Verve February 2014 by Verve Magazine

Verve Auckland’s Boutique Magazine.

The Intelligent Design Issue WITH

Charlie Brown on Nuffield St PLUS KITCHENS BY DESIGN ARCHITECTURE AS ART LE DÎNER EN BLANC BIRMINGHAM’S JEWELLERY QUARTER MODERN LOVE

FEBRUARY 2014

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

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

Parnell 09 366 0015

FEBRUARY 2014

Jun Developments Ltd. / Developers of middle to high-end residential and commercial properties

Financing Asset and Investment Management Development and Construction Management Speculative ground-up development Property Management Strategic Real Estate Consulting Tenant Upfits and Improvements Capital and repair projects including system replacements, roof replacements, and other infrastructure upgrades Facility Renovations

www.jungroup.co.nz info@jungroup.co.nz Level 14 The AIG Building 41 Shortland Street, Auckland 09 362 0033

INVOLVED IN AWARD WINNING PROJECTS FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

FEBRUARY 2014

Team McMillan BMW

Newmarket

THE NEW BENCHMARK. THE ALL- NEW BMW X5 HAS ARRIVED. The first generation BMW X5 invented the Sports Activity Vehicle class. It was the first of its kind, combining all-wheel-drive capabilities with the kind of luxury, performance and driving dynamics you could only find in a BMW. The second generation BMW X5 continued this winning formula delivering class-leading dominance, making it New Zealand’s best selling premium SUV. But now a new benchmark is about to be set. The much anticipated third generation BMW X5 has finally arrived in New Zealand, bringing with it entirely new levels of performance and innovation.

• CONNECTED DRIVE FEATURES INCLUDING:

Drive away from*

- BMW HEAD-UP DISPLAY

- PARK DISTANCE CONTROL WITH 360 DEGREE SURROUND VIEW

129,500

441

per weekˆ

- ADAPTIVE BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS WITH HIGH BEAM ASSIST - DRIVING ASSISTANT SAFETY SUITE •

iDRIVE TOUCHPAD CONTROLLER

•

NAVIGATION SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL

•

FULLY-AUTOMATIC TAILGATE OPERATION

•

THIRD ROW SEVEN SEAT OPTION

Visit BMW Team McMillan today to test drive the all-new BMW X5 and find out why BMW is the number one selling premium vehicle in New Zealand and around the world.

INTELLIGENT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

*Offer based on Drive Away Price. Finance offer based on Loan agreement consisting of a 36 month contract, 10.99% interest rate with a 20% deposit and a final payment of $64,000 for the X5 30d. Drive Away Price is the BMW recommended retail price for the purchase of a new unregistered BMW. It includes GST, first full tank of fuel, 12-month registration, and all other costs required for final delivery of the vehicle. Offer expires 28/02/2014 and is subject to BMW Financial Services lending criteria.

BMW0012_MCM_VM

Team McMillan BMW 7 –15 Great South Road, Newmarket. (09) 524 3300 www.teambmw.com

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

Editors’ Note Setting Intentions Of course, like most people, we aspire to be healthier in the New Year. Maybe we really will end our love affair with the Magnum family, in particular desist from buying double caramel from the service station down the road at 9 o’clock at night when the longing for something sweet is irresistible — and we will definitely visit MyYogaOnline more then twice a year in a bid to maintain workplace wellness. Maybe 2014 will see that move towards holistic living. Who knows? We have another resolution too, one that involves a weekly routine almost totally devoid of reading, the serious kind that is. How many times do we come home from work, flop into our favourite chair and check what’s on TV? Just seems so much easier than cracking open a book. The summer break and The Luminaries presented the perfect opportunity to work on this problem, but despite all

good intentions, when it came down to Homeland or ‘the tome,’ Homeland won hands down. So here’s the real resolution: Every weekend, we plan to escape our technology, even if only for an hour or two, turning off the computer, silencing the phone, and focusing on words on a page in front of us. With the ever-increasing distractions of technology, getting back into the habit of pouring over the pages of a book, rather than gazing at a screen could be a little daunting; thankfully there are magazines, those wonderfully relaxing flippable reads, to help bridge the gap. And of course there is Verve, your favourite free magazine, offering upbeat, life embracing, scannable, readable, bite size chunks of information. We remain passionate about the articles we bring to you in each issue — pieces that celebrate

life, provide a guide to better living, and help to bridge the gap between The Hunger Games and pouring over more serious print on paper. At Verve, resolutions or no, we’re all excited about 2014. The year has started off with some exciting news for the Verve team, with some of us looking forward to celebrating family weddings local and off shore! Auckland and New York — it can’t get much more exciting than that! We plan to capture this personal excitement and harness it in Verve, which will continue to burst with beautiful design, fashion, style and meaningful editorial content. To all our clients, customers and loyal readers — we wish you a positive and successful 2014.

Editors’ Pick CAROLINE GOMEZ PLANTER Caroline Gomez Suspended Goat Leather Planter. Caroline Gomez devotes the heart of her work to creating objects in limited series: a real celebration of natural raw materials and craftsmanship. Her creations are often described as minimalist and poetic, which is both a strong visual identity and a logical relationship between manufacturing process and the story the objects tell. Her work is rooted in daily life and present time through the uses and pleasures it enhances, in an effort to de-clutter our daily environment. Available from www.fatherrabbit.com. RRP $44

Next issue, Verve March — Autumn Fashion + Meet The Aesthetic Masters

VerveMagazine — Editors-in-chief: Fran Ninow and Jude Mitchell Writers: Jamie Desplaces and Angus Brown Layout Design: J. David Contributors: Neil Gussey, Paris Mitchell, Julien Erwin, Jean-Christophe Poizat, Shirani Alfreds, Melissa Kachelhoffer, Ryan Renwick, Jackie O’Fee, Doris Mousdale and Renee Lang

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

VERVE MAGAZINE is published monthly (except in January) and has an estimated readership of 40,000. It is a free community/ lifestyle magazine delivered to selected homes, cafés and businesses in the following areas: Parnell, Newmarket, Remuera, 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, LJ Hooker – Remuera, Frame by Frame, Constant Cravings, Barfoot & Thompson Parnell, Quest Hotels – Parnell, Remuera, and Newmarket, Parnell Community Centre and Library, Verve Café, Robert Harris – Remuera, Teed Street Larder and Level 1, 430 Broadway, Newmarket (above Mini showroom). Verve is also available from all popular cafés in its main distribution areas as well as in E-book format. The entire content of this publication is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior permission in writing of the copyright owner. Any material submitted for publication is at the owner’s risk. Neither Verve Magazine Ltd nor its agents accept any responsibility for loss or damage. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information contained in this publication, the publisher cannot accept any liability for inaccuracies that may occur. The views and suggestions expressed in this magazine are those of individual contributors and are not necessarily supported by Verve Magazine Ltd. Verve is printed by Webstar and distributed by AdMail. www.vervemagazine.co.nz

COVER Part of Verve’s “Nuffield Street for Fashion” (p22) Photography: Neil Gussey Location: Nuffield St and Trees Furniture on Broadway Model wears: Princess Charlotte – The Bentley Wicked wrap dress Charlie Brown, bag and necklace stylists own

FEBRUARY 2014

WE DON’T DO ENCORES.

Welcome The neW mini eDiTionS To The STaGe. These two are just getting warmed up. The MINI Countryman Stone Edition owns the streets, with over $14,000 worth of highly tuned spec*. And the Rockfield Edition rips up the road with over $17,000 worth of eye-catching kitˆ. STone eDiTion:

rocKFielD eDiTion:

• MINI Navigation

• John Cooper Works Exterior Body Kit

• MINI Visual Boost Digital Display

• John Cooper Works Chili Package Interior & Exterior Elements

• Harmon Kardon HiFi Sound System

• MINI Navigation & Visual Boost Digital Display

• Bluetooth Handsfree Kit with USB Connectivity

• Harmon Kardon HiFi Sound System

• 18” Turbo Fan Light Alloy Wheels

• Bluetooth Handsfree Kit with USB Connectivity

• Chili Package Interior & Exterior Elements

• 18” Twin Spoke Black Burnished Wheels

• Cooper 90kw Engine (Automatic) plus Sports Button

• Cooper S 135kw Engine (Automatic) plus Sports Button

• MINI’s 3 Year Schedule Service, Warranty Plan & Roadside Assistance

DriVe aWaY For onlY $49,900.

DriVe aWaY For onlY $59,900.

*MINI Stone Edition is based on a MINI Countryman Cooper (Drive Away $43,700) with added specifications valued at over $14,000. ˆMINI Rockfield Edition is based on a MINI Countryman Cooper S (Drive Away $51,500) with added specifications valued at over $17,000. Contact your MINI Garage for full specification details.

MIN009_MCM_VM

The road is your stage. Head to Team mcmillan mini GaraGe, 430 Broadway, Newmarket. 0800 548 352. mini.co.nz

Contents WIN WITH VERVE! 82.

With with Linden Leaves, Studio 81, Electrolux and more!

Designer Tees To Fight Breast Cancer

28.

Fashion by Paris

INTELLIGENT DESIGN

30.

Tighten And Tone Your Face With A Workout

Architecture As Art

16.

32.

Beauty And Comfort

Facial Mini-Gym Success

The Jewellery Quarter Of Middle Earth

34.

Eat Less – Move More

FASHION

FOOD 4 THOUGHT

22.

40.

www.bellephotography.co.nz bellephotography@xtra.co.nz 027-485-1993

Nuffield Street For Fashion

42.

Made in New Zealand

44.

Indoi: Sublime Indian Dining

BEAUTY & HEALTH ART & ABOUT

12.

18.

26.

Le Dîner en Blanc

49.

Black Door Gallery

50.

JOURNEYS

YOUNG AT HEART

58.

76.

Malaysia

59.

Leaving Travel Plans Up To The Expert

62.

Butterfly Bay

64.

Freedom Camping

Crafting Dreams

54.

Verve Interviews Buckwheat And Tess Tickle

BUSINESS & SOCIETY 67. Making Waves

Quality Children’s Eyewear

77.

Swimming, An Important Life Skill

PETS 78.

Killer Grapes!

78.

Worm Farming On The Rise

79.

VALENTINE’S DAY

68.

The Art Of Lying

56.

Real Food For Cats And Dogs

70.

79.

Modern Love

57.

Still Single?

PORTRAITS WITH A DIFFERENCE

Flick The Switch

The Dog Club

Now on.

Continental Cars FEBRUARY 2014

42 Great South Road, Newmarket, Auckland Phone (09) 526 6940 Email audisales@continentalcars.co.nz Web www.continentalcars.co.nz

Only in February This February is Audi Open Haus, which means incredible offers on a range of top Audi models. This month, you can receive a $14,000 upgrade on the Q7, a $10,900 upgrade on both the A4 and the A5 Sportback, plus a $7,000 upgrade on the A1 Amplified – all absolutely free. Also, visit us at the dealership and be among the first to see our latest model range, including the sporty Audi RS 6 Avant, the RS 7 and the S3 Sportback – as well as the all-new Audi A3 Sedan. For Febuary, Continental Cars are also offering a free software systems check and quality enhancements update throughout the month on any Audi - phone 526-6940 to book.

audi.co.nz/openhaus Offers vary by model and are available while stocks last. Valid until 28 February 2014.

Q/3, Q/3, Q/3. 2013 A1 Sportback 1.4T FSI Sport Glacier White WAS $39,900

2012 A1 Sportback 1.4T Sport Plus Phantom Black WAS $44,900

2013 A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSi S line Scuba Blue WAS $52,900

NOW $36,900

NOW $38,900

NOW $49,900

Buy the Audi Q3 and pay 1/3 now, 1/3 in a year and 1/3 in two years – all at 0% finance.* 2011 A4 2.0TDI Multi Avant S line Quartz Grey WAS $57,900

2013 A4 Avant 1.8 TFSI Multi S line Glacier White WAS $73,900

2012 A5 Sportback 2.0T quattro S line Ice Silver WAS $62,900

NOW $49,900

NOW $68,900

NOW $54,900

2013 S5 3.0T FSI quattro S Tronic Coupe Ice Silver WAS $109,900

2013 S6 4.0 TFSI quattro S tronic Quartz Grey WAS $136,900

2011 A7 Sportback 3.0 TFSi quattro S line Daytona Grey WAS $89,900

NOW $99,900

NOW $129,900

NOW $84,900

If you’ve ever thought about owning an Audi SUV, there’s never been a better time to buy one than right now. The Q3 is the most compact, efficient and flexible SUV we’ve ever built, featuring a host of the latest innovations. Plus right now, you can take advantage of our outstanding finance offer and pay the alreadylow price of $74,000 over three years – all at 0% interest. To take a test drive, contact us today. Or to find out more visit www.audi.co.nz/Q3offer *Terms and conditions apply. Available on the 2.0 TDI only. Offer available until 31 March 2014 or while stocks last.

2013 Q3 2.0TDI quattro S tronic S line Sphere Blue WAS $69,900

2013 Q7 3.0 TDI quattro Tiptronic S line Lava Grey WAS $114,900

2013 Q7 4.2 TDI quattro Tiptronic Lava Grey WAS $129,900

NOW $65,900

NOW $107,900

NOW $119,900

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

INTELLIGENT DESIGN

Trenzseater TRENZSEATER is the obvious choice for those wanting the interior of their homes to exude style and sophistication through their exquisite taste in exclusive furniture, drapery, blinds and wallpaper! At TRENZSEATER we have tailored a specialised interior design service for clients who wish to have expert, profession and sound advice in developing the interiors of their residential or commercial properties, both internationally and within New Zealand. Whatever your project involves, you’ll benefit from the outstanding expertise of our professional interior design team across a range of disciplines to ensure a unique and individual result. Presenting the very best in all design elements for your project will ensure we achieve an exceptionally unique and individualistic result. This approach has earned TRENZSEATER a renowned reputation within the industry for detailing some of the finest residential and commercial properties. Our interior design consultants can accommodate all design briefs, and have extensive knowledge and experience in working with architects, designers and retail clients. This service caters to all the design processes involved, specifying and supplying all the furniture, drapery, wallpaper and blinds required for the project, including installation and onsite management. This service also caters to all the detailing you may require as far as rugs, lighting, accessories, bedlinen and dinnerware. Although TRENZSEATER designs and manufacturers its own collection of furniture, we also distribute and represent a lot of other brands which we can specify for your project so you are being exposed to the very best products available for your project. TRENZSEATER is also a LUXAFLEX showcase retailer — we have a full collection of LUXAFLEX product on display in our showrooms where our consultants can assist and discuss your every query from roller blinds and duettes through to venetians and shutters. TRENZSEATER has expertise in an exquisite international collection of drapery and wallpapers, this large collection of beautiful fabrics and wallpapers are certainly the most comprehensive collection in the market with excellent advice and knowledge from our sales consultants.

TRENZSEATER will offer you a design which is distinctive, modern and sophisticated. Your home is an escape where you can relax, entertain and enjoy. See opposite page for contact details.

DESIGN FEBRUARY 2014

F UR N I TU R E

INTERIOR DESIGN

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B LI N D S

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MAYFAIR COFFEE TABLE TRUNK BALMORAL ARMCHAIR

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DA GAMA CAMPAIGN - SIDE TABLE MERCURY ARMCHAIR

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TRENZSEATER Auckland I 80 PARNELL RD, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND. T. (09) 303 4151 TRENZSEATER Christchurch I 121 BLENHEIM RD, CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND. T. (03) 343 0876 Opening hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm, Sunday 11am - 4pm

Meet us on facebook today at www.facebook.com/trenzseater

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

ARCHITECTURE AS ART Words: Julien Erwin

Carte blanche. Two words that every creative dreams of when given a brief. Apart from budget there was only one stipulation – it must be a secondary home. Freed from the usual requirements inherent in the design of a primary residence, some of the world’s most innovative young architects were enticed by the prospect of participating in Christian Bourdais’ extraordinary scheme – Solo Houses. Bourdais is neither a real estate developer nor an architect, he is just passionate about innovative architecture. By the end of 2008 he had secured fifty hectares of land two and a half hours south of Barcelona in the mountains close to the national park of Matarranya. This afforded each potential homeowner their own parcel of land, the freedom to enjoy a holiday home close to nature and to experience living in an extraordinary space. The architects got to work. Amongst the dozen consultancies from around the world are Pezo von Ellrichshausen, Sou Fujimoto, Didier Faustino, Office KGDVS, Studio Mumbai, Johnston Marklee, MOS Office and TNA Takei Nabeshima. The results are astonishing. Being disentangled from the daily grind and the confines of daily living in a traditional family home afforded the buyers the opportunity to unwind and experience an architectural decompression chamber. These holiday homes provide not only a place to relax in, but environments in which the inhabitants must explore different ways of actually moving around the house, of looking at views from strange angles, of using furniture that form part of the structure of the building and literally living in a ‘work of art’. The designs are as varied as they are wild. One design resembles a set of inverted T’s and is stridently fixed on its horizontal and vertical axes, one balances on a monolithic plinth, another mimics a series of match

boxes, while others defy gravity and seem to hover apologetically above the surrounding flora. There are two houses in particular that have attracted more global attention than the others and for good reason. They are startling, and extravagant and would not work as primary residences due to their outrageous and somewhat demanding layouts. Sou Fujimoto is a shining star in the celestial firmament of celebrated architects. A graduate of Tokyo University in 2000, a lecturer at UCLA and frequent award winner, he designed a house that looks like an orderly bunch of “pick up sticks”. Fujimoto does not stray far from his Japanese heritage when it comes to design. He focuses on multi-functional spaces and in particular on the “engawa” — the space that is neither indoors or outdoors but the space in-between. The movement between the interiors and exteriors is blurred and gradual, encouraging the inhabitants to utilise the space in a nomadic way, enjoying their environment at various times of day and in different weather conditions. Fujimoto says, “designing a house is like designing a landscape,” and he feels that our appreciation of the outdoors is more important than ever. The positioning of trees and the flow of air are integral to all of his designs and takes the concept of ‘eco-friendly’ houses to a new level. The second residence is one that was designed by French artist and architect Didier Faustino. His unabashed Casa Solo Faustino takes architectural conviviality to extremes. Certainly this is not a house that can be lived in permanently with its extruded angles, skewed vistas and diagonal planes. It looks more like a fallen star or a giant asterisk or, as some have described it, a meteorite that has crashed into the side of a hill. Whatever your take on it is, it presents enormous challenges for its inhabitants who need the nerve and

01 — Solo House, Didier Faustino 02 — Inside detail of Solo House, Didier Faustino 03 — Inside detail of Solo House, Sou Fujimoto 04 — Round House by Johnston Marklee Architects

energy to live in a series of extrusions that radiate out from a central core and who are prepared to view life from a variety of cinematic angles. It is literally like living in an artwork and not for the fainthearted! Take a whacky developer, a bunch of highly creative minds and adventurous buyers and you get a constellation of stellar ‘habitable works of art’ that challenge both the designers and the residents to leap beyond the boundaries of the ordinary into the realm of the fantastic.

FEBRUARY 2014

“

These holiday homes provide not only a place to relax in, but environments in which the inhabitants must explore different ways of actually moving around the house, of looking at views from strange angles, of using furniture that forms part of the structure of the building and literally living in a ‘work of art’.

