Verve. February 2023. Issue 195.

Delving into design this March, Verve takes inspiration from international architect Aline Asmar d'Amman , and sits down with ceramicist Lucy McMillan . We also learn about space burials and while we’re up there, wonder how long skyscrapers last.

Traditionally founded in outdoor luxury furniture, Design Warehouse has sought to expand outside its current outdoor collections, broadening its expertise and sense of design artistry to introduce luxury furnishings for the interior spaces. Featuring world-class designs that bring innovative aesthetic elements along with colourful rich fabrics, textures, materials, and silhouettes which work in harmony to deliver excellence in craftsmanship and quality, expressing an artful interpretation of luxury indoor furniture that endures.

EMILY OUTDOOR RECLAIMED TEAK DINING ARMCHAIR

CRETE OUTDOOR ALUMINIUM FURNITURE COLLECTION (WHITE)

ALANA OUTDOOR DINING SIDE CHAIR (LAVA)

BEN OUTDOOR WICKER DINING ARM CHAIR (NATURAL)

JOE OUTDOOR WICKER DINING SIDE CHAIR (COAL)

LOUIS OUTDOOR WICKER DINING ARM CHAIR (NATURAL)

NATALIA OUTDOOR DINING ARM CHAIR (LAVA)

ODETTE OUTDOOR DINING ARMCHAIR (NATURAL)

OSLO RECLAIMED TEAK DINING CHAIR

GAZZONI OUTDOOR TEAK AND ROPE RELAXING CHAIR

LILLY OUTDOOR WING CHAIR (MOSS / GRAPHITE)

LINCOLN OUTDOOR RELAXING CHAIR

SIGNATURE OUTDOOR RELAXING CHAIR (STONEWHITE)

Editors-in-Chief

Fran Ninow and Jude Mitchell

Sub-editor/Senior Writer

Jamie Christian Desplaces

Head Graphic Designer Arna Martin

Junior Graphic Designer Yamin Cook

Social Media Yamin Cook

Contributors Manish Kumar Arora, Jo Bennett, Lucy Kennedy, Dennis Knill, Paul Leuschke, Aimée Ralfini and Bella Sampson.

Subscriptions online@vervemagazine.co.nz

Published by Verve Magazine Ltd

13 Westmoreland Street West, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021

GST 90 378 074

ISSN 2253-1300 (print)

ISSN 2253-1319 (online)

Editorial Enquiries

(+64) 9 520 5939

Fran Ninow: fran@vervemagazine.co.nz Jude Mitchell: jude@vervemagazine.co.nz

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

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

Cover Photo: Aline Asmar

d'Amman

Verve is published monthly (except in January) and has an estimated readership of 60,000. It is a free lifestyle magazine delivered to cafés and businesses in Devonport, Epsom, Ellerslie, Herne Bay, Kohimarama, Meadowbank, Mission Bay, Newmarket, Parnell, Remuera, St Mary’s Bay and Takapuna. Verve is placed in magazine stands for free collection from locations in Auckland City, Devonport, Epsom, Grey Lynn, Herne Bay, Mairangi Bay, Milford, Mission Bay, Newmarket, Parnell, Ponsonby, Remuera, St. Heliers, Stonefields and Takapuna. Visit vervemagazine.co.nz for exact locations these magazine stands. Verve is also available from all popular cafés in its main distribution areas as well as in ebook format. Visit vervemagazine.co.nz to sign up for your free monthly ebook. Verve is printed by Blue Star, 8 Collard Place, Henderson, Auckland. It is distributed by Verve, Erclabouring and Mailchimp.

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Editors’ Notes

Fran Ninow Co-editor

As I write there is a big clean up happening in our tiny country –especially in the eastern parts of the North Island – and you have probably been affected in some way, or know someone who has. Our hearts go out to you, but if there is something I’ve learnt in life it is to look forward to what can be, not back to what was. Life is filled with challenges, and these certainly won’t be the last. On the plus side, change often follows closely in the wake of challenge, and while often difficult, change can be good, as with change comes opportunity.

February has seen me develop a new respect for three people, and yes, they are all women: Kirsten Wise, Rehette Stolz and our own Desley Simpson, who have tirelessly devoted themselves to their communities, doing their utmost to communicate, engendering courage, wisdom and strength.

Resourceful as ever, Rehette Stolz arranged the printing of thousands upon thousands of free Gisborne Heralds which were dropped to service stations, grocery stores, and to people’s homes. She did this so that, during a time when digital comms were down, messages of safety and encouragement would nevertheless reach her people.

It’s quite amazing how we’ve all been seduced by the digital era… some of us going as far as to be convinced that print is dead. But in reality, as evidenced over and over again, magazines and books know no expiration date, and in today’s world of instant gratification and endless bite-size distraction, there remains an ongoing need for print – especially in a younger generation, that hankers after a variety of experiences, including those that are tactile, and an escape from technology.

Our company is about to enter its 20th year, and while we embrace the changing landscape – we also believe that there is nothing more palliative than a gorgeous, transportive magazine. So without more ado, jump in and enjoy this joyful issue of Verve

And if you have any suggestions, please write to us, we are always happy to hear what you are loving or would like to see change. Let’s make good things happen together.

Fran xx

Jude Mitchell Co-editor

Why are we obsessed with the mind-blowing ChatGPT AI Chatbot?

It’s easy to use and very entertaining! For a bit of fun, I invited ChatGPT to pen this month’s editor’s note, asking it to write about a failed dessert at my dinner party for eight by entering the subject line: A dinner party that was so much fun but the host’s dessert was a failure.

The results might be as good as my dessert – you be the judge!

“The dinner party was going so well, the food was delicious, the conversation lively and everyone was having a great time – until the dessert arrived. The host had worked all day to perfect the amazing Mexican chocolate cake. But upon plating it up the guests faces went from smiles to expressions of sheer horror. It was tasteless. Despite the hilarious disaster, the host was incredibly resilient, brushing off the failure with a shrug and a joke and quickly diverting everyone to get up and dance! Thank goodness for the hosts resilience and quick thinking.”

Well, it’s hardly Deborah Levy, yet it is passable as a description of an event that never happened. Being intrigued, I continued to instruct this tireless scribe to hit a subject more evasive and slippery by asking ChatGPT to write something about ‘beauty’.

“Beauty is an intangible concept, something that is ultimately subjective and different to everyone. Beauty is about radiating a favourable aura and feeling – about having an internal glow that attracts others. The concept of beauty is something far greater than just physical appearance. Beauty is also about being yourself – not having to pretend to be something you’re not in order to please others or fit in. Beauty is an emotion – it’s up to us to find this inner beauty, appreciate it, and let it shine through.”

I entertained myself for hours asking ChatGPT to write on all types of subjects – time that I should have been doing other things, I might add. My overall sense is that like much technology, it’s a tool, and in the right hands and with some knowhow, probably capable of wondrous things. However, without the human hand being involved in editing and deciphering, ChatGPT comes across as unemotional, cold and can certainly get facts wrong – ChatGPT’s grasp on truth is encumbered by all the disinformation online.

Being human, one thing I do know to be true is that this issue of Verve is full of beautiful ideas and design, and I’m so delighted to have such beautiful imagery gracing our pages.

Have a wonderful month, Jude x

Specialist Obstetricians.

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Bula!

A RARE OPPORTUNITY WAITING FOR YOU...

This freehold section of bare land on the beautiful and accessible island of Nananu-i-Ra, is just 15 minutes by water taxi from Ellington Wharf, Sunshine Coast, Raki Raki, Fiji.

The previous house (owned by a Christchurch family for 25 years) has been removed and the section is now ready for your dream home to be constructed.

For details email biarn@xtra.co.nz

Verve's Design Week

Architects and designers from Aotearoa and beyond share their wares, their philosophies, and their inspiration in our extended March design feature.

Allium Blum

Bob & Friends

Box - The Architect Builder

Corso De Fiori

Dawson & Co

Design Warehouse

Designer Rugs

Feltex

Forma

George St Linen

Home Ideas

Jardin

Kitchens by Design

Lahood

Ligne Roset

Matisse

NM Design

Refined Living

Rose & Heather

Source Mondial

SR Interiors

Trenzseater

A Brazilian Farmhouse

Designed for a family with two kids and many friends, this country house sits in a gated community surrounded by neighbours while upholding privacy to allow exploration of the interaction between interior and exterior spaces, and contemplation of the dawn, the sunset, and views of nature.

The architecture is organised into three main blocks: the central one, with its living area, and the two blocks of bedrooms that flank the living room in opposite directions, running alongside the plot.

From the veranda and its connected bedrooms, one sees the sunset. From the pool, the horizon. The patio receives the morning sun. The social area,

therefore, offers a panoramic view; the opportunity to enjoy vast amounts of natural light as it alters with the passage of the day.

A broad living room represents the heart of the house which is, at the same time, a space for relaxing, for eating, and for playing. A place to share.

Get

the look with Resene

Resene Paddock

Resene Colorwood Natural

Resene All Black

The high ceiling of the living room is humanised by the glass panes of the shortest and more pitched gable. Facing the south, coated with antireflective film, and protected from direct sunlight by the second roof, it works as a skylight that reveals daylight transform into the night sky.

The window and door frames are custom-made and strategically positioned to accommodate the flow

of people while framing the landscape, prioritising the subdivision of the openings (the frames are metal) in smaller encasements (made of wood). This way, the window frames are slender and versatile, with a fixed lower sash and folding upper sash here, a pivot there, always in accordance with the spaces under their influence.

A pergola with metal frame, wooden slats and glass panes surrounds the social area, creating a veranda that circles the heart of the house, as in a typical Brazilian farmhouse.

A pergola with metal frame, wooden slats and glass panes surrounds the social area, creating a veranda that circles the heart of the house, as in a typical Brazilian farmhouse.

Besides witnessing the light changes during the day, the pergola creates

transitioning spaces that connect the living room and the bedrooms: in the family area, it is a corridor that links it to the kitchen, while in the access to the guest bedrooms it forms a glassed gallery. The glass makes one feel as if walking in open air.

The selection and layout of the demolition bricks, of assorted colours and sizes, collaborates with the rusticity of the architecture. The same is true of the stones that cover the walls, the yellowish pieces chosen to complement the bricks’ predominant colour.

The distinction in the materials signals the countryside references, complemented by the use of wood in the inside floors and in the windows, as well as the green hues applied to the metallic components.

Get the look with Resene

Resene Amulet

Resene Truffle

Resene Prairie Sand

Design of March

Cittá AB Pendant Lamp

Zanini De Zanine Tacchini Lagoa Armchair

Soren Liv Livorno Boulder Coffee Table

Established and Sons S tack

Cittá Modular Point Floor Lamp

Pamono Touché a Tray

Mario Bellini Tacchini Le Mura Modular Sofa

1st Dibs Modern Memphis Hand-Tufted Rug

Goodform Silhouette table lamp

STYLING BELLA SAMPSON

George Street Linen

George Street Linen offers a wide range of linen, cotton and bamboo bedding including quilts, pillows and towels. Their experienced team proudly design all their product in house here in New Zealand. From design to manufacture, all products are developed with the main aim of providing a better night's sleep.

georgestreetlinen.com

Box - The Architect Builder

We are architects, designers, cost estimators and builders. All rolled into one. This was the seed of Box. A belief that the best way to produce liveable and lovable homes was through builders, designers, estimators and customers working together as a team under the same roof.

Project success comes through an understanding, appreciation and trust of each other’s expertise. This results in great design – part of which is understanding how things get built.

Builders and designers working together in-house also leads to a unique company culture.

Our process is based on the notion that all projects tend to go really well until the cost gets in the way. As a result, we take our customers through what we believe to be an industry-leading, award-winning process: the successful dance of design flair, construction knowledge and value engineering.

box.co.nz

From Farm to Floor

Two stylish new wool carpet ranges from Feltex celebrate the natural beauty of New Zealand. There’s nothing quite like natural wool carpet underfoot to create a feeling of cosy softness in your home.

CREVELLI

Carpet is not only comfortable – it’s also a great way to add style to an interior space.

Feltex's neutral-toned wool carpets add the perfect balance of organic texture and modern warmth to any space. Black, white, ivory, beige, grey, brown, ochre, and rust are all shades that can be layered and mixed without much risk of clashing or a design faux pas. Due to the flexibility and versatility of these colours, there’s also little chance your floor will go out of style or feel dated anytime soon.

Wool fibre is renewable, biodegradable, and grown right here in Aotearoa. New Zealand wool carpets from Feltex will be the first thing you notice when you get out of bed in the morning, starting your day with softness and warmth without compromising on style.

8th Wonder is a range of beautiful chunky wool carpets with a stylish honeycomb pattern. Made of quality New Zealand wool that’s locally spun and tufted; the colours in the range are named after parts of the country that awe and inspire. 8th Wonder features colours such as Rangitoto (a dark volcanic grey), Waitaki River (a stony grey), and Oamaru, a natural white emulating the town’s famous white stone – and coincidentally the place where the wool yarn for these carpets is spun. The yarn is heathered, meaning there’s subtle colour variation within the fibre reflecting the variation of colour in our landscape. With a luxurious 60oz thick and deep pile, it’s lusciously soft to walk on, and best of all, incredibly forgiving when installed, hiding imperfections like crooked walls.

The Crevelli II range is a much tighter loop pile carpet, available in a practical 4-metre width. The contrasting two-toned palette of this collection creates variation and visual texture, adding interest and depth to a room. Featuring six modern colours all crafted from locally grown wool, this carpet range has been designed with busy lifestyles in mind and is also manufactured right here in Aotearoa. Showcasing a subtly decorative linear pattern, Crevelli II evokes natural beauty and celebrates timeless style and a simple way of living.

It’s important to think about carpet on a practical level. No surface in your home will face more impacts and wear and tear than your floor. Luckily, despite being soft, wool is also naturally hard wearing. It is not only an excellent thermal and acoustic insulator, but also stain-resistant. The wool fibres are a structure consisting of overlapping scales, arranged much like roof shingles. These scales make it hard for dirt to adhere to the fibre and help fleck it away. Wool is also a non-allergenic fibre, which is resistant to the growth of bacteria and dust mites. Lastly, your wool carpet will help reduce unpleasant odours in your home as the fibre actively locks away odours to help neutralise smells.

