Verve. March 2020. Issue 164.

— AUCKLAND’S FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE — PRICELESS ISSUE 164 — MARCH 2020

Steaming GOOP The (fine) Art of Disruption

— FASHION BEAUTY HEALTH HOME DESIGN/ARTS FOOD/WINE TRAVEL SOCIETY SWERVE

Women in Business

The Elephant in the Womb

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UP FRONT

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Streaming Goop

4 Hours Out Of Auckland

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Bedroom Simplicity

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Beauty On The Go

The Workin' Woman

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Chickpea Caprese Salad with Spinach Walnut Pesto

What's Inside

Women In Business 14 Elle + Riley Cashmere 16 Creating Corcovado 24 Vicky Cullinane Studio Red Wellness Teas 46 Vicky Ha, House of Dumplings Fashion 58 Gems & Stones

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What's On

Health, Beauty & Fitness 64 The Elephant In The Womb Home & Design 86 Prism Crush Food 106 Spicy Sprout & Mushroom Noodles with Five-Spice Art & About 116 The (Fine) Art Of Disruption

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UP FRONT

Editors-in-Chief Fran Ninow and Jude Mitchell Senior Writer Jamie Christian Desplaces Head Graphic Designer Zanalee Makavani

Important message if you are planning to paint a multi-million dollar home in Auckland. Don’t spend a single dollar until you read our free report The Insider’s Guide to Painting A Multi-Million Dollar Home in Auckland.

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IN THIS GUIDE YOU WILL LEARN: • Why the first step in your painting job is to identify your I.O. (And why this is so important) • The three expensive mistakes to avoid when painting a multi-million dollar Auckland home • How to quickly tell which painting contractors will do the perfect painting job and which ones won’t • A clever way to make sure you compare ‘apples with apples’ with any painting quotes you receive • How to future proof your painting investment so it lasts at least 25% longer • A simple technique for identifying a common painting problem that 63% of multimillion dollar homes have Go to WALLTREATS.CO.NZ to order your free copy of the insider’s guide to painting your multi-million dollar home in auckland or phone us on 0800 008 168

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Graphic Designer Ken Khun Online/Social Media AJ Major Contributors Dave McLeod, Jeffery Lim, Paris Mitchell Temple, Manish Kumar Arora, Jackie O’Fee, Mya Cole, Aimée Ralfini, Dennis Knill, Dr Katarzyna Mackenzie, Jenna Moore, Vicki Holder, Nina Franklin, Kimora Matope, Nadia Klaassen Subscriptions online@vervemagazine.co.nz Published by Verve Magazine Ltd 160 Broadway, Studio 10, Newmarket, Auckland 1023 GST 90 378 074 ISSN 2253-1300 (print) ISSN 2253-1319 (online) Advertising Enquiries (+64) 9 520 5939 jude@vervemagazine.co.nz, 021 953 853 fran@vervemagazine.co.nz, 021 953 577 Editorial Enquiries (+64) 9 520 5939 fran@vervemagazine.co.nz jude@vervemagazine.co.nz Cover Image Photographer: Mardo El-Noor, Dress: Helen Cherry, Makeup: Aislinn Norman, Hair: Charlotte Steele, Set design: Aimee Ralfini / Mardo El-Noor, Dog model: Edwood Gorey VERVE MAGAZINE is published monthly (except in January) and has an estimated readership of 60,000. It is a free lifestyle magazine delivered to selected homes, cafés and businesses in Parnell, Newmarket, Remuera, Meadowbank, Epsom, Mission Bay, Kohimarama, Herne Bay, Takapuna and Devonport. Verve Magazine is placed in magazine stands for free collection from locations in Parnell, Newmarket, Remuera, Epsom, Mission Bay, St. Heliers, Ponsonby, Grey Lynn, Herne Bay, Auckland City, Takapuna, Devonport, Stonefields, Milford and Mairangi Bay. Visit ververmagazine.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 Ovato. It is distributed by Ovato, Admail and Mailchimp. vervemagazine.co.nz

The entire content of this publication is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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

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UP FRONT

Real Life is Co-ed, School should be Too WORD S ― MARK WI L S O N , E XEC UTIVE P RI N C I PAL , KR I STI N S C H O O L

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The purpose of school is to prepare our young people for their involvement in society and the wider world, so why would anyone not let them learn to work with the opposite sex? The topic of single-sex schools is a perennial debate that I am often asked to comment upon.

I believe single-sex schools can potentially limit young people and their ability to navigate the complexities of life.

In our increasingly diverse societies, it is vital for young people to listen and learn from each other. They must learn to co-operate, understand and respect differences so they can relate, interact and ultimately, organise society. How do we achieve such a vital level of human understanding if we are segregated from the opposite sex in our formative school years?

There’s another aspect of single-sex schooling that is problematic and it centres on the reinforcement of traditional stereotypes. It’s very difficult to inject new thinking and challenge perspectives when you are limited to one gender throughout your schooling.

A common myth is that single-sex schools improve academic achievement. This is based on two simple arguments: single-sex schooling removes the distraction of the opposite sex and provides gender specific learning. In reality, being hidden from the opposite sex means students miss out on the development of vital emotional intelligence. Both sexes in the classroom have a moderating effect on each other, keeping in check certain behaviours that groups of boys and girls are in danger of developing when they don’t have the benefit of each other. The argument that there are significant

differences in the ways boys and girls learn is a dangerous oversimplification. Good teaching responds to a wide variety of learning needs in a classroom, regardless of gender or ethnicity. Great teachers are, and always will be, the key to success. Professor John Hattie, a renowned educational researcher, has proven that the game-changer for learning is the relationship between teacher and student. The ultimate claim of improved academic achievement in single-sex schooling is a classic example of ‘The Kardashian Effect’, making things look better than they really are.

Co-ed schools reflect 21st century realities. Like it or not, your child will be entering the world of mixed-gender tertiary institutions and workplaces. They will be required to work alongside different genders and have the skills to navigate those relationships without hesitation. These skills take time and practice and co-ed school-leavers have a distinct advantage here. Learning how to co-exist and work with the opposite gender after you have left school is a hindrance. Therefore, it makes no sense to restrict collaborative opportunities for our young people to model the real world of study and employment.

Life is co-ed; it makes sense for students to spend their formative years in a highly engaged co-educational learning environment. Even the ancient Greek philosopher Plato advocated teaching boys and girls together!

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Editors' Notes

Working Fearlessly Putting this issue together has been a total pleasure and such has been the enthusiasm of the women we have interviewed and those we have not managed to get around to that Verve has decided to include a new bi-monthly feature called ‘The Entrepreneurs', starting in May. Will quitting the nine-to-five to be your own boss mean never having to work into the weekend again? Or will it mean never getting home before midnight? Whether they’re grand business behemoths or single person startups, there is not a one-size-fit all story when it comes to Verve Women in Business. We have searched through our database, and met with new and not-so-new business owners to bring you a collection of picture-rich and insightful interviews that will inspire the businesspeople inside us all.

The women featured have worked tirelessly to reach their level of expertise, approaching their businesses with passion, punch and no half-measures. A little like us at Verve pumping out this monthly magazine. We believe

that there can be no half-measures, just full-on focus and determination to do this each month – no mean feat for our small but focussed team. Kudos to each and every one of them, including our awesome interns: Jeff from Germany, who has been so incredibly generous with his time and takes the most wonderful photographs; Kimora from South Africa who walks into our office with such a smile each morning, producing high calibre writing with vigour and swiftness; and newbie, Nadia, from AUT, for whose communications talents we are so grateful. We will miss you all when you leave on your journeys in pursuit of your dreams.

In signing off this issue, we leave you with this thought: “Even the most successful people have had to be fearless to get where they are today. The more we support and lift each other up, the more we empower one another to act fearlessly.”

Happy reading.

Fran and Jude

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Key Insights for Women in Business In this feature Verve interviews women in business who have, most likely, adopted habits similar to those listed below, habits that often distinguish highly effective people, like them, from others.

But what are habits that help us to become more effective? We have (with much help from Stephen Covey) listed them below. Remember, while improving one’s personal and professional effectiveness is not easy – with practise it most definitely becomes easier.

1. Sharpen the saw.

Don’t work yourself to death. Strive for a sustainable lifestyle that affords you time to recuperate, recharge and be effective in the long-term.

2. Be proactive.

You have a natural need to wield influence on the world around you so don’t spend your time just reacting to external events and circumstances. Take charge and assume responsibility for your life.

3. Begin with an end in mind.

Don’t spend your life working aimlessly, tackling whatever job is at hand. Have a vision for the future and align your actions accordingly to make it into a reality.

4. Put first things first.

To prioritise your work, focus on what’s important, meaning the things that bring you closer to your vision of the future. Don’t get distracted by urgent but unimportant tasks.

5. Think win-win.

When negotiating with others, don’t try to get the biggest slice of the cake, but rather find a division that is acceptable to all parties. You will still get your fair share, and build strong positive relationships in the process.

6. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

When someone presents us with a problem, we often jump right to offering a solution.

This is a mistake. We should first take time to really listen to the other person and only then make recommendations.

7. Synergise.

Adopt the guiding principle that in a group, the contributions of many will far exceed those of any individual. This will help you achieve goals you could never have reached on your own.

8. Find your voice.

Consider your voice, not your singing voice, but your voice – the significance, the endless potential and greatness of you. Then inspire others around you to find theirs.

Inspired by The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and The 8th Habit, by Stephen Covey

VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

MARCH 2020

#peopletofollow Here are a few of our favourite business women to follow on Instagram

@goop

@ellemacphersonofficial

@iris.apfel

@victoriabeckham VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

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Elle + Riley Cashmere

Elle + Riley Cashmere has been making luxurious cashmere lifestyle garments more accessible in New Zealand since 2016. Founded by mother and daughter team Yolande Ellis and Elle Pugh, Elle + Riley was created for the love of cashmere. Together, they select the finest cashmere to produce timeless designs for the modern individual, incorporating effortless elegance into everyday moments.

MARCH 2020 The brand has grown considerably since they opened their first pop-up site in Ponsonby, with 2020 bringing the announcement of two new retail locations to their existing bricks and mortar portfolio. Commercial Bay, Auckland CBD’s newest and most luxurious shopping and entertainment district, is due to open in March followed closely with a location in the revamped Newmarket Precinct.

Elle explains their journey started when Yolande travelled to Nepal and purchased cashmere pieces as gifts for friends and family.

“She realised then, that there was nowhere to purchase those special pieces throughout all seasons.”

Yolande says: “People love it because it’s soft and it breathes. It’s also up to eight times warmer than wool. Our customers love to travel with it because it’s light.”

“Then there’s the luxury element,” adds Elle.

“You know when you put it on, cashmere is something special.”

Establishing that there was a gap in the local market, Elle and Yolande combined their backgrounds in fashion and retail to provide

not only an accessible cashmere product but also an elevated retail experience for the product itself.

“It’s a product that inspires and needs a lot of conversationn," Elle says. "People are keen to know the story of how it is made and how to look after it. To this day, we like to spend time on the shop floor, talking to our customers and engaging them with the product.

“Because it is so tactile people want to touch and feel it. We set up the shops in both Auckland and Queenstown with a strong focus on experience. We place emphasis on creating bespoke shop fit-outs that align with the product”.

Now that it’s available, cashmere lovers just can’t get enough. Both women and men have tuned in to the timeless sophistication of cashmere. Elle + Riley’s collections are a mix of classic and contemporary pieces designed for a wide spectrum of ages.

“Because we are a mother and daughter team,” says Yolande, “we design to suit all age groups.

The younger market is often influenced by the mother’s love of cashmere with sustainability

engrained in the process throughout. Current generations are becoming more conscious of buying a more sustainable product, something to keep forever rather than throw away.

“While most of our customers are women, we also design for men with a range of sweaters, beanies and scarves ― and that’s starting to grow in demand. There are a lot of men who travel extensively. They know about the heritage of cashmere, and they want to experience it for themselves.”

Elle and Yolande design the pieces themselves whilst most of the garments are made offshore as more than 90 percent of raw cashmere comes from Mongolia where it is extremely hot in summer and cold in winter. The goat’s hair is combed from the fine soft underbelly of the animal, a time-consuming process. Two goats are needed to get enough fibre for a sweater, hence it is more valuable than merino.

They have also introduced a special New Zealand-made product that is a gorgeous combination of cashmere, possum and silk.

Colours are deliberately neutral. “Although we have done a lot of colour in the past and still provide feature colours each season, most of our customers still opt for the soft neutral tones – the camels, greys and pastels. Because you want to keep pieces forever, you don’t want to tire looking at them,” explains Elle.

The next few months will see the pair roll out their new Autumn Winter collection.

Whether you visit an Elle + Riley Cashmere store or check online (elleandriley.com) you will discover luxurious ribbed and cabled pieces, animal prints, plus the latest brushed cashmere which is incredibly soft.

Once you experience it, you will keep coming back for more.

“

“It’s a product that inspires and needs a lot of conversation. People are keen to know the story of how it is made and how to look after it. To this day, we like to spend time on the shop floor, talking to our customers and engaging them with the product.”

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Creating Corcovado WO RD S — VIC KI H O L D E R

As city life becomes busier and more stressful, we seek respite in homes that offer a calming retreat from the outside world.

Certainly, that’s what Larissa Hamilton experienced as a commercial lawyer negotiating large technology agreements for global banks overseas.

After 20 years working in the corporate arena, Larissa felt the irresistible sway of her creative side and decided to return home with her family, after many years living in Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong.

In 2015, Larissa and her husband Andrew Hamilton established their design brand, Corcovado, and began developing their own range of furniture, handmade from natural materials and ethically sourced. A boutique store in Christchurch and an online store quickly followed.

Larissa designs products for people like herself, who want to walk through the door of their home and soak up a calming ambience. Corcovado references the natural beauty and muted tones of the New Zealand landscape, and celebrates the unique characteristics and energy of handmade products.

“The key thing is that it is natural,” she says. “There is a growing movement away from machine made, high polluting products that are mass-produced. I honestly believe that the energy you create in your home impacts your wellbeing, and that of your family. We are sensory beings. We long to be surrounded by nature, and products that are created from natural materials.”

Larissa works with small artisanal communities, both overseas and in New Zealand. All Corcovado sofas are made here in New Zealand, and most of the upholstery and rugs are in New Zealand wool.

“Supporting local industry is so important and we are honoured to offer many New Zealand made products. For those items that can’t be made or produced here, like woven rattan pendants or hand-carved teak cabinets, we work with artisan groups globally, where we know the source of the materials is a sustainable one, and where fair trade practices are upheld. We know all the families we work with, both here

C O RC OVAD O F U R NITU R E & H O M EWAR ES

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MARCH 2020

and overseas, and fully appreciate the impact our orders have on these communities. It is very fulfilling to create something with a talented artisan, and for that piece to be appreciated and purchased here in NZ. We share a lot of photos with our makers of where their items find a home, and it’s a thrill for them to see their work admired and enjoyed as well.”

In August 2019, Larissa and Andrew opened their first Auckland store, in the heart of Grey Lynn. With a growing online presence Larissa wanted to offer Auckland customers the same tactile experience and customer service that they offer in Christchurch.

Larissa and Andrew found the perfect space in Grey Lynn’s Westmoreland Street West to showcase their range.

Corcovado is located within the newly renovated 'Scrap Yard', and is part of a small, creative community with wellness, furniture design and coffee at its core.

Creating Corcovado and working in such a creative space was an incredible dream for Larissa: “It proves we are all capable of evolving and changing. It really is never too late to try something else.”

Larissa says, “Like me, our Auckland customers want to see, touch and feel our products. We appreciate that handmade, natural products are more expensive than anything mass produced, so often it’s not until our items are experienced in person do our customers truly understand the quality of our range. We wanted to give our Auckland customers the opportunity to immerse themselves in a real setting, be able to try pieces on appro before committing and to discuss special custom pieces, whether for a commercial or hospitality offering or a residential space. All of this is so much easier now that we have an Auckland presence."

“Supporting local industry is so important and we are honoured to offer many New Zealand made products. For those items that can’t be made or produced here, like woven rattan pendants or hand carved teak cabinets, we work with artisan groups globally, where we know the source of the materials is a sustainable one, and where fair trade practices are upheld.

C O RC OVAD O F U R NITU R E & H O M EWAR ES

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Way to Hustle

The New Zealand public relations industry has a serious gender inequality issue; it needs more men! While preparing for my meeting with Gemma Ross and Andrea Hammond, the affable co-founders of PR and brand experience agency Hustle & Bustle, I discovered that their core team is all-female, and wonder if this is a deliberate effort in empowerment.

LEF T: AND REA HAM M ON D C O -FOUND ER & EXEC UTIVE D IRECTOR RIGHT: GEMMA RO SS C O -FOUND ER & MANAGING D IRECTOR

MARCH 2020 “The PR industry in this country does have a long, proud history of female trailblazers, it’s streets ahead,” says Andrea. “When we are recruiting, our applicants are predominantly women, but we’d love more males—well, all genders, actually.”

“PR is one of those industries that you can easily come back to after having a family,” adds Gemma. “Plus, there are lots of ways to work; we have part-time mums, babies in the office—and dogs, too!”

I arrive for the appointment early and am rewarded with a feed—it’s Andrea’s birthday and the candles are just being lit on her cake. The ladies—all of whom look as though they’ve just stepped off the pages of a Vogue fashion shoot—sing happy birthday and laugh lots.

Hustle & Bustle has built its own ‘sustainability promise’ around how it operates, including not distributing needless send outs, ensuring all packaging is biodegradable, and organising plastic-free events.

I doubt an office full of men would bring a cake.

Gemma and Andrea first met around 10 years ago while working at a leading PR consultancy and discovered that they “work really well together as a team”. With disruption, influence and social media on the rise, in 2013, the duo decided it was the right time to synergise their skillsets.

“Brands had to change the way they were communicating and connecting with their customers,” says Andrea. “And so, we provided the fuel.”

“It was a case of taking the best bits of advertising, and the best bits of PR, and blending them together,” says Gemma.

The Hustle & Bustle client base is as diverse as it is esteemed. Working across fields as varied as sport, property, design, hospitality, tech, fashion, and food, it has represented the likes of: Josh Emett; America’s Cup Sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke; Jockey and the All Blacks; NZ designer Maggie Marilyn; Chivas whisky; the Bumble app; the ASB Classic; and Meatless Farms.

“We have intentionally become really diverse,” says Gemma. “But the businesses are all purpose-led that believe in community, with sustainability at their heart. One of our methods is also to mash clients together to create intriguing collaborations. Ours is a very deliberately curated portfolio.”

Their reputation is such that they are now on the pitch-lists of major corporations and global brands, but cut their teeth working with “disruptive” startups—relationships that they still nurture.

“A fun thing about startups is that they’ve often identified a problem that needs solving,” says Andrea. “And that’s a really great place to start.”

Hustle & Bustle was once, of course, also a startup, so naturally attracted likeminded enterprises, and formed a “bit of a gang” with fellow new businesses, including other PR and marketing brands.

“It was amazing how many people gave their time to us when we first started out, people like Justine and Geoff Ross of 42 Below vodka, and Peter Cullinane at Lewis Road Creamery,” says Gemma. “So, we now try to give our time to people. There is a supportive peer group, a bunch of indie agencies that started up at a similar time and instead of being in competition, are a supportive network.”

“If something is not right for us, then it is often right for one them,” says Andrea. “There’s enough work to go around, if we can’t do something then we always recommend someone who can.”

The rise in greater awareness of all manner of cultural, social and environmental issues has dramatically altered the industry landscape.

“It is an opportunity, for us to help brands navigate such issues, to be accountable for the product and messaging that they put out there,” says Gemma. “Whether it be in terms of sustainability or diversity or socially, how they behave.”

“These are the new agendas,” adds Andrea, “what customers care about and want to pull brands up on.”

Gemma laments that one of the biggest misconceptions about their industry is that it is one of spin, “which couldn’t be further from the truth”: “It’s our responsibility to ensure our clients ‘walk the talk’, that there is no area where they are exposed, which means that there is actually no room to spin.”

Hustle & Bustle has built its own ‘sustainability promise’ around how it operates, including not distributing needless sendouts, ensuring all packaging is biodegradable, and organising plastic-free events. The group has also recently returned from a tree-planting expedition at Lake Hawea station in the South Island—now an annual event. Popular too is their ‘work from home Friday’ meaning staff “don’t need to get out of their pyjamas” or can “type away at a café or at the beach”.

Gemma admits to following a philosophy of work-life integration, rather than work-life balance, but the pair do set aside some downtime. Both have labradors—who are also the best of friends and share the same adventures with the same dog-walker—while Andrea is a trustee of the Arts Foundation, and mentors at workshops for start-ups. Gemma you’re often likely to find waist-deep in a tributary in Taupō attached to her flyfishing line or off the grid somewhere in New Zealand: “Anything to get me away from my phone!”

In 2017, the company placed 32nd in the Fast 50 list that recognises the nation’s most promising companies, an especially proud moment for an endeavour that was born around Gemma’s kitchen bench.

“We started with zero—no capital and no clients—so every millimetre of growth has been hard earned,” Andrea says.

“It’s a fast-paced industry, with no two days the same, and that’s what everyone who works here thrives on,” says Gemma. “There are lots of things that can go wrong, especially with live events and in the media, and we’re really experienced at making sure it goes to plan, if it doesn’t we are expert problem solvers! Seeing it all come to life is what gives us the biggest kick. We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

WO R D S – JAM I E C H R ISTIAN D ESPLACES

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Joanna Romanowska

Clinic 42 We know cosmetic medicine is a journey, and we'll be with you every step of the way. Because the best you, is what we do.

Ellen Selkon

Clinic 42 had its origins in pioneering doctors, but the last four years has seen it grow from a four-woman team to eight injecting practitioners, along with a team of support staff.

So how did this happen in an era where chain clinics are opening on every corner and competition is at its highest?

Joanna, one of the three partners, is the innovator of the team, ensuring they are always one step ahead of the competition.

In 2016 Joanna brought stem cell treatments to Clinic 42, a new and exciting procedure that uses the body’s natural healing cells.

Stem cells have the amazing potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. In many tissues they serve as a type of internal repair system, dividing without limit to replenish other cells if the person or animal is still alive. This means they have the potential to recognise tissue injury and repair injured tissues.

Under the right conditions in the body or laboratory, stem cells divide to form additional cells called daughter cells. These daughter cells either become new stem cells (self-renewal) or specialised cells (differentiation) with a specialised function, such as cartilage-producing cells, bone-producing cells, muscle, fat, collagen, nerve, neural tissue, and heart muscle-producing cells.

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Currently an emergency medicine specialist at Auckland City Hospital’s emergency department, Lynn is also a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland, has had clinical lead in mental health and laboratory investigations, and holds a postgraduate qualification in dermatology.

Lynn also has a special interest in toxicology, not just botulinum toxin. This year will see her pursuing further education in skin and musculoskeletal ultrasound (POCUS), useful to diagnose filler complications.

Lynn Theron

Ellen, the third partner, is also part of the executive committee and treasurer of the New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Medicine (NZSCM), the only organisation recognised by the Medical Council of New Zealand to regulate and train doctors in cosmetic medicine. Ellen oversees the financial aspects of the practice, while looking for ways to future-proof the business. She developed this expertise over the years managing, together with her husband Richard, a large GP and urgent care clinic at Westgate, and also running a property investment company.

Joanna trained in the US and has passed this valuable knowledge onto Dr Eloise Dickie who also regularly sees stem cell patients at Clinic 42.

“Because we specialise in a more natural looking result, we have a large number of patients who are professional women. These women want to look their best and come in three to four times yearly for a gentle tweak to maintain their appearance and stay fresh-looking,” says Ellen.

Joanna also leads the way with thread lifts, a minimally invasive procedure that uses absorbable threads (made of suture material) to redefine and restore lost elasticity and contour in the face to help achieve a more youthful appearance. It is less invasive than a surgical facelift and involves less risk and cost.

A new milestone came about early last year when the staff at Clinic 42 suddenly realised they had two families where they were treating three generations. “We often have mothers bringing their daughters into the clinic but to have three generations just reinforces how much our patients trust the work we do,” says Ellen.

Lynn is the artist and is responsible for Clinic 42’s spectacular ambiance. The clinic’s beautifully maintained 1920s bungalow is filled with art and provides a discreet haven that welcomes discerning patients making them feel safe and cherished.

Ellen believes that maintaining their focus on safety and providing the highest degree of professional care is what continues to grow their clientele.

Lynn credits Clinic 42’s success with sticking to their guns by maintaining a doctor-led clinic where all the medical professionals are highly trained, and ethics-focused.

“We’ve avoided the current movement towards nurse-only clinics, staff commissions and a conveyor belt mentality. It just doesn’t sit right with us. I can’t imagine an environment where I couldn’t pop down the hall to ask another colleague's point of view about a patient. This kind of collaboration and support is what attracts staff to want to work with us and keeps our patients coming back.”

Staying at the forefront of the industry, all three regularly attend international conferences and have roles as national trainers representing various pharmaceutical companies, training doctors and nurses on new products and techniques. Ellen is also serving on the senior education faculty of the NZSCM. Together Joanna, Lynn and Ellen make up the complete package that it takes to run a successful cosmetic medicine business.

While their continual learning and honing of skills is what enables them to deliver the most up to date, effective and safe treatments to their patients.

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

absolute machine. I’ve never worked with anyone so willing to put in the hours. She never leaves any stone unturned.

"The way she connects with everyone she meets, buyers and vendors alike, I’ve never seen anybody do that better than Jane. She’s amazing. I was hugely grateful to be asked to team up with her. She transformed my real estate world."

Getting together, they broke the accepted model despite some people doubting two high performers could work together.

Jane and John, who both previously ran successful businesses before getting into real estate, are the perfect complement. Their respective skills have strengthened, giving them the ability to achieve so much more.

PARTNERSHIPS AT WORK

When two high performing Elite real estate agents, both No.1 sellers in their respective offices, get together, what do you get? Two for the price of one. Double the expertise, double the dedication and an incredible ability to make anything possible.

It’s why Jane Horgan and John Campbell from Ray White Black Group consistently achieve incredible results for their clients and score 10 out of 10 in customer feedback surveys, which has seen them win awards both nationally and within their company.

