Verve. December 2018. Issue 151. by Verve Magazine

— AUCKLAND’S FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE — PRICELESS ISSUE 151 — DECEMBER 2018 JANUARY 2019

The

Christmas Issue

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Kasey Sealy - Luce viola, Venezia - Oil on canvas board - 92 x 74 cm - $6,500

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BOMMA

JONATHAN BROWNING

BOMMA is a lighting brand from the Czech Republic, all hand blown glass which gives each piece a unique appearance and shape, tinted in various colours and some are available in

Jonathan Browning lighting from San Francisco, exquisite lighting made with beautiful aged bronze, brass and steel finishes, complimented with crystal light fixtures.

pendants as well as table lamps.

BUSTER + PUNCH

BERT FRANK

Buster + Punch is a collection of lighting and hardware which draws inspiration from Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashion, music and sub-culture scenes, featuring a unique mixture of materials like rose copper, smoked bronze and cold steel fittings with exposed old-fashioned filament LED bulbs.

Bert Frank is an award-winning British luxury lighting brand. Drawing influence from the design codes of the industrial era but with a modern twist, the company has quickly established a presence on the international design scene.

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T R E N Z S E AT E R INTERNATIONAL LIGHTING

Stretching up from the shores of Lake Wakatipu, the beautiful area called Bob’s Cove is a nature reserve that exudes a unique tranquil charm. And it is here you will find GlenTui Heights. The great outdoors right on your doorstep, yet only 10 minutes away from all the conveniences of Queenstown. WHY BUY IN QUEENSTOWN? When visitors fly into the Queenstown International Airport, the first thing that they notice is the incredible natural beauty of the area. Our popular resort town certainly packs a lot in, making its title of ‘Adventure Capital of the World,’ an apt one. If you are after a lifestyle that includes skiing, mountain biking, rafting, bungy jumping and skydiving, then Queenstown is the place for you. The town's biggest draw is without a doubt the mountains. The Remarkables, Coronot Peak and Treble Cone are all a quick drive away. And, with Wanaka and Cardrona just across the Crown Range, there’s plenty more alpine action to be had. The many Queenstown golf courses and wineries offer more, though less heart-pounding excitement. Central Otago wines are renowned for their quality. And the golf offering is of an international standard. MAKING QUEENSTOWN HOME? The township has plenty of shopping and nightlife attractions, and the huge amount of visitors (over two million each year) together add a palpable level of excitement and vibrancy to this stunning town. The issue you face when considering to buy a property in Queenstown is obvious in that you are far from being the first person attracted to the charms of the area. So how can you claim a piece all for yourself? BUILDING ? Building in a nature reserve has its perks. For one there is limited population density. With only a small amount of sections available there’s the chance to both find your feet here and to stretch out. The community is welcoming and close-knit. Property owners are a mix of young families and retired couples both local and international. The Bob’s Cove community come together with barbeques in summer and potluck dinners in winter. From grand Christmas parties to simply being there with a helping hand when necessary; people here put in the effort. If GlenTui Height’s sounds like a place for you and your family, please feel free to phone or email us today.

GlenTui Heights

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UP FRONT

GST 90 378 074 ISSN 2253-1300 (print) ISSN 2253-1319 (online)

Editors-in-Chief Fran Ninow and Jude Mitchell

VERVE MAGAZINE is published monthly (except in January) and has an estimated readership of 60,000. It is a free lifestyle magazine delivered to selected homes, cafés and businesses in Parnell, Newmarket, Remuera, Meadowbank, Epsom, Mission Bay, Kohimarama, Herne Bay, Takapuna and Devonport. Verve Magazine is placed in baskets for free collection from locations in Parnell, Newmarket, Remuera, Epsom, Mission Bay, St. Heliers, Ponsonby, Grey Lynn, Herne Bay, Auckland City, Takapuna, Devonport, Milford and Mairangi Bay. Visit ververmagazine. co.nz for exact locations these baskets. Verve is also available from all popular cafés in its main distribution areas as well as in ebook format. Visit vervemagazine.co.nz to sign up for your free monthly ebook. Verve is printed by PMP Print. It is distributed by PMP Distribution, Admail and Mailchimp. vervemagazine.co.nz

Writer Jamie Christian Desplaces

Advertising Enquiries (+64 9) 520 5939 jude@vervemagazine.co.nz fran@vervemagazine.co.nz

Graphic Designer Zanalee Makavani Junior Graphic Designer Ken Khun

Editorial Enquiries (+64 9) 520 5939 fran@vervemagazine.co.nz jude@vervemagazine.co.nz

Contributors Paris Mitchell, Manish Kumar Arora, Jackie O’Fee, Mya Cole, Dave McLeod, Jenna Moore, Natalie Allen, Dennis Knill, Billy Aiken, Alix Dougherty

Cover Image Colleen Heidman shot by Drew Blackwell drewblackwellphotography. com | @drewblackwellphoto

Subscriptions online@vervemagazine.co.nz Published by Verve Magazine Ltd 160 Broadway, Studio 10, Newmarket, Auckland 1023 PO Box 99-288, Newmarket, Auckland 1149

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 PMP Print and distributed by Reach Media, Admail and Mailchimp. vervemagazine.co.nz

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UP FRONT

HAPPY Holidays Love from the Verve team

Fran

Jude

Editor-in-Chief

I have always loved the idea of American Thanksgiving: a special once-a-year day dedicated to sharing time with the family and reflecting on the positive things in life. A wonderfully warm and such an important thing to do. I like to think of Christmas and the summer holiday season, as my thanksgiving: a chance to reflect on the year past, and the year to come. Most especially these are my big gratitude moments – humbling yet uplifting at the same time.

Wow, what an extraordinary year – it has gone by so rapidly. I have had so many wonderful acts of kindness from many people around me but I have equally had very sad times with my friend Loraine (left) of many years passing away. (Photo taken at our 50th many years ago!!)

10 2

My Christmas and summer holiday is to be a busy one with a generous helping of visitors – close friends and family (including my 92 year old mum). I can’t wait to see them all. In closing, my special thanks to my business partner, Jude, our wonderful Verve team who always go above and beyond, our clients who make Verve possible, and to you, our readers – who responded to our bag drive so enthusiastically. Your generosity is unforgettable. Happy Christmas to you all.

Verve has once again been extremely wonderful to all of us. Working here in our office in Newmarket – we are all so proud of everything we've achieved, especially the women’s handbag charity collection! For me Christmas will be celebrating with my family at our bach in the Coromandel. I feel so privileged to have this wonderful retreat in the Coromandel where I can celebrate good times with my family. I will miss my son in New York, his wife and darling Poppy my grand-daughter – but will see them in February. Wishing you all the very best for 2019 next year and thanks for reading Verve – we will continue to publish monthly throughout the next year.

V ERV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

Jamie Christian Desplaces

Dave Mcleod

Aj Major

I’ll be spending the holidays across the ditch catching up with some reading, some friends and some cocktails. Wishing all Verve readers a very merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. Look forward to sharing more stories with you in 2019.

It’s been an action-packed year full of fast cars and exotic locations, but someone has to do it. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Be safe, hug the family a little bit longer and I look forward to you joining me on what exciting adventures 2019 brings.

Each year I have more pre-Christmas traditions than things planned for the actual day. My friends and I usually have a small gathering a few days before the big day where we exchange gifts before walking up Franklin Road to see the Christmas lights. I’m likely to be moving house this summer, so I’ll be spending a lot of the holidays apartment viewing. Hoping we have less rain over the coming weeks and lots of sunshine!

Senior Writer

Sales and Editorial

Social Media

Zanalee Makavani

Ken Khun

Christine Cormack

This year has been great, a lot of amazing concerts, fantastic times with friends and a lot of creating. Really been enjoying seeing everyone working hard for their craft and hustling hard. I’m really looking forward to a break and to just have time to relax. Also this year, a lot of my favourite artists dropped ‘fire' projects, here is a small list of a few of my favourites:

I'll be attending a few music festivals these holidays! On the top of my list is Northern Bass, where I'll be camping for three days with my mates and grooving to upbeat music. Next is Bay Dreams down in Tauranga, and lastly I'll be back in Auckland to get down under the sun and enjoy the summer vibes at Laneway. @knkhun

Christmas 2018 will be tinged with some sadness as it's the first Christmas for my family without our mother who passed away earlier this year.

Senior Graphic Designer

• • • • • •

Diggy Dupe - Island Time Caramelo - Tales From The Dungeon Melodownz - Melo & Blues Robb Banks - Mollys World Year of The Snitch - Death Grips Church & AP - Through Bread

Junior Graphic Designer

Big thanks to the Verve team for everything they have taught me and a big thanks to Zanalee. I wish everyone a safe holiday.

Admin

Christmas Day will be spent at my brother's beach house at Piha. We are looking forward to the summer beach celebration with numerous extended family and friends. It is a time we enjoy spending together – eating, drinking, teasing each other and doing our bit to play beach cricket with all the kids. I wish Jude, Fran, Zanalee and all our Verve readers a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous 2019.

V E RV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

L-R: Christine Cormack, Fran Ninow, Colleen Simpson, and Jude Mitchell

DEC 2018

THE GIFT OF GIVING FOR THE GIRLS You may have caught Verve co-editor Fran Ninow on TV show The Project at the tail-end of November, rightly glowing about the magazine’s Gift A Bag (#giftabagthisxmas) campaign that’s been running the past few months having passed the wonderful milestone of more than one thousand donations.

“There has been a whole heap of mini-collections,” beams Fran. “I’ve even had two lots of bags delivered anonymously to my house. It just goes to show the power of advertising for it’s hard to tell sometimes how well a magazine’s working, but we’ve had such an amazing response. It’s been overwhelming.”

“Jude [Mitchell, co-editor] actually came back from the States last year with the idea, but it was too late to do anything about it, so we put in the diary for this year,” says Fran. “We began in September, inviting our readers to bring in handbags that were gathering dust at the back of the wardrobe, and fill them with necessities and toiletries for women and girls, maybe adding a little gift and a note for Christmas. We’ve had an amazing response.”

“We’re very lucky to have the magazine as a vehicle for the project,” adds Jude. “We really didn’t know what to expect, but there’s been over a thousand donations so far and it hasn’t stopped yet. I think it’s fascinating to consider the thought process that’s gone into the packing of each handbag.”

The bags are being donated to Auckland City Mission and Women’s Refuge. Last Christmas, an investigation in Noted concluded women bear a disproportionate brunt of poverty at Christmas, with those who are struggling likely to be aged 20-40 with five or more people in the household. A quarter tend to more than seven. According to the Child Poverty Monitor, 27 percent of Kiwi kids live in households suffering income poverty (classed as less than 60 percent of the median contemporary income), while seven percent—that’s 80,000 children—are growing up in severe hardship. Chris Farrelly of Auckland City Mission says that many women make huge sacrifices “bringing up their children, and other people’s children, on their own”, and, for the majority of the 8,000 children they give presents to, it will be the only gift they receive over the holidays.

“It’s amazing to think of the journey of the bags too,” Fran says, “maybe beginning life in a Hong Kong factory and winding up, via a woman’s wardrobe, at City Mission putting a smile on someone’s face.” And what lesson have the magazine bosses learnt along the way? “The importance of giving, of selflessness,” says Jude. “One woman we met had recently recovered from cancer having lost her adult child in a car accident. She was an inspirational lady, really incredible.” “If you’re thinking of doing something, then run with it,” says Fran. “You never know where it might lead.” And the ladies wish to thank everyone who’s lent a hand or given a bag.

Jude was recently contacted by Colleen Simpson, who, though suffering from cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, loved the Verve campaign so much she wanted to jump on board. And what an asset she has been. “Colleen wanted to get involved with fundraising and collecting handbags, plus it would take her mind off not feeling well,” Jude says. “Just the other day we went to her house and she was there with six friends and about 350 bags lined up in her lounge. Not only were the bags stuffed full of beautiful products along with a beautiful card to let the women know they were being thought of this Christmas, but her friend in the US had raised $1,000 and got it converted into Pak ’n Save vouchers. It was a gorgeous sight.” Barfoot & Thompson Remuera and ASB, also inspired by Verve, have between them collected hundreds more handbags brimming with gifts. L-R: Maureen Dawson, Colleen Simpson, Monique Doy and Jackie Reeve.

V E RV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

THE COLLAB

When Heritage & Modern Mix

WORDS: SARAH SPARKS

DEC 2018

When an iconic jeweller and renowned illustrator collaborate, magic happens. It “breaks the mould” according to the New Zealand Herald reporting on the luxury collection featuring settings of 18-carat yellow gold, black diamonds, platinum accents through to a oneoff six-carat diamond. “We had an idea to create with someone outside of jewellery,” says Joe Tattersfield, managing director of Walker and Hall. Enter, Kelly Thompson, renowned illustrator and creative consultant who has worked with some of the world’s top fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands.

pieces for the modern woman and now link the next generation to a jewellery institution first established in 1899. “There are a whole lot of circular references like that in this collection,” Joe says. “Fashion itself has lots of cycles – one stage is followed by a pendulum swing to the other.” Forget minimalised design that’s “micro this and mini that”, instead think bold, stronger, more confident statement pieces in either sterling silver or gold. Inspired by vintage '70s wallpaper and art deco buildings, Kelly has played magnificently with metals, contours, shapes and textures.

The two collections referencing the 1920s and 1970s are a juxtaposition – innovative design with simplicity – vintage recaptured through modern eyes. On their first meeting, Kelly brought key pieces from her vintage jewellery collection as examples of what she loved, which Joe explains, was a meeting of minds. “She pulled out pieces picked up over the years that she liked the texture, angle, movement, and construction of. I instantly thought, ‘Wow, that’s similar to my aesthetic',” he says. “We also shared a similar appreciation for period design styles.” Quite quickly the pair developed designs for two collections featuring a pair of earrings, a necklace, bracelet and ring. “Kelly definitely pushed the limits, with her designs,” says Joe. “There was quite a bit of time spent in how to create the collection.” He believes they’ve stayed true to Kelly’s original designs. “If you saw the first sketches she provided then you’d think it was an exact representation in what we created in the end,” he says. The two collections referencing the 1920s and 1970s are a juxtaposition – innovative design with simplicity – vintage recaptured through modern eyes. Pulled together they’re perfect

The second collection titled #20 channels art deco. Only 15 pieces exist crafted out of rose cut black diamonds set in 18-carat yellow gold. One bracelet of only two ever made contains 12.34 carats alone. “The #20 bracelet is a true signature piece, that can be passed down for generations,” Joe says. His favourite must-haves include the six-carat ring which he admits was the “ultimate indulgence” to make, plus the glamorous #70 earrings. “They have enough detail to be interesting but not over embellished. I like how they move, the reflection, the flat surface, and how that interplays with the light which is really interesting.” The ring was a real departure from a normal setting. “There are quite a lot of elements – changing and graduating through the ring. The aspects and angles made it quite complicated,” Joe says. Taking a step outside the tried and true way to get a design perspective that says, ”Why don’t we try this or try that?” has opened a new door for Walker and Hall. You can see that the collaboration has absolutely broken the mould.

0800 674 255 | 09 369 1624 WALKERANDHALL.CO.NZ

MORTIMER HIRST WELCOMES OPTOMETRIST, WENDY HILL TO ITS CLINICAL TEAM An interest in eyecare was formed at an early age for optometrist Wendy Hill, who began wearing glasses at nine years old. Wendy’s interest was further piqued several years later when her younger sister was diagnosed with a rare and sight-threatening eye condition. A timely diagnosis and appropriate referral to an eye surgeon saved her vision. Wendy was fitted with her first pair of contact lenses at the age of 14 and says it was a life-changing event. She still gets immense satisfaction watching the transformation contact lenses can bring to peoples’ lives. Graduating with a Bachelor of Optometry from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa in 1997, Wendy moved with her family to New Zealand the following year and she has called Auckland home ever since. In 1999 Wendy passed the OCANZ (The Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand) examinations, enabling her to practise in New Zealand. In 2009 Wendy completed a two year course in ocular therapeutics at the Department of Optometry and Vision Science (DOVS) at the University of Auckland, graduating one year later with a post graduate diploma in Science, under the supervision of Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer. With a special interest in glaucoma, Wendy has worked alongside Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer since 2004.

Wendy is a board certified glaucoma prescriber, which allows her to manage and treat the condition. Other areas of special interest for Wendy include myopia control and the management of dry eye. Wendy has been a director on the board of the OCANZ since 2016. She is a member on the Professional Conduct Committee of the New Zealand Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board and is also an external examiner for the final year clinical examinations at the Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences (DOVS) at the University of Auckland. Wendy is passionate about sharing her enthusiasm for her profession with students. Wendy has spent the last 16 years working as an optometrist in Newmarket. According to Wendy, joining the highly-experienced clinical team at Mortimer Hirst provides an ideal environment for her to expand her knowledge and continue to evolve as a clinician. Wendy’s skill set and experience is a perfect fit for our industry leading clinical team says the Mortimer Hirst clinical director, Grant Watters. Wendy Hill is based at Mortimer Hirst’s St Heliers practice.

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DEC 2018

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UP FRONT

WHAT'S INSIDE? Up Front –

12 The Gift of Giving for the Girls 14 When Heritage & Modern Mix –

Celebrating Women –

20 The Stylish Colleen Heidmann 22 Zoë & Morgan 26 Paris Georgia 32 Zanalee Makavani –

Home & Design –

40 Into the Blue 52 Lights & Sculpture 56 Modern Design –

Travel –

75 The Anam Experience 84 Top Travel Destinations –

Health, Beauty & Fitness – 90 Auckland’s Aces 100 Cleansing Beauty 108 12 Days of Christmas –

Food –

116 ‘Tis Time for Celebration 122 Korean Food Kiwi-fied –

Art –

134 Dane Mitchell 136 What’s On –

Swerve –

140 Diamond in the Rough 144 Devilishly Detailed –

Win –

158 Win with Verve –

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DEC 2018

CELEBRATING WOMEN 19

Verve sits down with some inspirational ladies from around the globe to find out what makes them tick.

V E RV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

THE STYLISH,

C OL L E E N

HEIDMANN

DEC 2018

Inspired by the elegance and style of many mature women, Ari Seth Cohen created Advanced Style, a movie, a blog, and social media feed, which rocketed him, and many of the subjects he photographed, to fame. Colleen Heidemann is one of these women: Her signature bouffant grey hair, beautiful ﬁne body, her age and her inimitable style have made Colleen an instant attraction. She chats to Verve about beauty, fashion, her family and her enthusiasm for life and love. Thank you, Colleen, for being so gracious and accepting our invitation to speak with Verve. We love your style. You were discovered in your vintage clothing store, please tell us a little about the encounter? On a lovely Saturday afternoon in November a young man by the name of Ari Seth Cohen entered my store and asked if he could take my photo, and this was the beginning of the beginning. You have raised two sons. They must be incredibly proud of their mum? Indeed, I have raised two wonderful sons. They are immensely pleased that I am steadfastly working on behalf of a cause in which I believe so strongly, so adamantly, attaining a relevant, prominent place for the older woman front and centre upon the world stage. But at the end of the day, I am simply still 'just Mum'. Tell us a little about your love of fashion. You have a lovely sense of style, was this passed down from your mother? Thank you for your lovely compliments. My earliest recollection of fashion stems from the beautifully made doll clothes my mother created to outfit my Terri Lee. Also, I spent endless hours playing with paper dolls, cutting, gluing, assembling, creating, changing looks which I preferred to those shown on the pages of paper doll books. Having lived in Asia as a child and having travelled somewhat extensively all of my life I have always been exceedingly interested in that which people choose to wear on the many different streets throughout the world. Style for myself—though I have many designers I dearly love to follow—is intensely personal. Usually when I first see a design I instantly form a visual of how I wish to wear it and exactly where it must be worn. I am sure you will agree with Fran and I that age is purely a number and it is the wealth of knowledge, the positiveness that we all need as we age gracefully. Tell us how you age gracefully? Everyday I want so much to learn something which is new. One can never be bored if this might become one’s daily goal! Now at the age of 70 I am most definitely realising that this is not only dire as it relates to the mental sensibilities but equally imperative and critical as it applies to myriad physical activities. Never must we allow ourselves to stop reading, writing, or listening to music. Study something which has always interested you, play cards, solve puzzles—I love crosswords—write a children’s book or put your life story on paper. Get off the sofa and walk, ride a bicycle, hike, visit your local gym, be active! Someone once said to me, “You’ll be in as much pain from working or using your body as you will from struggling to get out of a chair, to find your balance.” Aches, pain, and discomfort are all normal

within ageing, so make them a positive part of your life! Also might I stress, how very vital it is to remain interactive with people, whether family, and old as well as new friends. Engage in thought-provoking, wonderful conversation and marvellous laughter. Many of us older women are deeply inspired by your unique sense of style and attitude towards life. Is there anyone in particular that inspires you? People who choose to push the limits of their capabilities are those whom I find so inspiring. Those who find a remarkable way to get up each day putting one foot in front of the other and getting on with the discovery of life. Don’t count on time which may not avail itself to you. Every day must be an adventure! What three words do you think best describe your attitude to life? Not, now, when?! How did appearing in Advanced Style change your life? Advanced Style has changed my life in ways unimaginable. A photo was seen here which prompted a letter sent to me from a young woman living in Germany, whose name is Antonia Hemgesberg. We started an Instagram page together which due to her steadfast tenacity has allowed me a worldwide campaign with UGG as well as a modelling contract with NEXT Los Angeles. Neither of these extraordinary happenings was ever a consideration, nor did I think would ever become an actuality. A wonderful new purpose has been gifted to my life, so many wonderful women and men who reach out so positively on a daily basis. Seeing ourselves at this later stage in life in ad campaigns, magazines and television commercials will thus allow us to realise life is not slowing down, nor will it cease, but wonderfully, continue on! What does beauty mean to you? Beauty is that which elevates my spirit to a place of sheer joy. Any of its myriad forms: literature, music, art, design, theatre, dance, nature, and love. By all means, love! I can’t imagine trying to get through this life without some form of its uplifting presence experienced each and every day. When not working—what is your favourite way to relax? I have recently discovered the joy of hiking on the deserts many magnificent paths. Too, I simply adore coffee with friends! Any special message for the women of New Zealand? I have always wanted to visit this magnificent country which I have heard many times in my life is quite possibly the most splendid place on Earth. I am thrilled in whatever way it might be to be a part, to hold a place within your day! My love and hugs to one and all, gorgeous New Zealand!

@ C O L L E E N _ H E I D E M AN N

ZOË & MORGAN WO R D S — J E N N A M O O R E

Nestled on Kent Street in Newmarket Zoë & Morgan’s gorgeous new shop is a must visit. THE NEW STORE Zoë & Morgan Newmarket is a stylish space with striking cathedral ceilings and floors that have formed the foundation of the building for 100 years. “We fell in love with the space,” says Zoë whose husband Teia fitted out the shop before it was blessed by a Maori priest. NEWMARKET, CITY WORKS DEPOT & NOTTING HILL The third addition to the Zoë & Morgan stable, the first shops opened in 2013. Situated at Auckland’s City Works Depot and Primrose Hill in London, the latter has just moved to vibrant Notting Hill. A FAMILY AFFAIR Run by three siblings—Morgan, Zoë, and Ruth—from London, Bali and Auckland respectively, jewellery was a trade passed down to the trio by their father Douglas, a silver and goldsmith. “Dad was Argentinean, our mother is English and we lived in the Cotswolds." says Zoë. “A bit of a hippie, Dad decided peace would come in the Pacific so we came to New Zealand by boat with stops in Japan, Jamaica, Panama, and Tahiti in the '80s.” MOONBIRD Settling in Devonport, Douglas opened a shop called Moonbird. “We learned the trade there,” says Zoë. “We had to work in the shop to earn to buy the materials.” Moonbird closed when the family went travelling. “What we didn’t know was that Dad was in the first stages of dementia so he didn’t re-open,” says Zoë.

DEC 2018

AN INSTANT SUCCESS “When we started there was a hole in the market and straight away we got into places like Net-a-Porter,” says Zoë. “We were so lucky. Teia and I came back to New Zealand nine years ago—we’d gone over to the UK for a little OE and 11 years later came back with a business and two kids.” Zoë now runs Auckland, Ruth Notting Hill and Morgan is based in Bali working on their contemporary range. NON-TRADITIONAL Zoë & Morgan is non-traditional in that it’s based on family values and connections. “I must honour a woman I met 15 years ago in London,” says Zoë. “Her name was Dr Smart and she advised me to think about life in a holistic sense not just in a work sense. Our business encompasses the whole family, between us we have four children and we come together all over the world. At the opening party for this store, there were just as many children as adults”.

Freya & D eco S et B esp o ke Co llec t io n

GIVING BACK Zoë recently celebrated her 40th birthday and was touched by the love from family, friends and the crew. The Zoë & Morgan team interacts with customers daily who are buying gifts for loved ones. “We incorporate this into our jewellery, combining beautiful designs with a story or meaning so people can give a gift that is personal and truly meaningful,” says Zoë. “Every year we reflect back on the kindness people have shown us and we all feel like it’s important to give back in return. We work closely with charities who's values align with our own. THREE RANGES: A favourite among jewellery lovers, Zoë & Morgan comprises: • Contemporary: made of sterling silver and gold plating. • Fine: 18-carat gold with materials like a hand-cut crystal from Brazil. • Bespoke: engagement, wedding, and customised pieces.

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6 B K E N T S T R E E T, N E W M AR K E T / Z O E AN D M O R G AN. C O M / 09 520 1520

CONNECTING TO TRUE PERSONAL POWER WO R D S — S AR AH S PAR K S

They say never underestimate the empowering effect of deep human connection. It can attract wealth, influence and love. Through wisdom found on her own journey, Suzanne Masefield knows how to unite you to your life purpose using practical steps. “My job is getting people to connect with themselves so they can connect better with others,” she says. The author, executive coach and body-mind analyst, is a familiar face on TV as she’s fast become the go-to expert media call about body language. When not consulting to some of the biggest casinos and corporates in the world, Suzanne works one-on-one with general managers, CEOs and entrepreneurs. She says diving deep in a safe space ultimately connects the dots to true personal power.

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“My job is getting people to connect with themselves so they can connect better with others.”

