Kowhai Spring Edition 2021

Kowhai SPRING EDITION 2021

MAKING SOCIAL CHANGE Meet the New Zealanders of the year.

HANDMADE WITH CLAY Welcome to Nadine’s clay-loving community.

MANU’S PLATTER ART This business is reinventing finger food.

e m o c l Wering edition

to our sp Kōwhai of

We’re slowing things down this season. We’re smelling the daffodils, trading busyness for conscious living, and carving out moments to do what we love.

Life is up and down at the best of times, but especially in the midst of a pandemic. Mental health experts agree that it’s important to take a break and be kind to ourselves – both physically and mentally. So, go on, spoil yourself just a little. Because there’s no better season for a life reset than spring.

You might start by indulging daily in whatever fills your cup. Be it creativity, joking with loved ones, preparing treats in the kitchen, donating time to a good cause, doing that task you’ve been putting off, or getting your hands dirty in the garden.

Keeping in touch with others is a vital part of self care. While your body might be saying ‘feed me comfort food’ you might actually be craving social contact and spending time with the ones you love. It’s well worth digging a little deeper to learn what truly makes you tick.

In these pages, we’ve delivered a few ideas to get you started.

Some can be done at home to help you leap out of bed and mix up your daily routine while others will get you out and about exploring beautiful Aotearoa.

Happy cup-filling!

Kylie and the Ryman Healthcare team.

06 08

In this issue & SENIOR LOCAL 04 YOUNG 12 YOUR NEW ZEALANDERS WHANGAREI OF THE YEAR

TOUR GUIDE

These two are working toward a physically and mentally healthier Aotearoa.

Mary shows us around her bright, easy-going home town.

06 Lynette greets each day A YOGA STORY

with a smile thanks to yoga.

16

CRAVING 08 WE’RE ADVENTURE Have you ticked these waterfalls off your list?

FASHION 10 ACTIVE Sure, it’s comfy and practical, but can active wear really be stylish? Um... turn to page 10.

14 BRIGHTEN YOUR GARDEN Matt’s colourful garden tips and Arch’s prize-winning dahlias.

AND 16 MANU HIS PLATTERS Step into a finger food dream laced with hummus.

CLAY CENTRE 22 THE Nadine introduces us to her world of clay and the community she’s built with it.

health For the

of a nation

The 2021 Ryman Healthcare Senior and University of Canterbury Young New Zealanders of the year spend their days working toward a physically and mentally healthier Aotearoa.

An octogenarian, Dr Doug Wilson works tirelessly to elevate the health and wellbeing of his contemporaries. As Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year, he’s shining a light on the value his generation brings to society. And with a cheeky laugh, he suggests that we should all “create yourself a fantastic life, not a crummy one”.

Mental health advocate Jazz Thornton is University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year.

She’s “proud that New Zealand is choosing to take mental health seriously”. When Jazz realised that she was only surviving, she shifted her focus to fighting for herself and others. She co-founded Voices of Hope and uses her lived experience to provide hope and instigate change for mental health in Aotearoa.

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Photo credit: Maddie Graeme

Jazz Thornton

A 26-YEAR-OLD CRUSADER FOR MENTAL HEALTH, JAZZ HAS CHANNELLED HER LIVED EXPERIENCE INTO HELPING OTHERS CONQUER THEIR MENTAL HEALTH DEMONS.

After years of childhood abuse, depression, hospital stays, and multiple suicide attempts, Jazz decided to “stop surviving and start fighting”. She enrolled in film school to learn how to tell the stories of others like her. She’s the award-winning director of Jessica’s Tree, The Girl on the Bridge, and author of the aptly named Stop Surviving Start Fighting, and the guided journal My Journey Starts Here.

In 2014, Jazz and Genevieve Mora co-founded Voices of Hope, a suicide prevention organisation.

“We felt the need to use our past experiences with mental illness to provide hope to those struggling.”

Through Voices of Hope, the pair are combining advocacy,

e felt the need “ W to use our past

experiences with mental illness to provide hope to those struggling.

”

campaigning, and storytelling to create – and implement – change for mental health.

“I put up a (Facebook) status about a friend of mine I had lost to suicide and Gen reached out to me and said ‘we have to do something about this’. We were 18 and hadn’t met in person yet.”

Moving forward, Jazz is strategic.

“I’ve really started to understand the global impact of what is going on so I’m now working on a new project on the global story of mental health alongside some incredible campaigners in 15 countries.”