When Jane joined Ray White, it would have been logical to get an associate to help with her enormous workload. “I didn’t want an associate; I wanted an equal,” she recalls.

It was only when she attended an international Elite conference that she had the opportunity to spend time with John and get to know him.

Jane: "He was the male version of me only he dresses sharper and never has a hair out of place. Dedicated, hardworking and a great sense of humour.

"We can have quite different approaches when dealing with people, so we decide which one of us should handle it to achieve the desired result, which largely comes down to the personality of who we are dealing with.

We are often under a lot of pressure but we thrive on it. He calms me when I need it and I hope I do the same for him. He also makes me laugh, important in a stressful job."

John: "Jane is the consummate professional, and an

Because they love what they do, their energy and enthusiasm flows through to their customers which is how they build great relationships. While they promote themselves on digital, social, print, billboards and signboards, it’s at open homes where they connect with potential clients that has proven their best form of marketing.

John: "We are always striving to provide that next level of service, at every opportunity. We often have people call us and say they visited one of our open homes to see how we operate and if we would consider selling their home. Of course, the answer is always, 'yes!'

It is such a privilege for us to be trusted with selling someone’s home, often their biggest asset. We treat this responsibility very seriously, and with the respect it deserves.

"There is a saying: 'People come to the party based on the invitation' When marketing your property you are inviting people to view it, decide if they like it, and whether they can see themselves living their next chapter in the home. Buyers have so much choice out there, you’ve got to make sure your invitation looks as attractive as possible."

If they’re not talking to clients or at an open home, the pair are strategising, working out ways to get the best result. They bounce ideas off one another, giving each other equal air-time.

People can see that connection, says Jane, and a big part of that is the trust and respect we have for each other. Add into the mix their innate competitive nature, a lot of laughs and occasional banter and you have the perfect formula.

Doing things differently, taking success in their stride and letting their results speak for themselves. John and Jane, that’s their brand, changing the way we see real estate.

J O H N CAM P BE L L & JAN E H ORG AN

Vicky Cullinane

Studio Red Wellness Teas WO R D S — VI C KI H O LDE R

When Vicky Cullinane finds something she enjoys, she doesn’t just dip in her toes. Her joyful curiosity has taken her deep into full immersion – this time with a range of high-quality premium organic teas that pair perfectly with her yoga and meditation practice.

Vicky started practising yoga in 2013 and found the benefits so phenomenal, she wanted to share it with friends. So she trained as a teacher. Two years later, she opened an award-winning yoga studio with the refined ambience of a day spa in Auckland’s City Works Depot, attracting some of the best teachers she could find.

“If you’re going to do something, do it well and with passion,” she says.

In a short period, the studio gained popularity among city professionals as she added different forms of yoga classes and meditation.

Looking to expand organically, she began exploring opportunities to add products aligned to the business. This year, she is introducing workshops, a series of overseas guest teachers and yoga retreats to the yoga agenda.

But she has always had a love of tea. In 2018, she travelled to Sri Lanka and visited some tea plantations.

“What I experienced there was extraordinary. I had

drunk tea my whole adult life, but I’d never really experienced great tea.”

There, she tasted silver needle, a white tea. “The interesting thing is,” she explains, “it all comes from the same plant. White tea is the bud and it’s handpicked. It’s how you process it that changes it from green to white and black.”

Vicky found tea was a natural extension of yoga and meditation as it also creates those calm moments in life, we’re all searching for in our day.

“It’s a clean drink. You’re not putting additives in it. It’s a ritual. And it’s social. We travel a lot and I especially love taking time to drink tea in hotel lobbies and cafes.

“Tea slows you down to speed you up. Unlike coffee, tea drinking is slow – so it fits into yoga and meditation really well.”

She found a course in the UK and studied to be a tea sommelier. Now, she’s studying to be a tea master.

And she found a way to share the joy.

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“

Tea slows you down to speed you up. Unlike coffee, tea drinking is slow – so it fits into yoga and meditation really well.”

By sourcing the finest tea leaves from around the world, she has personally curated a beautiful range of Studio Red Wellness organic teas and infusions and added some uniquely New Zealand flavours, which she sells from her yoga studio and online (studioredwellness.com).

She can also customise teas and already, Odettes Eatery, her neighbour at City Works Depot, is serving a special blend she created for them. It’s something Vicky would like to do more and she is in talks with several other cafes, restaurants and hotels.

Vicky offers a choice of either loose teas or in biodegradable cornstarch tea bags. She puts the same product into the tea bag as in the loose packets, so they are both very high quality, not just a powder that you find in most tea bags.

She also blends native New Zealand herbs with her teas, a New Zealand breakfast tea with kawakawa, Earl Grey with manuka leaf and an energy tea with horopito which makes it taste like chilli, warm and spicy.

There are blends to suit different tastes and occasions. As an alternative, Vicky suggests serving tea cold like a cocktail from a lovely teapot. She has even added chilled rose and vanilla tea to vodka.

In two months, she will launch a special rare range of wellness teas including a great-tasting energy tea containing a caffeine boost and a fantastic antiinflammatory.

Packaged in elegant tins with softly curved gold lids, Studio Red Wellness teas make great gifts – nourishing the soul, relaxing the mind and bringing wellness to busy lives. The perfect complement to yoga and meditation.

Blending the teas, getting the delicate balance just right takes time. “It’s all about taste and quality,” she explains. Both have to be at a high level. And you want it to be enjoyable.”

STU D IO RE DWE L L N ES S .C O M C IT Y WO RKS D E P OT: 9 0 WE L L ES L EY ST, S H E D 1 5 . 5 , AU C KL AN D C B D

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PH OTO G RAP HY – J E FFALO O

Interview with Debbie Cavit of Cavit+Co

DO IT ONCE + DO IT WELL

Nestled alongside a string of historical houses on the Ridge of Parnell Road resides Cavit+Co's new showroom – a contemporary design gallery of curated homewares from some of the world’s most sought after brands and leading artisans.

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“

We offer a personalised service; we sit down and get to know our clients and show them products from a global gallery rather than what’s available on the showroom floor.” – Debbie Cavit.

Debbie Cavit, who began the venture almost three decades ago, has relocated the business from a large showroom to a more domestic environment as the process of refining a home becomes more personal.

Cavit grew up receiving pieces of furniture from her father as birthday presents, which developed a lifelong love of design and a clear understanding of the power it has to create joy. This passion sees her travelling the globe annually in search of the best premium brands and products. A favourite stop being New York and North Carolina, where she attends the High Point Furniture Show – the must-see event in home furnishings.

Through this process Cavit has connected with leading designers and experts in the field, such as Barbara Barry and Kelly Wearstler, keeping her abreast of current movements within the sector.

27 It is this ongoing genuine enthusiasm towards the makers and the core industry both here and overseas that has informed Debbie Cavit’s renowned discerning eye over the years, giving her the breadth of knowledge required to present such a balanced selection of sophisticated, distinctive and sensual designs.

“

We believe you should buy the best you can buy and live with it for a lifetime” – Debbie Cavit

The importance of the quality of manufacture, form, proportion and sustainability are key values for Cavit+Co, this is evident the minute you enter the new gallery. Beautiful pieces of furniture sit intermingled with lamps, art and bespoke homewares within two separate rooms either side of the entrance, creating an intimate setting to absorb and enjoy the various objects of desire.

Cavit+Co specialise in bringing luxury into the everyday.

They are located 463 Parnell Road. For more information or to connect directly with Debbie and the team visit cavitco.com

28

Meet Michelle Owen Owner of Posture Fit Michelle Owen teaches clients to treat the cause not the symptoms when it comes to structural correction.

WO R D S — NI NA F R ANKL I N With 30 years' experience under her belt, it’s no surprise that Michelle Owen is at the top of her game.

Michelle has spent decades travelling and learning all around the world from top experts and blended many styles together to form her own unique style, which brings her to where she is today working as a postural specialist. A leader in her field, Michelle’s powerful, proven methods have helped many people who have come to the end of their tether after trying almost everything to get relief from their niggles, pains and reoccurring injuries. Michelle runs her own practice called Posture Fit and has employed and grown a specialised team. Posture Fit is a business dedicated to helping people with long-term postural issues right through to performance for athletes. We had a chat with Michelle and learned more about her successful business.

What does your work at Posture fit entail?

As postural specialists, we start with a postural and orthopaedic assessment. This includes looking at the body on the postural grid then measuring up the whole body to find muscle imbalances, myofascial distortions and holding and movement patterns. From the assessment, we then teach very skilled exercises which help to correct the imbalance in the body. All of

the tissue can get distorted and stuck together so we start by normalising and levelling the pelvis through myofascial stretching, re-educating spinal curves, strengthening the internal system and bringing the posture back to the gravity line or neutral. This is where all joints, spine, organs, nervous system and fascia are at an optimal position.

What are some of the common reasons that bring clients into your practice?

Often clients have been in some discomfort, whether that be from years of postural issues, accidents, disc herniations, neck and back pain or re-occurring injuries. So they have had niggles or pain at varying levels for a long time and they have tried many things. They have come in after having tried cortisone injections, have been told they need surgery and they have tried other exercise forms with some relief but not enough. A lot of them have only tried things singularly, for example going to the chiropractor or osteopath without correcting muscle/tissue imbalance or movement patterns, so I try to help them understand that their body is like building a house - when you are building a house you need a team to work together. On the other end of the scale, we have a lot of intelligent people

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“A lot of people are becoming aware that poor posture is a collapse of the whole body and it gets worse with age. It doesn’t have to be this way as we have amazing skills to recorrect and have a pain free and functional future full of fun.” come and work with us as they understand setting up their structure for the long term so they don’t get old and buckled before their time. Most of my clients are athletic people, they love their sport of choice.

Everyone has some sort of muscle imbalance in their body, the more active they are the more need there is to make sure the structure is sound to prevent injuries because over time their body starts to wear and that’s when it becomes more prominent.

What does a session with you look like?

The more athletic people are the more need there is to make sure their structure is sound because just like when tyres are wearing on a car its not if they blow, but when they blow, same thing with muscle imbalance that leads to sore back, neck, knees, disc injuries, hip replacements and so on. Most of these things are postural onset unless someone has had a impact injury then it can be a mixture of both. For the coaching, everyone starts on a similar level and they start learning the myofascial stretches and ELDOAs (spinal decompressions - the amazing

work of Guy Voyer , a French-Canadian osteopath) to start normalising the fascia. From there we teach very detailed internal stability and re-educate spinal curvature, growing into strength training to hold it all together. How fast they go through the process is varied, some will learn slow and some will learn fast, some will do lots of practice and some not so much, so they will move through the levels according to where they are at. Most of our work is one on one but we offer group classes which focus on the same concepts, we call them Posture Fit group classes.

Within those, we have the myofascial and ELDOA classes, postural stability and strength classes with levels ranging from beginner to advanced classes in blocks and we also offer casual classes.

A lot of people are becoming aware that poor posture is a collapse of the whole body and it gets worse with age. It doesn’t have to be this way as we have amazing skills to recorrect and have a pain free and functional future full of fun.

Good posture is one of life's best kept secrets.

Michelle is available for talks on posture and structural correction, you can contact her through her website posturefit.nz posturefit.nz

29

Dream Childcare Making Family Life Easier Are you unsure traditional pre-school is right for your family? Dream Childcare offers a trio of alternatives: the au pair, the home-based educator and the professional nanny.

In 2006 Tanya Burrage was a new mum to twin boys Jack and Fred (now 14), and three-year-old Isabel (now 17) when she had a light bulb moment while visiting a friend who had a live-in au pair. “I’m not a stay at home type, I couldn’t afford a nanny and I didn’t want my children in daycare all day so I could see the advantages for families,” says Tanya, a chartered accountant by profession.

“At the time, there wasn’t an au pair agency in New Zealand,” she says. “My research showed that most au pairs come from Germany so I phoned one of their agencies and asked them if they’d be interested in sending au pairs to New Zealand. That’s how it all began.” she says.

Tanya now has 20 au pairs arriving most weeks. “Eighty percent still come from Germany; other countries include Holland, the United States, France, Sweden and Denmark,” says Tanya. “They stay 6-12 months and though they’re not professional childcarers

they will do what you would do: school pick ups and drop offs, reading stories, laundry, bathe and feed the children, bounce with the kids on the trampoline as well as teaching skills such as sharing, resilience and kindness.

The business has grown to include two additional arms including KiwiOz Nannies and Dream Educator. They work nationwide and are licensed by the Ministry of Education to provide early childhood education in Auckland, Waikato, the Bay of Plenty and Wellington.

Let’s take a closer look at the differences.

Au Pairs Au pairs live in as part of the family. “They might put a load of washing on while they’re playing with the kids,” says Tanya. “Or you’ll come home from work and the children will be bathed and fed, the house tidied and your dinner cooked.” An au pair pays their own airfares and when they arrive they undergo a two-day orientation. “We set them up with a bank account, first aid training, and a driving course,” says Tanya.

Costs: Families pay $330 per week for 30 hours care and a date night.

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“

We want to help parents with personalised childcare advice and tailored solutions for every age and stage of their childcare journey”

If you don’t want someone living in a nanny may be the answer.

Nannies “Our nannies are professional, experienced career nannies and many are degree qualified,” says Tanya. “We only select top-quality professionals. Nannies typically stay with a family for two to five years.”

Costs: $22-30 per hour If you want your children cared for in a private home with a maximum of three other children then an educator is perfect.

Educators A home-based educator is often a mum who looks after other children in her own home,” explains Tanya. “It’s the perfect solution for kids to be able to play with others, follow their own routines and be cared for by one educator who treats them like her own.”

Costs: $4-10 per hour, per child.

Mix ‘n' Match The beauty is you can mix it up. “You might have a six-month-old so a nanny is your choice for the first year then once your child is 18-months you might look at a couple of days a week in daycare combined with an educator. When your child starts school you might consider an au pair,” says Tanya.

“Clinical psychologist Nigel Latta talks about how children’s brains develop in their first 1,000 days and believes having a primary carer during this time helps develop their EQ better. I want children to enjoy a Kiwi childhood like I did. Spending time at home, meeting other local children at the park, baking cakes mixed with some daycare and kindy. It’s more affordable than you think as we help with nanny share solutions and can access various funding.”

Dream Education Programme “Our qualified visiting teachers support au pairs, nannies and educators with monthly visits at home. Children’s interests are identified with tailored learning plans developed for every child,” says Tanya.

"The Dream Education Programme follows the New Zealand curriculum, which is based on learning through play. For example, two-year-old Johnny might be mad about trains so he’s taught numeracy, literacy, shapes, sizes and colours through trains.

Au pairs, nannies, educators and children can also attend daily activities including gym, playgroups, nature play and music."

31 Funding “A lot of people don’t realise what’s available to them,” says Tanya.

“Our au pairs, nannies and educators deliver our Dream Education Programme so we can help families access 20 ECE hours of up to $80 per week, allowances for before and after school care (OSCAR) and grants of up to 240 hours childcare when twins are born.

"If your, say, mother-in-law’s helping out three days a week you can join our programme and receive the educational support of our teaching team, attend all the play groups and access any funding you’re entitled to.”

To Be The Best Tanya says Dream’s tagline 'making family life easier’ is what drives them. “We strive to be the best, to provide outstanding people and we go above and beyond to offer superior quality,” she says. “We work with many of the country’s high profile families and we have corporate partnerships with the likes of Air New Zealand and Simpson Grierson. We’re also the preferred supplier for superyachts coming here for the Americas Cup in 2021."

If you’d like to know more about home-based childcare for your children or about caring for children, in your own home, do get in touch. We can help in every way.

09 969 5451 | DREAM .C O.NZ

32 Principal and owner Heather Walton and her team at Ray White Black Group Realty.

Photo taken on location in Coco Republic, 309 Broadway, Newmarket At the top of their game, the ladies at Black Group Realty (BGR) are driven to achieve results for their clients.

There is no point doing this by halves, says their Lady Boss Heather Walton who leads by example. She walked into real estate 10 years ago as a single mum, and climbed to the top of Ray White in 2016, when she was crowned the Supreme Salesperson in the country that year. Heather has now turned her focus to business ownership and mentoring her relatively young company, growing it to a top 5 branch in New Zealand.

“I’m so proud of this,” says Heather, “especially because it’s very much a family business with my hugely supportive husband Mark Bycroft.

Our values are based on gratitude, empathy and mindfulness.

"We don’t run a 'bums on seat operation' at Black Group. Every agent is invited in as a member of our family. And together with Ella and Jeff, both members of our four strong management team, we spread our strengths and skills to support our team with legal knowledge, auctioneering expertise, compliance, business growth and digital strategies plus other skills held by the management team.

“We’re a relatively small office but we pack a punch. To be in the top five businesses in New Zealand within the Ray White

Group, is an amazing achievement in a short space of time.

But our team are under no illusion who pays them and who we work for: our homeowners.

“I started this company because I had learned from other offices I had worked in, how not to run a business. Our values are based on gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. Our team works together, supports one another and are genuinely happy about each other’s success.

“Our ladies are committed to building relationships which makes the difference, especially to the price achieved on a home.”

Jo Eddington single mum and business owner for many years herself secured her first list and sell within such a short space of time and the clients were blown away at her commitment and determination for a result, with Jo listing and selling their homes within 48 hours.

Another outstanding woman, once the REINZ and Ray White corporate trainer, Ella Kiliuyi has four children and an elderly dad who she supports, yet she absolutely adores her job and the team she helps support.

Her focus is now on teaching the Black Group team about the latest and greatest digital strategies to reach buyers far and wide, not just finding a buyer for their client’s property, but the best buyer.

WIRE Women In Real Estate WO R D S ― VI C KI H OLDE R P H OTO G R AP HY ― J E F FALO O

In Central Auckland and particularly Epsom BGR’s Chinese team ― Lindy (Elite salesperson), Hannah, Queenie and Rae, all mums ― offers Chinese clients comfort to purchase property in New Zealand knowing they are safe and being told the truth. Na Na, also a member of the Chinese team, is extremely connected to the Chinese community.

The highly respected Cheryl Whiting has been selling and living in homes in Parnell forever. Her beautiful granddaughter Holly Cassidy is a BGR foundation member who is learning and growing with the team.

Darnell Adams ― DJ Queen, social media extraordinaire, is fast making her way to the top. One of her closest friends, who also works in the team is Gilly Mirken, one of the kindest people you will meet.

Jane Horgan, a stunner inside and out, is one of the top salespeople in the company and New Zealand-wide. With four children, she is a consistent Elite performer.

Simron Singh, an experienced agent, works part time in Elite Team Ken Choong where she too juggles being a mum and an effective support.

Susanne Thomas has risen to be one of the top agents within her first year in real estate. She has taken her last role and translated those skills into her real estate business for consistent customer satisfaction results.

Ruoxi is also a new recruit who has teamed up with her LLB husband. She is the new generation agent dedicated to digital and IT related real estate, finding both her vendors and buyers to achieve unbelievable auction clearance results.

“We’re a relatively small office but we pack a punch.”

Finally, the fun and fabulous admin girls. Tracey, Heather's PA who also works for Ross Hawkins, has a huge amount on her plate. Plus, Jules, support for the other top in the office Elite team. These girls are the backbone of BGR. The office is more like a house than an office. In fact, soon they’re moving into a big, old character home where most high level decisions will be made over a glass of wine, cup of coffee or homemade soup, prepared the BGR kitchen.

"So here’s to the lovely ladies at the heart of BGR and everything they do to make our company the success it is today."

R AY WH ITE BL AC KG RO U P.C O M 4 1 6 BROADWAY, NEWMAR KET +6 4 ( 9 ) 6 3 8 8 6 4 0 O P EN M O N- F R I : 9 AM - 5 P M

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Jacquie Walters of WaltersPR

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Jacquie Walters

For every woman struggling to push through challenging circumstances to seize the life they want, there is a successful woman in business who is proof that if you find the right support, anything is achievable.

WO RD S — VI C KI H O L D E R PHOTO GRAP HY — TI M C U F F

WaltersPR is a small public relations company based in Nelson Tasman that celebrates the great untapped potential of women in business. Established by Jacquie Walters in 2012, this award-winning firm punches above its weight, handling an impressive portfolio of high profile New Zealand and Australian companies.

when I took a chance and contacted Jacquie. I was absolutely over the moon when she gave me an opportunity to work with WaltersPR, and I’ve never looked back.”

It is now five years since Sandrine Marrassé came to Jacquie and offered to work a small number of hours per week as an intern.

“Especially those of us who try to run our business and be parents at the same time.”

“Having achieved outstanding results during her studies towards a Bachelor of Communications at Massey University, Sandrine had retrained in public relations for a second career in her late 30s, a brave thing to do. I was impressed.”

Sandrine stepped up and worked incredibly hard. The quality of her work was so high, she is now a senior account manager for WaltersPR, a crucial client role.

Sandrine is a great example of how the right kind of opportunity at the right time can open doors for all women who want to get into business.

“After I had completed my studies came the much harder bit – would I be able to find a job in Nelson or would it mean upending my life and starting again somewhere else?” says Sandrine.

“I was at the point where I was researching relocation costs

Jacquie understands it is difficult for some women to find their feet in business.

She knows exactly how hard it is because she is a single mum herself.

“When I started the business, my children were four and five,” says Jacquie. “Now they are teenagers. Being parents, and particularly single parents shouldn’t stop us from working with fantastic clients, working at a high level, and earning a good income.”

Jacquie says that even though WaltersPR is small and based in the regions, it has become the agency of choice for some outstanding clients.

WaltersPR has worked with Pic’s Peanut Butter for nearly eight years while Pic’s has achieved incredible growth.

Another great client is glass packaging manufacturer O-I New Zealand and Australia. WaltersPR also works for a specialist brand agency VOICE based in Auckland and Melbourne.

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“We also help businesses when unexpected things happen. We are well-known for our issue and crisis management work.”

“Clients like that could chose to work with anybody. We’re delighted they see us as very effective and their preferred PR company.”

She says, another key aspect of being a small agency is they understand what it’s like to take a risk and to start something new.

“We work alongside a number of entrepreneurial businesses who are growing their businesses, like carbon fibre e-bike designers Hybrid Bikes and IdealCup, a reusable cup manufacturer whose groundbreaking CupCycling system aims to dramatically reduce the number of single-use disposable cups going to landfill.

She has done a significant amount of work like this with the team at Pic’s Peanut Butter for a number of years.

“Once a year I talk to every member of staff – there are around 50 now, which is an amazing testament to Pic’s Peanut Butter’s success. These conversations help us to find out how things are going in the company. I ask if members of the team feel that they can express their opinions, whether they feel valued and so on. It’s a check in. Afterwards I write a report and suggest recommendations. It’s exciting work that feels like it makes a tangible difference for the hardworking and dedicated people that work within the business. And it’s great that a company like that invests so much in its staff. It’s a great product and they have great people.”

Both Sandrine and Jacquie are quietly celebrating milestones for business achievement this year. They are also providing a compelling example for other women in business looking for a professional services company to help them with their PR or who may be wanting to take their entrepreneurial journey to the next level.

Jacquie has proven, you don’t have to be big and flashy. Small and purposeful is just as powerful.

“Many businesses like these come to us in the early days of their journey. They’ve seen that we can have a significant and measurable impact on their business success.”

WaltersPR helps businesses with a whole range of public relations services, offering a particular focus on media relations, internal communications, community relations, social media management and marketing communications.

“We are tellers of compelling stories. So we work with a wide range of media to tell our client stories.

She explains, “During crises, there are messages you have to get out to a wide range of people quickly under pressure.

We provide media statements and help the team within our client’s business respond to the media. We also help them to talk effectively to the whole community.”

One of Jacquie’s favourite aspects of her job is the internal communications work she does to enhance company culture.

walterspr.co.nz

Sandrine Marrassé

“We also help businesses when unexpected things happen.

We are well-known for our issue and crisis management work.”

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Karen Newton

More Cover,

More Confidence

WO RD S — VICKI H O L D E R P HOTO GRAPHY — JE F FALO O

MARCH 2020

Inspiration comes at the most unexpected moments. As Karen Newton was playing with her grandchildren at the beach, she watched them running about in their lovely little cover-all swimsuits and thought, “I want one of those.”

It was eight years ago. If you were not into the high cut fashion look, you were out of luck.

“There was a real gap in the market for women aged 50-plus who want something to swim in that’s smart; something that gives us confidence to be out there as well as providing protection from the sun.”

She say that we’re so good with our children, making them cover up to avoid the burn, but we have forgotten about ourselves.

Calling on her market research background, Karen set up focus groups with women like herself to find out what they wanted and couldn’t find.

“We pretty much came up with a design based on the unmet need.”

Although she offers options, Covertogs come mostly in twopieces “because they’re easier to put on and they fit more easily than a one-piece swimsuit”. Most also have a sleeve that covers the shoulder area that tends to burn easily, and legs that are either short or below the knee.

Karen is committed to design and manufacture in New Zealand, but sourcing fabrics proved difficult.

“I would prefer to use natural fabrics but nothing acts quite like nylon and Lycra. Unfortunately, we don’t make any here so we source recycled nylon from an Italian company that recovers and re-uses old fishing nets from the seabed of the Mediterranean Sea.” It was critical to find a good pattern-maker and sewers, but sadly New Zealand doesn’t have many of these suppliers left because most Kiwi clothing brands choose to manufacture

overseas. “It feels good supporting local Auckland suppliers for manufacturing services even though it adds cost to the final product.”

Another challenge was getting cut-through in the media. Tuning to her gut instinct, she steered clear of fashion magazines.

“We’ve tended to advertise offline in atypical publications. I don’t think of Covertogs as being in the fashion market. It’s much more in the activewear, lifestyle and swimwear market.

Our target market is women who are out there doing it – very active people. I basically advertise in magazines that I read such as the Listener, and NZ Today. Because I am the target market.”

Trying on swimwear in store is not something women necessarily enjoy. Being able to sell online has worked amazingly well, she says. People purchase online and Covertogs has a really good returns policy. Surprisingly, says Karen, they have very few exchanges.

One of the best aspects of the business is that it ties in with Karen’s lifestyle really well. She can do all the administrative work from anywhere. She even gets to sail in the Mediterranean for three months of the year.