“It’s about getting that connection so you come across with presence and charisma so people follow you rather than you managing them,” she says. One client Suzanne’s mentored for nearly six years has accelerated up the corporate ladder from being a manager to CEO—and she’s a busy mum of four. “It’s about owning your value and really understanding the uniqueness of what you have to offer instead of being in a state of I’m not enough or good enough.” She calls her works “Collaborative Intelligence™”. It’s all about creating homeostasis through having mental focus, being emotionally centred, and physically present using strategy and presence. Alignment is everything. So is having an acute awareness of how you impact others. If there’s any unconscious self-sabotaging behaviour going on, she’ll flush it out, same with those in burnout mode. Honing in on both tangible and intangible goals is Suzanne’s secret. The intangibles are actually what most want but they go about it by doing the tangible. “Your intangibles could be feeling confident, feeling productive, feeling balanced, free or secure,” she says. “Making an impact, receiving recognition, being valued, making more money or even losing weight are the tangibles.” The flow-on effect is more tangibles are achieved as clients work toward the intangibles. She often works with two demographics: people that feel undervalued or cannot communicate their value, and those struggling with how they’re communicating. One of the biggest issues for women is not being able to communicate their value to get paid their worth. “I am really good at helping them with this, there is a way,” she says. For men it’s their communication style. Experts promoted due to their technical skillset that are weak managing people or aggressive alphas who fire bullets at their staff. “Their IQ is very high but their EQ is very low.” While the corporate world is Suzanne’s typical territory, in January 2019 the general public have an opportunity to join her new programme, Be Bold on Purpose Mastery for Execs and Entrepreneur’s. The exclusive mastermind incorporates online group sessions plus one-on-one coaching and access to Suzanne’s online course, Signals to Success, that teaches body language and emotional intelligence.

Free discovery sessions will be held for applicants with up to eight chosen for the special six-month programme that’s priced at a third of what she usually charges. Her normal fee can be up to $20,000 for a tailored package. “This is a bit of an experiment as usually this type of programme is only run with executive teams in house, but I want to spread it a bit further,” Suzanne says. Being bolder becomes a language in her eyes. “For me, 'being bold' is very rounded, it’s about being present, owning your challenges and your magnificence.” She’s also inspiring the next generation with her new magical adventure book, Eddie Motion and the Tangible Magik. Five years in the making and now part of a trilogy, it’s injected with all the same life lessons she teaches adults. “I didn’t want it to be a lecture book—I wanted it to be magical.” Forty percent of the book’s proceeds are dedicated to a charity set up in honour of her little nephew, Kit. The charity has already raised £25,000 towards research in the UK to help prevent the unnecessarily high rate of neonatal deaths occurring every day in hospitals. Producing the book was a “big learning curve” for Suzanne. After putting it aside for years thinking it wasn’t a wise business move, she had an epiphany. “I realised I’d cut a big part of me off which is what I tell my clients not to do.” By reclaiming her inner child, the integration honoured intangible goals that have achieved a far reaching, deeper connection. The book is now an Amazon best-seller. “When you’re connected you feel it—you’re comfortable in your own skin, easy with other people, can pick up what’s going on in a group situation and adjust accordingly so you can positively impact all areas of your life.” Contact Suzanne at thebodylanguagecompany.com or beboldonpurpose.com

Purchase Suzanne Masefield's magical adventure book, Eddie Motion and the Tangible Magik at TangibleMagik.com

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KIWI FASHION GO-GETTERS:

PARIS GEORGIA WO R D S — AL I X D O U G H E R T Y

Young Kiwi designers Paris Mitchell Temple and Georgia Cherrie, took on the competitive fashion industry designed their own success. Paris and Georgia, friends since age 13, dreamt of one day having a fashion label together. But unlike many of us who just dream, the pair worked hard to turn their dream into a reality. Following high school, the two inspiring young women went to university to study fashion, as well as soaking up the industry by travelling to some of the worlds most fashionable cities. Paris studied fashion in Auckland, while Georgia studied marketing and fashion in Barcelona. They also immersed themselves with the industry by travelling to cities like Paris and New York, before returning home and taking the leap to start their own label. “Fashion was something that we always felt really drawn to, it just felt right.” The Designers tell Verve that one of their biggest inspirations to starting their own fashion line was their mothers. Both of their mothers are hard working, successful, independent women with their own businesses, and this gave them the confidence. Paris Georgia embodies the empowerment of women; along with independence, success and beauty. The young designers are inspired by successful and confident women, and they reflect this in their “clean” and “classic cut” designs. Aged 23, the pair started by putting together their savings from working abroad, and took a trip to Los Angeles to buy a bunch of vintage clothes. They then went on to re-sell these in their own vintage store; marking the start of their business endeavours.

Soon after, they designed and launched their very own “classic” line, now known as ‘Paris Georgia’. Designing their own unique attire was where they had always wanted to focus their time and passion. The two inspiring young women design clothing themselves. Which is then made in New Zealand with high-quality fabrics sourced from Japan and Italy. The duo tell Verve that the main factors that helped them get started were contacts, conversations, and social media. The young designers had some contacts in New Zealand from having grown up here, but also because Paris’ mother was in publishing. In addition to this, Paris had worked at Vogue in New York so they had contacts there too. Paris and Georgia also explain how not only did their supportive contacts help with getting started, but also, simply having conversations with people in the industry; from financial, to logistics, to design and creative people, helped increase their knowledge. “Every conversation helps with people who have experience, because essentially, when you start out, you actually have none.” In regard to getting their name out there and brand recognition, Paris and Georgia tell Verve that they have been very lucky with the help of social media, as it has allowed them to be in touch with anyone in the world. But most importantly, one of the key factors to their success has been "fearlessness", and having the confidence to follow their dreams! The more fearless you are, the more likely you’ll get where you want to be. Paris and Georgia are living their dream, and they say that their favourite thing about being designers—along with travelling, and the talented people they work with—is that they are doing what they love!

PA RISG EO RG IA STO RE .CO M

parisgeorgiastore.com Showroom open 10amâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;4pm every Saturday. 19 Williamson Ave, Grey Lynn, Auckland.

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“It’s all about giving clients a stress-free

L CI RC L U WO R D S — S AR AH S PAR K S

have to worry about the small things.”

U R NS T E

experience so they don’t

After recently being a vendor herself, life's been turning full circle for the Bay’s newest Bayleys residential agent, Lisa Thorsen. She is back from Tauranga to the place she ﬁrst grew up in.

It’s expressed in her creative marketing scripts, photography and even the home-staging.

As the third generation in her family to live in the Bay, “It is like returning home,” she says.

The legal grounding that comes with an understanding of the whole process is also a substantial strength of Lisa’s. So is her work ethic.

“I really love that village feel of St Heliers—it’s close-knit with the ocean, reserves and good schools all on your doorstep.” The former St Thomas’s pupil relocated north out of Auckland as a child only to return in her late teens.

“Property has a life—it has an energy of its own. If you can tap into that 75 percent of people buy the property from the marketing alone before they’ve seen it.”

“When I say I’m going to do something—I do it by being in constant communication with my clients so they know what is happening in a campaign at any moment in time. "It’s all about giving clients a stress-free experience so you don’t have to worry about the small things.”

She studied law at university and lived with her grandparents in Brookfield Street while waitressing in St Heliers. The memory of their view of the harbour and Rangitoto still remains. “It was amazing and where I spent my formative years.”

So is having perseverance in getting contracts drafted, skilfully negotiating outcomes and explaining the impacts of the technical side—be it an easement through to covenant.

London beckoned after graduation yet it was her father, a legal counsel, that saw the connection between law and real estate.

Or appreciating the process of how an agreement needs to be made with lawyers if property is sold after a marriage breakdown and knowing what questions to ask and how the situation can unfold.

So after always having a singular vision to be a lawyer, Lisa made the switch to selling in the luxury lifestyle category from mid-2015 onwards. Upon reflection, there are definitely commonalities between both disciplines the former relationship property and family law specialist says. “It’s the caring about people—solving problems, giving solutions and knowing what makes them tick.” She confesses to having a love of character homes, always enjoying going deeper to find out the story behind the property itself.

For vendors, Lisa is straight up. “Employ an agent that is going to be truthful with you. Immaculate presentation is paramount even if it means decluttering and staging.” Her advice for purchasers is to be organised in advance for competitiveness. “Aim to be cashed up or at least have your finance sorted so you’re in a position to make an unconditional offer.” That said, as she unpacks from her own move, the busy mum of two is now embracing her new life by taking her dog for a walk on Tamaki Drive just like a local.

B AY L E Y S. C O. N Z/ L I S A-T H O R S E N / 021 442 655 L I S A.T H O R S E N @ B AY L E Y S. C O. N Z

THE METAMORPHOSIS OF A JEWELLER WO R D S — S AR AH S PAR K S

“I’ve been reinventing myself over the last 10 years,” says designer, Lisa Hoskin. It’s been quite the creative journey for the girl from Waipukurau who originally worked in the travel business by day while by night gigging as a performance artist in the music industry. Selling her collection of tapes provided the pathway to live in Siena, Italy, in the '90s. It was there she became inspired to make jewellery by hand. Her technique was unheard of at the time and some say remains unrivalled to this very day. Central to Lisa’s Italian-inspired designs were little crystal domes that enshrined exquisite images collected from around Florence, San Gimignano and Siena on Lisa’s travels. L I S A H O S K I N I N H E R S H OW R O O M I N PAR N E L L

Stores from Harrods through to high-end NZ stores stocked the pieces. They’ve proved to be timeless, as avid collectors today still commission bespoke creations.

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A S E L E C T I O N O F R I N G S AVAI L AB L E AT T H E L I S A H O S K I N S H OW R O O M I N PAR N E L L

“Back when I first designed my jewellery there were no home computers and when they arrived I went online not for inspiration, but to make sure no one else had designed these before—I wanted to be original,” she says.

Think paradoxical craftsmanship at work here. Delicate bands set off with irregular hand cut stones. Stylists are huge fans with pieces popping up in the pages of Instyle, GQ and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.

Her pursuit of what’s innovative in jewellery has not stopped.

“I haven’t seen anything like it in New Zealand. There’s a certain refinement and irregularity without being rough,” Lisa says. She’s reordered eight times in 18 months. The latest shipment has arrived just in time for Christmas.

Since then, Lisa Hoskin Jewellery has morphed into an everevolving global treasure trove of new finds priced from an affordable $50 to several thousand dollars. “I want to be doing fresh things,” Lisa says. That intention is palpable when entering her new Parnell studio, the venue of VIP jewellery parties upon request.

Wildthings Collectibles in sterling silver or silver with 24-carat gold plate is another find from Amsterdam. “I love the quirky vibe of these pieces,” Lisa says impressed with the quality of the youthful edgy brand that’s priced under $150.

The spacious atelier is graced with a distinctive Billie Culy floral artwork that exudes a luxury-bohemian elegance. It’s a sophistication that reflects Lisa’s travels around the world.

It’s weighty yet affordable with amulets, lockets and pendants hiding inscriptions like “stay wild” or “sweet as honey” within.

This aesthetic is also mirrored in her cleverly curated jewellery pieces on display.

As for 2019, Lisa has a new collection in the pipeline of wristwear of gold and silver stretch bracelets and subtle yet sophisticated necklaces that will be fantastic layering pieces to be mixed and matched. And her favourite piece? It turns into one of those a full circle moments. She reaches for the gold coin pendant hanging from her neck.

Refined Venetian glass strands, studs, solid bars engraved with Roman numerals, antique necklaces of amber topaz, astrological inspired creations and one-of-a-kind diamond set pieces perfectly complement Lisa’s own striking designs. Ethical jewellery is big on her radar too. She researched widely before selecting the fine, hand-hewn precious and semi-precious gems by Emily Amey who she visited recently in her New York workshop. Amey’s work mixes 14-carat gold with responsibly sourced diamonds, organic tourmaline, dreamy opals, Russian ammonite, citrine, watermelon tourmaline, pastel sapphires, turquoise, moonstone stones and rose cut gems.

It has an embossed butterfly with a crown on one side that she turns over revealing an engraved cursive letter 'L' with a diamond. “I still come back to my Italian beginnings. The butterfly is the queen of freedom and flight. The crown is for strength,” she says. Imprinted is an inscription in Latin, prendere il volo that means 'take flight'. It’s the perfect embodiment of a wanderlust creative to a tee.

L I S AH O S K I N. C O. N Z / 09 3 07 1506 / I N FO @ L I S AH O S K I N. C O. N Z

THE DESIGN SOUL OF VERVE WO R D S — AL I X D O U G H E R T Y P H O T O — M E L O DY-J A Z Z M AK AVAN I

Graphic designer, Zanalee Makavani, puts her soul into Verve magazine, experimenting with design, imagery and text in a way which expresses her own unique style, balanced with the publication's elegant and minimalistic look.

Ever since she was a teenager, Zanalee was interested in design and photography. She would design and encode her own banners on MySpace; experimenting with images of her favourite rappers and artists to express her love of underground rap music. As a result of this passion, Zanalee moved from Sydney to Auckland to pursue a career in design, where she completed her design studies with a Bachelor's Degree in Design. Following this accomplishment she landed an internship at Verve!

Outside of her job, Zanalee works on her own design projects. She plays around with photography and fashion with her friends, and creates her own “rough edits”, abstract drawings and zines. Zanalee explains that zines are self-publication design projects. Artists often put together magazines, booklets, or other publications where they document their individual style and passion for design. Zanalee shares her designs and draws inspiration from others at Auckland’s annual Zinefest.

Zanalee joined our team as an intern two years ago, and it wasn’t long until she became a full-timer, “thrown into the deep end”. She spends her days designing the magazine cover, advertisements, and interior layout, putting together imagery, and administrating digital and social media content.

When creating her own projects, Zanalee loves layering images and text and creating collages. Or as she expressed: “Jamming the page with heaps of stuff!” At the moment, she is working on a zine series called Trash, where she is compiling film photography from a vintage 35mm camera that she found in an op-shop for $5!

Zanalee’s talent and eye for design has resulted in her career's progression. She enjoys working within the Verve team, as they are open-minded, and encourage creativity and confidence; helping her “come out of her shell”. The graphic designer says that her team rarely disapprove her work; and even then, it is usually just simple changes.

The graphic designer was brought up in Sydney, but her culture is Niuean. Niue is a small Pacific island often referred to as “the rock of Polynesia”. As Zanalee’s heritage is Polynesian, she is very interested in one day starting her own business and putting together her own magazine for POC (people of colour); namely for Mãori and Pacific kids of New Zealand.

The “experimental” nature of the team at Verve gives Zanalee the space she needs to flourish and encourages her unique talent for design. The favourite part of her job is, "Opening up a blank page and just going wild with it, doing something a bit wild, and then they approve it.”

Zanalee imagines this would be fun and inspiring, as she would be able to express her own style, as well as provide a place for POC kids to document their art, have interviews and talk about their style and what inspires them.

Zanalee surrounds herself with “arty” people; many of her friends are graphic designers and her sister studies photography at Whitecliffe.

Zanalee puts her “soul” into her work. She loves what she does, and it is inspiring to know she has business goals of her own. She says she is learning so much at Verve; from design, to working with supportive people, to the business side of things. Her skills are an asset to her career, and to the magazine!

FO L L OW Z AN AL E E O N I N S TAG R AM @ Z AN AL E E. M AK AVAN I

PERFORMING WONDERS IN PARNELL We chat to Cheryl Adamson, who migrated from South Africa in 2011 and, after a short stint across the ditch, took up the position as general manager of the Parnell Business Association.

Cheryl, you have done so well for Parnell since taking on the position of general manager ﬁve years ago. For which achievements are you most satisﬁed, and what do you look forward to for Parnell in the next few years?

Expanding the representation of the association from just Parnell Road to the whole precinct still stands as a significant milestone as it enabled us to take a bird’s-eye view of the challenges that face the area as a whole. The successful brand change was one of the first outcomes, but now we are grappling with east-west connectivity as a major theme, which is being tackled with The Parnell Plan—due for release early 2019.

There is so much to love about Parnell. What do you believe are its three biggest draws?

The perfect ‘fringe’—brilliant CBD accessibility yet with a village atmosphere. How eclectic Parnell is—re-purposed warehouses and woolstores, stylish shops and galleries interspersed with quaint residential. How much it is evolving— the great hospitality Parnell has attracted in recent years and the development in St Georges Bay Rd is a real thrill.

Tell us about pre-Parnell Business Association Cheryl Adamson?

A few decades in the bustle of Johannesburg as the business owner of marketing consultancies, specialising in shopping malls.

How hard is it to stay at the top of one’s game? What are the trade-offs? Any tips?

You can never take your eye off the ball—every time you think you have mastered something, another challenge awaits.

Who has most inspired you along the way?

Funny enough, right throughout my life it has been people who have nurtured the creative spirit, such as Peggy Guggenheim or WOW Founder Dame Suzie Moncrieff, plus the artists themselves—too many to name. Current favourites would certainly be Yayoi Kusama, Marissa Purcell and Ben Young—and it’s not only about the obvious talent, but also the perseverance and passion. How do you relax?

Cooking and entertaining with friends, especially Mexican food or Ottolenghi salads with a great barbecue. What standards do you hold dear to your heart.

To me there are three things that set people apart—personal responsibility, integrity and gratitude. Christmas and summer holidays are almost upon us— how do you like to celebrate yours?

I’m probably going to top my Christmas tree with a few new exquisite decorations from Galton’s, celebrate Christmas with family and a few special friends and try and to fit in as many picnics as possible in our scenic reserves. Plans for 2019?

We're kicking off early February with Parnell’s celebration of the Year of the Pig in aid of Starship, it’s going to be a busy year. According to their Chinese zodiac sign, pigs have a beautiful personality and are blessed with good fortune in life. I could not think of any better wish to welcome in another year in Parnell.

PAR N E L L. N E T. N Z

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A SNAPSHOT OF LOVE WO R D S — J AM I E C H R I S T I AN D E S P L AC E S

Kiwi author Tammy Robinson’s career continues its well-earned skyward trajectory with the announcement that one of the USA’s ‘big ﬁve’ publishing houses, Grand Central Publishing, has acquired her latest novel, Photos of You, described by their editorial director, Leah Hultenschmidt, as “a beautiful story that manages to be heartbreaking and joyful at the same time”.

German and Czech rights to Tammy’s tome, her eighth, have also been sold, with other European deals expected. On top of that, the author tells me she’s just picked the voice actor to narrate the audio book, so I ask if she’d already visualised the voice of her protagonist, Ava Green. “Not really, they sent me an email with the five women auditioning, and it was more of a case that I knew four of them were wrong,” she says. “My publishers said they were already leaning to toward one, and, as it turned out, we all agreed on the same voice.” It’s the second of Tammy’s novels to be traditionally published (the previous was Differently Normal), having selfpublished her first six books. I ask her about that leap, and if she still has faith in the power of publishing and the printed book in the digital age. “I do have faith in the printed book, but it was not what I expected, and I do hear that from a lot of other traditionally published authors,” she says. “It’s a weird feeling, you get published and you expect it to be this amazing rush, but it’s actually a bit of an anti-climax at first! However, I do believe that people will always buy books, and hopefully, it’s just a bit of rough time for the industry. I know some writers that have actually gone back to self-publishing, and others that have gone hybrid, but I’m keen to continue this way.” Photos of You centres around Ava Green, a 28-year-old diagnosed with terminal cancer, and her dream of a wedding before she dies—with or without a groom. It’s a bittersweet tale about how it’s the quality—rather than quantity—of love that counts. It also feels like a very personal one, and I wonder if Tammy has had experience with the disease.

Tammy

“A close friend that I worked with a few years ago died of bowel cancer when she was 38, but I didn’t see a lot of the battle that she went through,” the author reveals. “We were told that she didn’t want visitors. Like anyone, I’ve also lost a few family members, but, thank God, and touch wood, I haven’t had anyone really close to me go through it. My mother did die very unexpectedly five years ago, and I channelled many emotions from that in terms of grief.” THE WARMTH OF AVA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH HER PARENTS RADIATES FROM THE PAGES, DOES THAT MIRROR YOUR UPBRINGING? “Yes, I had a wonderful childhood with my parents, we were very close, and I still am with my dad. They have a lifestyle block outside of Rotorua and my father would always take my brother, sister and I bushwalking, educating us about the plants and the birds. He even does all the bird calls! There was a dysfunctional family in my previous book, and that was very challenging, it’s far easier for me to write about close, loving families.” YOUR DAD MUST BE VERY PROUD? “Yes, I just wish my mum was here to see it. I recently received a message from a terminal cancer sufferer saying that she really appreciated the honesty in the book about the struggle rather than the Instagram version of cancer where it’s all about bucket lists and bungy jumping. It was very touching. I sent that to my dad and he cried.” IT’S AN EMOTIONAL READ, WAS IT EMOTIONAL TO WRITE? “Yes, very. I do a lot of research and put myself in in the character’s and her family’s shoes. It can be quite draining.”

V ERV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

“You know going into it that there’s not going to be a happy ending, so I wanted it to be a reminder to live life.”

During the book, Ava is invited to pen a magazine column about her cancer battle, often imploring readers to be mindful of the everyday moments that make life so special. It’s also a theme of the novel throughout. “I knew it was going to be depressing,” says Tammy. “You know going into it that there’s not going to be a happy ending, so I wanted it to be a reminder to live life. I have a twin sister who was in Thailand when the Boxing Day tsunami hit, she was okay, but it obviously affected her, and I got a tattoo on my arm as a reminder to live life. It’s the kind of thing that we all try to remember and try to live by, but you just end up getting sucked into the everyday stuff. It’s only when something big happens that you realise what’s important and what’s not. I wanted the book to make you stop and think.” DO YOU BELIEVE IN AN AFTERLIFE? “We weren’t raised religious. We still don’t have answers as to why my mum died, the best guess is that her heart just stopped. After that I went through a bad patch, looking for some spirituality. I needed to know if there was something, but I didn’t really get any answers. I do like to think she’s still around in some form. So, although I wouldn’t call myself religious, I don’t believe we go away completely, but I’m not sure in what form we remain.” The novel is also peppered with many a light-hearted line and moments that counter the gloom. I ask Tammy about finding the balance when dealing with something so harrowing and she says it’s the kind of stuff that “just writes itself”. She has, she admits, always had a dark sense of humour. “I suffered from depression for a long time and ended up having ECT about 12 years ago. I’ve been good since. I try

PHOTOS OF YOU, PUBLISHED BY HACHETTE, IS OUT 11 DECEMBER. 35

not to get sucked into any holes, I avoid the news as much as possible and keep a gratitude journal. I do try to look for the positives and look for the things that will bring joy.” DOES THE PROCESS OF WRITING HELP OUT WITH THAT HEADSPACE? “Definitely. If I don’t or can’t write for too long that I get quite angsty. My husband can sense it, when I need that time.” Tammy jokes that there are often long stretches when she can’t write, owing to her having three kids aged between two and six years old. “Last year, my husband upped and moved us to a farm in the Waikato after 17 years in graphic design, and now only gets a weekend off a fortnight. So, then he looks after the kids and that’s when I write!” YOU MUST BE VERY EFFICIENT? “Yes, though it’s frustrating when I can’t write for a long time, I’m always thinking about it so when I do get to sit down I have a pretty good idea where it’s going. I often jot down dialogue, and I also text myself a lot.” Tammy tells me she’s currently working on two more novels, both with more positive outcomes. After having written something as harrowing as Photos of You, she needs to imbue herself with a bit more optimism: “I’m a definitely a romantic at heart, so I need for someone to live happily ever after!”

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AVAI L AB L E I N- S T O R E AN D O N L I N E AT Z O E AN D M O R G AN. C O M

LORRAINE DOWNES Lorraine Downes is a woman of substance, founder and director of successful Wellington based model agency formerly known as Care of Lorraine, author of two books, and winner of Dancing with the Stars. She works closely with charities and has raised millions of dollars during the last eight years including for Child Cancer New Zealand, NZ Breast Cancer Foundation and most recently joined Mercy Hospice.

You won Miss Universe at the young age of 19. Would you say that played a major role in setting your life path pretty steadily in any certain direction? It absolutely did set my life to travel on the path of having a public profile. I went from being pretty much an unknown person to be known by many especially here in NZ. The impact of that opened the pathway for me to use my face and voice in many different areas. Over the years, I have realised that my life path has been to help encourage others to believe in themselves and connect with their inner-being as that is where it all begins as far as truly living your own authentic life. Are you happy with the direction you were taken in? Yes, I believe I won Miss Universe for the above reason and I have been blessed with many amazing life experiences. The only downside is sometimes you have experiences you don’t want to share with everyone and keep it within your private world of close family and friends, and having a public profile doesn’t allow this. But that is just part of the reality. You have achieved so much, from winning Miss Universe NZ and Miss Universe, Dancing With the Stars and even writing two books (REAL, The Truth about Fashion, Beauty and Image, co-authored with Frances Jones (1997), and Life, Loss, Love (2018). So, what is your next career goal? I am looking forward to developing The Gift, which is a concept I started sharing in 2014 with my followers. It is about sharing those wonderfully gifted people who have helped me on my life path. It’s a project that got put on hold when my husband, Marty, became ill. How have you managed to stay positive and grounded over the years? Having a faith in a higher force than myself and for me I call it God. This faith is about knowing I am always loved, never alone and I am always guided along my path of life. And of course, having amazing family and friends that I have heartfelt connections to. You seem to have gone through a great healing process since the passing of your husband, Martin. What has been the biggest contributor to your healing? My faith, and a few close friends that have been there for me 24/7. And also trusting myself to do my healing in my own way.

How have you managed to maintain some sense of normalcy and privacy, having been in the spotlight for so long? Part of my life is having a public profile which involves my work and charity work and the other part of my life is very normal. It’s about balance, and I do enjoy being private. I must admit, I love travelling overseas and having total anonymity. What takes up most of your time nowadays? Being connected to family and friends, working with my clients consulting on personal image and wellbeing, working with MitoQ as an ambassador, working with Mercy Hospice as an ambassador, keeping fit with spin classes, yoga, walking, and dancing Argentinean tango. You recently partnered with MitoQ. What was it about this product that made you want to be an ambassador? MitoQ offers both supplements and skincare, including oral skincare. I was introduced to MitoQ supplements several years ago, when I was my husband’s caregiver. Throughout that period, I was never ill and I managed to maintain my energy through this very challenging period of my life. At some stage after Marty passed, I stopped taking it and then several months later, I resumed and I instantly noticed my energy levels increase. I do credit MitoQ for making me wake up every morning and feel ready to go. I also take the oral skincare supplements and what I have noticed is my sunspots have faded and my hair and nails are in the best condition ever. As I have decided to age naturally, I know the benefits of taking a powerful antioxidant. We sometimes forget that not only is the outer body ageing but our internal organs are as well. Taking MitoQ helps me to have optimum cell function, which is vital in having energy and helping the aging process internally. Since you are in the spotlight, what do you hope others can learn from you? Live your life authentically to your truth. Have faith, we all have a higher power within us and know coming from a place of heartfelt love is all you need to navigate most things, and practise love always. The power of now, the moment that you are in is all that matters. Watch your thoughts as they create your existence.

