Eastlife march 2016 by Times Media

HOWICK, BOTANY, PAKURANGA AND SURROUNDS

eastlife.co.nz

March 2016

Farida

MASTER OF HER CRAFT

Focus on

FOOD

FASHION on the run...way

eastlife | march 2016 |

MREINZ

total focus

Issue Thirty Three

PROPERTY LTD

Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)

Welcome to Issue No 33 of Eastlife

March, no it cant be, is it me or are the mornings getting slightly cooler. This year is really flying by so quickly, partly I feel due to activity levels in the market, with a real shortage of good property. With our database of cashed up buyers growing by the day we really do need more homes to sell. So if your contemplating a move do give us a call or pop into the office for cuppa and a chat. Until next month, take care Leigh

Space - Style - Location

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This delightful home exemplifies family level living at its best. Situated within Willow Bank Primary, Somerville Intermediate and Botany Downs Secondary College school zones ideal for a growing family. Superbly functional enjoying excellent proportions throughout. The five double bedroom layout with study, two living spaces & three spacious bathrooms will cater for all the family. Move straight in and enjoy…………By negotiation - call today and don’t miss out! www.tfproperty.co.nz - ref:TFP38100

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my Jimmy Dean destination.

Tracey Flack 0278 230 557 David Prescott 021 821 131

To have your property featured in Eastlife for next month call one of our team today.

3 Kurnell Drive, Howick - Auction 4pm, 16 March 2016 Opportunity Knocks Whether it’s a solid brick and tile family home, with mature trees, & privacy, just bathed in sun plus a generous double garage/workshop & lots of off street parking you want or perhaps it’s the 855 sqm corner section just ideal to develop further, either now or in the future. Come take a look and you decide as there are lots of options on offer here! A generous dining room with sliders opens out onto a super private patio - just perfect for entertaining, whilst the lounge is both spacious and inviting with lots of windows, all bathed in sun and light. Built back in 1970’s this Fyfe ex-Show home was a real head-turner, and quite honestly still is. www.tfproperty.co.nz - ref:TFP38098

Our team!

Greg Roy AREINZ 0274 966 966 Principal

Leigh Roy 021 646 565 Director

Bath

Car

Leigh or Greg Roy 021 646 565 0274 966 966

The “Real Estate Specialists”

Tracey Flack 0278 230 557

David Prescott 021 821 131

2 | eastlife | march 2016

Bed

111 Picton Street, Howick

Lynne Hodges 021 467 940

Lawrence Roy 021 660 085

Paul Charlesworth 027 280 9551

Karen Dawson 538 0151

www.tfproperty.co.nz www.eastlife.co.nz

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on the cover

Value our freedom Autumn is officially here but it seems summer is reluctant to depart, the warm temperatures apparently set to continue for a time. With Easter early this year – March 25-28 – this ongoing good weather is good news. Hopefully, holidaymakers will still be able to relax at the beach and enjoy the outdoors.

Although super warm weather with plenty of sunshine is still dictating summer dressing for beach excursions and barbecues, it won’t be long before the days cool. So, when the chill sets in, those who want to be up with the fashion play should be checking out the latest looks at the Auckland Fashion Week 2016 winter collections and awards’ night set to go this month at Alexandra Park. See story page 34 Photographer: A la Mode Photography by James Saunders. Model: Stephanie from Denyse Saunders Model Management. Hair & Makeup: Coutoa Makeup

Ph 09 271 8020 www.eastlife.co.nz Editor: Helen Perry 09 271 8036, editor@eastlife.co.nz Sales: Rachel Watts 09 271 8019, rachel@eastlife.co.nz Sales: Bev Drake 09 271 8092, bev@eastlife.co.nz Sales: Rashna Tata 09 271 8091, rashna@eastlife.co.nz Design: Clare McGillivray 09 271 8067, clare@eastlife.co.nz Photography: Wayne Martin Manager: Karla Wairau 09 271 8083, karla@eastlife.co.nz Level 1, The Lane, Botany Town Centre, Botany, Auckland. PO Box 259-243, Botany, Auckland 2163 Like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/ eastlifemagazine DISCLAIMER: Articles published in EastLife do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers or editor. All material is provided as a general information service only. Times Newspapers Ltd does not assume or accept any responsibility for, and shall not be liable for, the accuracy or appropriate application of any information in this magazine. All the material in this magazine has the protection of international copyright. All rights reserved. No content may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Times Newspapers Ltd.

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We really are very lucky in this country – recent low fuel prices have meant out of town travel is the most affordable it has been in some years and we have such freedom to go where we want.

Hats off to all three who made relatively light of each situation – they held their cool and even managed to laugh. It made me wonder what the reaction of the perpetrators would have been had the same been done to them – perhaps not nearly as accommodating me thinks? And, in some countries their actions would have incurred a hail of bullets.

In fact, we have a lot of freedom in New Zealand to do a lot of things including having easy access – maybe too easy – to our members of parliament and to our Prime Minister.

While I understand that there were frustrations prompting each individual attack, it doesn’t make them acceptable. Imagine if we all went around taking a similar stance – dumped on the neighbour whose maintenance standards didn’t meet ours, shoved a retailer whose goods were substandard or rammed the motorist travelling at 40kph in a 80kph zone?

In light of several recent incidents in which the PM, John Key and MPs, Steven Joyce and Gerry Brownlee were verbally abused and assaulted, perhaps the day is coming when we won’t be so privileged.

I could go on with the seemingly ridiculous, and I certainly acknowledge there are times when I feel enraged by the actions, or sometimes the lack of action, by those I feel should know, or do,

better. But that’s when we need to exercise that little attribute called control. Not always easy but when we lose it, the real trouble begins. Usually on a small scale but, boy, when it escalates we’re in big trouble. So, here’s hoping Kiwis continue to appreciate the freedom we have – the ability to speak out when we want to and to get close to our MPs – but, hey, let’s cut the abuse and keep criticism professional. Bad behaviour doesn’t achieve anything and we certainly show ourselves in the poorest of lights. Now, that I’ve vented my feelings on the matter (and at the risk of coming across as a bit of a dil-do) I hope you all enjoy this month’s EastLife.

Helen Perry Editor

This month... 4-5 community calendar Sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson

Q&A

Carla Tonga – hands on homes

12-13 INTERVIEW

L ocal journalist pens riveting biography

15 interview

eks books NZ for young B Kiwis

16-17 interview Former beauty queen reigns in garden

18 interview Kerryn Winn – king of Elvis in the Gardens

WIN

odaStream, garden S products, cookbook, hair pack and more

21-33 Lifestyle

• Woodlyn Park wonder

EastLife down and dirty at TV’s Filthy Rich launch, page 11.

• Bon Voyage – Tahiti • Singapore sling • Love Lis’ art biz • Puzzle time

34-44 health, beauty and fashion

• Fashion • Beauty counter • Power hooping

44-57 food • Chocolatier extraordinaire • Chefs’ recipes • Quartet of cookbooks • Dining Guide

58-69 home • My favourite thing • Out of Europe • Dulux autumn colours • Rocket success • Irish moss • Regular columnists

70-74 business

• Retirement savings • Relationship property • Right ‘Hon’ Key

75-79 SPORT & Motoring

• Parting shot • Joeli Vidiri – Blues legend • Mercedes coming to town eastlife | march 2016 |

March 2016 ➤ MUSIC Elvis in the Gardens March 13, 11.30am-6.30pm, Auckland Botanic Gardens, 102 Hill Road, Manurewa If one Elvis can entertain, a flock of said rockers is sure to im-Presley! Featuring numerous performers from New Zealand and abroad – and a Priscilla thrown in for good measure – Elvis in the Gardens is again set to prove fans will never walk alone! See elvisinthegardens.co.nz for more information. To read more about show organiser, Kerryn’s Winn, and his ways on stage, see page 18. Wild World – The Music of Cat Stevens March 18, 8-10pm, Howick Club, 107 Botany Road, Howick While some may still implore Yusuf Islam to knock off his Cat-erwauling, since this soulful performer first invited us all aboard the Peace Train, it’s been music to the ears of many. To celebrate the Wild World of Cat Stevens’, Kiwi singer/songwriter, Bryce Wastney, will present Cat’s classics to a Howick Club audience. Details at howickclub.co.nz and brycewastney.com. Groove in the Grapes March 19, 3-10pm, Turanga Creek, 133 Whitford Park Road, Whitford With blues pop and rock, from musicians including Tom Rodwell and Charlotte Jones, on tap, everybody’s liable to be groovin’ in the grapes in March. Details at turangacreek.co.nz. 3 Tenors & a Soprano Reunited March 22, 11am-1pm, Picton Centre, 120 Picton Street, Howick Three tenners can buy you breakfast, but three tenors will provide a feast

➤ festivals & expos

of musical entertainment. In this show, three great tenors will join one soprano to entertain audiences with hits including O Sole Mio, Nessun Dorma, My Way, the Pearlfishers Duet and Come Back to Sorrento. See daytimeconcerts.co.nz for details.

➤ festivals & expos Manukau Armageddon March 5-6, from 10am-5pm, Vodafone Events Centre, 770 Great South Road, Manukau It’ll soon be the end of the world as we know it, but we feel fine, because, as this acclaimed comic/ sci-fi expo has been waged for almost 20 years so far, we’re pretty sure it’s not quite time to repent! Featuring super heroes, TV and movie stars, fantasy folk and fanatical gamers, Armageddon is an event to which many are sure to be... drawn. More details at armageddonexpo.com/nz.

➤ aRT Rae McKeown March 4-27, Friday-Sunday, 10am-3pm, Green Gables Cottage Art Gallery, Hawthornden Reserve, 66 Cook Street, Howick Multifaceted painter, Rae McKeown will fly her colours proudly during her exhibition this month. What’s more, works by the experienced, local artist will be available for sale with proceeds used to support the South Auckland Totara Hospice. The Hive Hums with Many Minds March 12 – May 29, Te Tuhi gallery, 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga, and Silo 6, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland City Exploring how vast, global infrastructures – including road

Auckland British & European Car Show March 6, 10am-3pm, Lloyd Elsmore Park (near Howick Historical Village), Pakuranga If you can’t wait to turn over your Roller, or if your (classic) BMW is downright loveable, this event is for you! Featuring the best of British (and most excellent of European) cars – from Aston

and rail networks, submarine cables, satellites and electrical grids – affect our Kiwi reality, this exhibition features an eclectic variety of artworks ranging from video and sculptural installations to photographs and drawings. For more information about this two-part show, see tetuhi.org.nz/exhibitions. Howick Camera Club’s 60th Anniversary March 19, from 5pm, The Howick Club, 107 Botany Road, Howick The shutterbugs will be swarming down at the Howick Club this month! To celebrate 60 years of making it snappy, Howick Camera Club members and friends will enjoy a night of dinner, dance and more, including more than just a little wisdom from guest speaker and NZ Geographic photographer, Arno Gasteiger. For more information, see howickcameraclub.org.nz.

Martins, Minis, MGs, Bentleys and Jaguars, to Porsches, Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, VWs and many more – this new event is sure to spark interest. Organised by Auckland car clubs, the Auckland British & European Car Show is free for exhibitors and spectators; donations for Howick Historical Village will be appreciated, however. See briteurocarshow.nz.

➤ SPORT & fITNESS The Panasonic Peoples Triathlon Series – Maraetai Beach March 20, Maraetai Beach, Maraetai Following its first local leg of the season, Auckland’s longest running triathlon series continues at Maraetai Beach ahead of the final event at Mission Bay (April 10). The series features a variety of distances in both triathlon and duathlon disciplines. See peoplestri.co.nz for details. Ellerslie summer season (continues) Dates and times vary, Ellerslie Racecourse and Event Centre, 80 Ascot Avenue, Remuera As racing’s golden days continue, unbridled entertainment abounds. Visitors will be revved up for racing as horses on courses put their best Barfoot(s) forward during Auckland Cup week – featuring BMW NZ Derby Day (March 5) and Barfoot &

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Thompson Auckland Cup Day (March 12). Offering plenty of entertainment, and even the chance to take a turn on the catwalk with $30,000 of prizes up for grabs, there’s plenty served up during the Cup! For more information, see ellerslie.co.nz.

claws into one eligible chap. Austen’s iconic game of love tale about characters to the ‘manners’ born is set to take on new life outdoors (weather permitting) at the historical village. Details via the events section at fencible.org.nz.

➤ faMily fun

comedy night March 11, 8-10pm, Uxbridge Creative Centre, 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick Hosted by (perhaps) the world’s funniest Indian, Tarun Mohanbhai, Uxbridge’s Comedy Night is likely to knock ‘em dead! The ex-Pakuranga College student will lead a team of stand-up guys – including host of TV’s 7 Days, Jeremy Corbett; master impersonator, Cohen Holloway and highly-regarded newcomers, The Fan Bridge. To read more about Tarun, see our May 2015 issue at eastlife. co.nz, and see uxbridge.org.nz for more information about this show.

Movies in Parks – big hero 6 & inside out March 5 & 12, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Sir Lloyd Dr, Pakuranga, and Sunkist Bay Reserve, 58 Wakelin Road, Beachlands. As the sun sets on Auckland Council’s Movies in Parks, locals will roll up to Pakuranga and Beachlands to view family films in the great outdoors. On March 5, Academy Award-winning film Big Hero 6 will show at Lloyd Elsmore Park, followed by Inside Out at Sunkist Bay Reserve in Beachlands on March 12. For more details, see moviesinparks.co.nz. Summer boost – family garden & Movies under the Stars Saturdays until March 12, 10am-3pm, Fencible Walk, Uxbridge Creative Centre, 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick With everything from live music in the sun (all going according to plan!), storytelling, art activities and outdoor games, to classic movies under the stars, Saturdays at Uxbridge offer fun for all the family. Movies include The Goonies on March 5 and Night at the Museum, March 12. See uxbridge.org. nz for details.

hlt Studio – that face March 23-26 from 8pm (matinee March 26, 2pm), Howick Little Theatre, 1 Sir Lloyd Drive, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga Expect more than just a little more

from Howick Little Theatre! In addition to its main season, HLT presents That Face, a new drama from its Studio programme. When Mia, drugs a fellow student, her school sends for her father. Meanwhile, her brother, Henry, drops out of school to look after their alcoholic mother. Can the family restore sanity into their lives or will their world continue to crumble? For details see hlt.org.nz/ whats-on/hlt-studio. you can always give them back March 31 – April 16, SkyCity Theatre, Corner Wellesley and Hobson Streets, Auckland City Getting to Carnegie Hall might require a lot of practice, but getting to Roger Hall simply requires a quick trip to the city. In this comedy – by iconic, Kiwi playwright, Peter Hall – a life of gin, golf and overseas holidays appears to be sailing over the horizon for Maurice and Kath as the pitterpatter of little feet threaten. Sure, the children may have flown the nest but that doesn’t mean there’s time to relax; their offspring’s back so there’s bound to be trouble! See the ‘what’s on’ section at atc.co.nz for details.

howick Village Market Every Saturday, 8am-12.30pm, Picton St, Howick classy crafts First Saturday in March, followed by fi rst and third Saturday of the month until October, then every Saturday in November-December, 9am-1pm, All Saints Community Centre, Cook St, Howick Pine harbour fresh Market Every Saturday, 8am-12pm, Pine Harbour Marina, Jack Lachlan Dr, Beachlands clevedon Village farmers’ Market Every Sunday, 8.30am-12pm, Clevedon Showgrounds, Monument Rd, Clevedon clevedon Village Market Every Sunday, 9am-2pm, Clevedon Community Centre, 1 PapakuraClevedon Rd, Clevedon Pakuranga night Market Every Saturday night, 6pm-12midnight, under The Warehouse, Pakuranga Plaza

➤ coMEDy & thEatrE Pride & Prejudice March 4, 12pm and March 5, 2pm, Howick Historical Village, Bells Road, Pakuranga If you’d like to get a load of Darcy, here’s your chance, readers! This play, based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, shows what happens when five 19th century ladies try to sink their

➤ MarKEtS

➤ faMily fun botany community Day March 5, 10am-3pm, Town Centre Drive, Botany Town Centre Botany Town Centre comes alive this month (even more so than usual) during the annual Botany

Community Day. From market stalls to live, local entertainment on stage, exhibitors and visitors are expected to be there in the square! More information via botanycommunityday.co.nz.

botany night Market Every Wednesday night, 5.30-11pm, beneath Hoyts Cinema, Botany Town Centre alfriston country Market First Saturday of each month except January, 9am-12pm, Alfriston Community Hall, Mill Road, Alfriston

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Q&A

with

Carla Tonga

(Our First Home)

By now, many DIY-DNAed Kiwis will be as enthralled with TVNZ’s Our First Home as we are at EastLife. This month, we chat with local builder, Habitat for Humanity worker and Our First Home ‘prize’, Carla Tonga. What does your role on Our First Home involve? I’m the show’s ‘Chippie of the week’ a new element introduced for this season. At the end of each week, the families’ finished spaces will be judged and the family deemed to have added most value to their home will win my help for the following week. I’ll do what I can as a builder to help them progress through their renovations. Did you watch the show last year? If so, who were you cheering for? I haven’t owned a television for almost four years, but I made sure I watched season one. The Schreuders [winners of season one] were my favourites, not only because I liked Tom’s work methods, but because I feel I have a connection with the family and we [east Auckland] locals have to stick together! Where were you born and raised and why did you move to our area? I was born in Whanganui and raised in Manurewa from age two. I moved to the area about nine years ago and have lived in Pakuranga and Cockle Bay, and I’m currently settled in Howick. The area has so many desirable attributes it was an easy decision to make the move. I can comfortably say it feels like home.

make when I love doing everything! I’m a single parent, but I don’t think it would make a difference if I had a partner – I would still be the handy one, but I would make sure I taught him a thing or two as well! I really enjoy showing my daughter how to use tools. When she leaves the nest I hope she’ll be able to do things for herself too. What does your role with Habitat for Humanity involve and how important is the work they do? My ‘day job’ is working as the building apprentice for Habitat for Humanity Auckland, the first place to offer me site experience. I don’t have any other trade qualifications yet, but building is at the top of my list. I’m interested in project management, architecture, art, and anything that has practical purpose. Habitat for Humanity is an international housing charity and I assist with building and teaching volunteers how to build. I’ve also been involved with some project management and engaging with other trades involved in completing a home.

Most of my family are handy with something – cars, carpentry, plumbing, organising. I owe a lot to my family; they may not realise it, but they’ve all taught me valuable lessons that I am very grateful for.

We believe in a world where everyone has a decent place to live – shelter is an essential part of living, and warm, safe, and healthy homes for families is Habitat’s goal. Our work is important because we help families into home ownership in Auckland and around New Zealand and also build in developing countries. We act as a gateway for donations and as a rebuild response team following disasters, such as Cyclone Winston which hit Fiji recently.

Are you handy around your own home?

Can anyone volunteer to assist Habitat for Humanity?

I’ve always been keen to fix things up, whether it’s for me, friends or family. I love getting stuck in. If it’s a problem I don’t know how to fix, I’ll sure find out how! The issue is time management, ensuring I don’t over commit and remember there is life beyond ‘the build’. Hard decisions to

Anyone looking to have a productive vacation while travelling, should visit habitat.org.nz to see where build teams are headed and make enquiries. You don’t need building experience, just a passion for the cause.

Do you come from a ‘hands-on’ family?

6 | eastlife | march 2016

Considering your work with Habitat,

Photo supplied

volunteering with the Pakuranga Athletic Club and your TV role, how do you find the time for DIY at home? It is hard to squeeze everything in, but I guess it’s all a part of growing. Keeping an open mind helps to make those decisions. In short, there is no time to waste except time wasted doing nothing! If you could be Minister for Building and Housing for one day, what would you do first and why? Talk to the right people! Building the right team would be my first priority. Once you have the right team, you know the work will be done well. Sometimes success is not about making new rules; it’s about ensuring you have the right tools for the job – that’s where I would start. If you could invite any three TV stars to dinner (living or dead) who and why? TV’s Peter Wolfcamp, Paul Henry and Jeremy Wells. Thanks to

their honesty, knowledge, and controversial conversation, I would imagine it would be a pretty entertaining evening!

OMG it’s OFH! Climbing the property ladder (particularly in Auckland) is no easy task. However, thanks to TVNZ’s Our First Home (OFH) aspiring to its first rung has become easier for some young couples. In its second season, the show – again hosted by ex-east Aucklander, Goran Paladin – follows the fortunes (and failures) of the Wotton, Roughan and Pearce families as they purchase, renovate and sell their first homes. Our First Home screens on TV ONE, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays from 7.30pm. To read more about last year’s winners, the Schreuder family, see our February, April and August 2015 issues at eastlife.co.nz. www.eastlife.co.nz

Auckland City BMW

Newmarket

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FROM $72,000.* JOIN THE LEGACY. BOOK A TEST DRIVE TODAY. Auckland City BMW 7-15 Great South Road, Newmarket. (09) 524 3300. www.aucklandcitybmw.com

www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 |

*Recommended Retail Price based on BMW 320d Sedan and includes GST, excludes on-road costs. 00101-v2

BMW Derby Day Saturday 5th March 2016 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day Saturday 12th March 2016 Tickets & more ellerslie.co.nz

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polo open clevedon The bold and the beautiful stood out amongst the 7000-strong crowd at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Land Rover New Zealand Polo Open at Clevedon which raised $42,000 for Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust. Photographer CARMEN BIRD was there to capture their good spirits.

1. Wilhelmina Shrimpton, Mel Homer 2. Shelley Ferguson, Susie Hickey, Niki Lambert 3. Sam Hopkinson, Mike Beagley, Simon Wilson 4. Bridgette Jackson, Kham Jones 5. Natalie Chan, Michiko Hylands 6. Emma Land, Ricardo Simich 7. Vanessa Crockett, Holly Armstrong 8. Anthony Stone, Rebecca Stone, 9. Tom Bates, Michaiah Simmons-Villari, Dominic Bowden 10. Lulu Wilcox, Alysha Brown, Phoebe Loloma

10 n Photography by Carmen Bird | For orders email carmen-marie@xtra.co.nz | www.carmenbirdphotography.co.nz

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eastlife | march 2016 |

botany summer bbq The 2016 Botany Summer BBQ, hosted by Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross, simply sizzled with scores of families turning out to enjoy fun activities in the grounds of the Old Flat Bush School Hall. Photographer WAYNE MARTIN snapped guests enjoying themselves.

1 1. Sarah Hartford, Vicky Toussaint, Lucy Schwaner & Emma Smith 2. Jennifer Yuan, Michael Wang 3. Kaileigh Howard, Henry Ross 4. Katie & Macy Deadmarsh 5. Roger Shen, Arlen Wang & Wanyue Wang 6. Darren Flavell, Milan Flavell & Kian Kennedy 7. Annette, Kayla, Isaac and Edwin Zwanenburg

LIVE DRAW DATES (OUTSIDE FARMERS) Saturday 5th March Saturday 12th March Saturday 19th March Saturday 26th March

3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm

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CAN YOU CATCH $10,000 T&Cs apply. See online or the entry form. Campaign runs Saturday 27 Feb â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thursday 24th March eastlife march 2016 with final|prize draw|Saturday 26th March.

Simply spend a combined $30 at the Plaza. Enter the competition and be at the live draw where one lucky customer each week will get to step inside the prize cube to try and grab $10,000! HOW? Spend $30 in the Plaza and enter the draw to win.

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celebrities turn out for filthy rich launch party Photographer CARMEN BIRD made sure she caught up with guests enjoying themselves at the launch party for new local television drama, Filthy Rich screening on TV2, Monday and Tuesday evenings at 8.30pm.

1. Megan Robinson, Rebecca Zwitser 2. Emily Robins, Jodie Rimmer 4. Vinnie Bennett, Frankie Adams 5. Tania Anderson, Theresa Healey 6. Alex Tarrant, Miriama Smith, Taylor Hall, Emma Fenton, Josh McKenzie

7. Cherelle Duggleby, Lucy Ewen, Kate Simmonds 8. Matilda Rice, Art Green 9. Ricardo Simich, Imogen Johnson 10. Mel Homer, Lulu Wilcox, Liz Delaney, Lindi Kingi 11. Erroll Shand, Rachael Blampied, Mike Edward

11 n Photography by Carmen Bird | For orders email carmen@garmenbirdphotography.co.nz | www.carmenbirdphotography.co.nz

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eastlife | march 2016 |

Life-changing project In a biography on human rights campaigner Zerbanoo Gifford, author and local journalist, Farida Master writes in admiration of the outspoken philanthropist. Here, HELEN PERRY writes in admiration of a colleague whose account of a remarkable woman’s zest for life is both a revelation and an inspiration.

In her own words Farida Master left, ‘home, hearth and husband’ to zoom half way round the world on a project which was to consume her for three years. She was committed to writing the story of Indian-born, UK-based Zerbanoo Gifford, renowned for championing women, the poor and the racially oppressed. “I first met Zerbanoo when I interviewed her for a magazine. We got along famously and it was then that the idea for a greater project emerged. We agreed to meet in India some months later and from there the book snowballed into what was to become a life-changing project for me. “However, when I embarked on the task set for me, I learnt not only about her youth and upbringing but also about her pioneering political work which has, over the years, inspired the UK’s Asian community. It was both exciting and overwhelming.” “Then I became immersed in her more recent and ongoing work at the ASHA Centre which promotes peace, interfaith and intercultural understanding amongst diverse groups, especially youth. In fact, it was there that I stayed for almost four months researching and shadowing Zerbanoo wherever she went.” Farida says while a general timeline covering the course of events in Zerbanoo’s life was integral to the biography, what she most sought to encapsulate was her subject’s energy and passion for life. “Attempting to harness Zerbanoo’s power and to slow her long enough to speak in any sort of sequence was a task in itself. Life, for a time, was like being on roller skates. “I often found myself running up the flight of stairs that connected to Zerbanoo’s home, my hair uncombed, trying to button my shirt and slip on shoes while grabbing my coat, scarf and laptop all at once. It was an elementary lesson that not only time and tide but also Zerbanoo, waited for no one not even her biographer. “With so much to do she was always on the run, fired up with new ideas and theories and an exhausting list of things to achieve.”

