Can you believe UNO is celebrating its 20th anniversary? What an incredible milestone for a regional New Zealand magazine!
As we flip through the archives for our special UNO covers feature on page 26, it’s amazing to witness the evolution of a publication that has spanned two decades. Over the years, we’ve continued to highlight the Bay’s exceptional talents – from sports stars to business leaders, artists to chefs – while staying true to the vision that has always guided UNO, even as everything else has changed along the way.
What began as a means to connect people and businesses in the region has grown into a trusted source for the Bay’s most inspiring stories and remarkable individuals – and, we like to think, a charming coffee table piece too.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our dedicated team. One important member is missing from our group shot above – Annabelle Rose, our art director, who works from her home in Auckland. Annabelle’s expertise in designing UNO’s pages ensures the magazine flows effortlessly, making it as enjoyable to read as it is visually stunning.
Then there are our contributors, many of whom feature on page 30. These are the incredibly talented writers, photographers, make-up artists and sub-editors who keep the quality of our pages consistently high. Without them, life would be a heck of a lot harder for our wee office.
And, most importantly, without the readers we wouldn't be here at all. Thank you for enjoying UNO, and we hope you love this issue!
Hayley, editor
The UNO team from left: Stephanie Taylor, Michele Griffin, Hayley Barnett, Rebecca Meyer and Nicky Adams.
Pip Crombie
Pip Crombie writes for a wide range of media, including website and social media content, academic journals, and lifestyle magazines. Having spent a number of years with UNO in its early days as fashion editor and assistant editor to Charles Martin, Pip was delighted to once again contribute to the magazine in its 20th year. “It was a pleasure to bring the story of professional dancer, Georgia Brokenshire, to readers and I do hope people continue to look out for her on stage and in film.”
Alan Gibson
A lengthy career as a photojournalist for The New Zealand Herald gave Alan Gibson a great grounding for his new life as a content creator based here in the Bay of Plenty. Working in the media saw him travel all over New Zealand and the world, covering everything from natural disasters, top level sport, to travel features and politics. That ability to convince everyone from gang members to Prime Ministers to allow him to record their lives has proved invaluable in the commercial world he now works in. “While I still do a bit of everything, I have carved a niche servicing the primary sector, returning to my rural roots.”
Shelley Pullar
With more than 30 years experience in transforming hair, Shelley Pullar is now bringing her expertise to the pages of UNO. Our newest columnist knows all there is to know about curls and colour, having spent years managing her own salon in London, and now styling tresses in the Bay at her somewhat new studio, Salon G in Ōtū moetai. This issue, Shelley answers all our burning questions in her first introduction column on page 66.
What’s hot!
We’ve found the latest products for your mind, body and home.
Feel the glow
Lof’s Wool Hoop Pendant Light brings warmth, texture, and sustainability to your space. Made from minimally processed NZ wool and eco-friendly ply, it’s as stylish as it is functional. Available in five sizes. RRP from $399. LOF.NZ
Clay it your way
Always wanted to try pottery? Now you can – no kiln required. The Modeletto Air-Dry Pottery Kit has everything you need to craft a couple of unique pieces at home. Sculpt, shape, then paint or seal for a beautiful handmade touch. RRP$89.99. PAPERPLANESTORE.COM
The art of living
BAYA’s 2025 collection brings artfully woven rugs, cushions, and throws to homes across Aotearoa. Crafted with care, each piece features timeless design, natural fibres, and rich, earthy hues. BAYALIVING.COM
Good vibes
Pinkalicious
Give your countertop a glowup with the Kensington 4-Slice Toaster and matching Kettle in soft pink stainless steel. With multiple settings, auto shutoff, and sleek styling, mornings just got prettier. Toaster RRP$65, kettle RRP$49. THEWAREHOUSE.CO.NZ
The Flow Orb is your pocket-sized vibrating, pulsing, oscillating wellness tool. Designed to boost lymphatic flow, release fascia, and ease tension, it’s a mini massage therapist in your bag. RRP$76.95. FLOWOLOGY.CO.NZ
Liver lovin’
Lifestream Milk Thistle Detox+ supports liver function with standardised milk thistle and organic spirulina – a natural way to fight fatigue, brain fog, and body aches while nourishing your body. RRP$39.90. LIFESTREAM.CO.NZ
Pure indulgence
Ecostore’s new hand and body wash range features sleek packaging and upgraded scents. Think Peony & Guava, Vanilla Bean & Coconut, and Sandalwood & Amber, all enriched with nourishing harakeke extract. RRP from $4.99. ECOSTORE.COM
Totes local
Honest Wolf’s Heritage Bag is made from New Zealand wool, sourced from their own farm. A stylish, practical tote with a laptop sleeve, water bottle holder, and a printed map of Papanui Estate inside. Sustainable, functional, and designed to last. RRP$269 (custom embroidery +$40).
HONESTWOLF.CO.NZ
Spec-tacular
Warm fuzzies
H&H Women’s Strap Slippers are the ultimate cosy essential. With an adjustable strap and cushioned footbed, they’re perfect for lazy days at home or casual outings. Your feet will thank you. RRP$12. THEWAREHOUSE.CO.NZ
Mimco’s latest eyewear collection for Specsavers pairs modern shapes with signature style. Featuring 13 optical and 7 sunglass frames, each is crafted with bio-based acetate for an ecofriendly edge. RRP 2 pairs from $299.
