Verve December 2015. Issue 118

Auckland’s Free Lifestyle Magazine. Issue: 118

December 2015

— FASHION BEAUTY HEALTH HOME ARTS FOOD WINE TRAVEL SOCIETY

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A home fit for your lifestyle

Situated in the heart of Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter is

Designed by internationally-renowned architects,

Wynyard Central, an intimate community offering a unique

Architectus, these stylish and spacious apartments feature

waterfront lifestyle in the city’s most exciting new area.

open-plan interiors, generous balconies and premium

Construction is underway on the premium new apartments as part of the area’s wider transformation. The neighbourhood already boasts outstanding restaurants, cafés, parks and great

finishes and fittings. It’s all here and waiting for you.

Display suite open Sundays 2-3pm or by appointment.

entertainment. You’ll be right beside the CBD, Waitemata

Call 09 377 4065.

Harbour and the very best city-fringe locations.

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Peter Thompson “Wynyard Quarter is destined to become the future residential heart of the inner city.

Auckland is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation, and a key component is the rejuvenation of the old Tank Farm into an elegant metropolitan village.

Uniquely positioned on the edge of Waitemata Harbour, nowhere else can you live on the doorstep of the city’s finest entertainment and art precincts, shopping outlets, recreation centres and open spaces, as well as the headquarters of many of the country’s foremost companies.

If you are considering city or apartment living as a future option, you will want to investigate Wynyard Central. It will offer a style of urban living not seen in New Zealand before, rivaling that on offer in the other great harbour cities of the world.”

Peter Thompson is a life-long Aucklander and Managing Director of the city’s largest real estate agency Barfoot & Thompson.

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CONTENTS UP FRONT

52

Let The Celebrations Begin

56

6

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 24

Love Rules

30

A Christmas Crossie

34

Farming Festivity

38

Almond, Lime & Raspberry Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Icing

40

Chargrilled Mushroom Feast

42

‘Tis the Season to Avoid the Money Hangover

See You at the Beach Sunsmart Innovation Makes Big Splash

57

What to Wear for Poolside Flirting

58

Chirpy Tales of the Budgie Smugglers

49

COVER STORY — Down Under in Los Angeles

Q&A with Gabrielle Jones and Dianne Ensor from The Makeup School

BUSINESS/ EDUCATION & SOCIETY 96

The Freedoms that Come with Age

102

FASHION 66

The New Wave

67

Resilience

Book Shelf

120

Album Review: Raury — All We Need

122

Painter, Peter Geekie — Inside the Dream

124

Box Office

108

Let’s Eat Out

134

HEALTH & BEAUTY

JOURNEYS

Pullman — REDEFINING THE 5 STAR EXPERIENCE

World’s Most Beautiful Train Stations

Q&A with Gosia Piatek, the Creative Behind Kowtow

120

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Horoscopes

Living in Luxury

82

ART & ABOUT

106

Doing the Right Thing on the Wrong Side of the Tracks

78

SWIMWEAR FEATURE

86

110 112

136

Sabato’s Fine Food Fairy Tale

COMPETITIONS 142 Win with Verve!

Myanmar-Vellous

114

Keeping Calm in Vietnam

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Let the celebrations begin...

Special thanks for supporting us: Photographer: Keryn Sweeney Cinematographer: Sebastien Peloux Stylist: Nicole Paris Florist: Anna Cunningham Hair and Makeup: Natalie Clements, Imeleta Kellett Cake and Sweets: Amy’s Secret Kitchen Dinnerware: Insphire Clothing: Country Road, Jetsetbohemian You are fantastic!

For me Christmas is a time to marinade in all that makes life special, a time to give, and a time spent with loved ones. It is time to take stock of the year that has past and the year that is to come.

My desires for 2016 are simple: for happy, healthy family members, who possess the strength and temerity to overcome life’s challenges, and for dreams come true for all, including myself! For Verve to continue to excite and bring pleasure to those who are involved, whether advertisers, readers, suppliers or behindthe-scene creatives. 2016 is a big birthday year — simply begging for a celebratory travel adventure. Where to? I am not entirely sure: I love the idea of somewhere ancient, somewhere French or somewhere sophisticated.

Christmas day for me means celebrating with family and friends — sitting in the sun, listening to music, drinking champagne and making delicious food together. We then drive to our family bach in the Coromandel for a few weeks, where we live with no electricity, so the beautiful candle is our sole source of light and we collectively cook on an open-fire under the stars.

It is certainly a rejuvenating experience to be away from computers and cars!

Even after seven years in the Southern Hemisphere I still haven’t got used to celebrating Christmas in the summer and I doubt I ever will. The bitter cold aside (which I’m gladly no longer used to), Christmas conjures up notions of family, friendship (more so now I’m away from my family) and reflection too.

My 2016 desire and dreams are that my family, my friends and all whom I love have a wonderful healthy and prosperous year!

There are interesting developments at Verve for 2016, which I’m excited for and as always, I’d like to be a better man next year than I was this — but my main goal remains mastering moving from a headstand to handstand without balancing against a wall (and without breaking my neck as my girlfriend keeps fearing I’ll do). Maybe if I put it in print, it’ll force me to write that novel, and as for a travel destination then that would have to be Tibet.

- Jude | Editor -

- Jamie | Writer -

New York will be my destination for a holiday in 2016 — my son Jesse and his wife Adrienne live in New York, so I need to spend time with them.

Christmas for me is a time of relaxation and gratitude — for reflection on the year just passed, and enjoyment of the moment. In 2016 I hope to finish my next book, to exchange smiles with at least a million people, and to find endless opportunities for riotous laughter. Travelscapes have contracted for me.

New Zealand is a land of intricate fascination, and I’m particularly enamoured of the West Coast, its wild soaring beauty with its edge of danger and views of the infinite.

- Theresa | Sales -

- Fran | Editor -

Verve Magazine Editors-in-chief: Fran Ninow and Jude Mitchell Writer: Jamie Christian Desplaces Design: Juliane Kuhnt Contributors: Paris Mitchell, Jackie O’Fee, Sarah Sparks, Billy Aitken, Dennis Knill, Anna Jones, Jenna Moore, Doris Mousdale, Theresa Sjoquist, Jess Hartley, Mélanie Fauré, Charles Goodwin, Manish Arora, Jani Allen Subscriptions: intern@vervemagazine.co.nz VERVE MAGAZINE is published monthly (except in January) and has an estimated readership of 60,000. It is a free community/lifestyle magazine delivered to selected homes, cafés and businesses in the following areas: Parnell, Newmarket, Remuera, Meadowbank, Epsom, Mission Bay, Kohimarama, Herne Bay and Stonefields.

Copies of Verve Magazine are also available from: Parnell Inc, The Strand Vet, Home Ideas Centre, Just Rentals – Meadowbank, Vincent – Nuffield St. Newmarket, Constant Cravings, Barfoot & Thompson Parnell, Quest Hotels – Parnell, Remuera, and Newmarket, Parnell Community Centre and Library, Verve Café, Little Nuffield, S’pacific – Devonport, and 99 Nuffield Street, Newmarket. Verve is also available from all popular cafés in its main distribution areas as well as in E-book format.

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

Published by Verve Magazine Ltd 99 Nuffield Street, Newmarket, Auckland 1023 (Corner Mahuru Street/ Nuffield Street) PO Box 99-288, Newmarket, Auckland 1149 GST: 90 378 074 ISSN 2253-1300 (print) ISSN 2253-1319 (online) Advertising and Editorial enquiries: P: +64 9 520 5939 E: fran@vervemagazine.co.nz or jude@vervemagazine.co.nz Auckland’s Free Lifestyle Magazine. Issue: 118

December 2015

— FASHION BEAUTY HEALTH HOME ARTS FOOD WINE TRAVEL SOCIETY

DECEMBER COVER: Underwater photographer Brett Stanley.

Read his story on page 49.

Il était une fois mon Noël français en famille…

Je chéris particulièrement la veillée de Noël à l’église, l’ouverture des cadeaux le 25 au matin au pied du sapin et le somptueux repas fait maison par Mamie (foie gras d’oie, cèpes etc).

C’est l’occasion de se plonger dans les albums de famille, de jouer à des jeux de société et de retomber en enfance avec un Walt Disney en fin d’après midi…

Le soir la magie opère toujours avec notre fameux tour des illuminations de Noël de la ville.

Noël est une pause hors du temps où la magie prend vie en famille.

Pour cette nouvelle année, je désire poursuivre cette superbe aventure que j’ai commencé ici en Nouvelle Zélande avec mon fiancé.

- Melanie | Social Media Intern (see the translation on our website www.vervemagazine.co.nz)

Christmas is a very important time of year for me, to slow down, relax and enjoy time with family and friends. In my home town in Leipzig, Germany we celebrate Christmas for more than a month. I really love the Christmas markets where we keep ourselves warm with Glühwein and find nice homemade goodies for presents. Our actual celebrations are three days long and we always wish for snow and even though it never comes it’s always great to be cosy inside with the whole family eating good food and having heaps of candles and Christmas lights to make it just magical. I’m really excited for Christmas this year as my parents will be joining me for a warm celebration in New Zealand.

On Christmas day I love watching my family and friends open their Christmas presents, sitting down to a delicious Christmas dinner cooked by my auntie and mum and getting through a few bottles of prosecco. This year will be very different for me, as I will be missing my family back home very much but Im sure the NZ sun will keep me happy.

My desires and dreams for 2016 include successfully completing my internship with Verve Magazine, to travel New Zealand with my mum, be reunited with lovely family and friends back in the United Kingdom and to make a good start on my final campaign at university. My favoured destination for 2016 is either the North and South island of New Zealand or Amsterdam.

I have been involved in sales for the past 25 years whether it be in fashion, media or advertising. Having had a business myself, I totally understand the importance of keeping your business in the forefront of your customer’s minds. My passion is sales, meeting and speaking with new and interesting people and securing long-lasting business relationships. My interests include keeping fit — I love swimming, running and doing yoga and of course reading magazines.

- Carol | Sales -

- Juliane | Graphic Designer - Jess | Graphic Design Intern -

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12 Christmas

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DIAMONDS ON RICHMOND 02

98 Richmond Road | Grey Lynn 09 376 9045 www.dor.co.nz

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BELLORO

Shop 4 | 25 Teed Street | Newmarket 09 522 8620 | jewellery@belloro.co.nz www.belloro.co.nz

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Jewels

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01 — Star Stacker Rings (available in yellow, white and rose gold) $199 incl gst, Diamonds On Richmond; 02 — Diamond Dress Ring set in white gold $5,800 incl gst, Diamonds On Richmond; 03 — Diamond Studs Earrings from $990 incl gst (pictured 1.00ct TDW $6,800 incl gst), Diamonds On Richmond; 04 — Smokey Quartz and Diamond Ring set in yellow gold $490 incl gst, Diamonds On Richmond; 05 — 18ct yellow gold ring with various natural cut gemstones, $2,015.00, Belloro; 06 — 18ct Gold Earrings with cabochon amethyst stones, $2,150.00, Belloro; 07 — 18ct yellow, rose gold and oxidised silver bracelet, including gold and moonstone drop, $5,045.00, Belloro; 08 — 18ct yellow, rose gold and oxidised silver, ring set with carnelian stone, $1,950.00, Belloro; 09 — 18ct gold and oxidised silver earrings with cabochon white moonstones, $1,595.00, Belloro

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241 Parnell Rd, Auckland - www.orsini.co.nz

14 Christmas

Stewart Dawsons

Dec 2015

SHOP 263 WESTFIELD ST LUKES 09 8462146 | STEWARTDAWSONS.CO.NZ

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Linden Leaves 317 PARNELL ROAD | AUCKLAND 1052 09 309 0015 | SHOP@LINDENLEAVES.COM LINDENLEAVES.COM

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08 01- White Gold Diamond Rings Left – 1 carat Diamond Ring set in 9 carat white gold, $3199. Right – 34 points of Diamond Ring set in 9 carat white gold, $1499. Lying Flat – 1 carat Diamond Ring set in 18 carat white gold, $3999. 02- Yellow Gold Diamond Rings Left – 1 ¼ Diamond Ring set in 18 carat yellow gold, $5999. Right – ½ carat Diamond Ring, $1499. Lying Flat – 1 ¼ carat Diamond Solitaire Ring set in 18 carat yellow gold, $6499. 03-Tanzanite & Diamond Rings Left – 38 points of Diamonds and Tanzanite Ring set in 18 carat white gold, $6499. Right – 23 points of Diamonds and Tanzanite Ring set in 9 carat white gold, $1899. Lying Flat – 24 points of Diamonds and Tanzanite Ring set in 9 carat gold, $1699. 04- Linden Leaves Gold Oil, Mist & Lotion Gift Set is the ultimate in luxury this Christmas. Featuring a gold body oil enhanced with amaranth to hydrate the skin and improve moisture retention, a refreshing toning face and body mist to help hydrate and restore skin vitality and a gentle and a non-drying body wash enhanced with skin smoothing and firming red rice extract and amaranth protein. This gift set will leave skin feeling luxuriously soft and radiant all summer long (gift set contains gold oil 150ml, wash 150ml and mist 100ml $149.99). 05- Linden Leaves Summer Hand Cream Selection includes three deliciously scented hand creams enhanced with ultra-restorative cocoa butter, aloe vera and evening primrose oil to deeply nourish and hydrate skin. The three summer cocktail inspired fragrances include Pina Colada, Watermelon Bellini and Basil Julep $19.99. 06 & 07- Linden Leaves Summer Body Scrub and Body Butter Set includes a deliciously scented, skin soothing, body scrub and a summer body butter enhanced with cocoa butter. Perfect stocking fillers. Available in Pina Colada and Watermelon Bellini - $24.95 per set. 08- The Linden Leaves Summer Christmas Cracker is a Christmas gift for all, containing a deliciously scented handcream enhanced with ultrarestorative cocoa butter, aloe vera and evening primrose oil to deeply nourish and hydrate skin and a lip balm enriched with Manuka honey and sweet almond oil to soothe, nourish and repair dry lips from the summer sun. $14.99 each.

03 32239-242, $334.90

01 13436-404, $219.90

Gusto & Grace

02

WESTFIELD 277 BROADWAY | NEWMARKET PH: 09 524-5766 277@GUSTOANDGRACE. CO.NZGUSTOANDGRACE.CO.NZ

11438-766, $529.90

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BERING WATCHES — Minimalist Danish design, understated elegance.

06 05

Carrie Bracelet

Athena Bracelet

07

The Bay Tree

Copper Ball Bracelet

THE BAY TREE 62 A BENSON ROAD | REMUERA 09 522 2991 | THEBAYTREE@XTRA.CO.NZ THEBAYTREE.CO.NZ

OPEN 7 DAYS

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Ariana Wrap Bracelet

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Macklyn Bracelet

Snake Wrap Bracelet

15 Christmas Dec 2015

Unexpected TYTAN 16 Christmas Dec 2015

Assembled TASSEL

Gemstones symbolise the contrasts in the city of Miami: fun at night and relaxation during the day. Two worlds joined in 18-carat yellow gold to provide a unique, special feel to this collection.

The surprise of the unexpected is hidden in this unique ring that combines topazes inlaid in titanium with a round bezel made of 18-carat-old. Surprise in its pure state.

Do you dare flaunt it?

FOLLOW

Arrows are updated and combined with gemstones in a powerful version for more nocturnal looks, or with diamonds for more classical looks yet with a rebellious touch.

The most underground Miami comes to the fore in a collection crafted of sterling silver vermeil with gemstones, and 18-carat yellow gold with diamonds.

Whimsical Emci

The tender bear in its most rebellious guise. Available in sterling silver, vermeil, pink vermeil and mother-ofpearl with yellow gold, Emci bedecks our bear in the most street-smart Miami look, giving rise to an iconic collection with a touch of humor.

MIAMI – FW 2015-2016 collection Slender MIX TITANIO

The day is waning and the nighttime lights are here along with a simple, elegant collection featuring streamlined shapes. Crafted of titanium and yellow gold combined with ochre-colored gemstones, tanzanite, garnet, peridot, rhodolite, aquamarine and ruby, Mix Titanio lights up the Miami night.

HOLD

The art of the combination becomes clear in the Hold collection.

Different sizes, chains and pendants allow Hold to adapt to all tastes and all occasions, creating unique pieces.

The collection is made of sterling silver vermeil and cultivated pearls.

This collection is inspired by vibrant Miami nights: bright colours, neon lights and a seductive atmosphere. With the focus on four themes: unexpected, assembled, slender and whimsical, TOUS unveils its new collection, in which Tous Titanium is the most important innovation of the season. A variety of looks that surrender to Miami’s vibrant nights.

nkb

TOUS

GALLERY

The Family Jewel

455 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden 09-623 1464

Give the gift of art for Christmas

In 1920, Salvador Tous Blavi and his wife, Terresa Ponsa Mas, opened a small watch repair shop that slowly made its way into the jewellery world.

In 1965, the founder’s son married Rosa Oriol Porta. The two joined forces to combine their respective talents and with their vision and creativity they created a new language in jewellery.

01 Ramon Robertson Untitled Concrete, Plaster & Enamel Paint aprox 650 x 150 x 150mm each

In the late 1980s Rosa began to design her own jewellery which was fresh, modern and easy-to-wear, filling a niche in the market and attracting a wide-ranging consumer following. Since then the family company has created a unique style of jewellery in the world. Moving away from traditional jewellery, the creations of Tous are magical, fun and an innovative affordable luxury.

The company began to expand nationally in the early nineties.

After opening Tous’ second store in Lleida, Spain and with the support of the family’s four daughters, Tous innovated with a joint business model that would enable the brand to grow quickly.

These days, Alba Tous, one of the four Tous daughters has joined the company as chairwoman. Rosa Tous is the corporate vice president and Marta Tous is in charge of the R&D. From their key positions within the company they ensure that the brand and its designs keep reflecting Tous’s unique values and vision.

They have since expanded their horizons to five continents with nearly 500 stores, half in countries and regions such as the Middle East, Mexico, South America, Russia, Poland, Japan, South Korea and now New Zealand.

In 2013, the company launched a new concept store experience in order to recreate the Tous universe and respond to its customers’ new shopping habits. Designed to reflect the brand’s values, its appealing avant-garde furniture allows for greater displays and interaction with the product so that the quality and design of its pieces can be better appreciated.

02

Peter Miller Fun Ho Truck Oil on Canvas 455 x 1015 mm.

For more than 25 years the brand’s emblem, the humble and youthful teddy bear has warmed hearts, becoming a lucky charm for many. In addition to its classic pieces such as the teddy bear, Tous creates new releases each year to celebrate special moments and festive dates.

Also included in their collections are bags, fragrances, watches, eyewear and accessories, all of which continue to reflect the brands value of tenderness, fun and a youthful spirit, conveying the spirit of the company.

03

Matt Palmer Piopio Looking East Acrylic and Enamel on Board 1250 x 640mm.

Tous has the perfect gift whether treating yourself or that someone special. Everyone should have Tous.

04

Dene Hancock Solly & Serena Cast Bronze (Unique) aprox 220 x 130 x 60mm each.

FITZGERALD TAYLOR 18

SHOP 5 | 10 VICTORIA ROAD DEVONPORT 09 44 66 101

Christmas Dec 2015

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REPUBLIC

PARNELL & PONSONBY 09 361 1137 REPUBLICHOME.COM

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05 01- Stationery from Kate Spade New York, available from FitzgeraldTaylor. 02- Fountain pens, available from FitzgeraldTaylor. 03- Midori traveller’s notebook and brass stationery ranges, available from FitzgeraldTaylor. 04- Otto table lamp $299.00. An articulated metal table lamp in a powder-coated finish with transparent cord. Great as a single desk lamp and perfect as a pair of bedsides lamps. Dimensions: 75cm high approximately, as the lamp is articulated. Base is 18cm diameter, and shade is 18cm diameter. 05- Palm Beach Daisy Candle $49.95. Daisy — a light floral fragrant candle made from the finest soy based wax with a soft woody musk background. Notes of cyclamen, rose, lily of the valley, freesia, musk, cedarwood and patchouli. Burn time: 80 hours. 06- Black lantern round from $159.00. These Moroccan-styled lanterns are an attractive feature to your indoor or outdoor dining table. The collection is made from a charming pressed metal with a black and hint of copper finish which perfectly complements any color scheme in your home. 07- Copper oval wire candle holder from $55.00. Oval shaped copper wire hurricane with frosted glass insert, ideal for creating ambiance inside or outside.

19 Christmas Dec 2015

Shop 4 | 25 Teed Street | Newmarket w w w. b e l l o r o . c o . n z Private appointments available: 09 522 8620 jeweller y@belloro.co.nz

Elliot & Co. Fine Bespoke Jewellery www.ej.co.nz

John Elliot Master Jeweller Late of David Morris Jewellers West End London Suite106, First Floor, Queens Arcade, 17 Custom St. East, Auckland 021 912 743, elliots@ihug.co.nz

Memorable gifts for Christmas.

Cavit&Co provide the finest furniture, lighting and accessories from around the world. We can assist you in creating a world class interior from our collection of premium international brands.

Auckland 547a Parnell Road, Parnell 1052 | T +64 9 358 3771 | Email info@cavitco.com | www.cavitco.com

Christchurch 148 Victoria St, Christchurch 8013 | T +64 3 929 0013 Arrowtown 18 Buckingham St, Arrowtown 9302 | T +64 3 442 0128

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Dec 2015

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Trade Aid

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Wallace Rose 05

186 PONSONBY ROAD | PONSONBY 09 376 0572 SHOP@WALLACEROSE.CO.NZ WALLACEROSE.CO.NZ

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01 - FANTASTIC QUILTED KANTHA THROWS, made from 7 layers of cotton, all hand stitched. 02 &03 - HANDMADE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS Part of a large range of beautiful handmade Christmas decorations. 04 - UNIQUE REVERSIBLE SARONGS, each piece is an individual design, great gifts. 05 - BLING BAGS, $249. 06 - MULTI FLOWER TUNIC DRESS, Black and Pink $459. 07 - SITONA DRESS. Printed Silk, $675 08 - FLEUR DRESS Cream Printed Silk, $573

Claire Designer Clothes

85 KITCHENER ROAD | MILFORD PH: 09 486 7424 SALES@CLAIRE.CO.NZ

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CLAIRE.CO.NZ

Christmas Dec 2015

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03

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All Vintage

PH: 0274 877 127 INFO@ALLVINTAGE.CO.NZ ALLVINTAGE.CO.NZ

06 05

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01 - Frank & Eileen white 100% Italian cotton shirt, $310. 02 - Frank & Eileen spot 100% Italian cotton shirt $330. 03 - Frank & Eileen stripe 100% Italian cotton shirt $310. Frank & Eileen Stockist - Claire Designer Clothes, Adorno, Fabric & Maman. 04 - ANTIQUE MAHOGANY BUREAU BOOKCASE. Drop down front reveals burr walnut faced inlaid drawers and compartments with astragal glazed bookcase above. Hand tooled leather writing top, keys and in fully restored condition, $1850. 05 - STUNNING SLING LEATHER LOUNGE CHAIR, 1960s design by Torbjørn Afdal in great vintage condition. Relax into the soft deep brown plush buttoned leather, $985. 06 - BOWLS, TRAYS PLATTERS, DISHES and SERVERS, handmade in New Zealand. The range of shapes and designs combined with quality timeless mahogany make these a winning gift idea. From $20-$75.

LOVE RULES “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

– Lao Tzu –

25 Christmas Dec 2015

Experiments have proven that the emotional stress of a failed relationship can actually exceed the pain of physical trauma. Volunteers whose relationships had ended against their wishes took part in a study by University of Michigan in which their brains were scanned as they were both touched by a hot probe and then asked to look at pictures of their ex.

The results were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “On the surface, spilling a hot cup of coffee on yourself and thinking about how rejected you feel when you look at the picture of a person that you recently experienced an unwanted break up with may seem to elicit very different types of pain,” writes researcher Ethan Kross.

“But this research shows that they may be even more similar than initially thought.”

Other research has shown lost love to trigger similar reactions in the brain as when kicking a drug addiction and even to be comparable to grief. In November it was reported that the parents of former American Football star Doug Flutie had died within an hour of each other. Last winter, a poignant photo of Californian couple Alexander and Jeanette Toczko melted hearts across the globe when it was reported the two, both in their 90s and wed for 75 years, died holding hands.

Surviving spouses actually have up to a 66% higher chance of dying in the first three months following the passing of their partner due to a phenomenon known as Broken Heart Syndrome, but there is no concrete scientific evidence as to its cause. “It’s possible it’s a grief-related mechanism,” Harvard professor Dr S. V. Subramanian tells Reuters Health. “Or that providing care for the sick spouse causes illnesses in the surviving spouse. Or, as one’s spouse gets sicker, the surviving spouse stops taking care of their own health.” On the flipside, being in long, strong relationships has also been shown to lead to longer, healthier lives.

Love, the cause of such pleasure, and, alas, such ultimate pain. It has troubled artists, philosophers, poets, painters and writers like perhaps nothing else.

But what, exactly, is it? In 2010, a revolutionary study

by Syracuse University named The Neuroimaging of Love discovered falling in love to arouse the same euphoric feeling as cocaine. Similarly, a recent Chinese study revealed the areas of the brain involved with emotion, motivation and reward to be linked with feelings of love also. Rather amusingly, being in love actually effects the brain in a similar fashion to mental illness — perhaps excusing all of that irrational behaviour — and, according to one US paper, affects men faster than women.