For this small startup with growth funded by cashflow, the response has been amazing. Page after page of website feedback pours in from women who have gained their freedom: “I hadn’t swum for years. Now I have something more comfortable, you can’t get me out of the water.”

“We won’t end up as millionaires," says Karen, "but I feel as if we have done something really useful for women.”

To purchase your very own Covertogs, please call 09 533 8441 or visit covertogs.co.nz

37

The Down Low on Downlights We sit down and chat wth Jennifer Del Bel, managing director of Downlights Ltd, a luxe NZ made soy candle company that is looking to expand in 2020, and discover how they want to illuminate, care and change today's workplace inclusivity norms Tell us about Downlights.

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Downlights NZ is a New Zealand owned and operated fragranced soy candle company that manufactures luxury candles using artisanal techniques. Our candles are lovingly hand poured and the entire manufacturing process supports the development of a variety of workplace skills for young adults with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities. Proudly, we are FWD certified as a social enterprise providing buyers with confidence that our products deliver positive social impact. Our social impact moves beyond the realms of daily milestones achieved in our factory by our growing team of people with and without disabilities, into the greater community, through an exclusive range we offer to schools, clubs and community groups to support their fundraising efforts.

What was the inspiration for building a business that supported and raised awareness for people with disabilities?

The first inspiration came from meeting Tony and Emma Sykes, who has Down syndrome, and hearing about the difficulties they came across. In our first year of working together, we attended the Attitude Awards and I was in tears most of the night listening to the inspirational and humbling stories of so many people who have either helped people reach their goals in the disability sector or had to overcome incredible obstacles to achieve what is so much easier for an individual without a disability.

So, the lack of workplace inclusion is a big issue in New Zealand?

Yes, it is. What organisations say they do and actually do are often two different things. Here is something to think about: in France, since 1987, people with disabilities must account for six percent of any workforce with more than 20 people.

It must be really rewarding work. Tell us your top three magic moments with Downlights.

First, the day I walked through the door at work and Emma made eye contact with me and said, "Morning Jenn!" rather than looking at the table and lifting her hand. Also the day that Jack took the train to work independently. Number two, the evening Tim Wilson from Seven Sharp launched our story and Kiwis brought our business to life with their incredible support. And number three, the day we became officially fwd: certified by the Ākina Foundation who are New Zealand’s principal intermediary for social enterprise so that buyers who support businesses like ours, are able to make a positive impact through buying from us.

How do you see the future progressing for Downlights and the team?

This is a year of change for Downlights. We will be moving into new premises within the next two months giving us the opportunity to expand our business and bring in large scale machinery to increase production capacity. The new machinery is incredibly easy for our crew to use and it will allow us to manufacture up to 400 units per hour. This will secure an accessible and inclusive space for Downlights to operate as a leading contract manufacturer and generate more work experience programs and ultimately, increased employment opportunities.

Building a business can be challenging, can you share any tips on how to progress?

Surround yourself with people who share your vision and passion. Be prepared for hard work, but take time every night to be grateful for something. Imagine if you woke up in the morning and all you were left with was what you were grateful for the night before?

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MARCH 2020

What aspect of Downlights are you most proud of?

Working with Recreate NZ as their pilot company for their MOXIE (Meaningful Opportunity X’ing into Employment) programme will help other companies in New Zealand make the move to be more inclusive.

The days the Moxie Crew come into Downlights are absolutely uplifting. It pushed me further as a director to think outside the box and this led to the development of Downlights Charitable Trust which allows us to donate $1 from every candle sold to the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association and Recreate NZorganisations who are also supporting disability rights, inclusion and diversity.

“Surround yourself with people who share your vision and passion.”

How can we buy Downlights candles?

With the help of Karrina Mountfort from Web based, Dave Sauvage from Sauvage Design, and Terri Munro from Pixel Café, we built a beautiful new website (downlightsnz.com) in November and we would love you to look check it out. The demand for our products has increased so dramatically in the last four months we have restructured to offer retailers the opportunity to stock our range. You can find a stockist list on our website.

Where do product ideas come from?

Growing up in Northern Canada, I spent every Sunday at my grandparents' house. My grandmother had the most amazing costume jewellery and beautiful vintage glassware. I loved the designs, the patterns and it has been a significant influence in my personal taste. I spend hours and hours researching new products, trends in fabric, colour and materials to decide where we are heading. Our mini range was so successful at Christmas we have expanded this range for Mother’s Day 2020. And wait and see what we have coming your way later this year!

If you could share advice with yourself when you started this business, what would you tell that Jennifer?

Never be afraid to ask for help. I have been in the candle business for six years (Illumina Soy Candles previously) and throughout my journey I have met numerous businesswomen, like myself, that work crazy hours, juggling families and leave little if any time for themselves.

Any final words of wisdom or mantras you can share?

Our tagline says it all: illuminate-care-change.

We ILLUMINATE lives through employment.

We CARE with $1 per candle towards beneficiaries.

We CHANGE workplace inclusivity norms.

To support Downlights please vist downlightsnz.com

You can help make a difference!

Downlights are crowdfundraising in March via PledgeMe (pledgeme.co.nz) and would love your support.

downlightsnz.com

39

The Luxe Appearance with Sarah Simpson

Sarah Simpson, founder of Luxe Appearance, began her career as a registered nurse working for a decade in surgical and intensive care units first in New Zealand, and later in the UK. Upon her return, Sarah raised a family and obtained a post-graduate and master’s degree in marketing and management which secured her a position with Johnson & Johnson where she worked alongside surgeons performing facial reconstruction, spinal surgery and/or neurosurgery on trauma patients.

The surgery fascinated Sarah. Inspired by witnessing patients regain confidence following operations, she studied appearance medicine both here and in the US before taking a leading role in the launch of 3D technology in New Zealand.

Sarah now runs her own cosmetic appearance clinic, Luxe Appearance, and Verve headed down there to find out more.

Tell us about your business, Luxe Appearance.

Luxe Appearance is a boutique appearance medicine and advanced skincare clinic based in Orakei Bay Village.

We consist of a small team with a passion for tailoring treatments to ensure their best experience and results for each client.

We are supported by well renowed plastic Surgeon Dr Zac Moaveni, Zac is a gifted, warm and compassionate surgeon who has firmly established himself as one of New Zealands leading names in plastic surgery. Zac and Sarah work together on patients who are having aesthetic surgical and non-surgical treatments to enhance the results of surgery and long term maintenance of results.

We follow an aesthetic approach based on the practices of Brazillian plastic surgeon, Mauricio De Maio, known as the ‘total face’ approach. There is a heavy focus on improving skin quality, understanding the ageing process and effectively targeting where ageing originates and sits within the face.

For example, if a client sought direction with the firming and lifting of their face to aid the effects of ageing, we

MARCH 2020

41

would suggest placing dermal filler into the cheeks to improve the lift to the lower face. In the same instance, we would examine the clients skin quality to improve elasticity and collagen production, and therefore, the overall quality of the skin. It is of upmost importance that we provide our clients with the best possible outcome, which requires careful consideration and knowledge.

What makes Luxe Appearance different from other cosmetic appearance clinics?

Our clinic takes a natural approach to cosmetic beauty.

It is important for us to enhance natural beauty — we don’t ‘overfill’ our clients with dermal filler, but rather incorporate subtle enhancements to natural beauty. This is simultaneous with the incorporation of skin treatments, skincare and internal health advice. We provide allencompassing treatment plans with first-class service in a calm, relaxing and professional environment.

What treatments do you offer at Luxe Appearance?

We offer appearance medicine treatments, such as dermal filler and anti-wrinkle and facial rejuvenation,

Botox; Belkyra; Plasmage fraxel treatments; and platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment. We also offer medical-grade skin treatments such as bespoke facials, skin peels, light therapy, dermal needling and collagen induction therapy.

We are proud to say that we have significant experience with depigmentation therapy, attending to different types of pigmentation with the highly sought after Cosmelan depigmentation therapy and dermamelan treatments.

We are also a DMK Clinic, allowing us to work with, and supply, paramedical skincare as well as offer their revolutionary enzyme therapy treatments. Finally, we offer beauty treatments like waxing, and lash and brow tinting and shaping. Products available include: DMK, Xcell, & Mesotestetics.

To find out more about Luxe Appearance or to book in a treatment, you can visit Sarah’s website at luxeappearance.co.nz.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Streaming Goop WO RD S – JAM IE C H RI STIAN D ESP L AC ES

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“We’re human beings and the Sun is the Sun—how can it be bad for you?” Gwyneth Paltrow once mused to the UK’s Cosmopolitan. “I don’t think anything that’s natural can be bad for you.” So, it’s probably a good thing that her new Netflix show, The Goop Lab, begins with a disclaimer that warns viewers the series is designed “to entertain and inform – not provide medical advice”.

GWYN ETH PALTROW ' TH I S SM E LLS LI KE MY VAGI NA' CAN D LE $ 120

The Goop Lab is the televisual manifestation of the Hollywood superstar’s wellness and lifestyle brand, a (so far) six-part documentary that explores treatments and therapies that most would consider “too out there” to try.

Paltrow first launched Goop as a newsletter from her kitchen in 2008, its name inspired by her initials, and, depending on which interview you read, the fact that she was told successful internet companies all come with double Os; or that she just wanted “a word that means nothing and could mean anything”. Goop might mean nothing, but it’s certainly worth a whole lot more—around $400 million as of 2018 according to one insider estimate—not bad for a company christened “the most controversial brand in the wellness industry” by The New York Times. It now has its own clothing line, skin- and healthcare supplements and advocates on everything from food to foreplay to fashion.

Even her most ardent fans must realise Paltrow almost asks to be mocked—kinder critics might call her 'quirkily earnest', harsher commentators consider her pretentious and utterly detached from reality. She certainly doesn’t do herself any favours with zingers like, “I am who I am. I can’t pretend to be somebody who makes $25,000 a year” or referring to her split from husband Chris Martin of Coldplay as “conscious uncoupling”.

VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

MARCH 2020 Then there’s the Goop ‘science’ and product range. In 2015, medical experts queued up to debunk the brand’s advice that vaginal steaming, or ‘V-Steams’, not only cleaned women’s private parts but even helped rebalance their hormones, while Goop’s magical vaginally-inserted jade eggs, with claims of improving orgasms and general “feminine energy”, led to a $230,000 lawsuit. Another notorious Goop column saw a “naturopathic physician and homeopath” recommend consuming nothing but goats’ milk for eight days straight to get rid of parasites.

Such outrageous claims led to non-profit group Truth in Advertising publicly pointing out dozens of “illegal” and “deceptive” health claims on the Goop website. Paltrow hit back against Goop’s “unfair” criticism as its purpose is to inform, not instruct—echoes of that disclaimer—though she did then employ an in-house fact checker, so she told the Times.

Paltrow sure knows how to court controversy through Goop, aware that nothing better generates both online traffic and revenue. Remember those candles-that-smelllike-a-vagina? They sold out in no time. Elton John alone bought 100! Paltrow later pointed out the provocative name was supposed to be a joke, a “punk rock statement”, though most would (correctly) argue that a $120 candle is the very antithesis of The Clash or the Sex Pistols.

So, it’s little wonder that a simple trailer for The Goop Lab has 2,300 likes on YouTube, versus 26,000 thumbs down, or that critics were sharpening their claws, daggers and pencils before the show had even streamed, lamenting the mass-marketing of such “pseudoscience”. “The backlash by health-care professional and science advocates was

“

I am who I am. I can’t pretend to be somebody who makes $25,000 a year

”

immediate and widespread. And for good reason…the trailer is classic Goop,” writes Timothy Caulfield for The Conversation, before quoting obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Jen Gunter in Bustle magazine: “Some fine information presented alongside unscientific, unproven, potentially harmful therapies…”

The episodes see the Goop gang go looking for alternative treatments to enhance both physical and mental wellbeing, including enlisting the services of psychics, sex therapists and psychedelic drugs. There are some genuinely moving moments, some genuinely amusing ones, and some that are downright weird—witnessing a woman (not a Goop staffer) climax as part of a sex workshop while others watch on is a standout oddball scene.

The episode involving energy healing workshops is a highlight of the series, not because of any medical merit, but the sight of the women writhing around as if they’re being violently exorcised, while rarely—and even then, barely—being touched, is excruciatingly absurd. “It’s a very energetic experience,” deadpans Gwyneth without an ounce of self-awareness. “The first time he worked on me I pretty much cried the whole time.”

The ‘masturbation’ episode, however, also garnered universal praise, and rightly so, for its evisceration of common myths concerning the female anatomy and its highlighting of the paranoia that is leading to a massive rise in unnecessary labiaplasties because ladies are convinced that they are not ‘normal’ down there. I for one was astounded by some of the misconceptions (which I shared) and saddened by the shame so many seemingly experience when discussing the topic, let alone the embarrassment of examining their own vulvas in a mirror under a lamplight as others watch on (yup, they did that too).

Other offerings are almost disappointing in their lack of controversial subject matter. There’s nothing new about the physical and wellness benefits of ice baths and meditation, while vampire facials have almost become mainstream— and all, incidentally, previously covered in Verve!

Neither fans nor foes of Gwyneth Paltrow will likely change their opinion of her after watching The Goop Lab, but both will certainly be entertained, which, if the Oscar-winningactor-cum-wellness-guru and her disclaimer are to be believed, is the whole point of the show anyway.

VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

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A Job for the Girls WO RD S – JAM IE C H R ISTIAN D ES P L AC ES

“There is something so empowering about the open road,” says Carla Seymour Mansell, who manages trucking company Seymours Transport Service (STS), a Gisborne-based, award-winning, family-run firm that specialises in log cartage. “I guess it’s a bit like being out on the ocean. It’s just you and your board. On the road, it’s just you and your truck. Women can excel in this industry.

Women are self-motivated, resilient, multi-taskers. This puts women in a great stead to rise to the challenge to do the job bigger, better, faster and more efficient than your last drive.”

MARCH 2020

“Women generally cannot be claimed to have an instinctive mechanical sense... They have shown, however, that if to learn the mechanics is a necessary step in becoming an efficient driver for war work, they ‘can take it’.” – New Zealand Herald, 1941

Though there is much room for improvement, and, Carla admits, women “remain an untapped pool of resource” within the industry, she does believe things are changing for the better.

Currently, around four percent of truckies in New Zealand are women, which is behind the US’s six percent, but well ahead of the UK where only around one percent of lorry drivers are ladies.

Janie has been driving logging trucks for the last couple of years, before that she drove dump trucks and spent nine years driving a school bus and bread trucks. It’s something she always dreamt of doing and says that reactions to her career choice are generally positive—though gets the occasional strange look from the older generations.

“In my 13 years I’ve certainly noticed a change in the ratio of male to female drivers, and it’s refreshing,” says Carla. “Women are waking up and are realising that they can bring immense value and they can rise to their male counterparts.”

The biggest misconception, she jokes, is that she must be a “butch lesbian!” and admits that being away from her kids for long stretches is the toughest part of the job. The greatest part, though, is driving State Highway 35 “the best road in the country” that is both “challenging and beautiful”.

STS was founded by Carla’s father, Charlie Seymour, so she grew up around the industry. “You could find me from a very young age, running around our yard and going along for rides,” she chuckles. “Some of my first words were even truck brands—Foden and—and I proudly recited the number of any truck I pointed to!”

However, Charlie would have preferred she practised law. “I guess Dad thought that law would be well suited to my vivacious character and the fact that I never back away from tackling the big issues! I did go away, and I did study, however home was always calling me. I knew where I had to be, and I knew what my mission was.”

Charlie nearly got his wish for Carla now has a prominent health and safety role within the industry.

“People think that driving a truck is easy,” she continues, “that you just sit back, drive, and the job is done. But that’s so wrong.

It’s a seriously important responsibility, commanding the road with a beast that must be tamed and led by the driver.”

It’s a task that requires optimum levels of concentration, quick thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.

“You need to be able to navigate some particularly gnarly roads and corners. You need to be able to communicate and find ways to continuously improve. It’s a challenging job, but also incredibly rewarding.”

STS driver Janie Wirepa agrees. “I love being on the road,” she says. “There are few better feelings than being out there when everything is running smoothly and I’m driving to the best of my ability. I love improving. And the camaraderie between truck drivers is awesome.”

“The industry is nothing without our drivers,” adds Carla. “It’s not a profession for the faint-hearted. Our drivers are at the pointy end of the industry. They are custodians of the goods they transport; they are mathematicians, they are complex problem solvers. They are first on, last off.”

And as for what women specifically bring to the role?

“We bring a different perspective! Our women drivers are awesome. They understand risk and manage it well. They respect the trucks; they are team players and they are always keen to take up a challenge. The industry needs more women leading the way and creating new paths forward based on transparency and inclusion.”

The Lorry Driving Lowdown The world ‘lorry’ was first used in English in 1838 in reference to a train’s luggage compartment.

Gottlieb Daimler built the first motorised lorry in 1896. (He also produced the first motorbike and taxi.)

In New Zealand, road freight transport accounts for two percent of the total workforce, transporting 92 percent of our total freight.

Around 80 percent of all inland freight around the world is transported by trucks, with around 85 percent of that cargo travelling 150km or less, from factories or ports to their final destinations.

Grocery stores would be sans stock in just a few days if it weren’t for truckies, and many other businesses wouldn’t be too far behind.

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Things I Wish I Knew before Starting my Business

Vicky Ha, House of Dumplings

CHICKEN WITH CORIANDER DUMPLINGS

After eight years in the food business, I still don’t know what I don’t know. One thing I can tell you, however, is that I have made plenty of mistakes which are so valuable as you soon learn what not to do – ever again! Lessons gained from mistakes are far more meaningful that any seminars or books out there. The food business is not easy, it is one of the lowest margin industries out there and it is also extremely competitive because everybody thinks that they know food.

PORK WITH KAFFIR LIME DUMPLINGS

VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

MARCH 2020

START SMALL I always say money is a curse, because if I had too much I wouldn’t use it in the most efficient way. When you only have limited resources, you focus on what equipment is essential rather on items that would be nice to have. It forces you to choose the absolute essentials to survive. I started my food business eight years ago with a $100 Italian domestic manual pasta machine. No mixer, no pastry roller. Even though I had $20,000 in the bank from working on a prawn trawler in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia. I started small with food stall at a local farmers' market, built a loyal customer base then start buying equipment once I'd developed my market. The risk was lower this way.

DO YOUR RESEARCH Your customers will dictate whether they want your product or not. It's not the other way around. Predicted growth sales by way of business plans are BS in my opinion. Just because you think your product is the best thing since sliced bread, most people don’t really care because there are so many more products out there to choose from. Always do your research. Get prototypes out there as early as possible. Test your product. Ensure there is a demand, then you focus on investing more into growth and establishing yourself.

YOU MUST BE A DOER Being a woman is no excuse, it is an advantage. We are born to be emotional creatures which makes us better managers.

I have seen plenty of great female leaders out there that truly look after their staff. Without your staff, you will always be a one-man band. Don’t think like a woman, there is no gender in business. Only the one who is out there making things happen will win.

SURVIVAL OF THE MOST ADAPTABLE Darwin is always right. When I first started House of Dumplings, we were the only dumpling brand in New Zealand. Now, it is a wild, wild west, with everyone copying each another. Learn to adapt, to rise above it. Be the innovator, never the follower!

Having a good brand story and values always helps too, as no one can copy that.

EXPECT TO BE POOR FOR A WHILE If you want to get rich quick, then invest in the stock market or do up a house. The chances of getting rich quick from business is slim. Business takes time. Money will follow if you enjoy what you do, providing you are good at it. The truth is, there is more blood sweat and tears than fun, most of the time!

I am in business because I love what I do. The amount of pride and pleasure I get from my business is beyond my wildest dreams. No one is going to tell you want to do. Well, except your customers! If you want to have a different lifestyle then get a job and work for someone else because at least your income will be constant.

BUSINESS IS A JOURNEY Only 37 percent of businesses survive past their first two years. It is brutal out there. If you do fail, you will learn heaps about yourself and that experience will be yours forever. No one can take that away from you.

47 QUICK TIPS 1. Develop your market first before investing money in machinery.

2. Your customers dictate whether you will have a business or not. Talk to them. Don’t hide behind sales predictions.

3. There is no gender in business. Be a doer with no excuses.

4. Have a great brand story and values so no one can copy you!

5. Make calculated risk and never give up.

6. Fail. Learn. Adapt. Embrace making mistakes. Learn from them and do better next time.

SOCIAL MEDIA INSTAGRAM @HOUSE.OF.DUMPLINGS TWITTER @DUMPLINGNZ 117 TARANAKI ST, WELLINGTON HOUSEOFDUMPLINGS.CO.NZ

VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

A Day In The Life of Ina Bajaj Founder/director Spring Spa and East Day Spa

4pm I like to be at work by 9am, no matter where I am. We do all our planning from Auckland, for both Spring and East Day Spas. Right now a lot of it is focused on the opening of our bravest, biggest, most spectacular Spring Spa to date, on a little island called Nusa Lembongan, just off the coast of Bali. We open in July and there’s a lot to do!

One of the most special, and important parts of what I do is ‘trade-testing’ our staff, which I often do in the afternoons. This means getting a (literally) hands-on service, like massage, from a potential employee. It is crucial to me that I can experience each new staff member’s talents – I truly believe that the best therapists are instinctual givers, and I have to be able to feel that love in their hands. It’s not something that can be communicated in a CV or any other way, and it’s what sets our business apart.

6pm 9am

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If I’m in Auckland, I’ll wake and take my dogs for a walk and stop at Brown’s in Remuera for a coffee. I had a pretty serious health scare last year, and as a result I have made some changes in my life. Part of this involves me making a conscious effort to leave my phone at home and re-learn how to just sit and be still in my thoughts. Not as easy as it sounds!

In Bali, sunset is a time of celebration and reconnection, every day of the week. It’s a beautiful thing. People enjoy sundowner drinks, reflect on their days and take a moment to be grateful. If I’m in Bali, I don’t miss it.

7pm

7am

“My days are divided between Auckland and Bali – we have Spring Spas in both locations, two in Auckland (St Helier’s and Ponsonby), one in Wellington and three in Bali. And I travel a lot, as we look to expand the Spring offering into new territories,” says Ina Bajaj. ”I am incredibly, deeply blessed in what I do – the wellness industry is a very special one, and I get to work with my best friends every day. It is hard work – we have more than 250 staff and every day has its challenges – but I am mindful, always, of how fortunate I am.”

I try and get another walk in, or a swim, and either my husband cooks or we head out for dinner with friends. If there’s one thing I have learnt in the last 12 months, it’s that it doesn’t matter how hard we work or how much money we make, the only thing that matters is our health and each other, so I like to make the most of what I have around me.

springspa.com

The secrets to success.

How six top NZ female entrepreneurs made it big From embracing discomfort to knowing how to back yourself, in honour of International Women’s Day six leading kiwi female entrepreneurs share the advice that has helped power their self-belief and success.

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04

Believe that you belong

Embrace the discomfort

“When I go into a boardroom, I keep the mindset that I’m meant to be there, that people are literally waiting to help me. Think better of yourself and just get it done.”

“Understand that the path you’re on is completely unknown, so make sure the vision you have is big enough and be brave enough to go for it. Believe you can be the one who can make change, feel the discomfort and do it anyway.”

Hiria Te Rangi, Kaiwhakahaere (CEO) at Whare Hauora

Sustain the pace

02

Sonya Williams, Sharesies co-founder

Take the first step

05

“Business is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s alright to have bursts of sprinting but it’s important to have downtime as well, so you can keep going in the long run.”

“Keep your goals clear and work out the steps towards them. When you’ve ticked off one step, go to the next one. It helps me to think clearly and focus on the goal, rather than all the little pieces.”

Dale Clareburt, Weirdly co-founder

Maru Nihoniho, Metia Interactive founder

03

Back yourself

“Don’t discount your opinion and gut feeling just because someone else who may have more experience thinks differently. It’s important to back and believe in yourself and your abilities.”

Brianne West, Ethique founder

06

Know when to reach out “Understand where your strengths lie and don’t be afraid to ask for help in the areas that you’re not as strong. At the end of the day, it will save you money, time and energy – the three things that none of us ever has enough of.”

Mimi Gilmour Buckley, Burger Burger founder

This excerpt is brought to you by Prospa, New Zealand’s Small Business Lending Specialist.

You can read the full article on the Prospa Blog at prospa.co.nz/blog Prospa has helped thousands of small business owners with funds for growth, opportunities and to support cash flow.

Find out more about funding solutions at prospa.co.nz or call 0800 PROSPA

Dressing For The Changing Seasons

Wow – this summer has been one out of the box hasn’t it? I mean, where is the usual day or two of rain? The predicted (but never arrives) cyclone?

It’s just weird. Definitely not complaining though – I love the summer sun. It’s probably just as well that loads of fashion retailers will be panicking about their stock arriving from China – I mean can you even imagine trying on knitwear or winter coats right now?

If I’m honest, it’s actually the same most years. Fashion works to a weird cycle of seasons. I mean, winter stock starts hitting the racks in February which is arguably the warmest and sunniest month, and the sales are in full swing

by June, when it’s not even the coldest part of winter as that always comes after the shortest day. My clients, being mostly busy people or people that hate shopping, are not even thinking about their winter wardrobes yet, so you’ll often see me hitting the shops with them (or for them) in late April or early May. JAC KI E O ’ FE E I S OWNER OF AU C KLAND’S LEADING P E R S O NAL ST YLE C O NSU LTANCY, SIGNATU RE STYLE. IF YO U ’D LI KE A HAND TO WORK THROU GH YOU R WARDROBE S H E ’ D ABS O LUTELY LOVE TO HELP – GET IN TOU CH ON 529 5 1 1 5 O R E MAI L CREW SIGNATU RESTYLE.C O.NZ AND MAKE YO U R NEW S EAS O N EASY-PEASY.

What this time of year is perfect for though, is getting your wardrobe ready for a new season. It’s a great time to clear out the stuff that’s just taking up room:

Peace of mind starts with being able to talk with an advisor who is across the premium central locations of Parnell and Remuera, to Herne Bay and St Marys Bay. Whether you are planning to sell, or buy into a new lifestyle, call me today to discuss the best options and way forward.

