Verve February 2015

Auckland’s Boutique Magazine.

February 2015 — FASHION BEAUTY HEALTH HOME ARTS FOOD WINE TRAVEL SOCIETY

OPEN NOW AT 100 PARNELL RD

Parnell 09 366 0015

Parnell 09 366 0015

Editors' Note 2015 IS GOING OFF! With Christmas and New Year festivities almost a distant memory and summer holidays behind us, things have more than likely settled back into some sort of daily pattern… hopefully yours is a winning formula — something along the lines of this one: dress up, show up, never give up!

Verve is a magazine of creativity, ideas, interesting people, and fascinating lifestyles. This year we plan to continue to craft issues of Verve that are virtually impossible to put down, become more active on our social media platforms, plus we can’t wait to unveil our exciting new website.

We have assembled what we believe is a wonderful February issue. Tying it all together we have our new designer, Juliane, assisted by intern graphic designer, Chloe to thank. Not to mention

intern Jack, who has been assisting with his talented writing skills. Resident writer, Jamie, has come up trumps once again and Mel from Helsinki does not disappoint, with her ever-surprising repertoire of stories. Let’s not forget Amy, originally from Dunedin, who interned with us for a few weeks last year, and is now also writing for Verve! It’s such a great feeling to be able to help young people who have recently completed their university qualifications, by offering them some experience in their chosen profession! They are invaluable to us — a big thank you from Fran and Jude!

One of our favourite pieces in this issue is on Café Pukèko, a beautiful café in the medieval town of Puy-L'Évêque, located in the Midi-Pyrenees region in France. Owned by New Zealander, David

O’Donoghue and British wife Rosie, it is the perfect spot to enjoy magnificent views and unbelievably delicious ‘al fresco’ style dining.

Enjoy reading this issue and if there is anything in particular you want to see in Verve this year, please let us know!

Until next month!

Fran Ninow and Jude Mitchell

Coming up in the March issue: Home, Fashion and Design.

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VerveMagazine — Editors-in-chief: Fran Ninow and Jude Mitchell Writer: Jamie Desplaces Layout Design: Juliane Kuhnt Contributors: Paris Mitchell, Melissa-Anne Smit, Jackie O’Fee, Jenna Moore, Sarah Sparks, Dennis Knill, Aimee Robson, Jay Stott, Lauren Trucksess, David Graham, Billy Aiten, Doris Mousdale Subscriptions: www.vervemagazine.co.nz/subscribe.html Intern: Chloe Litchfield, Jack Cooper

Published by Verve Magazine Ltd. Level 1, 430 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland 1023 PO Box 99-288, Newmarket, Auckland 1149 GST: 90 378 074 ISSN 2253-1300 (Print) ISSN 2253-1319 (Online) Advertising enquiries: P: +64 9 520 5939 E: jude@vervemagazine.co.nz, debbie@vervemagazine.co.nz and fran@vervemagazine.co.nz Editorial enquiries: P: +64 9 520 5939 E: fran@vervemagazine.co.nz, jude@vervemagazine.co.nz

Auckland’s Boutique Magazine.

VERVE MAGAZINE is published monthly (except in January) and has an estimated readership of 60,000. It is a free community/ lifestyle magazine delivered to selected homes, cafés and businesses in the following areas: Parnell, Newmarket, Remuera, Meadowbank, Epsom, Mission Bay, Kohimarama, Herne Bay and Stonefields.

Copies of Verve Magazine are also available from: Parnell Inc, The Strand Vet, Home Ideas Centre, Just Rentals – Meadowbank, Vincent – Nuffield St. Newmarket, Constant Cravings, Barfoot & Thompson Parnell, Quest Hotels – Parnell, Remuera, and Newmarket, Parnell Community Centre and Library, Verve Café, Little Nuffield, S’pacific – Devonport, and Level 1, 430 Broadway, Newmarket (opposite Mini showroom). Verve is also available from all popular cafés in its main distribution areas as well as in E-book format.

The entire content of this publication is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior permission in writing of the copyright owner. Any material submitted for publication is at the owner’s risk. Neither Verve Magazine Ltd nor its agents accept any responsibility for loss or damage. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information contained in this publication, the publisher cannot accept any liability for inaccuracies that may occur. The views and suggestions expressed in this magazine are those of individual contributors and are not necessarily supported by Verve Magazine Ltd. Verve is printed by Webstar and distributed by TOE Distribution. www.vervemagazine.co.nz

FEBRUARY COVER:

February 2014 — FASHION BEAUTY HEALTH HOME ARTS FOOD WINE TRAVEL SOCIETY

New to Parnell: Italia Square located at 100 Parnell Road Photographer: Jennifer Parker

OPEN NOW AT 100 PARNELL RD

FEBRUARY 2014

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New to Parnell

Proud Sicilian Antonio Aram inherited both name and an adoration of cooking from his father. “My whole family loved food, but my dad especially had real flair in the kitchen,” he says in a deliciously rich Italian accent (Antonio has lived in New Zealand for over two decades and later jokes that he sounds like he’s been here two days). “So I definitely get my love of cuisine from them”.

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Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

A few weeks before Christmas, Antonio opened Italia Square in Parnell, a European-infused space which stretches across the entire ground floor of the Geyser building at 100 Parnell Road, inspired by Eataly, an Italian gourmet superstore. “It’s the first of its kind in New Zealand,” Antonio beams as we sip espresso on the sun-kissed courtyard.

Italia Square is made up of a café, marketplace, bar, restaurant and ice creamery spread out over three building spaces and interconnecting courtyard. Food can be ordered from one part of the complex to be consumed anywhere you please. All meals are prepared using in-house stock, so technically if you love a dish from the restaurant, you can buy all the ingredients to replicate it at home from the marketplace across the courtyard – though doubtful with the same finesse.

The large, open and versatile space lends itself as a popular corporate venue for private functions, a local restaurant, as well as being a breath of new life to the Parnell café scene for breakfast, a long weekend brunch or coffee stop. “People can also swing by after work to pick up key ingredients for dinner or take advantage of our food to go,” says Antonio.

Among Antonio’s skilled restaurant staff – the vast majority of which are Italian – is one who has worked with Jamie Oliver in the United Kingdom and another, a top chef from O’Sarrancino. “It’s a very experienced team, among the most talented in Auckland and they have created some exquisite dishes,” says Antonio. “We have dishes from all regions of Italy, including specialities such as our Sicilian pizza and Napoli cuisine. I want people to experience the whole Italian feast without having to travel abroad. I don’t believe anyone else can offer this.” The open-plan kitchen affords the opportunity to see the culinary artisans at work, as well as offering a setting for cooking classes.

“Around ninety percent of the produce is Italian, exclusive to Italia Square and cannot be found anywhere else in New Zealand”, says Antonio. The rest, including fine cheese and chocolate, is supplied by gourmet New Zealand brands such as Kapiti and Bennets of Mangawhai. Tastebud-teasing treats include cured meats, jars of Italian preserves, pesto, stuffed peppers and fresh pasta made by hand. Antonio will also be offering trips to a collection of Tuscan vineyards later in the year.

“We’ve been getting amazing feedback,” says Antonio. “I’ve been flooded with emails thanking me for what we’ve created and it humbles me that New Zealanders have been so supportive and taken our concept into their hearts.” It is a concept, he tells me, which he dedicates to his late family. “I’m the last survivor and through Italia Square I am keeping their name alive. This is their legacy, it’s not about me. It was my father’s dream to run an eatery. He was an exceptional man who celebrated food. He loved cooking for people. He’d pull them in off the street. He was so hospitable and now, here, I want people to feel as though they are part of my family.”

100 PARNELL RISE, PARNELL, AUCKLAND 1052 WWW.ITALIASQUARE.CO.NZ 09 222 2898

East Side Story

THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Jenna Moore meets Wendy Bobsien, the owner of Eastside Body Transformation Centre — a fitness studio with a difference.

Picture this: a light and airy space furnished with a collection of top-of-the-line fitness equipment, a state of the art infrared sauna, and a comfy lounge cum reception room to relax in post-workout.

strength training to her credentials. This allows the studio to offer a multi-disciplinary approach to fitness combining Pilates, Power Plate, resistance and strength workouts along with customised nutritional and wellness advice.

This is Eastside Body Transformation Studio – a boutique fitness studio for those who love a personal wellness experience. “My focus is on one-on-one training,” says Wendy. “My clients book times that fit their schedules. People tell me they love the flexibility of personal appointments and it allows them to prioritise themselves and their fitness according to their schedule. The results speak for themselves – most people report feeling a difference in confidence, flexibility and strength in as little as a month.”

“I’ve always been into fitness and nutrition and I wanted to create something to do with exercise. I’m here to help people in any way I can,” she says. “Weight loss, fitness, self-esteem, hormonal challenges, getting back into shape after having their baby, looking their best on their wedding day, food issues. I offer nutritional guidance and I work with a fantastic nutritionist and a holistic doctor as well.”

Wendy is a warm and engaging instructor and entrepeneur.

She has owned and managed several successful businesses both here and overseas; running super yachts in Europe with her husband and working with food and nutrition – creating healthy culinary delights and developing raw food recipes. Eastside Body Transformation Centre is her latest venture.

Trained in the world-renowned STOTT method of Pilates, Wendy also holds qualifications as a Power Plate Instructor and graduated from the New Zealand Institute of Health and Fitness as a personal trainer and exercise consultant; she’s also added some specialised

All ages enjoy Eastside Studio. Wendy’s youngest client is 24 and her oldest is 70. “My mother who is 84 (she lives in Australia) came in for a workout the other day and loved it!” says Wendy. Couples train together, husbands and wives, mothers and daughters, friends and friends. People come in to maintain regular fitness.

“I recommend a tailored ten-week programme, ” says Wendy.

“I also run small group strength training classes. There are four positions on the suspension apparatus, which allows you to do supported full body movements safely – the challenging moves such as lunges, squats, and upright rows. The class is 25 minutes with five to 10 minutes of stretching. It’s a fun, safe highly effective, body transforming workout that’s all done in just 30-40 minutes.”

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532 PARNELL ROAD WENDY@EASTSIDESTUDIO.CO.NZ WWW.EASTSIDESTUDIO.CO.NZ 09 379 2706

CONTENTS HOME + DESIGN

VALENTINES

UP FRONT New to Parnell: Italia Square Eastside Studio

3 6

The Inspirational Valerie Adams

20

Castaway Competition The Romance Coach Win with Verve

53

2015, What will be Different?

101

54

Leopold Hall

102

58

Kitchens by Design

104

ART + ABOUT

BUSINESS, EDUCATION + SOCIETY

HEALTH + BEAUTY Iron Man

24

Float Culture

26

A Personal Journey

30

FOOD 4 THOUGHT

Jacinda Ardern

62

The Construction Company

65

Relating to Money

70

The Dimples Family

76

Conned

78

Annah Stretton and RAW

82

Music Reviews

110

NZ Youth Orchestra

114

AUTOMOTIVE Spyder RT Limited

119

Mad Mike

122

Café Pukeko

38

Salad Time

40

FASHION

Tea Time

43

Asia Emporium

84

Auckland Seaplanes

124

Dantés Pizza

48

Paris Street Fashion II

90

Louvre

126

Fashion and Beauty

98

NZ Photographer in Finland

130

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T R E N Z S E AT E R TRENZSEATER Christchurch I 121 Blenheim Rd, Riccarton, Christchurch 8041. T. (03) 343 0876 TRENZSEATER Auckland I 80 Parnell Rd, Parnell, Auckland 1052. T. (09) 303 4151

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The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Launches an Extraordinary 2015 Season Designed to inspire, exhilarate and move you, the 2015 NZSO season offers something for everyone — celebrated composers, star appeal, bold new music and extraordinary talent.

and the Wagner Gala (19 June) including well-known scenes from the last two operas of Wagner’s Ring Cycle — Siegfried and Götterdämmerung, and the return of star tenor Simon O’Neill and powerful soprano Christine Goerke.

Another highlight of the NZSO season will be Spirit of Anzac. The NZSO and Sydney Symphony Orchestra collaborate to commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli landings with almost simultaneous concerts featuring the world premieres of New Zealand composer Michael Williams’ Symphony No. 1, Letters from the Front and Perth composer James Ledger’s War Music, plus Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme

by Thomas Tallis and Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. Thursday 23 April, Auckland Town Hall.

NZSO Music Director Pietari Inkinen and the NZSO

Opening the season is acclaimed British pianist Freddy Kempf, who returns to New Zealand to direct the orchestra in Beethoven’s popular Piano Concertos No. 3 and No. 5. Last time he was in New Zealand, the NZ Herald said he had the “sleekness of a cheetah on the keys”. This time he will also conduct the orchestra, leading Beethoven’s Egmont Overture at the Bruce Mason Centre on Friday 6 March.

And we celebrate much-loved composer Douglas Lilburn, who left an enduring impression on the landscape of New Zealand music. 100 years on, we honour his rich musical legacy on Saturday 2 May with a performance of his Symphony No. 2 alongside the world premiere of NZSO commission Claro by Wellington composer Michael Norris.

Meet the NZSO in the concert hall and share more unforgettable moments with New Zealand’s national orchestra in 2015.

In the Town Hall, acclaimed Dutch violinist Janine Jansen will perform Tchaikovsky’s beloved Violin Concerto alongside Liadov’s The Enchanted Lake and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 on Friday 27 March and star conductors Vasily Petrenko and Simone Young return to Auckland in July and August following their previous popular tours with the NZSO. NZSO Music Director Pietari Inkinen says he is particularly looking forward to the Inkinen Festival in June. Inspired by the epic tales of his homeland Finland, Sibelius’ Lemminkäinen Suite is his personal season highlight.

“I want to create more unforgettable moments for the audience and performers in 2015. I want to bring people to the edge of their seats,” says Maestro Pietari Inkinen, who is currently in his ninth season as Music Director of the NZSO. “There’s the unique power of Wagner in the Gala, one of the best violinists, Hilary Hahn, performing one of the most famous concertos, plus the highly original and wonderful Lemminkäinen Suite by Sibelius, who is our most important composer in Finland. There is no question that performing these big works shows some of the real strengths of the NZSO.” The Inkinen Festival includes two exciting programmes — Hilary Hahn plays Beethoven (20 June) featuring Beethoven’s famous Violin Concerto in D major and Sibelius’ Lemminkäinen Suite,

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Golden Glories, Broken Hearts & Smashed Records I’m sipping a smoothie as I sit opposite a sporting superstar in the unassuming setting of Frenz Café at the AUT Millennium Institute. I can’t help but think it’s perhaps an incongruous spot in which to interview an Olympian, multiple world and Commonwealth champion and reigning World Athlete of the Year. But, once you get chatting to Valerie Adams, you soon realise that she too, is just as unassuming. A young girl sits next to the athlete and asks for a selfie.

Adams obliges, asking about her school, her family and her friends.

The young girl, with almost comedic stubbornness, remains seated at the athlete’s side as we continue the chat but Valerie is all warmth, smiles and patience. A couple of hints are dropped, but the girl is too young – and in awe – to take them. Ten minutes later she leaves on her own terms.

Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

“You know, I’m just Val,” Adams tells me. “What you see is what you get. People think I live this extraordinary life, but it’s pretty normal. I get up early, eat breakfast in my apartment and then train all day. I come home shattered. I shower, eat, sleep then do it all over again.” Her upbringing, she says, installed strong values: “We didn’t have much. We lived off forty bucks a week.

We had to have powdered milk. I’ve worked hard for what I have.

I know money can change people, but I never let it get the better of me.”

And so from powdered milk to breakfast with royalty, last New Year’s Day saw Adams received by Tongan rulers King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauu, an invitation of the highest honour.

Whilst on the island, Valerie was also anointed a chief of the village in which her mother was born. The athlete became the first woman ever to be given such a title. It was, she admits, among her proudest achievements. But then, Adams is used to breaking records.

It has now been four years since Valerie was last beaten in competition; fifty-six meetings in total. It’s a staggering run, especially given the finely-margined world of modern-day sport.

No other shot putter in history has achieved such a feat. It is one which helped secure Valerie, World Athlete of the Year at the end of 2014. She is the first female thrower to take that gong too.

“I was so overwhelmed by that,” says Adams. “It was great on a personal level, but also to receive it on behalf of the throwers because track events usually dominate. It felt as though we were breaking new ground.” The accolade came on the back of a very tough year. Her body, beginning to show signs of the daily physical toll, was operated on a number of times. “I really had to grit my teeth to maintain focus and get through that period,” she says. “I was so pleased to finish the year unbeaten as it was the most excruciating of my career. I do have a high pain threshold, but it was a case of mind over matter.”

How do you develop that mental toughness?

“For me, it was through life experience. I lost my mom when I was 15 and I had to look after myself. There was foster care. I lived on the streets. I married young [to discuss thrower Bertrand Vili], divorced young! I was really tall from an early age and was bullied and name-called and all the rest of it. Kids can be mean.

Of course it hurt and for a long time it affected me. But sport gave me my chance to shine. Sport gives you that self-confidence to be yourself and it gave me the determination to be the best athlete in the world.” It’s a determination that, admits Valerie, verges on stubbornness: “I should have taken some time out last year, but it’s not in my nature. I’m probably paying for it a bit now.”

Valerie references her childhood a lot. She’s proud of her Kiwi upbringing and Tongan heritage. Her mother was a massive influence and Valerie, thankful for small mercies, feels blessed to have been able to hold her mum in her arms as she passed. Valerie says her dad “wasn’t much of a father, but at least he passed on some great sporting genes [three of her brothers have represented the New Zealand national basketball team and her younger brother, Steven, is carving a successful career in the NBA].” After her mother died, Valerie decided to get to know her father: “And for seven years, we had the most amazing relationship. The night he died I was the last to arrive at the hospital. He held on until I got there. It was magical in a way. I’m lucky to have been able to be there for both my mum and dad at the end.”

You name your coach Jean-Pierre Egger as a father-figure. Do you think that was something you were subconsciously searching for?

“Well, I do believe that people come into our lives at certain times for a reason. JP came into my life following two divorces – my husband and my former coach – and JP’s now more than a coach, I love him like a father and the same goes for his wife.

They’re my parents in Switzerland [where Valerie spends much of the year training]. He has won so many medals as an athlete and a coach of so many disciplines, but he’s so humble. He wanted to help me to be the athlete I could be.”

Their relationship began with some rather blunt advice. “I was 20 kilos heavier when we first met up,” says Valerie, “and he told me I needed to lose it. I could have taken that in a negative way, but I didn’t. I lost the weight in three months to show him how serious I was and six months later I won the World Championship with a personal best, breaking the competition record which had stood since 1987. JP changed me from being a powerful thrower into a more dynamic athlete and that is what has enabled me to last so long. If it weren’t for him, I think I would have been retired by now, simply because of the stress on my body.”

The past year, another man has entered the athlete’s life. She visibly glows when discussing her new beau, Gabe. “Life’s really good at the moment,” Valerie says. “I’m training hard and have a good man. He’s cool, nothing fazes him. He came over to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. I actually went to church and school with him when I was younger. We’ll be going to the Halbergs together, which will be our first public event as a couple.”

Valerie is no stranger to victory at the Halberg Awards, either.

Of all the accolades, taking gold at Beijing, she says, is her most precious professional memory. She won gold again four years later of course, at the London Olympics, but it was a victory that will be forever tinged with sadness. Believing she had lost to Belarusian Nadzeya Ostapchuk, Valerie headed back to Switzerland with her silver medal in tow. A few days later, the phone rang. Ostapchuk had failed a drugs test and Adams was awarded gold. “I was driving to JP’s house when the call came,” says Valerie. “I pulled over and all I could do was cry. It was one of those real hyperventilating cries too, real ugly, so I was glad to be on my own! I was hurt, I was overwhelmed. I rang my family, rang Nick [Cowan, her manager], then carried on driving to my coach’s house. We had that moment, there, that we should have had in London. That moment that was stolen from me.”

New Zealand did all it could to make up for Valerie’s stolen moment. A massive medal ceremony was held at the Cloud.

The nation partied as fireworks erupted simultaneously over the skies of Wellington and Auckland. Thousands turned up to see the Olympic medal hung around Valerie’s neck as millions more watched the live televised event from their homes. “It was bittersweet,” admits the athlete. “It was awesome to get the medal and the positive thing was that I was able to share it with the whole country, to sing the national anthem with them.”

In another year, it’s another Olympics and Valerie is raring to go for Rio. “Let’s see if we can do the triple,” she says. “The challenge is there, and I’m certainly up for it. Physically, I will make sure I’m in the best shape possible.” I ask her about any pre-tournament rituals or superstitions, but she doesn’t go there, though she knows plenty that do: “Imagine the freak-out if you were to lose that lucky bracelet or whatever! No, so long as I’ve got my throwing shoes, my chalk, my belt and a few bananas in my bag, I’m good to go.”

She gets given so much free stuff from sponsors, Valerie says, she gives most of it to kids and struggling athletes. When not at work, she helps train others as often as she can. Not concerned with finding the next Valerie Adams (“though it would be great if I did!”), the athlete gets a kick from simply inspiring others to live healthier, happier lives. Sunday is her day though. Hers and Gabe’s. It begins with a trip to their local church. Valerie is a member of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. Religion played a big part in her upbringing, but following her mother’s death, she drifted away from it. “The last eighteen months I’ve come back more to the place where I was brought up,” she says. “As you get older, you have that better understanding of how it all works.

You’re in that place where you have freedom of choice. To do things because you want to, not because you have to.”

And off she goes, with bananas in her bag and the weight of a nation’s expectations upon her shoulders.

ELDER DENTAL

ARIA PARK

A new healthcare initiative has been launched in Auckland to meet the needs of senior citizens. Without proper dental care serious issues can materialise that affect the general health and wellbeing of our older generation, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stomach/digestive problems.

Aria Park Retirement Village, located in Epsom, offers a continuum of care from assisted apartment and studio living to rest home and hospital level care. We are able to accept admissions at any time

AN INNOVATIVE ORAL HEALTHCARE SERVICE

Elder Dental are the only providers of dedicated and expert dental care for older individuals. We offer reasonably priced care directly to the people, whether that is in a residential village, care home or personal dwelling. This means that patients without access to a car, wheelchair/walker users or those confined to a hospital bed can experience expert care at their convenience.

Our clinicians are experienced in the management of medically compromised people and those with special needs. We have spent many years providing care in the Auckland DHB hospital setting and hold postgraduate qualifications that are relevant to the older person’s needs.

At Elder Dental we commit ourselves to providing compassionate care, with ongoing communication and interaction with our patients. Elder Dental is equipped with a mobile service that brings the equipment and materials straight to the rest home, village or hospital. Currently Elder Dental is attending over 30 rest homes and retirement villages.

Our extensive range of treatments include: • Basic care • Cleaning, scaling and polishing teeth • Periodontal (gum) care • Fillings • Extractions • Denture treatment In cases requiring sedation a fully-qualified anaesthetist is available to provide on-site professional service.

ELDER DENTAL 89 GREEN LN E, REMUERA, AUCKLAND 09 522 2334 WWW.ELDERDENTAL.CO.NZ

Residents are supported by a team of highly trained registered nurses and caregivers who are on site seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Residents enjoy three meals a day prepared by our on site chef as well as morning and afternoon tea.

A doctor calls three times each week and will make other visits as necessary. An after hours Drs service is available. Our physiotherapist visits weekly and is assisted by a physiotherapy aide..

Residents each have their own fully-furnished room, with own bathroom vanity and shared ensuite with shower and toilet. There is plenty of room for photographs, mementos and grandchildren’s artwork so it truly feels like home.

We have several sun-soaked lounges with floor-to-ceiling windows providing views of the leafy lanes outside, and courtyards where residents can relax and admire the landscaping and water features while chatting with each other or visiting family and friends.

Residents enjoy regular outings and bus trips and there are organised activities including Tai Chi sessions, visiting school and church groups, library bus, quizzes and music sessions and don’t forget the Friday afternoon happy hour!

If you would like a personal tour of the facility at 3 Claude Road, Epsom, please feel free to pop in or ph 09 6308430 for an appointment.

ARIA PARK RETIREMENT VILLAGE 1-3 CLAUDE ROAD EPSOM, AUCKLAND 1023 PHONE: 09 630 8430 EMAIL: MANAGER@ARIAPARK.CO.NZ WWW.ARIAPARK.CO.NZ

5 TOP TIPS TO CURB POSTHOLIDAY SUGAR CRAVINGS Sugar cravings are a real thing and can be hard to overcome, especially after months of Christmas parties, holiday treats and ice creams at the beach. We all know how harmful sugar can be to our health, our weight and our concentration levels. Here are some useful tips to help reduce your sugar cravings.

Snack on fresh fruit: Although they

Eat your greens: Dark leafy green

01 are still filled with natural sugar, they

03 veggies are full of magnesium, iron,

Take a supplement: Specifically 02 designed to stop sugar cravings, Good Health’s Sugar Stop naturally helps support healthy blood sugar levels by inhibiting the absorption of sugars and also supporting the elimination of sugar from the body as waste. Because sugar absorption is reduced, this helps to stop the cycle of addiction and cravings, giving you a sure-fire way to get on top of your holiday sugar habits.

04 can help you to feel less hungry and

are a healthier choice than other sweet foods, as fruit is also filled with vitamins, minerals, fibre and enzymes to help your digestion.

calcium, potassium and vitamins C, K, E and B that can help you fight off stress and limit intense cravings.

Stay hydrated: Staying hydrated

experience reduced sugar cravings.

Fill up a big bottle with a squeeze of lemon and take it with you throughout the day to make sure you get a minimum of two litres.

Don’t skip meals: Nothing will spike

05 sugar cravings more than skipping

meals. When you miss regular meals you create a starving situation in your body and your brain will send out signals telling you to eat something that will raise your blood sugar levels in the quickest possible time – think cravings for sugar, cake and chocolate!

Good Health Sugar Stop is available at leading pharmacies and healthfood stores.

WWW.GOODHEALTH.CO.NZ

LEVEL 1, 416 BROADWAY, NEWMARKET, AUCKLAND INFO@THEBEAUTYLOFT.CO.NZ 09 523 3399 FIND US ON

I TRI, THEREFORE I AM “Whether it’s a bake sale, a fun run or whipping round the office for spare change. Raising money for charity is the perfect way to give back.”

The benefit are obvious: it brings people together, raises money for a greater cause (often at the price of doing something outside your comfort zone), and challenging yourself in this process. A key benefit often overlooked however is the internal effect on the person. It is a very sad fact that many of us only look to charity having been through a challenging period, either personally or with a loved one. For many people, supporting a charity goes far beyond simply raising money, but provides a lifeline. If you ask anyone who has sat next to an ill loved one or witnessed the deterioration of a close friend over time, they will tell you the most frustrating aspect is being completely unable to help in a meaningful way. With all the will in the world there are just some things that can’t be fixed. Raising funds for a charity then becomes a goal, a focus of attention and indeed a lifeline. It can be as easy or as hard as you want to make it on yourself. The guarantee with it, it will give you control, and help, maybe just a little, to alleviate that helpless feeling!

What better way than to challenge yourself in one of the most physically demanding races on the planet? The Ironman.

The Ironman is an endurance triathlon consisting of a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and a 42km run (a full marathon) one after the other, which has to be completed within a 17 hour time limit. You do not sign up to this kind of challenge lightly. It takes approximately a year of your life in training, diet changes and in fact entire lifestyle changes. This is a time where your only reward for weeks and weeks of hard work is a tired and sore body.

Sleepless nights and moments of sheer panic as the race day draws nearer becomes the norm. It’s extraordinarily demanding both physically and psychologically. Mike Martin, aged 28 decided to meet this challenge head-on.

Like the beginning of many great conversations in history, this story begins over a pint in a pub, south of the river Thames in London, England. Mike and some friends were discussing which would be the most grueling sporting event on the planet, and indeed if any of them could complete the various events.

According to Mike, "It was here, the Ironman seed was sewn”. As the evening and drinking progressed, Mike had committed to his friends that he would one day compete in and most importantly complete a full Ironman.

It was not until 2012 that Mike got the motivation he needed to fulfill this promise from a source he would have done anything to avoid. Mike’s father Brian was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer, that later spread to other organs. After a long battle with the disease he sadly passed away at the end of 2012. In a terrible time, the Martin household pulled together. Mike’s mum Pat, his sister Jen and brother Andy all supported each other throughout this heartwrenching time. They were not alone though – Macmillan Cancer Support was there to help them through.

Macmillan Cancer Support is a United Kingdom based organisation that provides ongoing support for both patient and family suffering at the hands of cancer. Various trained professionals from nurse specialists, welfare rights advisors,

support workers and occupational therapists are just a few of the areas of help Macmillan have to offer. “The nurses were always around and would have done pretty much anything to make you feel better or to get something done, nothing was ever too much to ask.”