People often ask how to identify someone who needs help. Too often, people are in crisis situations

before anybody realises they’re struggling. “It’s really hard as everyone is so different. There are some key warning signs like starting to isolate or disassociate, enjoying things less, or starting to turn up late as disorganisation is a big one”, says Jazz. When signs are noticed, Jazz says that the best (and easiest) thing anyone can do is to have “that conversation without feeling like they have to wait until they’re in crisis”.

It’s about having those conversations of “how are you, really?”.

Dr Doug Wilson

BORN WITH DYSLEXIA AT A TIME WHEN IT WASN’T UNDERSTOOD, DOUG FACED AN UPHILL BATTLE. AN INTELLIGENT CHILD, HE EXCELLED IN MATH AND THE SCIENCES YET WAS CONSISTENTLY LAST IN SPELLING.

But as Doug says, “I just got on with it. Didn’t fuss”. That attitude has served him well throughout life.

Pursuing medicine “was a casual decision”. He spent three weeks in hospital aged 12 and he found it fascinating. “There were fancy X-ray machines, people coming to test blood pressure, and nurses whose starched costumes rustled every time they moved. It was all very interesting to me.”

Doug built a high-flying international career as a medical academic.

He shifted to a world-leading role in the pharmaceutical industry at 50.

“It was a big shift from the medical academic stuff I was doing but I had enough mental flexibility to adapt to the different drugs they were developing.”

But since childhood, Doug’s passion was writing. “We didn’t have TV, so I listened to a radio program for kids called Secret Island. I also used my imagination and would make up story after story.” Tenacious as ever, Doug became a regular at the Remuera library, Auckland and his reading improved. He notes that an active imagination is very good for the brain. “But I never stopped wanting to write.” And in recent years, he has hit the ground running.

just got on with it. “ IDidn’t fuss. ” At age 70, Doug realised his dream and began a career as an author. He has since published two non-fiction adult books, Aging for Beginners and Ageing Well, and 11 children’s books. He lights up while discussing the adventures of his teenage protagonist Tom Hassler. And

he always has a couple of stories running through his head. “It helps me get to sleep. I lock myself into a story, engage with it, and write a little more in my head. I always sleep well.”

So, what does a day in the life of an octogenarian look like? Well, Doug never retired. He’s a board member, corporate advisor, speaker, podcaster, author, ageing specialist, and holds a wealth of knowledge.

As he says, “it’s an extraordinary opportunity to grow older”. At 84, he wakes each morning with purpose. “I read a lot because that requires brain engagement more than passive TV watching. I’m interested in international politics, so I follow that closely online. And I read a handful of medical journals each month to keep up to date with progress.” And when he has time to spare, “I check in on the New Yorker and Washington Post to keep up to date with the parts of the world where I used to live”.

Kõwhai | 5

Journey

A remarkable

Born in India to a surgeon mother, Lynette went on to break glass ceilings around the world. And she’s continuing to make the most of every day.

Having spent her professional life jet-setting the globe, Lynette knows the importance of physical and mental health. “I was in India at the time and not feeling good about anything, so I decided to focus on yoga.” After trying different classes, she decided they weren’t her thing. She jokes, “I’m just the kind of person that needs personal attention”.

A trainer was recommended and “we just clicked”. Three times a week, her trainer tailored yoga moves to Lynette’s body and goals. “Everything doesn’t suit everyone.

Over those 6 months of training, I got to grips with which asanas (poses) suit me.”

Now, Lynette begins every morning with a yoga session before walking 2km. At 75, Lynette’s commitment to embracing each day is no surprise to those who know her. “I’ve got to keep busy you see.

I can’t sit still!”

Her career began with a short stint at the United Nations in Geneva.

“I quickly realised it was a massive bureaucracy. Things were done too slowly for a 23-year-old.” She returned to England and accepted an offer to work for ICL, the only competitor to IBM at the time. But Lynette had a catch, she wanted to be based in India. “But in India I had my own challenges because they didn’t know what to do with a woman professional.” Treated as a “strange specimen”, Lynette found she “had to fight. But I did, and I thrived”.

’ve got to keep “ Ibusy you see.

I can’t sit still! ” A 16-year career ensued with ICL. “There weren’t a whole lot of companies you could work with in the 1970s”, she laughs, “and they gave me a lot of opportunities.

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I was the first woman in management”. Following a joint venture she negotiated with Datacraft, Lynette was invited to be CEO. As employee number one, she grew the venture into the largest data networking company in India.

In 2000 Lynette and her husband Conrad decided to migrate. “I was ready to leave India. As CEO I had to deal with a lot of corrupt officials and I was tired of it.” She took “a quiet little job in the corner” with Datacraft in New Zealand, recharged her batteries and earned her residency.