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

01 — Open plan living and dining with a 12 foot high container kitchen 02 — Hot Pink room with a built in entertainment cabinet 03 — White washed bamboo floors and staircase, LED star lights with a 24 foot high glass curtain wall 04 — Recycled ceiling tiles and custom designed wallpaper by Mary Ann Strandell 05 — The galley-style kitchen with glossy white cabinet and expansive windows

Home Container

Home Contained and BNIM are presently working on a new prototype one-container home design that will be ideal for emergency disaster relief housing. The same design would also adapt for a new Green Mobile Home Park, tiny homes for small urban sites, guest homes for the backyard, or a camping cabin. The price range for the completed containers delivered to the site start at $150 per square foot. Home Contained also offers all interior furnishings, kitchens, and bathrooms for these units at a variety of price points. Manufactured in China and designed to pass International Building Codes, these homes are easily available worldwide. Building vibrant communities from container building blocks — complete with apartment buildings, boutique hotels, and small restaurants — is Home Contained’s focus and BNIM’s expertise. Debbie Glassberg (of Home Contained) is an industrial designer and raw food enthusiast with an impressive list of credentials and a mind for all things creative. BNIM holds a deep knowledge around sustainable building techniques and a willingness to tackle anything, making them an important part of the Home Contained team. The team is hard at work perfecting the configurations that make Home Contained a siteready solution for projects of all kinds — bringing simple, bold, and beautiful solutions to a site near you.

FEBRUARY 2014

The Design Team at Kitchens by Design, Love Design! Our team of ‘designing women’ are passionate about great design and believe that great kitchens don’t just happen... they happen by design. Their Design Team — Linda Christensen, Sue Gillbanks and Maggie Gardner are all certified and qualified professionals with over 70 years of design experience between them. They maintain reliable relationships with their manufacturers and suppliers that span over 25 years, so clients can be assured they are in expert hands. They are all passionate about creating ultimate lifestyle spaces for your home and will guide you through the myriad of products available today. They design New Zealand custom-made kitchens and bathrooms; functional living spaces, as individual as the clients who live in them. Their expertise extends to working with their clients throughout their project, from concept design to manufacturing and installation of the finished product. The large collection of design awards and their happy, satisfied client base are testament to their talents. Call or visit the design team today!

SHOWROOM 228 Orakei Road, Remuera 09 379 3084 www.kitchensbydesign.co.nz

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK TODAY AT www.facebook.com/ Kitchens-By-Design

Beauty And Comfort Barbara Barry, Designer for Baker, U.S.A. tour of Asia/New Zealand. Cavit&Co hosted internationally renowned designer, Barbara Barry as part of her Asia/New Zealand Tour during November, 2013. Baker presented The Barbara Barry Collection at the Spring 2011 International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C. The sumptuous 62-piece collection includes living room, dining room, and bedroom casegoods and upholstery, lighting, mirrors, and tabletop pieces.

The collection bridges Barry’s earlier Baker designs in a seemingly effortless way, exuding a relaxed, yet sensual personality and character. “Original yet classic, this new collection for Baker is timeless, speaking to a vision of mine that has ripened over a long and loving career devoted to beauty,” explains Barry. “The designs work well together as they are from the same hand. I like seeing the original pieces in the new finishes and blending them with the new collection. There is a ‘simple elegance,’ a hint of restraint, a whisper of resolve. Each piece has been pared down to live in harmony with other pieces, whether from my collection, other collections, antiques or modern pieces.”

01 — Barbara Barry 02 — Swell Accent Table, designed by Barbara Barry for Baker and Script Arm Chair designed by Barbara Barry for McGuire 03 — Barbara Barry Upholstered bed; Upholstered Ottoman; bedside table; Penn Paddle lounge chair; Waistline table lamp.

The award-winning, multi-disciplined interior designer has created homes for many prominent American families. Barry’s designs for commercial and private spaces are international in scope and sophisticated in mood. These prestigious commissions range from restaurants and stores to private estates, offices, and yachts. Her residential projects have graced homes in cities such as Beverly Hills, Malibu, Maui, Chicago, and Jackson Hole. Some of her prominent projects include: Eli Broad’s Foundation office along with his Manhattan apartment in the Sherry Netherland, the Savoy Grill in London, Michael Mina’s restaurant in the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, the Avon Spa in New York, and the Barbara Barry galleries in Bangkok and Moscow. Praise from her peers and the press has also earned Barbara Barry a distinctive place in design. Her awards include the Interior Design “Hall of Fame,”

Architectural Digest “World’s 100 Best Designers,” House Beautiful “Giants of Design,” and “Designer of the Year” from Elle Décor International Design. Additionally, she has been awarded the ASID “Designer of Distinction,” “Star of Design” for Lifetime Achievement at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, Traditional Home “Designer of the Year,” and Interiors Magazine “Best in Residential Design.” Barbara Barry’s partnership with Baker began in 1996, unveiling a collection infused with a modern sensibility and reflecting her passion for symmetry, scale and proportion. The resounding response from media, designers and consumers could be heard the world over, leaving everyone wanting more. The collection continued to evolve over the next decade creating iconic pieces such as her High-Heeled Nesting Tables and Oval X Back Chair and numerous other signature forms that have withstood the test of time. Beyond her collection for Baker, Barry has also designed highly successful collections for sister companies McGuire, Ann Sacks and Kallista, as well as other luxury brands. “As a designer I work on many things at the same time and love that organic way of working,” says Barry. “I have a passion for process and find inspiration through observation and awareness. I am taken by the simplest things… the shape of an egg, the colour of water in a bathtub, the clouds in the sky.” It is this appreciation that stands as testimony to Barry’s design continuum, abilities and vision to capture and hold the imagination no matter the medium.

“I believe people want more thoughtful interiors that reflect themselves and not a design trend,” explains Barry. “Modernism is here to stay but there has been an evolution in its approach, there is more warmth and simplicity, which I believe is the ultimate luxury.”

Barbara’s designs for Baker, McGuire and Henredon are available exclusively from Cavit&Co, www.cavitco.com

creating beautiful homes from the

World’s premium furniture and accessory collections providing a full interior design service. Ralph Lauren Home | Baker | Baxter Bolier | Frette | Lalique Auckland Arrowtown

McGuire

547a Parnell Road, Parnell 1052 | Tel +64 9 358 3771 18 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown 9302 | Tel +64 3 442 0128 Email info@cavitco.com | www.cavitco.com

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The Jewellery Quarter of Middle Earth Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

People of Birmingham, United Kingdom, are known as Brummies and for the sake of full journalistic disclosure (though now a proud adopted Aucklander) by birth, I am one. Contrary to popular belief, Birmingham, and not Liverpool or Manchester, is actually England’s second city. With a population of well over a million, it is larger than those two combined. Birmingham is one of the most ethnically diverse regions on Earth and its gifts to the world are just as varied: Ozzy Osbourne, the industrial steam engine, Cadbury’s chocolate and the postage stamp to name but a few. Brummies famously brag that the city has more canals than Venice. Though admittedly, they’re not quite as spectacular. Perhaps more pertinently, and I realise I write this at the risk of deportation, it is also the real home of Lord of the Rings. Again, just not quite as spectacular. By the 12th century, the small town of Birmingham had been permanently settled. A few centuries later, iron and coal reserves were discovered, and that, coupled with its fertile lands and central location, paved the way for it to blossom into one of the major cities of the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing everything from cast iron to cotton. It was also, for a time, the arms-making capital of the world. The innovative residents used skills learnt during the British Empire’s most prosperous period to further develop an industry which remains to this day the city’s most shimmering success: the manufacture and manipulation of precious stones and metals. The art of jewellery making. A handful of goldsmiths first registered in Birmingham in the 1500s. By the mid-19th century, a specialist jewellery trade centre was established in the Hockley region,

01/02 — Images from the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery 03 — The Jewellery Quarter today

which became known as the Jewellery Quarter. As the wealth of the empire bulged, so too did its subjects’ desire for beautiful, sparkling goods, with the vast chunk crafted in Birmingham. The area prospered. At the time, it was estimated to have produced up to half of all Britain’s precious wares, with more Brummies employed in the jewellery trade than any other. The School of Jewellery opened in 1890, and remains the biggest of its kind in Europe. The craftsmen also made many of the pins, buttons and medals for the First World War. At its production peak, the Jewellery Quarter employed in excess of 30,000 people and its assay office (where the purity of precious metals is tested) is still the world’s greatest, responsible for hallmarking 12 million products annually. The Great Depression and Second World War heralded economic disaster, and as the 20th century progressed, the trade, like so many others in the western world, suffered a downward shift from which it never fully recovered. However, still totalling well over five hundred, the Jewellery Quarter boasts the highest

concentration of jewellery businesses in Europe, processing over 40% of the UK’s gems. With its array of workshops and museums, it remains one of the region’s biggest tourist draws. The Jewellery Quarter is now also a thriving hospitality hub, home to some of the city’s trendiest bars, boutiques and eateries, as well as being one of Birmingham’s most sought-after residential postcodes. It is home to St Paul’s Square, the city’s last remaining Georgian square and that, along with its legendary industrial architecture, has seen the area recognised as an English Heritage Site. It has recently been proposed for a World Heritage Site listing too. The Prince’s Foundation granted the region a $500million investment for a rejuvenation project, with Prince Charles commenting, “here a precious and unique industrial craft neighbourhood is beginning once again to become a place where people want to live, work and enjoy themselves.” And so Birmingham’s’ iconic Jewellery Quarter refuses to lose its shine.

FEBRUARY 2014

09 529 9933

treesfurniture.co.nz

430 / Broadway / Newmarket

Good design doesn't date est.1978

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Ph: (09) 307 2762 Mob: 021 689 619 info@blackcatinteriors.co.nz

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www.blackcatinteriors.co.nz

021 965 903 www.valuer.co.nz

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FEBRUARY 2014

THE LOVELY He wants a weed-whacker; you want artwork. Until now, those celebrating and using a traditional gift registry have not been able to get the mix of the eclectic things they truly want. Enter The Lovely, a site that allows those marking any special event, be it a wedding, baby shower or milestone birthday, to create a personalised gift registry using a simple Pinterest-like platform, adding gifts from anywhere, anytime. This choice is the site’s point of difference. It provides options for celebrators – the platform meaning that for the first time you are not restricted to a certain ‘type’ of gift from the one retailer. On The Lovely a Simon James pendant can sit beside a BBQ from Mitre 10 or indeed the latest Missoni throw, no troubles, meaning you get exactly what you want on your special day. Trust two kiwis to come up with this piece of online genius. Those looking to celebrate can join The Lovely for NZ $50, which provides them with a 12-month subscription and the ability to customise their page. The registry is then securely shared with friends and family who can purchase the items either online, via direct click-throughs, or at the retailer of their choice and at the best price they can find. www.thelovelyregistry.co.nz

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: • Choose your gifts from anywhere using the Pinterest-like Lovely interface which pulls gift choices to the user’s page in one click. This means a drill from a hardware store can sit next to a piece of custom art from a gallery. • Send the URL to guests and they can reserve the item they’d like to purchase. • The reserved gift is then emailed to the buyer and the gift is marked as ‘taken’ and no longer available to other guests*. • The buyer can then purchase the gift via traditional bricks and mortar stores or alternatively online, all the while knowing they have purchased something the recipient really wants. *If the buyer decides not to purchase the item, it can be returned to the registry list page via this same confirmation email and becomes available once more

Cosi Fan Tutte Purveyors of gorgeousness and Vintage French inspired giftware. open 6 days

Stunning new seasons ranges by Bianca Lorenne in store now SHOP 7, NUFFIELD ST PRECINCT, NEWMARKET. PH 09 524 4452 www.harrowsethall.co.nz

Monday-Friday 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm 73 Victoria Road Devonport Auckland

Ph: (09)446-0750 wwwcosifantutte.co.nz cosifantutte@xtra.co.nz

NUFFIELD STREET FOR FASHION Photographer — Neil Gussey Hair and makeup — Imeleta Kellett Styling — Verve Magazine Models — Pamela Rollinson and Heather Donaghy Location — Nuffield St and Trees Furniture on Broadway

Cover: Princess Charlotte – The Bentley Wicked Wrap Dress Charlie Brown, bag and necklace stylist’s own This page: Chop Chop Dress Gorman, The Studded Chucks Superette, Sunglasses Charlie Brown

This page: Heather wears: Garden Patch Overall Dress, Soho sandle — Gorman, Bangle Witchery, Bag stylist’s own. Pamela wears: Garden Patch Jeans, Island in the Sun Silver Wedges, Scooter Jumper — Gorman, Necklace Witchery

This page: Wool Bustier Top, Heat Fix Shorts, Darcy Heels, — Witchery, bag stylist’s own

This page: Mini Vault Dress, Ludlow Motor Jacket by West 14th, Sunglasses â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Superette

STOCKISTS INFO CHARLIE BROWN: 09 522 9069 www.charliebrown.com.au GORMAN: 09 529 2279 www.gormanshop.com.au SUPERETTE: 09 966 0440 www.superette.co.nz WITCHERY: 09 523 1335 www.witchery.com.au

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

FASHION

DESIGNER TEES TO HELP FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER Make sure you look fabulous this summer wearing a tee that’s not only designed by one of New Zealand’s great designers, but helps raise funds for a great cause as well. This January, New Zealand’s number one online women’s clothing store, EziBuy, has collaborated with Breast Cancer Research Trust (BCRT) and three Kiwi designers; Moochi, Andrea Moore and Trelise Cooper, to launch a stylish collection of limited edition tees. Each tee will be exclusively available to purchase from EziBuy and 100% of all proceeds from every t-shirt will be donated by EziBuy to BCRT to help find a cure for breast cancer. “New Zealand has one of the highest incidence rates of breast cancer and has the third highest death rate in the western world. There is an urgent need to find a cure for breast cancer and stop it in its tracks,” says Phillipa Green from BCRT. Green continues: “This is the first major fundraising initiative with EziBuy. By working together with three well-respected

114 Main Highway Ellerslie 09 579 3535 Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm | Sat 10am-4pm

SUMMER DAZE SALE 30 – 50 % OFF DESIGNER CLOTHING

L-R — Andrea Moore, Moochi and Trelise Cooper t-shirts. RRP $29.99 and available in sizes XS to 3XL.

fashion designers, we are looking to raise funds to help find a cure for breast cancer. “Created by Moochi, Andrea Moore and Trelise Cooper – each tee is a limited edition line, so you have to act quick if you want one, as they’re expected to sell out quickly,” says Edwina Neilson GM Marketing from EziBuy.

OBI PAULA RYAN DAVID POND SILLS REDHEAD LOOBIE’S STORY LOUCHE

“What’s truly amazing about this campaign is 100% from the sale of each tee will go back to BCRT. From the designers, printers, models, stylists and photographers – everyone has helped provide their service for free, for which we’re extremely thankful. This means all the money raised can go towards the number one cause – curing breast cancer.” Each limited edition tee is exclusively available for purchase from the EziBuy contact centre (0508 500 500), on the EziBuy website (www.ezibuy.co.nz/cure) and at an EziBuy store (in Albany, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch). For more information visit www.breastcancercure.org.nz and www.ezibuy.co.nz/cure Swear to Wear for a Cure.

FEBRUARY 2014

Your questions answered by

SIGNATURE STYLE

GET YOUR “YOU” ON! I love how the start of a new year brings so much promise. Long sunny days and a break from daily routine provides time to reflect, giving a sense of ending the previous year and leaving its triumphs and trials behind, coupled with optimism that all is new and achievable. For many of us, it is at the beginning of a new year that we decide that this will be the year we improve something about our lives, be it a new job, new look, putting new boundaries in place or changing the way we do something.

It would be a little naive to assume that a stylist works with a client simply to get them some new clothes — that’s rather like saying an architect simply draws plans for a new house. Both professions instead take client lifestyles and desired outcomes into account when working their magic. For many of our clients it is simply a “make this easy for me” approach, but many others seek to re-invent the way they are perceived. A job seeker will look for garments that reflect the role they wish to hold, someone looking for a new life partner will want items that reflect their personality while saying, “Hi, I’m worth getting to know.” A new lifestyle choice could mean that the way you used to dress no longer fits who you wish to be, but you may not be sure how to make the transition. Whatever the outcome, the journey is certainly fun. I can think of no better moment than seeing someone look at themselves in the mirror and be delighted at the way they look. What I am trying to say is probably best left to a client — here’s Jayne, who we recently took shopping for an outfit to wear to a wedding, “I came into SS this morning very nervous, I could hardly speak I was in such a hard place — you completely put me at ease and helped me see myself as the person I am. I had a ball and am enjoying my afternoon with my pretty (2!) dresses hanging up in front of me and my shoes on whilst enjoying a wine!” Jackie O’Fee is owner of Signature Style, Auckland’s leading style consultancy. If you’d like to transform yourself this year we’d absolutely LOVE to help! Further information can be found on our website: signaturestyle.co.nz — or pop in and see us at 35 Broadway, Newmarket, Ph 529 5115. Image: Chloé S/S Campaign

Signature Style 35 Broadway, Newmarket 09 529 5115 See Signature Style’s ad on page 81.

Meghan Maher Repertoire’s Style Director

It is important to me to look great but age appropriate. Do you have any tips to give me confidence to achieve this? There is a lot of information surfacing as to how women of today are aging so much better than ever before. Our clothing and how we wear it can have a big impact on how we feel about ourselves and people’s perception of us. I have many clients and have read a lot about how women can feel lost and invisible in trying to dress ‘their age’ according to society’s stereotypes and norms. My recommendation is to find styles that flatter your body shape and emphasise your positive attributes. Be careful with how much skin you reveal, this is of course totally dependent on your skin tone. I find revealing too much skin particularly legs and cleavage, becomes more difficult as we age. Be selective with the colours you choose for your wardrobe. A well chosen colour can take 10 years off your age, whereas another can totally wash you out. I strongly recommend that you be fitted with good underwear and great body fitted basics. This will give you a strong foundation for your new look and you will find your clothes fit you much better – it’s an instant confidence booster. If you are feeling a little lost with how to dress for your body shape I strongly recommend seeing a fashion stylist who can steer you in the right direction with some personal advice and guidance to achieve this new look.

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

FASHION BY PARIS As New Zealand experiences summertime magic the fashion capitals are in the midst of winter and pre-fall collections have been the talk of the town. Pictured L-R: Acne pre-fall 2014 and Proenza Schouler pre Fall 2014

VALENTINE’S DAY FOR HER Fine bead necklaces by Zelda Murray are the best! Super minimal with beautiful brass detailing. Fixed length necklaces, made from fine glass beads and silk cord. Available in an assortment of vibrant colour combinations. All Zelda Murray fine bead necklaces are made in New Zealand. Available from www. bonweek-end.com ($80)

VERVE PICKS Pictured L-R: Kate of Arcadia bag, available from kateofarcadia.com ($395) and TwentySevenNames Fireside Jacket in Cherry Bomb. In store February from www. twentysevennames.co.nz ($550)

FOR EVERY MINUTE WRAP YOURSELF IN LUXURY For Every Minute is a luxurious lounge and sleepwear brand from New Zealand that focuses on combining beautiful fabrics with sophisticated design and elegant tailoring for a flattering fit. www.foreveryminute.com Pictured: Silk navy robe ($649)

Check out Auckland based friends Leilani Heather and Rob Byrne’s new online store, Bon Week-end — an online collection of beautiful and functional things. www.bonweek-end.com

VALENTINE’S DAY FOR HIM Cathedral Cove merino blanket in four colours – blue, grey, orange, red. Made in Waverley Woollen Mills, Australia’s oldest textile mill. Available from www.barkersonline.co.nz ($159.99)

FEBRUARY 2014

NEW YEAR NEW BEAUTY REGIME

NARS — THE MULTIPLE A multi-purpose stick for eyes, cheeks, lips and body. Its unique lightweight, creamto-powder formula blends effortlessly to provide sheer all-over colour, shimmering accents, contours and dynamic highlights for all skin tones. Available from www.meccacosmetica.com

New Year’s resolutions should be about creating new habits that are simple, enjoyable and achievable and your beauty reigime should reflect just that.