L O R R AI N E D OW N E S. C O M

TAYLOR MADE

FIVE MINUTES WITH FASHION DESIGNER VICKI TAYLOR WO R D S — J E N N A M O O R E

Fashion may be fickle but in the words of the inimitable Yves Saint Laurent, "style is eternal", as renowned fashion label Taylor proves. For die-hard fashion fans, it’s hard to believe that muchloved fashion label taylor is nearly 20 years old. “During that time there’s been a huge change in the entire industry,” says founder Vicki Taylor. THE STORY OF TAYLOR

After studying fashion design at RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles in Melbourne, and working at New Zealand company Suzanne Gregory (now Gregory) Vicki set up Taylor in 1999. “I wanted to create a fabulous entity that made beautiful clothes sitting in between the middle- and high-end,” she says. “It was my goal to make clothes to empower women to be the best they can be. I want women to love clothes and love getting dressed as much as I do.” Decades on, it’s still her raison d'être. THE TAYLOR WEARER

The Taylor wearer speaks more to a lifestyle than an age demographic. “She feels confident enough that she doesn’t need the traditional corporate suit,” says Vicki. “The Taylor woman has a bit of edge to her, she doesn’t like to make a big song and dance. She’s nicely dressed, she’s intelligent, she’s interesting.” THE FABRIC FACTOR

Vicki sources her exquisite fabrics in Italy. “It can sound glamorous although the reality is I visit these very simple tin warehouses outside of Florence that get boiling hot in summer and freezing cold in winter,” she says. “Most of the mills are family run—four or five generations—where they work their craft properly; they use natural fibres and often everything is done manually. They are conscious of the environment in Italy and have huge recycling systems, which is something that’s important to me in my creation process.” The fabrics synonymous with the Taylor label are superb quality and a little-known fact is that many of the mills Vicki works with supply the likes of Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana.

L-R: TAY L O R E X H I B I T I O N DR E S S, C O R R E S P O N D JAC K E T AN D F L U E N C Y PAN T, TAY L O R AV E N U E DR E S S, V I C K I TAY L O R.

STANDING THE TEST OF TIME

The value speaks for itself. “I recently had a jacket returned from my second collection, which meant it was over 18 years old!” says Vicki. “It still looked brand new but the zip had broken so we replaced it.” CONSCIOUS CONSUMERS

“While we have clients who have been shopping with us since we opened, we’re also noticing a younger movement, I think the next generation are more conscious of quality and where their clothes are being made,” says Vicki. “We are beginning to see a growing focus on being a conscious consumer. I encourage buying a piece that you love so you’ll treasure it and it will last a lifetime.” MADE IN NEW ZEALAND

“Our main taylor collection is fully made in New Zealand and we’ve worked with many of our makers for over 10 years. By purchasing one of our Taylor garments, you help keep five to six companies in business and their workers employed. We love manufacturing locally and are committed to supporting our New Zealand fashion industry.”

THE SHELTER

With this in mind, three years ago Vicki opened The Shelter in Ponsonby, a contemporary space housing a selection of new and established brands. Brands with a strong international presence (such as Maison Margiela and Issey Miyake) sit alongside emerging New Zealand talent (such as Paris Georgia, Wynn Hamlyn and Lela Jacobs). Vicki recognises the changing retail environment is challenging and is difficult for up and coming designers. “I see so much talent coming through and I wanted to provide a beautiful space for our young New Zealand designers to showcase their wares,” she says. “The Shelter works as a meeting point for these likeminded design led brands. “Even if you don’t intend to shop come and see our team because they’re people people and love helping women to look and feel great,” says Vicki. “The majority of our retail staff are design trained and I’m often inspired by what they can create when they’re outfitting a client.” VICKI’S PICKS FOR THE SEASON

› Black Avenue dress if I have a beautiful event to go to. › The Fluency pant and jacket because you can just screw it up and wash it. › Correspond jacket for when I’m visiting my bank manager, it’s a twist on the pinstripe suit. › The Exhibition dress, which has drawstrings all over it to create a multitude of looks. “I wear it over pants because that’s what I do.”

TAY L O R B O U T I Q U E. C O. N Z @ TAY L O R B O U T I Q U E

INTO THE BLUE WO R D S — N O R E E N J O H N S O N P H O T O G R AP H S — G R E G C OX

"We love chestnut as it is harder than pine, has a lot of character and can be treated with natural processes to create very interesting effects and patinas," In the kitchen, the ceiling beams are made from repurposed chestnut wood and were added during the renovation. "We love chestnut as it is harder than pine, has a lot of character and can be treated with natural processes to create very interesting effects and patinas," says More Designâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manuel Villanueva. The light ďŹ tting above the bespoke kitchen island is from Apparatus Studio, and the brass taps. The striking vintage bar stools were sourced by More Decor; similar versions can be found at vintage furniture dealers.

Combining a secluded location with spectacular views and a beautifully layered interior, this holiday home on the Spanish island of Mallorca combines the best of traditionally inspired design with a glamorous contemporary spirit.

A smaller bedroom on the lower ďŹ&#x201A;oor features a headboard fashioned from a round woven grass mat sourced from a local market. The wall light was designed by More Design and the bedside lamp is from the Mineral collection by More Decor. The bed linen is from Society Limonta and the More Decor collection.

You do the dreaming, we’ll take care of all the details. • 30 years building executive homes for discerning customers • Specialists in the design and build of high performing homes • Subdivision experts • NZ owned and operated business

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HOME & DESIGN

ISAMU NOGUCHI. CEILING LAMP, MODEL H

LIGHTS & SCULPTURE

“Everything is sculpture” once remarked sculptor extraordinaire Isamu Noguchi, whose unique eye redefined the artform and all its possibilities, even creating shapes through light. “In a world of walls, Isamu Noguchi carved thresholds,” notes Zack Hatfield in Bomb magazine in honour of the 2017 retrospective at the Noguchi Museum. “Portals, gates, voids, and totems perforate the work of the late Japanese-American sculptor.” In 1985, three years before his death, aged 84, Noguchi founded his eponymous museum in Long Island City, Queens, New York, to display what he considered “representative examples of his life’s work”. The Noguchi Museum shares its neighbourhood with other leading cultural establishments such as the Socrates Sculpture Park, the Museum of Moving Image and MoMA PS1. And not only does the 27,000-square-foot complex house the largest collection of Noguchi’s works, but, fittingly, the museum itself is considered one the artist’s finest accomplishments. Developed around a 1920s industrial building, a pair of exhibition floors give way to indoor-outdoor galleries and an open-air sculpture garden. The museum also hosts an array of educational programs and workshops, its permanent installations regularly joined by temporary exhibits that offer “a rich, contextualised view of Noguchi’s work and his enduring influence on contemporary culture”. “He could be a Cubist. He could be a Surrealist. He could be a Minimalist,” writes Mark Stevens in New York Magazine. “He could take from Brancusi here, Giacometti there. He could tend Zen’s garden. Noguchi’s art is the mongrel creation of a mongrel century, yet it does not seem awkwardly pieced together.”

For a time in the late 1920s, Noguchi actually served as a studio assistant for Brancusi, the ‘godfather of modern sculpture’. Noguchi’s artistic path was almost inevitable, born in California in 1904 to a Japanese poet father and an American mother who was a writer. He spent some of his childhood in Japan before moving back to the USA where he studied medicine at Columbia University, though, in search of a creative outlet, simultaneously took classes at the Leonardo da Vinci Art School. The pull of art soon become too great and Noguchi disposed of his dream of becoming a doctor and headed to Paris in 1927. It was there that he met Brancusi. Noguchi spent the 1930s between the USA, Europe and Asia—where he studied calligraphy in China and pottery making in Japan. Back in New York the artist began designing furniture, and even playgrounds, and struck up what would be a two-decade working relationship with legendary dance choreographer Martha Graham, designing her sets. “The works he created for my ballets brought to me a new vision,” she remarked, following his passing, “a new world of space and the utilisation of space. Isamu, as I do, always looked forward and not to the past.”

EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPH WITH AKARI 1AS FOR HARPER'S BAZAAR

WO R D S — J AM I E C H R I S T I AN D E S P L AC E S

DEC 2018

ISAMU NOGUCHI WORKING ON AKARI IN JAPAN, 1968.

“They both were fascinated with myths and iconic figures and history,” Janet Eilber, artistic director of the Martha Graham Company tells the LA Times. “And they were both seeking the stripped-down essence of shape that evoked the shock of recognition.” Noguchi was also decent. Following the outbreak of the second world war, he became a political activist, voluntarily spending more than half-a-year at a Japanese-American internment camp with the intention of understanding the detainees’ plight and designing better living quarters for them. It was during the 1950s that Noguchi developed what was to become among his most loved work, akari (“light as illumination” in Japanese), riffing on Japan’s iconic ancient paper lanterns. Each one was crafted using traditional materials like bamboo and washi paper, but given a decidedly contemporary twist, designed to interact with lamp bases and each other in alternate ways. Some hang from the ceiling, others rest on bamboo posts, mount the wall or balance precariously on legs. “When Noguchi was alive, akari was a living, breathing, changing thing,” Dakin Hart, senior curator at the Noguchi Museum, tells Artsy. “But when he died, all the innovation stopped.”

“Sometimes I feel as though I’m part of this world today, sometimes I feel that I belong in history, or prehistory, or that there is no such thing as time.” – Isamu Noguchi

The design continues to be mimicked around the world today in stores such as Bloomingdales and Ikea.

Noguchi’s notable public works include the enormous, gravity-defying ‘Red Cube’ in New York that balances on one corner and rises to 24 feet, and the 102-foot tall stainless steel ‘Bolt of Lightning’ near Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Bridge. In 1986 he was selected to represent the USA at the Venice Biennale, his exhibit incorporating both sculpture and lamps.

“In his mature art, Noguchi united mankind with nature, East with West,” says Stevens, “becoming one of the few artists of the twentieth century able to make optimistic art that was not ostrich-headed.”

Following Noguchi’s death, retired director of the of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Thomas Messer, told The New York Times that Noguchi “lived with old values, which, in his hands, pointed in the exemplary fashion toward the new.” The artist, he added, simply “stood for perfection”.

THE AKARI CLOUD PIECE AT THE SCULPTURE BY OTHER MEANS EXHIBITION.

Much of Noguchi’s later sculptures were carved from stone, a material he described as “the fundament of the earth, of the universe”. Carving it, he believed, was “a process of listening”.

HOME & DESIGN F I LT H ECO CLEANING

NATURALLY SPOTLESS AT FILTH ECO CLEANING The only professional cleaning company in Auckland to use 100% natural, eco-friendly, New Zealand made products. The Filth Eco Cleaning company is proud to be sustainable, ethical and exceptional. We use only 100% natural, biodegradable, New Zealand made products, pay our wonderful staff the living wage and we deliver you exceptional professional cleaning and customer service every time. “As a busy little family ourselves, we understand the beautiful chaos of modern life. And there’s no busier time of year than the festive season!” says owner Sibyl Mandow. “Christmas parties, shopping and hosting family and friends are wonderful, but they don’t leave much time for housework." Filth Eco Cleaning is offering a 20% discount on all cleaning services booked in December to help you prepare your home for the holidays and gift you the time to enjoy the celebrations. Book a professional cleaning service for December and we will make your home sparkle and shine, so you can relax during the holidays and feel proud to invite loved ones over. In the spirit of Christmas, every deep cleanse and regular cleaning service will receive a FREE treat package of a Wellington Chocolate Factory slab and a Fair and Square natural soap.

Most cleaning companies will use harsh detergents. We use only natural cleaning products fragranced with essential oils, so you can be confident that your family is safe from harmful chemicals and your home will be spotlessly clean and smell absolutely amazing. “Our sustainable journey started as a New Year resolution to focus on reducing the chemicals in our home and contributing to protecting our natural environment,” says Sibyl. “Why not start 2019 with the same goal and make Filth Eco Cleaning company your trusted professional eco cleaner?” Filth Eco Cleaning loves to take care of people and treats your home like we would our own. Our aim is to not only meet your needs, but also exceed your expectations of what a dependable professional cleaning company can be. “We approached Filth Cleaning to deep clean our apartment with absolutely brilliant results and have now engaged them to regular visits in order to maintain that standard,” Fay, Grey Lynn – Filth Eco Cleaning customer. Filth Eco Cleaning is proud to be the trusted professional eco cleaning service provider for Verve magazine.

F I LT H. N Z 54

RETIREMENT LIVING at its best!

20% off all bookings in December plus receive a free eco treat package! To celebrate the festive season, Filth Eco Cleaning are offering a 20% discount on all cleaning services booked in December and receive a FREE treat package of a Wellington Chocolate Factory slab and a Fair and Square natural soap. 100% natural, eco-friendly New Zealand made products.

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Harrowset Hall EMPORIUM

Stunning cushions by MM Linen in store and online at Harrowset Hall.

Celebrate Christmas at Harrowset Hall Come and see our selection of Gorgeous Christmas gifts, table linen and bed linen in store now.

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MODERN DESIGN by Mya Cole 1. CIRCUS FLOOR LIGHTING by Resident Studio

A mixture of exciting yet elegant lighting options to create ambient moods for the late summer evenings. Resident Studio is taking lighting to a new level with their range of circus inspired lighting features. My personal favourite is the Circus Floor Lighting, a unique presentation of five interlocking rings. Inspired by a jewelry hanger which would traditionally adorn a dressing table. Even better these beautiful products are handmade in Aotearoa and can be viewed and purchased from Simon James Concept Store.

2. CALVO TABLE

3. EDITH 3-SHELF

by Lee Kirkbridge

by Kay + Stemmer

The Calvo Table lends itself to a variety of settings and number of uses. It is perfect as a bedside table due to its adjustable nature and can also sit comfortably next to an armchair or as a standalone feature. Available at Bob and Friends.

Designer duo have designed a pair of freestanding shelves called Agnes and Edith. Available in oak or walnut, Edith is the smaller 3-shelf version and Agnes is taller with five shelves. Simple, functional and stylish. Available from Bob and

Start the New Year with these elegant and modern design pieces.

5. CELINE CHAIR by Hamilton Conte

Plush velvet armchairs and sofas to make you feel like royalty. Hamilton Conte has a wide range of luxurious furniture that would be perfect for a statement piece in your home. Get yourself a piece of furniture which tells a story. From lounging sofas to stylish desk chairs, you cannot go wrong. To pursue the most recent catalogue visit their website.

6. KUFTWIST by Kuf Studios

4. PAPER BLINDS by Natashar Sawadichai

Natchar Sawatdichai is the maker of adjustable paper blinds, elegant, modern and different, they make a beautiful alternative to those that are made by environmentally damaging plastics. Paper is both a sustainable and affordable option so you can treat the blinds as permanent decor or change them seasonally. It is recommended that you change them at least once every 12 months. To purchase the blinds visit Natchar's website.

Kuftwist is a revolutionary blind. The Louver Twisting Comb is a patent pending flexible screen system to be used as a completely new type of cordless window blinds, space management like room dividers and shelving system or developed into facade systems and other large scale installations. The possibilities are almost endless.

8. PARIS SOFA by Hamilton Conte

Reminiscent of a dreamy holiday home in the south of France, Hughes Chevalier furniture will have you daydreaming of a life across the sea. Elegant leather and wood in timeless designs, these pieces will leave your home looking complete and understated.

7. DANDY CHAIR by Massproductions

Available from Simon James Concept Store, Massproductions has a beautiful range of simple and functional furniture. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With a dignified simplicity we aim to create products that are tactile, considered and modernist in spirit.â&#x20AC;&#x153; My favourites are the Dandy Chair and Bit Side Table.

by Simon James

See more design pieces on our website

The Cabin Desk by Simon James is an exercise in modern introversion. Perfect for an open plan office environment as its tall and curving edges offer privacy and seclusion. With it's roof and semi-enclosed structure, it offers exceptional acoustic qualities in today's modern workspace. Available at the Simon James Concept Store.

9. CABIN DESK

HOME & DESIGN

POP UP SHOP NOW O P E N AT H O M E I D E A S C E N T R E , PA R N E L L

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HOME & DESIGN

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1. NIKAU: Stainless steel/ Paua shell cake lifter. — 2. NIKAU: Stainless steel/ Paua salad servers. — 3. NIKAU: Stainless steel/ Paua cheese knife. — 4. CORSO DE' FIORI: Baobab Black Pearl soy candles, $149.90–$199. — 5. CORSO DE' FIORI: Illuminado Lantern in antique gold ﬁnish (40cm high), $189. — 6. CORSO DE' FIORI: Pols Potten antique brass platters (set of three), $349. — 7. ARTISAN: The iconic, over-size, 2019 Stendig Calendar. 122cm width x 92cm high. — 8. GORDON HARRIS: This set of 96 Dual Tip brush markers from Tombow of Japan will satisfy any artist or crafter. Amazing value at only $299. Limited stock. Available only at Gordon Harris. — 9. GORDON HARRIS: For painting or display the Mabef M13 is the classic Italian Lyre Easel still made in Italy by the same family of craftspeople. It’s just one of many easels on display at Gordon Harris. V ERV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

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HOME & DESIGN

SIMPLICITY AT ITS FINEST A FAVOURITE FOR GENERATIONS In 1890 Savoie in the French Alps, Joseph Opinel designed his first pocket knife that now bears his name. He created a tool that was as robust and functional as it was simple and beautiful. Today that same pocket knife is an iconic design object. So iconic, it is recognised by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London as being among the 100 most beautiful products in the world. The Opinel knife features alongside the Porsche 911 sports car and the Rolex watch. The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York exhibited it as a design masterpiece—noting it as being instantly recognizable, imminently useful, and beloved by generations. Designed to stand the test of time, Opinel knives and tools are made with Opinel’s original dedication to craftsmanship and quality. The purity of materials used are the cornerstone of their manufacturing process. Specially selected beechwood is used for the handle, and the blade is made from the highest grade carbon steel. The company is still run by the descendants of Joseph Opinel, and they continue to manufacture items of a quality that has made the brand famous for nearly 130 years. So from the humble pocket knife Opinel has gone on to create a cleverly designed knife for future chefs! Inspire your child’s culinary creativity with this Le Petit Chef set. The collection includes a chef’s knife, peeler and finger guard. When a young chef places their finger into the guard ring, their hand naturally assumes the claw grip position used by professional chefs to keep fingers away from sharp blades. A wonderful and unique gift for any young foodie. Now avaliable at www.dayandage.co.nz 64

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ANCIENT + MODERN:

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MAKING 66

Play

Whether it be vinyl records, Polaroid cameras, pinball machines or mid-century furniture, ‘retro’ is most certainly experiencing a renaissance, and traditional toys— particularly handmade ones—are playing an ever more important part in people’s pursuit of all things old-school. “There is certainly a shift away from commercialised products, and a growing demand for bespoke ones,” says Kristy Sherley, founder of boutique soft toy and homeware label Florence & Neville, who makes all her pieces by hand. “A lot of handmade toys are now using upcycled materials which adds even more character to them. I think while we have more consumer choice than ever before, there’s something special about having something that’s uniquely yours.” Kristy reveals her favourite toy as a kid was a Raggedy Ann doll: “We shared a lot: stories, adventures, even my medicine when I was sick!” The doll remained in the family for over 30 years and was home-knitted. “I come from a very resourceful family,” continues Kristy. “Growing up I spent a lot of time with my nana and she inspired my creativity. I was making porcelain dolls at a relatively young age and have always tinkered with sewing and crafts, and once we had our own children I began making toys for them.” Toymaking for Kristy is a form of relaxation, she adds, “an escape from the rush of daily life”. Kevin Jones of Struan Toys, who specialise in wooden items, says that there is little more rewarding than witnessing “a length of timber turned into something that a child can play with and enjoy for many years” and “knowing they will be handed down through generations”.

Wooden toys are especially popular, in part thanks to the recent anti-plastic push. “We have many grandparents return to purchase items they had for their own children,” says Kevin, whose father handmade toys for him. “They are strong and robust and last a long time. Wood also alters over time, each piece is unique, and it changes with the weather.” In her book, Designing the Creative Child: Playthings and Places in Midcentury America, Amy F Ogata explores the social significance of traditional toys, and, most notably, the role of timber. “Among the educated middle and upper-middle classes,” writes Ogata, “wood became the material symbol of timelessness, authenticity and refinement in the modern educational toy.” Ogata refers to philosopher Roland Barthes who described plastic as “graceless” and wood as a “familiar and poetic substance, which does not sever the child from the close contact with the tree, the table, the floor”. According to Australian toymakers Miss Molly’s Dolls & Toys, wooden toys, “by the very nature of their simplicity allow children to develop their own imaginative world”. While plastic toys relegate kids to “passive participants”, wooden ones enable them “to be the constructors of play” where they can “dream up the details, the story and use the simple structure of the toy as a basic framework”. Soft toys are also easily stitched for instance, and wood is easily fixed. “Early childhood centres are recognising the importance of sustainable equipment that will not be going to the landfill,” says Kevin. “If by chance something does break, it can be repaired and not thrown away like plastic toys. Wood just feels good, looks good, and will stand the test of time.”

DEC 2018

A BRIEF HISTORY OF

Play - No one knows for sure, but some speculate that the word ‘toy’ originates from the phrase ‘tawdry items’ used to describe playthings as well as buttons and buckles. Many early toys evolved from adult knick-knacks and possibly even weapons. - Kids in antiquity used to amuse themselves with marbles. Stone and clay balls were discovered in a six-thousandyear-old child’s grave in Egypt. - It was during the Middle Ages that wood first became a popular toymaking material, used to whittle spinning tops, cups and balls, and yo-yos. - In 18th-century Britain, dolls were also made from wood—often carved from one piece—while hobby horses, kites and puzzles also became popular. - Thanks to printed paper that could be glued to wood, the early Victorian era saw the development of jigsaws, dominoes and playing cards. Children from wealthier families had toys carved from ivory. - With the Industrial Revolution came an advancement of toy technology too, most notably the electric train set. - The early 20th century saw more automobiles on the roads and it wasn’t long before the toy car also took off. In

Germany, a newly created cuddly bear was named after US president, Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt. - Miniature toy soldiers were made to mimic real ones during the first world war, but during the second one, toymaking ground to a halt as factories needed all materials and equipment to make supplies and weaponry. - The interwar period saw the appearance of iconic cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse which gave rise to mass merchandising. - Slinkys and Magic 8 Balls were thought-up during the 1940s and in 1950 English inventor Edgar Ellington accidently created the water balloon while attempting to make a waterproof sock. Noticing a leak, Ellington threw the sock in a fit of anger, it burst, and the ‘water grenade’ was launched. - The final half of the 20th century saw the development of superstar items and iconic toy brands such as the Frisbee, Barbie, Rubik’s Cube, My Little Pony, Etch A Sketch and Cabbage Patch Dolls. Lego, founded in 1949, remains the biggest selling toy of all time, and still tops many an end-of-year list for units sold. In 2015, the Danish toy giant even ousted Ferrari as Brand Finance’s ‘world most powerful brand’.

WO R D S — J AM I E C H R I S T I AN D E S P L AC E S

V E RV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

HOME & DESIGN

The award winning 100% NZ made rock-it boards come in a range of sizes and styles to suit all ages great for children and adults! The perfect family gift.

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DEC 2018

ALESSI:

STILL FABULOUS Known as the ‘Dream Factory’, Italian design dynasty Alessi is famed for the mass production of uber-stylish home and kitchen wares crafted in conjunction with the world’s greatest designers; with some of their most lauded creations being the La Stanza fruit bowl, the Ann G corkscrew and the Arris Wall Clock. The Michael Graves whistling kettle, thought up in 1983, is the brand’s record selling offering.

Originally founded in Omegna in 1921 by Giovanni Alessi as a workshop for processing sheets of brass and nickel silver, by the 1950s, Alessi had begun mass producing using stainless steel, establishing itself as a go-to supplier of equipment for the hospitality trade. It was during this period that Giovanni Alessi’s sons Carlo and Ettore were taken on board, marking the beginning of a family empire and the era that gave rise to the first of many fruitful collaborations with out-of-house creative minds. Giovanni Alessi’s grandson, Alberto, is the third generation of the family to take over the business and is credited with the transformation of the brand in the 1970s. Working with the likes of Ettore Sottsass, Michael Graves and Philippe Starck, he cemented Alessi’s reputation as the ‘factory of design’ and over the following decade developed relationships with chefs that gave rise to the likes of the legendary Cintura de Orione range. Alberto, the current company president, once expressed his determination to advance products “only I if I believe they are right, not just because it will sell”. “Alessi is truly the forerunner in the way that we’ve worked with great chefs to fine-tune the development of our cooking utensils,” Alberto Alessi tells Food Republic. “In our case, it was a true collaboration—it has never been just sticking a label with a famous cook’s name on a pot.” The consumer boom of the 1980s, the ‘designer decade’, greatly aided Alessi’s pursuit of making the ordinary, extraordinary; before then, he admits kitchens were simply seen as nothing but a practical space where the women cooked. “Suddenly that all changed,” Alessi tells the Independent. “The kitchen became a receptacle for the domestic imagination; a place of leisure, a playful place in which men were welcome for the first time.”

However, as beautiful and well-made their creations may be, critics have argued that Alessi sometimes sacrifices function in its pursuit of aesthetic perfection, with their Juicy Salif lemon squeezer, for example, regarded as difficult to aim, while the Hot Bertaa kettle, say some, is difficult to fill. Such claims are acknowledged with a “mischievous grin” by the company president who tells the Guardian that “design victims are important to our business model” because they “they forgo function over the emotional value of a product”. Plus, “they forgive a lot”. Alberto Alessi does admit that the kettle was “a complete fiasco”, but counters that with the admission that he has a “very positive view of fiascos” as they show you “where the borderline was”. Into the 21st century, the company has continued to collaborate with the coolest of contemporary designers like David Chipperfield, Yan Kaplicky and Zaha Hadid, but their chief worries about a shrinking creative pool in Europe—and Italy especially. The company proudly remains based in Omegna, where the most significant role of its production— the cold forming of metals—continues. But, as Alessi approaches its centenary year it faces new challenges, most notably the massive shift of manufacturing to the East. Even with misgivings, their boss’s faith in his nation holds true. “It is the skilful mediation between creativity and the market which is a matter of the head, maybe the heart, but not necessarily manufacturing,” he tells Design Indabam. “So Italian design factories might survive even when they are not producing designs by Italians, or even when designs are not produced in Italy.” While the ‘Dream Factory’ has, of course, long since secured its place in design history.

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HOME & DESIGN

OUR TOP 6 TECH TRAVEL MUST HAVES

ALCATEL 3V $289 | Available at: 2Degrees After a beautiful and sleek phone to take with you on your next adventure? Alcatel has something for you. The Alcatel 3V offers some incredible features for its $289 price-point, including a FullView 18:9 display, fingerprint sensors, and Face Key, Alcatel’s facial recognition unlock feature. The Alcatel 3V packs an impressive six-inch 2K screen making it easy to watch your favourite Netflix shows on the plane, while a dual-camera featuring real-time bokeh effect means your holiday snaps have never looked better! The Alcatel 3V is available at 2degrees and comes in a stylish Spectrum Black finish for $289 outright, or on a series of monthly contracts.

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BELKIN POCKET POWER 10,000MAH $69.95 | Available at: Noel Leeming, JB Hi Fi, Harvey Norman and other leading retailers Don’t let low battery slow you down with Belkin’s slim, stylish and lightweight power bank. Perfect for those always on the go, this power bank fits easily in your pocket or bag while offering 10,000mAh of power, meaning you can recharge your smartphone up to three times*. A universal USB-A 2.4-amp port delivers up to five volts to quickly and safely charge devices like smartwatches, fitness bands, headphones, speakers, action cameras, and Bluetooth-enabled devices.

