDyvineRongoā.Thesesessionsarepartof thefundraisingeffortsofyounglocalthespian DariusMartin-Bakerwhowillbeheading acrosstheglobetofulfilhisscholarship placementatShakespeareGlobeCentreNew ZealandYoungShakespeareCompany.Getin contactifyouwouldliketoregister.

Keepup-to-datewithwhatis happeningatHihiauabyfollowingthe HihiauaCulturalCentreFacebookpage orseeusonInstagram.

ThebrightblueinteractiveGiraGlob®atBascule Parkis aperfectexampleof collaboration betweenarts,businessandCouncilsays co-creator WarwickBell.

FISHING TIPS&TALES

I’mwritingthisonthelastweekofMarch andI’vecontinuedtogetreportsofhow goodthesnapperfishingisincloseinthe ParuaBayandOnerahiareas.Baitfishing withlongtracesandfreshmulletorpilchard baits,continuetogetverygoodresults.Berley makesitevenbetterandyouneedtobe fishinginthecurrent.

Straylinesintheshallows(mayneeda smallweight)arealsofishingverywell-let outplentyoflinetogetthebaitwellaway fromtheboat.Fishinglikethisin2-4mof waterisgreatfunandplentyofsnapper,up aroundthe500length,arebeingtaken.I alsohavehadafewreportsofsmallsoftbaits beingusedwithgreatsuccessinourshallow harbourwater.Weareprivilegedtobeableto fishinourbeautifulharbour.

SundaynightandI’vejustreturnedfrom walkingmydogsonBeachRdandwitnessed boatsandjetskiswatchingagroupofdolphins amongstthemooredboats,notfaroutfromthe endofPortRoad,probablychasingmullet.Our amazingharbourisamagicalplace.

Outside,kingfishhavebeentakenbothoff therocksandfromboatsoutfromBusbyPoint andalsoaroundtheTaraReefareaattheChicks andatHenIsland.Poppersandjigsareworking well,especiallywherethekingisarevisible,but livebaitsareworkingindeeperandshallow waterandareprobablyabetterbet.

WITHJOHNVOWLESS

Snappercatcheshavebeenreasonableout attheIslandswithjigsandsoftbaitsgivinggood results,afewkahawaiarealsobeingcaught, anddon’truleoutfishingsoftbaitsandjigsover thesandoutfromRuakakaBeach.Asouryear progresses,youwilllikelyneedtofishdeeper thaninsummer.

BytheendofMarchandintoAprilthe inshoresnapperfishingwillslowbutthe Tarakihishouldcomeslowlyonthebite,yahoo. Goodluckandbesafe.

NICKAUSTIN: LIFEPUZZLE

OndisplayatWhangāreiArt MuseumApril8–July10,2022, LifePuzzle isanexhibitionofNick Austin’s15-oddyearsofpractice sofar,curatedbytheartisthimself.The exhibitionispresentedinthemannerofa personwho,lateintheevening,gazinginto themiddledistanceasks:‘Howtheheckdid Igethere?’

Inhispaintingsandsculptures,Austin exploreshowtogetfromAtoBinaphysical andnarrativesense.Roads,vehicles, feet,amap:theworksarelikecollagesof beginnings,middles,andpunchlines.What justhappened?What’sgoingtohappen?

Likeobservationalcomedy,thekernelof theartist’sprocessisanovelconsideration ofone’srelationshipwiththeworld.A thing,orapictureofathing,oraphrase, getsarrangedwithanother,tosurprising effect.Surpriseprecedeslaughter,afterall. Didyoueverseeahitch-hikingenvelope?A postieinhigh-heels?Theartistjoinsdotsin strangeways...

NickAustin’sintentionisnotsimply tomakeonelaugh,though.Hewishesto articulatefamiliarsenses–anticipation, uncertainty,thedifficultyofcommunication, say–inunfamiliarways.

Motifssuchasenvelopes,aquariums, boxes,exhibitvaryingdegreesofopacity. Isthereanythinginsidetheseworks?Or, iswhattheyarenotshowing,onlytheir emptiness?It’sasiftheartisttakesthe writer’sdictum,‘showdon’ttell’,butdoesit as‘don’tshow…’

Whiletheexhibitionismadeupof distinctlynon-digitalingredients,asan exerciseinauto-curation, LifePuzzle absorbs

thecurrencyofself-presentationthatis bakedintosocialmedia.

Collectively,theworkpresentedin Life Puzzle isreflectiveandintrospective;it’s quite‘meta’.

