JOEL LITTLE
The producer on Lorde life – and giving b
W EKEN EADS b ax ith ks
DS THE LIGHT science says about - h experiences
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TheSecretHistory waswhichnovelist’sbest-selling debut?
WhatpartofthebraingetsitsnamefromtheGreek wordfor“seahorse”?
YoucantakethekidstotheMargaretMahyFamily Playgroundinwhichcity?
TheFlyers,Senators,DevilsandRedWingsall competeinwhichprofessionalsportsleague?
WhatunusualfeaturedoestheVaticanCityflag sharewiththeflagofSwitzerland?
TheRioGrandeisknownbywhatnameafterit entersMexico?
WhatwasPaul,famousforpickingwinnersduring the2010FootballWorldCup?
WhatwasNewZealand’sfirst nationalpark?
Whichmovieseriesincludes GhostProtocol, Rogue Nation, Fallout and TheFinalReckoning?
Whatlinks:rope;clubs;hoop;ball; ribbon?
Hippocampus. 3. Christchurch. 4. The NationalHockeyLeague. 5. They’rebothsquare. 6. Rio Bravo. 7. Anoctopus. 8. TongariroNationalPark. 9. Mission: Impossible 10. They’reusedinrhythmicgymnastics.
DonnaTartt. 2. Hippocampus. 3. Christchurch. 4. TheNationalHockey League. 5. They’rebothsquare. 6. RioBravo. 7. Anoctopus. 8. Tongariro NationalPark. 9. Mission:Impossible 10. They’reusedinrhythmic gymnastics.
Timetorevivethe‘reusabletissue’ They’rethechoiceofKing Charles,butisthehumble cottonhankyoutdated?
GilbertHarding,renownedforhisbad temperon What’sMyLine? inthe1950s, foundaveryhelpfulfunctionforhis handkerchief.Prescribedalargevariety ofpillstobeconsumedeachday,hepreferredto takethelotallatonce,washeddownwithbrandy.
Butinordertocounteractamorningtremoras heraisedtheglasstohislips,hewouldgrabone endofhishandkerchiefwiththehandholdingthe glassand,withthehandkerchieflikearopebehind hisneck,pullatitsoppositecornerwithhislefthand, smoothlypullinguptheglasshandlikeaskiparty inacablecar.
I’vetrieditanditworksadmirably,asfarasthe steadyingeffectgoes.
Itdoesrequireahandkerchief,though,andmany peoplenowadaysdonotcarryone.
SoIwasdelightedtoseetheKingvisiting AustraliaandSamoaand,whennotdrinkingkava, flyingtheflagforthehandkerchief.
TheKingdoesnotwearhistop-pocket handkerchiefironedintotheshapeofanapkinat aLyonsCornerHouse.Hishankiestendtobesilkbasedwithacontourlikeadeflatedbarrageballoon.
Ofcourse,thegreatrulewhenitcomesto handkerchiefs,weallknow,isnottohaveonefor showandoneforblow.
TheonlyrivalIhaveknowntotheKingashandler ofhandkerchiefswastheamiableSirHaroldHood 2ndBt(1916-2005).Iwasalwaysimpressedbythe wayheworehishandkerchiefinhissleeve,which musthavebeenaconstantchallengetocarpal dexterity.Butinearlieryearsithadnotprevented thisratherWodehousiancharacterfrombravely savingaboyfromdrowninginacanal.
“Well,thatisabsolutelyvilenews,” saidafriend,whenIinformedher Iwasconsideringbecominga “handkerchiefguy”earlierthis year.Weallneedanoccasionalrebrandandthiswas mine:toalwayscarryaroundasmallsquareofcotton inmypocket,justincase.
“Incaseofwhat?”thehaterwouldinsist,asifthis werenotthemostversatileclothingaccessoryever invented,andtheundisputedKingofallKerchiefs.In caseofanything!IncaseIneedahatattheseaside. IncaseIwishtoappearcoquettishduringthequadrille. IncaseIwanttofiddleunderthebonnetofacar,then tut,wipemyhandsandsay,“Gee,fanbelt’sgone...” IncaseIdecidetosurrenderinasiege.IncaseI mustremembersomethingimportant,sotieabigknot init.IncaseIfeellikedoingastreetmagicshow,so tie43ofthemtogetherandaskachildtopullonone end.
IncaseIgetbackwithmyoldMorrisdancingtroupe. IncaseIhavetuberculosisinaperioddramaand diagnosemyselfbycoughingintoit,seeingblood,and lookinggravelytothefloortolettheaudienceknow I’llbedeadbeforethenextcommercialbreak.Todo allthesethingsand,yes,incaseIneedtowipemy nosewithit.
Formyself,IneverstopgivingthanksthatIsent offforsomespottedhandkerchiefsafewyearsago. Theyturnedouttoberathertoobigforcarrying inanypocketorcuff,butsuddenlyin2020they cameintotheirownunderthe“Coronavirus, WearingofFaceCoveringsinaRelevantPlace Regulations”.
Foldeddiagonally,theystoppedmefrombeing anoutlawwhilemakingmelooklikeone.You couldn’tdothatwithaKleenex.
Hibernateincosycomfort.
Foldeddiagonally,theystoppedme frombeinganoutlawwhilemaking melooklikeone.Youcouldn’tdo thatwithaKleenex.
“Ew,yeah,thenosething.Gross.”Andthere’sthe rub:peoplejustcannotgetpastthe“reusabletissue” aspect.Theyseeyouandtheyknowyouverypossibly haveasmallragofmucusaboutyourperson.They pictureyoutakingitoutandcrackingit,likethetop ofacremebrulee,beforeofferingitaround.Littleissexy aboutthis.AndasPRproblemsgo,it’sabigone. Afewyearsagowewerejustonthevergeofa handkerchiefrevival.“Inthewaronwaste,couldthe hankybemakingacomeback?”askedthe Sydney MorningHerald in2019.
Itwasagoodpoint.Reusablenappies,sanitary towels,sowhynottissues?Atthattime,I’dhaveseemed notonlychicandever-ready,buteco-friendly.Alas, Covid.
Suddenlyitwasall“stopthespread”thisand“catch it,binit,killit”thatKleenexlivedtofightanotherdecade, andmyrebrand,stillunderconsideration,becamethat bitmoredivisive.I’lltryagainnextyear.
TheKingoften fliestheflagfor thehanky.
PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Christopher Howse
Guy Kelly
PASSIONPROJECT ProducerandsongwriterJoelLittleismakingithis missiontogivebacktotheKiwimusiccommunity thathelpedhimtakeontheworld.Hechatsto MitchellHageman aboutlife,legacy,Lorde,family, famousfriendsandthecausesclosetohisheart.
It’sratherwarminJoelLittle’snot-for-profit MorningsidemusichubBigFan,bothliterallyand figuratively.
Thewallsofthesun-soakedloungeareadornedwith photosofclassicKiwimusicmomentslikeBobMarley’s famous1979visit,andthefurnitureandequipment makeitfeelasthoughyou’reabouttohaveajamsesh atyourfriend’shouse.
Warmthalsoemanatesfromthemusicmaestro himself.Littleisahumble,groundedKiwimusic powerhouseresponsibleforlaunchingcareers,creating musicforglobalstarslikeTaylorSwiftandLorde,and fosteringemergingtalenthereathome.
“WhenmywifeandImovedbackfromLA,wewere inapositionwherewecoulddosomething,”hetells Canvas oftheinceptionofBigFan,whichopenedas anall-agesperformancespaceandstudioinlate2022.
“Ifeellikeforme,inmycareer,Iwouldn’tbewhere Iamiftherehadn’tbeencertainpeoplealongtheway thathadsaidtherightthingorgivenmealittle opportunity.WewantedBigFantoprovide opportunitiesforpeopletoupskill,toconnectwithother like-mindedpeople,andtolearn.”
WhileBigFanandhelpingsupportrisingstarshas beenoneofLittle’smainpassionprojectsoflate,he’s stillwritingandproducingforsomeoftheindustry’s biggeststars,albeittryingtodoitfromhishometurf asmuchaspossible.
“Iwasdoing,like,threeweekshere,twoweeksin LA,likeback-and-forthtravellingwaytoomuch,”he says.
“NowI’vegotalittle4-year-oldaswellasourtwo olderkids,andsoI’mtryingtojustkeepthebalance abitmore,leaningabitmoretowardsNewZealand.”
Whilehenotesthathiskidsalsolikedtodabblein music,hejokesthathis17-year-oldoncetoldhimthat “thelegacydieswithyou,Dad”.
Recently,he’sworkedwithcountry-popsuperstar MarenMorrisonsomesongsonheralbum DREAMSICLE,andin2023struckupagreatcreative friendshipwithformerOneDirectionerNiallHoran, collaboratingwithhimonhishitalbum TheShow
“He’dsentmeasongofhiscalled TheShow,where hejusthad,like,apianoandavocal,andI thoughtitwasagreatsong,”Littlerecalls, notingtheprocessstartedduringthe pandemic.
“SoIjust,athomehere,produced therestofthetrack,playedallthe instrumentsonthere,andsentit backtohimandhewaslike,‘Oh crap,thisisawesome.’”
Workingincollaborationand figuringouthowtomanage differentcreativeprocessesisa skillLittlesaidhe’slearnedover morethanadecadeinthemusic business,anditwasn’tsomething hecoulddo“rightoffthebat”.