Renowned anthropologist Helen Fisher of New Jersey’s Rutgers University proposes that hormones play a significant part in the process of falling love, of which there are three stages: lust, attraction and attachment. Sex hormones testosterone and

oestrogen drives our lust while the feel-good chemicals including dopamine and serotonin handle the attraction. Come the hook, line and sinker stage of attachment, vasopressin and oxytocin take over, two hormones released by the nervous system — the latter of which also, incidentally, helps bond mother and child. A known reducer of blood pressure (and also released when we cuddle), oxytocin has, fascinatingly, proved that it may not just be humans that fall in love.

“

Love, the cause of such pleasure, and, alas, such ultimate pain.”

Professor and author, Paul Zak, has conducted extensive studies of oxytocin, which he calls the ‘moral molecule’ as it is such a motivating force for compassionate acts (and so his book is titled The Moral Molecule: The Source of Love and Prosperity).

His studies have shown that levels of oxytocin increase between a tenth to a half during regular human engagement, depending on the strength of their relationships. Interestingly, and certainly surprisingly, only 30% of his study group showed an increase in oxytocin after playing with cats or dogs, though both animals did reduce stress levels in human subjects (dogs more so). But Zak then conducted similar tests between the animals and the results were quite extraordinary. “I obtained blood samples from a domestic mixed-breed terrier and a goat that regularly played together,” he writes for The Atlantic. “…we found that the dog had a 48% increase in oxytocin. This shows that the dog was quite attached to the goat. The moderate change suggests the dog viewed the goat as a ‘friend’. More strikingly was the goat’s reaction to the dog: it had a 210% increase in oxytocin. At that level of increase, within the framework of oxytocin as the ‘love hormone’, we essentially found that the goat might have been in love with the dog… That animals of different species induce oxytocin release in each other suggest that they, like us, may be capable of love.”

Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

26 Christmas Dec 2015

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28 Christmas Dec 2015

OUR GIFT TO YOU

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CHRISTMAS WITH KOKO 29 Christmas Dec 2015

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A christmas Crossie A Chrissie Crossie Set by Māyā

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ACROSS DOWN Across Down 1 Sprite originally loved danger (5) 1 Love food? Try 5.92439... (3) Sprite originally loved danger (5) —1 1 — Love food? Try 5.92439... (3) 4 Auckland suburb of equal value to Mistress Rare problem, trapping a flightless bird Auckland suburb of equal value to Mistress Gwyn (7) — 4 2 —2Rare problem, trapping a flightless bird in part of in Auckland (7) Prime Minister? (5) — 8 3 —part Connections leaking(7) fluid on bearing (8) Gwyn (7) of Auckland Soldiers in hamlet (5) collected Swiss cheese (9) — 11 4 —3Northern branch leaking owner often dresses in red around 8 Prime Minister?

Connections fluid on bearing (8) now (10) The Saint - new film set around part of Auckland (9) — 12 5 — Heart of true love, extremely 31 (4) 11 Soldiers in hamlet Swiss cheese Northern branchresearcher, owner often dresses in red familiarly (5) Beat anycollected fiction in suspense (7) — 13(9) 6 — 4Leading experimental nuclear?

That is Rutherford, about points bicycle part (10) —of14 7 —around Two possible 12 Peeved "The Saint" - newstuck film in setoldaround nowtennis (10) venues (not new) where trials held (8) We grow older: it’s accepted practice (5) — 16 8 — Think about Paddington? (4,2,4) Auckland (9) 5 Heart of true love, extremely 31 (4) Critic used to announce presence (7) — 17 9 — Trim pink leg for attractive strip (5) 13 Beat any fiction in suspense (7) 6 Flyer Leading nuclear?

Love food? Try muesli (but skip the Spanish chicken starter) (5) — 19 10 — couldexperimental hardly circulate researcher, much more widely, at present time (6,9) Sex pot undressed? here!

(4) — 21 — I is sleep during wild karaoke one, (5) and get up for Xmas song (1,6,2,1,5,4) 14 Peeved aboutArmageddon points stuckoutta in old bicycle (10) 13/40 That Rutherford, familiarly Dearest Candy... (7) — 23 15 — Break, say, and enter (4,4) 16 We grow older: it's accepted practice (5) 7 Two possible tennis venues (not new) where ...make precious curtains at this point (so to speak) (6) — 24 18 — Brief Auckland winter fashion? (8) 17 Critic used to announce presence trials heldfi(8) Other ranks admonished The Colour Purple(7) (6) — 27 20 — Cut short rst two letters to “The Listener” (5) Be sure heartless Keith accepts present — 28 22 — buried nut (5) 19 Loveonce food?

Try muesli (but skip the(7)Spanish 8 Write Thinkabout about Paddington?

(4,2,4) Personal assistant bent over backwards for Murdoch (4) — 29 25 — Fix current ball boy a cocktail (10) chicken starter) (5) 9 Trim pink leg for attractive strip (5) Mercenary seen in Japanese disguises (5) — 32 26/35 — Difficult to judge article on King tribe’s Xmas song (6,4,3,4) 21 Ordinary Sex pot photo undressed?

10Decide Flyer 999 could hardly includes Armageddon SMERSH coloneloutta (7) — here!

33 30 — is 1000?

(8) circulate much more Spirit being issue knocking me back (5) — 34 31 — An ensign of acceptable (4) widely, at present timequality (6,9) (8) Do they think they will salivate if shown meringue desserts? (10) — 36 35 — See 26 23 Dearest Candy...

(7) Americans may get pulled (7) — 39 37 — Zeal and passion may be found in cover version! (5) Prince has wings clipped in Aboriginal story (9) — 41 About fire over pit: look into it again (2-7) — 42 Park a ship on the rocks (5) — 44 “Ee, it’s Wednesday!” (7) — 45 Urge to have a fundraiser (5) — 46

38 — Go on, why isn’t Tring trending? (2,3) 40 — See 13 43 — Lady tempted - could go either way (3)

31 Christmas Dec 2015

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32 Christmas Dec 2015

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LUJO 0800 426 6625 | INFO@LUJO.CO.NZ LUJO.CO.NZ

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HOUSE OF KNIVES HOUSE OF KNIVES 24 MT EDEN RD | MT EDEN 0508 564 837 WORLDOFCUTLERY.NET

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01 Giant Outdoor Cushions — Lujo’s uber-comfortable foam-filled ‘Cloud’ Cushions have been designed for lounging both inside and out.

Sink into one this summer! Available in 1.3m x 1.3m ($845) and 1.3m x 1.75m ($945) with free delivery. 02 Designer Hammocks — Lujo takes the humble hammock to the next level. Available with the option of side pockets and an attachable Bluetooth speaker to stream your favourite music. From $995 with free delivery. 03 Kwila Sun Lounger — Lujo’s luxury sun lounger is the ultimate furniture for decadent summer relaxation.

Handcrafted in NZ using beautiful kwila hardwood, Sunbrella marine fabrics and quick-dry outdoor foam. $2195 with free delivery. 04 Outdoor Bean bags — A classic favourite in the Lujo outdoor furniture range, their outdoor bean bag chairs and ottomans are real crowd pleasers over Xmas. From $395 with free delivery. 05 4pc “Premier Nature” steak knife set — By Fr. Dick, Germany. The perfectly balanced knives feature one piece forged blades and robust African Blackwood handles. Retails around $416 set. 06 AsiaCut knives — featuring Japanese cherrywood handles, quality steel blades and made by Fr. Dick of Germany. There are 3 knives in the range: Usuba, Santoku and Yanagiba, and they are priced between $112 and $128. 07 Julienne cutter — Produces uniform sized juliennes from courgettes, carrots etc. Ideal for soups and salads, $37.

08 Kitchen Scissor — This is a pull-apart scissor so it is easier to wash and clean after perhaps cutting off bacon rind or trimming steaks, and features a cap lifter, screw top opener and a serrated edge for gripping. The smaller Hobby scissor is a bonus item.

FARMING FESTIVITY

“

It’s a lot of fun — the kind of business where everyone is always in a good mood.”

Michael hails from Croatian stock. When his mother’s family first arrived they ran a fishing business and eventually bought their own boat and shop. “Back in the forties, Mum’s family had macrocarpa trees growing outside the front of the house which they would often sell as Christmas trees,” says Michael. “It was especially popular with the US soldiers based here who wanted to get trees for their sweethearts. So the idea to turn it into a business grew from there. Many of the Croatian immigrants back then made their money in the primary sector, my uncle used to say that all they knew was hard work.”

That ethic was demanded of the workers too. “My uncle and great-uncle were all about treating staff as equals, as part of the family,” Michael says. “That meant that you had to work as hard as a family member, but it also meant that you made lifelong friendships. Even now, our staff are quite often students and many still come back after they have begun working because they enjoy it so much. From the end of November through to Christmas is basically chaos, but it’s a buzz, the sun is usually shining and everyone here is happy and excited.”

The trees must be shaped and fertilised throughout the year and are usually sold aged between two to four years: “We used to allow people to reserve trees in advance with tags, but the problem was, others would come and remove the tag and stick it another another tree. Then the kids would come back having marked the spot and the tree had gone! So we had to stop that.

Now it’s first come first served.” Michael says that there has been a recent trend of pop-up tree sellers, though he warns would-be buyers to beware: “We often get people coming back having bought one of those trees and complaining that they died within a couple of days.”

Any secret tips to prolonging a tree’s life?

This year sees the 75th anniversary of a much-loved Auckland institution, Misa Christmas Trees of Mount Eden. “I’ve been involved with the business since I was a child,” says co-owner Michael Fuyala. “When my uncle and great-uncle ran the business, we the youngsters would help out at weekends. Even as adults we were there, however, neither of us imagined we’d ever end up taking over the reins.”

Though Michael’s official grown-up job is now in media, caring for the Christmas trees still takes up a good chunk of his spare time: “We took over from our late uncle because no one else really knew the business and we didn’t have the heart to let it go.” Michael also feels a responsibility to the community to keep those trees growing: “We have customers coming in with their 12-year-old kids, having come in here when they were 12 with their mums and dads. They have a wander round, chop down a tree, and make a day of it. I have two children and would love to think that they, along with my nieces and nephews, will be involved to the extent we were. It’s a lot of fun — the kind of business where everyone is always in a good mood.”

“There are various old wives’ tales such as putting them in lemonade or adding an aspirin to the water, so many years ago we tested the theories by putting trees in various buckets but nothing made a difference!”

Michael often gets asked if he feels any sorrow in chopping down the trees, but he takes comfort from the fact that his business is, in all senses of the word, a thoroughly green one: “We’re replanting every year, they grow, give oxygen and contribute to the environment. It’s a healthy cycle.” Closer to Christmas the team head to poorer communities in Auckland where they hand out some trees for free: “Boxing Day is usually pretty special when it’s a case of feet up and glass of wine for a hard-earned rest!” But their work’s not quite done then. With the Russian Orthodox Christmas coming a few weeks later, early January sees another spike in sales. “Going back ten years to when I had a run-of-the-mill office job, my days on the farm were usually my favourite of the week,” says Michael. “And you know, there may even still be some truth to that.”

Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

35 Christmas Dec 2015

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Wishing you all a Joyful,

Festive Holiday Season 99 NuďŹƒeld Street, Newmarket | sales@treesfurniture.co.nz | 09 529 9933

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CORSO DE’ FIORI 01

The Foundation | 8 George St | Newmarket 09 307 9166 corso.co.nz

37 Christmas Dec 2015

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ALLIUM

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11 Teed St | Newmarket 09 524 4242 info@alliuminteriors.co.nz alliuminteriors.co.nz

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01 — Classic Panama Hat $124, Corso de’ Fiori. 02 — Izola ‘Wanderlust’ canvas passport holder $45.90, Corso de’ Fiori. 03 — Moulin Roty Tartempois troupe soft toys, Hen & Wolf $89.40 each, Mouse $59.90, Corso de’ Fiori. 04 — Teak Malo plate with Capiz insert $139.90, Corso de’ Fiori.

05 — Karlsson Mr Station Copper Clock $339, Allium. 06 — Ban.do Heart Duffle Bag $129.90, 07 — Kate Spade Ice Bucket $115, Allium. 08 — Neon Cacti, Allium.

NOURISHING CHRISTMAS TREATS ALMOND, LIME & RASPBERRY CAKE WITH MAPLE CREAM CHEESE ICING | SERVES 12 This tangy cake has a lovely buttery texture, and is perhaps a little sweeter than many of my other recipes, but the slightly savoury cream cheese icing works perfectly with it.

METHOD Preheat oven to 180°C fan bake. Line two 22cm cake tins with baking paper.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter until pale, light and fluffy. And the ground almonds and beat in the eggs, one at a time.

Gradually add in the flour and baking powder.

Fold in the maple syrup, sugar, vanilla and lime zest and juice, being careful not to overmix.

CAKE: - 250g/8.8oz butter, softened - 120g/4.2oz ground almonds - 4 organic eggs - 220g/7.8oz spelt flour - 2 teaspoon baking powder - 130g/4.6oz pure maple syrup - 130g/4.6oz light muscovado sugar

Evenly divide the batter between the two tins and dot in the raspberries, pressing down lightly with a spoon.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until golden in colour, springy to the touch and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Allow the cakes to cool for around 10 minutes before turning onto a cooling rack.

Meanwhile, make the cream cheese icing.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth and continue to add all the other ingredients. Once cakes are fully cool, spread the filling onto one layer and place the other on top. Ice the top of the cake with cream cheese icing and top with the freeze-dried raspberries and lime zest.

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Zest and juice of 2 limes - 130g/4.6oz frozen raspberries CREAM CHEESE ICING: - 250g/8.8oz cream cheese - Juice of ½ lime - 3 tablespoon maple syrup - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Filling: 3 tablespoon good-quality raspberry jam or lime curd TOP WITH: - Freeze-dried raspberries - Lime zest

RECIPE: JORDAN RONDEL THECAKER.CO.NZ IMAGES: SALLY GEER

39 Christmas Dec 2015

A CHARGRILLED MUSHROOM FEAST | SERVES: 4 “This dish is one of the things I like to cook when people come for dinner. It’s an unexpected riot of flavour and colour, with lots of interesting, unique elements that sing when eaten together. A long time ago a brilliant Italian chef taught me to be brave with the heat when it came to mushrooms: a hot pan, not overcrowded, with generous seasoning. And luckily this way of cooking mushrooms is so well suited to speedy cooking. This is how I like mushrooms best. Charred, dense and smoky all at once. Marinating the mushrooms while the griddle heats up is a quick way to get some extra flavour into them. If you don’t have a griddle you can use a large frying pan, or, even better, a barbecue.”

41 Christmas Dec 2015

Anna Jones

METHOD Fill and boil a kettle and get all of your ingredients together. Heat a griddle pan.

Weigh out the rice in a mug or measuring jug, making a note of the level it comes up to, then rinse it in cold water and put it into the pan. Fill the mug to the same level with hot water from the kettle and add to the pan, then repeat so you have double the volume of water to rice. Put a lid on the pan and bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 30–35 minutes for black rice and about 20 for wild rice. Soak the currants in the white wine vinegar.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE RICE - 200g black or wild rice - 3 tablespoons currants - 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar - ½ a small bunch of fresh dill and/or tarragon FOR THE MARINATED MUSHROOMS

Break or chop any large mushrooms into thick slices, put them into a bowl, then add the marinade ingredients and mix well.

- 800g interesting mushrooms: king oyster,

To make the tzatziki, grate the cucumber into a bowl. Toast the cumin and fennel seeds in a dry pan and add them to the cucumber, then stir in the yoghurt, the lemon juice and a good pinch of salt and pepper and set aside.

- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or runny honey

Once the griddle is smoking, add a layer of mushrooms and grill on all sides until charred, crispy and cooked through. Work in batches rather than overcrowding the griddle, as otherwise they won’t cook properly. Keep one eye on the mushrooms, turning them as you need to, while you get on with another couple of jobs. Keep the first couple of batches warm in a low oven while you cook the rest.

Toast the coriander seeds in the dry pan and bash in a pestle and mortar until you have a rough powder, then add to your hummus with some more salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed.

Sprinkle over the pomegranate seeds.

De-stone and chop the olives and the coriander together on a board until you have a rough salsa.

Scoop into a bowl, season with salt and pepper, then add a little drizzle of oil and put to one side.

Once the rice is cooked, drain any excess water, then mix in the currants and their soaking liquid along with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Chop the dill and tarragon and mix through the rice.

Once all the mushrooms are cooked, turn off the griddle. Pile the rice on to plates, scatter the mushrooms over and serve with big spoons of the olive salsa, hummus and tzatziki. And, if you like, some flatbreads.

portobello, chestnut - 2 teaspoons smoked paprika juice of ½ a lemon - 2 tablespoons sumac - A good glug of olive oil FOR THE TZATZIKI - ½ a cucumber - ½ teaspoon cumin seeds - ½ teaspoon fennel seeds - 150ml yoghurt of your choice (I use coconut or good Greek) - Juice of ½ a lemon FOR THE HUMMUS - 1 teaspoon coriander seeds - 8 tablespoons homemade or good shop-bought hummus - The seeds from ½ a pomegranate FOR THE OLIVE SALSA - A handful of black olives (I use Kalamata) - A small bunch of fresh coriander

RECIPE: ANNA JONES ANNAJONES.CO.UK IMAGE: JONATHAN GREGSON

42 Christmas Dec 2015

‘TIS THE SEASON TO AVOID THE MONEY HANGOVER Everyone is guilty of doing it. Many repeat the same mistake year after year.

They get caught up in the buying frenzy, especially as it seems to begin earlier every year. So why do we overspend at Christmas?

“One key reason is we’re trying to make up for a sense of deprivation,” says Sarah McMurray, a professional money coach who started the business Relating to Money a few years ago. “Meeting our own expectations of what we’ve been told or sold about how to get that festive glow of Christmas all drives it.”

Sarah’s observations and tips for avoiding those white knuckle moments when opening the bank or credit card statement later in January make perfect, pragmatic sense. “Three things are spent at Christmas. We spend our time, energy and money” she says. When we get short on time and energy we compensate by throwing money at the problem which she says, “won’t necessarily get us the result that we were hoping for.”

Plan ahead by considering your money, time and energy budgets she says and beware of ‘Pinterest pressure’. “There’s this kind of Martha Stewart pressure now to make your own gifts. You’re working full-time, have a family and you need to be making soulful gifts presented to the standard of Pinterest.”

Be realistic, sit down with the diary and be aware of making tradeoffs and compromises is the best strategy Sarah says. “You might have a Sunday afternoon free if you’re lucky, but if you don’t get your gifts made in time then you’re facing the prospect of being up until 3am in the morning on Christmas Eve trying to get the things to look good.” No thanks. Been there and done that. Be mindful of your time and money, the money coach warns. Start having conversations about what Christmas means as early as you can. Approach everyone you care about to contribute to a discussion about “what makes Christmas for you?”

It might be champagne for breakfast, or the scent of fresh lilies that fills the house in the morning, mum’s homemade Christmas pud or having a real Christmas tree. Whatever it is she says — plan, discuss and review — especially those things that have slipped through the cracks like last minute ‘guilt buying’.

Buying gifts for girlfriends is nice one year but it can turn into a burden. ”Remember, anything you’re feeling as a burden they’ll probably agree is a burden too.”

Be upfront and say, “let’s meet for drinks but let’s agree no gifts.” Sarah can’t imagine anyone disagreeing. Another idea she advises is a gift buying criteria agreed within the family so that “you get something you want, something you need and a book — all to avoid bingeing on presents.”

Grandparent guilt was a hot topic canvassed too. Sarah describes a recent visit to a party shop that sells expensive mechanical carousel centrepieces. The retailer told her that “no parent buys those for their kids but Grandma does.”

So often grandparents justify it by saying to the coach, “I love them so much but don’t get to see them,” so they splurge on the biggest gift to show the love. For some people gifts are a love language. Sarah admits, “so you can’t cancel the gift but be realistic.” Her approach is to ask the tough questions. What are you really saying with the gift? What behaviours are you setting up? How much time and resources do you actually have to really go shopping for that?

Sarah shares common insights from her clients: “Christmas shopping is a woman’s job because we make the happy memories for our family. Men will

help but won’t offer.” says Sarah. “You’re the one that realises that to have a nice breakfast, someone has to go out and buy strawberries on Christmas Eve.” It’s corroborated by a similar scientific study on housework in Psychology Today she says. “Even men who deem themselves the most liberated and supportive of their wives don’t initiate a conversation around sharing housework and childcare.” Christmas is the same she says. “Give them direction. Plan ahead. Make a list of tasks and have ‘that’ conversation before you tear your hair out.”

How to Avoid or Deal With The Christmas Hangover

Christmas

PRE-CHRISTMAS:

“Kids like experiences,” she says. Parents may think that their kids need that iPad or latest and greatest toy, but according to Sarah their answers may surprise you. “Often kids say they like it when we go to see the lights on Franklin Road. They dial up stuff from their childhood.”

Download Sarah’s free holiday planner off Relating to Money. Take control of your finances by using the calendar and spreadsheet to identify what you need to spend money on and how much money you have.

Knowing your full financial position in advance helps get through the holiday season with balance and joy.

The point is to sit there and come up with a list so everyone gets at least one wish that gives them the feeling of Christmas. “For me I don’t mind what we’re eating but what makes Christmas is the feel of the crepe paper hat on my head and I don’t care if no one else is wearing one.”

POST-CHRISTMAS:

Personally, donning Santa hats is the tradition in my family.

Ragamuffin ones from years gone by, sparkly sequin numbers or fluffy pom-pom ones. My kids know it wouldn’t feel like Christmas without throwing on one of those hats before we open presents. All the money mentoring overrides the fear of Christmas being meagre or lacking and gives hope to a festive season minus the buyer’s remorse. “It’s quite subtle but a lot of Christmas pressure is targeted at women, or we subconsciously take it on, or it’s a combination of both.”

43

So you’ve gone overboard and it’s time to mop up the financial damage? Accept it’s happened and know it’s not the end of the world. It can be dealt with and cleaned up.

Whether you’ve resolved to save more, get out of debt, or quit having blowouts, the key to sticking to these goals is following a budget and tracking your spending. Try free apps for Android or iPhone like GoodBudget, Pocket Expense or You Need A Budget (Y.N.A.B) to understand your cashflow, spending habits and payment schedules.

RELATINGTOMONEY.CO.NZ

Words by: Sarah Sparks

“

Three things are spent at Christmas. We spend our time, energy and money.”

Photograph by Ruthie Stoffels

Dec 2015

Front Room Fabrics Hand Printed Textiles

SHOP 9, ST KEVINS ARCADE 183 KARANGAHAPE ROAD | NEWTON | AUCKLAND027 939 1458 | ELEANOR@ FRONTROOMFABRICS.CO.NZ

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Un Deux Trois UN DEUX TROIS, BY FRENCH COUNTRY COLLECTIONS 6 JERVOIS RD | HERNE BAY 09 376 7588 | WWW.UNDEUXTROIS.NZ

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01 — Hand-printed 100% silk pillow slips, excellent quality for hair and skin while sleeping. Machine washable, pair $250.

02 — Fine cotton serviette with stitched edge detail, hand-printed with festive food, wine and NZ imagery. $17.50 each.

03 — Velvet and silk cushion, hand-printed with botanical and other unique designs, filled with a NZ feather inner 40cmx60cm. $230. 04 — Hand-printed cotton pillow slips, with stitched flange edge detail. Machine washable, pair $180. 05 — Absorbent cotton tea towels, hand-printed with festive food, wine and NZ imagery. $20. 06 — Dome candles, French Country’s luxury scent. 5 Dome candles are available in 3 fragrances - soothing bergamot and camomile, zesty French verbena and tropical wild frangipani. The soy wax candle is beautifully presented in luxury jars with glass dome and box - the perfect gift for someone special. $49.00 each. 07 — Alza vases, glass vases in this seasons freshest colour trend. Each vase is handblown with an irregular rim adding to the unique charm and individuality of each item. Priced from $16.90-$49.00. 08 — Lamps, simple, stylish and modern table lamps from French Country Collections. Available in white, black and gold, 58cmH. $89 each.

THE LINEN STORE 45 Christmas Dec 2015

Christmas has come at all once to The Linen Store!

Gorgeous Collection of Gifts and Decorations.

Now open at 25 Broadway near the Blind Institute precinct | 0274795000

www.thelinenstore.nz

BIANCA LORENNE NEW COLLECTION IN STORE NOW Shop 7, 21 Nuffield St, Newmarket 09 524 4452 | www.harrowsethall.co.nz

Christmas Sale 50% off All European Shoes and Sandals

324 Remuera Road 09 524 9355

46 Christmas Dec 2015

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THE VAULT

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13 High Street | CBD Auckland 09 377 7665 auckland@thevaultnz.com thevaultnz.com

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MARY KELLY KILIMS

53 Wood Street | (Franklin Rd End) | Freemans Bay 021 211 8904 | mkelly@xtra.co.nz marykellykilims.co.nz

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01 — Silver and Pearl Bee Necklace $180, The Vault. 02 — Blunt Umbrellas range from $78, The Vault.

03 — Candle Holders range from $162, The Vault. 04 — Weekend Hold-All. 65cm x 50cm x 22cm. $595, Mary Kelly Kilims.

05 — Shopping Bag. 28cm x 26cm. $250, Mary Kelly Kilims. 06 — Document Satchel. 41cm x 32cm. $325, Mary Kelly Kilims.

07 — Shopping Bag. 36cm x 26cm. $225, Mary Kelly Kilims.