The day after residency was granted, Lynette flew out to Singapore to head up human resources for her company’s APAC (Asia Pacific) region. “I’d had enough of waking up with numbers in my head at 2am.

I wanted a people oriented job.” Unfortunately, it was the most stressful job of all – after the Dotcom bubble burst she was required to downsize staff numbers across the 13 countries in APAC. “Unfortunately I was known as the Angel of Death in the Philippines” because when Lynette arrived, jobs were lost.

Three years and many air miles later, she had a medical emergency and quit. “Because I believe that if you can’t run at 200 miles an hour, you’d better get off the runway.”

She travelled the globe for another six years consulting before the next warning arrived: breast cancer. “I said, ‘ok, that’s a message’, so we settled down.” Lynette switched gears and began executive coaching until retiring in 2020.

“It has been very hard to achieve what I would describe as a place of being content.

We actually have a saying in Sanskrit which translates

as “to be content with what you have been given is the ultimate happiness”. And Lynette’s yoga routine has played a large part in her contentment.

In 2019 Conrad suddenly passed away from a heart attack. “For him to disappear suddenly at 77 was not on.”

And again, it was yoga that helped Lynette cope. “Yoga keeps me physically and mentally fit. And helping others helps me. It keeps my mind occupied because I live in my head, I don’t live in my body.”

She’s in the process of setting up the LynCon Foundation to assist, mentor, and financially support underprivileged young women into a career in technology. This is something both Lynette and Conrad believed in. Lynette says that Conrad appreciated and enjoyed his intelligent and successful wife. “He was quite a personality, secure in himself and his own successful career in advertising.”

When complimented on her success she recalls, “I was very close to my mother. She was my role model and I think the first Indian woman to be a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.

When I was 6 years old, she said ‘darling, you must stand on your own two feet’.

She supported me through Cambridge University (UK) in 1966 when very few Indian parents would have paid for a daughter’s education abroad.

She also taught me what I know about voluntary service and helping others. My mother was exceptional.”

Special thanks to Lynette.

An exceptional woman in her own right, yoga fan, and resident at Ryman’s Edmund Hillary Village.

Yogwaith

nette Lyj WARRIOR POSE / VIRABHADRASANA

Strengthens shoulders, thighs and ankles.

Lynette has created a variation that suits her body.

TABLETOP POSE / BHARMANASANA

Strengthens wrists, shoulders, back muscles, and is a light stretch for the spine.

EASY POSE / SUKHASANA

Stretches the spine, opens up the hips, and encourages a sense of inner calm.

PALM TREE / URDHVA HASTASANA

Loosens the arms, shoulders, the neck, and upper back.

Kõwhai | 7

explore

COME

WITH US!

They cascade, crash, and occasionally trickle.

Here’s a list of must-see waterfalls in Aotearoa.

Our mountainous New Zealand landscape is a waterfall paradise.

Every region boasts several picturesque falls worth visiting.

We’ve plucked a handful of special ones from the list, some popular and others off the beaten track, but all beautiful. The access hikes are scenic, and the waterfalls offer a meditative sense of calm. So, pack a picnic and throw your crew in the car – we’re going exploring!

1

Otuihau Whangãrei Falls, Whangãrei

10 MIN RETURN, EASY

Sealed trail for all abilities.

This picturesque 26.3-metre-high waterfall cascades over basalt cliffs to breathtaking effect. Traditionally an eeling spot for local Māori, today it’s a popular picnic spot. Walk 5 minutes to the falls on a trail suitable for people of all abilities. The two viewing platforms above the falls offer a bird’s-eye view of the nīkau, tōtara, mānuka, ti kouka, and ponga below.

Be warned, the waterfall can have little or no water during a dry summer.

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punchbowl

DEVIL'S

Arthur’s Pass

1 HR RETURN, MODERATE

Gradual incline with steps.

2

Nestled in the heart of Arthur’s Pass National Park is a 131-metre waterfall.

The walking trail takes you to the base of the falls and offers an early view from the second bridge before climbing 240 steps 150 metres to the viewing platform. When your heavy breathing has stopped, take a moment to enjoy the lush beech forest and native birdsong. Keep an eye out for pīwakaka (fantails) playing in the trees.

3

Waireinga / Bridal Veil Falls, Raglan

20 MIN RETURN TO TOP OF FALLS, EASY

Sealed trail for all abilities.

This stunning 55-metre waterfall lives up to the hype and you’ll be grateful for its several viewing platforms. Spilling from the clifftop, it forms a dramatic bridal veil shape. A friendly trail weaves through native forest and you can choose to venture a further 20 minutes return down steps to the base where you’ll be greeted with a view across the pool and directly up the veil.