“Sometimesanartistwillcomein withthestartofanideaandothertimes they’llwanttohearsomesoundsorsome music,soIhave...abunchoftracksthat wecanworkoffof,”hereveals.
“Othertimestheyjustwanttoplay,likepickup guitarsandplaythatwayorjumponapiano.There aren’treallyanyrules,it’sjustwhateverpeopleneed todotofeelinspiredthatday.”
MostKiwiswouldnaturallylinkLittle’snametoNew Zealand’sbiggestmusicalexport:Lorde.
ThepairgainedinternationalacclaimafterLittle producedandco-wroteherEP TheLoveClub (with Royals winningthe2014SongoftheYearGrammy)andher album PureHeroine
“I’malwayssogratefulforthat.Itgenuinelychanged
bothofourlivesandthelivesofeverybodyaround us,”hesays.
“Wewerejustmakingmusicinmy studio,GoldenAge,whichisactually justafewhundredmetresawayfrom here,andwejusthadzero expectations.Wewerejusttrying tomakesomethingthatweliked andthatwethoughtwas interesting,butobviouslyittook onalifeofitsown.”
Withthesuperstaraboutto releaseanewalbum,Littlesayshe can’twaittoseewhatimpactit makes.
“It’salwaysnicewhenshe’s releasingnewmusicandcomesback andsavespopmusiceverythreetofour years,”hesays.
Beforehisstintasafull-timeproducer, Littlewasalsotheleadvocalistforpop-punkband GoodnightNurse,anexperiencehesaidhelpedhim appreciatethevalueoflivemusic.
“Asongcanbringpeoplefromsomanydifferent walksoflifetogether,”hesays.“Liveshowsinparticular createawayforpeopletofeelconnectedwiththemusic andthenconnectedwitheachotheratthesametime.”
Afternotplayinglivefor13years,heandtheband reunitedtoopenforMyChemicalRomancein Aucklandin2023.
“Togoout,andinfrontof17,000people,andplay, itwassuchapowerfulthing,”Littlesays.
“Justreconnectingwiththeguysinthebandand seeingfansthathadbeenGoodnightNursefanswhen theywereteenagers,allthatkindofstuffisreally powerful.”
Fittingly,forNewZealandMusicMonth,he’salso shiftinghiseffortstowardsanotherpowerfulcause,the localcharityMusicHelps.
“I’vebeenaboardmemberformaybefiveyears,” hesays.“Theyfundhundredsofprojectsacrossthe countryeveryyearthatusemusicinvariouswaysto helppeopleout,whetherthatbemusictherapy, providinginstrumentstocommunitygroups,orhelping peoplewhoareinpalliativecareorresthomes.”
JustlikeLittle’sworkatBigFan,thecharityalso helpsprovidesupportservicesforworkingmusiciansand thoseintheindustry.
“Anotherarmofitistodowithhelpingthosewith mentalhealthissuesorwhoarestrugglinginvarious ways.There’sawellbeingservicethatpeopleinthe industrycanaccess,andalsothingslikecounsellingand accesshardshipgrants.”
Thosewhowanttosupportthecausecandosoin variousways,butoneofthebiggestisthroughtheNew ZealandMusicT-ShirtDayonMay30.
AllnetprofitsofofficialNewZealandMusicMonth T-ShirtsaredonatedtotheMusicHelpsGrants programme.PeoplecanalsotextMusicto2448todonate $3.
“Ihave,like,anembarrassinglysmallcollectionof musicT-ShirtsandIalwayswheeloutthesameones,” Littleadmits,sayingitwouldbepoorformtoweara GoodnightNurseone.
LordeandJoel Littleatthe 2014Grammy Awards,where Royalswon Songofthe Year.
PHOTO/ WIREIMAGE
ProducerandsongwriterJoelLittleinoneofthestudiosattheBigFanmusicvenueinAuckland.
PHOTO/ALYSEWRIGHT
Inflation,powerbills,insurance,wagehikesandeventhe costofJaffas—Kiwicinemaoperatorsaredoingittough, andpatronsarepayingtheprice.Buthowaresomeof Aotearoa’sbestindependentcinemasfaringwiththe challengesandtryingtokeepthetreasuredpastimealive forthebestvalue? MitchellHageman reports.
CINEMA CRISIS Costof GoingtothecinematowatchafilminNew Zealandisn’tacheapexercise.Aticket,some popcornanddrinksfortwoatalargechain couldsetyoubackcloseto$100.
Coupledwiththeriseandeaseofusingstreaming productsathomeandapost-Covid-19slump,cinemas areexperiencingmixedresultswhenitcomestopatron numbers.
Oscar-winningindiedirectorSeanBakervoiced concernabouttheseissuesduringhis2025BestPicture winfor Anora
“Wheredidwefallinlovewiththemovies?Atthe movietheatre.Inatimewhentheworldisbecoming moreandmoredivided,[goingtothemovies]ismore crucialthanever,”hesaid.
“Film-makers,keepmakingfilmsforthebigscreen, IknowIwill.Parents,introduceyourchildrentomovies inthemovietheatre.Let’skeepthemovie-goingtradition aliveandwell.”
EventCinemaschargespatrons$29.50forastandard adultticketonitswebsitewitha$1.70bookingfee. Alargepopcornandcokewillsetyoubackanother$18.
Hoyts,anotherbigcinemachain,charges$26with a$1.20bookingfeeattached.
Neithercompanyrespondedtothe Herald’srequest
forcommentabouttheirrisingcostsandtheincrease inpricesovertheyears.
ChrisandGraceRottenberryrunthe RivieraCinemasinOamaruand Balclutha,havingmovedto NewZealandfromAustraliain2022.
Thepairsoldtheirhousein Australiaandusedthefundstoopen thecinemainBalclutha,eventually purchasingtheOamaruCinema inJune2024andrebrandingit toTheRiviera.
“Cinemaisoneofthelast formsoftrueescapismfroma digital24-hourworld.Itisachance togettogetherwithfriends,family andhavenodistractionsfortwo hours,”Chrissays.
Hesayseverythinghasbecomemoreexpensive aroundthewholeworld,notjustcinemas,andthe experienceofgoingtothemoviesremainsoneofthe cheapestpaid,out-of-homeexperiencesforKiwis.
“Wehaveamembershipprogrammethatgivesour customerscheapertickets,andIreallythinkthisisthe key.Cinemasmakelittletonomoneyofftickets,and abigchunkofthatgoestothefilmdistributor,aswe paypercentageoneachticketsold,”hesays.
“Thisiswhytheconfectionsareaissoimportant. Noconfectionsordrinksmeansnocinema.Ifyou accountforinflation,aticketshouldbe$50,sowe charge$14.50forourmembers,andIthinkweare doingprettywell.”
ChrisRottenberryalsocitedtherisingminimum wageandthecostofgoodsasotherkeyfactors offinancialstrain.
‘Ithink,as somewhatyounger cinemaowners,wearestill involvedinallthelatest trendsandcanseewhere thingsaregoing.Youeither embraceitandmakechanges orbecomedisgruntledand begintodisliketheindustry youlove.’
“Wegetpeoplefromalloverthe worldsittinginthesameroom,theylaugh andcrytogether,whichtomeisveryspecial. Iamverypassionateaboutcinemaandgetpretty emotionaltalkingaboutthesethings,asacommunity isnotthesamewithoutacinema.”
—ChrisRottenberry
“AgoodexampleiswesellJaffas,and lastmonththeywentupawhole$1 apacketforustobuyin,so unfortunatelythatgetspassedonto theconsumer.”
Heagreedthatalothaschanged sincethepandemic,butthatashift inmovie-goinghabitswasalways writtenonthewall.
“Ithink,assomewhatyounger cinemaowners,wearestill involvedinallthelatesttrendsand canseewherethingsaregoing.You eitherembraceitandmakechanges orbecomedisgruntledandbeginto disliketheindustryyoulove.”
Atthecoalfaceofcinema proprietorship,itisaboutknowledgeofyour product,eventising,membershipprogrammes andgoodcustomerservice.
“Everyretailorcustomer-facingbusinesssays
CRISIS customerservice,butthisisnotalwaysdoneverywell inpractice,”Chrissays.
“Youneedtoreallyengagewithyourcustomers,get toknowthem,haveaconversationwiththemwhen youseetheminthestreet.Letthemseeyouareapart ofthecommunityandwiththem.”
Atmospherewasalsoakeyfactorthatkeptcustomers comingback.
“Youneedcomfortableseating;theold-schoolflip seatsdonotdothetrickanymore.Youneedtogive peopleareasontogetofftheircouch.
“Forgoodnesssake,justturnontheheatersinthe cinemabecauseacoldcinemaisnotsomewhere someonewantstocomebackto.”
Andwhataboutstreamingservicestakingallthe customersaway?ChrisRottenberrysaystheplatforms were“nottheenemy”andthatcinemaandstreamers canco-exist.
“Iwillalsogetalittledivisivehereandsaydon’t justsupportyourlocalcinemabecausethereisonethere, thecinemaneedstomaketheeffortandgivebackalso.
“Weascinemaownershavetobeproactiveinour advertisingandengagingwithourcommunityandother localbusinesses.Gonearethedayswhereyouputon amovieandpeoplewilljustcome,youneedtogo afterthemandgivethemareasontowanttocome back.”
