Life + Style - 18 June 2021

˜° August, ˜˛°˝

Darren McColl launches Papamoa radio station.

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life+style The Weekend Sun ˜°18August, ˜˛°˝ June, 2021

Finger on The Pulse Darren McColl launches Papamoa radio station The new era thrust upon us by the global pandemic has provided an interesting opportunity for a locallybased cruise ship director who has shifted his overseas office to a makeshift studio in Papamoa.

Darren McColl, who lives with wife Mylinda Reid McColl and dog Kona, has been making a few final adjustments before launching Papamoa’s newest radio station, The Pulse.

“I’ve always been interested in radio,” explains Darren. “My dad was a radio disc jockey in Oman, Saudi Arabia years ago, and as a cruise director you are constantly hosting.”

With a 25-year background in the cruise industry, Darren has been in charge of entertainment for around 50 ships with major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and Thomson Cruises.

Beginning as a cruise ship DJ, he’s hosted radio shows on-board while also performing as a singer in shows like Les Miserable, Miss Saigon and Five Guys Named Mo, where he performed many tap solos.

He even played James Bond after learning to stage fight.

“I’ve been a cruise director for the last 11 years,” he says. “They flew me all over. My main office is based in Italy, as it’s an Italian company, but they’ve just opened up in

America, South Africa and England. I go from different countries and ports and am away from four-to-six months a year. Or rather I was.”

With unprecedented challenges facing the cruise ship industry as it tries to rebuild after coronavirus, Darren’s role running entertainment day-in and day-out has been severely hampered. It has, however, meant he can apply his diverse skillset to a new enterprise – radio.

“With the aerial and transmitter it covers from just before the Mount out to Papamoa East,” explains Darren. “As people start to listen to it, I’ll extend it as much as I possibly can.”

His interest in radio and television presenting started early, thanks to regular presenter role for Reds TV. He then went on to present a digital channel called Carlton Kids, which was broadcast to all UK digital owners.

“I had the chance to do some location live presenting as well as interviewing up-andcoming live bands. I then tried my hand at radio, with my own show on Paradise FM here in Tauranga.

“I also had a brief opportunity to work with Grant Hislop and hosted a few live shows on The Station, which broadcasts throughout the Bay of Plenty.

“We’re still good friends, and he helps me out.”

He strongly believes that radio is something Papamoa is missing.

18 June, 2021

life+style The Weekend Sun ˆ

“It’s all about music, entertainment and keeping people happy.

I know the type of music I play should hopefully, with the background I have, be something that people will enjoy listening to”

“It’s such a growing community,” says Darren.

“We don’t have a local radio station and we really should. So I thought let’s try it.”

Darren’s been living in Papamoa for the past seven years.

“Mylinda and I got married two years ago. She was a dancer and we met on a cruise ship.”

Their dog Kona is a cross between a King Charles spaniel and a poodle, commonly known as a Cavoodle.

“He’s more spaniel than poodle, although it depends how long his hair grows whether he gets poodle-ly.”

As a child actor and model, Darren played a street urchin in Fifteen Streets at age 13, and an orphan and the Artful Dodger in Oliver Twist, performing professionally every evening for six months.

He was also a professional child model for London-based modelling agency Childs Play.

After training at Laines Theatre Arts, where he studied the MTC course for two years, he joined a touring group called 8th Dimension, performing many different shows and playing many lead roles, including Danny from Grease, Elwood from The Blues Brother, the scarecrow in The Wizard of OZ, Greaseball from the musical Starlight Express – where he had to learn to roller-skate – and one of the Ugly Sisters in Pantomime.

He went on to become a Butlin’s Show Red, performing various shows to more than 4000 people each evening. As the main host he

interviewed many celebrities, including Bobby Davro, Edwin Starr, Jim Davidson, Steps and Elise Fisher, and hosted various bands and evening shows.

His years of running cruise ship entertainment every day stands him in good stead for radio.

“You have to put schedules and programmes together, make sure everything is up to scratch and take care of guest experience and customer service,” he says.

“That’s the most important thing.

“I have to be very diverse. It’s all about music, entertainment and keeping people happy. I know the type of music I play should hopefully, with the background I have, be something that people will enjoy listening to.”

He plans to present a Papamoa surf report and a recreational water report every morning, so people can tune in and hear how big the waves are. There’s also an opportunity for local businesses to advertise.

To find The Pulse, Papamoa’s local radio station, go to 106.9FM. “If it takes off, which I have a feeling it might because it’s Papamoa and a growing community, then I don’t know about the cruises,” admits Darren.

“I think 25 years is a long time to be on a cruise ship, so it could be a sign for me to move forward and do something different, but something that means I can still enjoy in the entertainment business.”

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

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°˙August, June, June, ˜˛˜° 2021 life+style The Weekend Sun ˜°18 ˜˛°˝ ADVERTORIAL

Winter eye care tips your eyes will love!

What is dry eye syndrome and why is it worse in winter?

“The cold winter months can

Dry eye syndrome occurs when there is a significant lack of lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye. It means either your eyes are not producing enough tears on the surface of your eye to keep your eyes moist and help wash away dust and debris, or your tears are evaporating too quickly.

