Verve. July 2023. Issue 199.

An uplifting monthly eclection of life, style and happenings.

From our snug wool feature to some recipes from Philippa Cameron’s Winter Warmers, and Verve’s charitable sweater drive, the July issue is the cosiest ever! You can also take a trip down Mount Eden’s memory lane.

TRENZSEATER

AWARD WINNING INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE

What’s Inside

Editors-in-Chief

Fran Ninow and Jude Mitchell

Sub-editor/Senior Writer

Jamie Christian Desplaces

Head Graphic Designer

Arna Martin

Graphic Designer

Yamin Cook

Social Media

Yamin Cook

Contributors

Manish Kumar Arora, Claudia Davies, Lucy Kennedy, Dennis Knill, Milly Nolan, Paul Leuschke, Aimée Ralfini and Bella Sampson.

Subscriptions vervemagazine.co.nz/shop

Published by Verve Magazine Ltd

13 Westmoreland Street West, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021

GST 90 378 074

ISSN 2253-1300 (print)

ISSN 2253-1319 (online)

Editorial Enquiries

(+64) 9 520 5939

Fran Ninow: fran@vervemagazine.co.nz

Jude Mitchell: jude@vervemagazine.co.nz

Advertising Enquiries

danielle@vervemagazine.co.nz fran@vervemagazine.co.nz jude@vervemagazine.co.nz pambrown@xtra.co.nz

Cover Photo: Adobe Stock Images: Beautiful woman in beige knitwear. AI generated image.

By Lina

Verve is published monthly (except in January) and has an estimated readership of 60,000. It is a free lifestyle magazine delivered to cafés and businesses in Devonport, Epsom, Ellerslie, Herne Bay, Kohimarama, Meadowbank, Mission Bay, Newmarket, Parnell, Remuera, St Mary’s Bay and Takapuna. Verve is placed in magazine stands for free collection from locations in Auckland City, Devonport, Epsom, Grey Lynn, Herne Bay, Mairangi Bay, Milford, Mission Bay, Newmarket, Parnell, Ponsonby, Remuera, St. Heliers, Stonefields and Takapuna. Visit vervemagazine.co.nz for exact locations these magazine stands. Verve is also available from all popular cafés in its main distribution areas as well as in ebook format.

Visit vervemagazine.co.nz to sign up for your free monthly ebook. Verve is printed by Blue Star, 8 Collard Place, Henderson, Auckland. It is distributed by Verve, ERC Contracting and Mailchimp.

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 e ort 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.

Specialist Obstetricians.

Editors’ Notes

Fran Ninow

Co-editor

Jude Mitchell Co-editor

Weekend grocery shopping is always a bit of a balancing act, isn't it? Tring to keep a close eye on our spending – at least I do! But yesterday, something caught my attention that made me do a double-take.

Glancing at my till slip, I couldn't ignore the fact that the total seemed more than I had anticipated. Upon further investigation I discovered that at least three items were priced at almost double what I remembered seeing on the shelf. For instance, an item marked at just over $5 turned out to be recorded as $9.99 on my till slip. Out of curiosity, I approached the store supervisor for an explanation, who was embarrassed to inform me that the price difference was due to the fact that I had not swiped a Club Card. Apparently, by not sharing one’s spending patterns and personal details with this organisation, one unwittingly ends up paying almost double for some products.

In a time when the cost of living is on everyone's mind, it's disheartening to realise that a supermarket chain, which claims to be all about improving Kiwis' lives, is penalising shoppers just because they do not have access to their demographic data. Not cool, right? So, a little note of caution dear readers: shop with eyes wide open. I know that I, for one, will be.

On the bright side, Verve remains a free publication, available around the fifth of every month in hard copy to many thousands of lucky Aucklanders. And if you miss out on the hard copy – be sure to sign up for a free digital copy by visiting vervemagazine.co.nz

And now, without further ado, please dive in and enjoy our July issue, filled with wintry inspiration that should see you through to spring.

Happy reading!

Fran xx

We have built a COMMUNITY.

In an ever-evolving media landscape, sustaining a publication for two decades is a remarkable achievement. We have had the privilege of publishing Verve for this long. It has captivated readers with stunning visuals, insightful content, and dedication. As we reflect on the milestone, we take pride in the journey we have embarked upon, the loyal readership we have cultivated, and the impact we have made in the publishing world.

I feel we have built a community. Throughout the years, our readers have become more than just subscribers – they have become an integral part of our magazine’s community. We are humbled and grateful for the support from advertisers. Our aim is to always make it work for them. The relationships we have built through our magazine’s pages have allowed us to connect with likeminded individuals who share a passion art, design, food, and beauty.

We are filled with gratitude for the journey we have embarked upon. We now need to decide how to mark this milestone – throw a party and celebrate wildly! Watch this space over the next few months and we will let you know what we are going to do!

We could not have done it without the loyal Verve team who consistently deliver content that sparks conversations. Thank you all!

Have a wonderful JULY.

Love Jude x

In Short

Verve’s monthly round up of what’s new, interesting, and happening… in a paragraph!

Fortune Tellers

Like the plastic caps at the end of shoelaces, telomeres act as a protective barrier at the end of chromosomes to protect DNA from being damaged. But, as cells repeatedly divide, telomeres shorten to the point of ineffectiveness causing cells to die (this has led to telomeres also being compared to fuses on a bomb). This shortening process is associated with ageing and age-related disease like cancer. However, after decades of the study of telomeres, a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that simply extending telomere length may not be the key to immortality as those with longer than average telomeres may be just as prone to some disease as those whose telomeres had depleted. (Mice, also, have both abnormally long telomeres and short lifespans.) “Ageing biology is a lot more complicated than we’d hoped,” Dr Sharpless, professor of cancer and policy and innovation at the University of North Carolina and a former director of the National Cancer Institute, tells the New York Times. “There is no free lunch.”

Pot Luck

Potted plants don’t just look pretty, they play a vital role in improving our health – and more. A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information concluded that “indoor plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress”, while other studies have shown that even looking at pictures of greenery can have a positive impact on our mental state. Attention rates of schoolchildren has been shown to improve – along with attendance rates –in the presence of plants, and they can even play a role in speeding up recovery following illness or injury. People who spend time with potted plants are more likely to report higher levels of happiness, focus, and life satisfaction. And of course, they clean the air. “There’s an evolutionary response when you see green – it’s almost like you created yourself a sanctuary,” Gary L Altman, associate director of the horticultural therapy program at Rutgers University, tells Time . “It reduces feelings of fear and anxiety, and even if you’re angry, it’ll calm you down.”

A Stitch in Time

The wonderful Premmie Knitting Club (PKC) is a registered Kiwi charity that provides knitted items such clothing and blankets for premature babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) both in New Zealand and Australia. “I was a premmie baby, so this project is extremely close to my heart and my way of giving back,” says founder Courtney Bennet. The project has now attracted knitters of all stripes, from teenagers to residents at retirement villages – and with the cold weather upon us, they’re busier than ever. “Blankets, singlets and cardigans are always most in need,” says Courtney, “and this year we’re hearing more from hospitals that there’s a shortage of hats.” Heaps of useful information – including knitting patterns and how to donate – can be found on the charity’s website

premmieknittingclub.org

The Joy of Less

We’ve all heard of – and no doubt experienced – fomo (the fear of missing out), but there’s a new antithetical acronym in town that’s far friendlier to our wellbeing: jomo, or the joy of missing out. In our social media-ridden world that constantly encourages us to compares ourselves to others – and usually fail, at least in our heads – it’s a much-needed tonic, and there’s ample data to prove it. When Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp went down for around six hours around the world towards the end of 2021, it caused untold to stress to many of the disconnected billions. But research over the following days published by Sage found that a good chunk of respondents reported feelings of joy and relief. Was jomo born then?

“At its core, JOMO means proudly living life in the slow lane and deriving pleasure from social exclusion,” writes Rosie Bell for BBC’s Worklife . “… By taking a step back… Our most precious resource is reclaimed: time.”

Real Deal

In an ingenious marketing strategy, Lululemon recently hosted a ‘Dupe Swap’ at its Los Angeles store, to allow customers to trade in their knockoff Align pants for the original thing. For the uninitiated, dupe – short for duplicate – is the name given to cheap copies of highend brands, usually without the logos to avoid legal issues. And it’s big business, especially with younger generations –the hashtag #dupe has more than 3.5 billion TikTok views, while the hashtag #lululemondupes has more than 150 million. Lululemon chief brand officer Nikki Neuburger remarked that it was a “very fun way to step into a cultural conversation”. Not only did it generate great publicity – but an increase in sales, too.

Visionary Vogue

Even after publishing for more than a century, British Vogue is still finding ways to open doors and push boundaries, having just released it’s first braille edition for the blind and partially sighted. The May issue, titled ‘Reframing Fashion’ was also praised for including disabled stars, like Irish writer and activist Sinéad Burke who has achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, and actor Selma Blair, who has MS. “The time has come for us to get real about who we are as a society, and for fashion to build a better, more accessible and inclusive industry,” wrote Edward Enninful in his editor’s letter. The magazine was produced in collaboration with Tilting the Lens, an accessibility and inclusion consultancy company that has previously advised the likes of Netflix and Starbucks how to make their businesses more disability friendly.

For the Love of Linen

Born and raised in Wānaka, Julie Ramsay moved across the ditch before marrying her husband, Donald, a cattle farmer from Western Australia. Settling in Broome, Julie opened a drive-thru cafe – a first for the coastal town. When they sold the business in 2015 and moved to Perth, Julie took a job in the tuck shop at a private boys’ school and never felt more demoralised.

“According to my supervisor, even how I put the sausage rolls in the paper bags was wrong!” recalls Julie. “I cried every day.”

During a trip to the Caribbean and Miami for her 50th birthday, she began brainstorming. “I reminisced about growing up in beautiful Wānaka,” says Julie. “Dad had a rafting business and Mum was a dressmaker and everything at home was natural and organic. I had an urge to tap into that lifestyle.”

Sleeping on linen sheets in a boutique Miami hotel cemented the idea for a linen bedding range. “I was instantly drawn to the naturalness of the fibre,” says Julie, “both luxurious and beautiful.”

On returning to Australia, Julie began researching linen. She learned the best quality linen originated from European flax which is mostly imported to be spun and woven in China –which is where she headed with her husband and daughter, Mollie.

“We choose a small husband-and-wife manufacturing duo based in Shenzen who remain our makers today,” says Julie. “We travelled with them visiting spinning and weaving facilities, seeing how the linen is dyed and sharing meals with their workers. Making sure Bedtonic products are made with ethical and sustainable practices is essential. We connect consistently with our makers, visiting annually to ensure that quality is never compromised, and fair practices are met.”

Bedtonic products are made in small batches using nontoxic dyes which limits environmental waste as well as being safer to humans. The first collection – linen sheets and duvet covers in three colourways – was released online in 2016, with Julie packing every order on her kitchen table.

It was during her 50th lap around the sun that Julie Ramsay first had the idea for Bedtonic; a beautiful linen bedding and clothing brand, based in the chic suburb of Subiaco in Perth.

“Starting a business in my 50s meant I had to wrap my head around new things like e-commerce and social media. I’d put so much on the line financially I had no choice other than making sure it worked!”

It did – the response to the range was fantastic. One year in, long before the pandemic – and loungewear –was even a thing, Julie introduced her first garment into the Bedtonic range: the Poet Tunic.

“It’s a shirt you could wear to bed it’s so comfortable, but nice enough to wear all day, too, either causally over togs in summer or dressed up with layers for winter. It’s one size fits all, comes in two different lengths, and remains our bestseller.”

Julie has since added other linen loungewear pieces to the range, along with velvet, cashmere, and wool items, silk duvet inners, and hand-stitched blankets. Over 60% of the clothing is made locally in Perth by a female-led family business.

“Not only are our linens of the highest quality, but for strength and durability I insist on French or flat-felled seams wherever possible. You could almost wear our garments inside out they are so immaculately finished. I’m very anti-fast fashion, so our designs need to be sustainable and constructed to last.”

Julie also ensures her clothing range is inclusive for all sizes, from 8-22, and suitable for her demographic. “At 58 years old, my motto for Bedtonic is: ‘I won’t design it unless I would wear it’.”

Online sales are at the heart of Bedtonic’s business model, with two-thirds of their valued customers residing in the eastern states of Australia. New Zealand also has a great loyal customer following.

“ We have an amazing return customer rate which I put down to the fact that the garments are well made, and our customer service and loyalty programme being top notch.”

From packing schoolboys’ lunches the wrong way to turning over a significant profit the right way with Bedtonic, Julie is living proof that you are never too old to change careers.

“People often say to me that I’m such a hard worker but doing something I love has made all the difference,” she says. “Bedtonic is what gets me out of bed every day. When I face any challenges, I repeat my favourite quote by Henry Ford: ‘When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it’.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: JESSICA WYLD

Perfect for Entertaining

The clients' brief was for something different from the minimal kitchen in their architecturally designed family home, while providing a functional, user-friendly space for their friends and family to enjoy throughout the year.

Michelle set about creating a warm and welcoming space with organic and earthy hues, materials and textures –even incorporating a space high up on the back wall for a spread of high-quality faux plants that can be washed in the dishwasher when needed. However, the kitchen still needed a modern edge to fit seamlessly with the contemporary aesthetic of her clients’ home.

“From a functional point of view, it needed to be capable of entertaining

upwards of 20 people at any given time and having the storage capability for up to 10 guests’ holiday food, platters, wine and beer was essential,” says Michelle. To achieve this, the designer incorporated a large, working scullery that houses a fridge-freezer and tall storage for food, drinks, and all those platters. Day-to-day items are kept in the main kitchen, along with a bar area for coffee-making and drink preparation.

Easy-clean and low-maintenance surfaces were also crucial for the clients, as the house could be vacant for long periods. In response, hardwearing Dekton was specified for the island benchtop, with the same material in a different finish chosen for the feature splashback. Paired with the plants above,

it provides a stylish backdrop to the kitchen.

The experienced team at Kitchens By Design offers an integrated designto-completion service.

If you're looking for a new kitchen, please call (09) 379 3084 to make an appointment with one of their designers. Kitchens By Design's showroom is located at 9 Melrose Ave, Newmarket. For inspiration, take a look at some fabulous projects at kitchensbydesign.co.nz

This kitchen, from Michelle Gillbanks Kitchens By Design , was designed to fit seamlessly into a brandnew holiday home in the Coromandel.

White: A Shade of Pale

WORDS

CLAUDIA DAVIES

The Scandinavian style is synonymous with modern interior design, known for its clean lines, warm textiles, and airy minimalist feel. Increasingly, New Zealanders are embracing this style as it complements various lifestyles and strikes a balance between casual and refined aesthetics. The colour scheme of Scandinavian design revolves around muted, natural, and earthy tones, embodying the ‘less is more’ principle in all aspects of the design.

White walls are a centrepiece of Scandi style, offering the ability to brighten any room, which is particularly important in regions with limited sunlight. Typically, Scandinavian design leans towards whites with grey or green undertones, such as Resene Alabaster, Resene Black White, or Resene Quarter Concrete. These shades bring refinement to the space while maximising light during winter and providing a cool contrast during hotter months. When selecting a white shade for your space, consider how lighting, furniture, and the room's purpose interact. If a warmer toned white like Resene Half Merino or Resene Rice Cake better suits your space, go with those. Scandi style encourages personal interpretation, allowing you to translate the clean, simple, and natural mentality into your own unique space. For an elevated feel, use a half strength of your chosen white shade on the ceiling.

Nordic design thrives on a neutral base, complemented by various textures, colour accents, and statement wallpapers. Timber, whether in flooring, cabinetry, or furniture, brings a natural element into the space. Furniture should prioritise natural materials and clean lines. To counteract the cool tones of the walls, incorporate statement rugs, cushions, throws, and even fur during winter. Soft olive green, sage, and taupe are recommended colours for these accessories, adding further warmth. It's important to remember that the Scandi look is not tempered by a rigid set of rules but is rather a mindset that can assist in transforming your interior into a serene, relaxed, and enjoyable space.

Resene Alabaster

Resene Black White

Resene Quarter Concrete

Resene Half Merino

Resene Rice Cake

All Whites

WORDS PAUL

LEUSCHKE

Architectural design isn't black and white. Several years ago, we designed a four-storey apartment building. We asked the contractor to supply several large boards painted with a selection of whites. I remember coming on site and one of the carpenters said he thought us mad as white was white but once he saw all the whites together, he understood. There are many whites but each with an undertone. Warm white with yellow, cold white with blue.

Whites change colour dependant on scale, the amount of light they get or what other colours are next to it. A house up the road was recently painted a lovely grey which worked well with the white joinery. However, its neighbour has a red roof, and that side of the newly painted house has a red tone to the grey, not so lovely.

I like white or rather I like bright and light, I'm not that fond of all black kitchens and dark rooms but I do find a white white too bright and stark to use internally. Same for appliance white. I like softer, warmer whites. I do like a contrast and enjoyed the black/white colourway when it was in vogue.