Mike now had the motivation and a fantastic cause that he wanted to give back to. Macmillan is a charity is run solely from donations, so Mike decided that to ensure others would receive the same support at their lowest point, he would get on his bike, quite literally. Mike signed up for the Ironman.

Where do you start six months prior to the most grueling race in the world, being a person who is averagely active, has no history of triathlons and does not even own a bike?

“I started out running to bring my base fitness levels up. As a fairly confident runner I decided I should introduce myself to the pool.

The kindest thing you can say about my swimming technique at the start was there was no technique, so at the ripe old age of twenty-seven, I found myself booked in for swimming lessons! It was also at this point I decided to buy a bike.” To accompany the vigorous training routine, taking extra swimming lessons and a demanding full-time job in the city, Mike had to alter his eating patterns. “I supplemented my diet with carbohydrate shakes to replenish my energy stores after long sessions, but otherwise didn’t do anything special – in fact I was burning so many calories that I pretty much ate whatever I liked!” Now this is the kind of diet I would like!

Mike sacrificed most of his spare time to training, and as quite ‘the social butterfly’ this was often tough. By the final few weeks of training, his fitness programme consisted of the following. “1km swim (Monday), 10km run (Tuesday), two hours indoor cycling or two spin classes back to back (Wednesday), 3km swim (Thursday), rest day (Friday), 120km cycle + 21km run (Saturday), rest day (Sunday).”

I should also mention he worked close to 50 hours a week.

27 July 2014, Zurich, Switzerland. The day of the Ironman.

Mike completed the Ironman in 14 hours 41 minutes. A gallant effort and one he should be incredibly proud of. After suffering from an injured knee a few weeks prior to the race, Mike was uncertain how it would effect his running over such a long distance. “Eventually the pain kicked in about half way through the marathon. It meant I wasn’t able to run at all for the remainder of the race, but knew I would cross the line because there was no way I was going to drop out having committed six months of life to it!” More importantly than his time, Mike reached his goal, and raised an incredible $17,000 (£8,500) for Macmillan Cancer Support. What an achievement! For those of you out there having just completed the Auckland half Ironman, congratulations!

For those looking to kick onto the full Ironman, Mike has two great tips to help you: • ”You have to be consistent with training. It’s too easy to drop training sessions when the race isn’t for another three months, but they’re crucial to ensure your body builds the endurance that it needs on the day.”

• “Do some race-specific training. My friends and I did the Mallorca half Ironman a couple of months before, and it helps you get used to what the full day will be like – the buzz around the course, the crowds, navigating the transition areas, and the intimidating swim start!”

Mike’s story is an inspiration to many, the dedication and focus it takes not just on the day, but to put your whole life on hold is a huge sacrifice and one that deserves shouting about! To make a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support, or for more information about this incredible organisation go to www.macmillan.org.uk or www.justgiving.com/MikeM-artin

@ Float Culture

Float Culture is Auckland’s one and only floatation tank centre. Conveniently tucked down a quiet street in Grafton, this retreat offers an experience like no other.

Historically referred to as isolation tanks, they were invented by John C. Lilly, an American physician, neuroscientist, inventor, writer and, wait for it, dolphin communicator. Known as a ‘psychonaut’ — a researcher in altered states to explore human existence — John C. Lilly’s early form of the tank has come a long way, as has our understanding of its potential, not just as a tool to isolate the brain for research into neurophysiology, but as an amazing way to relax, stimulate the psyche and heal the body and the mind.

Float Culture has been open to the public for just five months.

Anton, co-owner and operator who sourced his state of the art tanks from the United Kingdom, is a great believer in their capacity to sooth, heal and open the mind. Anton tells Verve that the experience is much like meditation, with a lot of the hard work done for you, and that scientific research tells us that not only does the high magnesium prove valuable to one’s physiology (it’s best delivered through the skin), but that with practice, vivid images, tranquillity and euphoria can all be yours.

“

I was fortunate to have an hour-long (or was it short?) session in one of the tanks at Float Culture. Float Culture has the look of a clinic — sterility with a hint of well-being — and upon entering the private suite in which the tank sat, I was struck by the similarity the object had to a space-age clog. Anton courteously walked me through the steps before leaving me to it.

After showering and inserting earplugs, I slid into the tank, in which both the air and water within are exactly body temperature. The sensation was unusual and blissful both. I felt like an amoeba — formless — floating outside time and space. It took me a good fifteen minutes to adjust to the peculiar sensation, as it sat far outside any physical experience I had ever encountered. After finding my equilibrium in the tank I was able to let my thoughts drift off and before I knew it I felt myself slipping into a state on consciousness that I could only describe as ‘in-between’ waking and sleeping.

The hour flew past, and before I knew it, the gentle sound of music ‘woke’ me from my induced state. The experience was certainly unique, and I felt with several further sessions, I would be able to fully benefit from all that the tank’s have to offer.

“

EXPERIENCE WEIGHTLESSNESS

I’ll definitely be back for more!

- Todd Dealer -

FLOATCULTURE.CO.NZ 12 WATER ST, GRAFTON, AUCKLAND 09 281 4648 0800 3FLOAT (35628) INFO@FLOATCULTURE.CO.NZ

101 FITNESS

New Year’s Resolutions I firmly believe that if you have the mindset to change five habits a year, it will impact your overall health and wellbeing on a long term basis. So in a nutshell, goodbye to New Year's resolutions and hello to new habits!

1. Exercise: It’s everywhere! Don’t think it’s only at the gym.

I try to incorporate exercise into everything I do. Decide to take the stairs, walk to the second coffee shop instead of one around the corner and carry your grocery bags to the car parked in the far corner of the parking lot.

Words: Melissa-Anne Smit

3. Eat regularly:

Having a long list of healthy and proactive habits is great. It means you’re thinking long-term and you understand that it takes more than one habit to be healthy. But trying to start them all at once is a sure fire way for none of them to stick. It is better to start with a single habit and move on once it’s automatic and consistent. Studies have found that it takes between 18 to 254 days to change a habit. Yup, everyone is truly unique and different, even in their ability to change.

4. Actively relax: Do something fun or relaxing at least once a week – book it into your calendar and force yourself to follow through. Stress can affect your lifestyle adversely in many ways.

So, where do you start? Here are the first five habits that I introduced over several months when I made the mind-set change to become a healthier me.

Feeling Unfit?

Out of Shape?

Don’t know where to start?

2. Lemon water every morning: Try swapping your first coffee or tea in the morning for hot lemon water – the benefits are endless, just ask 'Mr. Google'.

Eat five small meals during the day. It stabilizes the hungry cravings as well as controlling your blood sugar levels – it also helps to prevent over eating.

5. Reduce alcoholic drinks:

Having a soda water with lime or lemon in-between drinks or switching it entirely for a glass of wine has helped me reduce my alcohol intake – which makes a world of difference and I still get to enjoy my wine in moderation.

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Palm Clinic

Safely and Simply Treat Varicose Veins Our mission is to give you the safest, most effective, non-surgical treatments in a professional and caring manner.

It is no longer necessary to treat varicose veins with surgery.

The latest walk in/walk out, non-surgical varicose vein techniques of Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) and Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS) have been available at Palm Vein Clinic in Auckland for over ten years. We are able to treat almost all varicose veins, regardless of size, non-surgically. This means you can generally return to work the same day but you will need to avoid heavy lifting or straining for two to three weeks.

Laser is now the most popular treatment for varicose veins in the world. It has recently been recommended as the preferred treatment by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) in the United Kingdom. UGS is the second most recommended varicose vein treatment by NICE with vein surgery third on the NICE list.

The varicose vein treatment process is to have an initial consultation with one of Palm Clinics phlebologists (vein doctors).

He/she will assess your varicose veins and recommend whether treatment is required or not. Varicose vein treatment options include: wearing compression hosiery or a definitive treatment such as endogenous laser and/or injection or in a few cases surgery.

An ultrasound of your varicose veins will be performed at Palm Clinic by a vascular sonographer and a 'map' of your veins will be created. This will be assessed by your phlebologist and a varicose vein treatment plan, optimised for you, will be formulated. You will then be booked in for the relevant treatment session or sessions. A folder will be given to you with copies of the treatment plan, risks, side effects, requirements for post treatment care and a quote. We have this information in French and Mandarin if required.

Your time at Palm Clinic will be comfortable and discreet.

Palm Clinic is an affiliated provider to Southern Cross Health Society for varicose vein assessment and treatment, skin cancer treatment, skin biopsies and skin cancer surgery. Medical necessity criteria apply.

Palm Clinic also has a preferred provider agreement with NIB (formerly Tower) for varicose veins and is also covered by other insurers such as Unimed and Sovereign.

• no surgery • no time off work • laser/UGS procedures • no scars or stitches • medical insurance applies*

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CrossFit Daedalus

WEIGHT LOST CONFIDENCE GAINED

Email addresses are funny things. Some, like mytoes@............, stick in your brain forever, while others are forgotten in a second. Like her email address, Toe Tavita is not a woman easily disregarded. Her warm bubbly personality fills a room, and her passion for life is irrepressible.

To most of those who know her, Toe was just fine as she was: the perfect friend, mother and businesswoman to be reckoned with. Toe however, felt that there was room for improvement: not happy with her body image – Toe, always the doer, set out to fix this.

Friend Genelle recommended the fitness regime that had worked for her, that is CrossFit Daedalus*.

“ Crossfit Daedalus can be credited with changing my life, literally.”

her were scaled to her level of fitness and ability.

Pretty soon there was more pep in her step, her clothes started to fit differently, her skin, hair and nails looked marvellous, she felt positive, definitely more energetic, and cravings for unhealthy foods became a thing of the past. Over and above these subtle changes, Toe had begun to look forward to her work-out sessions.

For Toe, CrossFit is a fitness programme that has rewarded in every way. She has become healthier and stronger, and has enjoyed the support she has garnered from her fellow athletes (gym members), and the highly qualified and skilled CrossFit Daedalus coaches.

The results speak for themselves. Since starting at CrossFit four months ago, Toe has lost 20 kilograms and went down from a 18 to a 14 (two top sizes), and a 20-14 (three top sizes). Although Toe’s attitude to life and utter determination to achieve what she sets out to have a lot to do with her new trim self, she credits CrossFit Daedalus with having changed her life.

What is CrossFit you might ask? It is a global fitness movment founded by Greg Glassman (USA) in 2000. Promoted as both a physical exercise philosophy, healthy lifestyle as well as a competitive fitness sport, CrossFit workouts incorporate elements from high-intensity interval training, weights, plyometric (jump training), gymnastics, calisthenics (for strength and flexibility), and other exercises. Amazingly - it is practiced by more than a million members of over 10,000 affiliated gyms throughout the world.

BEFORE

CrossFit Deadalus, located in St Johns, is owned and operated by the personable Marc Gordon. Marc has spent most of his life in gyms and the fitness industry, acquiring a wealth of knowledge in multiple fitness and strength aspects as well as injury rehabilitation.

He was quick to understand what Toe was searching for, and was confident that if she stuck to the structured fitness and nutrition protocol he designed for her, four months would be all the time needed for a new body image.

Toe was ready to take on something new. Surprisingly she found that the things she feared most – simply did not feature in her time at the gym. She quickly realised that working out at CrossFit Deadalus was not as ‘hard core’ as she feared it might be and that in fact, it was not intimidating at all. She loved the team atmosphere, the small personal classes, and the fact that the workouts given to

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AFTER CROSSFIT DAEDALUS 8/18 HANNIGAN DRIVE, AUCKLAND 7 DAYS AM6:00 - PM8:30 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

* Daedelus is from Greek mythology, and was Icarus’s father – who fashioned wings of wax and feathers for himself and his son Icarus to escape captivity. Ever since the word Daedelus has been used for things skillfully wrought/things that work smartly.

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ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICALS AND CONCEIVING When you are pregnant or trying to conceive it is wise to try and reduce your exposure to toxic environmental agents.

Today we are exposed to many chemicals and there is still limited information concerning the impact of these on our health. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) are products that mimic hormones and can interfere with normal hormonal events such as getting pregnant and fetal development. These EDC’s have been linked with miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, birth defects, early puberty and impaired fertility in men and women.

The two most concerning EDC’s are bisphenol A and phthalates.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in the manufacture of plastics, as well as being used to line cans. It is the light grey colour inside a can.

They are present in plastic bottles, plastic containers and canned food. BPA’s leach out with exposure to light and heat. Higher BPA levels in women have been associated with reduced numbers of eggs in their ovaries. Exposure to BPA’s may be reduced by drinking from BPA free bottles, not heating food in the microwave in plastic containers, avoiding using plastics that have number seven on the bottom, not washing plastics with strong detergents and reducing your use of canned food. It is time to throw your old plastic pump bottle away!

with diminished ovarian reserve. Once again, it is difficult to reduce your exposure to these substances as they are ubiquitous in our environment. The average woman puts on 12 phthalate containing products before she walks out of the door in the morning, including shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, moisturisers, deodorants, makeup and perfume. Minimising the use of personal care products is a sensible strategy when conceiving or during pregnancy and I would also recommend holding off the purchase of newly produced household furniture, fabrics, non-stick frying pans and cars when conceiving or during pregnancy or breast feeding.

In summary, there is no way to remove our exposure to chemicals in our daily living. There are however some simple life changes that may be beneficial to your reproductive health. Reduce your use of cosmetics and hair products, move to fresh not canned food and buy a BPA free water bottle.

FERTILITYASSOCIATES.CO.NZ 0800 255 522

Phthalates are found in soft plastics and cosmetics where they are added to maintain scent and colour. They are also used in the manufacture of flooring, wall coverings, adhesives, carpet and upholstery. That lovely new car smell is achieved by the use of these compounds. Phthalates have also been linked

“ I wish I had asked for help sooner” Everyone’s experience of having a baby is different.

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Take the first step today: · by phone: Book a free nurse consult on 0800 255 522. · in person: Make an appointment with a top NZ fertility specialist. · online: Use our online Biological Clock to work out your chances and when to seek help. t o h av e a b e t t e r u n d e r s ta n d i n g ta l k t o o u r t e a m t o daY

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CLIVE PLUCKNETT

WHAT IS ADRENAL FATIGUE? WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT? Clive Plucknett Naturopath PG Dip Anti Aging Nutritonal Maedicine PG Dip Cancer Nutritonal Maedicine PG Dip Mental Health Nutriton MBA (Distinction), BA, PG Dip Science

Adrenals are a pair of little glands that sit above your kidneys. They are one of those body parts that you do not pay a lot of attention to until they let you down.

Actually it is more of a case of you letting them down.

Adrenal fatigue is a modern disease created by diet and lifestyle.

It affects twice as many women as men. Full recovery without treatment is rare. Many sufferers have reported the onset after a stressful event or an infectious illness, such as glandular fever. It is not so much the event, but the condition of the body prior to the event that pushes the body into adrenal fatigue.

The classic scenario is the committed business person or homemaker who burns the candles at both ends. They move from project to project, driving themselves. As their energy levels drop, they start to depend on caffeine and sugar hits more and more, to get that energy burst to keep going.

Their body is first whispering, then talking to them, but they are much too busy being busy to listen. It gets harder and harder to get out of bed in the morning. Their day develops into a pattern.

They have to drag themselves out of bed in the morning. It takes caffeine, refined carbohydrates and sugar to get going and they get a bit of an energy rise at around 10am, followed by a late afternoon slump, with a rise in the late evening. The body is talking, but they are still not listening, so now the body starts shouting. Now, they cannot get out of bed in the morning, getting dressed is a major effort. Everything is a major effort. The best they can do is lie around all day.

Often, conventional medicine does not recognise adrenal fatigue.

The tests come back as normal, so there cannot be anything wrong. Most adrenal fatigue sufferers go through a gambit of practitioners, searching to regain their lives.

Adrenal fatigue is a progressive condition. It starts with a serious lack of energy and can develop into just being too tired to do anything. Sleep provides no relief. The sooner you act, the quicker the results. Your body cannot correct itself unless it gets what it needs.

At bewell, we run a series of scientifically validated tests to look at what is really going on in your body. We look at energy levels from a cellular level up. We have a proven track record of dealing with this ever increasing malaise of our modern society. Visit our website for the classic signs of adrenal fatigue.

FINESSE It's been the best Kiwi summer in years. But we're paying the price for our fun in the sun with freckles, sunspots, solar keratoses and dark pigmentation on our skins.

At Finesse Face and Body Clinic, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments are performed using the medical grade Harmony IPL, made by Alma Laser – Israeli pioneers in the technology.

The fully qualified staff have many years’ experience with these treatments, ensuring you are in safe hands from the moment you walk in the door. IPL essentially 'shatters' the pigment into fragments. These initially darken, before detaching about seven days later. The skin is immediately clearer and more even-toned.

A series of treatments is required to lift pigment. In addition to treating pigmentation and broken capillaries, IPL is incredibly anti-ageing for your skin. It improves skin tone and texture, stimulates collagen to rejuvenate the skin while reducing redness and pigmentation – this minimises fine lines and reduces the size of pores.

FINESSE ALSO SPECIALISES IN THE REDUCTION OF SCARS AND STRETCHMARKS USING IPL. Sue Crake the salon owner, says: “Results aren't instant – it takes a few months for the collagen to rebuild. But clients are thrilled with the reduction of unsightly scars and stretch-marks, giving them renewed confidence.”

FINESSE FACE AND BODY CLINIC OFFERS A FREE, NOOBLIGATION IPL CONSULTATION. PREPAY 3 TREATMENTS AND RECEIVE THE 4TH ONE FREE.

MEADOWBANK DENTAL

SMILE MAKEOVER WITH COSMETIC 6 For the past few years Meadowbank Dental have offered an orthodontic treatment, which they have named ‘Cosmetic 6.’ The treatment has seen amazing outcomes in this short period of time, with the end result being many satisfied clients leaving with big smiles on their faces. Verve’s roving reporter interviewed the folk at Meadowbank Dental about the Cosmetic 6 treatment.

LIGHT UP THE ROOM WITH YOUR SMILE

Verve’s Roving Reporter: Can you tell Verve readers a little more about the Cosmetic 6 treatment?

Meadowbank Dental: Cosmetic 6 is, as the name suggests, a purely cosmetic approach to orthodontics. The treatment focusses on the six front teeth, either top or bottom or both if required. Cosmetic 6 orthodontics corrects minor orthodontic issues of the front teeth in a short period of time.

VRR: Who could benefit from this procedure?

MD: Many of our clients who have chosen Cosmetic 6 have disliked their smile for various reasons, for example, rotations or protrusions, and had put off full traditional orthodontic treatment because of the length of time it takes. We have had a lot of interest from brides wanting their smile perfect for their special day.

VRR: What are the three major selling points of Cosmetic 6?

MD: Speed. Most of our Cosmetic 6 braces only take between 3-9 months. Cosmetic, the brackets we use, are tooth-coloured, which makes them look discreet.

VRR: And the costs?

MD: Our cost for the upper six teeth starts at $2800.

You will have every reason to smile after a visit to Meadowbank Dental. Our system, Cosmetic 6, focusses on the straightening of the six front teeth only; perfect for those who need only minor adjustments to their front teeth.

Before: Book for your free consultation today.

After:

Cosmetic 6 is available from $2800.

Interest free finance options available with Gemvisa.

Meadowbank Dental 93 St Johns Road Meadowbank VRR: Can you tell us a little more about the payment option, Gemvisa?

MD: Gemvisa offer six months interest free payments. We can also arrange a longer payment option, from 12-18 months, however this incurs a small finance surcharge.

VRR: What should interested parties do next?

MD: You can email our orthodontic co-ordinator on hannah@ meadowbankdental.co.nz or call the surgery on 09 5283146. We can book you in for a free information appointment with Hannah Bellew.

Auckland 09 528 3146

hannah@meadowbankdental.co.nz

www.meadowbankdental.co.nz

E H T H C DIT

R O Z REA !

R E S A TL G

Treat 2 areas with laser hair removal for the price of 1* This offer will not be repeated in 2015!

Call us for your free laser hair removal consultation.

Caci Epsom, 409B Manukau Rd | 09 638 8933 Caci Newmarket, 53 Davis Cres | 09 524 2784 Ask us about our exclusive guarantee* and easy payment options. *Conditions apply, see full terms and conditions in clinic. Offer ends February 28th 2015.

THE EXERCISE ROOM

MAGNESIUM, AN ESSENTIAL MINERAL

ARE YOU SWIMMING UPSTREAM?

HARDY’S Álvaro Muñoz graduated as a naturopath and herbalist from the South Pacific College of Natural Medicine in 2013 as the only student with Honours. He has practiced at the ‘Paua Clinic’; a community clinic. He works as a Naturopath and Health Consultant at Hardy’s Newmarket and downtown. He is a keen practitioner and researcher into herbal formulas having produced innovative dermal creams.

As a society we are the most overweight yet most undernourished we have ever been. Many of us are craving weight loss and health, but at some point will be affected by obesity and poor nutrition related ailments.

So it makes sense to say that whatever you see the masses around you doing when it comes to food and exercise, you should do the opposite – swim upstream! See the movie theatre car park packed to the brim, and the gym parking lot empty, opt for the gym. Likewise if you see a queue at your local takeaway or drive through, don’t go there! Instead eat a simple but tasty meal of vegetables and protein.

Be different from the masses by following a clean eating plan and live in a healthy and fit body this year. You will see from these fabulous ideas from The Exercise Room’s Fitness Mentors, that this is not so hard to achieve.

Go against your instincts and eat all of your veggies at the very start of your meal before moving onto the main dish. This simple strategy helps fill you up with lower calorie foods first.

Liquid calories are empty calories and have no place in a clean eating plan. Every beer, blended coffee, processed juice or soda is just adding to your waistline without adding any nutritional benefits to your body. Banning these is the easiest way possible to clean up your diet and your body.

Include protein in every meal and eat the RIGHT type of carbs.

There is a hierarchy of carbs and the success of your clean eating plan is crucial to the hierarchy. Green leafy vegetables are at the top, followed by all other vegetables, fruit, whole grains, starches and refined grains.

Just as crucial is a structured fitness plan, not just incidental exercise and walking. You need to get that heart rate up and include strength and resistance work in combination with cardio activity.

Start 2015 off by following these simple strategies, throw in some regular structured physical activity and you will live in a cleaner, leaner and healthier body this year!

Magnesium (Mg) seems to be the trending supplement recently. While it might seem faddish and unnecessary, the reason is many are noticing benefits from the multiple uses of this essential mineral in the human body.

While calcium is usually given most attention for bone health and preventing osteoporosis, Mg is also very important for bone mineralisation. In fact osteoporosis can be induced in animals by limiting dietary Mg. Mg is an important co-factor to enzyme systems involved in energy metabolism. This may come as a surprise as many generalise Mg as a ‘calming’ mineral. While this is true and many people use it to relax and sleep better, it is also key for daily cellular energy production.

Mg is also involved in protein synthesis, glucose control, nerve function, muscle contraction, heart rhythm and blood pressure regulation.The public are becoming more aware of the importance of lacking nutrients from modern processed food and agricultural practices. Studies have found Western diets to be lower in dietary Mg than than required for good health. Mg can also be affected by carbonated beverages, sweet foods, stress, coffee and tea drinking, alcohol, diuretics, antacids, contraceptives.

Symptoms of deficiency can include muscle cramps, muscle pain, muscle twitches, fatigue, involuntary eye movements, poor sleep, anxiety, difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, night grinding of teeth, restless legs, palpitations and poor stress tolerance.

What many are not aware of is that Mg can easily be absorbed transdermally: through the skin. Studies surprisingly show that transdermal Mg can actually raise levels better and quicker than oral supplementation.

An important aspect to this mineral is its alkalizing action in the body. This is the main way Mg can work as a deodorant. Bacteria love and thrive on acidic states. The Mg in Nasanta Deodorant elevates pH environment neutralising bacterial growth and its consequent unwanted odour. Because of the excellent dermal absorption of Mg, Nasanta Deodorant also acts as an efficient transdermal Mg delivery system.

Our bodies are beautiful, complex systems that work optimally when given enough prime ingredients like nutrients and quality fuel. A good balance of physical and mental wellbeing can be maintained by providing this essential mineral.

Nasanta Magnesium Deodorant is available from Hardy’s Health Store Newmarket at Westfield 277 Newmarket in Broadway and Hardy’s Health Store downtown at Downtown Shopping Centre in lower Queen Street.

THE EXERCISE ROOM 3 AKAROA STREET PARNELL AUCKLAND 09 307 2080 WWW.THEEXERCISEROOM.CO.NZ

HARDY’S HEALTH STORES

HARDY’S

Café Pukeko

CUISINE Á LA NEW ZEALAND

Tucked away in the stunning Midi-Pyrenees region of France, is a slice of New Zealand. A café restaurant named 'Pukeko' that draws its inspiration from New Zealand cuisine. Run by born and bred Kiwi, David.

Verve: Hi David, let’s start off by asking how you came about opening this beautiful café in France?

David: I am a Kiwi, originally from Kaitaia, but was living in the United Kingdom with my English wife and four London born children. We both had been working at the BBC, (me as a producer on the BBC News channel, and Rosie as a producer/ sports news reader in the sports department).

Life was good, with plenty of friends and fulfilling jobs, but it was all a little on the ‘safe’ side perhaps. Whatever it was, one evening after a little too much New Zealand sauvignon, we decided to cut loose and change up our lives. We aimed to start a business, give the kids a second ‘mother tongue’ and enjoy the space, clean air and rural living in France. So after numerous house hunting trips and some online French lessons, we found

ourselves piling the kids into the car and heading for the Channel Tunnel, and onwards to Puy l’Eveque. Our house was big, drafty, dirty and with more holes in the roof and windows than we’d remembered from the viewing.

As for making a living? Well, we had a few business ideas but nothing finalised, so we had to get something started, fast. We couldn’t help notice the number of tourists who would park outside our house and take a photo of our stunning, quiet town and then hop back in the car and drive off.

So we started small, with snacks and coffee, and were busy from day one. We wanted to fit in, and named ourselves ‘La Terrasse Rivière’ (The River Terrace). A friend asked why we weren’t going to be selling beer and wine and we told her that the mayor had specifically said ‘sans alcool’. That sounded clear to us, but she

thought that was wrong and so we asked again. The next week he told us the same thing, that we can sell drink, but not alcohol, then added, ‘but beer and wine is OK’. We looked at each other confused. I got him to repeat himself several times before it was clear – maybe he meant non-alcoholic beer? “No, you can’t sell alcohol, only beer and wine”. After much head-scratching we deduced that the French only call it alcohol if it’s the strong stuff.

I wouldn’t recommend trying that one on the gendarmes though.

“No ossifer I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol, just a couple of litres of vin rouge… “ V: How long have you owned 'Pukeko'?

D: We opened shop back in 2008 as ‘La Terrasse Rivière’. We had a couple of Kiwi items on the menu from the beginning. However it was a few years later we realised that it’d be better to stand out, so embraced our New Zealand side more overtly. It made sense: it’s who we are, and they love New Zealand around here. People would ask ‘êtes-vous Anglais?’ When I answered that we were from New Zealand their whole demeanour would change, they wanted to know all about us. From the rugby, the land, the rugby, the long flight and .. did I mention the rugby? They seem to have a real affection for, and fascination with New Zealand. They seemed so bemused by how on earth I ended up here.

V: Your café is called 'Pukeko', you must get many people asking the meaning of this name. If you had named it ‘Kiwi’ it would have been more self-explanatory.

D: Yes, I love 'Pukeko' as our name. It’s a kind of off-beat, comical looking, individual, and allows us a couple of great colours to use in our marketing. The problem with Kiwi, is that it’s a fruit over here. I mean the fruit is called ‘kiwi’, it’s not called a kiwifruit. I’ve given up correcting people who say how we put ‘sliced up kiwi’ on our pavlova. You can’t slice up a kiwi, it’s a protected species!

They don’t get it, and calling it the Kiwi café would have led to a lifetime of having to unravel the confusion. We added an accent on the ‘e’ to make it 'Pukèko'. This wasn’t to make it more fancy, but to tell the French how to pronounce it. They say it perfectly every first time now. Without the accent it would read Pu-ker-ko.

Ok, so maybe it was a little bit about making it look fancier.

V: Does the food you serve have a Kiwi influence?

D: Most certainly, from day one our main dessert has been pavlova, which has gone down a storm with the French from the word go.

Plus New Zealand style fish ‘n chips. New Zealand style: light, crispy beer batter, cooked to order and to perfection – as opposed to English style: cooked half an hour ago and sitting under the warmer, with bubbly batter so thick it takes three grease-squirting bites to reach the fish. I’m actually an Anglophile, but the fish ‘n chips in the United Kingdom are truly awful.

Now we do Kiwi style burgers, which were initially a challenge due to the tough food laws here. Minced beef in restaurants must be used or thrown out 12 hours after mincing. It’s kind of awkward, but we decided to embrace it, and try to and produce the best, freshest burgers we could. Everything is made inhouse including the buns, the tomato jam, mango chutney, spicy aubergine relish and the hand cut chips.