Your tears are made up of two layers – water and oil. Most of the time the oil layer is where the problem lies.

The cold winter months can cause our eyes to feel dry and irritated. If you already suffer from dry eye syndrome, spending more time indoors with heating and watching TV or using screens can make your condition worse. The good news is, there are some easy things you can do to help alleviate dry eyes through the winter months.

• Drink plenty of water to keep your body and your eyes hydrated.

• Minimise the use of heaters or lower the temperature so it is not too hot.

• Use a humidifier to prevent the air in your home from drying out. Opening windows, even on cold days, can also help.

• Blink more often. We tend to blink less when using a computer, reading or doing anything that needs a lot of visual focus – and this makes dry eyes worse.

• Try to spend some time outdoors or away from the TV or screens when you can. If this is not practical, consider using lenses with added digital screen protection, even if you do not wear glasses normally. These are designed to relax and protect your eyes from digital screens all day long. The special lens filters out some of the blue-violet light emitted from digital screens, which can cause premature eye ageing and helps to ease eyestrain.

• Wear quality sunglasses when it is bright outside – especially in windy conditions.

• Remove eye make-up thoroughly from your lids and lashes.

cause our eyes to feel dry and irritated. If you already suffer from dry eye syndrome, spending more time indoors with heating and watching TV or using screens can make your condition worse”

Hitting the slopes?

Don’t forget your eye care!

Snow and ice are reflective, so the sun’s ultraviolet rays can reach your eyes from below as well as above, and not just when skiing or snowboarding. That is why it is especially important to have sunglasses or goggles if you are hitting the slopes, so make sure you invest in good quality eyewear that has UV protection.

What does dry eye syndrome feel like?

It feels like your eyes are constantly gritty and dry and they can become red, irritated, and sore. Strangely enough, watery eyes can also be a sign of dry eyes, as sometimes excess tears are produced in response to the dryness and irritation. Other symptoms include burning or watering and eye fatigue.

The specific treatment for dry eyes depends on the cause (of which there are many). Make sure you chat to your optometrist if you think you may have dry eyes or if you think your condition is worsening.

Remember the 20:20:20 rule on winter days spent indoors People tend to watch more television and spend more time on screens during winter. Remember to take breaks and operate the 20:20:20 rule; every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet (six metres) away.

Getting the lighting right in winter The winter months bring low levels of light which can make close tasks more difficult due to hindered vision, especially if you already have existing vision difficulties.

Make sure you have a decent amount of light when reading or doing anything which requires close work and focus.

Even better, get a light that you can manoeuvre and direct exactly where you need it.

Elderly fall rates increase during winter Many people do not recognise the link between poor vision and falls in the elderly. This is especially important in winter when the nights are longer.

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°˙August, 18 June, June, ˜˛˜° 2021 ˜° ˜˛°˝

Five winter beauty hacks Summer bodies are made in winter they say, but when it’s dark, cold and windy outside, it can be hard to motivate yourself.

However, with a little bit of effort, winter maintenance can be painless and fun. You will not regret it when you are ready to shine at the first sign of spring.

1. Dress the part If I have something new to wear, it gives me more incentive to exercise – even if it’s just rolling out the yoga mat. I love the activewear range by Zovari.

New Zealand-owned and handmade in Bali with recycled materials, you can rest easy knowing that it’s good for the planet, it looks amazing and is super comfortable. It is so supportive in all the right places too. Zovari.com 2. Hydrate Skin suffers in winter not only from the harsh outside elements, but also from indoor heating, which is not your skin’s friend either. Stay hydrated with plenty of water and herbal teas. Give skin an extra boost with pampering treatments. I tried Caci’s Hydradermabrasion at Caci Tauranga.

It deeply exfoliates and cleanses skin with a diamond exfoliating tip. It clears congestion and redness, prepping skin to absorb a luxury serum.

I left feeling relaxed, fresh and glowing. People commented on how well I looked, and I’d highly recommend it for maintaining your summer glow right through the winter months.

At Caci Tauranga, Goddards Centre, Devonport Road. Call: 07 571 0735 or email: enquiries-tauranga@caci.co.nz 3. Spritz I always carry a toner in my handbag to freshen skin and makeup throughout the day. Try Essano Hydrating Rosehip Mist Toner ($12.99) from

supermarkets or Chemist Warehouse to keep your skin soft and toned all day. I also love the feel and scent of Weleda Hydrating Spray Mist ($29.90), which instantly invigorates skin, refines pores and can be used over make up to freshen up your look with a dewy glow. It’s perfect if you are going out straight from work.

4. Glow Self-tan is not just for summer. In winter, opt for a light shade which flatters your skin without looking out of place for the season.

Prep skin with Bondi Sands Tropical Rum Body Wash ($17.99) and Moisturiser ($19.99) – both are a perfect, post-pandemic cure to dry, over-sanitised skin. The range is available at Farmers, Unichem and Life Pharmacies.

For the face, pop on a face mask in a steamy bath.

Sugar Baby’s It’s All Bright 24K Gold Recovery Mask blurs imperfection and corrects dry patches, leaving you with a radiant finish ($31.99, Farmers).