4

Thunder Creek Falls, Haast

10 MIN RETURN, EASY

Sealed trail for all abilities.

Named for its roaring waters, Thunder Creek Falls offers a satisfying 28-metre drop. Stroll the sealed trail through kāmahi and silver beech while listening for native birds. Located in Mt Aspiring National Park, this narrow, chute-like waterfall plummets down the hillside.

Positioned between Wānaka and the West Coast, this waterfall is a visually stunning way to break up a long drive.

5

Kitekite Falls, Piha

1 HR RETURN WALK, MODERATE

Stream crossings and stairs.

Famous in the Waitākere Ranges, the Kitekite Falls access route winds up through rainforest offering a stunning view of the falls along the way.

Featuring six drops, the falls plummet into a large pool at the bottom. Pack a towel as visitors often jump in the base pool for a dip, or hike to the top of the falls where a pair of pools feature a view of the valley.

ainui WFALLS

6

Golden Bay 1 HR 20 MIN RETURN, MODERATE

Sturdy shoes and steep dropoffs.

You’ll know you’re close when you can hear the thunder of the falls. Soon after, they’ll appear amid a cloud of spray.

While it’s the largest waterfall in Golden Bay, many visit for the walk itself. The trail crosses scenic farmland before cutting through a beautiful native forest featuring a swing bridge. And along the way, keep an eye out for Aotearoa’s native giant snail, Powelliphanta.

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Sweat

IN STYLE

ACTIVE WEAR IS THE FASHION INDUSTRY GIVING THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT. AND WHAT DO WE WANT? TO LOOK GREAT AND FEEL COMFORTABLE WHILE LEADING ACTIVE LIVES.

This recent fashion trend crosses the divide between fitness clothing and day wear. Step out of the forest and into a café for a post-hike drink.

Hop from the yoga studio onto the high street for a spot of shopping. All minus a costume change!

Designed for fitness lovers, active wear doesn’t compromise on quality.

The fashion industry took athletic clothing with all the stretch and moisture-wicking you could dream of, then added bold patterns, fashion shaping, and cut outs for style.

MATCHY MATCH Active wear is often designed in sets, like fashion collections, which means you can wear a colour-coordinated outfit or mix and match.

Pluck the pants from over here, a top from over there, and throw on a cap that ties the two together.

A loosely tied neck scarf is another fun way to complete an outfit – and catch perspiration!

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Fun active wear prints can brighten any day. If you’re not feeling energetic in the morning, pull on a pair of bold pants for inspiration.

Who knows where they might take you?

P R ACT ICA L L AY E RS Don’t be fooled by its fun and comfortable exterior, active wear is also highly practical.

Shop around for pants in different weights – light for indoor, heavier for outdoor.

You’ll find long and short sleeved tops with different properties and raincoats waterproof enough to see you through the day.

And shoes have joined the trend.

Splashed with bright colours, they’re ready to complement your walking, running, hiking, or gym outfit.

Lynette, avid walker, yogi and resident at Ryman's Edmund Hillary Village in Auckland.

Colonugr blocki Alongside busy patterns, you’ll see colour blocking used in active wear design. If a brightly-coloured print of birds and flowers is not your style, colour blocking offers a more minimal alternative. This fun trend uses fewer colours in blocks and panels to liven an outfit. Active wear using colour blocking is best paired with plain items for a balanced look.

Mary, adventurer and resident at Ryman's Jane Mander Village in Whangārei.

Kõwhai | 11

Visit

t

h t r o n r the fa

Join Mary on a tour of laid back Whangãrei, her hometown for 17 years.

Aotearoa’s northernmost city knows how to relax. Stunning scenery and subtropical temperatures are matched by the warmth of the locals and quality of the coffee.

When you've finished beachcombing, hop over to a quayside café or swim, dive, and kayak the day away.

Boutique markets offer locally made goods and the city’s galleries and museums will help your step count while you learn something new.

Renowned for its relaxing beach lifestyle, Northland is also a popular fishing destination. If you book a charter, drive straight to the Whangārei Heads for abundant fishing grounds.

Special thanks to Mary, an avid walker and resident at Ryman's Jane Mander Village.

THE TOWN BASIN

Whangārei’s international yachting marina is flanked by restaurants, cafés, culture, and heritage.

Watch glass blowing at Burning Issues Gallery, walk the sculpture trail for interpretations of the story of Whangārei, and let the kids loose on the playground while you cool off with an ice cream.