The French don’t have a long burger tradition so have never tasted the likes of what we do. We’re now looking to open a second branch, in a more urban setting.

V: Can you see yourself staying in this beautiful part of the world for a long time?

D: We’ll have to just see how everything turns out. It is really beautiful here, and when we look across the river on a summers morning, we feel pretty lucky.

However, our children will probably leave here to find work – 17 year old Scarlett, and 15 year old Louis are already away at boarding schools. There is no ‘Lycee’ in Puy l’Evêque so at 15 you’re off. Ideally? We’ll be back in New Zealand one day. We were in Auckland for Xmas 2012 and the kids adored it. For all its wonder, France is currently lacking the kind of can-do attitude more typical of New Zealand.

V: Thanks David!

D: So please, if you are coming to visit France, make sure to stop off for a flat white at Café 'Pukeko' in picturesque Puy l’Eveque.

You Do Win Friends With Salad The saying goes, 'you can't win friends with salad'. I'd like to throw that notion out the window and rephrase it, if I may. 'You can't win friends with lettuce' — and you can most definitely quote me on that. Personally, I don’t understand why people think salads have to be large bowls of leafy greens. Summer provides an endless bounty of vibrant vegetables that, if paired with the right ingredients, create an incredibly filling and satisfying meal or accompaniment.

Words: Lauren Matthews from The Kitchen Collective www.thekc.co.nz

FENNEL, RED ONION AND AVOCADO SALAD

This salad is incredibly simple to prepare, yet full of flavour and something a little different too. I would pair this creation with either white fish, shellfish or poultry, as the acidic undertones lend well to the flavour of these proteins.

- two whole bulbs of fennel - half a red onion - two avocados - one lemon - salt and pepper - extra virgin olive oil

To prepare the fennel, you only want to use the bulb, as the green fronds are quite bitter. Slice green steams off the bulb, then cut the bulb in half length ways. Thinly slice the bulb, similar to how you would slice an onion. Do the same with the red onion, slicing half of it into thin strips. Take the avocado out of its skin and once again, slice. Layer all three ingredients onto a platter and douse with freshly squeezed lemon juice and olive oil. This will simultaneously cure the fennel and red onion (making them less astringent) and prevent the avocado from turning brown.

Season generously with rock salt and black pepper – this will really lift the flavours.

(Serves four)

THAI INSPIRED CHICKEN AND SWEET CORN SALAD

Don’t let the seemingly long list of ingredients for this recipe deter you. Most ingredients you’ll likely have in your pantry, and the marinade and dressing share a lot of those same ingredients. Summer’s darling, sweet corn is the hero of this dish — the sweetness works perfectly with the fiery and piquant flavours.

For the chicken: - three chicken breasts - the zest and juice of one lime - one tablespoon of sesame oil - one tablespoon of soy sauce - one teaspoon of freshly grated ginger - three cloves of minced garlic - one teaspoon of dried cumin

For the dressing: - two tablespoons of fish sauce - one tablespoon of sesame oil - two tablespoons of lime juice - one tablespoon of olive oil - one tablespoon of brown sugar - one minced garlic clove - one finely sliced red chilli - stems of a whole bunch of coriander, thinly sliced

For the salad: - four ears of sweet corn - a handful of cherry tomatoes - one red capsicum - one shallot - the leaves of one whole bunch of coriander - peanuts to garnish

To prepare the chicken, mix all of the marinade ingredients together. Slice chicken breasts into 1cm strips. Cover with marinade and place in the fridge for at least an hour, although, the longer the better. Again, with the dressing, mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. This dressing, as it’s Thai inspired, requires a harmony of balance, so tasting is key — if you think it needs more salt, add a touch more soy sauce etc. To cook the chicken, either heat a pan or BBQ on high and use oil with a high smoke, point such as peanut or canola oil, flash fry for a minute on each side, or until chicken is cooked through — allow to rest. The salad is simple to prepare, although the corn needs to be slightly cooked. To do this bring a large pot of water to the boil, after taking husks off corn, drop the ears whole into water for one minute, until the corn turns bright yellow. Remove from boiling water and plunge into ice cold water to prevent residual cooking. Carefully stand corn vertically on a chopping board and run your knife carefully down the base of the corn to remove kernels. Slice the rest of the ingredients uniformly. Simply toss salad with dressing, place chicken on top and garnish generously with coriander leaves and peanuts.

(Serves four)

COURGETTE, CHILLI, LEMON, PINE NUT AND GOAT'S CHEESE SALAD

I love this vibrant and punchy creation. The courgettes are cooked just enough to retain a firm texture. Paired with hot chilli, which is cooled off with plenty of lemon, mint and creamy goat's cheese, this easy-to-prepare salad is bound to become a go-to in your salad repertoire. Serve with any BBQ’d meat, especially chicken, fish or pork.

- four large courgettes - one teaspoon of dried chilli flakes (more or less, depending on preference) - the zest and juice of one large lemon or two smaller ones - a good handful of pine nuts - one punnet of fresh goat's cheese - one bunch of fresh mint

If you have a mandolin use the thin blade to slice courgettes in to uniform rounds.

If you don’t have a mandolin, get one. Or as best as you can, thinly slice courgettes.

Either on the BBQ or in a hot pan, in a little oil, throw courgettes and chilli flakes in. Cook for a minute on each side, just until some colour forms. Place on serving platter, and simply dress with zest, and lemon juice, shredded mint, toasted pine nuts and dollops of the goat's cheese.

Season well, and serve.

(Serves four)

Following the Ottoman Spice Trail Verve BESTBITE

09 05220115 27/2 NUFFIELD STREET, NEWMARKET, AUCKLAND OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: 9:30 AM – 10:30 PM HAPPY HOUR IS EVERYDAY 4PM TO 6PM MAINS START AT ONLY $20 A newly opened restaurant specialising in Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, Sautee Café is fusing culinary tastes from the Middle East, Asia and New Zealand with a Kiwi twist, creating something truly unique.

• • • • • •

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner A set menu is available for groups of 8 or more Children welcome Extensive craft beer and wine menu Belly dancing Saturdays Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options

For those of you who are new to Turkish cuisine Verve recommends ordering:

STARTER: Labneh, this dish is famous worldwide.

Similar to our ‘sour cream’ Sautee pairs this with crisp, fresh bread brought in from a speciality bakery.

MAIN: Hunkar Kebab – A classic staple in Turkish cuisine, the ‘Sultan’s choice’ – Sautee delivers the goods with perfectly cooked lamb topping charred eggplant.

DESSERT: Revani – A healthy choice, this dessert is light and delicate and a great palate cleanse. Sautee serves this with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

DRINK: Turkish apple tea – Trifecta of sweetness, fruity notes with a strong tea punch. Delicious!

Navigating Biodynamic Indian Tea into New Zealand USDA certified from plantation to doorstep

Registered and Licensed under the Tea Board of India for Darjeelings

Teas brewed for tasting from 11am-1pm (Closed Thursdays & Sundays)

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEW STORE at 301B Kepa Road, Orakei (behind Hells Pizza)

Exquisite tea wares and personalised hampers make ideal gifts. Order online or call into the shop

Tel: 021 877 465 or 09 578 0828 / www.bolutea.co.nz

A tea estate on our doorstep!

Zealong Tea

Water....without it life would not exist as we know it.

This is common knowledge, yet a little less well known is the importance of tea. That’s right, your standard builder’s brew, whether you like it well stippled, brewed or mashed, is an essential part of our every day lives. It may not carry quite the same life or death importance as water, but seemingly without it people would not function quite so effectively.

Words: Katy Powell

Tea tops the charts when it comes to beverages consumed worldwide — excluding water of course. Thought to originate in ancient China, it is believed to have first been used for medicinal purposes. Made popular in the United Kingdom by Catherine of Braganza, Queen consort to King Charles 2nd in the 16th century — or so the story goes.

Despite the origins and indeed where it is still grown today, it has become as British as the stiff upper lip or perhaps more relevant than the Victoria sponge. The options are now endless: herbal, fruit, hot, cold, with milk or not, some add sugar others prefer a lemon, while the connoisseur will be quick to remind that only loose tea leaves provide the perfect cup. What is clearly evident, no matter how you like your tea, is that there is yet to be a situation when a cup of tea does not make your day (no matter how grim it maybe) just that little bit brighter.

the beautiful Waikato region. Tzu Chen had his Einstein moment, however, instead of the apple falling onto his head, it was the tea leaf. The realisation that these plants not only grew in New Zealand but thrived, led him together with his son Vincent to invest in 1500 Camellia trees from Taiwan in 1996. Unfortunately, a combination of the 9000km journey and an intense quarantine period at the New Zealand border left them with only 130. To most people, receiving less than 10% of your investment would be seen as a huge failure. However, Mr Chen knew that the pristine Kiwi air and fair climate working in tandem with the rich verdant soil would produce some of the best tasting organic tea leaves in the world — much the same as it has done for the vineyards nationwide.

How right they were. From these humble beginnings the Zealong Tea estate is now home to 1.2 million tea plants that spread 50 hectares. The key to the continued success remains the same as day one. Every intricate detail is finely tuned to ensure the quality never suffers. Staff are hand picked, much the same way as they in turn hand pick the tea. Thicker leaves thatburst with flavour, that if one chooses to could be used six or seven times, just imagine that! The 24-36 hour labour-intensive process mixes both modern and traditional techniques to produce four stunning flavours; Pure, Aromatic, Dark and Black.

Absolutely zero artificial chemicals or pesticides are used during the growing process, earning Zealong a certification by BioGro — New Zealand’s leading organics certifier. This allows access to international markets as the trademark is trusted. High-end London based retailer Harrod’s would have to agree, as they are one of the exclusive stores Zealong Tea can be purchased at.

The most impressive fact, I have saved for last. Zealong is the worlds ONLY tea company fully certified to the world’s highest food safety standard — what does this mean? I hear you ask. Well, it means that every pack produced can be traced back to the exact day it was picked and the exact spot it was grown in. So within 50 hectares and 1.2million trees, that’s pretty impressive stuff.

My advice, if there is one thing you try this new year make it Zealong Tea.

The popularity is indisputable world over. Indeed, some people make it there life’s work to develop the perfect cup of tea for the rest of us to enjoy.

One such person is Mr Chen, founder of Zealong Tea. Upon a chance discovery of a Camellia tree in his neighbours garden in

ZEALONG TEA PLANTATION IS LOCATED JUST OUTSIDE HAMILTON AT 495 GORDONTON ROAD, HAMILTON. FOR MORE INFO VISIT ZEALONG.COM

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

Storm and India

TEA SISTERS Tea Sisters, Storm and India’s story began with fond memories growing up on their organic farm in Tasmania. It was there they developed a passion for holistic living, experiencing the delights of home grown and cooked meals and organic farming.

Their mum, Dooley Crighton, became inspired by her many travels thanks to her organic baby food company and started growing and blending herbal teas at her home on the farm, teaching her two daughters how to hand pick and blend their own tea.

“Tea has always been a big part of our lives,” says Storm.

“Growing up, we had herbal tea for breakfast, fresh fruit tea in summer and home-brewed chai soy lattes in winter.”

For these three women, tea is a daily ritual that heals, uplifts and nourishes; values they hope to instil in their tea followers with their range of loose-leaf teas which utilise premium organic teas from around the world.

The broad range of 26 carefully selected teas has a compelling story behind each blend; the origin, tradition and history of the tea are communicated through their brand story which can be found on their website.

Along with their black, green, white, red, herbal and fruit teas, the Tea Sisters have also developed a range of three detox teas.

These teas each have a different detoxifying purpose and are designed to be consumed at specific times of the day for optimum

results. These detox teas have been created by Chinese doctors and a certified nutritionist using the principles of traditional Chinese medicine.

The Storm & India brand essence is classic style with feminine elegance. Likening the brand to that of a fashion label, each element is carefully thought out to represent their holistic messages, from the bespoke designed and packaged tea tins and linen finish gift boxes to their retro rocket tea caravan and range of tea accessories, these ladies have created something truly beautiful for the soul.

The collection is available to order online and tea followers should also keep an eye out for their organic tea van, which will be serving their famous blends, iced tea and healthy desserts, making its way to Auckland markets and events over the summer.

To keep up to date with their movements and to purchase the collection visit stormandindia.com Teas range from $40-$50 NZD.

HELLO@STORMANDINDIA.COM WWW.STORMANDINDIA.COM

A Slice of Italy: In Search of the Perfect Margarita at Dante’s Wood-Fired Pizzeria

Nestled in the heart of bustling Ponsonby Central is Dante’s Pizzeria, a quaint ristorante specialising in Neapolitan wood-fire pizza, run by Kevin Morris. Winner of ‘best pizza in New Zealand’ not once, but four times and now representing New Zealand on the world stage. I caught up with Kevin and his CEO Enis Bacova to find out how they make the magic happen.

Words: Jack Cooper

When Kevin first came to New Zealand he knew there was a niche market here, “back in the United Kingdom and here in New Zealand, I was always complaining about the pizza. My girlfriend got so sick of it that she told me to stop moaning and open up a pizzeria. That’s how it all started.” Like his grandfather ‘Dante’, the namesake of the restaurant, Kevin is a self-taught chef, “as a child I used to fly over to Naples at Christmas. My grandfather would cook the best Italian food and it’s from these experiences that I got a real taste of Italy and my inspiration.” The passion for authentic food is contagious and to my delight the award winning ‘Regina Margherita’ is brought out, fresh from the oven and cooked in only 90 seconds.

The amazing thing about this pizza is its simplicity. All the ingredients are plain to see and each of them can be distinguished easily. That may sound like a bad thing for a typical ‘meat-lovers’ fan, but all the ingredients are sent fresh from Napoli every fortnight. You can taste the quality of the extra virgin olive oil, the freshness of the basil and the tang of the tomatoes, all working in harmony and topped with the best mozzarella I have ever tried. It takes four days for the hand-stretched dough to become ‘oven ready’ and let me tell you, it is worth the wait.

“This flour only has one job, it’s not for pasta, not for cakes. This flour is made for pizza dough” says Enis. This pizza is all at once crispy, tender and light; the mouthfeel is unlike anything I have tried before. The secret lies within a recipe, over two hundred years old, and there is no room for error. The Pizzaiolo, or pizza chef, really has to understand the basics. Less is more. This ethos is applied to all aspects of the restaurant, from the method of cooking in a wood fired oven, to the preparation and ingredients.

Like champagne, true Neapolitan wood-fired pizza is a protected label. Dante’s is one of only two locations in the South Pacific to hold this honour out of a total of 472 worldwide. “All the ingredients have to come from the right location, the dough has to be hand kneaded and left to rest for at least two days, but we leave ours for four,” says Kevin. This rigorous process allows Dante’s to hang the prestigious VPN ‘Verace Pizza Napoletana’ certified sign above the restaurant.

Many of us pizza lovers have the strange notion that if it tastes good, it isn’t healthy. Enis explains the predicament of distancing themselves from fast food. “We are changing the paradigm of

big chains selling unhealthy food, labelled as pizza. Our product is made with love, no cutting corners and using only high quality ingredients. We are selling an experience. A slice of Italy.” Kevin adds, “fresh food tastes better than processed food and it’s good for you. We do not use chemicals, colours, additives or preservatives common in so much ‘prepared’ and ‘fast food’ on offer today.”

Recently, the menu has been expanded to incorporate the toppings we know and love, but with a Dante’s twist. The ‘carne’ for instance is the healthy man’s ‘meat lovers’ pizza. Cured ham, spicy chorizo and pork and fennel sausage are brought together with fresh rocket and creamy mozzarella to create a less greasy and more nutritious dish.

Expect Dante’s to explode onto the world stage in the coming years. After having Aussies fly over especially for the pizza, to having Jamie Oliver personally send over a signed book congratulating them, it’s plain to see that Dante’s is destined for more success. We ask Kevin what’s in the future for Dante’s, “In five years, we expect to have restaurants in three continents, as well as new locations in New Zealand.”

In short, this is a game changing pizza and if you have never tried Neapolitan pizza, then it’s a culinary experience you have to come and try for yourself.

Dante’s is open Monday to Sunday 10am to 11pm.

If there are any budding chefs out there, keen on a challenging experience. Kevin and Enis invite you to swing by Dante’s and see if you have what it takes to make pizza that can change the world.

Address: PONSONBY CENTRAL, 136 PONSONBY ROAD, PONSONBY, AUCKLAND 1011

Phone:

09 378 4443

For further reading on Neapolitan Pizza and its protected status go to: http://www.pizzanapoletana.org/eng_chisiamo.php

NEW ZEALAND SCHOOL OF FOOD AND WINE

THE WINE RACK

Fermented Friends is a clever way of thinking about cheese and its relationship to delicious wines and even some beers and cider.

Juliet Harbutt is back in New Zealand to help us at the New Zealand School of Food and Wine, learn more about the world of cheeses, but also how to enjoy cheese with a glass or two of wine.

Compared with the great vineyards of Europe, New Zealand’s wine industry is comparatively young. The first quality wines were planted in Hawkes Bay post World War Two.

What is interesting to see is how the flavour of cheese changes when enjoyed with wine and how the combination also influences the taste of the wine. There is a certain synergy when you get the correct partnership with the cheese you love and the wine you like.

Then, during the mid-70s Marlborough came into the frame and forty-years on, Marlborough is leading the way, with ingenuity and entrepreneurship at the very hub of New Zealand’s quality winemaking story.

For instance, fresh cheeses often work well with wines such as sauvignon blanc or dry riesling because they both have an element of acidity. A wine such as pinot gris is more difficult to partner because there are such a variety of styles influenced by their residual sugar and its stone fruit aromas. To experiment, you could try an off-dry pinot gris with a dense, creamy fresh mozzarella, but also a dry unoaked chardonnay, like Chablis, or even a lighter style of pinot noir can make delicious matches.

As history now reveals, when the vines were first cultured in Marlborough many believed the South Island was ‘too cold’ for growing grapes. However, like many success stories, the benefit of hindsight is magical, where today Marlborough is not only commercially important but also recognised as the wine capital of New Zealand.

Blue cheese such as Roquefort, the famous cheese from Southwest France is traditionally matched with the very sweet wine from Sauternes that has loads of honey and a delicious dried apricot and pineapple nose. This shows how opposites attract, as the blue cheese has the wild, fungi note with lots of salt and acid that is amazing enhanced with this wine that tastes of nectar.

Pairing wine and cheese is fun, fascinating and as much an art as a science. Come along and find out more about this intriguing subject.

WWW.FOODANDWINE.CO.NZ

Learn all about cheese with Juliet Harbutt Juliet Harbutt is a worldrenowned expert on cheese.

Her courses feature European classic cheeses as well as some of New Zealand’s best artisan cheeses.

Designed for cheese professionals and anyone who simply loves cheese.

Call us for more information.

Fermented Friends 11 March 6.30-8pm $95 NZ Cheese, Wine & Terroir 17 March 6.30-8pm $95 Professional cheese training:

Cheese 101 11-13 or 16-18 March 9am-4pm $450 Cheese 201 19-20 March 9am-4pm $350 Cheese 101 & Cheese 201 16-20 March $750 Celia Hay, Director | nzsfw@foodandwine.co.nz Level 3, 104 Customs Street West, Viaduct, Auckland www.foodandwine.co.nz | 09 377 7961

Of all of the grape varietals grown in New Zealand, the most notable is sauvignon blanc. It’s our signature grape and one with a bold worldwide reputation that can not be surpassed. But hot on its heels and conquering hearts and minds alike is pinot noir — touted the biggest discovery since sauvignon blanc.

Such is its popularity that wineries all over the country have planted pinot noir on both islands, with the South Island taking credit for producing our own ‘burgundy of the south’.

There is an authenticity to the culture that runs deep in Marlborough for producing quality wines that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the great wines of the world.

One of Marlborough’s success stories is Astrolabe. Established by a small group of friends in 1996, Astrolabe produces a range of wines under a variety of labels that express the purity and intensity of the grapes grown throughout Marlborough.

01 - Astrolabe Kererengu Coast 2011 sauvignon blanc RRP $24 Surprisingly crisp and fresh with a lingering fruity finish, integrated acidity and a balanced concentration on the palate.

Peak drinking now. Serving suggestions oysters, seafood, panfried fish or Asian cuisine.

01

02

02 - Astrolabe Province 2013 Marlborough pinot noir RRP $30 A densely bold and structured pinot with light tannins that will please.

This is an excellent example of an everyday pinot to enjoy now or to cellar which will be very rewarding in years to come. Best suited with beef, pork or venison. __ Astrolabe wine bottle Copyright DWK: December 2014

VERVE'S WINE RACK COLUMN IS CONTRIBUTED BY DENNIS KNILL, WINE LOVER AND WRITER EXTRAORDINARE.

THE WINE ALLERGY CURE YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR Treat yourself to a glass of wine without any of the nasty side effects.

If you suffer from symptoms such as headaches, flushes, blocked nasal cavities and IBS after a glass of wine, then you may have an allergy to sulphites. Most of us enjoy a glass of wine or two from time to time, but for those of us with a predisposition towards wine allergies and the resulting after effects, it can ruin the experience.

UBfree wine drops is a New Zealand made, organic product developed to combat these effects. We caught up with the couple behind the cure, Christina and Miles Clifford, to find out more.

So first of all, how did you find out about these wine drops and how have they helped you and people you know to deal with wine allergies and headaches?

It all started when I was unable to drink wine without having headaches and nasal congestion. I wondered if it was the sulphites in wine so I questioned my GP about it. She confirmed my thinking.

As I thoroughly enjoy drinking wine I really didn’t want to choose another drink, so both Miles and I went on a search for a solution.

We started asking lots of questions about sulphites and why are they in wine, which led to the development of the wine drops. We had an initial formula and engaged the services of a food scientist who helped us refine the formula. It worked amazingly for me and for friends who were also suffering. After 18 months of research and development we took it to market in 2013. Since then many people are now able to enjoy wine again. We have a customer who couldn’t drink wine for 25 years and decided to try our product. She was absolutely thrilled as she now enjoys a glass of wine without any allergy-like symptoms.

Could you explain, in layman's terms, how these drops will neutralise the compounds associated with allergies to wine?

UBfree Wine Drops works in two ways. Firstly it oxidises the wine, which reduces the free sulphites and secondly the minerals we add allow your body to naturally digest the bound sulphites in wine. In effect we are making the sulphites neutralised so your body can naturally do the rest.

Is this product aimed solely at people who suffer from sulphite allergies, or is there a benefit for others?

UBfree Wine Drops can be viewed as a preventative measure.

As our bodies age, we can become more susceptible to sulphite intolerance. People who use our product, who aren’t sulphite intolerant, report that they feel better when consuming wine and it tastes smoother.

Is it true that UB drops can actually improve the quality of some young wines by ‘cellaring’ them?

The short answer is yes. This is the direct result of rapid oxidisation.

A professional wine taster noted that after adding the UBfree wine drops that, “the taste is brighter, fresher, and the tannins have become smoother... the fruit notes more dominant.”

And finally, where is your business headed?

We have been so excited and thrilled with the response in the market place so far. UBfree Wine Drops sells themselves and being a New Zealand made, organic product is definitely beneficial. We are working hard towards making this product available in all supermarkets, health shops, pharmacies and liquor outlets. In five years we would love UBfree Wine Drops to be a household name.

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YOU FIRST EAT WITH YOUR EYES

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“My partner and I visited the beautiful Castaways Resort for a romantic evening in November to get away from it all. We were initially just going to their restaurant Agave, as friends of ours had raved about it. However, as soon as we arrived we both fell in love with the stunning location and made the decision to stay. The staff at Castaways were so helpful and accommodating, clearly taking pride in the resort and all it has to offer. Luckily there was a vacancy which we snapped up and on being shown to our studio we were absolutely thrilled. The gorgeous luxurious beach furnishings, lovely voile of shimmering panels across the ranch slider which led to our own little balcony with a view over Karioitahi Beach to die for… just perfect. I’ve been to a lot of places, but this really took my breath away.

Our dinner at Agave was amazing, just as our friends had said and cooked to perfection. The service was warm, friendly and impeccable, the restaurant had a real relaxing atmosphere and a great place to sit outside with a nice port and coffee after dinner. While outside we watched a bride and groom and their wedding party enjoying the last part of their day, taking some beautiful photos with the sunset in the background. What an amazing place to get married. Castaways really would capture the romance in anyone, and is the ideal place to kick back and unwind. Jay and I felt amazing when we left, totally invigorated after leaving Auckland and the hustle and bustle of our busy lives behind for a little while ….and the best part for us is that Castaways is only a 50 minute drive home. We’ll definitely be heading back there again, probably for our anniversary.”

- D Reynolds -

VERV GIVEA E WAY! VERVE HAS AN AMAZING CHILL OUT PACKAGE FOR TWO WITH OUTDOOR STONE BATH EXPERIENCE (TOTAL VALUE $429) TO GIVEAWAY FOR OUR READERS THANKS TO CASTAWAYS RESORT

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ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS VISIT WWW.VERVEMAGAZINE. CO.NZ, SELECT THE COMPETITIONS TAB AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION:

WHERE IN NEW ZEALAND IS CASTAWAYS RESORT LOCATED? You may also like to know that you can purchase a gift voucher for any Castaways wonderful experiences which would be a fab idea for a Valentine’s gift. Perhaps a gift voucher for a Spa & Dine experience at their gorgeous Bersantai Day Spa (includes a massage plus a lunch main). Or maybe an overnight escape package gift voucher? Or a dining gift voucher to enjoy a romantic meal at Agave Restaurant. They simply need to give us a call on 09 236-5041 extn 226 or email us at stay@castaways.co.nz

At Romance Ever After, Angelique Meyer tailors sexy and erotic assignments for couples that are expressly focussed on filling their partners “love tanks.”

It’s a niche business like no other in the country, teaching countless clients how to enrich aspects of their relationship and be more open about their sexuality.

Always passionate about the power of romance, this vivacious dynamo helps the lovelorn develop pleasurable ways to meet their needs, desires and goals through “discovery and discussion.”

The process is fun and starts with an easy questionnaire founded on the principles of the ‘Five Love Languages’ — words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch.

Angelique Meyer

The Romance Creative It’s not every day that you interview a ‘Romance Creative’ and on the eve of St Valentines, it proved to be perfect timing.

Words: Sarah Sparks Photo: Sharlene Ferguson www.focalpointphotos.co.nz

After identifying what’s missing, an action plan is created and tailored as much for the person doing the romancing as the person receiving it.

Angelique is quick to emphasise that clients can consult with her solo and have total freedom to follow her suggestions their way, which unlocks what she calls the “wow factor” that got the pair together in the first place.

“You need to give to get,” says this self-professed, “romance occupational

“You need to give to get” therapist” and she has many turnaround tales to prove it.

be romantic after getting married. She has heard it all and then some.

She smiles knowingly and asks the question, “why be a victim when your partner cannot meet your needs? Meet them yourself.”

Successful suggestions included advising a

“Why be a victim? When your partner cannot meet your needs, meet them yourself.” husband to be his partner’s “slave” for two hours a day all whilst his wife’s assignment was to “rediscover what made her sexy.”

And the end result?

With a twinkle in her eye, this selfconfessed romantic occupational therapist said, “I followed up eight weeks later and there was no more talk about having an open relationship.”

For more information go to www.romance.co.nz to book a no-obligation 30 minute consultation in person or via skype or the telephone.

From couples that are on the brink of separating due to differing sex drives after having had children, to the wife in shock after her husband requested an open marriage, to the guy who refuses to

It’s time to bring back passion.

Working together, we can create a plan to renew your relationship from within. I’m here to help you inject excitement and mystique into your love life.

Angelique Meyer ROMANCE COACH 0275 885 268 creative@romance.co.nz www.romance.co.nz

VALENTINE’S DAY

The 7 Most Romantic Gestures – On a Budget

We have all been there, with Christmas expenses still sinking your balance and New Year’s hangovers still fresh in your memory, money is tight. With Valentine’s Day looming your Facebook feed will be flooded with Instagram’s of a ’la carte meals at restaurants that you couldn’t afford a glass of wine in. You may think that you are going to let down your partner this Valentines but don’t worry, for all the would-be Romeo’s or Juliet’s out there, here is a quick guide to wowing your partner without breaking the bank.

1 w

4 w

6 w

Write them out some vouchers, promising to perform tasks. You need to make them look as realistic as you can and don’t forget to sign at the bottom! This is a great idea because it’s totally free and absolutely useful for your partner. Be it cleaning, cooking, days out or other things best left to your imagination!

Make a scrapbook or photo album. Print out a selection of photographs of you together and stick them into a scrap book.

Have you saved a cinema ticket from your first date? How about a love letter they sent you? If so, then use them. You can really personalise a scrapbook, so put in every memento you can find and don’t forget to leave space for new memories!