12 | eastlife | march 2016

Apart from trailing behind her, playing armchair psychoanalyst and spending endless hours talking to Zerbanoo’s friends, family, colleagues and others, Farida also braved a cold attic to leaf through thousands of press cuttings, letters, cards and memorabilia. “My laptop became my most important possession and although my host was so inspiring, throughout this long journey making sense of her ‘uncensored life’, I never fathomed how the universal spirit scripts the intricate wisdom of billions of lives while I grappled with just one.” So, what was intended as a few weeks in Gloucester interviewing Zerbanoo ended up as 16 weeks living with the Gifford family during which time Farida delved into Zerbanoo’s life including her Zoroastrian roots. “Our ethnic heritage was something we had in common, I too am of Zoroastrian descent subsequently we formed a bond – the first time we met our common heritage seemed to provide an easy understanding between us. But, at the outset I did wonder where to start; there was so much to assimilate and to condense. I wondered if I was up to it.” But Farida certainly was and the project came to fruition when Zerbanoo Gifford – An Uncensored Life – was published by Harper Collins India and launched at the Times LitFest India in December last year. “I flew to Mumbai for what is India’s most prestigious writer’s festival and all the way there my emotions wavered between excitement and apprehension,” says the Botany resident and news editor for Botany and Ormiston Times. “The prospect of being among some of the world’s renowned authors was overwhelming; in fact, I felt a bit of an imposter.” But she needn’t have worried; Farida’s book received high praise. “I was thrilled when it was embraced by the critics and by people who knew of Zerbanoo as a human rights campaigner but not the extent of her wider work or of her struggles over the years. I think they, like me, were amazed by her energy, irrepressible spirit and her stubbornness.

‘

My laptop became my most important possession and although my host was so inspiring, throughout this long journey making sense of her ‘uncensored life’, I never fathomed how the universal spirit scripts the intricate wisdom of billions of lives while I grappled with just one.”

“Acknowledging that Zerbanoo has faced many hurdles in life – and managed to leap over most – Farida says one of the biggest obstacles for the campaigner was finding a permanent home for ASHA, the centre to which she is now devoted. “ASHA fosters community participation through a holistic programme of performing and visual arts, conservation projects, sustainable living and personal transformation but importantly, it cuts across all creeds and cultures, a big hurdle to leap.” Now located in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, ASHA occupies a large Georgian home set amongst beautiful gardens with a stream and some 3000 roses, but it took several years before this permanent site became a reality after the foundation was denied its first and second choice of sites around London. “However, in true Zerbanoo style, she and her supporters finally found their home in a beautiful part of England where barriers between race and religious are slowly being broken down,” Farida says. “While this is a time-consuming task, it is one shared by her family and many supporters and I just know, it won’t be the last project Zerbanoo puts her mind too. “She has the ear of influential people worldwide and I’m sure she will continue to be a voice on issues where discrimination and oppression are practised and where she can initiate change.”

FARIDA MASTER www.eastlife.co.nz

WRITE ON! Throughout her 30 years as a journalist, Farida Master has been closely connected with high achievers known for their perceptive thinking. Currently news editor at the Botany and Ormiston Times, she started her career in Mumbai, India editing Stardust magazine, which focused on the lives of movie stars. She next launched Society Fashion, another glossy magazine covering haute couture and fashion trends. Other challenges followed including the editing The Pune Times of India. Then in 2004, Farida (and family – husband Khushroo and daughter, Sanaya) headed for New Zealand. Here, she took a post with the former Aucklander community newspaper, wrote for the NZ Herald and worked on other projects. Now, she plans to ‘live the adventure as it comes’.

A FULL LIFE In a nutshell, Zerbanoo Gifford was born in Kolkata, India. Her father was Bailey Irani, founder president of the World Zoroastrians Organisation, and her mother is Kitty Mazda, who studied child development with the educationalist, Madame Montessori. Raised in London, where her parents ran a hotel, she attended Roedean School, near Brighton. Zerbanoo’s charity work started in childhood when, even then, she was moved by the plight of the underdog. As an adult, she was honoured with the Nehru Centenary Award for her work championing the rights of women, children and minorities. As a young woman in London Zerbanoo worked tirelessly for the charity, Shelter, then in 1982 she made political history when elected, in Harrow, Middlesex, as the first non-white woman councillor for the Liberal Party. In 1983 she was the first Asian woman to stand for parliament in Hertsmere, gaining the highest recorded vote of a non-white at the time. Although she missed election to parliament, Zerbanoo was elected to the Federal Executive of the Liberal Party, the first non-white elected to a governing body of a major UK political party. She has since served on many committees and today heads the ASHA Foundation and Centre. www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 | Photo supplied

Ryman serviced apartment resident Joyce with her daughters

“I feel like I’m on a cruise ship!” Joyce has recently moved to a serviced apartment, and her daughter Lynley can’t believe how her mum’s attitude towards life changed. “She was enjoying life again, and her health was so much better. She has so many wonderful reasons to get up each day”. Lynley finds it very reassuring that there’s someone around 24 hours a day if her mum needs help. “She can just press

a button and the staff will be there. It’s a huge relief ”. Joyce had been losing her confidence with driving and she felt like her independence was slipping away. Now, she joins the shopping trips and outings from the village each week. “I have a bounce in my step again. And I love having my friends to visit. I feel like I’m on a cruise ship without the seasickness!”

Everything taken care of...  Your housekeeping looked after

 A delicious main-meal

prepared by our chef daily

 Transport to the local shops  Electricity and heating

included in your weekly fee

 Morning and afternoon tea Towels changed daily Emergency call alarm system

5706

795 Chapel Road, Howick

12044

For more information about assisted living in a serviced apartment, call Catherine or Chrissie on 09 535 0225

14 | eastlife | march 2016

www.eastlife.co.nz

Bek’s book takes tiki tour Tama the kiwi may be flightless but the hero of a new children’s book is by no means grounded. In fact, this intrepid bird has no trouble travelling from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island, revealing New Zealand’s treasures to young readers as HELEN PERRY discovered when she spoke to local author Beks Bongiovanni. Raised in the Bay of Islands, well travelled, married to an American and the mother of three children, all born in the States, Shelly Park’s Beks Bongiovanni says motherhood in the USA set up a yearning for easyto-read, fun books that taught expat children about their homeland. “In having children overseas, I remembered all the wooden, Kiwithemed memory games and puzzles I had as a kid so I was always asking Mum to find children’s books that showcased New Zealand. “There is the Wheels on the Bus book, the Little Kiwi series and a few books which are just nice stories with a local influence, but nothing much about our geography, the names of places I’d visited growing up and the wonderful landmarks.” Primary school teacher Beks says she had never thought of writing a book but living overseas, (in particular, the States for 7 years) and reading hundreds of books to her own children, she decided to ‘just do it’ – the end result, Tama the Kiwi Tiki Tours New Zealand. “I wanted it to be relevant to Kiwi expats, especially those with children or grandchildren, who wanted to show off their country in pictures and words to the younger audience. “The basic idea came from the GoodNight Books’ series by Adam Gamble. I love the Little Kiwi books and we have a few but Tama the Kiwi is more of a geography story about New Zealand places, regions and landmarks that Tama encounters on his tiki tour of the country. “And, the tourist market seems to love it too; it’s proving a great gift to send to family and friends overseas.” Beks is also keen to see schools integrate the book into the curriculum so Kiwi kids learn about different places around the country in a teaching environment. She, herself, was bitten by the travel bug at a young age and set off on her European O.E. aged 24. Keen to www.eastlife.co.nz

see more than London she took a job as a nanny in Dublin which included travelling with the family to the USA, mainly New York City. “It was on one trip that I met my husband, Mike. I returned to Dublin, finished my contract and flew to New York.” Beks and Mike married there but later moved to Los Angeles where their first child, Ben was born. Then it was back to New York for two years where Beks had her daughter, Samantha. “We then had two years in Chicago and along came number three, Charlie, now two and a half! We didn’t have family nearby but we visited New Zealand every other Christmas and I loved coming home to the easy going pace of life. And, the kids just loved being on my parents’ farm. Weighing up the advantages life here offered, the ‘half Kiwi, half American’ family decided it was a good time to make the move to New Zealand.

BEKS BONGIOVANNI

“It may well be that the kids return to the States for college but for now they all love living right here in Howick’s Shelly Beach where they can enjoy this special piece of New Zealand’s geography!”

was difficult; it was all about nap time. I’d had the idea in my head for a while but to sit down and write, I had to rely on that short window when one child was at school, another at kindy and the little one was napping!

Beks says Charlie, in particular, is besotted with Tama the Kiwi and takes it everywhere, even to bed.

“I didn’t need to do a lot of research as I had travelled extensively throughout New Zealand. However, I did have to do some reading about Southland and Stewart Island.

“His favourite page is the Wairarapa spread as it has the rainbow dozers launching boats at Ngawi. “When the initial design and words came together, we tested it on the kids and they asked for us to read it over and over again so I thought I must have done something right!” And if Beks has the words right, her brother-in-law, Laker, has captured Kiwiana magic in his beautifully detailed illustrations. “Laker’s a freelance illustrator and dreamed of illustrating a children’s book. This was perfect.” As for me, finding the time to write

Photo Wayne Martin

Then she did an amazing job setting up the business side, including the website, social media and press releases. Tama is now in a dozen New Zealand outlets and that’s growing. We’ve had a great response from primary schools and Early Childhood Education centres and from several countries overseas.”

“Of course, I’m hoping Tama will continue on his travels but it all comes down to time – there never seems to be a quiet moment and it’s not just the writing. The illustrations take hours of dedication and commitment – Laker is such a perfectionist and then there’s the time to publish and market.

With this book all about seeing New Zealand, Beks hopes it will spark a desire in Kiwi children to travel. “I’ve been travelling since I was a teenager. I did a Rotary exchange to New Caledonia when I was 13 and an American Field Scholar exchange to Chile at 16. I was at boarding school in Auckland for Years 12 and 13 then went to Massey University for my teaching degree before heading to Europe in 2002.

“We self published. My sister’s background in marketing, copyright and editing slotted in perfectly as did her digital marketing expertise and team management skills.

“The travel bug is a wonderful thing and maybe Tama will help youngsters aspire to travel the world but not before starting on their own doorstep.”

“She kept us on a strict timeline, helped with editing and grammar.

Buy Tama the Kiwi Tiki Tours New Zealand at www.tamathekiwi.com eastlife | march 2016 |

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Photo supplied

My challenge was to get the kids excited about veggies and we all know that isn’t easy,” says Danijela. “However, their commitment to the garden has been a big step in helping them to not only try new foods – namely vegetables – but to actually discover they aren’t yucky!

Grooming gardeners

far cry from pageant prEENing Eighteen year old school girl Danijela Unkovich was crowned Miss Howick in 2009. The following year she was named first runner up in Miss Universe NZ, her beauty, elegance and grooming recognised by the judges. Last month HELEN PERRY caught up with the former beauty queen and discovered the inner beauty that impressed then, still shines. Some seven years have passed since former Howick College student entered the Miss Howick pageant with no real expectations except to have fun and to become more selfconfident. Today the assured Dingwall Trust nutritionist bears no resemblance to the somewhat reserved teenager who was terrified of public speaking before the contest experience gave her new found poise. “The whole experience was absolutely fantastic. We had so much fun, I made lifelong friends and I remain close to the pageants’ organiser, Val Lott. I credit both contests with developing my self-confidence at an age when teenagers are still very young and often delicate. I never imagined where the experience would take me.” However, while delighted with the outcome of her endeavours, Danijela was happy to put such pageants behind her and concentrate on a career in health and nutrition. In 2010 she enrolled at Massey University where she later completed a Bachelor of Science with a double major in human nutrition and human physiology. “I’d been passionate about good nutrition from my early teenage years when I had problems with my skin. I did some research and realised that an improved diet and exercise would help.

“My interest evolved as I made the transition to healthier eating and living and I soon knew this was something I wanted to pursue as a career.” On graduating, Danijela gained a post as nutritionist at Dingwall Trust, which provides support services to children and young people in need of out of home care. “I’m loving every minute and find so much satisfaction in educating and inspiring these young people to make healthy diet and lifestyle choices.” In particular, she is totally involved in the Trust’s Garden to Table project, a New Zealand food education programme aimed at improving food literacy and choices among school age children. The first non school to be accepted into the programme, the Trust has now established its own community garden producing virtually all the vegetables it needs. “My challenge was to get the kids excited about veggies and we all know that isn’t easy,” says Danijela. “However, their commitment to the garden has been a big step in helping them to not only try new foods – namely vegetables – but to actually discover they aren’t yucky! “It’s wonderful to see them all playing their part, from the little three- year-

From garden to cookbook With its Garden to Table programme proving to be a huge success, staff and children at Dingwall Trust were keen to put together a cookbook in which they could share healthy recipe ideas that have sprouted as a result of their garden efforts.

Garden to Table programme. With members and supporters of Dingwall Trust contributing recipes, there are sections on vegetables, fruit and eggs covering savoury and sweet items thus ensuring there is plenty to please every taste.

Subsequently, Fresh from the Garden has come to fruition and funds raised will go towards maintaining and furthering the

The cookbooks costs $30 and can purchased by contacting Danijela via danijela@dingwall.co.nz or phone 09 278 3699.

www.eastlife.co.nz

olds who love to water the garden to the older teenagers who can push a barrow. They plant, weed, compost, water, and even run a worm farm. After less than a year we have a massive garden, and a glasshouse, producing all sorts of vegetables.

In addition to her work at the Dingwall Trust, Danijela writes a weekly healthy eating blog – www.healthyalways.co.nz – and has built up her instagram account – @healthyalways – to more than 110,000 followers.

“By taking ownership of the garden the kids are not just learning to appreciate and enjoy vegetables they are learning gardening, skills and all about nutrition, the environment and sustainability.

What’s more, come the weekend she can generally be found at Feel Fresh Nutrition in Grey Lynn working one-toone with clients. “Helping individuals to adopt a healthier lifestyle is another dimension and it’s so rewarding to see them make changes week by week, small steps at a time.”

“It’s fun and it’s stimulating. What kid doesn’t love to play with soil and get his or her hands dirty? What’s more, they see vegetables actually coming out of the ground. They can take a newly dug carrot, run it under the tap and bite into it. Some of these kids have seen carrots only on a supermarket shelf.” Danijela also provides two recipes a week as part of the process in which the next step is to teach the children how to cook healthy meals using the produce they have grown. “Importantly, the recipes are budgetfriendly so they learn that eating well doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money. The whole idea is to provide a good, wholesome and nourishing environment which caters for all.” And that goes beyond the garden. Danijela says the children especially love caring for the Trust’s two hens, Selina and Georgia. “There’s never of shortage of egg collectors! In fact, the chickens are so popular we need to keep activities around them to the end of the day.” Having seen how successful the Garden to Table project has been at the trust’s Papatoetoe property, Danijela says she can see a time when community gardens will become a part of suburbia. “As sections become smaller, an apartment living increases, community gardens are a wonderful place where individuals can have a plot and still grow their own veggies, learn about gardening and can also progress along a path of good eating habits. Tending one’s own garden can also be very therapeutic, a form of exercise and a release from everyday work stresses.”

And, despite such a full workload – she even manages the occasional modelling job, a result of her pageant days – Danjiela says she feels very lucky to be fully immersed in a career she absolutely loves. “Yes, I’d like to travel more but for now I’m really enjoying my blogs, the Dingwall Trust work and all those other aspects of living healthily. Practising what I preach is very much part of my philosophy.”

Dingwall Trust Founded more than 70 years ago, Dingwall Trust caters for children and young people up to the age of 17, who are in need of care and protection away from home. Its mission is to realise the potential within every child in its care and its purpose is to ensure the children’s future is not limited by their past. With these tenets in mind the Trust endeavours to address age, cultural diversity and gender through its different care houses, both on-site and in the community and considers the needs of siblings to be very significant. Wherever possible, siblings are kept together. Today, an administration office and six care homes (with live-in caregivers) stand on the original site with three additional care homes offsite but close by. The Trust also operates a transition from Care to Independence service which provides mobile, communitybased support to young people transitioning from care to independent living, across the Auckland area. eastlife | march 2016 |

Viva las Gardens! Elvis may have left the building long ago but, thanks to Kerryn Winn, he has stayed put at the nearby Auckland Botanic Gardens. With the next Elvis in the Gardens set for March 13, JON RAWLISON sought a little more conversation with the show’s own Elvis in disguise. Since founding Elvis in the Gardens (originally Elvis in the Park), tribute performer, Kerryn Winn, has witnessed many who can’t help falling in love with the King. “My wife, Katrina, and I created Elvis in the Gardens almost seven years ago. It started [at the Bombay Rugby Club], which it soon outgrew, then moved to the Gardens where it’s been held every year since,” he says. “It’s no easy task putting on such a big, popular event. I couldn’t do it without Katrina – she works her butt off! I focus on the performers and the marketing and she handles operations and funding.” Although Kerryn has performed at the event since its inception, he never walks alone on stage, sharing the limelight with other, handpicked Elvi. “I usually play third or fourth fiddle, and this year’s event is no exception. We’ll again have a some of the world’s best from the USA, UK, Aussie and New Zealand as well as Kay Shannon, a Priscilla Presley look-alike who wowed crowds last year too.” Despite the beliefs of die-hard fans, since Elvis turned up the toes of his blue suede shoes 38 years ago, the King is dead! However, thanks to Kerryn and co’ he’ll live on. However, the tribute performer is no one hit wonder. “I love Elvis, I was brought up with his music, I love singing his songs and he’s my idol. But I do other acts as well: Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, the Bee Gees, Tom Jones and Johnny Cash – my shows are designed to include something for everybody,” he says. “When I get the work and they ask for an Elvis tribute, they’re usually very pleased when I explain there’s so much more on offer.” While some buckle under the pressure

18 | eastlife | march 2016

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I still have a good voice – I’d like a better body, though! While some say I don’t always sound a lot like Elvis, they also say I sing his songs very well. He’s become such a big part of my life. It’s even got to the stage where I’ll be walking down the street and people will say ‘hi, Elvis’! It’s crazy, isn’t it?”

of living up to one of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest legends, Kerryn believes it’s good to be the King. Becoming a fan as a youngster, he cut his teeth on talent shows before settling into work in the marketing and advertising industry. However, in 2000 he resumed his singing career fulltime.

KErryn Winn “I still have a good voice – I’d like a better body, though! While some say I don’t always sound a lot like Elvis, they also say I sing his songs very well. He’s become such a big part of my life. It’s even got to the stage where I’ll be walking down the street and people will say, ‘Hi, Elvis’! It’s crazy, isn’t it?” And yet, the (hunka hunka) burning question remains: does Elvis live? Kerryn responds:

Photo Wayne Martin

“Unfortunately, yes, he is dead, but I’m always amazed at how many young people enjoy his music; it’s timeless so in that way, he does live on. “Having said that, I often say it would be a much better world if Elvis was still alive and all the impersonators where dead!” he laughs. • For more details about Elvis in the Gardens, see page 4. www.eastlife.co.nz

www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 |

Win!

To enter the draw for any of these competitions visit www.eastlife.co.nz click on the competitions link and fill in the form. One entry per email address / person; entries close March 31, 2016. Winners notified by phone or email.

Win! Copies of You Be the Artist Colouring-in is a popular children’s pastime, but it can also be soothing for adults – ironically, many of us could use some colouring-in therapy after wrangling herds of kids! Featuring 17 images by artist, Lisa Robertson, this little gem is designed so completed pictures can be removed for display. Ideal for those with artistic flair, You Be the Artist (available via lovelis.co.nz) is accessible to wanna-bes and young ones too – Lisa’s children have road tested this book thoroughly! We have THREE copies to give away. To read more about Lisa, see pages 26-27. • Lisa Robertson: You Be the Artist – images to colour and frame| RRP $25 | Love Lis

Win! Savar Rosehip Ultra Brightening Serum It’s hip to be Savar! Designed to tighten, hydrate, brighten and penetrate deep within the skin’s layers, Savar’s Rosehip Ultra Brightening Serum offers natural skincare for all skin types. Combining premium ‘superfoods’ rosehips, blackcurrants, kiwifruits, goji berries and bearberries, this remarkable, New Zealand-crafted serum targets fine lines and uneven skin tones, while enhancing and brightening the complexion. Rosehip Ultra Brightening Serum is available (RRP $56.00) from retailers nationwide (or direct via savaronline.co.nz).

Win! A Yates prize pack

Win! A SodaStream prize pack Press play on entertaining with SodaStream Play! Designed to add more than just a little sparkle to the home, this new incarnation of an old favourite brings a splash of colour to any kitchen or bar. EastLife has a SodaStream prize pack (valued at almost $180) up for grabs! Prize includes a SodaStream Play plus a sampler pack of four new flavours – see page 52 to read more.

Fishing for a little assistance in the garden? Yates has some sure-fire solutions! For Yates’ Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food, and Natural Seaweed Tonic, and its Nature’s Way Vegie Insect Gun, ‘organic and natural’ are the watchwords. While these Thrive products give gardens a natural boost, the Vegie Insect Gun shoots down a wide range of pests without resorting to toxic destruction. Thanks to our good mates at Yates, EastLife has a prize pack up for grabs (valued at approximately $60), featuring each of these three products and a selection of seeds.

WIN! The Complete Slow Cooking for Two Just because good things take time, it doesn’t mean they need be complicated. In The Complete Slow Cooking for Two, prolific cookbook author, Linda Larsen, shows how to create slow-cooked dishes with minimum effort. From perfectly braised meats, soups, stews and side dishes, this book is designed to help slow go easy! • Linda Larsen: The Complete Slow Cooking for Two | RRP $24.99 | Exisle Publishing.

WIN ! MOROCCANOIL HOME & AWAY DUO Whether jet-setting around the globe or treating yourself to a tranquil at-home spa day, you can have beautiful, shiny hair with this gorgeous Limited Edition Moroccanoil Home & Away Treatment Duo. Used by red carpet stylists for their celebrity clientele, Moroccanoil Treatment is an all-in-one conditioning, styling and finishing tool which instantly absorbs into the hair to help create luminous shine and luxurious, silky perfection for stunning results. And, now, EastLife is giving readers a chance to win this beautifully packaged, Home & Away Treatment Duo which also comes with a travel-size Moroccanoil Signature Scented Tin Candle. (See further article on style creation using Moroccanoil page 39).

For last month’s EastLife winners visit www.eastlife.co.nz/competitions 20 | eastlife | march 2016

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Captain Cook and Kevin

– tales of a day in paradise

By Gerard Murphy, Director, Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel, Parnell, Auckland I have often wondered what it was like for the Polynesians seeing the huge sailing ‘wakas’ of Captain Cook and others coming over the horizon. It must have been awe inspiring. And, after months at sea the mountainous islands, stunning blue lagoons and dark-skinned maidens of French Polynesia must have been paradise for those early Europeans. Recently, I sailed into these same lagoons on a tall ship, but the people no longer batted an eyelid because Wind Spirit visits on the same day every week. But, as a first time visitor, I was awestruck at the beauty and tranquillity. It is pretty much as Cook found it. Every Friday night Wind Spirit sails from bustling Papeete to be in Cook’s Bay, Moorea the next morning. Early risers amongst us are on deck with coffee and croissant in hand enjoying the tranquillity and watching the sun rise from behind the peaks hugged by just a few clouds. Gradually, other guests appear on deck, some more interested in the breakfast than the postcard scene greeting us, while a small, keen bunch take in a yoga class on the top deck. We watch as ship’s boats are lowered, the sports deck is folded down and water-sports equipment floated at the aft of the ship. Crew members busy themselves with boats and gangways so they can release us to the island bang on 8am.

at The Verandah restaurant sampling fresh tropical fruits and watching chefs prepare omelettes or crepes the way we want them. The crew flash bright smiles and offer advice on what to see on shore. In our case, with cousins straight from a Canadian winter, we elect to take the morning easy so head to the water-sports platform. The warm water is crystal clear turquoise and so inviting. We spend the best part of the morning swimming and lounging on the deck. Midday sees us back at The Verandah for a light lunch and soon after we are down the gangway on to our boat – for just the four of us. On shore we are soon on own taxi tour, off to find tropical fruit icecream at a vanilla farm in the hills, with a beach visit to follow. Sadly, the ice-cream machine has broken and it will be two months before the new one arrives from France, but we are consoled by the most gorgeous tropical cocktail. The rain clouds that

have been building all day finally open to give us a free downpour, abating briefly so we can enjoy the local beach. No tourists – just we four and local families enjoying this paradise. Sadly, our cab reappears right on time. At the pier our two smiling boatmen tell us that as we are the last back so the ship can set sail early and we can enjoy the sail-away in daylight. Flexibility – I love it! Soon everyone appears on deck and we are quickly motoring between the narrow gaps in the reefs. The waiters also appear and one, Kevin, has a cold Minano beer for me – he remembered my choice from last night. He also remembers my name – Wow! Soon the crew seems to know all passenger names. Once clear of the reef the sails are unfurled to the sound of “1492: The conquest of Paradise” by Greek composer Vangelis’– it is magical. Again, I imagine poor old Cook sailing from the same lagoon, reluctant to

leave. He didn’t have our luxuries. He didn’t have the water-sports deck, the Vangelis sound-track or Kevin with a cold beer. And he didn’t have Klaus the jovial chef and his menus, and he certainly didn’t have sat-nav or internet! But he saw the same sunrise over the same peaks and that felt kind of special to me. And this is only day one with six more days of special to wake to. For more call Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel 0800 266 869 or see www.bonvoyage.co.nz

12045

The first explorers head off as we sit

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Windstar Cruises yacht Wind Spirit offers a 7 night Dreams of Tahiti Cruise each Friday from Papeete (5 hours flying from Auckland). She carries a maximum of 148 passengers and 90 crew. Four decks feature three restaurants, a large lounge, small casino, pool, spa, and deck bar, even a library.

www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 |

Lion city roaring

Having spent Christmas holidays in the Northern Hemisphere and South Pacific for a goodly number of years, NATALIE BRITTAN decided to venture East this time round. The thought of celebrating Christmas in an Asian country can be foreign for some. But when the destination is Singapore, the western capital of Southeast Asia, how foreign can it be? The aim was to meet my new nephew, reunite with the rest of the family, entertain a toddler and keep two teenagers, who had never seen Christmas outside of England, amused. While I was no stranger to Singapore having visited many times as a child, I was looking forward to rediscovering the fast-changing financial hub known as the Lion City. Of course, shopping is the national past time and to this end, airconditioned retail enclosures beckoned at every turn – which had the teenagers muttering “not another mall”! Our first destination, just minutes away from our hotel, was VivoCity, the largest shopping mall in Singapore. Having arrived just a few days before Christmas, it was ideal for last-minute gifts and scooping up other essentials we’d left behind. As the big day arrived and a “proper Christmas dinner with all the trimmings” had been decided for the British quarter of the family, off we

22 | eastlife | march 2016

trotted to The Edge restaurant at the Pan Pacific Hotel. Eight at Auckland’s The Langham has nothing on this gastronomic sensation. All-you-can-eat seven open kitchens and a dazzling array of foods including five types of salads, 11 types of sushi, more than 30 varieties of fresh fruit and vegetables, 20 different kinds of cheeses, pizza, pasta, foie gras, 10 different kinds of seafood, black forest ham, rib-eye steak, and all the Indian, Chinese and Malay delicacies you could hope for topped off by a dessert oasis with chocolate fountain – an absolute food marathon. Stuffed like turkeys, we waddled away from our meal thoroughly sated. If this was to be a Christmas tradition, then bring on the next one! We soon discovered Singaporeans’ second favourite pastime is queuing. Any type of food or attraction that is popular is sure to have a queue. Over the next week, we brunched at Wild Honey, a popular cafe in Orchard (mall jungle) serving breakfasts from all around the world; dined at Italian gem, La Forketta in the popular Dempsey district; experienced the vibrant nightlife and snacked at Wings Bar in Clarke Quay; slurped on chilli crab (a Singaporean delicacy) at a bemusing restaurant called No

Signboard in VivoCity; made our own pancakes at an American franchise called Slappy Cakes; and sampled the local cuisine at Lau Pa Sat, a hawker centre (like a food court) popular with the office crowd. Over the course of a week, we would return to VivoCity and its neighbouring mall, Harbourfront, at least five times for food, play and to cool down. It’s also a convenient, 15-minute stroll from Sentosa (Malay for ‘peaceful’) island, a must-visit entertainment hub for Singaporeans and visitors alike. Sentosa is home to the world-famous Universal Studios experience as well as a casino, aquarium, water park and various boredom busters. We made the mistake of queuing for tickets to Universal Studios on the first day after the Christmas holidays.