PENE MILNE + 64 21 919 940 • pene.milne@nzsir.com nzsothebysrealty.com

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Browns Real Estate Limited (licensed under the REAA 2008) MREINZ.

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the worn out, the out of date, the ugly.

Anything that you’ve had in your summer wardrobe that you’ve not worn, anything that you have worn but haven’t felt great in – that’s the stuff to get rid of. For me, it’s a favourite jumpsuit that’s been on fairly high rotate for around three or four summers now (it started as something dressy I wore with heels and ended as something I wore on the weekend with trainers) that finally gave up and tore at the seams. That’s the kind of thing that needs to be sent to the bin.

It’s also a great time to take some of your favourite winter pieces out of the spare room wardrobe and take a look to see if any need repairs (including your boots and shoes), if anything needs cleaning (believe it or not, marks you never knew existed actually become deeper over time) or any are past their best.

Perhaps you’ve held onto something thinking even though you didn’t wear it last winter, you might want to this winter. Fresh eyes will tell you whether that is true or if you need to move it on.

Decluttering now means you head into a new season with purpose, knowing which pieces you need to buy and what you already own.

Q &A

Mindful At Work Kerene Strochnetter Managing director, Mindful at Work Ltd.

How did you first become involved in mindfulness?

Mindfulness helped me dig myself out of a deep dark hole in my life. Determined not to make the same mistakes again and needing to take better care of myself, I started meditating every day.

And mindfulness training? After experiencing the benefits, I added mindfulness to my coaching toolkit, read everything I could find around the neuroscience, and trained as a meditation teacher. Today I run workplace programmes, coach leaders and speak to large audiences across New Zealand about the benefits.

Can you give a few examples of people/organisations who have benefitted from your involvement? I work

Crazy Busy by Kerene Strochnetter is available NOW! Mindfulness is about fully engaging in your life now, letting go of your inner critic, being kinder to yourself and showing up for what’s important – your life, your work and being with the people you love.

Briefly outline the process. Mindfulness meditation

with all types of businesses. Primarily people want help managing stress, however, mindfulness is far more than just a stress-buster and sitting around saying "om". It’s a robust set of practices to boost engagement, performance and wellbeing at work.

sounds simple but it’s not! Instruction: sit quietly, close your eyes and focus on your breath or the sensations in your body for brief periods, daily if possible. Informal practices include giving your full attention to everyday things and doing them with more awareness.

Mindfulness supports us to be at our best more often – to be more focused, engaged, creative, open and kind. Mindful people are better communicators because they know how to listen. And when people ‘play together nicely’ at work they positively change the culture.

Mindfulness turns down your mental chatter and cultivates a different kind of awareness. With consistent practice it helps you break old habits of thinking, feeling and behaving that no longer work.

What are the most common challenges? Asking people to sit still, tune in, and let go of thinking — even for short periods — when they’re used to living in their heads and racing around getting stuff done, is like taking chocolate from a chocoholic.

Establishing and sticking to a regular practice takes effort and commitment. Without support most people give up pretty quickly!

It takes time for our inner reward system to kick in, but once it does it’s much easier to keep going.

Benefits experienced by women in business/ entrepreneurs? Women in business often feel overwhelmed, put themselves last and think that if they just keep pushing through, they’ll get more done, and that they can stop later.

But later never arrives.

What made you decide to write your book, Crazy Busy?

Mindfulness can be a dry sterile topic. Crazy Busy tells my own messy story to inject humour, dispel the many myths and make practising easier.

Many busy people try to meditate and give up. They think they can’t because their mind is too busy. But anyone can meditate with the right intention and support.

Crazy Busy includes a simple step-by-step programme, a free downloadable workbook and the Mindful at Work app. You don’t have to meditate for hours. Just a few minutes each day will positively impact your life.

Is there something else that you would like to add? The busier we get the unhappier we become. The mind naturally wanders and without awareness we become increasingly self-obsessed, negative and prone to overlooking the good stuff. You’re happier when you’re present!

mindfulatwork.co.nz

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS S O ULFUL ENTRE P RE N EU R BY H E L E NA MARI E TAROT

Channel Your Inner Magician

BL ANC H E RO S E

5 minutes with Jacqueline Nelson The tarot card to accompany Aries season (20 March-21 April) is the magician. known as Hermes Mercury. Earlier tarot decks portrayed the Magician as male, until more modern decks progressed to strong women.

The magician is the first major arcana card, (arcana meaning secrets to be revealed from the tarot). The magician embodies a physical aspect of our spiritual self.

The appearance of the magician signifies a powerful energetic vibrational change towards manifestation.

Channel the energy of the magician to nail that job interview, launch a new business, find new love, and increase financial prospects.

Use your magic wand, and draw down the universal energy from the heavens, and let it flow through you to manifest what you desire on earth. By skilfully using all of the tarot symbols — pentacles (wealth), cups (emotional strength), swords (truth and challenge), and wands (action, decisions) — Hermes Mercury possesses unwavering focus. Above the head is the infinity symbol, signifying potent power as ‘always and forever’.

People may gravitate towards your natural charm, and your skills of persuasion will create magic. The magician does not wait for anyone — they harness their personal power to create the change they want. Illuminated in a flowing red cape, the yellow aura colour in the background portrays optimism, hope and the sun shining bright on all endeavours.

Tarot meaning: Concentration. Set your intention. Listen to your inner voice. You possess all the skills, capability and knowledge to achieve your goals. Be aware of your unique talents.

To get a personal and experienced professional reading please visit hmtarot. co.nz or call 0210 851 1486 for more infomation.

Jacqueline Nelson, founder of Blanche Rose, loves all things white. If her name sounds familiar, she was formerly the CEO of HouseHold Linens. After closing this business a few years ago her clientele were asking where they could buy product with the same quality as HouseHold Linens. After looking around Jacqueline was not sure where to send them.

Last year Jacqueline took on a mentor, and went on a business mastery week-long course where she realised she wanted to build a brand. She purchased the Blanche Rose URL and emailed the mill in Portugal who were delighted to hear from her again. The process of carefully creating and designing the collection began in May last year with product arriving late last year.

One of the greatest joys for Jacqueline is seeing her beautiful white treasures blend in to any decor. Clean, comfortable and calm, the Blanche Rose collection has been created for those looking for quality and classic design.

Feedback about the Blanche Rose collection from Jacqueline’s clients who include private clients, interior designers, luxury lodge- and super yacht-owners has been very positive. Blanche Rose collection can be purchased at blancherose.com With no retail showroom, Jacqueline provides personal consultations by phone or in person, to establish the needs of the client. With large projects and lead times bespoke items can be sourced.

Having over 20 years' experience in the industry, an entrepreneurial mother, a mentor and a strong support network, Jacqueline loves what she does and is looking forward to Blanche Rose blossoming.

BL ANC H E RO S E .C O M

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Mellow Summer AVAILABLE AT DONNAHOYLEDESIGN.CO.NZ

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RECYCLE RECYCLEBOUTIQUE.CO.NZ

NEWMARKET, AUCKLAND CBD, TAKAPUNA

RECYCLE BOUTIQUE

WE SELL QUALITY SECOND HAND CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES. WE SELL THE ITEMS ON YOUR BEHALF. YOU GET 50% OF THE SALE PRICE. SIMPLE AS THAT.

6492TX CHAPLAIN JACKET 6512TX SOLO WIDE LEG PANT 319 REMUERA ROAD, CNR NORANA & REMUERA RD S H O P S 2 0 9, W E S T F I E L D N E W M A R K E T 3 0 9 B R O A D WAY, N E W M A R K E T W W W. H A R T L E Y S . C O . N Z

Nanis 18K yellow gold and multi gemstone Italian necklace from Belloro Fine Jewellery

Icon Pendant in 18k Rose Gold with Diamonds from Orsini Nanis 18K yellow gold and diamond cross Italian necklace from Belloro Fine Jewellery

Golden Rose Yellow gold and diamond earrings from Partridge Jewellers

Stellar Rose Pendant from Boh Runga Jewellery

Stellar Rose Earrings from Boh Runga Jewellery

Gems & Stones

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Golden Rose is the latest collection from Partridge Jewellers

Dolce Vita Ring in 18k Rose Gold with White and Brown Diamonds from Orsini

Thomas Sabo Star necklace from Belloro Fine Jewellery

Amori Bangle in 18k Rose Gold with White Diamonds from Orsini

9ct solid gold Lady Ring from Bijoux

Yellow gold diamond wedding and engagement rings made to order from Bijoux

Thomas Sabo Earrings from Belloro Fine Jewellery

VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

Aquamarine cocktail ring available at Lisa Hoskin

Gems & Stones

Jewllery from Painted Bird Cocktail rings available from Lisa Hoskin

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NEWMARKET | MILFORD | WELLINGTON MISCHIEFSHOES.CO.NZ

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Occasional Wear From the best dressed guest to the bride-to-be, here are all the looks you need for the wedding season.

Marion Dress Paris Georgia, $899 parisgeorgiastore.com

WORD S – PARIS MITC HELL TEM PLE

Necklace Tiffany & Co., $2,300

Dress Camilla & Marc, $900 camillaandmarc.com

Eva Gown Georgia Alice, $899 georgiaalice.com

Cocktail Bag BYFAR x Paris Georgia $964 parisgeorgiastore.com

Halter Slip Paris Georgia, $630 parisgeorgiastorecom

Thea Earrings Medowlark, $549 meadowlark.co.nz

Tup Maxi Dress Kate Sylvester, $799 katesylvester.com

Clutch SEED, $79.90 seedheritage.com

Zoe Heels BYFAR x Paris Georgia, $738 parisgeorgiastore.com

Spa Treatments Worth Splurging On

Margaret Dabbs Supreme Manicure at Spring Spa An outstanding signature manicure treatment using the indulgence of the full range of Margaret Dabbs products and finishing with a wonderful hand and lower arm massage. Margaret Dabbs sources premium raw ingredients from around the world to blend with signature organic Emu oil to provide luxurious, innovative and effective products and treatments with outstanding results. 60min $90

The Skin Remodeling System at Illuminate Me SRS is a soothing, relaxing treatment that targets the underlying problems associated with ageing skin and scarring. The soothing HVPC technology works to stimulate cell renewal, activating neo-collagen production, toning sagging muscles and adding elasticity to the skin. I experienced this treatment twice before my wedding day and found my skin feeling firmer and fuller, no doubt a game changer! $150

Hot Stone Massage at East Day Spa The hot stone massage at East Day Spa is designed to pleasure, nourish, rebalance and re-energise. The heated volcanic stones are used to glide over the body. A warming and soothing massage combined with energy balancing techniques will guide you into the deepest state of relaxation. 1hr 15min $165

228 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby 09 360 6509 springspa.com

43 Sunnybrae Road, Northcote 021 620 555 illuminateme.co.nz

123 Albert St, Auckland 09 363 7050 eastdayspa.com

The Benefit Peel

by Prescription Skincare The Benefit Peel is a potent antioxidant peel that delivers a blend of nourishing and natural ingredients into the skin layers without excessive peeling. Designed for ageing or acne prone skin, this peel is also gentle enough for sensitive skin patients.

Led Light Therapy at Haven Skin Spa One of the most powerful anti-ageing and skin rejuvenation tools. This medically proven, non-invasive treatment works at a sub-cellular, cellular and tissue level, boosting collagen and elastin production.

Your complexion will appear brighter, healthier, fresher and more youthful.

LED light therapy has a cumulative effect on skin cells, with each treatment building on the last. For long-term results, book a course of nine treatments for $895, saving $185. $120 per session or with another facial treatment $70

The Yoga Facial from The Facialist The Yoga Facial is an intensive facial massage designed to lift, tone and firm the facial muscles. This facial will target sagging skin and loss of muscle firmness as well as under eye bags, congestion and dullness. A neck and eyebrow lift will give the appearance of a facelift while depuffing lymph drainage leaves the eyes looking wider and the skin brighter, at the same time expelling any toxins from the skin. All of this will boost blood circulation and stimulate collagen production. The result? Cheekbones are emphasised, face looks lifted and toned and your skin is left glowing with radiance. 30min $120

373 Dominion Road, Mt Eden 09 630 7133 havenskinspa.com

City Works Depot Shed 16/2-16 Sale St 09 337 0023 thefacialist.co.nz

243 Remuera Road - 09 5295784 197 Ponsonby Road - 09 3600400 prescriptionskincare.co.nz

February 2020

4 Ways to Use Coconut Oil Now that holiday season is well and truly over it’s a good time to add some healthy habits to your 2020. A brilliant way to do this is to add coconut oil to your life.

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Coconut oil is riding a wave of popularity so you may already be using it in your kitchen but it’s more than a fantastic pantry staple; coconut oil has a wide range of other amazing uses that promote your health and physical care.

Tip: oil your body all-over with coconut oil and shower to wash off any excess for a full body treatment.

WHY WE LOVE COCONUT OIL Coconut oil is composed of 92 percent healthy saturated fat, with two-thirds of it coming in the form of medium chain fatty acids (most fats in the diet are long chain fatty acids).

Because the fatty acids are shorter the body is able to quickly metabolise them boosting fat burning and giving the brain and body an energy lift.

2. PRE-WASH HAIR CONDITIONER For smooth hair, use coconut oil as a natural pre-wash hair conditioner. It can help treat dry scalp, promote stronger hair, and help hair retain its natural moisture. Simply rub a few drops of coconut oil into your dry scalp and leave it on for about five minutes before rinsing. Your dry and dull hair will now be softer and silkier with a healthier scalp.

Another powerful component of coconut oil is lauric acid, which is recognised for its strong antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It even has the ability to kill Candida albicans (*1) - a common yeast infection.

3. MOUTHWASH Coconut oil’s antifungal and antimicrobial properties make it a popular choice as a mouthwash. Along with sesame oil, it’s also a good choice for the ancient Indian practice of oil pulling. This involves swishing a tablespoon of oil around the mouth for 15-20 minutes for whiter teeth, fresher breath and good oral health. The jury’s out on oil pulling’s teeth whitening benefits but studies have shown coconut oil’s efficacy as a plaque inhibitor (*3).

Both of these points show coconut oil is great for energy, satiety, weight management, and overall health.

Here are four other uses for this versatile oil.

1. SKINCARE Topical application of coconut oil is a wonderful solution for soft, hydrated skin. In addition to being a good moisturiser (*2), coconut oil helps to nourish and heal, and its antibacterial properties can be an effective treatment for acne in some people.

Compared to more expensive options, coconut oil is affordable and all natural, moreover, its antioxidant properties serve as natural protection from free radicals – gremlins who contribute to skin damage and ageing.

4. BALANCED DIGESTION Coconut oil can be used to treat occasional or mild digestive discomfort. It improves your body’s levels of candida and helps it to effectively absorb the essential nutrients.

Tip: Be sure to use organic, unrefined, and coldpressed coconut oil for the most benefits.

As you can see, adding coconut oil to your health, beauty and nutrition arsenal will stand you in good stead. #lovecoconutoil WO R D S —J E NNI F ER M O O R E , YO U O LO GY.C O . NZ

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MARCH 2020

Favourites with Yolande Ellis Co-Founder of Elle + Riley Cashmere

We catch up with co-founder of Elle + Riley Cashmere, Yolande Ellis, who tells us of her current favourite things and what she does to relax.

Most weekday mornings before hitting the office, you'll find me at Cafeteria on Drake Street. We usually have our morning meeting there accompanied by the best coffee in town.

On the weekend it's back to Omaha and, after visiting the Matakana markets to source my weekly produce, I usually join friends for a long walk around Ti Point.

We mostly entertain at home with friends so a weekend usually consists of cooking for a crowd. I love making large salads and beautiful meat on the barbecue. My current favourite recipe books for inspiration are Ottolenghi and Chin Chin.

We recently got a new addition to the family, our dog, Duke. So there's plenty of walks and playtime at the moment!

My go-to lip colour is Nude Kate by Charlotte Tilbury.

For skincare I use the Xcell skincare range. My favourite serum to keep my skin glowing is Alive Lactic Acid as well as the Illuminate Eye Serum made of liquid crystals, this keeps my skin bright and fresh looking.

I wear minimal eye makeup so I love Kevyn Aucoin Mascara and brow pencil. These are my daily essentials.

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Yolande's current favourite recipe book and inspiration, Ottolenghi Simple.

elleandriley.com

The Elephant In The Womb

New Zealand women’s experiences with endometriosis WO RD S ― DAN I MO L LOY

It’s a chronic condition with has the same prevalence, in females, as diabetes, and yet, there is no known cure. Even in 2020, the chronic condition of endometriosis – which effects approximately one in 10 New Zealand women – is still far from receiving the recognition it requires.

Endometriosis is a health condition where tissue, similar to the lining of the uterus, grows outside of the uterine wall. The condition can cause severe pain due to the abnormal tissue creating lesions, nodules and cysts in the areas surrounding the uterus. Endometriosis can also result in sufferers feeling pain during intercourse, excessive pain during the period or premenstrual stage, excessive bleeding during menstruation and can even result in infertility.

Research into the symptoms and treatment of endometriosis is scarce and the media representation of the condition is equally as limited.

Madison Randall, a third-year medicine student at Auckland University, has been living with endometriosis and experiencing period dysmenorrhea and chronic pain for approximately five years.

“It’s why I am in med school!” Madison exclaimed. “I want to change the course of prognosis for women in the future.”

A second-year psychology student also shared her experiences with the condition. She was diagnosed when she was 15-years-old after living with symptoms for approximately four years.

“My period would last around nine to 11 days, which is an unusually long amount of time,” she stated. “My cramps would be so unbearable that I used to faint and then be bedridden for the duration of my period.”

Endometriosis would negatively impact this student’s everyday life. Her condition made focusing in class and participating in sports or extracurricular activities a living nightmare.

“I would try to listen to my teacher talk about the Cold War in history class whilst clenching onto the desk,” the psychology student elaborated. “My insides were burning to the point of me trying to focus on not fainting.”

“I want to change the course of prognosis for women in the future.”

Madison was genetically predisposed to the condition, as both her mother and aunt had been diagnosed with endometriosis. Since receiving her diagnosis, Madison has been actively working to raise awareness of the condition through her social media platforms. She intends to break down the stigma surrounding women’s gynaecological health by showing her audience the realities of living with endometriosis.

Both women were emotional yet relieved to receive their medical diagnosis. While they were glad to know that there was a physical cause for the crippling pain that they had been experiencing for years, they were also confused about what living with endometriosis would mean.

Madison’s passion for supporting women with endometriosis even extends into her career choice.

“I did not know what it was when the doctor diagnosed me,” the Massey University psychology student confessed. “It’s

MARCH 2020

“I know of so many people who can’t talk about endometriosis and my heart breaks for them.”

- Madison Randall never taught in schools and I’d never really heard about it in the media or on the news.”

Both women also acknowledged that while they received support from family and loved ones, there are a lot of women in New Zealand that are too scared to speak up about their experiences with endometriosis, out of a fear of receiving backlash.

“I know of so many people who can’t talk about endometriosis and my heart breaks for them,” Madison stated. “I want to raise awareness about this condition specifically in our Polynesian ladies. We need to raise awareness so our fellow wahine can feel safe to speak up.”

Nikita Devi, a fashion design graduate and model, has been battling endometriosis for over six years. With all her experience, Nikita has learnt various strategies to minimise the symptoms of endometriosis but living with the condition hasn’t got any easier. Nikita recognises that endometriosis presents itself differently for every sufferer, however, she found that a change in diet has had a huge impact on her symptoms.

Nikita is gluten-free, dairy-free and has recently embraced a pescatarian diet (eating meat-free with the exception of seafood). Removing food groups that are known to cause inflammation has worked wonders for Nikita’s stomach and bowel pains. Nikita was shocked by the lack of information she had received from medical professionals about the benefits of making diet and exercise alterations to minimise symptoms.

“I didn’t know that gluten and dairy could influence so much in your life when you have endometriosis,” Nikita said, “I was bloated all the time. I was vomiting all the time.

I was constipated all the time!”

Like Madison, Nikita uses her social media accounts to draw attention to endometriosis and its symptoms. She believes that the condition demands awareness. Both girls see a gap in a lot of their followers' knowledge and a lot of ignorance around what the chronic condition of endometriosis looks like. Many people are illinformed on the specifics of endometriosis and see that name as synonymous with mere period cramps. This misinformation unfortunately extends into the medical field as it is currently estimated to take eight years for someone living with endometriosis to be diagnosed.

“There are so many girls and women in New Zealand who are in pain almost every day and being neglected by their doctors,” Nikita stated. “They have no idea what’s wrong with them.”

Endometriosis can often be linked to mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety due to the consistent pain caused by their disorder and the fear of experiencing that pain when in an unknown or unfamiliar environment. Other side effects of endometriosis, such as the heightened chances of infertility, can also be devastating for many women.

Women with endometriosis often look to each other, both in face-to-face interactions and online, in order to receive support. By bridging the gap in people’s knowledge of the condition, this support would be more accessible.

Please visit the Instagram accounts of Madison Randall (@madi.randall) and Nikita Devi (@officialnikitadevi) for personal anecdotes of living with endometriosis, or visit nzendo.org.nz for further information.

VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

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Ilcsi Natural Organic Skin Care Held at Vida Flores in Newmarket | Photography: Jeffaloo

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1. The hero of the event, Ilcsi Natural Organic Skin Care / 2. Louise Gray / 3. Liesl New, Sue Peploe, Heather Longhurst / 4. Oonagh Kirkpatrick / 5. Helen Andrewes, Stephanie Jeffreys, Rebekah Reynolds / 6. Moira Stanley, Pamela Hay, Jenna Moore, Nikki Lovrich / 7. Kim Ryan and Jo Slecht from Advanced Derma Care / 8. Exquisite floral displays from Vida Flores / 9. 100% Natural, 95% Organic, Ilcsi Skin Care / 10. Davina Prankerd, visionary, owner-manager of Vida Flores / Our guests were refreshed throughout the evening with organic wines from

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Our story in a Nutshell

1958

Everyone’s Aunt Ilcsi, our mother, our grandmother started her cosmetic career on 19 June, 1958 in Budapest in her usual exceptional way: with innovations ahead of their time, yet built on traditions. She brushed aside the Vaseline and paraffin-based products and created her first plant-based cosmetics. The immediate success of rose hip, stonecrop and red rose cosmetics was followed by further cosmetics.

1960

It is often said that good products need no advertising. Ilcsi creams nevertheless had the advertisement; the clients spread the news themselves. That there is somebody in Budapest, who together with her family, in her kitchen using 10 blenders at the same time, prepares the country’s most effective cosmetics! No wonder that in the sixties the fellow cosmeticians also visited Aunt Ilcsi to marvel, to inspire...and to place their order.

1970

With the positive changes in the economic environment Aunt Ilcsi, like all polymaths, was training herself and educated others at the same time as she could learn from both. She held lectures at professional events, went on study trips abroad, passed a master examination and educated cosmeticians. In the meantime she also introduced her son, Ferenc, to the secrets of collecting herbs and developed brand new cosmetics for her VIP guests, just for the challenge.

1980

The daring undertaking turned into an enterprise. The popularity and turnover of the cosmetics required professional operation, so Ilcsi Beautifying Herbs was formed in 1984. It was literally a family business. The professional management remained under Aunt Ilcsi’s hands, while Ferenc became responsible for the management of the company. There was a need for serious help, as at that point 28 different Ilcsi products were known nationwide and it could be seen that the story wasn’t over.

1990

By the nineties it was clear that Ilcsi had become a key player in the beauty industry not only at a domestic level, but also internationally. Aunt Ilcsi was a permanent guest at the most prestigious foreign professional conferences and became Hungry’s quasi travelling ambassador of CIDESCO. The Ilcsi professional training course started, we held the first Ilcsi Congress and a breakthrough was made: receiving the first orders from abroad.

2000

We combined our faith in pure sources and the innovative technology to grow one of our favourite plants, aloe arborescens, on our own plantation, just like legendary red roses of Szoreg. However, we produced our cosmetics with the most up-to-date devices and our products became available and sought after in more and more countries. One of the most important results of the decade was when, for the first time in Eastern Europe, Ilcsi products became BDIH certified — one of the hardest certifications to achieve in the world.

Today

, we continue the journey with a new look and fresh enthusiasm, but still in the spirit of Aunt Ilcsi’s legacy. Nature has a solution for every skin problem, said our eponym decades ago. We will continue our work in this spirit to create a healthier and more conscious world.

For me, we have only scratched the surface of this amazing brand. As a professional I am extremely excited to have a natural solution to offer my clients. With Ilcsi I now have powerful, plant-based solutions! A professional treatment range in clinic, backed with the support of hard hitting homecare. It’s time you experienced it for yourself.

We are very excited to announce that we will have Kim Ryan from Ilcsi NZ with us on 21 March providing treatments. To secure your appointment call (09) 528 9010; there are limited spaces available.

LOUISEGRAY.CO.NZ • 09 528 9010 • SHOP 2/224 KEPA RD, MISSION BAY

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HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS

All you need to know about Blepharoplasty In my view, eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is one of the most popular surgical procedures for facial rejuvenation. It is a procedure to remove excess fatty tissue and/or loose skin surrounding the eyes to give the area a more rejuvenated appearance.

WO R D S — D R K ATAR ZYNA MAC KE NZIE P L ASTI C SU RG EO N

68 The orbital region is of primary importance of facial aesthetics and expression. The eyes and the area around them are particularly important in establishing a first impression when meeting people. This is also the area that shows the first signs of ageing. As a consequence, small improvements in the look of the eyelids have a magnified impact because of the large difference eyelids make to the overall look of a face.

In the upper eyelids, ageing causes a downward movement of the outer corner of the eye, stretching of the eyelid skin producing a 'hooded' appearance and, in some patients, heaviness and downward movement of the outer half of the eyebrows.

In the lower eyelid, the most frequent complaint is of puffiness or eye bags, which is noticeable more in the morning and may improve as the day passes. This is mainly due to increased prominence of the fatty cushion around the eyeball because of weakening of the structures holding it in place, and movement of the cheek fat pad downwards with gravity, which makes the outline of the bony eye socket more visible through the skin. There is usually a little skin excess, though in some patients there may be none and in others it may be marked. Lower eyelid surgery may also improve a pronounced tear trough — a depression running from the inner corner of the eyes to the cheek.