Make a treasure map. You could leave clues and riddles around the house, taking your partner on a journey. This could all lead up to a small gift, a meal or just a kiss. Either way, this is a fun way to make your partner feel special!

2 w

5 w

Create a playlist of your partner’s favourite songs. It sounds simple, but it will only take you a few minutes and it can show your partner that you know them. Bonus marks for burning it to a CD.

Use your skill set to your advantage and create a gift. Do you have a talent in writing? Write them a poem. Do you play guitar or sing? Play them a song. Do you paint? Paint them a picture. You get the idea. Your partner will really appreciate the effort and time this will take.

3 w

Cook them their favourite meal. There is nothing more romantic than coming home to a candle lit and heartfelt dinner. A bottle of wine or two wouldn’t hurt either.

7 w

Tell them you love them. Love is the best currency, the more you spend, the more you receive. The most simple gift you can give is to tell your partner how you really feel about them.

Happy Valentines.

Words: Jack Cooper

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VERVE INTERVIEWS MAXIM TITTER OF SURMANTI

A Lasting Impression Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

With just seven members of staff, compared with some of its contemporaries, Surmanti is a cottage industry, but one that is on the precipice of international prominence. “We had an unbelievable Christmas,” says CEO and founder Maxim Titter. “We just about ran out of stock. We were starting at six in the morning and finishing at ten at night, and still the orders kept coming, so the two week holiday we had planned afterwards never happened!”

What makes Surmanti — makers of all things soothing, fragrant, and beautiful — so special is that almost every product is made in-house, using only natural and organic ingredients. “It’s all handcrafted here in New Zealand,” says Maxim. “We’re a boutique operation, and that’s how we ensure that everything is of the highest standard.”

Products such as oils, candles and moisturisers are crafted from an ingredients list that reads like a fine-dining menu. “I founded the company in 2003, supplying primarily to the high-end beauty salons,” says Maxim. “They are very focussed on ingredients so therefore we were too. I later rebranded the products for the retail market, dipped my toe in the water so to speak, at one of the gift shows, and it just went phenomenally well.”

While some are more concerned with creating a brand first, Maxim says that her approach was always to focus on the formulation of her ingredients: “The benefit is that when consumers have sampled the product and it does what it claims, then trust is earned. Trust leads to loyalty and loyalty to lots of repeat sales and word of mouth.”

The CEO’s background of 20 years in the beauty industry has certainly helped

her steer Surmanti, but so too, has being a mum. “I have two young kids, one of which has had various health issues,” Maxim says. “She has sensitive skin. Bites often turn to sores from too much scratching and I really wasn’t too comfortable with putting some of the available products on my children, so I would create something natural to do the job. Many of our products have been created out of necessity, from having a young family.”

With the company thriving, this is the year that Surmanti will be sent overseas. “If you were to ask what made the biggest difference for our company, I would say Facebook,” says Maxim. “It gave us the same rights and opportunities as the big boys. Social media is such a great leveller and it’s such a casual approach. People like small businesses because there’s more interaction.” In fact, Maxim believes many firms make the mistake of missing out on that personal social media touch.

“A lot of companies get others to do their social media, or owners palm it off to someone who doesn’t have the same rapport with the clients.”

It’s a relationship that, according to Maxim, works both ways. “We learn from our customers too,” she says. “We

ask questions. Ask what they want to see and also do a lot of sponsored stories.”

Whenever products are discussed online there is an immediate increase in sales.

“We are very lucky to have a very involved audience and we repay them with a lot of giveaways. The feeds move so fast, you have to be image-rich, so we hired an in-house graphic designer which is a big investment for a little company, but everything we do is beautiful.” And it’s paying off. “We all work really hard,” says Maxim. “We want Surmanti to be the absolute best. We’ve just moved to a bigger factory, so there is a lot happening.

It’s all so exciting. I’m blessed.”

INFO@SURMANTI.CO.NZ WWW.SURMANTI.CO.NZ 09 522 4888

VERVE’S INNOVATIVE YOUNG PEOPLE

PRIDE & JOY

“What would you choose to do if you knew you could not fail?” asks James Coddington, co-founder of PRIDE & JOY Ice Cream. His funky start-up venture blends his passion for business success and a desire to support what he terms ‘remarkable unemployees’.

“More people are jobless today than at any point in history.

Sadly, high quality un-employees are a growing trend. And it’s not just because there aren’t enough jobs, it’s also because most unemployees don’t actually want them. They want their own gig.”

VERVE WANTS TO GET INVOLVED WITH INNOVATIVE YOUNG PEOPLE STARTING A BUSINESS.

“You can start something yourself. But starting something from scratch is hard. Really hard, because unless you have a rich mum or dad then no one will lend you the money to get started. “Sorry, you don’t have the experience/collateral/___________(fill in the gap).” So that’s where PRIDE & JOY comes in. We’ll stand beside you and help get you started. We won’t make stupid promises — it’s still up to you. But we’ve created a great product, and a pretty cool business model. We want to give people an opportunity to begin a remarkable journey, reconnect with humanity, have fun and make a decent living.”

“Ultimately, our single purpose is to entrepreneurise the remarkable people amongst today’s unemployed and underemployed, by creating a world class value added brand from the very best of New Zealand primary ingredients. We aim to build a brand and business that creates one new entrepreneur every single day. Forever.”

Not only do the PRIDE & JOY ice creams look and taste great, its unique social imperative promises remarkable unemployees the opportunity to run and own their own business — a mobile ice cream pod — and just as importantly, furnish them with the necessary skills and experience to build a successful business.

PRIDE & JOY WWW.JOYICECREAM.COM HELLO@JOYICECREAM.COM

IF YOU ARE STARTING A BUSINESS AND ADVERTISING SEEMS OUT OF YOUR BUDGET WE WANT TO HELP YOU! EMAIL FRAN@VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ OR JUDE@VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

GO FI8URE

A NEW YEAR AND RMA I hope that the new year has gotten off to a good start for everyone. My office opened again after a short break for the holidays and has already begun assisting constituents with issues they are facing. Parliament will resume in the second week of February and the Government is looking forward to passing legislation to improve the lives of all New Zealanders.

One particularly important priority for the Government this year will be the much-needed reform of the Resource Management Act. The National-led Government began the process of streamlining this complex and cumbersome legislation during its first term, but Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith has recently outlined another ten broad areas where the Government can implement a second phase of reforms.

Overhauling the RMA is vital because doing so will contribute to improving the supply and affordability of homes for New Zealanders and is important for maintaining New Zealand’s economic and employment growth. The original reforms reduced the number of required consents each year from 50,000 to 35,000, and speed up consent processing.

The second phase of reform is needed to simplify and standardise plan-making, make greater use of national regulatory tools, and find pathways to resolve minor issues more efficiently.

To illustrate just one issue, there are currently more than 50 different definitions of how to measure the height of a building across New Zealand! These changes will help reduce the time and costs of building more houses, but will not sacrifice the important environmental safeguards the RMA provides. A careful balance will be struck.

“

These changes will help reduce the time and costs of building more houses, but will not sacrifice the important environmental safeguards the RMA provides.

“

The Government will be working to develop detailed legislation over the next few months. We intend to progress this legislation during 2015 and it will go through a full select committee process so the public can have their say.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this issue and all of the other matters which will arise in the coming year.

SIMON O’CONNOR MP OF TAMAKI 16 GOLDIE ST ST HELIERS AUCKLAND 1071 Phone: 09 575 9842

OUT WITH STUFFY OLD SPREADSHEETS… IN WITH NEW ONLINE BOOKKEEPING AND ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS The fourth in a series of Small Business Basics by Lisa Martin, Executive Director of professional bookkeeping and accounting firm, GoFi8ure.

Happy February. This month is the real New Year in New Zealand.

It’s when most people who have taken a break, sit back, reflect on the year just gone and then get really excited about the year ahead.

It’s all too easy to get bogged down by your business; running a business is hard work and often overwhelming. That end of year holiday was like a refreshing tonic and just what the doctor ordered to boost your energy levels and renew your enthusiasm.

But now it’s time to grab your laptop and start writing down your wants and wishes for 2015. First, create a list of general New Year’s business resolutions. Brain dump your ideas. Be creative and ambitious. For example, you might jot down things like… increase turnover, motivate the team, move to bigger premises, export…

If you’ve included improve bookkeeping and accounting systems then that’s a big pat on the back for you. If you haven’t, quickly – add it in now…and highlight it.

You see, only by having fool-proof, fail-safe record keeping procedures in place can you truly understand what’s going on in your business. Think of real-time, in the cloud systems, like Xero, as your road-map to success.

Xero captures all your financial data and maps out exactly where you are in terms of profit and loss. It gives you your exact financial situation at any point in time. Having access to accurate figures like this will help you achieve your business goals – with full training given when you sign up, you’ll be able to see where you are making and losing money, as well as work out things like whether exporting will be financial viable this year or next.

Excel spreadsheets just don’t cut the mustard any more. Mistakes can be made and there’s no big picture. If you’re still working from these, make it your aim to switch to an online system instead. It’s likely there’ll be a little work involved in changing over but don’t fret, the experienced team here at GoFi8ure will guide you through. And, if you get onto it now, you’ll be able to hit the ground running with one resolution already ticked off your list by the start of the new financial year.

Lisa Martin Managing Director lisa@gofi8ure.co.nz

Jacinda Ardern Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

Growing up, Jacinda Ardern never considered becoming a politician. She wanted to be a writer, a vet, an actress, a policewoman. She wanted, she says, to be lots of things, but never an MP: “The reason is probably because it never seemed achievable.

There are only 120 MP’s in the entire country and where I lived in Morrinsville, where only conservative politicians were ever elected, there was no real Labour Party there.

That’s something I talk to young people about – the fact that we limit ourselves and our aspirations based on experience. It’s understandable, but it’s sad.”

Jacinda is touted by many as the future of the Labour Party, destined for the top job. But, she says, she doesn’t want it: “I’ve never had an aspiration to become leader, probably because I worked for Helen Clark and saw first hand how incredibly difficult it is. I just want to be good at what I do, and if that means moving up the ranks, fantastic, but the top job is not something that interests me.” Ardern appears a person of great principle. I ask if her reluctance to take the top spot stems from a belief that she would inevitably have to compromise. “There’s a certain degree of pragmatism that you must have, not just to be leader, but to be part of a major political party and I learned very early on that as long you don’t lose sight of the final destination, then you can sleep okay at night.” She pauses briefly, and then adds, “but yeah, compromise isn’t something I’m particularly keen on really.”

Last month’s events in France have once more propelled terrorism to the top of the news agenda, and having interviewed Jacinda the day after the Sydney siege, I asked her for her thoughts.

“We need to be careful of the context in which these things happen,” she says. “We must look at every incident individually, not use them to generalise against entire ethnicities and religious movements.” The Muslim community, continues Jacinda, has done all it can to distance itself from hateful groups such as Isis: “We mustn’t make assumptions, we need to protect our ethnic communities who have nothing to do with these situations and are often vilified anyway.”

It has also shone fresh light – justification, some might say – on the passing of the controversial Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill late last year, which gave greater powers of surveillance to the Government, along with increased abilities to cancel and suspend passports. The bill was supported by Labour. I ask Jacinda if she supported it personally. “We debate and decide as a collective. That first version of the bill we never would have voted for but we used what leverage we had as opposition party to say ‘if we get these concessions, we’ll vote for this bill.’ It’s not the bill we would have drafted, but had we not said we would vote for it, we would not have got those concessions. It was important, because the bill would have gone through anyway. I understand that people would rather us take a principled stand, but if a principled stand means we end up with crappy legislation, no-one’s better off. It was hard, but politics is hard.”

Do you feel people realise the work that goes on? Voter apathy is on the rise.

“People have to think politics is relevant to them, I don’t think that we’re very good at letting the public know that central government has enormous control over many of their everyday concerns, whether that be housing, schools or income. Another problem is people think all parties are the same, and though we do have similar goals, our ideas on how to achieve them are drastically different. I believe voter apathy undermines democracy. It’s bad for everyone.”

I ask Jacinda about the best way to remedy this, and she says it should start with schools. “We don’t use the education system properly,” she says. “We should be better preparing students and we should not be afraid of putting politicians in front of young people. Some schools are really gun-shy about allowing

you to talk to the kids. They think that parents will be upset by it, that they’ll be exposed to propaganda. But kids have the best sniff test. They are smart enough to make up their own minds. We should at least be getting them to challenge us, to ask us questions about how the system works. To engage with politicians and think that maybe it’s something that they want to do. At the moment I think we’re missing the opportunity to give kids that kind of exposure.”

Paradoxically, while voter apathy has increased, so has public politicisation, giving rise to mass global protests such as Occupy.

“Movements like that were incredibly empowering, but people need to see change from their actions,” says Jacinda. “If someone signs a petition, they want to know it’s going to make a difference. If you vote in a referendum, you want to see change.

There are countless examples in New Zealand of civil shows of strength – such as the march against the Springbok tour and the push to make us nuclear free – which have brought about change. If we stop using our voices and only rely on election time to engage, then people stop seeing the power of their voice and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

Jacinda says housing is “most definitely” the most pressing issue among voters at present with many believing they’ll never have the security of home ownership: “That’s quite depressing in a nation where it’s a cultural thing to own your own property.”

Is there a resolution in sight? “Not with the ideas on the table at the moment.” What needs to be done?

“No one thing will fix it, but we have to be big and bold and so far what I’ve seen has been pretty incremental. We need to start building houses, firstly. There are only a handful of companies that build more than 20 houses a year in New Zealand and in Auckland alone we need tens of thousands.”

Jacinda’s lack of ambition for that top job is certainly not indicative of a lack of passion. She expresses frustration at the “limited power of opposition” and joy at her ability to support the individual: “I still advocate for people on things like immigration, housing and welfare cases. They must feel that they have been well represented, and that even if you haven’t succeeded, then at least you have tried.” She personally responds to every letter, tweet and email, holds town hall meetings and clinics on Waiheke Island.

Before becoming an MP, Jacinda left the Mormon Church, unable to reconcile her socio-political views with her religious upbringing: “For a long time, I ignored it, but when I began to campaign for civil unions I realised there was this huge clash. I had some long conversations with some senior members of the church and never felt satisfied enough with the answers so I made the decision to leave. But I still have a huge amount of respect for the work they do in the community.”

Jacinda also admits that, as passionate as she is about politics, it’s not something she intends to do forever. Which begs the question, what next then? “I have no idea! We should all remember how privileged we are to have these roles but there’s always eventually someone out there who can better do your job.

I’ve told my friends and family to let me know when they think I’ve done all I can, that it’s time to leave.”

RUDY'S PC

PLUG ME IN AND TURN ME ON; THE RISE OF THE PODCAST

WELCOME TO RUDY’S TIPS ‘N TRICKS COLUMN I hope you have all enjoyed this amazing summer weather. We certainly have. Picnic dinners on St Helier’s beach were wonderful.

The big news this year is Microsoft has decided to release Windows 10 for free to existing licence holders of windows 8 and 7. This means if you were thinking of waiting for Windows 10 to be released before making a new laptop or PC purchase you can now go ahead with the knowledge that you can upgrade for free.

From what I have seen of release candidate versions, Windows 10 addresses many of the issues people have with Windows 8.

Although we still won’t get the full start button features we loved in Windows 7, there is much more functionality in the Windows 10 start button than W8 or W8.1 gave us.

The podcast format has seen a surge in listeners over the past few months thanks almost entirely to the WBEZ produced podcast, Serial. Telling one true story over the season’s duration, season one chronicles the story and investigation into the disappearance of American schoolgirl Hae Min Lee in January 1999. The twelve episode first season is narrated by host and investigative journalist Sarah Koenig. Each week new facts, witnesses and suspects of the case are examined as the listener follows the case from the initial disappearance of Min Lee to the resulting court outcome. Serial is available for free on iTunes and other audio platforms, you can also listen for free on the Serial website. Averaging around 850,000 downloads per week, Serial is the number one downloaded podcast, with downloads climbing steadily as interest in the podcast continues to grow globally.

For those of you struggling with Windows 8, you can download and install a Windows XP, Vista or Win 7 style start button from http://classicshell.net/ this will give you back all the familiar functions you had in Windows Xp and W7.

If you need help setting this up please call and we can assist.

Viruses, Malware, scams or blackmail software has been fairly active over the summer break. Please ensure you have your security software up to date, and consider getting a full security package like ESET Smart Security from us if you only have minimal cover like AVG Free. It really does make a difference and can save you a very costly repair/recovery bills if you do get infected.

“

The big news this year is Microsoft has decided to release Windows 10 for free

“

If you are considering buying new hardware this year, please call and discuss your needs with us. We are happy to advise you on the type of product that would suit your needs. Tablets, while popular, are great for ‘viewing’ but less useful for ‘doing’. A cheap laptop will struggle to run high-end design programmes that students may need in engineering or architecture. Desktop computers like all in one PCs are great space savers, but low end models may not last well or give you good value over time.

Please call with any questions. Our advice is free.

Phone 09 579 7809, Mobil 027 263 4778 or email rudy@ rudys.co.nz Words: Rudy and Rosemary of Rudy's PC Services

RUDY’S PC SERVICES 09 579 78 09 RUDY@RUDYS.CO.NZ Rudy's Verve Mag advert.pdf

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With season two of Serial not expected till mid 2015, we have found some similar podcasts to accompany you on your daily commute whilst waiting for the kid's sports practice to be over or simply putting out the washing.

NPR: Invisibilla. About all the invisible forces that facilitate human behavior, including beliefs, assumptions and emotions, this podcast is co-hosted by Lulu Miller and Alix Spiegel and features a range of interviews and debates with leading doctors, scientists and psychologists. Through this they attempt to better learn and discover what drives the individual and shared behaviours humans exhibit across society. Interweaving storytelling and scientific research, this podcast attempts to make you see your own life in an alternative way. You can access this podcast free on iTunes and other audio platforms, and you can also listen for free online.

Criminal. Like Serial, this podcast takes on the crime angle.

Every week for an hour, three investigative journalists tell the real life stories of individuals who are criminals, those that have been wrongfully accused, and that of those caught in the middle.

Discussing crimes ranging from murder to white collar crime to the individuals involved in a Venus flytrap crime ring, Criminal has a case for everyone. You can access this podcast free on iTunes and you can also listen for free online.

The Moth. This podcast was created in 1997 by novelist and poet George Green. Essentially a weekly forum for live interactive first person storytelling, this podcast has featured the real stories of a range of literary and cultural personalities. Former White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart, novelist and Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Proulx, activist Al Sharpton and actors Molly Ringwald and Ethan Hawke have all appeared on the podcast. 61 episodes have aired to date, all of which are available free online and through ITunes.

Words: Caitlin McKenna

ENJOYING NZ AT ITS BEST

BUILT TO ENDURE

By the look of all the tanned faces I’ve seen on the streets of Newmarket and around the Epsom electorate this week, most people have enjoyed a bumper summer.

The Construction Company is a solution providing, specialist new build and renovation company with a strong commitment to completing building projects within budget and on time, whilst delivering high quality workmanship to your biggest investment.

The company has evolved based on a vision to create a building company that is renowned for unprecedented customer service, quality of workmanship and integrity.

THE CONSTRUCTION CO.

My family and I enjoyed a week tenting on the Tauwharanui Peninsula, where we swam in crystal clear water, alongside the fish of a marine reserve and were woken by the abundant birds.

Frustratingly, a number of my fellow campers saw the famed takahe on bush walks, but it eluded me.

As Kiwis we’re proud of the quality of our environment. Like most New Zealanders, of all ages, I’m determined that we do what we can to preserve, and indeed improve, on that quality.

we’re proud “ Asof Kiwis the quality of our

“

environment.

That’s why the National Government has placed an emphasis on making real progress on important environmental projects. On fishing and the state of our marine environment, (a topic dear to the hearts of many), we have committed to introducing two recreational fishing parks covering areas of the inner Hauraki Gulf and the Marlborough Sounds.

In the past few years this Government has established record numbers of new marine reserves and passed new laws for managing activities in our Exclusive Economic Zone. Recreational fishing parks are the logical next step.

The Construction Company is lead by William Denysschen (Will), who has over 14 years building experience restoring, renovating and building new residential and homes is supported by a team of highly reputable builders and specialised subcontractors, who collectively have extensive building code and construction knowledge. To support their continued growth and commitment to improving operational efficiencies they have appointed an operations manager, who brings a wealth of business management experience to the team. Communication forms a critical part of their business operations and is reflected in a commitment to having regular client update meetings, utilising a transparent monthly invoice process and providing client access to “Co-Construct” – a secure online website that provides up to date details of your project. This enables The Construction Company to place all of the relevant information about your project at your fingertips.

In addition to all of this they are able to offer you a sole point of contact throughout the duration of the build process to ensure continuity and consistency to deliver an awesome result that all can be proud of.

The Construction Company commitment is supported by their seven company values: client first, trust, integrity, respect, accountability, transparency and passion, all of which are directly reflected in the way they conduct their business operations. The Construction Company Limited is a highly respected building company and a proud member of Certified Builders Association.

They take great pride in their workmanship and are committed to offering guarantees on any work we undertaken.

This is part of a wider reform of our marine protection legislation which reflects our ambition for New Zealand to be a world leader in the responsible use, management and conservation of our ocean environment.

A lot of people worry, meantime, about the effects of farm runoff into our waterways. National has responded by committing to spend $100 million over ten years to buy and retire selected areas of farmland next to important waterways.

We will also introduce a mandatory requirement to exclude dairy cattle from waterways by 1 July 2017, and will work with industry to exclude other cattle from waterways over time on intensively farmed lowland property.

This will create an environmental buffer that will help improve water quality, so that Kiwis can continue to enjoy our wonderful rivers, lakes and coastline.

The

The

construction construction co co built to endure built to endure

(HON) PAUL GOLDSMITH MP

NATIONAL LIST MP BASED IN EPSOM PAUL.GOLDSMITH@PARLIAMENT. www.theconstructionco.co.nz www.theconstructionco.co.nz . 0800 WIL BLD GOVT.NZ 09 524 4930 WWW.PAULGOLDSMITH.CO.NZ

. 0800 WIL BL

WWW.THECONSTRUCTIONCO.CO.NZ 0800 WIL BLD

LOCAL NEWS

ART IN A DAY

ARTISTS SET TO RACE THE CLOCK FOR TSB BANK ART IN A DAY

NEWMARKET: THE AUCKLAND STYLE OF LIVING 2015 has got off to a great start in Newmarket, although the weather is making it a bit challenging to head to work and not to the beach!

Our latest Marketview report suggests that retail trading in the run up to Christmas was up on the previous year, and our Newmarket-wide ChristmasFest at the end of November showed a very respectable 3% increase in sales on the equivalent event in 2013. This is a sound foundation for us to keep building on this year. Talking to businesses around the precinct in the last week or two, most report that 2015 has been very promising so far.

Shortly we will have some new exciting international retail and local hospitality brands joining the Newmarket family, so look out for them in the coming months.

At the NBA we have been busy working on some tweaks to our strategy, which include a brand refresh and some changes to our overall focus. You will start to see some new exciting imagery in various media channels shortly, along with our new tag line “Newmarket: The Auckland Style of Living.” Also part of the change is a major overhaul of our website and the introduction of a fully integrated CRM database system. This will be invaluable in improving all of our communications with Newmarket business members and consumers alike.

“We will have some new “

exciting international retail and local hospitality brands joining the Newmarket family

A new art competition launching in February challenges artists to capture the essence of Parnell, Newmarket or Grafton in just one day.

On Saturday February 21, artists will race against the clock to create a work of art representing an aspect of one of the three historic Auckland suburbs. Artists must register for the event and have their chosen medium authenticated at Parnell Community Centre by 9am on the 21st before setting out to create their work. All entries must be returned by 5pm that day. An exhibition will be held at the Parnell Community Centre the following weekend, with all works available for purchase. Prizes will be awarded by a special panel of judges at a ceremony at 6.30pm on Saturday, 28 February.

Over $4,500 in prizes is up for grabs in TSB Bank Art in a Day thanks to the generosity of sponsors. First prize is $2,000 loaded into a TSB Bank account, with further prizes of $1,000 for second place and $500 for third from TSB Bank (conditions apply). Additional prizes are the People’s Choice award, a one year membership at the Olympic Pools and Fitness Centre, and a secondary schools prize of $500 worth of art supplies from Gordon Harris.

TSB Bank Art in a Day is a collaboration between local organisations in Parnell, Newmarket and Grafton: Grafton Residents Association, Parnell Trust, Newmarket Business Association, Newmarket Arts Trust, Parnell Community Committee, Parnell Inc and Newmarket Community Association.

TSB Bank is proud Gold Sponsor of this new event, which the organisers believe can make a vital contribution to their communities’ developing a sense of self. The inaugural TSB Bank Art in a Day has an emphasis on celebrating our communities.

Finally, at the end of 2014 we completed a comprehensive review and tendering process for the operation of Newmarket’s CCTV network. The contract has now been awarded and an extensive upgrade of our CCTV network is about to get underway. The security of the precinct is absolutely top of mind for us at the NBA.

TSB Bank’s Newmarket Branch Manager, Diane Stark said the new event is a fantastic opportunity for the bank to give back to its local communities and celebrate the rich history of these Auckland suburbs.

Best regards Mark

“As a New Zealand owned and independent bank, we’ve been celebrating Kiwis for over 160 years — so supporting this initiative is a great fit,” says Diane.

MARK KNOFF-THOMAS CHIEF EXECUTIVE MARK@NEWMARKET.CO.NZ #NEWMARKETNZ

Artists can sign up for the event’s newsletter for great hints to help them perform at their peak on the day. As TSB Bank Art in a Day requires techniques that can be executed quickly, entrants are encouraged to choose a medium and practice their technique beforehand. Artists are also advised to choose a location and subject matter before the day. Parnell Trust’s series of podcast walks around Parnell, Newmarket and Grafton can kick-start the creative juices. The mapped walks and podcasts are available at www.parnell.org.nz.

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE: WWW.ARTINADAY.ORG.NZ

Have a Bright Start to the New Year: Take a Class at Parnell Community Centre If you’re still thinking of New Year’s resolutions, learning something new is always a great one to add to your list.

Sign up for a stimulating class or activity at Parnell Community Centre. Term one classes start on February 7. With more than 70 to choose from, there’s plenty to learn and new talents to discover or cultivate throughout the year.

The wide-ranging classes include languages, cooking, health, arts and crafts, music and dance, photography and technology and sustainable living. Social activities include two very active Bridge clubs, Mah Jong and Scrabble.

In 2015 on-going classes include popular language classes in French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, New Zealand Sign Language and ESOL English for new New Zealanders; Pilates, yoga, Tai Chi, dance and stretch, painting and more.

Kids at Parnell Early Childhood Centre love feeding the worm farms, part of the Centre’s Healthy and Sustainable Living Programme.

Exciting new classes for 2015 include Anyone Can Learn to Draw, a great skill to master, and Jewellery Design where

participants will create a piece in silver or bronze.

For cooks, there are classes in Thai, Italian and Indian cuisine. New classes introduce gluten free cooking and vegan/vegetarian cuisine and one day workshops will teach how to make sourdough bread, pasta and gluten-free foods.

For gardeners, Getting to Grips with Composting will provide invaluable practical information on recycling garden and food waste to enrich your garden.

Bootcamp in the Domain (one for the early birds) and Latin Grooves are two very different ways to get fit. In languages, the new Mandarin for Beginners, Kiwi English and ESOL Intensive Workshop will be popular additions.

SEE WWW.PARNELL.ORG.NZ FOR FULL PROGRAMME DETAILS. ENROL ONLINE OR PHONE 09 555 5164 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

If your big bank isn’t putting you first, we will.

0800 TSB BANK www.tsbbank.co.nz A Disclosure Statement is available from TSB Bank Ltd.

TWINSET AND PEARLS For many, the prospect of clearing out a house of its contents is a daunting and sometimes overwhelming prospect. Not only can the task be fraught with emotion, it can also be a big, time consuming and often confusing task.

IT IS ALL GO AT JUST RENTALS! As usual, January is a busy month, with many families and groups looking for their ideal home for the New Year, some of whom own pets. At Just Rentals we try to place as many people as we can into our properties. In all our 17 years in business, I can recall only one incident of damage done by a dog — it was a puppy and the blame was with the owner.

Currently we don’t allow puppies or kittens — but for some tenants I hadn’t made myself clear enough. I told one woman that she could have a small dog and she phoned me a couple of months later to tell she had a puppy. I told her that we do not allow puppies and her response was, “you said I could have a SMALL dog and he is a SMALL dog: a PUPPY!” One has to dot their i’s and cross there t’s in this business. The pet form has now been altered to avoid further misunderstandings, and that particular puppy got lucky and remained.

It was after facing such a situation that Lacey realised people might need help and so conceived of her estate clearance business, Twinset and Pearls.