A full hour perspiring under the merciless sun was enough for us to regret not buying the tickets online. And the queues were unlike any we’d ever seen. A priority pass was a must (how our wallets cried!), and still we queued up to an hour for some attractions. Having already experienced Universal Studios in Los Angeles, it was déjà vu all over again but still good fun for the children. But beware, in a tropical rain storm, the rides tend to be cancelled, so we left prematurely looking like drowned rats – hardly thrilling. Our next attraction Gardens by the Bay, accessed through the Marina Bay Sands hotel and retail development, was a much more sedate but visual experience. Man-made Avatar-like trees lit up at www.eastlife.co.nz

night, and European-style Christmas markets made for a very surreal experience. While entry to the main area is free, it was ticketed entry for the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, possibly the coldest places in Singapore. Like giant greenhouses, they contained every exotic plant imaginable. The Flower Dome was a little light on floral varieties, but the Christmas display was breathtaking. Snow, poinsettias, Christmas trees, tin soldiers, Russian dolls, you name it, set the tone for a magical winter wonderland quite uncharacteristic of a tropical country.

The Cloud Forest was even more dazzling. Cascading from 35 metres above, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall was nothing short of spectacular.

We finally made our way to the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel, rising 57 storeys to a thin strip housing a bar, pool and restaurant balanced precariously across three towers.

Here, lush vegetation from tropical highland forests up to 2000 metres above sea level thrive and visitors can wander around the mountain realm through an elevated canopy walk.

Entry to the bar was free provided visitors were dressed smartly and bought a drink. The two teenagers felt most grown up indeed as we surveyed the twinkling lights of Singapore’s bright skyline at night.

After the botanical extravaganza, we visited the adjacent Marina Bay Sands Shoppes, where all the world’s most unaffordable names stood under one gleaming roof.

Come New Year, we counted down and watched fireworks burst across the sky from my brother’s apartment complex which had panoramic views.

Winding through the waterways and hallowed halls of this glittering retail haven we soon stumbled on refreshments.

Like the display we just witnessed the city reflected glitz and intensity from every corner, and that’s Singapore for you: rich, showy and extravagant.

An afternoon high tea at Singaporean novelty cafe, TWG Tea, charmed with delectable tiers of macarons, sandwiches and scones. It was a sweet reminder of the Lion City’s British colonial past.

While we loved the big city feel, it was nice to return home to New Zealand where the crowds don’t suffocate, and the pressure on the pocket isn’t as great. At least, we’ll be prepared next time!

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eastlife | march 2016 |

It’s Woodlyn’s ahoy! Plane, train, ship or hobbit house? Guests staying at Woodlyn Park, Waitomo, home to one of the country’s most unusual motels, and Billy Black’s Kiwi Culture Show, can choose from any of these fascinating options but it was ‘aye, aye, captain’ when RACHEL WATTS and friends visited recently. A night at unique Woodlyn Park had been on my wish list for some time so when my girlfriend and I ventured south with our eight-year-old daughters in tow, this piece of Kiwi ingenuity seemed perfect for a novel girls’ getaway. As it turned out, the very appealing hobbit houses – our first choice – were fully occupied and the plane wasn’t suitable for our party of four. So, I booked the captain’s quarters aboard the Waitanic which looked attractive and spacious. On arrival we were all in awe at this impressive piece of New Zealand heritage which had served as a patrol boat in the Second World War. The captain’s quarters were stately and roomy with an elegant main bedroom, two bathrooms plus two nicely outfitted cabins down below. We really liked the set up with living area opening to its own deck and master bedroom opening on to the bow – sadly, there was no water to surround this lovely vessel. We were also lucky enough to have a sneak peek into the other

Photo supplied

accommodation. The hobbit house was quaintly decorated and clearly a favourite with many hobbit lovers. The plane, a Bristol freighter was snug and simply furnished, while the train offered more style and space. It was very appealing. Importantly, each option made for a different experience.

the girls, who from the outset were gob-smacked by the whole set-up, were only too happy to oblige.

Just a couple of kilometres from Waitomo, the rural surrounds were pretty indeed. We enjoyed venturing around the property with the staff introducing us to the resident donkey, sheep and possum, which loved to be fussed over. What’s more,

But Woodlyn Park offered more than just fun accommodation. There was a Kiwi Cultural Show staged on selected days as well as a separate function centre with adjoining theatre exuding plenty of rustic charm. This area also showcased many photographic glimpses of farming in New Zealand as it once was. Accommodation ranged in price from $180 to $285 per night per couple with the show $28 per adult and

$16 per child. Sadly, we missed the show as there were not enough seats booked when we stayed but I’m told it’s like none other. After our most pleasant overnighter, it seemed to me that Woodlyn Park has wide appeal and, for children, it is something of a magical place – what ‘littlie’ wouldn’t want to spend a night in a hobbit house, plane, train or ship. But it also stands to reason that the charm of the whole Billy Black/ Woodlyn Park escape is bound to capture the imagination of the child in most of us. It certainly cast a spell on us.

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Whe in sha achi with y ﬁnanci to en Their coac rea

WAIHEKE’S FAB THREE Three new, exhilarating wine and food tours, operated by Fullers, are providing island visitors with the perfect way to experience the best of this Gulf jewel!

SEcluDED, SEnSational As its name suggests, Off the Beaten Track takes visitors to the quiet and secluded beauty of three magnificent vineyards located in more remote areas. After a Fullers cruise to Waiheke, guests are greeted by their tour driver then taken to Batch Winery, Waiheke’s highest altitude vineyard with sweeping views from Coromandel to Auckland City. After a winery tour and wine tasting, it’s lunch in the vineyard’s restaurant, Thomas’s Bach. Next stop is Waiheke’s most awarded winery, Passage Rock for wine sampling including their highlyacclaimed syrah. Then it’s onward for tapas and wine tasting at Casita Miro, the recipient of many awards, including Best Rural Restaurant Personality of the year in the Metro Magazine’s Top 50 Auckland Restaurants.

fooD, WinE MatchED Waiheke’s new degustation style tour is a hit with wine and food lovers. Once again travel is via Fullers ferry to the island with guests being then taken to three premium vineyards where it’s all about beautifully matched wine and food showcasing some of the best seasonal food on the island. First stop is Mudbrick Vineyard with its sweeping views of the Hauraki Gulf and manicured gardens. Here guests are treated to exquisite food with three accompanying wines. Next, is Peacock Sky’s tasting room where award-winning wines and perfectly matched food will

delight the senses. Soak up views of neighbouring eco-farmland or stroll the vines for a glimpse of wild peacocks. Last stop, Cable Bay for a behind the scenes vineyard tour of a world class winemaker at work then relax in The Verandah overlooking the Hauraki Gulf while sampling superb cuisine and sophisticated wines.

DinE, WinE by tWilight Add shine to your working day by booking on to the new Twilight Dinner tour which provides a relaxing evening cruise to Waiheke for wine tasting and a two-course dinner whilst seeing the island in a whole new light. On arrival at Matiatia you are transported to Batch Winery to enjoy a premium wine tasting against stunning vistas of the island and its beaches in the evening sun. Then it’s on to Cable Bay Vineyard to dine on the finest cuisine with superb wine while relaxing in The Verandah – take in glorious views of Auckland City and the Hauraki Gulf while the sun sets adding glow to the experience! Finally, it’s back to the ferry for the 8pm sailing to Auckland and an opportunity to photograph the city’s glittering skyline. Visit www.fullers.co.nz

EVERy GUy (AND HIS DOG) HAS THEIR DAy It’s a dog of a job protecting New Zealand’s borders from unwanted pests but, thankfully, the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) pooch is more than capable of working long hours without complaint.

present] Not only can’t we stock every replacement part we might need, we often only require a small number of units which can be really expensive to produce and can involve delays,” he says.

This means arriving international passengers are in for a doggone surprise when they are welcomed to New Zealand by a new in-flight biosecurity video featuring Officer Goodboy, MPI minister, Nathan Guy, explains:

“A big advantage of 3D printing is that it allows us to make cost-effective lightweight parts ourselves, and to do so quickly without compromising on safety, strength or durability. It seems the possibilities [for 3D printing] are limited only by our imaginations.”

“The video uses an animated beagle called ‘Officer Goodboy’ to grab people’s attention and deliver a serious message at the same time... It’s very important to educate about how important biosecurity is to New Zealand, and the importance of declaring risk items.” Voiced by popular Kiwi comedian, Te Radar, Officer Goodboy is translated into seven languages to ensure the message is widely received. “New Zealand is never going to achieve its ambitious economic goals without protecting ourselves from unwanted pests and diseases,” Mr Guy adds, “We need passengers to understand what they need to do to keep New Zealand safe.”

nEW Part(S)-on thE horizon Ironically, modern technology has not killed print; in fact it’s reaching new heights as a result. Air New Zealand has been working with AUT to 3D print fold down cocktail trays for its aircraft. However, the airline’s chief operations officer, Bruce Parton says the sky’s no limit in terms of potential applications.

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“Aircraft interiors are made up of tens of thousands of parts. [At

MPS taKE thEir (chEaP?) SEatS One would think Economic Development Minister, Steven Joyce, might be a little gun shy when it comes to flying things, but it seems he’s still prepared to rise to the occasion when reeling in government spending. Mr Joyce has confirmed the MBIE (Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment) will return to market for it’s All-of-Government (AoG) Air Travel contract in an attempt to drag costs down. Such contracts are designed to harness government buying power. “The contract was initially signed in 2011 and around 290 agencies and schools are now participating. It expires in December 2016 and [the ministry will] retender it, rather than exercise any renewal options,” Mr Joyce says. “The decision follows a robust review which showed changes in domestic and international markets are generating increased competition on key flight routes, while some routes are no longer serviced.” The current air travel contract – which, Joyce says, has saved government agencies more than $37m to date – is currently with a several airlines including Air NZ. eastlife | march 2016 |

Business down to fine art Running a business of any scale or nature requires dogged determination. However, for east Auckland-raised artist, Lisa Robertson, drawing on animalistic instincts takes on more than one meaning, as she explained to JON RAWLINSON.

Ask any small business owner and they’ll tell you that freedom isn’t free. The liberty attained as master of one’s own working destiny comes with a heck of a cost in sweat, tears, and (in the case of Lisa Robertson) paint. “I love being able to do my own thing – I don’t much enjoy being told what to do! But, while I’m in my own happy little world – and it’s great that people like what I produce – running a business is far from easy!” she says. Approximately two years ago, Lisa rekindled a life-long passion for painting which soon developed into a home-based business. Since then, under the banner of Love Lis, Lisa has sold thousands of prints of her work to art lovers worldwide. “Sales have been enormously helpful, seeing as we have four kids. They probably won’t pay for any huge family trips to Disneyland anytime soon, and I could well make more if I had a fulltime job, but I love the work,” she says. “I’m crazy busy, working pretty much fulltime, both with painting and the admin side of the business, but it also allows me to be home for the kids as well. I’ve just been so blessed with how well it’s gone; it’s been amazing yet I never really saw it coming.” For Lisa, the key to success has been in doing what she loves then discovering a way to help make it pay the bills. “To me, success comes about from doing something you love; I wonder how many small businesses, which

26 | eastlife | march 2016

don’t do well, actually love their work. This is the first time in my life where I feel I’m really doing what I love and not one day has been a chore. That’s something we all look for in life but I don’t know how many find it.” A key ingredient in Lisa’s work is in keeping costs low and efficiency high. An initial plan to outsource production of her fine art prints quickly fell by the wayside for this very reason. “I was outsourcing the printing in the early days, but sometimes prints would come back with colours not quite how I’d want them. My husband, Grant, had the solution, he said: ‘this is stupid, buy a printer,’ so I did! “There’s a perception that, when ordering from a home-based business, it’ll take weeks, which I hate. Small businesses can keep lead-times short and for me, that’s definitely easier when doing the prints myself. I also retain control over quality. It would be amazing (particularly for a home-based business) to have a massive mark-up, but I think it’s important to make art accessible and affordable; I felt the same way about my photography.” Lisa’s entrepreneurial journey began in her 20’s, soon after returning to New Zealand from her ‘OE’. While studying art at university, her mother passed away; this lead to a first foray into self-employment, with camera rather than brush directing her first steps. “I’d always wanted to paint and

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I’ve never studied business but I’m a bit of a nerdy reader. I also have general accounting skills. As for the rest, I’ve handled it through trial and error. I guess my approach to business has simply been ‘try it, run with it and see what happens’; it’ll either fly or fall flat but you’ll never know otherwise.”

had loved art since I was at school – it was, by far my best subject at Pakuranga College – but I guess things have a way of happening in their own time. “In 2009, my mum – who was a keen photographer – passed away and I prepared a photographic tribute to her. Before I realised it, I had a photography business going!” However, Lisa’s career was to take on fresh focus when a knee injury prevented her from undertaking

photo shoots. From the frustration of being house-bound during recovery, Love Lis was born. “I was going out of my mind when a friend brought me a canvas and asked me to paint something for her from a photo. After that, I just kept painting to keep busy and it’s moved on from there. “I’ve never studied business but I’m a bit of a nerdy reader. I also have general accounting skills. As for the rest, I’ve handled it through trial and error. I guess my approach to business has simply been ‘try it, run with it and see what happens’; it’ll either fly or fall flat but you’ll never know otherwise. “Many people have the ability to create amazing things but don’t know how to put that into practice. It’s a tricky industry but I think you just have to dive straight in and work it out from there.” www.eastlife.co.nz

Lisa Robertson with a selection of her popular savings.

Photo supplied

Her handsome prints Grant-ed, Lisa may have the support of a hard working partner, but success in her business ultimately comes down to her artistic talent. “My husband, Grant, isn’t arty at all; he’d struggle with stick figures!” she laughs. “But he’s certainly supportive. “I had planned to study art at uni’ when I left school, but I met Grant and I went overseas, as you do, to ‘chase the bloke’!” she laughs. “Although my art is now a business, I’ve always painted for myself and don’t work on commission. It’s the thing I most love most about it, I do my own thing and if people like it, they buy it and it doesn’t bother me either way.” www.eastlife.co.nz

Despite drawing influence from galleries throughout Europe (during travels abroad) and later from her studies, Lisa says originality and self belief are crucial. “If you spend all your time looking at what everyone else does, you never really feel right about what you’re doing. While I sometimes draw inspiration from others, I never copy anything. “I do a lot of research, reading about animals first. I’ve learnt so much along the way and that helps me develop the character of my subject. “As you can tell by my work, I’m an animal person, but, strange as it sounds, I initially thought I couldn’t paint them well. However, after I

started, I found the paintings seemed to take on quirky natures of their own, which I love.”

bit of Kiwi-themed work, so I might venture into that too. We’ll just have to see how it goes.”

Animals may take centre stage in Lisa’s work at present, and acrylics remain (primarily) her medium, but she hasn’t ruled out widening her range.

While making a living from her passion has motivated Lisa, she says her art is, in itself, a way of life.

In fact, with a colouring book (see page 20 to be in to win) recently completed and her prints adorning t-shirts on the popular ‘Mr Vintage’ label, she’s already on her way. “At some stage I might branch out and diversify, but I’m happy with this for now. I’ve received lots of overseas orders for my stuff including requests for landscapes – a much different type of thread – as well as doing a

“Aside from just doing what I love and doing it how I choose, I am really determined to inspire and encourage others. My main goal when I decided to make this into a business was to offer a positive message to emerging creatives (because it’s crazy hard to make a living in this industry) and especially other mums. “Being a mum may be hugely rewarding, but sometimes you need to strip your life back to reveal who you really are; art requires that.” eastlife | march 2016 |

Hear, hear, Herring!

Like us on Facebook to get started, visit facebook.com/BTCNZ

Anyone who hasn’t heard about the best ways to best encourage youngsters to eat their greens should check their... Herring! In this handy, accessible book, author Wal Herring provides a veritable feast of ideas and practical suggestions to encourage children to develop healthy eating habits. Designed to make mealtimes more enjoyable and less stressful, Healthy Little Eaters works from the ground up, ensuring children are willing to sample strange flavours from an early age. 02213-v2

March 5 2016 | 10am-3pm Find out more visit botanycommunityday.co.nz

botanytowncentre.co.nz

But this is no lab coat diatribe about the ills of sweeties; although Wal is an experienced nutritionist, the Dunedin-based mother of three also draws on her own, first-hand experiences.

Win! Healthy Little Eaters

From negotiating the pitfalls of diet to dispelling many commonly held assumptions, Healthy Little Eaters provides an enticing menu for embracing good tastes.

EastLife has a copy of this book to give away. To be in to win, simply complete the form at eastlife.co.nz. One entry per person/email address; entries close March 31, 2016. Winner notified by phone or email.

If the proof of the pudding really is in the eating, the truth of Wal’s contentions can only be gauged by buying this book!

• Wal Herring: Healthy Little Eaters – How to help your children develop a healthy relationship with food | RRP $35 | Random House NZ

Baby business a wrap NEw – Drama Classes Book your FREE 2 week trial at Cockle Bay School – Saturda ys Freephone 0800 736 766 Dream it... Pform it... Be it...

Promoting Confidence and Developing Life Skills Auckland-wide Enrol online

www.theperformance.net

There’s no hushing up the arrival of a great online store specialising in baby and toddler sleep aids. Go-getter Howick mum of two, Kate Saunders, spotted a gap in the infant market, and before she knew it Hush Little Baby was more than an idea. After trialling many products on her own two children, she couldn’t wait to share these sleep aids with other sleep-deprived mums. Hence the creation of www. hushlittlebaby.co.nz which carries a range of sleep aids including the Baby Shusher, black out blinds, merino sleeping bags and swaddles, Sleepytot comforters, nightlights and sleeptraining clocks.

“We also stock muslin wraps, lullaby toys and have a small range of bedtime reading including the international bestseller, The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep,” Kate says. “Mums will be pleased to know Kippins comforters and the Lulla Doll, which is currently sold out worldwide will soon be available, too.”

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Catch kids doing things right

Michael Stretton from The Performance.net talks about the benefits and the joy of attending drama classes.

Success Fuels Confidence – Confidence Drives Success A student is not a container to be filled but a torch to light. It is too easy to find fault. Telling kids off is a sure fire way of denting confidence. Aim instead to catch young ones doing things right. It sounds new-age but to praise small achievements builds toward a bigger victory. Enthuse about a child’s progress but keep it real, be genuine. Catching kids doing things right nurtures growth and promotes development. Success will follow as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow. Kids grow quickly so it is important to teach valuable life-skills early. Learning tools such as role-play are

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Just opened: Drama classes at Cockle Bay School on Saturday Mention this article when you join to receive a FREE P.net tee.

so powerful. Serious development happens when role-playing which allows young ones to experiment without the fear of failure or embarrassment – it’s just plain ole good fun. Ever watched a three-year-old being a tiger? They’re not pretending – they are a tiger. As Albert Einstein once said “creativity is intelligence at play”.

Drama promotes visualisation. Success needs to be visualised before it happens. We all learn quicker when we enjoy the learning process. Performing Arts is ideal as a learning vehicle because it is so much fun. This enjoyment sometimes masks what really happens in classes – skills, valuable for success in life, are being developed and nurtured. Consider team building strategies, lateral thinking, effective expression, voice projection, active listening, following direction, balance,

staying calm under pressure, poise, improvisation, timing, appreciation of ‘being in the moment’, lateral thinking, feeling the power of a pause, empathising, communicating effectively and reinforcing confidence. Performance.net classes are exciting but if you feel that after four consecutive classes it is not for you we will refund in full – it is our Directors Guarantee. Having fun in Performing Arts classes promotes personality development.

Before you choose a school you must visit St Peter’s Cambridge in action at our

OPEN DAY

Sunday 13 March, 1.00pm Experience our school’s unique environment and world class facilities Register at enrolment@stpeters.school.nz Can’t make it on the 13th? Arrange a personal tour at your convenience. Phone 07 827 9733 l Years 7-13 Boys and Girls Day and Boarding

www.stpeters.school.nz

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/STPETERSschNZ

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eastlife | march 2016 |

DRESSUP SALE ‘

A most suit-able sale Fancy pants seeking outfits fit for a king – vampire, mad hatter, pirate, French maid or any other costume one could imagine – might be left only with an emperor’s new clothes, if they don’t hurry down to Dress Up in Pakuranga! Owner of the popular costume shop, Gloria McNeil, says her fanciful plan is coming together nicely, since – after almost 20 years in business – she decided to close her business doors and offer all items for sale. “We have some pretty interesting clothing items which are really within the realm of costume parties, but we also have plenty of outfits – including beautiful vintage items – which could be worn almost anytime,” she says. “Fashion trends have a way of coming right back around so, while 26 inch bellbottoms may not be common street wear now, faux fur coats (for example) are right on trend again, and timeless elegance never goes out of style.” So far, the hottest ticket items have been 1920s daywear and vintage eveningwear. Retro shirts have also been a particular favourite, and, as much of the clothing

DON’T MISS OUT – SALE ENDS ONCE STOCK IS SOLD

is hand-made, there are no cheaply produced, modern knock-offs. “Brand new retro-style clothing isn’t hard to come by, but it’s not commonly designed to go the distance. Because our garments were intended to be worn thoroughly and often, we’ve always believed that a good stitch (or nine) will definitely save us time!” For many years, customers hiring costume items for parties and even theatre productions were loathe to give them back. Consequently, Gloria says the sale has been welcomed by many of her regulars. “People would often ask if they could buy a particular dress, shirt etcetera but, as many items were simply irreplaceable, we simply couldn’t do that. Now that I’m retiring, we can! “And it’s not just clothing either; because Dress Up has always been about providing complete costumes, with all the bells and whistles (sometimes literally!), we have plenty of accessories including sunglasses, jewellery, hats, fake nails, masks and even vintage ties.”

• Most costumes can be purchased for a standard costume hire price • Up to 50% on all packaged stock, wigs, make up, and accessories • Discounts will be offered for bulk deals

Quality costumes and quirky clothing items are still available – contact Gloria on 09 576 9313 or drop by the shop, 2/31 Ben Lomond Crescent, Pakuranga; but do hurry as the cupboards will soon be bare!

Open DAILY 11am-2pm except Tuesdays and Sundays, private appointments available 2/31 Ben Lomond Cres, Pakuranga. Ph 576 9313.

“Goodbyes are never easy, but while moving on is sad, it’s great to be able to offer our customers plenty of ‘good buys’ to enjoy!”