Generally, men are not that good at colour, and I wondered why. Standing by my wife looking at a hundred shades of red lipstick I suddenly understood. Maybe men see red, dark red, pink, salmon but women can see ‘pirate red’, my wife's current favourite.

Whites in the bathroom have also amused me. The bath, wash hand basin and toilet are never a matching. Not to mention the tiles. Noone seems to care or notice.

paul@leuschkekahn.co.nz

021 894 895

leuschkekahn.co.nz

Classic White

1. Refined Living

2. Dawson& Co Par Sofa

3. Refined Living AW 44 Armchair

4. Refined Living Cape Cod Coffee Table

5. Corso Interiors Eve Whitewash Sideboard

6. Dawson& Co The Loon

Barn Chic

Situated on South Africa’s untamed west coast, a house combining authentic vintage details with contemporary comfort and relaxed ease.

The north-facing front of the house opens up to the exterior deck via a trio of double-height steel and glass doors, each topped with a classic old wooden lintel.

The barn-style open ceiling, complete with thick wooden trusses, combines the rustic with the contemporary in the form of the lighting design, which consists of

multiple old-school filament bulbs strung from and around the roof beams at a variety of different heights and positions.

Grouped around the open fireplace is a sofa covered in a white linen slipcover and two ultra-comfortable leather armchairs.

The wide deck at the front of the house is accessed from the interior via a trio of double-height, steel-framed glass doors.

Get the look with Resene

Resene Colorwood Natural

Resene Grey Friars

Resene Black White

The living, dining and kitchen areas are all contained within one large open-plan space, which has been finished with hand-worked bricks, classic wooden lintels and doors, and a barn-like open ceiling.

A vintage, extra-long dining table is a key furniture piece within this space, and is surrounded by a varied mix of old wooden chairs in classic designs, which were sourced from various flea markets and secondhand stores.

The door on the pictured above leads to a scullery and pantry tucked into the space behind it.

Get the look with Resene

Resene Hammerhead

Resene Half Grey Chateau

Resene Quarter Linen

The bedrooms are both spacious and tranquil, and are simply but cosily furnished with king-size beds.

Each feature a wide window that frames beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.

Each of the two bedrooms' en suites feature a deep window seat opposite the bed, which frames the views of the surrounding landscape.

Vintage natural wood elements such as the storage cabinet and bench, seen here left, add warmth and a weathered patina to the bathrooms.

Light and bright, the bathrooms feature simple recessed shelving and matt black mixer taps, hand showers and shower roses.

The bedroom windows, which from the inside frame the views via the concrete window seats, have an exterior reflective coating that keeps the interiors discreetly private – and, when one is making use of the deck, reflects back and enhances the varied vistas of the surrounding landscape and beyond that, the Atlantic Ocean.

No matter the season, this is a home in which to disconnect from the bustle of modern life and reconnect with the natural world – a sanctuary in which to unwind in complete, cocoon-like peace.

No matter the season, this is a home in which to disconnect from the bustle of modern life and reconnect with the natural world – a sanctuary in which to unwind in complete, cocoon-like peace.

Design of July

May Time

Cupola Sculptures S/3

Le

The Invisible Collection

De Sede DS-2011 Bauhaus Leather Armchair

CS Studios White Wavy Candle Tray

David Jones LSA Tier Vase in chalk White

Monde Fluffy Wool Cushion Cover

Ronald Willemsen Triangle Side Table

1st Dibs Velas Adjustable Flat Sofa

Resene Anaglypta Wallpaper Collection RD0647

PHOTOGRAPHY: WILLEM-DIRK DU TOIT

Melbourne Movers

Bella Katz

Trade Commissioner and New Zealand Consul-General in Melbourne, Bella Katz, has lived in Melbourne for more than 20 years – her second stint there.

“The first time I was between countries – after Tokyo and before London,” Bella tells Verve . “I did like it, but I didn’t feel ready to settle down. Melbourne is very much a settle-down-for-the-long-haul kind of city, and I wasn’t ready for that commitment.”

Upon returning, married, and with a new baby, Bella says it felt the right time to put down roots: “My sister was here with her family and my parents ended up relocating too, so I had immediate family connections.”

Was there anything that you particularly struggled to adjust to?

“Melbourne is a place that has so much to offer, Melburnians – and I’m generalising here! – often seem to come back or only leave for short stints

so it can feel hard to break into the city’s tight networks, especially if you arrive as a single adult. People have grown up together, they’ve known one another a long time, they have friendships formed over many years. It takes time to create these connections, that’s why Melbourne can have that reputation of being a bit old school.”

Good things, she goes on, take time in Melbourne, a city whose residents “appreciate fine things”. “Once people know you, once your networks develop, Melbourne is a city of connection and doors start to open more readily, especially in a professional capacity. Melburnians like that reassurance of being certain about you as a business colleague, a trading partner, a friend.”

I ask how the landscape has changed during her time there, both in terms of Australia’s business relationship with New Zealand, and its opinion of its neighbours’ residents.

IMAGE: BELLA KATZ PICTURED WITH KAREN WALKER

“The relationship between NZ and Australia is unique, our understanding of one another runs far deeper than geographical closeness,” says Bella. “In the last six years or so, we’ve gone from being a little cousin across the ditch to an impressive nation in the eyes of Australians.”

Bella puts much of this down to the 'Jacinda affect'. “The former prime minister represented a leader who was fresh, empathetic, and welcoming. She personified New Zealand and New Zealanders. Australians see Kiwis in that context, and it was a tangible reputational shift, or rather a ‘cementing’ of a long-held reputation.”

This year also marks the 40th year of the Closer Economic Relations between Australia and Aotearoa, the acclaimed free trade agreement between our two nations.

“Australia represents so many great opportunities for New Zealand businesses to expand and develop capability,” Bella continues. “That’s not to say it’s easy doing business here, it’s not – Australia is a relatively wealthy country, and the choice of international brands is immense. However, for those Kiwi companies that invest time and energy into this larger market and economy, the rewards are also great.”

Do you see similarities between Melbourne and Auckland, and anything that the two cities can learn from each other?

“Having grown up in Auckland and lived in Sydney for several years, I see the personalities of those cities more aligned. Melbourne and Wellington share a more similar vibe. As a generalisation, Melbourne still has an edgier, artier, and cooler vibe to Sydney’s bolder, confident, and more energetic

personality. I’m sure the weather has something to do with it too. There’s something about hanging out on Bondi in that 30-degree sunshine that can crack the worst mood and bring joy. Ditto Melbourne, stroll through the city lanes on a summer day, surrounded by people wining and dining, speaking Greek, Italian, living their best lives – you feel like you’re in Europe. It’s wonderful.”

What’s your favourite thing to do in the city?

“I really love the National Gallery of Victoria. It’s a world-class gallery with major activations and ehibitions and they never do things by half – it’s an incredible place. If anyone’s ever in Melbourne, I always recommend it.”

Bella recommends that shopaholics head straight for a stroll through Fitzroy Street “where the most interesting standalone boutiques and brands live”: “Then there’s Chadstone Shopping Centre, the biggest mall in the Southern Hemisphere. For those coming to Melbourne to shop, that place is next level.”

One of the things that Bella most loves about living in the city is its array of events and festivals. “You can turn up at a festival you’ve never heard and be in the midst of some fiesta with 20,000 people,” she says. “Or you could stay home on the sofa and never even know it’s on. There’s always something surprising here in Melbourne to tap into.”

And as for what you most miss about Aotearoa?

“Its wild, beautiful beaches. I grew up in Auckland, so Piha, Muriwai, Bethells Beach are magical places to me.”

“The relationship between NZ and Australia is unique, our understanding of one another runs far deeper than geographical closeness.”

Dane Mitchell

Earlier this year, acclaimed Kiwi contemporary artist Dane Mitchell, Aotearoa New Zealand’s representative at the 2019 Venice Biennale, made the move across the ditch to lecture in fine art at University of Melbourne.

He talks to Verve about the move, and we begin by asking how it’s going so far.

“It’s been a seamless move! Melbourne has been really kind to me.”

Dane says that although he has been back to Melbourne intermittently since briefly living there in 2000, he hadn’t really ever considered living there again. But then the lockdowns happened and he yearned for change: “Being fortunate enough that the work I do might allow such a thing, Melbourne became appealing as a large city, familiar yet new.”

How do you think it compares to Auckland?

“The population density of Melbourne makes for a more condensed experience of place. Auckland’s reticence towards density beyond the inner-city diffuses the possibility of a busy urban centre. The reliance on the car in Auckland certainly atomises people – the fact Auckland can’t even turn Queen Street into a pedestrian street speaks volumes. People make a city and Auckland has us separated in our cars which affects the city experience massively. Auckland could learn from Melbourne in this respect.”

Does Melbourne inspire you creatively?

“It’s such a vibrant city – there’s something for every kind of creative imagining.”

Can you tell us a little about the suburbs where you live and work?

“I live in Brunswick, close to Princes Park. It’s green yet built up, with many great eateries within walking distance. It’s a short bike ride on allocated bike paths, a short tram ride and a short train ride into the city, or further north, to Preston, where I have a studio at Gertrude Contemporary – an important arts organisation with a long history in Melbourne. I work at the University of Melbourne in the Faculty of Art and Music in Southbank, which is in the Arts Precinct just over the Yarra River from Flinders Station, the main city train station.”

Favourite places to hang out?

“Hard to say as it’s all so new, but CIBI; Old Palm Liquor; Embla; Union Hotel have all been great.”

Any insider tips yet, somewhere cool to shop or socialise or sightsee away from the crowds?

“ It’s hard to know being so new! But certainly, in the northern suburbs, small neighbourhood food and drink establishments would be the way to go, I think. Hardly off the beaten track, but much of Melbourne’s vibrancy comes from its inner-city suburbs.”

And what do you most miss about home?

“Immediate family. My studio, and the fabricators I work with.”

“It’s such a vibrant city – there’s something for every kind of creative imagining.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVID STRAIGHT

Justine & Michelle

Like most passions, Michelle Blyth and Justine Curtis's love for baking began in childhood and eventually blossomed into successful careers.

Michelle pursued her passion after finishing university and established Rocket Kitchen, a wholesale cake business. In 2000, she relocated from New Zealand to Australia, and her sister Justine joined her shortly after. The entrepreneurial sisters decided to open Replete Providore, a deli/cafe in Melbourne's Hawthorn neighborhood, which quickly gained popularity and garnered several prestigious awards, including Best Breakfast in the Restaurant and Catering Awards for three consecutive years.

After eight successful years, the sisters sold Replete and took a brief break from the hospitality scene. However, they soon returned with The Counter, a bakery and cafe in Hawthorn that captivated locals with its nostalgic charm and mouthwatering cakes, slices, and biscuits.

The sisters recognised the need for expansion as their popularity grew. They wanted to stand out in a market saturated with cafes, where the quality of businesses was being compromised.

Thus, they conceived the idea of Cremorne Street Bakers. Seizing an opportunity for a commercial space, Michelle and Justine brought their home-baked magic to cafes, restaurants, and stores across Melbourne and beyond.

At Cremorne Street Bakers, kindness and delivering the best quality products are integral to their ethos. They pride themselves on employing professional pastry chefs and constantly strive to create new and delightful treats for their customers. Their offerings range from regular favourites like the lemon passionfruit and coconut slice and signature raspberry chocolate mud cake.

Michelle and Justine's talent for transforming humble baked goods into objects of beauty and deliciousness is evident. Their window displays at The Counter in Hawthorn were a sight to behold, with artfully arranged cakes, slices, and biscuits that gleamed like precious gems alongside ethereal meringues.

Cremorne Street Bakers takes pride in its homemade, small-batch approach. The bakery's treats are made with care, delivering a personal touch that stands out in a world dominated by mass production. The team behind Cremorne Street Bakers comprises passionate bakers dedicated to creating irresistible treats that leave customers longing for more.

From their early ventures at Replete and The Counter to the establishment of Cremorne Street Bakers, Michelle and Justine have consistently demonstrated their commitment to quality, taste, and aesthetics. Their creations not only tantalise taste buds but also serve as edible masterpieces and symbols of culinary excellence.

If you find yourself in Melbourne, make sure to visit Cremorne Street Bakers and indulge in a little slice of baked heaven. Whether it's a moist slice, a fluffy meringue, or a heavenly cake, their creations will not only satisfy your cravings but also enchant you with their artistic beauty. Michelle and Justine's dedication and talent have elevated baked goods to a whole new level, reminding us that they can be both a feast for the eyes and a source of pure joy.

Karen Bunting

A quick chat with Kiwi line producer, Karen Bunting, who made the move across the ditch in 2008, and has worked on shows such as MasterChef Australia, Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars & Wild Food and The Real Housewives of Melbourne.

What initially lured you to make the move?

I moved to Melbourne in May 2008 when I was 32. I’d initially intended to move in 1996 but changed course and studied film and literature instead. I then worked in TV in Auckland for eight years and once I’d established myself as a production manager, felt I was in a better professional position to move to another country.

Anything that you struggled to adjust to?

I moved here during the GFC and a significant amount of the TV production that had come out of Melbourne was being moved to Sydney. I struggled to find work and that was very difficult. It took about 18 months to find my place in Melbourne’s production industry.

Apart from that, everything else was very straightforward and I’ve always found Melbourne a very easy place to be.

How has the reputation of Kiwis and NZ evolved during your time there?

I haven’t ever encountered anything but friendliness and support as a Kiwi. That’s never changed.

How does life in Melbourne compare with Auckland?

Personally, I find the two places very different. However, it’s easy to slot into Melbourne life from Auckland. Lifestyle-wise, they seem very similar. The work cultures are similar and the nightlife in both places are energetic and fun . I do remember

finding Melbourne’s retail and hospitality staff super friendly when I first got herewhich was quite a contrast to the more laid back style of Auckland.

And how does the TV industry compare between the two countries?

The TV industry in NZ is exceptionally creative, especially in the scripted, comedy and documentary realms. Australia’s industry is more commercial and there’s a lot of work in sport and reality TV. The scale of the productions is larger with higher budgets, larger crew numbers, and longer-running formats.

Where would you recommend visitors head to shop or socialise or sightsee away from the crowds?

Anyone visiting for a few days should try to get to the Great Ocean Road. It’s a beautiful drive. Although not away from the crowds, I recommend attending a game of footy as the most Melbourne experience you could ever hope for!

What do you most miss about NZ?

Tikanga Māori.

What do you most love about Melbourne?

The friendly people.

Best place for cocktail?

Trouble in Dreams, in Fitzroy.

Would you ever move back to NZ?

It seems unlikely!

Melbourne’s Millennia

Designed by Denton Corker Marshall and home to more than 15 million items and revolving exhibitions, the museum has attracted celebrity guests including David Attenborough and Cate Blanchett.

"Visitors can explore the landscape of the Cretaceous, stroll through a living rainforest, and come face to face with a 67-million-year-old triceratops in our award-winning exhibit,” says Museums Victoria CEO and director, Lynley Crosswell. “We even have a gallery designed especially for children and babies to to explore, play and learn."

Another highlight is the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre which honours First People’s history, knowledge and living culture, through exhibits, storytelling, and performances, while in The Melbourne Story gallery, visitors can take in the city’s icons past and present with pride of place given to Phar Lap, the star racehorse.

Meet a living collection of creepy crawlies in Bugs Alive and marvel over meteorites from Mars in Dynamic Earth. Get lost in the living, breathing Forest Gallery and catch glimpses of rare plants and animals while learning how Victoria’s flora and fauna was shaped by the elements.

The all-new Gandel Gondwana Garden showcases Victoria’s ancient landscapes and creatures, from dinosaurs and megafauna to the ancestors of today’s iconic Australian species. The outdoor gallery allows you to step into past ecosystems and touch replicas of the bones, teeth, and claws of ancient creatures. Being a living gallery, it changes with the seasons and will continue to grow.

There’s more to see beyond the museum like the iconic Royal Exhibition building that sits just across the way. Built in 1880

for the Melbourne International Exhibit, it’s the first Australian building to be awarded a UNESCO World Heritage listing.

Royal Exhibition Building guided tours take in the grandeur of the interiors and explore the grand narratives and intimate moments of its fascinating and colourful history, including its transformation into a hospital during the 1919 pandemic.

A signature feature is a selection of items from Twycross Collection, which comprises over 200 objects bought by wool merchant John Twycross at the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition – a remarkable snapshot of late 19th century taste and style.

And thanks to years of meticulous conservation, restoration and building works, visitors can now venture up to see the building’s crowning glory: the Dome Promenade, based on the design of Brunelleschi’s Duomo in Florence. The Royal Exhibition Building is beautiful inside and out – and a true landmark of Melbourne.

"As custodians of the Royal Exhibition Building, Museums Victoria was so pleased to see the Dome Promenade deck restored to its former glory," adds Lynley. "Visitors have been rushing to explore this iconic Melbourne landmark and take in the stunning, panoramic views of the city and Carlton Gardens."

Book early and online for the Royal Exhibition Dome Promenade experience, as tickets for the Dome Promenade experience sell out fast. Spend the full day and book your general entry ticket to Melbourne Museum online also.

museumsvictoria.com.au

Perched in Carlton Gardens on the edge of the CBD, Melbourne Museum is a cultural hotspot housing fascinating collections and exhibitions on history, culture and science.