This area, Te Ahipupurangi-a-ihenga, has been frequented since people first walked the land. Waka used to assemble here beside the largest pā site in the country and now it’s one of the most important international yacht havens in the South Pacific.

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Internationally famous, Claphams holds one of the largest collections of timepieces in the Southern Hemisphere. Its founder Archie Clapham was a highly regarded local inventor, entertainer, and practical joker. The historically significant collection includes cuckoo clocks, rare antique clocks, and clocks that make tea! Plan to stay a while and learn what makes a clock tick as you tour the history of time. Admission is affordable and the fun-loving guided tours are free and highly recommended.

Claphams National

02

Clock Museum 03 CAMERA OBSCURA

Get hands-on with science at this interactive sculpture. The steel shell-like structure is a giant pinhole camera – one of the largest worldwide. Inside, an upside-down light projection of the surrounding area is displayed, and visitors can adjust the image using an aperture control on the wall of the camera.

Poor Knights

Island

Pack your flippers, we’re off to one of the world’s top dive locations. Home to one of the largest sea caves in the world, the Rikoriko Cave, Poor Knights Island is an experience not to be missed.

The Quay

Café

05

Nestled in the heart of the Town Basin, Quay offers a world class dining experience.

Diners enjoy marina views, wine from ‘up the road’, fish fresh from the bay, and local vegetables organically grown in rich volcanic soil.

06 WHANGĀREI HEADS

04

Drive only 25 minutes from Whangārei to explore this natural playground. You’ll find 6,000 hectares of peninsula featuring native forests, volcanic peaks, white sand beaches, and endless activities – from the Abbey Caves and fishing charters to horse riding on the beach.

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Colourful coordination Make sure that the flowering plants included in your garden work well with your other plants and any structural buildings. Lush green foliage is the perfect backdrop and if you’re in doubt use white flowering plants or trees and you can’t go wrong.

Spring Sensations Landscaping guru Matt Leacy wants to see colour in your garden this season.

The mild weather spring delivers is ideal for adding new plants to the garden, sowing seeds, and laying the groundwork for the warmer months ahead.

There's no better time to add a pop of colour and floral flair to your outdoor space.

Bright gardens are known to brighten moods.

And provide a steady supply of fresh blooms for display. The key is to plan ahead and plant intentionally. Here are my tips for using florals in your garden like a pro.

•

Azaleas are perfect for hedging or mass planting. They come in white and vivid pink and red shades.

•

Everlasting daisies are great for potted colour. They’re compact and come in a variety of colours.

•

Mandevillas are bright and hardy so are ideal in pots or used as a climber to soften façades or fence lines.

•

Dahlias are another beautiful spring planting flower that deliver an uplifting burst of colour to gardens and interior vases.

Mass planting Flowers are at their best when planted en masse in pots, a garden bed, or as a border around the bottom of trees.

Planting different floral varieties or dotting flowers sparsely can look messy. It’s well worth creating a theme and planning the look you want to achieve before adding florals to your garden.

Buying small seedlings or using seeds is a great way to keep your costs down. Spring is the right season to plant small and watch them grow as flowers tend to sprout up quickly and thrive in the warmth of spring.

Check the tag on your flower before planting to understand its best use. Begonias create stunning pathway edging while gardenias, orange jasmine, and hydrangeas can add style and structure to a garden with flowering hedging.

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Sniff sniff Perhaps you’re not bothered by colour. Perhaps you prefer your plants to be more functional than pretty. Well, what could be more functional than natural fragrance? A happy bonus of spring planting is a fragrant garden. And you can bring your scented paradise indoors with fresh cut flowers.

Lavender, sweet peas and jasmine are great options for a heady scent, and sweet peas and lavender are favourites for cut flowers.

Native blooms

Native blooms not only add vivid colour to your garden, they tend to be hardy. They also attract birds, pollinators, and other beneficial wildlife to your outdoor space.

Kōwhai and pōhutukawa trees are two of my favourites for filling larger gaps with colour.

Native flowering trees have the added benefit of not needing to be replaced seasonally.

If in doubt Plant white flowers. You can’t go wrong with a white flowering bush, plant, or tree. When paired with a lush green setting, white flowers really pop and bring elegance and charm to any garden. They also pair beautifully with grey toned plants like olive trees.

Growing Dahlias with Arch A resident at Ryman’s Ernest Rutherford Village, Arch sees gardening as an investment in the future. “When you plant your tubers or bulbs, you've got something to look forward to later on.”