Practicalities aside, you can’t go past the good looks and gorgeous softness of natural New Zealand wool carpets. Head to feltex.com to find your closest store and request free samples of your favourite carpets.

8TH WONDER - WAITAKI RIVER

THE CUSTOM MADE RUG & CARPET SPECIALISTS

Our latest collection Grounding with design powerhouse Bernabeifreeman is inspired by nature through texture and landscape. Each rug has been crafted to portray a different terrain and has been reinterpreted into a woven form.

‘Contour’ by Bernabeifreeman

Jade Dynasty

Grand homes require grand design – particularly when it comes to the kitchen, which sets the scene for the rest of the home’s decor.

This bold kitchen design forms the centrepiece of a new-build home, with an expansive floor plan for a family with two preschoolers. The clients' brief for their new kitchen was precise, says Kitchens By Design designer Marianne Gailer, an Elite Designer of the NKBA.

“Primarily, they wanted a warm and inviting feel, with lots of practical storage solutions, plus dedicated seating for family breakfasts, and a scullery for cooking,” says Marianne. “They also wanted a wow factor feature of some sort, and their preference was for an island, but were concerned about being seen while prepping food and cleaning up.”

Armed with this long list of requests, Marianne came up with a clever design, where the cooking, cleaning and preparation stations are located at one side of the kitchen space, creating an excellent work triangle for the ‘cook’, and at the other side, a space dedicated to casual seating and a hangout for the kids, with toy storage underneath. The low built-in seating is a great spot for homework and snacking, and a double bi-fold door swings back to reveal the perfect breakfast and baking station.

The star of the show, however, is the island with its handpicked slab of jade marble framed in American oak and highlighted by LED lighting. This raised block of marble hides the benchtop behind it, giving separation from the open-plan dining/living area. As a finishing touch, the designer specified mirrored toekicks to give the island a floating look.

The primary cooking area has been placed along the back wall to avoid onlookers. A matching jade marble splashback, along with integrating the fridge into the full-height cabinetry, gives the kitchen a seamless look, says the designer. The scullery behind the ‘secret door’ is where the cooking takes place. It has a second fridge, ample storage, with cooking and cleaning station, and a second bin next to the sink.

The experienced team at Kitchens By Design offers an integrated design-to-completion service. If you're looking for a new kitchen, please call (09) 379 3084 to make an appointment with one of their designers. Kitchens By Design's showroom is located at 3 Byron Ave in Takapuna. For inspiration, take a look at some fabulous projects at kitchensbydesign.co.nz

Seamlessly integrating practical family living with exceptional design.

Chic Living

1. Allium Kovacs Hendrix Sofa

2. Trenzseater Archie Outdoor Dining Table

3. Design Warehouse Lilly Outdoor Wing Chair

4. Refined Living Artwood San Marino Table Lamp

5. Bob & Friends Classic 101 x l

1. Bob & Friends Bouquet 5 Large

2. Bob & Friends The Lamella Collection

3. Design Warehouse Leo Outdoor Teak and Rope Stool

4. Refined Living Artwood Denver Cabinet

5. Refined Living Amadeo Coffee Table - Set of 2

Ligne Roset Multy sofabed special for the month of March 2023 -see ligne.nz for details

1. Bob & Friends Classic 101 x l

2. Allium Kovacs Bronx Modular Sofa

3. Allium Kovacs Bronx Modular Sofa Detail

4. Trenzseater Milano Outdoor Dining Table

5. Bob & Friends The Snowdrop Floor Lamp

Lahood® & Luxaflex®

When selecting a roller blind fabric, you should have the freedom to balance both function and style. Lahood is the only Luxaflex Gallery Store in Auckland, so they proudly maintain the largest range of premium window furnishing fabrics on the market.

With a focus on beauty and durability, there is a roller blind fabric for every occasion. And with a recent fabric range extension, there are now even more contemporary and on-trend colours to pick from.

Luxaflex® Roller Blinds’ slim and contemporary profiles and design versatility make them a perfect choice for any interior.

From screening the sun and filtering the light to creating darkness, they allow you to unify your home with one window furnishing style while giving every room the individual attention and treatment it deserves.

Maintaining privacy and light control day and night is an important consideration for many homeowners, particularly for bedrooms. With a Luxaflex® Roller Blind, you have the freedom to select fabrics and functions that best suit the needs of your space. For the likes of north-facing rooms with beautiful views, sunscreen and sheer fabrics can be selected for UV protection while maintaining a view and privacy.

Lahood offers a broad range of motorisation and automation options for window furnishings. Making control effortless, automation greatly enhances your blinds benefits –and your lifestyle. The pinnacle of operation and function is achieved through automation. Unlocking the ability to operate your roller blinds via smartphone, voice control or the press of a button, you can reduce energy consumption, improve convenience and comfort, increase security, and schedule your blinds to operate on your timeframe.

If you want the best advice, service and support available for your window furnishings and home design ideas, then contact Lahood and see what their 40 years of experience means. From inspiration to installation, Lahood Window Furnishings do it all.

The perfect combination to screen the sun and control the heat in your home.

LAID BACK LIVING FOR THE CURATED HOME

Altan bamboo & rattan chair $969 squab & cover $250

Gin & Tonic rattan chair with squab $1,300 Butlers tray $390

Gable sofa with squabs $2,760

Altan bamboo & rattan chairwith squab $1,219

Rattan coffee table $2,990

Mozet dining chair $735Gable rattan chair with squab $1,300

Slane bamboo & rattan chair with squab $999

Altan bamboo & rattan chair with squab $1,219

Parnell The Design Destination

Parnell has long been held as the space to be for all things home and design related. A multitude of stores make Parnell the ultimate destination when looking for modern, contemporary and stylish products for your interior. Several of these beautiful stores are located along The Strand and Stanley Street, and many were severely impacted by the Auckland floods on 27 January. Some have managed to resume trading, but others will remain closed for a while, and we hope you will be back to support them soon.

DAWSON & CO dawsonandco.nz

After suffering extensive flooding, Dawson & Co is open and back to normal trading hours.

Inspired by relaxed outdoor lounging, the generously proportioned Cabana chair is clad in a choice of premium finishes, offset by rustic weathered oak legs. Choose from the fresh feel of linen, the vintage look of hand-distressed leather, or luxuriously thick long-haired New Zealand sheepskin, carefully selected for its shaggy, rugged look and soft hand feel.

There’s only one way to select furniture and that’s by taking a seat. Every forma product is made to hand for each customer in the fabric of your choice in our Auckland factory.

Due to the severe flood damage in our Parnell showroom, we’ve moved temporarily to 159 Design, 159 Great North Road, Grey Lynn.  Pop in to take a seat – nothing beats New Zealand made.

Trading as normal

Trading as normal

Temporarily closed - trading online

Trading as normal

Trading as normal

Temporary store - next 2 months

Temporarily closed

Trading as normal

Trading as normal

Temporary store

Trading as normal

Trading as normal

FORMA forma.co.nz

HOME IDEAS homeideas.co.nz

Home Ideas Auckland has been completely flooded from front to back, but we’re not letting that dampen our spirits. We’re undergoing a huge rebuild to make way for a new and improved showroom. Follow us at @homeideasauckland on Instagram for the latest updates on our reopening. We promise it’ll be worth the wait! Thanks for sticking with us through thick and thin, and we look forward to welcoming you back to New Zealand’s biggest architectural products, services and technology showroom again soon.

MATISSE matisse.co.nz

Firstly, the team at Matisse would like to acknowledge all those affected by the unprecedented weather events. We are so very fortunate that our showroom furniture is at a higher level to our neighbours in Parnell. The Auckland showroom is operating as usual with only minor damage to our building and repairs underway. We welcome our clients into our showroom to view a collection of new arrivals with our normal operating hours in place.

REFINED LIVING refinedliving.nz

Refined Living is the home of Artwood and Halo Furniture. We offer a stunning range of timeless indoor sofas, dining and coffee tables, as well as All Weather Wicker and solid teak furniture –the perfect option for elegant seating and dining for your entertaining area.

Due to renovations following the January flood we’ve temporally moved to 1 Shipwright Lane, Parnell.

SOURCE MONDIAL sourcemondial.co.nz

Our thoughts and hearts go out to all those impacted by the recent flooding and cyclone devastation.

We're up and running again after the flood invaded our showroom and warehouse, and we have some stunning 'New' Vintage rug stock that have just arrived, and are now on display in our showroom. Visit us at 70 Stanley Street, Parnell or sourcemondial.co.nz/ product-category/vintage-persian/ to find out more.

Celebrating Culture in Architecture

Aline Asmar d’Amman is the founder of Culture in Architecture, an agency based in Paris and Beirut (her birthplace) that’s seeks to build bridges between cultures while connecting the past and present.

“Approaching each project with an evocative and narrative force, I construct an intricate dialogue between the raw and the precious, heritage and modernity, poetry and materiality,” the architect tells Verve

Culture in Architecture has overseen several iconic design projects, including the renovation of the decor of Le Jules

Verne, the Eiffel Tower’s legendary eatery, and the ongoing renovation of Venice’s historic Palazzo Dona Giovannelli, future home to the Orient Express Hotel. The architect has also previously collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld on the decoration of Les Grands Appartements at Hotel de Crillon.

“My work ranges from interior design to artistic direction and scenography across luxury hospitality, private residential and various design commissions,” adds Aline. “I’m committed to the transfer of knowledge and to fostering cultural conversations.”

KOVACS SOFA | ELTON

THE BEAUTY OF TIMELESS DESIGN

Founded by lovers of design, art and architecture, SR Interiors has curated a catalogue of timeless and unique collections sourced from around the world. Now located in the heart of the Grosvenor Design Precinct their showroom is home to their latest arrivals, including The Oxford Collection.

A modern take on classic silhouettes, The Oxford Collection introduces a look of enduring luxury for every room. In the Living Room, the Sofa and Armchair feature softly textured upholstery which is dramatically defined with exposed wooden frames. Carved detailing adds extra flair to the stunning dining table that pairs with elegant upholstered dining chairs - the perfect pieces to host a soiree with. A slightly overarching curve softens the refined silhouette of the Oxford Bench for a sophisticated bedroom look.

Visit the SR Interiors Showroom to view the Oxford Collection* and more today! *select pieces.

Murtoli. Christian Werner

Made in France

Meet MERIVOBOX! Available in 2023, the latest drawer from Blum combines high-quality storage with an awardwinning design. Both beautiful and functional, MERIVOBOX is ideal for any living area and will spark inspiration for your next home project.

www.blum.com/merivobox

Inside Design

With more than 20 years’ experience –and industry awards – under her belt, interior designer Nicola Manning is among the most trusted in the business.

Her Parnell studio, NM Design, has built a reputation for creating timeless and functional spaces, specialising in high-end full house renovations and new builds.

“My design philosophy revolves around creating spaces that are both beautiful and practical,” Nicola tells Verve . “I believe that a successful design is one that not only looks good but also works well for those who use it.”

Her philosophy is realised by way of a collaborative approach to her work to better understand clients’ vision and requirements. “We listen. We interpret. We offer solutions. That’s our ‘why’, to provide a full-service design process, a wonderful experience, and a wonderful end result for our clients.”

The NM Design portfolio is impressive and wide ranging.  Nicola is noted for her ability to seamlessly blend old and new to create spaces that feel simultaneously classic and modern.

One such project was the renovation of an Auckland CBD office space which was converted from barrister chambers into an inner-city New York loft-style apartment, creating a modern living space with a slight industrial edge: “We optimised the original steel window joinery and used steel as an accent in the uniquely shaped triangular kitchen.”

Another notable project was the full interior design of a new home in rural Queensbury, Central Otago.  “We worked with our client and the architect from the beginning of the project right through to sourcing custom furniture and styling,” says Nicola. “This unique property needed a design which accentuated the stunning views and sat seamlessly with the rugged environment.”

The gorgeous deep blue of the river below was pulled through to the interior in key spaces.

“We focus on design, timeline and budget,” she continues. “We spend significant time talking to clients at the beginning of projects to really understand their goals and budget.  We offer a structured design process, one that’s been deliberately honed over the past 20 years.”

nmdesign.co.nz

“I believe that a successful design is one that not only looks good but also works well for those who use it.”

Building Shelf Lives

Not only is the Great Pyramid of Giza still standing after 4,500 years (other Egyptian pyramids even longer), but for around 4,000 of those years, it was the tallest manmade structure on earth. Will the towering skyscrapers in the dessert of Dubai last so long?

While the Great Pyramid is built from six million tonnes of solid rock, Dubai’s 828-metre Burj Khalifa – the world’s current tallest building and six times the pyramid’s height – is built from just 110,000 tonnes of concrete (and 39,000 tonnes of steel). Strangely, early skyscrapers such as those that dot the New York skyline are sturdier than many of their newer peers. The Empire State Building, for example, though not even half the height of the Burj, weighs two-thirds as much – and such is its strength that when a US Airforce B-52 bomber accidentally crashed into it at 330km/h in 1945, the building closed for just a few days.

That’s not to say that modern skyscrapers aren’t hardy. The Burj is built to withstand weather events which occur around once every two millennia (versus every 700 years for regular buildings), along with regular lightning strikes that carry more power than a nuclear reactor, and absorb a 7.0 magnitude earthquake (swaying for up to a stomach-churning 11 seconds). But still, it’s hard to imagine it still standing in the year 7000 to rival the pyramids’ lifespan (so far).

“In fact, the impressive age of the pyramid is no accident,” writes Zaria Gorvett for BBC Future. “The ancient Egyptians believed the afterlife would last forever and took great pains to ensure their tombs would too. Pyramid design evolved over

‘They don’t make them like they used to’ is a phrase uttered ad nauseum in the digital era, but it’s arguably as applicable to some architecture too.

thousands of years, as they experimented with the materials and architecture that would live up to their ambitions.”

Whether by luck or design the Ancients’ cement (including that of the later Greeks and Romans) appears to be longer lasting than the modern-day iteration which can start to crack after just a few decades. It’s been discovered that their cement’s mud, volcanic ash, limestone, and seawater react over time to form a glue that reverts back to its raw ingredients to make rock. So, the limestone blocks that built the pyramids were essentially glued together by more rock: the Egyptians basically built their very own mountains.