Mount Eden: Heavenly

Now, under the shadow of its stunning volcano Maungawhau – which once served as a significant pā site – Mount Eden is a thriving urban village just minutes from the city centre. Verve sits down with some locals to learn about what they most love about their neighbourhood, while teasing out some insider tips!

Frances Loo, owner of the local legend that is the Chapter Book and Tea Shop, tells of the days when her father, Kong Chew Loo, opened the family fruit shop in 1948, when the village “was a bit shabby and the tram service was coming to an end”.

“There were no cafes or real estate agents that I can recall,” she says. “Instead, there was a large representation of fresh food shops with a few fruit shops, butcheries, grocers, dairies bakeries, and a fish shop. The old post office is now the De Post Belgian Beer Cafe, and there was even a lending library.”

Due to her family’s long history with Mount Eden, Frances says she feels a “very strong personal connection to the village”.

“It has always felt like home,” she goes on. “Following the death of my father in 2016, my sister Glennis and I moved above the fruit shop on the corner of Mount Eden and Stokes Roads.”

One of the suburb’s most significant developments, she believes, was the introduction of the Mount Eden Village Centre, a joint project between the community, the Mt Eden Methodist

Church, and Auckland Council. I ask the centre’s co-manager, Sallyann Hingston, about its role in the community.

“We provide a space for the various community groups or small businesses to run classes and events like yoga, markets, dance classes, AA and NA, music concerts, and public meetings, as well as various worship groups that utilise our church for services,” she says. “We also have a strong focus on sustainable practices and a zero-waste policy.”

These take the shape of the likes of battery recycling, a pātaka kai (food storehouse) for local homegrown produce, and a book swap.

“We also work with various community groups to help promote sustainable practice such as the Halo Group, a trap library; the Mt Eden Village People, reducing village waste; and a Repair Cafe for repairing small appliances,” adds Sallyann.

Also significant to the community is Eden Garden Society, the local non-profit that incorporates Eden Garden and its cafe.

“We serve as a hub for social interaction and community building, nurturing both plants and people,” says the society’s general manager, Jacqueline Jones. “By hosting events like floral art exhibits and family festivals it offers a platform for people to connect, share ideas, and learn from each other.”

It was the development of the tramway that spawned the early suburb of Mount Eden in the late 19th century on a patch that was originally scrubland, and later farmland.

Next year will be the 60th anniversary of when more than 60 volunteers helped transform the previous quarry into the present garden.

“Our charitable memorial garden and cafe provides a lush, serene retreat in the heart of the neighbourhood,” continues Jacqueline. “But Eden Garden Society is more than just a garden and cafe. It is a keystone of the community, and our staff almost become an extended family of those who have loved ones in the garden, which is very special!”

Sallyann says that though the pandemic hit the community hard, with a few good shops and businesses lost, the village is “regaining its buzz”: “The look of the village is the same, and we are managing to hold on to our historic buildings, thankfully.”

“I learned a lot about loyalty and the importance of local community during the lockdowns,” adds Frances. “My customers are very passionate about their teas and consider their favourite brews essential to their wellbeing. I get a strong sense of satisfaction from being able to fulfil their requirements!”

“I love being able to walk to work and spend my mornings in the village,” says Sallyann. “There are always people around that you know, plus we have that lovely view of the Maunga. I remember having my children’s birthday dinners in the village, one time especially when the whole restaurant sang happy birthday to my boy turning six. He’s never forgotten it!”

INSIDER TIPS

Favourite things to do?

Frances: I really enjoy my walks in and around Mt Eden village with its views of Maungawhau. I also feel very fortunate that Mt Eden is the home of the Eden Arts Trust which holds its annual gala Artists in Eden event in the Essex Rd Reserve and, more recently, has introduced an annual Chamber Music Festival and a weekly free Music in Eden programme.

Jacqueline: Wander the paths listening to the sounds of native birds, watching the fantails fly cheekily through the trees while the tuis swoop in and out of the bird baths.

Sallyann: Visit the wonderful range of cafes and restaurants, hang out in Time Out Bookstore, and daily dog walks through the village.

Best places for a drink or to grab a bite?

F: Since my mother, Eileen Loo, passed away earlier this year, my sister and I have been too busy to cook – so we’ve been eating a lot of local takeaways for both lunch and dinner. We’re probably the village’s biggest customers! Our favourite lunch places include Circus Circus, Essential Deli, Paris Bakery, RAD Café, and Sushi Wa Kim Chef. And, for dinner, we enjoy Gina’s, Frasers, Garden Shed, IPress, Monsieur Madame, Pasta & Cuore, Seafood Collective and Xoong. Wow, so many! But they’re all so good!

J: Eden Garden for coffee or a delicious high tea. BYO can also be enjoyed at Eden Garden ‘Bubbles and High Tea’.

“There are always people around that you know, plus we have that lovely view of the Maunga.”

S: For coffee, Circus Circus; for lunch, Essential Deli; and for dinner there are loads, like Xoong and Pasta & Cuore. Oh, and The Garden Shed for mulled wine.

Favourite Mount Eden memory?

F: Back in 2011, I encouraged one of my favourite customers, the late Alice Cherrie, an accomplished pianist, to enter a song competition for the Rugby World Cup. She was also encouraged by Eddie Rayner, who lived in her street. Her song was performed on TV by Suzanne Prentice – I still smile at the memory of how some locals made a dream come true for Alice.

J: Driving up the Maunga to attend community concerns and events is very special. We’ve put on numerous festivals and community events, each of them more popular and better attended than the last, which means so much. Also our efforts to reach out to schools and garden groups have also borne fruit, as we’ve hosted a range of educational tours, using our rich, diverse landscape as an engaging outdoor classroom. These achievements not only illustrate the garden’s evolution, but also underscore

S: That dinner with my six-year-old!

If you were to sum up the suburb in a few words…

F: A charming, cosy, and historic village at the foot of Maungawhau which is easy to visit thanks to excellent public transport services.

J: A vibrant tapestry of cultural richness, historic beauty, and community spirit nestled in the heart of Auckland.

S: A great vibe with a warm and welcoming, well-supported community nestled next to one of the most iconic mountains in New Zealand!

Mt Eden,it's our kind of village

Forever Teatime

The current business owner Frances Loo bought the business in 2005 and, since then, has expanded the tea range which now features a bounty of tea brands, loose leaf teas (black, green, oolong, white, flavoured, herbal, fruit, organic and decaffeinated), tea sachets, tea bags, tea accessories, and tea gifts.

Chapter sources its tea from several quality suppliers including Metropolitan Tea, Tea Total, Harney & Sons, Coffee and Tea Lovers, Kerikeri Tea, Lezzo, NZ Live, Oku, Pukka, T Leaf T, Tea Forté, Ti Ora, and Zealong. There are around 300 teas to choose from, some of which include native ingredients such as kawakawa, mānuka leaf, and horopito.

Chapter Book and Tea Shop

The mix of tea and books started in 2005 when Frances struggled to find a good range of romantic books in Auckland after living abroad. Chapter specialises in the romance fiction genre, which includes contemporary, fantasy (including futuristic, magic, paranormal, time travel, vampire, witch, werewolf, and more), historical, hot, humorous, regency, and suspenseful romance. The shop also sells selections of mainstream, and crime and mystery fiction.

Chapter’s cosy cafe serves a large range of teas, espresso coffee, delicious cakes, savoury treats, and yummy cookies. Do try their signature chai latte (available sweet or spicy) or their very popular matcha latte.

The Chapter Book and Tea Shop is the location of Auckland’s original Mt Eden tea shop which started in 1995.

Local, Sustainable Style

Experience the love of colour, pattern, and texture, all wrapped in a cocoon of knowledge and helpfulness, at Mardell.

Each collection is centred around a constantly evolving palette of on-trend colours, flattering patterns and noteworthy textures. Clothing made by Mardell is of the highest quality, with in-house label Anne Mardell made locally in Auckland.

This coming summer's collection showcases the beauty of natural fibres with contemporary cottons and timeless linens, as well as elegant plant-based viscose knits. Styles are considered for the everyday and designed to be worn now and for many seasons to come.

4 55c Mount Eden Rd & 51 Picton St, Howick www.annemardell.co.nz

Think Tableware

Enhance your lifestyle with the ultimate in quality and design at The Studio of Tableware, part of the Mt Eden landscape since 1981.

For the best selection of dinnerware, glassware, giftware, kitchenware and cookware and NZ’s largest range of quality stainless steel and silver cutlery –renowned European brands available at your local tableware specialist.

Shopping at The Studio of Tableware is a leisurely treat with friendly knowledgeable consultants offering expert advice and service, beautiful complimentary gift wrapping and easy parking.

5 Harold Street, Mt Eden, Auckland | thestudio.co.nz

I GOT PLANTY

Step into the enchanting world of ‘I Got Planty’, where nature and elegance intertwine. Our curated selection of indoor plants, featuring both common and rare varieties, promises an unforgettable journey.

As you walk through our doors, you’ll be transported to an urban oasis, a tranquil retreat from the bustling city outside. The inviting rustic ambiance embraces you, revealing a world where nature’s beauty thrives.

Every corner of our boutique holds mesmerising sights, with lush foliage cascading from suspended planters, giant tropical plants and artful handmade ceramics. Each nook and cranny holds a magical charm, allowing you to truly appreciate the breathtaking beauty of plants.

Experience the wonder of nature in a simple and stylish way. Come and be captivated by the irresistible allure of our plant paradise, where every visit promises a delightful journey into the world of botanical beauty.

411 Mount Eden Road | igotplanty.co.nz

Celebrating 70 Years

with Piano Traders

Piano Traders Mt Eden, Auckland’s renowned family-owned destination for pianos and musical instruments, celebrates 70 years of business. With an unwavering commitment to quality, Piano Traders continues to be a cherished hub for musicians and enthusiasts.

Lying in the heart of Mt Eden they offer an inviting and spacious layout with guaranteed parking at the door. Enjoy an even greater selection of pianos, from acoustic grand pianos to digital keyboards, along with sheet music sourced from all over the world. Whether you're a professional musician or a beginner with a passion for music, they cater to all needs and preferences.

Piano Traders has always been synonymous with exceptional quality and expertise, and this commitment has remained strong since 1953. The store carefully selects each piano, ensuring that every instrument meets the highest standard. They provide the largest range of sheet music and pre-loved pianos in New Zealand. With a team of friendly, knowledgeable staff, Piano Traders is dedicated to helping customers, both young and old, find their perfect musical companion, fostering an environment that promotes learning and creativity.

Beyond their extensive collection of pianos, Piano Traders actively cultivates a vibrant musical community in Mt Eden. The store organises workshops, concerts, and events that bring together musicians and enthusiasts, providing opportunities to share knowledge, inspire creativity, and celebrate the beauty of music.

Piano Traders wants to celebrate turning 70 with you. So whether you're a seasoned musician, or simply passionate about music, a visit to Piano Traders promises an extraordinary and harmonious experience.

For more information about Piano Traders, please visit their website pianotraders.co.nz

1953

1962

2017

TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS FROM $790,000

Come home to Eden Village.

Brand new apartments available now from $790,000.

Nestled in the heart of Mt Eden you’ll find the welcoming community of Eden Village.

Just a five minute drive to all the best parts of central Auckland, you can spend your time visiting popular eateries, parks and galleries and come home to the security of your modern apartment. With Mt Eden close by it’s easy to meet friends for a coffee at one of the local cafes or join family for a bush walk close by.

Our contemporary apartments feature designer kitchens, enclosed balconies and spacious open-plan layouts, perfect for regular visits from friends and family. Enjoy the lifestyle you love, as you always have and the team at Eden will take care of the rest.

Enjoy maintenance free living with everything on your doorstep at Eden.

Fixed weekly fee for life - Guaranteed.

To learn more, call Rachel on 0800 333 688 today.

Snugly Does It

Stylish, sustainable, and essential to our economy, come delve into the warm, wondrous world of wool.

PHOTOGRAPHY: FROM WINTER WARMERS BY PHILIPPA CAMERON © LOTTIE HEDLEY

Wool Connections

The Campaign for Wool New Zealand (CFWNZ) has introduced an online portal and updated the Wool in Schools programme to enhance connections with New Zealand wool and support its future. The digital partner portal, available on the CFWNZ website, grants access to verified consumer and market research, professional photography, business templates, a directory of wool industry contacts, and other resources for wool manufacturers, businesses, brands, and supporters. CFWNZ uses the annual subscription fee from portal users to expand its initiatives, thereby benefiting New Zealand's strong wool industry and growers.

Tom O'Sullivan, General Manager - Advocacy, emphasises the growing recognition of wool as a natural super fibre, particularly as consumers become more concerned about the climate and shift away from plastics and synthetics.

Previously, there was no way for New Zealanders, aside from wool growers, to support the extensive efforts in consumer education and behavior change. To address this, CFWNZ introduced a $1000 annual subscription fee for those interested in becoming a Campaign for Wool Brand Partner. Brand Partners gain access to resources and can use the official CFWNZ brand mark in their marketing, aligning with a global movement for change. Additionally, the website now accepts donations of any value from individuals and

businesses, with all funds contributing to increasing wool use and driving effective wool education.

CFWNZ's Wool in Schools programme, with co-funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries' Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund, has renovated shipping containers that travel to primary schools nationwide. The containers now feature woollen carpet, felted panelling, woollen insulation, seating upholstery, and an interactive display showcasing wool processing stages. The educational resources have been digitised to make learning materials more accessible. CFWNZ aims to make these resources available to schools throughout New Zealand, regardless of their ability to host container visits.

CFWNZ plans to focus on promoting the benefits of wool in housing and architecture in the future. The organisation is pleased with the progress made since unveiling its threeyear strategy six months ago and believes that more New Zealanders are eager to connect with the wonders of wool.

To learn more about Wool in Schools, access the Partner Portal or make a donation, go to nzwool.co.nz

Plastic. It’s not fantastic.

Children who sleep on synthetic beds and bedding are more likely to suffer sleep problems than those whose families choose wool.

How does wool help? REM sleep increases, body temperature is regulated and moisture is wicked away more effectively, encouraging deeper, longer, more peaceful rest. Polyester bedding just can’t compete.*

She deserves to be warm and dry this winter.

Live naturally. Choose wool.

nzwool.co.nz

Choose Wool

“My father was a wool buyer, we grew up on a farm with sheep, we wore homespun jerseys and even had wool wallpaper!” she tells Verve as we caught up with her shortly after she opened her new Christchurch store. “We were never cold if we were wearing wool.”

How did your shop originate?

For the last 17 years I’ve had an online presence and a small, cramped space at our wool buying business at Yaldhurst, Christchurch. It was about time we showcased our products in a lovely setting. We wanted it to tick many boxes when it came to sustainability, so our little space has wool insulation, wood flooring, Abodo wood walls and exterior, and the trees used for landscaping are all grown in the wool pot. It sits perfectly besides Yaldhurst Wools at 30 Coast Road, Christchurch, not far from the airport.

Can you tell us about the wool products you stock, and any favourites?

We have a beautiful range of 100% wool throws in a huge variety of colours. The bedding blankets are stunning in all sorts of neutral and bright colours, too. The woollen fair isle jerseys, blanket coats and scarves are popular and what I’m wearing this winter. The woollen caskets are available on request at all funeral homes. Our website has a lot to choose from.

Can you share some fascinating facts about wool that most people may not be aware of?

Research shows that when sleeping under a woollen blanket your body temperature is better regulated so you have a much more comfortable and deeper sleep. Wool is biodegradable so it

can return to the soil, where in a few weeks it decomposes and releases valuable nutrients into the ground, unlike synthetics which take several years to break down.

Do you have any heartwarming stories of customers who have found joy and comfort through your wool products?

I have many. Our natural legacy wool caskets have three fleeces of NZ wool in each casket and give families huge comfort at a time of immense grief. When families and friends see the casket they naturally want to stroke it. They are such a comforting alternative to a traditional casket.

People suffering from insomnia have had great results from sleeping under our woollen blankets and the New Zealand flying doctor service uses our blankets on board for transporting patients, so comforting are they.

Tell us more about the delightful Wool Pot?

The Wool Pot is a collaboration with fellow wool lover Nadia Lim. It eliminates the use of plastic in our gardens. You can grow plants from seed in them and then plant directly into the ground. Not only does it give the plants added nutrients from the wool as it biodegrades, but it eliminates transplant shock. They are amazing!

Polly McGuckin of Exquisite Wool Traders grew up in a family passionate about wool and its amazing qualities.

Natural Legacy Woollen Caskets and Ash Urns

Natural Legacy offers comforting and visually appealing alternatives to traditional caskets. Their wool caskets, infant wool crib caskets, and wool ash urns provide a softer and more personalised farewell experience. Suitable for burial and cremation, these non-traditional shapes and strokeable finishes create a relatable and less final atmosphere for grieving loved ones. Particularly comforting for sensitive and younger individuals, Natural Legacy products can be requested through any funeral home.