NickAustinwasborninWhangāreiin 1979.HereceivedaBachelorofVisualArts fromAucklandUniversityofTechnologyin 2001andaMasterofFineArtsfromElam SchoolofFineArts,UniversityofAuckland,in 2004.HehasexhibitedthroughoutAotearoa NewZealandandinAustralia,UnitedStates andEurope.In2012hewastheFrances HodgkinsFellowattheUniversityofOtagoin Dunedin,wherehenowlives.

BerniceYoung caughtthesetwokahawaiwhile surfcastingatKauriMountainBeach.

Nick Austin,Erased Tattoo,2014,acrylicon canvas. WallaceArts Trust collection.

Nick Austin, Toothbrush Cycle,2016,acrylicon aluminium compositeboard.Collectionof Waipapa TaumataRau |TheUniversityof Auckland.

Nick Austin,UnfinishedCouch,2017,acrylic and cartonpierreonpolystyrene.Dunedin PublicArtGallerycollection.

People, properties and coffee

Forlocal real estateagent Paul Sumich,all pathsled to his successfulcareerventure,with theadded bonusofcoffee–anotherpassion –ontop.

Histhirdyearintheindustry,the Bayleysrealestateagentspecialisesin residentialandlifestyleproperties.

“I’vealwayshadanentrepreneuriallean andmostlyinserviceindustries,beginningwith hospitality,andit’salwaysaboutpeople,”Paul explainsofhis25yearsowningandoperating hisownbusinesses.

Thekeenrunnerandcyclistonceowned abikeshop/caféandherecentlydecidedhe could,onceagain,combinehisloveofcoffee withbusiness.So,heandwifeAnita,afellow coffeefan,purchasedacoffeecarttotaketo theiropenhomes.

“Theideacameaboutbecausewewanted toofferagoodlevelofserviceatopenhomes

sowestartedoffhiringalocalcoffeecartbut thevanswerenotalwaysavailable.Becauseof ourexperiencewiththecafé,wedecidedtobuy ourowncoffeetraileranduseitasacommunity supportfeature.”

Aswellasfindingitparkedupoutsidehis openhomesovertheweekendwithAnita atthebaristahelm,thecartmakesweekly appearancesatlocalschoolsandkindergartens toofferafreetreatforstaff

“Abigpartoftheplanforuswasgivingback insomewayanddoingwhatwecandotomake adifference.

“Everyone’shadabitofatough18months orsoandcoffeeisoftenthelastthingpeople willgiveupasaluxury.Forus,it’sabout creatingagoodexperienceandcoffeeopens upchatandsetsthetone.Andifwecando thatwithalittlecuppawecanshouttomake someone’sday,thenwe’rehappytoo,”saysthe fatheroftwo.

Andthepeoplearelovingthebeverages. Somerecentluckyrecipientswereresidents

ofKamoHomeandVillagewho’dbeenmissing theircaféoutings.

ExplainsKamoHome’sdiversionaltherapist AmyFowler,“DuetoCovidrestrictions,itisvery difficultforthelovelypeoplewholiveinrest homestogetoutandaboutandgotocafesetc, sotheactivitiesteamatKamoHomethought itwouldbeacoolideatobringthecafetothe resthome.

“Consequently,wethencontactedPaul SumichfromBayleysRealEstate,aswehad seenhiscoffeecartatopenhomes,andthought hemayrentitouttocommunityorganisations. Needlesstosay,whenweapproachedhimhe didn'thesitatetosayyes,and,infact,hewent betterthanthat.Notonlywashepreparedto bringthecartup,heandhiswifeAnitawanted tosupplycoffees,hotchocolatesandherbal teastoalltheresidentsandstaffatKamoHome astheirwayofpayingforward.

“Inatimelikethis(withCovid),itabsolutely madelotsofourresidents’dayasitshowed themthatlovelypeoplearestillouttheredoing

wonderfulthingsevenatsuchunprecedented times.Itreallywarmedmyheart.”

Coffeeaside,Paul’shardwork,charisma, andtruepassionforthebusinesshashelpedhis reputationasaqualifiedrealestateprofessional quicklyrise.Heisunapologeticallycompetitive, withatenaciousspiritbornfromyearsof endurancesport(herepresentedNewZealand internationallyseveraltimes,amongmanyother accolades),aswellassmallbusinessownership.

Client-focusedinhisapproach,Paulrevels intheone-on-one.Dedicated,disciplined,and easy-going,hisskillsetincludessellingsome ofthebestcharacterhomesinWhangārei,to uniquecoastalandlifestyleproperties.

Intermsoftheevery-changingproperty market,Paulconfirmsthingsareslowingdown.

“AcoupleofpropertiesIhadlistedlast year,hadaround100peoplethroughthe openhomes.That’snotnormal.Normalfor Whangāreiisaboutsix-tengroupsthroughand there’scurrentlyaboutthat.There’snotthe samelevelofcompetitiononeveryproperty.”