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Eastridge Shopping Centre spreading Christmas cheer Plus, for the second time this year, buy anything during December to enter Eastridge’s Twelve Days of Prizes giveaway. With, you guessed it, twelve days worth of prizes up for grabs, every entry has a fantastic chance of taking home a prize from one of Eastridge’s great retailers.

Eastridge Shopping Centre are all geared up for Christmas, with Santa visiting over the two weekends before Christmas from 10am-2pm. Come on down to meet Santa and get a photo taken with jolly old Saint Nick himself!

Opening as a convenience centre for locals, Eastridge now boasts a huge variety of stores, including newly opened Browns and Tank Juice Bar. From big name brands such as New World to local businesses like 360 Fitness; from fashion to fitness, phones to photos, haircuts to health stores, treats to travel – everything you need is right here at Eastridge.

Eastridge Shopping Centre – where community and convenience come together

Christmas Dec 2015

48 Fashion Dec 2015

STOLEN GIRLFRIENDS CLUB

Images supplied by STOLEN GIRLFRIENDS CLUB

49 Cover Story Dec 2015

DOWN UNDER IN LOS ANGELES

Brett Stanley developed a love of photography at a relatively tender age.

But, he admits, he wasn’t always very good at it. Luck wasn’t always on his side, either. “I always had a camera when I was kid,” says the photographer.

“When I was a bit older I inherited an SLR from my brother who was into surf photography. It was a Zenit, Russian-made from heavy, solid steel. In the late 90s I went on a trip to India expecting to take all these amazing pictures but when I got home and developed the film, the shots were terrible.” On his final day, Brett was given the wrong train ticket. He arrived in Mumbai just a couple of hours before his flight left and he had neither cash nor time to get to an ATM to withdraw some: “I had to sell the camera for cab fare to get to the airport. The last picture on the roll was a selfie with me and the two Indian guys who bought it.”

Brett spent a great chunk of his teenage years underwater and dreamt of becoming a diver. “We had a pool in our backyard and I was always in it,” he tells me. “On another trip to Asia I bought a digital point-and-shoot with an underwater case and took it diving. I was like, ‘Oh my god! I can take pictures of fish, this is amazing!’ I toyed around with that for a while, bought some more gear then later swam with humpback whales in Tonga. It was the most incredible experience that changed my life in more ways than one. After that it was a case of screw the fish, I want to take pictures of mammals. In the ocean, with whales, I’ve never felt so insignificant. Apart from living in L.A.!”

The photographer, originally from Sydney, now lives in Tinseltown with Jaime Leigh, his make-up artist Kiwi wife of four years, having spent a number of years living in Wellington in between. “I was only supposed to stay in New Zealand for a year, but I fell I love with the natural environment, the outdoors,” says Brett. “It’s so much better than in Australia where you have to drive for hours to see something new. Here, it feels as though there’s an incredible new vista around every corner. The whole country is amazing.”

Brett incorporates his love of landscapes into many of his shots, but it is his underwater work for which he is most revered. He was inspired to first shoot his subjects in the drink after watching an aerial display by his friend, trapeze artist Tanya Drewery, in Wellington: “She does this incredible act from chains and I just thought, ‘we need to get you underwater’. It was a light-bulb moment.” There followed a series of underwater pole-dancing shots that soon went viral. “That was just off the charts,” says Brett. “I had never had anything like that before, it was so exciting, I didn’t know what to do. My website was getting so many hits I spent a week sat at my computer hitting refresh!”

There was interest from around the world. A Japanese crew even flew to L.A. to film one of Brett’s underwater pole shoots. The photographer now tours the world, shooting subjects beneath

“Everything changes in the water. Physics, the way light reacts, the way people react. You have to have a plan and give clear and concise directions before you go down.”

- Brett Stanley -

the surface. “Everything changes in the water,” says Brett.

“Physics, the way light reacts, the way people react. You have to have a plan and give clear and concise directions before you go down. When I first started, I had no idea what I was doing, but people trusted me. Now I have a very tight process.”

Presumably your models must all be confident swimmers?

“No, not at all. I’ve had people book with me who literally can’t swim and I’ve had to piggy back them from the side of the pool.

To me, that’s mind-blowing, that people are that motivated to do it.”

handwriting is awful. But I think creativity is within, and you have to discover how to get it out using whatever tools necessary, whether it be painting or creative dance. The images, the visions that I see inside my head, I recreate through photography. A good eye can be developed through practise. If you have a love of aesthetics, if you can look at something and see what’s right and wrong with it, then it’s just a matter of honing those skills. I look at old photos and can see how I’ve changed. I don’t know whether I’ve got better or just have different tastes now. It’s an evolution.”

There are no tricks or tanks. Photographer and subject simply hold their breath then sink: “I can usually hold my breath for longer than the models, but I shot three Japanese synchronised swimmers at the beginning of the year who could stay down for two minutes. I can maybe manage one.”

The photographer’s world tour will draw to a close stateside and he’ll be taking a well-earned breather come Christmas. Brett doesn’t get to see his family as often as he’d like, made all the more difficult by the fact they’re still pretty spread out across Australia. They, too, will all be spending the festive season in the states — Brett’s sister, Sharon, has booked an inn in the middle of nowhere in New York state: “Hopefully it’ll be a white Christmas.” He’d better keep his camera out.

Brett tells me he draws much inspiration from the movies: “I’m driven by lighting. I love the way movies are lit. Cinematographers are my idols.” I ask him if he believes a good eye is god-given, or something that can be developed. “A bit of both,” he says.

“I’m not particularly artistic in any other way. I can’t draw. My

Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

See you at the

Beach

Celebrating our love of the coast, summer holidays, and 100 years of summer fashion in New Zealand.

Images by kind courtesy of NZ Fashion Museum.

53 Swimwear Feature Dec 2015

56 Swimwear Feature Dec 2015

Sunsmart Innovation Makes Big Splash One 'aha' moment in the sunshine by ‘Laterpreneur’, Karen Newton as she played with her grandchildren has become a godsend for women in New Zealand and beyond.

“We were happily playing on the estuary. The children had their little rashies on. I thought, why isn’t there something like that for women my age? We need to preserve our skin as well,” says the former market researcher.

That question over three years has morphed into Covertogs™, a highly successful online business of distinctive swimwear, which has doubled sales year-on-year with customers all over New Zealand and even in places as far away as Canada. Every step of the way women have been the brains behind this savvy, sunsmart range.

Karen put her professional evaluation skills to good use and first recruited women to evaluate her initial one piece sample and discuss what their unmet swimwear needs were. “A preliminary one piece design was tested by our focus group. But the garment wasn’t right,” she admits. Overwhelmingly the women said that they needed a front opening two-piece that had a black base with a splash of colour and provided more coverage with built-in bra support.

The group’s guidance heavily influenced the final pattern, which caters for all women and spans sizes from small to XXL. Karen calls it a “forgiving fit” and says it hasn’t really changed except for one or two little refinements, like extra arm and leg lengths options.

Not to be confused with rash shirts that are worn over swimsuits, Covertogs™ are an ingeniously designed all-in-one solution.

The colour panels change seasonally, giving the range vibrant pops of colour, yet if you think the design styles are based on those of the fashion world, you are sorely mistaken. “They’re fit for purpose. Lifestyle inspires our designs. Moments like wanting to sail, play with grandchildren by the pool, being active with the confidence that you have 40+ UV protection from the sun.”

Primarily Baby Boomers are snapping the garments up, however, so are women who’ve had mastectomies, or have light sensitivities, skin cancers and surgical scars that they wish to cover. Superior imported European fabric gives Karen’s range the edge. Clients are relieved there’s no more “falling out or hitching up.” It’s all due to the benefits of Italian Lycra, she explains, versus the other types of elastane on the market.

“So often the cheaper elastane does not have much longevity because it’ll break down in chlorinated water and not hold shape well. Elastane hates chlorine. Lycra gives the most wonderful long-lasting fit.”

Reading the online testimonials that pour in week after week, rain, hail or shine, shows that Karen has definitely given women what they want — coverage with confidence that makes them feel fantastic and salute the stunning styling.

Words: Sarah Sparks

SEE COVERTOGS AD IN OUR MARKET PLACE SECTION COVERTOGS.CO.NZ

What to Wear For Poolside Flirting “Summer is all year round here,” smiles Debra Twadell, who buys swimwear nonstop every month for Aktivworkx which has graced a corner of The Strand in Takapuna for the last 23 years. Its floor to ceiling glass corner with bright summery resort windows wouldn’t be out of place in Noosa or South Beach Florida.

Debra is a second-generation owner. Aktivworkx was originally opened by her mother Maxine Twadell, who was well known in dance circles having set up the popular Ballet Barre store in Queens Arcade three decades ago.

Her customers confess to her that the only thing worse than shopping for new jeans is shopping for swimwear. It’s got a lot to do with feeling exposed and on show, Debra says. “It’s lovely when you get someone in the store who arrives unhappy and leaves ecstatic,” Debra says. Her shop is bursting full of hot bikinis, sporty swimwear, designer maillots, chic cover-ups, boho luxe resort wear and cute beach accessories.

There’s also fashionable lightweight wet-suiting by sporty surf brand O’Neill, which I’m told is a hit with the SUP (stand up paddle boarding) crowd and teens that’re after bright colours with mesh sleeves and functionality all rolled into one. “You have to play it by instinct when buying. I prefer to see a garment on a hanger. Every single item will look stunning on a model, but you can’t put every item on any woman and guarantee it will look stunning.”

Debra’s team take the time to work through what styles clients like first of all. It’s very much trial and error. There’s lots of trying on to see what works and what doesn’t. Lifestyle and personality are key factors too. Walk in choosing a V-neck or halter and walk out with the two piece bandeau, the absolute clincher.

The store is large with generous fitting rooms. No tiny fluorescent lit cubicles here. They’re bathed in natural light and spacious.

Forget about feeling claustrophobic or standing right on top of the mirrors — which is never a good look when trying on a swimsuit! The ranges Aktivworkx stock are as diverse as its clients. All the popular Australasian labels with some European stars thrown in for good measure: Jets, Seafolly, Bondi, O’Neills, Robin Lawley, Spanish label Smash from Barcelona, Sunflair from Germany and even Gottex — the elaborately lacy haute couture of swimwear from Israel.

Who is Robin Lawley you might wonder? She’s the Aussie plus-size model who’s a Sports Illustrated favourite. “Her stunning label is for a curvy girl — just because you’re a bigger frame doesn’t mean you need to wear a frumpy swimsuit,” says Donna. She makes the point that a lot of women come in and say they’re size 20 when actually they’re not. She believes it has caused ill-fitting bad buys that are the wrong cup size from the outset.

“Swimwear has evolved so much. The fabric, the fit, the style and the shapes for various body types. There’s so much to choose from nowadays so you won’t end up looking like a granny.” Aktivworkx stock

holding is significant, Debra explains, because everyone’s body is so different. Two clients might be the same size 12 yet different heights so there must be a diverse range of shapes to cater for all the body types within each size category and swim agendas and style preferences.

Swimwear is like clothing, it has to suit your lifestyle and your personality. Whether you want a style that’s understated, or to show off your assets or to avoid toppling out of your swimsuit or if it’s for a cruise, full of time spent pool lounging, a style will be successfully found at this Takapuna store.

And the hot trends for summer? Bold modern colour blocks or black with white geometric forms are on trend, along with pops of neon colour. The functional ‘sporty fashion’ look exposing sunkissed shoulders thanks to higher necks and leg lines is a sexy and popular look. Put your florals away this season because they’ve been thrashed. Denim is on the fringe, however, soulful boho is the next big thing.

Not everyone has the luxury of holidays during January though, which is why Debra buys all year round. So save a date for the annual glamorous Gottex consignment, which arrives in May 2016 and start dreaming about future poolside flirting!

Words: Sarah Sparks

AKTIVWORX.CO.NZ SHOP 10 1-7 THE STRAND, TAKAPUNA BEACH 0622 09 489 7335

TOP TIPS:

1. Set aside time and make sure you’ve put money in the parking metre to take the stress off from right from the start – there is an abundance of nearby parking within walking distance of the store.

2. Arrive with an open mind. Be prepared to try on lots of different costumes. The more you can tell Debra and her team what you like the better able they will be to find you something special.

58 Swimwear Feature Dec 2015

Chirpy Tales of the Budgie Smugglers During a speech at the British Museum in April, Prince Charles made some quips about his youngest son’s recent military posting to Australia. “I suspect my old Harry is pretty well acclimatised now,” said the royal heir, “and will probably be eating Lamingtons, Vegemite sandwiches, iced Vo-vo’s and violet crumble bars – and may even be threatening to buy a pair of ‘budgie smugglers!’”

Harry wouldn’t have been the first prince to don those legendary-for-all-the-wrong-reasons swimming trunks, with his older brother William already having been famously snapped in a pair during a university water-polo match. But it’s one thing to wear them for the purpose of streamlining during sporting endeavours, quite another to wear them in public for fun. Or worse still, fashion. Hilariously, one leading British theme park once even banned the controversial togs from their premises on the grounds of public decency. “Our waterpark team observed an increase in the number of men wearing tighter trunk style swimwear whilst enjoying the tropical temperatures at the Alton Towers Resort waterpark,” said sales and marketing director Morwenna Angove. “We feel this small brief style is not appropriate for a family venue so we are advising male bathers to wear more protective swimwear such as shorts.” Oddly, the company then went on to offer complimentary male waxing to, “preserve the dignity of all our guests.”

The trunks, also collectively known as ‘Speedos’ after the firm which first designed them, have long since been adopted by a range of other brands.

One such company, also founded in Australia (where else), have whole-heartedly embraced the concept, actually calling themselves ‘Budgy Smuggler’ and producing a range of bedazzling beach briefs with hilarious titles such as Member’s End, Sugar Daddies and Ball Carriers.

Few other items of clothing attract such ridicule, yet astonishingly, also such respect. An international survey by travel firm Expedia found four out of five Aussies consider the tight togs to be perfectly acceptable beachwear attire (though, in their defence, only 20% admit to actually wearing them). Things are just as bad in Brazil where a jaw-dropping 86% favour the crotchhugging trunks with positive responses in the likes of Germany, Austria and Spain too. New Zealanders, thankfully, seem to have a little more sense and modesty.

Just 6% of men said they wore them on their previous beach holiday, though more than double that number, incidentally, opted to ditch the stitching altogether and go nude. So maybe not so modest after all.

Four years ago, however, there came a powerful, lone voice of reason. One brave man decided to take a stand against the Speedo saturation, to ensure that beaches could be, once more, a place to safely eat our lunch.

His name is Roy Lester and he’s… an Australian. “I wore Speedos in my twenties,” he told the New York Daily News. “But come on! There should be a law prohibiting anyone over the age of 50 from wearing a Speedo.”

It didn’t end there. Lester took it to the courts. The experienced 57-year-old lifeguard, who could swim 100m of seawater in 75 seconds, sued the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation claiming that he lost a job as a Long Island lifesaver for refusing to wear the tight trunks for his annual ocean evaluation.

“I could have passed that test in dungarees,” he continued. “At a certain point you have to stand up and say ‘this isn’t right’.”

Roy Lester, we at Verve, along with 94% of New Zealand men, salute you. We wish you a merry Christmas and a budgie-free New Year.

Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

59 Swimwear Feature Dec 2015

“

There should be a law prohibiting anyone over the age of 50 from wearing a Speedo.�

- Roy Lester -

60 Swimwear Feature Dec 2015

THEMERCANTILEONLINESTORE.COM

Images supplied by THE MERCANTILE

61 Swimwear Feature Dec 2015

Swimwear Feature

Dec 2015

MAMAN SUBOO BIKINI available at Maman

62

Beach must have’s

WIN

63 Swimwear Feature Dec 2015

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With summer just around the corner, see the New Zealand Fashion Museum exhibition At The Beach: celebrating 100 years of NZ summer fashion at the New Zealand Maritime Museum until February 8, 2016. Register on Verve for a chance to win a leisurely two and a half hour heritage sailing for two people on the Brigantine Breeze in 2016 (Value NZ$130).

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~ New Zealand At The Beach Competition ~ Sift through your old photo albums for pictures that reflect your best family and personal memories of time spent at the beach.

Click on the NZ Maritime Museum link below to share your images and stories for a chance to win another great prize package. www.maritimemuseum.co.nz/new-zealand-beach-competition

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01 — Illesteva Leonard Sunglasses 02 — Soludos Disco Glitter Platform Espadrille 03 — Liebeskind Wiona Reptile Wallet in Dark Blue 04 — Paige Callie Short in Serena All available at maman.co.nz 2A CLONBERN ROAD MAMAN | 2a Clonbern Road | Remuera | 520 1010

Moontide Contours U/ W Bikini Top (D – F Cup ) $89.99 Wide Tie Side Pant in Electric Blue $54.99

Moontide Bienvenue Butterfly Suit $174.99

moontide.com

Moontide Twist Classic Suit in Black $99.99

Yay Splash!

Cute Cup Bikini

85 Beachfront Lane Browns Bay|Auckland

Wed- Sat: 10.30am-6.00pm Sun:10.30am-4.00pm

yaysplash.com

Yay Splash!

GOLDY

66 Fashion Nu-Swim Bikini Top in Navy $119 from themercantileonlinestore.com

Dec 2015

The New Wave Summer is all about pools and keeping cool. But, updating your bikini game is no small task, and swimsuit shopping is daunting enough — so we’ve narrowed down the finest swimsuit selection to make your seaside wardrobe a no-brainer.

Words: Paris Mitchell

TOPSHOP bikini $80 from Topshop

Nu-Swim Bikini Top in Olive $119 from themercantileonlinestore.com

TOPSHOP bikini $80 from Topshop

TOGS Swimwear Bustier Halter $158.00

Boohoo Zip Front Bikini $18.00 from boohoo.com

Top $120, brief $110 from matteau-swim.com

~ LIVING IN LUXURY ~ Only an hour’s drive from Auckland City sits Bersantai Day Spa at Castaways Resort — a heavenly spa that will release your inner Zen and take you to a place of pure serenity.

Whether you are after a couple’s getaway or a solo retreat, Castaways Resort has something for everyone. Bersantai Day Spa is constructed high on the hills overlooking the Tasman Sea and is influenced by the luxuries of Bali. Creating an environment of tranquillity, the spa treatments provide a relaxing and indulgent escape from your everyday life, whilst enjoying breathtaking views.

There is a range of treatments that make Barsantai Day Spa truly unique; The Enchanted Waters Package for two is an unforgettable outdoor bath experience accompanied by a glass of bubbles and a 60 minute hot stone massage that will melt your every tension away. Bringing you back to a place of solace

ORIBE DRY TEXTURISING SPRAY The multi-awardwinning Oribe Dry Texturising Spray creates bigger, better, more glamorous hair.

The invisible dry spray builds in incredible volume and texture.

Patented polymers absorb oil at the roots to leave you with juststyled hair for days. $69.

and renewal is something Bersantai’s attentive spa staff ensure during your treatment.

If you are looking to escape for the night, you can stay in one of Castaways Resort’s delightful cliff top chalets situated on the hills and with their a-la-carte restaurant Agave close by, you will be able to indulge your taste buds.

Bersantai Day Spa is the ultimate Auckland City escape that you have been seeking. Visit castaways.co.nz to view their full list of spa treatments, accommodation and other experiences.

Vouchers are also available and make the perfect gift.

IF YOU HAVE AN ENQUIRY OR WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A BOOKING CALL US ON 09 236 5041 OR EMAIL US ON DAYSPA@CASTAWAYS.CO.NZ

SANS BIO ACTIVE BODY EXFOLIANT The most luxurious body exfoliant on the market

by Sans works to refresh and renew skin. Ultra-fine bamboo granules, shea butter, goji berry and cell rejuvenating vitamin E work to boost hydration, minimise pores and add a fresh flow to skin.

Sansceuticals.com

OSMOSIS CATALYST AC-11 Osmosis unveils Catalyst AC-11 — the latest in DNA repair. This product is a true workhorse for the skin due to its multifaceted approach to serious anti-ageing.

The lightweight serum is packed full of components that increase both collagen and elastin production dramatically and help the skin repair scarring. Osmosis Cataylst AC-11 is a new formulation ideal for more sensitive and reactive skins that need extra tender loving care. $230.

0800 OSMOSIS | 0800 676 674

67 Fashion Dec 2015

68 Fashion Dec 2015

THE SWISS WATCHMAKERS With 162 years of history TISSOT has been at the very centre of Swiss watch making from its worldwide headquarters in Le Locle, Switzerland.

Watches On Broadway owner Blair Shallard with New Zealand TISSOT Agent Peter Buckleigh of GMB Watch.

“Innovators by tradition” is more than a claim for TISSOT: it is the very essence of the brand.

Its Swiss heritage is emphasised in the TISSOT logo that incorporates elements of the Swiss flag, symbolising quality, tradition and reliability.

Represented in 160 countries across the world, TISSOT has produced many firsts in watchmaking technology, materials and design along with a high-quality customer service programme through its global authorised retailers network.

Here in Newmarket, Watches On Broadway features the iconic TISSOT 'safe' display in which to showcase its collection, which is exclusive to the area.

One of only five such dealers to have this shop-in-shop TISSOT concept in New Zealand, it is the focal point of the store for Watches On Broadway, as with many other TISSOT watch retailers around the world.

The personalised sales and technical service offered by owner Blair Shallard includes the TISSOT 2 year manufacturers international warranty.

Consumers should note that watches offered and sold by unauthorised and online internet sites automatically invalidate the TISSOT warranty.

Such online sites, usually operating anonymously from both on and offshore, can and do offer counterfeit, damaged, obsolete and stolen watches, often fitted with non-standard parts.

Purchasing through an authorised retailer such as Blair from Watches On Broadway ensures that consumers have face to face contact with a watch professional able to discuss all aspects of a watches performance. As well they will have the assurance of knowing that TISSOT’s New Zealand agent offers the full back-up of the warranty and service guarantee within a modern service centre with spare parts, trained technicians, and direct access to TISSOT in Le Locle for all supplies and needs.

WATCHES ON BROADWAY 197 BROADWAY | AUCKLAND 09 520 5649 | BSHALLARD@MAC.COM WWW.CLOCKMAKER.CO.NZ

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EITHER SIDE OF AVERAGE 70 Fashion Dec 2015

IMELETA KELLETT

In New Zealand our population is so small that if you fall outside of the norms of what is deemed ‘average’ you may struggle to find garments to fit you. Too tall, too petite, too big. Large or small feet, whatever your issue, chances are you will have challenges finding clothing to solve it easily.

A key principle of looking good is wearing garments that fit you well, so if you are a ‘non-standard’ size, the compromises you have to make can often work against you.

No matter what your size challenge, there are ways to dress that will have you looking your very best. Here are my top tips for looking fabulous no matter if you are plus size or petite.

FOR PETITES • • • • • • • •

Wearing a similar colour top and bottom will make you look taller.

Keep your silhouette slim — pencil skirts, slim pants.

Go for smaller prints.

Go for shorter tops and jackets to add length to your legs.

Your longest skirt should only be around 6cm below your knee.

Have your sleeves taken up if they are too long.

Yes, you need to find an alterations specialist — as anything too long will ruin your look.

Wear heels instead of flats.

FOR PLUS-SIZE • • • • • • • •

MAKE-UP ARTIST

BY APPOINTMENT: jemo_kellett@yahoo.co.nz 021 02345 404 09 908 3862

Look for sharp tailoring: the angles will flatter your curves.

Wear light colours under dark jackets.

Wear single-breasted jackets open.

Vertical details work well, striped shirts, zipped jackets and dresses.

Soft fabrics that drape work well under tailored jackets.

Dresses work well to create slimming and lengthening lines.

Ensure your shirts and jackets have their shoulder seam at your shoulder, rather extending down your arm.

Wear jackets that taper through your torso and for women, tailoring that flares below the waist.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE TALL • • • • • •

Wear checked shirts rather than striped.

Look for contrasts between your top and bottom half.

Wear a contrasting shoe and belt.

Mid-length (not too far below the knee) skirts work best.

Add a false hem to your pants for greater length.

Take risks, you can carry edgier looks.

JACKIE O’FEE IS THE OWNER OF SIGNATURE STYLE, AUCKLAND’S LEADING PERSONAL STYLING CONSULTANCY. IF YOU’D LIKE HELP LOOKING YOUR VERY BEST, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR SIZE OR SHAPE, SHE’D LOVE TO HELP! SIMPLY CALL ON 09 529 5115 OR POP IN TO THE STUDIO AT 35 BROADWAY. FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT SIGNATURESTYLE.CO.NZ

SOFTLY

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JEWELLERY WITH SOUL 72 Fashion Dec 2015

Why do some pieces end up being absolute favourites, yet you sense it’s not all about the beauty of the bauble? There’s something more. Whether it’s the setting, the stone or the spiritual aspects, what jewellery caters to is our intrinsic needs...and who stocks it in Auckland?

Words: Sarah Sparks

Julian Bartrom Our local equivalent of Harry Winston, Julian is a bespoke jeweller and qualified gemmologist. His connection with soulful jewellery began when a piece sparked his career path at 16. “I was given a gold chain and I still wear it to this day,” he says.

18ct Gold Earrings from Amrapali.

Natural Turquoise and Rose Cut Diamonds $2,375

Whether it’s the jeweller, the sentimental stone choice, the process in making it, who gave the gift, where they brought it from, what the occasion was, what achievement, or what the milestone was – it all adds up to why a piece of jewellery has soul Julian believes.