One of his gardening specialities is the dahlia. While the flower is enjoying a renaissance, Arch has loved dahlias for a while. A prize-winning grower, some of his dahlias have been placegetters in shows organised by the Brightwater Horticultural Society, which he was president of for many years.

Novice growers are often intimidated by the idea of growing dahlias, but Arch says they’re just like growing spuds in terms of technique. All you need is a sunny location with well-draining soil. Dig a hole and plant your tubers with the eyes, or growing point, facing up. And don’t worry if you have limited space, dahlias can also be grown in pots.

Kõwhai | 15

Sociainl g graz The social platter co. is taking the catering industry by storm.

Manu and his partner Paul were often called on by friends and whānau to create elaborate platters for special occasions.

“It wasn’t until a friend in Brisbane pointed out that Australia was going crazy for platters that I looked into it and saw there was a gap in the market here, so we went for it.” A natural business idea for Manu, he grew up with big social gatherings. “Where food brings people together, there’s always too much, and everyone leaves too full”, he laughs.

Manu has always loved cooking.

Before catering, he would walk the supermarket aisles and replicate flavours that looked tasty. “I would think the flavours were interesting – but I was sure I could do it better!”

Manu’s mother tells him he was destined to be a chef. “And now I’m an untrained chef who tells 18 talented, trained chefs what to do every day”, he laughs. “But I’ve been doing it so long, I feel very experienced.”

Manu’s desire to ‘improve’ is evident in every aspect of the social platter co. “The lavosh we make is a twist on the traditional sesame cracker. Ours are long and triangular and we add paprika for an orange tinge or add a kick of spice. There are so many things you can do with that one recipe to make it just a little exciting.”

For us, food has “ always been something that brings people together.

”

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While you can flip to page 21 for Manu’s lavosh recipe, he keeps some recipes under lock and key. “We use some family recipes that have been passed down generations. Our Portofino pâté is a dip so versatile it goes with anything. We’ve tried to change the name, but we’re stuck on it! That, and our salted caramel truffles are secret recipes.”

The ethos at the social platter co. is to make everything in-house.

“We order in meat and cheese, of course, but everything else is made in our catering kitchen – breads, chocolates, crackers, dips, spreads, custard squares, lamingtons, the lot.” So, is it cheaper to make everything in house? “Oh no, it’s 100% cheaper to buy it in. You can buy a slab of brownie for less than $30, which would only cover the eggs we put in our brownie. But that’s our difference. Ours is never just a brownie, it’ll taste incredible and there will be dried raspberry and a pansy on top – we’re solely focused on what our customers see and taste.”

Determined to maintain their edge, Manu keeps up with the latest global food trends. “Food trends change pretty quickly, so checking in on what is trending overseas is important.”

And those trends make their way onto the social platter co. platters, along with Manu’s unique spin.

Side plates aren’t a given at the social platter co. Manu explains that while they provide plates on request, the ideal grazing scenario doesn’t need plates. “We create a central point where people can go to eat, mingle, and talk about the platter.

Nothing gets put “ out unless it’s garnished at least twice.

”

It sparks conversation.” His favourite moments catering events are when “people make their own combinations from the platter and just have to tell someone, who proceeds to share their own unique combination”.

As the platters are eaten, those combinations are no longer available.

“You see they’re disappointed, but they make a new combination and the whole conversation begins again!”

After 14 years spent in a demanding corporate role, this is what Manu is passionate about. Serving exceptional food that looks incredible and brings people together. “Our first business case said that we want people to have a symphony for their eyes and a taste explosion. I believe we’ve stayed true to that.”

Thanks to Manu, owner of the social platter co.

Visit thesocialplatterco.co.nz to learn more or order online.

Kõwhai | 17

Build your own

t n e d deca with Manu from the social platter co.

Bread Slice your bread into even pieces and snake it along your platter immediately after placing the dips. This is your foundation for height.

Garnish Adding the garnish is all about creating a sensory overload.

Fill every gap with garnishes that are colourful and textured.

Meats Cut your meats into bite-sized pieces so they’re easy for people to eat. A clever trick is to roll shaved meats, then cut to size.

Visit rymanhealthcare.co.nz/ lifestyle to follow Manu’s stepby-step instructions for creating a decadent platter at home.

18 | Kõwhai

Fruits

Dips

Crackers

Cheese

Fruits can be sliced into fun shapes to keep eaters on their toes.

Check that juicy fruits like pineapple don’t make items soggy.

Start here! Position dips and spreads in the middle of your platter. These are props for other items to lean against.

Add your crackers last because now there are plenty of items to lean them against and gaps to slide them into.

Cut your cheeses into different sized chunks for variety and interest.