5 6

ALCATEL KIDS WATCH $199 | Available at: Spark A fun daily companion for kids and also a great travel buddy, the MT30 Kids Watch lets kids call or message their parents and friends while also providing accurate location tracking and geofencing if children exit a pre-set zone. The MT 30 can even withstand the more adventurous endeavours, with IP67 robust rating meaning it’s dust-proof and water-proof up to one metre in static water.

BELKIN ROAD ROCKSTAR 4-PORT CAR CHARGER $64.99 | Available at: Noel Leeming, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and other leading retailers Now the back seat can join in on your road trip fun with the Belkin Rockstar 4-Port car charger, which boasts four fast and powerful ports made for charging smartphones and tablets. This Car Charger is complete with two universal USB ports for the driver and front passenger and two USB ports which extend to the backseat passengers—so you can even charge up to four devices at once!

AUDIOFLY AF33W WIRELESS IN-EAR HEADPHONES $79.95 | JB Hi Fi, AV World Audiofly’s AF33W Wireless In-Ear Headphones are perfect for travel, ideal for hassle-free listening without compromise. Featuring Bluetooth 4.2, lightweight and durable, the sweat resistant earphones are perfect for anyone that likes to work up a sweat on their next adventure. The AF33W also comes equipped with a microphone and volume control for calls and smart device functionality and up to 3.5 hours battery life (with aone-hour charging time).

These products will make life a breeze these holidays whether it's to keep you entertained or keep your products on full charge.

BELKIN 2-OUTLET USB INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SURGE $89.99 | Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Noel Leeming and other leading retailers Hotel rooms and airport terminals can often fall short on giving enough power for your devices. With Belkin’s SurgePlus USB Travel Surge Protector, you can enjoy peace of mind whilst your devices are charged and protected from being damaged, so you don’t have to fear your hairdryer blowing up from an unsafe power outlet! With an LED light to indicate whether the surge protector is ground, the SurgePlus USB Travel Surge Protector offers two power ports and high capacity surge protection for devices.

DEC 2018

GINGKO SMART BOOKLIGHTS IN STORE AND ONLINE

OPEN 7 DAYS 62A BENSON ROAD, REMUERA 09 5222 991 | THEBAYTREE.CO.NZ 71

3D Flameless

Candles now available in store

RIALTO CENTRE, 163 BROADWAY, NEWMARKET | 09 524 5890 | RETREATNZ.CO.NZ

V E RV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

HOME & DESIGN

GADGETS WITH VERVE SOUNDCAST PREMIUM OUTDOOR SPEAKERS The Soundcast VG7 is rugged, stoic and sophisticated. With unique indoor and outdoor modes, the VG7 is as portable as you are, transforming any space into an acoustic oasis. Built-in Bluetooth 4.2 technology for improved connection speeds and heightened security, sharp Bluetooth streaming in high-definition with aptX and AAC codecs, Hands-free commands with DSP technology integration and True Wireless Stereo (TWS) configuration to sync two speakers together for left and right playback. The Soundcast VG7 may look humble in size, its sound, however, is anything but small. Four enclosed speakers deliver audio you have to hear to experience. Immersive 360-degree sound anywhere and everywhere you go!

IFI AUDIO AMPLIFI YOUR SOUND Working with almost every set of headphones out there, the iFi xDSD’s attractive slimline metallic box of wizardry turns up the power and audio clarity from your smartphone by up to 10x without sound distortion. Delivering CD-quality Bluetooth connectivity, it allows you to stream your favourite music from the likes of iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal as well as your laptop and TV, straight to your earphones. And with the option to stream MQA audio tracks, the xDSD steps it up a notch. The iFi xDSD produces high-octane audio that will simply leave you breathless.

replica and designer furniture

Product Showcase EAMES LOUNGE CHAIR + STOOL Reproduction of the Eames lounge chair

AUDIOFLY AF100W HEADPHONES THAT WILL MOVE YOU They may have been developed for musicians, but now made for you. Inspired by the Audiofly PRO range, the wireless AF100W features a dual membrane microdriver used by musicians and an over-ear hook design that hangs on tight even while headbanging. With wireless Bluetooth® supporting aptX and AAC, and an IPX-5 water resistance rating, the AF100W is a fitness gamechanger and your perfect travel companion.

The world's most famous armchair, the Eames Lounge Chair was said to have been designed as a birthday present for ﬁlm director Billy Wilder, but Hollywood connections can only get you so far and the chair remains a best-seller more than 50 years after it was designed because it's supremely comfortable, as well as fabulous looking. Our new Replica version of the Eames lounge chair is made to the very highest standards, with Walnut veneer, cushions covered in high quality Italian leather and polished aluminium ﬁve-star swivel base, brace and back made from die-cast aluminium.

derlook.co.nz — 9/15 Piermark Drive, Rosedale — 09 443 2979 V ERV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

Corbin Bronze “A Girl on a Boat”

Beautiful furniture, lighting, accessories and memorable gifts for Christmas.

Clockwise from top left: Kose Ceramics; AERIN Margot Objet; AERIN Abel Large Vase Ink; Kelly Wearstler Bella Lamp; AERIN Sphere Match Striker; R&Y Augousti Lily Canister; McGuire Ojai Lounge Chair; Lalique Boulouris Vase; Global Views Tumblers.

Available exclusively from Cavit&Co. Auckland 547a Parnell Road, Parnell 1052 | Tel +64 9 358 3771 | Email info@cavitco.com

www.cavitco.com

YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME APARTMENT HOTELS

NEWMARKET 31-39 DAVIS CR, NEWMARKET PH: 520 3000 HOST@QUESTNEWMARKET.CO.NZ QUESTNEWMARKET.CO.NZ

For business or leisure, for family or guests, you can be confident with Quest whether for one night, one week, or longer.

Spacious, modern apartments ideal for the business and leisure traveller to Auckland. Offering: • The choice of studios, one, two, or three-bedroom apartments, all tastefully furnished with wellequipped kitchens and laundries. • We also offer our guests free Wi-Fi, 29 TV channels & 40 movies. • Secure undercover parking. Newmarket is a very popular location with cafés, shopping, cinemas and the Newmarket business area all on its doorstep. Please check out our website: questnewmarket.co.nz

PARNELL 8 HEATHER ST, PARNELL PH: 337 0804 RESERVATIONS@QUESTPARNELL.CO.NZ QUESTPARNELL.CO.NZ

CARLAW PARK 15 NICHOLLS LANE, CARLAW PARK, PARNELL PH: 304 0521 HOST@QUESTCARLAWPARK.CO.NZ QUESTCARLAWPARK.CO.NZ

Quest Parnell located in the historical suburb of Parnell, offers studios, oneand two-bedroom (two-bathroom) self-contained apartments. • Perfect location just off Parnell Road. • Over 50 restaurants and cafés within walking distance. • On-site gym and heated lap pool • Kitchen and laundry facilities in all apartments. • Sky Guest Select offering 50+ channels. • Complimentary Wi-Fi. • Secure undercover parking. • Group accommodation for friends and families of wedding parties.

Quest Carlaw Park Spacious modern apartments for business or leisure. Studio, one-bedroom and luxury two-bedroom (two-bathroom) penthouse apartments available. All with well-equipped kitchens and laundries. Easy 10-minute walk to the city, and on Parnell’s doorstep. • Complimentary Wi-Fi. • Sky Guest Select offering 50+ channels. • Secure undercover parking. • Complimentary access to Next Generation Gym (100m). • Café, Italian, and Japanese restaurants next door. Please check out our website: questcarlawpark.co.nz

VERVE TRAVELS

THE ANAM

JOURNEYS

THE ANAM Experience

HOW TO GET THERE Fly to Cam Ranh Airport where you will be met by the friendly concierge staff from The Anam

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

W O R D S: Ver ve Ed ito rs

January to August

Best beach resort on the South China Sea. Book your next seaside getaway here. An exciting new resort overlooking Long Beach on the stunning Cam Ranh peninsula. Start or ﬁnish your Vietnam experience at this tranquil beach resort – so up to speed with everything, from room design to winning beach bar concepts and spa service. Developed by Pham Van Hien - this luxury beach resort offers you an unforgettable insight into Vietnam’s culture and people and gives you a fascinating glance in to Vietnam’s rock star future in the tourism industry.

WHAT TO DO •

• • • • • •

Just relax and enjoy your exquisite accommodation, the pristine beach front, the stunning gardens, and the amazing facilities on offer at this prestigious resort Marine and ecological tourism Food, beverage and dining tours Vespa tours Heritage tourism (villages, temples, etc) Top-tier golf course Lots to do in nearby towns of Cam Ranh and Nha Trang

THE IDEAL VENUE FOR • • • • •

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Weddings Conferences and business meetings A family holiday Couples Retirees

Interview With

DEC 2018

NORBERT

THREE THINGS THAT PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE?

Meyer

Receiving positive feedback personally, via guest satisfaction surveys or by other means

During our stay at The Anam it was our pleasure to get to know the resident manager, Norbert Meyer, who shared his passion for his career and The Anam with us with enthusiasm. What struck us most was his devotion to the staff and people of The Anam, and his ambition for the luxury beach resort he now calls home.

Seeing team members secure promotions after working hard for long periods of time When an idea or initiative we have created comes to fruition and results in more happy guests

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE ANAM? After stints in Hamburg, Kuwait City, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City, Shanghai and Nha Trang, The Anam’s general manager Herbert Laubichler-Pichler approached me. He was on the lookout for an experienced director of rooms. When we met we both realised we had worked not only one but twice for the same hotel (although we had not met each other personally previously) and that we both had very similar mindsets. A few days later he introduced me to The Anam’s founder and owner Mr Hien, who was looking for a director of rooms but I wanted to take my career a step forward as a resident manager. One year later, after successfully opening an apartment hotel in Guangzhou, I was again invited to work with The Anam and signed a contract as the resident manager. I’ve been working for The Anam since January 2018. V E RV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

THE ANAM’S RESIDENT MANAGER NORBERT MEYER

VISIT VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ AND SEARCH NORBERT FOR A FULL VERSION OF THIS INTERVIEW.

What's Special 78

FOOD LOVERS' PARADISE

THE SPA

Vietnam is a veritable paradise for food lovers and The Anam does not disappoint when it comes to culinary delight. Three restaurants and two bars offer a delicious mix of cuisine, that fuse age-old native flavours and techniques with contemporary gastronomy, ensuring that all palates are well catered for. And then there is the unforgettable ‘Mama’s Cooking,’ designed to appeal to those wanting quality and authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

Any ‘get-away-from-it-all’ holiday absolutely needs a good spa at hand, and The Anam does this so well. Balinese-inspired, the spa boasts 10 beautifully appointed spa treatment rooms, and offers an extensive choice of massages, revitalising facials and other beauty treatments.

TO DIGITAL DETOX OR NOT? After a working vacation? Then The Anam is ideal. Wi-Fi works perfectly – whether you are in your room, at a restaurant or poolside. Desperate for a break from daily sensory overload? There is no better place to do this than at The Anam. Feel free to hand in your devices at the reception upon arrival or lock them away in the security of the safe provided in your room. After all, holidays should be a time to fully relax and to mindfully soak up new sights and scenery.

And for those feeling reluctant to leave the comfort of their room, no problem. A spa therapist will come to you – some of the villas even have their own exclusive spa area complete with massage tables, steam rooms and saunas. FOR THE HEALTH NUTS Super special are the complementary yoga classes led by Umesh, a wonderful man, brilliant yogi and teacher, so ready to share advice and improve your flexibility. Sunrise yoga (6am) and afternoon classes take place either on the oceanfront lawn, in the yoga room or on the ocean view deck outside. There is also a well-equipped gym, where for a small fee a personal trainer will take you through your paces. The Water Sports Centre offers recreational pursuits ranging from kayaking to surfing, sailing and body boarding. The magnificent infinity pools are brilliant for cooling off in, plus there is also a tennis court, and a kids club.

V ERV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

DEC 2018 THE ANAM PEOPLE When you leave The Anam – it will be with a collection of wonderful memories – quite possibly the most enduring of which will be of The Anam staff. It is as if they are a large happy family, glad to welcome you in to their home – a home of which they are super proud. They are ready to share stories of their families, Vietnamese customs, what best to do and see, etc. Truly – you will not be able to fault their service. ACCOMMODATION Not enough can be said about the rooms, your home away from home. Spacious and luxurious, they want for nothing. Crisp white bed linens contrast smartly with the dark wood furniture and panelling. Paintings on the wall by Vietnamese artists are original. Mosaic tiles and artful splashes of colour hold the décor together. As well as king-sized or twin beds, every room has a sofa and an outdoor area, great for relaxing during the day. The bathrooms have a big shower as well as a tub that, once the shutters are opened, integrate into a garden area. OUTSIDE OF THE ANAM Resident manager, Norbert, has put together a comprehensive list of recommendations. Simply ask for it from the reception. It covers restaurants, museums, temples, shopping, suggested tours, and so on. Highly recommended is a Vespa Tour (nhatrangvespatour.com) Part of a small group you will ride pillion with a dedicated scooter driver - and visit places like Cong Caphe, Luong Son fishing village, and Chopstick Restaurant. You might even traverse a 15th-century wooden bridge that beats a tune as you cross the muddy river flowing below. Truly unforgettable!

ARCHITECTURE AND GARDENS The Anam was built to be a dream Vietnamese village and uses a large amount of natural hardwood crafted and assembled by local artisans. The French influence that can be seen throughout Vietnam, is unmistakable. The resort is made up of many well-ventilated, tile-roofed single and double story houses standing amidst 3,000 coconut palms. All floor tiles boast 19th-century designs, and distinguished stone masonry can be seen in many walls, and divides. Bougainvillea, reminiscent of chalets found in the Swiss Alps, drip from the balconies, happily soaking up the 300 days per annum of sun. The Beach Club and bungalows display palmleafed rooves, and many sculptures and artworks adorn the walls and gardens of The Anam. The three public pools and villas’ private pools, the many terracotta jars - with sweet sounding discreet little fountains in the middle - scattered across the resort, keep the yin-yang balance neatly in check. The lush tropical gardens of The Anam seamlessly blend a Vietnamese culture and heritage, with modern luxury and charm. V E RV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

Interview With

JOURNEYS

THE MAMAS

Mama's Cooking

Mention that you are planning on visiting Vietnam and anyone who has been there will wax lyrical about the insanely delicious cuisine, the dishes you should not miss, and what to look out for when it comes to street food. Wishing to ensure that their guests do not miss out on this authentic slice of Vietnamese culture, The Anam recruited half-a-dozen mothers of its own staff who twice a week serve up a feast of classic Vietnamese dishes for guests, as if they were cooking for their own families. Dishes include grilled beef in betel leaf, Hue-style beef noodle soup and crispy Vietnamese pancakes, complimented by fresh crunchy salads and other yummy treats (sample recipes provided overleaf). The team of “Mamas” doing the cooking include Nguyen Thi Phuong (pictured), Ngyuen Thi Nhiem and Vo Thi Xuan Huu, whose children are employed full-time by the resort as front office shift leaders and in engineering administration. They have no formal training as cooks, as The Anam’s founder and owner Pham Van Hien reminds us: “They didn’t go to culinary school, and carry no fancy titles. But oh how they can cook.” The Mamas, take great delight in sharing their favourite home cooked dishes with resort guests, and are keen to pile your plate high with the fragrant tasty delicacies they have prepared. Authentic village food served with smiles and nods – it’s these special touches that will remain in our memories forever. The Mamas regularly plate up healthy and delectable Vietnamese fare at cooking stations by the terrace of the resort’s Lang Viet Restaurant overlooking Long Beach’s white sands and turquoise waters beyond.

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DEC 2018

GRILLED BEEF IN WILD BETEL LEAF Bò Nuong Lá Lot

A fresh combination of grilled beef wrapped in aromatic and wild betel leaves PREPARATION Heat two tablespoons of the oil in a pan over moderate heat. Add the garlic and onion and stir until softened, about two minutes.

INGREDIENTS

To make the rolls, place one heaped tablespoon of the meat mixture in the center of a pepper leaf.

• • • • • • • • • • •

Using your fingers, shape the meat into a cylinder about two inches long and threequarter inches wide.

• • •

Transfer to a bowl. Add the lemongrass, peanuts, turmeric, sugar, fish sauce, salt and ground beef. Mix with a fork until well blended and sticky, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside for 30 minutes.

4 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic 1/2 yellow onion, chopped (about 2/3 cup) 2 tablespoons ﬁnely chopped lemongrass 3 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 2 teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons ﬁsh sauce 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 pound coarsely ground beef 30 large "la lot (pepper leaves) or red perilla or grape leaves 4 (6- or 8-inch) bamboo skewers table salad for serving Vietnamese dipping sauce for serving

Wrap the leaf around the meat but leave the sides open. (If necessary, use two leaves.) When done, place the roll seam side down. Make the remaining rolls the same way. Thread five rolls onto each bamboo skewer, positioning the rolls so they touch one another at the seams. Set aside until ready to cook. Heat the remaining two tablespoons of oil in a large non-stick frying pan over low heat. (Make sure the pan is large enough to accommodate the skewers. If not, shorten the skewers.) Add the beef rolls and cook until the meat is done, about 5-7 minutes total. Do not overcrowd the pan. Reduce the heat as necessary to keep the leaves from charring. Transfer the skewers to a platter. Remove the skewers and serve the rolls with Table salad and Vietnamese dipping sauce.

V E RV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

JOURNEYS

VIETNAMESE CRISPY PANCAKES Bánh Xèo

Vietnam is one of the world's great food destinations, and this recipe for banh xeo – savory shrimp pancakes – exemplifies the country's fresh flavours and bountiful seafood. Originating in Ho Chi Minh City, these crispy delights are enjoyed up and down the Southeast Asian country. Feel free to use a variety of seafood if you prefer instead of all shrimp. Sliced squid and firm whitefish also work very well in this recipe. You can also use thinly sliced, cooked pork for a variation. Banh xeo pancakes cook very quickly, so be sure to have all of your ingredients prepped and ready.

INGREDIENTS BATTER 82

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1 ¼ cups banh xeo ﬂour ½ teaspoon salt 1 egg, lightly beaten 2 ½ tablespoons coconut milk 3 green onions, thinly sliced vegetable oil for frying 10gr turmeric powder

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200g cooked shrimp, sliced in half lengthwise 200g squids cooked clear 100g pork bacon 100g onion slice 4 tablespoons fried shallots 2 cups bean sprouts 5 green onions, thinly sliced (Nuoc Cham dipping sauce) 3 tablespoons ﬁsh sauce ½ cup fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon rice vinegar ½ cup powdered sugar 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 long red chili pepper, chopped (accompaniments) 1 head iceberg, or 2 heads butter lettuce Vietnamese herbs fresh cilantro and/or mint leaves

METHOD First, make the sauce by mixing the first four ingredients until the sugar dissolves, then add the garlic and chili pepper. Set aside. Sift the banh xeo flour into a bowl. Make a well in the centre, and add the sugar, salt, egg, coconut milk and ¾ cup water. Mix until smooth, and then add the green onions and combine. Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a medium-size frying pan over high heat. When hot, ladle one-third-cup batter into the center of the pan – you should hear a sizzling sound. Working quickly, rotate the pan until the batter evenly covers the base. When you see bubbles start to form on the uncooked side of the pancake, cover and cook for one more minute. Remove the lid, and top the pancake with shrimp, fried shallots, bean sprouts and green onions. Cook for two minutes, or until the bottom of the pancake is crispy and golden. Remove from the pan and fold the pancake in half. Repeat this process until all the ingredients are used up. V ERV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

wishing you all a very merry xmas! need free parking & a lift to get your goodies back down again? OBV has it! ORAKEI BAY VILLAGE IS OPEN EVERY DAY EXCEPT CHRISTMAS OVER THE HOLIDAYS. SEE YOU THERE! We also have exciting new tenants for our new spaces coming in 2019. 228 ORAKEI ROAD, REMUERA | OBV.CO.NZ

TOP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR 2019

Kiwis are such proliﬁc travellers, the pressure is always on to ﬁnd the next ‘hot’ destination, the new horizon. Based on enquiries for travel in 2019, here are our predictions for destinations emerging at the top of the nation’s travel desires.

^ ALASKA Don’t leave it for your retirement! There is so much more to Alaska than big ship cruises. Head for the Interior with its towering peaks, expansive tundra, and Denali National Park. Even on the highway from Anchorage to Fairbanks you need to lookout for wildlife! Go fishing, dog sledding, kayaking or rafting, or travel in April for the best northern lights viewing! For the ultimate in bear viewing head for Kodiak in the southwest.

< NAMIBIA Okay, so you can get exceptional wildlife in Botswana, and gorgeous winelands in South Africa, but nowhere else offers Namibia’s unique flavour. From the vast towering dunes of Sossusvlei, to the rare desert-adapted wildlife of Damaraland, the Germanic architecture of coastal Swakopmund and the staunchly traditional Himba tribes, this is a land of survival in harsh yet breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. Prepare to fall in love with Namibia and its people.

> PANAMA Take the engineering feat of the Panama Canal, add in lush jungles teeming with wildlife, endless tropical beaches, a lively culture and the best coffee in the world, and there’s no wonder Panama is in demand! Spanish colonial architecture, pirate history and the epic Panama Canal story add to the diversity of this tiny nation lying between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Often combined with eco-tourism-friendly Costa Rica, this is Central America at its best. ^

JAPAN The charm of Japan should never be underestimated—prepare to be surprised! A highlight for many is the food—fresh, delicious and revered, and for others it’s the people—unfailingly polite and friendly. Amidst the hustle of Tokyo you’ll find an orderly metro system, and beautiful gardens hidden amongst the skyscrapers. Outside the cities you’ll find forests and mountains, macaque monkeys soaking in natural hot springs, and traditional thatched houses that wouldn’t look out of place in the Swiss Alps. Go in spring for the cherry blossom season, or go for the rugby next year and catch the autumn foliage of Hokkaido.

^ IRELAND You don’t need Irish heritage to visit the Emerald Isle, your Kiwi accent is enough to ensure a warm welcome and a healthy dash of humour. Dublin, Blarney Castle and Waterford Crystal are all well and good, but we recommend hiring a car and travelling the countryside south of Dublin, dotted with beautiful villages, lakes and castle ruins. Stop in at the village of Cobh from where the Titanic last set sail, and allow time to take some walks in Killarney National Park. Staying in stately country house hotels and manors will give you a taste of the old Ireland, and a truly local atmosphere.

Where will your new horizon be in 2019? Check out our new World Collection 2019 brochures and see where they take you.

09 360 7311 / WO R L D J O U R N E Y S. C O. N Z

WORLD COLLECTION 2019

Brochures out now! See more of the world in our World Collection 2019 brochures, featuring tailor-made travel to Africa, Latin America, Antarctica, the Arctic, Canada & Alaska, Asia, India, the Middle East, Europe, and more! Order free copies at worldjourneys.co.nz/brochures

T 09 360 7311 www.worldjourneys.co.nz /worldjourneys

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THE NEW WAY T O E X P L OR E AUCKLAND ON TWO WHEELS

Auckland is seeping with breathtaking views at every turn, so what better way to see them than on a Bosch eBike? Whether you’re visiting or a local, get more out of your weekend by getting around town and seeing the sights on a bike. No matter your level of fitness or skill an eBike will take you further, in half the time and without the sweat factor. We handpicked five great bike trails that we know you’ll want to try this weekend.

1. DOMINION RD – ONEHUNGA – MANGERE BRIDGE If you’re looking for a plethora of lunch options, Dominion Road is where you’ll want to go. Get lured in every direction by the delicious smells coming from the many eateries in this area. After grabbing a bite, jump on your eBike and head down to Manukau Harbour for a quick dip to refresh on a sunny day. 2. WAIHEKE ISLAND There is no better way to spend a weekend exploring wineries and galleries. Waiheke Island is less than a onehour ferry ride away, so simply jump on board with your bike and get ready to explore the beautiful scenery and escape from the hustle of the city. The 32km/h pedal assistance on your Bosch equipped eBike will help you get between each hot spot in no time.

3. WOODHILL FOREST If adventure is what you’re after, Woodhill Forest is definitely the bike path for you. With mountain bike trails that track through forest terrain get ready for a thrill and tackle challenges you might not have thought possible with the support of an eBike, particularly up those hill climbs! 4. TAMAKI DRIVE With summer time well and truly here, the off-road cycle path along the water front of Mission Bay is the perfect way to spend your weekend. Enjoy a casual ride, taking in the sights, and if you’re lucky you might catch views of the sunset out in Rangitoto. 5. TE ARA I WHITI – LIGHTPATH What has to be one of Auckland’s most photographed bike trails, the Te Ara I Whiti Lightpath is a must do for any out of towner. Hop on your Bosch eBike at Upper Queen Street and venture downtown, along a bright fluorescent pink path. Located in central Auckland, this trail will be the start of any eBike adventure you have in store. Brought to you by Bosch eBike Systems. Find out more at bosch-ebike.com/nz

B O S C H-E B I K E. C O M / N Z

VISIT MATAKANA

If you are looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Auckland, to retreat to a place more slowed down and relaxed, then look no further than Matakana. A convenient one-hour drive from the city, the diverse landscapes and abundance of activities are sure to give you many avenues to rejuvenate.

1. MATAKANA VILLAGE MARKET 88

2 Matakana Valley Road The small and quaint Matakana Village Market is a great spot to visit on Saturdays (8am-1pm), as it provides a variety of delicious brunch foods, fresh produce, breads and sweets. A better place for delicious Christmas gifts, you could not find. 2. PLUME CAFÉ

1335 Leigh Road If you prefer to brunch in the comfort of a café, then Plume Café is an excellent choice. Conveniently located in the heart of Matakana and right next door to Matakana Market, its extensive menu offers plenty to excite those taste buds, not to mention the coffee, which is brilliant. 3. CHARLIE’S GELATO GARDEN

17 Sharp Road If you have a sweet tooth or you just want to treat yourself, stop by Charlie’s Gelato to indulge in a scoop or two of delicious sorbet and gelato made from fresh fruit. 4. USE THE LOO!