RichardDaltonhasruntheLidoCinemain Epsomfor24yearsandalsosaysthereis“no hiding”frominflationandrisingcostsacross theboardforcinemas.
“Thehikesinpowerandinsurancecostshavebeen crazy.”
ButhesaystheLidohasmanagedtoholditsprices down,soticketsarecheaperthanmostAuckland cinemas.
“Giventhestateoftheeconomy,nowfeelslikea
badtimetoriskincreasingprices,howevermuchwe knowweshouldandprobablyneedto.”
Findingtherightbalanceoffilmsissometimesa challenge,hesays,butgivingcustomersapositivefilm experienceisthebestwayforward.
“Weonlyhavethreescreenshereandsocan’ttake everyfilmthatreleases.Attimes,thatcanbeapositive, aswenaturallyfilterthefilmsweplayandgenerally onlyplayfilmswelove,andhopethecustomersshare inourenjoymentandappreciationofthem,”hesays ofLido’sapproach.
“Playingfilmsexclusivelyisgreat,butthatdoesmean thedistributorisunlikelytodoanymarketing,soit canbehardtofindanaudience.”
Inhiseyes,atmosphereandcomfortremainimportant factorsforthemovie-goingexperience.
“Westartedamajorrefurbishmentattheendof2019. Beforetheworkhadevenfinished,Covidstruck,and sothisputahugefinancialstrainonus.ButI’mstill pleasedwemanagedtofinishtheworkasthecinema waslookingverytiredbeforethat.”
Henotesownerscan’texpectpeopletospendtheir moneywithindependentcinemasjustbecausetheyare Kiwi-ownedandoperated.
“Weneedtohavemoregreatfilmstoofferthem onaregularbasis,andthatisslowlyhappeningagain, anddoourverybesttotryandgivethemagoodallroundexperience.
“Evennowwearegettingsomecustomerscoming throughandsayingthisistheirfirstvisitsinceCovid. Ihopethiscontinues,andcinemabouncesback.”
Asfortheissueofrisingcosts,Daltonsaysitremains hardtotackleandisanationwideproblemthatdoesn’t onlyaffectcinemaowners.
“Iwishtherewasawaytokeepcostsdownwhen everyoneinbusinessisstruggling,”Daltonsays. “Hopefully,someonehasfoundawaytokeepcostsdown —andyoucanletmeknow.”
ChrisandGrace Rottenberry
Thetwosides motherhood of Asanewmum, EllaBecroft wasprimedtoloveherkids. Nothingpreparedherforwhathappenednext.
Iamamotheroftwo–one8yearsold,one4. Ilovemychildrencompletelyandtotally,witha lovethatisbeyondlanguage.Whentheywereborn, Ifeltflayed,thetoplayersofmyskinstrippedoff, leavingmerawandunprotected.Myribswerecracked open,myheartnowoutsideofmybody.
It’sfunnyIfeeltheneedtosaythat,beforeIcan talkabouttheharderpartsofbeingamum.
I’vebeenexploringthemundanityandmonstrosity ofearlymotherhoodformynewtheatreshow, Wrest, asurrealcrimethrillersetinaneo-noirworld.
Atthesceneofaviolentcrime,awomanwatches herselfsplitintwo,herlifeendingandbeginningat once.Anuncannydoppelgangeremergesastheoriginal womanmysteriouslydisappears.Stalkedbydetectives seekinganswers,thedoppelgangerhuntsvisionsofher originalself,determinedtorebuild.
Wrest combinesthecreativeteam’sstoriesof pregnancy,birthandearlyparenthoodwithscientific, medicalandpsychologicalinformation.
Acollisionoftheatre,danceandcinematicimagery, itintertwinesvisceralbodyhorrorwithprofound empathy,challengingtraditionalstorytellingboundaries andpervasiveculturalnarratives.
Whatweacceptasthenormalexperiencesofbirth andearlymotherhoodcanbeconfrontingformany women.Itdoesn’talwaysfitwithwhatwe’vebeentaught, leadingtoasenseofbeingfundamentallymisinformed
aboutthefemalebodyandtherealityofbecominga mother.
Whenwestartedmaking Wrest,Igotoutmybaby diaryfrommyfirst-born,seekingsomethingthatwould speaktowhatIrememberedofthatknottyfirstyear. Afterthreemonths,thesomewhatregularentries droppedoff.
Mybabyhadstoppedsleeping.Formorethanayear, Ididn’tsleepforlongerthanthreehoursatatime. Usuallymuchless.
Irememberthedeepdespair,thehelplessness,the anxietythatIwasharmingmychildinsomeway.In thediary,Iamsopolite,bracketinganynegativesentence withmanyofloveandhappiness.ButwhenIturned tothebackofthemostlyemptydiary,onepagespoke tohowaloneIwasfeeling.
Awomanstandingnexttoanopenbabygym,toys strewn,inanabandonedlounge.Wide.Sheis purposeless.
Icouldn’tputthesewordsinthefrontofthediary, soIhidthem.IrememberthinkingIwouldtearthat pageout,putitsomewhereelse.Ididn’tevenfeel comfortableexpressingnegativethoughtsabout motherhoodinprivate.
Thediaryentriesend,andanewdocumenttakes theirplace.AnoteonmyphonewithalistIkeptfor 18months,trackingeverysleepandeverywakeofevery dayandnight:7.30-8.30:1;8.45–11.15:2.5;
Aria¯naOsbornein Wrest,which illustratesthelossof identitymanynew mothersfeelbythe creationofa doppelgangerwho emergesasthe originalwoman mysteriously disappears.
PHOTO/YINCHI-LEE
11.30-1.10:1.5;2.15-4.15:2;4.30-5.15:45mins (7h45m);7.50-8.20:0.5;10.35-11.15:40mins; 11.25-11.40:15mins;1.10-1.45:45;3-3.40:40.
Afterayearofnotsleeping,Istartedtoseewomen movingintheshadowsofmyroom.Long,stretchedoutfigures.
Likethemajorityofpeoplewhohavegivenbirth, Isufferedintrusivethoughts,visionsingraphicdetail ofthebabybeingharmed.Standingatthewindow,I wouldseethebabyfallfrommyarmsandslamagainst theconcretebelow.Walkingdownstairs,Iwouldsee myselffallandlandontopofmynewborn.
Iwasshockedandhorrifiedbymyownmind,which seemeddeterminedtoshowmeeverydanger,every threat,everypossibleviolencethatcouldoccurtomy child,soIwouldknowhowtokeepthemsafe.Such aconfrontingdefencemechanism—terrifyingmeinto astateofhyper-vigilance.
Iwouldlustforseriousillness.Mybestfriendand Italkedabouthowwewishedwecouldgetsickenough tobehospitalisedandforcedtospendseveralnights awayfromourbabyandsleep,sleep,sleep.
Goingtogetabikiniwax,Itoldthebeauticianas shetorehairfromthesorestofplacesthatthiswasa nicerest,anicebreak.Shetoldmetheremustbe somethingwronginmylifeifthatwasthecase.
Ihaveonlyveryrecentlylearnedaboutmatrescence, thechangesapersongoesthroughinpregnancy,birth andearlyparenthood.
LucyJoneswrites,inherbook, Matrescence,“Westill barelyacknowledgethepsychologicalandphysiological significanceofbecomingamother:howitaffectsthe brain,theendocrinesystem,cognition,immunity,the psyche,themicrobiome,thesenseofself.Afterchildhood andadolescence,thereisnoothertimeinanadult human’slifecoursewhichentailssuchdramatic psychological,socialandphysicalchange.”
WhenIwentbacktoworkasatheatremakerafter myfirstchild,Iwasshockedbythechangestomymind, mysocialskills,mybody.MycreativityiswhatIvalue mostaboutwhoIam,ithasbeenatthecoreofmy identitysinceIwasachild.
NowIwasunabletothink,togenerateideas,my confidenceevaporated.Completelyadrift,Ifeltlikean awkward13-year-oldagain.Ididn’trecognisemyself. Istartedmimickingotherpeople’slaughs,their mannerisms.Ifeltlikeanalien.Adoppelgangerofmy formerself.
ScrollingthroughInstagram,Iseeaperfumeadfor Mother’sDay.“Asanewmom,I’vebeenintroduced toALOTofnewscents...”
Amotherinwhitecashmere(orisitsilk?)bakes cookiesandpikeletsbathedinagoldenlight,smiles knowinglyatthecamera.Herskinglows.Herhairis
EllaBecroftwassodisturbedby someofthenegativefeelingsshe experiencedinherfirstyearof motherhoodthatshecouldn’teven writehonestlyinherdiary.
PHOTO/DEANPURCELL
sleek.ShesmellsofEnglishpearandfreesia.
Ifindanotherreelofamother—naked,bloody, herbabyinherhands,theumbilicalcordstillwinding itswayoutofherbody.Shelooksterrified,bewildered, asifsheislostinadarkwood.Thenursesaroundher laughatherexpression.Arinky-dinktune,likeacircus act,playsoverthevideo.“Whenyou’vejusthadababy, butyou’retoobusydisassociatingtoenjoythemoment.”