ForPaul,thismeansreturningtomatching peoplewithproperties,themorepersonal approachheprefers.

“Ithinkit’srarewhensomeonefinds somethingthatfitstheirpersonalitysowell.I feellikeI’vehadalifefullofopportunitiesall leadingmetorealestate.”

#If youworkataschoolor smallbusiness and wouldlike to reward yourstaff,get in touchwith Paul.His“mini café”, thanks to thesupportofBayleys,NorthlandHospitality and AlturaCoffee,provides arangeof tea, coffeeandhotchocolates.

Easy,ithashadamajormakeover globallyinthelastdecade.Wehave seendistilleriespoppingup,notonly inourownbackyardbutallaround theworld,withavastarrayofbotanicalsto tantalisethetastebuds.Furthermore,thesoft drinkindustryhasjumpedaboardtoofferus anequallyscintillatingselectionofmixersto complementtheelegantserveswenowcrave.

BeerStreetandGin Lane(1751)WilliamHogarth”

Withinhiswritingswasarecipeforjuniper berriessteepedinwinetocurechestailments. TherearerecordsofBenedictinemonksusinga tonicwineinfusedwithjuniperberries.

GinbecamepopularinEnglandafterthe introductionofJenever,aDutchandBelgian liquorthatwasoriginallyamedicine.Although thisdevelopmenthadbeentakingplacesince theearly17thcentury,ginbecamewidespread afterthe1688GloriousRevolutionledbyWilliam ofOrangeandsubsequentimportrestrictionson liquorfromforeignshores.

Ginthenemergedasthenationalalcoholic drinkofEnglandbutalongwithitspopularity cameaplethoraofproblems!WilliamIII instituted“TheCornLaws”inEngland,allowing taxbreaksonspiritproduction.Asyoucan imagine,thisledtoafreeforallfordistillers andapintofginbecamecheaperthanapint ofbeer.This,inturn,ledtoaperiodofhistory dubbed“TheGinCraze”.

Thepoorerpeopledrankcopiousamounts ofthespiritwhichledtosocial disarray.Ittookanotherfive yearsbeforeitdawnedonthe governmentthattheyhada problemontheirhands!

disa ye goas us JONOREEVES&JUSTINCHO THETONICYOUNEEDWHEN ITCOMESTOSELLING. CONTACTUS today forallyour realestateneeds! Justin Cho 021310203 justin.cho@harcourts.co.nz

Jono Reeves 0221295697 jono.reeves@harcourts.co.nz

OptimizeRealty LtdLicensedAgentREAA2008

ThepeopleofEnglandbegantogocompletely insaneordie.Whenyouconsiderhowpoorlythe distillationprocesswasgovernedandsomeofthe dubiousinclusions,suchassulphuricacid,turpentine andsawdust,alldisguisedwithaliberalsprinklingof sugartohelpthemedicinegodown-itisverylittle wonderthepeoplewerefallingofftheirperchoneway oranother.

Inanattempttotakecontrolofthespiraling situation,thegovernmentimposedtheGinActin 1751.TheycommissionedEnglishartistWilliam Hogarthtocreateamediacampaigntohighlightthe benefitsofbeerdrinkingandwoesofgindrinking,and thusthechangebegan.

Fortunately,NewZealandneversufferedthe“Gin Craze”butitcertainlyispiquingpeople’sinterestnow.

Aftergrowingupinthehospitalityindustryin theUK,itseemedlikedestinyIwouldoneday runmyownpub.So,in2015,Itookoverthe runningoftheRailwayTaverninChelmsford,Essex. Asthenamewouldsuggest,itissituatednexttothe railwaystation,withtheaddedbonusofbeingvery closetoEssexCountyCricketGround.The'Tav,asit islovinglyknown,datesbacktothe1800s.Originally arowofrailwayworkercottageswhichservedbeer torailwayworkersfromthewindowofthefront cottage,overtime,allthecottageswereincludedin thepub.ChangesweremadewhenItookover;afull refurbishmentwascarriedout,craftbeerswereadded andginhittheshelves!Aginmenuwasintroduced withover50gins,alongwithservingsuggestions, tantalizinggarnishesand,tofurthercomplementthe gins,astockofover12differenttonicwaters.

TheicingonthecakewasGinClub.Thefirstruleof GinClubwastotalkaboutGinClub!Thepubgained awholenewaudience,eagertosampleallthetasty

worldgins,craftbeers andrealalesonoffer.The ginfollowingwassobig thatIintroducedaguest gineveryFridayandgin tastingeventsthroughoutthe year.Thisgainedmethetitleofthe'Gin Lady'.Mypassionforginisnotjustinthedrinking,but intheamazingdifferencesbetweenthemall;their jewel-likecolours,artisanbottlesand,ofcourse,the flavourprofilesthebotanicalscreate.