SPECSAVERS.CO.NZ
Shower away!
No power? No problem. The Shore Shower is a portable, pressurised shower with 10 adjustable spray settings – perfect for camping, beach days, or post-adventure clean-ups. Even the dog will love it. RRP$119.95. Use code 20OFFUNO for 20 percent off.
SHORESHOWER.CO.NZ
Skinvae launch
Mount Maunganui gathered to celebrate the launch of Skinvae’s latest clinic on March 4.
PHOTOS SALINA GALVAN 1. Amanda Jennings, Anna Hayes 2. Lorna Stewart, Mary Mason 3. Jacki Lajpold, Leana Mckay 4. Lavana Davis, Danae Branton, Mindy Davis 5. Kelly Kingtons, Anna Hayes, Leonie Main 6. Stevie Cooper, Georgia Roe 7. Shannon Clampett, Eleanor Gilbert 8. Fleur Walker, Jody Pitcorn 9. Eva Simons, Alisha McNaughton 10. Anna Hayes, Leonie Main 11. Anna Hayes, Ruby MacDonald, Stevie Cooper 12. Victoria Spain, Shannon Prescott 13. Phoebe Gibson, Charlie de Haas, Monique Phillips 14. Abby Thompson, Libby Whaley, Aleisha Sanson 15. Lisa Wilson, Ilona Sherson, Sarah Gillum 16. Lynda Davis, Tiana Davis
Wellness Festival
The very first Wellness Festival was held at Soper Reserve on February 1. The immersive day was designed to inspire and uplift mind, body and soul. Thought leaders offered insights into nutrition, mindfulness, mental health, and sustainable living.
Mount Hair Collective
The Mount Hair Collective officially launched on January 26, offering clients a first look at the beautifully designed space, including the new Japanese Head Spa room. The salon was meticulously crafted by co-founder Zayne Lambert.
PHOTOS MAURÍCÍO NUNES 1. Rachelle Reyne, Marine Vignau, Sahana Jones 2. Marine Vignau, Zayne Lambert 3. Chloe Burnell, Arpége Taratoa-Rangikura – Hot Mess Co 4. Jorja Corcoran, Renee Corcoran 5. A group toast 6. Bonnie Fraser-Jones, Heléna Jones 7. Ina Sincock, Marine Vignau.
PHOTOS KAMILA VSETICKOVA 1. Kelly Dodd 2. Sophie Rose, Brooke Lilly 3. Mary Estelle 4. Shardasia Schwass 5. Amy Gamma May Straw, Ashley Orchard 6. Charlie de Haas, Sarah Reid 7. Laura Mohi
Farmer AutoVillage Tauranga Chamber Business Awards 2025
Hosted by Newstalk ZB’s Kerre Woodham, the 2025 Tauranga Chamber Business Awards were held on February 13 at Mercury Bay Park Arena. The awards identifies industry change-makers and role models and celebrates their success. With 460 attendees, this year's standard of nominees across the different categories was exceptional.
SALINA GALVIN 1. Mike Farmer, Winners Aquaholics, Mahe Drysdale 2. Awards partner KingSt Advertising Robyn Henwood, Suzelle Lockhart & Robby Webber – Fife Lane Kitchen & Bar 3. Attendees 4. Susan Duncan and Kim Brown 5. Winners Bovonic, awards partner 2degrees Sean Bell 6. Winners Oasis Engineering 7. Awards partner University of Waikato Executive Director Leon Fourie, Winners Stratum Consultants 8. Hayley Nelson, Winner Viv Pachoud, awards partner Hays Maria Evans 9. Chamber chair Debbie Ireland, winners Archishade - Gavyn and Shannon Burns, Mayor Mahe Drysdale 10. CEO Bay Venues Chad Hooker, Winners AIMS Games 11. Awards partner Protect for Life Keven Mealamu, Winners Future Focus, awards partner Pacific Growth Services Aifai Esera 12. Awards partner Toi-Ohomai Bart Vosse, Winners Tu Mai Ra Energy
PHOTOS
Film Bay of Plenty
Film Bay of Plenty hosted an exclusive screen industry event at the Mount Lifeguard Service on February 13, to connect industry professionals and explore opportunities for growth and collaboration.
DayBreak Festival of Innovation
Held across the Tauranga CBD on March 5 by Priority One, Daybreak – Festival of Innovation enhanced innovation capabilities through opportunities for world-class professional development and authentic connections.
Emma Power, Manihera Forbes
Busby-Ward, Jane Sloane, Philippa Mossman, Anton Steel 7. Lanny Joe, Larissa Allen, Erin Griffiths, Sarah Oemcke
Gemming 5. Charlie Mear, Josh Starkey and Jacob Tyler 6. Mel Conrad, Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular and Anna Livingston 7. Brady Walsh and Saejung Oh-Walsh 8. Mark Fransen and Kylie Horomia
PHOTOS SALINA GALVAN 1. Nigel Tutt, Helly Parsons, Sarah Nicholson and Mel Conrad 2. Tamati Tata and Whitney Wineti 3. Jennifer Pearson and Greg Simmonds 4. Jules Simpson and Rachael
PHOTOS MATILDA WHITNEY FROM STOKE FILMS 1. Elysia Gibb, Te O Kahurangi Waaka 2. Tia Smith, Annie Murray 3. Sharon Menzies, Emma Bugden, Sarah Thorner Crossley 4. Matt Horrocks, Catherine Fitzgerald 5. Claire Varley, Tracy Hampton,
6. Mikayla
New York state of mind
UNO catches up with local film director James Ashcroft in New York to discuss his new thriller, the demons driving his films, working with Robert De Niro and Stephen King, and how he achieved all of this from the shores of Mount Maunganui.