30 | eastlife | march 2016

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Getting children active Rockabye Early Learning Centre takes the care and education of young children seriously. Today, centre owner Caryn Mawkes has some helpful tips to get children moving. Physical activity is an important part of children’s development and is a necessary part of their everyday life. If you have children, of course you want to ensure they grow up fit and healthy. But you’ll also know it’s hard to juggle work, family, and physical activity. So, if you’re looking for ways to encourage children to be active, check out these tips: • Be positive about the physical activities in which children participate in and encourage them to try new activities. • Try and make time for exercise. These days, children can be overscheduled with homework, music lessons, and other planned activities and don’t have time for exercise. • Make an effort to turn family time into physical activity time. On a Sunday afternoon, rather than going to the movies, take the entire family on a bush walk, fly a kite in the park or throw a ball in the back garden?

stories say so much developmentally appropriate. For example, a 7 or 8-year-old child is not ready for weight lifting or a 3 km run. However, soccer, bike riding and swimming are all appropriate activities. • When parents take part in physical activity and are enjoying themselves children will, in every likelihood, want to be involved too. • Plan ahead, make sure your child has a convenient time and place to exercise.

• Try a trip to the beach. When they hit the sand, children find a multitude of ways to exercise, including games, swimming and plenty of running around.

• Provide a safe environment and ensure play equipment is in good condition. Also ensure your child’s clothing is comfortable and appropriate.

• Make physical activity fun; these activities can be structured or non-structured and can range from individual sports to team sports or recreational activities such as walking, running, skating, bike riding, swimming, playground activities or free-time play.

• Provide active toys for young children; they especially need easy access to balls, skipping ropes, and other active toys.

• Choose an activity that is

Finally, when it comes to physical activity, there is something for everyone. By trying different activities, your child can find something that is a good fit for his or her personality.

Early Learning Centre • Hours 7.30am-5.30pm, full & part time • Positions for children aged 0-5 years • Our family relationships are important to us. Education Review Ofﬁce in April 2014 rated our centre in the top 5%. They stated: Consistent, effective teaching practice; Children happy and settled, with a strong sense of belonging; Children involved in rich literacy, numeracy and science opportunities

WE WELCOME YOU TO VISIT OR CONTACT US: Rockabye Early Learning Centre, 122 Aviemore Dr, Highland Park • Email caryn@rockabye.school.nz Ph 533 0218 • www.rockabye.school.nz www.eastlife.co.nz

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The Doctor is in! And his prescription is for a whole lot of lovely nonsense as untold tales from this iconic master of children’s literature come to light.

What Pet Should I Get? What pet should brother and sister get? How on earth can they decide? Well, knowing Dr Seuss as we all surely do, it won’t be an easy decision to make and it’s bound to offer many a mirthful moment (and an important life lesson) along the way. • Dr Seuss: What Pet Should I Get? | RRP $24.99 | HarperCollins

Horton and the Kwuggerbug and More Lost Stories While Horton and the Kwuggerbug and other stories in this collection may not be new, as they were originally published in magazines in the 1950s, they have become largely forgotten. Even the most avid Dr

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WIN! A DR SEUSS TWIN PACK – Thanks to the good folk at HarperCollins, we have a prize pack including BOTH of the titles mentioned above up for grabs. See the competitions page at eastlife.co.nz to be in to win. One entry per person/email address; entries close March 31, 2016. Winner notified by phone or email.

Seuss fan is liable to find at least one fresh story in which to delight. Featuring four tales, this book is ideal for all age fans of the good doctor. • Dr Seuss: Horton and the Kwuggerbug and More Lost Stories | RRP $29.99 | HarperCollins

Win! House of Robots: Robots Go Wild! We’ve wondered whether James Patterson himself is actually a robot, considering how many books he turns out! However, once again, with the second in his House of Robots series, the talented and prolific author presents another kid’s classic. It’s a case of bot brains versus bot brawn as Sammy HayesRodriguez and his ‘bro-bot’, E, are upstaged by the super-cool new robot on the block. Can Sammy save the day? EastLife has a copy of this book up for grabs. One entry per person/email address; entries close March 31, 2016. Winners notified by phone or email.

• James Patterson: House of Robots – Robots Go Wild! | RRP 18.99 | Young Arrow / Penguin Random House eastlife | march 2016 |

Puzzle Cryptic Puzzle

time

DOWN

1. Really animated when one had got carried away (8). 6. Boy, put back that tree! (4). 8. She sings “I Had To Go Back To Virginia” (4). 9. Taking on in a fight and winning (8). 10. Say it’s the best end you scoffed (5). 11. Having the choice, would I not go out after work? (6). 13. Fight the Army in Greece (6). 15. Make a mistake also in the commission (6). 17. Was short of breath when one smoked (6). 19. Pan - or jar (5). 22. Don’t be long, girl! (8). 23. Left again (4). 24. It’s outstandingly decorative (4). 25. Getting one medal for brewing drink (8).

2. Aim to get a tip (5). 3. Put a table outside as it’s a hot day (7). 4. Stands for “river” (4). 5. Do they smell better than other flowers? (3-5). 6. Ray is fair (5). 7. Rains shortly after my going to France (7). 12. Get a chap to exercise the animal (8). 14. Sensible when the red punt came to grief (7). 16. Manage to find the summary (3-4). 18. What Billy Bunter’s brother, Edward, was doomed to be? (5). 20. What I believe is an Indian death’s-head (5). 21. The light is a signal for the pilots (4).

11 12 15

13 14 17

16 19

21 22

23 25

Quick Puzzle Puzzle answers on page 81

Sudoku

puzzle no. 20

ACROSS

NO. 10020

ACROSS

DOWN

1. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 15. 17. 19. 22. 23. 24. 25.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 12. 14. 16. 18. 20. 21.

Lozenge (8) Gentle (4) Branch (4) Cross (8) Fruit (5) Emissary (6) Shoal (6) Inn (6) Bird (6) Smooth (5) Novice (8) Orchestra (4) Naked (4) Attractive (8)

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All the glamour of Fashion Week Doyenne of the fashion and modelling world DENYSE SAUNDERS gives a sneak preview of what to expect at the glittering Fashion and Awards night coming at this month’s Auckland Fashion Week at Alexandra Park.

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LOOBIE’S STORY • SILLS • PAULA RYAN • BAZAAR OBI • CATALYST • SABATINI • DAVID POND • TOBY DEANNA HOBBS RANDOM • SILVER LINING NEW LONDON JEANS • CHALET Supporting NZ Designers

New Arrivals In Store End of Summer Sale

114 Main Highway, Ellerslie Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Sat 10am-4pm Ph 579 3535 • www.sashaboutique.co.nz

With Auckland Fashion Week winter collections and awards almost on us what can we expect to see? Anything from new collections by young, emerging designers through to haute couture designs and headpieces, like you have never seen before, from two outstanding, long-established milliners. Also look for exclusive Spanishdesigned and made shoes, oh so sexy lingerie and the most glamorous evening gowns. It is a new year, a clean slate, and the perfect time to update your wardrobe with quality pieces and fresh silhouettes for 2016. What’s more, there is no better place to see the latest wearable fashions than at the Auckland Fashion Week show, Saturday, March 12 at Alexandra Park.

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Some key looks are a throwback to past years but with a modern twist including new-look culottes. A far cry from the once fashionable gaucho pants of 2004, this sophisticated pant is all over the runway with variations which will take fashion-conscious women from coffee to cocktails so, strap on some stilettos and hit the ground running. And, there’s no better season than now to bare those beautiful collarbones! From the catwalk to everyday street styles, off-theshoulder tops and dresses are here to stay. Team them with a statement headpiece from Noela’s Flights of Fancy millinery or sunglasses from Bailey Nelson and designer shoes from Mi Moso.

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34 | eastlife | march 2016

The slip dress is also everywhere and on everyone from Rihanna to Jennifer Lawrence. These gorgeous little numbers with clinging, slinky silhouettes may seem a little intimidating to some but try an A-line version which is easier to wear and very chic just ask 2015 AFW premier

‘

Award-winning fashion designer Melodie M. will be showing her creative collection at the Auckland Fashion Week show on Saturday, March 12, 2016

award-winner, designer, Chrystal Sloane. With one colour top-to toe now de rigueur, look no further than the gorgeous collection from Pretty Things offering a cascade of adorable clothes and styles. And this year, it’s all about handbags – the crazier the better! Too often we play it safe with black, white, or neutrals. Be bold and reach for that oversized, bright fuchsia tote or keep a snappy clutch on hand when the occasion calls for small and smart. Have some fun with your everyday accessories! Auckland Fashion Week 2016 winter collections and awards tickets book online at aucklandfashionweek.com www.eastlife.co.nz

All day, every day with Charlo Kelly Coe, the Bucklands Beach entrepreneur behind fashion labels Augustine and Charlo, released her Charlo autumn collection last month making the launch a celebration with friends. “The new Charlo look is a casual collection for busy ladies who want to look stylish and fabulous yet still be comfortable and practical,” Kelly says. “It’s so versatile, I asked a bunch of friends who, like me are all mums, to get together at our local park and model the garments for a photographic shoot.” As a result local photographer Carmen Bird went along to capture the essence of this easy-to-wear, classy range and to show its suitability for ‘all day, every day’, the name given to the collection. Autumn 2016 Charlo is now available at 70 stores around New Zealand with stockist details online at www.augustine.co.nz.

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Swing into autumn Fabulous garments from Isaac & Lulu autumn/winter 2016 take a sexy step back to the liberating 70’s, evoking the spirit of Halston, Bianca Jagger, and Studio 54.

➊ www.eastlife.co.nz

Flowing wrap dresses and skirts in soft viscose crepe and modern retro prints move seductively across a room, adeptly combining edge and elegance.

Dramatic wool capes over cashmere blends and super fine merino knits with preppy stripe trim and partnered with leatherette coasted leggings cut a dash while long, finely ribbed socks add school girl charm to open back dresses and tops featuring generous neck ties. A quilted longline bomber over swing pleat tops and dresses add

to the retro mood with a modern twist. Shades of zinfandel, sea pine, caramel and Paris green complement time honoured cream and black. 1. Skyla Long Sleeve Dress RRP $349. 2. Georgie Dress RRP $259, Audrey Polo RRP $169. 3. Annabel Print Skirt RRP $229, Malia Tee RRP $169. 4. Cape RRP $599, Saskia Seam Pant RRP $229 eastlife | march 2016 |

Jewellery at its best David Fels, owner of Showcase Jewellers, Howick, says jewellery is all about love – true love, friendship, families, even pieces you’ve fallen in love with. That’s why he and his team love hearing your stories and making your dreams come true. With summer in full swing it’s that time of year when we are socialising more and accessories are an ideal way to give your outfit a different look. In particular, jewellery is an ideal way to achieve this – a pair of earrings or a necklace can give that “pop” you are looking for when the occasion requires it. It can be tempting to pile it on with a smattering of bangles, lots of rings plus a necklace or two. This can work but for most of us keeping things moderate gives maximum impact. So, if wearing more than two rings, think twice before adding an ornate bangle, you don’t want to detract from the lovely gems on your fingers. Also consider earrings and necklace; often less is more so ensure the ensemble is complementary and pieces don’t compete for attention.

The Ring Thing: Who doesn’t love a beautiful ring? No women we know, that’s for sure. The message here is to have fun but don’t overdo it.

Large, statement cocktail rings are like loud personalities, they don’t like competition so keep other fingers free from bling. Stacking rings can look cool, just be sure they have flat edges and sit neatly together. Don’t be afraid to wear contrasting styles of ring on each finger: rings are made for visual interest so matching them isn’t important unless of course that’s your thing.

Necklaces: the golden rules • LAYERS – mixing and matching can look casual cool, just make sure you vary the lengths and shapes, and stop at three strands. • DRAPING NECKLACES – these are strands that go low. Pair with an elegant dress featuring a plunging neckline for the ultimate in glamour. • SIMPLE PENDANTS – these are the most versatile of necklaces and look great with nearly all outfits, including scoop neck tees, blouses and over high neck-dresses.

Earrings: three ways • STUD – the easiest to wear and to create your look around. Silver or gold balls, small diamond studs or elegant pearls give the freedom to wear other bigger pieces of jewellery while adding a dash of classic chic. • DROP/ HUGGIES/ HOOPS – these occupy a mid-ground in the “look at me” factor. They also add a bit of pop to your look when the dress-code is smart casual. • CHANDELIER – these draw attention to your face so make sure everything is just how you like it. If bright colours are involved, look out for clashes with makeup. And for a final word of advice remember what Coco Chanel said, “Once you’ve dressed and before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off.” And she knew her stuff!

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36 | eastlife | march 2016

David Fels Showcase Jewellers 53 Picton St, Howick Ph: 09 537 2347 howick@showcasejeweller.com

SHOWCASE JEWELLERS

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own Downtgirl!

‘ Zig Zag Jacket RRP $447 and Sixth Ave Dress RRP $299

Montreal Jacket RRP $390 and Bobbin Culottes RRP $299 www.eastlife.co.nz

Inspired by New York city life, Ooby Ryn designer, Robyn Brooks introduces a touch of street to the label’s autumn winter 2016 collection, ‘Mad Glamour’. The on-trend appeal of this downtown girl look is evident in the shearling-lined leatherette jacket, contemporary culottes and military inspired bombers – practical, comfortable, but ultimately super stylish when colder days call for a touch of work day glam. Making it so easy to dress like a New York native, Ooby Ryn’s latest range effortlessly exudes urban chic with a sense of fun.

Battle Jacket RRP $445

Society Skirt RRP $350 and Identity Jacket RRP $435 eastlife | march 2016 |

Beauty COUNTER DaWn of nEW liPSticK ShaDE

rEfrEShingly blonDE!

Just like the warmth of the sun, Karen Murrell lipstick Coral Dawn combines the energy of exotic red-orange with the happiness of yellow into a bright tangerinelike hue. Suited to a variety of skin tones, porcelain, olive or chocolate brown, one application of Coral Dawn instantly adds sunshine-like brightness and head-turning happiness to the day. And, remember, Karen Murrell lipsticks do not contain animal-based materials and are not tested on animals. Karen Murrell Lipstick – Coral Dawn (RRP $29.95) available at selected pharmacies and health food stores.

gloW With nEW SuPEr tan Check out Oasis Beauty’s new Super Tan, a moisturising gradual tanner with a light instant bronzer to give skin a safe, sunless glow. Suitable for all skin types, Super Tan is quick-drying, non-greasy and has no over-powering smell. Active tanning ingredients are derived from sugar beets, sugar cane and red raspberries while skinconditioning jojoba, calendula and vitamin E oils leave skin hydrated and protected from free radical damage. Oasis Beauty Super Tan (RRP $34.90 150ml) comes with a free applicator mitt and is available at selected health stores and pharmacies or oasisbeauty.com.

all yEar rounD SKin SaViour! Even when the sun’s hiding, it still takes its toll on skin so it’s important to wear an SPF daily to protect against UV damage and help keep complexions beautiful. Manuka Doctor has created the best of both worlds with its ApiRefine CC Cream SPF20 which does both jobs so there is no need to apply a sunscreen and a foundation. The CC Cream combines Manuka Doctor’s Patented Purified Bee Venom (PBVTM) and Certified UMF 18+ Manuka Honey with vitamins and plants extracts to leave skin brighter, nourished, smoothed, rejuvenated and protected. Manuka Doctor ApiRefine CC Cream with SFP20 (RRP $39.95 30ml) available online or at selected pharmacies and department stores.

Blonde is beautiful and it shouldn’t be brassy but with too much seaside sunshine, your golden locks might be looking less than perfect. Now, Schwarzkopf introduces Nordic Blonde Refresher Mousse, a neutralising formula which removes yellow, brassy tones for up to three weeks while carefully conditioning hair. Available in Icy Platinum and Champagne Blonde, each mousse contains enough neutralising formula for up to three uses, and with each use providing three weeks of refreshed pigment, you can love your blonde for longer! Schwarzkopf Nordic Blonde Refresher Mousse (RRP $12.99) available at supermarkets nationwide.

Morning bEauty So SMooth! Morning beauty routines can be busy but the ‘fruits’ of your daily labour can now be super smooth-ie! That’s because Goodness Every Morning Moisturiser delivers all the goodness of a fruit smoothie onto your face. Moisturising is one of the most important steps of morning skincare, so Goodness Natural Beauty Lab has created a moisturiser with great ingredients to hydrate and nourish skin including avocado and coconut oils, bilberry and hibiscus extracts and, of course, certified organic chia seed oil! Free from artificial fragrances and added colourants, Goodness Every Morning Moisturiser (RRP $19.99 75ml) is available in selected Countdown, Farmers and New World stores.

INSPIRATION: To offset Monique Lhuillier’s psychedelic and feminine collection, Bob Recine created soft waves for a 70s look with a modern twist.

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Curls – Moroccanoil way! ‘

GET THE LOOK: ¥ Prep damp hair with a cocktail of Moroccanoil Treatment and Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse. ¥ Next, take a 1” section of hair and mist with Moroccanoil Luminious Hairspray. Create an S-shape and clip to the head. Continue until all the hair is clipped. ¥ Next, apply a piece of foil to each section and use the Moroccanoil Ceramic Hair Dryer to dry. The heat will set the wave. To offset designer, Dryer to dry. Thehair heat will season fashion ¥New Once hair is dry, remove theinternational clips and foil. Gently separate the to set reveal a soft wave. Monique Lhuillier’s psychedelic and the wave. collections are on runways ¥ Add a dime size amount of Moroccanoil Smoothing Lotion to finish. To enter the draw for feminine Fall/Winter 2016 collection, all over the world – autumn/winter in the southern hemisphere and spring/summer in the north. But one thing that shines at both is the use of Moroccanoil in many of the fabulous hair creations that go hand in hand with stunning catwalk creations.

➌ O nce hair is dry, remove the

presented at New York Fashion Week last month, Bob Recine created soft waves for a 70s look with a modern twist using several Morrocanoil products.

a Moroccanoil Home & Away Treatment Duo see page 20.

clips and foil. Gently separate the hair to reveal a soft wave.

➍ Add a dime size amount of Moroccanoil Smoothing Lotion to finish.

The regime he used to create these gorgeous foil curls is as follows:

Moroccanoil Treatment is all-in-one conditioning, styling and finishing tool which instantly absorbs into the hair to help create luminous shine and luxurious, silky perfection for outstanding results.

➊ Prep damp hair with a cocktail of Moroccanoil Treatment and Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse Next, take a 2.5cm section of hair and mist with Moroccanoil Luminious Hairspray. Create an S-shape and clip to the head. Continue until all the hair is clipped.

Moroccanoil Treatment Light boasts the same revitalising results as the original, but in a lighter consistency that’s ideal for fine and light-coloured hair.

Featuring the brand’s proprietary argan-oil infused formulation, Moroccanoil Treatment also works to help fortify hair, improve elasticity and shield against harmful environmental damage, leaving hair naturally beautiful and healthy from roots to ends.

➋ Apply a piece of foil to each section and use the Moroccanoil Ceramic Hair

Moroccaonoil Treatment is available at selected hair salons nationwide in original and light; 100ml RRP $67 and 25ml RRP $33.5.

1/10 The Terraces, 24 Wellington Street, Howick | Ph 535 9554 Email salon@terraceshair.co.nz | Web www.terraceshair.co.nz

ION ESS AL BUSINES

EST PROF

00482

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You’re only as strong as your weakest link Elos Rejuvenation CLIVE PLUCKNETT, Naturopath, P.G.Dip. Anti Aging Medicine, P.G.Dip. Cancer Nutrition, P.G.Dip. Mental Health Nutrition, MBA, BA, P.G.Dip Science

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I was listening to one of the great integrated doctors of our time, Dr Eric Braverman who said, “ I am going to say something of great importance and I want you to remember it”. He jumped up on a chair, threw his tie around his neck and said, “You are only as strong as your weakest link.”

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At the time I thought that the actions were a bit melodramatic for what was a self-evident truth but, more and more, I am drawn back to the wisdom of those nine words.

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Make the right choice about your dental care

What is the point of being the ideal weight, having great lungs, liver, kidneys,……… and then you drop dead from a heart attack. My son has a V8 that makes a magnificent noise, goes from 0 to 100 in some ridiculous time, has some upmarket braking system and a sound system that takes up half the car. The other day his car ground to a halt because the “diff had shot a sad”. A long walk, a towing exercise and $3000 later he was mobile again. The point is that all that fancy stuff came to a grinding halt because of the weak link.

We are dedicated to your personal well-being through dental health

Now, here is the thing. My son had no idea his diff thing was going to blow. It is the same with the body. Anti aging, wellness and magnificent health is about finding the weakest links and sorting them.

• Teeth whitening • All ceramic tooth ﬁlling materials using Cerec3 cad-cam, 3D technology • Permanent tooth replacements with dental implants • For gum health and maintenance call our hygienist Shelley Chadwick • All aspects of general dentistry

And, here’s a radical thought. Do not wait until you get sick. Make

an appointment to see your health practitioner and say, “Hi, I am here to discover my weakest link and I would like to work on it to ensure that I do not get sick and to maximise my wellness. I do not want to come to you when I am in pain or with some horrid disease. I am here to be the best that I can be.” BUT, why would you? We are all so busy being busy that we only go for help when the wheels start to come off. Most people with chronic illness did not see it coming. Their weak link snuck up on them and suddenly all that being busy mattered for nothing. When I am president of the world, I am going to mandate regular wellness checks to identify weak links and fix them before they develop into chronic illness. Think of the suffering that would be spared, the dollars that would be saved and grief that would not be endured. The only losers would be the drug companies who drive our health system and our health response. Please visit our website and follow one person’s story in identifying and sorting their weak link.

Call us now on 530 8461 or 530 8271 Whitford Village, Whitford, Auckland David Cain B.D.S(UK) • Rick Parﬁtt B.D.S. • Shelley Chadwick

00262

Evening appointments available BeWell Clinic – Unleash Your Wellness Potential 730 Whitford Road, Whitford Village. Ph 530 8143, 021 490 801. bewell@clear.net.nz. www.bewell.net.nz Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not to be used as a substitute to professional, personalised advice. The views are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or editor.

40 | eastlife | march 2016

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Exercise to ‘hoop’ and holler about! New Year resolutions of retaining summer-won fitness often collapse when the dark, damp days of winter take hold. But Amy McAuley from Powerhoop NZ has found a way to put the fun back into exercise any time of the year. For three years she has been inspiring and helping people become healthier and happier in their lives through finding an exercise they love. “I discovered the Powerhoop some five years ago and fell in love with the amazing, bright coloured, weighted hoop which not only helped me lose weight but changed my entire body. Even the sciatica I used to suffer from vanished.” Inspired by this form of exercise, Amy brought the franchise to New Zealand when she moved here from Scotland in 2012 and has successfully run Powerhoop classes in Howick for more than 3 years. “They attract people of all ages, all

sizes and all levels of fitness,” she says. “We’ve built up quite a community and I’m delighted that Powerhoop has helped so many people achieve better health and wellbeing. Seeing body shapes change and confidence boosted makes me very happy.” Amy says the Powerhoop workout is massively popular throughout Europe and she would love to see it take off here in the same way. “It’s all about using the Powerhoop for an all over, full body workout to amazing music. It’s much easier to use than a hula-hoop due to the weights and interior ridges, but it is about 70% more effective. “People really do surprise themselves when they try it for the first time and can actually do it! “Every class is different and everyone feels amazing afterwards – I pride myself in delivering, personal and

amy mcauley

Photo supplied

energetic classes to really lift people’s spirits.” And the results, adds Amy, are significant. “Customers regularly

achieve a stronger back, trimmer waist, flatter tummy and slimmer hips. You just need to try it to believe it. Powerhoop really is fitness with a ‘twist’.”

Ormiston Weight Loss Service Welcome to the Ormiston Weight Loss Service. Our service is intended to offer our community a surgical choice and clinical support, to assist in taking ownership of your health and moving forward to a greater place of wellness.

food-holding capacity of the stomach so the patient has a feeling of fullness after eating very little. Without hunger pangs, the person tends to lose interest in overeating and is more likely to stick to a low-kilojoule diet.

Bariatric Surgery assists in weight loss and may be recommended as a last resort when diet, exercise and medication have not been successful and if obesity related conditions such as heart disease, asthma, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea and type II diabetes have worsened, among other problems.

When you choose Ormiston Hospital Weight Loss Service for your surgery, you choose the most experienced surgeons, treating you in the wellestablished Ormiston Hospital.

The aim of the surgery is to reduce the

We are dedicated to offering you a complete and comprehensive service with a fixed fee that will provide you with the best level of care through your journey to improved health.

www.ormistonhospital.co.nz

125 Ormiston Road, Flat Bush, Auckland 2019 12181

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eastlife | march 2016 |

Personal enhancement procedures Respected plastic surgeon, MARTIN REES from Marina Specialists addresses the desire by many people to improve on biological features they were born with or changes that have occurred through ageing.

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Human nature is such that many of us are not content with how we look or ‘who we are’ for some reason. Nearly all of us have an aesthetic sense that we use to recognise what is beautiful in life; a flower, a bird, child or one’s partner; even one’s self! Equally there are some creatures, sights or people that we do not like to look at as our aesthetic sense of beauty is offended, which is an unpleasant experience. We all have a strong sense of personal identity from seeing ourselves in photos (as other people see us) or in the mirror as we usually see ourselves ( the reverse of how we actually look!) Some people are unfortunately born with features that are outside the ‘normal range’ (biological variation). Some of us as we age change considerably and become something we are not used to seeing...a face or body reminiscent of our mother or father! That person looking back at me is no longer ‘me’ as my brain remembers but the image of an old man or woman. So many patients tell me things like this. The photos taken at a family wedding often catch one unawares, ‘side-on’ showing that humped or hooked nose, or a thick, fat neck that isn’t obvious from the front when looking in the mirror. This may precipitate a person into seeking professional advice from a

What is vitally important is to engage with a plastic surgeon you feel comfortable with; someone whose integrity you can trust, who has many years of experience with well-honed surgical skills to produce consistently good results with a minimum number of unwanted side effects.”

plastic surgeon as to what can be done to ‘reverse the clock’ or take 20 years off the face. Some people like to ‘grow old gracefully’ and simply accept themselves as they are. They are perfectly content with themselves and their lives. Others struggle with the effects of ageing and want to fight against it as strongly as possible.