Matakana went the whole hog with its Steffan de Haandesigned 'ship shape' public toilets, which acknowledge the local boat-building industry. So after indulging in all those treats you can go to the loo in style. 5. MORRIS & JAMES

46 Tongue Farm Road Watch the potters for free during the daily tour that begins at 11:30am to see them at work, then take a look at the finished products. You will be sorely tempted to take home a selection of colourful plant pots. 7. SCULPTUREUM

40 Omaha Flats Road Unlock your imagination, ignite your mind and fuel imagination, with a visit to Sculptureum. Indulge in an art

experience that is internationally unique. A world of food, art and wine designed to inspire, uplift and amuse. 6. PLUME RESTAURANT

49a Sharp Road, Matakana Head over to the lovely Plume Restaurant to enjoy fine dining from their comprehensive menu while basking in a glorious rural landscape. Plume Restaurant presents 180-degree views of vineyards, fields, valleys and mountains and offers both indoor and patio dining. 8. UNFORGETTABLE TAWHARANUI

To let off some steam, make your way to the gorgeous white sands of Tawharunui beach (10 minutes by car from Matakana). Here, walking tracks take in spectacular views of the bays and marine park, established over 30 years ago, and provides a good time for divers, swimmers, snorkelers and bird watchers. 9. DO A BREWERY TOUR

1004 Leigh Road Sawmill is an independent, New Zealand owned brewery run by a small and talented team. Sawmill Brewery, established in 2004 on the site of what was once a local timber mill established in the 1860s, offers brewery tours, and then there is the Smoko Room, a place in the brewery to visit for generous hospitality, food with gumption, 14 beers on tap and a drinks list that showcases organic wines and the best New Zealand producers. There is also a full range of beer to takeaway as well as flagon fills. 10. PLUME VILLAS

37 Sharp Road If you need a place to lay your head at the end of the day, look no further than the Plume Villas. These stunningly appointed villas offer boutique luxury serviced accommodation where guests can relax and rejuvenate in a peaceful country setting. The 12 villas are set in a beautifully landscaped environment, at one with nature in the heart of the country.

Experience the magic of Matakana, stay at one of our luxurious new Plume Villas and enjoy the superb food and fine wine at Plume Restaurant. Country life starts here. A one-hour scenic drive north of Auckland and 5 minutes from Matakana township you will find Plume Restaurant, an oasis for gourmet travellers in a coastal country setting. Recognised for its superb cuisine, and as the cellar door for Runner Duck Estate Vineyard’s fine wines, Plume Restaurant has gained quite a reputation. Now, 12 new luxury Plume Villas, ranging from 1-3 bedrooms, have been added within the grounds. These all share a swimming pool and are within a relaxed stroll of the restaurant. No matter the season or the length of your stay, you will find Plume Villas a comfortable place to base yourself while enjoying the many delights nearby, including the fabulous food and wine at Plume Restaurant. Already boasting a private light-filled function room, Plume Restaurant has just become the perfect venue for weddings, conferences, meetings and private events set within a peaceful country location. www.theplumecollection.co.nz

37 Sharp Road, Matakana 09 422 7915 / 09 283 3630 SCL/PLU2018/12

49A Sharp Road, Matakana 09 422 7915

1335 Leigh Road, Matakana 09 423 0390

Cellar door, Plume Restaurant 09 422 7915

AUCKLAND’S ACES AND THE ASB CLASSIC Sports fans are in for a real treat as New Zealand’s second city once again bags a bounty of big name stars for New Year tennis tournament ASB Classic. Even nonsports fan will likely recognise a number of the athletes, most notably US superstar Venus Williams. One of the greatest tennis players of the modern era, Williams has seven Grand Slam singles titles to her name, 14 major doubles titles and four Olympic golds. Only one other player currently on the circuit boasts more WTA singles titles, and that’s her superstar sister, Serena. Venus’s tally currently stands at 49.

“It’s great to have Venus back,” says tournament director, Karl Budge. “She has been a special part of this tournament for a number of years and we missed her this year. She is still at the top of the game and how good would it be if she could capture career title number 50 here in Auckland?” “The ASB Classic continues to attract some of the world’s top tennis players,” adds Mark Graham, head of sponsorship at ASB. “We’re looking forward to a fantastic two weeks of tennis in Auckland over the summer.” Other top names taking to the ASB court include defending champions Roberto Bautista Agut and world number nine Julia Goerges—a Wimbledon semi-finalist in July. Tomas Berdych, one of the past decade’s most successful players and one of only three men to have beaten all the ‘big four’—Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray—will make his Auckland debut. “In any other era, he would be a multiple Grand Slam champion,” says Budge. “We have chased Tomas every year that I have been tournament director, and we can’t wait to see him finally play here.” Women’s world number two Caroline Wozniacki will try and go one better than her loss in last year’s final when she makes her fifth appearance in Auckland. Budge is beaming about having her back. “Along with Venus we have two global superstars who we know play their best tennis at the ASB Classic,” says the tournament director. One to especially watch out for is South Korean sensation Hyeon Chung who earlier this year reached the Australian Open having seen off world number four Alexander Zverev, and Novak Djokovic. “Chung has lived up to the hype and high expectations after winning the inaugural

Next Gen ATP Tour Finals last year,” says Budge. “Not only did he have this spectacular run at the Australian Open, he continued that form throughout the biggest tour events of the year.” The tournament runs from 31 December until 12 January (women play the first week, men the second), with a change to the scheduling meaning the first couple of days will just be twilight sessions—what a way to kick off some New Year celebrations! “It provides a better opportunity for people to get out and watch, you can do things in the day and watch matches later in the evening,” Budge says. “The final will be on a much more friendly time on a Sunday, so it makes a better story for fans, players and the ASB Classic too.” The ASB Classic has established itself as not only a worldclass festival of tennis, but a world-class event full stop, with exciting brand partnerships aplenty. Its extensive entertainment programme even includes appearances from celebrity chefs. The tournament continued growth in sales and international broadcast viewership to more than 94 million in 2018. Budge says his team are thrilled to welcome Jaguar to their family of sponsors. “Like us, they have won global awards for best in class and I think the brand perfectly aligns to ours,” he says. “Power, performance and that unmistakable elegance of Jaguar. Auckland traffic hasn’t been so bad of late!” A range of Jaguars will be showcased along Tennis Lane, including the first public appearance by the I-Pace, the manufacturer’s first all-electric car. The players will also be ferried to and from the venue in the luxury motors.

“We’re incredibly enthusiastic about picking up the mantle of official vehicle partner,” says general manager of Jaguar NZ, Steve Kenchington, “and providing meaningful contribution to the development of New Zealand tennis on the world stage.” An area called The Serve will host pop-up bars and eateries and a pair of giant screens means you won’t miss any of the action while kicking back. The all-new Moet & Chandon Racquet Club offers a premium poolside experience where guest can enjoy VIP cabanas sipping champagne and dining on dishes created by super chef Martin Bosley. “We’re thrilled to be able to build on past year’s Moet Ice Lunch and introduce an exciting new Moet Ice pool party to the mix,” says Ali Campbell, senior brand manager at Moet & Chandon. “It’s the perfect way to celebrate two weeks of tennis, and fully enjoy the tournament’s top-class off-court experience.”

Before the centre court action on 5 January, Moet and Working Style will team up for a “playful poolside runway show” showcasing some summer collections. “Tennis is synonymous with summer fashion, so it’s the perfect way to showcase our summer designs,” says Chris Dobbs, Working Style’s managing director. Expect some mouth-watering, thirst-busting cocktails and mocktails courtesy of East Imperial, who have teamed up with Jaguar, while the car brand has also created an exciting new app called ACE PACE that will measure the quality of your serve, with some super exciting prizes to follow. The best servers will be invited to test their driving skills against some of the tennis stars along a Smart Cone course, and as for the overall winner of that? They’ll bag tickets to Wimbledon. VISIT VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF THE ASB CLASSIC.

ALL ABOUT THE (EYE)BROWS WO R D S — J E N N A M O O R E

Jason Dhana is crazy about eyes. So much so that the uber-qualiﬁed optometrist and talented artist has added the skill of microblading eyebrows to his lengthy list of talents.

FRAMING THE FACE Ask any makeup artist where eyebrows stand on the pecking order of making up faces and they’ll site them as a solid framework for any face. Jason Dhana couldn’t agree more.

A REGISTERED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL An optometrist with a masters degree specialising in glaucoma and a clinical education diploma Jason now trains up and coming optometrists as a professional teaching fellow at Auckland University’s School of Optometry and Vision Science. He also works part-time with emergency ophthalmology cases at Greenlane hospital. “I’ve always been fascinated with eyes and the way they work, they’re multi-faceted,” he says. “There’s the anatomy, the optics, prescribing medications and specialties like children, the elderly and blindness.” AN ARTISTS EYE An extraordinarily talented artist who creates very fine, precision paintings and sketches, Jason visited Europe earlier this year and sketched his way around with a sharpie. And when you consider the exactitude of his optometry work, which may necessitate procedures such as removing foreign objects from the cornea with a needle, his sharp, artistic eye comes into its own. MICROBLADING Perhaps it’s no surprise then that years of being immersed in the world of eyes meant eyebrows did not escape his field of vision. “I’ve always appreciated good brows,” he says. And when he began to spot microbladed brows on social media he considered taking up the craft. THE DIFFERENCE A GOOD BROW MAKES A form of temporary tattooing that creates incredibly defined brows the craft requires a steady hand. “I was amazed at the difference I was seeing with before and afters," says Jason. “I thought about training for a few quite a few months before taking the plunge. I recognised there was a niche market for ‘guybrows’ as well as women’s brows. In addition, no one I know of that is practicing microblading in Auckland is a registered health professional.”

LA TRAINED Jason took himself off to LA to train at the Elite Permanent Makeup and Training Centre, which is the first school to be accredited by the Los Angeles County of Health. “I read the reviews and looked at the work done by some of their students and was impressed,” he says. “It was in Westwood and I’m a traveller. I love the summer vibe and the palm trees of LA hence the LA summery palm tree vibe of my social media” REGISTERED TATTOO ARTIST Now a registered body art practitioner under LA County and a New Zealand registered tattoo artist Jason is also a member of the New Zealand Association of Registered Beauty Professionals. He’s enjoying bringing all of his talents together and transforming people’s eyebrows under his business Blade. GUYBROWS Jason also specialises in ‘guybrows’. “I love working with men’s brows, it’s different from women’s, which tend to be finer, and more precise—with men’s brows there’s more fullness, and ‘fluff’ where I can just go for it,” he says. HELPING WITH CANCER One of the beauties of microblading is that it’s safe. “The risk of infection is very low,” says Jason. As such, one of his goals is to work with cancer patients to help people who have undergone cancer treatment to regain their brows. “I’d have to consult with their oncologist of course, it’s a process but coming from a medical background I want to help.” And with his combination of tertiary qualifications and an intrinsic artistic eye, we couldn’t think of better hands to be in. BROWAHOLIC Noun. A person who is addicted to perfectly groomed brows. No plans for rehab.

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“I had one woman who’d had sparse eyebrows for decades and she cried tears of happiness once she saw the results,” smiles Jason. “It’s great, people can sleep in a bit longer without having to draw on their brows and it lifts people's conﬁdence. Even subtle changes to already good brows adds wow factor.”

SMOOTHER, MORE CONFIDENT YOU!

Finesse Face and Body Clinic is proud to be the ﬁrst TruSculpt ID provider in the New Zealand, as part of an exclusive partnership with Cutera. TruSculpt ID is the latest technology available to permanently and noninvasively remove body fat. “We have been leaders in non-invasive cellulite and body contouring treatments in Auckland for 17 years,” says Sue Crake, owner of the Remuera salon. “US-based Cutera is a global pioneer at the forefront of medical aesthetics. We are thrilled to introduce their latest in body contouring treatments. TruSculpt ID has proven results. It is a pleasant experience and allows us to provide a personalised solution to our clients”

FINESSE FACE AND BODY CLINIC SUE CRAKE AND LAUREN TURNER

591 A REMUERA ROAD (UPLAND ROAD SHOPS)

How Does TruSculpt ID Work? TruSculpt ID employs a unique form of low frequency monopolar radio frequency energy that penetrates deep into the adipose tissue and is able treat the entire fat pad. Given each patient’s unique biological complex the TruSculpt ID is able to adjust the energy output to compensate for fibrous tissue ensuring each patient receives an optimally effective treatment.

BEFORE

12 WEEKS AFTER 1 TREATMENT

BEFORE

12 WEEKS AFTER 1 TREATMENT

BEFORE

12 WEEKS AFTER 1 TREATMENT

How Is Treatment Performed? An initial evaluation is performed to frame the desired treatment areas. A total of 6 hand pieces may be used to target an area that is larger than 3 CoolSculpt cool max applicators (approximately 12 SculpSure applicators). Each hand piece is gently applied using a piece of double sided tape and then wrapped around the body ensuring full contact. Patients have reported experiencing mild heat with an overall high level of comfort during the 15 minute session. How Do I Know If I Am A Candidate? Unlike other non-invasive fat removal procedures such as CoolSculpt and SculpSure TruSculpt ID does not have any BMI (body mass index) or weight restrictions. Almost anyone can be treated with the TruSculpt ID. How Many Treatments Will I Need? 95% of patients will only require 1 treatment per area! We can treat multiple (as many as 3) areas in a single 15 minute session! Is The Treatment Painful? No! Patients report the treatment feels like a warm stone massage. Some feel the heat in the first minute to be a bit intense but then adjust to the treatment. How Long Before I See My Results? Results will be noticeable immediately (firming, improved skin tone and texture, some reduction), however, fat cells are removed over a period of time and maximum results will be achieved at 12 weeks.

TruSculpt ID Beneﬁts • • • • • • •

Treats an area 3x larger than CoolSculpting’s coolmax (largest applicator) Just 15 minutes! Painless Safe for use in obese and morbidly obese patients Tightens the skin by remodelling collagen Amazing results-some patients have reported over 35% reduction in fact (***measured by ultrasound in clinical trials) Treat ALL areas including the abdomen, love handles, bra rolls, chin, thighs, arms and calves

09 520 5331 FINESSEFACEANDBODY.CO.NZ

INTRODUCING ECP THERAPY ECP is a holistic therapy that boosts the oxygenation in our bodies and is proven to be an anti-ageing powerhouse, a cellulite ﬁghter, a change maker for athletes and vitality seekers as well as those with heart conditions, dementia, diabetes and a plethora of other health concerns. COMING TO AUSTRALASIA “ECP was first designed at Harvard University in 1963,” says Luke Barwell, director of ECP Australasia. “I’ve always been passionate about wellness and sports which initially sparked my curiosity and interest in human anatomy. I was always striving to find ways of ensuring my body was working at its optimum for game day. So I obtained a degree in sports science, majoring in anatomy and physiology which fed this curiosity even more, and when my younger brother required open heart surgery due to a hereditary condition I decided I wasn’t going to go down the same route.”

When Luke first discovered ECP, he knew it was a game changer. His extensive research into its benefits led him to California to meet with the owner. After hearing first hand how many people ECP Therapy has helped, he qualified in the therapy and brought it back to New Zealand along with the distribution rights to Australasia. WHAT DOES ECP STAND FOR? External Counter Pulsation. WHAT IS ECP THERAPY? ECP boosts the delivery of oxygenated rich blood throughout the body—nourishing areas that may have deteriorated with age and time. ECP also facilitates the release of nitric oxide, which has an antioxidant and relaxing effect providing detoxification, de-stressing and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Towards the end of the session, Luke turned the psi back down for a warm down period. The lower rate that had seemed hefty at first now feels subtle. IS IT FOR ME? Probably. Seriously, most people would almost certainly benefit from some ECP sessions. ECP Therapy has over 300 peer-reviewed studies behind it, proving it be an effective treatment. It’s funded by the government in the US and is used in 47 countries globally for chronic illness, high-performance athletes and as a wellness and prevention tool. “We have an 80 percent success rate,” says Luke. “For people with heart disease/angina, a course of treatment will be effective for them for four to five years, whereas a stent or bypass surgery lasts an average of three years. “We also work with athletes. It's helpful for improving cardiovascular performance and reduces recovery times. We’ve worked with the Warriors and various other athletes. Joseph Parker and the Breakers players are coming in shortly.”

The turbo-charged oxygen-rich blood flow delivers a noticeable improvement to the function of the heart, liver, kidneys, brain, eyes, muscles, tendons, ligaments and skin, boosting overall vitality and wellness plus it’s an amazing anti-ageing tool and it helps with cellulite in a big way.

HOW MUCH DOES ECP COST? An initial free assessment and consultation is free.

HOW DOES IT WORK? During a treatment session, a person lays on a therapy bed and pressure cuffs are wrapped around calves, thighs, and buttocks. The cuffs inflate and deflate compressing the muscles to the rhythm of the heartbeat. It’s an unusual feeling at first.

The Wellness & Prevention programme: Five treatments a month for six months @ $250+GST per month.

Luke starts the compression strength low before turning it up to 3.5psi (maximum is eight). It feels like a workout and is equivalent to a long run says Luke (though it doesn’t increase metabolism).

The Serious/Chronic Illness Programme: 35 treatments @ $3,150 +GST or a payment plan @ $250+GST per month.

LET’S TREAT WELLNESS NOT ILLNESS ECP was ahead of its time in 1963, but these days with much of the population waking up to the power of holistic healthcare it’s taking the world by storm. “It’s about prevention and treating wellness rather than illness—being proactive, not reactive—that’s the key to staying healthy,” says Luke.

Note: The European Society of Cardiology approved ECP technology and in 2013 upgraded its recommendation, stating that the treatment should be offered to individuals in who heart bypass surgery or stents are not possible or appropriate.

E C P T H E R AP Y. C O. N Z / F L E X A C L I N I C 16 0 L AK E R D, N O R T H C O T E 02 1 13 0 7 914 / E C P. A U S T R AL A S I A@ G M AI L. C O M

DID YOU KNOW?

We have over 60,000 miles of blood vessels in our body, which pulsate in sync with our hear tbeat about 100,000 times a day.

L U K E B ARW E L L

H E ALT H, B E A U T Y & F I T N E S S

Have a Merry Floating Christmas

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Aging does not cause stiffness, stiffness causes aging Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of stretching techniques in improving balance and joint extension which helps mobility and gives us confidence as we age. At Eastside we always make stretching an

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YOUR NEW AT-HOME SPA EXPERIENCE Once exclusively available in spas around the world and still lauded as Britain’s #1 luxury skincare brand, ELEMIS is renowned for their ground-breaking formulas and transformative results. Encompassing the most powerful biological actives available ELEMIS’ meticulous attention to detail, pioneering formulas and remarkably transformative results are what truly sets their skincare apart. Proud to be spa partners with ELEMIS, Lotus at Siam Thai Day Spa understand skin needs are different, let us help you ﬁnd an ELEMIS skincare solution to suit you.

Purchase your ELEMIS skincare online or call us for advice

1. ELEMIS Travel Treasures for her These bestselling travel-size essentials will ensure skin looks radiant, no matter the distance. Includes: Gentle Foaming Facial Wash 30ml, Soothing Apricot Toner 50ml, Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules 14 caps, Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 30ml, Sea Lavender & Samphire Bath & Shower Milk 100ml, Sea Lavender & Samphire Hand & Nail Balm 20ml. 2. ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Perfection Give skin and eyes a magnificently moisturising and firming experience, day and night with clinically proven*, multi awardwinning Pro-Collagen heroes. Reveal a firmer-looking, radiant complexion and help delay signs of premature ageing. Includes: ProCollagen Marine Cream 50ml, Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream 50ml, Pro Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks one sachet. 3. ELEMIS Fabulous Frangipani Indulge from top to toe in the rich fusion of Tahitian Monoi oil. Collection includes: Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream 200ml, Body Oil 100ml, Body Polish 200ml, Hand & Nail Cream 100ml, and exclusive Frangipani Glow Candle 210g.

4. ELEMIS Magniﬁcent Man Men’s essentials to cleanse and refresh from head to toe. This start-to-finish skincare routine for face and body leaves skin clean, hydrated and totally revitalised. Includes: Active Hair and Body Wash 100ml, Deep Cleanse Facial Wash 150ml, Daily Moisture Boost 50ml. 5. ELEMIS Beauty Wellness Wonders Indulge with this five-piece collection, the ultimate wellness experience for face and body. Breathe balance back into your life with LIFE ELIXIRS Fortitude Bath & Shower Elixir and Candle, whilst you treat skin to the powers of Pro-Collagen. Includes: ProRadiance Cream Cleanser 200ml, Luxury Cleansing Mitt, ProCollagen Marine Mask 50ml, Pro- Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream 30ml, LIFE ELIXIRS Fortitude Bath & Shower Elixir 100ml, LIFE ELIXIRS Fortitude Candle 200g. 6. ELEMIS Frangipani Stars Make every day a luxury with this divine duo to cleanse and moisturise the body, with the exotic fragrance of Frangipani Monoi for exceptionally soft skin. Collection includes: Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream 200ml, Frangipani Monoi Body Oil 100ml. *Independent Clinical Trials

Call us for a phone skincare consultation, or view the website to find out more about how ELEMIS can help you. Free NZ Delivery. 03 980 5400 • 9 Ernlea Terrace, Christchurch • www.lotusspa.co.nz

H E ALT H, B E A U T Y & F I T N E S S

CLEANSING BEAUTY WO R D S — J AM I E C H R I S T I AN D E S P L AC E S

Like Diet Prada before it, the wonderfully named anti-inﬂuencer Instagram account Estee Laundry is causing a social media storm, but it’s not the fashion industry that it has in its sights, rather the beauty one. With no ads or sponsored content, Estee Laundry promises “power to the people” while “airing out the beauty industry’s dirty laundry”.

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“It was formed by a small group of friends who are passionate about beauty,” says a spokesperson from the anonymous page. “We started the page because we saw a lack of honesty and transparency in the industry. Our ultimate aim is to raise awareness and start conversations that can bring about change in the industry.”

I ask how they go about discovering who and what to cover.

With 31,000 followers and counting at the time of writing— along with features in leading publications around the world—I ask if they expected to find such success.

Much work has been done since April, and Estee Laundry have repeatedly demonstrated that they’re unafraid to take on superstar targets with bottomless purses and an equally infinite number of Instagram followers. Topics highlighted include Kim Kardashian’s Body fragrance bottle bearing an uncanny resemblance to Jean Paul Gaultier’s iconic Classique, as well as the reality TV show star’s Flashing Light’s packaging’s striking similarity to Rodin Olio Lusso’s. In October, it was revealed that Sunday Riley had encouraged employees to leave fake, glowing online reviews of their products.

“Not at all. It was a side project for us and we didn’t think that anyone would be interested in what we had to say. We think there’s been a lot of interest because the beauty industry hasn’t really had a watchdog so far.” Have you had feedback from the industry? “Yes, we receive very passionate messages from brands defending their actions after we post about their questionable behaviour. We also get messages from brands that have had their ideas stolen by other brands.” The group, who cite Banksy as an influence, say anonymity gives them “the power to stand up against beauty entities with infinite resources”. They tell me that they consider the current most worrying trends to be blatant copying, trolling and fake reviews. Thanks to the power of “clever marketing”, adults, they say can, alas, be just as impressionable as children.

“We do get a lot of submissions from our followers and are always keeping an eye out for any new stories. We also have regular features like ‘Ask the Expert’, which requires much intercontinental planning and coordination.”

While Diet Prada, often humorously, concentrates on calling out the fashion industry’s faux pas, Estee Laundry also seeks to cultivate a community with healthy online discourse, a notable example being a discussion about ‘pink tax’—the tendency of skincare brands to inflate the price of women’s products over men’s, even if the ingredients are identical. It’s also not just about calling out the beauty industry’s dark side, just as powerful, say Estee Laundry, is to promote those who are going about their business ethically.

With the images of some magazine spreads and advertising campaigns being so clearly airbrushed or photoshopped almost beyond perfection, I wonder if there is also an element of wilful ignorance among some of the public.

“We do try to strike a balance,” they say. “But our controversial stories just seem to garner more attention. We love talking about people who are making a difference in the world of beauty.”

“Unfortunately, people do tend to believe magazines and the media in their portrayal of certain looks as the beauty ideal. We are so glad that this is changing thanks to digital and social media.”

Follow Estee Laundry on Instagram @EsteeLaundry

V ERV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

DEC 2018

I N S TAG R AM. C O M / E S T E E L A U N D RY

AY URVEDA H EALT H

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT. RECIPES FOR YOUR SKIN. WO R D S : P E R RY M C D O N AL D

Therapeutic masks nourish by providing vitamins and minerals. They rejuvenate by refining pores, healing scaring, evening out the colour tone, soothing and moisturising the skin. They are easy to make from home. The base of bentonite clay acts like a magnet for dirt and toxins that accumulate deep in the skin. It is rich in minerals such as iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium and silica.

COCONUT AND VANILLA WHIPPED BODY BUTTER INGREDIENTS: 1 cup of cocoa butter, grated ¼ cup of coconut oil 10 drops of your specific dosha essential oil** ½ cup of almond oil

MASK FOR MATURE SKIN INGREDIENTS: 6 parts powdered bentonite clay 5 parts manuka honey 2 parts aloe vera gel 1 x vitamin E and vitamin A capsule (squeezed) 2 tsp evening primrose oil 2 drops rose mosquito essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Melt the cocoa butter and coconut oil in a double boiler or in bowl placed in a saucepan of boiling water. 2. When melted completely, add almond oil and dosha essential oil* 3. Chill in the refrigerator or freezer until slightly hardened (about 2030 minutes) 4. Whip with your hand mixer until smooth and creamy 5. Place into a container. It will harden a bit more due to the coconut oil. Simply scoop some out and it will melt in your hand so that you can rub it into your skin. Makes around one cup.

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Mix all together and apply on freshly cleaned skin. 2. Leave for 20 minutes. 3. Use this time to relax – feet up. 4. Then wipe off with a warm flannel.

S H O P AT AY U RV E DAH E ALT H. C O. N Z

100% NATURAL AND CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENTS

Restore, rejuvenate and refresh yourself this holiday break with the luxurious SleepDrops Christmas gift pack

SLEEPDROPS. CO. N Z

2 DIVINE SLEEP Aromatherapy Room and Pillow Spray

SleepDrops for Adults 20ml Bottle

4 1. Zenz Organic Styling Wax Pure No.09 2. Zenz Organic Hair Rinse & Treatment Fresh Herbs No.87 3. Zenz Organic Conditioner Pure No.02 4. Zenz Organic Shampoo Pure No.1 Lavender Magnesium Bath Salts

ITSSIM PLYNAT URAL.CO.NZ

WINNERS OF THE 2018 NZ BEAUTY SALON OF THE YEAR AWARD

IS YOUR MAKEUP AGEING YOU?

40+ MAKEUP MASTERCLASS LAUNCHES Gabrielle Jones and Dianne Ensor

Have you evolved your makeup and skincare like you do with your fashion or are you still using the same products and colours you used 10 years ago? Have you ever learnt proper techniques for applying product to your brows or eyelids, or is it just slap, dash and hope for the best?

we can look and feel better. It’s not about trying to be young again, but about empowering women to feel and be the best version of themselves. We find women are very open to an unbiased opinion and are willing to embrace changes in their regimes if they get the opportunity.”

Renowned makeup artists Gabrielle Jones and Dianne Ensor have decided it is time there was training available for women aged 40 and over, so have launched a Makeup Masterclass Series designed specifically with them in mind.

“Not only are these Masterclasses loaded with valuable and practical information, they are also designed to be fun and interactive,” adds Dianne Ensor, co-founder and director at The Makeup School.