WORDS KARL PUSCHMANN
PHOTOS MIKE ROOKE | HAIR + MAKE-UP TALITHA DAENG SITUJU
This sounds made up but it is entirely true. A local film director who lives in Mount Maunganui has just released his second film, The Rule of Jenny Pen. The terrifying psychological thriller stars internationally renowned actors, Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow. When UNO calls, the director is in Manhattan, New York, in pre-production for his next movie, The Whisper Man, which he is making for Netflix. The star of this dark thriller? Acting legend Robert De Niro. Once wrapped on that, he’ll begin work on his next project, Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream. This is based on a story by famed horror author Stephen King, who kept the fan favourite story aside specifically for him.
As I said, it sounds made up. Rush, Lithgow, De Niro, King… they’re all bonafide legends and the guy linking them all together lives just down the road? Really?
It sounds not just improbable, but impossible, and when I ask director James Ashcroft if he ever has to pinch himself when thinking about all this he looks a little perturbed and answers, “No. I don't.”
He pauses and looks around the Manhattan apartment he’s calling home for the next little while and then adds, “My wife would be the first one to say I should try just… you know… celebrating a bit and acknowledging who I’m around and everything.”
At the moment he doesn’t have time to stop and smell the roses. Given the level of achievement we’re talking about here, it should come as no surprise that James funnels extraordinary amounts of his time, energy and focus into his work. But, as I’ll discover through our chat, this is by design. Keeping busy keeps his own demons at bay. We’ll get to them in a minute. But for now, I only want to know one thing.
How did all of this happen?
The Rule of Jenny Pen is based on a short story by Aotearoa author Owen Marshall. It’s set in a retirement village that outwardly seems lovely but hides a dark and disturbing secret after dark. Its premise is frightening and its realisation by leads Rush and Lithgow is both believable and brilliantly horrifying. The movie is James’ follow-up to 2021’s Coming Home in the Dark, the acclaimed thriller that caught Hollywood’s attention after gaining buzz at Sundance, the prestigious tastemaker film festival.
When success came knocking, James was prepared to answer. The script for Jenny Pen had been sitting in his desk drawer for 11 years. He seized the moment and approached his dream leads for the movie. He knew he had a great story and a great script. He knew they’d both be amazing in the roles. He knew he was asking them to temporarily relocate to New Zealand for filming and to take a substantial pay cut.
He asked them anyway.
“My father was somebody who was very much about, ‘You can't know, unless you find out,” he says. “It was really important for me to have them [in the film]. I grew up watching them. I had to disguise my fanboy-ness for a long time. I‘m not sure if I‘ve even revealed it to them.”
To his delight — and surprise — the pair were quick to sign on. Rush agreed in four days. Lithgow made James sweat by taking seven.
“The material really frightened him,” James admits. “It‘s quite confronting. John is one of the nicest human beings on the planet and the part required him to do a number of things that are less than savoury.”
But once Lithgow was in, he was all in. His performance in the film is menacingly unsettling. Made even more so by his delivery of one of the finest, mostly accurate, Kiwi accents ever captured on film.
“I‘m seeing John next week so I‘ll pass that on to him. He’ll be very gratified to hear that,” James grins. “It’s very hard to get right and we were all aware of its difficulty. Many fine actors have stood at the base of the Everesttype challenge of that accent… But John was very committed. I would notice him talking to different people, like an extra or a caterer, and if he liked their accent or their range and tone, he’d ask them to say certain words that he would listen to and practice and try and master it that way.”
It was at cast drinks after performing in a middling play to a disinterested audience that he had a revelation.
“We’d gone down to the bar to bitch and moan about how the director doesn‘t know what they‘re doing, and how the theatre should do this and that. And I thought, ‘If I don't change something I‘m going to be leaning on this bar with a bunch of moaning actors in 20 years singing the same old song’. It was a case of going, ‘You need to do something about that, James’.”
That James was so interested in the process isn’t surprising when you learn he began his career as an actor, appearing in TV shows and films. His acting love, however, was the theater. But, as he tells me, “It‘s incredibly hard to sustain a viable living as an actor in New Zealand. It's near impossible”.
It was then he decided to move behind the scenes. Directing, he realised, would use all his talents. It’s a job that requires concentration, collaboration, managing relationships and steering a ship towards a singular vision.
“I would find it very frustrating that all those decisions were made by somebody else,” he says. “Part of me was unfulfilled. I wanted to be the boss. I‘m interested in the big picture. I love working with people who are great at what they do and leading them together in a cohesive way that brings about the whole.”
“I thought I was going to find stepping away from acting very, very hard,” he says. “But since getting behind the camera, I‘ve been more curious and more passionate about the craft of acting. And I enjoy actors a lot more.”
He sheepishly admits to being a “very competitive actor,” back in the day. Someone once likened him to the “John McEnroe of actors,” telling him, “You can give a really good game, but it‘s not always pleasant to be around.”