The Egyptians also understood their shortcomings when it came to the laws of physics, and over-engineered by building extra walls instead of columns, essentially making the pyramids even stronger than they needed to be. Similarly, early skyscrapers appear so sturdy because the industry was still in its infancy and engineers added extra reinforcement just in case.

But it’s not just wear and tear or the wrath of Mother Nature that can bring down buildings, it’s human choice, too. In their relatively brief 150-year or so history, a surprising number of skyscrapers have been felled. A study by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) of the 100 tallest buildings to be dismantled by their owners found their average lifespan to be just 42 years. Singapore’s 234-metre AXA Tower is currently being torn down to make way for a 305-metre skyscraper for tech firm Alibaba. That only opened in 1986.

“The biggest issue, even if everything goes well, is that it is just an enormous waste of resources,” CTBUH journal editor Daniel Safarik tells New Atlas. “Concrete cannot be recycled, and most of the tallest buildings in the world use concrete for their main structural system."

Concrete, the world’s most commonly produced construction material, is made using cement which accounts for 8% of the world’s CO2 emissions. And that’s before considering the impact of carbon-intensive steel manufacturing.

“Cities are becoming megacities, with many tall buildings clustered together,” adds Safarik. “If we're not planning these to have centuries-long lifespans, we're going to have a problem in 20 years.”

So do such skyscrapers have the potential for such long lifespans? Structural engineer of the Burj Khalifa, Bill Baker, thinks so. Maybe. “The structural materials are good for pretty much ever,” he tells the BBC. “Yes, if they maintain them, and no if they don’t.”

SMITH ARCHITECTS Creating Inspiration

The project brief for Saint Kentigern Preschool, Remuera was to create a unique early childhood centre that would inspire children to develop confidence and humility through a sense of community.

A detailed site analysis looked at possible locations for the building within the school. Access and car parking requirements indicated the optimal location, further reinforced by the extensive bush-lined outlook on three sides.

Studies looked at built form options, taking into account all the site constraints. The main drivers to the form were retaining the mature trees and bush, protecting neighbours from direct playground noise, balancing ground contours and solar access/shading. Two options were narrowed down for further development, with the final circular form being chosen for its merits in answering the brief and the site constraints.

Whilst the initial form was largely driven by the site and programme, the development of the form into an architectural language looked at the history and culture of Saint Kentigern for inspiration.

Smith Architects |

Crafting Beautiful Human Spaces

15 Hargreaves St, St Marys Bay, Auckland 09 522 2552

info@smitharchitects.co smitharchitects.co

“A unique early childhood centre to inspire children to develop confidence & humility through a sense of community.”

Lightening and Brightening with Resene Colorwood Whitewash

WORDS

FRAN NINOW

Our home was built in the late 80s and like many built then boasts walls and cupboards in rimu.

While I’ve loved and still appreciate the natural beauty of this impressive wood, always seeing the same thing has become tiring, and we’re in need of a change from these deep orangey reddy golden hues.

Completely replacing a kitchen is really costly, so as opposed to stripping out everything and starting again, we decided to work with – and improve –what we have.

After much thought – and to go with the more industrial look for which we have opted – we’ve decided to use a Resene

Colorwood Whitewash to refresh our rimu kitchen cabinetry, as it feels like a relatively simple way to bring a fresher, more modern look to this area, without having to actually replace the cabinets and drawers. I’m pretty sure that a coat or two of Resene Colorwood Whitewash will brighten up this corner of our living area and make it feel a lot more spacious and inviting.

Once this is done, we’re looking at installing fresh countertops, and a stainless steel rangehood. Hopefully, combined with the new floor and wall tiles, gorgeous freestanding Smeg stove, and stainless-steel microwave, our kitchen will have more of a 21stcentury feel to it, and I can’t wait.

PROJECT: LIESL JOHNSTONE IMAGE: JULIET NICHOLAS

A Life of Design

Jude asked me to write an article on design for this issue and then a monthly column. I assume as I’m a registered architect, she meant architectural design – and so I hope to amuse, and perhaps be informative, too.

I graduated from Auckland University in 1982 and have been working ever since, serving as a director at Avery & Leuschke architects, then Leuschke Group, and now Leuschke Kahn Architects Ltd. I’ve undertaken every type of building – except hospitals and schools – including a successful time as a commercial interior architect fitting out legal, accounting, and insurance firms in Auckland CBD.

Leuschke is a well-known name in architectural circles as two of my brothers, a sister-in-law and my nephew are architects.

People often ask if my father was an architect, but he was a butcher who spent many a weekend almost destroying a large wrap round veranda villa in Epsom, which we all grew up in. However, he did teach us houses are for living in. When Aunty finally left her husband, Dad installed a door in the hallway and a makeshift kitchen on the side veranda which meant she and the children had a place to stay. Not very architectural, but practical.

I’m a modernist, and pro-development, but respect good historic buildings, and live in a recently refurbished character villa. When I say refurbished, I mean rebuilt. The street image is villa, while the plan and back elevation is modern. We live quite differently from 100 years ago.

While I’ve been around for quite some time, architecture is known as an old man's sport; it takes a good length of time to know what you’re doing.

So, onto the topic.

Architectural design reflects how we live today.

Today we want to be outside, but under cover. First it was a sun umbrella or a pergola, then rain proof adjustable aluminium louvres, and now it’s covered porches. Not only out of the sun but out of the weather, the evenings’ wet dew point, and the summer showers. Add outdoor fires, built-in barbeques or outdoor kitchens, heaters, and music, and you have created an outdoor room. We like fresh air. We like the casualness of outdoor entertaining. Lighting is now low in height to give that resort feel. You can see where you’re going but can still see the night sky. No need to be blasted under a search light.

I’ve watched the old, enclosed kitchen get a small extension to become the family room. Dining rooms and lounge were still separate and formal. Then the layout morphed into open-plan kitchen, dining and living, the kitchen no longer locked away. The addition of soft-close drawer systems instead of cupboards meant you could still hear the TV without the kitchen noise. Family mess was relegated to a separated family room together with the TV, casual furniture, and family memorabilia. Now a scullery is required to hide the messy kitchen stuff away from the show kitchen. We now have coffee machines, food processors, rice cookers, wine fridges, slow cookers, and dirty dishes which all need to be hidden. A separate cooking area in the scullery keeps cooking smells out of the open-plan living area – a must for more fragrant cuisines!

While the anti-car council frowns on two-car garages, they’re even more important today as places to charge the Tesla or store the electric bikes. And have you noticed cars are getting bigger? So garages must also.

paul@leuschkekahn.co.nz

021 894 895

Rooms With a View

Earlier this year, Kazuyo Sejima was bestowed the Jane Drew Prize, an award in recognition not only of her design excellence, but for raising the profile of women in architecture.

WORDS JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

It’s the latest in a long line of awards for the Japanese architect who has previously won the Pritzker Prize – considered the Nobel Prize of architecture – alongside Ryue Nishizawa with whom she founded Tokyo architecture studio, SANAA, in 1995. The pair have since designed buildings throughout Japan and around the world, including the Sydney Modern – the studio’s first Australia project – the Louvre-Lens in Lens, France, and New York’s New Museum of Contemporary Art. Last year, SANNA was awarded the Praemium Imperiale for architecture – one of the highest honours among the arts in the world.

Sejima, who attained a Master’s in Architecture at Japan Women’s University before being named Japan’s young architect of the year, is renowned for her generous use of glass for buildings. Her profession, she believes is in part about using “space as a medium to express our thoughts”. Sejima’s designs, transparent and fluid and often with a nod to nature, both encourage bountiful natural light and connect visitors to the building, the surrounding environment, and each other. “I have a dream that architecture can bring something to contemporary society,” she says. “Architecture is how people meet in space.”

Verve takes a look at three of her most lauded works.

IMAGE: 21ST CENTURY MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

Glass Pavilion at the Toledo Museum of Art SANNA’s architecture is generally “open in character”, because of their desire “to build relationships”. Few better exemplify this philosophy than the Glass Pavilion at the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio, the studio’s first US commission. It serves as both an exhibition space for the museum's glass collection, and a glassmaking facility – highly symbolic seeing how there was once a thriving glassmaking industry in the city of Toledo.

The 5,000-strong glass collection, ranging from ancient to contemporary times, is considered among the world’s finest, while the annex is of course built predominantly from clear glass. Curving glass-walled zones and rooms sit within the building, their transparent structure simultaneously serving to contain and connect the spaces – and those that use them. Built in 2005, the innovative pavilion implemented previously unseen processes in glass design and fabrication that “could not have been realised a generation ago”.

The striking Sumida Hokusai is a four-storey structure situated in a small park in Tokyo’s Sumida ward and dedicated to Katsushika Hokusai, the artist responsible for the iconic woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa, who lived in the area around two centuries ago. As well as serving a celebratory shrine to Hokusai’s work (there are 18,000 pieces inside, as well as works by his proteges), the building, a design by Kazuyo Sejima & Associates, truly stands as a work of art in its own right.

It’s so completely covered in a polished aluminium, that even the entrance isn’t obviously placed. The enclosed structure is akin to a shimmering monolithic block with strategically angular placed slits – in place of windows – cut into its metallic skin that look almost sliced by a giant axe to allow bursts of light to fall inside and encourage viewing out over Tokyo from the upper decks. The exterior walls themselves reflect the surrounding landscape whilst allowing the museum to blend within it.

Sumida Hokusai Museum

IMAGE: SUMIDA HOKUSAI MUSEUM

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

“A museum open to the city like a park”, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art was awarded the Golden Lion Award at the 9th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition as well as the 2010 Pritzker Prize, lauded by the jury for its “remarkable properties of space, lightness, transparency, and materiality to create a subtle synthesis”. Rightly regarded as one SANAA’s most prestigious and visionary buildings, it sits at the centre of the city of Kanazawa, its museum zones punctuated by public and private areas like a library, a lecture hall, an eatery, and a children's workshop, all planned to provoke social interaction.

Like an eclectic collection of large Lego blocks, the individual roofs of the various zones pop from the main low-rise circular structure – which has no front or back and is adorned with glass and surrounded by lawns and trees – inviting exploration from anywhere. Adding to the airy, open feel, the scattering of galleries allow for ample unobstructed views that reach stretch for the 112.5-metre diameter of the disc-shaped complex. A smattering of glass ceilings – and more glass walls inside – allow natural light to pour in. A fitting contemporary “town square” for Kanazawa.

“Architecture is how people meet in space.”

IMAGE:

21ST CENTURY MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

Taste & Drink

Wine columnist and connoisseur DENNIS KNILL gives his views on two award-winning wines for the month.

Church Road has achieved yet another milestone at the annual Winestate Wine of the Year Awards with chief winemaker, Chris Scott, crowned New Zealand Winemaker of the Year for the record fifth time. As an unprecedented five-time winner of Winestate New Zealand Winemaker of the Year (2013, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022), Chris Scott represents the culmination of 125 years of winemaking excellence. Church Road showcases the natural expression of some of Hawke’s bays most prized grapes and vineyards.

Church Road 1 Terraces 2021 Chardonnay was awarded both Winestate Chardonnay of the Year across New Zealand and Australia, with Church Road also awarded Merlot of the Year for New Zealand and Australia.

Pernod Ricard Winemakers New Zealand, who owns Church Road. also won New Zealand Wine Company of the Year for the second year in a row.

For wine lovers and connoisseurs, these two wines should not be passed by.

’21 Church Road

1 Terraces chardonnay, RRP $100

A premium full bodied textured wine showcasing strong French oak aromas lifted with fresh citrus and great richness and a long soft acidity that cleanses the mouth. This is chardonnay at its very best. Pair with seafood, chicken, pork and pasta.

Let’s Eat Out

DENNIS and ROSAMUND KNILL

With uninterrupted harbour views and a menu showcasing the freshest local produce, Harbour Society is the perfect place for a long lunch or memorable dinner.

New executive chef, Roy Giam, with his small band of technically gifted chefs, is doing his own thing with modern, inspired Euro cuisine that beckons in a way that’s personal.

The menu documents passion, with highly worked plates that unite flavours with finesse. Such freshness and finesse were evident in our entrees and mains. The sashimi platter entrée ($37) of snapper, tuna and trevally served with wasabi and soy sauce was excellent. Particular finesse was also evident with our snapper main ($47) cleverly paired with szechuan shellfish bisque, salmon caviar, prickly ash oil and ginger.

Confidence, skill and good taste is present with the other dishes on the menu. Salt and pepper whole Mooloolaba prawns ($29) and lime mayonnaise, dry-aged beef tournedos ($47) served with crayfish and prawn dumpling, broccollini and chicken sauce, clams spaghetti ($36), house-made sauce and chives, Ora king salmon ($36) served with mushroom puree and mushrooms and charcoal grilled rack of lamb ($105) marinated with nuoc cham, vermicelli, lettuce, cucumber, mint and lime.

And if you think you’re done when the table is cleared, there are no excuses for passing up on dessert ($18). It’s hard not to be swayed by blackcurrant sorbet, meringue and raspberry sauce, mango mousse and vanilla sable crescent and coconut, or crystallised ginger, chocolate, caramelised peanuts and vanilla ice cream.

The globe-trotting wine list is bold, serious and comprehensive.

And the verdict? The artful presentation, generous portions endowed with panache that’s brought to the table by Arjun and his team adds to an immensely satisfying dining experience, underscored with swift, smart, and friendly service. This is a seriously good restaurant.

’20 Church Road

1 Gimblett Gravels merlot, RRP $120

Deep and concentrated in colour this Bordeaux-style wine is elegantly balanced with complexity and texture and fine tannins adding density and a long and lingering finish on the palate. Will cellar well. Serve with beef, venison, lamb and game.

HARBOUR SOCIETY SO/Auckland, City Phone 379 1877

so-auckland.com

Menu: 8, cuisine: 9.5, wine list 9, service: 9.5, décor: 8.5, value for money: 8.5

Make your memories with the best New Zealand has to offer.

Juno Extra Fine is created in New Plymouth, Taranaki using fresh locally-grown botanicals and mountain rainwater.

The perfect base for building delicious cocktails as well as the classic G&T or martini. This aromatic gin pairs well with flavours such as elderflower, cucumber, lime and mint, charming your summer occasions into something truly magical.