ST. TROPEZ EVERYDAY BODY St. Tropez Everyday Body cleverly combines serious moisturising benefits with a healthy touch of colour. Infused with soothing aloe vera, this enriched, nourishing lotion will help give you smoother, firmer skin and build your tan gradually. Perfect for subtle shade seekers as well as those searching for the deepest of colours, the gradual tan formula comes in two shades, Light/Medium and Medium/Dark. Available from selected salons and pharmacy groups; online at mybeautystore.co.nz ($39.95)

NEW Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask is a luxuriantly textured, creamy clay mask formulated to deeply cleanse the skin, drawing out impurities and absorbing excess sebum. Revitalising, energising and purifying, this rich blend of botanicals leaves the skin soft, smooth and radiant. Visit trilogyproducts.com for stockists. ($35.90)

Lighten up your hair styling routine with the limited edition ghd Pastel Collection! The world’s favourite heat styling brand is set to lighten up our styling routines with soft gelato shades reminiscent of a 1950s ice cream parlour. For stockist information call 0800 880 209. ($289)

VALENTINE’S DAY FOR HIM: Baxter of California Premium Double Edge Razor Set. Available at Barkers. www.barkersonline.co.nz. ($249.99)

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

BEAUTY & HEALTH

TIGHTEN & TONE YOUR FACE WITH A WORKOUT As we grow older our facial muscles naturally start to lose tone and elasticity. The Caci Non-Surgical Facelift gives the muscles in the face a workout, this helps tighten and tone plus smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It produces immediate and dramatic results. Acclaimed by the media as one of the most exciting beauty developments of the last decade. The CACI NonSurgical Facelift treatment has a star-studded following with the likes of Madonna, J. Lo and Kate Moss being fans of the treatment.

treatment continues to grow. So much so that the latest CACI machine is now in use in New Zealand. The latest machine, features new and patented technology expanding beyond treating the facial muscles to a variety of skin concerns. The treatment is safe, painless and feels like a relaxing facial. It uses tiny ‘micro’ currents to stimulate the muscles and enhance your skin tissue, like a gym workout for your facial muscles. Following a CACI Non-Surgical Facelift, your facial muscles feel firmer and your skin will be glowing.

The CACI Non-Surgical Facelift was introduced to New Zealand through the Caci clinics (named after the famous facial) in 1994, the popularity of this

“It makes sense really that the muscles in our face need as much attention as the muscles in the rest of our body to stay well toned,” says New Zealand fashion blogger Leonie Barlow.

The Holy Grail: Non-Surgical Facelifts

1. To begin, everyone over the age of 35 should be using some kind of skin care. At a minimum, even at younger ages, everyone should be using sunblock. Beyond that there are a large number of skin care lines which can greatly reduce sun damage and aging of your facial skin. Good skin care can be prescribed by plastic surgeons, dermatologists and experienced beauty care professionals. It’s something you can do without real downsides and a lot of potential benefit.

Do you belong to a long line of people praying to the gods of beauty to bring some non-surgical answer to their prayers for facial rejuvenation? Fortunately there are a variety of treatments that can provide some rejuvenation, bridging the gap for those of us who, for whatever reason, just don’t want to go under the knife.

2. The next type of treatments include injectable products. A most popular option is Botox. These products are injected into muscles to relax them and stop the progression or the production of facial wrinkles. It’s very safe, effective and affordable. You will need to maintain the results since their effects are temporary, but they are VERY effective. For the deeper lines like the ones from the corner of your nose to the corners of

The Non-Surgical Facelift is deeply relaxing and an overall treatment for the face and neck. Results are visible after the very first treatment, but a course of 12 treatments is recommended. Each treatment costs approximately $120. Alternatively, customers can sign up for the Reformaskin® Refirm programme that spreads your treatments and payments over the course of the year. The Refirm programme has been designed to generate the best results by incorporating a combination of Caci Non-Surgical Facelift and Glycolic treatments with athome topical skincare. For more info — 0800 458 458 ∙ caci.co.nz

your mouth (nasolabial folds) you might consider filler injections. There are many products available which are made from hyaluronic acid. These can be injected to soften (but completely alleviate) deeper lines and folds in your face. The results can last up to eighteen months depending upon the product used and the location of the injection. There are other products that can be injected to add volume depending upon your needs. In fact, one of the best options is taking fat from other areas of your body and injecting it into your face to add volume. You can discuss all of your options with your surgeon. 3. The last group of options involve tightening and/or resurfacing of the skin. This is usually done with lasers, although there are other types of machines that can be used as well as chemical peels that can be very effective.

FEBRUARY 2014

Reformaskin

Revealing you TM

Reformaskin速 is a skin treatment program that will reveal your true beauty and confidence for everyone to see. Whether its pigmentation, redness or scarring, whatever is hiding your true beauty we can reveal it with Reformaskin速.

At Caci we now offer a program to lift, tighten and restore the natural contours of the face using our signature Caci Non Surgical Facelift treatment. The Refirm program gives the muscles in the face a regular workout, this tightens and tones plus smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Book a free, no obligation consultation and ask us about Refirm and our easy payment options.

0800 458 458 | caci.co.nz

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

FINESSE FACE & BODY CLINIC

FACIAL MINI-GYM SUCCESS! “I look and feel years younger.” Clients of Finesse Face and Body Clinic are thrilled with the results of the Microtone non-surgical facelift. Clinic owner Sue Crake, who travelled to the UK to purchase and train on the programme, describes Microtone as “the most intensive micro-current treatment ever.” Twelve adhesive pads are positioned on the face and neck to deliver the gentle micro-current. These pads gently operate for the 30-minute session, while handheld probes are used to work on areas of stress and tension, reducing lines and puffiness around the eyes and forehead.

reduces puffiness around the eyes. The end result is a toned firmer, fresher and smoother face.

Here’s what one delighted client had to say:

“

“The Microtone non-surgical face lift, by Sue Crake at Finesse Face and Body Clinic, is wonderful. My face and neck have firmed, wrinkles have been smoothed out, my eyes are larger, mouth wider, skin feels plumped and radiant, and my chin and cheeks are more defined.

By toning the facial muscles, the Microtone treatment helps reverse the effects of gravity: slackness on the jawline is toned up, and eyelids are lifted – getting rid of that tired, droopy look.

“The improvement after three treatments was so good that my husband and friends started remarking how great I as looking. After twelve treatments I look and feel years younger.

By toning the facial muscles, the Microtone treatment helps reverse the effects of gravity: slackness on the jawline is toned up, and eyelids are lifted – getting rid of that tired, droopy look.

“These wonderfully relaxing treatments have been so beneficial to my appearance and sense of wellbeing. I wholeheartedly recommend them. The treatment not only lifts your face, it lifts your spirits too.”

“The Microtone treatment exercises the facial muscles we can’t exercise for ourselves,” says Sue. “Gravity is our biggest enemy in terms of ageing – it’s always pulling the face down.”

— S.M., Remuera

Finesse Face & Body Clinic 591a Remuera Road, Remuera Phone: 09 520 5331

The muscles are given a “work-out” during the treatment, increasing blood flow and oxygen to the skin, improving skin tone, texture and colour. The treatment also stimulates the skin’s production of collagen and elastin, and

tment

www.finessefaceandbody.co.nz

FACIAL MINI-GYM INTRODUCTORY TREATMENT $55 FIRM UP THE MUSCLES TO FIRM UP YOUR FACE Effective relaxing treatment for smoother, firmer skin NEW Non Injectable Hydrating Treatment • • • • •

from Germany

Reverse ageing effects of gravity Lasts 6-8 Weeks Visible Results Tone stretched Instant, muscles and lift sagging skin No Injections No Pain Lift eyelids and reduce puffiness No Downtime Hydrates and Plumps Increase collagen and Affordable elastin fibres Improve skin tone and texture After

Before

NEW Non Injectable H Lasts 6-8 Weeks Instant, Visible Results No Injections No Pain No Downtime Hydrates and Plumps

Results shown, over one to two treatments. Results vary depending on hydration of the skin.

Finesse Face and Body Clinic CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION 591A Remuera Road, 591a Remuera Road, Remuera Address: Upland Road Shops next to RMVC medical centre) (next to Remuera Village Medical(upstairs, Centre) Phone: 09 520 5331 www.finessefaceandbody.co.nz Ph: 520 5331 www.finessefaceandbody.co.nz

CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION Address: 591A Remuera Road, Upland Road Shops (upstairs, next to RMVC medical centre)

STRAIGHT TEETH AND A PERFECT SMILE, IN ONLY A FEW SHORT MONTHS!

STRAIGHT TEETH.

VERVE INTERVIEWS DR. KAREN HARRIS Karen Harris is a diminutive powerhouse of energy and dental knowledge. Owning a top general and cosmetic practice on the Terrace in Wellington central CBD, she has now located herself to Auckland. Karen has been practising dentistry for over 20 years, and her CV is impressive. Employing the very latest in advanced dental technology, she offers a wide range of solutions to any dental dilemmas, including amazing Magic Braces. Verve chats to Karen and finds out more about this revolutionary new treatment for straightening teeth.

Verve: What are Magic Braces? Karen: They are a type of orthodontic treatment that combines the traditional with the latest technology. Your teeth can be aligned quickly, yet safely, more quickly than conventional braces, achieving great results within six to seven months. Using clear ceramic braces and a white wire rather than a silver wire, Magic Braces are so discreet, they are almost invisible. V: How do I know if I need Magic Braces? K. Magic Braces are designed with the adult’s needs in mind, and can be worn by anyone aged 18 and upward. Some of the problems that they address are crooked teeth, spacing, teeth that are crowded or overlapping, and protruding teeth. If your teeth fit into any of these categories or if you are not happy with how you look, Magic Braces could be just what you need. V: What makes Magic Braces ‘magic?’ K. The new technology that has gone in to designing Magic Braces. The speed at which results are achieved: Only six to seven months vs. years when using conventional braces. Magic Braces are almost invisible, blending seamlessly with your teeth; hardly anyone will even know that you are wearing braces.

SIX MONTHS. A beautiful new smile is now yours in only a few short months – thanks to Magic Braces TM by Smilefast TM

After 7 months of treatment!

V. How affordable are Magic Braces? K. Very affordable! You will save thousands of dollars. Plus we offer interest-free finance options. V. Magic Braces vs. clear aligners: which is for me? K. Clear aligners are effective for some patients, however they often cannot treat more difficult cases, have a much longer treatment time and results are not as predictable as with fixed braces like Magic Braces. Magic Braces are the ideal alternative and many patients agree. Why? The reasons are simple: with Magic Braces you get a better result in a much faster time, that also costs far less. For more on Karen Harris and Magic Braces, visit www.thedentist.co.nz

“

Magic Braces are almost invisible, blending seamlessly with your teeth; hardly anyone will even know that you are wearing braces.

Forget metal braces and costly treatment that lasts two or three years. Magic Braces are designed to have a great smile in a short amount of time. Stop hiding your smile and speak to us today about how we can get you started on your new smile. Call us on 09 528 3146 to find out about our fantastic introductory offer. Interest free options available. Terms and conditions apply. If Magic Braces TM are not for you Dr Karen Harris can offer a range of orthodontic and cosmetic dentistry options, including Invisalign.

Meadowbank Dental 93 St Johns Road Meadowbank Auckland 09 528 3146

HALF PRICE INTRODUCTORY SESSION*

KERI ROPATI

EAT LESS – MOVE MORE! “With statistics showing obesity and health issues becoming more apparent daily, it is awesome to be in an industry that combats this and works towards decreasing these numbers. Providing nutrional guidance and an exercise regime to suit each individual’s needs in a cost effective way, is how we do this.” The KERIROPATI WEIGHTLOSS & FITNESS CENTRE is all about working towards and keeping a healthy lean community, creating longevity and a more positive, active, fitter lifestyle. Due to our 100% results-guaranteed based policy, expanding into another community has become inevitable. We are excited and proud to be part of the greater Parnell/Remuera community and look forward to changing peoples’ lives for the better. Our policy of EAT LESS – MOVE MORE works: it is simply about taking your environment into account, including work, social and family demands. The KERIROPATI WEIGHTLOSS & FITNESS CENTRE is all about affordable one-on-one training, which enables weekly accountability.

PILATES STRAND STUDIO — BRENDA WING 77 THE STRAND, PARNELL 09 377 7527 WWW.STRANDPILATES.CO.NZ

We adopt an eat clean-and-lean policy with Paleo at the forefront and no illusions that life demands do not always allow a Paleo type eating regime. We guarantee weight loss results and a fitter you — or — your money back policy. We are proud to say over the 14 years we have been operating, we have not once had to provide a refund. Our results are proven!”

LOOK WHO’S ON THE RISE AT 279 PARNELL ROAD

At Strand Studio you will find a small group of people exercising individually and each performing precise movements tailor-made to their needs. Under Brenda’s expert guidance and her vast knowledge of Pilates you will receive rapid and lasting results. Do call in or phone Brenda on 09 377 7527 PILATES WILL: • relieve your aching back • improve your posture • slim your legs • firm your thighs and lift your bottom • tone your upper arms • flatten your stomach *CONDITIONS APPLY. BOOK BEFORE 5TH MARCH 2014

Simply your BEST weightloss & fitness team! Having achieved phenomenal results on the other side of Queen Street, we are pleased to open our second centre in Parnell. Call Seamus now to start getting results. Lose 5kg or 50kg Personal Training from $50p/wk

RESULTS GUARANTEED

Parnell Centre 279 Parnell Road - seamus@keriropati.co.nz - 021 159 2909 Ponsonby Centre 37 Mackelvie Street - keri@keriropati.co.nz - 09 378 1410 // 021 530 807

www.keriropati.co.nz

FEBRUARY 2014

www.remuerarise.co.nz

Remuera Rise

HURRY!

Only a few water view apartments left!

Retire in the lap of luxury. Why choose ordinary when you can have extraordinary? If you’re looking for a retirement lifestyle that is luxurious and intimate - a place where you can enjoy the highest level of personalised service, privacy and care - Remuera Rise is for you. This deluxe new complex offers: • • • •

Light, spacious apartments with stunning water views (be quick - selling fast) Fixed weekly fee for life – so you can budget now and into the future Boutique village living - where everyone knows your name Stylish facilities – including an upmarket café and fine dining area where you can socialise with fellow-residents, family and friends • A stunning indoor heated swimming pool and spa – for the enjoyment of all residents • Affordable independent living with personalised care packages available – giving you the ultimate flexibility

30 James Cook Crescent, Remuera. Phone 0800 00 15 85 to view. RESTAURAN T & CAF É, BAR , LO U N G E , LIBRA RY, ACT IVIT IE S RO O M, GYM, SWI M M I NG PO OL & S PA , HAI R SALON, 24 HO UR EM ERG ENCY CAL L , B O UTI QUE CARE FACI L IT Y.

Your General Practitioners Skin / Melanoma Checks (incl. MoleMate)

Pat

Dr Bill Daniels, Dr Anton Wiles, Dr Candida Hatherley

Gina

Come and see us for fantastic gifts for all ages, all your family’s health needs and excellent advice. – Ample Free Parking – 145 West Tamaki Road Phone: 528 3636 elstreepharmacy@xtra.co.nz – STOCKISTS OF INNOXA SKINCARE –

VE R VE _J14338

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

Call Michelle on 0800 00 15 85 to make an appointment NOW

Are you time poor but still keen to stay in shape? • Boutique fitness facility • 1-on-1 or 2-on-1 private & personal training • 25 minute session – that fits into your lifestyle • Your personal trainer – every 5 to 7 days • We specialise in helping those who are busy, want to be healthier, or suffering from back and/or neck pain • We welcome the older generation who need muscle strengthening “After only 10 sessions, I was convinced that this contributed to my increased energy levels, strength and the toned body and muscles I had gained over this period. The 25 minutes a week of intensive training was the solution to my aversion to exercise and busy life style. Not only have I seen benefits in developed muscle tone but my body shape has changed” Sharon, Auckland

TRY 2 NS SESSIO R FO

$29

(09) 940 7744

9 Morgan Street, Newmarket info@101fitness.co.nz | www.101fitness.co.nz

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

101 FITNESS

FOOD FOCUS

STICKING TO YOUR NEW YEAR’S FITNESS PLAN MADE EASY

WONDERFUL COCONUT

Every January, newcomers head to the gym in droves, thinking they can turn into a fitness nut overnight. The newbie heads along to a gym and sees the regulars at full throttle and loving every minute of it — but by February many newbies are discouraged and their memberships start gathering dust.

The uses for coconut products are increasing rapidly across the world. From cooking oil to body oil, milk to meat. Why? What is it in this ancient island fruit that makes it so versatile and ranks it among today’s superfoods? It is the coconut’s unique fat content.Having a high saturated fat content has made the coconut look unhealthy but with the discovery that the nutritional qualities are the complete opposite of other saturated fats, the coconut has become far more attractive.

Don’t get discouraged, exercise has way too many benefits to not make it a part of your life. And I want to help you in your newbie-to-regular transition. Remember this: apart from looking and feeling better, numerous studies have found exercise helps combat depression, improves sleep, revs up your metabolism, and helps reduce the chances of developing degenerative diseases like heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes to name but a few. So, here are some strategies that’ll get you working out AND enjoying it: 1. Start slow. Have you been going to the gym every day since January 2 for hours at a time? Stop. You are not giving your muscles time to recuperate so your results will be average — AND it’s a good way to injure yourself. Don’t overdo it. You have to find a balance that you can stick to — even if it’s once a week, it is still better than nothing. 2. Make it convenient. Gym XYZ may have three floors of great equipment, have fun classes or always be open, but if it isn’t easy for you to get there, you won’t go. Pick a gym between home and work, it has to be convenient to become part of your routine. And if you feel intimidated by a gym, the current patrons or just don’t like the atmosphere, the chances of you quitting become higher. You need to be comfortable with the environment — so choose somewhere that you’ll feel motivated to workout. 3. Just go. It happens to everyone — we don’t feel like hitting the gym. Go anyway. Gym rats will tell you: “Once you’re there you’re so happy you went.” And you’ll always, always feel better for having gone than if you had not. 4. Exercise — it’s everywhere! Don’t think it’s only at the gym where you can workout. I try to incorporate exercise into everything I do. Decide to take the stairs, walk to the second coffee shop instead of the closer one and carry your grocery bags to the car. 5. Give it a chance. It usually takes two months to start noticing results and some clever researchers found it takes around 20 instance of following the same pattern before that pattern becomes a habit. So a twice-a-week exercise habit is going to take 10 weeks to develop. Stick to it and one day you’ll realise you start looking forward to your exercise.