Ihadheardalotabouttheall-encompassingeuphoric loveIwouldfeelasamother.Ididn’tknowaboutthe otherthingsIwouldface.Ididn’tknowhow disconcertingandattimesdevastatingthis metamorphosisofmyselfwouldfeel.
Inmaking Wrest,wehavetakenmysleeplogand
Toseemyhiddenexperience onstage,somethingonce shroudedinshameand despair,feelsincredibly profound.
createdsceneswithit.Toseemyhiddenexperienceon stage,somethingonceshroudedinshameanddespair, feelsincrediblyprofound.
Thereisadistinctpowertoawomanstandingup inapublicspaceandspeakingoutloudherpersonal experiencewithpregnancy,birthandmotherhoodin awaythatsitsoutsidetheacceptedsociallyconstructed narrative.
Wrest willworktowardschangingtheconversation aroundwhata“normal”experienceofmotherhoodis. Itwilltakedeeplyrootedfeelingsoffailure,horrorand vulnerabilityandacknowledgetheseasauniversal experiencethatshouldbetalkedaboutopenlywith generosity.
Thisisn’teveryperson’sexperienceofmotherhood. Therearemanywaystomotherandparent.Thereare manywaystobuildafamily.Motheringencompasses suchanenormouswealthofstoriesandexperiences.I lovemychildren,theybringmeendlessjoy.But parentingislayered,andeverythingshouldbetalked aboutinthelight.
● Wrest isonatOneOneSixinWhanga¯rei,May 29-31,andatAuckland’sQTheatre,June6-14. Bookingsatredleaptheatre.co.nz Auckland-baseddirector,editorand photographerEllaBecroftistheartistic directorofRedLeapTheatre.
BESTBOOKS KAREN McMILLAN BooksEditor Topreadsforthelong weekend,recommendedby theteamatNZBooklovers
GiftedandTalented byOlivieBlack (TOR,$38)
A NewYorkTimes bestseller, OlivieBlackhasgarnered manyfansfor TheAtlas Trilogy,andthisnew standalonenovelisa compulsivetaleoffamily, twistedloveanddangerous secrets.Threesiblingsare forcedtoconfrontlong-heldrivalriesaftertheirfather's death,inaworldwheretheyaretelepathicallyand telekineticallygifted.Anexplosivemixofactionand mind-weldingabilitiesbythreeunforgettablelead characters.Addictivereading.
—KarenMcMillan
HappyLand byDolenPerkens-Valdez (Hachette,$38) SetinNorthCarolina,thisnovel isinspiredbytrueevents.In 1873,followingtheAmerican CivilWarandtheabolitionof slavery,agroupoffreedpeople crossedtheborderand establishedakingdom.Inthe presentday,Nikkireceivesan urgentrequestfromher grandmothertovisither,whowantstosharethe kingdom'sstorywithher.Thisisanovelof perseverance,loyaltyanddiscovery.
—RachelWhite
TheBookofGuilt byCatherineChidgey (TeHerengaWaka UniversityPress,$38) AlternativeEngland,1979. Tripletboysarethelast residentsinagovernment schemedesignedtoprotect themfromamysterious illness.InExeter,Nancylives asecludedlifewithher parents,neverleavingthe house.Theirlivesintersect,rockingthemtothecore. Astoryaboutethicsandmorals,aboutbelongingand
community,natureversusnurture.Terrifyingly,it's totallybelievable.
—RebekahLyell
FullCircle
byJenny-MayClarkson (HarperCollins,$40) Jenny-MayClarkson's memoirisacandidaccount ofherjourneyfroma childhoodinruralPiopioto internationalsporting successasaSilverFernand beyond.HerjourneytoSilver Fernstatusandtelevision fameisfascinating,butit’s Jenny-May’sinteriorjourneythatcaptivates.Theway sheconsidersquestionsofidentity,belonging,andselfworthresonates,regardlessofyourbackgroundor experiences.
—AndreaMolloy
TheNextDay
byMelindaFrenchGates(Macmillan,$40)
Inthiselegantlywrittenbook,MelindaFrenchGates sharesstoriesfromherlifeabouttransition,change andmovingforward.Shetalksaboutthejoyof becomingaparent,losingafriendtocancer,divorcing
herhusband,anddeparting theGatesFoundation.While herstoriesaredeeply personal,theyhave universallessons.Awise andempoweringbookthat encouragesreaderstolook aheadtothe“nextday”.
—KarenMcMillan
MoreThinkingAboutLife byGeorgeBryant (GeorgeBryant,$27) Foranyonelookingtospendtimecontemplatingsome oflife’sissuesovertheupcominglongweekend,this easy-to-readbookisagreatwaytopromptdiscussion anddebate.Arespected writeronsocialissues, GeorgeBryantexplores diversetopicslike diminishingempathy, freedomofspeech,the decayoftruth,livingwith cancer,andourobsession withalwayswantingmore. Writtenwithempathyand lifeexperience.
—KarenMcMillan
WhereToGoWhen WithKids (LonelyPlanet,$50)
Aninvaluablecolourful hardbackforanyfamily keentotravel.Thisguide offersfamilies300 differentdestinations aroundtheworld, organisedbymonthof theyear.Itfocuseson family-friendlyactivitiesforchildrenofallages.Each monthfeaturesaninteractiveflowchart,allowing familiestomakeinformeddecisionsaboutpossible destinationsbasedontheirpreferencesforrelaxation, adventure,orculturallearning.Inspirationaland practical.
—KarenMcMillan
LuluLaRu:Step-Mum ShamblesbyGinaBartlett (MoxiePress,$20)
Thisistheperfectbookfor step-familiestoenjoytogether, asLuluLaRuthrowsherself intothechallengeofbeinga SuperTerrificExtraParent— akaSTEPmum.Thisisthe secondengagingbookasthissassystep-mumsteps outofhercomfortzoneandthrowsherselfintomany awkwardsituations.It’sfullofhumourandagreatdeal oflove.
—KarenMcMillan
TomboyandtheHeadstrongHorse bySusanBrocker (Scholastic,$22)
Thetruestoryofthe1866journeybyhorsebackof
BESTBOOKS GinaBartlett haswrittenthe perfectbook forstepfamiliesto enjoytogether.
CarolineandNicolas Chevalier.Thepaircrossed theSouthernAlpson Tomboy,astrong-willed horsewhotestedhisrider. Carolinekeptadiarywhile herhusband,artist Nicholas,sketchedtheir travels.Theyfacedstorms, near-misses,andthe untamedbeautyofthe land.AfantasticstoryfromNewZealand’shistory broughttolifeforanewgeneration.
—RebekahLyell
EasyAirFryerbyJamie Oliver(Penguin,$65)
ThebestthingaboutJamie Oliver’scookbooksisthatyou knowwhatyou’regetting. Oliverisreliablewithhis recipes,andweknowthathe willhaveputthepopularand superversatileairfryer throughitspacestoprovide bothsimpleandcomplex delightsforthereader.Theselectionofrecipescovers quickfixes,snacks,canapes,vegetables,fishand meats,“properpuds”andbaking.
—CaroleBrungar
● Formorereviewsgotonzbooklovers.co.nz
solarenergy,landscaping,artisanproducts,wellnessandmore Enjoyexclusiveshowdeals,excitinggiveaways,tastyfood,andfamily-friendlyfunincluding Resene’spopularPaint-a-Potactivity Relaxandrechargewithdeliciousfoodandtop-notchcoffeebetweenshoppingandexploring ChattoavarietyofindustryexpertsattheShow,enjoyfreedaily‘AskanExpert’sessions EnterattheShowentrancetoWINa$2,500Reseneprizepackage
YOURGUIDETO THEWEEKEND ANDBEYOND FFFFEUM
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GENERALCOLLECTIVE LIFESTYLE&DESIGN MARKET
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Anyonewhopridesthemselvesonbeing auniquegift-giver,anethicalshopperora designenthusiastshouldmaketheirway totheAucklandShowgroundstomorrow, wheretheGeneralCollectiveishostingits autumnLifestyle&DesignMarket.There’s anexpertlycuratedcollectionofmorethan 140stallsfromlocalmakersandcreators sellingeverythingfromhomewaresand fashiontoskincareandgifts.It’sadelightful placetowanderonaleisurelySunday. Tomorrow,9am-3pm.Auckland Showgrounds,217GreenLaneWest, Greenlane.Entry$5,childrenunder12 free.Onlineticketsfromiticket.co.nz
PHOTO/GENERALCOLLECTIVE
Homeowners,renovators, desig a wonderlandof productsandservicesat the Auckland Home& GardenShow thisweekend at Eden Park. Thereare nearly 200 home, gardenandlifestylebusinesses demonstratingandsellingproductsto transform your house and the way youlive in it. Plus,there areexperts to answer yourburning questions ontopics like kitchen renovations, choosing paints, howthe buildingregulations are changing,solar power and more.There’s great food and artisangoodsonsale,free parking onsite, and thechanceto win a $2500 prize package from Resene.