You sense there is a bit of magic involved in turning a concept on paper into reality and a three dimensional object.

SOULFUL SETTINGS His workmanship is distinctive and has symbolism. A client’s beloved Chevrolet Camaro is the inspiration for one design.

The wedding ring copied the car’s distinctive monochrome trim.

The result was an alloy band of dark gun-metal gold with white metal. “It’s meaningful, subtle, yet soulful,” says Julian.

Another piece is a precious stone resting directly on the finger.

“Thousands of years ago people gave mystical properties to gemstones. In this ring the powers of the stone touch the skin – so it’s like a satellite dish pulling in all of this energy.” A clever variation is the ‘tying the knot ring’ with two golds in a knot around a concealed ruby touching the finger underneath.

Blending precious metals with spirituality created the ‘prayer ring’. It’s a fusion of platinum and 22 carat gold. “A client asked if I could apply the technique in the form of a script. What you see around the band is a Hebrew prayer infused into the ring.”

All designs are one-of-a-kind by the bespoke jeweller, who uses a multitude of techniques. His dragonfly brooch won the People’s Choice Award in a national jewellery competition four years ago.

It shimmies and shimmers, mimicking it’s doppelgänger from nature using European ‘en tremblant’ techniques to conceal tiny springs and miniature componentry.

The jeweller believes stone colour has soulful meaning too. “I just love white diamonds, mainly because of their symbolism — their purity particularly for engagements which is taken into their relationship,” he says.

As another option for clients, he’s the second jeweller in the country to stock Fairtrade gold in the three metals. It’s a vote of support for the artisanal miners that have less impact on the land by tunnelling compared to open pits he says. So it appears that pieces from Julian Bartrom Jewellery have both soul and a conscience.

JULIANBARTROM.COM

Summer by the Pool 25ct blue topaz and diamond ring in white gold

Zora Bell Boyd Her self-confessed obsession with stones that led to jewellery design started twenty years ago. Zora read an iconic book called Love is in the Earth: Kaleidoscope of Crystals. What followed was anthropology and ancient history study at university then furniture design at Unitec, where the joy of jewellery was discovered through an elective. “What you study is not necessarily what you do — making jewellery is a diversion from it all,” says Zora, who calls herself a bit of a magpie. Her signature style is heavily influenced by the positive side of humanity and the beauty of nature.

SOULFUL STONES It starts with the stones she says. ”They’ve got a life of their own.” Next is the importance of the designer’s story that they’re imagining when they’re designing, Zora believes. ”Whether they relay it verbally or choose to leave it in the piece; they’re thinking about it. All pieces have a story, a feeling and people pick up on that.” She is a fan of mystical fables and linking iconography to her work. “If the superstition is true that silver has a memory, it remembers the maker’s story.”

Not one to openly reveal to clients the metaphysical and healing qualities of her gemstone pieces, Zora prefers to leave that up to the buyer. “They’re drawn to it. Occasionally people ask the meanings. I leave a little book in the drawer at Wunderkammer to look it up for them but we don’t label it.”

73 Fashion Dec 2015

She does custom orders paring crystals and gemstones that work together for clients who want a specific stone or healing quality. “Requests are more true to what people really need.

They intrinsically know.” The ‘seek and you shall find’ philosophy is more her preference. “If left to your own devices you won’t buy a piece that makes you feel bad, but you will when a sales assistant pressures you into it. Then it languishes in the box unworn,” she says.

Her designs have many links to ancient wisdom from Egypt and Greece. ”You see a lot of that in my work even to the extent where I’ve used larva from Pompeii and the Italian cameos.” She often reworks sentimental antiques and innovatively sets shards of pottery into new designs or fantastical creatures wrapped around antique coral.

“Nature is fabulous – its shapes, colour, design, what it produces. Man can try really hard to produce stones but they’re not the same.” Simple elements from nature are moulded into her work. Little sticks from Murawai were cast in her first collection of rings called Sticks and Stones. Jewellery is easily upcycled, so it isn’t wasted, she adds. “Reuse that silver, gold, stone — turn it into something soulful that you like.”

Zora modestly believes she’s only the middleman between the stone and the client. Perhaps she underestimates what a powerful soulful connector she really is?

ZORABELLBOYD.COM

Donna Mills She hunts the world for crystals and gemstones based on their healing and therapeutic value for her Ponsonby Road store, Jewels & Gems. “That’s the foundation for this shop and it comes from a spiritual impulse. I don’t buy anything that doesn’t come from that basis,” she says.

Jewellery is also manufactured onsite at the store because Donna believes a lot of jewellery nowadays is fairly generic and massproduced. “I don’t tend to buy a lot from others unless the pieces are exceptional and stand out,” she says. Having a unique quality with meaning behind the piece usually grabs her. Just like how she discovered Amrapali and handmade Italian jewellery, Ziio. “It was like a moth to a flame,” she says.

SOULFUL SPIRITUALITY Amrapali looks sophisticated and feminine, yet Donna says the work embodies Hindu spirituality and culture. It’s no wonder actresses like Angelina Jolie and Kate Beckinsale are frequently snapped wearing it. “It’s refined, sophisticated, and feminine with spiritual and cultural influences – so that’s why I stock it,” Donna says.

Many are constructed with antique pieces that are incorporated into the modern design. She points to handpainted little disks originally sourced from a former necklace or bracelet that’s been reconstituted into a spectacular centrepiece with semi-precious stones. “From that perspective it embodies soul and is deep and meaningful, not mass-produced and disposable for Westerners,” she says. The statement pieces are not ‘plain Jane’ and Donna says many fall in love with them for special occasions. “Even my own manufacturing jeweller came in and bought a piece.”

By comparison the Ziio cuffs are modern and bohemian, yet have a metaphysical and spiritual essence, I discover. The designs are even worn by royalty; Queen Rania of Jordan has been photographed looking stunning in a necklace. “All the stones you see woven into the tapestry of amethyst, lapis lazuli and turquoise have metaphysical and healing qualities.” A chance meeting with Elisabeth Paradon, the creator of Ziio, now connects Aucklanders with Tuscan artisans crafting fine pieces using ancient beading and weaving techniques with real stones. “It’s an absolute labour of love, yet people are being properly paid so it’s ethical and not made in a factory where women have to work for nothing.”

The Indian manufacturers Donna also sources from “are respectful old families running ethical businesses based on a Hindu philosophy about caring for others. For me that’s really important.”

Sterling silver pendant with green quartz, Vined Looking Pool

It appears Amrapali and Ziio have struck a chord, with many from celebrities to fashion bibles and now Kiwis — proving that with a spiritual foundation you can be soulfully beautiful inside and out.

JEWELSANDGEMS.CO.NZ

74 Fashion Dec 2015

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CONDITIONING TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE 76 Health & Beauty Dec 2015

Participation in something athletic is a great way of keeping active; whether it’s a round of golf with business colleagues, going to the gym to do weights or yoga, jogging along the waterfront, a game of tennis, swimming or biking at the weekend.

Most people think of their chosen sport as a way to gain strength and conditioning. But the more active you are the more you need a proper strength programme to achieve balance.

Examples are golfers or tennis players, who do a lot of flexion (bending forward) and rotation on one side. It is easy to understand that this can develop a muscular imbalance. It can also create a lot of niggles or injury.

You may be a seasoned athlete or just a weekend warrior; either way, these pains are no fun at all. Discomfort may not take you out of the game but constant low-level nagging of neck, shoulder, back or knee, or a strained Achilles tendon, are all warnings that something is not right. A lot of these come from lack of base conditioning. Everyone’s body position is different and needs appropriate foundational exercise; this is why an assessment is needed to determine what you need.

Take two different people. One could be loose and floppy in their joints and need a lot of stability and strength to sustain their structure with much less need for stretching. The other might need a lot of mobility and stretching before a strengthening programme.

There is a definite order of importance in conditioning: corrective stretching, mobilisation, stability, strength and then sports-specific training. Failure to comply with these fundamental rules creates constant troubles, such as back and joint pain, hamstring and rotator cuff tears, disc injuries and more.

Quite often a lot of damage has already been done within the spine and joints from many earlier years of sports. But even if you have spine or joint degeneration, getting the body back to a favourable position and stabilising it can prevent further damage and reduce pain and prevent surgeries.

ON SEASON OFF SEASON A good time to start a conditioning programme is in the off season of your sport. At this time you can focus on implementing your new skills, creating even level’s in your body through your new Im-balanced exercise programme, and working towards becoming stable and stronger for your next season of sport.

Just as any new quality skill, getting strong takes time, consistency, the correct education, discipline, detail, patients, persistence and more. Generally only the strong-minded get strong, but all can make improvement of some sort.

MICHELLE

OWEN

THROUGH GOOD QUALITY Training on fixed machines is not a way to get strong for any sport that requires movement in more than one plane. This type of training gives a false perception of strength. When you sit in a fixed machine it takes away all of your own stability and understanding of where your body is in space. The mobility system gets stronger while the stability system gets weaker, causing more imbalances within your body.

The more demanding the sport, the more demanding and multiplaned your training must be.

WHAT DOES A CONDITIONING PROGRAMME LOOK LIKE? A specific stretch and mobility programme might involve 15-20 minutes daily to loosen tight musculature (once learnt properly).

Tight muscles will pull the joints out of their optimal alignment. This is not about stretching for a particular sport but to have optimal resting joint position so they don’t wear out and become painful.

A stability, strength and functional movement programme might be done 2-5 times a week depending on goals, sport intensity and muscle imbalance. Joints need intrinsic (internal) stability of the smaller muscles prior to functional strengthening.

Your strengthening programme should also mimic your sporting patterns and correct imbalances. Invest in skilled advice when it comes to your athletic performance. If you need a lawyer or an accountant, you would not hesitate to hire professionals. The body requires similar knowledge and attention.

There is an old saying that goes, “If you think a professional is expensive, try hiring an amateur.” This saying is very accurate.

Words: Michelle Owen

CORRECTIVE HIGH PERFORMANCE EXERCISE KINESIOLOGIST POSTURAL & WELLNESS SPECIALIST CORPORATE WELLNESS SPEAKER

WWW.MICHELLEOWEN.CO.NZ

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77 Health & Beauty Dec 2015

78 Health & Beauty Dec 2015

REDEFINING THE 5 STAR EXPERIENCE With Zac Lumsden Zac Lumsden has an impressive track record of more than 14 years in the hotel industry. Starting as a housekeeper in 2000, Zac has worked his way through all hotel departments to now lead the team as general manager of the prestigious Pullman Auckland Hotel.

Zac’s background is littered with success stories that span both sides of the ditch. In 2003 he was given the opportunity to open the Sea Temple Resort and Spa in Australia alongside celebrity chef Shane Watson, as food and beverage manager. At the time, this property was Australia’s newest 5 star hotel.

Based on his success with this opening, the following year Zac was invited by the AccorHotels VP at the time, to open the Sofitel Queenstown as food and beverage manager. He readily accepted the opportunity and in 2005 he relocated back to New Zealand.

“I remember flying through the mountains — I could not believe the beauty of Queenstown and how different it was to the North Island where I had spent most of my life. It was such a contrasting experience to arrive to a 3 degree snow covered landscape, from Palm Cove in Australia where I had just completed a 5 star hotel opening in 30 degree heat.”

Over the next four years he moved to four different AccorHotels properties, working his way to become general manager before taking the helm of AccorHotel's upscale 5 star corporate property, Pullman Auckland Hotel.

Zac places his success down to a passion for the industry and for his team.

“I am very lucky as we have an amazing, dynamic team at Pullman — they are the secret to our success. Every day I wake up at 4am to catch up with the night team and ensure they have as much exposure to the general manager as a staff member on the day shift. My reward from spending time with my staff members is that I am able to see them excel in their careers”.

With a focus on exceptional service, Zac is quick to explain the importance of service delivery to all new team members by explaining what service means to him.

“I ask all new employees to imagine how one of their family members might feel upon arriving at the hotel having not stayed here before. How will they feel when concierge takes their keys or their luggage? Will they be confused about check in? Will they know what is included with their accommodation?”

“Our job is to reassure guests at all touch points. From the smile they get from the concierge when they open their car door, to the explanation of our valet/luggage service, the escort and genuine welcome they receive from receptionist. This is what the essence of service is. Making people feel welcome and important.”

Zac is quick to boast the virtues that come with this type of service focus.

“I feel very proud when a guest personally contacts me to point out the astounding service they have experienced within the hotel. The constant innovation and service the team delivers on a daily basis to ensure our guests enjoy their stay is the reason I’m in this industry.”

So what advice can Zac Lumsden give to those who are looking to become a generl manager?

“Be open to working long hours and be passionate about the job.

Ensure you develop a strong team around you, as it is their passion and ability to succeed that will help you achieve your goals.”

Image courtesy of Sodashi

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Beautiful Breasts: Grand & Petit

Fighting Cancer

My friend and plastic surgeon colleague Dr Petronella Kertesz from Salon de Provence in France, always used to say, ‘pas trop grand et pas trop petit.’ She was referring of course to the fact that in breast surgery the tendency can be for surgeons to augment breasts too large and to reduce them too much.

Last weekend I watched the ‘webinar’ The Truth About Cancer. I watched doctors and oncologists validate what integrated practitioners have been saying for years.

Some shocking facts were revisited.

It is a question of aesthetic balance, harmony, form and function. Most women desire to have breasts that are symmetrical and proportionate to their body morphology.

• •

80 Health & Beauty Dec 2015

Breast aesthetic and reconstructive surgery is a significant part of the modern plastic surgeon’s workload. There remain very important background issues such as the threat of breast cancer, congenital developmental problems and the ageing breast, particularly after childbirth and menopause.

Three selected cases compare and contrast the range of challenges for patients and their surgeons, with respect to achieving ‘the beautiful normal’ in breast shape, size and form. The underlying diagnosis and the surgical correction are summarised for each of the cases, illustrated below.

• • • • • • •

A: Ptosis post-partum

Mastopexy

•

Many substances used to fight cancer cause new cancers.

The most common drug used to fight breast cancer is classified as a carcinogen.

A half of all cancers are medically induced by drugs and radiation.

One study revealed that 90% of physicans working in oncology would not prescribe the drugs they prescribed to their patients, to their wives or children.

Another study revealed that 97.5% of people who underwent chemotherapy were dead in five years.

If you have surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation and die in five years and one day, you are part of the successful treatment statistics.

Stem cells are the key in cancer, yet chemotherapy has limited effect on stem cells. It does kill daughter cells, so the cancer shrinks, but it often returns.

In some states/countries, parents who choose integrated medicine over chemotherapy have their children removed and forced to have chemotherapy.

In some places it is against the law to prescribe integrated medicine over conventional treatment, in others, medical councils hound doctors that do, labelling them as quacks.

Cancer is a business and there is a vested interest in maintaining a monopoly and destroying competition.

Couldn’t happen in good old New Zealand. You think?

B: Breast hypertrophy

C: Post-partum hypoplasia

Reduction mammaplasty

Breast augmentation

The critical principles for breast surgery are defining the correct diagnosis and then planning the restorative surgery with precision and individualisation. Every patient is different and unique.

The art of breast drawing is an important technical step and recently I have collaborated with a New Jersey medical supplies company to develop the Bodyline Marking tool for detailed planning. This was developed for surgical trainees, but is so reliable that I now use it for every patient.

Breast reconstruction post-mastectomy is also an important field for the plastic surgeon, where the principles of careful assessment and planning are similarly applied. This will be covered in a subsequent article in this magazine.

So what are you to do? My advice is to start looking for answers now. One out of four men and one out of five women will die from cancer. One out of two of us will get cancer. It is reminiscent of the Clint Eastwood movie in which he says, “Are you feeling lucky punk.

Well, are you?”

You may be told that the chemotherapy, radiation and surgery is urgent. Sure, some cancers move faster than others, but with breast cancer it may take ten years of growing, before a lump can be detected. Surely there is time to make an informed decision?

I used to be part of the conventional medicine world and was quick to label non-conformists as ‘conspiracy theorists’, yet nearly all advances in medical treatments have come from someone pushing the boundaries, displaying courage and proving what they believed in. The first doctors to suggest washing hands before surgery, speak against blood letting, and suggest that food played a part in health were all ridiculed, yet now these things are self evident.

Learn more about fighting cancer and take charge of preventing cancer or its reoccurrence with the 11 step preventative/ treatment plan at out website.

Words: Clive Plucknett

FEEL FREE TO PHONE MY SECRETARY KAREN (09 215 8152), FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO DISCUSS ANY CONCERNS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT YOUR BREASTS.

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81 Health & Beauty Dec 2015

both going over to visit the farms who grow our certified fair trade organic cotton, the aim is to come back with some beautiful footage and continue sharing our story.

Do you feel you have a personal connection with your employees in India?

Q&A With Gosia Piatek, the Creative Behind Kowtow

Where did the name Kowtow come from?

Kowtow is a Chinese word and is the act of deep respect shown by kneeling and bowing so low as to have your head touching the ground. We thought this was a very fitting name for the brand.

Has fashion always been a part of your life growing up?

I would have to say yes. Coming from Poland to New Zealand at the age of 7 I desperately wanted to fit in, fluro was big in 1987 and I embodied it heavily with a fluro ra-ra skirt, fluro singlet, fluro shoes, socks and a hair scrunchy. Fitting in was the key and I’m like that today — a chameleon. In New Zealand I dress differently to how I dress in London (where I live half the year).

Aesthetics, whether it be through fashion, architecture, interiors or how my food looks on a plate has always been important to me. Certain colours make me feel calm and clutter makes me feel angry. Fashion is just an extension to being a visual person.

Where do you take your inspiration for your garments from?

Life. In London I live a very urban life where I get to immerse myself in culture and art and in New Zealand I live in a marine reserve, and the sea and sky never cease to inspire me.

How important do you think it is for other companies to take an ethical approach to clothing production as you do?

Very important. I don’t think it is possible for the large fashion houses to dramatically change all of their production to ethical and sustainable from one day to the next, but they could defiantly make more of an effort.

For designers that are starting out I think they should build a foundation on ethics and sustainability like we have and not off it, the world needs to see a change now.

Yes of course. We are especially close with the cutters and sewers in the sampling room. They love that we aren’t precious and really get amongst it during crunch time. It’s a team effort.

What are the benefits in organic cotton?

Cotton covers 2.5% of the world’s cultivated land, yet it accounts for 25% of the world’s insecticide market and 10% of global pesticide sales, making it the most pesticide-intensive crop grown on the planet. Once the crop relies on chemical fertilisers it becomes reliant on higher consumption each season. It is a nasty cycle of chemicals and debt, as the farmers cannot fund the pesticides/ insecticides and end up in debt to the chemical companies.

The World Health Organisation estimates that 20,000 people a year die in developing countries from pesticide poisoning, and a further 3 million people suffer chronic health problems. Organic cotton never uses genetically modified seeds, conserves soil though crop rotation, retains water more efficiently thanks to increased organic matter in the soil, controls weeds through physical removal rather than chemical destruction and controls insects by maintaining a balance between ‘pests’ and their natural predators through healthy soils. Plus the cotton is of a higher quality and has an amazing hand feel so the consumer can notice the difference.

Describe yourself in three words.

Energetic, creative, neurotic.

Are you working on any new collections currently?

Always. We are launching Winter 2016 in February. We have already finished designing Summer 16/17 and just started design on Winter 2017. We have to work very far in advance as we have made a commitment to sea ship our collections rather than air freight. It’s really great as it means we stay true to ourselves and don’t take part in fast fashion trends.

Do you visit the Kowtow factory often?

Yes, we visit every six months to monitor sampling and production. In December our head creative and production manger are

KOWTOWCLOTHING.COM PH: +64 4 916 5325

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84 Health & Beauty Dec 2015

SKINCARE IS ALWAYS ABOUT THE SCIENCE At Louise Gray Skincare we’re passionate about the health of your skin. We ensure we use the best of the best available in technology so you get results.

“I’m an incessant explorer, educator and obsessive researcher into skin histology and dermal technological advancements.”

– Louise Gray -

As a former registered nurse I, and my team, focus on what’s happening inside your body and how it affects your complexion. Often at times we can trace the roots of skin concerns like redness, blemishes, pigmentation, premature lines and wrinkles to lifestyle factors.

Reveal Diagnostic Technology: this is a high-tech machine that reveals the amount of pigmentation (sun damage and brown spots), redness and broken capillaries in your skin.

These things are not visible to the naked eye but this imaging gives you a heads-up on what you may need to work on, like say, upping the richness of your moisturiser or adding flaxseed oil to your diet.

Dermalogica Face Mapping: Dermalogica’s face mapping is based on traditional Chinese medicine and allows your skincare therapist to see how your skin is doing and what internal conditions could be affecting your skin. For example, blemishes around the sides of your mouth could indicate something going on with your hormones.

It’s why we’re so passionate about skin health. It’s the lifeblood of our business and knowing we can help you gain a beautiful, radiant complexion is extraordinarily satisfying.

One Truth 818 Serum: touted as the world’s most powerful antiageing serum, One Truth 818 is based on the award-winning work of molecular biologist Dr Bill Andrews PhD whose goal is to stop ageing. At its foundation is Telomere-818, the world’s most powerful telomerase–inducing compound.

We use Skin DNA, Reveal Diagnostic Technology and the most advanced skincare around, like Dermalogica Face Mapping, MediK8 and One Truth 818 Serum. Here’s a close up:

Words: Jenna Moore

Skin DNA: we take a swab from the inside of your cheek and send it off to our lab for processing. It measures 16 genetic markers (SNPs) in five categories associated with skin ageing: firmness, elasticity, wrinkles, sun damage and pigmentation and sensitivity and inflammation.

The results allow us to prescribe a skincare regime specifically for you.

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Feeling beautiful in your skin Confidence is your best accessory. So, bring out the best in your skin by supporting it from the inside with IMEDEEN®. Because when you look and feel beautiful, you really can do anything – whatever your age.

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Q&A

86 Health & Beauty Dec 2015

with Gabrielle Jones and Dianne Ensor from The Makeup School Gabrielle Jones and Dianne Ensor have been makeup artists for over 20 years. They co-own The Makeup School in Ponsonby.

Brown, Smashbox and Mecca Cosmetica. Another area of focus is in New Zealand’s growing film and television industry.

What is it that makes The Makeup School such a successful learning environment?

What is the biggest challenge in getting started?

We would like to think we have got the formula right when it comes to training successful makeup artists. Experienced tutors who have a strong connection with the industry is key, coupled with quality products and equipment in the classroom.

We are also focussed on maintaining our high standards. MAC cosmetics, Dermalogica skincare, Matrix hair products and GHD hair equipment are all used, which enables students to produce a high standard of work.

Getting yourself out there and being noticed! Taking work experience is vital as you never know where a job can lead. Staying motivated, focussed and professional. A lot of work opportunities come through the school which is a great introduction for many.

TMS recognises students who have excelled in different areas with sponsored prizes from Dermalogica and Matrix.

A paid internship on Shortland Street is also announced for one lucky person each course and MAC’s ‘Most Promising Fashion Makeup Artist’ award is also sought after.

What areas of the industry can a graduate From The Makeup School expect to work in?

Being a career makeup artist nowadays is actually a versatile profession. Graduates do impressively well in retail, securing jobs with leading makeup companies such as MAC, Bobbi

Full Time Diploma in Fashion, Film, TV, and Special Effects Enrolling Now for February and July 2016

To check out all other part-time and private training options please visit us at themakeupschool.co.nz

THE MAKEUP SCHOOL 09 376 6660 LEVEL 1 46 BROWN ST | PONSONBY P.O. BOX 147383 | PONSONBY | 1144 AUCKLAND

SMILE CONFIDENTLY WITH INVISALIGN.

LESS PAIN The first in a series of short articles on pain and how to treat it, by Dr Giresh Kanji, (Musculoskeletal Pain Specialist) The Sports and Pain Clinic.

THE CLEAR ALTERNATIVE TO BRACES.

- MIGRAINE A migraine episode grinds life to a standstill for many people, with approximately one in six people experiencing migraine during their life.

Not only is severe pain present, but also this is often accompanied by sensitivity to light, sound and even smell. As if that is not enough, nausea and vomiting can also occur. Sometimes lying down in a dark, quiet room is the only remedy. Some sufferers need several days before an episode passes. Often the pain pulsates behind one eye with excruciating intensity.

Migraine attacks can be bought on by periods of stress, travel, missing a meal, alcohol, poor sleep, the menstrual period, and certain foods. The three main contributors to migraine are a genetic predisposition to amplification of all sensations (pain, sight, sound and touch), the stressors named above that stimulate electricity in the pain pathways and the neck that refers pain into the head.

Samantha presented with up to four migraine episodes per week, for which she took two maxalt melts immediately and then repeated after 12 hours if needed. This reduced her pain, but never eliminated it completely. She had been experiencing migraines over the previous 15 years, and had stopped working because of the disruption, all due to her migraine headaches.

Samantha had neck symptoms and always noticed pain and restriction of movement, such as when backing her car. Examination revealed tenderness of the neck bones and muscles with a restriction of motion. A neck x-ray was taken and showed disc narrowing in the neck. Treatment consisted of advice on neck pain and an explanation of the condition. She also had some treatment to alleviate the muscle tenderness in the neck and upper back. Ten weeks later she returned for review, and in the past four weeks she has had only one episode of migraine and was feeling much better. Migraine is a treatable condition for most if the cause of symptoms can be found.