Theopportunitytoturnapassionintoabusiness wasanabsolutedelight.Imetdistillersfromwellknownbrands,suchasSipsmithandHayman’s, andhavesharedmyexcitementandlearningswith hundredsoffellowGin-thusiasts.

NowIhavethehonourtosharethiswithSavvy readers.Iwouldlovetohearfromyouaboutyour favouriteserves.Pleasesendapictureanddescription tosavvy@northernadvocate.co.nz.

GinsToTry

Black CollarGin is atrueBay of IslandsGin. With no artificial ingredients,colours or flavours,a singledistillationand apredominant juniper flavour, it isinspiredbythe ubiquitous London DryGinstyle.

“Wesourceourbotanicalsfrom around theglobe to ensurewe useonlythe freshest ingredients availablewithmaximum flavour,” says Black Collar headdistiller JonathanMclean.

“From season to season, botanical flavourcan change dependingonthe qualityof the harvestsoitcomesdowntothe distiller’spalate andtastingthe botanicals priortodistillationto determine potency.Wethenmake slightadjustments to therecipe to ensureweremaintruetoour signaturetaste.”

Forthose lucky enough to gettheir handsonthem, Black

Collar releases limitededition gins throughoutthe year.The latest series wasa GinMazefeaturing flavours from each of thefour seasons.

“Our unique labelwith amaze inthetext showsthe complex flavourpaththe gintakes youon. We wanted ourseries labeltobefresh, newand differenttoreflect the gin itself.”

Black CollarDistilleryis located intheBay of Islandsand is currently fittingout newpremises on the outskirts of Kerikeri.

“Weoutgrew ourlastbuilding andneeded somethingbiggerand better. Ournew location willinclude atasting room anddistillery tours so we’reprettyexcited about that,” Jonathansays.

Youcan follow Black Collar Distillery on FacebookorInstagram @blackcollardistillery

May13–15, 2022

The2022Country Rock Festival is back bigger andbetterthanever!

TheFestivalwilltakeplaceMay13, 14and15inthescenictownshipsof PaihiaandRussellinthebeautifulBay ofIslands.

TheBayofIslandsCountryRockFestivalis thelongestrunningcountrymusicfestivalin NewZealandandhasbecomeaniconicevent whichbringstouriststotheBayofIslands duringthewinterseason.The2022festival hasastar-studdedline-upnottobemissed. Itfeaturesover40homegrownacts,including hitTVshow“That’sCountry”,starringSuzanne Prentice,BrendanDugan,GrayBartlettand JodiVaughan.OtheractsincludeEddieLow, Cooper’sRun,BevanGardiner&JamesDavy, andVino.

Sixindoorvenueswillhosttheactsover thethreedayswithgreatfood,beverages, andatmosphere.

BrendanDugan

BevanGardiner &JamesDavy

Carleen &HerCrew

Carson Taare

CaseyDixon

Cooper'sRun

CopperKettle

SuzannePrentice

SueDyson

DanCosgrove&TheDcp

En-Tranzet

The resurgence ofwild style

Botanicaland animal looks aremakinga comeback –but withoutthe tackinessofthe overthe-topschemes that were put outtopasture inthemid-90s.

Flora,faunaandanimaliaaresomeofthe hottestdominatingdecoratingtrends. Withboldcoloursandearthlyaccents, adoptingthisdesignstylewillgiveyour homeawildflare.Butrestassured–thistrend canbeexecutedwithelegance,andwithout throwingyoubackafewdecades.

Thetrendininvolvesusingafewdifferent materials,organictexturesandgraphicpatterns toelevatethestyleandnaturalfeeloftheroom whilepairedwithwarmandneutralResene paintcoloursandwoodstains.Décorpieces finishofthelookbyaddingabitofanimalia andliteralnature.Livingroomsandbedrooms workbestforthistrend,asfeaturewallsand décortexturesthriveinthesespaces.

Forlivingrooms,tryastatementwallina nature-inspiredgreen,suchasReseneYucca, ReseneMiddleEarth,ReseneHolly,Resene

GeckoorReseneLaurelorawallpaperdesign thatisfulloflivelyfloralsorleaves,such asReseneWallpaperCollection36630-1or 36518-1.