Best in Category (Classic Gin) Winner two years running, by Guide to New Zealand Gin in 2020 and 2021.

For delicious home cocktail recipes find us online junogin.com

Everyday gluten-free, sugar-free baking

Carrot Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Serves: 16 -20

Ingredients

160g (1 cup) dextrose

310ml (1¼ cups) macadamia or sunflower oil

200g (2/3 cup) apple purée

6 eggs

3 carrots (about 350g), finely grated

150g (1½ cups) walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped (optional)

300g gluten-free flour blend

100g almond meal

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon ground cloves

1 × quantity lemon cream

cream cheese frosting

edible flowers, to decorate (optional)

It’s hard to beat a great carrot cake with lemony cream cheese frosting. The ‘naked’ method used here is quick and easy, with spectacular results. Decorate the cake with edible flowers from the garden, if you have them.

Method

Preheat the oven to 160°C (fan-forced). Grease three 20cm round cake tins and line the bases with non-stick baking paper. If you don’t have three tins, you can cook the cakes in two batches.

Whisk the dextrose, oil, apple purée and eggs together in a large bowl until well combined. Stir in the carrot and nuts (if using), then sift in the flour, almond meal, baking powder and spices, and stir until well combined.

Divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared tins (I like to weigh each tin to make sure they are roughly the same). Smooth the surface with a spatula and bake for 20–25 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the lemon cream cheese frosting.

If the cakes are slightly domed, trim the tops off to level them with a long sharp serrated knife.

Recipe extracted from Natural Bakes by Caroline Griffiths, Smith Street Books, AUD$39.99, available now

Put a little dollop of the frosting in the centre of a serving plate and place four strips of baking paper around the edge. This will help to keep the plate clean of any icing. Place one layer of cake on the prepared plate. Spread about 160g (1 cup) of the frosting over the cake, taking it just over the edge. Repeat with the remaining layers, placing the top layer of the cake bottomside up (to achieve a sharp edge). Spread the remaining frosting over the top and side of the cake. Smooth off any excess frosting to achieve a ‘naked’ effect, just exposing the side of the cake. Remove the protective strips of baking paper from under the edge of the cake. Decorate with edible flowers, if desired.

Mandarin & Bay Leaf Olive Oil Loaf

Serves: 10

The cake will keep in an airtight container for 2–3 days.

You will need at least five mandarins for this recipe – make sure you keep two of them whole, for slicing. This cake is beautifully moist with slightly savoury, grassy notes from the olive oil and bay leaves, and freshness from the mandarin. If mandarins are out of season, this cake works perfectly well with oranges, blood oranges or Meyer lemons.

Ingredients

160ml (2/3 cup) mild extra-virgin olive oil

4 fresh bay leaves, crumpled/bruised, plus extra to decorate (optional)

5–6 mandarins (about 600g), depending on their size

100g (1/3 cup) apple purée

3 eggs

225g gluten-free flour blend

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons monk fruit extract powder

¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

¼ teaspoon salt

Recipe extracted from Natural Bakes by Caroline Griffiths, Smith Street Books, AUD$39.99, available now

Method

Heat the olive oil and bay leaves in a small saucepan over low heat for about 10 minutes or until bubbles start to form around the leaves. Set aside to cool and infuse, about 30 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaves, reserving the oil.

Finely zest and juice 3 or 4 mandarins – you need 2 teaspoons of zest and 80ml (1/3 cup) of juice. Thinly slice the remaining whole unpeeled mandarins. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 160°C (fan-forced). Grease an 11.5cm × 21.5cm loaf (bar) tin and line the base and two long sides with a piece of non-stick baking paper, extending the paper about 4cm above the sides of the tin to assist with the removal of the cooked loaf.

Whisk the cooled infused olive oil, apple purée, mandarin zest and juice and eggs together in a large mixing bowl. Sift in the flour, baking powder, monk fruit extract powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt and stir until combined. Spread into the prepared tin and top with the mandarin slices, slightly overlapping them along the centre, as they will spread out as the cake rises. Decorate with the extra bay leaves, if using.

Bake for 50–55 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Everyday gluten-free, sugar-free baking

Almond, Rosewater & Chocolate Donut Cakes

Makes: 12

The donut cakes will keep in an airtight container for 2–3 days.

These are more like lovely little almond cakes than donuts, but they work really well in the ring shape. If rosewater is not your thing, leave it out and add a little more vanilla extract. Rosewater can vary in strength, so add it to taste, with some caution.

Ingredients

melted butter, for greasing

4 eggs

115g (1/3 cup) rice malt syrup

240g (2 cups) almond meal

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract about 1 teaspoon rosewater

edible dried rose petals and slivered pistachios, to decorate

Chocolate Glaze

100g dark chocolate (70–85% cocoa solids), chopped 125ml (½ cup) thickened (double/heavy) cream

Method

Preheat the oven to 160°C (fan-forced). Generously grease two six-hole 80ml (1/3 cup) capacity donut tins with the melted butter. (If you don’t have two, don’t worry, they will be fine cooked in two batches.)

Whisk the eggs and rice malt syrup together until the syrup dissolves. Stir in the almond meal, baking powder, vanilla extract and rosewater, to taste. Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a 1.5cm plain nozzle (or use a large zip-lock bag with the corner snipped off) and pipe the mixture into the prepared donut holes (alternatively, you can spoon the batter in). Fill each hole about two-thirds full.

Bake for 10–12 minutes or until well-risen and just firm to touch. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool in the tins for 15 minutes. Carefully loosen the donuts and turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For the chocolate glaze, put the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring just to the boil. Pour the cream over the chocolate and stir until melted and combined. Set aside to cool and thicken slightly, if necessary.

Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze and sprinkle with rose petals and slivered pistachios.

Recipe extracted from Natural Bakes by Caroline Griffiths, Smith Street Books, AUD$39.99, available now

Chocolaty Sweet Potato & Macadamia Cream Cake

Serves: 10 –12

The cake will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days.

This sweet potato and macadamia cream cake makes a great dessert, but really, there’s no need to save it for a special afterdinner occasion – I keep coming back for a sneaky slice every time I have a cup of tea. You will need to start this cake a few hours before you need it, as the macadamias are best soaked for a couple of hours to soften them slightly before blending for the vanilla cream.

Ingredients

1 large orange sweet potato (about 420g), peeled and chopped

75g gluten-free flour blend

50g (½ cup) cocoa powder (unsweetened)

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

115g (1/3 cup) rice malt syrup

100g butter, melted

150g (½ cup) apple purée

2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract

3 eggs

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Dutch-processed cocoa powder, for dusting

Macadamia vanilla cream

150g (1 cup) macadamias

about 80ml (1/3 cup) coconut milk

1 tablespoon rice malt syrup

1 tablespoon melted virgin coconut oil

3 teaspoons natural vanilla extract

Method

To make the macadamia vanilla cream, soak the macadamias in cold water for about 2 hours, to soften slightly. Drain and rinse well. Place 60ml (¼ cup) of the coconut milk, the rice malt syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract and finally the macadamias in a blender and blend until smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the blender, if required. Add a little more coconut milk if needed to keep the mixture moving – but not too much as the mixture should be quite thick and creamy. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until required.

Steam or microwave the sweet potato until tender. Drain, mash and set aside to cool. You will need 260g (1 cup) of sweet potato for this cake.

Preheat the oven to 160°C (fan-forced). Grease a 20cm cake tin and line the base with non-stick baking paper.

Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl. In another bowl, whisk the rice malt syrup and butter until combined, then whisk in the sweet potato, apple purée and vanilla extract. Whisk the flour mixture into the sweet potato mixture alternately with the eggs until combined.

Working quickly, stir the vinegar into the mixture and immediately spoon it into the prepared tin. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until just firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe extracted from Natural Bakes by Caroline Griffiths, Smith Street Books, AUD$39.99, available now

Slice the cooled cake in half horizontally using a long serrated knife. Place the bottom layer on a serving plate or cake stand and spread with the macadamia vanilla cream. Top with the remaining cake half, dust with cocoa powder and serve.

Everyday gluten-free, sugar-free baking

Hazelnut Sponge with Roasted Strawberries & Ricotta

Serves: 8 -10

Ingredients

4 eggs

115g (1/3 cup) rice malt syrup

110g gluten-free flour blend

110g (1 cup) hazelnut meal

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest

100g butter, melted

3 teaspoons rosewater rose petals, to decorate (optional)

Roasted strawberries and whipped ricotta

500g strawberries, hulled and halved if large juice of 1 orange

2 teaspoons rosewater, plus extra to taste

500g fresh firm ricotta

½ teaspoon monk fruit extract powder, to taste (optional)

Roasted strawberries are really delicious. I especially love them with orange juice and rosewater.

Method

Preheat the oven to 150°C (fan-forced). Very lightly grease a deep 20cm cake tin and line the base with non-stick baking paper.

Beat the eggs and rice malt syrup in a large bowl with an electric mixer until thick and creamy, and the mixture leaves a thick trail when the beaters are lifted. Depending on your mixer, this may take about 10 minutes.

Sift the flour, hazelnut meal and baking powder into a large bowl, returning any coarse hazelnut meal to the bowl with the flour. Gently fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture in two batches. Add the orange zest, melted butter and rosewater and gently fold through the mixture until just combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, gently smooth the surface with a spatula and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until springy to touch in the centre and just starting to pull away from the side of the tin.

Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 15 minutes. Loosen the cake from the side of the tin before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For the roasted strawberries and whipped ricotta, put the strawberries, orange juice and rosewater in a shallow roasting tin, cover loosely with foil and roast for 25–30 minutes, or until the strawberries are just starting to collapse. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Whiz the ricotta in a food processor until smooth and silky. Add 8–10 of the roasted strawberries and about 1 tablespoon of the syrup from the roasting tin. Whiz to combine, then taste the mixture and add a little more fruit, syrup, rosewater or monk fruit extract powder to get a balanced flavour and a smooth, spreadable consistency. Cover and refrigerate until required.

Recipe extracted from Natural Bakes by Caroline Griffiths, Smith Street Books, AUD$39.99, available now

Slice the cooled cake in half horizontally using a long sharp serrated knife. Place the bottom layer on a serving plate or cake stand and spread over about half of the whipped ricotta mixture. Top with the remaining cake, whipped ricotta, roasted strawberries and a drizzle of the syrup. Decorate with rose petals for extra prettiness, if desired.

Everyday gluten-free, sugar-free baking

Lemon Tart

Serves: 10 -12

Ingredients

1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest

160ml (¾ cup) freshly squeezed lemon juice

85g (¼ cup) rice malt syrup

180g (¾ cup) mascarpone

4 eggs, plus 1 egg extra, lightly beaten, for brushing cream, crème fraîche or creamy yoghurt, to serve (optional)

Almond Pastry Crust

240g (2 cups) almond meal

2 tablespoons coconut flour

½ teaspoon monk fruit extract powder (optional)

60g virgin coconut oil, chilled to solidify then roughly chopped

1 egg

2–4 teaspoons iced water

Recipe extracted from Natural Bakes by Caroline Griffiths, Smith Street Books, AUD$39.99, available now

If you have a tree overflowing with lemons, this recipe is a great way to use them up. You will need about four lemons for this recipe. I love the tartness and the silky texture of this lemony tart, and the crust is a versatile gluten-free beauty.

Method

Preheat the oven to 160°C (fan-forced).

For the almond pastry crust, place the almond meal, coconut flour, monk fruit extract powder (if using) and solid coconut oil in a food processor and pulse until the coconut oil is mixed evenly throughout the mixture – you will still see small flecks of the solid coconut oil. Add the egg and, with the processor running, add enough water for the mixture to form coarse crumbs. It should cling together when pressed between your fingertips. Distribute the crumbs evenly over the base and up the side of a fluted 23cm × 3cm round loose-based tart tin, then press the mixture firmly into the base and side of the tin with your fingertips.

Cover the crust with a sheet of non-stick baking paper and fill with baking weights, or dry rice or beans. Blind bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and take out the weights and paper. Brush the crust with the extra beaten egg and bake for a further 10 minutes or until the crust is cooked through and the sides are lightly coloured. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Whisk the lemon zest and juice and rice malt syrup in a bowl until the syrup dissolves. Add the mascarpone and eggs and whisk gently until combined. Try not to whisk too vigorously or you will end up with little bubbles sitting on top of the cooked tart.

Put the cooled crust on a baking tray and place on the oven shelf. Pour the lemon mixture carefully into the crust. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until set with a slight wobble in the centre. Remove from the oven and cool in the tin. Serve at room temperature or chilled with cream, crème fraîche or yoghurt, if desired.

Kiwi cocktail connoisseurs Black Pineapple have launched the ultimate adult treat for Easter – a decadent ‘Golden Egg’ cocktail kit (from $69).

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Skin Journeys

Finally, skincare that’s easy! Skin Journeys are multiple-visit in-clinic skin treatments, combined with at-home clinic quality skincare, that target skin concerns to get you on track to the skin you’ve always wanted. See the results and transform your skin with a Skin Journey that’s tailored to you.

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Autumn, the season of change, is a great time to reset at Parohe with our range of pampering, educational, and immersive retreats to prepare you for the cosy winter months ahead.

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Digital Detox Required?

However, it’s essential to consider whether constant engagement with technology is truly beneficial for our overall wellbeing. Despite the notion of digital downtime being perceived as a form of relaxation, we need to take breaks from technology and overstimulation just as we require weekends or vacations from our jobs.

The general populace is under the impression that we possess only the five conventional senses of sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste, along with the unconventional sixth sense. However, our bodies are equipped with 15 additional senses, including balance, pain, temperature, time, thirst, fullness, and thermoception. Imagine all these senses working without any rest; this stimulation overload is a direct result of our reliance on the digital world. As a consequence, our brains do not receive the necessary downtime to function efficiently, resulting in reduced focus and deep-thinking abilities.

The current era is plagued by information overload, and our constant dependence on the digital world only worsens the situation. As we deny our brains much-needed downtime, our nervous system remains in a constant state of flight or fight mode, resulting in persistent exhaustion. Even computers

require a reboot, but we seem to neglect the need for it.