And add height by stacking large pieces.

Kõwhai | 19

Handmade delicacies Manu of the social platter co. shares his go-to recipes for an enviable platter.

Easy bread loaves

This recipe makes two loaves, simply halve the dough before baking.

INGREDIENTS

400g flour 1 tsp salt 35g fresh yeast 50ml canola oil 2 tbsp brown sugar 340ml warm water Soy milk, to coat pre-baking Optional: seeds to garnish METHOD

1. Pour 250ml of the warm water into a jug. Add the oil, brown sugar, and yeast.

Whisk until the yeast has completely dissolved.

Set aside.

2. Add all the dry ingredients to a mixer, ideally using a dough hook. Add the water mixture and mix well.

3. Add the rest of the water and mix for 10 minutes. You don’t want your bread mix to be too sticky, so add more flour as needed. You want to be able to handle it without it 20 | Kõwhai

sticking to your fingers. Test the dough after mixing by stretching it. If it stretches without breaking, then the gluten has done its job. If not, continue mixing for a couple of minutes and try stretching again.

4. Once you’re happy with the stretch, leave it to start proving in your mixer. Either spray the top with oil or cover it to stop it from drying out.

5. Once it has doubled in size pour the dough onto your bench. To make loaves, halve

the dough and roll each half into a sausage. Or cut off pieces of dough and mould them to your desired shape.

6. Prove again until the dough has doubled in size. At this point use soy milk to coat it (this will keep it vegan) and sprinkle with seeds then cook at 180°C until golden brown or the loaf sounds hollow. Cooking time depends on the size of your loaf.

It doesn’t have to be “ perfect, a rustic look is what we’re after. ”

Lavosh crackers

This recipe makes around 50 crackers depending on what size you cut them.

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

1 cup plain flour

1. Combine all ingredients and mix using a dough hook in your mixer. If you don’t have a dough hook, then mix your ingredients by hand.

Mix to form a sticky mixture.

1/4 cup wholemeal flour 2 tbsp each black and white sesame seeds 1 tsp sea salt (plus salt to sprinkle on once rolled) 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ½ cup water Choose a flavour Add 1 tbsp of any of the following to give your lavosh colour and flavour: smoked paprika, cumin, or oregano.

2. Once mixed, it is important to rest your dough. Resting your dough will ensure the gluten in the flour settles so you don’t find yourself rolling against the stretch of the gluten. Rest in a warm place for an hour.

3. Preheat oven to 170°C. Roll out so the dough is around 2mm thick then cut into your desired shapes using a knife or pizza cutter.

4. Bake for 15-20minutes or until your crackers feel hard to touch.

5. Once cooled, store in an airtight container.

Always start in the “middle with your dips and spreads. ”

Hummus dip

This recipe makes one dish of hummus.

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

1 can of chickpeas (330ml-400ml)

1. Combine all ingredients in a food blender and mix until smooth. The longer you mix the smoother it will be, but the final texture is a personal choice.

1 tbsp tahini 2 tbsp lemon juice 2 cloves garlic (add more if you like garlic) 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Optional flavour: ½ cup mashed pumpkin or kumara, or a combination of the two, or roast capsicum.

Optional garnish: smoked paprika, sunflower seeds (sprinkle).

2. The beautiful thing about hummus is that plain hummus is great, but you can add any different flavours to it you like. Add the following for a different flavour: 1/2 cup mashed pumpkin or kumara – or a combination of the two – or roast some capsicum and add this to the blender.

3. Once blended, add colour with a sprinkle of smoked paprika and sunflower seeds.

Kõwhai | 21

A creative

lifestyle

Nadine always knew the type of life she wanted to live. And artistic expression was at the centre of it.

But her journey wasn’t a smooth one. She spent years overcoming self-doubt and crippling anxiety to reach her goal.

It all began with night classes 17 years ago. She’d left work to raise her young children and knew that this was her opportunity to create an artistic life. “I tried a few different disciplines and pottery had me hooked. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

Nadine spent the next five years honing her craft. By the time her kids started school, she was ready to become a full-time wheel thrower. Nadine always knew she wanted to open a pottery school.

“I could teach but the operations side terrified me.” But during her time at Auckland Studio Potters, she realised she just had to do it.

“Demand for classes was enormous. Most of my job was apologising to people because they couldn’t get into classes.”

