21 August, 2015
life+style The Weekend Sun Ë›
HOME FEATURE
THE WEEKEND
Steve Bird
Gintastic!
Andy Belcher
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Homey and sophisticated Page 2
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March,2015 2019 life+style The Weekend Sun 2115 August,
Comfort combines with eco-friendly Building functional and stylish homes The Thorne Group is renowned for its architectural designs, market leading interiors and superior quality, and once again the latest show home at the Lakes does not disappoint. While sitting on a 528sqm site, the home doesn’t compromise on its sense of spaciousness, and boasts a large separate lounge with high raking ceiling and built-in windowseat and cabinetry. The lounge is extended seamlessly through over-lit glazing to the covered outdoor area. This exterior space creates an extremely versatile extension of the home and is the ideal space to entertain or enjoy a barbecue. The kitchen and dining area can be closed off by a large steel framed glass door with reeded glass, which also allows heat retention in winter. The ‘raw’ feel of the steel door is juxtaposed against the soft, warm feel of the interior cedar linings that flow through to the exterior. The large opening and glass ensures there is always an ‘open-plan’ feel, and it also increases the flexibility of spaces when required. Behind the functional kitchen is a large walk-in pantry on one side and a study area on the other. This area also opens to another outdoor deck to extend the dining space. A feature cedar slat eyebrow roof extends over the deck, creating shade and filtered light. The interiors feature a combination of natural
materials which blend with its organic feel, combining sophisticated elements such as the gold Calacatta marble backsplash in the kitchen, natural stone and large internal floorto-ceiling steel and reeded glass door, with a warm texture of New Zealand wool, linen and deep cedar timber spine wall, creating the interior connection between living and dining. “We wanted to do something that was bold and pushed the boundaries a little bit, whilst still being warm and welcoming,” says Lisa Buck from Thorne Group. “We looked to a lot of Parisian and European design.” The result is a homely yet sophisticated feel, while still being bold in its form. The exterior is neutral and soft while the interior is slightly more serious. But it’s not just about the looks. This home also has added eco features that make it stand out from other houses. It has been purpose-built to gain accreditation as a six-star Homestar rated home - a comprehensive, independent national rating tool that measures the health, warmth and efficiency of New Zealand houses. This home’s design is optimised for passive solar energy, for the local climate and site conditions, to maximise the home owner’s comfort and health while minimising energy use. “We are able to achieve this via the correct placement of windows and doors, along with eaves positioned and sized accordingly to manage solar gain throughout the year,” says Jon McAlpine from Thorne Group Architecture.
The home is situated on a northerly aspect and is elongated along the east/west axis. It is orientated so that the winter sun can warm up the home, but exterior shading on the northerly side restricts the summer sun. Alongside the design itself, all of the fixtures, fittings and materials have been meticulously thought out and calculated to ensure they comply within Homestar guidelines. This is an extensive list, including increased insulation in the roof, ceilings and flooring that improve the thermal envelope of the home. In addition, special glass has been installed that reduces heat loss by up to 59 per cent compared to standard double glazing. Also meeting strict guidelines are water saving devices on tapware, Greentag certified wall linings, environmental compliant paint,
electrics and flooring. The carpet is even made from recycled fishing nets. There is also a special EV charger to charge an electric car in the garage, alongside an internal clothes line and bike racks. Once again, the Thorne Group have delivered a unique showhome. “It is word of mouth that has built our business, and we are extremely proud of this,” says director Peter Buck.
15 March, 2019
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15August, March, 2015 2019 life+style The Weekend Sun 21 OPTIONS
FURNISH
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15 March, 20192015 21 August,
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Refreshed and revamped!
The Barrett Homes showhome in Golden Sands has had a makeover! This delightful, 202sqm, four-bedroom home has been refreshed with new paint, carpets and blinds and all new furnishings. Based on the standard Miro plan, this home has it all, including a Monier Solartile package. There is a 2.5m stud throughout, as well as a raking ceiling in the kitchen/family area that amplifies the spacious, open plan feel of the home. The covered alfresco area flows seamlessly from the main living space, and Kwila decking sets a smart tone for entertaining. Superior fittings in the bathrooms, including marbled tiled floors, gives a sense of luxury. The home comes wired for today’s electronic needs – with an AV hub to store componentry out of sight and also removing the need for a bulky cabinet in the lounge space. Back in the kitchen, behind the central island (complete with two in-wall ovens and a gas hob), a walk-in pantry
helps keep everything tidy and well organised. The splashback has a modern herringbone pattern which is an eyecatching feature of the space. The bedrooms are well appointed, with one room currently staged as an informal office. The master bedroom is fitted out with luxurious linens and has an ensuite with a level entry tiled shower. The master walk-in wardrobe has plenty of storage, and there are two additional storage cupboards off the hallway. The Miro is one of many standard plans from Barrett Homes – all of which can be customised to suit your needs. The company has a strong footprint in Papamoa, but builds right across the Bay of Plenty and further afield. The Barrett Homes Golden Sands showhome is open from TuesdaySunday, from 12-4pm. For house and land packages or design and builds, come and speak to the team for all your home building requirements.