Today, 10am-5pm; tomorrow 10am-4pm.Eden Park, ReimersAve, Kingsland. Entry $5, freeforunder-16s.Visit homeandgardenshow.co.nz for moreinfoandonlinetickets
SPORTSTECHATMOTAT AFRICADAY ImmerseyourselfintheculturesofAfricatodayatAfricaDayinSiloPark. Thefreewhanau-friendlydayofcelebrationsincludeslivemusicanddance performances,artists,fashionshows,marketstalls,foodvendorsand goodvibes.AmongtheperformerstherearetheBurundianDrummers, CongoleseDanceGroup,Keshia,DJPrestoandmore.Thedaycelebrates themanyandvariedculturesofAfricaandisanopportunityforthegrowing communityofAotearoa’sAfricandiasporatocometogetherandsharetheir uniquecultureswitheachotherandthewiderAucklandpublic. Today,10am-6pm.SiloParkandBaseSpaces,WynyardQuarter, AucklandCentral.FREE.
ThisweekendMotathasmultiplereasonstocelebrate.Te PuawanangaScienceandTechnologyCentreturns1yearold and,excitingly,itjustwalkedawaywiththeawardforInternational ExhibitionoftheYearattheMuseums+HeritageAwardsinLondon. Themuseumiscelebratingtheirsuccesseswithaweekendof sportstechnologyfun.There’llbemixedrealitysports,multisensory experiences,hands-onactivitieswithexercisescienceand physiologyexperts,reactionspeedtestsandmore.Visitorswilllearn
ws,marketstalls,foodvendorsand therearetheBurundianDrummers, JPrestoandmore.Thedaycelebrates caandisanopportunityforthegrowing asporatocometogetherandsharetheir thewiderAucklandpublic. BaseSpaces,WynyardQuarter,
allaboutthehumanbodyandtheincredibletechnologicalinnovation happeningwithinsport. Todayandtomorrow,10am4pm.Motat,805GreatNorth Rd,WesternSprings.Usual entryfeesapply.
MRSNOTBOTTOM’S STINKYSILLYSHOW nternational chanceto omvisiting dbabysittersare inkabout,you hisoneyou randkidstothis re.Australian withdeveloped performing s.Hisshow icky,gross-out boththekids outloud. e,305Queen Tickets$25+ forfamilies tre.co.nzVisit nfoonother
It’sthefinalweekendoftheNZInternational ComedyFestivalandyourlastchanceto buysomeautumngigglesfromvisiting comedians.Iflatenightsandbabysittersare somethingyouhavetothinkabout,you mightbeinterestedin MrSnotbottom’s ,whichisoneyou cantakethekidsorgrandkidstothis afternoonatQTheatre.Australian comedianMarkTrenwithdeveloped MrSnotbottomwhileperforming atchildren’shospitals.Hisshow featuresslimy,snotty,icky,gross-out comedythat’llmakeboththekids andgrownupslaughoutloud. Today,3pm.QTheatre,305Queen St,AucklandCentral.Tickets$25+ bookingfees($20eachforfamilies of4ormore)fromqtheatre.co.nzVisit comedyfestival.co.nzforinfoonother
INTERNATIONALARTCENTRE AUCTIONONVIEW Onviewdailyuntilthenightoftheauction,Tuesday27May,the WomeninArt auctionincludesanoutstandingselectionofartworksby leadingNewZealand&Internationalartists.IncludedareworksbyUna Platts,RhonaHaszard,EvelynPage,DorisLusk,GraceJoel&more.
REGISTERTOBID&VIEWTHECATALOGUE www.internationalartcentre.co.nz
Illustrated·(Detail)UNAPLATTS, SelfPortrait,Oilonboard49x39cm GRACEJOEL, AnEveningIdyll, Oilonboard50x18.5cm
202ParnellRd,Parnell,AucklandPh:+6493794010E:auctions@artcntr.co.nz
DARKFIELD INTERNETCAFEOFNOW Fortwoweeksnow,Aucklandershave beenunsettlingthemselveswiththeimmersive audioexperience, Darkfield.Setupintwoshipping containersinAoteaSquare, Darkfield hasonlytwomore weeksherebeforecontinuingitstravelsaroundtheworld. Therearetwoexperiences— Seance and Flight —andin boththecontainersarepitch-blackandvisitorsstepinsidefor athrilling20-25minute360-degreeaudioexperienceineither aVictorianseanceroomorreplicaeconomyclasscabin. Whathappensinsideisaone-of-a-kindexperiencethatwill haveyouthinkingandtalkingaboutitforweekstocome. UntilJune8,Tuesdays-Sundays.AoteaSquare, AucklandCentral.Ticketsstartat$20+booking feesfromaucklandlive.co.nz
PHOTO/TASHWILSON
Forsome,theideaofaninternetcafe seemssoquaintandold-fashioned it’sakintowritingwithaquill.And forothers,thatbrief-but-important partofourdigitalevolutionconjures memoriesofstickykeyboardsand theloomingthreatoftimingout mid-email.Thisweekend,youcan takeatripwiththeghostofinternet’s pasttoChorus’InternetCafeofNow pop-upinNewmarket.It’safreeand interactiveeventthatshowcasesretro internetexperienceslikeawebcam photoboothandclassicgamingand exploreshowfarwe’vecomethrough masterclasseswithlocalcontent creators,livepodcastrecordings, e-sportdemonstrations andfreecoffee. Todayandtomorrow,10am-6pm. 242Broadway,Newmarket.
COMINGUP FrenchFilmFestivalAotearoa: May28-June29. NZOpera’sLaBoheme: May29,June1-6,Kiri TeKanawaTheatre,AoteaCentre. KiaMauFestival: May30-June14,Wellington. PacificDanceFestival2025: June6-22, AucklandandKerikeri
PAPA—Papatuanuku|Whakapapa—Woven WearableArtShowcase: June7,KahuiSt David’s,Auckland.
NZSOMasterworks: Mozart,Beethoven& Haydn:May31-June13,Wellington,Blenheim, Nelson,Manukau,Kerikeri.Auckland LiveCabaretFestival: June3-15,TheCivic Theatre,Auckland.
FLYMYPRETTIES FLY
Aotear hasju andis show down andLa upinc
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Aotearoa’sownsupergroupFlyMyPretties hasjustreleasedanewalbum, Elemental, andisperformingthreenot-to-be-missed showsinAucklandnextweekbeforeheading downtoChristchurch.LedbyBarnabyWeir andLaughtonKora,the Elemental lineupincludesAJA,RiikiReid,Taylah,Louis TM,AaronStewart,IraiaWhakamoe,Nigel PattersonandRyanPrebble.Theentirealbum waswritten,rehearsedandrecordedby11 musiciansinoneintensiveweekatMassey Universityinwhichtheyperformedaspart oftheWellingtonJazzFestival.Spendthis weekendhavingyourownlisteningpartythen getticketsfortheliveexperiencenextFriday orSaturday. May30and31.QTheatre,305Queen St,Auckland.Tickets$98.50-$128.50+ bookingfeesfromqtheatre.co.nzSee flymypretties.comforChristchurchtickets. PHOTO/2024MASANORIUDAGAWA
PONSONBURGERBURGERFESTIVAL Meat-freeMondaymighthavetotakeabriefhiatusnextweekbecauseit’sthe firstdayofthetwo-weekPonsonBurgerburgerfestival,aninvitationtowrap yourlaughinggeararoundasmanybigjuicyburgersasyoucanfromthe32 participatingPonsonbyeateries.ThefestivalcoincideswithInternationalBurger Day,adaywhenwecanalltakeamomenttogiveburgerstherespectthey deserve.There’sacornucopiaofdifferentburgersonofferacrossthe venuesincludingabrisketburger,colaburger,friedchickenburger, blackcodburgerandevenacoupleofdessertburgers.Visitthe PonsonBurgerwebsiteatyourownrisk—salivationisinevitable. May26-June8.VariouseateriesinPonsonby. Visitponsonburger.nzformoreinformation.
PHOTO/BABICHEMARTENS
BlackGrace,CompanyB: June4-5,Aotea Centre,Auckland.
AucklandPhilharmonia’sCommunityClassics: June7(Manukau),July19(Takapuna)andAugust 3(AucklandTownHall).
MatarikiFestival: June7-July13,Auckland. F.O.L.A[AKL](FestivalofLiveArt— Auckland): June11-14.HauFestival[teHimete Hi]:June17-28,BasementTheatre,Auckland.
AucklandPhilharmoniaMatarikiwithRiaHall: June19,AucklandTownHall.
RogerHall’sEndofSummerTime: June17July5,ASBWaterfrontTheatre,Auckland. BernardShaw’sSaintJoan: June25-July5,Q LoftTheatre,Auckland.
BlackFaggot: June25-29,QTheatre BrewofIslandsFestival: June28,BayofIslands.
Emailcanvasguide@nzherald.co.nzwithbrief detailsofyourupcomingevent,including dates/times,locationandwebsite.