Melissa-Anne Smit Director 101 Fitness www.101fitness.co.nz

Coconut oil has a very rare molecule make up and its benefits for the human body are many. Some key benefits are: helps to kill viruses causing, influenza, herpes, measles and Hep C, as well as bacteria causing ulcers, throat infections, gum disease and cavities. It improves the cholesterol ratio and protects against kidney disease, bladder infection, osteoporosis and some cancers. Unlike other oils it doesn’t deplete the body’s antioxidant supplies. Most importantly coconut significantly aids digestion of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It helps your body to look healthier, as it benefits the skin, hair and complexion. Nearly one third of the world’s population depends on coconut to some degree for their food and economy. Although its origin isn’t exactly known, it is clear that for centuries the coconut has been an integral part of shaping the world as we know it today. OILS:

Coconut Oil

Total fat

10g

Saturated fat Polyunsaturated fat Monounsaturated fat

8.6g .18g .6g

Olive Oil

RDI 15.3% 43%

10g 1.4g 1.1g 7.3g

RDI 15.3% 7%

*RDI – Recommended Daily Intake

SUGARS: Calories GI*

Coconut 15 35

Honey

Brown

White

16 65

16 64

15 68

10 2 4 54 0.4 0.2 0.5

0 7 3 65 1.26 0.2 0

10 1 0 2.5 0.1 0.1 0

Macro Nutrients mg/100g:

Nitrogen Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Iron Zinc Vitamin C

202 79 29 1030 2 2 23.4

*GI – Glycemic Index (The lower the number the better)

Coconut sugar retains far more of these macronutrients than other sugars due to being less refined. These are vital for every day bodily functions. Ryan is a chef in a nutritionally founded restaurant focusing on the wellbeing of their clients, situated on Australia’s Gold Coast. He is also involved in his own catering company and a nutritional consulting company start-up. When he is not working, Ryan likes to compete in triathlons and made his first international debut at the Auckland half Ironman in January.

FEBRUARY 2014

FOOD 4 THOUGHT

SUMMER RECIPES

CELEBRATE SUMMER WITH AN EXHILERATING COCKTAIL!

MAISON VAURON

BONJOUR NEIGHBOURS! Holidays are wonderful I think, because you have more time to really consider what you are eating and drinking! I would like to tell you about one of my most favourite food and wine combinations, truly a match made in heaven – and that is Sancerre wine paired with goat’s cheese. There is a saying in France that the best matches happen when you put together a cheese and a wine that come from the same land, or terroir, because nature knows best! Sancerre is a wine village sitting on top of a little hill in the upper Loire valley and the wine by the same name is made from Sauvignon Blanc. But it is different to the Sauvignon we are familiar with here in New Zealand… much more minerality — you can really taste the limestone and pebbles from the soil of the region! It is clean and acidic, very refreshing, and it goes fantastically with the most famous goat cheese of the region, Crottin de Chavignol, which is made in a little hamlet just down the road from Sancerre.

MANDARINO SUNDOWNER Ingredients 5 Mandarin segments 30ml Gin 15mls Vanilla Galliano 15mls Triple Sec 200ml Sanpellegrino Mandarino Ice Method In a tall glass, muddle mandarin segments with gin, Galliano and Triple Sec. Fill glass with ice and pour in Mandarino.

Crottin de Chavignol is delicious. When it’s young, just a few weeks old, it is very creamy, a little chalky and lemony. Then as it gets older the rind gets darker and it becomes harder, richer and more strongly flavoured. It is personal taste that dictates when you choose to eat it. While I am talking of this region, there is another similarity with New Zealand. A local speciality that also goes beautifully with Sancerre is La Friture – the tiny little fish in the Loire River that are dipped in milk and flour, fried and served in a big pile. French whitebait! Suddenly I am hungry! A glass of Sancerre, fresh bread and Crottin I think… A bientôt, Jean-Christophe 5 Mc Coll Street Newmarket Auckland 09 529 0157

ARANCIATA FIZZ Ingredients 200ml Sanpellegrino Aranciata 8-10 Drops Angostura Bitters 2 Drops almond essence 10ml Lemon juice 4 Fresh basil leaves Lemon wedge to serve Method Fill a martini glass with ice. Place a cup of ice and all ingredients into cocktail shaker, tearing the basil as you add it. Stir vigorously. Remove ice from martini glass and fill glass with the mocktail. Garnish with a slice of lemon and serve immediately.

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Worldwide Epicurean Phenomenon Dîner en Blanc is Coming to Auckland This Summer More than 800 guests are expected to participate in Auckland’s first ever Dîner en Blanc. From global phenomenon to highly sought after ‘secret,’ Dîner en Blanc will take over one of Auckland’s beautiful public spaces for the first time this summer on March 15, 2014. This très chic picnic, imported from Paris, is equal parts mystery, pop-up feast and je ne sais quoi. Over 800 foodies and cultural enthusiasts dressed in white will descend upon a secret location that will be revealed at the very last minute, for an unforgettable evening of elegance, beauty and magic. True to tradition, bystanders will witness groups of 50 to 200 people gather at specific rallying points all across the city. These groups will then converge on one of the most beautiful settings in the city, either by bus, train, ferry or foot. Everyone is asked to dress elegantly in white, from head to toe, bring their own

epicurean feasts, tables, chairs, fine china, silverware and white tablecloth. Over the course of the evening, the diners eat and celebrate amid live music and dancing. Visually breathtaking moments include the waving of a cloth napkin to mark the beginning of the dinner, as well as the lighting of sparklers to let participants know they are now free to circulate, mingle and dance. When it is time to leave, guests pack up their crystal, dinnerware and tables, pick up all their litter and head into the night, leaving behind no sign of their elegant revelry. Visit www.auckland.dinerenblanc.info for more on this stylish event, its rules and regulations, or if you are interested in joining Dîner en Blanc’s guests in Auckland. Registration opens officially on 26 February, but in the mean time a waiting list is available.

Dîner en Blanc The worldwide phenomenon known as Dîner en Blanc celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013! Launched by François Pasquier and a handful of friends in 1988, the Paris Dîner en Blanc now attracts more than 10,000 people each year. What began as a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international epicurean phenomenon on five continents. While the technology behind this fantastic event may have changed over the years, the principles fuelling it have not: diners continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a highquality meal with good friends in one of their city’s most beautiful locations. Dîner en Blanc International, is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in over 40 cities by the end of 2013. Each event is headed by passionate local organisers who like Verve, have fallen in love with the concept and want to bring it to their city and share it with their people.

FEBRUARY 2014

Guests bring — A table and two white chairs. A picnic basket comprising quality menu items and a china dinner service including proper stemware and flatware. Participants must wear white and be dressed elegantly.

01 — Vancouver 02 — Chicago 03 — New York 04 — Paris Images: Diner en Blanc international

Originality is encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful. Champagne partner Mumm will ensure guests can toast the evening in style.

05 — Auckland organisers, Anna and Vinny. Campbell +Co.

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Made in New Zealand Words: Renee Lang

The number of cookbooks published each season seems to have grown over recent years so that the cookeryconscious (or should that be cookery cognoscenti?) book-buying public is spoilt for choice. But if you’re interested in more than just what goes into your mouth, then Limited Edition Cookery, a unique cookbook written and created by St Mary’s Bay-based but London-trained chef and food writer Laura Faire, is for you. Laura’s second book (her first was Now Is the Season), Limited Edition Cookery, came about because she wanted to make a book that was “completely made in New Zealand”, not least because “eating local” and “taking great care in choosing ingredients” are both very strong mantras of hers. However, making a book that could stand for what she believed in was clearly going to be an expensive exercise so she perceived that the only way around it was to make the book a piece of art in the form of a limited edition (only 1000 copies). “Each one is individually hand-finished by me,” explains Laura, “with touches of gold, silver or bronze leaf. It’s then signed and numbered.” And attached to the book’s beautifully designed pages are – among other things – a postcard and a hand-made packet of seeds that will grow into plants which will in due course attract honey bees, ladybirds and other ‘good’ bugs into the garden. Printed within a couple of blocks of her home by a second generation printing business, the book features carbon neutral paper, vegetable inks and string binding so that, says Laura, “this book will compost and will be good for the planet in years to come.” The book contains 80 recipes, most of which were initially published in Laura’s Sunday Star-Times food column, which has been running for several years now. Spread over the four seasons to encourage readers to eat locally and seasonally, the recipes feature exquisite images by freelance photographer Michael Bradley and are, in many cases, further enhanced with a quirky illustration. But just in case you think this food is only for special occasions, think again. “It’s the food we eat at home, but it’s also food I’d be perfectly happy to serve to an ‘illustrious’ guest,” says Laura. In fact,

Above — Food writer and chef Laura Faire adds a special artistic touch to each copy of her book.

some of her favourite recipes are those “that I throw in the oven to cook while I spend a couple of hours in the garden.” And given Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, it’s worth knowing that Limited Edition Cookery is full of delicious recipes that are perfect for a romantic dinner. Trained at Leith’s School of Food and Wine in London, Laura has been a chef at several well-known Auckland eating establishments. She has also worked in a bank, where she reckons the technical writing skills she learned have been enormously helpful in her food writing. Limited Edition Cookery by Laura Faire, photography by Michael Bradley, Spot Publishing, $115.00, available through www.laurafaire.co.nz

WIN WITH VERVE AND LAURA FAIRE!

Up for grabs: One copy of Laura Faire’s Limited Edition Cookery!* Interested? To enter is easy. Simply visit www. vervemagazine.co.nz, and click on the competition’s tab.

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FEBRUARY 2014

RECIPES BY LAURA FAIRE

Steamed Fish, Sorrel and Pea Pasta & Summer Crumble

INGREDIENTS

200g pappardelle pasta 400g tarakihi fillets, cut into chunks 4 medium sorrel leaves, chopped 6 pods of peas, podded, or ¼ cup peas 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon chopped chives 1 chive flower, petals only salt, pepper and lemon wedges to serve

1 cup milk seeds from ½ vanilla pod 2 free-range or organic eggs, yolks only 2 tablespoons caster sugar 1 tablespoon flour 1 tablespoon cornflour ½ cup cream, whipped until soft 3 cups mixed fresh berries, hulled and cleaned 70g pecans ½ teaspoon flour 2 tablespoons maple syrup 6-8 small amaretti biscuits

METHOD Bring a pot of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta as directed on packet.

Pour into a bowl to cool and lay a piece of baking paper on the surface to prevent a skin forming. Chill for about 2 hours (I tend to make it the day before). Whiz the custard mixture in a blender until smooth and then fold in the cream. Chill for 2 hours or until ready to serve. Coat the pecans with the flour and maple syrup and spread on a lined baking tray. Bake at 180ºC for 7-10 minutes until caramelised. Cool. Chop roughly .

Place a steamer over a separate pot of simmering water.

METHOD

Layer the custard into glasses with the berries and sprinkle with crushed amaretti biscuits and maple pecans.

Place a heatproof dish to fit that (I use a saucer) over the pot and place the fish and peas on it.

In a small saucepan bring the milk and vanilla seeds nearly to the boil – you will see little bubbles forming around the edge. Remove from the heat, do not let boil (this is called scalding the milk).

Makes 4 large or 6 medium desserts Preparation time 25 minutes (includes cooking time) Chilling time 4 hours

Cover and steam for 4-5 minutes until the fish is cooked. Drain the pasta and toss in the olive oil, chives, chive petals, salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Transfer the dressed pasta to bowls and arrange the fish and peas on top. Serves 2 Preparation time 5 minutes Cooking time 10 minutes

Whisk together the yolks, caster sugar and a little of the scalded milk in a large bowl, whisk until pale. Beat in the flours, then the remaining hot milk. Clean the pan used for the milk. Return the mixture to the pan and stirring continuously bring to the boil. Keep stirring even if it gets lumpy – give it a good quick stir and don’t worry too much because you’ll blend it up later.

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Indoi: Sublime Indian Dining

3a Short Street, Newmarket (09) 522 1144 www.indoi.co.nz admin@indoi.co.nz / Lunch and dinner menus / Take away or dine in / Private function room available / Catering service offered / Portable tandoori oven with chef to cater available for function hire

Situated just off Lumsden Green, in a familiar corner of Newmarket, is an unremarkable building housing a most remarkable Indian restaurant. Indoi (the name used for people from India by the ancient Greeks) presents meals in traditional Indian style, spiced with passion and imagination, celebrating life with inspired combinations and mouth-wateringly good ingredients.

Premium Indian Whiskey, and although Indoi has a sophisticated bar area, it nevertheless offers diners the choice of BYO as well.

The menu is essentially Indian, with special touches, like their Thali’s for instance, which is like a platter, or steel tray, beautifully styled with a selection of various aromatic delicacies, for you to dip into, mixing and matching tastes to your heart’s content. Options are vegetarian or non-vegetarian, each Thali consisting of two curries of the day, raita (yoghurt), chutney, salad, fragrant butter naan (gluten-free option available), rice and a morish samosa — veritable Indian feast. The chicken dishes are unmissable with the star of the show being the house specialty, Indoi chicken curry: boneless fillets of tender chicken cooked in red wine, sautéed onion and tomato gravy. What makes this particular dish remarkable is that not only is it extremely yummy, but absolutely no oil is used in the making of this curry!

As in many of Auckland’s finer dining establishments, the kitchen and all its busyness is on show and not hidden behind closed doors, making for fascinating viewing. Justifiably proud of their traditional charcoal fuelled Tandoori ovens, the Indoi team are happy to show and explain to you how these ancient ovens are able to produce the most fragrant of flatbreads and delicate roast meats.

For those of you who, like us, love to punctuate Indian dining with a sip from a long glass of cooling, refreshing lassi, Indoi has a selection to choose from. Contrary to its name, the sweet lassi, is not overly sweet at all, hinting of vanilla and rose water, topped with a sprinkling of cardamom and almonds, it is creamy and delicious. It is hard to imagine that there would be room for a dessert, but if the night is long and the conversation good, and the mains have had time to settle, then maybe you could squeeze in a shot of homemade mango ice cream or gorgeous Gulab Jamun (deep fried balls of flour and Indian milk product served warm in sugar syrup with garnishing of dry coconut and almonds). The wine list has something for everyone, even offering such delights as

The décor, like an unfinished canvas, is slowly evolving into something less transitional, and will soon boast touches of the exotic and antique, rich in colour and texture. Watch this space.

Indoi is open every day of the week, from 11am till late. So if you are a fan of Indian cuisine, and enjoy trying new places, we can highly recommend you visit this establishment. Ujjwal, host extraordinaire, will be there to greet you, and his team will be only too happy to share with your their fine philosophy on food: traditional as possible; fresh as possible; served with a smile! Guaranteed: your first visit to Indoi will be the first of many.

Valentine’s Day Special FREE WITH YOUR MEAL: 2 glasses of Lindauer Brut Cuvee per couple on Valentine’s Day! (14 February 2014) *CONDITIONS APPLY.

FEBRUARY 2014

WELCOME TO MY GUESTAURANT… York have them in full swing. We investigate their allure as Auckland welcomes Le Dîner en Blanc next month!

“Say what?” A Guestarant is exactly what it sounds like — a hybrid between being a guest at a dinner party and going to a restaurant. Also known as underground or guerilla dining, a supper club or closed-door restaurant, it is a global ‘antirestaurant’ movement. Hailed as the 21st Century equivalent of a speakeasy (except it’s about food), London and New

Guestaurants operate at a variety of levels. Some are downright illegal or clandestine depending on local health laws but others are above board. Guests may be invited from a registered list (sometimes it is only by reference from someone else on the list), or pay to join the list. There might be a membership fee for a larger club where reservations are sold on a first come first served basis or you might book online as you would for a normal restaurant. Locations also vary. Some chefs have home dinners while others choose unique locations such as abandoned malls or even churches. If it is clandestine, the place is kept secret until a

10 CLONBERN ROAD, REMUERA HOURS: MON-SUN 7AM-11PM WWW.NEWWORLD.CO.NZ/REMUERA

REMUERA

day or two before the dinner, keeping it secure from crashers and authorities. Bypassing health laws is not as scary as it sounds, however the whole purpose of this type of dining is to allow the customer to try something that a normal restaurant wouldn’t serve. It also provides an intimate dinner party atmosphere, so you may know everyone at the party or nobody at all – the experience is about food with likeminded people. Chefs get to experiment with unique ingredients, unusual combinations and presentation without restaurant restrictions and investments, especially when 30% fail within a year. Time Out regularly features supper clubs in London and New York. Chef Uyen Luu presents Vietnamese feasts at her flat in Hackney, London.

10 CLONBERN ROAD, REMUERA HOURS: MON-SUN 7AM-11PM WWW.NEWWORLD.CO.NZ/REMUERA

With fussy eaters discouraged, the suggested donation is £35 per person with a little extra for kitchen helpers. An Ethiopian eatery, Bunna Theme, hosts a secret dinner series called Habesha Nights at venues in Brooklyn and Manhattan with traditions such as a coffee ceremony. Do they exist in New Zealand? Aspects of post-earthquake Christchurch might have qualified. Chef Jonny Schwass, when waiting for his restaurant rebuild, ran private dining for 10 people in a furniture warehouse. At $130 a head, it was a 10-course degustation meal with BYO. In Auckland, Erin Fae, after attending supper clubs in New York created Tin Roof Dinners featuring high-end vegetarian food. So get in on the New Zealand scene and check tinroofdinners.tumblr.com!

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ART & ABOUT

Book Reviews 1. LARKSWOOD Valerie Mendes The story behind this novel is as intriguing as the book itself. Author Valerie Mendes is in her seventies and is the mother of very famous film producer, Sam Mendes of James Bond fame. Working for many years at various publishers and with a list of books to her name, she wrote Larkswood over a period of eight years, but wasn’t too happy with the outcome. After some good advice, an introduction to a new publisher and an attendance at a writer’s workshop, Larkswood was reborn and ready to meet the world. It is a saga spanning three generations of a family, the main connection being the Hamilton family home of Larkswood. The disaster that divided the once close family back in the summer of 1896 has long lasting repercussions. Larkswood is a tale to lose yourself in, and fingers crossed, Sam Mendes might, just might, make a movie of his mother’s novel. Sit back, enjoy and pass on the good news to fellow readers.

2. THE VISITOR Sally Beauman Whether you are an independent reader taking some time out to catch up on summer reading for pleasure, or a member of a bookclub looking for the next good novel for the bookclub get-together, then you will need a stash of books by your side to while away the warm afternoons. One book to add to your list is The Visitors by Sally Beauman. A young girl is sent to Egypt in 1922 after a family tragedy; it’s exactly the time of all the excitement of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb — Cairo is all abuzz and full of strange visitors from other countries. Lucy longs for a friend her own age and meeting Frances, the daughter of an American archeologist changes her life. Good characters, an atmospheric setting and an historically fascinating period means The Visitors has all the makings of a cracking good read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

wrong quantities. This new book by Australian nutritionist Lola Berry will show you how to rethink your diet. She will introduce you to over 100 great recipes with her own twist, making all your favourites good for you (including Banoffee Pie!). Lola also shows how simple it is to eat real foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. Whether you are wheat-free, gluten-free, or sugar-free, you will be able to enjoy the recipes in the 20/20 Diet Cookbook.

4. STEALTH HEALTH LUNCHES KIDS LOVE

Words: Doris Mousdale

Tracy Griffith If you are not looking forward to emptying lunchboxes still full of noteaten lunch in the coming months, then this is the book for you. Tracy Griffiths has come up with a huge range of alternative lunches for those picky eaters, but not only that, there are really tempting tasty treats that anyone would love to have stashed away for the midday refueling session. Plenty of clever ways to disguise all the healthy stuff that we need to eat to keep the energy levels high and brains functioning at top speed. This book will inspire you to change your family’s lunchtime menus and they will love you for it. P.S. Lots of gluten-free recipes too.

3. THE 20/20 DIET COOKBOOK Lola Berry Healthy eating is the kingpin of healthy living and as we are all too aware, most of us are eating the wrong food in the Arcadia Bookshop 26 Osborne Street, Newmarket (09) 522 5211 www.arcadiabookshop.co.nz

FEBRUARY 2014

HARBOURVIEW SCULPTURE TRAIL

MARCELLO SERPA FOR HAVAIANAS

Harbourview Sculpture Trail 2014, Te Atatu Peninsula, Auckland. 8 – 30 March 2014, open daily 10am–6pm

The global popularity of Havaianas is testament to the consistent, brilliant creative work of Brazilian-born creative director, Marcello Serpa.