Exquisite New Zealand Wool Bedding Blankets

Elevate your space with our collection of exquisite wool blankets that are sure to bring warmth and charm. Perfect for home decor or as a thoughtful wedding or all-occasion gift, these blankets add a timeless touch to any setting. For a contrasting look, combine two blankets together. Each blanket is meticulously stitched and finished using traditional techniques. Choose from our range of sizes: Throw (115x180cm), Single (180x230cm), Queen (230x255cm), and King (255x280cm).

Exquisite Throws and Knitwear

Indulge in our extensive collection of over 70 exquisitely soft woollen throws, carefully curated to complement any interior and suit every occasion. Crafted with utmost precision from 100% merino or pure wool, these stunning throws are built to withstand the test of time, making them the perfect choice for room styling, delightful picnics, or simply enveloping yourself in unparalleled comfort within the sanctuary of your home.

The Wool Pot

The Wool Pot was born out of a shared passion for wool and its natural properties. Nadia, living on a sheep farm, and Polly, with a lifelong involvement in the wool industry, aimed to reduce plastic usage in gardening. With over 350 million plastic pots used annually in New Zealand alone, they created The Wool Pot as a sustainable alternative. Tested in various gardens and nurseries, it decomposes naturally, benefiting plants and soil. Wool's sustainability makes it a wonderful resource that gives back to the planet.

SLIPPERS, & SCUFFS 34 BARRYS POINT ROAD, TAKAPUNA THESHEEPSKINFACTORY.CO.NZ

FRESH LIGHT

SHOP OUR AW23 COLLECTION ONLINE & USE THE CODE VERVE10 FOR 10% OFF CLOTHING.

UNTOUCHEDWORLD.COM

Your Forever Bear

When Australian wool prices crashed in 1992, coupled with an ongoing drought, the tiny Queensland town of Tambo was at a loss. Locals brainstormed how Tambo could assist the wool industry and create employment, while encouraging tourists to the area. They came upon the idea of making unique teddy bears from wool pelts was born.

After nearly a year of designing, trial and error, samples, and prototypes by three local ladies, Tambo Teddies were finally ready for sale. The very first, Macfarlene Mary, was sold to the local police Sergeant marking the beginning of what quickly became a flourishing business and Tambo becoming known as the ‘outback teddy capital of Australia’.

Every single teddy is hand cut and crafted from Australian and New Zealand sheepskin in the Tambo workshop, and more recently, at their Regional Sewing Hub in Toowoomba. Nineteen pieces of material are required to create each one, the pieces sewn together using only the softest pelts to make seamless teddies of upmost quality.

Each Tambo Teddy is also unique depending on the sewer and the sheepskin used. As their personalities emerge, each bear is named after a farming property in the Tambo district – you might fall in love with Macfarlane Mischief or Cranmore Cuddles. To add to the cuteness, with each teddy comes a poem that introduces their name. Designed to last, the teddies all come with a unique number and the tagline “Childhood Friends for Life”, which is what they have become with over 69,000 teddy bears made and sent all over the world to date.

To distinguish between the types of teddies, the bears were originally separated into families – the Tobies and the Basils. Now they’ve also been joined by a flat style bear, called Bickie

Bear, and a pint-sized Tambo Teddy called Tom Thumb. There’s also Tambo Teddies’ Kiwi cousin, Stewart, who was released to commemorate Tambo Teddies’ 30th year, and Tambo Tasman, who’s dressed as an All Black. You can even request a special bear, styled however you please – from ballerina to builder, and request any colour of the rainbow. If bears aren’t your thing, other cuddly creatures include a koala, lamb, dog, echidna, and possum – all made with the same 100% sheepskin for maximum cuddle factor. Plus, there are blankets, hot water bottle covers, slippers, seat belt covers and stubby coolers – truly something woolie for everyone.

After more than 20 years sewing bears and managing the business, one of the three original owners decided it was time to retire. Wishing to only sell to a local, she was delighted when, in unique synergy, three more local ladies decided to purchase the iconic business. So, in 2013, three new women took the reins of Tambo Teddies: Alison Shaw, Tammy Johnson and Kiralee Sanderson. Today, Alison and Tammy continue to operate and grow the business.

“We feel so privileged to continue the legacy that was started over thirty years ago,” says Alison. “When we talk about a nimble and agile business strategy – Tambo Teddies lives and breathes it. It's meant employment for a number of people over a period of 30 years and has been a huge support to the local wool industry. Tambo itself is proud of Tambo Teddies because it has put us on the map. If you go anywhere and say, 'I'm from Tambo,' they say, 'Oh, like Tambo Teddies?’ It really is something quite special to be the producers of such loveable teddy bears.”

Tambo Teddies are available in New Zealand via the Tambo Teddies website tamboteddies.co.nz

Tenderly handcrafted from 100% sheepskin, Tambo Teddies are true blue Australian teddy bears that have been well loved for over 30 years.

Here’s to the Wrinkles

It was not you, my bride, that first gave me goosebumps that day. Nor the evocative drone of the lone piper immaculately clad from head to toe in tartan. No, it was that first crunch of gravel beneath my feet that hinted at what was to come that first made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end…

For when wrinkles have long formed around our wedding rings, I hope that it will be such details I carry forward from the blur of that most beautiful, balmy June day that began in an old barn on a farm in Scotland. I shall remember the woven hearts and fairy lights strung from the timber beams above our heads. The candles flickering in nooks in the stone walls, and the jars of wildflowers dotted about the floor. I shall remember how anticipation hung dense in the air, for of course, as always, you were late!

I shall remember how the piper raised his shawl to shield the view from the barn’s solitary window – one of my favourite moments of the day – before you glided in like a movie star from the Golden Age and nearly floored me as we locked eyes down the aisle. I shall remember your father’s eyes, wet with tears of pride. I shall remember your tears as we made not vows before a god but promises to each other in the name of our beautiful baby boy.

I shall remember the love and joy in that barn. I shall remember the intimacy. How friends and family had crossed borders and continents to share in our most sacred day. Five hundred miles, five hundred more… I shall remember how my hardy friend’s voice cracked with emotion as he read a poem from The Thoughts of Nanushka that begins with the line: “May your friendship and trust endure and strengthen through the winters of your lives…”

I shall remember how our hands were bound together with lace and tartan cloth in an ancient Celtic ritual that gave birth to the expression ‘tying the knot’. I shall remember our first dance, to ‘Let There Be Love’, a song with which I have sung our son to sleep more times than I can count, whispering the lines: “Come on Baby Blue, shake up your tired eyes, the world is waiting for you. May all your dreaming fill the empty sky…” I shall remember how we formed a circle with our guests for the final chorus and held hands, arms aloft, and hollered “let there be love” in unison, until hoarse.

I shall remember your father’s poignant speech, that pregnant pause, and the relief when I got the first laugh of mine. I shall remember my best man’s kind words. I shall remember the ceilidh band’s futile attempts to keep our guests in step as we danced and laughed like our very lives depended upon it. And in a way, they very much did, for we knew that this group would never have chance to dance and laugh together again.

I shall remember the calm as we embraced on the shores of Loch Lomond as our photographer gladly embraced the moodiness of the day’s dying light. It was the first time all day that we had found ourselves – almost – alone and finally able to take a breath. I shall remember smoking cigars and sipping whisky from hip flasks around the open fire before the darkness ended its shift to hand over the keys to our future to the dawn.

But most of all, my bride, I shall remember that first crunch of gravel beneath my feet that marked the start of it all.

ÀIMAI celebrates 12 years with a new opening gallery boutique in ponsonby.

ÀIMAI is a luxury fashion brand renowned for its timeless designs and impeccable craftsmanship, effortlessly blending traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics to create seamless and elegant collections.

The brand's exclusive use of extrafine merino wool and cashmere sets it apart, providing its target market with garments that exude effortless style.

ÀIMAI's merino wool collection offers exceptional comfort and versatility as anti-pilling technology is used to ensure long lasting use of each piece. Known for its softness and insulating properties, merino wool pieces

transition seamlessly between seasons, from cosy sweaters to elegant scarves. The brand's cashmere collection epitomises luxury, with each garment exuding refinement and warmth, ideal for sensitive skin. Each piece showcases ÀIMAI's commitment to perfection.

ÀIMAI is for individuals who appreciate sophistication and seek timeless fashion. By offering an exclusive collection of merino wool and cashmere, ÀIMAI provides its discerning clientele with garments that effortlessly embody grace and withstand the test of time.

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Laboratory of Love?

WORDS—

JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

“In just the past two years here we’ve seen a huge shift,” Nick Nielson, Polished Diamonds’ owner and designer, tells Verve “While four or five years ago, lab-grown diamonds accounted for around one in 10 sales, now it’s almost 50-50. Given the current economic situation, buying a lab-grown diamond for nearly half the price of a natural one, and, for all intents and purposes, being the same if not a better option, is very appealing for many people.”

While naturally occurring diamonds are formed under unimaginable heat and pressure up to 200km beneath the Earth’s surface – with some being up to three billion years old – lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled conditions in as little as a few days. It’s done by taking a slither of an existing diamond, known as a ‘seed’, and introducing it to a heated sealed chamber filled with carbon-rich gas. Carbon atoms attach to the seed causing a new diamond to grow which is physically and chemically exactly the same as the ‘real’ thing.

“Lab-grown diamonds must be laser engraved and disclosed as being laboratory grown,” says Nick. “But once out on the street in a beautiful custom-made ring, there’s no difference in the actual gem, even to the trained eye.”

Nick uses the analogy of ice in our freezers being exactly the same as that in ancient glaciers: “It’s all ice which can be put in your lemonade. Lab-grown and natural diamonds are similar because the material is 100% diamond. So, lab-grown diamonds will not tarnish in time or look any different from those naturally made.”

Lab-grown diamonds are also billed as an ethical, sustainable alternative to the naturally occurring jewels – however, dig a little deeper and that’s not so clear cut.

“It takes a lot of energy to replicate the conditions required to make a diamond in a lab,” says Nick. “I won't go into the politics, but some countries making lab-grown diamonds may not have the best clean energy practices. Therefore, saying a lab-grown diamond is better for the environment is not necessarily true.”

A report by the Diamond Producers Association even found that diamonds grown in labs may be responsible for up to three times the amount of greenhouse gas emissions than mined ones – however, it should also be noted that the association represents seven of the world’s largest

A report released earlier this year by Research and Markets revealed the global lab-grown diamond market was valued at over US$22 billion in 2022 and forecasted to grow to more than US$37 billion in the next five years.

diamond miners, including De Beers and Rio Tinto. And though there have been several lab diamond companies in the USA warned about their unsubstantiated eco-boasts by the Federal Trade Commission, the consensus appears to be that lab diamonds are a (perhaps only slightly) greener alternative to mined ones, rather than being an outright green choice. Much of the diamond mining industry is now arguably more regulated than the labs, which also makes data comparisons more difficult.

Also, the introduction of the Kimberly Process in 2003 has helped stem –though not eradicate – the trade in conflict (or blood) diamonds, allowing ethical diamond mines to provide relatively safe employment for local communities. Lab-grown diamonds may therefore indirectly rob these people of income.

“If you start to grow diamonds in a lab, you’re not only taking away a job, but you’re also closing down communities and closing down countries,” Urica Primus, who is from a mining family in Guyana, tells the Guardian. “How will miners survive, how will they sustain themselves, their livelihoods, their families?”

I ask Nick how he believes the industry will evolve.

“The interest in these diamonds has grown significantly, even in the past two years,” he says. “With higher demand, comes more people getting into the trade, and increasing supplies. At this point, I firmly believe they’re not a fad. But the machines to test if a diamond is lab grown is expensive. I expect technology to catch up on this and make it cheaper.”

As for whether lab-grown diamonds are a good investment, Nick says that the jury is still out.

“Currently, those tools to determine whether a diamond is lab grown are only owned by the top jewellery valuers. This is important to consider when purchasing a diamond. Our natural and lab-grown diamonds are internationally certified through companies like GIA or IGI and not just pulled from a warehouse somewhere.

“Natural diamonds have consistently increased in value and will continue to do so, but we just cannot currently be so sure about lab grown ones. Although, a lot of customers do say that they don't plan on selling them anyway – which we don’t argue against.”

Alternate Gems

It’s not just lab-grown diamonds that are hitting the market –other precious gems are being manufactured and available, too.

“A great example of this is alexandrite,” says Nick. “This used to be June’s birthstone, but we found out that it is a lot rarer naturally than previously expected. A large, natural alexandrite can be more expensive than an average white diamond. A lab-grown alexandrite – which is significantly cheaper – is a terrific option if wanting to own this beautiful gem.”

“ So, lab-grown diamonds will not tarnish in time or look any different from those naturally made.”

Tokens of Love

Auckland-based Sally Herbert of HerbertandWilks Jewellery has been adding to her beautiful range of earrings and rings in gold and silver, embellishing them with diamonds, rubies, pearls and greenstone. Designed to mark life’s most precious moments and to be enjoyed every day, these are earrings and rings that express your individuality.

HerbertandWilks Jewellery understands the significance of life’s precious moments. Their handcrafted rings and earrings are designed to mark and celebrate those milestones. From engagements and anniversaries to personal achievements, each piece serves as a symbol of love, joy, and accomplishment. Express your individuality and cherish the memories with jewellery that resonates with your unique style.

With a range that inspires, HerbertandWilks Jewellery invites you to explore their collection. Sally Herbert infuses her pieces with a modern sensibility while honouring classical style, ensuring that you find jewellery that resonates with your unique style and becomes an enduring symbol of your personal journey. Let HerbertandWilks Jewellery help you to cherish those precious moments.

Crafting timeless beauty since 2013. herbertandwilks.co.nz

Pictured: 1. Pearl Chain Link Stud Earrings $195

2. The Diamant Aqua Ring $1395

A modern take on classical style, HerbertandWilks pieces are exquisitely timeless and captivating. Explore their exceptional range and be inspired.

All Rise

WORDS— JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

Neil Gussey, one of Aotearoa’s most eminent fashion and beauty photographers – and former sometime snapper for Verve – has now added documentary maker to his creative bow.

After the cinematic release of his feature-length documentary, The Rise and Fall of Miss New Zealand, last year, the documentary has a new home in our homes on the small screens from this month.

“It’s quite a niche movie, not really one that would appeal to everyone, so it’s exciting that it’s going to be on TV,” says Neil.

The film, which started out as a podcast project during lockdown (“I had nothing to do as a fashion photographer during covid!”) focuses on a “time before supermodels” when beauty pageants “attracted more viewers than Diana marrying Prince Charles”, and also charts their decline into the 21st century.

“Modelling hadn’t really taken off,” recalls Neil. “Everyone thought that the winners were the most beautiful girls in the world. It seems kind of ridiculous now, but it was such a big deal back then.”

Were all of the women keen to be involved?

“The three main ones I needed were Loraine Downes, Elaine Miscall Daley, and Delyse Nottle, because Lorraine won Miss Universe, Elaine got second, and Delyse placed third. They were the three best results that New Zealand had ever had, so I knew that they were the other ones that the public knew. The rest of them were made up through the years right up until the recent day, including Holly Cassidy who met Donald Trump when he was running Miss Universe in Russia.”

Why did you think it was important to make the film?

“Delyse is one of my best friends. When I started back in the late 80s, I worked with a lot of them as models. During that time, the pageants started becoming really unfashionable, and kind of disappeared from the public consciousness for 20 years. They were still going, but everyone had lost interest.

And I remembered as a kid what a big deal they were, and then I met them, and they became my friends. So, I thought it was a good story to tell.”

Neil compares the competitions’ downfall to the likes Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model, all wildly popular in their day, before dying off and finding new audiences online. Though the women were keen to be involved, Neil reveals that some did have reservations about the implications of the title, Rise and Fall.

“The ‘fall’ part only meant that it was taken off TV, but they were worried there were going to be stories of scandal. But the movie is a celebration of their careers and of that time when the whole country knew who they were: the most beautiful girls in New Zealand, or maybe even the world!”

Trips down memory lane are always emotional, and so it was for these women, some of whom had to look back 60 years.

“It’s akin to examining a time capsule of a certain area, from the 60s through to the 90s,” says Neil. “It was moving for them, but they enjoyed it, and they loved seeing the premiere at Capitol Cinema. The all turned up, dressed up, and Capitol remarked that it was the rowdiest premiere they’d ever had!”

Neil is also about to start work on a new double feature film project that centres around the 90s. The first part will be a comedy documentary interviewing key figures about where they nightclubbed, ate, and drank during that decade, and the second part will tell the story of New Zealand supermodel Kylie Bax.

“I’d always kind of rejected the idea of the 90s, because it doesn’t feel that long ago, but it’s actually 30 years! So, I thought now’s the right time to look back at the decade with a smile. And Kylie was New Zealand’s most famous model ever, she did 13 Vogue covers, and campaigns for Chanel, but because it was before the internet, a lot of people don’t know who she is.”

Titled The Great 90s Rewind and Bax and Beyond, the double bill is set for release early next year.

“I thought a double feature would be quite cool because that’s what they did in the old days, with a break at half time,” says Neil. “It's something no one else does anymore, and its fitting of the retro theme.”

Catch The Rise and Fall of Miss New Zealand on 12 July at 8:30pm on Rialto Sky 39.