Twinset and Pearls will come in when you’re ready, liaise with family or the estate solicitor and act as intermediary in the unfortunate event of a communication break down. They will help with dispersal of items and work out the best way to get maximum value for the remaining saleable items, disposing of the remainder — working towards a full house clearance.

For those that are in the planning stages of working out their estate, Twinset and Pearls are there to help by making an inventory of items with an estimate of value.

And of course, for those moving into a smaller home, Twinset and Pearls can work with you to downsize and find a new home for those things that will not be taking the next step with you.

Lacey absolutely loves new business. It gives her a great deal of pleasure to help people. She has a love for nostalgia and history and the beauty of well made, pre-mass produced objects. She has a growing database of collectors and dealers and a rounded knowledge of values, with an pool of experts to call upon. And of course, Twinset and Pearls has a sleeves-rolled-up attitude to being efficient and working cost effectively for the estate.

This time of year it can be difficult to keep our listings up to date, as stock can change rapidly and within a day the listings can be out of date. With some of our properties there is as little as a one day turnaround. Fortunately we can accommodate this as we keep all our management properties well-maintained, so there is no valuable renting time lost in between tenants due to maintenance requirements. We have a great team of trades people who are all on around the clock. They have been with us for many years and we really appreciate their efforts.

Graham and I have just celebrated the arrival of our granddaughter Charlotte, who was born on 15 December, a little sister for big brother James. Courtenay, their mother, will be back at work at the end of February and then we are off visiting Stewart Island for great scenery, some well earned R and R, crayfish and oysters. New Zealand is so beautiful and we need to visit these wonderful places at least once, so as we can brag about it to our friends overseas!

Good Renting | Sylvia Lund AREINZ | Director

The friendly team specialising in home rentals and property management.

Visit our website at www.justrentals.co.nz 40 St Johns Road, Meadowbank Office Phone 09 528 4818 After Hours Phone 09 521 2539 Fax 09 528 4816 Email justrentals@xtra.co.nz

REFER TO TWINSET & PEARL ADVERTISEMENT IN MARKETPLACE

09 818 8744 LACEY@TWINSETANDPEARLS.CO.NZ WWW.TWINSETANDPEARLS.CO.NZ

wanting to get on the same page with their finances — Sarah welcomes clients from all walks of life and financial situations.

The Money Whisperer Sarah Mc Murray, founder of Relating to Money is a ‘money coach’. A true transformer.

A money whisperer.

Words: Sarah Sparks, Photo: Ruthie Stoffels

She has the knack of calmly probing deeper into your beliefs about money to miraculously change spending habits and prevent money meltdown by becoming more mindful.

Money is emotional. Her own “credit card shock” caused by a cycle of “binge and starve spending” prompted Sarah to change her relationship with money, which changed her life.

Financial Recovery Institute taught Sarah how to take care of financial obligations whilst honouring herself as a person. It was the stepping stone to a path of helping anyone who wants to feel empowered by money.

From widows having to cope on their own, those wanting a life whilst paying down debt, divorcees starting over again, parent’s cash wrangling with teens over family expenses and even couples

February is a critical month in this coach’s annual calendar, as it’s usually when all the New Year optimism slips. “People get caught up in the ‘business’ of their lives and money gets literally spent from under them.”

Sarah can stop the cash bleed using a combination of personal counselling and user-friendly software which marries up financial goals with annual spending and tracks expenditure daily.

“Tracking is vital as it connects you to your dreams, so every day you are connected with the big vision of the year and as a result you become more deliberate about your spending choices for next week.”

As an independent and discrete sounding board, Sarah helps many to confront their fears. “Actually looking at finances in detail gives certainty. It can be calming, centring and energising.

All that free floating anxiety is eliminated,” she believes.

Many people put off doing anything about their money situation because they’re either in denial or imagine that being responsible with money means living a spartan life without joy, only spending on the absolute essentials.

Sarah baulks at that myth by showing clients how to meet their deepest needs and wants, even when paying down debt. “A want, when met, entertains you. A need, when met, sustains you.”

For more information go to www.relatingtomoney.co.nz to book a no-obligation 20 minute phone call.

SARAH IS A REGULAR COLUMNIST WITH PARENTING MAGAZINE AND A PUBLIC SPEAKER.

Ca n you imagine feeling this calm a nd centred a bout you r money?

You know that calm, centred, yet energised feeling you have after a great yoga class?

You can have that feeling about your money, too.

I can help you with that.

Call me on 579 7162, or visit www.relatingtomoney.co.nz to find out how

Your King Will Be Legend

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All the care you need in the comfort of your own home.

There are many reasons why you will love living at Remuera Rise, and one of the most appealing aspects is that we can provide high quality, personalised care into each of our luxury apartments.

Whether you require temporary care a few hours a week or more comprehensive 24-hour care, the level of support can be tailored for you, depending on your needs.

We recognise how important it is to you to be cared for within the privacy of your own apartment, surrounded by all the things you cherish. If this is the level of support and comfort you have been looking for, then talk to us today!

We have beautiful, one-bedroom apartments available now, priced from only $399,000.

No car, no problem! At Remuera Rise you have public transport and fabulous shopping at your doorstep. We are a five minute walk into Newmarket and a six minute train trip to the city.

OPEN DAYS Thursday 12 & 26 February 10am – 4pm. th

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At Remuera Rise you also have the added reassurance that all of our care is backed up by our boutique 12-bed Care Facility on site. We go out of our way to make you and your family feel welcome and at home — and if you have friends or family visiting from out of town, they can stay in our special luxury guest suite.

Phone 0800 00 15 85 30 James Cook Crescent, Remuera yadsruhT YAD www.remuerarise.co.nz

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Energi J15114 | Remuera Rise is registered under the Retirement Villages Act 2003. Registration number 2557887

Verve

Swimming lessons for under-fives save lives Recently a client of Hilton Brown Swimming recounted a story that demonstrates the value of early swimming lessons.

Kirsty Inglis was taught to swim by Hilton Brown, so when she and her husband started their family, deciding to give their children swimming lessons with Hilton Brown Swimming was a ‘no brainer’.

The usefulness of the lessons became abundantly clear a few weekends ago, when the family were at Kirsty’s brother’s place trying out the new pool.

“My husband dived in down the far end, about 20 metres away.

I was chatting with some other mums when one of them said ‘oh my god, Jackson’s in the water’. Jackson’s 3½ and he’s an over-confident swimmer. At lessons we’re always encouraging him to stop and think before he jumps. This time he was really in over his head – the pool was deep and he went straight to the bottom. But after a moment he popped up to the surface for a breath, just like he’d been taught. He went down again, and then popped up for another breath. Then he made his way safely to the side of the pool. We didn’t panic, he didn’t panic.

It was very reassuring to see.”

Lessons can begin as early as three months at Hilton Brown Swimming. For a free trial, call your nearest centre. Locations are listed at www.hiltonbrownswimming.co.nz

There’s something fishy about our free trial lesson…

Free trial swimming lessOns at Hilton Brown swimming come with a child’s Free Pass to Kelly tarlton’s sea liFe aquarium.*

Soon you’ll be swimming like a fish • • •

Our monthly booking system means children are constantly assessed and progressed.

Our qualified instructors offer quality lessons from infants through to adults.

Over 40 years experience successfully teaching swimming.

*One free trial lesson for new customers, until the end of February. each swimmer will be given one free child entry to Kelly tarltons.

HBS_027c_Auck_Verve_Fish_2014_12.indd 1

Call us now to book newmarket – Ph: (09) 529 0177 Olympic Pools & Fitness Centre, Broadway One tree Hill – Ph: (09) 582 1111 714 great south road albany – Ph: (09) 414 5484 Volkner Place, albany

www.hiltonbrownswimming.co.nz

12/14/14 4:02 PM

Verve Pzazz Jan15.pdf 1 1/30/2015 11:32:08 AM

renovations that inspire

renovations | additions | new homes

LICENSED AGENT REAA 2008

We have people like these, lined up to rent a house like yours!

We need rental properties in the central Auckland Region, ranging from two - four bedrooms, from $500 - $1500 plus per week - now.

making living spaces come alive Licensed Building Practitioners

0800 792 992 info@pzazz.co.nz

Phone me now, I’ll respond immediately.

www.pzazz.co.nz

Trish Willoughby Property Manager 021 540 032

ARE YOU TIRED OF MAINTAINING YOUR OWN POOL?

RETIREMENT LIVING at its best!

Whether you are enjoying your first swimming pool or spa pool or have owned one for years, simply keeping up with the latest in pool maintenance and ensuring the water clarity is sparkling and inviting can be a daunting job.

The Pool People offer a full valet service which covers literally everything from cleaning to chemical balancing, pump and filter maintenance to service checks on all equipment including auto dosing feeders, lighting, heating requirements, auto cleaners and the supply of pool covers and rollers.

Their Service Team has some of the most experienced people in the industry which enables them to deal with virtually any problem in-house, resulting in a superior service to all their customers.

Become a Pool People customer and reap the rewards.

FIRST STAGE OF APARTMENTS NOW COMPLETE Recently completed and available for inspection, Ranfurly Village’s Mt Albert apartments offer the latest in contemporary retirement living.

APARTMENTS NOW SELLING

Ranfurly Village offers one of central Auckland’s finest retirement lifestyles. Choose from a selection of beautiful, spacious one and two bedroom apartments and move in now. Our next stage – the Mt St John Apartments have commenced with completion expected late 2015.

“My parents had wonderful retirement years and enjoyed a lifestyle that is very similar to what is now available at Ranfurly Village” Judy Bailey CONTACT BEV DYSON FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY:

(09) 625 3420

Sales office located at: Historic Ranfurly House, 539 Mt Albert Road, Auckland

The Pool People, 58 Market Road, Remuera Tel: 09 522 2033 e-mail: admin@thepoolpeople.co.nz www.thepoolpeopleltd.com E20157

ranfurlyvillage.co.nz

The Gift of a World Class Education Yields a Legacy of Success All St Peter’s students know their place in the world, they will leave us ready to enjoy work and life.

A student at St Peter’s carries the spark of a confident,

ACADEMIC SUCCESS 2014

capable young person given the very best tools to achieve

NCEA L1

98%

NCEA L2

99%

one of New Zealand’s leading independent co-educational

NCEA L3

90%

schools, Year 7 to 13 with places for both day and boarding

IB Diploma

97%

students.

IGCSE

99%

in mind, body and spirit. Founded in 1936 St Peter’s is

Pupils connect and engage holistically within our positive, safe environ, in the pursuit of artistic, academic and sporting success. We are the only school in the Waikato offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programme; affording students in Year 12 and 13 dual pathways of learning. The great benefit of this is that our students have the option to pursue internationally recognised study towards university entrance locally and world-wide.

We boast an impressive average pass rate of 96.6% across all senior academic results. Our staff are motivated and interested in one thing: making the very best of New Zealand’s future success stories.

2014 saw the launch of St Peter’s demonstration farm, a joint venture with Lincoln University and work has just been completed on our thoroughly modern Business and Entrepreneurial Centre offering hands-on learning in both Agribusiness and Commerce to the highest level.

St Peter’s offers the unique gift of a world class education; the kind which starts a lasting legacy of success. Visit our website for details of the Open Day and to register your attendance. Call us or drop in: we welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can work with you to provide a stable, safe and richly rewarding learning experience for your child.

We boast six specialist academies; our New Zealand Swimming and Swim Waikato affiliated Swimming Academy, state of the art Golf and Rowing Academies. As neighbours with the Avantidrome our Cycling Academy has access in perpetuity to these exceptional facilities which are also the home of Bike NZ and High Performance Sport New Zealand. The St Peter’s Equestrian Academy is one of only two schools in New Zealand to house both a sand arena and cross-country course for our riders. We are proudly the home of the New Zealand Tennis Academy.

At our Open Day you will experience the school first hand, meet our teachers and take in our 40 hectares of parklike grounds; get a proper sense of the experience your child will benefit from by being a part of the St Peter’s Community.

St Peter’s School; every day we are growing great people.

ST PETER’S CAMBRIDGE

OPEN DAY

Our Elite Athlete and Performance Excellence Programmes offer exceptional students of performing arts and sport access to a network of support in managing their given pursuits with academic workload; relative to the work/life balance we seek in our busy lives.

Sunday, 22 March 2015 1.00pm start Phone 07 827 9834 1716 State Highway 1, Cambridge

www.stpeters.school.nz Years 7 – 13

l

Boys & Girls

l

Day & Boarding

YOUNG AT HEART -

DIMPLES

In 1992 Jane McAllister, a loving wife and mother from Titirangi, New Zealand decided to dust off her sewing kit and knock up some clothes for her children. She felt as many women feel, that there wasn’t anything suitable with the practicality she needed for her growing family.

Sewing quickly advanced beyond a weekend hobby. Jane's passion, combined with daily inspiration from her own family of 14 children, provided all the drive required for her to found ‘Dimples’ New Zealand’s most exclusive and well-loved baby care label.

A true rags to riches story, if you excuse the pun, Jane started off small. Hand designing, cutting and sewing baby's hats and other small items of clothing.

The business snowballed. She soon enlisted the help of her mother. The secret ingredient in this success story...

Jane’s parents. Jane’s father proved to be the ideal role-model, an entrepreneur with a passion for new businesses. While her mother, according to Jane, provided the artistic and creative drive required.

With this support, combined with Jane’s devotion it is little surprise to read about Dimples' success.

Memories of the early years where Jane would spend much of her time trying

to find boutiques to stock her range, now prove to be just that, memories. By the time 2006 came around Jane had boutiques from across the globe hankering after her products. Once again, Jane acknowledged the momentum and saw another opportunity. She took the plunge and decided to open Dimples' first store in Newmarket, saying at the time, “we believe it’s the first exclusive 'one label only' baby wear store in this country."

New Zealand. They are created with 100% certified organic cotton, silk and merino wool. If you need any more evidence of this acute eye for detail, Jane hired and trained a team of 25 embroiderers to hand sew the Dimples trademark ‘bee’ onto every product.These small details established and now maintain Dimples as a stand out retail brand, and evidently highlight Jane’s incredible business knowledge.

That very same year the prestigious London based retail giant Harrods also decided to stock the range. Dimples then became the first New Zealand baby and toddler range to be accepted by Harrods.

It seemed the sky was the limit.

"Dimples then became the first New Zealand baby and toddler range to be accepted

by Harrods."

As years go, most would find it hard to beat the highs of 2006. However, Jane’s passion and commitment has led to a second store opening in Grey Lynn. Today over 80,000 New Zealand made pieces are being exported to eight countries.

No longer satisfied with providing just baby clothing, Dimples developed a new brand called Babybliss. Delivering the same quality and practicality but aimed at nursery furniture.

Despite the enduring success, Jane has maintained a meticulous eye for what made Dimples so successful, ensuring that all garments are manufactured in

From day one, Dimples has reflected a family orientated vibe, in both the help Jane received from her parents as well as the morals of the brand itself. So it’s no surprise to see this continue 23 years on. Several of Jane’s daughters work in a variety of roles within the company and her own children and grandchildren model the clothes for the website and company branding. So, if you're after a family friendly brand you can trust and rely on, pop down to one of the Dimples stores or check out their website: www.dimples. co.nz.

Words: Katy Powell

HAND E M B RO I DE RE D 100% NATU RAL B ABYW E AR

BABYWEAR BOUTIQUE 14 Kent St, Newmarket, Auckland | PH 09 523 4161 | OPEN 7 DAYS |

www.dimples.co.nz

Epic Computer Game Improves Players' Creative Writing Elegy for a Dead World recreates the epic worlds of Romantic poetry to help players develop their creative writing skills.

Computer games have come a long way since the first players hit a ball with a paddle from one side of the screen to the other.

Even in those early days though, the ability for games to teach new skills whilst simultaneously entertaining was very apparent.

We have recently seen a growing number of games developers integrating positive learning and self-development into the maturing games industry. Koe is a Japanese role-playing game, which requires players to learn different Kanji symbols in order to progress in the game, and now United States game makers Dejobaan have launched Elegy for a Dead World — a sidescrolling game which is designed to help players develop their creative writing skills within the game’s immersive, stimulating environment.

In Elegy for a Dead World, gamers explore the destroyed civilisations of three inspiring worlds — each based on a Romantic-era poem. Players navigate the platform game as the sole survivor of an exploration mission. Their task is to survey the worlds and write accounts of them, to be sent back to the rest of the ‘universe’ — players can then choose to share their writing with other gamers at the end of the game.

As the player explores the epic visualised worlds of Shelley, Keats and Byron they are faced with a series of writing challenges aided by inbuilt prompts. They must compose stories, poems and songs from the perspective of various characters. The game-play is simple, but the visuals and audio are intricate and inspiring — stimulating the imagination as the best role-play adventure games so often do, and using it for educational productivity.

Developers Ichiro Lambe and Ziba Scott describe the game as, “an advanced Mad Libs,” explaining that the inclusion of story fragments which guide the player were the pivotal addition, creating manageable but inspiring tasks for users who find creative writing and poetry intimidating.

Preview videos are available online.

The game completed a successful Kickstarter campaign at the end of 2014 and is currently available via Steam (store. steampowered.com) for USD 14.99.

WEBSITE: WWW.DEJOBAAN.COM/ELEGY CONTACT: INFO@DEJOBAAN.COM

Join our family Scholarships available: Boys’ School Closing Date: March 20th College Closing Date: March 20th Girls’ School Closing Date: May 15th Please enquire by visiting our website: saintkentigern.com

Boys’ School 26 February

College 4 March Girls’ School 17 March

Preschool 17 March

Register at saintkentigern.com

Conned During the 1960s, an American teenager barely old enough to legally drive, illegally acquired a Pan Am pilot’s uniform and, with a forged ID, proceeded to hitch hundreds of free flights and hotel stays in dozens of countries over a twoyear period. Later, the same man would turn his hand to teaching, law and medicine, all under assumed aliases, whilst passing millions of dollars’ worth of bad cheques. By the time he was arrested, in France, in 1969, this US citizen still wasn’t old enough to drink. After spending a number of years in European and American prisons, he was hired by his government to track down fellow fraudsters. His name was Frank Abagnale, his (embellished) story famously recounted in the Steven Spielberg flick, Catch Me If You Can.

“In the old days, a conman would be good looking, suave, well-dressed, wellspoken and presented themselves really well,” Abagnale tells Wired. “Those days are gone because it’s not necessary. The people committing these crimes are doing them from hundreds of miles away. The victim never meets them so it doesn’t matter what he or she looks like. It doesn’t involve charm anymore, it’s simply a matter of knowing how to use a computer and get into systems and so on.” The former crook goes on to detail how easy it is for cybercriminals to syphon both funds and identities, saying what he did half a century ago “is about 4,000 times easier today.” To forge a cheque 50 years ago you needed a Heidelberg printing press and the knowledge of a skilled printer.

“There was a lot of work involved in creating a cheque,” he goes on. “Today, you open a laptop.” Corporate logos are easily retrieved from websites, annual reports and company account details easily available on request under the guise of making online payments.

Using facial recognition apps, your identity can be stolen with a swipe. “If you are on Facebook I can find out who you are in seconds,” says Abagnale. If details such as your birthday and place of birth are public, then he is “98 percent of the way” to stealing your identity: “So I tell a lot of young people that you never want to put a frontal photo of yourself on your Facebook page. Use a photo with a group of friends or doing sport, but never a straight-on funnel photo of yourself.”

Catch Me If You Can saw Leonardo DiCaprio portray Frank Abagnale, and a decade later he once again played a truelife conman-turned-consultant as Jordan Belfout in Wolf of Wall Street. New York trader Belfourt hustled hundreds of millions during the 1990s. A Forbes article of the time described Belfourt as a “twisted Robin Hood who takes from the rich and gives to himself and his merry band of brokers” all of whom push “dicey stocks on gullible investors.” He would eventually be slapped with a prison sentence and a whopping US$110 million fine.

The Big Apple was also where the term “confidence man” was first coined, the New York Herald reporting on the story of 19th century criminal William Thompson who tricked well-to-do Americans into handing over their watches. The case inspired Herman Melville’s final novel, The Confidence Man, published in 1857.

In 1925, Eastern European Victor Lustig secured one of history’s most spectacular scams selling the Eiffel Tower as scrap metal. Such was the success – and notoriety – of Charles Ponzi’s swindling that his name will be forever associated

with his eponymous schemes used by later conmen such as Bernard Madoff who carried out the greatest fraud in American history, relieving over 1,300 investors of US$65 billion.

The vast majority of cons aren’t, of course, on anything like the above scales, but to regular everyday victims they may just as well be. The casualty is always trust.

Occasionally, it’s also love. In a 2012 Huffington Post piece entitled “I Married a Conman”, author Lisa Arends tells of her “brilliant and talented” husband whose “skills included creating and maintaining a separate existence”, skills which landed him jail for bigamy. “He had two cameras,” she writes. “Two bicycles.

Two wallets. Two wives. Two distinct lives.

When the financial mess he created in his life with me became too great to keep hidden, he broke up with me via text and vanished. That was when I learned that my husband was anything but a real boy – he was a conman.”

Spotting a conman – or woman – once they have already stolen your heart is, one imagines, a nigh-on impossible task.

If the financial loss isn’t bad enough, the added sense of betrayal is unimaginable.

Pressurisation to marry, dodgy finances and reluctance to discuss one’s past are all possible red flags for potential partners of questionable character. For those luckier in love, there are a few things to bear in mind to ensure your luck holds out elsewhere too.

Always be wary of any unsolicited offers, letters or emails, especially if you’re being asked to reply immediately to “avoid disappointment”. Steer clear of premium rate telephone numbers, never post to PO Boxes and send unknown and junk emails straight to your trash. Don’t give bank or card details to anyone you don’t absolutely trust and never be afraid or embarrassed to seek a second opinion, particularly if you feel you’re being asked to keep something confidential or are being needlessly rushed. And whenever in doubt, just remember the wise words of George W. Bush in yet another stumbling address to the press: "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." You can’t say it clearer than that.

Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

VERVE CHATS TO ANNAH STRETTON ABOUT RAW Towards the end of 2013, Annah Stretton, after an approach from Women's Refuge to assist them with funding and corporate awareness locally, asked to meet some of the women that had been forced into the refuge environments.

A subsequent visit to a Hamilton refuge led to the long term connection with the young Maori woman, Krystal, whom Annah decided to mentor.

At about the same time, RAW (Reclaim Another Woman) was born… a simple concept where Annah matched significant others (mentors) like herself, with women that had come from difficult and challenging environments. These mentors essentially guide and support RAW women through a life journey of education, which RAW locates and negotiates.

A: In my opinion we have a repetitive cycle of hopelessness because we fail to bring a different lens to the problem. We can continue to throw money at the challenge of gangs, family violence and third world living conditions, but if we don't rethink as how we can teach and support this demographic to help themselves then we will get no change and the problem will amplify.

By the end of 2014, 100 women were in the programme, with the changes for these women being significant and long term.

We simply can’t bring the expectations and behaviours of our world into their lives — activities that we find abhorrent are normal to them. Surprisingly, many of the women that we deal with in prison do not and never intend to get into the system by drawing a benefit, they simply get on and live life in a very dog-eat-dog way. This lifestyle pretty much amounts to crime, prostitution and drugs. These behaviours are the benchmarks for their children and for many, prison is not so bad, at least it’s regular food and shelter and extended family are available to take care of the kids.

Last month, Verve caught up with Annah Stretton, who updated us on Krystal, her progress and on her amazingly successful initiative, RAW. Verve: Firstly a hearty Verve congratulations on inspiring so many to make significant changes to their lives. Can you tell us a little about Krystal and how she is doing these days?

Annah: Krystal is a very different girl in many ways to the one that I met late last year. We have tackled so much together, moments that would have traditionally side-swiped her have become relatively inconsequential. Our year has been one of incredible learning for us both. Krystal is now a competent public speaker and we speak at least two times a month about the RAW model and her journey. The listening audiences are all over New Zealand and will often be as high as 200 in number. When she is not studying, she makes a real contribution to our workspace with the tasks she gets involved in.

Krystal has completed her health and social practice certificate and begins her degree course this year. The education part hasn't been easy and there have been a few times where we have dropped the ball and completion looked unlikely, but I have always managed to get us back on track.

I am very proud as we celebrate her success, as she was a girl who in the past paid little mind to an education: hers was all over at the end of primary school. She is a mum with two small children and her life is still incredibly whanau-focused, but now her values and her goals are different. I truly believe that she is daring to dream and heading towards new goal posts with the support of someone who will share in every mountain and valley that she encounters. Her involvement in the RAW programme has given her visibility and a purpose... and all it took was TIME, TRUST and AROHA. V: Can you tell Verve readers of another ‘success,’ another woman whose story you will never forget?

A: We have so many in the RAW initiative, especially now that we are working in the South Auckland women's prison. One of our true rock stars is a woman named Rena who has two sons, one is only four years of age. Rena has had a challenging life of drugs and crime, so much so that for eight years she has been locked up in Australian prisons for trafficking ice (their P equivalent).

Her story is phenomenal and she is one of the first girls that I met when I approached the Hamilton Refuge to test the RAW model.

Rena agreed to work with us, but given we had her matched with a police women she had huge doubts as to the success of the programme. These two have been a model match. Rena after successfully completing a Wintec foundation course to prepare her for study, is just about to start a certificate in Personal Training at Wintec in Hamilton.

She already has many opportunities of work and is acting as a RAW ambassador — accompanying our support teams into the prisons. We are however, all about educating and changing outcomes for life, not simply getting girls into work, so Rena is only at the start of her journey.

V: Do you have any opinion on why the incarceration per capita of population is higher here in New Zealand than in Australia and many other OECD countries?

We all need to get involved to achieve change. The enormity of the problem is disgraceful in a country of only four and a half million people. Whilst I applaud so many doing so much to bring the basic necessities of life to this demographic through the various government agencies and NGO's that operate in this space, I do however wonder if it is possibly amplifying the problem.

To get real change we must educate and support. Imagine the difference we could make if all of us from the demographic that I was born into took one disadvantaged person and supported them through a channel of education and connection.

A simple concept, but it will work and is working with the RAW model.

V: In your opinion what is the biggest driver of violence against women?

A: Normalised behaviour. The violence in the demographics that we are working with has simply become normalised and is only one of the challenges that the women face as they live their lives.

In many cases they don't see it as such a bad thing, they don't report it and they don't leave the perpetrator.

It is only when the violence gets out of hand and nearly kills them that the services get to know about it. The irony is a huge proportion of the women who leave support groups like Women’s Refuge, go back to the environments that inflicted the violence.

They simply have no other choice!

We need to reconsider how we assist them, so the cycle is stopped! This is where supported education and the RAW model is the game changer: it can break the cycle!

V: What can Verve readers do to help with your quest to break the cycle of disadvantage amongst New Zealand women?

A: I can honestly say that the relationship between Krystal and I has huge benefits on both sides: this young woman has taught me so much about the difficulties and challenges that she faces each day; I certainly have a much bigger understanding of the women caught up in these circumstances.

The changes she has made in such a short time are outstanding, and she certainly has had the lion’s share of the work to do.

Making a contribution to another person's life and assisting them to break the cycle of violence and hopelessness has got to be one of the most rewarding things that I have done. I know that I am on the correct pathway when Krystal tells me she cannot believe anyone would take time to 'see' her, let alone be there for her, guide and assist her with life's decisions.

So in a nutshell, get involved with RAW. There are so many ways in which you can help to break the cycle. I encourage you to take a moment to look at www.raw.org.nz.

Asia Gallery & Vintage Fabric Emporium

Spinning Silk Asia Gallery and Vintage Fabric Emporium is a fine craftwork house, specialising in artisan and handcrafted artwork of uncompromised design and attention to detail. Great pride is taken in presenting the time honoured tradition of folkcraft construction at the highest aesthetic level. Asia Gallery is redefining the standard and variety of vintage fabric and original antiques available in Auckland, with a welcoming experience for each and every customer. You will know that you have been part of something unique and special, having viewed the wide selection of handcrafted fabrics and objects.

Reminiscent of the ‘cave of wonders’ this shop is spectacular to behold. Whether it’s the colourful drapes of kimonos or the antique artefacts dotted around, this place can really take your breath away. We met the man behind the emporium and he explained to us where his passion for hand crafted objects originated. “I have a great deal of respect for people who create with their minds and hands working in harmony and stock my shop accordingly.”

Paul arrived in Japan in 1986, seeking to further his martial arts instruction and began the study of Zen Buddhism. In between vigorous training and language study, he visited temple gardens and soon found himself in a Japanese gardening apprenticeship.