Research indicates that 61% of the population is addicted to the internet and their devices, and 95% of people use some form of electronics in the hour leading up to bedtime. On average, employees check 40 websites a day, switch activities 37 times an hour, and change tasks every two minutes. The extensive use of technology is causing numerous physical issues such as ‘tech neck’ and ‘phone face’, leading to premature ageing of the skin due to prolonged screen exposure.

Unplugging from technology, even for brief periods, is beneficial to recharge and regain the ability to focus and think deeply. Disconnecting from technology promotes restful sleep, leading to improved blood flow and dramatic effects on the skin. Reduced exposure to high energy visible light (HEV) prevents inflammation, sensitivity, and dryness, resulting in better skin texture and tone. Additionally, the skin can absorb repairing ingredients such as vitamins A, C, and E, found in several skincare products used at night, strengthening elasticity, and accelerating the skin's natural repair process while defending against reactive oxygen species (ROS –free radicals).

In combating the symptoms of digital overload that may show up on the skin, Louise Gray Skin Care therapists are expert. Our treatments focus on the power of human touch, professionalgrade products, and ingredients that aid the skin in switching from defence mode to regeneration mode.

While technology plays a significant role in our lives, we must remember to take breaks and allow our minds and bodies to recharge. Disconnecting from technology can lead to increased mindfulness, deeper connections with others, enhanced creativity, and more restful sleep.

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09 528 9010

louisegray.co.nz

The evolution of technology is truly incredible. It has become an integral part of our daily lives, aiding with various tasks, and providing entertainment.

Getting the Needle

Are the kids going to school today or are they staying home? Has someone left the tap running upstairs, or is that the roof leaking again? And did you just cough?!

The saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is not a favourite of ours, but in the case of micro-needling, it really does apply.

Skin needling allows for controlled induction of the skin’s self-repair mechanism. By creating ‘micro injuries’ to the skin with very fine needles, it allows us to infuse various products into the skin to achieve maximum penetration and effect. These injuries prompt the skin to go into healing mode, which includes the release of collagen, elastin and the stimulation of new supporting skin cells, fibroblasts. This in turn, reduces the signs of aging, like sagging, wrinkles, hollows, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, mild-moderate acne scars and general skin rejuvenation.

At Clinic 42 we offer the latest technology in skin needling with Dermapen 4. Dermapen takes collagen induction therapy to the next level, giving amazing results with less damage, less pain, and less recovery time.

Due to the 16-needle cartridge, the Dermapen glides over the skin for patient comfort while also creating more

rejuvenating channels and increased results.

These results can be seen as smoother, firmer, and more rejuvenated-looking skin.

Micro-needling can be safely repeated every 4-6 weeks until you achieve the desired result, and for collagen induction we recommend starting with a course of three treatments.

Dermapen is also a highly effective treatment that minimises scarring by stimulating collagen growth beneath the scar. Multiple treatments are required, and we usually recommend 4-6, but little downtime is needed. There are no current treatments that completely remove scars. But most people will begin to see results after their very first appointment.

While micro-needling might not be everyone’s idea of indulgent self-care time, it’s not as daunting as it may sound.

There can be some discomfort but the tiny needles are roughly the size of acupuncture needles, and most people find the treatment is tolerable.

Depending on the depth or aggressiveness of the treatment, it’s possible to experience pin-point bleeding

during the treatment but not ongoing. You may find temporary redness of the skin for an hour or so, or possibly a day, depending upon the age of the skin and treatment depth.

Although the actual Dermapen treatment takes only about 20-30 minutes, we schedule you for a one-hour appointment to comfortably allow enough time to prepare and aftercare the skin. After your treatment, you’ll need to continue to use a good sunscreen. Do not use any vitamin A, vitamin C, perfumes, or exfoliating products on the treated area for 3-7 days. Do not rub or pick the skin as this may lead to a scar. Stay out of the sun for 24 hours (including tanning beds). Swimming or other exposures to chemicals should be avoided until your skin has healed. Exercise or other strenuous activity for 24 hours should also be avoided. Sweating and gym sessions can be detrimental due to bacteria.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Dermapen, or any of the treatments available at Clinic 42, or to make a booking you can visit our website at clinic42.co.nz . Alternatively you can contact our reception team on 09 638 4242 or reception@clinic42.co.nz

I don’t think many would argue we are in the midst of some challenging times.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Targets fat cells without damaging surrounding tissue.

Fat cells break down and your body's natural elimination process disposes of them.

Smoother & More Confident You!

Finesse Face and Body Clinic is proud to be the first truSculpt iD provider in New Zealand, as part of an exclusive partnership with Cutera.

TruSculpt iD is the latest technology available to permanently and non-invasively remove body fat. “We have been leaders in non-invasive cellulite and body contouring treatments in Auckland for 20 years,” says Sue Crake, owner of the Remuera Salon.

How does truSculpt iD work?

truSculpt iD uses a unique form of monopolar radio frequency energy that penetrates evenly and deeply and is able to treat deep into the entire fat pad - from skin to muscle. Once the applicators have been placed on target fatty areas, heat is dispersed evenly, causing irreparable damage to the fat cell walls which the body metabolises and removes permanently over the next 12 weeks. Real-time temperature control and monitoring sensors ensure a constant and therapeutic temperature is maintained for 10 minutes ensuring maximum fat disruption, resulting in 24% fat reduction with every treatment. Patient comfort is ensured through the highly engineered skin adhesives and temperature control which keeps the skin cooler than the underlying fat.

How is truSculpt iD treatment performed?

The initial consultation is performed to assess and discuss your concerns and desired aesthetic goals, then a tailored and customised treatment plan will be created. A total of six handpieces can be used per 15-minute treatment, and multiple areas can be treated on the same day. Once medical consent is completed skin adhesives are attached to the skin overlying the fat pocket followed by the handsfree applicators. The treatment area is wrapped in a cummerbund to minimise movement of handpieces during treatment. After 15 minutes of warmth is distributed into the tissue, the adhesives, handpieces and cummerbund are removed and the patient can return to normal activities.

How do I know if I am a candidate?

truSculpt iD is the latest in non-invasive fat removal procedures in minimising treatment time, maximising results and comfort whilst reducing downtime (there is none!). truSculpt iD is a great treatment for targeting stubborn fat pockets that are resistant to diet and exercise, or for a more global debulking option. truSculpt iD is not restricted by BMI or skin laxity concerns, making it a great alternative to cryotherapies. To learn more about if you’re a suitable candidate, book a free consultation with Sue at Finesse.

How many treatments will I need?

Your initial assessment and personal goals will determine the best course of treatment tailored to you, however patients will only require one treatment. Whether one or two treatments are required, all patients will see an effect at 12 weeks.

Is the treatment painful?

No! Patients report the treatment feels like getting into a hot bath. The heat at first can be a little intense, but just like a bath you become accustomed to the feeling and adjust to the treatment. There is no pain, no downtime and no massage required. Patients can return to normal activities immediately after with most patients only experiences some mild redness on the treatment zone which subsides in a couple of hours.

How long before I see my results?

Clients will begin to see a change in their silhouette from 6 – 8 weeks post treatment, but maximum results are achieved at week 12. Changes in skin quality, tone and texture are usually seen earlier. Each area can be treated once per 12-weeks but other areas can be treated before then.

TruSculpt ID Benefits

NZ MedSafe approved for permanent reduction of up to 24% fat (*shown through ultrasound clinical trials)

15-minute treatment (half the time, and twice the treatment area vs cryotherapies largest applicator)

No discomfort & No Downtime – resume normal activities immediately after Customisable and flexible treatment opportunities depending your body and goals

No BMI restrictions

Male & Female suited

Skin tightening – post partum suitability

Treatment areas: abdomen (upper, mid and lower), flanks (love handles), upper back fat, lower back fat, inner thighs, outer thighs, arms and under the chin.

Before 12 weeks after one treatment

Before 12 weeks after one treatment

The Other Side of Influencing

In 2003, the Canadian band Simple Plan released a song called ‘Perfect’, which features the deliciously emo lyrics “I’m sorry I can’t be perfect”.

This line sounds incredibly dramatic. Yet, the idea behind it, of having someone with high expectations and not meeting them, is a very real theme within the unusually long-lasting ‘vlogpology’ (video blog apology) digital genre. Which began around 2016. Vlogpologies have been described as something “any big YouTube creator must have in their personal content library”.

There are a plethora of reasons for issuing a vlogpology. They can be as innocent as the overscheduled teenager who uploaded their vlog a day later than expected or a gamer who talked over his friends in excitement. Or in the realm of criminal activities, such as doxing.

WORDS BELLA SAMPSON

These apology videos often go viral, receiving millions more views than any of the vlogger’s previous content. They’re usually subjected to parody and criticism across social media. They also tend to receive mainstream coverage from larger content producers such as The New York Times, CNN, Saturday Night Live and so forth. In this coverage, vloggers tend to be accused of “only apologising because they’re being forced to do so”.

But the thing is, in many cases, that’s exactly what they’re doing. They cannot strategise for weeks/months with their PR team to deliver a tailored statement via a tweet, as celebrities can. Nor can they take a break from the internet or ignore it. Vloggers must address the controversy as soon as possible, or risk losing millions of their followers and damaging their reputation.

Because vloggers give their viewers such an intimate view of their lives through their mass of content, the audience often becomes enmeshed in a parasocial relationship. Even if a vlogger plays up their hobby on their channel, for instance, only vlogging about Lego-related activities, they will inevitably let personal details slip. A vlogger is a brand as well as a person, you can’t criticise one without critiquing the other.

As a subscriber, watching your ‘friend’ make a mistake can cause feelings of betrayal or empathy, depending on myriad factors; including how well their vlogpology goes. For outsiders watching the viral video, it can look like another funny internet disaster, akin to the addictive cringe-inducing reality television diary confessionals.

Some have suggested that vloggers have a shared script for their apologies. Yet, as the vlogpology tends to be filmed in one take, it is unlikely they have copied and memorised a lengthy speech. However, they do share some features. For instance, they often follow ‘sorry’ with ‘if’ or ‘but’, which is said

to negate the apologetic sentiment. Although, that could be an unconscious measure of self-soothing in the midst of a crisis.

They also rarely use text or graphics in their vlogpology thumbnails. Instead, they often choose a simple screenshot from their video or stage a photo that looks like a moment from the apology. Perhaps this apparent lack of design stemmed from a desire to detract viewership. Yet, when found amongst the vivid thumbnails that make up the YouTube homepage, search results, and the creator's own previous content library – they become intriguing through contrast.

Patterns like these suggest the vloggers look at each other's work, to see what is successful and what they should avoid. This may be where the proposed ‘sameness’ across vlogpologies comes from. Having spent the last year crafting a 55,000-word thesis on the topic, I can say with confidence that I did not encounter any identical vlogpologies within the genre (visually, verbally, or in their organisational structure). The similarities are simply the common or salient features that serve genre-specific purposes.

Something I think that is worth mentioning when considering this topic is that there must be a difference between an apology that you organically decide you want to give, and an apology that you’re told you have to make while incredibly distressed. I’m not suggesting accountability should be skipped, but the current method is in need of review.

Oh, and if you were wondering about the grade, it was an A. Naturally, my friends and family spent months consistently asking when I’d get the grade back, then chanting ‘of course, you’ll get an A!’ every time I insisted a B or C would still make me proud. Now their regular bit is ‘not an A+?!’. Which is cutesy, but I’m not perfect, and I don’t have to be their idea of perfect; nor should anyone else.

Freedom From Orthotics

92% of foot pain sufferers that have been prescribed orthotics may not need them!

Have any of these issues?

•Trouble finding nice shoes to wear your orthotics with?

•Find the orthotic hard and uncomfortable

•Knee and Hip pain

• Blisters in the arch

•Foot pain

Orthotics don’t fix your foot pain

Orthotics work as artificial supports for foot imbalances. When the orthotic is removed, so is the support for the foot.

Orthotics can weaken your feet

Orthotics don’t change or retrain the foot so you can become dependent on the supports. Orthotics can be a good tool in the early stage of pain but there needs to be a plan to remove the device so the foot can build strength. (You don’t keep a cast on a broken bone forever).

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Dreaming Big

WORDS

JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

It’s estimated that more than half of adults have at least once experienced lucid dreaming – defined by the Sleep Foundation as being aware a dream is taking place while not leaving the dream state –with almost a quarter able to do it monthly.

Some, like Westport local Peter Maich, are almost able to do it at will – proven by his 20-plus notebooks filled with texts and sketches about his slumbering adventures.

“I turn 64 this year, and it all started with nightmares when I was eight or nine years old,” he tells Verve . “That’s a pretty common story for proficient lucid dreamers.”

As his childhood progressed, Peter realised he’d become angry during those nightmares and able to, for example, “turn the tables” and chase someone who’d previously been pursuing him:

“It was the first spark of realising, ‘Hey, I’m dreaming.’ And I took control.” Peter even credits his sleep skills with steering him away from substance abuse as a teenager: “The drug experiences my friends talked about were nothing compared to my dreams! I never felt the need to indulge.”

However, it wasn’t until Peter was in his 40s that he felt comfortable enough to disclose his abilities. “My mum knew I had nightmares, but they were just something you dealt with,” he says. “It wasn’t until I got onto Google that I discovered that lucid dreaming was an actual thing.”

Now, with an estimated 5,000 lucid dreams to his name, Peter is a regular presenter at the International Association for the Study of Dreams in the USA.

HISTORY OF LUCIDITY

Lucid dream-like states have been discussed in many ancient texts, with references in Buddhist, Hindu, and Abrahamic manuscripts promoting the practice as a form of meditation, a way of communicating with God, or a glimpse into the afterlife. Around 330 BC, Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote about lucid dreaming in On Dreams.

But it wasn’t until 1913 that the term ‘lucid dream’ was first coined, by Dutch psychiatrist Frederik Willems van Eeden who described the phenomenon as “a state of perfect awareness” that allows the sleeper to “attempt different acts of free volition”.