What is vitally important is to engage with a plastic surgeon you feel comfortable with; someone whose integrity you can trust and who has many years of experience with well-honed surgical skills to produce consistently good results with a minimum number of unwanted side effects.

Modern surgical techniques and medical advances can produce some astounding transformations for the better. Big improvements are often possible; sometimes subtle changes are all that are needed.

This person must be able to offer high quality surgery and be available for post-op care and support. No one regrets buying quality. Going for the cheapest price with a

Martin Rees FRACS Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon Marina Specialists, First Floor, “Compass Building”, Ara Tai Drive, Half Moon Bay Marina, Bucklands Beach Ph 534 4040, EDI: marinasp, www.plassurg.co.nz, www.marinamedical.co.nz

holiday thrown in at a distant and exotic destination may be a good idea at the time but I’ve seen many complications and bad results from ‘cosmetic tourism’. It is much better not to go to someone whose credentials, skills and training cannot be easily ascertained. At Marina Specialists we offer quality surgery in a quality facility with quality after care by highly skilled surgeons with many years of training and surgical experience to produce results you will be pleased with and we can be proud of!

Simple steps FOR HEALTHIER EATING DAyNA SPILLER from Jetts Fitness, Botany talks about adopting healthier eating practices. Talk to her or the team at your local Jetts club for more health tips and exercise or eating information. When we think diet, we naturally think of the words “deprive” and “offlimits”. This means that sometimes our focus may become based on negative thought processes which in turn can have harmful effects on our moods, emotions and physical well-being. Creating a healthy eating plan does not need to be considered a diet. Think of it as a lifestyle adjustment based on food choices, which will help you become more energised, less fatigued, and feeling fuller for longer. When making the change towards a healthier lifestyle, set yourself up to succeed. As the saying goes “when you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail”. It is so important to prepare your food for the week ahead. Firstly, because you know exactly what ingredients are going into your food this allows you to monitor

How can you start this change for healthier eating? Start small by making a few simple and achievable goals, such as adding a salad to one of your meals each day, or drinking a full glass of water with every meal. Once this change becomes a natural habit, continue this process by adding other small and achievable goals.

unnecessary additives, saturated fats and unnecessary sugars. Secondly, the convenience of having a healthy meal already prepared for you, when you have limited spare time during the week to prepare and cook, removes the need to grab an unhealthy fast food or cook an easy, less nutritious meal. All it requires is putting aside 1-2 hours each week to prepare and cook your meals for the week ahead. The use of reseal bags are great for preparing and storing vegetables in the fridge; these are then ready to go for a quick meal. Cooking and freezing meals for later in the week is another great way to stay prepared. Educate yourself when at the supermarket by reading the labels. Opt for foods that are fresh and full of colour. Avoid processed foods, and those loaded with sugar and unhealthy fats. Drink plenty of

water which helps the body rid itself of toxins and wash away waste products. It goes without saying that a healthy lifestyle is a balance of good diet, meal portion control and regular exercise. This way we can still enjoy foods we love, and “treat ourselves” from time to time. Sticking to smaller meals more frequently throughout the day, allows the body to adapt and feel fuller and more satisfied for longer.

Remember, you need to set yourself up for success. Making a change for healthier eating is as simple as preparing meals in advance and keeping a variety of fresh and healthy food options at home and at work. Keep some healthy snacks in your car. Learn what is in your food by reading the labels. Avoid hidden sugars and unhealthy fats, and avoid unhealthy packaged and processed foods. Enjoy a balanced lifestyle by eating “smart” so you can still enjoy those well-deserved treats. The first step starts with you.

Hello From your premium 24/7 club

Join today for only $29. Sign up at www.jettsonline.co.nz* Clubs in your area: Botany, Botany Junction, Highbrook, Highland Park, Howick *Startwww.eastlife.co.nz up fees may vary between clubs. Ongoing membership fees apply. Jetts fortnightly membership options are based on a recurring direct debit from a nominated bank account or credit card. 12 month memberships are paid a year in advance. Jetts Fitness terms and conditions apply and are availabe at www.jettsonline.co.nz/terms. Offer expires 31.03.2016.

eastlife | march 2016 |

24 hour fitness 02156-v2

Super stars of wellbeing Amazon women (and men) can come out tonight, or tomorrow or at any time in the future thanks to GO Superfood’s Camu Camu Powder. Rich in antioxidants and with 30-60 times the vitamin C content of an orange, the camu camu berry – from the depths of the Amazon rainforest – is purported to help strengthen tissues and supercharge the immune system. What’s more, aside from combating colds and flu, and protecting cells from free radical damage, this powder is also designed to improve the appearance of skin to leave us looking as good as we feel!

Method

Go Superfood Organic Camu Camu Powder is available (RRP $47.90 per 150g jar) from pharmacies and health stores nationwide.

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blitz until well combined and smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired.

But wait... there’s more! This little gem is just one in an extensive, all-star line-up from GO Superfood designed to promote health and wellbeing – see gosuperfood.co.nz for details.

This can also be made without a blender. Simply place all ingredients in a bowl and whisk well.

Chia Pudding – with Camu Camu, Cacao & Orange

• 1/3 cup GO Superfood Chia Seeds (black or white) • 1 1/2 cups coconut milk • 1/4 cup desiccated coconut • 4 tbsp pure maple syrup • 4 tbsp GO Superfood Cacao Powder • 1/2 tsp GO Superfood Camu Camu Powder • Zest of an orange • Generous pinch cinnamon

Ingredients • 1/2 telegraph cucumber • 2 frozen bananas • 1 pear – washed, cored removed and cut into chunks • 1/2 ripe avocado • 2 tsp Go Superfood Barley Grass Powder

Local experience and expertise you can trust Dr Ruvin Gabriel

Dr Wil Harrison

Method Combine all ingredients in a blender and blitz until very smooth and

creamy. Add more water if a thinner consistency is preferred. Divide finished smoothie between 2-3 glasses and enjoy immediately. Garnish each glass with a cucumber wheel.

Divide mixture between two small glasses and place in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to set. Enjoy as is or top with fresh raspberries or sliced banana.

Ultimate Alkaline Smoothie

Ingredients

• Large handful baby spinach leaves. • 3 cups water • Large handful ice

Dr Tim Sutton

Dr Niels van Pelt

‘

Win! A GO Superfood prize pack (valued at almost $150) – Thanks to the good folk at GO Healthy, EastLife has a prize pack featuring FIVE GO Superfood products: Chia, Barley Grass, Beetroot Powder, Cacao Powder and (of course!) Camu Camu Powder. To be in to win, simply complete the form at eastlife.co.nz. One entry per person/email address; entries close March 31, 2016. Winner notified by phone or email.

Drs Gabriel, Harrison, Sutton and Van Pelt are cardiologists at Middlemore Hospital and provide a private cardiology service with the Auckland Heart Group at Ormiston Hospital. They are committed to providing comprehensive assessments and management of outpatients and in-patients at Ormiston Hospital including exercise treadmill tests, echocardiography and vascular ultrasound, stress echocardiography, heart and blood pressure monitoring. The Auckland Heart Group is an Affiliated Provider to Southern Cross Health Society and has Healthcare Partnerships with Sovereign and nib.

To find out more, talk to our team on 09 623 1020 or 09 623 4731 ahg@heartgroup.co.nz www.heartgroup.co.nz 125 Ormiston Road, Botany Junction, Auckland 01951-v2

44 | eastlife | march 2016

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Dishing up kitchen classics The turkey (and the turkeys around the table) may have been well and truly fed up at Christmas, but just because the New Year is rolling on, it doesn’t mean we need to eat like birds. And thanks to these treat-laden books (with many healthy options too), we can carry on regardless throughout 2016.

The New Easy Oh, Donna, thank you so much for (once again) making life that little bit easier! Throughout more than 20 cook books, best selling Aussie cook, Donna Hay, has helped readers make meals better, faster, tastier and easier. Packed with concise, big flavour recipes, The New Easy sets out to cover all bases, with twists such as how to turn Tuesday night’s lemongrass chicken into chic Saturday dinner starter or a quick and delicious sandwich for Sunday’s picnic. • Donna Hay: The New Easy | RRP $44.99 | HarperCollins

Country Calendar Homestead Baking with Allyson Gofton Goodness gracious and golly Goft, what treats has one of New Zealand’s most famous food writers been cooking up now? In her latest culinary creation, Allyson Gofton is bringing home the taste of the country with a collection of stories, recipes and baking secrets gleaned from her travels to high-country and rural homesteads throughout New Zealand. • Allyson Gofton: Country Calendar Homestead Baking | RRP $50 | Penguin NZ

Julia & Libby’s Wholefood Kitchen Feeling tired and rundown, sisters Julia and Libby Matthews said goodbye to highly-processed, sugar-laden products and hello to wholefoods. Five years later, the duo has developed a cookbook which embraces their new way of life loaded with recipes and tips for how to keep healthy and feel great. From breakfasts, lunches and dinners, to desserts, drinks and snacks, all recipes are designed to be easy to follow, are gluten-free and require no refined sugar, while most are also wheat-free. • Julia and Libby Matthews: Julia & Libby’s Wholefood Kitchen | RRP $50 | Penguin NZ

Cook.Nourish.Glow Those who pray about loving and eating are sure to love this new book by the author of Eat.Nourish.Glow. Featuring more than 100 recipes, Amelia’s cookbook, Cook.Nourish. Glow takes the nutritional therapist’s campaign for healthy eating to its next level. Intended to arm readers with skills and knowledge to improve their health and cook with confidence, this book also features step-by-step tips, ideally suited even to novice cooks.

‘

WIN! – Be in with a chance to win any (or possibly all) of these top titles! To enter the draw just visit www.eastlife.co.nz. Click on the competition link and complete the form. One entry per email address/person; entries close March 31, 2016. Winner notified by phone or email.

• Amelia Freer: Cook.Nourish.Glow | RRP $48 | Michael Joseph/Penguin UK

Cuisine beyond boundaries RESTAURANT & BAR 124 Picton St, Howick Phone 534 3051, Mob 027 555 7786 Email info@xacuti.co.nz

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EA T . livE. ENjOy .

Fine dining reinvented Experienced new team with a sumptuous new menu Open Tuesday-Friday 5.30pm till late, Saturday-Sunday 11am till late RW1332

www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 |

Ollie’s sweet on chocolate Tossing up between family and career was a no brainer for Oliver Drayton – he chose family life But one can’t help feeling the world, and, from a local perspective, Auckland, is missing out on the talents of one very special pastry chef and chocolatier. HELEN PERRY quizzed him on his past life in the UK!

If I hadn’t known better I’d have said there was no way Oliver Drayton, with his boyish good looks and slight frame could be an experienced chef let alone have taken 2nd place in the prestigious UK World Chocolate Masters 2008.

Europe’s leading establishments have as many as 14 chefs or more with everything made from scratch. The food in that top dining echelon is just amazing.” And, amazing pretty well sums of Oliver’s career to date.

But I did know better. I’d heard about his successes from others and it had whet my appetite. I also knew that cooking has been part of his life for more than 20 years so he couldn’t possibly be the 25 year old he appeared to be!

Raised on the Isle of Wight where his father owned hotels and restaurants, Ollie says he was already working in the kitchen at 14 years of age. On leaving school he went to cooking college for two years then scored a place at the Seaview Hotel, a two rosette venue on the Isle of Wight.

However, when chatting, his account of past achievements totally floored me and I was left regretting that he doesn’t think it possible, or certainly not at this point, to fulfil his ambition of opening a patisserie.

“In England we have rosettes and Michelin stars; to have just one rosette or Michelin star is considered awesome so to have two or three means customers can expect a superb experience.”

Although, he explained, that has nothing to do with putting family – wife Nic and sons Sam (7) and Charlie (4) – first.

Over the next few years Oliver’s career took him to many fabulous establishments.

“I absolutely love seeing my boys grow up and being a constant in their lives which would have been almost impossible if still living in England where my day often started at 7am and ended at 11pm. No, the patisserie dream is on hold because I’m pretty sure the NZ market wouldn’t sustain the type of business I’d like to have. “Being a pastry chef requires real technical skill as well creativity. It’s an exact science with everything having to be measured, weighed, and calculated perfectly. There no ‘let’s throw in a bit of this, or a dash of that’. One wrong move and it won’t work; I like that preciseness.” Because the work is time-consuming Oliver says such a shop needs a lot of customers to make it pay. “I’m just not sure NZ has a big enough population especially when I know many top restaurants no longer have dedicated pastry chefs but bring in desserts whereas England and

“Chefs, especially young chefs, never stay too long in one place. They learn as much as they can then move on to the next learning experience. It’s the only way to get to the top.” Two seasons in luxury chalets in Switzerland and Austria were followed by a return to Britain with a stint in Brighton before moving to the Country House Hotel in East Grinstead as demi chef de partie. “This was a complete paddock to plate experience. We grew all our own herbs and most vegetables and made everything from scratch. The head chef even brought in whole deer so we learnt how to prep them – nothing in supermarket packaging there.” From country to city, Oliver moved to The Square in the heart of London where he rose to second in charge.“The Square was fine dining and while I worked across the board I was mostly pastry chef and this sparked my desire to explore more on the patisserie side.

‘

Being a pastry chef requires real technical skill as well creativity. It’s an exact science with everything having to be measured, weighed, and calculated perfectly. There no ‘let’s throw in a bit of this, or a dash of that’. One wrong move and it won’t work; I like that preciseness.”

“I was fortunate to then gain a position at the new three-pronged London venue, Sketch, headed by renowned French chef, Pierre Gagnaire whose Paris restaurant already boasted three Michelin stars. “Chef Gagnaire actually demoted me until I could prove myself! Naturally I went all out to do so. Then he promoted me much to the disgust of the mostly French chefs on the team. Of course, when I started there Sketch had no stars, but while I was there it was awarded one Michelin star and I believe it now has two.” While onlookers may have considered Ollie well on his way to ‘making it’ the talented chef just kept looking to learn more. From Sketch it was on to the five star Marriott Hotel in London and then to the distinguished Event Catering Company during which time he cooked for many international celebrities and royals. ‘We met a lot of them too; it was a busy and exhilarating time. The hours were long; the outcomes rewarding.” While there, Ollie entered World Chocolate Masters UK and, as one of the top six to compete, used all his artistry to produce the four entries covering moulded chocolate, dipping chocolate, a metre high chocolate ‘sculpture’ and a mystery box. “I didn’t win but second in the UK is pretty good. I was elated.” When working at The Square, Ollie met Kiwi-born Nic and though nurturing a romance was no easy task with his long shifts, the couple clicked. “We had our elder son in the UK and it was then Nic persuaded

46 | eastlife | march 2016

www.eastlife.co.nz Photo Wayne Martin

me there was life beyond a morning to night job in London and that life was in New Zealand. We came here in September 2010 and married soon after on the beach at Raglan.” Nevertheless, the first two years were challenging for Oliver who admits he initially missed London and found the slower pace difficult to adjust to. It didn’t help that his brother-in-law, Ben Bayly – renowned judge on TV cooking show, My Kitchen Rules – frequently told him (and still does) that his talents are wasted. “But I don’t want those hours for my sons and I’ve come to love life here.” What’s more while he may not be cooking, Ollie is still in the kitchen, working for Southern Hospitality in Manukau. “I sell, design and oversee installation of kitchens for hotels, restaurants, functions centres and I have worked with several clients in the Howick area. It’s great being able to plan the kind of kitchens I’d like to work in and which chef’s will appreciate. What’s more I’m really enjoying my job and who could ask for more?” Not this Oliver it seems, nevertheless, the day may yet come when he has that dream patisserie specialising in chocolate!

Ollie ‘s tasty secrets: I’ve created many desserts but my favourite is a milk chocolate an earl grey tea mousse with sweet and sour blackberries, blackberry sorbet and honeycomb. However, because I’m so often surrounded by sweet temptations, I crave the savoury; salted chips, yum! If I could, I would ask three special chefs to dinner – my former ‘boss’ Pierre Gagnaire, because he is a genius and pretty funny; Rob Weston, head chef at high-end, French-inspired London restaurant La Trompette, because he would have some good stories to tell and, of course, Spanish legend Ramon Morato, a master of chocolate who I’d just love to meet. www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 |

Photo Wayne Martin

d e i r f y r t Coun chicken, slaw and corncobs Geordy Booth is one of two new head chefs at the historic Tuakau Hotel. This month he shares a family favourite he says readers will find easy to prepare at home and one which will go down well with adults and kids alike.

Ingredients:

Method:

COLESLAW:

Corn on the Cob:

• 4 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in half, ready to tenderise • 1-2 cups buttermilk • 2 eggs • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 tsp salt • 1 tsp paprika • 1 tsp thyme • 1 tsp garlic powder • 1 tsp white pepper • 1/4 cup any hot sauce • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Cover chicken in buttermilk and marinate for 4-6 hours or overnight. Drain chicken, then lightly season with salt and pepper; set aside. Whisk together eggs and hot sauce in a shallow bowl; set aside.

Finely shred 1/4 cabbage, one carrot and 1/2 red onion in a medium bowl. Add 1/2 cup of grated cheese, handful of cherry tomatoes (halved) and a little fresh chopped coriander. Mix in desired amount of mayonnaise.

Take 2-3 corn cobs and remove outer husks. Cut corn into smaller pieces (halves/thirds). Fill a pot with enough water to cover the corn and bring to boil. Drop corn in and cook for approximately 3-5 minutes. Drain water, season with salt and pepper, add generous knob of butter. Serve.

Combine flour and remaining ingredients in a large bowl, mix well. Heat 3-4 inches of oil in a large pan or skillet. Coat one piece of chicken with flour and shake off excess. Dip chicken into egg wash and again shake off excess. Put chicken back into flour and thoroughly coat. Shake off excess. Repeat process with remaining chicken pieces. Fry chicken until deep golden brown on the outside and till juices run clear on the inside. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding in the pan.

48 | eastlife | march 2016

www.eastlife.co.nz

l w o b e l d with creamy kale Zoo Serves 4 (dairy-free)

Method:

Ingredients:

Wash zucchini and use either a handheld spiraliser or julienne peeler to create 4 serves of zucchini noodles. Each bowl will require 1-2 zucchini. Set aside while you make the sauce

For the pesto: • 1/2 large avocado • 1/2 cup cashew nuts (preferably soaked) • 1 clove of garlic chopped • Juice of half a lemon • 1/3 cup olive oil • 1-2 tsp of GO Superfoods kale powder • Dash of sea salt For the zoodle bowl: • 4-6 zucchini • 1 cup baby spinach or mixed greens • 10 cherry tomatoes chopped in halves or quarters • 4 tsp GO Superfoods chia seeds Optional toppings: • Toasted nuts and seeds • Parmesan • Protein pieces (chicken, fish, red meat)

Blend the GO Superfood kale powder, cashews, garlic and avocado until smooth. Stir in the olive oil gradually to reach your preferred consistency. Squeeze in lemon juice and season with sea salt. Mix the creamy pesto throughout the zoodles. Add spinach/salad greens and cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle each bowl with 1 teaspoon of chia seeds. To serve warm – place the zucchini noodles in boiling water for 5 minutes before mixing with pesto sauce. This recipe was provided courtesy of GO Superfood available at all major pharmacies.

New Zealand

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eastlife | march 2016 |

Mum’s

MEATBALLS AND TOMATO SAUCE

JOHN PALINO from Friend of the Farmer Cafe at Kings Plantbarn, Takanini, remembers the foods he grew up with and often wishes he could taste, again, those exact dishes mum made for them, in particular, her meatballs which were his favourite. So, it’s always a joy to give out this recipe and hear people say what a hit it is!

tomato sauce

meatballs

Ingredients:

Method:

Ingredients:

Method:

• 6 x 400g cans crushed tomato • 3 tbsp tomato paste • 1 large Spanish onion (chopped) • 6-8 large garlic cloves (minced) • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil • 1 1/2 cups fresh parsley (chopped) • 1/2 cup fresh basil (chopped) or 1 tsp dry • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp black pepper • 1 tsp oregano

Saute onions and garlic with oil in 4 litre saucepan. When golden in colour add tomatoes, basil, salt, black pepper, oregano, fresh parsley and tomato paste.

• 1/2 loaf Italian bread • milk (enough to dampen bread) • 700g ground beef, veal and pork • 5 large garlic cloves (minced) • 1/2 cup pecorino romano cheese (grated) • 1 tbsp salt • 3/4 tbsp black pepper • 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped) • 4 cups vegetable oil • 2 eggs

Soak bread in enough milk to dampen for 1 hour. Drain bread of any excess milk. In a large bowl mix all ingredients together with fingers, ensuring everything is mixed very well. Roll mixture into balls a little bigger than the size of a golf ball. You should get about 20-25 meatballs.

50 | eastlife | march 2016

Bring to boil, lower heat and simmer for 1 hour, stirring constantly.

Add 4 cups of oil to a medium size fry pan. Heat oil on medium heat. When oil is hot add 6 or 7 meatballs to the pan, making sure there is room between meatballs for even cooking. Cook on each side for about 3 mins. Put meatballs on paper towel to drain off oil. Then add to tomato sauce and serve.

www.eastlife.co.nz Photo Wayne Martin

Photos Wayne Martin

Photo Wayne Martin

and orange Bavarois e t a l o c o h Dark C with vanilla caramel jelly and crispy chocolate and maple syrup base OLIVER DRAYTON, pastry chef and chocolatier based this recipe on a dessert his mum used to make. She lined a flan tin with chocolate rice bubble mix, then poured in a store-bought chocolate mousse mix. He loved it as a kid so he’s recreated a fancier version with NO packaged mousse mix!

crispy base:

Caramel jelly:

Dark chocolate bavarois:

• 50g 70% dark chocolate • 50g butter • 40g maple syrup • 20g dessicated coconut • 50g rice bubbles

• 100g caster sugar • 50g butter • 1 vanilla pod or essence to taste • 250g cream • 3 leaves gelatine soaked in cold water

• 125g milk • Zest 2 oranges • 150g finely chopped 70% dark chocolate • 2 soaked gelatine leaves • 250g lightly whipped cream

method:

Put sugar in a dry pan on a medium heat and cook till you have a caramel colour, add cream, vanilla and butter slowly to avoid over boiling, cook till sugar is dissolved then add soaked gelatine, once cooled to room temperature remove vanilla pod and pour over crispy base, refrigerate till set.

Boil milk with the orange zest, add gelatine, pour on top of the chocolate and mix till you have a smooth consistency, fold in whipped cream, pour on top of the caramel jelly, refrigerate till set, ENJOY!!

method: Melt chocolate and butter, add maple syrup then stir in coconut and rice bubbles pour in to a 200 x 200 x 50mm high square cake tin lined with cling film, smooth till level and refrigerate.

www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 |

Something in the water...

Fish of the Month

giant boarfish From Oceanz Seafood, The Hub, Botany Giant boarfish, also known as sowfish or pigfish, have peculiar shaped characteristics which distinguish them from other fish.

Oh, sugar, sugar, why do you torment us so? Of course, many of us love the sweeter things in life but they can come at a cost.

• Drink fizzy water with lemon first thing in the morning to hydrate and ‘kick-start’ the body when it needs it most

Fortunately, SodaStream has released new fizzy water flavours – which cut out much of the sugar without sacrificing taste – and prepared a few top tips to complement the range.

• Have sparkling iced tea or mint and fruit water on hand ahead of get-togethers. Remember that, particularly when indulging in a few alcoholic beverages it’s important to drink a little water too.

• Soak green tea bags in fizzy water for a refreshing summer drink

The new SodaStream Waters Fruits range is naturally flavoured and sweetened and features four varieties: Red Apple, Pink Lemonade, Pink Grapefruit and Homestyle Lemonade. Each 440ml bottle (RRP $9.99) makes nine litres of flavoured sparkling water.

• Blend antioxidant rich blueberries to have with SodaStream sparkling water • Add chia seeds to SodaStream water bottles to provide a regular hit of fibre and omega 3 throughout the day

Also, try this recipe, by nutritionist Claire Turnbull, for...

‘ WIN!

To be in to WIN a SodaStream prize pack (valued at almost $180) featuring a SodaStream Play and a selection of flavours, see page 20.

The most commonly recognisable feature of the boarfish is its long snout and large thick lips. The fish can vary in colour from grayish to olive with distinctive stripes. Boarfish have been caught all around New Zealand but are more abundant in northern waters. They can grow up to 100cm and weigh up to 10kg. They are not a targeted commercial species but are a bi-catch when fishermen are seeking other species. They are, however, a popular target with spear fishers who know about the great flavour of the flesh. While not a commonly eaten fish, Boarfish is renowned among seafood connoisseurs for its excellent eating quality and is regarded as one of the best eating fish around. They have few bones and white soft meat. Fillets can normally be quite chunky and their flesh is delicate in flavour and texture. It is best lightly pan-seared and one should cook fillets no more than 4/5 mins in total so as not to destroy the soft texture of the meat. Next time you are in your local fish shop keep an eye out for it and we can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

52 | eastlife | march 2016

Cucumber and Lemongrass Fizz ingredients:

METHOD:

• 1 cup still water • 20 slices of cucumber • 2 sticks of lemongrass • 5-6 cups of sparkling water (I use my fabulous SodaStream for this) • Lemongrass/cucumber and ice to serve

Using a rolling pin (or something similar), bash the lemongrass on a board to release its flavour, before placing into a jug with a cup of water. Pieces may need to be chopped so the lemongrass is completely submerged.