The Harbourview Sculpture Trail is a unique exhibition and sale of contemporary art. Over fifty established and emerging New Zealand artists have created pieces specifically for this beautiful site at Harbourview Peoples Park, Te Atatu Peninsula. With a backdrop of spectacular city and harbour views, the trail is located just 15 minutes drive from central Auckland.

When Marcello Serpa joined AlmapBBDO in 1993 as partner and creative director, Havaianas was his first account. Since then he has been the mastermind behind the happy, eye-popping ads that have seen Brazilian jandals become a global brand.

The three week exhibition includes onsite kids activities including a ‘Creation Station’ hosted by Lopdell House Gallery, a ‘Peninsula Beats’ evening presented by The Luscious Food Store, an open photographic competition, and a People’s Choice Award for the most popular sculpture, as voted by the public. Free curated tours will run every Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 2pm. A bike hire station is also available at the trail on weekends for visitors who are keen to extend their exploration around the beautiful Te Atatu Peninsula. For tickets, to book bikes or for more info visit www.harbourviewsculpture.com

Sculpture Joyful Dancing by Wolf Habichhorst Image by Vanessa Green

Verve takes a look at a couple of the literally brilliant campaigns that he has created for Havaianas over the past two decades.

“The sky is blue, the sea is blue. It was about time someone broke the monotony”

“If you love something set it free!” View more of Marcello’s briliant Havianas campaigns on our website, vervemagazine.co.nz/featuredarticles/

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Coming up at the Movies 1. DALLAS BUYERS CLUB IN CINEMAS FEB 20 Matthew McConaughey stars in The Dallas Buyer’s Club, the real-life drama from Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallee. The film centres on Ron Woodroof, a Texan electrician diagnosed with AIDS who began smuggling alternative drugs into the U.S. to help himself and other AIDS patients. His actions put him on a collision course with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which was bent on keeping the drugs out of the country.

2. LE WEEK-END IN CINEMAS FEB 27 Le Week-End is a beautifully observed, funny and poignant story about the nature of love and commitment where husband and wife yearn to recapture their youthful fearlessness, lack of responsibility and idealism. A married couple, Nick and Meg (Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan), revisit Paris to revitalise their marriage, and run into an old friend (Jeff Goldblum) who gives them a new vision on life and love. Le Week-End marks the latest collaboration between Roger Michell and his long-standing partners, writer Hanif Kureishi and producer Kevin Loader – the trio also worked on Venus, The Mother and TV’s The Buddha of Suburbia.

3. STORIES WE TELL IN CINEMAS MAR 6 This documentary unpeels the complex life of Diane, an aspiring actress and mother, and the shockwaves that a series of impulsive actions unleash on her children, husband and community. With this groundbreaking new feature that seamlessly blends past and present, the real and the imagined, Polley’s characteristically unflinching yet compassionate gaze delivers a level of depth and emotion only hinted at by her acclaimed earlier directorial works, Away From Her and Take This Waltz. Making this film all the more memorable is the revelation that the mother depicted and family in question is Polley’s own.

4. THE ROCKET IN CINEMAS MAR 6 A boy who is believed to bring bad luck leads his family and a couple of ragged misfits through Laos to find a new home. After a calamity — filled journey through a land scarred by war, to try and prove he’s not cursed he builds a giant rocket to enter the most lucrative but dangerous competition of the year: the Rocket Festival.

WIN WITH VERVE AND TRIGGER MARKETING Up for grabs: 3 x double passes to The Rocket!* Interested? To enter is easy. Simply visit www.vervemagazine.co.nz, and click on the competitions tab. *CONDITIONS APPLY

FEBRUARY 2014

Graham Young Graham Young has built a reputation for creating paintings that capture the vibrancy of contemporary New Zealand life through sparkling light and bold colour. And while the beautiful New Zealand landscape is often the backdrop for his works, Graham also focuses on how people live in their country — the human touch is always evident in his works. These paintings have made their way into collections internationally, with the appeal of his work transcending national boundaries. He enjoys travelling and has a keen interest in art history, but New Zealand, his adopted home, remains his primary inspiration not just as a visual motif, but the relaxed Kiwi attitude to life. Black Door Gallery is proud to showcase a selection of recent work by Graham Young – just one of our regular featured artists. Right: Graham Young, “Through The Doorway”, 2012. 760 x 610mm. Oil on canvas.

John Allen John Allen, an emerging New Zealand sculptor has been working with wood since he was 7 years old. As an artist he sees the beauty in twisted branches and craggy weathered timber. Bringing together these natural forms and smooth finely-crafted surfaces, John endeavours to show the intensity and turmoil of life, juxtaposed with the deep peace and serenity he knows to be inside and behind it all. Black Door Gallery is proud to showcase a selection of recent work by John Allen – just one of our regular featured artists. Left: John Allen, “Embrace”, 2013. 700 x 300 x 600mm. 9.5kg. Finely finished fallen Pohutukawa root, New Zealand Granite, Totara feet.

Showcasing a beautiful selection of contemporary NZ Art and Design. Paintings, Glass, Ceramics, Textiles, Jewellery, Lighting, Gifts and more. We offer free gift-wrapping and arrange fully insured domestic and international shipping. Black Door Gallery, 251 Parnell Rd 09 368 4554 www.facebook.com/blackdoorgallerynz

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Crafting Dreams Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

The multi-award winning Weta Workshop is an absolute Kiwi institution. The visual effects and film prop pioneers were founded in Wellington in 1987 by Tania Rodger and Richard Taylor (now a Sir). Initial projects included TV shows Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess, along with early offerings from Peter Jackson such as Meet the Feebles and Braindead. But it was their work with Jackson on Lord of the Rings that truly secured Weta’s place in cinematic history, showcasing their magnificent talent on the world stage. “The passion that goes into building our physical effects is enormous,” says Weta’s General Manager, David Wilks. “We pride ourselves on our unique creative capabilities. Our physical designs from Lord of the Rings, when you actually stand in the room with them, the scale is just incredible.” Are people taken aback that so many special effects are still real, and not created digitally? “It does surprise people, the actual physical aspect. Some of our actual physical effects – which range from props, to weapons, armour to prosthetics and everything in between – need to be built and then reproduced digitally, depending on how they will appear on film. Visitors to the workshop are blown away not just by the breadth of what we do, but also by the films we’ve worked on. It’s an amazing history.” Indeed, middle-earth aside, their filmography boasts gems such as Avatar, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Last Samurai, with BAFTAs and Oscars propping up a lengthy awards list. Not bad for a relatively small studio in the

Wellington suburb of Miramar. “It really is an incredible building that inspires creativity,” adds David. “And the people are such a talented bunch who can build almost anything. There is no other company quite like Weta Workshop and there is something so very Kiwi about it. The international industry acknowledges that New Zealand is a serious player, but that doesn’t mean that we can rest on our laurels.” Are you currently working on any exciting projects?

“Yes, lots.” Can you elaborate? “No! Well, I guess I can tell you we’re making the miniatures for the new Thunderbirds series, and also we’re helping James Cameron with early conceptual design work for the upcoming Avatar films. There’s plenty more, but it’s such a challenge. We have this incredible job, but we’re not allowed to tell anyone too much about it!” There have been so many technological advancements in the past decade. I ask David how he sees the industry evolving over the next ten years. He says there are too many variables to give a definitive answer. Everything from how stories are told to how they are delivered has shifted, he tells me, and there has been a blurring of the line that separates television from film. Shows such as the Walking Dead boast cinemalike production and the highly beneficial result for us as viewers is that everyone must remain on top of their game. “Ultimately, audiences will always have an appetite for stories,” says David. “But, as for what will be happening in ten years, who knows? But I’m certainly excited to be a part of it.”

01 — Genelle Eaglen painting a specialty costume for Elysium 02 — Kim Docherty overseeing prosthetics for The Hobbit - An Unexpected 03 — Riders of Rohan armour from Lord Of The Rings Images by Steve Unwin

FEBRUARY 2014

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The King’s Arms Tavern: An Auckland Icon Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

It doesn’t take long to realise that matriarchal Maureen Gordon, landlady of Auckland’s most iconic live music venue, takes no prisoners. “You soon learn not to,” she laughs. “When my husband died over twenty years ago, there were very few female publicans around. My husband was great at it and the regulars loved him.” Later, I will uneasily ask the queen of the King’s Arms her age. I know it impolite to ask a lady such a question, but I figured it relevant here. Maureen doesn’t. “A journalist from the Herald asked me that not so long ago…” her voice tails off, mischievously leaving the words hanging in the air. I wonder if the journalist is still locked in the basement or something.

there would be the following. I was quite wrong.” Star visitors include Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, the Dresden Dolls, Lucy Lawless and Japanese all-girl group the 5.6.7.8’s of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. “We get a lot of internationals,” Maureen tells me. “Our size is more boutique. It’s intimate and a lot of the bands really like that. There are not many places that open up into a garden either.” Paul Crowther of Split Enz looks after the equipment and resident sound engineer, Mark Peterson, is “the best in Auckland”. Maureen recently arrived to be told by her manager, Harry, that there may be trouble. An underager had arrived: “Where is she? I demanded, and Harry directed me out to the deck with a smile. It was Lorde!”

Established sometime in the second half of the 19th century, the tavern is one of the city’s oldest. Maureen has been at the helm for three decades. “It’s a lifestyle for me,” she says. “I don’t have to be here. You have to constantly be on the ball. When a new place opens up downtown, I’m checking it out within the first week.” It’s a lifestyle that Maureen was born into, her family having always been involved in the hospitality trade, owning establishments here and in Sydney.

The landlady, however, prefers to get her cultural kicks elsewhere. She’s a fan of the opera, and, before she was wed, performed on stage regularly. “I’m off to watch the opera in the park in Sydney in March,” she tells me. “I also have a yearly subscription to the philharmonic orchestra here at the town hall, which I visit about six times a year. It can be quite the contrast to arrive back here and find someone with a green Mohawk trying to sneak a bottle of vodka into my pub!” And the secret to her longevity? “Numbers are not always what make a great night,” she says. “Money isn’t everything. You must want to make people want to come back. To me, it’s like theatre. Once you lose the passion, then it’s time to go.”

When she first took over the King’s Arms, it was a ‘working man’s pub’. She introduced country music gigs which eventually faltered, opening the door for the pub’s famous rock nights. “I must give a lot of credit to my daughter, Lisa, for that,” says Maureen. “She used to work in the music industry in London and she persuaded me to let her give the alternative scene a go. I didn’t think

01 — Astro Children perfomring at the King’s Arms Tavern. Image by Ben Howe for Under The Radar 02 — Surf City performing at the King’s Arms Tavern. Image by Ben Howe for Under The Radar 03 — King’s Arms Tavern circa 1840 04 — King’s Arms Tavern today

FEBRUARY 2014

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VERVE INTERVIEWS:

Iconic New Zealand Drag Artiste’s Buckwheat & Tess Tickle Verve: In your view, what is the definition of a drag artist, and what do you believe to be the biggest misconception about drag queens/artistes? Buckwheat: A drag artiste is one of many things, a chameleon, a mood enhancer, a mentertainer, a vision of elegance and style, a conversationalist, well rounded and charming, witty not scathing, funny not crude and broad shouldered for a battle at any time. The biggest misconception about drag queens/artistes is that we live in our personas 24/7. The number of times I have to explain to people that it’s all smoke and mirrors and that it all comes off after the show and that I live my everyday life as a man.

I couldn’t imagine being trusted up in feathers and sequins every waking hour of every day. It’s a great day look at the Remuera, New World — wait a minute — I have been shopping there in full drag regalia and everyone survived. Tess Tickle: To me, a drag artiste is someone who takes on the persona of a drag character and utilises it in a creative and unique way as a form of expression. It usually comes from the flip side of their own personality, kind of like Jekyll & Hyde! The biggest misconception about drag queens is that we all want to be women. Most of us are boys who love the ritual of what it must take to be a women — we’re just reflecting that in our own way. At the end of the day, for most performers we love to take it all off afterwards, soak our feet and have a nice cup of tea! I know that sounds boring but that’s really it. V: Tell us a bit about yourselves and how you came to work in a frock for a living? BW: I grew up in West Auckland, son of Samoan immigrant parents, with a very religious family and I was number six of eight children. I always had a love for music, theatre and performance. I have two older and two younger sisters — so being stuck in the middle of four girls was a great foray into hanging with the girls. I ended up in a frock over 20 years ago when I bought into a nightclub and couldn’t find a decent drag hostess for the club’s activities. Bertha, the then resident

hostess, moved to Wellington and after a series of not so good hostesses I thought “how hard can it be?”... so I donned a dress and never looked back. I got out of the club industry a long time ago but the character remains. TT: I’ve been doing drag for over 20 years now (I lost count after the First World War). It all began as a bit of fun. I moved to Australia in 1997 and entered a talent quest. I didn’t win but two of the contestants in the finals asked me to join them and we formed a group called The Frockaholics. At this time Priscilla the movie had just taken off and Sydney drag was suddenly thrown into the mainstream. Australia and the world couldn’t get enough of drag. I ended up working in every club, bar, sauna, dance party and also travelling around the world. I was working five nights a week on the main gay strip in Sydney and loved every minute of it. I moved back to New Zealand five years ago as my mum wasn’t well and I thought I’d retire the frock and get a real job. That didn’t last long as Bucky said to me, “I have some corporate bookings coming up if you need some work.” She said the magic word “corporate”, so I donned the wig, frock and the eyelashes and we have been working together ever since. I do have a day job as well by the way — Tess is very expensive to upkeep.

FEBRUARY 2014

The art form of drag is very different to regular makeup and over the years I have learnt many trade secrets that people often ask me about like, “how do you get the glitter on your lips?”, “How do you make your eyebrows disappear?”, “Why was your face fat and round and now it looks like Naomi Campbell!?”… and many more. You’ll have to come see the show if you want to find out how Bucky tucks it away. WARNING: don’t sit in the front row if you still want to enjoy your meal!! V: What are some of the biggest challenges of the drag artist? BW: Changing it up, being innovative and challenging myself as a performer and as an entity, which people can connect with. Keeping my interest in it alive and keeping things fresh so I can then pass it on through my work to the audience. I’m still winning but sometime I feel it’s time to hang up the old girl — and rest assured, when that day comes there will be one helluva garage sale in Remuera! Watch out. TT: The biggest challenge for me now is deciding when to hang up the frock. I can’t keep doing this forever, as it is very hard work and can start to take its toll on my body and my corset ain’t getting any easier to put on, in fact it’s just holding on by a thread and piece of gaffer tape!

01 — (L-R) Buckwheat and Tess Tickle

V: How did your friends/family react when you first started? BW: My friends were not shocked at all — come to think of it, neither were my family. They were like — we knew it! I guess my folks were concerned that I was about to run out and change sexes, but I explained to them that this was not the case, that it was a character and I was quite happy being of the male persuasion and wouldn’t be crossing the great gender divide anytime soon. TT: The good thing about moving to Australia back then was there was no internet, Facebook etc. so none of my family back home really knew what I was getting up to. My mum was the main person I told before I left and she absolutely loved it. She was always asking for pictures and had seen a few of my shows. In time the rest of my family found out and were all really excited about it. I don’t know why I was so scared to tell them, mum had spilled the beans to them ages ago. V: How would you describe Buckwheat and Tess to someone who has never met you/seen you on stage? BW: Larger than life goddesses who are there to take you away from your everyday life. You think you may have problems and then you see Buckwheat and Tess and think, sheesh I’ve got nothing to worry about — look at them! And life is great again. Glamazons of

the highest order who bring joy to any occasion large or small. We don’t bite, unless you really want us to! TT: Imagine you had two fairy godmothers, both as big as an All Blacks defender, with loud but witty personalities, shrouded in an array of sequins, feathers, eyelashes, wigs, jewellery and a ton of makeup! Well, times that by 100 and you have us! V: How long does it take to prepare for a performance, and what goes into your preparation? BW: The transformation takes around an hour comfortably. It’s the close shave, the blocking of natural eyebrows, contouring and the changing of the face shape which creates the illusion. Making sure you have the right costuming, song choice and background information appropriate for your booking and audience. It all needs to gel, so as a performer, I need to do my homework to ensure that what I bring to the gig will go down well. And I must say, my success rate is 98%, the other 2% was a very long time ago. TT: It takes about an hour and a half from the moment you get into the bathroom; shower, shave — to the moment you walk out the door in full drag. The makeup itself takes 20 to 35 minutes, depending on whether I’m running late. In the past I’ve done it in ten minutes, it just wasn’t pretty!!! As part of our show ‘One Night Only’, we do all our makeup on stage so the audience can see the transformation.

V: Where can verve readers see Buckwheat and Tess? BW: Over the Pride Festival — Staircase Reunion on Saturday 8 February; Big Gay Out — Coyle Park, Pt Chevalier, Sunday 9 February; One Night Only, Bluestone Room, Auckland City, Tuesday 11 February. Also available for private booking and events email buckwheatnz@gmail.com TT: I also perform for Limelight Cabaret doing dinner and shows and also at Legend Bar on Karangahape Road every Friday and Saturday. V: Any parting thoughts? BW: Do your part to make the world you live in a more fabulous place — make magic for those around you and if you can lend someone in need a hand, it’ll come back you, it always does. Mwha Buckwheat xox TT: Get involved in The Pride Festival, go to an event if you are curious. There are tons of creative and wonderful things happening. Check out the latest express magazine for all details — and don’t forget the Auckland Pride Parade Saturday 22 February, Ponsonby Road at the NEW TIME OF 7pm!!!

The Second Auckland Pride Festival runs from 6-23 February. For full programme of events visit aucklandpridefestival.org.nz

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VALENTINE’S DAY

Austin Powers villain), allowing you to send emoticons and messages to your heart’s content. FSO has been around for quite a while now and if the seemingly endless pages of testimonials on the site are to be believed, it’s enormously successful. Of course, one hears quite a few ‘horror stories’ too of ‘unrealistic photos’ where the date ends up like a line from a Cat Stevens song: “another fella told me, he had a sister who looked just fine. Instead of being my deliverance, she had a strange resemblance to a cat named Frankenstein”.

Modern Love Words: Angus Brown

“What is a date really but a job interview that lasts all night? The only difference between a date and a job interview is that in not many job interviews is there a chance you’ll end up naked at the end of it…Well Bill, the boss thinks you’re the man for the job, why don’t you, strip down and meet some of the people you’ll be working with!” — Jerry Seinfeld As Verve’s February issue coincides with Valentine’s Day, the Herculean task of producing a brief précis of modern dating in Auckland has most regrettably fallen to this hapless writer. Frankly, I’d sooner clean the Augean stables and attempt to slay the Lernaean Hydra than take on the multi-headed beast that is the modern dating world. A quick Google search of “dating in Auckland” yields a staggering 6,370,000 results! It’s overwhelming. After chatting to a few single friends, I manage to shave that list down rather considerably. What follows then is a very brief, entirely anecdotal and utterly unreliable synopsis of the big three. I’m told that ‘Two’s Company’ represents the crème de la crème of Auckland dating, so it is there I begin.