It’llpairwellwithgreywhiteslikeResene QuarterConcreteorReseneSeaFogbeautifully tocreateastrongbase,andthenyoucanpull togethertherestofyourdécorpalettefrom there.AddavinylcouchinReseneNero,Resene RoseofSharonorReseneMissionBrownthen incorporatenaturalfibresthroughawovenrug madeofjuteorwoolinlightertoneslikeHalf SourDoughandReseneQuarterParchmentto balanceouttheboldnessoftheotherelements. Otherfurnitureanddecoratingelementswill workbestintoneslikeblack,forestgreenor warmyellow,suchasReseneJaguar,Resene HalfForestGreenandReseneChamois.

Ifyouarestrugglingtofindtheperfectcoffee table,sidetablesorornamentsinjusttheright shadetosuityourscheme,pickupsomepaint incolourslikeReseneDoubleCodandResene Noosaandpaintthemyourself.Ottomansalso makeagreattouchtobringinanelementto thefloorspace.Paintingpatternsonfabricslike animalstripesorspotsworksacharm.

Forabrighterandmoreminimalist approach,pairneutralgreywalls–think ReseneHalfAsh,ReseneQuarterTapaor ReseneAtmosphere–withcrispwhitetrims inReseneQuarterMerinoorReseneHalf Alabaster.Addaplushcouchinawarmerstone greylikeReseneTana,ReseneHalfPravdaor ReseneEighthArrowtownandthenboostthe restofthefurniturewithlighttimbertones inReseneColorwoodWhitewashorResene ColorwoodRockSaltandsprinkleinsome blackandcreamaccentsinReseneBlackjack andReseneHalfVillaWhite.Toincorporate texture,somebranchesinavaseorapieceof driftwoodonatableworkwellasdotextured andpatternedcushions.Don’tforgetastaple pieceofartworkthatisofanaturalelement, whetherthatisofaplantorananimal,while beingmindfulofyourcolourpalette.

Forafemininebedroom,abrightneutral ReseneHalfBlackWhitefeaturewallwith palepinkReseneEbbsurroundingwallscan

makeagreatstartingplaceforalightandfun environment.Addingatexturedheadboard andcurtainsinapalepineappleyellowlike ReseneHalfAstrawilladdsomewarmth andatropicaltwist.Decoratetheroom withplentyofgreenplantsandanimalart printsthatpickuphintsofhueslikeResene RicePaperandReseneFirstLight.Forabit ofexcitement,paintajuterugwithanimal printsinthesameshadestoaddtextureand anothernaturalelement.

Thefinishingtouchesarereallywhatmake thistrendpopalongwithacohesivecolour palette.Amixtureofdeeperandlightertones withnaturalelementsworkwell.Don’tbeafraid tobeboldwithtexture,printsandstatement wallstoreallyencapsulatethebeautyofflora andfaunaforthosewholivewithinit.

Formorewildcolourandwallpaperideas, seeyourReseneColorShoporviewthelatest colourideasonlineatwww.resene.co.nz/ latestlooks.

Sleepmatters morenow than everbefore

Universally, we have neverbeenbusier, or more engagedwith thewider world. Ourlives have also neverbeenasuncertain or as complex as they arerightnow.Whenallthesefactors combine, sleep… tendstofallbehindonthe priority list.

Sure,everybodysleeps,butarewe reallygettingenough?Accordingtoan articlepublishedintheWashington Postbackin2021,sleepregularity andoursleepscheduleplayafactorinhow werateourqualityofsleep.Andwithsomany ofusworkingfromhome,balancinghomeschoolingandconflictingschedules,itcan behardtodrawalinebetweenourwaking hoursandwindingdownfortheday.Evenif technicallywe’reputtingthehoursintoour sleep(otherwise,wheredothoseeighthours go?!)weneedtoaskourselves,arewereally gettingqualitysleep?Givenwespendathirdof ourlivessleeping,it’sworthdoingright…right? Whatmakesagoodnight'ssleep? Youknowthatfeelingwhenyouwakeupin

themorning,feelingwell-rested,relaxedand excitedforwhatthedayisgoingtobring? AccordingtoWorldSleepDayprofessionals, thethreeelementsofagoodnight’ssleepare: •Duration-Thisisdifferentforeverybody, andtheoldeight-hourruledoesn’talways apply.Thisisaboutfeelingasthough you’vesleptenoughtofeelreadyfor thenextday.Basically…wakingupon therightsideofthebed!

•Continuity-Seamless,uninterruptedsleep periods(rememberthose?!).Withoutallthe tossing(andtheturning)andthefallingout ofbed.

•Depth-Restorative,deepsleep,thekind thatwe’reallaimingfor!

•Accordingtothesamearticlefromthe WashingtonPost,adequatesleep,(between

sevenandninehoursformostadults)can improvecognition,mood,andalsoboost ourimmunesystem.