In some patients, the primary problem may be due to sagging of the eyebrows with age rather than the eyelid in which case a brow lift may be indicated.

It is important to remember that the procedure can never halt the ageing process. The clock can be turned back but no surgeon can stop it ticking.

What is blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the eyelids. Surgery can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. Different types of procedures are undertaken for the upper and the lower eyelids.

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty frequently involves removal of excess skin and/or muscle on the upper eyelid, although some people complain also of puffy upper eyelids due to excess fatty pockets which can also be removed. It is a relatively straightforward surgery with few complications and a rapid recovery. Upper blepharoplasty, restores a natural, more youthful contour to the upper eyelid by removing excess skin that causes hooding or upper lid bags, causing a tired appearance.

In contrast, lower blepharoplasty can be very complex and involves the management of the fat pads and the skin if required. It carries a higher complication rate and a much more prolonged recovery time. Lower blepharoplasty restores a smooth, natural contour to the area beneath the eyes, by correcting puffiness and bags resulting in a more youthful appearance.

Blepharoplasty can be performed as a standalone procedure or more often in combination with other facial aesthetic surgery operations such as a brow lift or a facelift.

visageplasticsurgery.co.nz

MARCH 2020

Who is a good candidate for blepharoplasty?

How long does the effect of the eyelid surgery last?

It is most common for people in their forties and fifties to have this procedure, but it may be performed on much younger people who may have inherited heavy, droopy eyebrows and fullness in the upper eyelids. Most people have the operation to get rid of the overhanging folds at the outer half of the upper eyelids. In my opinion, the most common reasons for considering eyelid surgery are: • Excess skin obscuring the natural fold of the upper eyelids • Loose upper eyelid skin that impairs the vision • Puffy appearance to the upper eyelids, making the eyes look tired and sad • Excess skin and fine, ‘crepe paper’ type lower eyelid wrinkles • Bags and deep grooves under the eyes • Upper eye surface is too small or not smooth enough to apply makeup

The rate at which ageing occurs, and continues, varies from one person to another. In general, blepharoplasty surgery should provide an improvement that lasts for about 10 years.

What are the limitations of blepharoplasty?

It is important to remember, that complications can happen with any type of surgery; however, confirming your surgeon is certified by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) in Plastic Surgery serves as a warranty for the type of training your surgeon has received and the type of exams needed to successfully pass, in order to become a certified and accredited plastic surgeon (FRACS). All RACS members have undergone extensive specialist training and follow a strict code of conduct.

• Following blepharoplasty, it is possible that pre-existing asymmetry of the eye area may persist • In some people, if the brow is not corrected or stabilised, the position of the brow can descend following upper blepharoplasty • If the brow, for example, lies in a low position, this may well contribute to the appearance that you are unhappy with. In this case, a form of brow lifting procedure may be advised in addition, or even as an alternative • In case of deep set or sunken upper eyelids, upper blepharoplasty on its own may not be the right procedure • If you have deep set or sunken lower eyelids, lower blepharoplasty on its own may not be the right procedure.

Adjunctive procedures may be necessary to achieve the best result. This may be especially true if you have festoons (large swollen bags under the eyelids that in extreme cases can look like flaps of skin). In this case, a mid-face lift may be more appropriate, or even direct excision of the festoons • Blepharoplasty will not eradicate dark circles or the wrinkles around the eyes nor will it elevate droopy eyebrows. There are other procedures designed for these purposes.

You can help keep your results looking their best by living a healthy lifestyle. My advice as a plastic surgeon is to wear sunscreen daily, eat a diet rich in whole foods and vitamins, don’t smoke and use good skincare. This will help keep your body healthy and skin looking its best.

What are the complications of blepharoplasty?

Fortunately, significant complications from eyelid surgery are infrequent. Blepharoplasty, which remains the gold standard for eyelid rejuvenation, is usually performed without any major problems. However, all surgeries carry some uncertainty and risk, but complications are infrequent and minor.

Where will the incisions be?

The incision lines for eyelid surgery are designed so the resultant scars will be well concealed within the natural structures of the eyelid region. The incision for the upper eye surgery is made in the natural crease line approximately 8-10mm above your eyelashes and extends a little into the "crow's foot" area at the side of the eye.

The incision for the lower lid is made just below the eyelashes and runs out to the natural crease area. If excess skin is minimal, it is sometimes possible to perform this lower lid surgery without external scars by making an incision inside the lower eyelid, a procedure known as transconjunctival blepharoplasty.

visageplasticsurgery.co.nz

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HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS

Q &A

Yvonne Marvin 0f Coolbody

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Blame it on the hot summer we've had — but recently, at dinner parties across Auckland, a topic is back on the tips of tongues: fat freezing. Now no longer a new technology, the fat-freezing procedure formally called cryolipolysis was first discovered after, rumour has it, doctors noticed that children who ate a lot of ice pops experienced fat degradation in their cheeks. The explanation being that fat is more temperature-sensitive than your skin, so goes through the cell death process before your skin does.

Cryolipolysis technology gained attention as an alternative to liposuction, promising to take care of love handles and bra bulge with the wave of a cooling paddle.

The non-surgical fat reduction tool can also tackle loose skin under the chin, a smaller area that is more difficult to alter through natural means like diet and exercise. Sound too good to be true? Yvonne Marvin of College Hillbased CoolSculpting knows that the technology works.

Here, she discusses the ins and outs of fat freezing, from weight loss to health risks.

How does it work?

It works by applying the applicator to the fat deposits and chilling them down to the point where the fat cells crystallise and die, the body takes over and gradually eliminates the fat cells.

Who is it for?

It is for anybody, within reason. It’s about sticky fat deposits and rebalancing the body shape.

What are the results?

There will be approximately 23–25% fat loss per area treated.

Will it make you lose weight?

No, fat weighs very little so it is not a weight loss programme.

Is it permanent?

Yes, it never comes back, you can only shrink or expand the cells that are left.

Is it safe?

The equipment used at CoolBody is clinically-proven to reduce localised pockets of fat. It has been used for more than one million successful treatments worldwide, but everyone’s needs are different.

If I am preparing for a holiday or an occasion, how long before should I start treatment?

Two to three months prior is preferable as it could be a little tricky if only three or four weeks prior to leaving on vacation or for that special occasion.

How do I book in for a consultation?

You can book your consultation with Yvonne by calling or texting 021 192 3430, or contacting the clinic on 09 360 0066.

coolbody.co.nz

As an adult we can’t develop new fat cells only expand or shrink those that we have.

So let’s go! Let’s remove unwanted fat.

■ Non-invasive ■ 70 minutes machine/total mins per session visit 90mins

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RES U LTS AF T ER O N E S E S S I O N

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To book call 09 360 0055 or call Yvonne on 021 923 430 for a FREE CONSULTATION

26 COLLEGE HILL, PONSONBY • COOLBODY.CO.NZ • 021 923 430

HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS

Ardell Wispies $14.99**

Chantecaille Lip Chic in Gypsy Rose $58* Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Serum $99*

By Terry Hyaluronic Foundation $106* Omorovicza Rose Quartz Facial Roller $79*

Beauty On The Go

NARS Afterglow Lip Balm in Turbo $43*

Chantecaille Bio Lifting Serum $420*

72 Bumble & Bumble Prêt-à-powder Très Invisible Dry Shampoo $44*

Bondi Sands GLO Mist, $22.99**

Le Labo Rose 31 EDP 15ml $125*

Beauty products for the women on the go, perfect from the office to afterwork drinks and dinner!

RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Smile $55*

Chantecaille Real Skin+Eye and Face Stick $95*

Too Faced Hangover Pillow Balm $29*

Aesop Sublime Replenishing Night Masque

lilah b. Aglow Face Mist $73*

This Works Deep Sleep Shower Gel $36*

*Exclusively available at MECCA stores and meccabeauty.co.nz / **Available at Farmers, Unichem and Life Pharmacies

MARCH 2020

BUNIONS affect 1 in 3 New Zealanders Bunions can lead to pain and discomfort, which affects mobility, balance and quality of life. That’s not to mention the look of them and the difficulty of fitting shoes.

Do you have the following bunion problems?

• History of bunions in the family • Big toe deviation • Difficulty fitting shoes • Pain while walking • Bone starting to form over and around the big toe Many doctors and podiatrists believe that surgery is the only way to fix a bunion. This is not true. Bunion surgery is painful and doesn’t address the underlying cause of a bunion, which is generally the way we walk and stand. Ideally, surgery should be considered as a last treatment option for bunions.

At Corrective Foot Solutions, we use a gentle, hands-on technique to effectively treat and correct bunions – which means there’s no need for surgery or orthotics.

We use Foot Mobilisation Therapy to correct the underlying cause of your bunion by working on the misalignments in the foot, as well as strengthening the weakened muscles around the joints.

SPECIAL OFFER

Offer Valid 6/3/20 – 28/3/20

Do you have BUNIONS and think that SURGERY is the only answer?

"BUNION EVALUATION" for only $33 (worth $85)

What does this offer include?

• An in-depth consultation about your bunion.

• A complete assessment to pinpoint the underlying cause of your bunion.

• A thorough explanation of the underlying cause and how to fix your bunion.

This is a before and after x-ray of a patient who has completed a short course of FMT with a fantastic result. A normal bunion angle is between 12 and 15 degrees. Pre treatment 25 degrees and now 9 degrees.

Why wait and let it get so bad that surgery becomes your only option?

Call today on 09 212 9250 | correctivefootsolutions.co.nz Level 3b, 272 Parnell Rd, Parnell

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VALU E D AT $2 9. 9 5

Receive a free ECOYA Sweet Pea & Jasmine Hand Cream when you spend $59.95 or more on full priced ECOYA*

*Excludes already reduced items. Limit one gift per customer. While stocks last.

Qualifying purchase must be made in a single transaction. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Offer available from Sunday 1 March 2020.

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

VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME APARTMENT HOTELS

NEWMARKET 31-39 DAVIS CR, NEWMARKET PH: +64 9 520 3000 RESERVATIONS@QUESTNEWMARKET.CO.NZ QUESTNEWMARKET.CO.NZ

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

Spacious, modern apartments ideal for the business and leisure traveller to Auckland. Offering: • The choice of studios, one, two, or three-bedroom apartments, all tastefully furnished with wellequipped kitchens and laundries.

• We also offer our guests free Wi-Fi, 29 TV channels & 40 movies.

• Secure undercover parking.

Newmarket is a very popular location with cafés, shopping, cinemas and the Newmarket business area all on its doorstep. Please check out our website: questnewmarket.co.nz

PARNELL 8 HEATHER ST, PARNELL PH: +64 9 337 0804 RESERVATIONS@QUESTPARNELL.CO.NZ QUESTPARNELL.CO.NZ

CARLAW PARK 15 NICHOLLS LANE, CARLAW PARK, PARNELL PH: +64 9 304 0521 RESERVATIONS@QUESTCARLAWPARK.CO.NZ QUESTCARLAWPARK.CO.NZ

Quest Parnell located in the historical suburb of Parnell, offers studios, oneand two-bedroom (two-bathroom) self-contained apartments.

• Perfect location just off Parnell Road.

• Over 50 restaurants and cafés within walking distance.

• On-site gym and heated lap pool • Kitchen and laundry facilities in all apartments.

• Sky Guest Select offering 50+ channels.

• Complimentary Wi-Fi. • Secure undercover parking.

• Group accommodation for friends and families of wedding parties.

Quest Carlaw Park Spacious modern apartments for business or leisure.

Studio, one-bedroom and luxury two-bedroom (two-bathroom) penthouse apartments available. All with well-equipped kitchens and laundries.

Easy 10-minute walk to the city, and on Parnell’s doorstep.

• Complimentary Wi-Fi. • Sky Guest Select offering 50+ channels.

• Secure undercover parking.

• Complimentary access to Next Generation Gym (100m).

• Café, Italian, and Japanese restaurants next door.

Please check out our website: questcarlawpark.co.nz

4 Hours from

Auckland

The following feature presents examples of stunning escapes that can be reached from Auckland in around four hours or less, from the top to toe of Aotearoa. Whether it be a a roadtrip to the subtropical Bay of Islands, or a flight to Te Anau, the gateway to the fabulously foreboding Fiordland, peruse these pages and make that booking today, you'll never regret exploring a new part of our legendary backyard.

Above picture: Raglan

Southland is home to New Zealand’s largest, and arguably most spectacular national park, Fiordland, one of the southern hemisphere’s great wilderness regions. Thanks to Air New Zealand’s recent route addition of direct flights from Auckland to Invercargill, Fiordland is now on your back doorstep.

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Fiordland has achieved World Heritage Status for its stunning natural features, exceptional beauty and role in demonstrating the earth’s evolutionary history. Home to Mitre Peak, the stunning fiords of Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, the beautiful lakeside towns of Te Anau and Manapouri as well as the Kepler, Routeburn and Milford Tracks, it can be safely said that Fiordland is ‘beyond belief’.

Why not book yourself and your travel companions on the two-hour Auckland to Invercargill flight direct. That’s right, no need to stop over in Wellington or Christchurch any more for, six months ago, Invercargill Airport became the first regional airport in New Zealand to host a regular jet service with direct flights to Auckland.

Te Anau and Manapouri are a scenic two-hour drive away by car or bus on the Southern Scenic Route. Along the way explore the remote Wairaurahiri River by jet boat, stop and feed the alpacas in Manapouri and soak up the stunning

Southern vistas. Both Te Anau and Manapouri host a range of accommodation and dining options to make it an easy two to three night stay in the area while you explore all the region has to offer.

When the inaugural flight from Auckland touched down on Sunday, 26 August 2019, it signalled the start of an exciting new chapter for Southland's connectivity. With these flights, Fiordland has never been closer.

So take advantage of this amazing opportunity, book your flight (Grabaseat offers return flights from as little as $160) and explore Fiordland - you won’t want to miss out!

F IO R D L AND.O RG . N Z

FIORDLAND.ORG.NZ

Donkey Bay

Welcome to Donkey Bay Inn, a stunning new boutique hotel in the Bay of Islands, with wideocean views from a gated private peninsula.

A spectacular site overlooking the stunning Bay of Islands is home to Donkey Bay Inn. Arrive to something quite unique. Enter through an intriguing garden tunnel to the inn’s private courtyard which leads to the sitting room and bar that feature soaring ceilings, eclectic furnishings and spectacular artworks. In winter, enjoy the warm spaces, heated by underfloor heating and in summer, open up both sides of the room to the sea breeze.

Four exotically styled rooms feature wide views of the bay, while balconies or terraces offer private spaces to relax. At the end of the day luxuriate in your four-poster bed. Your spacious en-suite offers a tempting bathtub or an invigorating shower—unwind and just take in those gorgeous views.

Wander out to the broad, sheltered, almond shaped terrace courtyard shaded by olive trees — a secluded and tranquil place to relax at any time of the day or night.

Enjoy a glass of wine from the owner’s vineyard as you take in the sounds of nature. You can hear the ocean sounds from the hotel and at night you may hear kiwi calling to one another.

Stroll down the garden path to two outdoor bathtubs— what a romantic way to end the day, with a glass of champagne, spectacular views, and, as night falls the skies open to showcase the stars.

Imagine full height walls of glass opening to private views to the bays.

Wake to an enticing gourmet continental breakfast enjoyed indoors, or on the spacious decks. A bush-lined path meanders past charming Italianate sculptures to the private beach or take a right turn to Long Beach.

A two-minute drive takes you to the pretty historic township of Russell, with its array of boutique shops, cafes and restaurants.

Fully energy efficient, totally off the grid and cooled under a huge living roof, this architectural masterpiece will take your breath away with its cavernous rooms, imaginative angles and breathtaking views at every turn.

It’s everything you never expected.

D O NKEYBAYI NN.C O. NZ 027 240 9109 ENQ U I R I ES @D O NKEYBAYINN.C O. NZ

Keep it Kaikōura WO RD S ― AL I C E FRE N C H

There is a certain magic around Kaikōura that sparks the imagination and works its way into your soul.

Nestled between the Kaikōura Seaward Ranges and the Pacific Ocean, this small town enjoys epic natural beauty with mountain- and seaviews, both in constant flux thanks to ever-changing weather that provides a further cinematic backdrop. An ocean trench just off the coast reaches depths of over one kilometre and, with the local Mount Fyffe rising to 1,602m, it is little wonder that the peaks and troughs of daily life in Kaikōura can sometimes feel exaggerated.

The town stretches along a distinctively shaped peninsula and sprawls across the Kaikōura Flats, until the Seaward mountain range stops house building in its tracks. Until European occupation, the flats had been almost completely covered in wetland and so it is the peninsula that has the richest human history, with unbroken Māori occupation stretching back at least 800 years.

Initial views of Kaikōura are best enjoyed from a quad bike or UTV at Glenstrae Farm, a 1,600-acre off-road haven, with unbroken panoramic views both north and south. Glenstrae owner Alistair Trewin says that on a good day guests can see Banks Peninsula but, most importantly, “it’s a great way to look at Kaikōura from a completely different angle”.

Once in town, a 10km clifftop walk around the peninsula offers a chance to contemplate the many factors that might have drawn people to settle here, including marine life so plentiful that some locals refer to the coastline here as ‘the larder’. Paua collection is on hold while stocks recover from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the town three years ago, but intrepid divers can still hunt for crays and butterfish, or simply enjoy the subaqueous views.

Kaikōura’s history, as well as its geography, is marked by extremes. The largest intact moa egg ever dug up was in the context of a Māori burial here, and one of the strongest earthquakes recorded in New Zealand took place just north of the town, in 2016. It is not a place of easy middle grounds.

KAIKO URA .C O. N Z

The incredible depth of the canyon so close to shore brings orca, dolphins and even blue whales close to shore in search of food, allowing one to get up close and personal with some incredible wild creatures. Acrobatic dusky dolphins can be seen back-flipping from the town beach and orca have been known to swim underneath the pier. There is something quite humbling about being in such close proximity to ocean life, and visitors flock from around the world to experience the world-renowned marine adventure industry.

Kaikōura Kayaks are the only New Zealand-based kayak operator to hold dolphin, seal and whale watching permits, enabling guests to get within reaching distance of humpbacks and orca whilst remaining in sight of shore. Trip Advisor reviews of the guides’ “impeccable” knowledge and boundless enthusiasm has led to the tour company being voted as the best activity provider in town. For those less confident on the water, boats, planes and helicopters offer the chance to see sperm whales, and even the occasional blue, from the comfort of a boat or helicopter. Whale Watch communications manager Lisa Bond says that as well as an array of whale species, guests may also encounter fur seals, pods of dusky dolphins and the endangered wandering albatross. Seabird aficionados can also get their fix, as Kaikōura attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand. “Kaikōura truly is a marine mecca,” she says.

With a permanent township population of just over 2,000, the town is a bigger hitter than its size might suggest. The Kaikōura Old Winery boasts a head chef who has served King Abdullah II of Bahrain, and the national chain Sudima is building a high-end hotel overlooking the bay.

Kaikōura may be small, but it will stay with you long after you have left.

Bethells Beach Cottages A conference with nature

Bethells Beach Cottages will awaken and inspire creativity providing the perfect ingredients for your next successful conference. This unique venue comfortably hosts up to 60 people for a day's planning or team building with overnight accommodation for up to eight guests. Stunning seaviews, delicious organic foods and nature surrounding you make this the ideal location for a corporate retreat or personal reward for a hardworking team member.

BETHELLSB E AC H .C O M 2 6 7 BETHELL S ROAD, B ETH E L L S B E AC H 09 810 9581 INFO @BETH E L L S B E AC H .C O M

3 STAY FOR Y A P NIGHTS !

2 R ONLY FO

Quail Lodge From the scenic 180-degree views to the high standard cuisine, Quail Lodge is Opaheke’s jewel accommodation. Stay for three nights for the price for two at this safe haven situated in the foothills of Drury, South Auckland, just less than an hour away from Auckland city. This location is ideal for a twin coast discovery weekend where you can just take a deep breath and relax on the elegant private deck while sipping on some complimentary wine, soaking in the mesmerising view that's saturated in beauty. Whether you prefer bed and breakfast, fine dining or home-cooked meals, Quail Lodge will always leave guests content with their gourmet meals and the efficiency of the lodge being located nearby the local restaurants. Discover the beautiful Awhitu Peninsula by taking a Quail Lodge picnic and indulging in the bright white sand beaches and the Wild West Coast beaches. No matter what activities you have planned, or what reason you have behind your getaway vacation, Quail Lodge will make you wish you could never leave. Your very own home away from home.

LUXU RYLO D G E. NZ • +6 4 2 1 4 54 8 0 4

JOURNEYS

Hamilton Blooms WO RD S — JAM I E C H R ISTIAN D ES P L AC ES

I’d driven through or around Hamilton (and heard the jokes) several times, but the very first time I stopped in the city proper was to collect some supplies for a road- and camping trip. The weather had taken a turn for the worse the previous evening and so we also took advantage of the cover of a multi-storey carpark to give our tent a good shake and pat down, and within minutes, a couple and a family separately approached to see if we wanted a feed and a bed for the night. The weather soon cleared, and we made our way to Hamilton Gardens to discover that not only are these city’s citizens ridiculously welcoming, but they know a thing or two about horticulture, too. And what a beautiful backstory that Aotearoa’s most spectacular cultivated green space sprouts from the site of a former garbage dump on the banks of the Waikato River.

FROM THE ASHES Hamilton Gardens stand on what was originally a pā, later a British military post and then a Victorian rifle range, but by the mid-20th century the only sign of life upon what was, by then, a rubbish tip, was the occasional blackberry shrub

and seagulls circling overhead. Thanks to lobbying by the Hamilton Beautifying Society, four hectares of the space was first set aside by the council for horticultural development, and from the 1980s, the gardens that we now know and love really started to take shape. And, boy, how they’ve blossomed.

Today, Hamilton Gardens carpet 54 hectares that are split into five ‘collections’: Landscape, Cultivar, Fantasy, Productive, and Paradise. Within each section blooms themed gardens such as an Italian Renaissance, the Japanese Garden of Contemplation, Te Parapara Garden, the Tropical Garden and a Sustainable Backyard.

Rather than a being a traditional city botanic garden that showcases collections of flowers and plants, the Hamilton Gardens are akin to a living, naturally evolving museum that honours the art of agriculture and its 4,000-year history from every civilisation from across the world. Each slice of paradise is adorned with fascinating info-panels and now there’s even a free app to further enhance the experience by acting as personal, virtual tour guide.

MARCH 2020

In 2014, the Waikato Region’s most visited attraction was named the International Garden of the Year at the Garden Tourism Awards in France, joining previous esteemed winners such as Italy’s Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle in Merano, and the Botanic Gardens of Singapore. Already looking forward, Hamilton Gardens’ director, Peter Sergel, who had led their development over the previous four decades, implied the best was still to come, with the team “constantly improving the way we do things”.

Two years later, the gardens bagged the council the top gong at the McGredy Winder SOLGM Local Government Excellence Awards in Wellington, imploring then Hamilton mayor, Julie Hardaker, to praise the community and fundraisers for their efforts in transforming the site “from a rubbish dump to the best garden in the world”.

GARDENS AND GIVING The Picturesque Garden opened late last year, the newest addition to the Fantasy Collection, inspired by the English 18th century movement of the same name. A fern-rich Eden intended “to appeal not only to the eyes, but to the heart and mind”, part of its charm is its natural, overgrown state, entered though a stone statute-strewn path through a cool, dark cave. Sergel describes the style as a “reaction against formal geometric gardens” with an “appreciation for wild mountains and landscapes”.

the Sustainable Backyard highlights how we can transform our city gardens into private sanctuaries replete with chooks, composts, worm farms and fruit trees.

Within the Paradise Collection, the serene Chinese Scholar’s Garden awaits, inspired by 2,000 years of Far Eastern heritage, incorporate traditional architecture and sculptures, bamboo forest, and the Wisteria Bridge over a still lake. Another standout feature is the vibrant Victorian Flower Garden, part of the Cultivar Collection, that comprises a garden and greenhouses that, rather than emulate nature, seek to ‘display the skill of the gardener’ by way of exotic plant displays and perfectly manicured lawns.

But the mission of the gardens stretches even further beyond aesthetics and education, the charitable organisation serves a practical purpose too. Hamilton Gardens also promotes and partners with heaps of local good causes such as the Hamilton Garden Arts Festival, the University of Waikato and Kaivolution, a Waikato charity that provides fresh food to locals in need. The gardens’ donations, says Kaivolution coordinator, Simon Gascoigne, has not only helped “thousands of grateful people and family” but helped in the “very important task of minimising food waste”.

GORGEOUS GARDENS AROUND THE GLOBE Kew Gardens, UK: Home to the Bonsai House, the world’s largest Victorian greenhouse, as well as a world-renowned botanical science and conservation centre, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew blanket 132 hectares and also boast iconic glass domes and landscaped grounds.

Te Parapara is New Zealand’s only traditional Māori productive garden, allowing visitors to learn about traditional indigenous plants, practices, and food preparation and storage techniques. Also part of the Productive Collection,

P H OTO G RAP HY — @J EF FALO O

Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden, South Africa: Sites don’t come much more spectacular than this South African Eden positioned on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Kirstenbosch is also hosts one of the Earth’s most biodiverse environments, that can be explored both at ground level and from a treetop walkway known as the ‘Boomslang’.

Fondation Monet, France: Before Instagram, Claude Monet immortalised his achingly beautiful backyard by well of watercolour paintings. The Master of Impressionism was an avid gardener and lived in Giverny from 1883 until 1926 during his final and most creative years, and here, you can quite literally walk through his works of art.

Jardim Botânico, Brazil: It’s not just the mountaintop Christ the Redeemer peering down from above that bestows this urban wonderland a heavenly vibe, but its bounty of botanical diversity, too. The 1.5-square-kilometre park is home to over 8,000 plant species, including 600 orchid species and a massive lake, Vitória Régia, adorned with water lilies.