“I think they meant it as a compliment,” he chuckles. “I‘m not sure…”
On the set of The Rule of Jenny Pen.
Script writer Eli Kent and James at the Coming Home in the Dark Wellington Premiere.
James and cinematographer Matt Henley at the Coming Home in the Dark Wellington Premiere.
Actor George Henare in The Rule of Jenny Pen.
“I donʼt believe in good and bad people. I believe in good and bad actions or intentions. As human beings, we all have those within ourselves. Itʼ s something that we grapple with throughout our lives.”
When UNO Zooms in for our interview James had only been in New York for a few days.
“I‘m missing my family terribly,” he says. “I burst into tears when I arrived in Manhattan last Saturday, because it really hit me; ‘Oh my God, I'm going to be gone for nine months’.”
The plus side that he’s identified is that he’ll be “cocooned in the work,” his removal from his normal everyday life forcing him, “to live it and breathe it in another way.”
The New York air is very different to the sea-salted breeze of the Mount. He and his family moved here from Wellington 10 years ago and have now “put down very deep roots,” in the area.
“It was a very big change of scenery and took a long time to get used to,” he says. “I moved from running the National Theatre Company to wanting to pursue that goal of film. My wife and I, we had two kids at the time, we've got three now, we were going, ‘What else are we wanting from life?’.”
Along with giving film his best shot, James realised he also wanted to be a stay-at-home parent.
“I didn’t want to miss out on that time with my girls,” he smiles, thinking of his three daughters, who are aged seven, 11 and 13. “It’s a great place to raise a family.”
Then, he laughs and says, “But I’m still the most uptight person on the beach.”
James sees the world in grey. It’s where his fascination as a filmmaker lies. In his view, the world isn’t black or white. The material he’s drawn to reflects this.
“I don’t believe in good and bad people. I believe in good and bad actions or intentions. As human beings, we all have those within ourselves. It’s something that we grapple with throughout our lives,” he says.
Working in the creative industries, first an actor, now as a director, that darkness is never far away. Whether auditioning for a part or pitching a film project, James says the industry has a “99 percent rejection” rate.
While things are going swimmingly now, he’s definitely not relaxing or coasting, saying “you’re only as good as your last job. And the next job won’t necessarily come”.
He tries not to dwell on these things. Instead, choosing to pour his energy into making things happen for himself.
John Lithgow as “Dave Crealy” and Jenny Pen in The Rule of Jenny Pen Courtesy of Stan Alley. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.
James and Geoffrey Rush on the set of The Rule of Jenny Pen Courtesy of Stan Alley. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.
“I don’t want to wait. It’s important to me to develop and create things in the way in which myself and my peers want to. How do you get Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow in your movie? You give them a script you think they will respond to. You go, ‘I think you might be interested in this strange little story I want to tell that I want to tell in this way’.”
He pauses a beat, then says, “They’re definitely not going to be in it, if you don't ask them.”
The work keeps him too busy for his hang-ups. The failed pitches. The rejections. The worry. The anxiety. These haven’t been conquered. But they have been successfully minimised. He refers to them as “distractions,” attempting to thwart his goals.
“I don’t think I’ve overcome them at all. They’re always there. I’m not worried about Robert De Niro being the lead in the new film that I’m directing. I don’t have time to worry or be anxious about working with Bob. What I have to be clear about is; What are the objectives and actions that I’m going to give to him? What are the questions he might have? That makes it all about the work. It’s when I'm not working that those doubts start to creep in and become distractions.”
on David Lynch’s surreally unsettling masterpiece Blue Velvet
“Blue Velvet is not a film that a 10 year old should watch,” James admits. “But it definitely made a very big impact on me. I wouldn’t say it was traumatising or anything like that. A lot of it went over my head. But the images and the feeling of it was something that I hadn’t been exposed to. It had a huge impact on me.”
From there he began reading horror literature, like Dracula, before finding, and devouring, the work of horror maestro Stephen King. His journey to the dark side was complete.
After the success of Coming Home in the Dark, James wasn’t going to sit around and wait for people to come to him. He’d been picked up at a big Hollywood agency and so he decided to work his contacts.
“Whatʼs the worst thing that Stephen King can do if you send him a letter? Not reply.”
“Late in life I found weightlifting. It helps keep it steady and keep that boiling of anxiety that can come up at times under control. Having that level of fitness and health in my daily routine helps and has really been good at keeping that volume down and manageable. Because it’s always going to be there. Everyone has it. It’s not something to fix or dispel. You've got this much space inside. If I’m going to fill it up with work, then there’s very little space for all that unhealthy noise to exist. That’s why I have seven or eight projects on the boil at different stages at the moment. I find that incredibly energising to move around and helpful to quell those professional anxieties and things like that.”
James’ love of genre was instilled at an early age. His dad would occasionally let him stay up late to watch the Sunday Night Horrors on TV. But he became truly fascinated with the possibilities of darker storytelling at age 10 when his cousin, who was babysitting, put
“I said, I’m going to write a letter to Stephen King and give him a link [to Jenny Pen] and say, ‘I’d love to discuss the possibilities of a collaboration or an adaptation’. I sent it off but I wasn’t hopeful that there would be a reply. But at the same time, if you don't try, you’ll never know. What’s the worst thing that Stephen King can do if you send him a letter? Not reply.”