The owner, Sasha Madarasz tells me that on the whole, “Kiwi’s take dating far too seriously. In America and Europe there’s more of a ‘dating culture’ and I believe we should just lighten up and have fun with it.” Perhaps she’s right. In any event, it does sound like singles could lighten up a little down here. TC works like this: a new person signs up (about 10 times a week on average) and a profile is then created of them and their partner ‘wish list’. Their dating agents and database guru’s then match that person with other people on their books. Two’s Company requires a investment — $550 (which is their special ‘10 year birthday’ deal) this gets you four introductions. So you’ve got to be committed. But Sasha tells me most of their customers are very happy with the introductions made on their behalf and they’ve got a massive list of success stories to prove it. For the impecunious and the less committed, you can always put yourself up for auction on trademe’s site, ‘Findsomeone’ (FSO). Here you can join for free and have restricted searching and messaging options. Or, for $29.90 a month you can become a ‘Goldmember’ (just like the eponymous

I must be getting old (sigh), but the international phenomenon known as ‘Tinder’ seems entirely bizarre and alien to me. Informed by the editors that I had to give it a try “just for research purposes”, I reluctantly downloaded the app and gave it a whirl. Being older, and possibly a little technologically challenged, it took a while to figure out how to work it. But soon enough I was swiping left for ‘nope’ and right for ‘liked’ at a great speed, based only on whether I considered the person’s Facebook photos agreeable or not. Good grief! It felt like some sort of weird video game without being nearly as much fun as I remember ‘streetfighter’ once being. God knows what’s supposed to happen now. I think I’ll delete the account before I find out. And then of course, there are the old fashioned, time-honored hook-up methods of work, touch rugby, parties and of course, the pub. In light of everything I’ve learned in the course of writing this article, I think I’ll stick to the path more travelled and head to the pub for a pint!

“

I’m told that ‘Two’s Company’ represents the crème de la crème of Auckland dating, so it is there I begin. The owner, Sasha Madarasz tells me that on the whole, “Kiwi’s take dating far too seriously. In America and Europe there’s more of a ‘dating culture’ and I believe we should just lighten up and have fun with it”.

FEBRUARY 2014

TWO’S COMPANY

STILL SINGLE?

VALENTINE’S DAY

LOVE-LY QUOTATIONS

Well, Valentine’s Day has just about rolled around yet again. If you promised yourself last year that you wouldn’t be single this Valentine’s Day, then now’s the time to do something about it! If you change nothing — nothing changes. It’s not as easy to meet good, eligible, single folk these days. We are simply not getting the opportunities to meet other single people. When you’re in your twenties, you’re still hitting the bars and clubs and have a large circle of friends. But by the time you hit your thirties your network of single friends is smaller — some have met their match and are starting families, others are consumed by work. And if you choose to hit the bars now, you’re usually doing so to catch up with friends and not to pickup strangers. On Monday after work you have tennis, Tuesday a work-do, Wednesday dinner with the family, Thursday drinks with your mates and for the weekend you might pop down to the beach with your family or friends. So where do you fit in meeting other single people?

Love makes your soul crawl out of its hiding place. Zora Neale Hurston Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age. Anais Nin

Well that’s where we come in. My name is Sasha Madarasz and I run Two’s Company — Auckland’s busiest dating agency. We celebrated our tenth birthday last year and our database of great, eligible singles looking for a long-term relationship grows daily.

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward in the same direction. Antoine de Saint Exupery

Clients chose us because they would rather die than have their photo on the internet and hate the thought of a group event where they might bump into a colleague, client or neighbour. You and I meet, we talk, we let you know if we have the right people to introduce you to, you can then walk away and make your own decision in your own time.

He who falls in love with himself has no rivals. Benjamin Franklin

So do something for yourself this Valentines Day — check out our website or give us a call.

Sex is an emotion in motion. Mae West

Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house you can never tell. Joan Crawford Life and hope for the world are to be found only in the deeds of love. It is easy to fall in love. The hard part is finding someone to catch you. Bertrand Russell Do you love me because I am beautiful or am I beautiful because you love me? Cinderella Love is metaphysical gravity. R Buckminster Fuller People think that love is an emotion. Love makes good sense. Ken Kesey

Sasha Madarasz 0800-021-522 sasha@twoscompany.co.nz www.twoscompany.co.nz

After all these years I see that I was mistaken about Eve. It is better to live outside the Garden than inside the Garden without her. Mark Twain Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. Henry Miller Faults are thick where love is thin. English Proverb Nothing spoils the taste of peanut butter like unrequited love. Peanuts

HAPPY VALENTINES FROM VERVE!

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JOURNEYS

Malaysia! Lonely Planet Ranks Malaysia in its Top 10 Destinations for 2014

Travel bible Lonely Planet — one of the industry’s most trusted and popular travel guides has ranked Malaysia among its top 10 tourism destinations in the world for 2014 and it’s the only Asian country to make the list.

Malaysia is number 10 on the list, with Brazil, Antarctica and Scotland taking out first, second and third place in the Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2014 list. Lonely Planet described Malaysia as “rolling out an array of new attractions”, highlighting several exciting new destinations, such as the newly opened Melaka Bird Park in Melaka (now the biggest aviary in Malaysia), the hugely popular family theme parks such as Legoland Malaysia and Hello Kitty Town in Johor and the luxury boutique Gaya Island Resort on Pulau Gaya in Sabah — a member of the coveted Small Luxury Hotels of the World group. The list also mentions enterprising softadventure options like cycle tourism in areas such as Sabah and Penang, and the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) — scheduled for completion in April this year and designed to cater for Malaysia’s booming budget airlines sector. Lonely Planet writers based their ratings on, “scores for topicality, excitement and that special X-factor” — elements that Malaysia has in spades. “We’re absolutely delighted and not at all surprised that Malaysia has made it onto this prestigious list,” says Zalina Ahmad, director of Tourism Malaysia in New Zealand. “It’s such a diverse and fascinating country to visit with truly something for everyone — whether you want exotic rainforest or beautiful beaches, active or

01 — Perhentian Beach 02 — Tea village in the Cameron Highlands 03 — Kuala Lumpur’s landmark Twin Towers

luxuriously passive, world-class shopping and dining experiences, exciting nightlife or just perfect peace and quiet. This announcement comes just in time for Visit Malaysia Year 2014. It’s the perfect time for New Zealanders to discover Malaysia.”

Malaysia Airlines flies direct from Auckland to Kuala Lumpar daily

FEBRUARY 2014

Leave Your Travel Plans Up To The Expert! Hi, my name is Nancy Crooks and I am your local Air New Zealand Holidays Travel Broker. If you are thinking about a holiday anywhere in the world, whether by air, land or sea, I promise to make planning for it a real pleasure. Having spent 40 years with Air New Zealand in retail travel, I am now an Air New Zealand Holidays Travel Broker offering a highly personalised travel booking/planning service in Auckland’s eastern suburbs. I am an avid traveller and my journeys have taken me to many parts of the world. I welcome the opportunity to share my wealth of knowledge and personal experiences with you. As an Air New Zealand Holidays Travel Broker, I have direct access to

a huge variety of travel products and opportunities all over the world, and I can discuss them with you personally in your home or office, by phone or email. Big or small getaway, near or far, I look forward to discussing your travel plans with you. Call Nancy on (09) 575 8476 or 021 757 440 or email nancy.crooks@ airnzbrokers.co.nz

client testimonial “I first met Nancy over 20 years ago when she sponsored yacht racing at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club and we won a trip to LA. Since then Nancy has organised and booked all our overseas travel, both business and private holidays and our travel experiences have been great. I have found Nancy very pleasant and helpful to deal with and would recommend her to anyone wishing to travel.” — Marijke Moore

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Nanu Sail Through Life Words: Angus Brown

Nanu is the brain-child of Gabriele Jordan, now based in Sydney. Having worked in the design and textiles industry for some time, Gabriele has a lateral and innovative mind that sees opportunities even where others see only rubbish. When she discovered how many old Dacron sails were being discarded each year, presumably destined for landfills, Gabriele was at once concerned about the environmental effects and inspired, because she quickly saw the enormous potential inherent in this unique material (in point of fact, ‘Nanu’ is a German word meaning ‘positively surprised’). Dacron, which sails were made out of prior to Kevlar (and often still are), is light-weight, extremely tough and very easy to clean. The obvious application in her mind then was outdoor bags and furniture. And so, one of the coolest eco-brands in recent years was born. Nanu products have a classic, tough, timeless quality about them and boy will they look at home in the City of Sails! Their flagship product is called The Sailor’s Lounge. Unlike traditional bean-bags, it keeps its comfortable shape without all the annoying plumping and moulding each time you want to use it. Also, because no two sails are exactly the same, each lounge is unique, reflecting that sail’s particular history. Or, if you want one with certain numbers and letters on it, no problem, just let her know.

01 — Nanu Sailor’s Lounge 02 — Beach bag 03 — General purpose home and living bag for laundry and recycling

Other great Nanu products include stylish beach and travel bags with leather straps and karabiners, which as well as looking great, are light and virtually indestructible. So you can throw them around on the beach or the boat without worrying about them. My personal favourite though, is the Nanu Dreaming Hammock. Ahhh yes. “Santa, I think a bespoke A.B. hammock will fit rather nicely in the (necessarily enlarged) Christmas stocking this year”.

03 www.nanu.com.au

FEBRUARY 2014

Travel InformatIon

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Butterfly Bay

Words: Angus Brown

As 2013 drew to a close, I had the good fortune to spend four days and nights at a magical spot in the Far North called Butterfly Bay. Home to a fine flutter of Monarch butterflies, the aptly named bay is located in the gorgeous Tauranga Bay near the mouth of the Whangaroa Harbour. If you’re unfamiliar with the region, the Whangaroa Harbour (a favourite haunt for boaties and big game fishermen) is on the East coast, just a short drive north of KeriKeri in the Bay of Islands. After the hustle and bustle of the preChristmas madness, Butterfly Bay was more than a welcome respite. It was, in the words of Robert Louis Stevenson an “absolute balm for the weary”. The property features two dwellings (the owner’s private cottage and a selfcatering lodge) built into a dramatic rock face overlooking a magnificent private beach. The lodge itself is a light three-level building made from native timbers with extensive decking around its circumference. The house has three spacious bedrooms, each with its own ensuite, open-plan lounge, kitchen and dining areas and simply breathtaking views. From the deck and in fact from nearly every room in the house, one looks straight out at the Pacific Ocean — with Stephenson Island to the north, Oruatemanu Island and the Arrow Rocks to the east, and nothing but white sand, ancient looming Pohutukawa trees and 100 acres of native bush all around. How fitting I thought, that I should be engrossed in Hemingway’s Islands in the Stream during our stay. The great man would have liked it here I’m sure. Whilst we abstained from the absinthe and daiquiri’s favoured by ’Papa’, the views from the deck were augmented by fairly

liberal libations of champagne, Asahi and rosé. Not that any augmentation was necessary of course, but it was New Years Eve after all. And so we passed our days in the splendid isolation and warm shelter that has made Butterfly Bay home to one of the largest butterfly sanctuaries in Australasia. The golfers made the short trip to Kauri Cliffs, later regaling us with stories of mythic drives and views, (almost) as good as ours. The rest of us swam, listened to the waterfall nearby the house, read our books on the deck and strolled leisurely round the point to Tauranga Bay whenever our legs needed a stretch. On the fine evenings, the speakers were shifted outside and we put the barbeque to good use as the sun settled beneath the hills behind us. On the one night that was less than perfect, eating inside was just as pleasant and the games room under the stairs provided a fun diversion for the evening.

Ours was a fairly sedentary vacation but it certainly doesn’t have to be. There is so much to do here, whether it’s game fishing, scuba diving, surfing at nearby Takou Bay or just enjoying the famous fish and chips at Mangonui, Butterfly Bay has something for everyone. Our only regret was that it was over too soon. www.butterflybay.co.nz Note: Butterfly Bay takes only one booking at a time, i.e. one house, one beach.

FEBRUARY 2014

05 01 —The beach 02 — The lodge 03 — Butterflies resting on ponga fronds 04 — The hole in the rock 05 — Lodge interior 06/07— Views from the house/deck

For more info visit www.butterflybay.co.nz NOTE: Butterfly Bay takes only one booking at a time, i.e.: one house, one beach.

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Freedom Camping Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

“Camping out is well enough known in New Zealand,” wrote the Colonist newspaper in 1895, “where it is a genial and favourite method of spending a holiday.” The first half of the 20th century then became the Golden Age of Kiwi camping as equipment advanced and motorvehicle ownership spread; as did word of these two islands offering some of the world’s best landscapes. With 14 national parks, New Zealand remains a camping mecca for locals and foreign tourists alike. Freedom camping (parking your van or pitching a tent in a non-designated campsite) not only saves money, but offers the opportunity to take advantage of those roads less travelled. A divisive issue, freedom camping has aroused the ire of some New Zealanders with the main complaint being the incorrect disposal, or even non-disposal, of waste. In 2011, the Freedom Camping Act was introduced to give local councils greater regulatory controls. While some, such as the Waimate District Council, have encouraged the practice (and is now, according to the Motor Caravan Association, one of New Zealand’s best free camping destinations), others, as in the Coromandel, have sought to minimise it. According to the Department of Conservation, “Freedom camping is permitted on public conservation land, except in areas where it is expressly prohibited, or restricted to selfcontained vehicles.” The Department of Conservation is in charge of more than 250 public camp areas, some of which are free and offer the bare minimum of a drop toilet and running water courtesy of a tank, stream or river – which is likely needed to be boiled for at least three minutes before drinking.

SOME SUGGESTED SPOTS Lake Pukaki offers various locations, most of which have a maximum stay rule of two nights, and all camping must be at least 200m from the road. It offers stunning views of Mt. Cook. Additionally Monkey Island Beach on the outskirts of Orepuki boasts some of New Zealand’s best sunsets. Walk over to the island at low tide, scale its peak and marvel at Fiordland.

Little Waipa Reserve sits on the banks of Lake Karapiro off the Waikato River, south-east of Hamilton. A tranquil oasis, it’s perfect for fishing. Furthermore Lake Taupo offers a host of sites such as Reid’s Farm, Mangakino and Whakamaru Reserves. Although freedom camping can be so pleasurable, there are advantages to using even the most basic of campgrounds.

• Better safety and security for you and your belongings • Access to water • Toilet and washing facilities • Fire pits and safe barbecuing areas. DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT First aid kit, basic tools such as a hammer and pocket knife, good quality sleeping bags, torch, matches, waterproof clothing, rubbish bags, insect repellent, toilet paper, cooking equipment and utensils, ice box, bottles, map, compass and a fully charged mobile phone. And of course that all important camera to take only pictures, leaving only footprints. For more info visit: www.camping.org.nz www.doc.govt.nz

01 — Freedom camping in the South Island. Image by Amaya Williams courtesy of camptrend.com 02 — Lake Pukaki. Image: wikipedia 03 — Metal first aid kit by Best Made Co. www.bestmadeco.com

FEBRUARY 2014

Greek & Turkish Tapestry 21 night cruise

4175

per person, twin share. Departs Venice 27 Jun 2014.

US$150 onboard spending credit per stateroom^

Visit: Venice, Rhodes, Kusadasi, Athens, Istanbul, Mykonos, Santorini, Naples & Rome Includes: â&#x20AC;˘ 21 nights onboard Queen Elizabeth â&#x20AC;˘ Main meals & entertainment onboard

United Travel Remuera 333 Remuera Rd (09) 520 8330 travel@utremuera.co.nz *Terms & Conditions apply. Offer subject to availability at time of booking. Prices are per person share twin based on best available cruise fare, inclusive of all discounts unless otherwise stated. Flights are additional. Includes government fees & port charges. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations & based on cash or cheque. Travel agent service fees may apply. Special conditions apply, please ask for full details at time of enquiry. Confirmation on booking must be secured by a non-refundable deposit of 10% of total cruise fare which is required within 3 days (by midday) of reservation. Price is for cruise only & does not include airfares, pre/post accommodation or transfers. ^Onboard credit is in US dollars & is per stateroom (based on 2 people). Credit is non-refundable, non-transferable & cannot be redeemed for cash. Travel agent service fees not included. UT1821

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BUSINESS & SOCIETY

MESSIAH

RUDY’S PC SERVICES

ANALYSE THIS — USING GOOGLE ANALYTICS TO MAKE SENSE OF YOUR WEBSITE

WELCOME TO RUDY’S TIPS ‘N TRICKS

Somebody, perhaps it was Mark Twain, once said that there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. If you run a website or social media page you’ll no doubt have become obsessed, at some point, with how many hits, likes or plusses you receive every time you post a comment. Intuition would tell us that the more we get, the better we’re doing, right? Well don’t believe the numbers.

2014 looks to be an exciting year as new technologies roll out and prices for IT hardware continue to fall.

To make sense of any statistic we need to put it in context. Google Analytics (GA) is a free service that will allow you to track a huge range of numbers for your website. Without guidance, however, these numbers can be overwhelming. This is where you should work with somebody qualified to figure out what numbers actually matter to you. Some people will tell you that you need to lower your bounce rate (the number of people that leave your site after looking at only one page.) But what does that matter if your goal is to have them look at only one page? Others will focus on the number of visitors. But what does that matter if none of the visitors are potential customers? GA can also track which pages are popular, what things have been clicked on, what device people are using and more. In order to sort the wheat from the chaff, I work with my customers to create a customised ‘dashboard’ (one of the features within GA). This allows us to pick out the handful of stats which really matter to them. We then schedule a weekly or monthly email, so that they get these stats straight to their inbox. This serves as a reminder to run the numbers and compare them to previous months so that we get a meaningful sense of progress (or not). It also means that we can make small adjustments cheaply, but regularly, that will have a long-term impact on the success of their website. We’re not always 100% correct (because statistics never tell the whole story) but by making such analysis a regular part of your marketing plan you can move closer, by small degrees, towards a powerful online sales engine.

James McGoram is an author, designer and the director of Messiah Studio, a web design company based in Parnell, Auckland. Visit www.messiah.co.nz for your free online business guide.