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93 S t Jo h n s R o a d M ea d o w b a n k | Auc k land 09 528 3146 ONE HEALTH 122 REMUERA RD | AUCKLAND ADMIN@SPORTSANDPAIN.CO.NZ DRKANJI.CO.NZ

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88

SEVEN TIPS FOR A HAPPY, HEARING CHRISTMAS

Health & Beauty Dec 2015

KIWI MAKEUP ADORNS FAMOUS FACES IN CHARITY PHOTO BOOK

Christmas is a time for family, friends, conversation and delight. If hearing problems make it hard to share in all of the joy, Ellerslie audiologist Maree O’Sullivan has some tips for managing Christmas Day.

1

Sit in a good spot. It helps if you sit with a wall behind you and in a middle seat at the table so the sound is directed more towards you.

2

Keep the volume down. At least through dinner, there’s no need for distracting music or television. People only talk louder and it adds to the confusion.

3

Keep it close. Talk to people close to you rather than across a distance. Ask people to come and sit by you, or catch up later.

4

Wear your hearing aids all of the time. They keep your brain and hearing system active, and train you to filter out unimportant sounds. If you only wear them in noisy situations the sound can be overwhelming. Start wearing them all day, well before Christmas.

5

Have reasonable expectations. You may not hear everything that’s said — that’s OK. Enjoy talking to the people around you, and get around to the others in the course of the day.

6

Bring your sense of humour. You may feel you’re missing out on some of what’s said, but partake in all of the good feeling around you and enjoy the moment.

7

Try other technologies. There is technology available today that can connect your hearing aids with the rest of the world: your landline, mobile, television, computer, MP3 player and stereo. You can also get remote microphone technology so you can position a microphone which feeds conversation from further away into your hearing aid.

If you’re not happy with your current hearing aid, Maree suggests you see an audiologist and get them set up correctly.

If you have noticed changes to your hearing, contact Auckland Hearing. Maree will spend the time needed to come up with a solution tailored to you — and make life, including Christmas, a lot more interesting again!

New Zealand cosmetics brand Samala Cosmetics was chosen as the official makeup for The Beauty Book for Brain Cancer Edition 2, which launches on 1 December.

The Beauty Book for Brain Cancer Edition 2 is a collection of celebrity portraits by well-known Australian photographer Darren Tieste and features some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Olivia Wilde (who graces the cover), Susan Sarandon, Kristen Wiig, Jon Hamm, Jessica Biel, Zac Efron, Nina Dobrev, Kelly Osbourne, Sarah Hyland, Kylie Jenner, Julie Bowen and Vanessa Hudgens.

All money raised from sales of the book will go to brain cancer research and all those involved in the project donated their time to take a stand against brain cancer.

The book will be available from 1 December and will be launched at a star-studded event in LA on 3 December.

Having some of the world’s most famous stars wear their products in such a high-profile project is a prestigious achievement for a small New Zealand brand like Samala Cosmetics.

Samala Cosmetics was created by well-known New Zealand professional makeup artist, Samala Robinson. The range has been used by professionals for several years and is now available to the general public.

(see their ad on the opposite page)

AUCKLAND HEARING 66 MICHAELS AVE, ELLERSLIE | 09 525 0522 WWW.AUCKLANDHEARING.CO.NZ

Says Samala: “We are absolutely thrilled and humbled to be involved in The Beauty Book for Brain Cancer. This project offers our brand global exposure, and is also a chance to support a worthy cause that lies close to all of our hearts.”

See Samala Cosmetics ad on the opposite page 91.

YO U R L I N K TO C L E A R E R H E A R I N G

SMILE FAST

90 Health & Beauty Dec 2015

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Forget metal braces and costly treatments that last two or three years. Smilefast Magic Braces are designed with adult needs in mind — to have a great smile in the shortest amount of time that won’t break the bank.

Stop hiding your smile and speak to us today about how we can get you started on your new smile.

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Then the new Osmosis Pore minimizing Clay GHWR[LĂ€HV DQG EDODQFHV RLO ZLWKRXW GU\LQJ EOHPLVK SURQH VNLQ 3RUHV DUH PLQLPL]HG ZKLOH VNLQ WH[WXUH LV UHĂ€QHG DQG VPRRWKHG

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Experience the pure beauty of Honey 91

Pure manuka honey is nature’s beauty secret. It has a phenomenal property — it can rebalance the skin, no matter what the skin condition, creating a healthier and more vibrant appearance.

New Zealand UMF™manuka honey has the unique ability to anayse the nature of skin when it penetrates, acting appropriately to rebalance the skin into a healthier state.

Ways in which honey can rebalance skin: • Irritated, inflamed, acne congested skin — honey soothes, calms and arrests infection. It also accelerates tissue repair and reduces scarring.

• Dry, taut skin — honey softens, hydrates and strengthens.

• Dramatically improves skin hydration.

• Ageing skin — honey helps diminish fine lines by nourishing and hydrating underlying skin structure.

• Oily skin — honey helps regulate sebum, and even improves the skins texture, firmness and tone.

At Finesse Face and Body Cinic, at the Upland Road Shops in Remuera, you can enjoy the Skin Deep Deluxe Honey Facial — using a mask of pure manuka honey which is infused into the skin with a warming paraffin infusion.

Health & Beauty

Luxurious, hydrating facial $99 (value $145) 60 minutes of heaven This cocooning treatment utilises the healing properties and re-balancing vitamins found in UMF Manuka Honey.

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Verve mag ad nov 2015 1.1.indd 1

20/11/15 11:58 AM

Dec 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND ENJOY THE SUMMER

RENTING OUT YOUR PROPERTY? Five top tips for success

92 Business/ Education & Society Dec 2015

The great Auckland summer is upon us. While trouble and strife dominates in many parts of the world, we in New Zealand continue to be blessed with peace and stability.

However, we face plenty of challenges, with lower dairy prices likely to dampen growth a little and with Auckland’s growth pains still requiring serious investment and careful management, but overall, we have every reason for optimism.

Trusting tenants to care for your investment property — let alone pay the rent on time — can be a big source of stress for many property owners. Here are our top tips for making your letting experience stress-free: 01

A comprehensive tenancy agreement is important in preventing issues — and critical when they arise. Investors who manage their own rental properties are notorious for intending to set up the details of a tenancy, but failing to follow through.

Troublesome tenants know this and routinely target private landlords, knowing they’re unlikely to be vetted by professional managers.

02

Credit-check the tenant — Prior to checking, ask them if they’re aware of any issues on their credit history and if so, ask them to explain. Blips on a credit history are quite common, but you need to assess the current risk and understand what caused the situation.

“I wish all readers of Verve a Merry Christmas and all the very best for the holiday season.”

Over the summer I’ll be taking my family for a few days’ camping at Tawharanui Regional Park, a wonderful peninsula north of Auckland.

It has a great beach, but another attraction is that the peninsula has been predator free for many years. The bird and sea life is abundant and native trees are regenerating rapidly. The island’s of New Zealand were the last major land masses in the world, with the exception of Antarctica, to be settled by humans. As the result, the bird life in particular evolved in such a way that made them vulnerable to New World predators that arrived after settlement.

That’s why we, as a society, commit such resources into conservation and efforts to battle pests. Notwithstanding, the goodwill and compliments of the season, it must be said, ‘the only good possum is a dead possum!’ I’m pleased that our Conservation Minister, Maggie Barry, has ensured that conservation groups across the country will receive a $2.3 million funding boost to continue their fight against introduced predators.

Native birds like the kakapo, kokako and kiwi are defenceless against and constantly under threat from wild rat, stoat and possum populations. Budget 2015 also invested $11.2 million to save the kiwi from extinction in the wild. The DOC Community Fund will help over 30 groups from Whangarei to Fiordland continue their vital contribution to our natural environment and the wellbeing of our native bird species.

Meantime, the ‘War on Weeds’ programme encourages Kiwis to roll up their sleeves and join the fight against invasive weeds.

Weeds choke forests and waterways, restrict habitat, and could ruin cherished and valuable natural landscapes.

The War on Weeds focusses on the Dirty Dozen — 12 weeds which are causing particular problems in different parts of the country. The Royal Society estimates exotic weeds cost the agricultural sector $1.2 billion a year in control costs and lost productivity. Meantime, for those Verve readers scrambling for ideas for adventure this summer, try visiting the new Aotea Conservation Park. It spreads over more than 12,000 hectares, or 43 per cent of Great Barrier Island.

The park will enable increased public access to the island’s breathtaking beauty, while safeguarding its natural treasures and unique species like the chevron skink, one of New Zealand’s rarest reptiles.

HON PAUL GOLDSMITH MP NATIONAL LIST MP BASED IN EPSOM WWW.PAULGOLDSMITH.CO.NZ PAUL.GOLDSMITH@PARLIAMENT.GOVT.NZ 09 524 4930

03

Collect a four-week bond

04

Get plenty of contact numbers — including an emergency contact. Debts that have five or more contact phone numbers have a 90% chance of recovery. They could include parents’ work numbers, and you can also request that a guarantor (such as parents) go onto the agreement.

05

Ensure all tenants are on the agreement as jointly and severally liable.

This will prevent changes of tenants without your awareness, and the liability helps prevent damage.

The tenancy agreement is a key document that sets the tone for the entire tenancy. If you don’t have a good command of the current laws and letting climate, you should consider using a professional letting agent. For a small one-off cost you can have complete confidence that your tenancy is correctly set up and maintained.

Do you need quality tenants and are you sure of current market rents?

Get the best results the easy way by engaging Quinovic Property Management of Parnell for a professional letting service and accurate rental appraisals.

This includes full chattel photosets and condition reports, which the Tenancy Tribunal accepts as an accurate record of the property’s condition before occupancy. Our tenancy agreement is clear and tailored to each property — and the result of 27 years of development.

You can relax knowing the property professionals at Quinovic are working on your behalf.

Responsive • Effective • Affordable • Recommended

CONTACT US TODAY: 09 373 4353 | 022 010 8005 ANTHONY@QUINOVIC-PARNELL.CO.NZ

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Ranfurly Village offers one of central Auckland’s finest retirement lifestyles. Choose from a selection of beautiful and spacious apartments.

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20 Melrose st newmarket (just down from ‘little and friday’) tel: 09 520 3366 www.supcentre.co.nz

WE CARE ABOUT THIS AS MUCH AS YOU DO. That’s why we decided to change for good.

As a part of this effort we are planting a native tree for every family we look after.

93 Business/ Education & Society Dec 2015

94 Business/ Education & Society Dec 2015

PRESENTATION COUNTS

The festive season is well and truly in full swing. Newmarket kicked off Christmas at the end of November with the arrival of our giant Christmas tree, which has taken up residence on Lumsden Green. I have to make special mention of two fantastic Newmarket businesses whose generous Christmas spirit helped us ensure the tree is safe, and powered up — so to Watercare and Vector we say a huge thank you.

We have something happening in Newmarket every weekend right up until Christmas. This year our Christmas campaign is ‘#OurShout #Christmas #Newmarketnz’. All you need to do is shop in Newmarket to be in to win on-the-spot ‘shouts’ to help with your Christmas shopping! Maybe we’ll shout your lunch, your haircut, your grocery bill, your Christmas gifts, your drinks…

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@newmarketnz) and keep a close eye to make sure you’re on top of what’s happening.

In addition to #OurShout, we invite your children to pop a letter to Santa in the red post box on Lumsden Green, or for the more tech-savvy santa@newmarket.co.nz. (Santa will of course reply to all letters and emails). All entries will go in the draw, and one lucky child will win a $500 toy package. The prize will be drawn at 3pm on Sunday 20 December under the Christmas Tree on Lumsden Green.

“

Shop in Newmarket to be in to win on-the-spot ‘shouts’ to help with your Christmas shopping!”

Christmas is coming and we are busy buying and wrapping the presents to put under the Christmas tree with its showy baubles, tinsel and fairy lights. Presents must be wrapped in festive paper to add to the Christmas anticipation. It is not just the present that counts, but also the presentation and this can be applied to our rental properties.

Presentation of your property is SO important; from the letterbox at the front of the house to the lawns and gardens at the rear.

Inside the same presentation, nice curtains, no mould on ceilings or window frames and most especially, clean carpet and a sparkling kitchen and bathroom.

At this time of the year, with Christmas approaching fast, we need our properties to look their best — well presented properties, just like the presents you are wrapping to place under the tree. The rental market is slowing down as we approach Christmas and we have a lot of properties to rent, so make sure yours stands out from the rest: the properties that look good are the ones that rent!

Christmas is a magical time of the year for us all. It should also be a good time for your pets — lets make sure they are well looked after and have a happy Christmas and don’t forget to pop a present under the tree for them.

Just Rentals will be open over Christmas and New Year; so call in to our office.

Christmas wishes and good renting!

We have some new kids on the block — Seed Heritage have opened ‘Seed Child’ inside Westfield Newmarket, also joining Westfield is ‘Tous’, and ‘&Sushi’ has opened on Teed St — the most beautiful sushi imaginable. Rodd & Gunn have re-opened in the mall after a spectacular re-fit.

We have had a huge year in Newmarket this year and look forward to bringing you more in 2016.

We wish you all a safe and very happy Christmas.

Drive safely on those roads.

Words: Sylvia Lund, Director

The friendly team specialising in home rentals and property management.

Visit our website at www.justrentals.co.nz

MARK KNOFF-THOMAS NEWMARKET BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MARK@NEWMARKET.CO.NZ NEWMARKET.CO.NZ @NEWMARKETNZ | #NEWMARKETNZ

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

SERVICED APARTMENTS YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME Quest whether for one night, one week or longer.

Spacious, modern apartments ideal for the business and leisure traveller to Auckland. Offering…

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Newmarket is a very popular location with cafés, shopping, cinemas and the Newmarket business area all on its doorstep.

Please check out our website www.questnewmarket.co.nz

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• Perfect location just off Parnell Road • Over 50 restaurants and cafés within walking distance • Kitchen and Laundry facilities in all apartments • DVD and Sky Guest Select offering 50+ channels in all apartments.

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For business or leisure, for family or guests, you can be confident with Quest whether it’s for a night, a week or longer.

Guests can have complimentary access to Next Generation Spa (limited access cards available)

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THE FREEDOMS THAT COME WITH AGE Getting older is like being fined for something you didn’t mean to do.

There you are pootling along (within the speed limit these days) but there was no warning billboard saying ‘Steep Decline Ahead.”

Or if there was you didn’t notice it until you were on the slippery road. Thereafter the signs come thick and fast.

In an ageist/lookist society women over thirty are considered well past their sell-by date.

But most of them fill me with deep relief and not inconsiderable joy.

What a relief.

Let me explain why, dear reader.

The ideal American woman is the stepdaughter of a masculine society. Women (still) live with habitual sexualisation and devaluation. Women are at the mercy of a mass culture that only celebrates older women who still remain youthful.

If they bothered to notice, they would see that the shine in the eyes of a fifty-five year old Hollywood fiancée is really the white stare of desperation.

Me? I am on the shelf with the marmalade.

I can sit quietly gathering dust, having been ejected from feminine subjection/evaluations as a consequence of aging.

(When you get to my age people don’t ask ‘is she attractive?’ They ask, ‘does she drive at night?)

Whereas once I would never consider putting out the rubbish without my face on, I now walk around the village sans maquillage and often, I suspect, without brushing my hair.

You see, age allows you to triumph over self-consciousness

and personally I see this development as a transition from feminine victim to female heroine.

over the Wire of Intrigue and quite certainly come to grief over the Obstacle of Love.”

These days I don’t divide my wardrobe into thin clothes and fat clothes. I know that following fashion is signing a petition. Having style is issuing a manifesto. I don’t do those Buzz Feed quizzes to find out who/what you were in a previous life. I know.

When one is old, one can throw oneself down as a rider and think, ‘well, I shall never have to ride that course again’.

I no longer have to play the obedient daughter, the sexobject — well that was over decades ago — or the Madonna.

What age would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?

I have been junked by the consumer culture! Hooray!

William Pitt was 24 when he became Prime Minister.

I am not looking for a man/woman/anyone to rescue me or ameliorate my life. I will save my own life. At least that way there won’t be a debt to be repaid.

George Bernard Shaw was 94 when one of his plays was produced for the first time. Mozart was seven when his first composition was performed in public. Benjamin Franklin was 81 when he framed in the Constitution of the United States. Age has nothing to do with dreams and aspirations.

I — and nobody else — is responsible for my spiritual growth and my chosen soul’s path. I can’t pretend that I am prevented from achieving my goals by anyone other than me.

I am in freefall looking at a whole new landscape and how I am going to place myself in it and live serenely and powerfully.

Serenity is that deep abiding sense that all will be well even if circumstances are against us. As one grows older, one becomes rather like a spiritual athlete. Every so often I surprise myself by how capable I have become in carrying and lifting great metaphorical weights.

Picasso once said, “Everyone is the age they have decided on and I have decided to remain thirty years old.”

97 Business/ Education & Society Dec 2015

When they are done with the business of being women, they are the most powerful creatures on earth. Or so said Isak Dinesen.

I have come to understand what Camus meant when he wrote, “In the midst of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”

When one is no longer beset by the egotisms and hostilities of sexual passion, when one is no longer in competitive struggles, one is truly free.

Vita Sackville-West’s character Mr Bucktrout observes: “It is terrible to be twenty…It is as bad as being faced with riding over the Grand National course. One knows one will almost certainly fall into the Brook of Competition and break one’s leg over the Hedge of Disappointment, and stumble

Jani Allan’s Memoir — Jani Confidential — is now available on Amazon in both kindle and paperback formats.

Words: Jani Allan

JANIALLAN.COM

Property Managing the length and breadth of Auckland since 1991

We are already geared-up for the New Year's Rush. Are you? Call NoW for a free no obligation appraisal and find out what makes us different. Providing you with the very best service in Auckland is our focus. We will remain open throughout the Christmas / New Year holiday period, and our tenants will continue to have access to our 24/7 Emergency Service.

Catherine Goodwin: 021 437 710 i denise Boyes: 027 436 4709 Kaman yau: 021 278 7761 i 0800 Goodwin i www.goodwinrealty.co.nz

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98

WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER?

Business/ Education & Society Dec 2015

A question often people ask themselves is, how much do I need to save to live a comfortable retirement? This question has recently been answered by Westpac Massey University Fin-Ed Centre in conjunction with Workplace Savings. It was found that $522,000 of combined Kiwisaver funds is needed for an Auckland couple to have choices in retirement, based on the spending of today’s retirees.

This number strikes fear in the hearts of many people. It is very hard to live on just New Zealand superannuation. Most people need to use their savings or continue to work to live a lifestyle they are comfortable with.

What is comfortable to you may be completely different to that of your neighbour. You need to plan at an individual/couple level.

For many, particularly in Auckland we hear, “I’m doing well, I’ve got equity in my house — my retirement will be fine.” This is great but you can’t eat your house when you retire and often when people downsize they do not get the financial windfall that they expect. Paying off your credit card in full is also seen by many as a marker for having things sorted. This is not our definition of financial success.

Obviously if you start saving young this is going to be easier, but it’s not too late to start saving now. The later you leave your run, it means you just have to work a whole lot smarter. Burying your head in the sand is not an option.

We are fantastic at planning things like wedding days and holidays, researching options and diligently putting steps in place to make the day, week, months unfold just as we want.

Retirement for many lasts for 25-plus years, it’s time we put in more effort into planning for this season!

Many people say, money is just not important to me, it’s my family that’s important or the way I’m living my life. I get this on one level but in reality money affects almost every aspect of our life. Having enough of it makes living the life you want a whole lot easier. On an emotional level we know that money causes stress in relationships and is the leading cause of insomnia in females. If there is a way of doing things smarter while living a life you enjoy now, why wouldn’t you?

For a lot of people it’s really hard to know how to plan. There are a lot of moving parts and what’s right for one person is not right for the next. Research by the Commission for Financial Capability and Financial Markets Authority has shown that many people make glaring omissions when anticipating the income they require and their expenditure in future years.

Common oversights in calculating weekly retirement income by over 50s: •

28% don’t factor in their life expectancy.

•

28% don’t consider what legacy they want to leave behind.

•

45% do not include travel plans.

•

33% don’t factor in personal care like haircuts.

•

26% plan for no leisure and recreation.

•

19% factored in no clothing expenditure.

•

16% didn’t include any health spending.

•

5% left out transport.

•

4% forgot to include food.

•

4% didn’t include phone/internet charges.

•

1% forgot to include utilities; power, gas or water.

Source: New Zealanders aged 50 plus survey

There are good tools available at www.sorted.org.nz that can help prompt you to put numbers around many of these items.

It’s also important to have enough of a buffer to absorb life’s curve balls which will inevitably come your way, cars that need replacing unexpectedly or redundancies.

For many the maths, time it takes and assumptions needed is enough to give you heart palpitations, bore you to tears or alternatively you’d just rather outsource this process to an expert.

If this is the case, you should speak to a financial advisor.

The old adage holds very true when it comes to retirement, ‘if you don’t know where you are going, you are going to end up somewhere else.’

Words: Katie Wesney Strategic Consultant enableMe

CLARIFICATIONS To clarify the editorial on 6 November regarding changing the retirement age, the 2013 Review of Retirement Income Policies included an illustrative schedule and the Retirement Commissioner has repeatedly reassured people that if the government of the day were to adopt her recommendations then any increase in the age of eligibility should be phased in gradually, proposing it rises to 66 by 2036, 67 by 2046 and 69 by 2056.

“WE WILL PAY OFF OUR MORTGAGE IN FIVE YEARS RATHER THAN 30 THANKS TO ENABLEME.” — Kirsten and Mike Mason — as seen on Fair Go

KILL YOUR MORTGAGE FAST AND SORT YOUR FUTURE WITH YOUR OWN FINANCIAL PERSONAL TRAINER! At enableMe we empower New Zealanders to get in control and get ahead with smart tips, support and ongoing coaching. Couple this with our proven process and patented mortgage repayment system and you can achieve amazing things!

To book a consultation with one of our Parnell based financial personal trainers visit enableMe.co.nz. Enter the special code ‘Verve’ when booking online and save $200 off the cost of your consultation, making it just $75+gst (usually $275+gst)

Hannah McQueen is the founder of enableMe NZ Ltd. She is one of New Zealand’s leading experts in personal finance. Hannah is the author of the bestselling book The Perfect Balance – how to get ahead financially and still have a life, and recently published her second book Kill your Mortgage and Sort your Retirement – The go-to guide for getting ahead.

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100

5 WAYS YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR HOME THIS CHRISTMAS

Business/ Education & Society

WELCOME TO THE DECEMBER EDITION OF RUDY’S TIPS AND TRICKS

Dec 2015

Burglaries are common at Christmas. Empty homes, letterboxes overflowing, lawns not mowed, plus the knowledge that expensive gifts are in abundance, makes the holiday season a time of opportunity for thieves.

To better protect your home at this time of year, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. SHOW DISCRETION ON SOCIAL MEDIA In this age of Facebook and Twitter, we’re used to broadcasting our every move to the masses. But if you’re planning to be away from home for Christmas or the New Year and want it to stay protected, it would be best not to announce your holiday plans online, in case a ‘friend of a friend’ also happens to be staking out potential targets for a Christmas burglary.

2. BE NEIGHBOURLY Talk to your neighbours and agree to watch out for each other’s homes. Stay-at-home parents can keep their eyes peeled for troubling activity during the day, and night owls can be alert after the sun goes down. Online Christmas shopping often means boxes are sitting by the front door (an obvious theft magnet), so neighbours can agree to sign for packages or to at least look out for potential thieves.

3. INCREASE YOUR HOME SECURITY MEASURES Needless to say, the Christmas season is not a good time to leave doors unlocked or security alarms turned off. Investigate getting your home monitored or ask a neighbour to visit the home and turn on lights, clear the letterbox, and engage a lawn mowing man over the holidays.

4. BE CAREFUL WHO YOU LET INTO YOUR HOME Caterers for holiday parties or delivery people are among those who you might be letting into the house around Christmas time, but don’t allow just anyone in the door. Try to deal with only reputable people and organisations so you don’t give sketchy strangers easy opportunities to case your home.

5. KEEP YOUR VALUABLES OUT OF SIGHT Speaking of holiday parties, they offer lots of opportunity to stickyfingered guests. Of course you probably trust most of your invited guests, but you may not know much about friends or dates that they might be bringing to your Christmas party. If you’re having guests stay during the holiday season, then you might want to make sure those precious items are kept out of sight.

A little caution can go a long way to creating a safe and merry Christmas for all!

With the holiday season fast approaching and many of you heading overseas, now is the time to check over your connectivity options if you intend to take your laptop or tablet with you.

Roaming packages are available for your mobile phone if you are venturing away from the usual mainstream haunts.

If you intend to go somewhere more exotic you may need to plan ahead.

I have just returned from China. Thinking ahead I had purchased a VPN (Virtual Private Network) so I could access the internet without being blocked by China’s notorious firewall — there is no Google in China.

Unfortunately the software I chose was worthless behind the firewall. After some discussions with expats at an International English school I acquired a product that worked perfectly. I have been keeping up with the news, answering phone messages recorded by my online phone manager and googling to my heart’s content. The best feature is being able to use google maps and searches to find places of interest to see and then printing them out with Chinese characters to show the taxi drivers.

Rosemary and I have spent most of our time in Nanjing and Yiwu.

Nanjing is not a tourist city, though it held the 2014 Olympics.

English is not common at all and we both had a little App on our phones which would translate words for us both ways. This has been very useful.