The next day he went book shopping. Naturally, he had made his way to the horror section when his phone buzzed with a notification. He looked at the screen and saw it was from ‘S. King’.
“I didn't connect the dots. I thought it must be, you know, Samuel King or Sarah King,” he says, thinking back. He opened the message and started reading.
“I was like, ‘Holy shit! This is from Stephen King!” he laughs. “He’d written this incredibly wonderful, complimentary email. It was like, ‘Wow’. It was a surreal moment. I was literally standing right in front of his books.”
Then, with a mixture somewhere between joy and astonishment, James Ashcroft says, “I was slightly floaty for the whole night after that,” and then we say our goodbyes and he resumes working on his Robert De Niro film in his apartment in Manhattan.
Bold Flavours & Crafted Cocktails
Every dish and drink at Agave is a work of art crafted to surprise your palate. The new bistro and drinkery at the Mount is fast becoming the talk of the town for its mix of contemporary Mexican dishes and award-winning mixologist. Whether you’re in the mood for a good old classic or something unique and custom-made, we’ll see you at the bar!
Two decades strong, UNO has been the Bay’s voice, shining a light on the best of the region’s creatives, business minds, leaders, philanthropists and influencers. Now, after 20 years, it’s time for UNO to celebrate its own influence. Hayley Barnett sits down with the publication’s owners and two previous publishers to discuss how the magazine came to be, and where it’s headed.
PHOTO ALAN GIBSON
As the media landscape continues to transform both here in Aotearoa and around the world, celebrating 20 years as a regional print publication seems almost unbelievable.
Looking back on two decades of storytelling, art and community, for the team at UNO, with all their years of experience in magazines, newspapers and radio, it’s obvious why this unique publication has gone the distance. Having always focused on positive stories of inspirational locals, there has been and always will be a need for connection.
Part of its success is testament to founder Andy Martin’s vision. Casting his mind back 20 years ago, Andy recalls jumping in head first.
“To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing,” he laughs. “I was winging it from the get-go.”
More a risk-taking entrepreneur than media mogul, Andy had spent much of his career in sales and marketing, in industries from farming to oil. It was when he started up a business in building project management that he delved into media, launching a magazine called The Homepage
“I always liked Urbis, a consumer homes magazine, and wanted to do something big scale like that, which drew me to the idea of starting a quality regional magazine,” explains Andy. “I probably wouldn’ t have done it unless my father had retired at that stage.”
Charles Martin was a sports broadcaster, and wrote for publications like The Listener, as well as scripts for Close to Home, a TV series in the ’ 70s and ’ 80s.
“Dad became the editor and I did the sales, and we cobbled it together from there,” says Andy.
The main idea, he adds, was to celebrate the local people in the region.
“Dad’s big thing was all about not being topical,” he says. “The beauty of it was that you could still pick one up years later and it ’s still relevant. That was quite important.”
When Charles sadly passed away 10 years ago, Andy felt his own passion for publishing fading with him. That, he said, and he’d “gone too big too soon”. Around that time he’d started printing a Waikato version and opened an office in Wellington, with the intention to publish a magazine for the city.
“Wellington wasn’ t a good move,” he admits. The project collapsed shortly after it started and Andy decided to sell the entire brand instead.
From there, Jenny Rudd and Mat Tomlinson picked up UNO and, in Andy’s words, gave it a good “shake up”. “It needed some new energy and that’s exactly what Jenny had – good energy.”
Over the next six years, UNO transformed in style and tone, taking on more of a business bent, something Jenny was passionate about.
“We attracted some amazing talent to join us, and added two more titles to our fold,” tells Jenny. “It was a magical six years!”
When the current publishers, Michele Griffin and Rebecca Meyer, came on the scene, they brought with them over 35 years of media sales experience, having been at the Bay of Plenty Times (now under the NZME umbrella) for
much of their working lives. For Michele, it was her first job out of high school.
The pair had watched UNO evolve over the years and had a vision to bring it back similar to its original format, with more story telling, while continuing to shine a light on the incredible breadth of creative talent the region has to offer.
For Michele and Rebecca, it was an obvious fit.
“We saw UNO as this sophisticated, beautiful brand,” explains Rebecca. “We always admired it, and because we had clients at NZME who respected the magazine, we had an understanding of how the community viewed it.”
Neither see print disappearing any time soon, and Andy agrees. “People spend so much time on their phones these days,” he says. “To sit down and pick up a hard copy is a luxury. There will definitely always be a place for it.”
When asked about where they see UNO headed in the future, there’s no talk of moving fully online or cutting back on print quality.
“We’re lucky this region is growing,” says Michele. “One piece of advice that has always stuck with me was, ‘Stick to your knitting’. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. We’re always listening to what the market wants, evolving where it matters – like maintaining a strong online and social media presence – but at our core, the magazine remains the heart of what we do.”
Adds Rebecca: “Ultimately, people will read it if it looks good and delivers quality content that is relevant to them. Get that right, and everything else will follow.”
The UNO team from left: Nicky Adams, Michele Griffin, Rebecca Meyer, Hayley Barnett and Stephanie Taylor.
Retrospective
We look back at some of the best UNO covers spanning 20 years.
The evolution of UNO is evident in its covers, reflecting shifts in design trends from the early 2000s' bold, busy imagery and fonts, through to more minimalist and streamlined aesthetics.