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Welcome to Taranaki’s Beating Heart Taranaki is the perfect getaway. Known for its magnificent gardens, west coast beaches and Mount Taranaki. This region doesn’t just host stunning landscapes, it has quickly remoulded itself into a capital of art, culture and cuisine.

STAY

The city of New Plymouth is well known for its stunning mountain views and seaside setting.

Its centrepiece 13km Coastal Walkway connects beaches, cafes and sculptures (including Len Lye’s iconic Wind Wand) and attracts thousands on foot or bike every day.

However, the city’s cultural beating heart is undoubtably the West End Precinct—the hive of bars, restaurants and businesses that surround both the eye-catching GovettBrewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre and the beautifully restored White Hart Hotel (1887).

The Govett-Brewster Gallery celebrates 50 years this year and is arguably New Zealand’s spiritual home for contemporary art. Len Lye Centre opened in 2015 and has regularly changing displays of Lye’s work. Both venues offer complementary and contrasting programmes featuring the most provocative, audacious and confident pieces.

King and Queen Hotel Suites offers luxury accommodation and is superbly located next to the White Hart and its famous courtyard.

PLAY

INDULGE

The award-winning Social Kitchen should be the first restaurant on your radar in Taranaki.

With shared dining and eclectic décor the space is energetic and hip. And, as far as the food goes, you certainly won’t want to pass on anything that emerges from the Mibrasa charcoal oven.

The White Hart, just across the road, has you sorted with everything from your morning coffee fix through to evening cocktails and endless craft beer and wine selections. This is where New Plymouth comes to re-fuel and celebrate.

West End Precinct’s Courtyard (in the White Hart), with communal dining tables, hanging baskets of plants and an impressive array of dining options, feels more like you’re in Melbourne than on the North Island’s west coast. Ms White Pizza, Snug Lounge, Public Catering and Itch Bar all share the courtyard.

From 8am till late daily tantalise your taste buds and take your pick from any of these great establishments.

West End Precinct (westendprecinct.nz) offers the traveller perfect opportunities to indulge, stay, love, play and work. It’s the ideal base from which to enjoy everything the region has to offer.

Meat and Liquor is Taranaki’s finest steakhouse. Their exceptional chefs hand-pick the very best locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. Found next to Frederic’s Egmont Street.

New Plymouth has a vibrant events calendar, with festivals like WOMAD held each summer. TSB Showplace, together with TSB Bowl of Brooklands, ensure a jam packed schedule of musicals and concerts throughout the year.

LOVE

New Plymouth is a town that takes coffee seriously. Ozone Coffee Roasters have led that charge having started here in the 90s and now has expanded to London and Grey Lynn. Get your espresso hit right from the source at Ozone’s New Plymouth Bean Store.

Satisfy those shopping cravings at et vous.

All the beautiful, unique and desirable clothing and accessories you’ll need to fall in love with. Kate and her team are the only New Zealand stockists for Umit Unal, Claudio Cutuli, Molly Younger, Miriam Nori, Nelly Johansson and more.

Chasing Aurora

MARCH 2020

“The Arctic resort itself is a delight, with a range of accommodation choices including some rather incredible glass igloos.”

Knowing how unpredictable Mother Nature can be, I tried hard not to get too excited about the possibility of seeing the aurora borealis, or northern lights, in Finnish Lapland.

"Focus on the destination," I kept telling myself, but my inner nerd kept screaming, "But how cool would it be to see charged particles from the sun knocking into the Earth’s atmosphere!"

I had chosen Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort at the edge of the wilderness near the Urho Kekkonen National Park. The indigenous Sami people, known for their connection to the land, have lived here for over a century, but this majestic expanse of unspoilt wilderness is also home to some wildlife I hoped to spot: bears, wolverines, golden eagles and reindeer. With the added attraction of snowmobiling, reindeer safaris, huskies, ice-fishing and a multitude of other activities, the chances of a brilliant time regardless of northern lights-spotting was pretty much guaranteed.

Of course, I was secretly hopeful the long winter season, virtually no light pollution and the Aurora app on my phone would also come to the party and make my visit complete. The Arctic resort itself is a delight, with a range of accommodation choices including some rather incredible glass igloos. I figured the glass ceiling would maximise my chances of spotting the result of a solar wind whooshing charged electrons and protons from the sun straight towards Earth.

Chatting with reindeer herders, horse trekking through the snow, sledding with huskies and snowmobile adventures along with the enigmatic blue light of the winter twilight, delightful locals, good food and cosy atmosphere made for an unforgettable stay. Was the inner nerd silenced? Of course, she was, and it was utter magic!

Finland it isn’t the only place to see the world’s greatest lightshow. A visit to Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, or Alaska will delight. Choose from traditional chalets, igloos and of course the famous ice hotels which are carefully reconstructed every year. We always suggest you spend two or three nights at your chosen destination to increase your chances of experiencing this phenomenon first-hand.

• Sweden offers visitors an incredible aurora experience, especially in Abisko National Park which is located 195km inside the Arctic Circle.

• For an overnight stay in one of the world’s northern most ice hotels, head to Alta in Norway, also known as ‘The City of the Northern Lights’.

• Take a cruise with Quark Expeditions, first flying into Greenland from Reykjavik then cruising around the world’s largest fjord system with the possibility of viewing some of the world’s most vivid displays of the northern lights.

• Canada’s Northwest Territories is known as the 'Aurora Capital of the World', and Yellowknife is directly beneath the aurora oval. Take a snowmobile out into the wilderness for the best views.

• Alaska offers some fantastic lodges which specialise in aurora viewing – try Chena Hot Springs Resort, and visit the local Aurora Ice Museum, actually built from over 1,000 tons of ice!

WO R D S — K ATE C O U L I NG

A NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPERIENCE Starry skies and northern lights await in the pristine Lapland wilderness. Take a husky-drawn sled ride through snowy forests, encounter reindeer and be mesmerised by the stunning aurora borealis.

6 day tailor-made tour

UNIQUE LAPLAND

from $5,980 pp (share twin)

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

VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

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Prism Crush

South African architect couple Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens reimagined an LA-style mid-century bungalow on Johannesburg’s Westcliff Ridge as a contemporary Googie-inspired fantasy, complemented with the city’s most extravagant views.

A wedge-shaped cut-out in the concrete of the top veranda reveals the swimming pool below. The two levels are connected with a raw galvanised iron spiral staircase.

The covered outdoor lounge area on the lower level features designs by SRLC. The downstairs poolside area also features Panton chairs by Verner Panton, Paola Lenti Float Pool Loungers and a circular lounger by SRLC. Seen from above, the sharp lines and angular geometry of the concrete verandas and swimming pool contrast with the rocky ridge they’re perched on. The organic shape of a table designed by Silvio and Lesley using the roots of a leadwood tree is visible to the left of the wedge-shaped cut-out.

TE XT ― G R AHAM WO O D PH OTO G R APHY ― E L SA YO UNG

In the main sitting room area, midcentury and 1960s design pieces are set in dialogue with the LA-style late mid-century architecture of the house. Although some walls were removed during the renovation and alternation of the house (showing the zigzag shape of the ceiling to better effect), its footprint remained exactly as it was, which, Silvio points out, accounts for the room’s modest proportions.

The yellow/mustard armchairs are Giselle chairs by Gamma. The rug is from Paco. The leather sofa is by Flexform. The Delicious Light by Clarisse Design is a reference to the tropical landscaping often associated with Googie architecture.

The wall above the fireplace features a geometric motif inspired by enigmatic Italian architect Carlo Scarpa, known for his fusion of Venetian, Japanese and modernist aesthetics. The timber and glass screen between the fireplace and the kitchen was restored to retain the historical layering of finishes in the house.

The junction between the original zigzag roof and the concrete slab of the veranda offsets the historical and new aspects of the architecture. The side table next to the Elda Chair by Joe Columbo is by SRLC with Heino Schmitt for the Jao collection.

Although the open-plan bathroom is kept private from neighbours with a section of that faceted stealth bomberinspired roof (orange on the inside like a bomber jacket) that seems to reach over the corner and cling to the side of the house, it too has views over Johannesburg. The bath, custommade from a mouldable acrylic solid surface material, features pleasingly mechanical sanitaryware from the iB Rubinetti Bold collection.

The master bedroom upstairs is housed in the most extravagant architectural gesture of the house – a prismatic, faceted 'hat' with a conical skylight that beams in natural light. This Googie-inspired sculptural form is clad and articulated in its interior with blonde oak floors, walls and ceilings creating a kind of envelope for its asymmetrical arrangement of furnishings. Glass sliding doors slide away entirely, letting in the 270-degree view over Johannesburg’s urban forest. Gazing from the bedroom, Silvio points out the birds on the horizon.

Recreate these looks with Resene

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The Hadlow

Grey Lynn’s Exclusive New Urban Village

Artist Impressions

54 under contract fifth week. Secure on $1,000 down* and pay nothing else till settlement.

The Hadlow, a prestigious civic village, has been developed by the well-known Conrad Properties group, offering 102 residences, seven retail freehold strata title units and 11 apartments. The Hadlow is set to make any resident feel connected and a part of the community.

These chic and polished residences were designed by the award-winning Leuschke Group and are conveniently situated just a stroll away from Grey Lynn’s playgrounds and parks as well as a superb line-up of local shops and restaurants.

Lush exterior greenery adds a wonderful feeling of tranquillity, beautifully complemented by the stunning interior design.

The Hadlow remains novel and sustainable with a car-share fleet of the latest electronic vehicles.

GREY LYNN The Hadlow, 406 - 428 Great North Road Alastair Brown Ph. 021 333 290

Hayley Stok Ph. 021 132 8985

Barfoot & Thompson, City. Licensed REAA 2008. Ph. 3076340 VIEWING Display suite now open 11am–2pm daily & 5:30pm–7:30pm Wed. Located within the Rose and Heather Furniture Store, 406 Great North Road, Grey Lynn.

PRICE 2-bedroom homes from $985,000 Oversized apartments from $585,000

The concrete inter-tenancy walls as well as the on-point designs are not only timeless but also give residents the perfect balance between private and open spaces.

Community spirit is supported through the shared communal vegetable garden, located on-site, that residents may use whenever they please.

We are currently selling 3 – 5 residences per week and anticipate being fully pre-sold by end of March 2020. We recommend that you visit the Display Suite as soon as possible. thehadlow.co.nz

Impeccable, stylish and ultra-modern are just a few words to describe The Hadlow — the luxurious yet simplistic life you’ve always wanted, awaits.

*Either by paying $1,000 initial deposit, and the balance of deposit secured by Deposit Guarantee (using existing equity in your own house property - New Zealand citizen or Permanent Resident, conditions apply) or balance of the Deposit in Cash.

All you need to need to know about

Jervois & Lawrence About the development

About the area

Developed by the award-winning Synergy Development Group and in partnership with reputable design teams Leuschke Group Architects and Stewart Harris from Macintosh Harris. Jervois & Lawrence stands proudly on the crest of Herne Bay’s northern slopes and offers a variety of living options across 28 luxury apartments.

Exceptional local amenities and recreation await on the doorstep of Jervois & Lawrence, positioned in the heart of Herne Bay. Jervois & Lawrence, a mere three kilometres from downtown Auckland, is well-connected with local bus routes and supermarkets, plus the popular Ponsonby Central Shopping District is but a stone’s throw away. Designer shops, boutique eateries and trendy cafes make it the perfect spot for social occasions, while the beaches and local parks provide the perfect laid back lifestyle.

Garden apartments sit thoughtfully nestled behind private courtyards, while the lower levels offer a sleek, urban style that captures the unique Jervois Road vibe.

Northwest-facing apartments offer impressive balconies, perfect for outdoor entertaining and living, while other apartments feature elegant winter rooms. Fully enclosed, these considered rooms open up to enjoy the morning sun and provide a much sought-after second living area.

Natural light floods the elevated balcony apartments which showcase expansive views, while the stunning penthouses offer further elevated luxury interiors with lifestyle and exceptional living.

Designed for quality and luxury, the apartments at Jervois & Lawrence have options to suit all lifestyles.

Construction

CMP Construction has made fantastic progress over the summer months and is ahead of programme, with the completion of the full structure on target for early-April 2020.

Level five floor slab is mostly poured and final precast wall units being cast in place. Structural steel to form the roof will be commencing in the coming weeks along with external wall framing, to enable the roof and external cladding elements to be installed.

January was a busy month for procurement, with all joinery for the kitchens, laundries, bathrooms and wardrobes designed, signed off and ready for production. These must be manufactured early to ensure the Italian suppliers ship the product prior to the commencement of their summer holidays in August.

www.jervoisandlawrence.co.nz

H E R N E B AY ’ S M O S T SOUGHT AFTER.

M O S T S O U G H T A F T E R L O C AT I O N . M O S T S O U G H T A F T E R V I E W S. Jervois & Lawrence has been designed to take full advantage of its elevated, ridge line position. The intriguing variety of outlooks is as impressive as their quality.

Choose from a selection of luxury 2 – 4 bedroom apartments, starting from $1.66M, or enquire about the limited collection of exclusive penthouses still available.

LEVEL ONE SOLD OUT – 2020 COMPLETION

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 218 Jervois Road, Herne Bay Open daily 11:30am - 1:30pm, or by private appointment. jervoisandlawrence.co.nz

Peter Tanner +64 21 379 379 peter.tanner@bayleys.co.nz Licensed under the REAA 2008

Bayleys Real Estate Ltd, Ponsonby

Will Green +64 21 685 856 will.green@bayleys.co.nz

HOME & DESIGN «

Dried Floral Bouquet These beautiful one-off dried bouquets are for those who are wanting a longer-lasting or low maintenance floral display. These bouquets feature winged everlasting, lunaria honesty, statice, quaking grass, native toi toi, strawflowers and echinacea pod. Alice, of Fields Fortune, grows all of these at her farm in the Kaipara Flats.

Please note each bouquet is unique and varies slightly from the photos. Sold individually.

Bedroom Simplicity

Japanese Craft

Cast Brass Bottle Opener A solid brass bottle opener designed by Takuhiro Shinomoto and handmade by master craftspeople of the historical city of Takaoka, Japan. The area is renowned for its superb brass and metal products dating back to the early 1600s.

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Fields Fortune

Emma Badeia

Ceramics Series 3

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These wonderfully organic ceramics are made by Raglan based artist Emma Badeia. Enjoy these vessels by using them for flowers, serving sake, as candle holders or arranged on a shelf as beautiful sculptural items. This series has been electric fired. Each one-off piece is sold individually. Sizes range from 10-15cm.

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Frank Woodward

Ceramic Incense Holder A ceramic incense holder which has been handcrafted, individually painted and glazed by local artist Frank Woodward.

Perfect for use with all of our incense sticks. A useful and sculptural art piece in a range of painterly colours inspired by modernist forms. Please note as each holder is unique so your order may differ from the styles pictured here and sold individually. Made in New Zealand.

MARCH 2020 Futagami

Brass Stationery Tray

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Made in Japan from solid brass.

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Trusco

Michiyuki-Tou

A small Japanese toolbox with a solid steel construction and coated in a silver or cream enamel. This particular sized box has a multitude of uses. We love the genius way these boxes stack on a desk.

Get another and create a satisfyingly neat pile! Made in Japan.

Classic, beautiful Japanese paper lantern.

Beautifully made with an LED light, powered by AA batteries. As it is cordless, you can use it anywhere. Batteries will last approximately 100 hours. Made in Japan using traditional methods from washi paper, wire and wood.

LED Paper Lantern

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In Bed

Linen Duvet In Bed linen is a dream to sleep in year round; it’s light and more breathable than cotton in summer, but keeps you cosy and warm in winter. The more it’s slept in, lived in and loved, the softer and more beautiful it becomes. All In Bed linen is pre-washed for a luxuriously soft feel.

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Available at Everyday Needs

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Steel Toolbox Mini

HOME & DESIGN

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The Foundation

Bringing location, luxury and care to your later years Located at one of Auckland’s most desired addresses being amongst the iconic Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind buildings in Parnell is the latest offering from Generus Living Group. The Foundation combines a level of comfort and care, without compromising on style. It is a retirement village like no other, designed to offer premium living with dedicated support available if ever needed.

The Foundation is the sixth village from Generus, a private company that has developed some of New Zealand’s most acclaimed operations. The company has a unique business model whereby it partners with charities, iwi and trusts, to allow those entities to realise their often extensive land values, while also creating an ongoing legacy for the partner.

The company has positioned its village’s in the luxury segment of retirement villages with comprehensive facilities created by award-winning architects and designers.

The Foundation partnership unlocks land adjacent to the much loved Auckland Domain providing Remuera and Parnell residents the ability to downsize in a style not previously available. Amenities include a restaurant and cafe, swimming pool, cinema, healthcare centre and wellbeing suite, all at a standard more akin to a six-star hotel than a retirement complex. A rooftop terrace with barbeque allows residents to make the most of the lush surroundings and harbour views whilst entertaining friends and family.

In common with other Generus properties, a boutique level of care including a discrete hospital and memory care facility will be available to those residents that need that specialised assistance.

The suites themselves have been designed meticulously, from the private underground carpark with additional storage, to keyless entry which opens into a choice of classically designed one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. All feature high ceilings, wood floors, ducted air conditioning, kitchen and scullery equipped with the best of appliances, and with separate laundry. Many apartments also have gas fireplaces and most have decks opening up onto a private balcony.

Not only is design, comfort and care important to Generus but privacy and security are also key drivers in the design of The Foundation. Rest easy knowing the latest security systems are installed, with 24-hour assistance also available to provide residents with an extra level of security and comfort.

The Foundation is currently accepting applications for residences with construction commencing later this year and estimated completion in 2022. Already applications for half of the first building have been received. For those wanting the very best in location and design, with the knowledge that no further moving will ever be required, then serious consideration should be made now.

thefoundationvillage.co.nz

HOME & DESIGN

Welcome to the World of LEICHT Kitchens We at AVANTGARDE create oases of wellbeing at the centre of your home, timeless or modern in colour and design, harmonising with your lifestyle and the surrounding architecture.

The German made LEICHT brand stands for innovative and outstanding design. LEICHT is all about function, elegance and harmony and received the Plus-X-Award as the Most Innovative Brand.

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Sophisticated in material and equipment, every LEICHT kitchen comes with an owner-transferable warranty that covers all hardware and carcass integrity at no extra cost.

Our LEICHT kitchens start at $20,000, including installation.

AVANTGARDE opened its first showroom in Auckland in 2008 and has since been designing and installing many beautiful LEICHT kitchens in Auckland and across New Zealand.

We at AVANGARDE can also help with BORA downdraft systems, bar stools, wardrobes, bathroom furniture and much more so just pop in with your plans and ideas for an initial chat. There’s free parking in our courtyard for our customers. See you soon!

AVANTG AR D E G E R MAN KITC H EN S O LUTION S 1 2 7 SYM O ND S STR EET, E D EN TE R R AC E

09 379 4800

AVANTG AR D ED ES IG N.C O. NZ

AMAZING KITCHEN FACELIFTS

Amazing Kitchen Facelifts Dream Doors helps you create a beautiful new kitchen, replacing cabinets, benchtops, doors and drawers as you require. Our Amazing Kitchen Facelifts process will ensure value, high quality and minimal disruption. Give us a call or enquire via email to arrange a Free in-home consultation.

09 533 6956 aucklandce@dreamdoors.co.nz DreamDoors.co.nz

VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

MARCH 2020

Designed for you and the Neighbours Architecture that embraces the shape of families and their futures should also look outwards – and be a good citizen of the built environment.

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The changing face of the residential landscape in Auckland, and the regulation that surrounds this, brings with it opportunity and its inevitable partner: challenge.

The Unitary Plan has allowed intensification of urban and suburban sites; that doesn’t only mean vertically, as in the case of mid-rise apartments, you can also put more homes on smaller pieces of land potentially without the costs of sub-division. Many homeowners can now build something out the back of an existing family property. Whether it's a first home for the kids, a self-contained studio to rent out or a retirement retreat to move into while letting the original house, thoughtful architecture has a vital role to play.

The ‘Auckland house' might once have been a bungalow on a quarter-acre site but that is the stuff of nostalgia. With increased construction costs and decreased area to locate a home on, new budget-savvy solutions include using curated design principles and standardised material sizes to keep waste to a minimum, opting for a duplex, with a shared wall, to achieve economy of scale, and investigating lifestyle choices such as whether a double garage, that often becomes a big storage zone, is really the way of the future.

Of course, when it’s likely you’ll be snuggling up to the neighbours, height-to-boundary controls need careful consideration. Although the modernist aesthetic Box™ has become known for generally suiting a mono-pitch roof, we’ll always advise a gable form when it offers the scope to push the building closer to the boundary.

Similarly, there are still firm rules about site coverage. At Box™, we’ve designed many small-footprint homes in the 10 years we’ve been in business. Our philosophy is always to be smart with space, keeping the kitchen/living/dining area as the hero, while making the bedrooms functional but compact.

There are no unnecessary corridors or circulation zones, plus standard full-height joinery and seamless connection to the outdoors allow rooms to feel so much bigger than they actually are.

Located on a volcanic field between two harbours, Tāmaki Makaurau has topography that is less than ideal for building on. We dream of clients who come to us with a big, flat site!

Those sections that are still available are often tiny and tricky – steep with access issues – so a generic design from a group-home company is unlikely to cut the mustard. Bespoke architecture that flexes with the land, and moulds to your dreams, is where it’s at.

Designed with you. Built for you. That’s our message.

But while we understand the power of personalising architecture, we also encourage you to think bigger than that. What about the way your home speaks to the immediate built landscape? Contemporary design should be mindful of its surrounds and the wider community. If that’s a heritage zone, it could be a gable that gives a nod to the workingman’s cottages and/or horizontal weatherboards to channel the Victoria villa. Whatever the nature of the locale, scale and proportion that enhance the streetscape is simply the neighbourly thing to do.

box.co.nz

C IT Y BOTAN I C S

No Garden Too Small Space really is relative. What is small to some is large to another. Just ask anyone that’s lived in a one-bedroom apartment when they hear someone else complaining about their small two-bedroom house!

When it comes to space envy, our gardens are no different. While most of us are envious of the large estate gardens we see in magazines, on TV shows or even during our travels, the reality is that modern day city living is seeing a huge retraction in the available space for residential gardening.

Whether it be a small backyard, a tiny terrace front yard or a 6sqm apartment balcony, our living arrangements are changing, and so are our gardens. Thankfully, there are ways to build a garden to meet any space restrictions and the key to success comes down to planning and design.

City Botanics is one Auckland based business that has seen the shift in modern day living and how our busy lives are preventing us from achieving our dream gardens. They focus on providing a design and installation service for gardens in apartments, courtyards, small yards and interiors.

You only have to look up these days to notice the number of bare apartment balconies or lacklustre small yards to know that our community is struggling to create green retreats in their homes. It is

our belief that gardens and plants can heal, while providing a sense of calm in today's chaotic world. We feel that everyone should have the opportunity to incorporate nature into their daily lives regardless of the size of their living space or how green their thumbs. That's why we strive to create functional, thoughtful and hassle-free gardens & plantscapes for busy urban dwellers And their customers couldn’t be happier.

“Our small backyard consisted of a deck and strip of grass and we were keen to create an oasis where we could enjoy the long hot Auckland summers, but we were unsure how to do this properly and what plants to choose. Luckily, we were introduced to City Botanics who basically made our garden dreams a reality! The entire process was fantastic from their initial visits to discuss our requirements to their selection of plants and design recommendations. They made it a fun and enjoyable experience, listening and interpreting our requests superbly.”

Sean McGarry, Auckland.

So rather than allowing your lack of space to fuel your envy towards someone else’s garden or prevent you from having a garden at all, focus on achieving a garden that is designed for the space you have.

With a bit of planning and some clever design tricks, you may just be surprised how much of a garden you can create!

WE DESIGN & INSTALL SMALL GARDENS

Balconies | Yards | Garden Beds | Interiors | Offices

027 215 7884 ∙ citybotanics.co.nz @citybotanics

SAVE UP TO $300

OFF YOUR GARDEN PROJECT! Conditions apply.

For full promotional details, visit:

www.citybotanics.co.nz/verve-march

CURATE YOUR WORLD MOROCCAN CERAMICS AT

CORSO DE’ FIORI | THE FOUNDATION | 8 GEORGE ST, NEWMARKET | TEL 09 307 9166 | CORSO.CO.NZ

HOME & DESIGN

Tuberose

2 Walton St, Remuera | tuberose.co.nz | 09 520 5635 | shop@tuberose.co.nz | 10 4

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SERVES 16, 20 MINS

Spicy Sprout and Mushroom Noodles with Five-Spice INGREDIENTS 300g brussels sprouts and their sprout tops bite-size pieces, the sprout tops shredded 1 tbsp oil or ghee 400g mushrooms, any type roughly chopped 3cm piece of ginger finely chopped or grated 3 garlic cloves finely chopped or grated

Eat Green introduces the perfect sweet and savoury nosh for Verve readers. Not only does the flavour ooze into your mouth after each bite of Spicy Sprout and Mushroom Noodles, but you also get to end the meal with the sweet Tahini Choc Chip Cookie, or should we say "cookies" because one won’t be enough! Dishes like Chickpea Caprese Salad with Spinach Walnut Pesto are so quick to prepare yet the memory of the mouth-watering taste lasts and lasts. The piquant chilli seeds, the tangy feta, smoked paprika, in addition to the soothing maple syrup, adds perfect balance to these savoury dishes. While the smooth nut butter and dark chocolate successfully satisfies the nudging sweet tooth many of us have.

Be sure to make enough for seconds and thirds!

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1 fresh red chilli, seeds too finely chopped 3/4 tsp five-spice 2 bundles of noodles soba works best 1 tbsp maple syrup 2 tbsp tamari 1 tbsp lemon or lime juice or vinegar 1 tsp fish sauce or extra tamari 2 tbsp black sesame seeds or chopped nuts to serve

OPTIONAL Fresh herbs such as coriander or mint to serve Chilli garlic sauce to serve

METHODS Fry the sprouts in oil or ghee in a wok or large deep-sided frying pan over a high heat for 4 minutes. For the first few minutes, fry them in an even layer, untouched for a minute or so, then stir or shake the pan to get to the other side. This will give you nice golden edges, which adds flavour.