We have just launched our new website, www.rudys.co.nz which has new Laptops Tablets and PC’s that you can purchase directly. Backup drives and all computer related products. Also links to our remote support and general information. Our laptop repair service is ramping up and we cater to all makes and models. All work is guaranteed. I have recently had a few customers come to me after they ‘restored’ their computers to out of the box factory settings. They didn’t understand that doing this deletes all their data. While it’s a great way to refresh your PC or laptop, you need to have backed up essential data like email, documents and photos. If you think your computer is a bit slow and has errors, then this is a good way to extend the life of it, but call me first so we can ensure you don’t lose anything important. Do you have a laptop or PC that is not performing well anymore? Whether it is old or only a few months from new and not giving you what you need, I have a solution for you: Instead of replacing your machine I can install a Solid State Drive/SSD to replace your existing hard drive. These SSD’s can typically operate at up to 10 times the speed of a SATA mechanical type hard drive. At Rudy’s PC Services we can help you set up the best solution for your needs. Call us about anything regarding your computer and we will be glad to advise you and fulfil your requirements. We are all about making long term relationships with our customers. We give ongoing advice and support. Often for free! Like us on Facebook and share with your friends and family. Phone 579 7809 or email rudy@rudys.co.nz

Rudy’s PC Services 09 579 78 09 rudy@rudys.co.nz See Rudy’s PC Service’s ad on page 81. Rudy's Verve Mag advert.pdf

27/09/13

10:13 AM

FEBRUARY 2014

BUSINESS & SOCIETY GEN-C

Making Waves Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

Sherpa Surf Guide is an application like no other and is poised to be the go-to app for surfers around the globe. Creators Gene Hogan and Reuben Cairns-Morrison may very well be riding the sweetest wave of success, but first things first; they just want to fix their van. “She might be the only one in New Zealand,” Reuben proudly tells me. “It’s a great mascot for the brand.” The pop-top camper is manufactured by Leyland and the model name is, of course, Sherpa. “We actually found the van after we’d christened our app,” adds Gene. “So when we saw it, it was a no-brainer.” The two twenty-something entrepreneurs have been using said van to travel the country, updating what they believe to be a world first: an app that blends both a surf guide with surf forecasting. It will not only instantly tell you where to find New Zealand’s best waves at any given time, but also provide you with the fastest way of getting there via Google maps. It’s aimed at surfers of all levels. “The forecasts have been around forever, as have the surf guides,” Gene tells me. “But the mobile platform is relatively new so it was the first opportunity to combine them. Being younger is an advantage when it comes to understanding the technology.” Their youth, they say, was an obstacle until others realised the potential of their scheme. Such is the guys’ confidence in the product they are even giving it away for free. “We decided in the long term it’s better to build a large network of regular users, as opposed to charging for the download,” says Reuben. “We choose which companies place ads and who the sponsors are. We want them to increase the functionality of the app.” This is done by only allowing messages from surf-related companies or local businesses such as backpackers or cafés situated at the surfing hotspots. Gene and Reuben have been friends, “for as long as they can remember,” having grown up in Piha. Both their fathers are keen surfers, a pastime they passed on to their sons. “We cover all bases,” says Gene. “My graphic design background

01 01 — The Sherpa van 02 — The Sherpa app 03 — (L-R) Sherpa Surf Guide creators, Reuben Cairns-Morrison and Gene Hogan

brings a creative angle, whereas Reuben is stronger on the technological and business side. Also, as we’ve both surfed our whole lives, we know what surfers want.” And they’ve clearly nailed it. The feedback they’ve had from the surfing community has been “100% positive” even though they’ve specifically asked for some constructive criticism. “Sometimes it feels as though we’ve met everyone who has downloaded our app,” jokes Rueben. “Every beach we visit, we find people who have used it.” I suggest its popularity, like so many great ideas, stems partly from its simplicity. “It seems like a simple idea, but the mechanics behind it are actually quite complicated,” Gene says. “But, between us, we have created something that is simple to use. One of the main advantages is that it was designed specifically as an app, whereas some others are condensed from regular websites. It means ours looks and performs so much better on the smaller screen of a smartphone.” The app is currently aimed at iPhone users, but plans to launch an Android version will come to fruition shortly. Gene and Reuben have also deliberately built it in a way that leaves room for overseas locations, and will be heading to conquer the surfing markets of Australia and the US soon. First things first though, they just need to fix that van.

For more info visit: www.sherpasurfguide.com

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THE ART OF LYING Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

There is a case, some would argue, for the ‘great temptation’ being history’s first ever mistruth, the mighty fall of Adam and Eve forever branding our souls with the burden of sin. But for those who favour evolution over creation, the art of deception may well hold even more ancient roots. A study at Trinity College Dublin discovered deceptive behaviour rife amongst species that regularly engaged in co-operation, with primates being the most notable example. “Ultimately, our ability to convincingly lie to each other may have evolved as a direct result of our cooperative nature,” Luke McNally told ABC, having studied 24 different primate species with his research team. “Of course, deception may have benefits in many spheres of animal behaviour. For instance, mating and aggressive encounters.” It is a trait not limited to primates, with even spiders and bacteria dabbling in deception’s dark art. “It has even been shown to evolve in robots,” continues McNally. “Our theory suggests that co-operation evolves before deception, but deception will follow hot on its heels.” While men (politicians, especially), are often portrayed as serial misleaders (though admittedly, politicians usually are), studies have shown that women are the more capable fibbers. The reason is that ladies’ language and communication skills are far more adept. An average woman on an average day will utter a staggering three times the number of words than that of an average bloke. They also develop more advanced communication skills at a younger age than their (cave!)man counterparts. “Men and women lie in equal measures,” says Steve van Aperen. “What is often interesting is their reason for doing so. A woman is likely to lie to protect or make someone feel better about themselves, whereas men often do it to make themselves look good. Women have more evaluation centres in their brains. Men’s lies are often simplistic – Why are you late? ‘I was caught in traffic’ – whereas women’s more fluent language allows for greater elaboration.” Australian Steve van Aperen has been labelled by media across the globe as the ‘Human Lie Detector’, and with good reason. The former police officer now advises government agencies and corporate bodies on a worldwide scale and is a CNN and 60 Minutes regular. He has trained with the FBI, the CIA and has just been invited to front one of the USA’s longest-running shows, America’s Most Wanted; one of only a handful of foreigners ever bestowed the honour. “In reality, it is very hard for the average person to lie,” van Aperen tells me. “Research also shows human beings are not very good at spotting liars either.” Steve asks me to name my first job but cuts me off before I can answer. While trying to remember, he tells me, my eyes rolled up and to the left; a sign

FEBRUARY 2014

“

While men (politicians, especially), are often portrayed as serial misleaders (though admittedly, politicians usually are), studies have shown that women are the more capable fibbers. The reason is that ladies’ language and communication skills are far more adept.

of neurological recall. It is a myth that breaking eye contact betrays a mistruth. And besides, I couldn’t have lied as he’d cut me short. Looking up and to the right – the creative side of our brain – is a more likely sign of deceit. Though, even this is no guarantee. Instead, van Aperen studies his subjects holistically. “There is no one tell-tale sign that is indicative of deception,” he says. “I teach people to baseline a person’s behaviour, then to look for deviations from their normal state. If you haven’t benchmarked a person’s behaviour from the start, you won’t see any changes when they’re fabricating or embellishing a story later on.” Steve tells of how unaware we are of our own body’s betrayal of our innermost thoughts: “We know that across all cultures human beings use the same expressions of emotion – from shock to anger, happiness to sorrow – and usually within a hundredth of a second. They’re called microexpressions, and feigning them is very, very difficult.” Our use of language is also telling. “Truthful people will often take ownership,” continues Steve. “Or they simply deny something outright: ‘I did not do that’. Whereas a guilty party would more likely say, ‘I’m not the kind of person to do that’.” The use of tenses, too are important. Rarely, says van Aperen, will innocent parents talk about a lost child in the past tense because they live in hope that their kids will be found unharmed. He gives the example of an American woman who told a journalist that she ‘loved’ (as opposed to ‘loves’) her missing children. Days later, the children were found murdered, their mother guilty of the crime. Other indications of lying include sidestepping questions, answering with other questions, contradictive behaviour (nodding during a denial, or shaking the head with an agreement) and subconscious concealing of the face. “For every lie a person tells, they must invent a further two or three to protect themselves,” Steve says. “They must avoid contradiction. A truthful person relies on memory to recall details such as smells, times and emotions, but a deceptive person must fabricate these and that takes longer to process. They feel a greater need to convince us of their honesty which is where we’ll often see the changes in tense, pronoun use, micro-expressions and body language. Behaviours all associated with fear of being caught in a lie. Often we don’t look for these changes, let alone pay any attention to them.” The phrasing of questions is vital. Asking a murder suspect if they know for certain where the victim’s body is offers them an opportunity to mislead. Though they may have committed the crime, the body may have been dumped at sea, or they may have had an accomplice dispose of it, so they would not be lying by denying knowledge of the body’s whereabouts.

Questions must be direct: “There is no such thing as a bad interviewee, just a bad interviewer.” What is also important is for suspects to like Steve. He tells of a time interrogating a man suspected of abusing a child, with van Aperen’s colleague verbally tearing the man to shreds; threatening him that his life, as he knows it, is over, that his wife will leave, his family will disown him. “My colleague simply gave the man a thousand reasons why he shouldn’t own up,” says Steve. “Later, I calmly said to the suspect, ‘the only thing I want to know is, did you mean to hurt her [the victim]?’ He looked to the floor, slowly shaking his head and whispered ‘no’. I had a partial confession.” We chat some more and Steve conducts a couple of rather disconcerting psychological observations on yours truly. I ask him if he’s ever able to switch off and he says that he’s learned to in social situations, though he sometimes still can’t resist. He jokes (I hope), that he has few friends left. But those who remain certainly know better than to try to cheat him out on the golf course.

Australian Steve van Aperen has been labelled by media across the globe as the ‘Human Lie Detector’, and with good reason. The former police officer now advises government agencies and corporate bodies on a worldwide scale and is a CNN and 60 Minutes regular. He has trained with the FBI, the CIA and has just been invited to front one of the USA’s longest-running shows, America’s Most Wanted; one of only a handful of foreigners ever bestowed the honour.

01 — Steve van Aperen

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FLICK THE SWITCH W WIN WITH VERVE AND SWITCH! Up for grabs — 3 FREE one-on-one SWITCH coaching sessions*. Interested? To enter is easy. Simply visit www.vervemagazine.co.nz, and click on the competitions tab. *CONDITIONS APPLY

To be a great life coach, one must have a great deal of life experience. Kristin Liggins has sure had that. Her first marriage ended in separation. Her exhusband suffered from such severe depression that he would, years later, take his own life. Kristin steered herself and her children through the grieving process and took stock — reassessing what truly mattered. “But change is hard,” says Kristin. “So hard that most of us avoid it at all costs. By avoiding change, we create even bigger problems such as lost opportunities, broken relationships, or sometimes even a wasted life.”

FEBRUARY 2014

Her first steps of her new life’s journey took her across the Southern Alps on the gruelling Coast to Coast multi-sport event. Kristen found love again, and remarried. Her biggest – and bravest – gamble was to give up the emotional and financial security of a highly respected job. “After 25 years as a dental surgeon, I decided I wanted a change in career, but I didn’t know where or how to start,” she says. “It was the year 2000 and life coaching was very new in New Zealand. I liked what I read and decided to give it a go. The coaching was so inspirational that I decided to become a life coach myself and that was when TLC — TheLifeCoach was born. It’s been quite a journey. The transition has been the major contributing factor to me gaining the skills to navigate my family through some difficult times.” TLC — TheLifeCoach provides the solution and tools to assist change. But first of all, you must have the courage to initiate it. “Through personal experience, we know it is hard, but it is possible,” says Kristin. “We have been there and have come out the other end, positively. We are passionate about helping by sharing our experiences.” All aspects are covered. As well as life coaches, the company has a financial planner, clinical nutritionist, NLP practitioner and psychotherapist. “To successfully change, you may have to remove yourself from everyday life,” continues Kristin. “Propel yourself from your comfort zone to take a journey of self-discovery to find clarity of what you truly want. You can turn your dreams into reality, by aligning your goals and values.” Two years ago, Kristin and her husband took a gap year to, “re-evaluate life and plan how we wanted to spend our future.” They headed to the Americas, travelling both the north and south continents, and while there, she says, she had a vision: “We saw first-hand that people are starting to see that change is required in our society, but they don’t know how to start the process. People said they wanted more from life than the clichéd nine-tofive. We saw the effects of the worldwide recession in every country we visited.” They were faced with the grim reality that the global economic downturn has forced the hands of so many. “Life has become overcomplicated and difficult. For some, these hard financial times have manifested in stress, divorce, redundancy and poor health. This is why so many are beginning to re-evaluate how they live their lives.” One of the most striking aspects of the trip was the realisation of the rewards of simple things. Kristin was overwhelmed when witnessing un-westernised cultures that retained strong family, community and

religious traditions, and just as remarkable was an absolute lack of materialism. “Having experienced it, and comparing it with our more complex life, we have come to believe that most people are simply overstimulated by all that is available to them,” says Kristin. “As a society, we don’t take enough time out to just be in touch with ourselves and nature.” It was this way of thinking that inspired Kristin to expand TLC — TheLifeCoach with the addition of SWITCH, a personal development programme tailored for those serious about change. SWITCH focuses on three aspects of your being: health, wealth and self. The programme, she says, will show you how to ‘switch’ from who you are today, into what you want to be tomorrow. It incorporates classroom teachings with the great outdoors. SWITCH will be based in Parnell, with trips to the Auckland parks, harbour, waterfront and the Coromandel. “Change has become hard because we have lost the art of sitting and reflecting, planning and dreaming,” adds Kristin. “To change our behaviour, we must change what we believe. Busyness, caused by thinking we should live our lives a certain way because of advertising, the media and other people, inhibits us from filling our lives with what we truly want. We may believe we must work hard to be successful, but too often it’s at the expense of leisure, family or friends. We must introduce balance. If you have your health, financial freedom and a positive attitude, clear of negativity, you can have a better life and truly do anything you want.”

01 — With locals at Pisac in the Scared Valley, Peru 02 — Arriving at the Lost City of Machu Picchu after four days on the Inca Trail 03 — Local market Otavalo, Equador

Switch for Tomorrow. Don’t fear change: learn from experts how it’s possible. For more info visit www.thelifecoach.co.nz. Based in Parnell.

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JAMES COLEMAN “THE DUDE ABIDES” Words: Angus Brown

James Coleman is one of those cool characters who are invariably relaxed, perennially smiling and always ready with plenty of chat — even when he’s been up since 3am preparing for his first@five show on Radio Live. His is the sort of humble, laid-back confidence that comes after 20 years of working in film, television and radio. Either that, or he’s just naturally cruisy. He keeps himself in shape with cross-fit and mountain biking and this helps him to deal with the early starts. Even so, he generally has to hit the hay pretty early and the coffee pretty hard to get through the long day. Growing up in Marton, a rural area northwest of Palmerston North, James naturally thought his next move would be studying agricultural science at Massey University. But silage and soil science soon gave way to psychology and student radio — the latter combination proving far more fun and allowing him the perfect excuse to indulge his passion for alternative music. Following his degree, James treaded the boards at drama school for a few years before landing parts in the short film Thinking About Sleep and the local feature film, Stickmen, alongside Robbie Magasiva and Paolo Rotondo. Ever the multi-tasker, he juggled acting and DJing in those early days as one of the breakfast and drive hosts on Channel Z. He later moved to Kiwi FM and finally to Radio Live, where he has filled a number of time slots over the years and currently produces and hosts the early morning show. It’s a challenging and dynamic show for obvious reasons and James has to keep his finger on the pulse of domestic and international news at all

“

Ever the multi-tasker, he juggled acting and DJing in those early days as one of the breakfast and drive hosts on Channel Z. He later moved to Kiwi FM and finally to Radio Live, where he has filled a number of time slots over the years and currently produces and hosts the early morning show. times, sometimes teeing up an interview with a foreign correspondent soon after arriving in the studio. James’ confidence, flexibility and quick wit eventually garnered the attention of TV3 and he became one of the first hosts of the Sunrise show. Ultimately the experience would be a short-lived one, as the show did not rate well. Still, he loved the buzz of the live-television experience and it was a great thrill while it lasted. It’s a well-known fact that men love toolsheds, grinders and basically anything with an engine in it. So in 2010, James had to pinch himself when he was given the pleasure of co-hosting a show called Bigger Better Faster Stronger. As the title suggests, this was a show wherein he and co-host Greg Page (or Pagey) basically ‘pimped’ everyday household

items like vacuum cleaners, washing machines and blenders in whatever way they wanted. Amongst their hilarious creations were a high-powered spud cannon, a rocket-propelled mail delivery system, a flame-thrower and my personal favourite, the supercharged clothes dryer — the aim here being to rapidly speed up the clothes drying process. The lads basically turned a conventional dryer into a lawnmower-powered centrifuge, replete with a spinning blade and hooks. However, perhaps unsurprisingly, when the clothes were dumped into the machine the result was just a shredded strip of cloth plastered around the studio walls, interspersed with the odd hook, which thankfully missed all the cast and crew! It’s always fun following James’s adventures and we can’t wait to see what hijinks he gets up to in 2014.

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HIGHWIC HOUSE

HIGHWIC PLANT FAIR RENT ARREARS

The Highwic Plant Fair — a specialty event for keen gardeners and plant collectors, will be held again at Highwic, Auckland, on Sunday March 16.

Landlords, be vigilant! 75% of tenancy tribunal applications concern rent arrears.

The Plant Fair will bring together a select group of small specialty growers and groups who will showcase all manner of special plant treasures of real interest to keen gardeners and passionate plant collectors – including plants, bulbs, shrubs, trees, vegetables and flowers.

This is the time of year when tenants get behind with their rent. Christmas is an expensive time, causing a shortage of money. An automatic payment is all very well, but if the money is not in the account then it cannot be put into yours! It is so important to check your bank statements for rent payments. If you forget, you could be in big trouble. Once tenants are in arrears it is often the start of a slippery downhill slide. You should communicate with them and ask them why they are not paying the rent and you may be able to help the tenant to work out a way to pay the rent. If they genuinely can’t afford the property there is no point in continuing the tenancy. Rather than take them through the Tenancy Tribunal, let them move out immediately before the rent arrears get too large. Even if you obtain a court order for the rent arrears, it is no use if they have no money. You must take action immediately on rent arrears. Tell new tenants that your policy is zero tolerance on rent arrears. Send out 14-day letters and keep in contact with them over this period: start the tribunal process, you can cancel if rent gets paid.

“Most of these growers’ plants are not available at retail outlets, so this is a great chance to find them all in one place without driving for miles,” says the manager of Highwic, Cheryl Laurie. And following the success of last year’s event, the produce stalls will be expanded this year to include a wide variety of delicacies available for people to buy. “Last year’s fair was very well supported and we’re confident that this year’s event will be even bigger and better,” says Cheryl. “The Plant Fair will also build on the success of Highwic’s Sweet Pea Festival which took place in November last year.” Plants for sale will all be suitable for growing in the Auckland climate and would-be purchasers will have a chance to speak first hand with a group of incredibly knowledgeable specialty growers. Some of the growers will also give short talks on their products, including cultivation tips and new varieties.

Then there is landlord insurance: these policies have cover to reimburse lost weeks’ rent in a variety of situations. Property managers and private landlords all have this problem. So start 2014 with a zero tolerance towards rent arrears, it really is the best policy.

A great pop-up café for those seeking refreshment will be available along with a plant crèche. People will also have ample opportunity to view the beautiful gardens at Highwic while the fair runs from 8.30am – 4pm.

Good renting.

Entrance to the Highwic Plant Fair will cost $10 per adult, children are free. Admission also gives entry to Highwic.

Sylvia Lund AREINZ Just Rentals Ltd MREINZ 40 St Johns Road, Meadowbank www.justrentals.co.nz Ph. 09 528 4817 or 09 528 4818 Fax. 09 528 4816

PLANTS, BULBS, SHRUBS, TREES & VEGES

The friendly team specialising in home rentals and property management.

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

PLANT FAIR AT HIGHWIC SUNDAY, 16 MARCH FROM 8.30AM – 4.00 PM Mortimer Pass, Newmarket, Auckland Telephone: 09 524 5729 E: highwic@historic.org.nz www.highwic.co.nz

FEBRUARY 2014

DEBORAH LEE MARLOW

CHAPTER 1: HOW TO ‘BOOTSTRAP’ STARTING YOUR BUSINESS There’s a sign that I keep on the wall of my office. It says simply, “Nothing Happens Until Somebody Sells Something.” In other words, ‘sales’ are where your business begins. As a Bootstrapper, you often can’t afford an office, staff or market research. You may not even have a finished product yet. But you, the Bootstrapper, don’t need these things to get started. As soon as you can start selling — that is, go out and find customers willing to buy your product or service — you have a business. When you start a business, your first concern is sales. Everything else can come later, that may even include the product or service. In fact, sales are the

best way to come up with a product that people will buy. Often when I start a business I don’t have enough money to launch it correctly. What made it ‘real’ were sales. I called on hundreds of potential customers, described the business that I was planning and asked them whether they’d be willing to buy this product. Some said yes, however, when a potential customer said no, that’s when I went into full alert and really started to listen hard. “Why not?” I asked. “What features do you really need? What would make you want to buy this?” And they would tell me. I used the ‘sales process’ to do my market research which identified my customers and customised my product or service.