From within the training rooms of the highly regarded The Makeup School in Ponsonby, women can sip on a glass of bubbles while learning from these industry leaders about simple techniques and tricks in skincare and makeup to help them look their best. With over 20 years experience working in the film, television and beauty industries, the tutors know their stuff. “We are constantly being asked for advice by women wanting to know what they should be doing when it comes to their makeup and skincare,” says Gabrielle Jones, cofounder and director of The Makeup School. “Everything changes as we get older and it’s important to talk about what we are all experiencing and to find ways

“We really wanted to create the type of evening that we would like to attend ourselves! We hope we have achieved this with a relaxed, intimate environment where women can come on their own or with friends and enjoy themselves. “The makeup artist tutor demonstrates expert tips and tricks with application through to colours and products on live models. We discuss everything from over plucked eyebrows, to updating your foundation and lipstick.” The monthly Masterclasses take place on a Monday evening from 6pm-8pm. Each Masterclass costs $85 per person and can be booked online at themakeupschool. co.nz or via phone on 09 376 6660. Spaces are limited to 14 per Masterclass, which also includes light refreshments and a gift from Dermalogica.

09 3 76 6 66 0 / T H E M AK E U P S C H O O L. C O. N Z

Achieve a picture perfect pout! Maximise hydration within the lip

Contact Clinic 42 where the “Julie Horne” lip technique is practiced. Limited appointments available before Christmas. Phone 09 638 4242 to make your booking with one of our excellent team.

CLINIC42.CO.NZ / 09 638 4242 / 321 MANUKAU ROAD, EPSOM

Verve's December Beauty Picks

ELEMIS Travel Treasures for Him Discover the best of ELEMIS' men's skincare range, with travel-size essentials for grooming on the go. Collection includes: Skin Soothe Shave Gel 50ml, Deep Cleanse Facial Wash 50ml, Daily Moisture Boost 50ml, Sharp Shower Body Wash 100ml, Instant Refreshing Gel 20ml, Bag and gift box. Purchase at Lotusspa.co.nz

Vitalise Natural sunscreen SPF30 Our ultra hydrating sunscreen has carefully formulated with oils that nurture and protect your skin. Our ultra-hydrating sunscreen won’t leave a greasy residue on your skin. Vitalise Sunscreen is an antioxidant-rich formula for superior sun protection. $35, Available from eastsidestudio.co.nz

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Jewels Rich marine actives are at the heart of this luxurious award-winning Pro-Collagen collection, to cleanse and moisturise day and night, dramatically reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Nourishes and protects the skin for a smoother, firmer, younger-looking complexion. Collection Includes: * Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 50g * Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment 15ml * Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 100ml * NEW Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix 30ml * Pro-Collagen Neck & Décolleté Balm 50ml * Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks 2 sachets * Luxury Cleansing Cloth

Purchase at Lotusspa.co.nz

10 6

VA AT 49

$99 Spring Clean

Make an appointment with our specialist hygienists for a gum assessment, clean and polish. NEW TOOTH & GUM COLOUR TESTS INCLUDED

Terms and Conditions: Offer only available to new patients. Booking essential. Bookings must be made by 31 December 2018. Subject to availability. Any additional treatments will be at an extra cost & discussed with you first.

WHITE SCORE

PINK SCORE

Dental Hygiene & Periodontal Specialists Book now (09) 524 2855 | richardlongbottom.com BDO Tower, Takapuna | Peach Parade, Remuera

V ERV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

DEC 2018

THERMAGE HAIR REMOVAL & SKINCARE SYSTEM

TH IN GS JUST G OT BE T TE R , FA STE R , SA F E R A N D PA IN -F R E E The UniLux Thermage premier multi-treatment system for permanent hair reduction, skin rejuvenation, reduction of pigmented lesions, freckle and vascular lesion reduction is faster and more effective than anything in its class. UN ILUX SH R H A IR R E M OVA L SHR is faster than traditional IPL and laser, it’s safer and it’s pain-free in comparison. Super Hair Removal (SHR) is used for general hair removal purposes. It can be used safely on all skin types and is a painless treatment. It gently heats the hair follicle to the required temperature, which results in a warm, tingling sensation. Some clients compare it to a warm massage. H OW M A N Y TR E ATM E N TS D O CL IE N TS N E E D ? Most people vary in the number of treatments required, this does depend on where their hair cycles are when we first start but usually most people need six to eight treatments. Some clients have had 70% loss after just four sessions. W IL L TH E H A IR G R OW BACK ? The short answer is “no”. It is also possible to have new hair growth triggered if you go through any hormonal changes such as starting or stopping contraceptive pills, pregnancy, menopause, changes in medications or long-term stress. Prices start from $50 and depend on the size of the treated area.

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12 DAYS OF

Christmas

WO R D S — PAR I S M I T C H E L L T E M P L E

From stocking fillers to the present of your dreams, Verve edits the best of beauty gifting for 2018.

Motion lotion by Kevin Murphy $50 Give your hair a little bit of motion and a smooth, silky finish with KEVIN.MURPHY Motion.Lotion. This curl-enhancing cream is a powerful multi-tasker and true necessity for wavy and curly heads everywhere. Perfect for all hair types— even thin, fine hair.

Hair Barrette by Sylvain Le Hen Designed to fit over a pony tail, this simplistic curved hair barrette has a spring-loaded clasp to secure the base of a pony tail, adding an elegant touch to an everyday look. from inesstore.com

MECCA Holiday Byredo Room Spray Fleur Fantôme $165 This whimsical room spray evokes the fantasy scents of silent flowers, mixed with fresh green notes and sophisticated suede. from meccabeauty.co.nz

Luminosity Face Serum By Biologi $97.95 A storehouse of vitamins and antioxidants that leaves skin looking refreshed, radiant and luminous. from biologi.com.au/shop

SOS primer by Clarins $64 This colour corrector offers instant touch up results. Its beige pigments help minimise the violet hue imperfections often have (dark circles, visible veins, marks associated with acne). Your skin looks fresh and flawless. Available at Farmers, department stores and selected pharmacies.

Amande Exquise Candle by Diptyque $62 To celebrate the end of the year, Pierre Marie & Diptyque have created a winter legend, staging spirits from an imaginary folklore, in which candles get magical powers. This magical candle features notes of almond and tonka bean. from Mecca meccabeauty.co.nz

Haven Skin Spa Gift Voucher $50 Haven offers a full range of beauty salon services, with a focus on specialist skin care and advice. Knowledgeable beauticians are there listen, to guide and to help you discover the skin you’ve always wanted. Haven beauty treatments are designed to align with your needs: rediscover your glow, boost your confidence or embark on a voyage of pure relaxation. havenskinspa.com (locations in Takapuna and Mount Eden)

Protect SPF 30 Sunscreen by Osmosis This non-nano, coated, zinc-oxide based sunscreen offers sheer, long-lasting coverage. Great for all ages, and skin types. Wears beautifully alongside all Osmosis products. Available at Haven Skin Spa or osmosisskincare.com

MECCA Holiday Mecca Cosmetica The Suite Life $53 The ultimate edit for your go to skin saviours. Gift Mecca’s best-selling MeccaMorphosis range to your special someone this holiday season, or just treat yourself! from meccabeauty.co.nz

Huile Prodigieuse by Nuxe An iconic staple in every French woman's bathroom, Huile Prodigieuse is a multipurpose dry oil for face, body and hair From inesstore.com

Aromatherapy balms by Scentered $35 Scentered is a unique range of 100% natural, portable aromatherapy balms and therapeutic candles, to help you stay centred, wherever, whenever. Scentered balms and candles encourage you to take a moment for yourself and breathe with renewed positivity. Stop. Inhale. Reset. 09 3361891 or email olivia@beautycare.co.nz

Clay Soap Dish By Sans x Luna Ceramics These beautiful, handcrafted clay soap dishes are individually hand thrown on the wheel then kiln fired. Minimalist and practical, the dish comes with a detachable bottom to enable ease of clean and functionality.

Party

SEASON WO R D S — PAR I S M I T C H E L L T E M P L E

It’s that time of year again: party time. And there’s nothing quite like wearing something brand spanking new to make you feel really special. This season, party dresses have been adorned in sparkles and bows, made up in satin, sculpted into hour glass silhouettes, reworked into robe dresses and lengthened to the floor.

^ PENNY SAGE Robin Dress $390 < HARMAN GRUBISA Lucille Dress $789

^ PARIS GEORGIA Felix Skirt $640, Marnie Top $320 Or Long Sleeve – Alba Top $590 MISS CRABB Diamond Star Robe $620 >

^ KATE SYLVESTER Meg Dress $799 < GEORGIA ALICE Sublime Dress $719

STOCKING FILLERS

Vintage Skirts and earrings from paintedbird.nz

Christmas Lights Kids Tanks & Thunderpants: available sizes S-L $20-$32

Christmas Lights Candy Stripe Merino Socks & Mens Fitted Boxer: available sizes S-XL $28-$36

Vintage style bag from paintedbird.nz

Vintage Silk Scarves and Japanese Hairsticks at paintedbird.nz

Christmas Lights Womens Hipster & Original: available sizes XS-XL $28

Thunderpants organic, fairtrade and made right new in NZ. Making Christmas undies more interesting since 1995. THUNDERPANTS.CO.NZ True vintage style together with carefully-curated individuality is an enduring fashion trend around the world. PAINTEDBIRD.NZ 110

Elstree Pharmacy e us Come and se fts gi tic for fantas l al , es ag l al for â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ily m of your fa s and health need vice. excellent ad

145 W E S T TA M A K I R D , G L E N I N N E S 09 528 3636 E LS T R E E P H A R M AC Y @ X T R A . C O . N Z

V ERV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

NEWMARKET | MILFORD | WELLINGTON MISCHIEFSHOES.CO.NZ Featured style - Joretta by Mollini

NEW IN STORE 03.

2018 NEW ARRIVALS

01.

04.

02.

319 REMUERA ROAD CNR NORANA & REMUERA RD

VINCENT 23 NUFFIELD ST NEW MARKET

W W W. H A R T L E Y S . C O . N Z

01. LYDIA DRESS 5430JX 02. DIAL TOP 5393SF 03. ACROBAT FRACTION DRESS 5383LW 04. LYDIA TOP 5432JX RUFFLE CAPRI 5230SW

SIGNAT UR E ST Y LE

SUMMER STYLE Summer. Blissful days of warmth, eating al fresco, long lazy afternoons stretching into evenings. Relaxed lifestyle, relaxed dressing. Summer is definitely my favourite season and when I chat to my clients most will tell me they find summer easier to dress for than winter. Summer requires less thought; pop on a dress, add your shoes for gals and shorts and shirt for guys and you’re done. What summer does offer that winter doesn’t is more opportunities to socialise. With weddings, parties and impromptu events featuring high on most of our calendars, we need clothing suitable for celebrations and occasions along with more casual pieces that say “I made an effort, but not too much effort”. I have had clients who have confessed to me that they had started saying no to social invitations as they felt genuinely stuck: they feel they know what to wear at the office and what to wear when relaxing at home, but the whole “smart casual” thing has them tearing their hair out! This isn’t simply confined to my female clients either, many of my male clients want to get their more relaxed wardrobes under control also. So, with the more casual events of summer in mind here’s my top buys for summer: 1 112

True vintage style together with carefullycurated individuality is an enduring fashion trend around the world. Painted Bird provides a handpicked collection of European truly vintage one-off pieces of event and casual wear for women and men. Sustainable and ethically-sourced fashionable art includes colours, fabrics and garment workmanship found in high street boutiques. Personalised attention with an instore stylist combined with old-fashioned service is available to you every day. Be your own Bird, at Painted Bird.

Visit 164 Kitchener Rd, Milford Follow on Instagram or Facebook @paintedbirdnz paintedbird.nz / 09 486 2473

WOMEN: • Dresses – perfect for a relaxed summer occasion. Choose a fabric that moves: floaty silk or soft cotton. • White jeans – dress them up with heels or down with trainers. • Wedge or block heeled sandals. Yes, you can pair trainers with everything, but a heel will instantly look dressier. • Soft, relaxed pants or jumpsuit – the last thing you feel like wearing on a sticky day is something tight. • A linen tee – wear with denim cut-offs for a relaxed vibe, or white jeans or soft baggies and heels to dress it up a little. MEN: • Short sleeved shirts – so much cooler than a tee-shirt and a whole lot dressier (but avoid something your dad might wear). • Linen shirt – always looks relaxed, but smart. • Slim cut shorts – look for a subtle print or keep it monotone. If you are wearing shorts below your knees you are committing a heinous fashion crime. Cargo shorts are dangerous territory also. • Chinos. Slim fit and cuffed. Still. • A loafer or soft leather shoe. Trainers at a pinch, but they are quite casual. Don’t wear your work shoes with shorts ever. Jackie O’Fee is owner of Auckland’s leading Personal Style consultancy, Signature Style. If you’d like a hand buying your summer wardrobe Jackie would love to help! Signature Style vouchers make great gifts, too! Further information can be found at signaturestyle.co.nz or give her a call on 09 529 5115.

V ERV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

J AC K I E O ‘ F E E / 0 9 5 2 9 5 1 1 5 S I G N AT U R E S T Y L E. C O. N Z

DEC 2018

Pod Hoops $225

Textured Studs $115

Dove Necklace $170

Cap Ring $140

Wing Necklace $195

Peace Necklace Leaf Earrings $115

Wave Ring Stack $280 Coral Bangle $295

Hand crafted and made in New Zealand. Shop online at www.louisedouglas.com or at retail outlets throughout New Zealand including a flagship boutique in Nelson at 117 Nile Street.

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FO O D

AMPERSAND EATERY

WO R D S — J E N N A M O O R E

(NOUN) AMPERSAND A symbol or character representing ‘and’. It is for connections, collaborations, inclusion, bringing together and reminding us that there is always more to come… The above quote underpins Ampersand Eatery, a fabulous collaboration of all-day dining and the coffee excellence of Espresso Workshop nestled in Orakei Bay Village (OBV). AWARD-WINNING STYLE The industrial-style 120-seat establishment was designed by the renowned crew at Ctrl Space and features raw wood, indoor greenery, a semi-open kitchen, on-site coffee roastery, festoon lights, a rustic pink bar, and an expansive Sydney-esque deck overlooking Hobson Bay in the Orakei Basin.

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YIN AND YANG Along with superb coffee served by specialist baristas, the menu focuses on fresh seasonal produce and is designed by chef Mikey Newlands (ex-Bracu and The Grove) and pairs beautifully with a well-thought-out wine list put together by his award-winning sommelier partner Amanda Rogers. “If I’m the yin Amanda’s the yang,” says Mikey. “Amanda runs the floor and the wine programme.” It’s been a busy time for the couple who co-founded Ampersand Eatery last year, three months after their son Alex was born.

ORAKEI BAY VILLAGE Perched beside Father Rabbit and The Botanist, Ampersand Eatery is one stop from Britomart by train or there are 270 parks onsite (now free!). Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon grazing and dinner it’s a delightful spot to relax imbibing a cup of joe or a glass of vino paired with delicious food.

THE MENU “The menu is modern, damn tasty, on trend but approachable,” says Mikey. “It’s important to me that we keep our customers interested while delivering what they want. In the beginning, we had no end of requests for scones, so we added them and now I think we make the best scones in the area.”

228 O R AK E I R OAD, A U C K L AN D / 09 522 9503 / AM P E R S AN D E AT E RY. N Z

DEC 2018

AN OUTSTANDING CHEF PEDIGREE After qualifying as a chef in New Zealand Mikey worked in Melbourne with acclaimed restaurateur Andrew McConnell of Cumulus Inc, Supernormal and Cutler and Co. fame. Then came a stint in London at The Ledbury in Notting Hill, which is owned by Australian chef Brett Graham and has been the recipient of many accolades including best London restaurant several times.

Amanda and Mikey would like to offer a mini-Christmas pudd ing to Verve readers when mentioning this artic le during the month of December. *Ts + Cs apply.

Mikey returned home to work with Ben Bayly at The Grove before becoming head chef at Bracu.

THE ROSÉ FACTOR Couple that with a freshly roasted speciality coffee or firstrate wine. “Our wine list is thoughtful and accessible,” says Mikey. In keeping with the rosé zeitgeist, best-sellers include the sexy Domaine Houdart and New Zealand made Grava, as well as plenty of other varieties to choose from.

AMPERSAND & ESPRESSO WORKSHOP It was a dream of Mikey and Amanda’s to establish their own restaurant so when Espresso Workshop was looking for partners to collaborate with it was the perfect opportunity. The name Ampersand stems from Mikey reading an article several years ago by an American food blogger who was poking at hipsters about his boredom with the number of restaurants who used the ampersand symbol in their name. “So in this time of mumbling, texts, and Snapchat, I thought it was strong,” says Mikey. MADE FROM SCRATCH “Ninety-five percent of everything we serve is made inhouse right down to the burger buns which are based on a brioche recipe I learned in Europe,” says Mikey. “And I’d put our puff pastry on a par with what you can find in Paris.” AUTHENTIC RECIPES The potato gnocchi and zucchini flowers are also standouts. "The gnocchi recipe originally came from a chef’s Italian grandmother, and it’s been passed down from chef to chef,” says Mikey. “We flipped it on its head—traditionally you don’t work gnocchi a lot but we work it so much it resembles pasta before adding goat’s cheese, fresh herbs and preserved lemon.”

ALL DAY GRAZING All in all. Ampersand Eatery is a delightful space— even dogs are invited on to the open deck. Fine food, exceptional coffee, fabulous wines, delicious dining, and free parking with well-behaved and respectful pooches welcomed. What’s not to like? *Subject to availability – One pudding per dining customer – Available from 02-12-18 to 31-12-18 – not available in conjunction with any other offer – not transferable.

228 O R AK E I R OAD, A U C K L AN D / 09 522 9503 / AM P E R S AN D E AT E RY. N Z

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' T I S T I M E FO R C E L E B R AT I O N R E C I P E S â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A U G U S T U S BY M U D B R I C K

P H O T O S â&#x20AC;&#x201D; VAN E S S A AN D M I C H AE L L E W I S

Augustus By Mudbrick teamed up with Verve to show us how to make these decadent cocktails and desserts, just in time for the festive season. 1- 3 S T M ARY S R D, A U C K L AN D / 09 9 50 4 485 / A U G U S T U S B I S T R O. C O. N Z

Please visit vervemagazine.co.nz for the full recipe.

PROFITEROLES WITH CARAMEL SAUCE AND

CHOCOLATE FONDANT Please visit vervemagazine.co.nz for the full recipe.

COCONUT

MOJITO

INGREDIENTS 60ml Coconut Infused Plantation No.3 Rum 15ml Monin coconut syrup 5x mint leaves 12x lime wedge 1x barspoon brown sugar soda of your choice METHOD Add all ingredients into longdrink glass and muddle. Top up with crushed ice and soda. Garnish with fresh mint spring and lime wheel.

ESPRESSO

M AR T I N I I N G R E DI E N T S 45ml Blue Duck Vodka 15ml Kahlua 30ml espresso 30ml simple syrup METHOD Shake well with ice. Double strain into martini glass and garnish with three coffee beans.

S T R AW B E R RY

M AR G AR I TA

INGREDIENTS 45ml Strawberry Infused Don Julio Tequila 15ml Cointreau 30ml Lime Juice 12ml Monin Strawberry Syrup fresh strawberry cut in half METHOD Place all ingredients into shaker with ice. Shake well and double strain into coupe glass. Garnish with half strawberry ï¬&#x201A;oating on top.

PISCO

SOUR

INGREDIENTS 60ml Waqar Pisco 60ml chickpea brine 30ml ime juice 30ml sugar syrup METHOD Shake with hawthorne spiral and four ice cubes. Serve in coupe glass and garnish with dehydrated lime and three dried ï¬&#x201A;ower leaves.

KOREAN FOOD, KIWI-FIED

WO R D S — J AM I E C H R I S T I AN D E S P L AC E S

Think Korean food and most might instantly think of kimchi, though most probably don’t realise that there are more than 100 different varieties of the salted, fermented vegetable (usually cabbage) staple. That such attention is paid to what is essentially a side dish epitomises the reverence Koreans hold for their cuisine, and chefs and foodies around the globe are quickly cottoning on. Korean food is on the rise, and it’s getting a contemporary twist.

“Growing up, I always believed French food was the best, I didn’t appreciate the magic of Korean cuisine,” says Min Baek, owner and executive chef of Han restaurant in Parnell. “Korean food has strong character, it involves fermentation, uses fresh leaves and seasonal ingredients. It takes time. I didn’t realise that, sat at my mum’s table, I didn’t know what was going on. But now I understand.” Min, who hails from South Korea’s second city of Busan, is leading the charge in Aotearoa to turn Western taste buds on to his nation’s kitchen, fittingly, using French techniques. “Authentic Korean flavour can be too much for Westerners, a little too spicy,” says the chef. “So, I try to introduce it little by little. My focus is on flavour, and texture. Like New Zealand, my home city is known for its seafood, so I have tried to incorporate that here—but the species are very different so it’s not always easy.” One of Min’s favourite ingredients is the perilla leaf. A member of the mint family, the chef says that its aromatic flavour especially complements meat. “My grandmother used to grow it in her small garden,” he adds, “and when I smell it, it still reminds me of my childhood. It’s so popular, customers often inquire as to where they may purchase it. It’s stocked in most Korean supermarkets.” In an interview with Asian Society, pioneering New York-based chef Sohui Kim says she believes Korean food is finally having its moment in the sun owing to it being well-balanced and flavourful but also because it “doesn’t leave you feeling bloated”. “There’s certain lightness about the cuisine,” she says. “A lot of young chefs are finding there’s room to play.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Min. “Korean food just has so much potential,” he says, “and more and more Korean restaurants around the world are being awarded Michelin stars.” Michelin-star chef Junsik Yim tells The World’s 50 Best Restaurants: “It’s not just people’s understanding of Korean food that has changed over the past five years, but people’s understanding of Korean culture as a whole.” Also enhancing Korean food’s popularity is its healthiness. Heavy on the vegetables (the country’s vegetable consumption is said to be among the world’s highest), even most home cooks are adept at home preservation and fermenting techniques, taking great pride in minimising waste. Speaking with Food and the Fabulous, Korean-American food editor of Paste magazine Dakota Kim says that she even makes kimchi from watermelon rinds: “I’d like to see healthier fast-food spots spotlighting the wonderful vegetables Koreans are so brilliant at.”

L-R: HAN RESTAURANT, 9 G R AD E WAG Y U B E E F B B Q W I T H H O U S E P I C K L E S, B E E T R O O T I C E C R E AM WITH RED GINSENG M E R I N G U E, CHEFS KEVIN LEE (SOUS CHEF) AND MIN (OWNER/CHEF).

Min positions Han at the other end of the spectrum, offering a fine dining experience that’s proudly crafted using free range meats and seasonal produce. “I support local and I support small business,” says Min. “The prices might be higher, but it definitely makes for better quality.” Han restaurant mirrors Min’s fresh, modern approach in the kitchen. Designed by Patterson Associates, the industrial-inspired setting boasts booths and a brooding palette and, most strikingly, chimneys that hang above each table to draw away the fumes of the famous Korean barbecue. Min’s journey to restaurateur—and entrepreneur—is an incredible one given that his career began on the very bottom of the culinary wrung as a kitchen hand. “From start to end, I learnt a lot and I loved it!” says the amiable boss. Along the way he was trained by Michael Meredith and even started his own food truck. Han restaurant celebrated its first anniversary last October. “I try to please everyone, and I still get very nervous when people try a new dish for the first time,” Min admits, “but when they enjoy it, then there is absolutely nothing more satisfying.” U N I T G 04 A, 100 PAR N E L L R OAD, I N S I D E ' T H E R I S E', PAR N E L L H AN R E S TA U R AN T. C O. N Z / 09 3 7 7 09 7 7 / I N FO @ H AN R E S TA U R AN T. C O. N Z

FO O D

LET ' S E AT O UT

DREAMERS CAFÉ WO R D S — D E N N I S AN D R O S AM U N D K N I L L

Month by month with many miles under our feet we scour the city constantly on the lookout for great coffee, home baking and friendly staff. Once in a while we come across something special, more often than not by accident. Tucked discreetly into Great South Road’s landscape is probably one of Remmers's best-kept secrets. This easy to miss quaint little cosy cottage with its charming gardens has for many years attracted a local clientele. Call it a meeting of the minds between Pranee and Hanna the two experienced owners. Their much-imitated but rarely matched menu is simple and oozes with plenty of energy, flair and passion. A keenly priced blackboard breakfast and lunch menu boasts generosity aplenty in flavours and portions with everything expected of a suburban café. The breakfast bill of fare is a refreshing combination of omelettes, pancakes, French toast, eggs benedict, mince on toast and their Dreamers special ($19.50) of bacon, sausage, eggs, hash brown, tomato. Similarly, their lunch menu will not disappoint. Apart from the traditional sandwiches, panini rolls, muffins, cakes, nachos, pies and savouries there is also some Southeast Asian influences as green chicken curry, chicken satay, teriyaki chicken and Thai salad. Each are served with rice, tomato, avocado and green salad.

And the verdict? The perfect breakfast spot and a great venue for a casual lunch make this a place to go back to time and again. And what a difference good service makes, warm and friendly without missing a beat. Go and see for yourself, it’s a good excuse for great coffee and a homemade scone.

MEN U : 7. 5 C U I S I N E: 8 S ERVI C E: 8 D ÉCO R : 7 VA LU E FO R MO N EY: 8

148 GREAT SOUTH RD, REMUERA / 09 524 5057 / DREAMERSCAFE.CO.NZ 124

'HAN' the home of modern Korean cuisine, owned by chef Min formerly of Meredith's, and who gained cult status with his food truck. Han offers Chef Min the creative space to design Korean dishes with a Western twist. Diners get to participate by cooking the high quality meat on a traditional Korean charcoal table top grill. This ultramodern architectural space designed by leading architects, Patterson Associates, in truly a unique experience. H A N RE S TA U RA NT Unit G04a, 100 Parnell Rd, Parnell (inside 'The Rise') hanrestaurant.co.nz / 09 377 0977 info@hanrestaurant.co.nz

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TA K A P U N A

40 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna Open everyday!

O R A K E I B AY V I L L A G E 234b Orakei Road, Remuera Closed Christmas day.

PONSONBY CENTRAL 136/146 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby

Closed Christmas day, boxing day, 1st and 2nd of Janurary

W W W. B I R D O N AW I R E .CO. N Z

FO O D

LETS EAT OUT

RED WALL 1939

Fine dining and degustation seem to be a thing of the past but that has been arrested with a fresh sense of endeavour from what is probably Auckland’s best Chinese restaurant.