Chop the mushrooms, then add them too, stir-frying for 5 minutes along with the ginger, garlic, chilli and five-spice. If you’ve got sprout tops, add them now to briefly fry.

Meanwhile, get the noodles cooking in a second saucepan following the label instructions; they should be ready once the sprouts are.

Once the sprouts are tender and the mushrooms have started to go golden and any liquid they have released has been cooked off, add the maple syrup, tamari, citrus (and fish sauce if using) to the sprouts pan and mix everything together.

Finish by adding the cooked noodles and tossing everything together for 30 seconds so the noodles pick up the flavours, adding a tiny splash of water if you need to. Serve with the sesame seeds, fresh herbs and chilli sauce (if using) on top.

VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

FOOD

SERVES 4 AS SIDES, 10 MINS

Chickpea Caprese Salad With Spinach Walnut Pesto

INGREDIENTS

A simple 10-minute starter which you could double up for a big sharing plate. Make sure all the ingredients (especially the mozzarella) are at room temperature – I’ve eaten far too many fridge-cold tomatoes and cheeses that don’t taste of anything. Use any nuts, seeds or greens in this, but don’t skip toasting the wal¬nuts – it’s worth it and you’ve got a pan out already for the chickpeas.

1 tbsp ghee or oil 240g cooked chickpeas 1 × 400g tin, drained and rinsed 1/4 tsp smoked paprika 2 tsp maple syrup

METHODS

350g ripe cherry tomatoes, halved look out for the yellow ones

In a large frying pan, gently toast the walnuts for 1 minute until they smell fragrant, keeping an eye on them so they don’t catch. Transfer to a food processor with all the other pesto ingredients except the olive oil. Blitz, adding the oil as you go, until smoothish. Season to taste.

200g fresh mozzarella or burrata, roughly torn, or crumbled feta Sea salt and black pepper

Put the pan back on a medium heat with the ghee or oil, add the chickpeas, smoked paprika and a pinch of sea salt and fry for 2 minutes until golden brown. Drizzle over the maple syrup, add a pinch of salt and leave to bubble for 30 seconds. Toss once more to coat in the salty-sweet oil.

SPINACH AND WALNUT PESTO 8 walnut halves

Meanwhile, arrange the cherry tomatoes, torn mozzarella and extra basil leaves on a large platter, then scatter over the chickpeas, drizzle over the pesto and serve straight away while the chickpeas are still hot.

1 big handful of baby spinach 1 big handful of fresh basil, leaves and stems plus a few extra for garnishing 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or juice and zest of ½ lemon 1 small garlic clove roughly chopped 1 handful of grated Parmesan or pecorino 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil plus extra for drizzling

VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

MAKES 16 COOKIES, 25 MINS

Tahini Choc Chip Cookies

INGREDIENTS 2 eggs 2 tsp baking powder

The vegan version of these are just as delicious, none of us can decide which we love the most. Store these cakey cookies in an airtight container for 5 days. You could warm them briefly in the oven to give them a little crispening boost. The dough freezes well so double up and save half for a rainy day. Just defrost, then slice into portions before putting in the oven.

4 tbsp maple syrup 2 tsp vanilla extract 150g light tahini

METHODS

110g smooth nut butter

Preheat the oven to fan 170°C/gas mark 5. Line a large baking tray with reusable baking paper.

100g good-quality dark chocolate broken up into squares, or chips 30g black and/or white sesame seeds

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs then mix in the baking powder, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Add the tahini and nut butter and mix together until very well combined.

A pinch of sea salt

Roughly chop the chocolate (if not using chips) and fold through the batter along with the sesame seeds.

FLEXI SWAP

Measure out 16 balls of the cookie batter, roughly 1 tablespoon each, and bake for 10–15 minutes on the lined baking tray (making sure to leave a little room between each one) until the cookies are just set.

Remove from the oven, sprinkle with a little sea salt and allow to cool on a wire rack before serving.

For vegans, replace the 2 eggs with 1 large mashed ripe banana. You can also swap the nut butter for the same amount of a seed butter or tahini for a nut-free alternative.

EXTR ACTE D F RO M EAT G RE E N BY M E L I S SA H EM S L EY, P U BL I SH E D BY R AND O M H O U S E U K , RRP $50.00 C O PYR IG HT © M E LI S SA H EM S L EY 2 0 2 0 .

P H OTO G R AP HY © P H I L IP PA L ANG L EY 2 0 2 0

FOOD “I’m always saying, ‘Glad to’ve met you’ to somebody I’m not at all glad I met. If you want to stay alive, you have to say that stuff though.”

– JD Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

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Evolution of Etiquette WO RD S — JAMI E CH R I STIAN DESPL ACES

“Elbows off the table!” “Don’t point!” “Cover your mouth when you yawn!” These, and countless more, exasperated orders of etiquette are drilled into us as soon as we’re able to comprehend language— if not yet the implications of our ‘impoliteness’—but have you ever wondered how such social graces came to be? And who decides what’s rude, and what’s cool, anyway?

Nowadays yawning is interpreted as a sign of boredom (and can look pretty gross), but no-one’s quite sure why we hid it historically, with theories ranging from preventing our souls from escaping our bodies to it being a symptom of the plague so something to be stifled. The origins of pointing being frowned upon is another that’s difficult to pinpoint (the irony!) as it’s ingrained in so many cultures around the world, but a common thread is that it was seen as a way of directing evil spirits at somebody.

‘Elbows off the table’ is easier to answer as it was born when space was at a premium on the feast-festooned tabletops of the aristocracy, and your elbows meant less room for your neighbours. Many more of our Western customs spawn from this era; the tail-end of the Middle Ages, and the rise of the Renaissance.

MARCH 2020

THE BIRTH OF ETIQUETTE ‘Set the table’ was a direct instruction when dining tables comprised trestles upon which boards literally had to be set down in preparation for meals. A cloth would then be thrown over said boards which was used by diners to wipe their hands and mouths—knives were only really used for cutting and spearing meat and bread and it was usual for even lords and ladies to eat with their hands.

That’s not to say the Medieval folk were not without their manners.

Though they did not dine on the same dishes, it was customary for the wealthy to break bread with their servants during the Middle Ages with the idea being that the nobility provided for their serfs in return for unbridled loyalty.

Other ‘polite’ customs were somewhat less refined by today’s standards. A 14th-century behavioural guide by Catalonian theologian Francesc Eiximenis advised the upper-classes that “if you have blown your nose, never clean your hands on the tablecloth” and when spitting, to “do it behind you, never on the table or anyone else”.

Such uncouthness appalled Catherine de Medici, niece of Pope Clement VII, who married future king of France, Henry II, in 1533.

Catherine arrived in the French capital from Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, and was said to be shocked by the “harsh and boorish” nature of Paris, according to MFK Fisher, in her tome The Art of Eating. Fisher goes so far as crediting Catherine with changing “the table manners of Europe”.

Most associate the Renaissance with cultural and creative revolution, but it was responsible for all manner of social advancements too, including etiquette. In his 1558 book about manners, Galateo, Italian poet Giovanni della Casa, advised against combing hair and washing hands in public, unless before a meal when “it should be done in full sight of others, even if you don’t need to wash them at all…” This was especially relevant as forks were not to be adopted for another century or so—and even then, only by the highest of society—and everyone shared bowls. The poet also warned against smelling someone else’s food or wine.

Dutch Renaissance theologian Erasmus also offered up useful etiquette advice, some of which has that has stood the test of time like not offering “someone what you have half eaten yourself” and, also, no double-dipping! And, as for farting? He advises to “withdraw, it should be done alone”, and if that’s not possible then “let out a cough to hide the sound”.

MODERN MANNERS There’s even more to worry about in the modern world thanks to texting, emails, social media and driving, though often it’s still just a case of applying some old-school common-sense decency— remember, the Oxford English dictionary defines etiquette as “the customary code of polite behaviour in society”.

Debrett’s, the legendary British authority on all things well-mannered, says that etiquette should be about a consideration of others, and an awareness of the impact of your actions. They’ve even updated their 250-year-old rulebook to include advice on the likes of How to Avoid a Twitter Spat (“celebrate others’ successes with retweet or congratulatory comment”, “beware of irony”, “remember there’s no edit option…if in doubt, don’t tweet”) and The Etiquette of the of the Work Secret Santa (“a budget should be treated as an approximate rather than a maximum”, “make it personal”, “a team present-opening session is not the place to revive an in-joke”).

A lack of face to face interactions because of the digital age is leading to a rise in social anxiety. New York clinical psychologist Maria Shifrin, PhD, says she’s seeing a large rise in the condition in millennials and Gen X-ers who “don’t know how to comport themselves at work or social gatherings”.

“Even with children, like adults, their go-to now is a screen when they’re overwhelmed or anxious—and they don’t have to make eye contact with anyone,” Shifrin tells Country Living. She reveals that many of her patients in therapy have difficulty making eye contact, and go through the day consciously avoiding it, even though “they know it’s right and respectful”.

It’s vital we remember tone during digital conversation, jokes and sarcasm can easily be misinterpreted, especially if you don’t know the person you’re messaging very well, or they are significantly older. And always keep things professional in business.

Other things to remember about online correspondence concerning work is to change the subject line when the subject of conversation changes to avoid endless threads; always try to respond to emails within a day; and if you don’t receive a fast enough reply to a genuinely time-sensitive matter then pick up the phone. Avoid delivering bad news digitally unless absolutely necessary, and still make time for those calls and human interaction.

Overuse of exclamation marks and emojis are not business-like, and only hit ‘reply all’ if it’s vital everyone needs to see the information— few things are more irritating during a busy day than a stream of inbox or mobile phone notifications with messages you don’t need to be a part of. An email chain that has run its course can be ended with a polite “thank you” or “my pleasure”.

Diane Gottsman, author of Modern Etiquette for a Better Life, says that regardless whether or not they’re professional or personal messages always make an impression so should always be spell-checked and be properly punctuated; an “email is just an extension of yourself”.

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Let’s Eat Out With Dennis and Rosamund Knill

Menu 8 Cuisine 8.5 Wine List 6 Service 7 Décor 7 Value for Money 8.5

3 Nutmegs Auckland is littered with ethnic eateries but there has never been an Indian restaurant quite like this, with fusion food that pushes the boundaries.

If you’re looking for a different ethnic dining experience, void of the inevitable full-bodied westernised cuisine, then this small suburban gem should be high on your agenda. Unashamedly located at the upper end of Parnell Rise owner-chef Vishal Kumar doesn’t pull any punches with a menu that has plenty of action. His bill of fare draws on the assertive flavours of his home province of Panipat in northern India, alongside some lively interpretations of better known traditional dishes — including a few closely guarded intoxicating recipes from his mother’s personal repertoire.

Imaginative, light dishes to start include crusted potato and pumpkin pakora ($9), tandoori paneer tikka ($13), masala lamb bites and crispy red onion ($13), peri peri chicken tikka and greens ($13).

Vishal’s mains quash the curry-in-a hurry stereotypes with delicious, finger-licking dishes as mughlai chicken korma ($21) simmered with

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creamy aromatic spices and cashew gravy, vindaloo lamb ($25) a hot and spicy favourite from Goa, butter chicken ($19) marinated in yogurt and masala, Bengali fish ($25) delicately spiced and rich, dal makhani ($17) black lentils and kidney beans slow cooked in ginger, garlic and tomato, Goan prawn caldeen ($25) served in a coconut cream curry with coriander chillies and cumin.

Mains come with rice as well as a selection of sides ($5-7), breads ($3-7), condiments and homemade chutneys ($3). And for the vegetarian there’s something for everyone. Although desserts are not quite as ambitious, save room for coconut glazed hot dumplings ($5).

The wine list, although limited, has plenty of choices including a good selection of local and imported beers.

And the verdict? This latest addition to Parnell’s competitive dining scene is unpretentious, moderately priced with tasty and flavoursome food that’s good enough to earn a loyal following.

3Nutmegs Licensed, 363 Parnell Road, Parnell, 027 739 8764, dinner 7 days, 3nutmegs.com

Experience the magic of Matakana, base yourself at one of our luxurious new Plume Villas and enjoy the superb food and wine at Plume Restaurant. Country life starts here.

Plume Restaurant is an oasis for gourmet travellers, recognised for superb cuisine and as the cellar door for Runner Duck Estate Vineyard’s fine wines.

Plume Restaurant is now complemented by Plume Villas, an enclave of 12 new luxury 1-3 bedroom villas, set within landscaped grounds. These villas share a swimming pool and are a relaxed stroll from the restaurant.

Perfect for a weekend getaway for two, as well as a wonderful venue for weddings, conferences, meetings and private events.

For all enquiries telephone 09 422 7915

www.theplumecollection.co.nz

SCL/PLU2018/30

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MARCH 2020

Verve Visits Leafe Café

Overlooking the hustle and bustle of busy Broadway, Leafe Café is just what the highly anticipated Westfield Newmarket is in need of. With its bright, invigorating and fresh interiors, and a darn good menu to match, you will leave Leafe Café feeling energised, satisfied and planning your next visit.

Whether you feel you are in need of a healthy superfood smoothie and a raw vegan slice, or a deliciously crispy, mouthwatering fried chicken burger washed down with a Hallertau beer, Leafe Café has it covered.

could we forget, Leafe Café’s bakery offers raw vegan caramel slices, housemade cheesecakes, tarts and pastries, and the most crumbling cake-y goodness to satisfy any sweet tooth.

You can expect much loved staple dishes like eggs, bagels and smashed avo, alongside deliciously curated dishes like their insane breakfast pizza, brunch bowls and Spanish eggs.

For those who enjoy a glass of vino or two with their lunch, Leafe Café’s wine list has beautifully selected New Zealand and Australian wines and the famously thirst quenching Hallertau range. Don’t fancy a tipple?

Then how about you go for a freshly pressed juice, an Aeropress coffee, or the gloriously full-bodied Atomic coffee?

And don’t worry, you can still get your fix of Leafe Café’s oh-so delicious food to go. Their carefully curated and seasonal takeaway offerings include artisan sandwiches, energising salads and scones that give off the most tempting waft as you stroll by.

But what about a sweet treat, we hear you cry? How

So, if you are heading to Newmarket and crave some delicious food in a beautiful location, then be sure to stop by Leafe Café on level 2, by the escalators on the corner of Morrow Street and Broadway.

LE AFECAFE.C O. N Z • 0 9 2 1 3 0 04 2 • CNR MOR ROW STR EET & 2 7 7 B ROADWAY L EVEL 2 , BY ES CAL ATOR ENTR ANCE, WESTF IEL D NEWMAR KET

The perfect place to cater for your event Whether you are planning a party, organising a work lunch, or simply wanting to treat your friends to some great food, catering at Leafe Café is where you should go. If you want to bring your event to Leafe’s beautiful, light and serene space, or have it elsewhere, come and chat to the team and see the deliciousness that they have to offer, be it canapes or lunches or a beautiful platter of sweet treat goodness.

info@leafecafe.co.nz 09 213 0042 — leafecafe.co.nz

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ART & ABOUT

THE (FINE) ART OF DISRUPTION

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WORD S — LIZZY DE NT

P H OTO G R AP H — MAR D O E L- N O OR

To an outsider, the art world is exclusionary. Great white walled, polished floor galleries and huge price tags intimidate the art-curious, and artists are largely kept away from the front lines. And, when most other sectors are working hard to diversify, many segments of the art market continue to be built upon the networks of the rich. So, in 2012, when Aimée Ralfini launched herself into the New Zealand art scene with a new, more inclusive take, her fresh approach caused such disruption that it left traditionalists struggling to catch up.

At a time when most artists and galleries were not properly utilising social media, Ralfini created the art activation model Art Ache that centred around the cross-platform promotion via social media and press. She wrapped local artists in fullyfledged creative campaigns, applying all that she’d learnt from decades in the media industry to fine art.

“I looked at the art scene as it was back then, and thought things need to be way cooler. So I began researching, sharing art to social media. I created the ELAM THE 90s group, and went nuts posting art. One thing led to another and before too long I was hosting art events at pubs.

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MARCH 2020

JAN ET L I LO – C OU RTESY OF ART AC H E

She paved the way for many artists on social channels through her own fearlessness, she made art radio genuinely entertaining and has interviewed and worked with many of Aotearoa’s top creative talent in the visual arts sector.

“We’d sell little studio works at low prices. People loved the direct connection with the artists in such a personal setting, they loved fossicking through the various studies and test-works the artists made available. I soon partnered with The Golden Dawn on Ponsonby (RIP) and started interviewing artists on the radio, and it just built from there.”

Fast forward eight years and Ralfini has held 22 art activations which range from events to billboard campaigns up and down the country. She paved the way for many artists on social channels through her own fearlessness, she made art radio genuinely entertaining and has interviewed and worked with many of Aotearoa’s top creative talent in the visual arts sector.

So, how has the scene changed since?

“It’s changed a lot. Artists are comfortable and active on social media. Dealer galleries work harder for their artists, they reach out to press and are way more supportive towards each other, building a stronger community."

But, there are still problems: "Professional wages are scarce to come by, making jobs only sustainable to those with additional support. There is a great divide between the boomer artists and everyone else, greed over art motivates some of the more established gallerists, who behave unethically, absorb Creative New Zealand money to advance their businesses and sabotage grassroot initiatives. The secondary art market doesn’t give back to the wider art community which they profit off 100 percent.“ While some steps have been made to address funding issues, Ralfini believes the overall problem remains the same; most skilled experienced professionals simply can’t afford to work full-time in the arts, leaving start-up creative hubs wide open to poor management and a short shelf life, which invariably leads to a wasted return on investment for everyone involved.

Ralfini finds this frustrating. The contribution Art Ache has made to Auckland’s art sector and the wider grass-roots arts scene across New Zealand is quantifiable to over $1 million, yet in the eight years it has been running, it has received less than $10,000 worth of funding; none of which was from Creative New Zealand.

“Culture doesn’t pay the rent, especially in Auckland. So the cycle repeats and the arts fall back into the hands of the rich.“

While Art Ache has been tough but rewarding, the project has helped Ralfini fortify strengths as a creative director. "I’ve learnt I’m much happier directing creatives. For me, translating an artist’s work into a campaign is my art. I much prefer painting the city with other people’s work, which the recent digital billboard campaigns have allowed me to do. I like the idea of the city scape being a gallery that everyone can enjoy."

And in the end, it's liberating art from its financial and social barriers, onto the streets and into people’s hearts that was always the main goal for Ralfini. Something her disruptive approach has helped achieve through Art Ache and the wider art community. "I truly believe artists are the litmus paper of society, they feel things so deeply, they are curious and brave, and it is important that as a society we enable them to explore.

I personally know of the ability art has to heal, and connect people, something that during these illuminated times is needed more than ever.”

Aimée Ralfini is a graduate of Elam School of Fine Arts and a regular contributor to Verve's monthly art guide. Art Ache regularly podcasts to iTunes and Spotify. For more info visit artache.com

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KORO. C OURTESY OF MAORILAN D F ILM F EST

ART & ABOUT

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The Art of March WORD S — BY AIM É E RAL F I N I

Location! Location! Location! We are a Pacific nation, though sometimes we forget this. March is the perfect month to focus on the melting pot of Pacific cultures that reside in Aotearoa. It’s a huge month on the Oceanic calendar, with the Pasifika festival, Polyfest and The Māoriland Film Festival being excellent events for family and friends.

Another exciting addition to Auckland’s art scene is the opening of Tautai, the main organisation in Auckland that, for more than 30 years, has promoted Pacific creativity. This March it re-opens its doors to a much larger space, enabling it to exhibit artists' works on-site.

To immerse yourself in Moana Oceania, make your way through the list below.

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IS RAEL RAND ELL . C OURTESY OF TAUTAI

The ASB Polyfest The Manukau Sports Bowl 18–21 March

Established in 1976, ASB Polyfest features traditional music, dance, costume and cultural speech competitions, showcasing Aotearoa’s diverse cultures, celebrated through youth performance. Students compete on five stages, performing traditional items from the Cook Islands, Aotearoa, Niue, Samoa and Tonga. With additional performances from a range of cultural groups including Fijian, Tokelau, Chinese, Korean and Indian.

More info: asbpolyfest.co.nz

119 Pasifika Festival Western Springs 14–15 March

Moana Legacy Tautai 27 March–5 June

Experience the sights, sounds and flavours of the South Pacific in Western Springs Park. The Pasifika Festival is the largest Pacific Island cultural festival of its kind in the world and presents incredible performances, delicious food and drink, workshops and more.

Curated by Cora-Allan Wickliffe, Moana Currents to Legacy is the inaugural exhibition in Tautai’s upgraded location. Opening alongside a formal event on 26 March, the exhibition is open to the general public from the 27th and features the work from a range of leading contemporary New Zealand and Australian based Pacific artists.

More info: aucklandnz.com/pasifika-festival More info: tautai.org Māoriland Film Festival Ōtaki and Auckland CBD 18–22 March

Podcasted Interview by Art Ache

Throughout March, films and shorts from the Māoriland Film Festival showcases thoughtprovoking indigenous creativity that moves, heartens and unites. It is the largest presenter of indigenous screen content in the southern hemisphere and can be viewed at various locations Auckland-wide from the Māoriland Hub in Ōtaki Village to the Civic Theatre in Auckland central.

A podcasted interview with Madeline de Young, programme manager for the Māoriland Film Festival can be listened to on Art Ache’s podcasted channels via iTunes and Spotify.

More info: artache.com

More info: maorilandfilm.co.nz

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ART & ABOUT 3–7 March, 7:30pm Fringe Festival 2020: The Wall TAPAC 100 Motions Road

What's On

The Wall is a kaleidoscopic tale about real migrant experiences and reactions to migration. An original, devised production based on real stories, it opens questions about identity, unconscious bias and the state of the world today. Told with humour, The Wall aims to bring communities together, not separate them. In a sensorial way, the play explores the effects of the walls we create within ourselves and around us. The Wall is presented Babel Theatre, a collective of performers and theatre practitioners who use cultural diversity as a creative tool. Through sharing their personal cultural identities, Babel's members are committed to creating unique collective stories that ask questions about the world that we live in.

7 March, 3pm–5pm Free Outdoor Movies: Aladdin Smales Farm 74 Taharoto Road

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Smales Farm's Outdoor Movies are back! If you're yearning for a fantastic movie and some great food options from the Goodside, then your wish is our command. Get your friends and whānau together from 3pm on 7 March to feel like you’re in a whole new world! Experience the thrilling live action adaptation of the characters you know and love from Disney's animated classic, Aladdin, brought to life by Guy Ritchie! A musical fantasy story of a street rat who has his luck changed when he stumbles upon a magic lamp that unleashes a powerful, wisecracking, larger-than-life genie.

5 April, 2pm–2:45pm Gallery Concert: Kingsley Spargo Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery 420 Titirangi Road

5–8 March, 10am NZ Home & Lifestyle Show 2020 Eden Park Reimers Avenue

In response to the exhibition Split Level View Finder, which highlights Theo Schoon’s work with gourds, sound artist Kingsley Spargo explores the sonic possibilities of gourds, shells and other Pacific materials. In a free gallery performance developed especially for Te Uru and presented as part of the Titirangi Festival of Music, he combines delicate acoustic instruments with new technologies including loops, echoes and textures, to present an immersive soundscape.

Join the fun at the NZ Home & Lifestyle Show 2020.

The NZ Home & Lifestyle Show will provide visitors and exhibitors a unique event experience with loads of inspiration and ideas. Whether it's a new build on the go, updating a bathroom, ideas for renovating or products to enhance your lifestyle, you will find it all in the one place. After a feast of inspiration for your home and lifestyle take time out to relax in the NZ Street Food Festival with live music and delicious food options available

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MARCH 2020 8 March, 10am–4pm Vegan Food Festival Corban Estate Arts Centre 2 Mount Lebanon Lane

The Auckland Food Truck Collective is excited to announce the return of the Auckland Vegan Food Festival! Following the popularity of the event last year, and other epic events all over the world, Auckland will host its second Vegan Food Festival at Corban Estate Arts Centre. There will be a wide range of food trucks and stalls serving their plantbased goodness, and a marketplace featuring locally made crafts, plant based health and beauty products, clothing, and accessories.

8 March, 5:30pm–late Carna-folia Brazilian Carnival at The Lula Inn The Lulu Inn 149 Quay Street

The Brazilian community invites you to one of their biggest celebrations. Carnaval will bring the colours, music, dance and great vibes of Brazil to the heart of Auckland. After last year's first edition held at Sweat Shop Brew, Carna-folia is coming to the Viaduct's Lula Inn. Come party with special guest Banda Terremoto all the way from Brisbane.

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14 March, 7pm Auckland Arts Festival: Aldous Harding Auckland Town Hall 301-317 Queen Street

Celebrated New Zealand singer-songwriter and force of nature Aldous Harding returns home for a unique and special handful of NZ shows this March. Joined by two of the most compelling artists of the indie world today, Weyes Blood and Purple Pilgrims, this is a triple billing not to be missed.

13 March, 5pm Silo Cinema: Lion King Silo Park Corner Beaumont Street and Jellicoe Street

14 March, noon–8pm Lexus Urban Polo - Auckland Auckland Domain Park Road, Grafton

It's all about hakuna-matata at Silo Park! Jungle Book director Jon Favreau helms Lion King, a CGanimated re-imagining of the 1994 Walt Disney classic, featuring the voice work of Donald Glover as Simba and Beyoncé as Nala. Score composer Hans Zimmer and Elton John both return to rework the original compositions that accompany Simba, a young lion prince, fleeing his home and learning the true meanings of responsibility and bravery.

The event of the summer is back, where polo comes to party at the Auckland Domain! Urban Polo is a fusion of high paced polo and some of New Zealand's best DJs playing simultaneously to create an amazing party atmosphere. With sellouts in both 2018 and 2019, this is one of the hottest tickets in town. Welcome to Contemporary Polo – think fast 4 tennis, but on ponies, with fascinators, outrageously large sunglasses and untold opportunities for glamorous Instagram posts your friends will hate you for!