Add cucumber slices and leave in the fridge for an hour or two to allow the flavours to infuse. Remove lemongrass. Pour water into a clean jug and add the cucumber slices. Top with sparkling water, pour and enjoy! See claireturnbull.co.nz for more of Claire’s creations. www.eastlife.co.nz

Backing a better brekkie Skipping breakfast is no way to start the day as chef Michael Van de Elzen well knows. He grew up on a farm where family breakfasts at the table were a tradition. Now, if he misses this early morning shot in the arm he feels it. With this in mind, Michael, who is also co-host of the TVNZ series Kiwi Living, has teamed up with Weet-Bix to inspire Kiwi families to eat a Better Brekkie. “In my profession I work very long shifts,” he explains. “It takes its toll and I notice I do get cranky if I don’t eat breakfast.” Michael’s secret weapon? “I keep a pack of Weet-Bix at work and my go-to breakfast is three Weet-Bix with frozen blackberries, which have been roasted in the oven for five minutes then left to soak in their juices overnight. It’s absolutely my favourite thing.” As a dad of two young daughters, Hazel (5) and Ivy (3), Michael says he also knows they get bored eating the same thing every single morning.

“So, the key is to keep changing it. The girls love Weet-Bix covered in hot milk with just a touch of cocoa powder on it – they think that’s a real treat. In summer we have smoothies made with banana, almond milk, cocoa powder and dates. For an on-the-go breakfast I crumble up some Weet-Bix to put in there too.” Working with Weet-Bix on fresh ideas for wholesome and nutritious Better Brekkies, even Michael has been surprised at how versatile an ingredient this long-time breakfast favourite can be.” From a breakfast trifle and a wake-up shake, to Weet-Bix bircher muesli, porridge and pancakes, Michael has, through his Better Brekkie recipes, brought a chef’s flair to the first meal of the day. And he’s ensured these recipes are quick, simple and familyfriendly. “I want Kiwi children to wake up every morning and say, ‘Wow, what’s it going to be today?’,” says the TV chef. So this month EastLife features two of Michael’s recipes for a good start to your day.

Weet-Bix Breakfast Trifle Serves 4

METHOD:

Try Weet-Bix Breakfast Trifle for a treat that delivers fibre and fruit – while being just a little indulgent.

Using a small saucepan, heat the blueberries and reduce for a couple minutes until thick.

INGREDIENTS:

Take a glass (approximately 270ml) and start to layer your trifle, starting with 1/2 crushed Weet-Bix followed by a spoonful of yogurt, then the blueberry mix and pecans. Repeating once again.

• 1 cup frozen blueberries • 1 cup unsweetened yogurt • 4 gluten-free Weet-Bix wheat biscuits • 1 cup toasted pecans

Weet-Bix Wake-Up Shake Serves 2

METHOD:

With all the goodness of bananas, dates and Weet-Bix, the Weet-Bix Wake-Up Shake delivers a source of iron and fibre.

Place the Weet-Bix into a blender with the So Good Almond Milk and let soak for a minute to soften.

INGREDIENTS:

Finish with a layer of the crushed pecan nuts. Let sit for a few minutes to allow the Weet-Bix to soften before eating.

Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth.

• 2 Weet-Bix wheat biscuits • 300ml So Good Almond Milk • 1 banana • 4 dates • 1 tsp cocoa powder • 1 tbsp chia seeds www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 |

Taste

Try our latest flavours of the month and experience a range of new products with a real taste difference. EastLife is always on the lookout for new products to tantalise the tastebuds of our readers.

SWEEt aS! Oh sugar, sugar, you are such a naughty treat! However, when it comes to the sweeter things in life, there’s another option that’s just as nice. Because Chantal Organics’ Rice Syrup has no additives, preservatives or fructose, it can be more easily processed by the body, the company contends. But the real treat is in the sweetness, which means this popular product is a versatile spread, on desserts, in drinks, healthy smoothies, or when baking. Chantal Organics’ certified organic Rice Syrup (RRP $6.49 per 500g jar) is available from supermarkets and specialty stores.

youth SPringS intErnal? Ponce de Leon stumbled around the Caribbean for years searching for the fountain of youth, but it seems the silly Spaniard simply should have come to NZ instead, that is if Moa’s claims hold water. Courtesy of cascara (skins of coffee cherries), black Doris plum properties and tea-like tannins, Moa Cascara Cider contains anti-oxidents and other revitalising goodies in a mildly alcoholic potion. Moa Cascara is available for a limited time from selected Liquorland stores – RRP $13.99 per 750ml bottle; APV 6%.

long Wait oVEr for longESt DrinK in toWn! Well, readers, here’s the long and the short of it, or rather just the long – yes, the wait is over! The Longest Drink in Town flavours are now available at local supermarkets. Summers past wouldn’t have been the same without that friendly, very long-necked giraffe smiling at you while slurping on your delicious milkshake! For the past 46 years, the iconic blue and red giraffe has appeared on the side of cups used by dairies, ice cream parlours and cafes for milkshakes and thickshakes. And now, this favourite range of milkshake flavours are yours to take home – banana, chocolate, strawberry, lime and caramel! Get your The Longest Drink in Town milkshake flavours (RRP $4.99 1ltr) from your local supermarket now.

With MorE than a grain of MuStarD It’s debatable whether the mustard seed is older than Methuselah, but it was definitely around in Biblical times and used by the Romans in cooking. It was found to be cultivated in the Indus Valley as far back as 1800BC and also in China at least 3000 years ago. Today, there are many types of mustards ranging from mild and creamy to pungent with loads of bite or wholegrain varieties. One that stands out is Maille Dijonnaise – smooth and creamy with a subtle kick. Delicious with hot and cold meats or slice boiled new potatoes, stir in Maille Dijonnaise and plenty of finely chopped parsley, then serve as a side to corn beef and steamed carrots. Maille Dijonnaise Mustard available in supermarkets nationwide (200ml RRP $4.29 approx).

54 | eastlife | march 2016

nEW taco KitS MExican Magic Smokin’ bandits! Who wouldn’t love these two new creations from Old El Paso. Transform plain beef mince into a Mexican sensation with the new Stand ‘N’ Stuff Smoky BBQ Soft Taco kit or give succulent chicken fillets a hit of Latin American deliciousness with the Stand ‘N’ Stuff Crispy Chicken Soft Taco Kit. Each kit contains a special seasoning blend that’s packed with flavour but is still nicely mild so it won’t blow off the kids’ sombreros and there’s a zingy salsa mix plus eight Stand ‘N’ Stuff soft tortillas designed with a boat-like shape to keep the filling in the taco. Easy and family fabulous, Old El Paso Stand’ N’ Stuff Smoky BBQ and Crispy Chicken Stand’ N’ Stuff Soft taco kits (RRP $9.69) available in supermarkets. www.eastlife.co.nz

www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 |

55 02265-v2

dining Mains $10-$24 = $ Mains $25-$34 = $$ Mains $35+ = $$$

THAI

Restaurant

BENJARONG THAI RESTAURANT

DooLaN BrothErS BotaNy

OCEANZ SEAFOOD BOTANY

After 16 successful years in the heart of Howick, Benjarong is a household name in the east, consistently maintaining its tradition of menu, service and decor excellence. Now, a stunning new makeover and a Monday to Thursday Happy Hour with the most delectable snacking plates and low, low prices, is providing dedicated foodies who love the exotic with scores of reasons to dine at this Howick jewel.

You don’t have to be Irish to celebrate this March the 17th… Go green for the day and join the team at Doolan Brother’s Botany. Sample some of the black stuff, listen to some live music and watch our traditional Irish Dancers while enjoying some good hearty Irish food…

From our boats to your plates – At Oceanz we pride ourselves on the consistency and freshness of our seafood and on the awardwinning takeaways we have been serving our customers for more than 10 years.

• rEStaUraNt QUaLIty FooD @ PUB PrICES – 2 courses for $34.95 or 3 courses for $39.95 from 5pm weekdays and all day weekends.

• CHECK OUT OUR MOST POPULAR TAKEAWAY – the Skippers Meal, featuring two pieces of fish, one serve of chips and two squid rings for only $11.50!

• HAPPY HOUR MON-THURS – $6 beers and house wine from 4.30-6.30pm

LICENSED • BYOW

1/451 Ti Rakau Drive, The Hub, Botany. Ph 271 4880 Open Sun-Thurs 9am-7pm, Fri-Sat 9am-7.30pm www.oceanz.co.nz

588 Chapel road, Botany town Centre Ph 271 2001. open 7 days, 9am-10pm www.doolanbrothers.co.nz

87 Picton Street, Howick. Ph 533 9568. Open Lunch Mon-Sat 11.30am-2.30pm, Dinner 7 nights 4.30pm till late www.benjarong.co.nz

LICENSED

Red Shed

Palazzo

www.redshedpalazzo.co.nz

 1981 BAR & RESTAURANT

RED ShED PaLazzo CoUNTRY CaFE

TUAKAU HOTEL

Located just off the Southern Motorway, 1981 is Manukau’s busiest nightspot. For those wanting to dine in or simply socialise with a few after work drinks then 1981 has it all. An all day brunch and full dinner menu caters for all ages. Fully licensed with two function rooms, three outdoor decks and ample room for walk-ins, come check out our tasty bourbon ribs, homemade pizzas and more. Contact us for more information.

Tucked down Jesmond Rd, just 1km from the motorway off-ramp at Drury, Red Shed Palazzo is a stylish eatery nestled amongst beautiful country gardens. Family (and dog) friendly with a children’s playground, the tranquil environment offers relaxed indoor/outdoor dining and is perfect for special occasions.

Elsie’s Restaurant in the award-winning Tuakau Hotel offers classical dining with elegant country ambiance. For an intimate evening out or a group celebration, Elsie’s Restaurant is the popular choice, enjoy a fantastic menu created with locally sourced ingredients, adding a city sophistication to traditional menu favourites. Book your table today and try what our region has to offer. We look forward to welcoming you.

• CHECK OUT OUR NEW SUMMER MENU

Red Shed Palazzo is a fully licensed country cafe offering a mouth-watering menu of creative breakfasts, well-balanced lunches, outstanding cake/dessert selection and delicious ALLPRESS coffee.

712 Great South Road, Manukau. Ph 263 9696. Open 7 days from 12pm www.1981.co.nz

64 Jesmond Road, Karaka. Ph 09 294 6687. open 7 days, 8.30am-4pm. www.redshedpalazzo.co.nz

LICENSED

• FUNCTION ROOM AVAILABLE – FREE HIRE

56 | eastlife | march 2016

1-3 George Street, Tuakau. Ph 09 236 8084. restaurant@tuakauhotel.co.nz Open Monday-Friday 10am-10pm Weekends 8am-late or by arrangement for group functions www.tuakauhotel.co.nz

LICENSED

$$ www.eastlife.co.nz

dining Mains $10-$24 = $ Mains $25-$34 = $$ Mains $35+ = $$$

THE APOTHECARY

PASSITO ITALIAN RESTAURANT

CASA TUA RESTAURANT

COME IN and TRY the NEW MENU at The Apothecary Licensed Bar and Eatery!

Come in and try our award-winning wood-fired pizza or gourmet pasta from our NEW SUMMER MENU!

If you’re looking for tasty Italian fare, then look no further. Cosily tucked away in Farm Cove, you’ll find Casa Tua Restaurant & The Tapas Room. We’re open Tuesday-Sunday every evening where you can dine in our main restaurant, enjoy tapas in The Tapas Room or grab takeaways on your way home. BYO Wine is available when dining in the main restaurant. Full bar available in The Tapas Room. We’re also the perfect venue for private functions.

• NEW BREAkfAST AND LUNCH MENU – Café open weekdays from 7am, weekends from 8am • SMALL PLATE MENU available at The Cellar Bar Wed-Sat from 4pm til late • THE CELLAR HAPPY HOUR – 4-6pm Wed-Sat, $5 wine and beer, $9 cocktails Planning a function? Choose The Apothecary for your engagement, wedding, anniversary or birthday! We’ll make your function one to remember! No function fees! Email info@ theapothecary.co.nz – special conditions apply.

298B Ti Rakau Dr, Burswood. Ph 273 9797. Open Monday-Sunday 11.30am-late www.passito.co.nz • Find us on facebook

27-29 Picton St, Howick. Ph 535 9661. www.facebook.com/theapothecaryhowick

LICENSED

• OPEN LUNCH EVERY DAY • AWARD-WINNING WOOD-FIRED PIZZA – Take-away available • NEW SUMMER MENU • GOLF MEMBERS 10% OFF: Pakuranga Golf Club, Howick Golf Club. T&C apply • CATERING OPTIONS AVAILABLE • PRIVATE FUNCTIONS AVAILABLE – We create menus to suit your needs and budgets

LICENSED

• $6 HOUSE DRINKS DAILY FROM 5-7PM 190 Fisher Parade, Farm Cove. Ph 576 3739. Open 6 nights, Tuesday to Sunday. Bar from 4pm, Restaurant 6pm-late. www.casa-tua.co.nz

BYO • LICENSED

RESTAURANT & BAR

SZIMPLA GASTRO BAR

XACUTI RESTAURANT & BAR

ROSSINI ITALIAN RESTAURANT

There’s nothing Szimpla than dropping in at a popular gastro bar for a taste of great food and atmosphere. Stop and linger before or after a flight, and revel in the magic of Szimpla’s beautiful Balinese courtyard and contemporary decor. Close to accommodation and the airport; forget the hassle, just sit back, relax and enjoy the Szimplicity. Weekend brunches from 10am.

Xacuti is Auckland’s first Goan-Portuguese restaurant. It celebrates the cuisine and culture of Goa which was colonised by the Portuguese for more than 450 years. Its culinary style is largely seafood-based and symbolises a harmony of flavours from East and West. Intense spices especially chilli, as well as chicken and coconut milk, are also typical of this unique cuisine.

• DELICIOuS kAI BEfORE yOu fLy • kIwI CRAfT BREwS ON TAP • yuMMy kIDS MENu AvAILABLE

• CUISINE BEYOND BOUNDARIES Eat. Live. Enjoy. • NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

A local, family-owned and run establishment since 1993, Rossini Italian Restaurant in Howick prides itself on traditional Italian fare served in cosy, warm surroundings. Family-style meals – hearty, rustic and full of flavour. Check out this well-loved favourite offering lively music, friendly service and excellent food. Affordably priced and BYO, Rossini is perfect for a casual week night meal or for that special occasion. Available for functions 7 days, lunch and dinner.

2 Leonard Isitt Dr, Auckland Airport. Ph 215 1220. Open 7 days 10am-late. info@szimpla.co.nz • www.szimpla.co.nz

124 Picton St, Howick. Ph 534 3051. Open Tuesday-Sunday 6pm till 10.30pm www.xacuti.co.nz

LICENSED www.eastlife.co.nz

LICENSED • BYO

• 20% Off YOUR BILL ON pRESENTATION Of ThIS ADvERT Up TO $50 vALUE 7A/125 Meadowlands Drive, Meadowlands, howick. ph 537 5554. Open Tuesday-Sunday 5.30pm-11.00pm

LICENSED • BYO

$ eastlife | march 2016 |

MY Favourit e Thing

Megan Alatini with the photograph where she is awaiting the birth of her first child. Her youngest sister Meryl Cassie embraces the occasion.

Photo Wayne Martin

Motherhood – something to sing and dance about! Choosing a favourite item can be as difficult as choosing dessert from a trolley fully of delectable sweets so when EastLife quizzed Bucklands Beach local, flight attendant Megan Alatini of TrueBliss and Dancing with the Stars fame, on her favourite thing we wondered what her diverse career and lifestyle would turn up. Here is what she said: Despite having many treasured items – including life itself – I finally decided my ‘Favourite Thing’ just had to be my absolute favourite personal photograph taken more than two decades ago, towards the end of my first pregnancy when I was carrying my daughter Tonica – yes, my darling girl is 21 this year! This photograph has huge sentimental value to me as it beautifully captures that unique time in a woman’s life as well as her shape and form that only a pregnancy can bring. It was, of course, a special time as all pregnancies are, more so as it was my first. However, because I was a teenage mum, this pregnancy

58 | eastlife | march 2016

had special significance, being a trying and challenging time for me. Once I had come to terms with the fact that I wanted to continue with the pregnancy I made a very conscious decision that I would NOT be a negative statistic. This pregnancy pointed my life in a whole new direction and, by golly, I was going to give this unborn child the very best possible life I could! I nicknamed her, The Reason. She was the reason I chose to work hard; she was the reason I made certain decisions; she was the reason I auditioned for TrueBliss; she was the reason I did so many things in my career and in my personal life.

‘

I nicknamed her, The Reason. She was the reason I chose to work hard; she was the reason I made certain decisions; she was the reason I auditioned for TrueBliss; she was the reason I did so many things in my career and in my personal life.”

What first seemed like doom and gloom to a pregnant teen turned into the most precious gift of all and as a result helped me become a more positive person in general. I do not ask to be a role model or spokesperson for women and mums in New Zealand or elsewhere, but somehow I have been called to fill those roles many times over the years.

And so to the photograph itself. I love it because it signifies such a lot of what has happened in my life but also because I look so young, very natural (hardly any makeup, if any), BIG (I had a huge belly) and, in my mind, I have a very ‘neutral/ confused’ look about me. I guess that depicts how I felt – both excited and scared! Knowing my daughter is heading into her 21st year, with a big celebration pending, I feel this photograph is more fitting than ever to top my favourite possessions. It has also won several photographic awards which both the photographer and I are very proud of. I may not take the full portrait with me when I travel abroad but I always have some sort of copy of it on hand. It is a constant reminder of where I’ve been and that when the going gets tough there’s always a good reason to keep going. www.eastlife.co.nz

Autumn hues with a modern twist Temperatures may still be steamy but March is the start of autumn and, with the change of season, Dulux brings a fusion of modern and heritage tones to 2016.

‘

Deep traditional hues, re-energised with splashes of wanton colour, celebrate a return to fine craftsmanship. Minimalism is nowhere in sight.

To achieve the Future Past trend, balance autumn colours with opulent antiques, heirlooms and décor in a modern setting. PHOTOGRAPHER: MIKE BAKER. STYLED BY BREE LEECH AND HEATHER NETTE KING FOR DULUX COLOUR TRENDS 2016 – FUTURE PAST PALETTE

Maintaining a feeling of warmth with luxurious browns, earthy greens and salmon, this new palette has been inspired by the Future Past theme from the 2016 Dulux Colour Trends, “Design Age”, featured in EastLife last month.

palette but for a more neutral scheme, these colours can be accessorised with stark white items to achieve a striking contrast. “For those wanting a more subtle look, then incorporate these autumn hues in smaller volumes,” says Andrea.

Taking its cue from Steampunk references merging with modern design, the Future Past trend celebrates a new version of the old. Dulux colour expert, Andrea LucenaOrr says key hues include Dulux Pickled, Pretty Primrose and Loose Leather.

“Use one of the colours and then layer accessories incorporating natural tones such as whites and neutrals to counterbalance the darker wall colour.”

“The 2016 autumn palette comprises stronger hues, but don’t be afraid to add a darker colour into your home,” Andrea says.

Andrea’s top tips for homeowners using colour this autumn are: “Ensure you love the colours you choose for your home, and that selected hues will work with your space especially with lowering light in autumn.

To achieve the Future Past trend, balance autumn colours with opulent antiques, heirlooms and décor in a modern setting.

“Also consider accessories as you move into these colder seasons as they impact the space when you’re creating the overall scheme.”

“Strong blues and indigo elements work especially well with this new

For more colour or painting advice visit www.dulux.co.nz

framestoday@gmail.com

www.eastlife.co.nz

open mon-fri 9-5 sat 10-2

PICTURE FRAMING . CANVAS PRINTING . NZ ART

eastlife | march 2016 |

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“The warmth these hues can add will transform any space and make it feel inviting and snug, creating a cosy room to cocoon in during winter.”

Porto on the Rolls

out of europe

COUNTING THE COSTAS: When it comes to vehicular sophistication, Bentley and Rolls Royce lead the way. However, these giants of style must believe the Portuguese pip many others at the post with their furniture. Appearing by special invitation of the RollsRoyce Enthusiasts’ Club at London’s chic Saatchi Gallery, the Alma de Luce brand from Porto is set to turn heads of the rich and glamorous in December. The vision of architecture graduates, Helena and Carlos Costa, is that Alma de Luce seeks “to tell memories through the senses” with its stunning, limited edition pieces, such as these cabinets. Orders can be placed direct; see almadeluce.com

French Style Furniture

GUSTAVIEN COLLECTION

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11 Neil Park Drive, East Tamaki. Ph 09 273 7068

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• German made hinges (lifetime warranty) • Best price in the market guaranteed

Koket struts ‘wild’ ‘ stuff at Paris show And the crowd went ‘wild’ at the 2016 Maison & Objet Paris expo where the theme ‘Wild’ ran rampant through design offerings which aimed to express the art of living in all its rich and varied expressions. One of the world’s leading design trade shows, Maison & Objet included decor, furniture, accessories, textiles, fragrances, the world of children, tableware and much more. In particular, the extraordinary diversity of products succeeded in making the expo a unique experience to discover the unexpected.

O Dr O oo F F m

These lush new textured ‘papers’ showed how to transform simple walls into a natural work of art, effortlessly blending hues of rich blues and greens, natural tans and beiges dappled with hints of chocolate brown and black, and deep purple swirled with navy.

Drawing on the raw beauty of Mother Nature and looking for new ways to seduce and surprise, theKoket wall cover collection ‘flew’ in the popularity stakes.

With the launch of new pieces and a revamped textile and wall cover collection, Portuguese interiors company, KOKET channelled the show’s “Wild” theme into its Wild Obsessions range.

The seduction was all in the shape of luxurious peacock feathers, placed by

hand, one-by-one to create an exotic and decadent wall covering. In addition Koket have also used quail and pheasant feathers to create various mesmerising patterns of flowing waves, natural stripes and diamond crisscrossing.

On the fabric front sumptuous silks, supple leathers and sensuous satins also oozed opulence. For those hankering after a sense of allure then the glimmering metallics, rich hues and also feathery textures from this range are seductive, indeed, offering plenty of decor possibilities for plush glamour and grand designs.

Let me sleep on it! EVEN IN SLUMBER ONE CAN BE STYLISH

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SALE ENDS MARCH 31 SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

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* CONDITIONS APPLY SEE INSTORE FOR DETAILS

983 MT EDEN RD THREE KINGS 501 TI RAKAU DR BOTANY 4/683 CAMERON RD TAURANGA 11798-v2

www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 |

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62 | eastlife | march 2016

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Irish moss

dainty daisy unwelcome guest

– seeing double on St Patrick’s Day

What could be more ‘Irish’ than a moss that’s not a moss? The common name, Irish moss, is used as a moniker for a number of plants, including the first of our plants of the week, the connection with which is more than just dubious; in fact it’s downright... fishy!

This is certainly the right time of year for spotting and weeding out Erigeron karvinskianus, often known as Mexican daisies (from their country of origin) fleabane, dancing daisies or seaside daisies.

Chondrus crispus At home along the rockier sections of coast in North America and Europe – particularly in Ireland – Irish moss (Chondrus crispus) is actually a form of algae. Ranging in colour from yellow-green to red or brown, it grows to roughly 20cm in length in a branching, fan shape.

Pretty as these white, purplish and pink daisies with a yellow centre, are, they have been declared the scourge of NZ’s native bush and gardeners are urged to get rid of this plant wherever they see it.

Not content with looking for four-leaf clovers, historically, Irish folk thought this type of Irish moss to be a lucky charm, which would usher prosperity into the household. In more recent years, however, it is widely used in a variety of edibles and considered to be a super food. As with other red seaweeds, Irish moss is often harvested for its carrageenan content, which is used as a thickening product in processed foods, gelatinous desserts and ice cream.

Chondrus crispus (above) and Sagina subulata (below ) – Irish Mosses by other names.

In Britain, Erigeron is often used as an edging plant or ground cover and is grown in containers. But, in New Zealand it seeds prolifically and is spread by wind across long distances, establishing itself in a wide range of habitats opening them up to invasion by vines and other weeds

In addition, primarily because of its vitamin K content, it is also added to cosmetics to alleviate skin problems, including sunburn and eczema, as well as to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and varicose veins.

Sagina subulata Also known by the name Irish moss www.eastlife.co.nz

Many folk from the ‘old country’ i.e. England may question this because in the UK, Erigeron Karvinskianus Profusion received the British Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit. A mark of quality, it is awarded to plants which are judged on their performance under UK growing conditions. But as many gardeners know, some plants valued there, such as gorse, are not seen in the same light here often because the climate and growing conditions are quite different.

Containing high amounts of sulphur, calcium, iodine and potassium, and a range of vitamins, Irish moss has been used to treat numerous ailments from intestinal and bladder disorders, to bronchitis, influenza and even tuberculosis.

And, those enjoying a tipple or two on St Pat’s night might even find it present in their brew! Similar to starch or cellulose, carrageenan is a perfect clarifying agent in homebrewed beer, because, when added to the wort, it attracts proteins to be removed from the mix once cooled.

Forget the saying, ‘beware Greeks bearing gifts’. Rather, think along the lines of beware a pretty little Mexican who can easily make one forget it is a troublesome foe of gardeners in New Zealand.

(or Scotch moss), Sagina subulata is a slow-growing perennial that grows to form a dense ground covering. Preferring moist soil, this European native features slim leaves and numerous small flowers, just 4-5mm in length, with white petals. Ideal in rock gardens or between pavers, this particular Irish moss forms a cushion of greenery, and brings the garden alive with a

virtual cascade of blooms in late spring to early summer. Thriving in full sun or part shade with free-draining soil, Sagina subulata is relatively easy to grow, with sections cut and pressed down where required.

This attractive invader, which forms a dense, sprawling mat with fibrous roots, finds its way on to farms, cliff faces, shrubland and tussockland; into bush and along consolidated sand dunes, streams, riverbeds, and roadsides. It will also creep into cracks and rocky places ultimately replacing vulnerable shrubs and herbs. We can well do without it.