Along the way he began selling antiques and kimonos at temple markets, which soon progressed to a shop near Ginkakuji temple in Kyoto. Paul’s respect for the Japanese ethic of work and beauty grew as he began to understand how much time, intellect and skill was required to make an object that to the untrained eye, appeared simple and unadorned. A roll of kimono fabric for example, can take weeks of painstaking work to achieve the desired result. Producing a cabinet involves three different tradesmen, the resulting work capable of being functional for hundreds of years. Paul sums this up by saying, “Life is all about perception. Mass produced furniture, consisting of cheap wood and stapled plywood can cost thousands of dollars. An antique piece of artisan furniture that is handcrafted from solid wood sells for a third of that and will last for centuries if cared for properly.”

decade, and I must acknowledge that without my loyal customers support, I would not be here.”

Paul Rivers has completed many more renowned projects in Japan including: • Singlehandedly taking part in the renovation of the oldest house in Kyoto prefecture, using antique wood and stone in repairs. This is part of a centuries old, ongoing project to preserve the history of the building.

• Paul also worked with Japanese cabinet makers and expert dealers to absorb as much as possible as about their trades and skills.

• Carrying out the first major upgrade of the famed 300 year old farmhouse ‘Chiiori’ on Shikoku Island.

So if you are interested in genuine, hand crafted kimonos and antiques then check out Asia Gallery and Vintage Fabric Emporium.

Words: Jack Cooper

Paul’s extensive career as a craftsman has spanned many trades and professions. A particular highlight was his work on an entrance path for a teahouse, commissioned by the noted tea ceramic artist, Richard Milgrim. It was during a visit to said tea house that Sen Shoshitsu, the great tea master of the Urasenke tradition, was said to make a favourable comment of the craftsmanship.

Paul first started his business in Wellington in 2004. After twenty seven container shipments and nine happy years he decided to relocate to Auckland. “Here I have more light to showcase some of the best fabrics and antiques obtainable in Japan.”

The surprising fact about this shop is not some oddity or wish granting monkey paw, it is the prices. The majority of the kimonos cost 25 dollars, with some selling for only 5 dollars. “My prices are is low partly because I travel to members-only kimono auctions for stock and partly because these are prices my customers find accessible.”

Paul is grateful for every customer and anyone interested in exquisite craftsmanship, “This has been a journey. I have had valuable support from the fabric and arts community in the past

67 MAURICE ROAD, PENROSE, AUCKLAND 1061 ASIAGALLERYNZ@YAHOO.COM 09 634 7231 LIKE US 7 DAYS 9:30-5:30 ON FACEBOOK

WIZARD JEANS LONDON REVEALS

FASHION DESIGN

2015 LAUNCH OF WIZARD JEANS IN UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY AT NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND ACADEMY OF WIZARD JEANS LONDON has now launched in New Zealand FASHION AND DESIGN and Australia. After a five year exclusive European distribution base, the WIZARD JEANS brand now goes global.

These innovative jeans were developed with body shaping technology to hold you in and lift you up in all the right places. If you are a great lover of jeans and always looking for the ‘perfect pair’ but never quite find them, we have done the work for you, researching fabrics and technologies to fulfil the ambition to come up with jeans that really enhance a woman’s shape. Unlike other shaping jeans, the magic of Wizard is in the special bonding technology and the superior cuts, which are the result of refining two different processes/technologies.

We have developed a technology that helps women feel comfortable in their own skin by increasing their confidence and lifting their self-esteem. It doesn’t matter how old you are, we all want to look better, slimmer and younger – and most importantly, fashionable.

Designed and largely manufactured in England, WIZARD JEANS styling and cuts are younger and more fashion forward than any rival in the market. Specialising in the perfect rise to fit every body shape they are the ultimate comfort jean.

This brand has never been offered in New Zealand and Australia before and we are very excited about bringing you the perfect fitting jean. www.wizardjeans.co.nz | Ph: 0508 49 49 27

Newly situated in Newmarket, the fashion capital of Auckland, this boutique fashion school is striving for perfection in the world of fashion design. With students going on to win the prestigious New Zealand ‘Fashion Designer of the Year 2013’ as well as the ‘Madrina Fashion Show’ in New York, the academy is now looking to expand into online courses and distance learning.

Operating on an international diploma system, the curriculum is tailored to foster and nurture a student’s inner creativity and bring out their skills. Classes are kept small, usually only 6-8 students.

This enables tutors to personalise attention to every individual student. The low student to tutor ratio is vital to the Academy’s philosophy.

“Our goal is to enable graduates to work in the ever-changing local and international fashion industry through observation, discovery, continuous learning, self-evaluation and self-reflection.

As a student, you will have the opportunity to develop practical, vocational, creative and commercial skills. We have had students from all ages and walks of life study with us and enrollment is open to everyone,” says managing director Sunita Ovely, who has previously worked with designers who produce costumes for Bollywood films.

“This is the first step in your fashion career progression, so if you want to begin living your dream, get in contact via the details below.”

CONTACT DETAILS: PHONE: 09 475 5868 EMAIL: CONTACT@FASHIONDESIGN.CO.NZ ADDRESS: LEVEL 5, 5 SHORT STREET, NEWMARKET, AUCKLAND

NOW LOCATED IN NEWMARKET LEARN FASHION DESIGN Courses Offered Learn to Sew - Structured course, 2 terms Patternmaking - Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced using our unique patternmaking template Open Classes - Learn at your own speed or finish projects with the assistance of a tutor

Weekend

Work

Party

Part Time Diploma in Apparel Production Day or Evening over 1 year Advanced Modules - Knitwear, Tailoring and Party Dress After School - Encourage your teen to dabble in fashion

For weekend, work and party discover Wizard Jeans with exclusive body-shaping technology.

Find your style at www.wizardjeans.co.nz Freephone: 0508 4949273

Weekend

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Pop-up store: 11 Morgan St, Newmarket, Auckland Open Mon-Fri 11am-4pm

Party

For weekend, work and party discover Wizard Jeans with exclusive body-shaping technology.

Find your style at www.wizardjeans.co.nz Freephone: 0508 4949273

See our website for further details. www.fashiondesign.co.nz e. contact@fashiondesign.co.nz p. 09 9744683

SIGNATURE STYLE

Your questions answered by

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

Meghan Maher Repertoire’s Style Director Please can you explain the concept of ‘wear me now, wear me later’.

Every New Year is supposed to fill us with a huge sense of optimism – we’re expected to spend early January thinking about what we want in our lives: “This is the year I will (insert verb here) and that will make my life so much better!”

Studies show that only 8% of us actually manage to achieve our New Years’ resolutions, and the statistics are particularly grim if you are older. I read an interesting article over summer about goal setting that stated that most of our New Year goals won’t be achieved because they come from a negative premise. That we beat ourselves up with these goals: we’re not slim enough, fit enough, healthy enough, motivated enough, don’t earn enough – we’re just NOT ENOUGH! The author suggested that to make a resolution really stick, it needs to excite you, and that coming from that ‘not enough’ place was counter-intuitive. Instead, they suggested we need to begin with a positive premise as this is far more motivating.

I’ve given this a lot of thought: you see, as a business owner I am always looking at ways to engage with clients – both our existing clients (there’s around 5000 of those), and those who we’ve yet to meet. Every year we start with a “New Year – New You” campaign and we take the stance that THIS is your year – the year you take charge and get what you want, and that takes confidence and belief. I truly believe that what you wear has an enormous impact on how you feel. In fact, it’s been proven to me over and over through working with our clients. Many have written to tell us how they “got the job”, “got promoted”, “felt so confident” after working with us.

As part of that positivity, this year we are giving away a “Designer Suit” makeover on our Facebook page. You’ve read about this eight session, completely new you makeover before.

It’s valued at over $2000, and it will totally transform your look and can impact your life in ways you never imagined – and it’s REAL. It’s not fleeting because we teach you each step of the way, so that you know the underlying principles of what works for you. Find us on Facebook and check it out and who knows?

2015 really could be YOUR year.

Words: Jackie O’Fee

Want to find out how a new look could impact every area of your life? Get in touch! We’d love to meet you. Call us on 09 529 5115, pop into our 35 Broadway, Newmarket studio or find us online at www.signaturestyle.co.nz. Oh, and fancy winning a makeover? Find us on Facebook/pages/ signaturestyle.

A common challenge with my clients nationwide is that they would like more time in their day. The struggle to find more “me time” is a trend amongst women worldwide. As a new mother “me time” this is something I now truly appreciate.

For this very reason it is essential that dressing is simple and easy without compromising on looking and feeling fabulous. This is why I love the concept of ‘wear me now, wear me later’.

As a business we love the fact you can buy great pieces to wear now and that they will still be relevant and practical when it gets cooler as we move into winter. It is also, I have to admit, how I personally dress everyday. The clothes I wear in the morning, which I would classify as relaxed, smart daywear can effortlessly be tweaked for a smarter evening look with a simple change of shoe, jacket, makeup and accessories.

This season a short jacket, high heel mule, jewellery with a sparkle (particularly short in length) and stronger makeup (eyes or lips) will transform your day look into night. Do yourself the biggest wardrobe favour and find yourself a gorgeous short jacket that will effortlessly help you convert your looks. The biker jacket style is particularly strong this season and will do just the trick. They are even available in knit fabrics, which will allow you to get the look and still give you the comfort and ease of wear.

Get it now Wear it later

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TOTALLOOK LOOK TOTAL

TRANSFORMING PEOPLE TRANSFORMING PEOPLE Hairand andfashion fashionstylist stylistIvanka IvankaBlazevic Blazevic Hair grewup upin inthe theSerbian Serbiancapital capitalof of grew Belgrade.She Shesays sayswomen womenin inher her Belgrade. country,particularly particularlymiddle middleaged aged country, women, were always well groomed. women, were always well groomed.

Throughouther herteens teensshe sheharboured harboured Throughout dreamsofofbecoming becomingaahair hairand and fashion dreams stylist, but these on hold when fashion stylist, butwere theseput were put on she had a family.

Sixteen yearsFor ago Ivanka hold when she married young. and her arrivedshe in New Zealand. more thanson a decade worked hard to be a good wife and mother, but her marriage was to end “It took me after a while but I domestic worked hard to improve my to English,” unhappily serious violence forced her leave says Ivanka, who worked way upIvanka to the top left her husband.

Sixteenher years ago and to herowning son her own company. always hadmany a passion for transforming arrived in New“I’ve Zealand with obstacles to overcome. peoples’ looks since my childhood. I love making the most of a “It person’s potential.”

TheI 49-year-old was inspired to took me a while but worked hardstylist to improve my create theSays Ms New Zealand Beauty her Pageant because English” Ivanka, who worked way up top many mature become “invisible” in society. owningwomen her own company, “I’ve always had a passion for transforming peoples’ looks since my childhood. I love Part of the the Ms New Zealand Beauty making theproceeds most of from a person’s potential.”

The 48 year Pageant old go to a was mental health “It’sMs an New important message stylist inspired tocharity. create the Zealand Beauty toPageant womenbecause that theymany can overcome obstacles like physical, mature women become “invisible” emotional in society.and sexual abuse. My message to other women suffering is – there is a way out.”

Part of the proceeds from the Ms New Zealand Ivanka to encourage as many women as as possible to enter Beautyhopes Pageant go to a mental health charity an the competition which ranging from 30- 60 acknowledgement for has the age helpcategories she received for depression plus. the competition’s at marriage. 'mature' women, and Although anxiety suffered during and aimed after her “It’s this shouldn’t be misrepresented. myovercome language an important message to women“Mature that theyincan means theirlike personality and they become wise. obstacles physical, matures emotional and sexual abuse.

MyThey’ve finished their education, started working or started their family. message to other women suffering is – there is a way out.”

I want to say to these women that their life is not over.”

Ivanka hopes to encourage as many women as possible to enter the competition which has three age categories: 30 * The Ms New Zealand Beauty Pageant will be held on April 26 39, 40 - 49 and 50 - 60. Although the competition’s aimed at Auckland Museum. For more information contact Ivanka. at “mature” women, this shouldn’t be misrepresented.

“Mature in my language means their personality matures and they become wise. They’ve finished their education, started working or started their family. I want to say to these TOTALLOOK@HOTMAIL.CO.NZ women that their life is not over.”

WWW.TOTALLOOK.CO.NZ 021 154 0246 The Ms New Zealand Beauty Pageant will be held on April 09 26 at Auckland 528 7261 Museum. For more information phone Ivanka on 09 528 7261 or 021 154 0246 or email idblazevic@hotmail.com.

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HANDMADE HANDMADE SOAP SOAP OVER OF ESSENTIAL OILS OVER100 100KINDS KIND OF OILS CUSTOM MADE MADE SKINCARE SKINCAREPRODUCTS PRODUCTS RAW MATERIALS MATERIALS RAW NATURAL HAIR CARE CAREPRODUCTS PRODUCTS NATURAL HAIR ORGANIC HERBAL HERBALTEA TEA ORGANIC CARRIER OIL OIL CARRIER We only use raw materials derived from truly natural sources creating pure natural products that are not available commercially.

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PARI SI AN STREET STYLE II PHOTOGRAPHY: FELIK WONG

DUNEDIN’S DARK SIDE TO BE EXHIBITED IN AUCKLAND

The dark side of Dunedin fashion will soon be on display, as 25 designers prepare to exhibit their collections in Auckland’s Silo Six Gallery from February 13 to March 1, 2015.

Presented by the Otago Polytechnic School of Design and the New Zealand Fashion Museum, and hosted by Waterfront Auckland, the exhibition – A Darker Eden: Fashion from DUNEDIN – examines and celebrates the creative context unique to Dunedin.

The 13-day exhibition will include established and emerging Dunedin fashion designers, including NOM*d, Mild Red, Tanya Carlson, Company of Strangers and twentysevennames. Over 50 garments will be presented, including a gallery specifically curated for Dunedin’s iconic iD Fashion Week and highlights from Otago Polytechnic’s fashion graduates.

DESIGNER SHOWCASES INCLUDE: NOM*d, Tanya Carlson, Mild Red, Otago Polytechnic graduates, including the established labels Company of Strangers, twentysevennames, Charmaine Reveley, Vaughan Geeson, and emerging designers Maaike, Amelia Boland, Mushama & Me, Rakel Blom, Senorita Awesumo, Melanie Child, Grace Averis, Kelsi Bennett, Duncan Chambers-Watson, Marc Jun, Jessie Wong, Justine Tindley, Jojo Ross, Holly Howe Jewellery, MU, Georgia Ferguson.

The exhibition has been coordinated by Otago Polytechnic School of Design staff members Dr Margo Barton, Dr Jane Malthus, Caro McCaw, Leyton Glen and Martin Kean, and Doris de Pont for the New Zealand Fashion Museum.

Designer - Kelsi Bennett | Photographer - Laura Bennett | Models - Alana and Gussie THE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE AUCKLAND FRINGE FESTIVAL AND FASHION IN THE CITY. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE A DARKER EDEN: FASHION FROM DUNEDIN, VISIT THE NZ FASHION MUSEUM WEBSITE. WWW.NZFASHIONMUSEUM.ORG.NZ/EVENTS/ AND /OR THE OPENING TIMES OPEN WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 12–6PM AND FRIDAY FROM 12–9PM ENTRY BY KOHA (VOLUNTARY DONATION)

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Organic by John Patrick Bias Long slip $265 from FABRIC 6B Teed Street, Newmarket

James Perse Basic Dress $275 www.Jamesperse.com

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01 — James Perse Everyday Tote $250 www.Jamesperse.com 02 — Organic cotton underwear $20 from Kowtow www.kowtow.com 03 — Bassike cotton range available at Superette 34 Nuffield Street, Newmarket

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Make this year a little more about quality not quantity.

Opt for classic staples you can mix and match instead of fast trends. Focussing on basic shapes and natural compositions such as linen or cotton will help achieve longevity in your wardrobe when buying your muchneeded basics.

Ports 1961 Spring 2015 RTW Words: Paris Mitchell

Words: Paris Mitchell

GROOMING GUIDE

Aesop Protective Lip Balm Rich hydration with broad spectrum SPF30 protection.

Generous nourishment for the lips, with UVA and UVB filters to shield fragile skin from the sun’s damaging rays. Formulated without silicone, paraffin, beeswax or other animal-derived ingredients, this protective balm relieves and softens dry lips.

Available at World Beauty 175 Ponsonby Road 09 360 4544

M.A.C Studio Face + Body Foundation RRP A must have! Now comes in the smaller, more portable size a fluid foundation that provides low-to-medium buildable coverage and a flawless, natural satin-shine finish. Skin conditioning, water-resistant and long-wearing. $60.00 225 Broadway, Newmarket 09 916 0792

Exclusive limited edition Trilogy Botanical Body Wash Trilogy’s Botanical Body Wash is formulated from a delicate blend of aroma-therapeutic oils, non-drying cleansers and invigorating pure plant extracts. Local designer Hailwood has lent his creative flair to create a limited edition bottle for Trilogy’s popular certified natural body wash.

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PUMPIPUMPE

NEIGHBOURHOOD MAILBOX STICKERS LET COMMUNITIES DISPLAY ITEMS THEY HAVE TO SHARE

QUINOVIC VIADUCT

2015, WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT? While you relax over the summer, take a moment to reflect over what will change in the year 2015 I am often asked why one should invest in an apartment when they could invest in a house. Will they get more income and capital gain from a home or an apartment?

It’s a good question and this is what you need to consider:

Neighbourhood mailbox stickers let communities display items they have to share.

1.

How much of a deposit do you have to purchase an apartment or house?

2.

When you have paid your deposit will the house/apartment be cash flow positive or negative?

3.

Will you have to supplement the loan repayments and for how long?

4.

What are your short term and long term goals for this investment?

5. Do you want cash flow income now and accept that you will be only holding onto this assets for between 6 to 9 years or less?

If those nostalgic for the pre-digital age are to be believed, neighbours used to simply knock on a door to ask to borrow something, but now they’re too engrossed in their smartphone screen to even know who lives next door.

To solve this problem and renew a sharing community spirit, Pumpipumpe is a Switzerland-based project that is encouraging residents to place stickers on their mailbox to denote the goods they’re willing to lend to their neighbours.

The idea was initially formed to enable those with bike pumps to indicate to fellow cyclists that they could knock and use theirs in the case of a flat tyre — hence the name Pumpipumpe. The scheme has since expanded into a system that allows neighbours to advertise any object available to borrow. Those who want to take part can simply order a pack of stickers from the project’s website. Each sticker is a small blue square that features illustrations including a bike pump, lawn mower, kitchen scale, children’s toys, and even internet access and fancy dress costumes.

The idea is that homeowner’s place the stickers for the items they have on their mailbox so passersby can know if they’re good to knock on the door. The stickers are free to anyone in Switzerland or Germany, with a EUR 4 fee for shipping internationally.

While the idea aims to recreate the offline networks of old, the team is working on an interactive map of all the neighbourhoods participating in the Pumpipumpe scheme.

For more on this idea visit www.pumpipumpe.ch

6.

Rents relate to apartment size, quality, location, and facilities – I always ask, could I live here when I consider an investment apartment? If I would struggle to live in the apartment, whom would live in the apartment and what would be the maximum rent they would pay?

7.

Capital gain may be achieved on the assets but is not a guarantee.

8.

Is it easy to sell and a ready market of buyers?

9.

Changing lifestyle of new immigrants into Auckland and New Zealand means demand for apartments will only grow.

10. A lot of the apartments now need to be upgraded, this can be done with very little coin and the difference in rental income can be over $100 plus with the right investment in carpet, paint, and furnishings.

11. Location, location and location. Central city is always a premium and rents will only rise for quality apartments with facilities, views, light and car parks.

12. Before you buy, make sure you have engaged the services of experienced professionals so you have purchased the right investment.

13. Your property team should include a lawyer, accountant, valuer, property manager, and real estate agents whom listen and understand your needs.

The answers to the questions above will help you in resolving the best investment plan for you. Remember there is no one solution that is a winner for all. It’s all about tailoring your plan to suit your needs, wants and desires.

Starting with buying the right apartment with honest feedback/ input from an experienced property company will help you to get the right property with the right return on your investment.

David Graham has been involved with serviced apartments and short or long term stays over the last seven plus years working at and owning Quinovic Viaduct.

DAVID GRAHAM PRINCIPAL | QUINOVIC VIADUCT 027 299 9122 | 09 302 1998 DAVID@QUINOVIC-VIADUCT.CO.NZ WWW.QUINOVIC.CO.NZ

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Leopold Hall is a beautiful new store in Newmarket that has just opened. It is all about the `Natural Home’ and has a strong focus on eco living. In store you will find pieces in linen, jute, recycled timbers, handmade china & glassware, you will love the feel & experience of this bespoke store where product is sourced from around the world.

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Delivering more has been in the making since 1987 when Kitchens By Design broke the mould of boring standard designs in favour of spaces that incorporated each owner’s personal choices and reflected their lifestyle.

Kitchens By Design knows what it takes to make a kitchen the multi-tasking heart of every home.

Not only are they experienced and qualified team masters in the kitchen, but their expertise covers all areas of your home when you enlist their skills for your kitchen to include bathrooms, laundries, offices and walk-in wardrobes.

So whether it’s a whole house build or revamp of your kitchen, deal with the experts of the industry who have over 90 years combined design experience and industry knowledge and an accolade of design awards to prove it!

Call in to our Newmarket showroom today. We would be delighted to help you get started and see your exciting project right through to the stunning end-result.

At Kitchens By Design we deliver more… that’s a promise!

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WHY TEAK IS TOPS WORKSPACES

AERON CHAIR: Designer Bill Stumpf Imaginative design, fast-forward ergonomics and a look so distinctive that it’s probably the only office chair that people can identify by name.

Adaptable to all sizes and shapes and all the motions you go through every day while seated, Aeron provides healthy comfort and balanced body support with its innovative suspension and easy-to-use adjustment controls.

Work chair, side chair, and stool support all kinds of office work.

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MIRRA 2: Designer Studio7.5 As work evolves, and we become more active, flexing from individual to collaborative work in an instant, Mirra 2 moves with you, at one with your body.

When you sit, Mirra 2 adapts to you instantly. Shift, and it dynamically supports even your slightest movements. By rethinking every part of a successful design, we advanced how Mirra 2 moves with you.

The Mirra 2 Butterfly Back is a hybrid structure, formed by merging a fabric layer with polymer veins creating an intelligent support to keep your body in healthy alignment.

Teak is not only a durable and hardwearing wood, it is also versatile and able to work as a variety of furniture. Verve caught up with Patrick Driessen, a teak furniture devotee and owner of Java Teak in Newmarket to find out why teak is the timeless and tasteful way to furnish your outdoor area.

As a customer buying furniture, we want something that requires little maintenance, is durable and comes with a reasonable price tag. Due to these features, teak furniture has become the top choice for modern buyers, “teak is a marvelously hard-wood, which is indigenous of South East Asia. In order to have its distinctive hardness; it must grow for a minimum of 60 years before it is milled to reach its characteristic density,” Patrick says.

It was these qualities that first attracted Patrick to teak during a holiday in Java. A month later he brought over a container load of hand-picked furniture and after receiving a warm response from Kiwis, he began stocking teak outdoor furniture outright.

Patrick sources his teak straight from its source in Central Java.

The teak is controlled by the Indonesian government to regulate the trade and ensure no illegal logging occurs. After three consecutive sandings the teak is treated with two coats of special teak oil to enhance its colour and grain.

So for an investment that will make you happy for years to come, visit Java Teak in Newmarket.

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Béhar, who calls San Francisco home, began by looking at designs that deliver the most with the least. He then took a look at his city’s best-known landmark: the Golden Gate Bridge.

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SIMPLICITY NANCY BRAITHWAITE

The best part of a holiday is the planning that goes into it before you get on the plane. If you are doing London this year then this new book will help you find out about the heart of the city and all of those great out-of-the-way places that only the locals know. Shops, hotels, cafés and more in this book will show you a very vibrant and exciting city, which all makes for a great holiday.

This smart little book is a French foodies bible: listing 100 gourmet places to visit, it comes with a fold-out map and directions on how to find all of the delicacies you would want to indulge in on your trip to the most romantic city in the world. J’Aime Paris makes a lovely keepsake of a great holiday too.

You have been to the parties; you have returned the hospitality, and very generously too. Luckily there is still enough summer left to get yourself back on track for the healthy lifestyle that allows you to get the max out of life. Clean Slate provides you with all you need to shop and prepare food that will not only feed the body, but nourish the mind as well. Cleanses, de-tox and good advice: what more could you ask for?

Simplicity is one of those interior design books that instantly makes you want to do something about the rooms you live in. The pared-back style, toned-back palette and creative use of textures, redefine ordinary spaces into places where you want to spend as much time as possible. So whether it’s your bedroom or sittingroom or the place at the beach, all would appreciate a little of the Nancy Braithwaite treatment.

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ARCADIA BOOKSHOP 26 OSBORNE STREET NEWMARKET AUCKLAND PHONE 09 522 5211 FAX 09 522 5213 WWW.ARCADIABOOKSHOP.CO.NZ

COMING UP

AT THE MOVIES IDA Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2015 Academy Awards, Ida will return to the big screen for a limited time only.

Poland, 1962, Anna, an orphan brought up by nuns in the convent, is a novice. She has to see Wanda, her only living relative before she takes her vows. Wanda tells Anna about her Jewish roots. Both women start a journey not only to find their family’s tragic story, but to see who they really are and where tthey belong — questioning what they used to believe in. Ida will screen exclusively at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket from January 29.

CITIZENFOUR Citizenfour is a real life thriller, unfolding by the minute, giving audiences unprecedented access to filmmaker Laura Poitras and journalist Glenn Greenwald’s encounters with Edward Snowden in Hong Kong, as he hands over classified documents providing evidence of mass indiscriminate and illegal invasions of privacy by the National Security Agency (NSA).

Citizenfour places you in the room with Poitras, Greenwald and Snowden as they attempt to manage the media storm raging outside, forced to make quick decisions that will impact their lives and all of those around them.

Citizenfour not only shows you the dangers of governmental surveillance — it makes you feel them. After seeing the film, you will never think the same way about your phone, email, credit card, web browser, or profile, ever again.

Citizenfour has recently received a nomination for Best Documentary Feature at the 2015 Academy Awards.

ME, MYSELF & MUM Mrs. Gallienne, a rather temperamental upper middle-class lady, has three children, two of whom she considers as her sons and another she calls Guillaume. Logically indeed, the latter teenage creature does not picture himself as a boy, rather as a girl. Guillaume will discover little by little who he actually is and will manage to break free from her pernicious influence.

Me, Myself and Mum was a box office smash in France and won five Cesar Awards including best film, best adapted screenplay, best editing and best first film, and Gallienne took the best actor prize for his performance in multiple roles.

UP FOR GRABS 2X DOUBLE PASSES

VALENTINES WEEKEND SPECIAL – NZ FILM SUNDAY – LIMITED TIME ONLY

“ME, MYSELF AND MUM” * TO ENTER VISIT WWW.VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

In cinemas for very special Valentines weekend screenings – with a special offer “2 admits for the price of 1.”

Sunday is a story about a couple who are having a baby, but no longer together. After years of history and months of separation Charlie (Dustin Clare) and Eve (Camille Keenan) have 24 hours to find out whether they have a future together.

Set in Christchurch, New Zealand one year after the earthquakes that devastated the city, Sunday is a story like the city, one of past devastation and a chance at rebuilding.

PHANTOM is coming and audio won't ever sound the same!

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SOUND • VISION • CONTROL

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FOCAL • DEVIALET • MUSICAL FIDELITY • TCHERNOV • CYRUS • ROTEL • PROJECT • OPPO • CONTROL4

MUSIC REVIEW

SOUNDS OF SUMMER Not a lot is happening at the moment with new releases, so I thought I’d keep you all up to date with what’s happening in New Zealand this summer in the music world ….and that means a Kiwi summer packed with Kiwi music.

My partner and I were lucky enough to escape to the Coromandel summer circuit during the holidays and caught some great bands such, as Devil Skin, Katchafire and Shihad to name but a few, but don’t worry if you missed them. Head down to Wellington for the biggest and best Kiwi line up of 2015…..JIM BEAM HOME GROWN — 1 Day, 7 Stages, 57 Kiwi acts!

New Zealand’s music festival Homegrown is set to return on March 7, 2015. The entire Wellington Waterfront will come to life with 57 bands and DJs performing across seven stages. An all-star line-up, including Shihad, Blacklistt, Shapeshifter, Six60, David Dallas, Concord Dawn, Opiuo and Ginny Blackmore, plus the addition of a new stage and the transformation of two other stages will ensure Homegrown 2015 is nothing short of spectacular! For the full line-up and ticket information visit: www. homegrown.net.nz.