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Behind the doors of one of Parnell’s oldest homesteads the aura of warmth starts with a friendly welcome that extends into the most intimate surroundings that puts a focus fairly and squarely on what to expect on the plate. The inspiration comes from Jian (Kevin) Liu one of the city’s most out-there food talents and the grandson of Chairman Mao’s personal executive chef for 20 years. The nine-course menu complemented by an appropriately rich and serious wine showcases the freshest local produce and a true document of his culinary passions and travels captured in highly worked small plates that unite global flavours with rare finesse with each dish being a work of art. This is not comfort food. This is degustation designed to please, and at its best it delights, and when it’s on your plate even astonishes, a testament to the kitchen's talent. There’s little that you won’t have seen before but the produce is excellent and the cooking confident. Among the best bests are fresh seasonal fruits, assortment of nuts, selection of canapes, fermented black garlic soup, char sui salmon with scallop, kim chi short rib, crystal vegetables, pine nuts market fish, dumpling and sweet kumara with vanilla ice cream. And the verdict? Dinner here can add up but it’s worth paying the extra for the smiling unfailingly polite floor staff, efficient service and exemplary food that treads a line between fresh and appealing. This is a special occasion kind of place so dress up and bring a big appetite—you won’t be disappointed. Words – Dennis and Rosamund Knill

Menu Cuisine Wine List Service Décor Value for Money

10 10 8 9 9 10

85 Gladstone Rd, Parnell Tuesday – Sunday, 09 300 3178 redwall1939.co.nz, reservation@redwall1939.co.nz

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Unique Chinese fine dining experience

85 Gladstone Rd, Parnell 09 300 3178 reservation@redwall1939.co.nz

SIDE OF MT COOK SALMON WITH POMEGRANATE MOLASSES GLAZE & PARSLEY SALAD

A show-stopping side of salmon is great with fresh and summery salads. Perfect for al fresco dining. We use Mt Cook Freshwater Alpine Salmon. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons sea salt 1 side Mt Cook Salmon 1 clove garlic, crushed 3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses 2 tablespoons brown sugar ¼ teaspoon ground allspice ½ teaspoon sumac powder 1 shallot, thinly sliced ½ cup flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped ¼ cup mint leaves, roughly torn ¼ cup pomegranate arils

METHOD 1. Sprinkle the salmon with sea salt and leave for 30 minutes in the fridge. Rinse off the salt and pat the salmon dry. 2. In a small saucepan combine the garlic with the pomegranate molasses, brown sugar, allspice, sumac and one tablespoon water. Heat to dissolve the sugar. Set aside to cool. 3. For the parsley salad, soak the shallot in ¼ cup water with one teaspoon sea salt for 15-20 minutes to soften, then drain well. Combine with the parsley, mint and pomegranate arils. 4. Preheat the oven 200°C. 5. Lay the salmon, skin side down on a baking paper-lined roasting tray, brush with some of the pomegranate molasses and bake for 10-15 minutes. Once out of the oven, baste again with the dressing. Top with the parsley salad and serve.

FAR R O C H R I S T M A S . C O. N Z

Savour Christmas THE BEST BITS OF

WITH FARRO

Pre-order your ham, turkey and delicious hampers today at farrochristmas.co.nz

FO O D

FARRO TURKEY ROAST WITH ASPARAGUS, ORANGE AND DATE SALAD WITH ALMOND DRESSING 130

Farro free range de-boned turkey roasts make Christmas so simple. They come deboned and pre-stuffed, and complete with the tin, ready to roast. Serve it with this salad of contrasts that looks beautiful on the festive table—fresh asparagus, sweet oranges and dates, and crunchy almonds. INGREDIENTS 1 Farro free range de-boned turkey roast with orange and cranberry stuffing 2 bunches asparagus, trimmed and halved (or use green beans if asparagus not available) 2 oranges 8 Medjool dates small handful rocket leaves 2 tablespoons almond butter ¼ teaspoon ground coriander 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil ½ cup mint leaves 2 tablespoons toasted slivered almonds

METHOD 1. For the turkey roast, follow the cooking instructions on the pack. 2. For the salad, blanch the asparagus in boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes, drain and refresh under cold water, then put into a bowl. 3. Cut the peel from the oranges, With the fruit in your hand, remove orange segments by slicing in towards the core as close to the membrane as possible. Work over a bowl to catch the juices and add the segments to the asparagus as you go. Squeeze whatever's left to get all of the juice once you're done, approximately one-quarter cup. 4. Remove the pips from the dates and cut into quarters, add to the bowl along with the rocket. 5. Whisk together the almond butter, ground coriander, reserved orange juice and olive oil. Season to taste. 6. Put onto a platter and drizzle with the dressing. Garnish with the mint and slivered almonds.

FAR R O C H R I S T M A S . C O. N Z V ERV E M AGA ZIN E .CO.N Z

446 K ROAD, NEWTON AUCKLAND 09 308 9407 ORDERS@THECAKER.CO.NZ

FO O D

GAR D EN CO LUM N

TOP PLANTS FOR CHRISTMAS The year has once again flown by, and we're now moments away from Santa once again breaking into our homes heavily ladened with presents. An exercise that is no way costly or time consuming for any adults involved. But before he, or indeed anyone else comes, it's nice to get things looking nice and festive. And what better way to do this than by decorating your home with some plants that'll help spread the Christmas spirit. POINSETTIA

Now named after the first US Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsettia, these showy beautiful Mexican plants are now completely associated with Christmas. But be careful, for while they look stunning they can be a little fragile and will quickly burn in sunlight. For best results water them regularly, and keep them out of direct sunlight. TAHITIAN POHUTUKAWA

While the Tahitian pohutukawa isn't a true NZ native it has one main advantage over native pohutukawas in an urban setting, as it only grows around 1 x 1m instead of the usual 6m. Can be grown in a pot.

BLEEDING HEART VINE

Subtropical vine that can be grown as an incredibly delightful houseplant. With their dark green leaves and white and red coloured flowers they are the perfect colour for Christmas. Best grown in bright, indirect light. AMARYLLIS

With their huge winter flowers, amaryllis (or hippeastrum) look completely stunning. Find a cool spot, with no direct sunlight and your plants will look great right through the holidays. CHRISTMAS LILY

With their tall graceful stems and their angelic, sweetly perfumed flowers, they're an eye-catching and delightful way to decorate indoors for Christmas. OPUNTIA SUBULATA This eye-catching cactus is covered in fine white hairs, making it look covered in snow. Hardy and easy to grow, it can be planted in a pot and brought back inside for future Christmases. WO R D S : B I L LY AI K E N

0800 PLANTS / KINGS.CO.NZ

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GARDEN CAFE

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Taste the magic of Matakana at Plume Restaurant, superb cuisine and fine wine in a coastal country setting. Food lovers welcome here. Plume Restaurant, Matakana, is an oasis for gourmet travellers in a coastal country setting. Recognised for its superb cuisine, and as the cellar door for Runner Duck Estate Vineyard’s fine wines, Plume Restaurant has gained quite a reputation. Dine either indoors or al fresco style while enjoying panoramic views of the lush countryside. We offer menus featuring local, seasonal produce, for both lunch and dinner, complemented by our fine Runner Duck Wines. Now, 12 new luxury Plume Villas, ranging from 1-3 bedrooms, have been added within the grounds. These all share a swimming pool and are within a relaxed stroll of the restaurant. No matter the season or length of your stay, you will find Plume Villas a comfortable place to base yourself while enjoying the many delights nearby, including the fabulous food and wine at Plume Restaurant. www.theplumecollection.co.nz

37 Sharp Road, Matakana 09 422 7915 / 09 283 3630 SCL/PLU2018/14

49A Sharp Road, Matakana 09 422 7915

1335 Leigh Road, Matakana 09 423 0390

Cellar door, Plume Restaurant 09 422 7915

Witnessing Dane Mitchell recount the philosophy and symbolism behind his upcoming exhibit, Post Hoc, at the 2019 Venice Biennale, it’s little wonder the judges’ decision to nominate him to represent New Zealand at the world’s most eminent contemporary art celebration was a unanimous one. It’s also one that greatly humbles him.

CURATORIAL TEAM AND DANE (MIDDLE)

DEC 2018

ALL ROADS LEAD TO Venice

“I was in my studio, it was towards the end of the day, and an email arrived from Creative New Zealand with an attached formal letter congratulating me on being chosen,” he says. “I nearly fell of my seat! The honour is not lost on me. It’s an amazing opportunity and acknowledgement. It’s not like any other exhibition.”

W O R D S: J AM I E C H R I S T I AN D E S P L AC E S

Post Hoc, from the Latin ‘after this’, will see a catalogue of “things that are no more” transmitted from a central pavilion to seven six-metre identical metallic ‘tree’ towers with speakers scattered across the city. Over 176 consecutive days, for eight hours a day, a computer-generated voice will read out a list of items in a manner akin to “calling the dead on a day of remembrance”. Incredibly, nothing will be repeated owing to the list stretching to four-million items long. “They are all non-human entities, environmental materials, cultural artefacts, species, but no people are named,” says Dane. “Anything that once was, that is now lost.”

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE VENICE BIENNALE Founded in 1895, La Biennale di Venezia (often nicknamed the ‘Art Olympics’), sprouts from the city’s historic parkland, Giardini. Here, individual pavilions host the exhibits of the participating countries’ chosen artists, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the world. Taking place every other year, it’s the oldest art festival of its kind on Earth. New Zealand was first represented at the 2001 event, sending a pair of artists, Jacqueline Fraser (A Demure Portrait of the Artist Strip Searched) and Peter Robinson (Divine Comedy). In 2005, an anonymous group of artists known as et al (Fundamental Practice) represented Aotearoa, and other esteemed creatives to have flown the flag include Simon Denny (Secret Power), Francis Upritchard (Save Yourself) and Michael Parekowhai (On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer). Post Hoc will be based out of Venice’s Palazzina Canonica from 11 May – 24 November 2019 Become a Patron of New Zealand at Venice! Further information about the patron programme is available online nzatvenice.com Follow Dane’s progress by signing up for the NZ at Venice e-newsletter or via: Facebook – @NZatVeniceBiennale Instagram – @nzatvenice Twitter – @NZatVenice

The broadcast will mostly be in English, with elements of other languages, most notably Latin—a vanished tongue, the “language of naming things”, and one that was also born of Italy’s ancient soil. Dane describes his rudimentary, steel “pine trees” as peculiar objects that are aesthetically jarring, representing “a contagion that infects the landscape”. “New Zealand has a strange relationship with pine, because it is treated as an industrial object,” he says. “It’s a tree that has been turned into technology by way of being a source of capital and as a carbon emission offset. Once it exits the confines of that industrial capital, it becomes an invasive species. Our relationship to nature is always technological; even our relationship to national parks, which are spaces that are hypermanaged and hyper-regulated. These trees are suggestive of an invasive technification of our built and natural landscapes.” Having previously exhibited with materials such as perfume, Dane has always been interested in how, through an emission of molecules, an object “might extend beyond its physical edge”. All artworks, he adds, send out signals, and his exhibition in Venice will do that quite literally. “Speech and language are builders of realities,” says Dane. “They build frameworks through which we live. They build worlds and conjure up the invisible. Each utterance in the exhibition is a way to momentarily call up these things from the past, in the present, and transmit them out across the city in this horizontal field of activation.” The concept of ‘lost things’ is also uber-relevant to a city that is not only physically sinking but compressing “under the pressure of tourism”. “It’s a timely thing to do,” says the Auckland artist. “We do live in this moment of after-ness: after mass extinction, after climate change. A time of the Anthropocene — an era where the manmade affects on the planet are now irreconcilable.” All roads, so the saying goes, may lead to Rome, but every root and fibre of Post Hoc will snake its way through the canals, earth and ether to another of Italy’s most revered and historic of hubs. It promises to delve into the soul of Venice.

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WHAT’S ON

ST. JEROME'S LANEWAY FESTIVAL

Words: Mya Cole

22 – 8

Here Lies Loves

Q Theatre 305 Queen St, Auckland

Get yourself into the holiday season with a steamy night of cabaret at the Q Theatre. “A story of love, loss and obsession told through dazzling disco-pop and inspired by the meteoric rise and fall of Imelda Marcos.” A five-piece band backed by a group of powerhouse voices, this is going to be one elegant pre-Christmas party.

First Thursdays

Nov

Dec

6PM Karangahape Rd Auckland

This very special street party is back and just in time for Christmas. The entirety of Tamaki’s Karangahape Road will become alive with activities on the first Thursday of December, there will be music, theatre, drag, dance, shopping and everything in between. Imagine the luxury of doing your last-minute Christmas shopping for yourself and your loved ones in a vibrant and exciting environment.

Studio Toi Tū Makers Market

11PM–4PM Studio Toi Tu 1 Ponsonby Rd, Auckland

Coinciding with the annual Ponsonby Market Day, Studio Toi Tu will be hosting a unique makers' market. A wonderful opportunity to support local creators and buy special and meaningful gifts. With 30 local stall holders there will be original homemade ceramics, photography, textiles, macramé, painting, prints, jewellery, gift cards and more. Shop local this Christmas.

Crushes Presents Machine 101: Make Your Own Cami

Dec

11PM–3PM Crushes 225 Karangahape Rd, Auckland

Continuing with their crafty and beautiful workshops, Crushes presents an opportunity to learn the basic of making your own beautiful camisole. Learn a new and valuable skill while also walking away with a unique wardrobe staple! This workshop is a great opportunity to come together with friends, meet new people and learn something new. All workshop goers will additionally receive 10% off anything in store on the day.

HERE LIES LOVES

Dec

Victoria Park Market 33 Drake St, Auckland

Dec

11:30AM Edmiston Gallery Maritime Museum Cnr of Quay and Hobson Sts, Auckland

Dec

6PM–9PM Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Kotuku 92 Simpson Rd, Ranui

Wine and Paint Party - Picasso Painting

Elizabeth Lissaman: The Art of Pottery

Grab a drink and a paintbrush, no previous painting experience or artistic ability required. Art In Bloom’s Wine and Paint Party is a social painting class that will give you step by step instructions on how to create your own masterpiece in a fun and relaxed setting. Great for socialising and utilising your creative muscles! All materials are provided so all you need to bring is yourself.

Dec

10AM–5PM Object Space 13 Rose Rd, Auckland

Marlborough-born Elizabeth Lissaman made her first pot in 1920 and her last in 1990 while a resident at Crathie rest home in Tauranga. She was New Zealand’s pioneer studio potter, designing, throwing, decorating, firing and selling her earthenware pottery continuously for almost 70 years. Visit Objectspace for a special retrospective of some of her work and an inspiring story of a long and fulfilling creative life.

Migrant Poets: Poetry Reading and Writers Talk

26 – 6

Yoga By The Beach

Join poet Riemke Ensing and special guests in this public programme for Carving Water Painting Voice. Writing in response to their experiences of migration the poets will read pieces of their work followed by informal Q&A. An opportunity for learning, connection and hearing new voices.

Dec

Traditional Māori Healing - Mirimiri / Romiromi Clinic

A community clinic used to give back to community and allow students to practise and perfect their craft. Presented by a group of wonderful practitioners that create a place of safety for you to come and shed layers, tears if you need, or a few skins that no longer serve you. There will also be Paulo Tramujas from Kokyu Healing sharing his Ayurvedic matauranga offering an introduction consultation for nutritional guidance, herbal medicine and meditation if you’re wanting to explore a different perspective of health and wellbeing for $20 per session. Allow yourself the luxury of letting go. The entire family is welcome.

Mar

6:30PM Vellenoweth Green Tamaki Dr, St Heliers

Jan

Albert Park Precinct 33-43 Princes St, Auckland

This summer, Professional Yoga will be offering yoga to move your body and relax your mind. A great opportunity for relaxation in what can be a stressful time. Bring a blanket and your yoga mat. Some yoga mats provided. Donations/koha accepted. Check the Professional Yoga Facebook page for weather updates.

St. Jerome's Laneway Festival

Leading new and revered seminal music. The festival has always been interested in finding what's fresh and bringing it to unique settings and surrounds to be appreciated by music lovers. The size of the festivals, the locations and the way we encourage community all form part of the way in which the Laneway team strive to present a live music experience like no other.

DECEMBER

AT ET ERNI T Y ' S GAT E

BOX OFFICE

12 DEC

138

26 DEC

ON CHESIL BEACH (DVD)

AT ETERNITY’S GATE

Director: Dominic Cooke Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Billy Howle, Emily Watson, Anne-Marie Duff, Samuel West and Bebe Cave

Director: Julian Schnabel Cast: Oscar Isaac, Willem Dafoe, Rupert Friend, Mathieu Amalric and Emmanuelle Seigner

A powerful, insightful drama about two people, both defined by their upbringing, bound by the social mores of another era centres on Florence (Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn) and Edward (Billy Howle, Dunkirk), a young couple in their early twenties. Now on their honeymoon, they learn about the differences between them – their attitudes, temperaments and their drastically different backgrounds. Out on the beach on their fateful wedding day, one of them makes a major decision that will utterly change both of their lives forever.

Julian Schnabel’s ravishingly tactile and luminous new film takes a fresh look at the last days of Vincent van Gogh, and in the process revivifies our sense of the artist as a living, feeling human being. Schnabel; his co-writers Jean-Claude Carrière and Louise Kugelberg, also the film’s editor; and cinematographer Benoît Delhomme strip everything down to essentials, fusing the sensual, the emotional, and the spiritual. And the pulsing heart of At Eternity’s Gate is Willem Dafoe’s shattering performance: his Vincent is at once lucid, mad, brilliant, helpless, defeated, and, finally, triumphant.

VICE

SINK OR SWIM

Director: Adam McKay Cast: Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Alison Pill and Lily Rabe

Director: Gilles Lellouche Cast: Leïla Bekhti, Virginie Efira, Guillaume Canet, Philippe Katerine, Benoît Poelvoorde and Alban Ivanov

Oscar winning writer/director Adam McKay (The Big Short) brings his trademark wit to the true story of US Vice President Dick Cheney in VICE. George W. Bush (Rockwell) wins the 2000 election, but it’s Cheney (Bale) who quietly takes charge, wielding his newfound power as vice president to reshape the country and the world – with lasting consequences. Featuring magnificent performances from Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell and Sam Rockwell, VICE is a smart, irreverent comedy-drama that will shock and entertain in equal measure.

A group of forty-something guys, all on the verge of a mid-life crisis, decide to form their local pool's first ever synchronised swimming team, for men. Braving the scepticism and ridicule of those around them, and trained by a fallen champion trying to pull herself together, the group set out on an unlikely adventure, and on the way will rediscover a little self-esteem and a lot about themselves and each other.

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20 DEC

26 DEC

BOOKS FOR GIVING AND TAKING ON

Holiday WORDS: Doris Mousedale

A WELL BEHAVED WOMAN – THERESE ANNE FOWLER $38 A well written novelisation of the real life of Alva Smith who married the young W Vanderbilt but even with his money they still found it difficult to break into the top rank of American high society. Alva decided to do things for herself so she built mansions and opera houses, was prominent in the suffrage movement and arranged good marriages for her daughters. Packed with characters, you discover Alva was a feisty woman ahead of her time, a change-maker in every sense of the word. A good book to gift, even better to read for pleasure. NOVEMBER ROAD – LOU BERNEY $35 November Road is one of those surprising novels that take you out of your comfort zone but pull you in as soon as you begin reading. It has a short snappy style of writing, perfect for those occasional readers who aren't sure what book to invest their leisure time in. November Road begins in the heart of New Orleans but Frank Guidry's urgent journey takes him away from the life that he knows to a new way of living that means he isn't just looking to survive but to live and love for the first time. Men and women youngish and older will all enjoy the hunt and chase of November Road.

THE LOST MAN – JANE HARPER $38 Following on from the huge international success of her first two books The Dry and Force of Nature, Jane Harper has come up trumps with yet another atmospheric tale of life in the Australian outback. Descriptive prose and those emotional family ties combined with complicated a back story of a troubled brother all go to make The Lost Man one of the holiday season's mustreads. If and when the movies are made they will show the real Australia to the rest of the world. FROM THE ASHES – DEBORAH CHALLINOR $37 From the Ashes is set in 1950s Auckland and women are joining the workforce for the first time. One young woman gets a job on the cosmetic counter of Smith and Caugheys and is taken under the wing of a wealthy customer. Changing attitudes and new freedoms can also cause problems and young Allie Manaia is faced with some difficult choices regarding her extended family and her new found wealthy friends. A comfort read pure and simple, perfect for Mum or a favourite aunt and easy to borrow back, too. ARCADIABOOKSHOP.CO.NZ

139

IDE

7 STORES NATIONW

SALE ON NOW

sale ends 24/12/18

www.gordonharris.co.

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S W E RV E

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH Rolls-Royce Cullinan Review

WO R D S — DAV E M C L E O D

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Despite how urbanised the world is seemingly becoming, the truth is, the majority of our blue planet’s land still remains unpaved. From the expansive desert sand dunes of the Far East to the dense tropical rainforests of the Amazon, there are so many places that we have yet to explore and maybe even civilise. Understandably, heading off the safety and comfort of our smooth, tarmacadam coated highways to the unknown unsealed trails and beyond is generally viewed as the domain for the rugged, unreﬁned or uncouth (I’m talking about vehicles rather than people here), but luxury lifestyle brand Rolls-Royce has now come up with another option and I got to check it out.

Aptly named after the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found, the Cullinan is Rolls-Royce’s first ever SUV and boy is it a good one. Our rendezvous was at Parihoa estate on the west coast and I arrived justifiably early. Set on 600 acres of highly undulated and extremely breathtaking coastline near Muriwai, Parihoa ‘Friendly Cliffs’ Farm provided the perfect backdrop for my first encounter with the very impressive Rolls-Royce Cullinan. With the large Pantheon grille and the highest ever positioned, Spirit of Ecstacy riding atop, the Cullinan is unmistakeably a Rolls-Royce but the deep-set headlights that boast daytime running light ‘warrior eyebrows’ offer a uniquely stern and meaningful expression to their new SUV. There is a utilitarian poise to the Cullinan’s profile scuff plates and an aluminium ‘spear’ trim provide protection to the vehicle and prevent stone or gravel damaging the side, while aluminium plates and exposed tailpipes complete the rear. It has a high roofline that peaks at the A-pillar, with a fastback flow that joins the ‘bustleback’ design of the rear (inspired by the tourers of the 1920s when they used to put luggage outside the vehicle). On the subject of luggage, an automated two-gate door design gains you entry to 600 litres of space within and then extended up to 1,930 litres when you electronically lower the rear seats. The luggage area floor will also lay flat or tilt automatically upon request.

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Access to the Cullinan’s Italian couture inspired ‘box grain leather‘ soaked interior comes via coach doors, it really is a cool, sight to behold and so very Rolls-Royce. You have the choice of four- or five-seat configurations, depending on your needs, too. Those that have been inside a modern Rolls-Royce will be familiar with the Cullinan’s lavishness and stunning array of instrumentation, for those that have not, I strongly urge you to go and check it out. It’s all you’d hope for and more—rest assured, this is not your run of the mill off-roader. The driving force behind the Cullinan is a 6.75L twin-turbo V12. It provides 420kW of power and an Earth turning 850Nm of torque from around 1,600rpm, so it’s there from the moment you dab that accelerator. Although the Cullinan tips the scales at a very reassuring 2,660kg, the V12 will get you from a standing start to 100 km/h in just 5.2seconds. Enough of all that, I’m sure what you really want to know is how does it drive? Well in a word, exquisite. We began our circuit on Parihoa’s rather rough, loose metal drive and the Cullinan barely acknowledged it. The aluminium ‘architecture of luxury’ chassis simply floated over the unkempt surface and the V12 didn’t utter a word. The short hill climb passed by un-noticed and the steering totally ignored the bumps, including the cattle grid.

The Cullinan is a big vehicle yet for some inexplicable reason, it doesn’t feel it. It’s welcoming and immediately puts you at ease. I was expecting the ride to feel different when we left the estate and joined the tarmac roads but quite seriously, the terrain was irrelevant, they were both as smooth as silk. What the new surface did allow, however, was a chance to push the accelerator to the floor and test out that V12. The speed is delivered effortlessly and if it wasn’t for the Cullinan’s nose rising a little (and the needle on the speedo rising a lot) you’d swear nothing had changed at all. Around the tight turns of Muriwai the large SUV offered next to zero body roll and the four-wheel steering negotiated the bends with medium-sized vehicle aplomb, the eight-speed box never struggling to find a gear or even noticeably changing for that matter. The 30 or so minute drive was over in a flash and as we made our way back to the estate, I thought about this new SUV. The Cullinan is all I’d hoped it would be and so much more. Sure it handles the day to day urban life with the superior Rolls-Royceness I would expect, but it’s the way it simply glided over the uneven rural surfaces that really grabbed my attention. It’s calm and unfaltering, quiet and ultimately luxurious—summing it up, the Cullinan really is a diamond in the rough.

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BACK TO THE FUTURE

Audi’s new Q8 SUV WO R D S — DAV E M C L E O D

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It would appear that it’s been a funny old year for Audi as I discovered at the launch of their all-new premium SUV, Q8. Despite the release of some true Audi heavy metal (A8, 7 and 6), globally, things are about even and locally, their (as has some others) premium market has cooled somewhat. But fear not my four-ringed brand fans, as not all is what it seems. To start, Audi Sport is up a massive 18% (number one in the world), vast amounts of work has been done with the likes of Vector and Huawei for electrification and connectivity, hydrogen cells have been explored with vigour and next year, their new model release is seemingly relentless. To me, Audi looks to be a resting giant that is beginning to stir and the Q8 is a double shot of espresso. As its number would suggest, the Q8 sits at the top of Audi’s Q family but not necessarily for the reasons you’d think. First of all, it’s not a seven- (or eight-) seater, so doesn’t carry as many passengers as the current heavyweight SUV, the Q7. However, as it’s 27mm wider than that model, it certainly offers more shoulder room to the second row (and the first for that matter). It’s not their biggest SUV either, again when versus the Q7, it’s 66mm shorter and 38mm lower too. It’s not the fastest (yet) nor their most efficient model (damn the e-tron). So what makes the Q8 such a pinnacle? Well, I‘m glad you asked. In short, the Q8 is Audi’s flagship SUV. It’s both a statement of progress (despite the '80s nod that I’ll get to soon) and an enhancement of their prestigious positioning—it’s all about the 8. Audi’s 8 is the pointy end of the brand, think A and R. It’s their Luxury, Speed and Overachievers family and now they offer the Q. With the new look ‘mask’ grille, big air inlets, athletic profile, frameless doors and ‘coupelike’ roofline, the Q8 paints a powerful and imposing picture. The wheel arch ‘blisters’ and ‘redlink’ rear tail lighting design comes as a giant lean back to the Audi Quattro’s of the '80s, yet the chassis it sits on and that 40% of the vehicle is aluminium, is space age. The 12-segment HD headlights and taillamps offer up an engaging lightshow and the entire SUV looks ready for action.