If you want WiFi connection, then head to starbucks. They are fairly common in China, as is Costa Coffee, McDonalds and KFC. The G-Trains (300Km per hour!) and hotels also have free WiFi but we stayed with a friend in her apartment in the Olympic village.

Her WiFi speed was pretty good. The apartments used by athletes are now a popular place to live for well-off Chinese people.

We are more than happy to assist you with software, as well as VPNs and translators if you are travelling to Asia.

Don’t forget to back up everything before you go away for your holidays!

We of course can supply and repair hardware, and assist with software problems, viruses and non-functioning devices including phones.

Call us on 09 579 7809 for help or send us an email: rudy@rudys.co.nz Rudy's Verve Mag advert.pdf

Best regards and have a wonderful Christmas.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS SAFE TRAVELS

A huge THANK YOU to all our clients and friends for your continued support throughout 2015. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We’re looking forward to working with you again in 2016 and beyond.

Cheers from the Wilson Hurst team!

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102 Business/ Education & Society Dec 2015

RESILIENCE When I was asked to pen an essay regarding ‘resilience’, the topic seemed straightforward enough. First thoughts were to wax lyrical about great athletic feats in the face of adversity, to regale you with tales of Churchillian spirit during the Blitz and maybe end with an against-all-odds analogy using the most famous of underdogs, Rocky Balboa.

Romanticised notions of resilience to be sure. But then a band of Islamic criminal thugs unleashed hell on the streets of Paris and the concept of resilience got a whole lot more relevant, and a whole lot more profound, too.

Eleven years ago my then-girlfriend booked us a last-minute break to Paris where we saw in the New Year beneath the enchanting, sparkling Eiffel Tower as fireworks exploded in the air. It was a beautiful night.

Spirits were high, spirits were drunk as those historic city streets swarmed with good natured revellers. The French, I thought, sure know how to throw a party. But all good things must come to an end.

It had become apparent upon our arrival the previous morning that the low price of our trip was inversely proportional to the distance our hotel was from the French capital. The centre of Paris was a good train ride away, but now, in the early hour’s of New Year’s Day, 2005, the only way back was by taxi but a million-plus more were in need of a ride. And so we waited.

And waited. And waited. A couple of hours had passed before a car finally pulled over for us. The door opened, I shouted the name of our hotel and the driver motioned for us to enter. But it wasn’t a taxi. The driver, I noticed, was a man of Middle Eastern descent. It was a bitterly cold night. We shrugged our shoulders, Gallic-like, and got in.

Growing up in England threats and acts of IRA violence were relatively common. In 1974, my hometown of Birmingham, which has one of the world’s largest Irish populations outside of Dublin, suffered what was at the time the UK’s most deadliest terror attack when a night of pub bombings killed 21 and injured 182 more. In 1993, a London bomb killed one, injured over 40 and caused $2 billion worth of damage to the capital. Three years later a 1500kg bomb exploded in Manchester, destroying a shopping mall and maiming over 200 souls. Public litter bins had long since been removed from most city centre streets in case they be used to stash explosives.

We drove past Paris’ iconic Moulin Rouge and I remember thinking it looked far less imposing as it did on the big screen. I remember the warmth of the car heater. I remember the feeling of a total lack of familiarity. There was no conversation with our driver. He couldn’t speak English, we couldn’t speak French. It was but a few hours into 2005, there were no smartphones, no digital maps or Google Translate. As I watched the bright glare of Paris shrink in the wing mirror I had the sobering realisation that maybe it wasn’t the wisest of decisions to get into a strange car, in a strange city, driven by a strange, Arabic man.

The world was — still is — reeling from the attacks of 9/11 and alQaeda, not the IRA, now dominated the news. It was a new form of terrorism. It was terrorism on steroids. And the threat, it felt,

was everywhere. Earlier that year, a coordinated bombing campaign killed nearly 200 people in the Spanish capital of Madrid. Just weeks before our Parisian trip, kidnapped British hostage Kenneth Bigley was beheaded and the footage posted online. In just a few months more, London, too, would be under seige.

We left the deserted streets to cut through a series of car parks and industrial estates on the city’s desolate outer edge. Street lamps were few and far between. I didn’t like it. I tried to check where we were headed but the man waved his hand to implore me to relax. I’d met Irish over the years, but not once did I ever consider them a threat, a potential affiliate of the IRA. Yet, now, in this make-do taxi with paraphernalia dangling from its rear-view mirror emblazoned with Arabic script, I was ashamed for fearing the worst. I could sense my girlfriend’s anxiety when suddenly from the maze of back alleys and short cuts we appeared before a brightly lit building and our driver turned and smiled. We’d been driving the best part of an hour. It’s name was certainly similar to our hotel, but it certainly wasn’t ours.

The Northern Ireland Peace Process hailed the end of the IRA’s deadly reign coincidentally around the same time al-Qaeda entered the fray and our resilience would be tested further still. I’ve discovered I only half-knew the meaning of resilience having looked it up for the first time for the purpose of this piece. It’s not simply about standing one’s ground, about harvesting the strength and the tenacity to fight for what’s right, but the power to recover to where you once were. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, resilience is also defined as the ability “to spring back into shape.”

To put those litter bins back on the city streets, or, as the population of Paris have proven, to persevere with our everyday, integrated lives.

We finally managed to call the manager of our hotel who gave instructions to our driver. It was nearly as far again and when I pulled out my wallet to pay him his fair fare for having twice driven two strangers in a strange town from one side of the city to another in the early hours of a cold winter’s morning he wouldn’t accept a dime. I insisted, but he insisted more. His warm act of kindness has stayed with me ever since. Bonne année, he simply said, happy new year.

The retaliatory French air strikes against Isis bases in Syria launched immediately after the atrocious Friday 13th attacks were ordered in understandable anger, but maybe also understandable haste. Time will tell as to the wisdom of further military action in a region already torn apart by

and tired of war, action, which, many argue, simply serves to spawn further fundamentalist ire. Has the War on Terror worked thus far? Perhaps most pertinently, we must ensure to not make enemies at home. Shocking has been much of the reactions on social media and below-the-line discourses damning all Muslims and calling for an end to the assistance of refugees, most of whom, let’s not forget, are attempting to escape those very same radicals, for somehow communally bringing this terror upon the West.

As we were. It’s not just about fighting back. It’s about remaining true to ourselves. Remaining resolute in the upkeep of the principles upon which our democracies are based: tolerance, acceptance and reason. The Eiffel Tower will sparkle, the Parisians will continue to party and we wish them a safe and happy Christmas and to paraphrase my old French friend, we also wish them a very bonne année.

“As a proud Frenchman, I am as distressed as anyone about the events in Paris,” writes Nicolas Hénin for the Guardian. “But I am not shocked or incredulous. I know Islamic State.” Hénin, a journalist, was held hostage by the group in Syria for the best part of a year. To create hatred and division within our integrated Western societies is, he says, their main aim: “At the moment there is no political road map and no plan to engage the Arab Sunni community. Isis will collapse, but politics will make that happen. In the meantime there is much we can achieve in the aftermath of this atrocity, and the key is strong hearts and resilience, for that is what they fear. I know them: bombing they expect. What they fear is unity.”

Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

The 2015 That Was

DO GOOD & DO WELL

104 Business/ Education & Society Dec 2015

In spite of recent global shocks to our dairy industry, New Zealand continues to prosper.

A flexible free market economy can absorb shocks, for example the dollar weakens, making other industries more competitive.

New Zealand cleaned up in international rankings, including fourth most prosperous, third freest market, second least corrupt, second for ease of business, and a perfect civil liberties score.

One area to improve is housing. 2015 was Year of the House, and this government will be remembered as missing in action.

Average prices rose by more than most people earn each year, overcrowding the city. The ‘bright line’ test and special housing areas are ineffectual. The Reserve Bank Governor is trying to intervene to reduce risk of a collapse.

Pushing young people to use Kiwisaver to further fuel the same market was political cynicism at best. Real reformers would free up land at the city fringe so that Auckland can keep growing as it has for 175 years. We all live in former ‘sprawl’; the only question is the decade (1920s for most of this Epsom electorate).

Overseas, there were problems not of our making. Primitive terrorists struck a sports game, a concert and a restaurant en La Ville Lumière, the heart of Western civilisation. Tolerant societies like ours must inevitably confront the intolerant. So long as radicals can use the internet to organise frustrated youth, this dilemma will persist.

Meanwhile the Aussies have become prickly, suggesting they’re happy having 600,000 Kiwis in their workforce, but if a handful commit crimes they’re sent back for New Zealand taxpayers to deal with. What happened to our special bond?

In better news, the All Blacks inspired. Their World Cup victory crowned a long period of dominance, with six games won for every loss since 2004. This can’t be attributed to simply having good players; it exemplifies a deeper culture we can all be proud of.

The Black Caps weren’t so lucky but they too are having a renaissance. Meanwhile our girls in the Silver Ferns scored the moment of the year, whacking the Aussies.

For my part, I’m blessed to represent the Epsom electorate. It’s filled with wonderful people, wonderful fairs, inspiring businesses, and great vistas. I hope I’m doing a good job representing you as local MP. If I can help, my door is open at 27 Gillies Ave, Monday to Friday, or email davidseymour.epsom@parliament.govt.nz, or phone 09 522 7464. Happy Holidays!

New Zealand was recently ranked as the second best place in the world to do business. The World Bank assessment report was based on measuring both regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it.

These include the ease of registering a business, access to credit, paying tax and enforcing contracts.

Some business people, struggling with the latest bureaucratic edict, might mutter darkly that the best thing that any government can do for business is simply to get out of the way! In my former life as a business professional I would on occasion have had sympathy for that view, but in more rational moments accept that an entirely unregulated marketplace would very quickly go pearshaped. Government can influence the way businesses operate through regulation, and also in the way that the government determines its own spend.

The challenge is to establish a regulatory framework that will foster and support the development of economically successful, environmentally sustainable, socially responsible businesses. A big part of that will be finding ways for the government to work with business to aid the transition to a low carbon economy. We need to be looking at preferential tax treatment for ‘early adopters’ of energy saving technologies, low emission vehicles and other sustainable infrastructure, and ask whether our depreciation regime rewards or discourages the necessary capital investment.

A revenue neutral ‘climate tax cut’ could incentivise the shift to a low carbon economy by putting a price on carbon emissions, but recycling the revenue back to households and businesses via tax credits. There is a lot of low-hanging fruit available to businesses who could cut their costs and enhance their sustainability credentials by reducing their energy use and waste streams. People are at the heart of any business, and employers who measure and monitor staff engagement levels are much more likely to reduce ‘churn’ and build a more productive, loyal workforce.

The barrier to improvement is often that working in their business is so all-consuming that operators forget to work on their business, so opportunities to do better go begging. Better resourcing of local and regional economic development agencies, who are often best placed to provide accessible education and advocacy for sustainable best practice, could go some way to resolving that dilemma.

New Zealanders are become increasingly aware of the social and environmental consequences of their consumer choices. Business success in the 21st century demands a commitment to being environmentally responsible, socially engaged and thinking longterm. Smart business people understand that doing good is a big part of doing well — the two go hand in hand.

Authorised by David Clendon, Green MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

DAVID SEYMOUR LEVEL 2 | 27 GILLIES AVE | NEWMARKET DAVIDSEYMOUR.EPSOM@PARLIAMENT.GOVT.NZ 09 522 7464

DAVID CLENDON DAVID.CLENDON@PARLIAMENT.GOVT.NZ PHONE: 04 817 6755

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Dec 2015

HOROSCOPES

106 Business/ Education & Society Dec 2015

ARIES

SCORPIO

TAURUS

SAGITTARIUS

(21 March – 19 April) It is a very positive time for you to strengthen relationships of all kinds. You will also enjoy the company of others at this time. You may be feeling full of wisdom. You are asked to share this wisdom, along with your knowledge and experience, with others. The time is right for soul-searching and discovery of the inner-realms. Success and happiness is on its way into your life.

(23 October – 21 November) This period represents creativity, fertility, growth and abundance. All creative endeavors will be well rewarded because you’re able to channel infinite creativity, which will allow you to create your best work. For those who want to increase abundance in life such as money, it is time for rejuvenation to occur to your funds. Someone very special will soon walk into your life. There could be news of pregnancy or motherhood for ladies.

(20 April – 20 May) It is time to know your priorities and requisites, and work towards them. Take elements within your situation and juggle them until they settle into a more suitable formation. When seeking love or anything else in your life, don’t look externally for fulfillment. Take the time to know, love and appreciate yourself before you try to assimilate other ‘loves’ or any type of passionate venture into your life.

(22 November – 21 December) You need to get in touch with your inner world.

This may include getting in tune with how you really feel about a situation both mentally and emotionally. This period can lead to astonishing self-knowledge, getting in tune with your inner thoughts. You need to investigate and unfold things which are now hidden before you act on a new idea. You may become very intuitive and may even have prophetic and clairvoyant dreams.

Capricorn

GEMINI

(21 May – 20 June) You have completed a phase within a larger cycle. You have reached a place of balance where everything feels right. An opportunity has been presented, you’d do well to take it. Determine what your desired goal is and dedicate yourself to achieving it. If committed, the relationship has reached a logical point of conclusion and may culminate in marriage. If you are single, you may find a compatible love match soon.

(22 December – 19 January)

AQUARIUS

This period epitomises self-discipline, emotional control, compassion and forgiveness. You may have a magical glow to your aura that lights up any room you are in. You may be feeling highly energetic and lively.

You will magnetically attract more wonderful things to your magnifying and enriching your life. You must persist with a gentle, slow, and steady mannerism without rushing and pushing the progress too harshly.

(20 January – 18 February) You should let your intuition be your guide and trust your instincts. You could receive message of a time of accomplishment, which signals rewards for your past efforts. A great time to consider of a brand new phase in your life. This period brings an opportunity that once received, must not be ignored. An upcoming project or decision could change your life for the better and you need to be very mindful of this.

(21 June – 22 July ) You exhibit mental fortitude, as well as organised and structured living. You may be considered for an employment position that would give you some degree of authority. In business situations, be assertive; ensure that your requirements are addressed. Your goal is attainable, the necessary fundamentals exist; the rest is up to you to accept responsibility. Use your mental faculties to get ahead. Planning, strategy, research, and resourcefulness are required.

VIRGO

PISCES

LEO

LIBRA

CANCER

(23 July – 22 Aug) Any project you are working on is an inspired choice and will take you far. Your creative solutions will make you happy and keep you active. You can get many people to help you as long as you keep them inspired and ensure that the aim of your project has some benefit to them as well. Success will seem to come in the blink of an eye with accumulation of wisdom and inner strength.

(23 Aug – 22 September) Great changes are coming, and will have a bearing upon your circumstance. This period marks the conclusion of one phase and the beginning of another. You would be taking initially required steps to begin a new phase of life or career. Move away from looking at things on a mundane or physical level; try a spiritual viewpoint to help you move ahead. Apply inner strength to manage external matters.

(23 September – 22 October) You will be bearing the light of wisdom, looking into the unconscious, observing dreams. You will deliberate on which path to follow, reassess achievements, and take the time to reflect and plan. You will look at the need to finish all things and to not leave anything unfinished in order that new beginnings may start and so that one is able to go forth into the future with courage and conviction.

(19 February – 20 March) Your life is about to enter a self-sustaining rhythm, in which vision, passion, and work energise one another. You now find it easier to apply yourself to a task, because the rewards are material as well as emotional. If you are currently seeking employment, something wonderful is headed your way. You have a firm foundation to build on and this bodes well for the future. Sustained effort will bring expected returns.

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Time to be who you Really Are? When Billie was younger she used to rush home from school and turn on her favourite cartoons. She would get out her pad and pencil and draw her favourite characters.

Billie enrolled in the Certificate of Art and Creativity Programme at The Learning Connexion in 2013. Two years on, she is now at the end of the Diploma of Art and Creativity (Honours) Programme.

“It was exactly what I needed, where I wanted to be and what I wanted to be doing with my life.”

Billie’s latest mural project is funded by Creative Communities and is inspired by her love of cartoons and character design. It can be seen gracing the Melling Skate Park in Lower Hutt.

“I had an urge to change my life and I followed that urge.

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107 Business/ Education & Society Dec 2015

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DOING THE RIGHT THING ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS The small town of Halbe, 60km south-east of Berlin was the site of the Nazis’ last stand against the might of Russia’s red military tide before their retreat and ultimate defeat from within the capital. Following the Führer’s fall and the raising of the Iron Curtain, the settlement, whose population today is only just a little over 2,000, found itself marooned in the mire of the Cold War years, a poor, communist backwater of a destitute era from which it has never fully recovered. There was a time, however, when Halbe had some fascinating royal connections, and now, thanks to an Aucklander named Peter Macky, its connections now also extend down here to the bottom of the Southern Hemisphere.

A former lawyer with a lifelong passion for both design and European travel, Peter purchased the town’s railway building in 2010 then funded a renovation project which is due for completion in two more years. Peter first visited Germany when it was still divided by the Berlin Wall and has since set up a cycling tour business based in the capital. He now spends five months of the year on the continent. “It’s such a great nation for cycling,” he says. “There are designated paths everywhere, the weather is predictable, the land flat and the traffic courteous – unlike Auckland!” It was on one of his bicycle jaunts that Peter

first discovered the small settlement and it’s forgotten, iconic railway station, Kaiserbahnhof Halbe.

The structure, a receiver station, was built to accommodate travelling dignitaries and there were but a handful of similar stations throughout the country. Halbe’s was finished in 1865 during the reign of Germany’s first emperor and King of Prussia, William I, and was subsequently used by his son Emperor Frederick III and grandson Kaiser Wilhelm II. Having been converted into offices and later accommodation for railway workers in the early 20th century, following the end of the Second World War the building fell into a state of disrepair, at one point used as target practice by the marauding Soviet troops. The town is also, incidentally, home to one of Germany’s largest war cemeteries.

“I felt immediately drawn to the station,” says Peter, “this decaying, yet imposing, beautiful red brick building.” Such was the station’s state of abandonment that trees had begun to sprout from it: “At the time, I knew not of it’s purpose or incredible heritage. The only clue to it’s identity

was ‘Halbe’ emblazoned across its main wall in standard Deutsche Bahn script.”

The completed building will proudly stand as a faithful restoration, both inside and out, and Peter has footed the entire bill. “The more I see now, with the restoration of the windows, the doors, the interior detailing, it’s like this little jewel,” he says. “Everyone is very grateful that it’s happening.” I ask why such a historic site wasn’t restored by the government or local authorities. “There are other buildings like this in Germany but not with this pedigree, so I believe that it just slipped through the cracks. The area is also very poor.”

You must be quite the local hero?

“I wouldn’t say that! But I do always get a fine welcome. I know everyone there now. As with any small town, you have your politics, but I don’t get involved with any of that and just try to be charming. It’s fun.” A local newspaper even ran a headline hailing Peter as the new Kaiser: “They are slightly incredulous that this amazing building is being restored by a New Zealander.”

Which begs the ultimate question as to why, exactly, he’s doing it. “People say it’s crazy, but I have a lifetime of savings and there are a few pennies left over to have some fun with, to do something different. It just ticks every box for me: the heritage, the history, being in Europe and being part of the community rather than just a tourist. It’s a way to thank the German people for their hospitality. They are so liberal, so welcoming and it’s a privilege to spend time there and to be able to make a minor contribution to their lives.”

Peter’s good deeds don’t end there, however. Earlier this year on a trip from Germany to the Greek island of Symi, he witnessed first hand the ever engulfing refugee crisis. “Away from the huge crowd there was a woman with young children who was looking rather dishevelled and distressed and I stopped to see if there was anything I could do,” he says. “Through a translator I learnt that they had fled their homes in Syria two years prior and had just arrived on a rubber dinghy from a holding camp in Turkey.” The woman, Jomana, was with her three sons: Feras, 8, Ghaith, 7 and 3-year-old Hussain. The father, Adnan, was already in mainland Europe making preparations for their arrival. “They had been hoping that in that two-year time frame the fighting would have ended and they would be free to go home. They don’t want to be apart from their families, separated from their culture.”

The family were headed for Germany and Peter had them stay for a long weekend at his Berlin apartment: “Everywhere we went people were amazing. I couldn’t pay for dinners at restaurants, we were given free bikes from a toy shop for the boys, a neighbour came over with winter clothes and friends in London sent money.” Graith loved his bike so much that he even slept next to it. Communication was carried out mainly through sign language and Google translate, though Peter did also have a Syrian friend in the UK speak with the family over the phone.

“He called me back later and said that they were wonderful people,” Peter tells me. “That they were worth investing some effort into.”

Having built such a warm friendship with the folk of Halbe, Peter asked the mayor if there was anything he could do to help out: “The mayor is a most wonderful man. He has arranged accommodation and is also in the process of finding a job for Adnan. The way I see it, if everyone were to help a family, then there wouldn’t be a refugee problem.” Come Christmas, they should be safely settled into a new life in the railway town. “It’s been wonderful to have had this association with them,” says Peter, “and I feel honoured to have been part of their family for a short time.”

Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

110 Journeys Dec 2015

WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL TRAIN STATIONS

Verve brings you a selection of wondrous train stations which prove that it can sometimes actually be about the destination (or departure) as much as the journey...

ANTWERP CENTRAL STATION, BELGIUM Erected upon the orders of King Leopold II at the turn of the 20th century, the costly and grandiose neo-baroque building boasts over 20 different types of marble and stone, with a stunning antique clock hanging from a ceiling of iron and glass.

Named the 2011 winner of the European Union Heritage/Europa Nostra Award this historic, architectural wonder now connects Belgium with Holland and France courtesy of the futuristic Thalys high-speed trains.

GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL, USA Thanks partly to its beauty, but also its prominence in a raft of Hollywood movies, New York’s iconic station is quite possibly the most famous on earth. Opened in 1913, it’s home to 44 platforms and 67 tracks visited by 750,000 passengers per day.

The station’s interior clock’s four faces are made of opal, worth $20million, while the one outside on the 42nd Street façade is the world’s largest example of Tiffany glass.

Among its many other treasures is a celestial ceiling and chandeliers of solid gold.

KUALA LUMPUR RAILWAY STATION, MALAYSIA East meets West architecture for a fairytale finish, this shimmering white monolith was designed and completed while the nation was still under the colonial rule of the British and built using a convict labour force. Opened in 1910, this Southeast Asian jewel houses a hotel and a staggering front façade. Now the station serves only commuter trains.

Grand Central Terminal, New York

by Consti

SIRKECI STATION, TURKEY Opened in 1890 as the terminus of the legendary Orient Express from Paris, this icon of Istanbul blends French art nouveau with Ottoman architecture.

Stained glass windows pepper the stone and brick construction set atop the tip of the city’s famed peninsula. The aweinspiring 15th century Topkapi Palace is close by, easily visible from the arriving and departing trains.

KAZANSKY RAILWAY STATION, RUSSIA This magnificent Moscow landmark was designed by esteemed Russian mind, Alexey Shchusev, architect to Stalin and the Tsars. Completed in 1940, it took the best part of three decades to build and incorporates art nouveau, rococo as well as a nod to the Kremlin’s look. Ornate murals and artwork grace the corridors while the signs of the zodiac surround the station’s blue and gold clock.

ESTAÇÃO DA LUZ, BRAZIL Strangely, this São Paulo station was finished in 1901 having been designed and assembled in Glasgow, taken down, then shipped across the Atlantic.

Nicknamed ‘The Station of Light’, it was designed by renowned Victorian English architect Charles Henry Driver and once served as the city’s main entrance. A fire devastated much of the building during the 1940s, and it’s now also home to the Museum of the Portuguese Language.

DUNEDIN RAILWAY STATION, NEW ZEALAND This Kiwi masterpiece, a cathedrallike construction, was designed by legendary New Zealander Sir George Troup and opened in 1906. Inspired by the style of the Flemish Renaissance, the building’s eye-catching contrasting light and dark brickwork comes courtesy of Kokonga basalt and Oamaru white stone all majestically capped by a roof of shingles from Marseilles. Mosaic floors and stained glass windows continue the wonder inside.

CMF RAILWAY STATION, MOZAMBIQUE A gorgeous gateway to Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, the CMF Railway Station offers an decorated glimpse into the days of Portuguese colonial rule.

Famed for its mint-green interior and wrought-iron latticework all topped by a resplendent central dome, the trip back in time is further enhanced by old wooden benches and ticket counters with antique locomotives on display.

GARE DU NORD, FRANCE One of countless picture-perfect Parisian monuments, this beaux-arts inspired construction guides an astonishing 190 million passengers per year. Its regal façade houses an array of statues in honour of the major international destinations it serves — such as Vienna and Amsterdam — while the glorious cast iron roof and arched glass windows allow its interior to be flooded with natural light.

Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

111 Journeys Dec 2015

112 Journeys Dec 2015

MYANMAR-VELLOUS Walking the main drag of the tiny town of Hsipaw, Myanmar (formerly Burma), I was stopped by a bookseller at his roadside stall. I’d visited said stall a couple of days previously when he tried, unsuccessfully, to talk me out of buying a secondhand copy of George Orwell’s Burmese Days. Not for any political reason, but because he thought the price had been set too high. This time, he did wish to discuss government, namely the unimaginable progress that his country was making as it sat on the verge of an historic political dawn.

Pin badges and other promotional paraphernalia were produced from beneath his dusty counter, all emblazoned with imagery of the party, National League for Democracy. Its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, had previously spent two decades in detention for her attempts to bring democracy to the military-ruled nation, efforts that saw her receive the 1991 Nobel Prize for Peace, and it finally looked as though the 70-year-old politician’s fight was won. Just a few years prior, so the bookseller told me, he would be arrested and me deported for having such a public conversation on such public matters, but now we were finally safe. He was right. A short while later, on 13 November 2015, the National League for Democracy achieved its parliamentary majority at the expense of the former dictatorial rule. He said I could keep his pins.