Trips down memory lane are always emotional, and so it was for these women, some of whom had to look back 60 years.

Get Your Gems in Order

It's time to say goodbye to Ziplock baggies and chipped dishes.

Finding the right necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings while styling an outlift can instantly become hectic and frustrating when all your jewellery is tangled and cluttered.

A proper jewellery box can take all that stress away. Whether it's a box, organiser, or travel case, jewellery organisers should be used for all your unworn pieces. The practicality of having a few good jewellery organisers is transformative for both organisation and decor purposes.

One good jewellery box that can hold multiple items is worth the investment. They can protect you while showcasing your favourite jewels. Stackers has a range of sizes and styles to choose

from and the best part is they're all customisable. Nothing is worse than arriving at your destination to realise that all your necklaces are tangled, and an earring is missing. Purchasing a travel organiser is worth all the time spent untangling it.

Leatherology's Buckled Jewellery Roll is compactable and designed to keep all your favourite pieces safe while traveling. A small decorative organiser by your bed serves as a reminder to take put your jewellery on – or take it off – at the beginning or end of each day.

Mejuri's Arch and or Pebble Vessels are great for minimal pieces and add nice decor to any area.

Layered Luxury

Cosy up with these men’s winter wardrobe must-haves.

1. Jaga Finding Jaga Suit Jacket $850 + Double Layered Shirt $399 + Suit Pants $450

2. Nicholas Jermyn Stretch White $149

3. Swanndri Fistral Crew Neck Waffle New Silver $169.99

4. Nicholas Jermyn Chapman Check Navy $149

5. iPOP Blue Light Glasses $25

6. Swanndri Chalky Island Zip Neck Waffle Black $189.99

7. Jaga Statement Bomber $1,172 + Side Pleat Pant $433

8. Swanndri Sandford Insulated Jacket Black $499.99

9. Strangely Normal Made in NZ $229

Snowed In

1. Bottega Veneta Borsa 2. Balenciaga Triple S Sneakers 3. Entire Studios Ssense Exclusive White UVR Down Jacket 4. Off-White White Stamp Logo Ribbed Long Sleeve Dress 5. Acne Studios White Off-The-Shoulder Long Sleeve T-Shirt 6. Paris Georgia Remmy Mini Dress 7. Jil Sander Small leather tote 8. Simone Rocha Off-White Micro Star Bag 9. Numbering White #9701 Ribbon Pearl Necklace 10. Simone Rocha Off-White Low Trek Ballerina Flats 11. Courrèges White Envelope Card Holder 12. Maison Margiela X Reebok Instapump Fury Memory Of

13. Sweet Chilling Summer Fades Ribbed Knit Skirt 14. Valentino Garavani Pleated Bead-Embellished Cady Maxi Skirt

15. Vivienne Westwood Beige Pearl Neysa Choker 16. Paris Georgia Herb Trouser in Ivory 17. Paris Georgia Dune Wedge in Off White

1. Entire Studios Ssense Exclusive Gray UVR Down Jacket

2. Ann Demeulemeester White Gert Sneakers 3. Adidas Originals White Ozelia Sneakers 4. Lacoste Off-White Embroidered Hoodie 5. Marni White Printed T-Shirt 6. Dime Gray Iron Sweatshirt 7. Acne Studios White Slim Turtleneck

8. Marni White East West Tote 9. Adidas Originals Off-White Nizza Rf Sneakers 10. Pearls Before Swine Silver Core Mini Blod Necklace 11. A.P.C. Silver Darwin Bracelet 12. Thom Browne White Field Sneakers 13. Bottega Veneta White Small Canette Bag 14. Retrosuperfuture Off-White Amata Sunglasses

15. Entire Studios Ssense Exclusive White Grid Down Vest

16. Marni Off-White No Vacancy Inn Edition Snake Hoodie

17. Hyein Seo Off-White Reversible Bomber Jack

Shine On

Dr.Victor Healthy Hair Tonic

Dr.Victor Healthy Hair Tonic Spray utilises our proprietary GeneRevive gene repair technology to repair damaged genes over a 300day period, enhancing nutrient penetration directly into the hair follicles. By combining gene repair technology with anti-hair loss ingredients, it truly achieves efficient hair growth and prevention of hair loss while safely and gently repairing scalp damage, ensuring you grow not just baby hair, but strong and healthy hair.

1. Osmosis Enrich Restorative Face and Neck Cream

2. Osmosis Nourish Avocado Facial Oil

3. Clear Skincare TX Serum

4. PAUME Hand Renewing Hand Serum

5. Clear Skincare Microdermabrasion Cream with Glycolic Acid

6. Clear Skincare Copper Peptide Serum

7. Dermalogica Phyto Nature Oxygen Cream

8. Dermalogica Liquid Peelfoliant

9. Dermalogica Oil to Foam Cleanser

Star Treatment

If you follow the big-name celebs on social media you will have seen Kim K raving about the BBLTM + MOXITM treatment combination she has in Beverly Hills with highly sought after plastic surgeon Dr Ashkan Ghavami.

But did you know - you can get this EXACT treatment right here in little ol’ Auckland at Clinic1 Aesthetics?

That’s right, this highly exclusive celebrity-status treatment is available in our Ponsonby clinic –along with all the advanced skin therapies and injectables you know and love!

The industry-leading BBLTM + MOXITM treatments are only available at a handful of select locations throughout New Zealand, and, after seeing the results for ourselves, we just knew we had to make this treatment accessible for our clientele at Clinic1.

So, what are these treatments all about?

Broadband Light (BBL)TM is the world’s most powerful IPL device on the market, setting a new standard in treating skin conditions such as pigmentation, age spots, rosacea, broken capillaries, acne, and loss of elasticity. The BBLTM device is considered the Rolls Royce of pulse light devices, with unmatched results that speak for themselves.

What about MOXI™? This non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing treatment was developed specifically to treat uneven pigmentation and repair sundamaged skin to leave a photo finish, radiant and youthful complexion. When used together, these treatments are an absolute powerhouse for rejuvenating the skin and turning back the clock on the ageing process.

These two treatments are valued at $1,200, but if you book your combination treatment in a single session at Clinic1 Aesthetics, the package price is just $850! That’s much more affordable than a flight to Beverly Hills to see Dr Ghavami – and you’ll get the exact same results!

As with most laser treatments, the cooler months are the perfect time of year to start your skin rejuvenation journey – it’s crucial to minimise sun exposure prior to, during, and after your BBL™ + MOXI™ treatments to ensure dramatic and long-lasting results.

If you’re ready to turn back the clock on the signs of ageing and treat yourself like a celebrity then visit Clinic1 Aesthetics and start your journey to rejuvenated, more youthful-looking skin.

clinic1.co.nz

Look, we’re not saying it’s the only procedure Kim K has had… but it’s definitely the one that makes her skin look so good!

Safe as Houses

Aucklander Kim Farr sold her floristry business in 2014 and moved to Bali with her son in search of a different pace of life.

She indeed found it, but not quite how she expected. Kim tells Verve about establishing Bali Street Mums Project, a safe house to shelter, care for, and educate local women and children.

Tell us about your journey to founding Bali Street Mums Project?

I moved to Bali 10 years ago with my son. We lived in a little house next to a rice paddy, and he went to the Green School. I tried to integrate into the expat way of life, but I would see little children

begging on the streets and desperate mothers. It didn’t feel right. I volunteered at a street kid drop-in centre far from the expat areas – I’d drive my scooter in crazy traffic each day. Children would come off the streets every morning with their mothers and have school lessons. I was shocked no breakfast was provided for the children, so I brought baskets of food every morning. I taught the mothers how to make a nutritious breakfast and they taught me how to make ground sambal. Slowly, I learned to speak Balinese and Indonesian.

I learned that begging late at night on the streets was very dangerous for the children, and often they were abducted, assaulted by foreign paedophiles, and trafficked. The mothers would tell me they were desperate for work, but they had no education or skills. I set up a mothers’ workshop and we made beautiful glass beaded jewellery, dolls, and other items. We would take their crafts to the markets and sell them, and the mothers would receive all the income. The beautiful dolls are also sold at Buanu Satu on Karangahape Road, where Helen the owner is a huge supporter of the children and mothers.

After two years of working there, the street kid centre shut down, leaving the children with nowhere to go. I started working with a local social worker to find a safe house that could not only provide food and medical aid but serve as a refuge and home to children and mothers who had suffered assault. We found the perfect compound of little cottages right next to the slum area in Denpasar. I raised the money to rent the compound and fix it up on GoFundMe, and it was thanks to many people in New Zealand that I was able to open the safe house. The safe house has aided and supports over 125 children, 45 mothers, and 10 babies.

Any particularly memorable stories?

A passer-by messaged me on Instagram and told me he’d seen a little girl begging in Seminyak. He said her eye looked very infected and asked if we could find help her.

I went to the location he gave and found a 10-year-old girl walking through the traffic disorientated. Her right eye appeared to be popping out of its socket. Our social worker, Kadek, and I managed to sit her down in a cafe, bought her a cold drink and food. She told us that her eye had been damaged by a knife. She was brought to the streets by a gang, who picked up children in the impoverished villages, gave their parents $3 a day, and brought the children to sell tissues on the urban streets for 10 hours a day. Her father was paralysed, and she needed to work to find the money to support him. We managed to contact her father and asked permission to take her to the hospital. Her

eye had to be removed as soon as possible because a tumour had grown behind it, causing her severe pain.

We took care of Wayan at the safe house and prepared her for surgery, which thanks to donations, we were able to fund. Wayan now lives at the safe house and attends school. She has a new false eye that makes her feel beautiful. We take her to visit her father every week and take food, supplies and money to him. He is happy his daughter is at school.

What you are doing is incredible, but how do you keep motivated when faced with such a sheer amount of people in need?

What keeps me motivated is seeing the change in a child's face – a child who has been begging or selling tissues on a busy road, malnourished, exhausted, and dehydrated. They come in with large dark rings under their eyes, their little feet are blistered and dirty. They have coughs from the pollution on the roads. Some have lost their hair from dehydration. All suffer fear and anxiety. After just a few weeks at the Safe House, eating nutritious meals, receiving medical attention, care, learning to draw and dance, their dark circles and worry disappear. They become lively, happy children.

What is the best way for someone visiting Bali, or even someone here in Auckland, to help Bali Street Mums?

The best way to help is to go to our website and sponsor a child, or a mother and her children. We are struggling to provide support to the increasing numbers of children and mothers in need. Alternatively, buy one of the mothers’ beautiful crafts. If you are visiting Bali, we have a table at La Brisa Market in Canggu on Sundays – come and meet the mothers and children. Or visit Helen at Buanu Satu on Karangahape road and buy a beautiful doll made by the mothers.

To sponsor a mother and her children, visit balistreetmums.org

The best way to help is to go to our website and sponsor a child, or a mother and her children.

Unleash the Power of Hyaluronic Acid

In the world of skincare, one ingredient has garnered significant attention for its remarkable benefits and ability to transform the skin: hyaluronic acid (HA). This powerful compound has become an essential ingredient worldwide, revolutionising the way we approach skincare. In this article, we will deep dive into the hype surrounding hyaluronic acid and explore why it has become a must-have for everyone seeking radiant, youthful skin.

Unparalleled moisturisation

One of the primary reasons hyaluronic acid has taken the skincare industry by storm is its superior moisturising properties. Acting as a humectant, HA has the remarkable ability to attract and retain moisture. Its impressive waterretaining capacity allows it to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. By incorporating HA into your skincare routine, you can replenish your skin's moisture levels, resulting in a plump, smooth, and well-hydrated complexion. The hydration provided by HA helps improve elasticity, minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promotes a more supple and youthful appearance.

Supporting the skin barrier

A strong and healthy skin barrier is vital for overall skin health and protection. Hyaluronic acid plays a crucial role in strengthening this barrier. By forming a moisture-locking layer on the skin's surface, HA helps

prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which occurs when the skin loses moisture to the environment. By maintaining optimal hydration levels, HA supports the skin barrier, making it more resilient and better equipped to defend against external aggressors such as pollutants and irritants. This protection is crucial for maintaining a healthy and vibrant complexion.

Plumping and firming effects

As we age, the natural production of hyaluronic acid in our bodies decreases, leading to a loss of volume and firmness in the skin. However, incorporating HA into your skincare routine can help counteract these effects. HA's ability to restore hydration provides a plumping effect, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. By enhancing the skin's volume and firmness, HA helps achieve a smoother and more youthful complexion.

Versatility for all skin types

One of the remarkable characteristics of hyaluronic acid is its compatibility with various skin types. Whether you have dry, oily, combination, sensitive, or acneprone skin, you can enjoy the benefits of HA. Its lightweight texture and noncomedogenic nature ensure that it won't clog pores or cause adverse reactions. HA can be seamlessly integrated into your existing skincare routine, complementing other active ingredients to enhance their effectiveness.

Embrace the power of hyaluronic acid

With its unrivalled moisturising properties, skin barrier support, plumping effects, and versatility, hyaluronic acid has rightfully earned its place as an essential ingredient in beauty therapy clinics. By incorporating HA into your skincare routine, you can unlock the full potential of this remarkable compound and enjoy the radiant, youthful skin you deserve.

When selecting hyaluronic acid products, it’s important to consider factors such as formulation, concentration, and the presence of other beneficial ingredients. To ensure the best results, consult the team at Louise Gray Skin Care to embrace the transformative power of hyaluronic acid, and embark on a skincare journey that will leave you feeling confident, radiant, and beautiful.

Louise Gray Skin Care, Shop 2/224 Kepa Rd, Mission Bay 09 528 9010 louisegray.co.nz

The essential ingredient for your skincare journey.

Want to know if Cool Body is right for your body?

If you're wanting to streamline your body then this is the treatment for you. These treatments are not for very large amounts of body fat but rather those stubborn areas you can't remove with exercise or dieting. We can target anywhere from the chin to ankles (excluding the breast area).

Book a no obligation complimentary consultation to find out more.

Prepping for Christmas!

WORDS

AMANDA WALKER

Every year around July I start sounding the alarm,

My colleagues often look at me like I’m crazy, but for many of our regular toxin patients this means December is only two treatments away.

We’re busy at the moment with many patients well under way with their annual winter routine of IPL to clear up any pigment and sun damage done last summer. This year, we’ve seen an increase in the number of patients opting to treat their hands, arms and legs as well as their faces and decolletage, with more people having taken advantage of travelling and enjoying time in the sun.

Once these patients’ IPL treatments are finished, and they have beautifully prepared canvases, many have booked to come in for treatments or to discuss with their practitioner their plan of action going forward till Christmas. Some of our patients book their full year programme in as early as March each year – I wish I could be that organised.

July to early November is always the busiest time of year at Clinic 42 as regular smaller treatments, or tweakments as they’ve become popularly known, are preferred by our patients.

We’re often asked to write about what’s new and what’s trending in cosmetic medicine and while ‘trends’ in terms of the way people want to look are always changing, the doctors here at Clinic 42 have always tended to shy away from this style of treatment.

What we’re seeing now more than ever in terms of the tools available to practitioners is a move towards bio-stimulatory

dermal fillers. Many of these products not only give a subtle result at the time of treatment but continue to have ongoing results.

This reinforces the ethos that Clinic 42 has always held that most people are looking for long term subtle and natural enhancement rather than the radical makeover style changes that were once popular. Replacement of lost volume with the appropriate dermal filler, and the softening of fine lines and wrinkles with botulinum toxin, is still the best way to look fresh and rested. Not frozen, not expressionless, or with unrecognisable features.

So, planning and ensuring you book your initial consultation and your appointments now rather than waiting till the month before Christmas is essential. A well thought out treatment plan should address your concerns and give you something to build on. Lipstick is something you buy on a whim, new lips, perhaps, shouldn’t be, especially if you have a function the next night.

With busy lives it’s often easier to go online and book. You can also read up on pre- and post-treatment recommendations –especially if you have events around the time of your treatments and want to know what to expect or what you can do to help minimise downtime.

For bookings or more information visit clinic42.co.nz or contact us on 09 638 4242 or at reception@clinic42.co.nz

“Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming!”

It’s the edge you need for the look you desire!

We were the first in NZ to offer you the body you want, down to the last curve.

truFlex’s comfortable, safe, and effective technology is clinically proven to increase an average of 30% muscle mass tailored to your individual needs.*

Finesse is proud to offer truFlex

A revolutionary non-surgical, muscle sculpting treatment that adjusts to your fitness level, shape, and goals to strengthen, firm, and tone your muscles.

With non-invasive Multi-Directional Stimulation (MDS) technology, truFlex can generate 54,000 contractions per session, isolate and treat 8 areas simultaneously, and simulate 5 different workouts. You can see visible results with as little as four truFlex treatments.

Masked Success

It was during a lockdown in Melbourne that Kiwi, Samuel Levi, first had the brainwave to create a clay facial mask in a stick form. This simple idea has now turned into a thriving business.

Driven by his obsession for skincare, the fact that he has sensitive skin, and a dislike for any mess or fuss, Samuel dreamed up a revolutionary product, that, despite only being a year old, is fast becoming one of Australia’s bestselling beauty products, catching the attention of influencers and celebrities alike, as well as gracing the pages of international magazines, such as British Vogue and InStyle Australia.