“The Miro is one of many standard plans from Barrett Homes – all of which can be customised to suit your needs”
171 The Boulevard, Golden Sands, Papamoa Open Tuesday-Sunday 12-4pm Ph 07 929 7841 www.barretthomes.co.nz
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March,2015 2019 life+style The Weekend Sun 2115August,
Steve Bird Wines Opening up the China market Sitting with Steve Bird in the garden at Fish Face, it’s hard to believe he’s still not ageing.
Steve & Caroline Bird with children, Adriana & Patrick.
It’s been quite a while since we last met. I put it down to the grapes, the laughter and the genuine warmth behind the quiet banter. He loves Fish Face. “They know their business really well,” says Steve. “They’ve developed a loyal following in this town. When it comes to talking about the food to their customer base, we know they’ll talk about our wines the same way.” It’s important to Steve to put his brand in good hands and develop a one-on-one personal relationship that’s mutually beneficial. “The food they produce is absolutely a perfect match with the wines we produce,” he says. “There’s never a conversation about price - it’s always about service.” Steve loves to walk into the restaurants that stock his wine and see what else is going on and how he can add value to their customers’ experience. Steve Bird Wines is still the small family business with the immense heart of generosity and sharing that’s been evident since before it started trading in 2005. What I love about them is how Steve and Caroline Bird have won numerous gold awards with their signature blends, while carving out a solid business founded on manakitanga, whanaungatanga and kotahitanga. The value placed on these principles around family, reciprocity with giving and receiving support and goodwill, and the feeling of unity is what drives a sense of going forward in business together - with their growers, suppliers and the restaurants they
supply wine to. They’re now entering a new and exciting era of their wine making journey, with the development of what is one of New Zealand’s most innovative business solutions – to take high-quality local food and beverage products direct to Chinese consumers through a collective of Maori businesses. After visiting and studying Chinese businesses while on a trip to China with Waikato University, I was surprised and delighted to see how much in common both the Chinese and Maori people have around doing business. “It’s all about the relationship,” says Steve. “Strangely enough, that works for us. We think in terms of generations and so do they. “In the markets we’re going to, it’s important to have a really strong identity and a great story. That’s the only way you’re going to differentiate yourself from the hordes. “It’s tough here, but wait until you get to China and see how tough it is. Family is sacrosanct over there.” The formal agreement to create the HUI Maori Collective was signed at the Beehive in October 2018 in the presence of the Minister for Trade and Economic Development, David Parker, and the Minister for Maori Development, Nanaia Mahuta. Steve Bird Wines is one of the 11 companies in the collective which together will sell a range of premium products, including wine, Manuka honey, fruit bars and Kawakawa soft drink. Te Puni Kokiri and Poutama Trust have also provided support for the new collective and enterprise.
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“Steve Bird Wines is one of the 11 companies in the collective which together will sell a range of premium products, including wine, Manuka honey, fruit bars and Kawakawa soft drink”
“We’re eternally grateful to them,” says Steve. Their Maori-branded product suite will be hosted on NZ Post’s flagship store on the e-commerce platform Tmall Global, which is part of the Alibaba Group. Chinese customers can order online, and NZ Post will then package the order from its Auckland Airport warehouse and send direct to Chinese consumers in a partnership with China Post. This innovative solution is underpinned by a world-first verification process developed in collaboration between AsureQuality, New Zealand Post and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise for the HUI Maori Collective. The ‘Food Trust Framework’ means that Chinese consumers can be confident that their goods do come directly from New Zealand and the authenticated Maori producers in the collective. The HUI Collective launched in China in November, during the China International Import Expo in Shanghai. “The NZ Trade Enterprise teams in Auckland and Shanghai have been spectacular,” says Steve. “So polished, and very capable. We’re very grateful for that assistance. “The HUI launch was the best event we’ve ever thrown there. The Chinese government officials were seriously impressed. A large portion of that is due to Tiki Taane - his performance just blew them away.” Despite the enormous potential ahead, Steve still likes to spend what seems like a disproportionate amount of time on what is clearly the Maori competitive business edge – developing those oneon-one reciprocal relationships. “They talk about the concept of five cups of tea,”
Steve Bird with Fee Brando from Fish Face.
he says. “If you’re doing business with Chinese, you’ll sit down and start talking. “You’ll probably have five fairly lengthy meetings before you talk about whether you can supply a product. They will investigate you in detail. ‘Is he real? Is he genuine?’ are questions they ask.” Steve has had his eye on the entire Asia amphitheatre for years, right through the fight to stay afloat during the global financial crisis, forging a new market back into the USA, and through developing the Tuku Maori Wine Collective with other likeminded people. He’s resilient and, above all, sowing a Rosalie Liddle Crawford future of manakitanga.