BecroftAriaWeekend 30May-1June
CelebratetopKiwitalentatthe 71stBecroftAriacompetitionand PianoConcertoFinal 13:TheMusical 5-7June
Arock-infusedcoming-of-age musicalbyStageAntics JubilationChoirwithTigilauNess 8June
Joyfulvocalvibesguaranteed toraisetheroofwithAotearoa ReggaelegendTigilauNess
Ijustlovecookingwithmushrooms.Theyhavea wonderfulabilitytosoakupflavourwhilebringing theirownearthycharactertosomanydishes— andtheirmeatytexturemakesthemafavourite forvegetariansandmeat-eatersalike. Thoughcultivatedmushroomsareavailableyearround,autumniswhentheyfeelmostathomeinthe kitchenasit’stheirnaturalseason.Thecoolerdays anddampsoilsbringwildvarietiestolife—think slipperyjacksandfieldmushrooms,poppingupin paddocks,onbacklawnsandunderpinetrees.But evenifforagingisn’tyourthing,oursupermarketsand marketsofferagoodselection:button,portobello, swissbrown,shiitake,strawandoystermushrooms areallreadilyavailableandgreatforeverydaycooking. Nutritionally,mushroomsdeservesomecredittoo. They’relowincaloriesandagoodsourceofBvitamins, includingriboflavinandniacin,whichhelprelease
energyfromfood.Theyalsocontainseleniumand antioxidantsthatsupportimmunehealth.For vegetarians,theycanbeausefulwaytoaddumami, thatsavourydepthofflavour.
Asforwaystousethem,mushroomsarewonderfully versatile.Slicedraw,theyaddasubtlenuttinessto salads.Sauteedinbutteroroliveoil,theybecomerich andsavoury,readytobestirredthroughpasta, spoonedovertoast,ortuckedintoomelettes.Roasted whole,largeportobellosmakeaheartyfillingfor burgers,andmushroomsoupisafinething.Finely chopped,they’reidealforbulkingoutmincedishes, atrickIoftenuseforbolognese,lasagnesand meatballs,stretchingthemeatwhileaddingflavourand moisture.
ThemushroomandthymegaletteI’msharingthis weekissimpleyetspecial.It’sreallyrichandflavourful andtheverynatureofagaletteisthatit’smadeto
berusticsoyoucan’tgowrong.Iencourageyouto maketheherbpastryasitreallymakesallthedifference. It’ssuper-easy,Ipromise!
Forsomethingclassic,youcan’tgopastthe combinationofmushroomsandchicken.Whetherit’s acreamymushroomsaucespoonedoverpan-fried chickenbreastsoraslow-cookedcasseroleusing bone-inthighsasIhavethisweek,it’sapairingthat nevergoesoutofstyle.Addasplashofwhitewine andahandfulofparsley,andyou’vegotacomforting dishthateveryoneloves.
Solet’scelebratemushrooms,thatmysterious ingredientthat’sneitherplantnoranimal,thatbrings nutritionandsubstancetoourautumntables,offering comfortandversatility.
Andaswemovethroughtheseason,Ican’tthink ofabetterexcusetogetintothekitchenandcook upsomethingearthyanddelicious.
BISTROCHICKENWITH MUSHROOMANDCAPSICUM Thefoodthat’sservedinatypicalFrenchbistrois generallyhome-style,slow-cookedfoodthatisnot extravagant.Thatsumsupthisdishperfectly.
SERVES2 1Tbspoliveoil
3bone-inthighs
1⁄2 leek,finelysliced 1smallredcapsicum,sliced Handfulofbuttonmushrooms,thinlysliced 2tspdriedtarragon
1Tbspwholegrainmustard
1⁄4 cupwhitewine(optional)
1⁄2 cupvegetableorchickenstock
1⁄2 cupcremefraicheor1/3cuppouringcream
1⁄2 tspseasalt+grindofblackpepper Parsley,togarnish
Heatoilinamediumpanandfrythechickenpieces untilgoldenonbothsides.Removefromthepan. Frytheleekfor5-7minutes,untilsoftened.Addin theslicedmushroomsandcapsicumandcookfor3 minutesthenpopthechickenbackintothepan.Add thetarragon,mustardandwineandsimmerfor2 minutes.Pourinstock,coverandsimmerfor30-40 minutes.
Stirincremefraicheorcreamandseasoningand simmerfor5minutesuntilit’slovelyandcreamy.Taste toseeifitneedsmoresaltorpepper. Sprinkleparsleyandservewithroastedormashed potatoes,pastaorriceandasimplegreensalad.
Note: Sourcreamwillworkinplaceofcremefraiche anddrumsticksinplaceofthighs.
MUSHROOMGALETTE Parttart,partpie,agaletteimpliesacertainrusticness thatsuitsmycasualwayofcooking.
SERVES2-4
Pastry
3Tbspchilledbutter
4heapedTbspplainflour
2Tbspfinelychoppedherbs—Iusedamixofparsley, chives,thymeleaves
4-6Tbspicecoldwater
Filling
3Tbspbutter
1smallonion,diced
3cupsslicedmushrooms,Iusedamixofswissbrown andportobello
1⁄2 tspseasalt& 1⁄4 tspcrackedblackpepper
1⁄2 cupcremefraiche
3⁄4 cupgratedgruyere
2Tbspfreshthymesprigs
Alittlemilk,tobrushpastry
Tomakethepastry,whizzthebutter,flourandherbs inafoodprocessor,pulsinguntilitresemblescoarse breadcrumbs.Drizzlein2Tbspoficedwaterandpulse again,addingmorewaterasyouneedforittocome togetherandstaytogetherwhenpinchedbetweenyour fingers.
Turnout,rollintoaballthenflattentoadisc,wrap andchillfor30minutes.
Inapansautetheonioninthebutterfor2-3minutes thentumbleintheslicedmushrooms,saltandpepper. Cookuntilthemushroomsreleasetheirjuicesthensoak itbackupagain—about7-8minutes.
Preheattheovento180C.Lineatraywithbaking paper.
Rolloutchilledpastrytoa30cmcircle.Transferto thelinedtray.
Spreadthecreamfraicheontothepastryleaving a4-5cmborderfree.Pilethemushroomsontop,again leavetheborderfreeoffilling.Sprinkleovergrated cheeseandthymesprigs.Carefullyfoldupthesides, pleatingandpinchingthemasyougo.Brushtheedges withalittlemilkandbakefor40-50minutesuntilthe pastryisgoldenbrown. Eathot,warmorevencold.Enjoy!
Canthispillhelpuslivelonger? Theresearchonmetformin andhumanlongevityis
scant,butthathasn’t stoppedsomepeoplefrom experimentingwithit,writes MohanaRavindranath
Afewyearsago,MarcProvissiero,a movieproducerapproachinghismid50s,startedcontemplatingthenext decadesofhislife.Hejoinedahigh-end longevityclinicforafewhundreddollarsamonth andbeganmonitoringhisbloodpanels,eating betterandimprovinghissleep.Hewantedtostay activeasheaged—playingtennis,surfing,hiking, andspendingtimewithhisyoungdaughter.
ButduringProvissiero’sannualphysicalatthe longevityclinic,hisphysician,DrDarshanShah, gavehimasoberingwarning.Despitehishealthy habits,Provissiero’sbloodsugarwasnearing prediabeticlevels.Afamilyhistoryheightenedhis riskofdevelopingdiabetes,whichcanshaveyears offaperson’slifeexpectancy.Whenastricterdiet andexerciseregimendidn’tmovetheneedle,Shah prescribedmetformin.
Scientistshaveknownfordecadesthat metforminlowersbloodsugar.It’sapprovedbythe USFoodandDrugAdministrationtotreatType 2diabetesandisalsocommonlyprescribedfor weightlossandpolycysticovarysyndrome.But somedoctors,includingProvissiero’s,arebetting thissamedrugcanheadoffanumberofchronic diseasesbeforetheyevendevelop,tohelp otherwisehealthypeoplelivelongerandbetter.
“Thehopeisthatthisisgoingtoleadtoagreater numberofhealthyyears,”saidProvissiero,who livesinMalibu,California.Afteroneyearon metformin,hesaidhefeelslessbloated,more energeticandmoreincontrolofhisweightand bloodsugar.
Researchonmetformin’simpactonthehuman lifespanisscant.Theexistingresearch,muchof whichhasbeendoneonmice,is“allovertheplace”, showingvaryingeffectsbasedontheanimals’sex andspecies,saidRafaeldeCabo,asenior investigatorattheNationalInstituteonAgeing whohasstudiedmetformininmiceformorethan twodecades.Humanstudies,whichhavelargely focusedondiabetespatients,turnupconflicting findingsonmetformin’sbenefitsforhealthy people,hesaid.
Still,interestinmetformin’santi-ageing potentialhasremainedhighasscientistsfind earlybutpromisingevidencethatitcouldalso manageordelayotherconditionslike cardiovasculardisease,canceranddementia. “Metforminmaybetargetingtherootcause”of severalotherdiseaseswhoserisksincreasewith age,potentiallybecauseitregulateshormones, repairstissuesandeasesimmunesystem inflammation,deCabosaid.
Thepromiseofasingledrugthatcould“address everything”makesitanespeciallycompelling targetforpeopleeagertoavoiddeadly,age-related disease,saidS.JayOlshansky,aprofessorof publichealthattheUniversityofIllinoisChicago.
Evidenceformetformin’sabilitytohelphumans livelongeris“weak,butitisnotabsolutely definitivelynegative”,saidDrRichardMiller,a professorofpathologyattheUniversityof Michiganwhostudiesageing.
WAITINGFORTHEBIGHUMANSTUDY
Scientistsarestillinvestigatinghowmetformin worksatamolecularlevel.Itappearstoreduce celldamagebyprotectingchromosomesfrom degradingandreversingthechemicaltagsonDNA thatareassociatedwithageing,amongother functions,saidDrNirBarzilai,thedirectorofthe InstituteforAgeingResearchattheAlbert
loweringblood sugar, metforminis beingexplored foritsrolein healthyageing. Photo/123rf
EinsteinCollegeofMedicine.