- Issue 66
UNO ’s design may have changed over the years, with different teams and publishers, but one thing has remained the same – the aim of celebrating
and
in our community.
A few of our talented contributors
From top left: 1. Alan Gibson 2. Amber Armitage 3. Annabelle Rose 4. Annalee Hart 5. Casey Vassallo 6. Debbie Griffiths 7. Desiree Osterman 8. Erin Cave 9. Garth Badger 10. Graeme Murray 11. Hannah Mahon 12. Jahl Marshall 13. Jamie Troughton 14. Jess Easton 15. Jo Ferris 16. Karen Clarkson 17. Karl Pushmann 18. Katherine Granich 19. Katherine McDonald 20. Katie Cox 21. Liz French 22. Martyn Pepperell 23. Monique Balvert-O'Connor 24. Nicky Adams 25. Pip Crombie 26. Quinn O'Connell 27. Salina Galvan 28. Shiree Schumacher 29. Stacey Jones 30. Sue Hoffart.
Join our club and enjoy exclusive member benefits, including complimentary venue access for you and your spouse, a private business lounge, meeting room privileges, and entry to prestigious global reciprocal clubs. Stay informed with curated events and networking opportunities, all while indulging in exceptional dining experiences.
Looking for the perfect venue? Set against the stunning Tauranga Harbour, our versatile spaces cater to business meetings, conferences, and special celebrations. From modern AV-equipped rooms to stylish dining spaces with breathtaking views, we offer tailored catering and expert service to make your event unforgettable.
PH: 07 571 0585
Dancing with destiny
From early performances in family “cuzzie shows” at the Mount, to cruise ships and Disney film sets, Georgia Brokenshire’s career is taking off in leaps and bounds.
Growing up with her petite feet firmly planted, readied professional dancer Georgia Brokenshire for the plot twists that arise in what at face value appears to be a glamorous and glittering world of dance – costumes, lights and music, travel and notoriety. Behind the scenes is vastly different to what most would perceive. But for this determined 24-year-old, the various speed bumps have not dulled her desire to dance – something she has done since age two and continues to do now on the high seas, as she follows her dream to Los Angeles.
“ Honestly, I never expected all of this to happen so quickly. But every step of the journey – from Melbourne to the cruise ships to working with Disney – has been like a stepping stone to something bigger,” Georgia says.
Georgia grew up in Auckland with three sporty brothers. Her grandparents, Brian and Melva Lynch, had bought a Mount Maunganui beachside bach in the 1960s with the intention their own six children (one of whom is Georgiaʼs mother) would gather at the beach location, a place to connect and come together as family. Through the years, Georgia, her brothers and nine cousins spent every spare weekend and summer holiday they could at this beach home, with Georgia
even scooping ice-cream for a summer at iconic local institution, Copenhagen Cones. She recalls the road trips down to the Mount, the six of them singing raucously, daily climbs of Mauao, fitness sessions with her brothers, surfing and skating, the “cuzzie shows ” where all 13 of them would dance and act for their audience of parents, aunts and uncles, older siblings on ticket sales, ‘spotlightsʼ courtesy of torches from the overhead balcony.
With a background of early ballet classes, jazz, hiphop, musical theatre and contemporary dance, Georgia also took up gymnastics with a passion, eventually having to choose between it and dance. She describes the disciplines as being complementary to each other, including the physical strength required.
At around 14 years old, she began to realise that there was nothing else that lit a fire in her soul like performing did.
“ The whole process of training, grinding, committing to something bigger than myself and then getting onstage and performing for an audience was a feeling that I just couldnʼt match anywhere else in life. It is still unmatched.”
Deciding to make a career out of dancing, in 2019 Georgia headed to Transit Dance School (Melbourne), where she gained teaching and performance qualifications and a whole lot of grit.
Clockwise from left: Georgia in a Summer Creative Project with Transit Dance, performing in a show called Shake ; Georgia in theater on board the NCL Pearl; In studio; In port at Ravenna Italy boarding the NCL Gem; At the Victoria Dance Festival in Melbourne with Transit Dance.
“Don’t shy away from what makes you different, lean into that, that’s going to be your superpower. Dance is a superpower.”
“ Moving overseas aged 17 to pursue your passion should really be terrifying, but I never looked back. I was just too excited to finally get to dance every day for the rest of my life! ”
Five days a week, seven hours a day in a wide range of disciplines including acrobatics and singing, end of term performances…and Covid. The pandemic disrupted and prohibited a lot of the planned studio training, so they pivoted to dance videos and commercial projects.
“ The year 2020 consisted of 27 weeks of hard lockdown for me in an unlucky stint between Melbourne and Auckland. I completed the 14-day hotel quarantine twice in a desperate attempt to continue my dance training. Much of my second year was done on Zoom in a small shared Melbourne apartment – a challenge to say the least! However, I graduated and am grateful for the tools gained and lessons learned.”
The cruise industry had its own challenges in the wake of the pandemic, but for Georgia, it was a chance to perform on stage every night, work with seasoned dancers, and see the world. As a dancer, finding “longer-term ” stable income is very difficult, so she saw cruises as a great source of income, a fun way to save money and travel the world, albeit while sharing a tiny cabin with fellow performers and working long hours. She has sailed the North Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the East China Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the North Atlantic Ocean and visited over 40 countries over the past three years dancing on cruise ships and is currently with Oceania Cruise Lines on a luxury ship in the Caribbean.