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March,2015 2019 life+style The Weekend Sun 2115August, Angela Rogers
An epic food fight! Top chefs compete at rescued food festival I popped in to Our Place on Willow Street to see what all the food fuss was about.
The committee discuss the upcoming rescued food festival.es
Angela Rogers and Ian Mikkelsen.
Good Neighbour’s Angela Rogers had her head in a box of lettuce and tomatoes, and was looking for something to attack one of the chefs with. Nearby, Tauranga chef Ian Mikkelsen was already ‘weaponised’ with a French stick at the ready. Over by the stage, Rachelle Duffy was doing what she does so well – organising an event and working with a team of people. “What’s going on?” I asked. I could hear talk of raffles, prizes, face painting and food, glorious food. The committee around Rachelle was humming with enthusiasm. Angela had set up the Good Neighbour stand, so I took a closer look. Some of the fruit had markings, but otherwise it all looked very ‘organic’. “What is this for?” I asked. It turns out that top Tauranga chefs are getting their knives out ready to compete in the biggest ever rescued food festival to come to the Bay. On March 23, from 10am-3pm, at Our Place, chefs from Somerset Cottage, Halo, Clarence, Robert Harris, Waihi Beach Motel, Nomad and Mount Bistro will be taking up the challenge to create top cuisine from rescued food. They then have to convince us all to eat it, for just $5. The chef that sells the most wins the challenge. It looks too easy, and the rescued food already looks delicious.
The Synergy Technologies Ltd ‘Food for Thought’ Rescued Food Festival will see our best chefs take part in this competitive cook-off, and involves corporate teams from Countdown, Pak’nSave Cameron Road, Brookfield New World and Synergy Technologies. What is rescued food? It’s food that’s good enough to eat but not good enough to sell. Good Neighbour is the organisation that has been collecting or ‘rescuing’ food from supermarkets, markets, distributors and cafes before repackaging it and distributing to local organisations to use. They even have a fruit picking team. They joined forces with the Te Aranui Youth Trust to run the festival as a fundraiser involving food, and at the same time help people learn to take care of the environment. Ian is the new owner of Robert Harris Tauranga, and he plans to take out the winner’s trophy. He’s worked as a pastry chef in five-star resorts, and learned his craft under the tutelage of European pastry masters. “It’s important to me to offer my time and skills to be part of this food festival because I want to show people what can be done with ‘waste’ products,” Ian says. “As a father to two young children, I want them to live in a society where everyone has enough.” “We want people to come along and have some fun,” says Angela. “Come and sample street food made from local rescued food by top chefs, their corporate teams and Toi Ohomai hospitality students.” Entry is by gold coin donation. Rosalie Liddle Crawford
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Gincredible Boutique gin festival for the Bay Event specialists Becks Clarke and Amy Kemeys are thrilled to be launching Gincredible - a new boutique festival on the Tauranga scene. Taking place on Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, March 31, on the Village Green at Tauranga Historic Village, the Bay of Plenty Gin Festival - Gincredible will be a celebration of food, entertainment and craft gin distilled in New Zealand from a small number of artisan producers. “We’re partnering with The Incubator and Steampunk Tauranga to give our festival a Victorian era feel,” says Becks. “People will experience the charm of yesteryear as they stroll the cobbled streets of the village. “Having the Steampunk and artist community from the Incubator there will help us create a lovely space that is well thought out and ambient.” The R18 event will be tailored to meet the cultured tastes of a mature audience. “The NZ craft gin industry is small and sophisticated, and gin is becoming more fashionable,” says Becks. “We want our guests to feel like they are part of something that is abuzz with people.” Entertainers at Gincredible will include Catriona Fallon, The Sweet Leaf Trio, The Afrolites, Mason Jar and Sam Graham. “We are very fortunate to have such amazing talent here in the Bay. We didn’t have to look far
to fill our line up.” Of course the true heart of the festival will be the gin, and there are superb brands being showcased over the weekend. These include Blush Gin, Little Biddy Gin, Juno Gin, Indiginous Gin, 1919 Distilling, Denzien Urban Distillery, Hidden World Gin, Lighthouse Gin, Dancing Sands Distillery, Bureaucrats Gin, Sundown Gin and Curiosity Gin. Fever-Tree is the official tonic sponsor, with Tauranga City Council, Gin Zealand, Tauranga Party Hire and The Big Picture all supporting the inaugural festival. “We’re really passionate about local,” says Becks. ”We want to create an experience for our people here in the Bay, and celebrate our region.” There will also be master classes on both Saturday and Sunday with Little Biddy Gin telling its West Coast story, Hidden World Gin discussing gin as the new IPA, and Indiginous Gin outlining ‘The Craft of the Art’ of gin making. A range of local food vendors will be providing dietary options to cater for all tastes and requirements, including vegetarian and vegan options. “We know there are a lot of things on during the weekends, so chose to run the festival over two days,” says Becks. “We wanted to provide the public with opportunity so they don’t feel like they are missing out.”The festival from 12noon to 6pm on both days, with tickets available from: www.bopginfestival.co.nz
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March,2015 2019 life+style The Weekend Sun 2115August,
Andy Belcher
Andy Belcher Legendary versatile photographer I was having a coffee at Grindz with Andy Belcher recently, and we browsed through his book of over 200 photographs.