The once-closed country has only relatively recently opened its borders to tourists – it wasn’t until 2012 that foreign visitor numbers topped a million – and it shows. Even in the major, cosmopolitan centres such as Yangon, locals stare, transfixed by their Western

guests and throughout the nation the welcome is nothing short of wondrous. In fact, such is their politeness, which at times verges on outright gratitude for visiting their home, it’s almost as if you’re being mocked. But you can rest assured that you are most certainly not.

The deeply religious nation of mainly Buddhists is awash with temples and Mandalay Hill, overlooking it’s eponymous city and surrounding plains, is an especially sacred spot. Famed also as a meeting point where young locals gather to practise English with visiting tourists, an affable student Buddhist monk escorted us to the summit for the spectacular sunset view. There’s some superb eating in the nearby alpine town of Pyin U Lin, courtesy, most notably of a substantial Indian population, which is also home to magical colonial botanical gardens modelled after England’s legendary Kew. An antique train ride from Pyin U Lin to Hsipaw crosses the country’s iconic Goteik viaduct. Not for the faint-hearted, the single track bridge, built by the then-ruling British Empire at the turn of the 20th century, stands over 100 meters tall and is considered an engineering masterpiece. Once in Hsipaw, one of the most popular activities is trekking to visit local tribes.

Bagan, with its enchanting temple complex, is undoubtedly the nation’s star attraction. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan (an ancient civilisation that preceded the formation of Myanmar),

between the 11th and 13th centuries, the historic site housed more than 10,000 temples, pagodas and monasteries, of which, over 2,000 survive today. The archaeological zone, comparable to that of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, is an absolute treasure trove best explored over multiple days via a hired electric motorbike or above from the luxury of a hot air balloon. Make sure you’re there for at least one sunrise and sunset.

a clearly revered monument circled by candles and a constant flow of pilgrims. Similarly, atop of Mount Kyaiktiyo, around three hours from the city, sits the enormous ‘Golden Rock’, a gravity defying cliff-side monolith said to be held in place by one of Buddha’s hairs. Alas, the mountaintop was coated in a blanket of fog for our visit, but still fascinating nonetheless, followed by a hair-raising roller-coaster-like rain-soaked ride back down the mountainside in an open top bus.

East of Bagan, Inle Lake stretches for 22km, and incorporates an incredible collection of the nation’s many ethnic groups, some of whom live on floating villages, mostly untouched by the trappings of the modern world. Upon the lake fisherman balance precariously thanks to their famed one-legged paddling technique as they use both hands to cast their nets, colourful surrounding markets are overseen by proprietors in ancient dress whilst from beneath the shallow waters sprout flowers and farm produce.

The historic and political troubles run far and deep in Myanmar and they certainly won’t be resolved overnight. But for the first time in as long as anyone cares to remember, the future is filled with a well-deserved hope. For all of Myanmar’s natural and architectural brilliance, it is the people and the warmth of their hospitality that I remember most fondly, and for a nation home to, among other things, some of the world’s most beautiful Buddhist monuments and iconography, you can’t pay much of a bigger compliment than that.

Last stop, Yangon. The former capital is still the country’s most populous and vibrant city, home not only to some of Southeast Asia’s finest colonial architecture, but the staggering Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar’s most sacred Buddhist site.

Said to contain holy relics, the 99-metre-high ancient dome is decked out with 27 metric tons of gold and countless diamonds and gems. No matter what your religious — or not — inclinations, it’s difficult to be anything but awed by the sheer gorgeousness of such

Words & photos: Jamie Christian Desplaces

Keeping Calm in

VIETNAM

Vietnam can be busy. The cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi certainly are, their endless streams of mopeds making crossing the road a challenge for the newcomer. Even outside the cities, the Vietnamese people are some of the most industrious in the world — working in the meticulously tended rice fields, hauling great weights of crops on carts, manning market stalls at the crack of dawn, and cooking delicious street food well into the night. It’s no wonder Vietnam has gone ahead in leaps and bounds in recent years.

If it all sounds a bit hectic, there are some delightful antidotes to calm the spirits of even the most frazzled traveller. Water always engenders calm, and no more so than in tranquil World Heritage Site of Halong Bay where traditional junk boats ply the emerald green waters. Some of the junks have been re-purposed to serve as comfortable cruise vessels, while others are purpose built ‘inthe-style-of’, but retaining a heritage atmosphere in their wood panelling, and breezy top decks, from where you can take in the towering limestone islands that dot the bay. Unwinding here is easy — lounge on the sun deck, cool off with a swim, or rouse yourself to explore ancient caves, take a cooking class, or observe life on one of the tiny floating fishing villages. Needless to say the cuisine will be divine — vibrant Vietnamese flavours combined with the freshest of seafood.

Further water-based calm can be enjoyed on the Mekong River.

The longest in South East Asia, this river flows south from China, bringing life to the lands and sustenance to the many peoples in its path. This is particularly evident in the Mekong Delta of southern Vietnam — a watery world of floating markets, pagodas, houses and restaurants, alongside rice paddies, orchards and farms. A sampan cruise through the colourful markets of Cai Be reveals artisan industries producing rice paper, coconut candies and dried fruits.

You can also now take a boutique river cruiser between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh, a great way to combine Vietnam with Cambodia. Gliding peacefully down the Mekong you’ll encounter villages on stilts, fish farms and vibrant rice paddies as far as the eye can see. One of our favourites is the 27-cabin Jayavarman, its intricate wood carvings, Khmer bas-reliefs and Vietnamese lacquer paintings immersing you in the region’s culture. A quick recharge in the Apsara Spa or a soak in the

jacuzzi on the sundeck will revive the spirit, as will the cuisine — fresh, exotic, and downright delicious!

You may have heard the great news of new direct flights to Vietnam from New Zealand next year. All the more reason to dive into the busy city streets of Vietnam, exploring the Old Quarters, getting a whole wardrobe tailored overnight, taking a walking tour of French architecture and clambering through the Cu Chi Tunnels. Simply recover in style by just heading for the waters of Halong Bay or the Mekong, and calm will be restored.

Words: Caroline Clegg, World Journeys

SMALL GROUP HOSTED TOUR Highlights include Angkor Wat, a boutique Mekong River cruise, the French colonial feel of Saigon, the Cu Chi Tunnels, charming Hoi An with its silk tailors, and a Halong Bay cruise.

VIETNAM & CAMBODIA

18 DAYS from $6,995 pp (twin) plus airfares Departs: 8 September 2016 Contact your Travel Agent, or World Journeys 09 360 7311 www.worldjourneys.co.nz /worldjourneys

116 Journeys Dec 2015

MALAYSIA TAKES A BITE OUT OF DENTAL BILLS When another tooth broke and I was faced with paying $1300 for a crown again, my dentist’s warning replayed in my mind.

dental surgeries and see what they had to offer for people who wanted to combine a holiday with some dental work.

“You’re one of the Kiwi Baby Boomers who have a mouthful of amalgam and you are going to have to start saving for a big repair bill,” he had told me five years earlier.

Malaysia is rapidly growing its reputation for medical tourism. It won ‘2015 Medical Travel Destination of the Year’ during the 8th Annual World Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare Congress and again at the International Medical Travel Journal awards in London. At the latter awards The Imperial Dental Centre in Kuala Lumpur also won the ‘International Dental Clinic of the Year’ and the Beverley Wilshire Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur won the ‘International Cosmetic Surgery Clinic of the Year’ from all international competitors.

“How much?” “Oh I would allow about $20,000.”

I went into denial.

In fact he was right. Over the past four years, including regular dental checks, the bill is already around $13,000 and I know I have at least three crowns to go.

Dental problems started for many New Zealanders now aged 50 plus in the ‘murder house’. That’s the nick-name for primary school dental clinics that battled to keep Kiwi kids teeth from decaying in an era where toothpaste contained no fluoride and nor did it naturally occur in the water in many regions. Drill and fill was the order of the day — carried out with varying levels of ability.

Apparently over the years, metal fillings expand and shrink with the heat of food and drink. That puts pressure on the enamel of your teeth and eventually causes small fissures — cracks that one day eventually shatter and you find yourself spitting half a tooth into your hand.

Dentists say eventually there is little point trying to resurrect the remaining tooth with more filling material. The tooth is often just too weak or there’s not enough left to rebuild. Nor do many people apparently rip out the rest of their teeth and go for dentures today. It’s either crowns, or the remnant enamel is extracted and the tooth is replaced with an ‘implant’ — a peg inserted into your jawbone that’s left for the bone to grow around it and finally topped with a crown.

I started searching for solutions. The chance to visit Malaysia as a guest of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) fell into my lap like manna from the tooth fairy. I was to research and visit

After receiving 800,000 medical tourists in 2014, Malaysia is determined to be number one in Asia by 2020 and it is putting a lot of effort and money into achieving the goal.

A Malaysia Airlines direct flight from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur had me at Kuala Lumpur international airport inside 11 hours at the MHTC welcoming counter, just outside the customs hall in arrivals. We were soon whisked away in an air conditioned car on to the interconnecting motorway system, but we could have as easily made our way to the KLIA Ekspres high-speed train that takes 30 minutes to Kuala Lumpur Sentral station.

Safely ensconced in the beautiful five star ParkRoyal Serviced Suites, located in Kuala Lumpur’s golden triangle of shopping, dining and nightlife, Bukit Bitang, I keenly awaited visits to varying surgeries.

Work by day and shop and dine by night! Jalan Alor (aka food street) sits two blocks away, beckoning for me to enjoy hawker street food by night. It’s a short walk to megamalls and a cheap taxi fare to Petaling Street to shop for fashion items at bargain prices. With one New Zealand dollar fetching around 2.8 ringgit the shopping is good.

The combination is enticing. In a nutshell I can have a fabulous holiday in an amazing country — South East Asia packed safely into one — and my dental work done often for less than having just the dentistry in New Zealand.

The quality of the work, the facilities and the helpful attitude of the dental specialists was reassuring. The fact that MHTC, a

government organisation, carefully does regular inspections of its members’ facilities to ensure quality and that all clinics have to be government registered, provides another level of assurance.

applies to the patient’s teeth. The porcelain is finely crafted to reflect natural characteristics like colour, translucencies, surface features and textures. The effect is stunning and incredibly natural.

We were interested to learn the Malaysian Government also sets the upper limits for the price of treatments and restricts clinics from charging foreigners a premium over locals. Fierce competition keeps the price lower than the ceiling limits.

Our final visit is to Kuala Lumpur International Dental Centre.

Dr Sia Sheau Soon, a Japanese qualified orthodontist, walks us through what it is like for international patients to get the new style invisible braces – Invisalign. They are the clear plastic shaped “trays” that shift you teeth into alignment, yet you are able to remove to eat and brush your teeth.

First up on our visit was DentalPro and an appointment with Dr Syed Muhammad Azman for a chat about crowns. Turns out the double crown on the back left of my upper jaw is actually a palladium metal cored and ceramic surround variety. I nearly spat it out when I discovered that the $3300 I paid for it right on Christmas in 2011 (double ouch!) could have been more like NZ$1100 in Kuala Lumpur nearly four years later.

The white, totally ceramic ones are not as cheap. The cost comparison is about one third cheaper than New Zealand for the latest high tech ceramics milled on the spot, or 50% cheaper for the regular white ceramic crowns.

The next stop was the award-winning Imperial Dental Specialist Centre. Like all of the clinics we visited, 40 - 50% of their clientele are foreigners, with a large percentage of that being Australian.

Dr Arlena Philip Lee scaled and polished my teeth. Malaysia does not have a dental hygienist system, yet what has been costing me increasingly more each year in Auckland, to be close to $100 here in Kuala Lumpur (again, about one third of the price) and delivered by a highly qualified dentist was welcome news.

Pristine Dental Centre provided another surprise. Dr Suresh Nair introduced us to the idea of having a complete new smile — without even one tooth being ‘cut’. He works with German-trained dental technologist Nasser Shademan — an artist who trains people internationally — in advanced tooth morphology and anatomy for ceramists.

In simple terms Dr Suresh and Nair customise ‘smiles’. Nasser produces 25 layers of intricate veneers that Dr Suresh carefully

It seems it is easy to get the principal work braces done in Malaysia and to be monitored back home. Fishing around all the literature we are given I find a starting price for the Invisalign braces – from NZ$6000. Communicating is not a problem in Malaysia. Just about everyone we came across spoke excellent English. Almost all the specialists we met were Malaysian, who had done post graduate studies in the United Kingdom, the United States and other parts of the world.

In fact communication is the name of the game for the specialists targeting foreign patients. They like to get as much information about you, your health and your dental wishes before you arrive in Malaysia. They will also provide as much information as they can about what to expect in terms of visits to the surgery, and provide time between visits so that you can also explore KL or other parts of the country.

“What if something goes wrong and I can’t get back to Malaysia?”

I asked. Problems do not happen very often because of the careful planning I am told by everyone, but should there be one they work with local specialists in the patient’s home country to provide a solution.

To find out, or get a quote, more visit www.medicaltourism.com.my 0800 KLCLINIC Words: Felicity Anderson

117 Journeys Dec 2015

118 Journeys Dec 2015

Win

with Verve & Wanderlust UP FOR GRABS 1 x double pass ticket to Wanderlust valued at $1200* Do you find yourself looking for a spark, something to ignite change, a break from the routine and a breath of fresh air? Then check out Wanderlust, the world’s largest yoga and lifestyle festival! The four-day festival, takes place from the 4 – 7 February, and will gather together yoga enthusiasts, hike leaders, top musical acts, foodies and mindful adventurers for an unforgettable Waitangi weekend getaway.

To find out more head to wanderlust.com/festivals/great-lake-taupo.

Adventure awaits! *Entering Verve’s competitions is simple. Like our Facebook, facebook.com/VerveMagazine, then visit vervemagazine.co.nz/competitions/ and follow the directions. Good Luck!

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IN MALAYSIA,

THERE’S ALWAYS A REASON

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INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL TRAVEL AWARDS*

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BOOK SHELF Words: Doris Mousdale

120 Art & About Dec 2015

NEW ZEALAND WINES 2016 MICHAEL COOPER

SIMPLY NIGELLA NIGELLA LAWSON

GRATITUDE

OLIVER SACKS

THE LAST LOVE SONG A BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION TRACY DAUGHERTY

This is the book that you buy for other people hoping they are going to return the favour and buy you your own copy for future reference. As always, at this time of the year Michael Cooper revises and updates his intensively researched wine guide. Through the different varieties, price ranges and vineyards he offers the best advice on what to drink now and what will keep and age well. He rates a whole 3000+ wines along with tasting notes.

Buy an extra copy, wrap it and keep it under the tree for that unexpected guest — if no one turns up you have a treat in store for swotting up on the best buys over the long summer holidays. Cheers!

____ $40

Caught in the news headlights like a trapped rabbit, no foodie could have missed the traumatic time Nigella recently went through. She has however picked herself up, dusted herself down and started all over again and I have to say as a long time fan — even better than ever in my opinion. Nigella’s strength is her enthusiasm for simple but good food and Simply Nigella explains why and gives plenty of recipes for a more relaxed but good way of eating and enjoying food without overindulging. She speaks to you from the page and you are bound to add her new recipes to your repertoire. Beautiful good food made easy — very Nigella.

____ $65

This may seem an odd book to add to your Christmas list but I urge you to do so.

Sadly Oliver Sacks passed away earlier in the year but luckily we have his very clever books to draw from, and then along comes this last essay on things he has been grateful for in his packed and extraordinary life. 50 years in his career as a clinician he made profound inroads into our understanding of illness of the mind and body.

In this slim little volume he tells of the things that made him happy and the things that he was grateful to have in his life. As always it is the simplest of pleasures that one most appreciates.

Inspirational and a beautiful token of appreciation for those you love.

____ $20

Part of the holiday tradition is to catch up on some good reading and this new biography of one of America’s literary queens is one not to be missed. She wrote both fiction and non-fiction and was awarded for her writing by the major prize-givers.

When sorrow came to her life during the death of her husband and subsequently her daughter, her book on the loss she felt stayed in the bestsellers lists for a long time. Tracy Daugherty scribes her life with style and intimacy that only comes from impeccable research.

If you are going to read one masterly biography this year, make sure it is The Last Love Song — the real story of Joan Didion.

____ $60

ARCADIA BOOKSHOP 26 OSBORNE STREET NEWMARKET, AUCKLAND WWW.ARCADIABOOKSHOP.CO.NZ 09 522 5211

ALBUM REVIEW:

RAURY — ALL WE NEED

121 Art & About Dec 2015

“I’d love to sell a million copies but I’d rather influence a million minds…” 19 year old Atlanta native Raury tweeted candidly just days before the long anticipated release of his debut album All We Need last month, the follow up to his acclaimed 2014 debut project Indigo Child.

In an industry which often forgets the urgency of communicating matters which are critically real, Raury is an essential, rejuvenating breath of fresh air. Although his finely crafted eclectic style may not be exactly what you’re presuming — he holds his sound through acoustic/folk roots but with added hip hop/soul/funk elements, which set him aside to be one of the most unorthodox voices of this generation; allowing him to stand in his own self-made league.

some of the globes most calamitous and controversial topics: ranging from government authority to oppression and the intensifying downfall of the earths resources. He portrays his vision in a way which is ethereal yet intricately bold, creating sonically delicate songs but with messages that hold tremendously intense weight. All We Need is concrete proof that Raury is the future, and the future is luminously bright.

You can download All We Need on iTunes or purchase in stores now, and catch Raury opening for A$AP Rocky at Vector Arena on February 24th.

Raury’s vision is undeniably focussed, his sheer determination shifting the notion that todays youth are incapable of making a difference as he speaks on

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122 Art & About Dec 2015

Painter, Peter Geekie –

INSIDE THE DREAM

“Art is the collective dream of a culture, and when understood as such, makes both all the more sublime, and at the same time, coherent,” says Peter Geekie.

“A culture deprived of artistic expression is short-lived. An individual deprived of dreams soon becomes insane.”

Peter Millington, aka Geekie, emigrated from England in 1966, qualifying as a psychiatric nurse in 1970. Born in 1945 in Cadishead, he was raised on council housing estates in Lancashire and Cheshire.

Childhood was devoid of artistic encouragement in a household that contained only one framed work, Constable’s Haywain, cut from a Kelloggs cornflakes packet. It hung above the sideboard.

“When I was 11, a fine exhibition was held at the library in Altrincham by L S Lowry. I saw him there — admired him. Years in a desert followed before I became thoroughly admiring of psychotic art (art brut), with impressionism, Picasso, surrealisim, found and conceptual art, all seeping into my awareness.”

Geekie had dropped the degree he was studying in 1978 to be with his mother who was terminally ill in England. Once she was stabilised and living quite happily, his father suddenly died. On the night of his father’s funeral, Geekie fancied his father stood next to the bed and they conversed about the trip back to New Zealand. He suggested Geekie bicycle some of the distance.

He was sharing a flat in Highgate, London, with Jo Seager. “I worked 60 straight twelve hour days as the personal nurse to a psycho-geriatric Jewish man who owned 700 laundromats in London and lived right there in St John’s Wood, where the Beatles are crossing Abbey Road. In May 1979 I flew to New York, equipped myself with a bicycle and tent, and over eight weeks cycled to Los Angeles, then flew on to New Zealand.

“The bicycle trip across the States was an epiphany for me — an emancipation. I got back to New Zealand intent on divesting myself of all trappings and ecumbrances, to live the life of ‘less is more’. I gave my possessions to friends, took a $5 a week room in a shared mansion on Khyber Pass Road, and began to paint.

In short time I found myself within a colourful, stimulating circle of friends — Jo Hardy, Stephanie Sheehan, Tony Fomison, Mark Adams, Chris Wilkie and others, all of whom either influenced or encouraged me.

“In living frugally I found myself leading the richest of lives. I spent four years as secretary of the Tangihua Dream Company, and operated The Polite Force, the Dream Company’s Gallery in Whangarei. Through the Tangihua Dream Company, which became a sort of art school for me, these artists had significant influence over my approach to art.”Far from premeditated, Geekie’s style is to make random marks on his canvas and develop the images he discerns in the randomness, much like seeing things in clouds, or a Rorschach inkblot test.

123 Art & About Dec 2015

From 1982-2011 he refused to sell his work, considering each piece part of an experiment. “My interest is in dreams — in adding through pictorial expression to the body of knowledge around dream theory. I gave the paintings away and hoped to be able to reassemble the majority of them later for retrospective evaluation with regard to dream theory.”

Over the ensuing few years he refined his style of figurative depiction of the highlights in random marks. By 2011 the body of work was large enough, and his style had matured to the point where inherent appeal had made the works collectable.

In the beginning, Geekie revelled in mixed media, oils, enamels, acrylics, beetroot juice, Twink, Indian ink, pencil, wax, copal varnish, virtually anything with which he could produce a mark. When two or more materials came together well, or when accidents happened to the works, he gave consideration to serendipity and capitalised on it. In 1988 he was given oils and discovered how much fun they were and until recently used them exclusively.

With the end of the experiment, subsequent works became commercial since he’d built a reputation for himself, but the commercial aspect has not become an imperative. “Artistic pursuits influence my entire lifestyle and art has become a mission. A fanatic is fanatical twenty-four hours a day, and when I’m painting time doesn’t exist — as in dreaming.

Peter Millington, aka Geekie, lives and works in Opua.

Words: Theresa Sjoquist

WWW.THERESASJOQUIST.COM

BOX OFFICE TRUMBO

December 26

In this fascinating true story, Emmy Award winning actor Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) portrays Donald Trumbo, the successful Hollywood screenwriter who was blacklisted in the 1940s for being a communist. Also starring Diane Lane, Helen Mirren and Elle Fanning.

Trailer: y2u.be/E_e3Ak_ThwE Rating: M Offensive language & adult themes.

BROOKLYN

JANUARY 21, 2016

Brooklyn is an Irish romantic drama, directed by John Crowley with the script written by Nick Hornby, based on the novel of the same name by Colm Tóibín. Brooklyn tells the profoundly moving story of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), a young Irish immigrant navigating her way through 1950s Brooklyn.

Starring Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters.

Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=moXpUBRw5l4 Rating: M Sex scenes and offensive language.

DIRTY GRANDPA

JANUARY 28, 2016

Jason Kelly (Zac Efron) is one week away from marrying his boss’s ubercontrolling daughter, putting him on the fast track for a partnership at the law firm. However, when the straight-laced Jason is tricked into driving his foul-mouthed grandfather, Dick [Robert De Niro], to Daytona for spring break, his pending nuptials are suddenly in jeopardy. Between riotous frat parties, bar fights, and an epic night of karaoke, Dick is on a quest to live his life to the fullest and bring Jason along for the ride. Ultimately, on the wildest journey of their lives, ‘dirty’ Grandpa and his uptight grandson discover they can learn from one another and form the bond they never had.

Film clip: youtu.be/gWM3zIvbh_Q Rating: Restricted.

SPOTLIGHT

JANUARY 28, 2016

Spotlight tells the gripping true story of a team of Boston Globe reporters who launch a fearless investigation into child abuse allegations against the Catholic Church. What they eventually uncover is a shocking citywide scandal; almost ninety priests guilty but never convicted, legal settlements done in private, and a systematic cover-up of the abuse by church leadership.

Determined to leave no stone unturned in their hunt for the truth, their investigation soon threatens to bring down some of the city’s most powerful figures. Capturing the high-pressure world of in-depth reportage, Spotlight is a smart, thrilling depiction of journalism at its best. Starring Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams and Michael Keaton Film clip: goo.gl/intglQ Rating: TBC

125 Art & About Dec 2015

‘Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas’ Hospice Concert 126 Art & About Dec 2015

Back by popular demand, Tim Beveridge’s ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ concert returns for its third year. Joining Tim this year is much loved and celebrated iconic Kiwi entertainer Jackie Clarke.

With a voice that has been described as ‘effortless’ and ‘dazzling’, Tim and Jackie along with the magnificent vocal ensemble Laudamus and Stephen Small on piano, will capture the spirit of Christmas with an intimate, heartwarming and entertaining concert.

The event promises to provide a magical evening of music, fun and laughter with proceeds raised going to Mercy Hospice Auckland and Dove House Eastern Bays Hospice, to help provide care and support long after the festive season is over.

“Hospice is a very special organisation and I’m thrilled to be supporting the wonderful work they do in the community. I’ve recently had a family member looked after by Dove House and I have nothing but praise for their wonderful service and care,” says Tim. Jackie also has the most heartfelt respect for Hospice in particular for the incredible care given to her dad. “Hospice were a huge help to our family and I know first hand how much comfort they offer to people when they’re at their most vulnerable. I’m very happy to have the opportunity to croon some Christmas classics with Tim. It’s for a great cause, in a great venue, at one of my favourite times of the year.”

Enjoy an irresistible evening of music — the perfect way to sprinkle some Christmas cheer and get into the spirit of the festive season.

Date: Venue: Time:

Beverages will be available to purchase in foyer from 6.30pm.

Don’t miss out! Purchase your tickets at: www.iticket.co.nz/events/2015/dec/have-yourself-a-merry-littlechristmas-2015 To continue enjoying the Christmas spirit long after the concert, Tim’s best-selling Christmas CD will be available to purchase for $15 on the night of the concert. It features 11 beautifully recorded tracks, backed by some of New Zealand’s finest musicians.