Had I been awash in capital, I could’ve hired a marketing firm to run some focus groups to figure out what the market wanted. But the ‘Bootstrapping’ way didn’t cost anything, and when I was finished, I had a stack of orders. If no one wanted to buy my product, I would’ve learned quickly that I didn’t have a viable business idea. Rejection isn’t easy, but it’s a lot easier than raising money, renting office space, hiring staff, producing product — and then going out of business because your brilliant idea didn’t pan out in the marketplace.

Deborah Lee Marlow is an internationally recognised entrepreneur, investor and popular motivational speaker. She’s the former founder and CEO of Award Software Inc., over 330mio PCs worldwide use her software today. In Ireland, where she previously lived, she was recognised as “The Business Whisperer.” “Happiness is a Positive Cashflow” www.deborahleemarlow.com ∙ 027 854 4887 ∙

@BusinessWhisper

A big Ray of giving. During the month of December we collected food donations for the Auckland City Mission. We received such an overwhleming response we would like to say a big ‘Thank you’ to all who donated. Your generousity makes a real difference to the wider Auckland city. Now it’s our turn to give back to you - the local Parnell community. If you need a hand with your rental property - from the smallest piece of advice to one of those big issues - don’t hesitate to contact one of the team. We’re here to help.

From the team at Taylor Property Services

2 Heather Street, Parnell l 623 3000 l www.rwepsomrentals.co.nz

Taylor Property Services l Property Management Specialists

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YOUNG AT HEART

POPPET OPTICS

BACK TO SCHOOL —

Looking for quailty children’s eyewear with expert fitting and great back up service?

Help a disadvantaged Kiwi kid get a good start to the school year. Become a Kiwi Kid Sponsor with Variety.

Specialist childrens eyewear clinic, Poppet Optics offers a fantastic range of optical frames, sports glasses, sunglasses, prescription swimming goggles, ski goggles and accessories, providing quality childrens eyewear solutions for busy children.With New Zealand’s largest selection of children’s frames and great advice, you’ll find choosing your child’s next glasses a breeze!

The start of the school year is often one of the most expensive time of the year for families. Children affected by poverty can go without basic essentials such as school uniforms and stationery — consequences of not having these key basic items can create learning and social barriers.

QUALITY CHILDRENS EYEWEAR!

Now stocking a great new range of frames for young hipsters! They may be a little shorter than us and have higher voices. They may occasionally be impetuous, need to be given some direction from time to time, and still have a whole lot to learn. However, that doesn’t mean that they have no taste. Quite the reverse is true: kids instinctively know what they like, and what they do not. This also applies to glasses. And, after all, they are the ones who will have to face the school playground wearing them. One satisfied client says, “we would absolutely recommend Poppet Optics to all parents looking for a truly professional, caring and friendly experience.” Phone Steph 09 523 4403 or email steph@poppetoptics.co.nz to arrange a complimentary consultation. www.poppetoptics.co.nz *Mention the ad below when you purchase new glasses and receive a free pair of prescription swimming goggles valued at $95 (conditions apply).

Dispensing Optician, Steph Cawte, will ensure your child gets the best fitting sunglasses. 1A Wootton Road, Remuera (09) 523 4403 www.poppetoptics.co.nz steph@poppetoptics.co.nz

Protect those precious eyes with quality glasses.* *Mention this ad when you purchase new glasses and receive a free pair of prescription swimming goggles valued at $95! (conditions apply)

ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE TIMES FOR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS

Become a Kiwi Kid Sponsor with Variety – The Children’s Charity and for as little as $35 a month, you can help one of the 265,000 Kiwi kids living in poverty get a good start to the school year. Your regular donation will help to provide a single disadvantaged Kiwi kid with the basics that their family/ caregiver is unable to afford. This includes, but is not limited to, schooling essentials, home basics, medical care and extracurricular activities. Become a Kiwi Kid Sponsor today – visit www.variety.org.nz or for more information, email giselle@variety.org.nz

FEBRUARY 2014

HILTON BROWN SWIMMING A LIFE SKILL JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WALKING AND TALKING We all expect our children to grow up to talk and walk well. We should also expect them to swim well. Swimming is one of life’s most important skills. Water Safety New Zealand says that 7 out of 10 Kiwi kids can’t swim to save themselves. It’s a scary statistic when you consider that being in the water is part of New Zealand’s culture. Learning to swim doesn’t happen by accident. Ingrid Sharp of Hilton Brown Swimming explains: “Swimming is what’s known as a ‘gross motor skill’. It’s a wholebody action that takes time to learn, just like walking and talking.” Hilton Brown Swimming’s benchmark for competent swimming is being able to swim 200 metres using a correct stroke and breathing techniques.

“We offer new customers a free trial lesson, so that we can see what’s needed in the way of coaching,” says Ingrid. “Our lessons are structured so that children are taught at the right level – not too easy, not too hard. We promote them to the next level as soon as they’re ready, so they can make progress at their own pace.”

Apart from the obvious life-saving benefits, being a good swimmer is great for self-esteem. How will your children do at this year’s swimming sports? If you want to give their skills a boost, now’s the time for a FREE TRAIL at Hilton Brown Swimming.

There’s something fishy about our free trial lesson… During February every free trial lesson at Hilton Brown Swimming comes with a child’s FREE PASS to Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium.*

Soon you’ll be swimming like a fish • Skilled instructors who care about your progress. • A range of levels to suit infants through to adults. • A safe, clean environment. • 40 years’ experience successfully teaching swimming. * Free trial lessons are for new customers only – one child free entry to Kelly Tarlton’s can only be used with a purchased adult admission.

HBS_OTH_NMKT_Verve_FebSchHols_2013_12.indd 1

Call us now to book. Newmarket – Ph: (09) 529 0177, Olympic Pools & Fitness Centre, Broadway. One Tree Hill – Ph: (09) 582 1111, 714 Great South Road.

www.hiltonbrownswimming.co.nz

12/15/13 4:18 PM

PETS

ANIMAL EMERGENCY CENTRE

KILLER GRAPES!

WORM FARMING ON THE RISE!

In Veterinary Emergency we are often asked whether various foods are toxic to pets. One such foods is grapes. For the purpose of this article, this includes sultanas, raisins and currants, which are dried grapes of various forms. Despite significant confusion, I can confirm that toxicities CAN occur in dogs. It is a complicated toxicity, since the toxic mechanism is unknown and there doesn’t seem to be a correlation between amount consumed and clinical effects. A dog might eat a few sultana’s and show severe signs of toxicity, while another dog might have eaten large amounts and show no symptoms whatsoever! Therefore it’s very difficult to advise whether your pet will experience toxicity or not. Symptoms you may see if toxicity has occurred include; lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive drinking, excessive or lack of urination. Grapes affect the kidneys and will destroy or impair their function. These symptoms may develop within one or two days after ingestion. If the consumption was recent, the veterinarian could make your pet vomit and administer agents which bind toxins, so they get removed from the system without being absorbed in the gut. The functionality of the kidneys can be checked by blood tests. Treatment with intravenous fluids for several days is recommended to prevent or reverse the kidney damage. The treatment of kidney disease is notoriously difficult and might not be successful, leading to the death of your pet. Therefore, prevention is key! I would strongly recommend not feeding your pet any grapes, raisins, sultana’s or currants and to bring your pet in for treatment immediately if you suspect ingestion of even a small amount of these foods. Dr. Marieke Wijnen BVSc Animal Emergency Centre 97 Carrington Rd, Mt Albert 09 849 2121 www.animalemergency.co.nz NIGHTS • WEEKENDS • PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

See Aminal Emergency Centre’s ad on page 81.

Open when your regular vet is not 97 CARRINGTON ROAD, MT ALBERT

TELEPHONE 849 2121

Teaching pre-school children to worm farm is creating the next generation of sustainability heroes in New Zealand, says PORSE Tauranga in-home educator Jodi Purdie. The single mum says she expects worm farming to rise across New Zealand as more early childhood education (ECE) providers use worm farming as a way to educate children about sustainability. “I integrated worm farming and sustainability into my PORSE programme because children have a natural interest in the subject and want to learn.” Miss Purdie completed a worm farm course at the Tauranga City Council and at the end of it she was given her own farm. “After finishing the course, I thought what a fun way to help educate children about the environment, so I thought I would start worm farming with the PORSE children in my care. “The children love the worm farms. They all bring healthy packed lunches each day so the banana skins and apple

cores can go straight to the worms. We try and have as little waste as possible. Once the waste is broken down we put it on the vegetable garden so the children see the whole cycle. We are big on trying to reduce, re-use and recycle.” Tauranga City Council Waste Minimisation Programme Leader, Kimberley Cleland says in the last few years its worm farming workshops have doubled in size and it has had to increase the number to meet demand. “We now have over 100 people attending each workshop and waiting lists every time. With the rise in home vegetable gardeners, more and more people are looking to compost and use worm farms to provide fertiliser for their plants. Worm farming helps the Council’s goals to reduce organic waste to landfill.” “Worm farming is really hands on and fun for children because they can see the food breakdown and then see how it can be used as fertiliser for the soil. Educators like Jodi are fabulous advocates for our community.”

FEBRUARY 2014

THE DOG CLUB

ENROL YOUR DOG NOW! The Dog Club is a club exclusively for dogs, a dog daycare catering for Auckland’s eastern suburbs. A place where dogs come to exercise, play and socialise in a safe, fun environment we have created specifically just for them. Our large 820m² premises boasts a state of the art pure rubber floor (10mm thick), essential for dog safety. We cater for dogs of all shapes and sizes, from the ball crazy to the more ‘cruisy’ dudes that enjoy relaxed play. All dogs have access to an outside area, perfect for water play in the hotter months. A n e w s t o r e , o p e n i n g s o o n a t 210 M o o r e S t , H o w i c k

RAW ESSENTIALS

REAL FOOD FOR CATS AND DOGS We are very excited about the New Year ahead. We continue to be overwhelmed by caring owners looking to optimise their pet’s diet. Our role at Raw Essentials is to optimise your pet’s diet, with the simplest of diet plans. We use the evolutionary diet of cats and dogs as a template for optimal health. Simple to put in place and the results are outstanding. From obesity to itching dogs, over grooming cats and diabetics, inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies – we can help them all. Evolution is smarter than any scientist and we know that a focus on real foods is essential. Cats and dogs are hunters. Real foods for cats and dogs include raw meaty bones, organ meats and green tripe from species appropriate prey.

So, think of rabbit, hare, and possum for your pets and you are on the right track. Our in store nurses can help you distinguish between ‘marketing hype’ and nutritional science. Pet food manufacturers are great at marketing functional ingredients, like coconut oil, flax seed oil, sun cured alfalfa, pea fiber and blueberries. All great if you are an omnivorous human but your pet is a true carnivore and can be fed simply and cost effectively with real foods they will just love to eat. Be the hunter your pet wants you to be! Hunt us down at our new Howick store, opening mid February, at 19 Moore St, Howick See website for final opening details and offers, www.rawessentials.co.nz

The keys to The Dog Club are exercise, play, and socialisation — a sitting service we are not. A happy dog is one that has been physically and mentally stimulated, just as with people. Our furry members go home very tired but contented. Visit www.thedogclub.co.nz for an application form and joining details. Contact us on 09-5745125 or admin@ thedogclub.co.nz to book your enrolment and evaluation The Dog Club is located at 62b Morrin Rd, St Johns, Auckland. Open Monday Friday, 7:30am - 6pm.

FREE

HALF DAY EVALUATION FOR VERVE READERS* *Dogs must meet prerequisites (available on our website) and this ad must be mentioned at time of booking evaluation. Evaluation day must be booked by March 14 2014.

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

VERVE’S MARKET PLACE

The friendly team specialising in home rentals and property management.

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

Open 7 days till 5pm each day —

REMARKABLE BREAKFASTS AND BRUNCHES

— SUNNY DECK OR INDOOR DINING

— ALL FOOD MADE ON THE PREMISES

Quench Plus+ Hydrating Plumper 30ml Quench Plus+ is formulated with an amazing plumper to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while firming and evening your skin tone. It’s delicately scented with white grapefruit and bergamot that’s sure to lift your senses. RRP $107 Visit www.osmosisskin.co.nz for more info and stockists information

— AMAZING COFFEE

— CHILDREN’S MENU

VERVE CAFÉ 311 Parnell Rd (09) 379 2860

WHO ARE YOU, AND WHAT DOES YOUR BUSINESS DO? LET AUCKLAND KNOW. ADVERTISE IN VERVE. Call (09) 520 5939 or visit www.vervemagazine.co.nz

COME INTO OUR FABULOUS ROBERT HARRIS CAFE IN REMUERA WHERE WE SERVE HOT DELICIOUS COFFEE IN A WARM ENVIRONMENT. 355 REMUERA ROAD, REMUERA

FEBRUARY 2014 Rudy's Verve Mag advert.pdf

27/09/13

10:13 AM

The home audio specialist

Home Theatre Components Music Systems • Headphones CD/DVD Players • Speakers

Shop online now! www.avalon.co.nz Free shipping within NZ

18 St Marks Rd, Newmarket Parking available

PILATES STRAND STUDIO IF YOU WANT A BETTER BODY, PILATES WILL DO IT FOR YOU.

NIGHTS • WEEKENDS • PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Open when your regular vet is not 97 CARRINGTON ROAD, MT ALBERT

TELEPHONE 849 2121

09 377 7527 | 77 THE STRAND, PARNELL W W W. S T R A N D P I L A T E S . C O . N Z

We Design Your Desires Live With Nature.

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CHINESE STOOLS Instore & Online

Look your best – call us NOW! Phone: 09 529 5115 Email: info@signaturestyle.co.nz 35 Broadway, Newmarket

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COMPETITIONS

Win with Verve This Month! 1

Entering Verve’s competitions is simple. Like our page on Facebook, facebook.com/VerveMagazine, then visit our website, www.vervemagazine.co.nz and click on the competitions tab at the top of the page. Good Luck!

LINDEN LEAVES

UP FOR GRABS: Perfectly timed for Valentine’s, this his’n’hers Linden Leaves set includes: 1x Linden Leaves Memories Body Oil — RRP $54.99, 1x Pure Man Moisteriser and 1x Pure Man Shower Gel — both worth RRP $30.50 each*

*To enter simply follow the instructions above. Conditions apply.

STUDIO 81

UP FOR GRABS: Win a wonderful experience of a modern glamour photo shoot by the award winning team at Studio81. Enter now for your chance to receive a makeover for two and photo shoot at our state of the art studio in the heart of Newmarket. Valued at $320. Plus an amazing $500 of print credit! www.studio81.co.nz *To enter simply follow the instructions above. Conditions apply.

VOGELS

UP FOR GRABS: A $200 gift-basket of Vogel’s cereals including the NEW Café-Style Light Vanilla & Almond* *To enter simply follow the instructions above. Conditions apply.

ELECTROLUX

UP FOR GRABS: The Ultrasilencer from Electrolux* Use Electrolux’s QUIETEST vacuum ever created! So quiet, you can still enjoy watching telly, listening to your favourite music or chatting to friends while the chore is being done. Great for pet hair and what is more –— this is a product that won’t drive your beloved fur friends silly, so quiet is it. *To enter simply follow the instructions above. Conditions apply.

mophie.com

UP FOR GRABS: 1x Juice Pack Helium made for iPhone 5 and 5s!* mophie brightens iPhone 5 offerings with new colours for the juice pack helium: blue, purple, pink, green and red. Ultra-thin, 1500mAh protective battery case provides your iPhone 5s/5 with up to 80% extra battery life. It’s so thin, it’s hard to believe there’s a battery inside. Retailing from $109.95. Visit mophie.com for more info. *To enter simply follow the instructions above. Conditions apply.

FEBRUARY 2014

4 local offices for your convenience

Remuera Ellerslie Royal Oak Onehunga

2/14 Benygloe Place, HIGHLAND PARK

2a Somerset Road, MOUNT ROSKILL

SIMPLY SUPER ...

Brand Spanking New!

www.ljhooker.co.nz/P7WGFW

www.ljhooker.co.nz/P7UGFW

Retirees or professionals - this 1970’s, single level, 2 bedroom brick home may well be your answer! The rear unit of two, it is located in an established cul-de-sac & only a short distance to shops & transport. Enjoy the sun-drenched deck & cottage garden. A gem!

Cherry Killgour

021 780 335 309 0094 cherry@clearrealty.com

Auction On Site 2pm – 22/02/2014 (unless sold prior) Viewing as advertised or by appointment

Brand new home, 2 levels, weatherboard + tile roof. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, single garage, close to Tai Ping + Dominion Road shops.

Winnie Yi

By Negotiation

winnie@clearrealty.com

Viewing as advertised or by appointment

021 88 11 33 624 2742

1/20 St Leonards Road, MOUNT EDEN A Home ALL The Family Will Love!

Spacious and tastefully refurbished 1920s character bungalow. Five bedrooms, large office and multiple living areas. Modern and bright kitchen, formal dining with wood panelling, fire and lead light windows. Sunny living flows outdoors for summer alfresco entertaining. Fully fenced with in-ground pool and tree house. Double Grammar zone plus Maungawhau School and ANI. Great location, close to bus stops, cafes, parks and shops. This is one of those truly special houses you must view!

www.ljhooker.co.nz/P7YGFW

Auction 6pm – 19/02/2014 (unless sold prior) Viewing as advertised or by appointment

Dianne Burt

021 222 123 624 2714 dianneb@clearrealty.com

Opening doors ~ Buying a property with LJ Hooker Auckland Central. We don’t simply understand the property market, we understand the neighbourhoods that make it - from local amenities and schools to transport & community organisations. At LJ Hooker Auckland Central, our local knowledge make us a great place to start your search. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to expand an existingportfolio, we understand a property is so much more than bricks-and-mortar - it’s a place people want to call home.

www.vervemagazine.co.nz

So many reasons, so many facilities... SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A GYM!

Workout in the gym, lap up our heated pools, catch-up with friends over a drink or bite to eat, hit the courts or simply relax in the lounge.

Unrivalled Facilities

You can’t compare Next Generation Auckland Domain to any other fitness club in New Zealand - but you can compare the price at just $27.00 a week.**

25m Rooftop Pool 12 Tennis Courts*

JOIN BY 28 FEBRUARY 2014 AND YOUR FIRST TWO WEEKS MEMBERSHIP ARE ON US!***

State of the art Gym Fitness & Cycle Studios 25m Indoor Pool

Therapeutic Spa Steam Room & Sauna Regeneration Spa TV Lounge Café & Bar Sun Terrace

Call 0800 NEXT GEN for more details or tour the club.

Supervised Crèche

*Managed on behalf of Auckland Tennis. **Price based on a three year Individual Standard membership and correct as at 1 February 2014. ***Offer is for new fortnightly direct debit memberships only (excluding Flexi-Fit and links to an existing membership) and ends 28 February 2014 unless withdrawn earlier. **** Verve Reader offer valid for Individual and Couple memberships only joining in February 2014 and quoting ‘Verve’ at the time of joining. May not be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Tennis Clinics

Swim School Children’s Holiday Clinics

EXCLUSIVE FOR VERVE READERS, JOIN IN FEBRUARY AND QUOTE ‘VERVE’ TO RECEIVE A ONE MONTH COMPLIMENTARY PREMIUM UPGRADE****

Next Generation Auckland Domain 1 Tennis Lane, Auckland (next to ASB Tennis Arena) Tel: 0800 NEXT GEN (639 843) info@ngclubs.co.nz | www.ngclubs.co.nz

Health & Racquet Clubs