Tanning water is a lighter alternative to creams.

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June, ˜˛°˝ 2021 life+style The Weekend Sun ˜°18 August, Tawhai Rickard.

Exhibition acknowledges bi-cultural foundations When Tawhai Rickard opened his new exhibition at Tauranga Art Gallery, he asked his friends and guests to come along dressed in Victorian garb.

“I just thought it would be a bit of fun to come dressed like that,” says Tawhai. “It creates some micro-cultural event.”

Watching people dressed in Victorian clothing while they wandered through the exhibition was like viewing an exhibition within an exhibition and it created a subtle challenging statement about colonisation and bi-culturalism which was also by design of the artist.

“I’m not necessarily ‘pro’ anything,” says Tawhai. “I’m acknowledging our bi-cultural foundations. Because our country has been and should be bi-cultural. And we are multicultural yes, but our foundations are bi-cultural as well.

Two great nations settled this country.

“Ok so Maori were here way back and then the European came in. But our foundations are bi-cultural.”

The entrance doorway into the ‘The Misadventures of Te Kuri’ exhibition features ‘Te Kuri o Paoa’ – signifying Young Nick’s Head, made from wood with enamel and acrylic paint.

Inside the gallery room itself are 16 individual pieces, each telling a story, and within their centre is ‘Te Kuri Hybrid Mobile’ made from

action figures, metal mechanisms, repurposed wood, shellac and acrylic paint; and ‘Te Waka o Te Kuri’ – a waka made from repurposed antique furniture, wood and enamel and acrylic paint.

As well as plucking from Victorian life, Tawhai has delved into 1960s American pop culture for his first solo exhibition at Tauranga Art Gallery which opened on May 22 and runs until mid-September.

‘The Misadventures of Te Kuri’ examines two Maori super heroes Te Kuri and Pipiwharauroa who navigate their way throughout the historical and contemporary cultural landscapes of Aotearoa New Zealand, often in the face of adversity and antagonism.

Their perilous journey frequently transcends time through the injection of notable characters, events, vernacular and symbolism.

“The two super heroes are metaphorical,” says Tawhai. “They’re not actually Batman and Robin. They symbolise something else – Maori culture through Te Kuri who is the Batman figure, and Pipiwharauroa is the natural world, which is the personification of Robin. They navigate their way through our history and oftentimes face antagonism.”

A self-employed visual artist, Tawhai was born in Turanganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne in 1968.

He currently lives and works in Tauranga.

He has dived into the decade of his birth for inspiration for this exhibition.

“The 1960s Batman series was quite

°˙August, 18 June, June, ˜˛˜° 2021 ˜° ˜˛°˝

life+style The Weekend Sun 7

“A self-employed visual artist, Tawhai was born in Turanganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne in 1968. He currently lives and works in Tauranga. He has dived into the decade of his birth for inspiration for this exhibition”

lampoonish and they always found themselves in the clutches of the villain at the end of the show, about to be executed by some means. It’s kind of like that, but I’m using our own historical factual figures like, say Queen Victoria… or bringing it right back to these days – John Key – running into these types of characters. And it’s about the Maori culture as well, having that adversity, and those tribulations and experiences.”

The Te Kuri or Batman figure represents Maori culture.

“He is more the human side,” says Tawhai.

“And Pipwharauroa is Robin and he represents more the natural world.”

Through the collection of pieces, Tawhai captures the kaupapa of the perilous journey Maori have often faced during their history.

Many of Tawhai’s works in the exhibition have been made from repurposing furniture or wood, such as ‘Te Mangai o Te Kuri’ – the mouthpiece of Te Kuri, made from an antique telephone with metal fretwork. Using ink and acrylic paint, Tawhai provides enough imagery around the telephone, with small figures and words, to convey meaning and draw the viewer in for a closer look.

There are also small acrylics in antique frames including ‘Lord Grey’s Tea Party’ and ‘Kuini Wikitoria – Queen Victoria’.

The Victorian theme was taken to heart

by Tawhai’s friend and Auckland artist Evan Woodruff who has an existential compulsion to create art, arriving at the exhibition launch

wearing a velvet jacket, waist coat and gold tie pin. Accompanied by Jeanne Clayton, his clothing and her scarf were covered in his colourful designs.

Evan himself held a three month exhibition at Tauranga Art Gallery in 2018, showing his colourful, dynamic work, and enjoyed returning to support the opening of Tawhai’s exhibition.

Tawhai is the supreme award winner 2018 Miles Art Awards at Tauranga Art Gallery, and inaugural winner of the 2016 Te Ha Art Awards in Gisborne, Tairawhiti.

His exhibition ‘Te Haerenga Tukino Te Iwi Maori/The Misadventures of Te Kuri will continue until September 12 at Tauranga Art Gallery Toi Tauranga on the corner of Willow St and Wharf St. The gallery is open from 10am to 4pm, seven days per week. Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Auckland artist Evan Woodruffe and Jeanne Clayton came to the exhibition launch dressed fabulously in clothing printed from Evan’s paintings.

New show home now open!

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