Proceeds from every CD sale will go to support Hospice.

Saturday 20 February 2016

2016

SUMMER SCHOOL Monday 18 – Friday 22 January 2016 Join us for one of our week-long Summer School classes Eleven workshops led by prominent NZ artists including Allie Eagle, Cushla Parekowhai, Michel Tuffery, Matt McLean, Katie Smith and FLOX

Handbuilt Ceramics | Nature Journaling | Encaustics Printmaking | Stencil Art | Aluminium Casting | And more!

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$500 Feb 27-28 Register your interest and find out more at www.artinaday.org.nz

Visit www.ceac.org.nz or call (09) 838 4455 for info Image: Detail from a commisioned work by Hayley Williams, a.k.a FLOX

PROGRAMMES FOR CHILDREN

Mifold the Grab and Go Booster Car safety device for kids is 10x smaller than a booster seat

Traditionally, car safety seats for children work by lifting the child up to the height of the adult, so that the seatbelt can hold them securely in place.

Unfortunately, this means that car seats are cumbersome and parents generally keep them in one vehicle. But now, a new portable gadget called Mifold inverts the process and holds down the seatbelt instead, offering parents an affordable, convenient alternative to bulky booster seats.

To begin, the gadget is placed onto the seat and the child sits down on top. Then, the adult feeds the seatbelt through three belt guides, which are all adjustable. The device holds the belt firmly in place on the child’s hips and shoulder, avoiding

uncomfortable areas like the stomach, face or neck. Mifold can be used to secure children — from 4-12 years old — in any car.

Since it is light and portable it can be taken easily from vehicle to vehicle and used during carpools, vacations and taxi rides.

Mifold recently completely a successful crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, raising over USD750,000. It can now be preordered from USD39 for estimated delivery in May 2016.

WWW.MIFOLD.COM

128 Home & Design Dec 2015

for Inspired and Stylish Interiors

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Sleep Gallery FOR A LUXURIOUS SLEEP It is amazing what a good night’s sleep can do and how it makes such a difference to the quality of your life. New Zealand’s first Sleep Gallery concept store has now opened in Parnell. It’s a refreshingly new space with a unique approach in the sleep category.

The Sleep Gallery has a strong focus on what is truly best for the customer, taking into account the customers’ comfort and wellbeing. The Parnell showroom has a comprehensive selection of luxury beds, mattresses and accessories all under one roof.

Luxury sleep options under one roof

Sleep Gallery by Bedpost is the first of its kind in Australasia and owner/operators Narae and Adam Young both have a passion for quality customer service and have extensive experience in providing sleep solutions. They also have wider support with a team of experienced staff with extensive industry knowledge and together make customer satisfaction one of their top priorities.

The Sleep Gallery features exclusive products that have never been seen before in New Zealand. The focus is on quality over quantity, however all Sleep Gallery products are still at highly competitive prices. Discover a variety of mattresses, bases and adjustable lifestyle beds from recognised quality brands such as Tempur, Sealy Crown Jewel and Beautyrest Royale.

Unique to the Sleep Gallery is a dedicated Sleep Experience Zone.

This allows the customer to try mattresses in a private, relaxing environment. Kick off your shoes, and actually lie down for a rest.

Take your time to choose the perfect, luxurious new mattress.

After all it’s such a personal purchase and you want to choose the right option that suits your lifestyle.

So the next time you have bedroom furnishing needs or just want to experience what the ultimate in sleep luxury feels like, visit the Sleep Gallery at 101 The Strand, Parnell nestled between Matisse and Dawson & Co. SLEEP GALLERY 09 369 1273 email sales@sleepgallery.co.nz

101 THE STRAND, PARNELL, AUCKLAND NEXT TO MATISSE, +64 9 369 1273 SALES@SLEEPGALLERY.CO.NZ

ARTISAN ON THE MOVE

GROWING ORGANIC

130 Home & Design Dec 2015

Mt Eden is fast becoming the destination of choice for both discerning home owners and designers alike, and Artisan Flooring are right at the heart of it all in their new showroom at 31A Normanby Road.

The large open space is free flowing yet divided into zones to separate the range of products, including luxury and handmade rugs, sisal, blinds, awnings, New Zealand and international carpet brands.

Open to all, the Artisan team are design enthusiasts and are able to help guide you through the selection process and can arrange complete installation if required. They have exclusive relationships with an incredible selection of international brands, including Florence Broadhurst and Jan Kath, in addition to collaborations with a number of designers and artists. No matter the project, Artisan can help. Artisan offer a bespoke rug service which is complemented by a unique binding programme. This enables clients to custom-design their own rug by choosing from the vast range of flooring options, or even to bring in their own and Artisan will help them find a binding fabric or style to finish their rug.

You can also browse their extensive selection of window furnishings, featuring specialised solutions from internationally renowned Silent Gliss, Blinds by Peter Meyer, and Weinor awnings; complemented by locally manufactured Blinds by Artisan.

With over 30 years’ experience in the luxury flooring market, Artisan can help you make the right decision on product, texture, and colour for your floor.

Growing organically is something that many people aspire to do. Growing organically is better for us, better for the environment, and when done well can keep us inundated with masses of delicious seasonal food all year round.

Yet sadly many of us don’t, mainly because we’re short of time, unsure of what to do and often told that it requires a lot more work.

But this needn’t be the case. While dealing with pest incursions, or outbreaks of diseases may be difficult, the trick with organic gardening is to pre-emptively solve problems. And it all starts with having healthy soil.

- HEALTHY SOIL All too often we forget about how incredible soil is, instead we view soil as merely the weathered remains of once great mountains, or as a medium to keep plants anchored in.

But healthy soil is so much more than this. It’s actually a vibrant eco-system. In a teaspoon of healthy garden soil there can be as many as one billion beneficial bacteria, along with thousands of protozoa, and yards of beneficial fungal strands.

The benefits of having a rich and varied ecosystem beneath your feet are massive. Soil structure is improved, which helps both with drainage and increases the water holding capacity, while the beneficial microbes help feed plants and protects them from soil borne diseases.

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SOIL - ADD ORGANIC MATTER Adding compost and sheep pellets to your soil helps improve soil structure whilst providing an array of nutrients to the beneficial microbes and the plants in your garden.

- FARM WORMS Use worm farms to turn food scraps into highly nutritious substances full of beneficial microbes, perfect for adding a bit of life to your soil.

Use vermicast liquid as a liquid fertiliser to feed your plants and to increase the number of beneficial microbes in your soil.

- PROTECT PLANTS WITH FUNGUS There’s a locally made liquid feed called Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster that both stimulates microbial activity and helps protect and stimulate plant roots as it contains the beneficial fungus Trichoderma. Products like this are particularly good to use when growing plants susceptible to root diseases, such as avocados.

- KEEP THE SOIL MOIST Mulch and water your garden beds regularly through summer to ensure that your plants, and the beneficial microbes in your soil, can thrive.

Words: Billy Aiken

CREATING BEAUTIFUL KITCHENS FOR 30 YEARS

Great kitchens don’t just happen...

They happen by design.

Kitchens By Design knows what it takes to make a kitchen the multitasking heart of every home. After all, it has been making it happen since 1987 when it broke the mould of boring standard designs in favour of spaces that incorporated each owner’s personal choices and reflected their lifestyle. Since then its custom-made kitchens have won multiple awards from the industry and accolades from happy clients.

Visit the Newmarket showroom to see top-of-the-line products and talk to the experts.

Qualified design stars (between them they boast 90 years of experience) and their back-up team work with clients throughout the whole project, from concept design to manufacture and installation. They promise to get the job done on time, on budget, with minimum fuss and maximum enjoyment.

Thirty years ago that was a pretty daring idea. Today it’s just what you’d expect from Kitchens By Design.

7 MELROSE STREET, NEWMARKET KITCHENSBYDESIGN.CO.NZ MONDAY - FRIDAY, 9AM - 5PM SATURDAY 10-2.30PM 09 379 3084

It’s Our Anniversary

132

We’ve been in Newmarket for a year!

Home & Design

To celebrate we’ve introduced a new range

Dec 2015

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133 Home & Design Dec 2015

In a city that hasn’t been kind to hotel restaurants, Langham is a survivor. Home to Eight, this dining experience is the best in town with a philosophy that’s simple: source the best produce and make it shine!

134 Food Dec 2015

It’s difficult to keep flair on track from one kitchen let alone eight, but Langham has hit on a successful combination in their open-plan gastronomic showpiece.

Buffets are rarely a success but sensational cuisine provides an experience for diners that excites.

With a distinctively contemporary flourish its eightwork-stations turns out an eclectic menu of Asian and Western dishes, seafood, grill, carvery, salad bar with bread, cheese and dessert added in for good measure. What’s on the menu depends entirely on you. You might start with entrees of sushi, sashimi, oysters, mussels, crab, prawns, dim sum or a self-made salad. And if temptation rules sample smaller helpings first before deciding on a full plate. Leading the way from the grill, eye fillet, sirloin, pork,

EIGHT

Create exciting and vibrant dinners in just 15 minutes You get home from a busy day and you’re exhausted — you open the fridge and nothing inspires you and every recipe book you’ve got means 50 minutes of preparation. Oh, and you don’t have three critical ingredients!

Maybe a snack while you desperately search for inspiration, or maybe you end up ordering takeaways — full of dubious ingredients. Neither of those will help your waistline, or excite your taste buds.

How about an inspiring dinner you can prepare in 15 minutes?

That’s the mission of WOOP — World On Our Plate — a new food subscription business.

Each Sunday they deliver everything you need to create three new meals each week, inspired from around the world! Whether you are a time poor foodie or a complete kitchen novice, WOOP guarantees you can prepare dinner in just 15 minutes. The secret is in mise-enplace — it’s what chefs do in restaurants to cut down the time it takes to make food. It’s the preparation before the cooking. You simply have to follow a few instructions and get the satisfaction of making the finishing flourishes to each meal. Enjoy less time in the kitchen and have a top quality meal on your plate faster than ever.

Find out more about WOOP’s vibrant food delivery subscription (gluten-free options available) at woop.co.nz, and as a special gift to Verve readers you can get $25 off your first box by using the coupon code VERVE25.

lamb, veal, ostrich, venison, chicken or venison sausages. Seafood includes a selection of fresh fish and shellfish. John dory, snapper, hapuka, monk, gurnard, cockles, scampi, bugs and prawns to name a few. Passion and intensity lurks within the Indian section.

Favourites include samosa, butter chicken, beef vindaloo, lamb chops, beef marsala, rogan josh, rice, naan breads and pappadums.

And nothing can be made even more delicious than a helping of the dips, pickles, chutneys and yogurt.

While the savoury fare will most likely ground you, don’t pass up on dessert. Cream brulee, pannacotta, gateau, cheesecake, chocolate mousse, fruit salad with Movenpick ice cream or grannies favourite, bread and butter pudding.

CREATE EXCITING AND VIBRANT DINNERS INSPIRED FROM AROUND THE WORLD

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We create amazing recipes

The wine list is a big hitting line up of local and imported vintages including an excellent by-the-glass selection. And the verdict? We seldom score nines on the food front but this was one of those rare occasions where you can eat well without breaking the bank.

2.

We shop & pre-prepare all the ingredients

- REVIEW Menu: 9

Cuisine: 9

Décor: 7.5

Value for Money: 9

Wine List: 8

Service: 8.5

Expect to pay $95pp (Monday to Thursday) and $105pp (Friday to Sunday). Bookings essential. All credit cards (2% surcharge applies).

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Words: Dennis & Rosamund Knill

83 SYMONDS STREET AUCKLAND CITY PHONE 09 379 5132, WWW.LANGHAMHOTELS.COM

ORDER ONLINE AT

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Make this Christmas merry one with our great range of delicious a

organic produce from

SABATO'S FINE FOOD FAIRY TALE Sabato have come a long way in the past two decades.

22 years ago Jacqui and Phil Dixon sold imported fine food from Europe from a humble container.

In Mt Eden you’ll find a thriving upmarket retail store selling quality artisan products from Italy, Spain and France. I caught up with Jacqui as she prepares for Christmas which, as you’d expect, is especially hectic. “New Zealanders understand quality,” Jacqui says as she points to a group of chic retro tins before opening a funky transparent cube packed with small orange balls.

A case in point. The mandarin jellies are made by a 150 year old company. Pastiglie Leone comes from Turin, Italy. They may be small, yet they have an intense sweet and sunny flavour. The intensity, Jacqui explains, comes from the high concentration of fruit pulp and essential oils. No freeze-dried, diluted juices or fake flavours here. The jubes she says, are made in little wooden moulds using ancient machinery handed down from generation to generation like a scene out of Rumpelstiltskin’s castle.

Small beginnings have evolved into a significantly bustling operation. Sabato (pronounced Saa-baa-toe) is now an exclusive distributor and supplier of products to many restaurants, luxury lodges, fine food stockists and retailers, including their own store in Mt Eden.

The roll-call of clients such as The French Café, Prego, SPQR, Cibo, Cocos Cantina, Soul, Blanket Bay and Huka Lodge and dozens more, is impressive. Success has come from hard graft, based on loyalty and integrity. So it’s not surprising to learn that Sabato has a very good reputation at the higher end of the European food market.

Claudio Stefani, her long-time producer and descendant of the Giusti balsamic dynasty who’ve been making vinegar for over 400 years sings the New Zealand company’s praises. “You just have a scope that nobody else that I deal with has. The only importer we deal with who tastes at the source and takes it right through to the end to retail.”

It’s a hard earned reputation that’s been cultivated over the years by factory tastings around Europe’s countryside and partnerships with artisan producers. Sabato gets recommended from one family operation to another. Producer relationships are now intergenerational as the mum of two proudly mentions, “our kids have met their kids.”

“After 22 years of trading we are beginning to get the children of our original customers coming to us. Now we’re seeing the next generation,” Jacqui then recalls a story about receiving a client’s holiday snap. “It was of a big Sabato box photographed at their bach with all the ingredients tumbled out on the bench. The message said, “our holiday would not be complete without Sabato.”

The annual shipment of Christmas fare arrives in store midNovember. It’s a nail biting period. Sticking to the schedule is everything, given the short window. Luckily 15 years ago when pirates struck shipments in transit, Sabato’s goodies miraculously arrived on time.

So why is traditional European gourmet fare so popular with us at Christmas?

Kiwis’ broadmindedness, inherent travel lust and craving for an authentic experience all contribute Jacqui believes.

Jacqui describes her family’s annual ritual. “On Christmas morning we have a couple of panettone, we have mince pies, open a quality Prosecco which is a fine Italian version of champagne with delicious French peach nectars; it’s beautiful and simple.”

Spending time with Jacqui is a masterclass in ‘fine food’ appreciation. She teaches me about the fantastical aspects of Calabrian liquorice root powder, a key ingredient in the “big

beautiful black straps” Sabato sells. They come from “a ghostlike white root that’s quite spooky, which is then extracted in rustic-like cauldrons.” The same ingredient is used in menthol cigarettes. Philip Morris is her producer’s main client.

The ‘chocolatier twins of Piedmont’ is another tale of two brothers creating mouth-watering fillings of hazelnut, mint liquor and all sorts of creative flavour pairings in a tiny little factory built in the birthplace of Italian chocolate. Jacqui’s first visit with Flamigni, one of Sabato’s original producers who have been supplying it with nougat and panettone since 1993, was surprising.

“We walked into this room that contained beautiful huge copper bowls. I’d imagined meeting artisans there for the season who would be little old men because in Italy, nougat making is an acknowledged craft, a specialist art.”

Instead she was greeted by the sight of some “gorgeous strapping guys” and quickly realised that making nougat involves lots of muscle. “They roll it into long, balsa boxes whereas most companies roll them into steel boxes — so the whole process wasn’t what I anticipated.” According to Jacqui, some mass-produced nougats get overly complicated with peanuts and gelatine. Flamigni’s sound pure and simple. Just egg white, glucose, honey, a sprinkling of nuts and in the soft version, handfuls of very good quality candied fruit.

I’m told that the home of Flamigni’s panettone production and “ancient mother dough” is in Rodino in the North West of Italy.

“This mother dough is about one hundred years old and is split into two. One is kept under lock and key in a guarded fridge upstairs. The other one is downstairs, although you can smell it from the factory gate.”

Flamigni are “obsessive about their quality,” says Jacqui talking about the panettone’s jewels of candied fruit and the several risings. By comparison a lot of cheap industrial ones are made quickly and the downside is that they also need to be heated.

While those made by Flamigni melt in your mouth.

“So instead of a heavy, English Christmas cake, it’s actually much more suited to our humid, hot New Zealand summer.” Another story involves crazy Sicilians, a panettone and the Pope. “There was a video another of one of our producers, Fiasconaro played at a trade show presenting Pope Francesco, the current pontiff with this huge panettone. They’re crazy because they also sent a cake into space.”

Sounds like Jacqui and Phil through the years have dealt with some characters. “It’s like a fairy tale. Generations of people who care about quality and what they do.” And Jacqui’s top taste tip?

“Open the packet. For panettone you can serve with mascarpone, but actually a glass of Prosecco is so much nicer. Remember to have a sharp knife ready to cut nougat.”

Words: Sarah Sparks

137 Food Dec 2015

MARKET PLACE 138 Market Place Dec 2015

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A JUTE BED WITH A CUSTOM STENCIL OR A FABRIC BED IN A COLOUR OF YOUR CHOICE *

you know the working life of a dog can be extended by two years when he sleeps on a wool bed? Hard working farm dogs and police dogs have benefitted enormously from sleeping on Kiwi Wool beds.

Our happy customers also include ‘Sparky’ an exhausted Golden Retriever who manages the Zealong Tea Plantation and ‘Dennis’ a hard working Blue Heeler, who after a long day of work comes home to find the resident cat on his bed!

Kiwi Wool designs and produces a wide range of standard, customised and personalised wool pet beds to suit individual requirements. Kiwi Wool is a family business which grew from a boutique wool buying, processing and insulation business established in Hawke’s Bay in 1997 by the Mackintosh family.

Kiwi Wool now has a regular presence at Victoria Park Market, Matakana Indie Market as well as other annual and monthly events throughout Auckland. We also deliver throughout New Zealand and overseas. Visit www.kiwiwool.co.nz to see our full range and follow us on Facebook to see where we will be visiting next!

Made from safe natural hard wearing wool, cotton, canvas and jute, Kiwi Wool Pet Beds keep your pet warm in winter and cool in summer. The unique properties of wool create a micro climate for your pet, keeping his/her body temperature stable and bed dry and well ventilated. Kiwi Wool Pet Beds aid circulation and healing and help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis which vastly improves quality of life for older dogs. Did

WOOP — World On Our Plate UP FOR GRABS:

1 X TABLE FOR TWO (VALUED AT $109) * WOOP — World On Our Plate is a new food subscription business.

On Sunday they deliver everything you need to create three exciting and vibrant dinners, inspired from around the world! Whether you are a time poor foodie or a complete kitchen novice, WOOP guarantees you can prepare dinner in just 15 minutes. The secret is in mise-enplace — it’s what chefs do in restaurants to cut down the time it takes to make food. It’s the preparation before the cooking. You simply have to follow a few instructions and get the satisfaction of making the finishing flourishes to each meal. Enjoy less time in the kitchen and have a top quality dinner on your plate faster than ever.

WOOP.CO.NZ

- New Zealand At The Beach Competition -

Win a leisurely 2.5 hour heritage sailing for two people on the Brigantine Breeze in 2016 (Value NZ$130) PLUS Sift through your old photo albums for pictures that reflect your best family and personal memories of time spent at the beach.

Click on the NZ Maritime Museum link below to share your images and stories for a chance to win another great prize package. www. maritimemuseum.co.nz/new-zealand-beach-competition. See page 63 for more details

Win with Verve this Month!

Fix Your Back/Fix Your Neck Pain Headache & Migraine UP FOR GRABS:

TWO SETS OF BOOKS WRITTEN BY MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN SPECIALIST DR GIRESH KANJI (PHD) FOR ANYONE WHO SUFFERS FROM BACK PAIN, NECK PAIN, HEADACHE & MIGRAINE. * Fix Your Back and Fix Your Neck Pain, Headache & Migraine are easy to read books written to help you understand and manage your pain. Read how stress aggravates pain and what you can do about it. Read about postures that will increase and reduce your pain. Read what investigations including X-rays and MRI scans tell you about your back and neck. The books are superbly illustrated with full colour gloss pictures throughout.

Fix Your Back was published in 2013 and is currently the fastest selling back pain book in New Zealand with nearly 10 000 copies sold. Fix Your Neck Pain, Headache & Migraine was released in 2015. Both books are available at Whitcoulls, Paper Plus and bookstores throughout New Zealand.

DRKANJI.CO.NZ

TOUS

UP FOR GRABS:

1 X CUSTOMISED HANDBAG OF YOUR CHOICE. * TOUS BY YOU. Design your own handbag. It’s simple and easy….

Visit www.tousbyyou.com. On the customize page — choose bags — then follow the fun instructions.

To enter the competition for a free bag, take a screen shot of the bag you have designed and email to intern@vervemagazine. co.nz. At the end of January 16, the team at Verve will choose their favourite design. Tous will then create the winning design and dispatch to the winner.

It really is a lot of fun — so go on have a try. Good luck!

Crossword Answers Across: 1 Peril, 4 Parnell, 8 Brief, 11 Emmenthal, 12 Newmarket, 13 Abeyant, 14 Velocipede, 16 Usage, 17 Knocker, 19 Music, 21 Expo, 23 Sweetie, 24 Endear, 27 Orchid, 28 Knoweth, 29 Iris, 32 Ninja, 33 Prosaic, 34 Totem, 36 Pavlovians, 39 Yankees, 41 Narrative, 42 Re-examine, 44 Arena, 45 Midweek, 46 Drive.

Down: 1 Pie, 2 Remuera, 3 Linkages, 4 Pohutukawa, 5 Rule, 6 Ernie, 7 Lawcourt, 8 Bear in mind, 9 Inkle, 10 Father Christmas, 13/38 A pukeko in a ponga tree, 15 Come into, 18 Knitwear, 20 Shear, 22 Pecan, 25 Pinacolada, 26/35 Sticky Beak the kiwi, 30 Optimism, 31 Standard, 37 Verve, 38 No end, 43 Eve.

*Entering Verve's competitions is simple. Like our Facebook, facebook.com/VerveMagazine, then visit vervemagazine.co.nz/competitions/ and follow the directions. Good Luck!

VIRGIN BIRTHS As an open-minded atheist, while I accept that there probably existed a charismatic Jewish preacher named Jesus born some 2,000 years ago, the idea of an immaculate conception is as fantastical to me as the notion of a magical red-nosed reindeer. So it was with a certain resigned sadness that I read the details of a recently published study in the British Medical Journal of nearly 8,000 women aged 15 to 28 which revealed one in 200 of them claim to have become mothers without ever having sex.

Many of the ‘virgin’ mothers interviewed for this study, conducted by the University of North Carolina, shared some revealing, though perhaps not so surprising, traits. Namely, strong religious beliefs and parents reluctant to discuss sex or birth control. Nearly a third had even signed a ‘chastity pledge’ vowing to remain celibate until marriage.

The existence of a pregnant virgin is entirely feasible when it comes to the concept of IVF, however (this did not apply to the study above). Earlier this year British doctors told the Mail on Sunday that at least 25 heterosexual women had given birth having had fertility treatment that bypassed the need for physicality with a man. “A small percentage [of our patients] have never been in a relationship and never had sexual intercourse,” says Maha Ragunath, medical director of One is Care Fertility. “They are extremely happy to go ahead on their own and don’t care about the implications that might bring for the child of how they would go into a new relationship.” Some are not comfortable with the trend. “The diminished role of the father is not desirable for the child,” says Josephine Quintavalle of the group Comment on the Reproductive Ethics. “Once you start down this route, where do you stop?” The message from nature, she adds, is for a male and female to have a child.

Nature, however, sometimes has other ideas.

A new study published in the journal Current Biology has found that the smalltooth sawfish, a highly endangered ray found in the

www.rawessen tials.co.n z

Atlantic Ocean, can produce young by cutting out the (middle) man with females able to fertilise their own eggs. Virgin births, which is scientifically termed ‘parthenogenesis’, are in fact far older than Christmas, with examples found in a range of species including birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish. Scientists are still not entirely sure why.

On 14 December 2001, one of three captive adult female bonnethead sharks gave birth to a healthy female pup in the United States. Demien Chapman of Stony Brook University in New York state conducted a genetics test which confirmed no male shark had been involved. “It seems to be something a wide variety of sharks can do,” he told the BBC. Five years later, two different Komodo dragons at two different UK zoos also gave birth having never been wooed by a male dragon counterpart.

In 2012, an 11-year-old six-metre reticulated python named Thelma gave birth to six babies, without mating, at Louisville Zoo. “Pythons are an old, ancient species. We’ve seen this in more advanced species like garter snakes,” Warren Booth, a biologist at the University of Tulsa tells National Geographic. “…

It’s something we used to consider an evolutionary novelty that’s much more common than we thought.”

But with Christmas upon us, it’s only fair to finish with a fowl.

During the 1800s reports were rife of virgin births within the chicken community. Researchers then found similar occurrence within populations of turkeys, with laid unfertilised eggs producing live young. A more recent study published by Oxford University Press found that as many as 30% of unfertilised eggs can spontaneously spawn life. It also kind of solves the age old problem of who came first. No one did.

Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

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