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General Collective Lifestyle & Design Market Get amongst the food, fashion, and design at the General Collective Lifestyle and Design Market, on Sunday, 22 March at the ASB Showgrounds. Expect a full day browsing curated wares created by some of New Zealand's most talented designers and artists.

So, come along to support our local designers and creative individuals.

More than 200 hand-selected vendors will showcase a plethora of handmade products for you to sample and purchase.

You’ll find home décor, locally designed jewellery, handmade and ethical clothing, organic skincare, and kids' products along with many food stalls helmed by local foodies.

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There are enough stalls to fill your whole day with wonder (your wallet won’t thank you later) but you’ll leave the markets with your bellies full, and bags full of one-of-a-kind specialities for your home, wardrobe or that special gift for someone.

The General Collective Lifestyle and Design Market is suitable for the whole family, with LEGO and colouring-in stations, coffee, wine and beer, seating areas, and plenty of room for the little ones to explore.

What you need to Know

› Sunday, 22 March › ASB Showgrounds: 217 Green Lane West, Epsom › 9am to 3pm › $5 entry fee per person. Free for kids under the age of 12.

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March Box Office 5

Guns Akimbo

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Military Wives

Zodiac, Guns Akimbo and Radioactive

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Zodiac

A guy relies on his newly-acquired gladiator skills to save his ex-girlfriend from kidnappers. Miles is a video game developer who inadvertently becomes the next participant in a real-life death match that streams online. While Miles soon excels at running away from everything, that won't help him outlast Nix, a killer at the top of her game. Directing by Jason Lei Howden.

Staring Daniel Radcliffe, Samara Weaving and Rhys Darby.

A group of women in England whose partners are away serving in Afghanistan form a choir and quickly find themselves at the centre of a media sensation and global movement. Inspired by the global phenomenon of military wives choirs, the story celebrates a band of misfit women who form their group on a military base.

David Fincher’s masterpiece of sustained tension deftly shows there’s more than one way to lose your life to a killer. Based on Robert Graysmith’s true crime tome, Zodiac follows a team of police investigators and newspaper reporters as they doggedly chase leads and slowly put together the pieces of the notorious mystery as their years-long search pushes past the point of personal obsession.

A large ensemble cast shines with Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr. providing career-best performances.

Showing at Hollywood Avondale.

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A Quiet Place Part II is an upcoming American horror film and sequel to the 2018 hit. The Abbott family must now face the terrors of the outside world as they fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realise that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path. Starring Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy.

David Lynch’s Eraserhead is a dream of dark and troubling things telling of a man named Henry, who lives surrounded by an industrial otherworld. He is thrust into a horrific nightmare when his wife gives birth to a monstrous mutant child. A nightmare vision of love, sex, parenthood, and the nuclear family, rendered in remarkably textured black-and-white images and startling, unsettling sound. It has become an enduring classic of both the cult and 'culturally significant' varieties. Showing at Hollywood Avondale.

A Quiet Place Part II Eraserhead

Radioactive The incredible, true story of Marie Curie (Pike) and her groundbreaking scientific achievements. In Paris, 1893, Marie meets fellow scientist Pierre Curie (Riley). The pair go on to marry, raise two daughters and change the face of science forever by jointly winning the Nobel Prize for the discovery of radium in 1903. Marie Curie was the first female scientist to win the esteemed prize.

Starring: Rosamund Pike, Sam Riley.

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Book Corner WO R D S – D O R IS M O U S DAL E

Kingdomtide

By Rye Curtis

Funny Ha Ha Edited by Paul Merton

The Daughter of Victory Lights

By Kerri Turner

Cloris and her recently retired husband are treating themselves to a little aerial trip over the Montana mountains when their light plane crashes. Without the pilot or her husband, who both come to a grisly end, the intrepid Cloris attempts to use the plane radio. When she thinks that's failed, she sets off to make contact with anyone. A park ranger dealing with her own problems has a hunch Cloris is out there in the wild but can she find her before it's too late? Two strong willed women in a tough environment make a wonderful story, Kingdomtide pulls you in from the first page to the very last.

This book is pure joy and once you start dipping into it it's so hard to put down. It is a collection of short stories by over 80 authors.

Everyone from Noel Coward and James Thurber to Muriel Spark and Spike Milligan.

It's a wonderful introduction to brilliant writing and it's a rare book that can make you laugh out loud time and time again. My personal favourites were Richmal Crompton, Victoria Wood and Noel Coward but every piece of writing is a pure gem. Funny Ha Ha would make a wonderful family gift for social holiday reading. Open at any page and you will not be disappointed.

Although no war is a good war, Evelyn Bell has enjoyed getting out of the house and working with the other women in the searchlight regiment as they tried to foil the German bombers. After the war ends and her mundane life returns she looks for excitement by working in a cabaret club based on a boat in the middle of the Thames. This frowned upon, off-limits life, gives her the opportunity not only to show off her talents but to become part of an odd crew of people who stick together no matter what life throws at them.

Atmospheric and lively.

MARCH 2020

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

An Iconic Britalian As any Monty Python's Life of Brian fan will tell you, the Romans have done quite a lot for us over the years. From aqueducts to sanitation, education to medicine plus, and, who can forget, endless miles of long straight roads. However, fast-forward a few centuries to 1936 and there’s another Italian thing that we should be thankful for and that’s the Superleggera or 'super light'.

Then there’s its design. It’s dynamic and beautiful yet muscular and brutally handsome. From its unmissable Aston Martin grille and LED headlamps with integrated direction indicators, to its Aeroblade serviced tail spoiler and quad exhausts, it casts a formidable but entrancing shadow. It’s both big and bold but sleek and athletic; damn, it’s impressive.

Superleggera is the brainchild of Felice Bianchi Anderloni a coachbuilder from Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. Initially, his lightweight structure was used in automotive brands such as Alfa and Citroen but it also found itself deep within some of David Brown’s iconic masterpieces. First, the 1959 Aston Martin DB4; then the DB5 and 6; the 1967 DBS; and now, albeit in a totally revamped and modernised way, in the all-new DBS Superleggera that I find myself in today.

The cabin hasn’t gone unnoticed either. Sure, the rear seats are more conceptual in space than practical, but everywhere you look, there’s leather. From its ornately designed ceiling to the dashboard, doors and not forgetting the furniture, your senses bathe in fine, sweet-scented Caithness or Balmoral leather. Embossed and embroidered headrests, triaxial quilting, leather-clad steering wheel, you are simply cosseted in sporty luxury.

Let’s get one thing straight from the start, as I said before, Superleggera does mean 'super light', but all things in this world are relative. Yes, this magnificent new DBS Grand Tourer does weigh

Infotainment, including the likes of a powerful Bang and Olufsen stereo system, 360-degree camera and smartphone connectivity, is displayed via an eight-inch LCD screen. Some of the dials and switches have been German manufactured but everything feels very proper, very, well, British.

Then there’s the powertrain. A 5.2L bi-turbo, V12 with stop/ start cylinder de-activation strapped to a rear mid-mounted ZF eight-speed automatic transmission via an alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft. Together they provide 715 horses (or is that a cavalry?) and 900Nm of torque. 0-100km/h comes at just 3.4seconds, top-speed is 340km/h and the soundtrack under heavy revs is thunderous.

in at 1,863kg, which is not exactly what you’d call F1 weight, but, when you consider what lavish array of goodies it has packed into its 4.72m-long frame, Aston Martin has done a remarkable job.

Underpinning it all is an extruded bonded aluminium body structure with composite panels, plus, wherever and whenever possible, the DBS Superleggera boasts the finest, strongest lightweight materials available with carbon fibre weaved into areas such as its clamshell bonnet, its boot, wing mirrors and lower trim.

The DBS Superleggera is a vehicle with a very defined but spilt personality. In GT mode, it’s convivial. At low-speeds the steering light, only gaining weight as the roads begin to free up. Visibility is good for a Super Tourer (who cares what’s behind you anyway) and gear changing is slick but unrushed. Sports mode has the accelerator responding more rapidly and the suspension dampers firming. The ride feels tighter, more involved and the exhaust note is up an octave or two. Sports + feels like all 715 horses have bolted from the stable. The exhaust note goes up to 11 and everything feels alive, it’s no longer a luxurious grand tourer, it’s an off the leash rottweiler; in a word, magic.

The DBS Superleggera sits at the top of the Aston Martin tree for a reason. It’s bold and assertive and its roar would make a lion whimper.

It’s not just a GT, it’s a Super GT that's superfast and super fun to drive.

It's an iconic British tourer with a special hint of Italian flair.

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WO R D S — DAVE M CLEOD

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WORD S — DAVE M C L EOD

SWERVE

2020 SEAT Ateca FR Review

BLUE SCREEN

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Ask anyone with even the slightest hint of computer literacy what a blue screen means to them and they’ll shudder as they regale tales of lost work and endless hours of frustration — not so when it comes to Spanish automaker giant SEAT. Oh no, SEAT has added these two infamous words into their 2020 Ateca SUV and the result is something extra special.

including five separate driving modes (from eco to offroad), all-wheel drive and a rather rambunctious twolitre engine. It’s a spritely drive that has you involved as you want to be. Around town it’s big enough to be confident yet feels small enough to fit in, and, on longer runs, there’s ample power to overtake where and when you so choose.

The Ateca itself needs very little introduction. It’s a charismatic medium-sized five-seater SUV that boasts the vibrancy of a Spanish summer and the meticulous engineering of its VW/Audi group siblings.

You could say, it has the best of both worlds, however, now it comes with even more.

It’s roomy too. The five seats offer space for five, although I may I suggest that one of your friends be less than in love with Maccas, while there’s a spacious boot that fits up to 485 litres of whatever you need to transport, with spilt rear seats should you require more versatility.

First and foremost the screen. The new Ateca has a great big infotainment screen, that, for the observant among you, would have seen as showcased in its seven-seater sibling, the Tarraco. All your favourite apps and connections are still there, including Carplay and Android Auto, but whereas before the eight-inch screen surround was a plastic grey frame with buttons, it now comes with a plush glass finish that merges perfectly into the SUV’s dash and offers ‘gesture awakening’ (wave your hand near the screen and options appear) and touchscreen control. It really smartens up and unclutters the entire dashboard view.

With the sun shining brightly overhead, I took the opportunity to take the family and all their ‘day out’ paraphernalia to the beach in the attractive ‘blue’ Ateca. The beach we went to is slightly off the beaten track and includes some enjoyable (for me) tight corners and a smattering of unsealed roading to mix things up a little; the Ateca relished the trip. The SEAT’s sports seats hug you tight as you push into the corners in Sports mode, while a turn of the dial in the centre console is quick to prepare the SUV for the uneven terrain.

Then there’s the blue, which is actually black. Let me explain. The 2020 Ateca comes with an all-new colour, Crystal Black. It’s a deep metallic tone that when nowhere near sunlight, looks as dark as night.

But when introduced to daylight, it reveals a sultry blue hue that transforms the look of the SUV. My review model was the FR 4Drive and as such came with a lot of the Spanish carmakers' fruit,

The infotainment screen is easy to navigate around and clear as the water we spent the day by. I have to admit to being a bit of a channel surfer (real surfing seems way too hard) so the touch-sensitive screen had me swapping radio stations with vigour.

As I said at the outset, the SEAT Ateca needs very little by way of an introduction. It’s family-friendly with more than its fair share of Spanish flair, however, the two new additions are certainly welcome and have gone a long way to allaying my fear of blue screens.

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Offer only available on landed New Zealand stock. Contact SEAT Store for details.

BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SOCIETY

Digital Dating… and Dumping WORD S ― JAM IE C H RI STIAN D ES P L AC ES

According to dating site eharmony, game-changing platforms like Happn, Bumble and Tinder mean that by the end of the decade, half of all couples will meet online. Bumble’s chief brand officer, Alex Williamson, says there’s an ever-prevailing belief that it’s “outdated and old school to meet people in person”, with online platforms allowing you to “get a broader view” of potential partners.

Etiquette expert, Myka Meier, who has hosted modern dating classes in New York’s The Plaza, reveals that most of her clients prefer to meet online, echoing Williamson with the observation that it enables you to “pre-screen compatibility”.

What it also means, is more choice. And that’s not always a good thing.

The ‘paradox of choice’ dictates that, while it’s generally positive to have options in life, too many can stunt decision-making.

It’s a principle described as ‘maximising’ by Barry Schwartz in his book, The Paradox of Choice, with maximisers treating relationships like clothing, wanting to try on as many items before “finding the perfect fit”: “For a maximizer, somewhere out there is the perfect lover, the perfect friends. Even though there is nothing wrong with the current relationship, who knows what’s possible if you keep your eyes open.”

Such choice is intrinsically linked to that other online dating minefield: keeping up with the ever-expanding dialogue that usually describes dastardly behaviour, often of said maximisers.

Just when you think you’ve got a handle on the likes of ‘ghosting’ (when someone unexpectedly completely cuts contact), or ‘catfishing’ (when someone pretends to be someone they’re not), the digital dating dictionary concocts more.

‘Snowmanning’ was a term that entered the ether just in time for Christmas and (the northern hemisphere) winter, with a fittingly festive ring to it. But forget any feel-good Santa’s sleigh bells-like implications, this is a reference to a fling that, well, melts. And it was coined by none other than eharmony.

“Christmas is a time for celebration and presents great opportunity to socialise and find someone special,” says eharmony relationship expert, Rachel Lloyd. “However, once the drinks stop flowing and decorations come down, sometimes that initial burst of chemistry wears off. Our research shows that lots of people then retreat from their new relationships, a trend we are coining ‘snowmanning’.”

“People have previously waited for that classic closure, but unfortunately in the day of social media, closure is not a thing you will get,” podcaster and radio host Phoebe Parsons tells ABC. “Recognising people’s behaviours and identifying them with a name, like ghosting, benching or cloaking—that gives you closure.”

Such ‘closure’, then allows you to get “back in the driver’s seat” and “back to dating”.

Exhausting!

HERE’S A RUN-DOWN OF SOME MORE DATING DIALOGUE: ZOMBIEING: ghosting with a double dose of spite—when the same person ghosts you twice. That’ll teach you for showing faith and forgiveness!

BENCHING: keeping someone on the boil, but at arm’s length, while pursuing potentially a more promising relationship(s).

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MARCH 2020

Divorcing in the Digital Age The Beidane people comprise more than 100 tribes spread across five North African countries including Algeria and Morocco, with a somewhat progressive attitude towards marriage and women. Rather than forbid divorce, as is so often the case in ancient cultures, the Beidanes hold celebrations that they see as honouring the end of a marriage, appreciating the woman’s continuing value, and marking the start of a transitional period towards a new love.

Marriage Story CLOAKING: another riff on ghosting, however, you’re not only ignored, but unmatched and blocked on all other apps.

ORBITING: when a former flame continues to connect— without actual conversation—on social media in the form of likes or Instagram Stories views (yup, you can see who looks at your stories on Insta). Depending on your feelings for the ‘orbiter’, it’s seen as flirtation or outright online stalking.

TINDSTAGRAMMING: when someone connects on Tinder, then hunts you down on Instagram. This could also be considered as online stalking.

HAUNTING: online stalking.

FIZZING: like ghosting, but it’s mutual, without a formal break-up.

BREADCRUMBING: when someone tempts with a trail of interest in the form of occasional texts or likes.

ROACHING: when it turns out someone you’ve been seeing, you thought at least semi-seriously, for a while, has also been seeing plenty of others then claims they didn’t think it was supposed to be monogamous. In future, DTR!

Similar—though often more raucous— traditions known as ‘divorce parties’ are gaining traction in the West, usually akin to reverse stag-dos or hen nights. “I’ve seen a bride burn their wedding dress on a barbecue,” event planner Steven Mangan tells the Irish Mirror, “after getting guests to throw small pots of paint over it.” Other acts have included smashing wedding gifts and scribbling out names from a guest book effectively also “divorcing the friends”.

As a wedding is so often termed ‘the bride’s day’ women, too, are more likely to take the lead in celebrating divorce. “There are definitely more women making these plans than men,” Las Vegas-based event organiser Andrea Eppolito tells the LA Times. “In fact, we rarely know it’s a divorce party with men until they get here... it’s usually just a boys’ night out, and they do not want to be told what to do.”

Christine Gallagher, author of The Divorce Party Planner, says that such events are an excellent way of letting off steam in the company of loved ones, while also thanking them for their support. Most importantly, for mental wellbeing, Gallagher says divorce must not be viewed as a failure or rejection, rather a “part of life” and a positive step on the road to future happiness.

DTR: define the relationship.

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BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SOCIETY

TH E STRAN D VET

Pet Healthcare Love of our most precious things — our environment, our brothers and sisters, the animals we share this world with — collide with our conscience in the year 2020. At the epicentre sits our veterinary health professionals.

They remain the gatekeepers of a better world through their multifaceted roles in safeguarding our planet. We know our vocation — to look after our animals so they can, in turn, nurture and nourish us all.

We’re stepping up to the plate by championing preventative medicine. As companion animal vets, this means building wellmannered, strong, resilient, immunocompetent pets resulting in a long and quality life. And remember that’s not just for the pet, studies show living with a dog decreases mortality rates by 25 percent.

However, circumstances – our financial or material welfare ― affect us all over a lifetime. I personally found, especially in my worst times, the most precious things indeed began to shine.

13 0

Top of my ‘things I couldn’t live without’ list was my then sole companion, my beloved Labrador. Homeless, struggling financially but never lonely, with her beside me I was happy.

Sure, I needed to make decisions about the ‘could and couldn’t do with outs' – a daily coffee, a weekly house clean, the car that had to go back. My ultimate wish would have been knowing my friend’s care was covered, helping me walk confidently with her into our better future.

At such times this symbiotic relationship between you and your ‘wellbeing facilitator’ can be life’s saving grace. I will never underestimate the importance of mine or your best friend.

Affordable healthcare support comes attached to our ‘heart’ based petcare community — one built on empathy, understanding and love. It will make all the difference if you value and cherish your four-legged friend as we do, whatever your circumstance.

Next month at The Strand Veterinarian we launch our own Complete Health Care plan for your pet. Coupled with pet insurance, this will allow every owner to afford five-star care on a set budget. We want our patients to thrive and with high-end pet healthcare now readily available, the bite-sized payments will just make it now doable.

We don’t always have the power to prevent bad things happening, but we can make sure our patients remain in a state of optimal health. Our mission: guaranteeing best patient outcomes should poor health or injury arise for all who value the precious things in life.

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J U ST R ENTAL S

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill Has Been Introduced To Parliament This Month Yes, 2020 is the year that we will be working to ensure that our portfolio is compliant. It will change the way we write up agreements and change the rights of tenants—the 90day notice to remove troublesome tenants is likely to be scrapped by the bill.

Rents will be raised after one year of occupancy. We cannot discriminate against a tenant because they have a dog. No more fixed terms, only periodic tenancies.

We shall also start visiting our properties with regards to the heating rules to enable us to get the correct wattage for the size of rooms—this is for the living rooms only. We must measure the size and layout of the living area and take into consideration open spaces off the room in order to make our calculations. Fitted wall heaters and heat pumps will have to heat the room to the designated wattage.

Plus, rangehoods over cooking areas and extractor fans in bathrooms must be vented outside. All this is to be completed by July 2021.

It is too risky to manage non-compliant rental properties.

We also have a duty of care to our tenants.

It really is too difficult to think of the winter ahead when there are cicadas chirping, the sun shining, and it is so warm.

But it will come, and we must be prepared.

Happy Renting Sylvia Lund Director, Property Manager

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MARCH 2020

PAU L G O L D S M ITH

Dealing with the Unexpected At Christmas no one would have expected the coronavirus outbreak that is currently creating such disruption around the world.

National have already announced our plans to index tax brackets to the cost of living, repeal the Auckland fuel tax, and introduce no new taxes. In the coming months we will announce our full tax plan that will see people on the average wage better off and keeping more of what they earn.

It is for these sorts of unexpected events – like droughts, like earthquakes – that prudent governments run surpluses and ensure that our economy is fit and healthy.

We will cut red tape and regulation and build both the transport and social infrastructure our country needs. We will deliver more roads, more rail, more transport and more social infrastructure faster and better.

Business is hard enough – especially for the many small businesses throughout the country, especially in retail and hospitality. Things like the drop in tourists following an outbreak can be disastrous for businesses.

The sad reality is that the New Zealand economy was poorly prepared for the effects of the coronavirus, because growth had slowed sharply in 2019 and the government was already projecting a deficit.

That means it’s harder to respond; harder to help struggling businesses get back up on their feet; harder to support Kiwis in trouble.

What’s needed now is strong economic management, a clear focus on growth and improved productivity. That would involve reducing costs and regulations for businesses, stimulating demand with tax relief for middle income earners, increasing labour market flexibility and encouraging the flow of investment.

We should be making it easier for business right now. We have already promised to repeal employment law changes that this government has made and restore 90-day trials to all businesses.

We will put more money in your back pocket. Tax relief is one part of how your family can get ahead. We need to raise incomes and get people into jobs and we need to attack the cost of living.

National firmly believes we can do this, with a solid track record of delivering strong policies needed to support and grow an economy that remains resilient to unexpected pressures.

We kept the economy afloat following the Christchurch earthquakes and during the global financial crisis – it’s about time the government took some responsibility. If our books were in better shape and the economy wasn’t already under pressure due to anti-growth policies, we might just be able to make it through unscathed.

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MARCH 2020

LA FO UR C H ET TE

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Enjoy authentic French pastries and bistro meals at La Fourchette. We are close to the beach and are family-friendly.

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An independent bookstore with an independent spirit, since 1988. Time Out is a community hub and haven for bibliophiles.

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T R ADE A ID

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The Point Chev Beach Café was launched on Jan 2017 and has rapidly gained a reputation in excellent cuisine, coffee and a welcoming service.

Being situated beside the beach, it’s the perfect location for a family outing, a romantic date or just an ice cream!

For bookings or to discuss private functions please contact us on: 09 815 6636 506 Pt Chevalier Rd, Auckland ptchevbeachcafe.co.nz

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The Village’s modern care facility, Ranfurly Hospital offers private care suites with dedicated staff providing residential care services in a supportive and caring environment.

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HOROSCOPES

HOROSCOPES WO RD S & INSP I RATI O N — MAN I SH KU MAR ARO R A

Pisces

Virgo

Aries

Libra

Taurus

Scorpio

Gemini

Sagittarius

Cancer

Capricorn

Leo

Aquarius

19 February – 20 March You can make great strides with your work. You can take on a big work project that gets you noticed. You can be offered a fantastic new job, or get several new job opportunities. Some of you may feel like you’re being held back and stifled where you’re currently working, and decide it’s time to move on to something else. You’re driven to have love, be affectionate, and fall in love.

21 March – 19 April You can be presented with the opportunity to make a dream of yours come true and it’s an exciting prospect. You can focus on something intensely and learn as much as you can about it to become somewhat of an expert and people can look to you for your expertise. This could be an excellent time to do some work on your home that increases it’s value.

13 6

20 April – 20 May You can achieve many smaller goals or a big goal because you’re so dedicated and hard-working, and have enough energy to keep working until you’re done. You’re charming and can attract many suitors, though you can keep them at a distance emotionally. You need a certain amount of freedom in love, otherwise you’ll run away when you feel stifled. You’ll need patience, or you’ll rip out your hair.

21 May – 20 June You have plenty of drive and stamina to get work done, and you can cross a lot off of your list. If you’re in a relationship, you can grow closer to your partner, you’re both a lot happier, and your bond together deepens. You can improve the relationships you have with your family, move into a better home and feel like you’re on solid ground.

21 June – 22 July You have plenty of drive and stamina to get work done, and you can cross a lot off of your list. If you’re in a relationship, you can grow closer to your partner, you’re both a lot happier, and your bond together deepens. You can improve the relationships you have with your family, move into a better home and feel like you’re on solid ground.

23 July – 22 August You have energy and drive to accomplish your goals and achieve success, and these could lead to powerful changes.

You have more confidence, you can think more clearly, and you come up with new ideas. Just watch for being overly ruthless or dominating. You want to spend time with loved ones, have one-on-one attention with them, commit yourself to them and forge better intimacy.

23 August – 22 September You can be creative, but you have to force yourself to concentrate, otherwise the creative energy goes nowhere.

You may want to focus on your hobbies too much, forgoing any work and just wanting to indulge in play. You can be a little too theatrical in love, be a little too jealous, or have too much pride. Listen to your gut and pay attention to any signs the universe has for you.

23 September – 22 October You’re calmer and more steady and in touch with your senses. Your beliefs are more important to you, and you feel more emotionally connected to them. If you’ve made good decisions and worked hard, you can see good things happen.

If you’ve been lazy and irresponsible, you can experience setbacks. Make sure you have plenty of time for rest and relaxation or you’ll be mighty grumpy.

23 October – 21 November This month can bring your finances to the forefront, and you decide what you need to do differently. Give yourself plenty of time to get your work done, and don’t take on too much or you’ll drain yourself. This is a good month for dealing with your loved ones, expressing your love for others, and spending time with those you’re close to.

22 November -21 December You can have the opportunity to pursue one of your dreams, be more focused on your future, pursue something outside of the box that could lead to great new things, start a new friendship or join a new group. You can focus on the direction your life is taking, and see if you need to shift course at all. You’re also more authoritative and want to give orders, not take them.

22 December – 19 January You’ll likely feel more enthusiastic and open to starting something new. This is a great time if you’re an artistic type, and you can channel this energy into your creations. You take on more projects, you expand your to-do list and you don’t want to put things off any longer. You feel good about trying new ideas that are unusual and innovative, and like being around with original people

20 January – 18 February You’ll be able to understand your feelings and allow yourself to emote more freely. Being in tune with your feelings could even prove to be beneficial to you. You can strengthen your inner foundation, and become even more stable and secure.

This can also be a good time to look for a new job. You also feel you have more energy when you have a partner to express your emotions.

manish@manishastrologer.com

© 2020 VTO.

REDRET092

The Great Annual End of Financial Year Sale Jaw-dropping prices, online and instore. One week only!

MARCH

SALE March 9th - 15th

Church Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2018

29.90 Champagne Lanson Black Label Brut NV

39.90 www.finewinedelivery.co.nz 42 Lunn Ave, Mt Wellington & 60 Constellation Dr, North Shore, Auckland