OriginallyderivedfromtheFrenchlilacplant, thedrugwasfirstformulatedabout100yearsago forregulatingbloodsugarinanimals.Doctors beganofferingitasadiabetestreatmentto humansinthe1950sbecauseitinhibitsthebody’s naturalproductionandabsorptionofglucose,de Cabosaid.
Intheearly2000s,researchersbegannoticing thatdiabeticandprediabeticmicewhoweregiven metforminlivedlongerthanhealthymicewho weren’tonthedrug,suggestingitdoesmorethan simplytreatbloodsugar,deCabosaid.For example,a2013studyheledfoundthatalowdose ofmetforminextendedthelifespanofhealthy malemicebyabout5%(ontheotherhand,ahigher doseshortenedtheirlifespan).Itseemedtohave thesameeffectascaloricrestriction,whichthe ageingfieldconsidersamongthemostpromising possibilitiesforlengtheninglife.
Anotherstudyfromlastyearsuggestedthat metforminslowedageinginthebraincellsofmale monkeysbyuptosixyears.Anotherwidelycited observationalstudyinhumans,publishedin2014, foundthatpeoplewithType2diabeteswhotook metforminhadalowermortalityriskthanpeople withoutdiabeteswhodidn’ttakeit.
Butotherresearchpaintsadifferentpicture. A2022analysis,whichaimedtoreplicatethe2014 study,foundpeoplewithdiabetestaking metformindidn’thavealowermortalityriskthan healthierpatientswhoweren’tonthedrug. There’salsoevidencethatmetformin’sbenefitto peoplewithoutdiabetesmaybeshort-lived, loweringtheirmortalityriskforjustafewyears beforeitreturnstonormal.
Anationaltrialexaminingmetformin’simpact onolderhealthyindividuals—whichcouldfinally establishhoweffectivethedrugisatstavingoff chronicdiseaseandmortality—hasbeendelayed foryears.CalledtheTargetingAgeingWith Metformin(orTAME)Trial,andspearheadedby Barzilai,itaimstocomparetheincidenceof cardiovascularissues,dementia,cancer,and deathinpeoplewhoaretakingmetforminwith thosewhoaren’t.Butbecauseofbudget constraintsanddisruptions,itwilllikelybeyears beforepreliminarydataispublished,Barzilaisaid.
TAKINGA‘LEAPOFFAITH’ There’snoreliabledataonhowmanypeopleuse metforminstrictlyforlongevitypurposes.Some anti-ageinginfluencerstoutmetforminaspartof theirregimen,anddoctorsinterviewedforthis storysaidpatients(eventhosewithoutchronic diseaserisk)areincreasinglyaskingthemto prescribethedrug.
Expertsandmetforminuserssaythedrug’s risksaregenerallyminimal;commonsideeffects includediarrhoeaanddifficultybuildingmuscle, bothofwhichmayabateoncepatientsstoptaking it.
Moreseveresideeffectsarepossible,though. DeCabowarnedthatthedrugcouldcompromise kidneyfunctioninpatientswithrenaldisease,if nottakenundercloseguidancefromadoctor. PatientslikeProvissierobelievethepotential benefitsareworththerisks.Nowthathe’staking metformin,hesaid,hevisitsthegymmore frequentlytocounteractanychallengesbuilding muscle,thoughhehasn’texperiencedanyissues sofar.
PeterBernard,59,aretiredtechsalesexecutive wholivesinHaverford,Pennsylvania,saidhehad beentakingmetforminforaboutsevenyears. Whilehe’sneverstruggledtokeephisbloodsugar low,hethoughtmetformincouldhelphimdelay thebiologicalbreakdownthatcomeswithage.For Bernard,thereisn’t“muchdownside”totakinga 500mgpilltwiceaday,especiallysincehe’snever noticedanynegativesideeffects.Whilehehasn’t seenanydramaticbenefitsfrommetformineither, Bernardsaidhisbloodpanelsandweightwere consistentlyinthe“healthy”range,and“theonly waytofindoutifitdoesn’tworkistostop”.
Provingthatadrughelpspeoplelivelonger couldtakedecades,Shahsaid;Provissieroand otherusersaretakinga“leapoffaith”that metforminwillhavelong-termbenefits.
Evenifit’snotthemostpowerfuldrug,it“may wellbegoodforpeople”strugglingtokeeptheir bloodsugarorweightwithinhealthyguidelines, Millersaid,addingthatit’s“demonstrablygood” atslowingtheprogressionfromprediabetesto diabetes.Buttoanyoneclaimingmetforminslows ageingforpeople“whodon’thaveatrace,orthe leasthintofprediabetes,Iwouldhavetosay, ‘Proveit.’”
It’salsodifficulttodeterminewhetherthe benefitsareattributabletometforminalone, Millersaid.Somepatientswhotakeitforlongevity alsotakeotherdrugsandsupplementspurported toslowageing.Bernardisalsotakingtestosterone, wheyproteinandmagnesium.
Anditcouldsimplybethatmetformin’sbiggest benefitisittriggersachangeinbehaviour, Provissieroacknowledged.Ashemeticulously trackshisglucoseandgetssemiannuallabtests forinflammation,hismetformindoseisa“daily reminder”thateatinghealthilyandexercisingcan bringdownhisbloodsugarlevels,extendinghis lifeexpectancy.Withlifestylechanges,hesaid,“I needtobeapartnertoitandbehave.” TheNewYorkTimes
Anautumnalsalad Ifyou’replanningalazy lunchwithfriends,then makethemostofthelastof thefeijoaseasonwiththis luscioussalad.Roasted feijoasarepairedwithcrisp baconandcrumbledfeta, anddrizzledwithatangy dressing.Justaddcrusty breadandaglassofyour favouritetipple.
RoastedFeijoa,Bacon &FetaSalad
SERVES6
INGREDIENTS
5medium-largefeijoas
125gthin-slicedstreakybacon
120gbagofrocketorsaladgreens
50gcrumblyfeta
4sprigsfreshthyme
DRESSING
1 4 cupoliveoil
2Tbspapplecidervinegar
2Tbsplemonjuice
1Tbsphoney
2tspwholegrainmustard
1 4 tspsalt
METHOD
Preheattheovento180C.
Cutthetopoffthefeijoasandcutlengthwiseinto quarters.
Placeonabakingtrayskinsidedown,bakefor
20minutesandremovefromtheoven.
Whilethefeijoasarecooking,heatafryingpanover mediumheat,addthebaconandcookonbothsides untilcrispy.
Transfertoaplatelinedwithpapertowels. Forthedressing,whiskallingredientsinasmall bowltocombineandsetaside.
Toassemblethesalad,placethesaladgreenson alargeservingplateandtopwiththeroastedfeijoas. Useyourhandstocrumbletherashersofbaconover thesalad.Crumblethefetaovertopandscatterwith thymeleaves.
Drizzlewiththedressingjustbeforeserving.
—fresh.co.nz
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FrancescaRudkin reviewsGillianAnderson’snewfilm,TheSaltPath
TheSaltPath isfilmedonthe beautifulSouthwestCoast Path,a1000-kilometretrack throughSouthwestEngland and,honestly,thisfilmwillmakeyou wanttogowalking.
Butit’salsoatouchingfilmabout amiddle-agedcouplewholosetheir farmandhomeafterabad investment.
Theirkidsarestudyingand working,sotheycanlookafter themselves,butthefamilyfind themselveshomeless.
Theyarelivingonabenefitofjust £40aweek($90)andhavenoidea howthey’llbeabletosurvive.
Oneday,theycomeupwithan idea:they’lljustwalk.They’llwalkand campontheSouthwestCoastPath.
GillianAndersonisRaynorWinn andJasonIsaacsisherhusband, Moth.Thefilmisatruestorybased onWinn’sbookaboutthewalk.
ThestorystartsafterMothhasjust beendiagnosedwitharareterminal diseaseandisstrugglingtowalk.
Eventhoughthingsdon’tlook goodforthecouple,theyheadoff, sayingtothemselvesitistheironly option.
TheperformancesbyAnderson andIsaacsarejustbeautiful.Thereis absolutelynovanityintheirportrayal ofthesecharacters.
Youseethembecomewindblown andsunburnt,asyouwouldexpect fromhoursofwalkinginall weathers.
Thesceneryisbeautiful,as youwouldexpect,butwhatI lovedmostaboutthisfilmis thatit’sreallyalovestory.
It’sabouttwopeoplewho findthemselvesinareally difficultsituation,whoembrace adversityandjustgetonwithit.
Youseeallthenuancesofthis
GillianAndersonandJason IsaacsinTheSaltPath.
challenge,youseethephysical difficulties,thehomelessnessand theirhelplessnesswhentheycan’t betherefortheirchildren.
Youcompletelyunderstandthe hopelessnessoftheirsituation.
Astimegoesby,theybecome atonewithnatureandlearnabout themselves.Eventhoughtheytake abreakoverwinter,theyagreethat theyneedtobeonthewalk,onthat path.
Thescenerydoesdoalotofwork forthisfilm,butIthinkit’sthe performancesthatdrawyouinonthis journey...itreallyisfabulous.