Another huge Kiwi event each year is The Winery Tour, headliners being the legendary music icons Dave Dobbyn and Don McGlashan, who have been telling the stories of our lives for over 30 years now. Performing together, this promises to be an emotional and memorable performance. Joining them on stage is Supergroove and the queen of the Winery Tour, Anika Moa. Now in its ninth year, the Winery Tour has been streamlined to eleven shows in nine wineries around New Zealand: 12 February, Havelock North, Black Barn Vineyard; 14 February, Martinborough, Luna Estate; 20 February, Hamilton, Vilagrad, 21 February, New Plymouth Sentry Hill Winery; 26 February, Upper Moutere Neudorf Vineyards, and Saturdy 28 February, Waipara, Waipara Hills…check out WWW.FACEBOOK. COM/THE WINERY TOUR or WWW. WINERYTOUR.CO.NZ

WOW! An eclectic combination of music, circus, burlesque and comedy, this ninety minute show was jam packed with thrills and skills. Sights and sounds I have never witnessed before keeping me totally entertained (which is really hard with the attention span of a goldfish). I was completely mesmerised throughout the whole spectacular, stunning show. Brilliant!

I Loved it, you have to go and see it.

UP FOR GRABS: Like us on Facebook and be in to win two ringside seats for the final performance on 15 February WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ VERVEMAGAZINE

Words: Debbie Lovelock

WWW.HOMEGROWN.NET.NZ WWW.WINERYTOUR.CO.NZ

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Verve’s Definitive Oscar Guide Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

On the evening of 16 May, 1929, an audience just shy of 300 gathered at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. They each paid US$5 to watch a fifteen minute ceremony that saw fifteen gongs handed out to members of the movie industry, organised by Louis B. Mayer – founder of his eponymous picture corporation, presently merged and known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer – to unite actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers. The event was the first ever Academy Awards ceremony, now commonly called the Oscars. In the 86 years since, nearly 3,000 of those famous golden statues have been handed out.

No-one knows for sure where the nickname “Oscar” came from, but the very first person to collect one was Swiss-born actor Emil Jannings for his lead performances in two movies: The Way of All Flesh and The Last Command. He later went on to star in a series of Nazi propaganda films.

Schindler’s List, the story of a man who saved 1,200 Jews from the Nazis, won seven Academy Awards in 1994, including Best Director for Steven Spielberg. It was his first, having been nominated for the award three times previously for Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Raiders of the Lost Ark, which starred Harrison Ford.

A decade later, Ford turned down a role in the movie Syriana, a part which won George Clooney his first statuette. Ford isn’t the only star to turn down an Oscar-winning part. Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer passed on the leads for Silence of the Lambs, John Travolta turned down Forrest Gump and Jack Nicolson handed over Scent of a Woman to Al Pacino. If Julia Roberts hadn’t refused Shakespeare in Love, the world would never have witnessed Gwyneth Paltrow’s 1999 tearful, cringe-fest of an acceptance speech.

Other notable weepy speeches include Halle Berry for Monster’s Ball, who was so overcome that the floodgates opened before she even reached the stage. Natalie Portman thanked her parents “for giving me life” when accepting her gong for Black Swan in 2011, shaming all parents out there who hadn’t given such a gift to their kids. When tearful Kate Winslet collected her statue for The Reader in 2009, she told of how she had dreamt of the moment since she was eight years old.

Also aged 8, Justin Henry became the youngest ever Oscar nominee for Best Supporting Actor for his part in Kramer vs Kramer. The 1979 classic starred Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep as warring parents battling for sole custody of their son.

As of 2014, Hoffman has seven nominations and two wins under his belt, but Streep, with three wins and 19 nominations, tops the all-time actors’ list. The most successful male is Jack Nicolson with three wins and 12 nominations.

All of those gongs pale into insignificance when compared to Walt Disney’s 26 wins and 59 Oscar nominations, however.

Disney’s final Academy Award was a posthumous one, for Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day as Best Short Subject (Cartoon) in 1969.

Exactly 40 years later, another posthumous Oscar was given, this time to Heath Ledger for Best Supporting Actor for his seminal turn as the Joker in Batman movie, The Dark Knight. Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece became the first ever comic book adaptation to take home an acting Oscar. It received eight nominations in total, the most ever for a comic book-based film, winning two.

The most nominated movies of all time are All About Eve (1950) and Titanic (1997) with 14 apiece. The story of the doomed Atlantic voyage also has the most Oscar wins for a single film, an

honour it shares with Ben Hur and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, all with 11. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King is the only film to have won every category for which it was nominated, cleaning up at the 76th Academy Awards, 2004.

Other 2004 Oscar winners included Charlize Theron, Best Actress for Monster and Sean Penn for his leading part in Mystic River.

Five years later Penn won Best Actor again for Milk, the truelife tale of Harvey Milk, the first ever openly gay politician to be elected to public office in California in 1978.

That Brokeback Mountain, the story of two gay cowboys starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, was passed over for the Best Picture award is considered to be among the greatest snubs in Oscar history, joining an elite list of also-rans that includes Shawshank Redemption, Taxi Driver and Citizen Kane. The latter, written by, directed by and starring Orson Welles, is now considered by many movie buffs to be the greatest film ever made.

Welles was awarded an honourary Oscar in 1970, but snubbed the ceremony. Others to have rejected the Academy’s recognition include Woody Allen, Kathryn Hepburn and, most controversially, Marlon Brando. Brando boycotted the 1973 Oscars, for which he won Best Actor for The Godfather, and instead sent Native American civil rights activist Sacheen Littlefeather to the stage to protest the treatment of her people by the film industry.

In 2003, documentary-maker Michael Moore used his acceptance speech for his Bowling for Columbine win to protest against the Iraq War. Anti-war actors including Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Daniel Day-Lewis all wore peace pins to the ceremony.

Daniel Day-Lewis is the only male actor to have won three Oscars for best lead roles. Those are in Lincoln (2012), There Will Be Blood (2007) and My Left Foot (1989) which is the true story of an Irish writer and painter with cerebral palsy who only had use of his left foot.

A 2012 BBC article reported that 16% of best actor and actress winners had portrayed characters with physical disabilities or mental illness, with some, such as the Don’t Play Me, Pay Me group, citing concerns of inequality, asking why disabled actors are so often passed over for these parts. The final 2015 nomination list includes a film portrayal of one of history’s greatest minds – and motor neuron disease sufferer – Stephen Hawking, played by Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything.

This year’s list is not without controversy, with many (this writer included) questioning the omission of Jake Gyllenhaal for his deliciously creepy lead turn in Nightcrawler and Lego Movie’s snub. Lorde, too, has missed out on an Oscar nod, though there’s probably not much room left on her mantelpiece anyway.

r e m m u s d i M Dreams

‐‐For Immediate Release‐‐

PROUDLY PRESENTS…

Midsummer Dreams

‐‐For Immediate Release‐‐ chestra acknowledges the Centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign with a provoking selection of music spanning 400 years Midsummer Dreams

d Youth Orchestra

Auckland Youth Orchestra acknowledges the Centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign

with a provoking selection of music spanning 400 years

Antun Poljanich, Music Director

summer Dreams series

WHO

Auckland Youth Orchestra

WHAT

AYO Midsummer Dreams series

WHEN

7 pm, Saturday 21 February

Antun Poljanich, Music Director

turday 21 February

Morra Hall, Waiheke Island

turday 28 February

Devonport St Pauls

DONATION

7 pm, Saturday 28 February Devonport St Pauls

nday 1 March

7 pm, Sunday 1 March St Michael’s Church, Remuera

Composer

Nationality

Nationality

DONATION

Morra Hall, Waiheke Island

DONATION

DONATION

St Michael’s Church, Remuera

DONATION

DONATION

Year

Repertoire

Year

Gareth Farr

New Zealand 2003 Little Sea Gongs for percussion ensemble Repertoire Giovanni Gabrieli

Italy 1597 Canzon Primi Toni for brass choir

United States 1974 Dream for 5 violas New Zealand 2003 John Cage Little Sea Gongs for percussion ensemble Alex Cowdell

New Zealand 2008 Canzona for string orchestra Italy 1597 Joseph Haydn Canzon Primi Toni for brass choir

Austria 1794 Symphony No. 100 – the Military

Austria 1673 Battalia a 10 for string ensemble United States 1974 Heinrich Biber Dream for 5 violas Germany 1892 Abendsegen and Traumpantomime New Zealand 2008 Engelbert Humperdinck Canzona for string orchestra

Austria 1794 The programme is an eclectic mix of shorter pieces spanning four centuries of musical history Symphony No. 100 – the Military Austria 1673 designed to highlight the talented instrumental sections in AYO, with particular reference to Gallipoli, Battalia a 10 for string ensemble tied together with readings from the poetry of Walt Whitman (Beat! Beat! Drums!) Mike Subritsky

Germany 1892 (Pastures Green) and Adelheid Wette (translation of the Abendsegen libretto).

Abendsegen and Traumpantomime

Quick facts ectic mix of shorter pieces spanning four centuries of musical history

e talented instrumental sections in AYO, with particular reference to Gallipoli, ‐ The Little Sea Gongs features a drumming style inspired by Rarotongan log drumming and is fast, furious and very loud. ngs from the poetry of Walt Whitman (Beat! Beat! Drums!) Mike Subritsky

elheid Wette (translation of the Abendsegen libretto). ‐ Gabrieli’s Canzon Primi Toni is performed with two brass choirs playing from opposite sides of the venue.

‐ Dream by John Cage uses minimal fixed tones of sustained resonance – influenced by Balinese Gamelan and I Ching divinations.

ngs features a drumming style inspired by Rarotongan log drumming and is ‐ The Abendsegen and Traumpantomime (Aria and Dream Pantomime), from his opera Hansel and Gretel, are some of his most well known and loved works. very loud.

Primi Toni is performed with two brass choirs playing from opposite sides of

age uses minimal fixed tones of sustained resonance – influenced by n and I Ching divinations.

and Traumpantomime (Aria and Dream Pantomime), from his opera Hansel ome of his most well known and loved works.

WWW.AYO.ORG.NZ

Auckland

Festival 7 Feb-1 March 2015

27 FEB - 1 MAR FREE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

F R I D AY / S AT U R D AY 10AM - 9.30PM S U N D AY 10AM - 5PM aucklandpridefestival.org. nz

AkldPrideFest

Tickets now on sale www.frenchfilmfestival.co.nz

The Sapphire Room, Ponsonby Central Cnr of Ponsonby & Richmond Rds

Heroic Garden Festival – A Festival With A Difference

14 - 15 FEBRUARY 2015 The Heroic Garden Festival gives attendees exclusive access to some of Auckland’s most striking private gardens, all with a point of difference.

The 2015 event will feature 26 gardens — the biggest selection of NEW gardens opened for the first time to the public. Gardens will be open across Auckland City including Lynda Hallinan’s private garden in Hunua, food producing and designer gardens in the central city suburbs and a collection of North Shore’s best private gardens.

The Festival was originally set up with three main focusses in mind, philosophies that remain unchanged today. To provide Auckland with a garden festival, to support a charity through a strong fundraising event and the unique ability for gardening enthusiasts to spend time with the gardeners themselves in their own environment.

“We have limited the festival to 26 gardens, ensuring enough variety and contrast between big country gardens and small central city gardens, including everything in-between. Our aim is to provide gardening enthusiasts with inspiration of the possible and appreciation of the unobtainable,” says Geoffrey Marshall, Heroic Garden Festival organiser.

The festival appeals to a wide range of gardening enthusiasts, from those who appreciate the technical skill to others who simply enjoy the beauty that is unique to each garden.

“We often see the same people returning each year, many of whom will just sit and soak up the atmosphere of the garden.

Others are new, often lured by an innovative garden design.

Gardens have to evolve as gardens grow, it’s a process not a product and that’s what makes the festival so exciting. You never quite know what you are going to see each year,” says Geoffrey.

Funds raised go to support Mercy Hospice Auckland and Hospice North Shore.

HEROIC GARDENS.ORG.NZ

Waggo Buoy Toy $30

Billy Wolf Wily Poop Bag Holder $29

Cloud 7 Hyde Park Leather Collar From $110

“We love our dogs and wanted products for them that suited their practical needs, were well made and looked great. As animal lovers and lovers of good design we understand what a pet owner needs (and wants). We have selected an extensive collection of product which ticks all these boxes and more. Our online store contains products ranging from the highest quality designer pet beds, coats, collars and leads, to innovative toys and those everyday items that are just a little bit different and special. We hope you and your loved one enjoy these just as much as Bentley and Crumpet do. Our aim is to make rest and play with your pet functional, beautiful and fun. “

Cloud 7 Chalk Bowl $79

Cloud 7 Sleepy Dulux Bed From $322

VISIT // WWW.EIGHTPAWS.CO.NZ EMAIL // INFO@EIGHTPAWS.CO.NZ PHONE// 021 656 027

THE EDIBLE FLOWER GARDEN Last year I had lots of plans for what I was going to grow in my new garden.

However, the poor spring, and the need to use a mattock to demolish the bamboo roots that covered my entire garden, has meant some of my plans have gone astray. So, in a fit of desperation, I’ve resorted to eating certain flowers. Though in truth, they look amazing when added to salads or used as a garnish, and some of them taste great.

I should possibly add a slight word of warning. While many flowers are edible, care should be taken. I personally wouldn’t recommend eating something incredibly poisonous or something that has been sprayed with chemicals that shouldn’t be used on food crops.

But thankfully, that still leaves us with a fair few petals to chew on, and I’ve picked out some that I hope you will find interesting.

01

02

03

— Don Wilson

Borage (01) Delicate small blue flowers, though white flowering varieties are available. The flowers can be candied or look great in salads or as a garnish. Tastes sweet and honey like. The leaves taste like cucumber, and can also be eaten in salads.

Calendula (02) Only the petals are edible and look great in drinks, as a garnish or in salads. Taste tangy and slightly bitter. Is sometimes known as poor mans saffron. Can be grown all year, though is more commonly grown in winter.

Nasturtium (03) Yellow, black, red and orange flowering nasturtiums are available. Easy to grow, and if they sprawl out they are easy to hack back. Both the leaves and the flowers have a slightly hot, peppery taste.

OPEN WHEN YOUR REGULAR VET IS NOT!

Pansy, Viola & Heartsease Best grown over autumn, winter and spring. As it gets hotter plant them in the shade to extend the season or in full sun over winter. Available in heaps of colours, and while the taste is subtle, they provide a slightly aromatic and attractive addition to any salad.

Pineapple Sage (04) Easy to grow and attractive member of the sage family. The plant tastes and smells like pineapple lumps. It’s a perennial that will grow around a metre high when its well established but can easily be trimmed back a bit.

FOR A MORE EXTENSIVE LIST CHECK OUT WWW.KING.CO.NZ/GARDENNEWS

04

“Last year, Mitch, a bearded collie, was hit by a courier van. His most worrying injury was lung damage.

He spent an entire weekend under the expert care of the Animal Emergency Centre, who, quite literally, saved his life.

We are so grateful and have so much admiration for their professionalism.”

(09) 849 2121 97 CARRINGTON ROAD, MT ALBERT WWW.ANIMALEMERGENCY. CO.NZ

Kick Start Your Weekend at Alexandra Park

Celebrate Auckland Cup Week with us at Alexandra Park and enjoy the most anticipated week of harness racing in the North Island.

Alexandra Park hosts two action packed nights beginning with the official opening on Friday 27th February and culminating on Friday 6th March with the Auckland Trotting Cup. With free admission, free parking and free race books, your night is sure to be a winner. Add to that a dining package in one of our many venues and Auckland Cup Week will be a night to remember! Corporate hospitality packages start from $40 per person.

On the Main Stage you will see live performances from Jason Kerrison on Friday 27th February and The Hipstamatics on Friday 6th March. Plus the party will continue late into the night with after party in the Alex Bar and Eatery The combination of the best horses, superb racing, entertainment, fashion and hospitality make for a very special occasion that’s not to be missed.

For bookings and more information please contact: 09 630 5660 or dining@alexpark.co.nz www.alexpark.co.nz

With so many activities going on around Auckland, Alexandra Park offer the perfect answer with their two Friday night options which means you don’t need to take any time off work and can be a great kick start to your weekend, allowing Aucklanders the chance to be a part of the action. There will be plenty of entertainment and a festive environment so book your hospitality package now as they are sure to sell quickly!

Get yourself to the Mumm Champagne Garden Bar where Alexandra Park will have two fashion shows by Glamour Boutique and Annah Stretton on the catwalk on Friday 27th February. While on Friday 6th March you can enjoy the four fashion competitions.

FRIDAY NIGHTS

27TH Feb . 6TH Mar Dining Packages / Sponsorship Fundraising / Private Functions 09 630 5660 . alexpark.co.nz

SPYDER SPYDERREVIEW REVIEW

IS IS IT IT AATRIKE? TRIKE? IS IT IT AA BIKE, BIKE, IS NO RT NO IT’S IT’S AA SPYDER SPYDER RT LIMITED! LIMITED!

My name is Jay Stott. For those who don’t My name JayI’m Stott. those who don’ttest knowisme, theFor ordinary guy who know I’m the ordinary guy who test As drivesme, and reviews new Honda vehicles. drives and reviews new Honda vehicles.

As a big treat for the start of the New Year, with a big treat start of the New withI the helpfor of the Brent Ward and myYear, children the help of Brent Ward and my children, I was given the opportunity to test something wasagiven the opportunity to test something little different this time, that’s right, the a little different thisnew time, that’s RT right, the brand Spyder LIMITED. brand new Spyder RT LIMITED which can be driven on a car licence.

WWW.JFKS.CO.NZ 14C GEORGE BOURKE DRIVE, MT WELLINGTON, AUCKLAND 1060 PHONE: 09 262 4285 EMAIL: JFKJETSKI@XTRA.CO.NZ _ 126

//

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

The first thing you will notice about this vehicle is that everybody is checking you out, well checking out the Spyder anyway. I mean The look first thing will notice this vehicle is that everybody wow, at theyou pictures.

This about performance vehicle is different. is checking you out, well checking out the Spyder anyway. I mean wow, been look at the picture.rider This and performance is different.

I have a motorcycle enthusiastvehicle for couple of decades now and the best way for me to review this machine is a motorcycle and enthusiast for a couple of toI have focusbeen on the advantagesrider of driving a three wheeled Spyder, decades the best way for me to review this machine is rather thannow the and traditional two wheel motorcycle. to focus on the advantages of driving a three wheeled Spyder, rather traditional twospider wheel ismotorcycle.

Now, asthan far asthe safety goes, the miles ahead of a two wheeler. This is down to pure mass, to put it simply, it casts a Now,shadow as far asand safety theto Spyder is miles ahead of next a twothing larger so goes, is easier spot on the road.

The This is down to pure put itlike simply, it casts a to larger towheeler. consider is the stability, this mass, vehicletofeels it is fastened shadow andmagnets. so is easier tomeans spot onit the road.great The next thing to the road via This handles in slow speed consider the no stability, likefoot it is gear fastened to the city traffic,iswith ridingthis thevehicle clutch, feels and no change road via magnets. This means it handles great in slow speed city required. traffic, with no riding the clutch and no foot gear change required.

It goes without saying that the wife would be more relaxed letting It goes without that would more relaxedAll letting the kids jump on saying the back ofthe thiswife rather thanbe a two wheeler. the kids jump on the back of rather than a two wheeler. three of the Spider’s wheels arethis controlled by one foot brake,All and three of the Spyder’s wheels believe me this machine stopsare on controlled a dime. by one foot brake, and believe me this machine stops on a dime.

Comfort is not sacrificed at all and this model sports an Comfort is not at allposition, and this with model an boy unbelievable topsacrificed class seating bigsports soft lazy unbelievably top class with a big soft Lazy Boy style seat. I took each ofseating the kidsposition, for a drive and their highlights stylethe seat.

I took of the kids a drive their highlights were black seateach warmer and theforradio.

Theand sleek design was were the black seat warmer and the radio. sleek design was commented on by many a teenage boy and The others commented commented on by acompartments. teenage boy and others commented on the on the large storage large storage compartments.

Finally, let’s talk about speed. This vehicle has very responsive Finally, let’sa talk about speed.Sacrificing This vehicle has very power with fistful of torque. nothing andresponsive delivering power withsafety a fistful of speed. torque.That Sacrificing nothing and delivering on comfort, and is an accomplishment.

Overall on iscomfort, this a great safety and speed. That is an accomplishment. Overall thisThank is a great and well a try. !If you like having fun, you Joe machine Zia and Leonie forworth your input the vehicle is for you. machine and well worth a try. If you like having fun, the vehicle is Thanks for you. Joe, Zia and Leonie for your input!

Burning Rubber with Mad Mike “We travel at over 200km/h brushing against the walls of the track, and if you stuff that up you can quite easily die,” says New Zealand drift car driver Mike Whiddett.

“You have to focus. There is fear, that’s why you do it. I like to scare myself. If I’m not pushing myself to that limit, if there’s no adrenalin rush, there’s no point doing it.

Every driver has their boundaries, their varying levels of where that fear kicks in, but I’d say my level’s are higher than most.” Welcome to the wheel-spinning, tyre-burning, high octane, smoke-filled, revved-to-the-red world of ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett.

Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

“I grew up with my mum and her sisters who all rode horses, so when they did that I’d play with radio controlled cars,” says Mike. When he was six, his mother bought him a farm bike: “It had gears and a clutch which my mum didn’t know how to work so I had to teach myself. It all started from there. I was racing by the age of ten and at 17 I got second in the New Zealand pro nationals.” During his teens, Mike’s car-dealing uncle moved into the family home and most nights brought back a new ride to be drooled over. Mike had his first Mazda at 13 and soon learned his way around an engine. “I turned into a hoon during my teenage years,” admits the driver. “I also got into motocross [offroad motorcycle racing] and broke a whole heap of bones, including my back.”

While others on the circuit had their fathers’ guidance, Mike had no such discipline and thus, he says, became “a bit of a show-off.” It was not uncommon for a podium place to be lost on the final straight due to a badly-timed – though usually perfectly executed – no-hands jump. As the last century drew to a close, stunt motorcycling took-off in a big way, thanks in part to America’s Crusty Demons daredevil riders, and Mike performed New Zealand’s first ever freestyle motocross demo at the last Big Day Out of the nineties. “That’s how I got the name ‘Mad Mike’,” he says, “from those fearless ramp performances. I hated it at first because it was way too cheesy.” Now, he smiles, it gives him something to live up to.

His body battered, Mike sought the relative safety of a car cage. He turned his hand to drifting in 2007. “It was a natural progression really,” says Mike. “There was a lot of hype, people saying ‘just because he can do backflips on motorbikes doesn’t mean he can drift.’ But I made the top 16 in my first ever event.”

Drifting is a driving method whereby the driver deliberately oversteers causing a loss of traction in the tyres. Such is the extremity of the manoeuvres that the front wheels are usually facing the opposite way to that which the car is turning.

It’s a technique that originated on the treacherous mountain roads of Japan. To the untrained eye, it looks like controlled skidding, but it’s far more complex than that. Drifting is one of the fastest growing motorsports, with international events taking place throughout the year.

“You watch drifting and it looks so smooth and fluid from the outside,” says Mike.

“But what always shocks my passengers is how violent and intense it is inside – the acceleration, the smoke, the clutch and the gear changes – and when I watch it even shocks me how busy it is. But I don’t think about it when I do it, it’s just instinct.

The car is an extension of my body.”

Many, he adds, are surprised to hear that drift cars actually have more grip – and power – than many circuit cars. “I raced at the Formula One track in Melbourne and managed to get a photo finish with [F1 driver] David Coulthard,” says Mike.

Red Bull sponsored the event with drivers from different disciplines pitched against each other in identical cars. “It was my first time circuit racing and I beat Rick Kelly, who’s a V8 supercar champion, and led for most of the race until Coulthard smacked me off the track and took my line right at the end! He was amazed at how I weight transferred the car into the chicanes. We proved how fast drifting is.”

Mike talks proudly of his Red Bull sponsorship and that famous helmet worn only by the most skilled of extreme sportsman, those who dare to both dance with, and defy, death. In 2013, they produced Conquer the Crown,

a short which showcases Mike’s skilful slaloming of the snaking high-altitude highway from Queenstown to Wanaka, filmed from above by a chasing chopper.

Their partnership also gave us Drift Shifters. Mike’s brainchild, it’s a circus-like auto-extravaganza which brings some of the world’s finest drivers to perform their stunts and skills on the streets of Auckland. Mike compares it to pinball, and the dream, he says, is to take it to all the major capitals. He’s also appeared in a PlayStation game. Mike’s next goal is to win the world championship. This year may be too soon, he tells me, but he’s quietly confident he’ll be pushing for that first place in 2016.

“I have so much passion for the sport,” says Mike, “When I eventually retire I’d like to set up a ‘Mad Mike’ motorsport tuition business to get kids off the street and into racing. When I was growing up, there was no place to do it but on the streets. I lost my licence six times.” His first protégé has already arrived in the form of his sevenyear-old son, Lincoln. Becoming a father clearly didn’t activate the brakes. “When Toni [Mike’s fiancée and manager] was pregnant, people thought it might slow me down,” says Mike. “But if anything, it made me go more extreme, to push the boundaries even more to be that successful father that Lincoln could be proud of – especially as I’ve never met mine. He loves it all, the cars and bikes.

He even comes up on the podiums with me. I spoil him. I give him everything he wants: drift carts, motocross and BMX bikes.” With a Red Bull helmet? “No. He knows that one can’t just be given,” says Mike. “He has to earn that.”

Introducing the Cool, Classy 2015 CRV

DEB The last time we had a Honda CRV was on our adventure to Taupo in the snow and I didn’t get a look in! So I was determined to get my fair share of time in this cool and classy little number and WOW I am so glad I did.

JAY Once again I have had the immense pleasure of driving a Honda CRV. Much like the last model, this one too handled like a dream — with a few noticeable improvements, especially in noise reduction while cruising. This newer model emerging into the CRV world has the same cutting edge technology, a 2LSOHC i-VTEC engine and a few more techno savvy ingredients, like extra device ports, charger stations and a super slick CD station hidden under the flip up touch screen control, very neat.

To be honest I’m not the biggest fan of larger vehicles and was a little apprehensive about hopping in and going about my workday in the Auckland traffic. I needn’t have been, the CRV handles so well and with keyless entry, reverse camera and front and rear parking sensors the drive was a pleasure.

This together with a simple large one touch control panel, gorgeous leather seats, soft interior with cool chrome detailing and plenty of room definitely gets a huge thumbs up from me. The coolest part of my drive in the CRV was being able to park a larger vehicle *fist pump!* The worst part was having to hand the keys back.

The addition of side skirting on the new CRV 2WD Sport, transforms this vehicle into an incredible family wagon, corporate or pleasure craft. The new CRV's enhanced design, Sport + kit, and new 18 inch alloys really makes you stand out from the crowd, for all the right reasons.

Extremely good value for money here too folks at $46,900, this even includes a five year unlimited kilometre warranty and five years roadside assistance …do try it out!!

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Auckland Seaplanes Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

“I arrived here with my wife in 2007 from London having decided it would be a better place to raise our two young kids,” says Chris Sattler. “We explored the harbour and thought that there was something missing: why aren’t there seaplanes? We looked at the history and discovered there were some in operation for around 70 years, until 1989, so it was a case of re-introducing something that had been forgotten. Our seaplane has the registration AMA, which was the registration of the flying boat that first flew from Auckland to Sydney in 1939.

German-born Chris has been around aircraft for much of his life. Having spent a number of years in the maintenance wing of the fighter squadron of his nation’s air force, he gained his commercial licence and has since flown the skies above North America, Europe and Australasia. Fifteen months ago he finally founded Auckland Seaplanes with his wife, Masako. “I’d like to give a big thank you to her and my family,” says Chris. “It was three hard years getting it going, getting the approvals in place.

But it was worth the wait. It’s going so well. Our passengers are blown away by the experience and that makes us happy and enjoy what we are doing even more so. People are amazed by the beauty and the diversity of the sights around Auckland, such as the turquoise of the Hauraki Gulf and the ruggedness of the West Coast.”

wonderful experience. The take-off and landing in a seaplane is quite unique.”

Their aircraft, a DeHavilland Beaver (“the most iconic float plane in the world!”), has a range of 500 nautical miles and can be chartered for destinations around the city. A host of sightseeing and overnight options are also available. “We always show people Rangitoto,” says Chris. “We fly over the volcano summit and turn so that our guests can look inside the crater. It’s a

An added bonus is the wildlife. “There is always a lot to see in the air and in the water,” says Chris. “We see dolphins regularly, lots of fish feeding frenzies and the occasional whale and pod of orcas.” There is even the opportunity to fish from the plane, once it has landed, obviously. “It’s a maritime adventure as well as an aerial one,” says Chris. “The yachts love to see us, and vice

Further incredible experiences include jaunts to the islands of Waiheke, Kawau and Great Barrier. “We can arrange everything from basic accommodation to more luxurious lodges,” says Chris.