Mary Arnold-Foster’s 1921 book Studies in Dreams was one of the earliest English language publications about lucid dreaming which recounts, among other tales, the author’s ability to soar while sleeping (“a slight paddling motion by my hands increases the pace of the flight…”) and sees her put forth an argument for people possessing “dual consciousnesses”. But it was Christopher Nolan’s smash hit 2010 movie Inception that truly inserted the concept of lucid dreaming into the global consciousness. For those that have been living – or sleeping –under a rock for the past decade or so, the film centres around a group of thieves who enter people’s dreams, via their own, in order to steal subliminal secrets. A fascinating idea, though surely far-fetched?

Perhaps not.

An international study published by Current Biology in 2021 found that folk were able to receive and process complex external information whilst asleep. Researchers asked 158 questions – including maths problems – to lucid dreamers who responded via signalling through facial movements. Their answers were correct 18.6% of the time and incorrect only 3.2%, with the remaining questions receiving no response. Lead study author Karen Konkoly believes such techniques could help treat the likes of trauma, anxiety, and depression. Science writer David Robson says that studies around such heightened states of awareness are key to answering the “fundamental questions about the nature of human consciousness”.

continues over page

Studies around such heightened states of awareness are key to answering the “fundamental questions about the nature of human consciousness” .

“I’m not particularly religious, and I don’t like the word ‘spiritual’, but the dreams can be quite profound,” says Peter. “You start to lose your sense of self, and the dreams take on their own form of life, of energy. It becomes what I call a ‘pure experience’.”

SLEEPING SCIENCE

Some research has shown benefits to include the treatment of nightmares and the overcoming of fears, while other studies have concluded lucid dreaming could have a detrimental impact on mental health, interfering with sleep patterns and blurring reality and fantasy.

“There’s a misunderstanding that lucid dreamers can control a dream, but that’s not true,” says Peter. “You can control certain aspects of a dream, but you can’t control it overall.”

I ask Peter about his emotional state while dreaming.

“The overriding feeling is one of warmth,” he says. “There is synergy between the inner and outer minds, they communicate. There is a positivity that feeds into my daily life and allows me to be more accepting of what’s going on around me.”

Much about lucid dreaming is still unknown, but the brain’s prefrontal cortex is believed to be most likely responsible for the phenomenon, having been observed to be nearly as active while lucid dreamers are asleep as it is when they’re awake. Studies have also shown that lucid dreaming only occurs during REM – the fourth and final stage of the sleep cycle – while regular dreaming can take place during other stages of snoozing.

Certain drugs and substances – such as the alkaloid galantamine, which is used to treat early Alzheimer’s – have been shown to induce lucid dreaming. For one study, volunteers were given placebos or differing doses of galantamine before going to sleep. Fourteen percent of those taking the placebo experienced lucid dreaming compared with 27% of those who’d

taken the 4mg dose of galantamine, and 42% for those who’d taken the 8mg dose.

“I’d estimate that 10% of my lucid dreams have been induced by supplements,” says Peter. “The supplements are a great aid, but they’re not a magic totem, they’ll simply increase the probability.”

Peter says that other effective methods include visualisation, meditation, and adopting good sleep habits. “Those diaries are really useful too,” he adds. “Sketching and writing, recalling those dreams, it almost primes you, sets your mind up for a high chance of becoming lucid later. It’s mind-blowing, that virtual playground that’s basically unlimited.”

DON’T DREAM IT’S OVER

Picasso famously said that every child is an artist, the problem is how to remain an artist when grown up. A similar sentiment could be applied to lucid dreaming, with several studies showing lucid dreaming rates higher among the young, with rates decreasing with the onset of adulthood.

“You’d be surprised when talking with children if you ask them if they’ve had any good dreams lately,” says Peter. “Children are very curious and emotional, and they dream like crazy. I think it’s an incredibly valuable exercise for parents and children to just talk about dreams over the breakfast table. It’s where you see your hopes and your values. The subconscious is so important.”

Following a “good night’s dream”, Peter feels “open to possibilities”.

“I don’t believe in God or anything like that, but I feel there’s something bigger behind it all,” he adds. “Either another part of ourselves that we connect to, or something beyond that. I don’t know. But what I do know is that there is a great sense of peace and calmness around it.”

IMAGE: PETER MAICH

Beauty’s Back!

nzfashionweek.com

New Zealand Fashion Week returns this year to celebrate the best of New Zealand’s fashion industry as part of a reimagined event taking place at the Viaduct Events Centre from 29 August until 2 September.

With a new owner and under new leadership, New Zealand Fashion Week will be bigger and better than ever before. A redesigned and reimagined event will give fashion lovers the opportunity to experience the event alongside industry and designer guests – traditionally a trade-only show the new format will be a more consumer-friendly one – allowing the general public the chance to attend more shows than ever before.

Yasmin Farry, general manager of New Zealand Fashion Week says: “We’ve had a beautiful opportunity to regroup, to work collaboratively with the industry to redesign and reimagine this iconic event. What’s even more exciting is the early commitment and support from some of New Zealand’s emerging and top designers to participate in this year’s event.

Get the Blues

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Scattered Among the Stars

Early 20th century pulp magazines like Amazing Stories were among the first to dream of sending ashes to the stars, while the 1965 satirical movie The Loved One also discussed firing remains into the ether. The first company to put the idea into commercial practice, however, was US-based Celestis – whose team includes a former director of the NASA Kennedy Space Center and retired NASA astronauts – when they sent a portion of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry’s remains into space on a 1997 rocket flight along with the remains of other individuals such as psychedelic drug advocate and author Timothy Leary.

While pretty much every client shares an obvious love for Star Trek or Star Wars, Celestis CEO and co-founder Charles M Chafer tells Verve that other commonalities include a passion for exploration or professional affiliations with NASA, the US Air Force, and the aerospace industry.

“We have both clients who practise religion and who are not religious,” he adds. “I would say the majority of our clients lean more toward the spiritual, with a desire to be at one with the cosmos.”

Space burial companies generally send 1-3 grams of someone’s remains into orbit, with each one offering various levels – and lengths – of flight ranging from suborbital where ashes are sent briefly to the cosmos before returning to Earth a few hours later, through to being blasted into deep space for eternity.

“Our services provide an opportunity to celebrate a loved one’s life,” continues Charles. “At the memorial service we conduct the day before the launch, the mood is commemorative and reflective, but come lift-off, there’s widespread cheering and high fiving.”

There are also options to be fired to the moon – to orbit it and land the surface

Though a place in paradise may be a matter of faith, space burials offer the opportunity to spend eternity in the heavens by way of cremated human remains being launched into orbit.

– and to track loved ones’ galactic journeys via apps and videos. Celestis even offers flights for the remains of pets. “We’ve had people that fly with their pets and those that have sent their pets on a Celestis Memorial Spaceflight individually,” says Charles. “It’s a way to celebrate their loyal companion.”

Earlier this year New Zealand-founded company StardustME sent its first purpose-built capsule containing cremated human remains into space aboard the Falcon 9 reusable SpaceX rocket. The ashes, encased within 50cent piece-sized space-engineered tokens mounted in a trackable state-of-the-art satellite, will orbit 500km above the Earth’s surface (around the same altitude as the International Space Station) before re-entering the atmosphere “blazing as a shooting star” and “leaving no waste or residual space junk” in around five years’ time.

Stu Potter, co-founder and managing director of StardustME, says “it was one of those whacky ideas that once verbalised just wouldn’t go away and I knew we had to make it happen”. “At the end of the day we are made up of stardust,” he adds. “Nearly all the elements in the human body were made in a star, which will go on to seed the next generation of stars.”

Thomas Civeit, founder of Elysium Space, believes space burials to be “part of the new space movement” that’s “helping lead the way toward democratisation of access to space”.

With sub-orbital flights on the likes of Virgin Galactic costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and full orbital flights costing tens of millions, memorial flights – which cost as little as $2,995 –offer an affordable way of journeying to the stars, even though it comes with the massive catch of being your final journey.

“We’ve had so many remarkable stories, too many to share,” says Charles. “One client, Gregory Brown of Oklahoma, a 14-year-old boy with leukaemia, flew on our Millennial Flight. Greg was the very first recipient of a transfusion from the National Bone Marrow Registry. He attracted global attention for wanting to be an astronaut. We were able to make his final wish a reality.”

“Nearly all the elements in the human body were made in a star, which will go on to seed the next generation of stars.”

Marchin’ Forward

March - the month when summer plants are soaking up their final rays of sunshine (we hope) and fruits are at their juiciest peak. It's the perfect time to get your gardening gloves on and get to work, especially as many gardens will be needing some TLC after the excessive rainfall we had in February.

Veggies

It's time to start planting your winter veggies. Stagger them by planting some now, and the rest over the course of autumn. For root veggies like beetroot, parsnip, and carrots, plant them directly in the garden. And for those leafy greens like lettuce, kale, broccoli, coriander, parsley, and cabbage, start them off in seedling trays.

Fruit

Autumn has arrived and it's the perfect time to plant citrus and add some zest to your garden! Boost your crop yield and enjoy a longer harvest season by planting two different varieties of feijoa that fruit at different times. You'll be

able to enjoy fresh feijoas for longer and never run out!

And don’t forget to water and feed your established plants regularly and deeply around the root zone. By giving them the proper care, you'll ensure a thriving and healthy garden.

Indoor Plants

Give your indoor plants the love they deserve by liquid feeding them with Kings House Plant Food. March is your last chance to repot indoor plants before the weather gets too chilly.

Garden Plants

Get ready for a colourful autumn with new-season camellias, instore this

month! With a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, these versatile flowers can thrive in full sun to full shade. Early-blooming varieties bring joy from early autumn to mid-winter. It’s also the perfect time to start planting hedging plants like eugenias, griselinias, or corokia to get them established for next year. Plant spring bulbs for a pop of beautiful colour come spring, with a wide range instore this month including freesias, hyacinths, and daffodils.

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

NZ’s most sustainable garden centre

Our new concept store is changing the landscape of garden centres with a number of ground-breaking and interactive features that are a must-see!

With a carefully curated range of seasonal plants, inspirational display zones, sustainability at the heart of the design, and plant experts on hand to help you every step of the way, Kings Plant Barn Stonefields is everything you love about Kings, plus so much more

Bog Standards

JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

In 1863, a public toilet was built near Queen Street Wharf on what is now Customs Street to serve the wharf and surrounding areas. The rudimentary structure – with a urinal and water closet – was Auckland’s first.

“The establishment of public toilets and the changing ways in which they have been needed and used tell interesting, somewhat indecorous stories about aspects of our social history,” notes Samantha Waru, former Auckland Council senior archivist and researcher of online exhibition, Flushed Out: The Secrets of the Public Toilet which looks at the history of our public restrooms. “For something as seemingly mundane as a toilet, we really can infer a lot about what was going on in our city, who was here and what their needs were. One group that had not been catered for prior to 1910 were women.”

Yes, it took an astonishing 47 years after the opening of the men’s first public toilet for women to have their first convenience – but even that was shared with the men, at the corner of Symonds Street and Grafton Bridge. It would be another five years before a standalone women’s toilet was built, in an underground section of Wyndham Street.

Following intervention from the National Council of Women, in 1926, a Karangahape Road convenience built with six toilets, a lounge room, a change room, a mother’s room, an attendant’s room and pram storage was labelled “well ahead of its time”.

From the stylish to the sustainable and everything in between, Aotearoa New Zealand has continued the trend for imaginative public dunnies such as Steffan de Haan’s spectacular surrealist sculpted heads at Matakana and the stencil-adorned rustycoloured cylindrical cubicles among the Redwood Forest in Rotorua. Wellington’s ‘lobster loos’ (or ‘crayfish crappers’), designed by architect Bret Thurston, are crustacean-themed conveniences that were ranked the third best toilets in the

world in a 2015 poll. The Mitchinson Simiona-designed toilets at Karekare Beach are built from beautiful macrocarpa wood and treat wastewater onsite, while the Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa, by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, have been described as “the world's most architecturally important public bathroom”.

EARLY PASSAGES

While we may be able to pinpoint Auckland’s original public convenience, finding history’s first is a little more inconvenient as it depends on what we deem a toilet. Though the 50,000-year-old fossilised faeces of Neanderthals has been found, few would count that spot as a designated toilet. But the discovery of water-repellent bitumen-coated brick chairs built over cesspits proved that the Mesopotamians were developing sanitary waste disposal methods at least 4,500 years ago.

The flushing toilet was created way, way earlier than you likely imagined, also. Around 3,500 years ago, the Minoans on the Greek island of Crete added the ability to ‘flush’ via a piping system – fed either by water from jugs or a rooftop reservoir – that ferried waste to an underground sewer. Interestingly, a similar system was developed around the same time around 4,000km away in the Indus Valley.

“From there, toilet technology took off,” writes Chelsea Ward for Nature . “In the first millennium BC, ancient Greeks of the Classical period and, especially, the succeeding Hellenistic period developed large-scale public latrines — basically large rooms with bench seats connected to drainage systems — and put toilets into ordinary middle-class houses.”

IMAGE: TOILETS AT SYMONDS STREET AND GRAFTON BRIDGE CORNER (AUCKLAND LIBRARIES HERITAGE COLLECTIONS)

Then, archaeologist Ann Koloski-Ostrow says that the Romans “were unprecedented in their adoption of toilets” with public latrines becoming “a major feature of Roman infrastructure, much like bathhouses”. By 315 AD, there were around 150 public toilets in Rome – comprising stone benches, with evenly spaced holes and wooden seats – and visiting them was seen as a social event.

The version of the flush toilet that we recognise today was invented by Elizabeth I’s godson, Sir John Harrington, in 1592. Around 300 years later, Thomas Crapper patented several toilet-related inventions but did not actually create the modern toilet as he’s often credited.

MEMORABLE MOVEMENTS

This month marks the end of the Tokyo Toilet, a project that has seen 16 internationally recognised architects and designers renovate 17 public toilets in the district of Shibuya to ensure they’re accessible to all regardless of gender, age, or disability, while also addressing social issues.

Japanese graphic designer Tomohito Ushiro, founder of White Design, has built a toilet featuring a large light massive display panel that projects 7.9 billion different light patterns in a reference to the world's population at the point the project was conceived. "The location in a park, surrounded by greenery in an area where many people live, means that it is also like a piece of public art that is part of people's daily lives, and is always posing questions," says Ushiro. "I hope this toilet will become a monument that continuously makes people think about the project's significance."