Her husband joined her, and the duo grew the The Clay Centre from a light-filled warehouse. “We do everything the other can’t do. It’s a really good partnership.” As timing would have it, they opened The Clay Centre two years ago, only six months before the first pandemic lockdown. “A pallet of clay had just arrived, and we weren’t sure how we’d survive. Then my husband had the idea to hire out the wheels and that covered our rent.” The day before lockdown they spread the word and every available wheel was 22 | Kõwhai

snapped up, along with a bag of clay. “It gave people something to do – they said it ‘saved them’. Whole families would get involved and they brought it all back at the end of lockdown for firing.”

“ P eople are craving

to create something with their hands.

It’s innate and we’ve moved so far away from it.

”

Nadine says that clay “saved my life in a way” as well. “I have severe anxiety and clay has taught me so much about being patient and calm.”

Nadine often describes clay as a ‘teacher’. “You learn about failure, patience, acceptance, and managing frustration.” After five years of struggle, determined to prove to herself that she could do it, Nadine had a breakthrough. “I started taking big leaps in my skill and that was like a drug.”

She’s not alone in experiencing the pottery ‘high’. “Every time we open the kiln it’s like Christmas. I love watching the faces of our students.”

She explains that just working the clay provides satisfaction. “When you sit down and start working with clay you go into a different zone, an almost meditative zone, where you’re still present and concentrating but without any kind of stress.” The Clay Centre is a space where people come to unwind, disconnect from screens, and create something with their hands. I joke with people that when they centre their clay, they’re centring themselves.

Nadine explains that “clay is this miraculous medium” that you can do anything with. “You’re not held back by anything. One member, a cake maker, made cups that looked like antlers for

Hand building to an existing membership area that houses a creative community of individuals and small businesses, the running of regular classes, workshops, and events, Friday night wheel and wines and Saturday coffee and clay sessions, you’d be excused for thinking Nadine is busy enough. a birthday, and everyone had to drink out of these crazy vessels for holding liquid!”

The studio lives in an old warehouse in Ellerslie, Auckland.

“It’s quite a banged-up building which really suits us because this is a messy business.” Nadine had her eye on their street while looking for premises. “It was all getting too hard. Then I was driving home, and they were putting a ‘for lease’ sign up for this building.

I pulled over, rang the agent, and we were signed within the week!”

She says that everything fell into place from there. Her husband doubles as the equipment manufacturer. “You can’t buy wedging tables or spray booths in New Zealand, and his favourite thing is to figure things out, so he builds everything.” Disposing of the clay was a particular issue, as it can’t go down the drain. “He solved that one as well!”

With the support of their “incredible, dynamic team of talented teachers” and beloved customers, The Clay Centre is expanding next door. Add that

“We’re also opening a gallery in the front called Makers Gallery.”

Nadine is determined to share creativity with everyone. “I think it’s the most important thing we can do.” And her passion that drives it all? Wheel throwing. “I love to throw shapes and wait until they dry a little then cut and alter them to make vessels.” Creation is emotive for Nadine and her work interprets her surroundings. “And once or twice a year I throw around 1,400 miniature pots, which I then glaze with tweezers to make a piece of wall art for a local gallery.”

Like everything to do with her artform, the business aspect and selling is only the cream on the cake. “The buzz for me is throwing, doing the work, and seeing it all come together.”

You can find Nadine at The Clay Centre in Ellerslie, Auckland or online at theclaycentre.co.nz

Ready to have a go? Visit rymanhealthcare.co.nz/lifestyle where Nadine shows us how to hand build a mug.

homewares

It’s hard not to feel happy when looking at Marg’s pottery. It’s vibrant in colour and lively in design. “I love colour. Nothing is too bright for me.” Often depicting natural subjects, her pieces bring the beautiful outdoors inside.

It all began 10 years ago. “I joined a pottery group nearby and loved it.” Her collection includes everything from flowers and sculptures to bowls and plates. “I enjoy exploring different methods and creating different forms.”

Marg fires her work twice to achieve clean, bright colours. “The first is a bisque firing then the glaze is applied before the final firing is done.” This process seals the underglaze decoration, preventing it from smudging as the glazing brush is dragged across.

“I prefer hand building over throwing on a wheel.” Which frees Marg up to create wherever she likes. She’s frequently found pottering away on her balcony or kitchen bench.

Thanks to Margaret, pottery artist and Ryman resident.

Kõwhai | 23

RETIRE MEANS WITHDRAW, RETREAT, PULL BACK.

Not this n. generatio

There’s a new generation pioneering what it means to live in retirement.

And they’re making the most of every moment. They’re trying new things and rediscovering passions that were lost when responsibilities took over. They’re enjoying freedom, independence, and relaxing into creativity.

We want to help them do it.

That’s why we’re pioneering a new way of living for a new retirement generation.

rymanhealthcare.co.nz