Photo: Bruce Barnard
Girls in red cat suits on the back of motorcycles, someone leaping from Auckland’s Sky Tower, the Kaituna Jet, Targa Rally NZ, White Island, the Rotorua canopy zipline and Waitomo Caves - so many photos. Such wonderful wildlife, interesting people and happy moments that celebrate life. “How long have you been doing this?” I asked. He grinned, and his eye lit up. Positive and upbeat, it is his cheerful personality that originally drew me to want to find out what drives him. His photographs reflect a lively, vivacious nature, and his body of work is legendary. We figured out it’s been 35 years of photography, resulting in a huge and diverse range of stunning images from the worlds of tourism, travel, adventure and underwater. Then I turned a page. A stark photo confronted me. It was one of Andy sitting amongst a scene of complete devastation. His face and shoulders told a story of shock and trauma. “I nearly got killed by a tsunami in Samoa,” says Andy. “It struck on the very first morning of a holiday in 2009. I was running up the hill with the water sweeping up behind me. “I met Brett Phibbs the day after, and we went down the coast. He said ‘show me how you feel’, so I sat there, and he took the photo.” The photo subsequently appeared on the front page of a national newspaper.
Another dramatic moment was nearly drowning in Vanuatu. “I was on a trip for Ocean Action Magazine and we’d heard there was a tame dugong across the other side of the island of Tanna. “Some local kids came with us, and stood in the water splashing. The dugong popped up. “The water was murky so I was encouraged to swim out to get better photos. I was only on a snorkel, not scuba. “All of a sudden the dugong rocked past me. I got some shots and he came past again. I flipped over to head back and the next thing I knew he came up under me, throwing me out of the water.” Badly winded, Andy struggled to shore. “I later heard that the dugong had taken a scuba diver down to the bottom, and quickly realised that could have been me. He was trying to get his own back I guess.” His photography started with underwater photography in 1984. “I spent a week in Papua New Guinea diving, and the water was unbelievable. The coral colours were fantastic and something about that clicked for me. “When I came home I bought an underwater camera. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, and I hadn’t thought of becoming a photographer. I just wanted to take pictures underwater.” He’s met challenges along the way with his ‘can do’ attitude. The ability to bounce back is huge for Andy, and his ‘seize the day’ approach to life was resonating with me. “The only way to survive as a photographer is to be
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versatile. People phone up and say ‘can you do this or that?’ Even if I’ve never done it before, I’ve said ‘of course I can’. “When asked ‘can you shoot digital?’ I said ‘yes’. I then put the phone down and went and bought a digital camera.” From photographing the Rena to many other projects, Andy has found that one job often leads on to the next. “I had a call from TVNZ in the 1990s asking if they could use my photographs to promote funding for their new documentary. “I said ‘yes’, but also asked if they needed a stills photographer for the documentary. Two months later they rang back, said they had the funding, and asked me to join them. I had nine months of sailing through the Subantarctic, Fiordland, Solomon Islands and Tasmania. “I won first place in the British Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards, and went to England to receive the award from Sir Richard Attenborough. From that I had a call from Japan to go and shoot more projects.” In Fiji he met a filmmaker with a drone. Arriving home he bought himself one, of course. “Basically, the way I like to work is to think outside the square,” he says. I disagreed somewhat, suggesting he’s someone who likes to jump outside the square. Not surprisingly, I learn he completed 421 sky dives in his early 30s. He’s written books, photographed weddings and run photography workshops. He tells anyone who wants to learn underwater photography
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to go and do 100 dives first, then come and see him. After guest speaking at a Te Kuiti meeting, someone asked if he photographed adventure sports. “I said ‘of course I do’. “He got me to photograph The Lost World Cave at Waitomo.” Dangling off the cave ropes was Andy’s introduction to adventure photography. “Once word got around that I was abseiling down into holes, that spread, and I got a reputation for doing speciality underwater, tourism and adventure. “I’ve got to keep doing it and applying myself to making my images creative. I like to create stuff so people ask ‘wow, how did you do that?’ “An opportunity can open something else, and you never know what can come from it. Rosalie Liddle Crawford “Always say ‘yes’.”
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