Let’s face it, whether or not we’re born (or formed) in the Emerald Isle, come March 17, all can pretend for the day to be a little bit Irish, if not in name, then at least in nature. eastlife | march 2016 |

Rock-et the salad bar! Behind the dark green leaf of delicate rocket, there lies a bite big enough to stop foodies reaching for the pepper grinder. Also known as roquette, arugula and rucola, among other names, this ancient plant has earned a place on the plates of gourmands around the world – in particular, the English and those folk from Mediterranean countries. A member of the mustard family, it’s easy to see the resemblance in flavour to English hot mustard. It may even have graced the lips of Shakespeare given that it has been around since the 17th century – yep, this is no spring vegetable but it can be planted in spring or, in fact, virtually, year around! A leafy ‘veg’ with kick, this

seemingly modest salad green is frequently in the limelight when it comes to summer entertaining and is no bad thing to have in the garden.

Growing guide:

When, where and how to plant:

Sow seeds at a depth three times the diameter of the seed and make sure they are least 20cm apart. Use only half a packet of seeds at a time. To avoid rinsing the seeds out of the soil, water lightly but regularly.

Rocket grows all year round but spring is a particularly good time to plant thanks to mild temperatures falling between 10°C and 25°C. Try not to plant it in the blistering heat of summer! Plant on a well-fertilised and welldrained garden bed where members of the mustard family (cabbage, kale, cauliflower, radish) have not grown for the past two years. Not only will this ensure plenty of nutrients for the new rocket, but it will also prevent incidents of clubroot, a disease prevalent among the mustard clan.

For continuous supply, plant every two to three weeks. Spread seeds thinly and evenly.

Harvest: Plants will be ready from 21-35 days. Try not to let the plant grow too big (around two to three inches max) as the leaves become overly bitter when mature and will ruin the already intense flavour. Individual leaves can be cut off or it can also be cut off at the base – it will grow back.

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64 | eastlife | march 2016

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www.eastlife.co.nz

Like that naturally weathered, silver cedar look? Your cedar doesn’t! TimberTECH director MARK RALPH provides welcome advice on how to keep exterior cedar looking its best at all times. Is that Scandinavian, silvered look your favourite? The best way to achieve it is let it happen naturally, isn’t it? You know, by letting it weather over time, so it can develop that silver patina that only cedar seems to get. No, no, no! Repeat after me: Silvering is almost always a sign of severe damage. Here’s what causes it – the fraying and loosening of the top cells of the cedar under long-term UV battering. Think about what happens to your skin when you’ve been out in the sun all day without sunscreen, and you’ve got the idea! Silvered cedar is a clear message to the world that you’re not looking after your property. What’s worse, when the UV rays have done their darndest, moss, mildew and lichen then invade through the damaged surface of the timber in the same way that infections can invade your body through damaged skin. And, just as infection weakens your body and opens you up to even further illness, timber that has been

opened up by UV rays and attacked by invaders, such as moss and mildew, is now susceptible to even more damage from driving rain and dirt-laden winds. That’s the bad news. The good news is that protecting your cedar while also achieving that silvered, Scandinavian look is easy peasy. You see, good quality cedar oils come with a range of tints, which allow you to both protect your home and express your personality through your favourite timber shade. One such oil is Wood-X, the deep penetrating wood oil we developed with leading paint manufacturer, Resene. Wood-X comes in an exciting range of 40 colours across the spectrum – everything from rich reds and bush greens to a daring indigo blue and a whole range of woodprotecting silvers. If you have any questions about taking care of your cedar home, call us on 0800 298 298 or email me: mark@timbertech.co.nz Until next month, Mark.

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eastlife | march 2016 |

THE

AgEnTS

Tips on

SUCCESSFUL INVESTING JANE WILSHER, from Elite Property Management, talks about ensuring rentals provide market returns.

Rachael meyeR

LEE-ANNE HAWKINS

LICENSED SALESPERSON

PROPERTY MANAGER

P: 09 538 1230 m: 021 110 3956 e: rachael.meyer@raywhite.com If you are looking for a real estate salesperson who provides great service, whilst providing second to none communication, please give me a call. “Thanks for thinking outside the box and making us consider options we may not have on our own. I trusted you throughout the process and always thought you had our best interests at heart.” Theodora – Bucklands Beach

P: 09 535 6153 M: 021 798 155 E: l.hawkins@barfoot.co.nz Lee-Anne leads a team that is committed to delivering exceptional service to both landlords and tenants – no job is too big or too small. Her philosophy is simple… “It’s All About You!” Lee-Anne’s experience in the real estate industry, which began in 2000, provides her with the skills required to manage the largest rental portfolio in the south east area.

Mountfort Estate Agents Ltd Licensed (REAA 2008)

12 Uxbridge Rd, Howick. www.raywhite.co.nz

Special Agents 003 IAN BOSWELL, MARK VAN ETTEN & NICOLETTE HALE RESIDENTIAL SALES, BEACHLANDS

Ian 027 285 9314, i.boswell@barfoot.co.nz Mark 027 523 2245, mark.vanetten@barfoot.co.nz Nicolette 027 702 9157, n.hale@barfoot.co.nz www.specialagents003.co.nz This vibrant team puts the fun back into real estate while also achieving outstanding sales results. Now is your time to take advantage of the fantastic service they provide!

42 Wakelin Rd, Beachlands www.barfoot.co.nz

66 | eastlife | march 2016

90J Whitford Rd, Howick www.barfoot.co.nz

greg roy AREINZ Principal/Owner

P: 09 538 0151 M: Greg 0274 966 966 Your Independent Local Specialists – Leigh & Greg Roy With a combined 40 years’ experience selling real estate in the area, you can rest assured you’re in good hands. Providing good old fashioned service with outstanding results and never losing sight of who it is that we are working for is the absolute foundation of our business. Call us if you simply want advice, or are looking to buy or sell your home.

you may recall my column back in November where I discussed a specific property in Sunnyhills which had been under rented by $220 per week. The property had been a rental since new but the owner decided to cash up because he didn’t feel the rent of $530 per week was a good return on his investment. The new owners had a rental appraisal carried out before they made an offer and armed with the updated figures they decided to buy the home. The tenancy is now running very well with quality tenants paying $750 per week and also looking after the home. For this second owner, the investment is now a success. However, this type of success doesn’t happen on its own. If you are considering buying an investment property you will need a strategy that sets out goals and a plan as to how to achieve them. you’ll need to consider where to invest, identify potential properties and carry out an analysis of your rental income against the cost of your investment. Having the right advice is essential so establishing trusted relationships with your accountant, lawyer and property manager right at the start is very important and can help you avoid expensive mistakes. There are several ways to structure the ownership of your investments and the best option for you will

depend on many factors including personal circumstances, growth of your portfolio and your tax situation. your accountant and lawyer will help you establish what is most appropriate. To achieve the best return on an investment property you should always buy wisely and take into consideration location, potential for improvement, yield, price and potential to add value. The cost of improvements should also be considered before you buy and worked into your cost analysis. It’s only worth doing improvements if the cost can be justified by achieving a higher return. The end goal is important. Before buying, ask yourself why you are making this investment, what time scale are you committing to, do you have the skills to do this and do you have advisors in place who can help? If you have the answers to all of the above, then you’re a long way towards making a successful investment. If you are considering buying an investment property, Elite Property Management is here to help. We can provide rental appraisals for you as well as other tenancy advice so please get in touch: 128 Picton St, Howick. Ph 09 535 0911. Email: jane@ eliteproperty.co.nz or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ elitepropertymanagementnz www.eliteproperty.co.nz

Are you a landlord short on time? Heading overseas? Or just over dealing with tenants? We are your local specialist property managers based in Howick. Dedicated to finding quality tenants, maintaining your properties and getting you the best return on your investment. 128 Picton Street, Howick. Phone 09 535 0911 www.eliteproperty.co.nz Email: jane@eliteproperty.co.nz or info@eliteproperty.co.nz

E512179-v3

111 Picton St, Howick. www.tfproperty.co.nz www.eastlife.co.nz

Low turnover Total Focus Principal, Greg Roy areinz, gives an update on the local real estate market happenings.

REINZ has released its sales statistics for January 2016. The Eastern Beaches area started the year with January sales volumes at the lowest level seen for many years with only 85 sales. To put this in context, over the past few years, the average number of sales per month has been around 185 and I can’t remember a month where it has dipped below 100. January has always had the lowest sales and the next lowest from the previous eight years was in 2014 with 106 sales. However, the number of days to sell increased from December 34 out to 46 days. In January 2015 it was 29 days. On the other hand, we did see an increase in the median price up to

$928,000, after experiencing two consecutive months of decreases. This median represents an increase of 13% over January 2015 and 28% over January 2014 but is still 5% down from the record high of $977,500 we experienced in August 2015. Currently, the realestate.co.nz site is showing 361 properties for sale in the Eastern Beaches area. This time last month there were 236 and this increase is consistent with most years when more properties come to the market after people are back from holidays and school has re-commenced for the year. It’s good news for buyers who now have more to choose from. Looking at the QV data for Auckland

overall we see a .5% decrease in values from December 2015 to January 2016 to $928,921, following on from the same downward trend from the two months previous. The value drops however are not right across Auckland. The more central areas are the most affected while areas further out, such as Rodney, Papakura and Franklin, are still rising but at a lot slower rate than seen through the mid part of 2015. Areas surrounding Auckland from Whangarei in the north to Tauranga in the south are still experiencing

increases in values – around the 6% mark in just the past three months. This is being attributed to Auckland money flowing out of town on the back of the new rules governing investors buying in Auckland, together with the lower rental yields from increased Auckland prices. With some investor buyers now looking outside the Auckland region, combined with record low interest rates, there is now more scope for first home buyers to get into the Auckland market. The window of opportunity may only be small as the pressure of low supply is still present.

Setting the benchmark Cosentino welcomes the public to its Highbrook design centre where the best in engineered stone benchtop surfaces can be viewed – an eclectic range for every taste.

ShowcaSing

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nZ owned and operated 38b Highbrook Drive, East Tamaki. Phone 274 9406 Monday-Thursday 8.30am-5pm, Friday 8.30am-3pm www.silestone.co.nz n www.dekton.com www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 |

e s a

w o N

A Special Sense of Place

STA GE

High above the harbour Solway at Whitford is rural living at its finest. Perfectly positioned between Whitford and Clevedon, this private estate features an idyllic blend of native bush and farmland. Almost all of the elevated 3.5 hectare - 3000m2 lots boast panoramic 360Âş views of the Auckland isthmus, harbour and beyond. Poised high on the ridge to take advantage of the incredible views of the ocean and beyond each property is also designed to make the most of the all day sun. Here you can build more than just your dream home â&#x2C6;&#x2019; you can create your dream lifestyle. Each lot has been specifically designed to sit in a cluster of other residences to give a sense of security and community whilst still maintaining privacy and views.

l re

Solway offers a rare and limited opportunity to enjoy incredible views, and an incredible lifestyle. Call today to view: Contact Suzie Wigglesworth on 021 782 011 or visit www.solwaywhitford.co.nz

Howick

Beachlands

Botany Downs

SOLWAY AT WHITFORD

Whitford

Clevedon 11896

One plan, four style options Lifestyle, family size, even work commitments all play their part in the ever-changing housing needs of Kiwi families. Fortunately, G.J. Gardner Homes continues to develop plans which bring new home layout ideas to customers.

new format of presenting each floor plan in four different ‘looks’. The aim is to provide straightforward examples of how easy it is to totally transform the appearance of a home, yet retain the same functional floor plan.

The Family Series range of plans is aimed at meeting the needs of New Zealand families, with enough space for comfortable living for all members of a modern family. Popular additions of media rooms, separate laundries, and larger, walk-in pantries are incorporated into many of the new plans.

G.J. Gardner has always been able to customise plans, but believes laying out examples from the start will make the process easier and more enjoyable for customers. With the different ‘looks’ the company shows it is possible to create a different looking house on the same floor plan. In the Family Series brochure book available now from your local G.J.

No one ‘look’ is necessarily better than another as a ‘look’ can be subjective. However, certain materials and features do require additional investment and this is shown in the silver, gold, platinum progression.

The names: silver, gold, and platinum, are used to identify the different ‘looks’. Silver is the “entry level” model if you like, then gold, and then platinum for the higher specification ‘look’ for the additional investment.

As well as clearly showing the options of different looks available, another benefit of having the plans set out in these variations is the ability to easily identify the cost differences for the various looks.

Through this new approach a greater multitude of styles, displaying a broader range of our building capabilities, can be showcased.

To discuss ideas and options specific to you and your family call us on 09 274 2082 or drop into our Beachlands show home.

12031

These plans follow G.J’s successful

Gardner Homes office, customers will see three designs for each floor plan, while a fourth option is also included of one of the exterior designs shown in a different colour scheme.

www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 |

What’s your number? HANNAH MCQUEEN and KATIE WESNEy, consultants at enableMe talk about saving for retirement – long or short term.

Damn it! I saved too much for my retirement! Said nobody, ever.

A question people often ask is, “how much do I need to save to live a comfortable retirement?” This answer differs significantly from person to person depending on one’s definition of “comfortable retirement”. Some are happy to skimp it out, turning down holidays, cutting off the family apron strings, and downsizing their home quickly. While researching my recent book, Kill Your Mortgage and Sort Retirement it became clear to me that there is no obvious number, with the number needing to be calculated based on the web of objections, goals, succession planning, surplus, mortgages, attitude toward spending and more. Recently Westpac Massey University Fin-Ed Centre, in conjunction with Workplace Savings, tried to answer the question of “how much will be enough” for one’s retirement? It was found that $522,000 of combined Kiwisaver funds is needed for an Auckland couple to have choices in retirement, based on the spending of today’s retirees. While this is a good place to start, it assumes that you are mortgagefree by retirement, and have saved enough ($522,000 apparently) in addition to being mortgage-free. So what do you need to do? As

a minimum, when you head to retirement you need to be mortgagefree and have reared financially self-sufficient children. The biggest obstacles to anyone’s retirement are the bank (mortgage) and kids. To put it bluntly, you need to kill your mortgage. Develop a plan of attack to have it repaid sooner. While we often hear, ‘I’m doing well I’ve got equity in my house – my retirement will be fine’ and this may well be great but you can’t eat your house when you retire and often when people downsize they don’t receive the financial windfall expected. Obviously, if you start saving young this will be easier but it’s not too late

to start saving now if you are older. The later you leave your run, it means you just have to work a whole lot smarter. Burying your head in the sand is not an option. Many people say, ‘money is just not important to me, it’s my family that’s important’ or ‘the way they are living life is what is important’. I get this on one level but in reality money affects almost every aspect of our lives. Having enough of it makes living the life you want a whole lot easier. On an emotional level we know that money causes stress in relationships and is the leading cause of insomnia in females. If there is a way of doing things

smarter while living a life you enjoy now, why wouldn’t you? For many, the maths, time it takes, and assumptions needed, is enough to give the heart palpitations, bore you to tears, or alternatively, just makes you prefer to outsource this process to an expert. If this is the case, you should speak to enableMe, with its team of Financial Personal Trainers. Their job is to help clients get ahead faster no matter where they are starting from, and irrespective of how late they have left their run. The old adage holds very true when it comes to retirement, ‘if you don’t know where you are going, you are going to end up somewhere else’.

HOWICK, BOTANY, PAKURANGA AND SURROUNDS

Tell us what is happening Your MonthLY LifEstYLE MAgAzinE

We want to know... what you think... what you like... what you want to see in EastLife

Be in our April issue Copy deadline March 20, 2016. Distributed first week of April

www.eastlife.co.nz

Spicers team

EXPERT INVESTMENT Advice Local resident and Authorised Financial Adviser, Mark Steele introduces himself and the newly refurbished Spicers Auckland East Office.

pat callinan

Taxing times are over The end of the tax year is looming, and that will spark feelings of dread in some people. However, help is close at hand. Pat Callinan, of Pat Callinan Accounting in Howick, has been serving the local community for more than 15 years. Situated conveniently at the top of Picton Street with free client parking available, Pat has a very experienced team working with him, and can take all your accounting needs in hand. Pat urges anyone worrying about their tax return to pick up the phone. “A lot of people seem to bury their heads at this time of year, either because they don’t think they can afford an accountant or because they haven’t kept great records over the year and the task has got out of hand,” he says. “But the worst thing you can do is not do anything! Give us a call and let’s have a conversation. We have monthly payment options for those who are worried about the bill, and we’ve untangled many accounting complications over the years. We’re here to help.” Pat also has some advice for those with an existing relationship with an accountant. He urges them not to be complacent – now is the best time for them to review the work they are paying for and their level of satisfaction. “It’s sometimes easier to stick with what you know rather than make the effort to switch, but this might not be doing your business any favours. You need to be absolutely

‘

SPECIAL DEAL! To help you make the change, Pat Callinan Accounting is offering $150 OFF YOUR FIRST ACCOUNTING FEE for those who sign up with the accounting firm from now until March 31, 2016. Just quote EASTLIFE MARCH 16 to take advantage of this great deal!

sure that you are getting the best service possible, and, if not, make a change quickly before the end of the tax year.”

It’s time to switch if: • You always deal with different people, who do not know your business inside out. • You are charged every time you pick up the phone or email with a little query. • You travel a long way into the city to see your accountant then spend a fortune on parking. • You do not have a great sense of confidence in your accountant. • Your accountant doesn’t keep you updated on changes in tax laws that might be important for you. • Your accountant isn’t proactive in helping you meet your IRD obligations as cost-effectively as possible. 22 Picton St, Howick. Ph 533-8420 www.patcallinan.co.nz Email karenh@patcallinan.co.nz

www.eastlife.co.nz

I am a local Mellons Bay resident of 37 years and very excited to have transferred to our local office joining David Morgan who has been an adviser here since 2009. While the office is not new to town, David and I wanted to take this opportunity to let EastLife readers know we are here and keen to meet them! We all want peace of mind when it comes to financial matters, especially after we’ve stopped working. Our planning service helps eliminate uncertainty. It is the “not knowing” that causes worry. Also, looking after your money once you have it is just as important as growing it. David and I are both very experienced in managing investments and have a very large range of investment options available though many different providers. Whether a low risk income is required or you are comfortable with a higher risk growth option, I believe our offer is very comprehensive and value for money. Both David and I bring a fresh perspective to investment planning, focused on you and your life. We provide all clients with advice that is personalised, well researched and appropriate in risk.

Yes, we can help with choosing specific investments of all kinds, and we have a very large inventory. However, first and foremost, we are here to clarify your personal situation and what investments are suitable for you and your future not what has worked for someone else in the past. For example, anyone who has owned property in Mellons Bay, Howick and Botany in recent years has most likely made good capital gain on this investment. But this doesn’t mean that buying property in Auckland is a good idea for everyone who can afford it. Similar to shares, property investment is high risk and needs to be treated accordingly. Whether you are an experienced investor or don’t know where to start, good financial planning and advice is invaluable over the long term. We really try hard to relate to our clients in a way they can understand, and hopefully, over time, they themselves will gain additional knowledge and understanding of investing. David or I would be very happy to meet with you. The first meeting is free of charge and lasts up to an hour. Regards, Mark Spicers Auckland East Office, Cnr Huntington Drive and Ti Rakau Drive, Botany www.spicers.co.nz

Contact Mark or David, your local Authorised Financial Advisers. Mark Steele E: mark.steele@spicers.co.nz P: 09 337 7824 David Morgan E: david.morgan@spicers.co.nz P: 09 271 1705

A disclosure statement is available on request and free of charge. 11732

eastlife | march 2016 |

Right ‘Hon’ Key From TPPA and Waitangi (or the Auckland 9s at least!), to threats from ‘BAT-men’ to sue the country over cigarette plain packaging plans, our Prime Minister, John Key, has had a busy start to 2016. Once again, we take a little look at some of his latest adventures, as seen through the eyes of the EastLife team.

Key turns... sod With the first sod turned at SkyCity, the Government is confident a $700m investment in a new convention centre will prove a safe bet. Late last month (along with Minister for Economic Development, Steven Joyce) Mr Key turned the first sod on construction of the controversial New Zealand International Convention Centre in the city. Mr Joyce said: “SkyCity has now started construction on what will be a world-standard facility. It is a very significant investment for Auckland and New Zealand that will bring an additional $90 million in tourism expenditure annually.” He added that it will also generate 2140 new jobs. But the Greens are not so keen; Green Party Internal Affairs spokesperson, Denise Roche, believes National is trading the welfare of ordinary Kiwis for the benefit of corporates. “John Key and Steven Joyce may [have been] smiling as they [rubbed] shoulders with the SkyCity executives, but expansion of the SkyCity casino empire is a disaster,” she said. “The Government’s relentless spin that the centre is ‘free’ ignores the enormous financial and personal cost that will be paid by New Zealanders. “Eight thousand or more people could be affected by problem gambling as a direct result of the SkyCity deal [which includes increased allowances for gaming facilities], according to the Government’s own analysis. That’s not something to celebrate.” Deciding where the sod lies in this big city ditty is (of course) a matter of opinion. And, until all players have

72 | eastlife | march 2016

Conventional thinking: SkyCity CEO Nigel Morrison and the PM on a high. shown their hands, we won’t know for sure whether the centre will prove a dud deal or a safe bet.

Of gunboat diplomacy TPPA – enough said! The battle lines were clearly drawn in February as some stood against the signing of the infamous trade agreement – some even knew why! – while others voted to trust in our elected representatives. “TPP will provide much better access for goods and services to more than 800 million people,” said Key. “[It] is our biggest-ever free trade deal estimated to boost our economy by at least $2.7 billion a year by 2030. That will help to diversify our economy and mean more jobs and higher incomes for New Zealanders. “As a country, we won’t get rich selling to ourselves. Instead, we need to build new global markets for our products and services, and TPP will help make that happen.” Of course, there are risks and New Zealand could well be giving up

Photo supplied

some control over its own destiny with this deal, but the alternative is being left out in the cold. No country is an island and no economy can be a fortress unassailed.

Key’s (not so) gay old time

Gagging to speak

Mr Key received criticism in late February for suggesting the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is “not a gay and lesbian issue” during his visit to the Big Gay Out.

Officially ‘speaking’, Waitangi Day is our national day; however few have gone by without controversy. This year – for the first time since New Zealand’s iron maiden, Helen Clark, was brought to tears at Te Tiriti o Waitangi Marae – a prime minister was not present. In 2008, Key criticised Clark for failing to front up; in a way it seems the shoe was on the other foot this time but this time around Key didn’t have a lot to say. Perhaps, he would have said more if he was allowed! While we’re sure others will view this quite differently – there has rarely been unity when it comes to our national day of, well, unity! – at EastLife we can’t help but see the refusal to allow Key to speak as a snub; love him or hate him, he is the elected chief of New Zealand.

TPPA does concern LGBTQI due to HIV/AIDS GP MP says.

Green Party rainbow issues spokesperson, Kevin Hague, showed his true colours pointing out that: “John Key admitted that the TPPA will mean higher prices for medicines and reduced access to cutting-edge, top-of-the-line drugs. This will affect people living with HIV/AIDS and all other New Zealanders.” If only Mr Key had included the word ‘specifically’ at the end of his statement then maybe he could have avoided upsetting (apparently) members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gender, queer/questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) communities... or Mr Hague at least. www.eastlife.co.nz

Trusts, relationship property –

What’s love got to do with it? Senior associate at Fencible Law, LAVANYA DUNRAJ, talks about protecting relationship property.

Love’s got everything to do with it! If you’re single, love changes everything. If you’re already in a relationship and things are getting serious, so should your thoughts about asset protection. If you’re past the honeymoon phase then you certainly need to put your affairs in order. If you’re contemplating separating or have just separated then you need urgent legal advice! Most times it’s difficult to broach this subject with a partner. Sometimes it’s called a ‘passion killer’ – but if it has to be done – it must. It may also be important to protect your children’s interest from future partners. As baby boomers retire, they will be thinking of protecting their legacies for their children. Family Discretionary Trusts used to be the best way to afford total protection, NOT anymore. Trusts can sometimes be ‘busted’ at the end of a relationship, whether the end is by separation or by death.

The Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (‘the Act’) was introduced in 2002. It replaced the Matrimonial Property Act 1976. Now 15 years on it has greatly impacted various other legislation. The Act is a code and often overrides other Acts. It creates a set of rights and obligations between spouses or de facto partners and third parties in respect of relationship property. The court can make, among other things, ‘any order it considers just’, or ‘any other order that it is empowered to make by any provisions of this Act’. Where two people are in a de facto or married relationship, the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 governs the rights and obligations of each party regarding their relationship property. In determining these rights and obligations, an examination of the term ‘property’, as defined by the Act, is required. The two basic obligations imposed by the Act are:

• An obligation on a person to compensate their partner or spouse in certain circumstances. Accordingly, in some circumstances, all the ‘property’ which a person owns may be affected by these obligations. To understand what property can be affected by obligations owed under the Act, it is necessary to identify: • What constitutes ‘property’ for the purposes of the Act; • Who owns it (if the Trust owns it, for example, then you may not be the owner even though you thought you were); and • Whether it is relationship property or separate property as defined by the Act. There is a very wide description of ‘property’ under the Act covering not only the family home and chattels, and other immovable property in New Zealand, it covers both tangible, intangible and movable property overseas.

relationship home was acquired, both partners have an equal entitlement. A provision of the Act that relates to ‘economic disparity’ is a relatively new term under New Zealand law, and rights and payments under this provision are constantly evolving. The ‘Relationship’ part of the Act is often not as straightforward as one imagines. Essentially the equal sharing provisions of the Act kick in once you have been in a committed relationship for three years; however it can kick in earlier when there is a child of the relationship (even if it is not your child but you have child caring responsibilities for your partner’s child). Often the commencement date of a relationship becomes blurred and there are asset of pre-requisites to determine the length of the relationship. There is no one size fits all advice, so legal advice has to be tailored to meet your specific needs.