Howdowemakethedream(ofagreat night’ssleep)becomeareality? Sinceeveryonelovesachecklist,thenap-loving folksatHarvardMedicalSchoolhavepublished 12keystepsyoucantaketomakesureyouget agoodnight’ssleep.

1. AvoidCaffeine

Thisisatoughone,butexcesscaffeinecan definitelyhinderoursleepschedule.Skip yournight-timejoltorcup’a’joe.

2. Turnyourbedroomintoasleep sanctuary Removedistractions,andrelyonnatural

light,asopposedtointenseoverhead lightinglateatnight.

3.Carveoutanightlyroutinewithlow-key activities

Whetherthismeanslightreadingbefore bed,orlisteningtoameditationtohelpyou driftoff,keepthingslowkey,andputthe workemailsaway!

4.Gotobed,onlywhenyou’retired! Evertriedtofallasleepwhenyou’renot tired?It’sfrustrating(andalittlefruitless). Expertsrecommendleavingyourbedroom environmentandengaginginoneofyour favouritelow-keyactivities(again,work emailsdonotcount!).

5.Thatclockyou’rewatching?Ummlet’s trysomethingelse Watchingtheclockandtryingtocalculate

howmuchtimebeforeyouhavetoget upandstartyourday,vshowmuchtime you’vespentlyingtherecountingsheep,is onlycausingyoumoregrief!Kicktheclock watchinghabitforgood!

6.It’sallaboutNaturalLight! Naturallightandyourinternalclockare thebestoffriends.Yourbodyknowsthat whenit’sdarkoutside,it’stimetosleep, especiallyifyou’vegottenyourselfintoa goodhabit.Ditchthenightlight(it’sok, nojudgementhere),andthephonelight, andletthesundoitsthing.

7. Keepyoursleepscheduleconsistent Pickabedtime,andsticktoit.Ofcourse, thingschangefromtimetotimeand schedulescanbetricky,butkeepingthings (mostlyconsistent)iskey.

8. Loveanap?Getinearly,orskipit altogether Those4pmnaps?They’vegottago!Ask yourselfiftheyhelporharm,andifyou thinktheymightaffectyournight-time sleepquality.

9.Saveyourbiggermealforbreakfast Weloveabigmealatdinnertimeasmuch asthenextperson.Butaccordingtosleep experts,afullstomachrightbeforebed,can actuallyhinderyourshut-eye!

10. Watchyourfluids

Noonelikesamiddleofthenighttriptothe bathroomright?

11. Exerciseearlyinthemorning

Exerciseisallaboutwakingupyourbody andgettingthosemusclesfiringreadyfor action.Rightbeforesleeptime?Notmuch actionhappeningthere!

12.Commit!

Andlastly,newhabitsandroutinetaketime. Givetheabovestepsachanceandtheywill dowonderswhenitcomestosleep.

WORKING FROMHOME

Hybrid workingisanewconcept we’veall become familiar with inthelastfew yearsasthe global pandemic changes howand wherewe work.

Formanyofus,workingfromhome hasbecomearegulareventevenif it’scombinedwithtimeatyourplace ofbusiness.AucklandUniversityof TechnologyBusinessSchoolProfessorJarrod Haarsaysarecentstudyshowsnearlyhalfof theNewZealandworkforceisnowworking fromhomeandofficeona50-50basis.

Crucially,hybridworkersareshowntobe happyandinnovativeemployeessothisera usheredinbyCovidmaycontinueforsometime.

So,let’slookatsomewaystohelpyouwork effectivelyathome.

ManyofourGenerationHomesplans includededicatedcomputernooks,either offthediningroomornestledinthehallway. Thisisapracticalsolutiontocreatetheright atmosphereforawork-friendlyspace.

Someofourplansincludeastudyoroffice, sometimesasseparaterooms,andother timeswiththedual-purposeofafourthorfifth bedroomoraworkingarea.

Ofcourse,manypeoplechoosetodecorate andfurnishaguestbedroomasaworkspace awayfromhouseholddistractions.

Decoratingtheareawhereyouworkhelps createaninspiringenvironment,plusitplaysa vitalroleinyourproductivityandwellbeing.

Dependingonyourpersonality,youmay prefertokeepitsimpleandsoothingorusea boldcolouredfeaturewalltomotivateyou.

Nomatterthedécor–it’simportanttohave acomfortablechairandtointroducesome greeneryandnaturallight.

Ifyouliketobeorganised,storage needstobeconsideredforanuncluttered workspaceandit’sgoodtoshutthingsaway afteralongday.Afewshelves,acupboardor afilingcabinetcankeepthedeskareaclear andhideequipment.