Between cruises in mid-2024 Georgia was hired as the dance and acting double for British teen singer/ songwriter and actor, Freya Skye, in the Disney movie musical Zombies 4, shot on location in New Zealand (release date mid-2025). For the multi-talented dancer, this was a “pinch-me moment ” and something that makes her ultimate dreams of performing at the Super Bowl, being a backup dancer for major artists and more film work become a step more real. “ I learned Freya’s entire script and dance choreography for the film, was on set daily, stepping into her place whenever she needed to clock school hours or change her wardrobe.”
The Disney vibe is aspirational for Georgia. “ I love the way Disney has always seamlessly combined both dancing and acting with such joy in their films, so more work with them is a goal. I have loved all the stage productions I have performed in my career so far, but I am ready to move on to bigger projects with bigger audiences and more impact ”
As we exit stage left for now, I ask Georgia to share words of wisdom for aspiring career dancers. “ The truth is, being a professional dancer always felt more than a pipe dream to me. Long stints spent at the Mount, and in my dance school in Auckland, I felt like I had bigger dreams than anyone I’d ever met. People would sometimes even laugh when I told them that I wanted to be a dancer. My dreams keep getting bigger and more terrifying, but if I had to tell young dancers something now, I would say keep those big dreams alive. Don’t shy away from what makes you different, lean into that, that’s going to be your superpower. Dance is a superpower. I’ve seen dance breakdown language barriers and unite people; it brings such joy! So, keep dreaming, nothing is too big or too out of reach, even from our small corner of the world.”
Georgia closes our chat with home and what it means.
“ I think the real question is ‘what doesn’t it mean? ’” she responds, candidly. Whenever I go home after all my travels, the Mount is the first place I go. To ground my feet in the sand, for family time and for the reset I always need after travelling the world. In a life of such inconsistency, living out of a suitcase and constantly being on the move, I only really have two constants. My family and Mount Maunganui.”
Charles in charge
Tauranga’s Charles Leong’s enthusiasm for delicious wine is infectious, and he also has the happy knack of helping a wide array of people understand what they’re enjoying, writes UNO wine columnist Jess Easton
PHOTOS ILK PHOTOGRAPHY
Legend has it that Charles Leong is older than time and wiser than a whole parliament of owls.
In rare circumstances, he’s also been known to pull corks with his mind.
Whoever – or whatever – he is, one thing is for sure; Charles Leong knows wine.
The resident sommelier at Tauranga’s Saint Wine Bar appeared out of the mists one day, whispering of mystical vintages and claiming to be descended from the first person who ever trod on a grape and fermented it.
In reality, the Chinese-Malaysian-born, Adelaide-raised guru is a thoroughly likeable aficionado with a quirky encyclopedic brain, who landed on these shores courtesy of a delightful Kiwi wife and two cute kids.
And it’s not just strong New Zealand wāhine he’s fallen in love with; he’s thoroughly excited to be able to match amazing food with burgeoning Aotearoa viticulturalists.
“The winemakers here are making wines with lots of integrity, and doing things like adopting organic and biodynamic practices,” he explains. “And also they’re making wines in New Zealand with texture and complexity, and foodfriendly wines, rather than fruit-bombs.”
Spend any time with Charles and you’ll soon notice that his wry, cheeky humour is only matched by the expressions which litter his vocabulary.
Don’t be surprised to hear him drop “onion farts” into a conversation about a particular wine, for example.
Right now, his favourite drop currently stocked at Saint is a one-of-a-kind organic offering, that pairs spectacularly with hard cheeses, salty cured meats and shellfish in their brine.
“The one that’s outstanding, that I like a lot, is Mount Edward O2 Chenin – it’s unique for a New Zealand winemaker and also unusual.”
He’s right about the uniqueness – most people have never tasted anything like the Central Otago O2 Chenin, which is aged and oxidised in barrels for three
years, like one of the great dry Sherry wines of Southern Spain, or the Jura style from France.
But there’s also no-one like Charles. His former colleagues in some of Sydney’s finest establishments used to joke that when he opened the bar, he wouldn’t turn the lights on; he’d turn the dark off. Charles, they said, has been known to sneeze with his eyes open and once did a wheelie on a unicycle.
Most of all, however, Charles invites people to go on a wine journey with him.
“Wine, to me, is like a time capsule. It’s the only thing you can taste from your birth year, for example, and all these amazing winemakers are making all these wines with integrity and finesse and approachability. That’s what I want to show our customers – I like to excite them about the expressions of wine.”
In Charles, we trust.
Jess Easton is a director and owner of Kitchen Takeover and Saint Wine Bar, complementing her career as a Tauranga-based lawyer.
Jess Easton, Charles Leong, winemaker
Ollie Powrie, Katy Bain and chef Dan Lockhart.
Choice as
Pāpāmoa was recently crowned ’New Zealand’s Choicest Suburb’. With its recent developments and array of foodie offerings, it’s easy to see why.
PHOTOS ALAN GIBSON + SUPPLIED
The people have spoken. And what the people have said is that Pāpāmoa is officially ’ New Zealand's Choicest Suburb’. Every suburb in Aotearoa was eligible, but the Bay ’s popular beachside location won, earning more than 50,000 public votes in the competition hosted by Trade Me Property.