“I’m obsessed with skincare and keeping my face and appearance looking fresh,” says Samuel. “Being in lockdown gave me a lot of time to think about what I wanted out of a beauty regime.” As a former reality TV and radio star and with over 100,000 followers on Instagram, Melbourne-based Samuel is no stranger to the world of beauty. “I was constantly being sent product after product by beauty brands,” he says. “The mess, the fuss, and everything else in between had become a burden, especially as I have super sensitive skin, so I wanted to create a product that eliminated all of that.”

Aptly naming his creation LuxeSticks, Samuel’s concept is simple, yet a gamechanger: a twist-up tube which allows the clay mask to be rolled on the skin, much like you would with a deodorant. The mask is incredibly easy to apply and a little goes a long way. And best yet, there’s no mess – a welcome departure from having to scoop a sticky clay-based mask out of a pottle with your fingers.

Another string to the LuxeSticks bow is that they are vegan, cruelty-free and unlike many ‘natural’ brands that falsely claim to be ‘clean and green’. These clay stick masks are made entirely from plant-derived ingredients, fruit extracts, kaolin clay and vitamins and oils. There are no hidden nasties to be found. While they are all suitable for sensitive skin types, there is a range of clay sticks to choose from, each targeting a different skin concern. Whether you need to detoxify, reduce acne, tighten, brighten, smooth, or hydrate the skin, there’s a clay stick for everyone. The hero ingredients of the clay sticks include avocado, orange, collagen/watermelon, pink mineral, eggplant, turmeric, and charcoal. Freshly launched are two new sticks; espresso and acai – both of which have been designed to help purify the skin.

“The rich blend of natural ingredients in the clay stick masks deliver potent antioxidants and essential nutrients that leave the skin nourished, repaired and looking and feeling its best,” says Samuel. “From the easy-to-use design to the ingredients which suit all skin types, as well as the price point, it was important to me that the clay sticks were accessible for

everyone and that it was a product that actually worked. I wanted to create something unique, easy, and affordable for everyone – men, women, and teenagers.”

The very fact that Samuel has achieved this goal is the reason for his success. Creating a standout product in an oversaturated beauty market is no mean feat, but within just 48 hours of launching LuxeSticks in 2022, Samuel sold out of units and turned over more than $50,000. Since then, the brand has rapidly grown in sales and popularity and his entrepreneurship was even recognised by Forbes Australia, who included him in their Top 100 Entrepreneurs list for 2023.

"My goal was always to create a brand that was clean and affordable, and I’m so proud that I’ve achieved that. Everyone deserves to feel their best – there’s no need to be spending hundreds of dollars on one basic product.”

Genuinely passionate about his business, Samuel is “working on its expansion around the clock”: “It’s one of the hardest things I’ve done to date, but it’s also so rewarding at the same time. This is my brand, my passion, my commitment."

With no plans to slow down, Samuel is busy formulating new products to add to the range as well as expanding across more stores in both Australia and New Zealand. If there was ever a current brand to watch, LuxeSticks may very well be it.

LuxeSticks are currently available in New Zealand online at luxesticks.com and hairproductsonline.co.nz

Every Skin Tells a Story

Visual Skin diagnostic devices are of huge importance for #skinnerds aka beauty therapists/skincare professionals serious about providing corrective skincare practices and results-driven retail solutions. This winter, book an OBSERV SKIN Analysis appointment to see and understand the science beneath your skin. #journeybeneaththeskin

With your skin therapist, search for and establish science based, visual answers and solutions to your skin problems. Your winter skin needs immediate protection, repair, and regeneration, created by a result-driven consultation process.

There are many types of treatments for all skin types. The key is to recognise that “every skin tells a story”. This is the year for all to explore the other way of looking at skin and unravel the skin story and genetics and lifestyle that belongs to you, and to tailor your annual skincare plan to be results driven.

A skin therapist can recognise the need for professional skin in-clinic treatments plus homecare regimes to deal with concerns.

Be prepared for the clever OBSERV to showcase your before and after visual skin images to illustrate the efficacy of your investment of time into your skin. No more fluffy facials or #hopeinajar. Enjoy!

Ponsonby

Vision Personal Training

Weight training and nutrition are powerful tools for maintaining vitality and achieving a healthy weight, regardless of age. In your 40s and beyond, incorporating weight training into your fitness routine can help preserve muscle mass, boost metabolism, and promote sustainable weight loss. Coupled with a personalised nutrition plan, you can optimise your health and energy levels.

At Vision Personal Training Ponsonby, we specialise in supporting individuals in their 40s and beyond on their fitness journey. For the month of July, we invite you to experience the benefits of our personalised weight training and nutrition programme with this offer: your first two weeks are complimentary. This includes your goal session, bio scan, nutrition session and multiple personal training sessions!

Our expert trainers will guide you through tailored workouts and nutrition sessions to take you exactly where you want to go.

To claim your complimentary two week trial you call us on 022 523 9553 or enquire through our website visionpersonaltraining.com/our-studios/ponsonby.

Embrace a fitter, healthier you today, because age is just a number on the path to wellness!

Freedom from Nasty Bunions

Bunions are a progressive deformity and if not assessed early can lead to a crooked big toe, osteoarthritis, clawed toes and pain which affects your ability to walk freely or even wear your favourite shoes.

Surgery is not the only option.

Bunion surgery involves implanting metal roads and screws to straighten the big toe joint. However, surgeries often lead to complications including infection, scarring, pain and inability to walk for months. Many sufferers who have had surgery notice their bunions return, and often worse than before.

A less invasive treatment can help.

My name is Shaun McCann, owner of Corrective Foot Solutions. Over the past six years since we’ve opened the doors, we’ve helped hundreds of bunion patients get rid of their bunion pain, improve toe deviation, wear more shoes and lead an active lifestyle without surgery.

We use foot mobilisation therapy which is a gentle handson technique that corrects the cause of your bunion by working on the misalignments in the foot, as well as strengthening the weakened muscles around the joints.

“I only wish I had found you sooner!”

We believe that the sooner a bunion is treated, the better the correction.

Limited winter offer only $35 (usually $105)

Have an FMT podiatrist evaluate your bunion. Call between 5–28 July and here’s what you will get:

an in-depth consultation about your bunion

a complete hands-on joint assessment

gait analysis

answers all your probing questions

A non-invasive treatment is proving helpful for many bunion patients.

Live to Thrive

WORDS MILLY NOLAN

What is it you want? Where are you at? What is it going to take to get there? As a holistic mentor, Erin Polaschek asks these three questions every time a person steps through her door.

Born to a father who was a martial arts sensei and a mother who was a yoga teacher before becoming a jazzercise instructor and eventually a New Zealand title-holding body builder, Erin Polaschek was destined for something that involved movement. “I was raised in Christchurch very much in a bohemian style –we didn’t have much money. Instead, we lived off the land. Mum was always growing fruit and vegetables, there were dogs and horses and chickens roaming freely. I grew up with my hands in the earth and a very strong connection with movement.”

Ironically, despite her free-range childhood, as a young adult Erin wanted the opposite of how she was raised and in search of financial security embarked on a law degree. “I thought lawyers make good money; they wear fancy clothes, and they live in nice houses. And so I latched onto that,” recalls Erin. However, two years into her studies Erin realised that law wasn’t for her and so at age 19, she bought a one-way ticket to London with a friend and dabbled in all sorts of jobs like fashion retail, waitressing, accounting in an advertising firm and even running sales departments. Throughout each job, Erin was running a side hustle teaching various forms of fitness. Eventually she paid attention and acknowledged her calling.

Erin met her ‘guru’ at age 20. “He was an osteopath, naturopath and acupuncturist, but also so much more than that,” she says. “He worked with meditation, transcendence, and interweaved nutrition into his method. He was a healer. He could see the damage that was sitting in my body immediately. After meeting him, he became my guru and my life changed for the better. Under his direction I went on to study massage and yoga, both of which shape my practice to this day.”

From qualifying as a personal trainer and a sports therapist, to teaching pole dancing and yoga classes, Erin began dabbling in all dimensions of movement and transformation. She even developed aerial circus skills and martial arts. She was extremely fit but also exhausted from over training to the point of suffering multiple layers of hormonal dysfunction and adrenal fatigue. “Body niggles and a lack of joy led me to conclude that there must be a better way. The whispers of the

yogis held the truth and possibly the shouting of my own guru that ‘balance is key’,” she muses.

The notion around living a balanced life was further drummed into Erin on a three-month trip to India and the Himalayas at age 25. From here she began to evolve a new approach to her own health and that of her clients, taking into consideration the mind-body conjunct.

On returning to New Zealand, Erin created her business, Wholly Health, in 2010, which later evolved in 2020 into her current business, Erin Zen Warrior. “Explaining what I do in a nutshell isn’t easy, but basically I revolutionise people’s lives,” says Erin. “I develop foundations to guide courageous seekers to discover their path, their health and ultimately live an expanded, successful, and fulfilling life. I specialise in posture, chronic disease and meditation, and also have an intuitive talent for being able to tune in and feel what is going on, on a health level.

“I have people who come to me who've had 35 years of disease. Chronic sciatica, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, fibromyalgia, you name it. They come to me and ask how many weeks is it going to take? And I say, it all depends on how willing you are to change. Some of them listen to everything I say and take it to the nth degree. Those people get better faster.”

Erin spells the word ‘disease’ as ‘dis-ease’ in all her written communications. “Obviously the word disease comes from a prefix attached to the word ‘ease’ hence the word ‘dis-ease’ which means to ‘not be at ease’. All disease is literally a result of an overload of stress and/or stressors that the body can’t handle. Whether it is bacteria or a virus that flattens the immune system, or the many layers of stress that may be gleaned from poor eating, a lack of movement, and poorly managed social/ work stressors in a person’s life. The truth is that stress kills and through an overload of stressors we end up with chronic illness. We should not be living like this.”

For Erin, the aim of life is to grow old with grace and enjoy every bit of the journey. “My focus with all my clients,” she says,

“It’s only when these questions are answered and understood that we can gain results,” says Erin.

“is ‘how do you build a well-tuned body holistically in a manner that can be self-maintained?’. How do you stay strong as you age, and not need a Zimmer frame? How can you reduce injury and pain and alleviate long term ailments? How do you remain disease free? People come to me because they want to be able to run around with their grandkids. They don't want to be broken and decrepit and not able to enjoy their life.”

To support her work, Erin keeps up to date with the latest research on food and supplements. “The secret to better health lies in bringing conscious awareness to all habits,” she says. “We must look at a person’s whole picture as an individual. Particularly I relate this to food. I find people's understanding of their body in relation to what and how they eat to be insufficient. To make a lifestyle change with anything you must become aware of where you are at and why you need it to change. Equally, if you are stressed or diseased in any way, you are incapable of receiving or learning anything because your body is under threat – as if you are running away in fear from a tiger. In today’s world, sadly almost everyone is living their lives as if a tiger is chasing them. The damage this does on a mental and physical level is huge.”

Unapologetically and dynamically herself, enthusiastic and excitable, a conversation with Erin leaves you wanting more for your life. She too, unapologetically wants you to have an everexpansive, ecstatic life also. Her main mission being that you don’t just live to survive, but you live to thrive. “Inspiration is key in life,” she says. “I want others to be inspired with their life and their health. Great people have taught, helped, and inspired me and I am lucky to be able to pass on those things that have shaped my life and of course, my body.”

Based in Auckland, Erin can be seen in person or virtually.

erinpolaschek.com

Insta: @erinzenwarrior

Win a 12-week Full Holistic Revamp with Erin Zen Warrior

Develop through movement, nutrition, and mind to become who you were born to be.

This prize consists of:

a n assessment of your human design, genes, and diet to establish foundations for your evolution

· a m inimum of 12 sessions over 12 weeks with Erin Zen Warrior integrating your program foundations

a recording of all sessions for your private use only a progressive plan and spreadsheet collated and designed over the 12 weeks

a four-week check-in after the 12 weeks to see how you are i ntegrating your new foundations

a n eight-week check-in after the 12 weeks to assess if further support is required

This package is valued at $4,000.

You may, if you prefer, transfer this for 12 sessions of bodywork.  Erin’s technique is unique to Auckland and is a postural corrective mix of shiatsu, Thai, compression, osteopathic, cranial, and more across the contractile fields map.   This technique has been used very successfully on all body types from the desk jockey to all blacks.

This Package is valued at $1,560.

Entering is simple. Visit VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ and click WIN then follow the directions.

“The secret to better health lies in bringing conscious awareness to all habits.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: A SOUNES PHOTO

Taste & Drink

Wine columnist and connoisseur DENNIS KNILL gives his views on two of M by Montana’s new wine releases.

In 1934 Ivan and Amanda Yukich, two young Yugoslavian immigrants, planted grapes on a small plot of land in Titirangi. Their first vintage was all sold in 1944 and over the next 15 years they acquired more land to plant more grapes. In 1961 their two sons Mate and Frank joined the business and Montana Wines was born.

Montana became so successful that additional land in Gisborne and Marlborough was acquired and as the winery grew so did the opportunity to export. What followed was quite remarkable, Montana became the first winery to be listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. The growth continued and in 2000 Corbans Wines was acquired making Montana a powerhouse winemaker. In 2005 Pernod Ricard made a successful takeover bid and the rest as they say is history. To commemorate 50 years of the first wine plantations M by Montana have produced a new pinnacle range of four wines.

Here are two exceptional value for money wines that will not disappoint.

’22 M by Montana sauvignon blanc, RRP $20

Crisp and dry with adequate acidity and full of herbaceous characteristics and an alluring bouquet typical of Marlborough. Ready to drink now. Pair with seafood, fish dishes, chicken, vegetarian, and leafy green salads.

’22 M by Montana pinot noir, RRP $20

Bright, ripe with power in the fruit that has a finely balanced finish that is engaging on the palate. Immediately drinkable and a great food and wine match when served with venison, lamb, pork, duck pasta, and casseroles.

Food & Wine

Let’s Eat Out

DENNIS and ROSAMUND KNILL

Bossi, a new city restaurant, continues to lead the way with classy, friendly dining. Consequently, it’s popular and continues to impress.

Tucked away in Commerce Street is a dining experience that raises the bar in a city teeming with top restaurants. It’s casually handsome with tables on two levels and if you want to sit outside to watch the world go by there’s al fresco dining cordoned off on the busy streetscape.

There’s much to like about Bossi. Behind these doors the depth of talent whether it’s waiting or cooking is considerable. From the front of the house to the kitchen the intensity of taste from the plates and the vision is what separates this restaurant from its competitors. It’s a successful formula of proving that you don’t have to bamboozle diners with science to impress. Instead, Bossi’s repertoire seduces with accomplished dishes with back-to-basic flavours reinforced by the quality of the cooking.

The menu features immaculately rendered Italian fare of appetisers, entrees, mains and desserts adopting the Italian ethos of produce-driven dishes that are prepared and presented with great flare. Here is a sampling of dishes from a very comprehensive menu. Aperitivo, garlic prawns ($14 each); baby stuffed calamari ($16); antipasti, Italian dumplings with potato and gorgonzola ($16); peso crudo, market fish with caper sauce ($27); Primo, spaghetti with clams ($29); pasta with lamb ragout ($30); Secondi, lasagne ($39); risotto with pork cutlet ($42); and veal saltimbocca with potato and sauce ($40).

Dolce ($12/$26) are simple and not without edge. There’s also hazelnut mousseline, negroni jelly and orange gelato ($21); tiramisu pure Italian with mascarpone cream ($26); and almond cake with crème anglaise ($19).

And the verdict? Attention to detail makes this new Italian eatery the benchmark in Auckland. It starts with exemplary service by skilled waiters and continues with what’s plated on the table. Then there’s infectious enthusiasm for a cellar that stars a sharp Italian-focused wine list featuring the best producers as well as local cousins. All that’s missing is the accordionist.

Menu: 8, cuisine: 8.5, wine list: 8.5, service: 9, décor: 8.5, value for money: 8.5.

10 Commerce Street, City. Phone 948 0906. Dinner and lunch Monday to Saturday. bossi.co.nz

Yellow Duck Curry

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

2 ducks

2 carrots

2 onions

1 bay leaf

oil for frying

250ml chicken stock

400ml can coconut cream

2 Tbsp brown sugar

seasonal green vegetables or frozen green beans

Curry Paste

1 onion

1 bulb garlic

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground chilli

4 tsp curry powder

1 tsp turmeric

2 tsp honey

Recipes extracted from Winter Warmers: Recipes and stories from a New Zealand high country station by Philippa Cameron. Photography © Lottie Hedley. RRP$49.99. Hardback. Published by Allen & Unwin NZ.

If your house is like mine and every May your freezer fills up with ducks — but then you forget about them and they sink to the bottom — this recipe will soon become a favourite. Serve with basmati rice, a good dollop of plain yoghurt and freshly chopped coriander if you like.

Stovetop method

Place the ducks in a large pot on a low heat and cover with cold water. Roughly chop the carrots and one of the onions and add to the pot with the bay leaf. Simmer for 2 hours. While the duck is cooking, prepare the curry paste. Blitz the onion, garlic, coriander, chilli, curry, turmeric and honey into a paste.