Industrial designer Marc Newson has designed a concrete public convenience that comprises men's and women's toilets placed on either side of a central disabled toilet topped by a pitched copper roof – a nod towards the traditional Japanese temples and tea rooms. Newson says that it’s important that the toilet feels “trustworthy and honest” with a focus on “functionality” and “simplicity”.

Simplicity was not at the forefront of the architect of a gold toilet at the Swiss Horn Gold Palace in Hong Kong that entered the Guinness World Records for having the world’s most expensive toilet bowl valued at over $5.5 million (even the room is made of gold meaning visitors must don protective footwear), while the world’s humblest – and loneliest – public lavatory title could be given either to a clifftop cubicle in Serbia or a roadside outhouse outside the city of Vallejo, California.

The Russian offering sits perched at 2,600 metres above sea level at a remote weather station in the Altai Mountains in an area known as Kara Tyurek (which translates as ‘black heart’ in the regional dialect), while the Californian crapper can only be reached by rafting through a marsh then walking through tall grass (it’s called ‘Lone Toilet’ on Google maps).

And though not a public convenience, an honourable mention must be given to the world’s scariest toilet which sits atop a lift shaft in a luxury penthouse in a building in Guadalajara, Mexico. The bathroom’s fully glass floor means that if you look down while answering the call of nature, you ‘ll be staring into the abyss of a 15-storey high void.

IMAGE: KARANGAHAPE ROAD TOILETS (AUCKLAND LIBRARIES HERITAGE COLLECTIONS)

The Art of March

It’s March and the art scene is a hive of activity with a post deluge hum in the air. This month kicks off with The Aotearoa Art Fair, running from the 1-6 March at the Cloud, outside of which, the gallerists are making the most of the twilight warmth this autumn month brings. The art bees are out, the flowers are open and the pollen is sweet. Go get some.

FÖENANDER GALLERIES

New Wave

Matthew Carter

8-31 March

New Wave brings together a body of the artist’s most recent paintings. The title of the exhibition is drawn from one of the works, which depicts a group of figures crossing a street. One of the figures in the painting appears to be waving at the viewer. This references an earlier work of Carter’s, The Wave, in which a figure captured in paint also appeared to be waving at the viewer. Beyond this, the exhibition title also references French New Wave cinema, which Carter admires. This inventive style of cinematic modernism includes the work of well-known filmmakers such as Jean-Luc Goddard.

455 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden. foenandergalleries.co.nz

AUCKLAND ART

GALLERY TOI O

TĀMAKI

Light from Tate: 1700s to Now

Various artists

On until 25 June

Curated from the collections of Tate, UK, and exclusive to the gallery, this exhibition features nearly 100 artworks by celebrated international artists from the 18th century to the present. It tells the story of how light has captivated artists over time and across media including painting, photography and installation. Featuring the historical paintings of visionary artists JMW Turner and John Constable, the impressionistic brushstrokes of Claude Monet, sensorial colour painted by Wassily Kandinsky, Bridget Riley and Josef Albers, and the experimental photographs of the 1920s.

Cnr Kitchener and Wellesley Streets, Auckland CBD aucklandartgallery.com

IMAGE: DIVINATION (XIV), COURTESY OF TRISH CLARK GALLERY

TE TUHI

Who can think, what can think Group show

On until 7 May

Who can think, what can think is an exhibition that challenges definitions of ‘intelligence’ in relation to human and non-human cognition by embracing understandings of biodiversity and neurodiversity. To question ‘who and what can think’ requires us to confront the troubling history of categorising intelligence that has led to certain groups of people being excluded, controlled and killed, and plants, animals and whole ecosystems being exploited and destroyed. This exhibition groups a range of artworks that help to address this complex history and to question how these issues influence us today.

13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga. tetuhi.art

BERGMAN GALLERY

Pride and Prejudice, Part 1 Group Show

On until 18 March

The exhibition series, Pride and Prejudice, Parts 1-3 brings together a collection of stories by Queer and Pacific artists who live, like many of us, with prejudice. They are narrated in painted, sculptural and photographic form. They are communicated with love, humour and gravity. They are not victim impact statements, nor are they a condemnation or judgment of others, these stories function as a stocktake of the reality we live in, and purposefully reflect that we believe the fight for equality in all of its forms, is far from over. This exhibition is part of the Auckland Pride Festival 2023 and includes artists; Heather Straka, Oliver Cain, Luke Thurgate, Lucas Grogan, Louie Bretaña, Raymond Sagapolutele, and Sione Monū.

3/582 Karangahape Road (Entrance 2 Newton Road), Grey Lynn. bergmangallery.com

STUDIO ONE TOI TŪ gap

Cindy Huang, Sung Hwan Bobby Park & Ruby White

On until 30 March

Cindy Huang, Sung Hwan Bobby Park and Ruby White share hands parched from clay; using ceramic as a means for narration, negotiation and navigation. With converging practices in Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere, this assembly of realities become a scattering of seeds_ a sowing of 氣 a mingling of fragrance_

Aiming to subvert traditional ideas around ceramics and explore how artists blur the boundaries between art and craft, the exhibition delves into the idea of how the body exists in a liminal space between past and present, belonging and alienation.

238 Karangahape Road, Newton. studioone.org.nz

SANDERSON CONTEMPORARY

Descendants

Julie Cromwell

On until 12 March

Descendants is a new suite of works developed from award-winning ceramicist Julie Cromwell. The show presents the artists’ ongoing research into the historical linage of clay and ceramics, as well as a recent exploration into funerary ware.

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

TRISH CLARK GALLERY

Divinations

Christine Webster

On until 1 April

Comprising 14 photographs and four videos, Divinations is a poignant exhibition that holds in tension the body’s earthly flesh with lofty themes of religious ecstasy, transcendence and death alongside quotidian details of daily life.

142 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. trishclark.co.nz

For the Ages

WORDS

JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

The studio of ceramicist Lucy McMillan sits in a “dear friend’s” garden shed, surrounded by a small orchard in a beautifully kept garden as natural light cascades through sizeable doors.

“It’s small and chaotic and filled to the brim with stuff and everything I need,” says Lucy. “I listen to the radio all day long in here, and I couldn’t be happier.”

The Elam School of Fine Arts alumna tells Verve that she came to pottery through her painting practice. Her work, she adds, has always “played within sculptural terms”, and moving on to clay seemed like a natural extension. “I like how both materials have a lot of stretch and give,” continues Lucy. “I’ve been working through painterly ideas in pottery, and in particular, I like the edges, the corners, and the collapsing forms I’m able to make with clay. Clay has a beautiful elegance, the way it changes state from humble mud to a solid object in a firing.”

Lucy’s work is influenced by agateware – revered for its marbling effect which is created by mixing different clays –as well as brutalism and mid-century design. She’s drawn to the history of

clay, a material which forms some of humanity’s oldest creations, and wonders if one day her work, too, will be discovered among distant future ruins. “I like thinking about clay as a culture that holds a past,” says the ceramicist. “How each loose grain and mineral has filtered through time. Transforming clay dug up from the ground feels a bit like alchemy. Like magic. It connects me to history.”

Lucy was raised among the peaceful hills of Waikari Valley in Canterbury, her family “very practical and connected to the land, season and food”. As a teenager she moved north with her mother to settle in Piha. “So, from dry, tussocky southern countryside to the dark, lush, dense bush of the west coast,” she recalls. “Both places very wild in their own way. I grew up surrounded by artists in my family and people in the small, isolated communities where I lived.”

continues over page

“Clay has a beautiful elegance, the way it changes state from humble mud to a solid object in a firing.”

After graduating from Elam in the late 90s, Lucy spent 10 years in Berlin (“a different kind of wild!”) where she taught art at an international school, and now lives with her family in a cohousing community of 20 households in Grey Lynn, her working hours “chiming with my children’s school day”.

I ask Lucy if she sketches her designs prior to beginning the physical creative process but she says she rarely even knows what she’s making before she starts, opting instead to “go in blind”.

“I find I am able to make my best work when I get lost in it, and look back at decisions I’ve made and not know how I got there. It’s often the patterns that present themselves that steer the form of the object I make. Or a memory of something I’ve seen. I’m often trying to emulate an experience felt in an architectural space.”

Sometimes, more meaningful pieces are brought home to be worked on at

her kitchen table, “which I love – I’d work there every day if I could”.

When asked if there are any pieces that have been too special to sell, Lucy admits that there’s an ever-growing collection of them in her home thanks to her partner “peeling away his favourites from my studio over time”.

“I also keep a lot of my seconds as reminders of clay combinations or forms that I want to revisit,” she adds. “I have a fondness for the ones that didn’t make it the whole way.”

studiolucymcmillan.com

A Luxury Stay Awaits You

There are few places in the world where you can enjoy opulent luxury and true wilderness at the same time. Falcon Brae Villa is one.

Falcon Brae Villa

Nestled in a secluded valley with panoramic views of soaring mountains and the mighty Motueka River – Falcon Brae Villa is a one-of-a-kind property.

Book a stay here and you can expect the ultimate luxury experience, flawless service and even a private chef. The villa itself is a sight to behold with its architectural-designed and unique elliptical falcon wing roofs. “There’s not a single person who doesn’t walk through the front door and say ‘wow’. It has 360-degree views over the mountains of Kahurangi National Park, and a quiet, calming atmosphere,” says managing director Kate Kerr.

A short walk from the property, you’ll find some of New Zealand’s (and the world’s) best fly fishing in the Motueka River, known for its population of oversized wild brown trout.

Guests also have access to a helicopter for scenic heli-tours over the stunning Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi national parks, or get amongst it with walking, hiking and cruising on the lakes.

Falcon Brae is less than an hour’s drive from 28 world-class wineries and has 24 boutique art and craft studios for guests to explore.

For bookings and more information

Kate Kerr | 03 522 4479

info@falconbraevilla.co.nz

falconbraevilla.co.nz

—

3256 Motueka Valley Highway, Stanley Brook

Inside, there’s a central lounge with a 5m-high ceiling, sunken bar, grand piano, high-tech gym, media theatre, three dining areas, and a games room. The lush outdoor area boasts views of the mountains and Motueka River and includes an outdoor pool, heated spa, outdoor dining area, and even a helipad terrace.

Thanks to its location 50 minutes from Nelson, and between three of New Zealand’s most scenic national parks, there’s no shortage of incredible things to do.

The villa is usually only available for exclusive use. For a limited time, individual suites can be booked at a fraction of the usual price and exclusive use is also available at a discounted rate. Large groups of up to 16 can book the villa and the adjacent Stonefly Lodge (owned and operated by Kate Kerr).

Nelson Tasman

Box Office

BROKER

9 March

Sang-hyun runs a laundry shop and is constantly saddled with debt, while Dong-soo, who grew up in an orphanage, works in a baby box facility. One night in the pouring rain, they secretly carry off an infant left in a baby box. But the following day, the mother So-young unexpectedly returns and ends up joining Sang-hyun and Dongsoo on a journey to find new parents for her son, Woo-sung. Meanwhile, police detectives silently tail the group, hoping to catch them in the act.

Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, starring Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won, and Bae Doona.

TRIANGLE OF SADNESS

9 March

Things are not always as Instagrammable as they first appear... In Ruben Östlund’s wickedly funny Palme d’Or winner, social hierarchy is turned upside down, revealing the tawdry relationship between power and beauty. A celebrity model couple is invited on a luxury cruise for the uber-rich, helmed by an unhinged boat captain. What first appears instagrammable ends catastrophically, leaving the group stranded on a desert island fighting for survival.

Directed by Ruben Östlund, starring  Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean, Dolly De Leon and Woody Harrelson.

65

9 March

After a catastrophic crash on an unknown planet, pilot Mills discovers he’s actually stranded on Earth… 65 million years ago. With only one chance at rescue, Mills and the only other survivor, Koa, must make their way across an unknown terrain riddled with dangerous prehistoric creatures in an epic fight to survive. From the writers of A Quiet Place and producer Sam Raimi comes 65, a sci-fi thriller not to be missed.

Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, starring Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, and Chloe Coleman.

LIVING

16 March

1953. London is still recovering from WWII. Rodney Williams is a veteran civil servant within the city’s bureaucracy as it struggles to rebuild. Buried under paperwork at the office, lonely at home, his life has long felt meaningless. Then a shattering medical diagnosis forces him to grasp fulfilment before it’s beyond reach. He flirts with hedonism then finds himself drawn to the natural vitality of a young woman who once worked under his supervision and is now determined to spread her wings. One evening he’s struck by a revelation – one as simple as it is profound – and with a new energy, and the help of an idealistic new recruit to his department, he sets about creating a legacy for the next generation.

Directed by Olivier Hermanus, starring Bill Nighy, Aimee Lou Wood.

VILLAGE

In the heart of Mt Eden, you’ll find the perfect place to begin your exciting next chapter.

Eden Village is a tight-knit community where friends chat over a delicious dinner or an evening pinot noir. Where they play all the hits on dance nights and plenty of classics on movie evenings. In fact, everyone has a say in how each day comes to life. Dive into your favourite book in peace in the library, or join in on an evening with friends in the lounge. Of course, we all need a breath of fresh air. Fortunately, there are plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants just a stroll away, including walking trails to hear the birds sing. A drive into town also opens up the bustling waterfront – the perfect spot for a bite to eat and a sparkling view.

Our spacious apartments come in a range of sizes to suit your needs. Look forward to a designer kitchen, open-plan layout, stylish fittings, and an enclosable balcony.

Fixed Weekly Fee for life - Guaranteed.

Welcome to Oceania’s Eden Village. 28 View Road, Mt Eden, Auckland

For residents 70 years and above.

On the Bookshelf

WORDS— JO

BENNETT

Editors-in-Chief

Fran Ninow and Jude Mitchell

Senior Writer

Jamie Christian Desplaces

Head Graphic Designer

Zanalee Makavani

One upside to the wet summer we’re having this year is a chance to dive into some great new books.

Graphic Designer

Ken Khun

This month we have a compelling New Zealand memoir about foraging and living off the land, a reimagining of David Copperfield set in Southern Appalachia, and a colourful history of the Roman roads in Britain.