Income, superannuation, Kiwisaver, shares, vehicles, debts and businesses are examples of relationship property covered, as also are assets which have not yet been acquired.

Our specialist family lawyer, Lavanya Dunraj has practiced in Howick for over 16 years. She has wide experience in Court matters relating to Relationship Property and related • An obligation on the owner of Trust matters. It would certainly pay to relationship property to transfer book a consultation with her and ask • ORTS LAW SP One of the best ways to afford better a share in it to their partner or The family home or relationship home IESher about ‘Section Agreements’, ING • 21 ND • LE ET CI SO OSBORNE • E & LI S KY UB • ‘Contracting NG as protection is by entering into a spouse in certain circumstances;D GALB hasRA entrenched protection under the • BU also known Out’ ITH • CL ILDI ES IS ULLOUGH AR OM CC M PR CH IPS • KELLY AMENTA A ‘Contracting Out or s21 Agreement’. and• ESTATES • RI Act, thatRY no matter the STmeaning ONSHagreements. LATI TION • TE REhow ES • LAVANY TY • WILLS

ER ULT • LEAS PROTEC N CING • PROP DER LAW • AD BORNE • EASEMENTS Y • FAMILY CONVEYAN MINISTRATIO PACITY • EL W • CUSTOD • KYLIE OS TTERS OF AD TION • INCA • FAMILY LA ES LE UC D • TL E EL TI TR FI E AT NS RANTIES NI AS OB CO LE AR TO • PR W S • G IN OS OR ES NC CR TL ND • TI FE IT • VE NS • IBLE LAW SINESS LAW • CLUBS & NANCIES • UN SUBDIVISIO ATS • FENC GENCE • BU DENTIAL TE GALBRAITH ENT • CAVE • RICHARD T • DUE DILI ENTARY AGES • RESI S UR TG AM • EMPLOYM TE CO ST OR TA M TE CT ES • • • RI ST ON T ILLS CENCES Y PROTECTI ANSFER • DI LAW • ADUL IL OPERTY • W TR R M PR DUNRAJ • LI DE • FA ND • EL LA Y • NG • CI OD E AN ALMSLEY • INCAPACITY LIE OSBORN Y LAW • CUST W • CONVEY ON IL KY TI LA M • • ALISON W UC FA LE ES • IB TR TL D TI NC NS E FIEL CO URT • FE • PROBATE CROSS LEAS LAW • TONI • FENCING • • ES TS W NS TL • FAMILY CO LA OR IO TI IS SP LE IT • IV IB • UN • LENDING RNE • SUBD VEATS • FENC SINESS TENANCIES SOCIETIES • KYLIE OSBO SIDENTIAL GENCE • BU OYMENT • CA • BUILDING T • DUE DILI TGAGES • RE UGH • EMPL RICHARD UR • OR LO S M CO UL • TE CT CC PROMISES TA ES RI M ST • ES CENC IPS • KELLY TY • WILLS ANSFER • DI ECTION ER DUNRAJ • LI TR A OT OP ND NY PR PR LA • Y VA • RELATIONSH IL LA M • EY CING STODY • FA ON WALMSL CONVEYAN TS • LEASES TY • CU • IS • CI W AL W PA • LA LA N CA Y LE IO IN IL • EASEMEN • AT M NCIB ADMINISTR NI FIELD • FA NSTRUCTION COURT • FE OF ASE Y TO CO S IL • LE • M S ER G W FA TT IN OS LA • LE NC CR • TS IES IBLE LAW • ING • SPOR IES IVISIONS • FE OR WARRANT RNE • SUBD VEATS • FENC • RESIDENTIAL TENANC ETIES • LEND LAW • VEND CI CA BO • SO OS T & E EN S LI M UB E OY • KY ES CL PL • DU AG NG • H EM DI T TG IT • IL UR H OR RA BU M • GALB CT CO ISES • ULLOUG • LICENCES ILLS ER • DISTRI KELLY MCC TARY PROM ND TRANSF NYA DUNRAJ OPERTY • W ONSHIPS • LA VA PR • TESTAMEN • TI • LA LA • EY NG RE SL ES CI T AN • LEAS WALM • ADUL W • CONVEY • CUSTODY SEMENTS • N • ALISON LA W EA IO ELDER LAW LA LE • AT Y E IB IL TR RN M NC IS • FE • FA MIN LIE OSBO NSTRUCTION ILY COURT TONI FIELD CO M • TTERS OF AD • FA W G LE TITLES • KY • • IN LA S E IE NC TS AT OR • PROB OR WARRANT IVISIONS • FE NDING • SP IBLE LAW • • UNIT TITLES LAW • VEND RNE • SUBD CIETIES • LE ATS • FENC IAL • BUSINESS • KYLIE OSBO ENT • CAVE • CLUBS & SO M NG • RESIDENT H DI IT OY ES IL PL RA DILIGENCE AG BU LB EM • TG ES H• RICHARD GA NCES • MOR CCULLOUG RY PROMIS RICT CE M TA ST LI Y DI • EN LL • AJ AM KE ER • ESTATES • • NR ST S SF DU ECTION • TE LATIONSHIP • LAVANYA • LAND TRAN FAMILY PROT ELDER LAW • ADULT RE WALMSLEY NVEYANCING TS • LEASES • LE LAW • CO ION • ALISON E • EASEMEN • TY IB AT RN CI NC TR PA BO FE IS • CA IN OS T M E IN • LI UR TONI FIELD AD • KY CO • OF W Y S IL LA ES M ER TL TS FA TT TI NS • OR E SPOsborne IES E • LE LEAS Lavanya Dunraj Alison Walmsley Galbraith KellyES McCullough Galbraith TylaECornish Toni Field NDING •Kylie • SUBDIVISIO WARRANTKim CROSSRichard • PROBAT LE • OR RN S IE TL ND BO TI ET VE OS IT CI • • LIE LAW & SO S • UN • KYExecutive Lawyer Director Accountant Receptionist Legal Executive PLOYMENT SINESSLawyer • CLUBS ILDING Legal EM BU H TENANCIEDirector • • BU IT H • E RA UG ES NC LB IS LO GE LI UL ES OM D GA DI CC PR NC E AR M CE RY Y DU CH LI • LL TA RI • T • S • KE COUR TATES DUNRAJ TESTAMEN LATIONSHIP • LAVANYA • WILLS • ES EY • OTECTION • ULT RE ASES Y PR OPER TS •&LE • PR ON WALMSL • FAMILand Sales &TY Purchases ofYProperty Businesses, Leases, Family Law, Wills Trusts and Powers ofIS Attorney MEN DER LAW • AD OD SE N • AL ELCommercial, ST • EA IO • CU TY AT E • CI TR RN W IS PA LA BO IN • FENCIBLE M OS T INCA E • AD UR LI FAMILY ON OF CO KY TI S • Y IL UC ER M TITLES Mall, Central E • LETT Howick Ofﬁce 1, Howick Village CONSTR LEASE Village RANTIES • FA • SPORTS PROBATTerrace, • FENCING • W • CROSS IT TITLES • VENDOR WAR S • LENDING FENCIBLE LA & SOCIETIE NESS LAW • LIE OSBORN NANCIES • UN S SI KY TE UB • BU L • CL CAVEATS • IA E NG • NT DI H IL GENC ES • RESIDE D GALBRAIT OMISES • BU LOUGH AR T • DUE DILI PR UL CH UR RI CC RY CO • M TA • MORTGAG S Y CT EN RI TATE S • KELL www.fenciblelaw.co.nz phone 3539 SFER • DIST ON • TESTAM NYA • WILLS • ES ONSHIP533 TI VA TI TY EC LA LA • ER OT RE OP ES PR T LAND TRAN Y UL AS • PR ODY • FAMIL MENTS • LE EYANCING DER LAW • AD ST SE EL EA CU • • • E TY W CI RN LA LAW • CONV BO ILY CAPA FIELD • FAM www.eastlife.co.nz eastlife | march 2016 | 73 ES • KYLIE OS UCTION • IN LEASE TITL LAW • TONI G • CONSTR W • CROSS NS • FENCIN LA IO LE IS IB IV NC BD • FE • SU S AT VE CA ENT • • EMPLOYM

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contract terms review Wynyard Wood consultant, RICHARD OSBORNE, whose specialties include commercial law and intellectual property law, writes on issues concerning the business community It is worth being aware of some pending changes in a number of business and related areas. The Commerce Commission has just released its Unfair Contract Terms – Telecommunications contract review in which it looked at the main standard form consumer contracts in the telecommunications sector. Changes a year ago to the Fair Trading Act 1986 prohibited unfair contract terms in standard form consumer contract terms. They have to be justified in terms of a legitimate business interest. The current consumer contract forms showed that the industry was attempting to comply with the new rules. However, there were remaining deficiencies in the areas of the limitation of a telco’s liability under a contract, the right of a telco to simply change a contract itself, the exposure of a customer to unauthorised charges and the ability of a telco to avoid liability for consequential losses, usually economic losses. The telcos have committed to making changes or justifying the contract terms in terms of the telco’s legitimate business interests. These issues are also relevant to businessto-business contracts where a similar power imbalance often exists and may indicate longer term

changes in all standard contract terms in this area. A consultation draft of the Incorporated Societies Bill was issued last year, signalling important changes in the way not for profit organisations are created and governed. When enacted, many local community organisations will have to review their rules which may be outdated. The Law Commission has completed its review of the law of New Zealand trusts. At some point, new legislation governing trusts is likely, raising a number of controversial issues, especially relating to creditor and property relationship protection. On that issue, the Law Commission has just started a review of the property relationship legislation. This may well affect any immediate changes to the Trustee Act 1956. Lastly, there are pending changes to the GST legislation imposing GST on offshore sellers of goods and services to NZ consumers by way of an offshore seller registration system for collection and return of GST if their NZ consumer supplies are over $60,000 per year. The start date is October 1, 2016 and the implementation process potentially quite complex.

We still live in boxes part 2 Bill Potter – The Business Maverick. Bill is an international Keynote Speaker, MC and Coach, who has presented in 57 countries so far. www.speakers.co.nz/ our-speakers/all-speakers/bill-potter www.btob.co.nz/the-business-maverick In the January Issue of EastLife (you read it, ‘liked’ it and ‘shared’ it, right?), I avoided the age-old quote that, ‘Insanity, is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.’ Although attributed to Einstein, it is not proven that he first said it. This is considered to be the most overused cliché of all time. But, it is still as true as it was, the first time it was uttered by... whomever. Thus, I will use it one more time. If you are looking for examples of it, start your search, in a parliament anywhere. They are dedicated to this premise! You can find it in sports, religions, councils, unions and cultures. It is the result of so-called ‘leaders’, clinging to another oft-uttered cliché. ‘It’s my way, or the highway!’ If anyone spouts this edict, he or she was not, is not and never will be, a leader. It is conformity... über alles! In some places conformity has a role, like the military, hospitals, construction, engineering and some sports and production lines, for example. Now, authentic progress, is

best driven by the combined power of unique input from talented freethinkers, visionaries and ‘mavericks’ even. So, please embrace ‘different’ in its many forms. Billionaire, Sir Richard Branson, put it succinctly, when he said that... ‘If we all thought the same, all the time, nothing would ever change. Every company needs mavericks.’ Who leads the ‘maverick unit’ in your workplace? I thought so. The world is changing faster than it ever has. If your meetings, advertising, systems, products, services, relationships and expectations repeat ‘same old, same old’, over and over, do enjoy your future, in your ‘insanity box’. It is an unobtrusive experience. You’ll hardly notice it... I coach... PATH2© : The All-Rounder Course for 3Percenters, on Skype. It is a personal power course for serious Go-getters who want to own their tomorrow, today. PATH2© contains world-unique content. Are you a 3Percenter? We’ll see. Cheers. Bill. – duitdammit@xtra.co.nz

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74 | eastlife | march 2016

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parting shot

Like a dog and a bone ADSL, naked or landed, spotify and TV or not TV... those are the questions! All these and more surround the ‘simple’ decision of whom we choose to manage our landline and broadband. Now, beyond the bells and whistles there is a new factor: are advertised prices correct?

its new pricing when contacted in February; M2 confirmed prices on their sites are inclusive of price increases. Similarly, Spark has also had increases listed on their website since January with detailed information and provided (far and away) the clearest response:

Late last year, the Commerce Commission ruled that telecoms infrastructure provider, Chorus, (the guys responsible for ‘better’ broadband) could charge telcos more for its copper lines, resulting in the potential for knock-on charges to consumers. To try and compare apples with apples (and maybe change providers myself) I contacted Spark, Vodafone, 2degrees and M2 Group which owns Slingshot, Orcon and Flip. 2degrees said it was still finalising

“The increase was $5 a month for copper broadband customers (including those who have broadband bundled with a landline) and $3.50 for landline-only customers living in the main centres. There was no increase for fibre broadband customers or landline-only customers outside the main centres.” Vodafone confirmed pricing online would be up to date when its increases (of $5 for ADSL and VDSL packages) take effect on March 1. Of course this is not a much bigger bill for many to bear, but when prices for packages can vary already, it

does provide a good excuse to shop around. Opinions are going be divided as to whether telcos could afford to do us all a favour and suck up Chorus’ increased charges, but that’s as pointless as blaming a pump jockey because the price of gas goes up during Middle Eastern wars. Whether we join in the ‘Chorus’ of descent, switch to a cheaper (and perhaps less cheerful – service wise – provider), step up to ultra fast broadband (still unavailable to some and more expensive), or shut up and pay up makes little difference. However, clearer communication from (at least some) companies in the communications game about the nitty-gritty question ‘how much will I pay?’ should be expected. – Jon Rawlinson

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Winger sings of the Blues While he may have long left his professional rugby career in the rear view mirror (where the flying Fijian, once left many an opponent!), Joeli Vidiri still cheers for his home teams, as the former Blues’ star explained to JON RAWLINSON.

He’s late; I’m waiting. Then, a text: ‘On my way now,’ followed by another: ‘Sorry’. I reply to Joeli Vidiri with: ‘Mate, if it weren’t for you and Jonah (God rest his soul), the Blues would have two less Super Rugby titles to their name, so you get a pass from me!’ When he does arrive, there’s much to discuss with Joeli, but we begin by looking ahead. It seems while the former Blues (61 caps), Steelers (71), Fiji (11) and All Blacks (2) wing is happy to reflect on a stellar career, with life as with rugby, he appears to appreciate the value of keeping one’s eye on the prize. Although former All Black captain, Tana Umaga, may have moved away from the Counties Manukau Steelers to the Blues, Joeli believes a loss to

one of his beloved teams is a gain for the other. “I’m ‘true Blues’ and a Counties man at heart. It is sad for Counties [that Tana has left], but it’ll be great for the Blues to have him as head coach. He did a great job building the Steelers team and culture. People were writing them off, but with him captaining the ship they did very well.” Although Joeli confirms the tutelage of former coach, John Kirwan – an assistant while Joeli was still playing at the Blues in 2001 – was invaluable to him, he believes younger players will respond well to Tana’s leadership style. “We used to love watching the All Blacks in particular, and JK [Kirwan] was one of my idols because I was a

winger too; the way he ran, the way he played, he was just fantastic. But the young kids coming through now watched Tana growing up, so the respect will be there and that’s the most important thing for a coach, to have players’ respect,” he says. Joeli is also looking forward to the Sevens competitions at the Rio Olympics, especially after the Steelers’ win at the recent Nationals. However, Joeli (a sevens Commonwealth Games’ gold medallist) says laurels for favourites are far from assured. “Fiji and New Zealand’s chances of winning gold are still very strong,” he says. “But France, Australia, Canada, England and even the USA are catching them up, so it’s going to be hard going in Rio.”

joeli vidiri

TaKING AIM AT PACIFIC goals While Joeli Vidiri may primarily cheer for the Blues this Super Rugby season, he’s also set to hail the Chiefs during their upcoming clash with the Crusaders in Suva. And, following the All Blacks’ historic Apia test last July, he’s hopeful Fijian fans won’t need to wait much longer for a similar visit by the men in black. “The Crusaders won’t play the Chiefs until July but I think tickets have already sold out! Imagine if it was the All Blacks going over there and maybe running coaching clinics; that’d be huge for Fijian rugby. The last time the All Blacks played in Fiji was in the seventies [1974] so it would be great if they could go back soon,” he says. “I think the New Zealand Rugby Union owes a lot to the Pacific Island nations. The number of talented players who’ve

76 | eastlife | march 2016

come to New Zealand is incredible and any help New Zealand can offer the islands [in terms of organisational structures] can only be good for them and the sport.” After switching allegiances from his native Fiji to his adopted New Zealand, Joeli endured a stand down before becoming eligible for All Black selection. “It was a hard three years, and because there were so many great wingers in New Zealand – such as Jeff Wilson, Jonah Lomu, Glen Osborne and Tana Umaga – I wasn’t even sure that I’d make the team. It was also hard getting back up to international standard, but help from my team mates made it easier.” Today, rules regarding switching international allegiances are even

tougher; once players play for one country they can never play for another. Joeli believes decisions on switching nationalities should not be made lightly. “The rules should be tough; it should be a hard choice. Once you decide, you have to stick to it. Although the islands are small nations, it’s a worldwide game so players have to think even more carefully about what’s best for them, their families and where they want to be.” Set to resume coaching at Pukekohe Rugby Football Club, Joeli says only time will tell whether he would consider coaching at a higher level. “It was my dream to go back and give back to Fijian rugby one day. We’ll have to wait and see, but it’s still something I’d love to do.” www.eastlife.co.nz

‘

The rules should be tough; it should be a hard choice. Once you decide, you have to stick to it. Although the islands are small nations, it’s a worldwide game so players have to think even more carefully about what’s best for them, their families and where they want to be.”

MEGA star no slow coach Despite health issues cutting Joeli Vidiri’s playing career short, the former Blues’ wing has a new lease on life. Following a kidney transplant last year, he has returned to work at Mitre 10 MEGA in Pukekohe and will soon resume coaching the Pukekohe Rugby Football Club’s Under 21s. He says support from friends and family has been invaluable. “It was great that mum was here when I had the transplant and I also had a lot of support from my church members and friends. They helped me a lot. I’m improving every day now. It’s a small kidney but if I look after it, I’ll get better.” His condition – glomerular nephritis, is a disease similar to that suffered by his former Blues’ teammate, and good friend, Jonah Lomu. “I was shocked when I heard [of Jonah’s passing]. My ex-partner [Margaret Webster] called and told me. At first I thought there was something up with the kids, and then she said that my ‘big brother’ passed away. I was devastated. “He was such a good player, but he was a great person too. For his two boys to grow up without their dad is very sad.” Much as Vidiri gave us hope while playing, along with his cousin and fellow former All Black, Joe Rokocoko, he now gives hope to children through the Kidney Kids charity. www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 | Photo Wayne Martin

Mercedes’ local Armstrong tactics At the risk of being ‘ir-reverend’, east Aucklanders soon won’t to go to the Lord with requests to buy them a Mercedes-Benz; instead they’ll be able to meet their high-spec motor maker right here! Expected to open next year on Ti Rakau Drive, the new Mercedes-Benz Botany dealership will be operated by the Armstrong Group. Owner, Rick Armstrong, says the dealership will boast an expansive, purpose-built showroom along with service work and grooming bays on its 1.1 hectare site. “We are very proud to confirm that Mercedes-Benz will be the anchor brand in Botany. “This will be our third MercedesBenz dealership in New Zealand... it is a very important marque for the Armstrong Group, and I am delighted to expand our partnership with the brand,” he says.

“A number of dealerships have been represented in the Botany and East Tamaki area, [but] it is still lacking a central automotive hub... we are confident that the Ti Rakau area

will now become that central point. The new development, with a total investment of well over $20m, will be the genesis of a new vehicle precinct.”

The carbon fibre tribute McLaren P1 by MSO (left) at the Geneva show is one of the 375 road legal versions produced. The 675LT Spider has a unique satin carbon fibre retractable hardtop and tonneau that can be operated at speeds up to 40km/h, and saves 1kg. Photo supplied

Carbon fibre tribute McLaren Automotive is attending the Geneva Motor Show for the fourth time this year, where McLaren Special Operations (MSO) will pay a carbon fibre tribute to the McLaren P1 which recently ceased production. MSO has also created a bespoke version of the 675LT Spider which makes its first public appearance at the show after selling out in weeks. The both line up next to the recentlyconfirmed 650S GT3 racing car. The latest customer project completed by the team at McLaren

78 | eastlife | march 2016

Special Operations through its MSO Bespoke division, showcases the craftsmanship and levels of tailoring available to all McLaren owners. The McLaren P1™ by MSO has a full visual carbon fibre body which has been hand-laid, with a bespoke ‘Lio Blue’ tinted lacquer. The Geneva Motor Show is the first time the full visual carbon fibre body conversion has been displayed publicly after it was made available to McLaren P1™ customers earlier this year.

Other key upgrades completed by MSO include a gloss black finish to the wheels, an extensive retrim of the interior with carbon black Alcantara and contrasting blue stitching, and a 24-carat gold exhaust heat shield in a homage to the McLaren F1. The 675LT Spider is limited to only 500 examples worldwide, with each model already accounted for. The team at MSO has developed a one-off example of the track-honed Spider finished in Ceramic Grey from the MSO Defined range with even

greater levels of carbon fibre than the standard model. Performance for the 675LT Spider by MSO remains unchanged, with the 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine generating 497kW (666bhp) and 700Nm (516lb ft) of torque. It will accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 2.9 seconds, zero to 200km/h (124mph) in 8.1 seconds and has a top speed of 326km/h (204mph). The 86th annual Geneva Motor Show runs from March 3 to 13. www.eastlife.co.nz

SUBARU’S CROSSOVER MAKEOVER Subaru has given its compact xV crossover SUV a makeover for 2016. It includes new design wheels, grille, front bumper, rear spoiler and taillights. There are also some model-specific interior upgrades. xV is available in three variants: 2.0i ($37,990), 2.0i-L ($40,990) and 2.0i-S ($44,990).

BMW waves the finger ‘ BMW’s new gesture control is being premiered in the new 7 Series, which has just landed in New Zealand.

you’ve got to hand it to BMW, its designers come up with some innovative features.

By making specific hand movements in the vicinity of the centre console, where they are registered by a 3D sensor, commonly used infotainment system functions can be controlled very intuitively and conveniently.

series-produced car that owners will be able to manoeuvre in or out of forward-parking spaces or garages without anyone at the wheel.

The various gestures serve, for instance, to adjust the audio volume, control the 3D view display and accept or reject incoming phone calls. There is also a further set gesture whose associated function can be individually defined from a selection of possible functions, such as navigation to the home address or deactivation of the screen. This begs the question, if the driver was to raise his or her middle finger, would the lights flash and the horn sound?

As such, the Remote Control Parking option allows drivers to access tight parking spaces with ease.

There will be two new models available from launch, including the very first application of BMW xDrive in a right-hand drive 7 Series model. The 740d xDrive all-wheel drive is powered by a 3.0 litre, six-cylinder

diesel engine producing 235kW and 680Nm of torque, while the rangetopping 750i features a 4.4 litre, V8 petrol engine, generating 330kW of power and 650Nm of torque. The new 7 Series is the world’s first

The driver initiates the car’s progress forwards into or in reverse out of a space using the likewise newly developed BMW Display Key (available in New Zealand from May). The BMW 740d xDrive is priced at $199,000, and $239,500 for the 750i.

At 5098mm in length, 1902mm in width and 1478mm in height, the new 7 Series is the largest series-produced car that BMW has ever built.

www.eastlife.co.nz

eastlife | march 2016 |

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MeAdOwLAndS Meadowlands Shopping Centre, Cnr Meadowlands Dr & Whitford Rd PAkurAnGA Z Petrol Station, 407 Pakuranga Rd Frames Today, 421 Pakuranga Rd Pakuranga Plaza, Countdown Supermarket Pakuranga Library, 7 Aylesbury St Brownson’s Jewellers, Pakuranga Plaza Howick Historical Village, Cnr Bells Rd and Lady Marie Dr, Lloyd Elsmore Park Howick Little Theatre, Sir Lloyd Dr Palmers Garden Centre, 189 Pigeon Mountain Rd

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QUICK PUZZLE NO. 10020 – SOLUTIONS Across – 1, Pastille. 6, Soft. 8, Limb. 9, Crucifix. 10, Peach. 11, Legate. 13, School. 15, Tavern. 17, Tomtit. 19, Sleek. 22, Beginner. 23, Band. 24, Bare. 25, Magnetic. Down – 2, Agile. 3, Tobacco. 4, Luck. 5, Equality. 6, Sting. 7, Fritter. 12, Platinum. 14, Cholera. 16, Voluble. 18, Twine. 20, Ennui. 21, Crag. CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 10020 – SOLUTIONS Across – 1, Spirited. 6, Lime (rev.). 8, D’i-Va. 9, Engaging. 10, (be)St-ate. 11, Op-tion. 13, Spar-ta. 15, Err-and. 17, Puffed. 19, Knock. 22, Be-a-trice. 23, Over. 24, Stud. 25, Lemonade (anag.). Down – 2, Point. 3, Ro-a-ster. 4, Tees. 5, Dog-roses. 6, Light. 7, Mon-soon. 12, Man-drill. 14, Prudent (anag.). 16, Run-down. 18, Fat-Ed. 20, Cree-d(eath). 21, Beam.

PIne HArBOur kaizeki Japanese restaurant, 190 Jack Lachlan Dr, Pine Harbour Marina Pepperjacks restaurant, Jack Lachlan Dr, Pine Harbour Marina BeACHLAndS Barfoot and Thompson, 42 Wakelin Rd wHITFOrd Prenzel of whitford, 7 Whitford Wharf Rd, Whitford Village Barfoot and Thompson, Whitford Village OrMISTOn Ormiston Superette, 1 Arranmore Dr

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eastlife | march 2016 |

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THE NEW MINI CLUBMAN. 84 | eastlife | march 2016