When the duck is falling apart (you want the meat to fall off when you attempt to pick it up) and has separated from the duck carcasses, remove all of the meat. Shred using two forks and set aside. Discard the rest of the pot’s contents and give the pot a quick wash.

Put the oil in the bottom of the pot on a low heat. Heat the curry paste for 5 minutes until fragrant. Keep an eye on it, as it will easily burn. If it looks to be too hot, add some of the stock to stop it from catching.

Roughly chop the remaining onion and add it to the pot. Stir in the coconut cream and brown sugar. Return the meat to the pot with the stock, and gently stir.

Simmer for 45 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Add the green vegetables and simmer for 5 minutes before serving.

Cauliflower Cheese

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

1 large head of cauliflower

1 quantity white sauce

1½ cups grated Colby cheese

white pepper

Recipes extracted from Winter Warmers: Recipes and stories from a New Zealand high country station by Philippa Cameron. Photography © Lottie Hedley. RRP$49.99. Hardback. Published by Allen & Unwin NZ.

This rich and decadent side dish will make your Sunday roast the talk of the family.

Method

Preheat the oven to 200°C fan-bake.

Chop the cauliflower into large chunks.

Steam the cauliflower above a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes until it begins to soften but is still firm to the touch (no mushy, lifeless cauliflower allowed).

Drain the pot of water and place the cauliflower inside the pot. Place back on the heat once more until all excess moisture has evaporated.

Prepare the Simple White Sauce, take it off the heat and stir through 1 cup of the cheese and the pepper.

Transfer the cauliflower to an ovenproof dish and pour over the cheese sauce. Sprinkle over the remaining cheese.

Bake in the oven for 15–20 minutes until it reaches your preferred level of bubbly goodness.

Tips and tricks

To make this extra creamy, you could replace 1 cup of milk w ith cream when you make the white sauce.

Eighties Curried Mince

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

dollop of butter

2 onions, finely chopped or grated

500g beef or venison mince

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tsp salt

½ tsp white pepper

2 tsp curry powder

¼ cup uncooked rice

2½ cups chicken stock

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp soy sauce

2 cups thinly sliced cabbage handful of sultanas (optional)

Recipes extracted from Winter Warmers: Recipes and stories from a New Zealand high country station by Philippa Cameron. Photography © Lottie Hedley. RRP$49.99. Hardback. Published by Allen & Unwin NZ.

Joe and I are children of the eighties, and our mothers would have known versions of this recipe off by heart during the tough years of young families and high mortgages. It truly is a cost-effective meal. But, let’s be honest — there’s nothing better than a good old mince dish. It’s delicious and filling. And the kids love it!

Method

Add the butter to a pot on a high heat and sauté the onion until soft and fragrant. Add the mince and brown. Tip off any excess liquid.

Turn the heat down to medium. Stir through the garlic, salt, pepper and curry powder. Add the rice, stock, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, cabbage and sultanas (if using). Combine all of the ingredients and cook for 30 minutes, stirring often to avoid the rice sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Tips and tricks

· Use just 1 teaspoon of curry powder for young families not u sed to the warm spice.

· I n place of the cabbage, use whatever is green and leafy in your veggie garden or veggie drawer.

T he use of sultanas is controversial. The answer is simple: u se them if you like them; leave them out if you don’t.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days or make them into a pie using short pastry.

You could use the leftovers to make scrolls. Roll out a batch of flaky pastry until 2–3 mm thick. Spread the leftover mince evenly over the pastry. Roll up tight. Cut evenly into 2 cm thick slices and lay the scrolls on their sides on a prepared tray. Bake in the oven at 200°C fan-bake for 25–30 minutes.

Nut Clusters

Layer your porridge with cream and a handful of these for a special breakfast. I make a big batch of these clusters in advance, and store them in a large jar next to our other breakfast cereals.

Roasted Rhubarb

This zesty, delicious topping for porridge or muesli will be your winter morning wake-up call.

Ingredients

4 cups roughly chopped nuts such as walnuts, almonds, pecans and cashews

1½ cups seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower

2 Tbsp (30g) butter

2 Tbsp honey pinch of salt

Method

Preheat the oven to 160°C (315°F) fan-bake. Prepare a large roasting dish. Sprinkle the nuts and seeds all over the prepared dish. Use clean hands to combine them all.

Melt the butter and honey. Pour it over the nuts and seeds, and toss to cover. Sprinkle the salt over the top. Roast for 25 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes, until there is no liquid left. Remove from the oven. Toss one last time and set aside to cool.

Once completely cool, break the clusters into the size you desire. Store in an airtight container or jar for up to 3 months.

Ingredients

6 stalks rhubarb

1 lemon or orange

2 sticks cinnamon

4 star anise

3 Tbsp honey

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan-bake. Prepare a baking dish. Wash the rhubarb and cut into 5–6 cm (2–2½ in) long chunks. Arrange in the prepared dish.

Using a vegetable peeler, peel the zest off the lemon or orange in long strips. Place among the rhubarb. Toss in the cinnamon sticks and star anise. Squeeze over the juice of the lemon or orange. Drizzle over the honey.

Bake for 20 minutes until the rhubarb becomes soft (test by squashing down with a fork). Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Remove the cinnamon sticks and star anise. Scoop the rhubarb, zest and juice into a clean, airtight jar. Store in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to a year.

Recipes extracted from Winter Warmers: Recipes and stories from a New Zealand high country station by Philippa Cameron. Photography © Lottie Hedley. RRP$49.99. Hardback. Published by Allen & Unwin NZ.

Food & Wine

What's On in July

BASMATI BITCH

11-29 July

ASB Waterfront Theatre

This thrilling "neo-noir action-crimecomedy" blend of a play provides just the right touch of fourth-wall-breaking characters to maintain a self-aware status. Set in an alternate reality where ethnic dietary staples like rice are banned due to crop issues and border closures, Basmati Bitch manages to toe the line between reality and surrealism, whilst delivering pure entertainment.

BUTTERFLY SMOKESCREEN

1 July - 6 August

Viaduct Harbour

This immersive experience will transport you to the Roaring ‘20s. Step aboard the luxury super yacht Sea Breeze III for an evening of Hollywood high society, champagne, love triangles, drama and possibly… murder? Butterfly Smokescreen is the latest production from the award-winning theatre company The Barden Party.

eventfinda.co.nz

CRYSTAL

4-9 July

Spark Arena

Cirque du Soleil's latest show is an exhilarating experience. Follow Crystal as she breaks away from the monotonous numb cycle of her life, discovering her potential through a strange turn of events. Packed with incredible visual projections, an original score, a compelling storyline and a talented team showcasing their aerial and ice-based-skill set, Crystal brings imagination to life.

ticketmaster.co.nz

DIE TOTE STADT

8 July

Auckland Town Hall

Paul is haunted by the present and drowning in the past. After the passing of his wife Maire, Paul meets the enigmatic yet strangely familiar dancer Mariette. This classic opera explores the themes of life, loss, and love with an enchantingly romantic score.

ticketmaster.co.nz

ELEMENTAL

20 July - 6 August

Elemental is hosting a range of events this month and next. For July, enjoy the mini-festival Fort Lane Live or an intimate Town Hall show with Bic Runga. The following weekend, catch Tove Lo and Idles at Spark Arena. Check out their website for the packed ‘art, beats and eats’ calendar.

aucklandnz.com/elemental

WINETOPIA 21-22 July

Viaduct Events

Centre

Get ready for Aotearoa’s largest wine discovery event, showcasing over 50 incredible wineries' wares. Organised by region, get ready to taste your way across the nation. Wine lovers are in for a treat with talks, tastings, masterclasses, pop-up eateries, pairing tips, live music, sommelier sessions and more.

shop.winetopia.co.nz

LIZZO

26 July

Spark Arena

The charismatic singer, rapper, flautist, and songwriter is back touring her award-winning second album, Special Expect a high-energy show packed with her soulful pop anthems and signature banter.

ticketmaster.co.nz

TAKAPUNA WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL

27-30 July

Hurstmere Road

No matter what age you are, this delightful free festival is bound to be the highlight of your night. From 5pm10pm, wander through and interact with stunning artistic light displays right in the heart of Takapuna.

winterlights.nz

Box Office

starts 19 July

PAST LIVES

Directed by

Celine Song

Past Lives is a deeply moving love story exploring self-discovery and human connection. Set in late 90s Seoul, Nayoung and Hae Sung are separated when Nayoung's family moves to America. After 12 years, Hae Sung reconnects with Nayoung, now Nora, via Facebook. Their Skype dates trigger memories, but Naora cuts ties for her artistic dreams. Another 12 years pass before Hae Sung visits Nora in New York. The film delicately explores diasporic identity, migration, and cultural challenges, capturing guarded emotions with soulful chemistry. Past Lives breathes life into cinematic romance, portraying the bittersweet beauty of transience.

FALLEN LEAVES

Directed by Aki

Kaurismäki

Aki Kaurismäki returns to the festival with Fallen Leaves, a charming romantic tale infused with his trademark deadpan style. Set in Helsinki, Ansa, a supermarket worker on an exploitative contract, meets lonely construction worker Holappa in a karaoke bar. Their budding romance faces mishaps and the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine adds tension. Kaurismäki's distinctive visual style and Timo Salminen's cinematography create a sealed yet recognisable world. Fallen Leaves combines wry humour, political commentary, and cinematic references.

THE STRANGEST OF ANGELS

Directed by

Rebecca Tansley

Celebrated New Zealand writer Janet Frame's life is portrayed in The Strangest of Angels. In 1952, fictional nurse Katherine Baillie arrives at Seacliff Mental Hospital, where her old classmate Janet Frame is a patient wrongly diagnosed with schizophrenia. As Janet's scheduled lobotomy approaches, Katherine grapples with conflicting emotions. The film, featuring soprano Anna Leese as Katherine, was shot on location at Auckland's former Kingseat psychiatric hospital. Accompanied by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, the NZ Opera production showcases the talents of New Zealand sopranos Jayne Tankersley and Anna Leese.

ANATOMY OF A FALL

Directed by Justine

Triet

Anatomy of a Fall is a sober courtroom procedural that explores the complexities of a relationship between a successful writer wife and a frustrated aspiring writer husband. When the husband's death is questioned as suicide or murder, the film delves into multiple perspectives and fluid truths. As the wife defends herself in court, the intricate dynamics of their seemingly comfortable marriage face scrutiny. Anchored by a remarkable lead performance, the film embraces untidy ambiguities and challenges societal ideals of a perfect marriage.

New Zealand’s International Film Festival (NZIFF), the event all movie lovers have been waiting for,

in Auckland. Verve is proud to bring you our pick of four movies not to miss. Visit nziff.co.nz for more info.

ABOVE: PAST LIVES

Auckland Bound

At The Civic on 12 August, travel back to the 1960s with The Simon and Garfunkel Story, a show that captivates via a journey through Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s lives. It begins at their childhood and climaxes with their legendary 1981 Central Park concert.

We sat down with William Sharp, who plays Paul Simon, to hear about his experience on the show. He explained that the performance will spark memories for those who lived through the Simon and Garfunkel era and give those who have never seen the two acclaimed performers a chance to experience their music live.

William and his cast member, Oliver Cave, who plays Art Garfunkel, perfectly replicate Simon and Garfunkel’s singing voices while performing some of their most well-known songs.

“To be able to hold the audience’s attention so intently with what I’ve been training for is a powerful thing,” says William. “It’s something I’ll never forget.”

William decided to put all his effort into pursuing a music career, something he’s always had a passion for, after realising architecture school was not for him. This being his first time on stage in a lead role has been understandably impactful.

The entire cast and crew do a phenomenal job, he says, of supporting each other while on the road. He explained the joy it brings him to meet members of the audience who are moved by the show.

“The show itself is the next best thing to seeing Simon and Garfunkel, it will transport you back.”

The Circus © Roy Export S.A.S Music for The Circus Copyright © Roy Export Company Ltd. and Bourne Co. All rights reserved. Charlie Chaplin™ © Bubbles Incorporated S.A

World in a Village

Matakana Village is now just a short, beautiful drive away. The recently opened motorway from Pūhoi to Warkworth has transformed the accessibility to Matakana Village and its famous Farmers’ Market.

Discover a world-class village brimming with small-town charm and a heartwarming shopping experience that will leave you inspired.

Matakana Village is not just about the market, it's a haven for independent retailers and artisan food producers who pour their passion into their businesses. With the new motorway, a relaxed mid-week shopping experience awaits you, free from the bustling crowds of the city. Explore carefully curated collections of art, homewares, fashion, jewellery, and unique gifts that are sure to delight.

Explore the vibrant art scene. Discover authentic Māori contemporary art, design, and fashion at Unity Collection, where storytelling and cultural heritage come to life. Artform showcases captivating works from leading New Zealand artists, while Marshall Home offers an array of beautiful pieces to adorn your living space. Let the artistic spirit of Matakana Village inspire and uplift your senses.

Embark on a fashion adventure, where style meets individuality. Whether you're seeking timeless classics or the latest fashion-forward pieces, Matakana Village offers a shopping experience that will ignite your sense of style and leave you feeling inspired.

Satisfy your cravings for exceptional flavours in Matakana Village, where a community of passionate makers and artisans come together to create culinary wonders. Discover the mouthwatering delights of Matakana Bacon, renowned for their artisanal bacon made with care and expertise and let the rich aromas of freshly roasted coffee draw you to the famous Matakana Coffee Roasters next door. From Honest Chocolat's award-winning chocolates to the irresistible creations of local bakers, Matakana Village is a haven for food lovers seeking the finest, handcrafted delights.

Make Matakana Village your next getaway. Explore its hidden treasures, enjoy the riverside ambiance at MMK, catch a movie at the village cinema, and enjoy a wine tasting at The Vintry where the wine list features over 40 local wines.

Visit Matakana Village, where the new motorway brings you closer to a world of charm, creativity, and genuine hospitality. Open 7 days a week.

Why hi there, neighbour!

With the new motorway, reaching us is more convenient than ever! Immerse yourself in a unique destination filled with artisanal treasures, art, and a charming shopping experience. Explore our passionate community of independent retailers, enjoy a delectable dining experience and catch a movie in the famous Matakana Cinema.

It's an experience and it's open every day.

2 Matakana Valley Road, Matakana | www.matakanavillage.co.nz

The Art of July

In the wallows of dark and light is July. A sombre month wrapped in a thick veil and glistening wet, its mood reflected throughout the art on show, with this month's selection of fineflames presented in alphabetical order.

July Editors' Pick:

TURUA GALLERY

Immersion Rachael Mayne solo exhibition

From 21 July

Rachael devotes her painterly skills to an impressionistic and abstract style that communicates a sense of human spirit, abstract landscapes and floral paintings. Opening night 5pm 21 July.

10a Turua Street, St Heliers Gallery hours: Tues-Fri: 10am-5pm, Sat: 10am-4pm, Sun: 10am-2pm turuagallery.co.nz

IMAGE: SIMON KAAN, COURTESY OF SANDERSON CONTEMPORARY

CURATED BY AIMÉE RALFINI

ANNA MILES GALLERY

WīWīWāWā –Tyrone Te Waa

8 July – 3 August

Tyrone Te Waa (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), presents his first solo exhibition at the gallery. Born 1992, the artist compares his art-making process to ‘cooking lunch’. Using commonly discarded or donated materials – wood, fabric, paint and string – he combines methods of assembling, binding, hiding, attaching, knotting, connecting, tangling and wrapping to make wearable objects, two dimensional works and large scale installations. His autobiographical and ancestral reflection is informed by research into takatāpui/gay/queer histories in Aotearoa New Zealand.

10/30 Upper Queen St annamilesgallery.com

SANDERSON CONTEMPORARY

Te Au

Simon Kaan and Wi Taepa

4 July – 30 July

Te Au features a suite of new paintings by Simon Kaan and ceramics by Wi Taepa. Kaan and Taepa are two of the most influential senior artists working in ngā toi Māori and Aotearoa today.

A celebrated painter and printmaker, Kaan (Ngāi Tahu, Chinese, Scottish) is known for his serene paintings and prints where land, sea and sky dominate, and the waka is a regular motif.

Wi Taepa ONZM is a ceramicist of Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Āti Awa descent. He is recognised as a leading figure in contemporary ceramics, and has been at the forefront of promoting uku, the medium of clay, within te ao Māori since the mid-80s.

Osborne Lane, 2 Kent Street, Newmarket sanderson.co.nz

FÖENANDER

GALLERIES

Strange Paradise

Gavin Chai

24 June – 15 July

Atmospheric exterior paintings capture elements of the everyday, evoking a sense of introspection. Despite their often-stark realism, Chai’s masterful paintings have an eerie sense of the surreal, inviting viewers to contemplate the themes of alienation and our longing for connection and meaning.

Born in 1997, the artist makes his own paint from powdered pigments and oil, and is influenced by the theatrical techniques of light and space from Flemish and Renaissance painters. In this new series Chai depicts isolated or solitary figures in the landscape, creating a sense of subdued drama in a Strange Paradise.