DEMON COPPERHEAD

Barbara

Kingsolver

This was released at the end of 2022 but has remained top of bestseller lists for good reason. Kingsolver is perhaps bestknown for The Poisonwood Bible, but her quieter, lesser-known books are where she shines. The excellent bookseller at new indie bookstore Lamplight in Parnell (do visit if you get a chance), warned me this wasn’t a ‘beach read’ – and she’s right. It follows a young boy trying to survive amidst the ruins of the opioid crisis in rural America, in the narrative style of Dickens or Copperfield – hardhitting but compulsive reading because Kingsolver understands character so well. Voted one of the best books of 2022 by The Washington Post and The New York Times, this is Kingsolver back at her best.

Social Media

Ashlee Lala

Contributors

Manish Kumar Arora, Paris Mitchell Temple, Aimée Ralfini, Jackie O’Fee, Nadia Klaassen, Melanie Dower

A FORAGERS LIFE

Helen

Lehndorf

Subscriptions

online@vervemagazine.co.nz

Published by Verve Magazine Ltd

13 Westmoreland Street West, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021

THE ROAD Christopher Hadley

Receiving rave reviews in the UK and an early contender for best history book of the year, The Road is the latest book from Hadley, journalist and author of the acclaimed Hollow Places. Here he’s searching for an elusive Roman road that sprang from one of the busiest hubs in Roman Britain. But this is no dry history book – Hadley has a poetic eye as he surveys the archeology, history, landscape, hauntings and more on his epic journey, revealing secrets from its two-thousand-year history.

GST

90 378 074

ISSN 2253-1300 (print)

ISSN 2253-1319 (online)

Advertising Enquiries

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

Editorial Enquiries

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

Cover Image

Karen Walker x Lexus

Model:Georgia at 62 Management

Lehndorf writes beautifully and with a lot of heart while detailing her rural childhood spent foraging and living off the land in Taranaki, and in later years the burgeoning punk scene in 80s rural New Zealand. On her OE in the UK, she searches for her European heritage while foraging for wild food around London and goes on a quest to find a hag stone, before returning to New Zealand and settling in Palmerston North. This memoir has it all – love, loss, grief, creativity, motherhood and community – with a quiet through-thread on the transformative power of plants and caring deeply for our environment. I took long walks after this, longing to identify the many plants she mentions in the book. Luckily, each chapter is bookended with recipes using local New Zealand plants and surrounds –from meadowsweet granita to herbal tinctures.

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.

Life’s too short to care what people think.

What's On in March

LA LONGUE TABLE DU CHEF

7-18 March

Vulcan Lane

A feast like no other. The five-course meal from Le Chef is paired with a selection from Maude winery, which has been designed to enhance and magnify the most delicate ingredients of French cuisine. Dine across the famous long table with old friends or make some new ones from this fabulous shared evening.

iticket.co.nz

ONEREPUBLIC

16 March

Spark Arena

For over 20 years One Republic has provided some of the catchiest chart-topping pop-rock songs. Their ability to write from where they are in the moment, no matter how raw the emotion, might be one of the secrets to their longevity and multi-generational appeal. That, and their showmanship, which has to be seen live.

ticketmaster.co.nz

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GREY

18-25 March

Aotea Centre

Oscar Wilde’s century-old fable of beauty and the cost has been adapted in an exhilarating manner. This lush period drama keeps true to the text, whilst making room for captivating visual effects and design. Heightening the beauty of the show to such a degree, that Dorian Grey himself would consider renegotiating his deal.

ticketmaster.co.nz

FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE

21 March

Spark Arena

Florence returns with Dance Fever, recorded over lockdown in anticipation of the world reopening. It conjures the togetherness and movement we missed during that time, with tunes perfect for clubs, festivals and naturally, concerts. The show is designed to leave you spellbound for days, even after the songstress croons at you to ‘shake it off’.

ticketmaster.co.nz

PAWS FOR PURPOSE AUCTION

23 March Park Hyatt

Auckland has 40 large dog figures on display painted by artists such as Dick Frizzell and Anna Leyland, in collaboration with the Blind Low Vision Puppy Appeal. All funds from their auctions will go towards replacing the 35-year-old kennels. In return, you’ll get a fantastic piece of art, while helping out generations of people and pups nationwide.

arttrailproject.org

PAINT AND SIP SESSIONS

25 March

Auckland Art Gallery

A unique combination of art history, creating art and cocktails. This session explores the exhibition Light from Tate: 1700s to Now. After viewing the work, you’ll be encouraged by an art tutor to channel elements into your own unique piece. The class is perfect for a pair or group and comes with a complimentary cocktail.

aucklandartgallery-premier. eventfinda.co.nz

MICHAEL MCINTYRE

26 March

Spark Arena

McIntyre is the master of elevating ordinary situations into relatable studies of human exasperation, delivered in a cheerful manner to craft a maddening, joyful and hilarious experience for all. This show, Jet-Lagged and Jolly, will be no different.

ticketmaster.co.nz

Lucy's Corner

This month Verve’s star teen reviewer

LUCY KENNEDY laughs along at UK mockumentary series Cunk on Earth.

Cunk on Earth - 13+

If you’re a fan of British humour, mockumentaries, and history, this is the show for you. Watch as the naive Philomina Cunk (Diane Morgan) converses with experts, asking questions such as “What was Renai-sauce?” and “Abraham Lincoln was shot in the theatre box, wasn’t he? Where is that on the body?” Recurring jokes punctuate the show, with frequent random references to the escapades of Philomina’s mate, Paul.

The first season contains five episodes, spanning human history from the time of cavemen to the Cold War. Created by Black Mirror writer Charlie Brooker, the show includes factual information mixed with the cleverly written humour. Some parts

BACH ST JOHN PASSION

were so funny that I had to re-watch them, and I would catch on to subtle one-liners that I missed the first time around.

Laugh-out-loud jokes will have you giggling as you watch, and Technotronic’s ‘Pump Up The Jam' will surely be firmly lodged in your head by the show’s end.

Available to stream on Netflix.

4/5 stars

Instagram: @lucykennedyreviews

CONDUCTED BY RITA PACZIAN

ALEXANDRA FRANCIS · SOPRANO

KATE SPENCE · ALTO

SID CHAND · TENOR ARIAS

JAMES IOELU · BASS

HENRY CHOO · EVANGELIST

SAMUEL MCKEEVER · CHRIST

IMAGE: CUNK ON EARTH

Art and Home Design are essential ingredients to achieve a comfortable, sustainable and high value home. Ngaire, owner at ArtSelect Gallery, has seen how original works of art have added value to homes, achieving a higher sale value along with adding viewing pleasure on a daily basis to the buyer.

ArtSelect Gallery offers an art advisory service to buyers by taking art to homes around the greater Auckland area so that work can be seen in-situ to improve decision making and to provide an improved customer service which has been invaluable to new and regular art buyers.

It is often difficult for buyers to visualise a painting in their home and we often stage some of our paintings in a virtual room to give it a sense of presence. A couple of staged images from our current and upcoming exhibition show how works of art can be staged to provide a sense of belonging in a home, match to the current decor and enhance the look and ambiance of the room.

Many works of art are purchased for the love of the image or personal connection and does not need to match the surrounding colour scheme but a suitable place in a prominent position can be found to present the image in its best light.

Contact Ngaire to arrange an in-home viewing of work you may see in the gallery or on our web site.

WELCOME HOME TO RANFURLY VILLAGE

Experience the relaxed elegance of our shared spaces; idyllic rooms where you can raise a glass or meet with friends, all while enjoying our attentive service and exquisite attention to detail.

Final apartments selling now

To learn more, telephone Bev Dyson 09 625 3420, or visit ranfurlyvillage.co.nz

Banking Different

Central Bank action and inflation continues to dominate market moves this year, with the Ukraine War raging on in the background hitting currencies hard.

The New Zealand dollar has earned the spot of the second-toworst performer in 2023 so far, ahead of the Japanese yen, whereas the US dollar has been the strongest performer.

As predicted, the RBNZ raised their interest rate 50 basis points from 4.25% to 4.75% recently but defied expectations of a signal for a lower peak. In line with recent weather events, there's still room to move higher than the 5.5% initial top with policy guidance still required at the current pace. At 5.5% this would make it one of the highest interest rates in the developed world. With cyclone Gabrielle destroying large parts of North Island, the battle with inflation just got tougher for the RBNZ with billions of dollars said to be needed to rebuild infrastructure and homes. Inflation currently stands at 7.2% for the fourth quarter of 2022, way to high.

New Zealand retail sales fell 0.6% for the quarter ending December which represents downside risks to fourth quarter overall growth (GDP), due for release on 16 March; the RBNZ need to see a decent cooling before they think inflation will ease. Recent US inflation ticked slightly lower from 6.5% y/y to 6.4% y/y as predicted, this will most likely keep the Federal Reserve on schedule to raise rates in the coming months; the next release is due 23 March.

As the RBNZ hikes their interest rate, more so than it’s playing partners, we would expect to see the NZD buoyant over the medium term across most main currencies.

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Minding Your Business

Verve gets some tips from leading business broker for NAI Harcourts, David Wells.

Can you please tell our readers a little about yourself? After leaving university I started my working career as an executive trainee with a sizeable clothing manufacturer in Christchurch. A few years later I left to join our family business: multiple branch retailers of home appliances, pianos and musical instruments. Over the next 17 years this expanded into manufacturing, cabinet making, import/ wholesale, consumer finance, and more.

What sets you apart from other brokers?

Initially, my experience in manufacturing, retailing, import/ wholesale, business and commercial finance meant I could identify with a large variety of clients. And now, after 30 years, I think I must be one of the most experienced business brokers in the country having dealt with most types of business.

What plan of attack should a business take if they wish to sell?

Prepare well in advance. Have up-to-date accounts for two or three years available and documented evidence of all commercial arrangements like supply agreements, lease documents, agencies, and employment contracts, wherever possible. Also, a plant and chattel valuation, if it’s applicable.

How long is the process from someone contacting you until the sale of their business?

The average business takes around three months, but some sell within a week or two while others may take a year or more.

Do you specialize in one particular type of business or are you open to anything that comes your way?

Yes, I’ll tackle any type of business as long as it is genuine, legitimate and legal. If it’s a very small business, I may encourage the vendor to sell it themselves. I can help and advise them about the process and pitfalls.

And it’s essential that clients’ books are in order?

Absolutely. Sometimes it’s a real challenge getting all the information required from the vendor. We may give them a list of 10 things which we require.

What do you think makes you so successful?

Initially it was my background and experience. I had previous hands-on experience managing several different types of business for more than 20 years, including both public and private companies. After selling my last business, I acted as a business consultant and finance broker for several years before joining the Harcourts Group.

David Wells ‒ Senior Business Broker david.wells@naiharcourts.co.nz | 027 436 1465

The Power of Will

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claire Endean – Director/Lawyer dawsonslawyers.co.nz | 09 272 0002

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Horoscopes

You can pursue an opportunity for expansion, have a new experience, learn something new, teach, speak, or write. Your outlook will be very positive, and you can create new opportunities for yourself by being optimistic and taking a chance on yourself. You might make progress with one of your dreams for your future if you’ve been doing things right, but experience a setback or delay if you need to make adjustments.

You’re ready to set out on a new course, start a new line of professional development or take up a new cycle of responsibilities. The period might bring contacts and associations to develop your career aspirations. Friends, groups and new connections or ideas will give you the lift you need. Outdoors activities appeal more than ever, and an opportunity to travel somewhere exotic could drop into your lap.

Pursue opportunities to improve your finances, take up a second job, side gig, or turn a hobby into something profitable. It can be a good time to plan ahead and make sure you’re on the right track financially.You can be open to the other ways in which people live, fascinated by other cultures, and attracted to foreign lifestyles.

You can feel best when you’re using your mind and letting ideas flow naturally. You are more engaging with others and enjoy company for the mental stimulation. You may feel a little scattered at times, so try to keep track of your ideas.You can be more supportive of the people you care about, or can get support from others.

You are enthusiastic and positive about new beginnings, and want to begin anew in many areas. You may throw yourself into new ventures with zeal, though you may have a hard time sticking to anything for very long. You could decide to cut someone out of your life or end a relationship. Another relationship could go to the next level as you become more committed.

LEO

23 July –22 August

This is a good time to accomplish something and tackle goals, though it may be at the expense of everything else in your life.You will set goals for yourself and work hard at achieving them, and you’re willing to make any sacrifices that are needed. You could end a transformation you’ve been working on, or see something figuratively die in your life.

VIRGO

23 August –22 September

You want to engage in many conversations about anything and everything, swap information with people, and gossip. You come across as more sociable, scatterbrained, and anxious. You feel most like yourself when you’re getting attention and affection. You want the people around you to dote on you and make you the centre of attention. If single, you could meet someone through a sibling, neighbour, or who lives in your community.

SAGITTARIUS

22 November –21 December

Your worldly goals may be watered down during this cycle, as you focus more on personal affairs. Happiness and fulfilment through the expansion of your mind, widening your social circle, travel, and connections to people of a different cultural background than you are indicated. Your idealistic nature is stimulated, and you are likely to yearn for a connection to more spiritual pursuits.

CAPRICORN

22 December –19 January

The learning of new skills, the pursuit of new ventures and the alteration of daily routines in work and health might take place. Some of you begin a romance, one that will take real effort or bring responsibilities. For those in a relationship, it's time to reshape your lifestyle and your operations together to give your love or life a new form or direction.

LIBRA

23 September –22 October

You could have the chance to reconnect with an older lover, settle an old issue with inheritance money, tax money, debts, loans, or joint finances, or reconnect with an old business partner. Your loved ones may seem more emotional to you, especially your children, or you’re more emotionally drawn to the arts. You’ll need to find a creative way to express your emotions.

SCORPIO

23 October –21 November

You are more determined to achieve your personal goals, and more strategic in the manner you go about doing so.Your personal belief system is transforming dramatically, and you are learning from a broader set of people and experiences than ever. Confidence is key – faith in the universe and in your ability to do the right thing instinctually will get you everywhere now.

AQUARIUS

20 January –18 February

Tiredness or changing interests or aspirations may bring you to a place you did not actually expect to arrive at. Money will be the concern for some and you may put other interests aside to pursue financial stability or gain. The issue now is to take the threads of what you have and weave a lifestyle that suits, whether you’re independent or with a partner.