Multifunctionalfurnitureservesapurpose–deskswithbuilt-instorageortablesthatcanbe turnedintodeskshelpmaximiseyourdrawer, shelfandsurfacespace.

Youmaybesharingyourhomeworkspace asit’scommonfortwoormorepeoplefromthe samehouseholdtoworkorstudyfromhome.

Usefurnitureanddecorativeelementsto giveeveryonetheirownpersonalspace,even ifit’sinthesameroom.Andinvestinsome goodheadphonessomeetingscanberelatively privateandnon-intrusive!

Ifyou’rejoininginalotofvideomeetings, remembertosetupaneutralbackdropsoyour companionscanremainanonymous.

Whenthespaceisavailable,it’sagoodidea tosetuparelaxingspotwhereyoucansitdown andfuelyourcreativethinkingifbeingperched atyourdeskisn’tdoingthetrick.

Ifyou’reworkingatthediningtableorinthe familyroom,ensureyouarecomfortable,have goodlightandthere’stherightambiencefor youtoconcentrate.

Occasionallysettingupatthekitchenisland oranothercounterisasimplewaytoincludea stand-updeskinyourworkspace.

•Ifyoucanlookoutsideand getsomefreshairwhileyou’re working,itcanimprovebothyour productivityandmood.

•Separateyourlivingareafromyour workspaceifthat’spossible.

•Similarly,ensurethereareclear boundariesforwhenyouare workingandwhenyouarenot.

•Takeadvantageofthetimeyouused tospendcommutingtoinvestin yourselfbyexercisingorcatchingup onapodcastorthenewsoveralong coffeebeforeyoustartyourday.

Alfrescodining beyondsummer

BYTRACEYHARVEY, FRAZERHURST

mmer need of your morningcoffee on the deck,oryouralfresco dining on thepatio.The AlphaScreenAwnings

RangefromFrazerhurst by Weathermaster® will give you months of extended outdoor living so youcan at least imagineyourselfsomeplace exotic thisEaster.

TheAlpharangeisbackedbyafiveyearguaranteeandoffersunique functionalityandbenefits.Youcan findascreenawningthatperfectlyfits yourhomeandneeds.

YOUROPTIONSINCLUDE:

•AlphaStraightDropSunscreenSystem Greatcoveratagoodprice;thisentry-level straightdropfeaturesatraditionaldesignthat provestobeafavouriteacrossNewZealand. Withthegreatestinstallationflexibilityacross therange,theyaretheperfectchoiceforalmost anyapplication.

•AlphaCableSunscreen

Onestepupfromthestraightdrop,thisawning featureshightensile,marine-gradesteel cablestokeepyourawningsecurelyinplace. Thissunscreenisperfectforcoastalhomesor applicationswhereyoucannotfitchannelsfor theChannelSunscreen.

•AlphaChannelSunscreen

Youcaneliminatelightgapsbysecuringthe sunscreenfabricinachannelandfullyenclose youroutdoorspacewithaChannelSunscreen. Thisoptionisgreatforall-weathercontrolling peskyinsects,andwithnohardwareinsight,it makesforacleancontemporaryfinish.

•AlphaMagnaTrack

Withunparalleledperformance,MagnaTrack isthemosttechnicallyadvancedstraightdrop screenonthemarkettoday.Harnessingthe powerofmagnets,thisawningistrulyone-ofa-kind.

Operationmadeeasy

Alphaoffersthechoicebetweenatraditional crankcontrol,spring-assistormotorisation.

Triedandtested

AlphaScreenshavebeenengineeredtoexceed stringentqualitystandardsforpeaceofmind includingUV,cycle,weightandwindload.

Awningsecurity

Withoptionssuchaslockingboltsandholddownstraps,itiseasytoholdthefabricsecure betweenchannelswhileminimisinganybottom railmovementinwindysituations.

Does your bathroom needa renovation?

BYLAURAHEYNIKE,ONEROOF

COMMENT:A bathroom renovation generally sells itself.Itisa verydifficult and expensiveplace to renovate.

Ifyournewhomealreadyhasarenovated bathroom,thanit’sactuallyworthmore thantheamountyouwouldhavespentto renovateitwhenyouconsiderallthetime, temporaryaccommodationorwork-aroundsit wouldhavetakentogetitdone.

Butifyouaresittingonalittlenesteggand you’rewonderingifit’stime,thenherearea fewthingsthatmighthelpyoudecide.

1.The10-yearexpirydate Compoundingdamagethathasn’tbeen addressedoverthelast10yearswillsuredoit.

Ifyouhaven’ttouchedthebathroomin10 yearsorboughtithowitis,itprobablyhas passeditsexpirydate.