455 Mt Eden Road foenandergalleries.co.nz

STUDIO ONE TOI TŪ

TE TUHI

Huarere: Weather Eye, Weather Ear

Breath of Weather Collective

4 June — 30 July

Weather is not just happening to us; we are happening to the weather. As our experience of the climate crisis intensifies, Huarere: Weather Eye, Weather Ear presents artworks as sensory alerts to the new weathers, dislodging our hold on scientific facts and offering a means to radically reimagine our relationship to our climate.

The exhibition is Te Tuhi’s contribution to the World Weather Network, a platform

15 Jun – 18 Aug

The exhibition Tōku Whakaruruhau explores the idea of creating a safe space within our communities. This can take various forms for our rangatahi (young people), whose interpretation of a Tōku Whakaruruhau draws from the four dimensions of Te Whare Tapa Whā: physical, mental, spiritual, and environmental. Through this visual representation, Ngā Rangatahi Toa encourages visitors to explore what Tōku Whakaruruhau means to them and their whānau.

238 Karangahape Road studioone.org.nz

connecting 28 arts organisations across the earth in artist-orientated ‘weather stations’. Breath of Weather Collective includes the following artists; Denise Batchelor, Janine Randerson, Julieanna Preston, Kalisolaite 'Uhila, Layne Waerea, Maureen Lander, Mick Douglas, Nujoom Alghanem, Paul Cullen, Phil Dadson, Rachel Shearer, Ron Bull, Stefan Marks and Stìobhan Lothian.

13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga tetuhi.art

Art Feature

Verve’s Annual Feature showcases the beautiful art galleries and artists throughout New Zealand.

This is a great opportunity to feature your gallery or artists to our audience. Our readers are passionate about art and are always keen to be kept up to date with what is happening in the art world.

AUGUST 2023

Great multiday adventures for everyone. Two day fantastic rides. Long weekends and our awesome One Day Wonders. Lake Dunstan shuttles and bike hire.

For advertising, contact: Pam Brown 027 479 0691 pambrown@xtra.co.nz

Tim Cahill

Retirement luxury in the heart of Mt Albert.

Located on the side of beautiful Mt Albert, and enjoying elevated views across the upper harbour and Waitākere Ranges, Everil Orr Living is a retirement community and care centre like no other.

We are a friendly boutique community filled with people who share a connection and kinship. We use our experience and values to create a place of warmth and belonging. Your best life is how you want to live it, and where you feel that you belong.

With spacious apartments for the fully independent, to luxury care suites for those needing rest home or hospital care, Everil Orr Living offers residents the continuum of care.

Residents enjoy a wide range of activities such as arts and crafts, gardening, movie nights and outings, which encourage get-togethers, adventures, and good-spirited conversations among neighbours.

Neighbourhood shops, medical facilities and public transport are just around the corner.

A place to belong

Independent living

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Our generous apartments are tailored to meet the needs of active retirees who want to maintain their independence, while living in a city fringe location.

All apartments come equipped with all mod cons, and residents have the option of choosing between one or two bedrooms. The units are thoughtfully designed to provide comfort and style.

Care living

We take great pride in our well-appointed care suites, which can be tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re interested in a studio or a one bedroom, you can be as involved in the setup as you like.

All care needs, meal service, laundry and activities are included in the care fees.

Talk to our friendly team about how we can get you living your best life at Everil Orr Living.

Lucy's Corner

This month Verve’s star teen reviewer LUCY KENNEDY reflects on the sixth season of the iconic Black Mirror.

Black Mirror Season Six - 16+

Created by Charlie Brooker, Black Mirror is a British television series in which each episode explores different stories and genres usually centred around dystopian themes. The highly anticipated sixth season of the show is creative, spooky, and utterly engaging, packed full of mystical and compelling storylines worthy of full-length films. Because each episode is a standalone story, you don’t have to have seen previous seasons in order to understand and enjoy the newest instalment.

The stories are quirky, thought-provoking, and usually incorporate extremely clever and entirely unexpected plot twists. My favourite from the new season, titled ‘Loch Henry’, follows amateur documentarians in a remote Scottish town as they uncover wrenching secrets about a string of murders that

took place decades earlier. With gorgeous, melancholy shots of Scottish landscapes and a gripping narrative, this is an episode I will definitely revisit.

I highly recommend watching all of Black Mirror’s seasons, as you will surely become addicted to the compelling short-form narratives of the show, and pick out your favourites from each season.

Available to stream on Netflix. 4/5 stars

Instagram: @lucykennedyreviews

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On the Bookshelf

Novels good enough to stay in for – cosy at home and out of the cold.

THE GLASGOW SMILE

Chris

Stuart

Chris Stuart’s debut novel, For Reasons of Their Own, won the Ngaio March Best First Novel Award. Her second novel, The Glasgow Smile, is another thrilling, pageturning read.

In a grimy, graffiti-covered Melbourne inner city laneway, a woman is found murdered. Was this a random thrill kill, politically driven, or tragically personal? DI Robbie Gray, along with her indigenous officer, Mac, digs deep and discovers the legacy of long-held secrets can have tragic consequences.

Original Sin Press, RRP $35.00

THE SPANISH GARDEN

Cliff Taylor

In his Spanish garden overlooking the Kaipara Harbour, Sidney King reluctantly prepares to mark his one-hundredth birthday. At the same time, a discovery is made in Spain which could unlock a mystery that has haunted him since he fought in the Spanish Civil War. This multi-generational novel tells a story of memory and loss and a man’s enduring obsession with love. The Spanish Garden is a moving novel that will appeal to readers of The English Patient

Quentin Wilson Publishing, RRP $37.50

A DISAPPEARANCE IN FIJI

Nilima

Rao

1914, Fiji. Akal Singh is assigned the case of an indentured Indian woman who has gone missing from a sugarcane plantation. Some say she has run off with the overseer, but the newspaper headlines scream ‘kidnapping’…

Alexander McCall Smith has endorsed A Disappearance in Fiji, which I find particularly apt as this debut novel reminds me of his books – charming and full of warmth and wit.

Echo Publishing, RRP $37.00

RINGS ON WATER Madeleine Eskedahl

This thrilling crime novel starts with a man being lost overboard when a narcotics pickup at sea goes wrong. Then a young woman is found dead on a beach, and Sergeant Bill Granger is called on to investigate. He had hoped for a quiet offseason in Matakana. Instead, a complex web of small-town secrets and a desire for revenge will soon place Bill’s family in danger. You will never look at Matakana the same way again!

Matheson Bay Press, RRP $36.99

WORDS — KAREN MCMILLAN , bestselling author karenm.co.nz | nzbooklovers.co.nz

Summerset St Johns selling off plans now*

Summerset St Johns is excited to announce our first release of homes are selling off plans now.*

Once complete, the village will offer sophisticated retirement residences designed with luxury in mind. Set in the heart of the eastern suburbs, enjoy breathtaking views towards the sea, city and neighbouring bush. This is a location you can be proud to call home, helping you get the most enjoyment out of your retirement years.

Visit our sales suite today and take a look through our incredible show home, complete with a full-size kitchen and bathroom, as well as a 3D model. Plus, you can discuss the range of homes and floor plans with our Sales Manager and find out more about our first release of homes.

Visit our sales suite today

Open Monday to Saturday, 10am - 4pm

Summerset St Johns sales suite

400 Remuera Road, Remuera

09 950 7982 | stjohns.sales@summerset.co.nz

Winter calls for cosy merino tees, stylish walking coats, raincoats and sweaters.

Whether your pup is short and long, a little round, small or large, Mr Soft Top has something for dogs of all sizes.

Thriving in Winter

Winter in Auckland can be chilly and overcast, with lots of rain. But don’t let the gloomy weather get you down, this is the best time to finish your winter clean-up and start planning for spring.

Veggies

Continue protecting your veggies from frost with frost cloth, and make sure your seedlings aren't getting too wet or they may die from damping off. Mulch your garden beds with pea straw to help suppress weeds, and keep slugs and snails at bay with Quash.

Fruit

Prune back branches to help shape your fruit trees for the coming growing season. Do it on a fine day and use pruning paste afterwards for best results. Spray your deciduous fruit trees with

Yates Liquid Copper and EnSpray 99 to kill off overwintering insects and diseases. This will ensure they're healthy and ready to produce fruit come harvest time.

Flowers

Brighten up your outdoor space by planting winter annuals in the garden, pots or hanging baskets. Deadhead any spent winter annuals, perennials and shrubs to encourage new growth.

Trees and Shrubs

Prune your roses in the first couple of weeks of July, choosing a dry, sunny day for best results. Use pruning paste to seal any cuts. Spray Yates Lime Sulfur to defoliate roses that are still in leaf to kill off any fungal spores.

Our Plant Doctors

Indoor Plants

Cut back any dead, browning leaves. Yellow and curling leaves at this time of year can indicate cold damage, so increase the room temperature or move plants closer to an indirect light source.

General Tasks

Remember to turn over your compost, and add leaf matter, cardboard and newspaper for layering. Chop up and dig in any green crops before they flower and start preparing your beds for spring.

For more gardening tips, pop into your local Kings, or visit kings.co.nz .

The Power of Will

The start of a year is often a time for reflection and planning for the year ahead. Connecting with loved ones over the holidays is also a reminder for many of the need to plan for the future by updating or making a will.

Here are just three important reasons for making a new will:

You are getting married. If you already have a will but it has not been explicitly made in contemplation of your marriage, then it will become invalid once your marriage occurs.

You have separated from a de facto partner or spouse. If you have a will and your former partner is a beneficiary under that will then gifts to that spouse could still be valid. You will need to change you will as soon as you separate if you don’t want your former partner to benefit from your estate.

You have had a child or are pregnant. This is the perfect time to update or make a new will to ensure that it provides for your children. You can also nominate a guardian or guardians to have an ongoing role in the life of your child while they are a minor.

We assist clients from a wide range of backgrounds and complex family situations and can assist in preparing a will, carefully tailored to your needs.

If you have any questions about these matters or would like to discuss your situation, please contact our friendly team at Dawsons Lawyers.

Claire Endean – Director/Lawyer dawsonslawyers.co.nz 09

272 0002

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Cycles of Growth?

WORDS— JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

Astrology aside, a Saturn Return is a real event, marking the point at which the said planet returns to the point in the sky – the exact degree of the same sign – at which it resided the moment you were born. Therefore, a Saturn Return will be different for everyone, and, occurring slightly less than every three decades, the phenomenon is said to herald significant life changes.

“Saturn is considered the great task-master of the planets,” writes Caggie Dunlop, author of Saturn Returns: Your Cosmic Coming of Age and host of astrological podcast, Saturn Returns With Caggi, for Harper’s Bazaar. “It's associated with discipline, authority, restriction and boundaries, meaning that your initiation into true adulthood will be filled with karmic lessons and tests.”

The first cycle may be a time for reassessing your career, your relationships, your travel plans, or life goals. Maybe it’s time to start a family? Astrologer and author of The Star Within, Linda Joyce, describes it as “the closing of one cycle and the beginning of another”, a time when fun and games “give way to a greater vision of yourself and life”. Others describe it as a cosmic alarm clock – and it’s one that’s said to ring for around two-and-a-half years.

Though it may lead to some painful choices and decisions at the time, in the long term, a Saturn Return is considered a positive event and a catalyst for personal growth. Astrologers recommend we use the time to fix any relationships –particularly with family – that may be the cause of ongoing trauma. We should also plan for the future, learn to take responsibility, and self-reflect. Essentially, we should take stock.

Our second Saturn Return occurs around our mid- to late50s, marking the end of our adult cycle and the dawn of our senior years. Jessica Lanyadoo, humanistic astrologer and author of Astrology for Real Relationships: Understanding You, Me, and How We All Get Along, says that this is a time when our priorities change, for having now built so much of what we want, we must “build our internal life in a whole new way”. Our third return she describes, somewhat ominously, as an “existential journey” and a “true confrontation with the human condition”.

Any fellow open-minded sceptics out there can find out their Saturn Return schedules at the Astroseek website ( horoscopes.astro-seek.com). Simply type in your time and date of birth, the city where you were born, and the city where you expect to be living, and the site will almost immediately tell you the dates of your three Saturn Returns.

Strangely enough, my first occurred in November 2008, which was around the time I ended a long-term relationship and left my home in the UK to go travelling, permanently.

Only taking place around every 30 years, a Saturn Return is something we’ll only experience a maximum of three times if we’re lucky – or perhaps not so lucky if you believe in horoscopes.

Up for Grabs

Entering is simple. Visit VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ and click WIN then follow the directions. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @vervemagazine . GOOD LUCK!

THE DINNER PARTY

WIN A copy of chef Martin Benn and his partner Vicki Wild’s The Dinner Party and let them help you create a night to remember.

WIN 2x large bundles of pots RRP$14.95 each and 2x small bundles RRP$13.95 each both from The Wool Pot. thewoolpot.com

WIN We have 1x Belmont blanket single to win; RRP$340 from Exquisite Wool Traders to giveaway. exquisitewooltraders.co.nz

Don’t forget to check out pages 86 and 90 for a couple of awesome wellness give aways.

YOUR GIFT IS INVESTED AND GROWN

We envisage a future where every Tāmaki Makaurau community is strong and thriving.

By making it easy for donors to support causes they care about, we aim to inspire & unlock a movement of impactful giving.

Get in touch today:

aucklandfoundation.org.nz

info@aucklandfoundation.org.nz

AND THE ONGOING INCOME EARNED

GOES TO THE LOCAL CAUSES YOU LOVE

THE WOOL POT

BELMONT BLANKET

Horoscopes

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

Discovering ways to increase your income is featured. Pour your energy into your work and your finances, and you might just be able to take your ideas to the bank. Extravagance with your pocketbook is something you may want to look out for, however. You would have a sense of enthusiasm with regards to your ability to express yourself spontaneously and creatively. Your energy levels can fluctuate dayto-day, and much depends on your emotional state of mind. Frequent periods of quiet and solitude are necessary in order to recharge your energies. Some may experience insomnia during this phase, especially if they are not allowing themselves the chance to recoup. You need to mark this period by a desire to sort things out, but also to be useful.

Your self-esteem and your ego are tied up in the work you do and in the services you give. Details are more important to you now. You are at your most convincing, as others are accepting you at face value. Sharing interests with someone is what makes you happy during this cycle. The period enlivens your friendships and group associations with charm and grace. This is a strong period for work matters. Lovely synchronicities are in store, leaving you feeling like your life is quite magical. You have a taste for the exotic now that can show up in many areas of your life – who you are attracted to, what you buy, the kind of art or entertainment you enjoy, and so forth. You have a strong desire to cooperate and communicate with others now.

SAGITTARIUS

22 November –21 December

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

ARIES

21 March –19 April

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

CAPRICORN

22 December –19 January

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

TAURUS

20 April –20 May

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

AQUARIUS

20 January –18 February

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

GEMINI

21 May –20 June

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

PISCES

19 February –20 March

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

VERVE

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BRIDGEWAY CINEMAS

Auckland’s best and most vibrant arthouse cinemas

122 Queen St, Northcote Point, Auckland www.bridgeway.co.nz

09 630 1500 | lido.co.nz

427 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland

AUCKLAND ELLERSLIE

Novotel wellbeing. Moments to make your life easy.

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Stunning ladies fashion in Auckland. Find your new goto items at Simply Wonderful.

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The Secret Garden

Dorsett Hotel commissions Melbourne’s most significant secret artwork.

Having recently opened in Melbourne’s CBD, Dorsett Hotel is slated to become an art lover’s oasis with a commission of artist Marta Figueiredo to adorn the central courtyard. The Diva Garden, a site-specific collection of sculptures, will bring joy and whimsy to guests of the hotel… that’s if their lucky enough to see it!

The 316-room Dorsett Hotel Melbourne is designed with a central courtyard where the artwork resides, but The Diva Garden is only visible through the floorto-ceiling windows of The Diva Garden rooms of the hotel. The rooms’ windows are one-way and reflect black to ensure guest privacy and reflect the colourful sculpture.

The Diva Garden rises to more than six metres and consists of a family of large-scale totems with delicate, long arms with lanterns that appear to wave in the air. The family includes three large flower pod totems with lantern centres that light up at dusk, and a central Diva totem, inspired by the dramatic dress of an opera diva. The Diva Garden transforms the urban setting into a floral fairy-tale delight.

Charming and playful, the Diva Garden is on a scale that breaks through the landscape of the surrounding city of Melbourne. The piece also includes specialist lighting design by Edward Linacre, with audio-visual creative coding by Dr Joshua Batty. The pair have worked to ensure the sculptures are lit up at dusk and become unilluminated each evening, depending on the season.

The towering piece speaks of individuality, culture, and brings a lightness to those staying at the hotel.

Marta Figueiredo reflects on her Portuguese roots through her artwork, and the gestures of Amalia Rodrigues, the diva of Portuguese Fado. During sing-alongs and ovations, Amalia was known for raising her arms in the air and closing her eyes in appreciation to the audience. In The Diva Garden, she finds her lifelong stage. Marta also sees the Diva sculpture as a lullaby singer who cradles the guests into sleep. dorsetthotels.com/dorsett-melbourne