● TheSaltPath isshowingin cinemasnow.Formorereviews fromFrancescaRudkin,listento SaturdayMorningwithJackTame onNewstalkZBfrom9am, Saturdays,orfollowthepodcaston iHeartRadio.
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8.15 Dynamo:BeyondBelief M Dynamoencounters difficultieswhenhis medicationtakeseffect, whilehismagicculminates inanincrediblestuntwitha sportscar.
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7.55 Imaginary MLC2023Horror. 9.40 CrescentCity 16VLSC2024 Thriller. 11.20 Ferrari 16VLS2023 Drama. 1.30 CivilWar 16VLC2024 Action. 3.20 ShadowLand MVL2024 Thriller. 4.50 ItEndswithUs MLSC 2024Drama. 7pm Somethinginthe Water M2024Thriller. 8.30 BadBoys:RideorDie 16VLSC2024Action. Whentheirlate policecaptaingetslinkedtodrug cartels,twopolicemenembarkon adangerousmissiontoclearhis name.WillSmith,MartinLawrence. 10.30 Treasure MLC2024Drama. 12.20 The4:30Movie 16C2024 Comedy.
7.09 AnyoneButYou 16LSC2023 Comedy. 8.51 AnalyzeThis MVL 1999Comedy. 10.35 AnalyzeThat MVLS2002Comedy. 12.10 What’s YourNumber? MLS2011Rom-com. 1.55 AngerManagement MLS2003 Comedy. 3.40 BurnAfterReading 16VLS2008Comedy. 5.15 Bad Neighbours 16LSC2014Comedy. 6.55 LoveMeifYouDare MS2003 Comedy. 8.30 BadNeighbours2: SororityRising 16VLSC2016Comedy. 10.05 TheGentlemen 16VLSC2019 Action. 12am You,MeandDupree MLS2006Comedy.
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7.04 TheRewrite ML2014Rom-com. 8.48 PineappleExpress 16VL2008 Comedy. 10.38 Angus,Thongsand PerfectSnogging PGL2009Comedy. 12.18 LateNight MLS2019Comedy. 2pm OneTrueLoves PG2023 Comedy. 3.40 Semi-Pro MLS2008Comedy. 5.20 Another48Hours MVL1990 Comedy. 6.55 Mama’sBoy M2007Comedy. 8.30 TenaciousDinthePick ofDestiny 16LS2006Comedy. 10.05 GoodLuckChuck 16LS2007 Rom-com. 11.45 Swingers ML1996Comedy Drama.
6am BeachfrontBargainHunt 3
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11.30 SuperRugbyPacific (HLS) ChiefsvMoanaPasifika. 11.45 SuperRugbyPacific (HLS) ForcevWaratahs.From HBFPark,Perth. Noon RugbyLeague:NRL (DLY) PanthersvKnights.From CarringtonPark,Bathurst.
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Thescienceofnear-deathexperiences Inanewmemoir,Jeremy Rennerwritesthatashelay neardeath,heexperienced somethingextraordinary. MaggieAstor askswhy.
Alittleovertwoyearsago,actorJeremyRenner wasrunoverbyaseven-tonnesnowplow.In MyNextBreath:AMemoir ,hewriteshecould seehisentirelifeatonce,andfeltan “exhilaratingpeace”andaconnectiontotheworld.He alsosawfamilyandfriendsarrayedbeforehim,telling himnottoletgo.
“WhatIfeltwasenergy,aconstantlyconnected, beautifulandfantasticenergy,”Rennerwrote.“There wasnotime,placeorspace,andnothingtosee,except akindofelectric,two-wayvisionmadefromstrands ofthatinconceivableenergy,likethewhippinglinesof cars’taillightsphotographedbyatime-lapsecamera.”
WhatRennerdescribedis“classicfornear-death experiences”,thetermresearchersuseforsuchevents, saidDrJeffreyLong,thefounderoftheNear-Death ExperienceResearchFoundation.
Long’sfoundationhascollectedmorethan4000 accountssimilartoRenner’s.Somepeoplewhohave comeclosetodeathhaverecountedasenseofenergy, peaceandabsenceoftime,asRennerdid.Somehave alsodescribedwatchingtheirbodyfromabove,moving throughatunneltowardsalightandevenmeetingGod.
Thegeneralpublicmaybefamiliarwiththeseevents throughagenreofmemoirsthatpresentnear-death experiencesasproofofaChristianafterlife.Butthey havebeenreportedacrosscountries,demographics andreligionsandhavebeenasubjectofscientific researchfordecades.
Thereisnoscientificconsensusonwhatcausesneardeathexperiences.Butwhatevertheircause,theycan changepeople’slives.Someloseallfearofdeath;others changecareersorleaverelationships.
Forthosepeople,“usuallyit’slike,yeah,youalmost died,soyoubecomemoreappreciativeoflife”,said MarietaPehlivanova,aresearchassistantprofessorof psychiatryandneurobehaviouralsciencesatthe UniversityofVirginiaSchoolofMedicine’sDivisionof PerceptualStudies,whichresearchesnear-death experiences.
But,Pehlivanovasaid,“Thechangesweseeinthese peoplewhoalmostdiedbutdidn’thaveanNDEare muchmoresubtleanddonotcontinueoversuchalong periodoftime”.
WHYDOTHESEEXPERIENCESHAPPEN?
Near-deathexperiencesarehardtostudybecausethe catastrophicinjuriesandillnessesthatcanleadtothem don’tlendthemselvestocontrolledexperiments.But
neuroscientistshaveproposedarangeof theoriesastowhatcausesthem,and manybelievetheexperiencesstem fromacomplexcascadeof neurologicalandphysiological processes.
Inapaperpublishedin March,sevenresearchers proposedanexplanationthat linkednear-deathexperiences toaburstofbrainchemicals calledneurotransmitters,and anactivationofspecific receptorsinthebrainthat producesasenseofcalmand vividimagery.Thepaperalso positsthatnear-death experiencesmightoccurwhen partlyconsciouspeoplegothrough aspectsofrapid-eye-movementsleep, whichiswhenthemostrobustandcomplex dreaminghappens.
Otherscientists’theoriesincludeonethatinvolves thesameneuralreceptorsthatfacilitatetheeffectsof ketamine.
AnothersuggestsaspectsofNDEsmightarisefrom dysfunctionintheareaofthebrainresponsiblefor combiningsights,sounds,motionandourinnatesense ofwhereweareintoasinglesensoryexperience.
Thatmightexplainoneofthemostcuriouspartsof near-deathexperiences:thatsomepeoplelatersaythey watchedtheirbodyfromabove,andareabletodescribe detailsofwhatwashappeningaroundthemthatitseems asiftheyshouldn’tbeabletoknow.
DrKevinNelson,aprofessorofneurologyatthe UniversityofKentuckywhowasanauthoroftheMarch study,notedthatpeoplemightbeabletoheareven whenapparentlyunresponsive,andthatpatients’eyes wereoftenopenduringresuscitationefforts.
Sotheymighttakeinsightandsoundinrealtime but,becausetheirbrainisdisruptedbyalackofblood flow,recallitascomingfromaperspectiveabovetheir body.
PROCESSINGALIFE-ALTERING EXPERIENCE Someresearchers—andagreatnumberofpeoplewho havehadnear-deathexperiences—believethatnone oftheproposedscientificexplanationscanaccountfor alltheelements,andthattheseexperiencesaretrue encounterswithanafterlife.
Thatideaisanathematomanyneuroscientistsfor whomafundamentalpreceptisthatconsciousness arisesfromthebrain.
“Faithandscienceoftengetconfusedonthistopic, inpartbecauseithassuchaprofoundemotional valence,”Nelsonsaid.But,headded,“Thereisno scientificevidencethatwecanhavehumanexperience outsideofthebrain.”
ButLong,whosemedicaltrainingandpracticeare
describesa near-death experience,but thereisno scientific consensuson whatcauses the phenomenon.
inradiationoncology,believespeople’s consciousnessdoesleavetheirbodies duringnear-deathexperiencesina waythatneurosciencecan’t accountfor.Heisparticularly convincedthatsciencecannot explaintheaccuracyanddetail ofwhatpatientsrecallseeing andhearingfromoutsidetheir body.
Pehlivanovaandher colleaguesattheUniversityof Virginiainstitutealsobelieve theexperiencescouldinvolve arealseparationbetween consciousnessandthebrain, thoughtheyhavenotdismissed thepossibilityofneurologicalor physiologicalexplanations.
DrBruceGreyson,aprofessor emeritusofpsychiatryand neurobehaviouralsciencesinthatinstitute,has studiednear-deathexperiencesfor50years.These days,heismostlyfocusednotoncausesbutonhow medicalprofessionalscouldbesthelppeoplewhogo throughtheseexperiencesprocesswhatthey experienced.
Doctorsandnursestendtobethefirstpeopleto whompatientsdescribetheirexperiences,hopingto “getsomeperspectiveonit”,Greysonsaid.And sometimes,thoseprofessionalsresponddismissively.
“Foralmostallnear-deathexperiencers,theyregard thisasoneofthemostimportantthings,ifnotthemost importantthing,that’severhappenedintheirlives,”he said.“Andwhileitmayseeminconsequentialtothe healthcareworker,it’snotatalltotheexperiencer.”
—TheNewYorkTimes
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PHOTO/THENEW YORKTIMES