I’mnotsayingbathroomrenovationsshould onlylast10years,butthisiscertainlythepoint whensealsstarttobreakdown.Youmightsee waterdamage,mould,anoutdatedventilation system,dullandinsufficientlightfittings,and yellowingorcrackingofsomefittings.

2.Youcouldoptforarefitinsteadofareno Yourgroutmayneedtobere-groutedandyour tap-warefittingsarestartingtobreakdown onebyone.Ifyouhaven’tmaintainedyour bathroomasyouwouldfortheexteriorby repaintingorstainingthedeck,thenyouarein foragutandrenovateoption.

However,somepeoplearetooquicktowrite theirbathroomoffandgodownthe$20,000plusrouteofarenovation.Insteadyoucould justoptforalesscostlyrefitoption.Upgrade

thefittingsthatyoucanremove,newextractor, lightingandalickofpaint.Perhapsagroutand glasscleaningtreatmentandyou’vebought yourselfanothercoupleofyears.

3.Replacingoutdatedtilesandtap-ware Outdateddecorcouldbeadecidingfactorin wantingtorenovate.Youmayhavejustmoved intoyourhomeandthestyleisnotyou.And that’sok.Inthiscasearenovationmightbe

onyourcards,especiallyifthetilesaren’tyour colourorpreferredstylelikestone,concrete ormarble.

Therearesomecheatwayssuchasthin compositesheetsthatyoucantileoverthetiles insteadofremovingandre-liningbutthat’sfor youtodecide.

Thetap-waremightbethewrongcolour oroutdatedstylewiseandfunctionally.Some fittingsyouwillbeabletoremovesuchasa vanity.Otherwise,itmightrequirethewallto bestrippedbacktoframing.

Ifyouwalkintoyourbathroomevery morningandshudder,thenitreallyistimeto dosomethingaboutittomakeitmoreinline withtherestofyourhome.Riptheband-aidoff andjustdoit.

4.Addingstorage

Ifyourbathroomhasn’tgotmuchstorage,you maybeabletogetawaywithafewsimple tricks.Swapoutthepedestalorone-drawer vanitywithalargetwo-drawervanity.Puta shelfabovethedoorframeforextratowelsor installastoragetower.

Ifyoucan’tfitinstorage,orsimplyneed morespaceinyourlayout,youmayneed aprofessionaltodoadesignfirstperhaps reconfiguringortakingsomespacefrom anotherconnectingroom.Thiswillrequirea renovation,oratleastapartialone.

MakingitDifferent with Stressless

Furniture should be many things: comfortable, beautiful, functional –and also intelligent.

Creatingfurniturethatunderstands thehumanbody’suniqueneedshas alwaysbeenamissionforStressless. Through80yearsofexperienceand devotion,thisNorwaybrandisthemaster ofthisscience–constantlystrivingtocreate furniturethatexceedsexpectationsofcomfort andutility.

Nothingcultivatestheoptimalseating environmentquitelikereliablesupport.The distinctivePlus™systemfromStresslessisa

functionalskeletonofsprings–interpretsyour body’smovementsasyouchangepositionsto provideincreasedlumbarreinforcement.Lie backintoyourreclinerandfeelasyourspine slidesdownthechairandcontinuestobe completelysupported.

Youalsosensetheuniqueheadrestfeature continuestoliftyourheadtoprovidethe mostoptimalbodycurvatureforrelaxation. Asimpleadjustmentreleasestheheadrestto acomfortable,flatpositionidealfornapping.

Now,youcanmaintaintheoptimaltiltofthe necktomakethemostofreading,conversing orsleeping–naturallyandeffortlessly.

Stresslessreclinersarecertainlynotthe onlypiecesofthisremarkablefurniture thatcanreadyourbody’smovements.For example,Stresslesssofasareequippedwith theErgoAdapt®feature,whichallowsthe furnituretoadapttoyourseatingposition. Leanbackintothelongseatorlieacrossthe couchandfeelhowthissystemcontrolsthe

THEERGOADAPT®FEATURE

tiltintheseattoconformtoyourbody’smost relaxedposture.

SittinginapieceofStresslessfurnitureis suchasoothingexperience,itmaybehard topinpointexactlywhichfeatureisproviding naturalcomfort.Beittheuniquesystemof springsconformingtothecurveofyourback, theeffortlessmovementyouareafforded ineverydirectionortheinventivefoamthat cradlesyourbody,itisclearthatourcomplete comfortsystemwasdesignedwithyouinmind.

Leanbackintothelongseatorlieacrossthecouchandfeelhowthissystem controlsthetiltintheseattoconformtoyourbody’smostrelaxedposture.