Under the bonnet is Audi’s 3L common rail diesel engine mated to an eight-speed box. It offers 210kW and 600Nm of power and torque respectively, will get you from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds and thanks to its 48V and belt-driven engine starter system give you 6.8L/100km fuel efficiency. This is one big, ‘torquey’ devil of an engine, it’s a little laggy off the mark but seems to offer endless amounts of power on the move. The interior is full of shiny piano blacks and chromes (actually maybe a little too shiny in the afternoon sun), soft cricket or Valcona leather and an intuitive MMI system that’s smarter than me, it’s crazy good. Two big screens offer VAST amounts of personalisable information. Six users and one guest can make up to 400 settings (from seating and entertainment to mood lighting and brightness) that’s 2,800 things for it to remember. The touch screens have haptic and acoustic feedback for acknowledgement and are pinch and zoom, drag and drop, swipe and draw usable—just like your smarty-pants phone. Enough chat, we headed off to Bracu for an on- and soft-road experience to gives us a peek at what the Q8 is capable of. For the muddy and metal course, we engaged off-road mode and then added an extra bar of height (on the MMI screen) for good measure. In total the Q8 has a height flexibility span of 90mm plus it will squat down an extra 25mm to assist in boot loading. The hefty Q8 flexed its frame, seesawed its wheels, dipped its feet in deep puddles, leaned to its side at 31-degree angles and went up and down slippery grass wearing low profile 22-inch shoes. Not bad at all. It also engages downhill descent mode at the rate you approach the slope, making it safer and more natural. The day ended with a scenic run back to Auckland city. The Q8 felt poised and secure on the road surface even at higher speeds. The four-wheel steer system that had already proved it’s worth at low speeds manoeuvring around the tight course, now working hard to get me quickly around the corners regardless of the suggested rates. The Q8 is a welcome addition to the Audi Q SUV and 8 family. Top-to-toe, inside and out it presents a new look and dynamic to brand and certainly is a statement of intent moving forward. With a hint of retro and whole heap of state-of-the-art, the Q8 really is going back to the future.

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W O R D S: DAV E M C L E O D

DEVILISHLY DETAILED

New BMW X5 Review "The devil is in the detail," exclaimed Karol Abrasowicz-Madej, BMW New Zealand’s new MD. A statement made even more fitting as we pawed over their new BMW X5 premium SUV, in yes, Tasmania. To the untrained eye and from a reasonable distance, the first impression of the new X5 is one of immediate familiarity and since this is BMW’s number one vehicle, this is by no means a bad thing. However, we got the in-depth tour of this fourth-generation X5 and the improvements are immense. The X5 has been very much viewed as a benchmark in this segment and this new iteration further raises this position. From the ground up, its style, performance, dynamics and driveability have all been enhanced and the result is stunning to say the least. Physically, it’s longer, taller and wider than its predecessor with the majority of the extra size being gifted to the passengers. There are numerous model and engine variants so I will offer a holistic view of what the new X5 has to offer. Hard to miss is the large kidney grille, this iconic fascia is now a tall one-piece configuration and houses ‘active slats’ that restrict or embrace airflow depending on what’s necessary. The

headlights have been moved away from the grille and now feature laser lights (identifiable by a blue cross behind the glass). These high-emitting LEDs can offer up to 500 metres of illumination but unfortunately cannot zap slow moving traffic out of the way. Powerful sculpted bonnet lines make the X5 look aggressive from the front and new character lines that run down its profile rise towards the rear, offering an amplified look of power. Chamfered wheel-arches add to the overall stance and showcase the large alloy feet – up to 22 inches. At the rear, three-dimensional tail lights, trapezoidal tailpipe finishes and a really cool electric-split, clam-style tailgate that opens in two parts to gain entry to 650L of luggage space. Inside, the X5 offers luxury, prestige and so much technology. Upholstery can be covered in highgrade Marino leather with sports or comfort styles. Thanks to the overall increase in size, the cabin layout is spacious and less cluttered than before, especially when you hear what has been crammed in there. The infotainment and instrument clusters are both digital and the gear-stick and control dial on the centre console are ornately designed crystal. The operating system has been upgraded to 7.0

and opens up a world of intuitive interactions. Touch and swipe, gesture (my fave) and voice all allow you to explore the X5’s functionality, of which there is heaps. Ask it to "set the temperature to 21 degrees" and the subservient system will obey, this in itself is great, however, it will also identify which passenger has requested this change and only change that specific zone. Temperature change is but one of around 15-20,000 voice commands. Tell the X5 ‘I'm bored’ and it will respond with a hint of attitude: "I find that hard to believe, have you tried out sports mode?" Although nothing mechanical changes, the screen gauges do turn red – it’s cute. In total, the new X5 has five radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors and seven cameras (I bet your vehicle doesn’t). This allows this SUV to go way above and beyond mere lane keep assists or blind spot detection. In one demonstration, we were driven on a short and slow 50m slalom course before engaging reverse assist. The X5 automatically remembers the way you’ve just been and reverses back out – this is ideal for those of you with tight driveways or parking spots.

Tasmania has a whole host of engaging roads, bizarre cambers, undulations, and loose metal. We set out from the comfort of the Peppers ‘Silo’ hotel to explore them while on a trek out to Cloverhill Winery. It was a follow the leader adventure that included driver and car changes. My favorite vehicle of the day was the M50D. The 6-cylinder 3L engine has four, yes you heard that correctly four turbos (I remember when one was sufficient) and delivered up a fiendish 294kW and 760Nm that really got the X5 moving, while the four-wheel steer, two-axle air suspension, active sway bars and a chassis made from aluminium and high-grade steel ensured I stayed planted to the road surface, whatever that happened to be. This was my first time in Tasmania and hopefully not my last. Its expansive territory and engaging roads make it a devil to drive around (or does it simply bring your inner one out?). The new BMW X5 lapped up every curve and bend we threw at it, embracing each and every one with style and poise. If, as Karol pointed out, the devil is in the details, then the sheer amount of eyes, sensors, radars, turbos and driver assists will have your head spinning faster than Taz’s tornado. It’s absolutely ‘loony’ how good the new X5 is.

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It’s finally here - the new HR-V. The world’s top selling crossover SUV, the 2018 HR-V gets a new look inside and out, a more responsive drive and the addition of a sportier RS model. Packed with features including LED lights, active safety tech, navigation, magic seats and class-leading space, it’s no surprise this SUV punches way above its weight. www.honda.co.nz North Shore - 09 890 9020, 148 Wairau Road, Glenfield.

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Experience new levels of refinement in the all-new BMW X5. Its imposing presence, accentuated by the bold new kidney grille, alludes to the substantial power concealed beneath the bonnet. The application of intelligent technology ensures that power delivers extraordinary capability. And, in a BMW first, the xOffroad package provides a choice of driving modes for adverse conditions: xSand, xGravel, xSnow, and xRock. Inside, dual 12.3â&#x20AC;? high-definition screens provide unparalleled control and connectivity. And, with next-level luxury emanating from every detail, driving the all-new BMW X5 is pure pleasure. Book your test drive today at Auckland City BMW or visit bmw.co.nz/X5 to find out more. Auckland City BMW 7-15 Great South Road, Newmarket. (09) 524 3300. www.aucklandcitybmw.com

S W E RV E

DEC 2018

HIGHLY IMPRESSIVE MAZDA CX-9 TAKAMI REVIEW WO R D S — DAV E M C L E O D

It’s fair to say that Mazda has managed to woo the motoring public with their range of engaging and visually attractive vehicles. From the joys of driving top down in their MX-5 to the executive suite that greets you inside the Mazda6 - they’ve even got the BT-50 ute for those that require both a powerful workhorse and some leisure time ‘off the grid’ adventure. Their vehicles offer extreme comfort, intelligence, assists and safety, but in many ways, equally desirable, Mazda vehicles give you the freedom to truly Drive, something that’s ranked high up on their list of importance—hence their underline Jinba Ittai philosophy. Now ‘being at one with your steed’ may feel natural and it may even be spiritually fulfilling but for premium marque Mazda, there is the continual need to wow their owners materialistically too—which is why they have introduced Takami. 148

Literally, Takami means 'highness', 'elevated' or quite simply, ‘higher than the rest’ and thus is a very fitting label for their top of the line specifications. As we have already seen with the Mazda6, Takami elevates the model. It introduces increasingly luxurious materials and adds further refinements to their already very well-considered vehicles. The CX-9 is arguably Mazda’s flagship model, but now, with Takami grade, it’s even better. Of course, nothing has changed in terms of dimensions with this large and spacious seven-seater SUV, yet along with its premium positioning, Takami seems to make the CX-9 carry itself with more grace and poise, inside and out. Overall, this model year has received extra special attention focussed around its handling, comfort and NVH (noise, vibration, harshness), subtle tweaks have made it ride just that little bit better with less external interruptions. Now, with Takami, far less than subtle improvements have been made inside.

from this being a higher (or is that Takami?) level of full-grained leather, it offers more durability and an evenly spread colour that is ultimately more distinctive. Rosewood also features strongly amongst the dash and console. It’s believed that rosewood symbolises a good heart and encourages us to carry out good deeds, it interacts with us spiritually and is mentally harmonising (no pressure then), but regardless of your beliefs, it does present beautifully and really enhances the CX-9’s clutter-free flow. More practically and certainly just as upmarket, the Takami grade offers many extras such as ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, a heated and handcrafted ‘box-stitched’ steering wheel, 360-degree camera view monitor and Apple Carplay and Android ndroid Auto, oh, and that priceless feeling of being someone special. On the road, the CX-9’s 2.5L turbo engine has a nice sense of strength to it and under increased revs, a deep reassuring tone. I did use Sport mode quite frequently but actually preferred to drive in Normal, I was barely in a hurry and the less revvy engine with softer gear changing seemed more suited to the luxurious SUV’s demeanour. Three rows of seating meant that my smaller-sized family each had a zone to themselves and with the likes of heated rear seats and third-row cup holders, no-one appeared to feel lacking in status. The CX-9 was and is, a lofty SUV that more than grabs your attention, however, the lavish additions that come with the Takami grade really do make this Mazda even more ‘highly’ impressive.

The scent of luxurious soft auburn nappa leather hangs throughout the cabin. Aside

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EVEN THE LITTLE TRIPS FEEL LIKE LONG HAULS WITH HIGH FUEL PRICES

With high fuel prices, how do you keep a nation of explorers, exploring? We imagined a world where distance didn’t cost you the earth. Where less fuel didn’t mean less power. Every innovation starts with a question. It’s the same question that got us here, and the one that will take us to places you can’t even imagine. But we can. Introducing SKYACTIV by Mazda; fuel efficient technology, created by people who believe driving should be enjoyed.

Imagination drives us.

Established in Milan in 1910, Alfa Romeo is one of Italy's most eminent car companies and sports (figuratively and literally) the real-life spirit of Italy. In the past century, it’s produced a raft of stunning vehicles and established itself as a force to be reckoned with both on and off the track. The Giulietta nameplate first rolled off the production line in 1954. It was a rear-wheel drive, 1.3L (57kW/102Nm), four-speed car that enjoyed around a decade of manufacture and a variety of body styles (including the Sprint Veloce ‘fast’ of 1960) before making way for the Giulia of the early 1960s.

ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA REVIEW

A TASTE OF ITALY

Words — Dave Mcleod

When I picture Italy, I am consumed with images of endless summer days. An arid dusty countryside that extends out to the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean that surrounds it. Quaint little towns with narrow cobblestoned streets. Close-knit families sharing bottles of chianti and dipping warm fragrant garlic bread into their large bowls of deeply rich pasta sauce. I see a land filled with olive trees and heavy ladened vines full of ripened, sun-kissed tomatoes, I see fun, I see laughter and right now what I also see is Alfa Romeo.

In 1977, the second-generation Giulietta began production. Still a front engine, rear-wheel drive car, however, this time around it was small executive style saloon and based on the Alfetta (little Alfa) of the early '70s. This generation saw two facelifts, housed six engine hearts from a 1.3L (70kW/121Nm) to a 2L Turbo (125kW/283Nm) plus a 2L (60kW/162Nm) diesel—not bad for its eight-year life. Mothballed for the next 25 years, the Giulietta nameplate finally re-emerged in 2010 as a frontwheel-drive family hatchback and albeit the latest model—and that’s what I found myself in just recently. Picked up from Winger Alfa Romeo in Newmarket, my Giulietta S2 Veloce looked a peach (or is that a tomato?) in its bright red coat and 18-inch chrome/burnished alloy wheels. The unmistakable Alfa triangle shield grille sits slightly recessed up front with the perplexing Alfa

Romeo badging sitting proudly on top. It’s the red cross of Milan meets the Visconti family for those that need to know. LED daytime running lights and bi-xenon headlights to brighten up the night while the rear, oversized tailpipes, a diffuser and another Alfa badge that raises the tailgate when pushed. Luggage space is a respectable 350 litres and the entire interior is a mixture of leather, Alcantara, aluminium and carbon fibre look trim. It has a sporty appeal with a lean towards the less distraction. The infotainment screen is around the size of a smartphone but not quite as clever. It connects easily and offers UConnect media and navigation but forget about reversing cameras or apps. You’re basically there to drive this Giulietta not live in it. Which brings me on to that engine. It’s a 1,750 turbo petrol engine that has supercharged scavenging properties that you don’t need to know about. What this engine does (when combined with the six-speed twin-clutch transmission) is gives you 177kW of power and 340Nm of torque. It feels strong and mighty and all-conquering. 0-100km/h comes in at six seconds with a top-speed of 244km/h. But it sounds great under higher revs, more sports car than family hatch. The Giulietta has three driving modes (D, N and A) and the brochure states that it will give you 6.8L/100km economy and CO2’s of 157g/km, however, I defy you not to want to stay in Dynamic—this is an Alfa!

“Alfa Romeo is one of Italy's most eminent car companies and sports (ﬁguratively and literally) the reallife spirit of Italy.” Like many countries, Italy is not perfect and in turn nor is the Alfa Romeo Giulietta but that is part of its charm. It’s a vehicle with a racing DNA that’s been built to compromise. It may not be a full on a la carte dining experience at a top restaurant in Rome, but rest assured this is an Alfa Romeo that will offer you so much more than just a taste of Italy.

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• 3 year free scheduled servicing / 3 year 150000km warranty

alfaromeo.co.nz

21 Great South Road, Newmarket, Auckland Phone: (09) 520 3111 Contact: Chris Eblett 021 378 498

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KIWIBUILD ON LIFE SUPPORT

WITH DECEMBER COMES THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS, AND HOPEFULLY SOME SUNSHINE

Labour’s flagship housing policy KiwiBuild was announced in 2012 to much fanfare. It was going to solve New Zealand’s housing woes.

It is time to get the Christmas decorations up, purchase the fresh tree and put out the singing Santa and elves at the door. We are very much into Christmas at Just Rentals, we wish you all a very merry Christmas and best wishes for a great New Year.

Labour promised it would build 10,000 homes a year by the end of its first term. Last month one of the first ballots for a KiwiBuild home had to be extended. That’s because the policy hasn’t been thought through. Some houses in the development had received no bids at all. Officials have estimated that a first home buyer household would need to be earning $114,000 a year to purchase a $500,000 KiwiBuild house, but the median household income is $25,000 less than this. Phil Twyford has been forced to admit what these numbers show, the scheme isn’t for low income families. 152

KiwiBuild has become an untargeted lottery costing billions of taxpayers’ dollars but isn’t making a difference to the lives of those who need it most. Mr Twyford’s KiwiBuild policy is on life support. It’s never been properly thought through and it’s struggling to stay afloat. The real solution to getting more affordable housing is to increase the supply of housing. National knows planning and consenting for land use is an important issue and that right now it takes too long to free up land. The Resource Management Act (RMA) is key to this. National is working on a wholesale reform of the RMA, and if given a chance in 2020 we’ll tackle this head on. But whatever we do we want to make sure it’s properly thought through so the problem isn’t made worse. New Zealand needs bold solutions to a law that has proven to be a planning nightmare. For nine years in opposition Labour railed against sensible RMA reforms that National put forward—we won’t be doing that.

It has been a year of highs and lows and as we head to 2019, we look back on the changes and challenges we’ve faced. Everyday property management problems include burst pipes, appliance breakdowns, floods, renovations, guttering and painting. Then there were the insurance claims, a couple of tribunals, and organising insulation quotes. Tenants have locked themselves out, hot water cylinders have burst, some landlords have difficult, and so have some tenants. New regulations along with changes to the Residential Tenancies Act have kept us on our toes, while letting fees are no longer charged to the tenant. We get real satisfaction when tenants are delighted that we have found them a lovely property, especially the ones that have pets as a part of their family. It makes my job worthwhile. We are busy renting properties and shall be doing so up to 24 December, then it’s back into work after a few days, so we are open over the New Year and onwards. As I write this I have just come back from A and E with a broken bone in my foot, ouch! Now I have a moon boot on, not an ideal accessory for shopping for Christmas presents and certainly not a great end to the year! But hopefully it will be mended by Christmas! I shall still be able to put the Christmas decorations up. Happy Holiday and have a great Christmas. Good Renting Sylvia Lund AREINZ

We’re always willing to support decent legislation that will help developers and the development of property. Finally, wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. HON PAUL GOLDSMITH NATIONAL LIST MP BASED IN EPSOM PAULGOLDSMITH.CO.NZ / 09 524 4930 PAUL.GOLDSMITH@PARLIAMENT.GOVT.NZ

J U S T R E N TAL S LT D M R E I N Z 4 0 S T J O H N S R OAD, M E AD OW B AN K J U S T R E N TAL S . C O. N Z 09 5 28 48 17 O R 09 5 2 8 48 18 FA X. 09 5 2 8 48 16

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DEC 2018 R U DY ’S T IP S ‘N T RICKS

SUMMER CHECK LIST AND HOW TO START THE NEW YEAR HASSLE-FREE Welcome to Rudy’s Tips ‘n Tricks. This issue is the last for the year and comes when we are all battling the Christmas crazy time. As a nation we seem to have a perplexing drive to have all sorts of jobs finished by Christmas. For those of you who are stoically independent, I suggest you do these three things before summer. Clean-up dust around your PC and brush accumulated dust away from any vents and grills on your PC. If you have a laptop, then do the same. If it sits unmoved on a desk, dust and crumbs can accumulate around and under the laptop, clogging its cooling vents. Check Windows updates are all done as well as antivirus updates. There may be a later version of your security program that needs to be installed.

usual then you can bring it to me for an internal cleanup. Heat is the enemy of electronics and to have a long and uneventful service life out of your computer you need to spend a little effort to keep its cooling system in good condition over the hot summer months. Of course you can bring it to me to service it for you. I can do it before you leave for holidays or you can leave it with me to be ready for when you return and be confident your faithful device is ready for 2019! At Rudy’s PC Services we can help you set up the best solution for your needs. Call us about anything regarding your computer and we will be glad to advise you and fulfil your requirements.

Run clean-up programs like C-Cleaner. Both the temp file cleaner and the registry cleaner.

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DEC 2018

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• Financial statement preparation • Tax return preparation • Tax advice & planning • Business planning & advice • Trusts & estate planning • Company formations • Accounting systems & software ——— GVW Accountancy is a boutique Chartered Accounting practice based in Newmarket. Luke has more than 25 years’ experience in New Zealand midtier Chartered Accounting ﬁrms and has a strong focus on taxation advisory services to the private business sector.

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Want Want to to get get mortgage free mortgage free Want to get faster? faster? free mortgage Come faster? Come in in for for a a free free financial checkup. financial checkup. Come in for a free financial checkup. You don’t have to be a Kiwibank customer for one of our You don’t have to be a Kiwibank customer for one of our Banking Consultants to give you a financial checkup Banking Consultants to give you a financial checkup and and show show you you how how to to reduce reduce your your mortgage mortgage debt. debt. You don’t have tohot be arates, Kiwibank customer one of our We can can offer you hot rates, help you you choosefor the right We offer you help choose the right Banking Consultants to giveplan youand, a financial home loan and repayment if your checkup home loan home loan and repayment plan and, if your home loan and show you$50,000, how to reduce your mortgage is than a plan could is more more than $50,000, a refinancing refinancing plan that thatdebt. could save save you up to $2,000. you up to $2,000. We can offer you hot rates, help you choose the right home loan and repayment plan and, if your home loan All itittakes isisaacall your local is more than $50,000, a to refinancing planBanking that could save All to Banking All it takes takes is a call call to your your local local Banking you up to $2,000. Consultant, John Chang on 09on 520 at Consultant Sarena Buchan 093896 520 6259

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All it takes is a call to your local Banking Consultant Sarena Buchan on 09 520 6259 at Newmarket Branch.

Get a copy of Kiwibank’s Financial Advisers Act Disclosure Statement at kiwibank.co.nz. Kiwibank’s Get a a copy copy of Kiwibank’s Kiwibank’s Financial Advisers Act apply. Disclosure Statement Statement at at kiwibank.co.nz. kiwibank.co.nz. Kiwibank’s Kiwibank’s Get of Financial Advisers Act Disclosure lending criteria, terms and conditions and fees lending criteria, criteria, terms terms and and conditions conditions and and fees fees apply. apply. lending

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DEC 2018

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The Point Chev Beach Café was launched on Jan 2017 and has rapidly gained a reputation in excellent cuisine, coffee and a welcoming service. Being situated beside the beach, it’s the perfect location for a family outing, a romantic date or just an ice cream! For bookings or to discuss private functions please contact us on: 09 815 6636 506 Pt Chevalier Rd, Auckland ptchevbeachcafe.co.nz

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This entry level device is especially suited for parents looking to gift kids with their first smartphone. The AX5 is focused on snap-happy Kiwis, with its rear camera boasting a 13MP + 2MP dual-lens module and AI enhanced Portrait Mode, coupled with its 8MP front camera, selfies come to life. Your face will look naturally beautiful against the enhanced colour saturation of your outfits and backdrops. Whether Instagramming, streaming or gaming on the AX5, users can take advantage of the device’s 6.2” Super Full Screen display for a truly immersive viewing experience. The AX5’s powerful 4230mAh battery also means you can binge watch your favourite shows for up to 14 hours or play your favourite games for 11 hours. Perfect for: Parents looking to gift their kids their first phone. AX5 RRP: $349 | Stockists: JB Hi-Fi, Noel Leeming, PB Technologies, Smiths City, 2degrees Mobile UP FOR GRABS: A OPPO AX5 CAMERA PHONE VALUED AT $349

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LOGITECH CRAFT ADVANCED KEYBOARD WITH CREATIVE INPUT DIAL

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HOROSCOPES WO R D S — M AN I S H K U M AR AR O R A

CAPRICORN 22 DECEMBER — 19 JANUARY

TAURUS 20 APRIL — 20 MAY

VIRGO 23 AUGUST — 22 SEPTEMBER

This is a cycle in which you seek a higher meaning to your life, and seek out new experiences that take you beyond the mundane details of day-today life. Anything that broadens your experiences attracts now. You may be drawn into some form of service that will bring deep personal satisfaction. You need the energies and support of other people, and they also are drawing upon you a great deal.

It is a time for you to find new ways to build greater financial opportunities and financial connections. This is also a good time to make a positive first impression for a job interview or meeting. It’s a good time for rethinking and revising educational and travel plans or goals. The focus can also be on cultivating and nourishing your inner foundations that support you and your growth.

Your energy levels can fluctuate dayto-day, and much depends on your emotional state of mind. Frequent periods of quiet and solitude are necessary in order to recharge your energies. Some may experience insomnia during this phase, especially if they are not allowing themselves the chance to recoup. You need to mark this period by a desire to sort things out, but also to be useful.

AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY — 18 FEBRUARY

GEMINI 21 MAY — 20 JUNE

LIBRA 22 SEPTEMBER — 23 OCTOBER

Your humanitarian impulse may be stimulated. You will need to concentrate on truly listening to those close to you, and on playing a supportive role. You seem to be open to working with others especially if it helps you to grow financial or personally. Some stresses and strains are likely now, mainly revolving around work and down time matters, and striking a balance between the two.

Setting realistic financial goals, as well as formulating budgets and other sensible financial planning projects, will be favoured during this time. It is also a wonderful time for taking moments to pleasure yourself through earthy, tactile, and comforting endeavours. You may particularly value the aesthetics in and around your home. It’s a great time to pick up information from your environment and the people in it.

Your self-esteem and your ego are tied up in the work you do and in the services you give. Details are more important to you now. You are at your most convincing, as others are accepting you at face value. Sharing interests with someone is what makes you happy during this cycle. The period enlivens your friendships and group associations with charm and grace.

PISCES 19 FEBRUARY — 20 MARCH

CANCER 21 JUNE — 22 JULY

SCORPIO 22 SEPTEMBER — 23 OCTOBER

This is a time when you can be brave and enjoy new experiences. Your mind is especially inquisitive during this cycle, when learning, short trips, and other forms of communication and making connections, appeal strongly. You may find yourself in a position in which there is a blending of financial matters with social or public affairs. This is a stable month for love matters and close relationships.

It’s a good time to develop new business plans and goals, a sense of renewal and reinvigoration with regards to your career goals is a potential. Your comfort zones matter, and now is the time to take care of your own needs without eclipsing the needs of others. Goals for self-mastery and self-discipline should be made at this time. It’s time to put your best foot forward.

You are especially resourceful now, and you could find yourself enjoying or seeking attention for your intellectual know-how. The ability to express and communicate your ideas is extremely important to you now. The flowing, expressive, and spontaneous energy surrounding you attracts like-minded people. It’s time to balance your life with some down time during the month-end—otherwise, you simply won’t feel whole.

ARIES 21 MARCH — 19 APRIL

LEO 23 JULY — 22 AUGUST

SAGITTARIUS 22 NOVEMBER — 21 DECEMBER

This is a strong period for work matters. Lovely synchronicities are in store, leaving you feeling like your life is quite magical. You have a taste for the exotic now that can show up in many areas of your life–who you are attracted to, what you buy, the kind of art or entertainment you enjoy, and so forth. You have a strong desire to cooperate and communicate with others now.

Discovering ways to increase your income is featured. Pour your energy into your work and your finances, and you might just be able to take your ideas to the bank. Extravagance with your pocketbook is something you may want to look out for, however. You would have a sense of enthusiasm with regards to your ability to express yourself spontaneously and creatively.

MA NIS H@M A N ISH A STRO LO G E R .CO M

This is the time when personal finances and possessions receive maximum attention. You are more inclined to dig your heels in and hang on to what makes you feel most secure than to take big risks. This is a time to do what you can to build trust in your family life and a strong foundation within yourself, so that you have a secure place to return to.

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DUAL KEY Apartments - Dual key apartments are two separate apartments on one title. Often called twin apartments, dual-key apartments provide a stand-alone apartment and an adjoining one or two bedroom apartment with separate entries and facilities.

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Rita Oliver 021 116 6377

Prices for Dual key apartments start at $1,061,000. Ramada Newmarket has been carefully planned bringing COMFORT, STYLE and LUXURY – generous covered balconies, a landscaped courtyard with function room for residents and secured basement parking…you will be proud to live here! Would suit professionals, downsizers, investors or families looking to get into the DGSZ. Call us now to find out more.

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