“We also do many flights to vineyards and restaurants.” Among the most popular packages are Waiheke’s Man O’ War vineyard, with the plane landing right next to the beach, where wine tasting and platters await, and also the island’s Oyster Inn, where the arrival Chris describes as “like something out of a Hollywood movie,” with the plane having to weave through the yachts.

Auckland Seaplanes have also been involved with a variety of television and film productions.

versa, with the passengers from each waving to one another.”

Inside, passengers are often given the chance to ride in the co-pilot chair, which Chris says affords the best photography opportunities, though the entire aircraft has been fitted with special sightseeing windows.

“My family and I have been here for eight years, we love it and wanted to share our love of Auckland with other people,” says Chris. “We always believed that our company would add something to the city. It’s so easily accessible for locals and visitors alike. From downtown, you can be at Great Barrier Island in 30 minutes, at the Bay of Islands in an hour.”

Right on cue, the aircraft lands outside at the end of the interview and a collection of smiling passengers disembark. “I got to sit in the co-pilots seat,” beams Greg, a self-confessed aviation nerd from Chicago. “It was cool because I cruised out to Rangitoto earlier in the week, and now I got to see it form the air. I’ve been on a seaplane before in Tasmania. It’s an amazing experience.”

Sarah, from the Isle of Wight, has never flown on a seaplane before, but joyously announces she has now completed every air transport mode there is: “Each time I’ve tried to do it before – in Canada and Australia – something has come up, but finally, it’s done and it was so worth it. It was absolutely fantastic!”

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Louvre

THE GREATEST CULTURAL TREASURE TROVE ON EARTH Two hundred and twenty two years ago the world’s most famous museum first opened its doors to the public; six centuries after its first foundations were laid by the first official King of France. It was sometime toward the end of the 1100s that Philip Augustus Two hundred and twenty two years ago the world’s most famous constructed a series of defensive structures — among the museum first opened its doors to the public; six centuries after largest in Europe — including a moat and a hundred-foot tower, its first foundations were laid by the first official King of France. It overlooking what was then the western edge of Paris, along the was sometime toward the end of the 1100s that Philip Augustus banks of the River Seine. Over the following centuries, as Paris’ constructed a series of defensive structures — among the largest in borders bulged, its defences moved with them, but ruins of the Europe — including a moat and a hundred-foot tower, overlooking city’s very first stronghold still remain. what was then the western edge of Paris, along the banks of the River Seine. Over the following centuries, as Paris’ borders bulged, It would be 400 years before the stoic structure was given the its defences moved with them, but ruins of the city’s very first chance to shine once more when Francis I ordered a complete stronghold still remain.

Renaissance-style reconstruction. In 1527, it was reborn, rebranded as a royal palace. It was here that the building’s link to It would be 400 years before the stoic structure was given the Leonardo da Vinci was first established when Francis, an esteemed chance to shine once more when Francis I ordered a complete patron of all things art, convinced the great Italian master to up Renaissance-style reconstruction. In 1527, it was reborn, rebranded sticks for Paris. Francis’ dream of a palace fit for a king continued as a royal palace. It was here that the building’s link to Leonardo da long after his death, the site continuing to expand and blossom, Vinci was first established when Francis, an esteemed patron of all sprouting wings designed by some of Europe’s finest minds. things art, convinced the great Italian master to up sticks for Paris.

Francis’ dream of a palace fit for a king continued long after his 1789, the French Revolution begun as heads of state began to death, the site continuing to expand and blossom, sprouting wings roll. The building became official public property. Three years after designed by some of Europe’s finest minds. the Storming of the Bastilles, for the first time the ordinary folk

of France were invited inside to witness an exhibition comprising of works confiscated from their nation’s nobility. Napoleon, never afraid to showboat, named the cultural complex Musée Napoléon, and within its walls displayed his vast array of war-won of France were invited inside to witness an exhibition comprised spoils, many of which were returned to rightful owners after the of works confiscated from their nation’s nobility. Napoleon, never Emperor’s fall. From then it was called the Louvre. afraid to showboat, named the cultural complex Musée Napoléon, and within its walls displayed his vast array of war-won spoils, many Over a century later, it was the turn of another army to envelop of which were returned to rightful owners after the Emperor’s fall.

Europe. As Hitler and his Nazi Party headed west, keepers of the From then on, it was called the Louvre.

Louvre hastily shipped to safety all they could; the first to go, the Mona Lisa. When the Germans arrived, the Louvre was nigh-on Over a century later, it was the turn of another army to envelop empty, only statues and sculptures too cumbersome to carry Europe. As Hitler and his Nazi Party headed west, keepers of the remained and the museum became a storage house for the Nazi’s Louvre hastily shipped to safety all they could; the first to go, the stolen loot.

Mona Lisa. When the Germans arrived, the Louvre was nigh-on empty, only statues and sculptures too cumbersome to carry The iconic glass pyramid, built by the father of modern remained and the museum became a storage house for the Nazi’s architecture, I.M. Pei, opened in 1989. Today, over 70,000 stolen loot. artworks covering 650,000 square feet of gallery space are visited by nearly nine million guests each year.

The iconic glass pyramid, built by the father of modern architecture, I.M. Pei, opened in 1989. Today, over 70,000 artworks Mona Lisa covering 650,000 square feet of gallery space are visited by nearly The world’s most famous painting once hung from Napoleon’s nine million each year. bedroom wall. In fact, the Mona Lisa wasn’t even the world’s most famous painting until its 1911 theft and the subsequent twoMona Lisa In 1789, the French Revolution begun and heads of state began to The world’s most famous painting once hung from Napoleon’s bedroom wall. In fact, the Mona Lisa wasn’t even the world’s most roll. The building became official public property. Three years after famous painting until its 1911 theft and the subsequent twothe Storming of the Bastilles, for the first time the ordinary folk

year hunt for its recovery. Da Vinci’s work revolutionised portrait painting and the identity of the enigmatic subject, painted with oil on poplar wood, remains unknown. It was created in Florence between 1503 and 1506. Measuring just 77cm by 53cm, it is one year hunt for its recovery. Da Vinci’s work revolutionised portrait of the Louvre’s smallest masterpieces, but remains its biggest painting and the identity of the enigmatic subject, painted with draw. As a reward, she even has her own eponymous room. oil on poplar wood, remains unknown. It was created in Florence between 1503 and 1506. Measuring just 77cm by 53cm, it is one The Seated Scribe of the Louvre’s smallest masterpieces, but remains its biggest draw.

As mysterious as the Mona Lisa, the Seated Scribe is considered As a reward, she even has her own eponymous room. one of the most important pieces of ancient Egyptian art. No one knows the identity of the person portrayed in the sculpture, or The Seated Scribe even the exact date it was made. The half-metre statue was found As mysterious as the Mona Lisa, the Seated Scribe is considered in 1850, in Saqqara, an ancient Egyptian burial ground. Famed for one of the most important pieces of ancient Egyptian art. No one its intricate face and piercing eyes of red-veined white magnesite knows the identity of the person portrayed in the sculpture, or in which crystals once nestled. It was likely crafted sometime even the exact date it was made. The half-metre statue was found between 2600-2500 BC. in 1850, in Saqqara, an ancient Egyptian burial ground. Famed for its intricate face and piercing eyes of red-veined white magnesite Winged Human-Headed Bull in which crystals once nestled. It was likely crafted sometime Often referred to as a ‘shedu’ or ‘lamassu’, the Winged Humanbetween 2600-2500 BC. Headed Bull is a mythical Middle Eastern creature, which was thought to ward off evil and enemies. This piece, standing four Winged Human-Headed Bull metres tall and carved from a single block of stone, once stood Often referred to as a ‘shedu’ or ‘lamassu’, the Winged Humanguard outside an 8th century BC palace of Sargon II, ruler of the Headed Bull is a mythical Middle Eastern creature, which was Assyrian Empire. thought to ward off evil and enemies. This piece, standing four metres tall and carved from a single block of stone, once stood guard outside an 8th century BC palace of Sargon II, ruler of the Assyrian Empire.

Aphrodite, known as the Venus de Milo One of the most famous examples of ancient Greek art, the Venus de Milo was crafted in the early 2nd century BC and is thought to portray Aphrodite, the goddess of love (called Venus Aphrodite, known as the Venus de Milo by the Romans). The marble object, which stands at a little over One of the most famous examples of ancient Greek art, the two metres, was likely crafted by Alexandros of Antioch. It was Venus de Milo was crafted in the early 2nd century BC and is discovered in 1820 in the Greek island of Melos and given to thought to portray Aphrodite, the goddess of love (called Venus Louis XVIII, who then donated it to the Louvre. Her arms have by the Romans). The marble object, which stands at a little over never been found. two metres, was likely crafted by Alexandros of Antioch. It was discovered in 1820 in the Greek island of Melos and given to Louis Diamond, known as the Regent XVIII, who then donated it to the Louvre. Her arms have never Legend has it the Regent diamond was discovered by a slave been found. in India around 1700 to be hidden among bandages over a self-inflicted leg wound. Upon divulging his secret to an Diamond, known as the Regent English sea captain, the slave was murdered, the 426-carat Legend has it the Regent diamond was discovered by a slave stone sold to Thomas Pitt, Governor of Madras. It was later in India around 1700 to be hidden among bandages over cut in England then sold to France where it was worn for the a self-inflicted leg wound. Upon divulging his secret to an first time by Louis XV at the reception of a Turkish embassy in English sea captain, the slave was murdered, the 426-carat 1721. A year later, it was temporarily mounted to the king’s stone sold to Thomas Pitt, Governor of Madras. It was later crown for his coronation ceremony. cut in England then sold to France where it was worn for the first time by Louis XV at the reception of a Turkish embassy in 1721.

A year later, it wasDesplaces temporarily mounted to the king’s Words: Jamie Christian crown for his coronation ceremony.

Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

Dayak Country Into the Heart of Borneo Words: Stephanie Brookes

What is a New Zealand photographer doing with a documentary film crew in a longboat in the wilderness in Borneo? David Metcalf is passionate about the Dayak people of Borneo (Kalimantan) and has spent years exploring the outer reaches of one of the most ecologically diverse landscapes on the planet. His dream of making a documentary film was motivated by his association with the Dayak people.

David Metcalf wanted to record the Dayak elders in their pristine rainforest environment and at the same time send a message to the international community about preserving ancient ways and raising awareness of these native people that live in the Kalimantan forests. Their environment is shrinking so the need to record on film the uniqueness of these gentle people and their strong culture, was the motivation behind this project.

A crew of fourteen men took to the rapids, including a film crew with cameras and sound gear to travers the jungle into the heart of Borneo. The journey involved dangerous raging river rapids and extreme challenges on the Kayan and Bahou Rivers to Long Saan, Kalimantan. The filming is now complete and their movie is due for release in mid-2015.

01

David led this expedition with six Kenyah Dayaks from Setulang Village in North Kalimantan to a place called Long Saan.

The journey was first envisioned via a conversation with one of the tribal Dayak elders, Pilius, who expressed his desire to return to his original village deep in the forest. He left his village in 1969.

American and Dayaks from Kalimantan, through their music, costume, dance and shared tribal wisdoms. He invited Kevin Locke (from South Dakota) on the Long Saan journey to record the many similarities these two cultures share, even though they are thousands of miles apart and live in two very different continents.

Pilius was a young boy when he left his original birthplace 44 years ago. A village decision was made to move from the forest to Setulang Village, a journey that took about four weeks across rugged wilderness, to improve the educational and healthcare opportunities of the villagers. All of his life, Pilius has longed to return home to his spiritual heartland and visit the burial grounds of his ancestors.

“On the journey we had people representing seven different countries.

This journey’s mission was to connect cultures through dance, song, art and ancient wisdom. I believe through creating a wider expression and voice for indigenous cultures globally, we can find common ground through ancestral prayers, cultural exchanges and a sharing of knowledge.”

When Pilius met David, he told him of his dream. It was at that point that David decided to make Pilius’ dream come true and the idea to make the film was born.

In addition to the making of a documentary film, a beautiful coffee table book on Borneo, with David’s spectacular photography, was released at the Ubud Writers Festival (Bali, Indonesia) in October 2014. The book is a collaboration between three artists work and is a stunning bookshelf piece on Borneo’s wildlife, native people and the beautiful forest environment.

Earlier this year, a chance meeting with a Lakota Sioux man, Kevin Locke, brought about a new development. David saw the cultural connection between Native

Two documentary film trailers have now been released. You can view trailer one and two at, www.youtube.com/user/ LongSaanMovie and www.youtube.com/ watch?v=vHMdGYIJhNA. David is seeking funding for stage two, which is for distribution and international film festival representation. Please help if you can, as this project moves to its final stages and needs a little assistance.

Read about the filmmaker, the team and the vision and please support the making of this cultural film by viewing the website www.thejourneyback.info Please 'follow' the Long Saan Kenyah Dayak journey www.facebook.com/ thejourneyback For more information email David Metcalf on davidmetcalf3@mac.com

01 — The old village of Long Saan has had virtually no visitors since 1975. | 02 — The Connecting of Cultures - Dayaks with Aussies, Kiwis, Balinese, Indonesian, British and Native American, a very happy group | 03 and 04 — Dayak Kenyah man philius reconnecting with the Land that he loves. amd the ancestral spirtis dwell.

02

Two charities initiated by David Metcalf: Ransel Buku is a grassroots programme providing environmental, health and cultural education to Dayak children in Central Borneo. http://www.gofundme.com/ranselbuku Darung Tingang Dayak Dance Studio is a new cultural programme in Pelangkaraya, Kalimantan, Indonesia. http://www.gofundme.com/Sitis-Dream

03

THE BOOK: LOOKING FOR BORNEO Mark Heyward, David Metcalf and Khan Wilson Creatavision Publishing Pty Ltd ISBN 978-0-9923736-1-0 Hardback 166 full colour pages, bonus CD, limited edition Available direct from the publisher www.creatavisionpublishing.com Price: NZD$60 plus postage

04

Words: Melanie Dower Photography: Anthony Milas

Not many people leave the New Zealand summer behind just as it is in full bloom, but for Auckland musician and photographer Anthony Milas the chance to experience a Nordic winter proved too good to miss.

While in Europe visiting family and friends in January, he spent ten days in Helsinki visiting friends who had relocated there.

“I had never thought about visiting Finland before and I’m not sure I would have come to visit otherwise.”

His spontaneous decision also meant he arrived during one of the coldest weeks of the Finnish winter so far. On his third day in Finland the temperature dropped to -16° Celcius, with a wind chill factor of -19°.

“My first impression was that being this cold didn’t feel nearly as cold as I thought it would. I’ve been in Arrowtown when it was above zero and the wind made it feel much colder. It helps that the houses in Finland are much warmer, you don’t come inside and stay cold as you often do in New Zealand.”

The chill didn’t put him off however, and Anthony spent his days exploring new sights and capturing the frozen landscape with his Canon 60D camera.

“It’s almost a feeling of being on another planet. The nature here in winter is almost hostile and what I enjoy most is the feeling of everyone being in it together. You know if you’re stuck out in the cold that anyone would help you. It’s not just a matter of being nice, it’s a matter of life and death, and that’s a really positive feeling actually.”

The risk doesn’t come just from the cold though, as when the mercury rises above zero the snow melts, only to freeze again as the temperature drops, leaving the streets slick with ice.

“Sometimes it’s really slippery. The street becomes like an obstacle course laden with booby traps, so shoes with really good grip are essential.”

The trip held lots of firsts for Anthony, including the chance to visit a beach covered in snow and seeing the Baltic Sea frozen in place. “It was surreal. I was also surprised that no matter what temperature it is, there are always kids under five playing outside. It’s such a big part of the culture to play with the snow and the kids are raised to understand that.”

While winter solstice has passed, the days are still short in Helsinki, with the sun rising

after 9am and setting just after 3pm. “I thought the short days would really bother me, but they haven’t,” says Anthony. “I’m taking a vitamin D supplement and I’ve noticed that if the sun does shine through a gap, I’ll stop and stand in it. Sunshine becomes more about quality than quantity and that little bit becomes much more valuable.”

Most New Zealand residents travel overseas during winter according to Statistics New Zealand and December through February are the quietest months for international travel, making them a great time for special airfares to places such as Finland.

“I’d definitely recommend to anyone who likes travelling to do this or something like it. You get to experience these crazy extremes, but once you’ve had enough you can easily head indoors, and I don’t know if there are many places like that,” says Anthony.

Although he’d like to return in summer, for now Anthony is glad he chose to come and experience his first Nordic winter.

“There’s something really beautiful about being somewhere that you’re not really meant to be able to survive. I’d often find myself taking in the beauty of the landscape and thinking, ‘I’m not really meant to be able to stand here and enjoy seeing this, but I am’.”

New Zealand Photographer in Finland

Six reasons why you should take up kayaking

Tramps, hikes and bike trails are an essential part of seeing the remarkable coastlines of New Zealand. But why walk and observe when we can explore and experience the waters ourselves?

VERVE’S PICKS FOR A KAYAKING VOYAGE:

1. NEW ZEALAND IS ONE OF THE BEST COUNTRIES TO KAYAK IN:

Bay of Islands

2. THE SPORT FOR EVERYONE:

Secluded bays and an abundance of marine life, such as marlin, whales, penguins, dolphins and gannets.

Coromandel Peninsula The top rating holiday playground of long sandy beaches.

Abel Tasman Mild and sunny climate, curving beaches of golden sands, large tranquil lagoons and forest covered hills on the edge of turquoise seas.

Marlborough Sounds: Queen Charlotte Sound Sheltered waters, stunning scenery and remote waterfront lodges.

Okarito Lagoon An ‘eco-experience’ of wildlife and natural wetlands.

Milford Sound For beautiful waterfalls and world famous peaks.

Dusky Sound Pristine forest, sheer rock walls and tumbling waterfalls. Local inhabitants include bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins.

Breathtaking coastlines and waterways surround us. From the Bay of Islands down to Fiordland there are multiple kayaking tours available for the beginner, the expert, and everyone in between. Paddling with the dolphins, jumping in for a snorkel and discovering the wonders of a marine reserve are all within reach in our country.

Whether it’s a leisurely paddle or an intense core workout, kayaking has exceptional versatility for all different ages and levels of fitness. Adrenaline junkie? A strong rapid or a stint in the surf should take care of that. Or for the less daring, the glassy waters of the Marlborough Sounds might be more appealing. A mental and physical challenge can be found in a kayak, while simultaneously a serene and relaxing experience can be found in the same boat.

3. VIP ENTRY FOR KAYAKERS:

Remote waterfront lodges in the Queen Charlotte Sounds, white heron colonies, and ancient Maori carvings across Lake Taupo are a few things only accessible via kayak or boat. Places you would never think to go until you jumped in a kayak! If a secluded bay is more your style, the Bay of Islands offers over 140 isolated locations for you to explore.

4. AN AFTERNOON ACTIVITY OR EXTENDED GETAWAY:

For many beginners, hiring a kayak for a day and paddling around a lake or beach in the sunshine is the perfect fit. Luckily for the more dedicated there are a number of kayaking companies now offering guided tours of New Zealand’s ‘water safaris’ for up to 14 days.

Forget hiking and tramping, kayaking means experiencing the scenery up close.

5. THE MOST AFFORDABLE BOAT AROUND:

Kayaking equipment can be affordably rented all over the country for those one-off adventures. Hiring kayaks guarantees a safe vessel and avoids the hassle of lugging around your own gear. For for the investors among us, once you own the equipment the maintenance is minimal. And being on the water doesn’t cost a cent!

6. YOUR BODY WILL THANK YOU FOR IT:

The low impact nature of kayaking has now been proven to have a range of physical and mental benefits. An improvement in aerobic fitness, core-strength and flexibility is a given, but the effect on one’s mental health has been noticed by health professionals for decades. The stroke of a paddle and the beauty of the great outdoors is enough to relieve anyone of life’s trivial worries. It’s a no-brainer.

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Print White: C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:0 Black: C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:100

Print White: C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:0 Grey: Darker than K:50

PARTNER STATUS

PARTNER STATUS

Screen White: R:255 G:255 B:255 Black: R:0 G:0 B:0

Screen White: 255 G:255 B:255 Grey: Darker than R:122 G:122 B:122 R:

Reverse Colours as above

Reverse Colours as above

SIMPLY PARNELL’S BEST

Platinum Print: C:62 M:54 Y:54 K:27 Screen: R:92 G:91 B:90

Find out about our Lose 5kg or 50kg Personal Training from $50p/w tailored training programs Xero Fresh $200 plus GST The Xero Fresh is a re-fresher course to test the checklist in action in your business and usually follows Xero Mate or Xero Hero.

• Management reports and GST reconciliation, • End of year preparation for Chartered Accountant.

Xero Mate $250 plus GST The Xero Mate is an entry –level course where you learn step 1 to 6 of the checklist and the following topics in Xero; • Basic Xero concepts • The Xero dashboard • Accounts basics • Bank accounts functions • Managing contacts • Xero help • Q&A

Xero Hero $350 RESULTS plus GST

GUARANTEED

The Xero Hero is a comprehensive course where you learn step 1-12 of the checklist and the following topics in Xero; • Reports centre • Report functions • Accounts – advanced • Managing Contacts • Price lists • Chart of accounts

Parnell Centre - 279 Parnell Road - seamus@keriropati.co.nz - 021 1592 909 Ponsonby Centre - 37 Mackelvie Street - keri@keriropati.co.nz - 021 530 807

www.keriropati.co.nz Xero Blue Print: C:90 M:0 Y:15 K:0 Screen: R:0 G:183 B:227

PLACE LOGO ON WHITE

BLACK & WHITE

This is the preferred colour treatment of the Xero Partner logos.

Primarily for use in newspaper or similar, where black and white are the only options.

Dark Blue Print: C:100 M: 35 Y: 35 K:0 Screen: R:0 G:130 B:155 Bronze Print: C: 30M:62 Y:72 K:13 Screen: R:163 G:103 B:75 Silver Print: C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:40 Screen: R:167 G:169 B:172 Gold Print: C:0 M:19 Y:100 K:0 Screen: R:255 G:204 B:0 Platinum Print: C:62 M:54 Y:54 K:27 Screen: R:92 G:91 B:90

FOR NUMBERS THAT WORK FOR YOU. ®

www.gofi8ure.co.nz

Print White: C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:0 PLATI NUM P ARTNER

SILVER PART NER

PLATI NUM P ARTNER

Screen White: R:255 G:255 B:255 Never place the colour logo on a coloured background. Please use an alternative colour treatment.

PARTNER STATUS

PARTNER STATUS

GREY & WHITE

Print White: C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:0 Black: C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:100 Screen White: R:255 G:255 B:255 Black: R:0 G:0 B:0 Reverse Colours as above

NOW OPEN SATURDAYS 9 til 1PM

WEEKDAYS Tues-Fri 9-3pm Ph 837 4276. (4 Enterprise Drive Henderson).

www.stmichel.co.nz

FROM Dan Hobby

I have joined the Award-winning Team at HOUSE OF TRAVEL REMUERA. I look forward to welcoming you in store soon.

Kind regards, Dan Hobby DDI: 522 3410 | danhobby@hot.co.nz

• Organisation settings • Tracking • Fixed assets • Foreign Currency • Setting budgets

XERO PARTNER LOGO COLOURS

BATHROOM FURNITURE & BASINS

Similar to ‘Black & White’, this treatment should only be used when full black is too strong.

PARTNER STATUS

PARTNER STATUS

Print White: C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:0 Grey: Darker than K:50 Screen White: 255 G:255 B:255 Grey: Darker than 122 G:122 B:122

R:

R:

Reverse Colours as above

House of Travel Remuera 351 Remuera Road 524 4112

We Design Your Desires Live With Nature.

ElderlyAssist Assist Elderly Elderly Assist Our specialities include: Our specialities include:

Our specialities include: • Downsizing and Decluttering • Downsizing and decluttering •Our Downsizing and Decluttering • specialities Packing andinclude: Moving ® • Packing and moving • Packing and Moving • Downsizing • Unpackingand andDecluttering layout assistance • Unpacking and layout •• Unpacking and layoutassistance assistance Assistance with the sale of furniture and belongings • Packing and Moving • Assistance with the sale of andbelongings belongings • Assistance with the sale offurniture furniture and • Estate dispersal • Companion • Unpacking and layout assistance Services

® ®

• Estate dispersal • Companion Services • Estate dispersal • Assistance with the sale of furniture and belongings Janice Willis • Companion Services • Estate dispersal • Companion Services 0800 839 874 | www.elderlyassist.co.nz 275 Ponsonby Road | Ponsonby | Auckland 1011 | New Zealand T: + 64 9 3786222 F: + 64 9 3606222 W: www.markmaple.co.nz

Janice Willis Janice Willis

0800 839 874 | www.elderlyassist.co.nz

0800 839 874 | www.elderlyassist.co.nz

Transforelmf Yours www.theconstructioncompany.co.nz 0800 WIL BLD

EastEr

PLEASE READ ALL COPY CAREFULLY. CHECK SPELLING AND PHONE NUMBERS. New Zealand’s foremost image and styling Once proof is approved APN Newspapers will not accept responsibility for incorrectpersonal copy or layout. consultancy, for that little bit of wardrobe magic.

Instore & Online

PLEASE READ ALL COPY CAREFULLY. CHECK SPELLING AND PHONE NUMBERS.

Look your best – call us NOW!

READ ALLNewspapers COPY CAREFULLY. AND PHONE NUMBERS. Once proof PLEASE is approved APN will notCHECK acceptSPELLING responsibility for incorrect copy or layout.

62a Benson road, remuera

Phone: 09 529 5115

Email: Once proof is approved APN Newspapers will not accept responsibility for incorrect copyinfo@signaturestyle.co.nz or layout.

OPEN 7 DaYs www.thebaytree.co.nz

35 Broadway, Newmarket

WORLD JOURNEYS

Sri Lanka There’s so much more to Sri Lanka than cricket and tea!

Few islands in the world offer the diversity that exists in Sri Lanka; from ancient cities to rich religious festivals, colonial memories to rolling tea plantations and some of the best beaches in the Indian Ocean.

Colombo, like many capital cities in developing countries, is fast changing its face. Skyscrapers arise where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained, with colonial buildings, traditional bazaars and Buddhist or Hindu temples.

Nearby Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was founded with tourism in mind, but has evolved into a highly respected conservation centre operating a scientific captive-breeding programme, the nearby river allowing the herd freedom of movement. The success story of Pinnawala has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world, and is an equally fascinating experience for visitors.

The city of Kandy was the last royal capital, and many of its traditions, arts and crafts are still lovingly kept alive. A great way to

explore Kandy is on a tuk tuk tour, taking in the lake, the bazaar and various arts and crafts centres.

Arguably the most iconic Sri Lankan sight is Sigiriya, a 5th century rock fortress, now a World Heritage Site. Built in 477-495 AD, the ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unique beauty rising 200 metres from the jungle.

Once the innermost stronghold of a 70 hectare fortified town, you can still view the moat, rampart and extensive gardens around its base.

The rock temple of Dambulla, built in the 1st century BC, is also a World Heritage Site. The most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples, the ceiling of this complex features the largest area of paintings found in the world, and a colossal figure of Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 metres.

Natural beauty and a surprising array of wildlife can be found in Sri Lanka’s National Parks. In the wetlands of Minneriya National Park are wild elephants, plenty of amphibians reptiles and prolific birdlife. Horton Plains, on a high windswept and misty saddle shelters the unique sambhur, leopard and endemic bear monkey. Take in one of the finest views in Sri Lanka at World’s End, a jawdropping 4,000 foot high escarpment.

Spice and tea plantations are also a highlight. The spice gardens of Matale allow a glimpse of how the spices are grown and processed, and also offer cooking demonstrations. Sri Lankan cuisine is renowned worldwide, dominated by fiery curries, sweet caramelised onion relishes, sour lime pickles, bitter melon, coconut, and fresh seafood on the coast.

Take the train to Nanu Oya to visit tea plantations growing some of the best tea in the world. Enjoy tea tastings and pluck your own tea on the estate to take home with you as a memento of this extraordinary land.

Packed with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, legendary temples, beautiful people, glorious beaches and some delightful national parks, Sri Lanka is a truly spectacular and intoxicating destination.

India & Sri Lanka small group hosted tour departing 3 Oct 2015

Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise and explore the forts and Maharajah’s Palaces of colourful Rajasthan. Discover the cultural heart of Sri Lanka, with Sigirya Rock, ancient ruins, spice markets, and the stunning scenery of lush tea plantations.

20 days from $9,735 per person (twin) incl. flights Tipping & travel insurance additional.

Contact your Travel Agent, or World Journeys 09 360 7311 www.worldjourneys.co.nz

Situated 300 metres out to sea, the bellini bar at Hilton Auckland boasts innovative cocktails and the perfect harbour backdrop. Soak up this summer’s sun with our exclusive G.H.Mumm Champagne pop-up bar.

Hilton Auckland, Ground Floor, Princes Wharf, 147 Quay Street, Auckland bellini. co . nz