But what was it about the unassuming suburb that won people over? Well, the natural environment is what truly sets Pāpāmoa apart. There’s the amazing beach, the recently redeveloped walks on Pāpāmoa Hills and numerous parks and reserves to enjoy. The accessibility to the beach combined with the
expansive green spaces makes it an ideal place to live and unwind.
But it’s not just about the physical beauty of the area. It’s what’s on the inside that counts. And Pāpāmoa enjoys a welcoming and strong sense of community. Along with the gentle sea breeze that blows in from the sea and up over the dunes, you can also sense the community spirit. People smile at each other when they walk by and there’s a sense of friendliness that harkens back to a time before people were rushed off their feet.
With that in mind, of course, its popularity has increased in recent years. The area’s growth is evident in the exciting ongoing developments that are improving the livability and options for people of all
ages, who are attracted here by the promise of its lifestyle.
There is a master plan for the community that is being followed. It includes amenities like roading networks, cycleways and walkways, schools, childcare centres, dining options, supermarkets, office spaces, cinema, vet services, churches and retail along with a diverse variety of housing options suited to different lifestyles.
The focus of the plan is on creating a place where people can live and thrive and ensuring that Pāpāmoa remains a welcoming place for everyone.
You could even say it’s choice.
Papa Mo's.
Pāpāmoa’s wonderful world of food
Avisit to Pāpāmoa is akin to taking your tastebuds on an gastronomic adventure around the world. Whether you’re after an intimate date night, a social outing or some family fun, you’ll find Pāpāmoa has you covered.
Ali Baba’s House
Open says-a-me if you’re after a tasty Turkish feast. From mouth-watering kebabs to tasty pizzas and sweet baklava you’ll find plenty of culinary treasures here. You can dine in, take away or even have it delivered. 255 The Boulevard, The Sands
Hello Sushi
Hello? Is it sushi you’re looking for? Then roll up to Hello Sushi. Their made-to-order sushi is bursting with flavour. Find classic rolls through to creative new combinations.
Golden Sands Drive, Excelsa Centre and 255 The Boulevard, The Sands
Great Spice Indian
All the flavours of India are brought straight to your table at Great Spice. With a warm atmosphere and a dedication to authenticity, your cravings will be well satisfied whether you’re after a rich curry, a sizzling tandoori, or a fragrant biryani. Vegetarian and vegan options ensure there’s a dish for everyone to enjoy.
Golden Sands Drive, Excelsa Centre
Pablo
For a Latin-inspired dining experience, Pablo is the place to go. With a menu powered by traditional Brazillian flavours, its modern tapas-inspired dishes are perfect for sharing and enjoying a social night out. Be sure to indulge in one of their expertly crafted cocktails.
255 The Boulevard, The Sands
Grill and Green
This vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired menu is full of fresh, flavourful dishes like Turkemen Chicken, Open Souvlaki as well as classics like calamari, Scotch Fillet steak and their popular GnG burger. There’s indoor and outdoor seating and a relaxed vibe, or if a seaside picnic takes your fancy, takeaway options are available.
Golden Sands Drive, Excelsa Centre
Henry and Ted’s
We’re hesitant to spread the word about Pāpāmoa’s best-kept secret, but this lively café is a popular favourite with the locals for its chill vibes and delicious breakfasts, brunches and lunches. The sweet treats in the cabinet are forever tempting and the coffee is worth the trip alone.
Golden Sands Drive, Excelsa Centre
Papa Mo’s
This Pāpāmoa institution has a well-earned reputation as being the home of serious fun. Offering an extensive menu of pub faves like fish n’ chips, burgers and tacos as well as classic dishes like lamb shanks and pasta. With live music on Fridays and Sundays, quiz nights and other regular events, you can bet there’s always something happening at Papa Mo’s.
Golden Sands Drive, Excelsa Centre
Re-Belles with a cause
The newly formed Re-Belles is a collective of wāhine lifeguards over 50 years of age, who are challenging traditions, uniting women and inspiring the next generation of surf life savers.
WORDS
KAREN
CLARKSON PHOTOS JAMIE TROUGHTON
In the rolling surf of Mount Maunganui, a group of lifeguards are redefining what it means to compete in surf sports, proving that age is no barrier to strength, endurance, and camaraderie.
Founded by Omanu Surf Club member Sandra Boubee, an ironwoman, surf lifesaving competitor, and teacher at Ōtūmoetai College, the Re-Belles were formed out of a desire to inspire women to keep moving, keep connected, and compete well beyond the age when most athletes retire from competitive surf sports.
Historically, surf lifesaving has been steeped in masculine culture. While women have played crucial roles –stepping up for rescues during wartime and patrolling beaches since the 1950s – their competitive opportunities have been limited. Surf lifesaving competitions often require competitors to form a team from their club only, meaning that women in the veterans category (49+), often the sole competitors in their age group from their club, have little chance to participate.
Boubee, who has moved between Pāpāmoa and Omanu clubs just to
continue competing, sees the regulations for team events as a major barrier for female lifeguards. “We are seeing one or two veteran women competing at regionals and nationals in the individual pursuits, but you need a minimum of three to enter water events and four for beach relays,” she says.
Alongside fellow lifeguards Trish Mau and Claire Edmonds, Boubee saw the appetite for female lifeguards to stay active on the water, train with women from other clubs and have the opportunity to enter more competitions.
Determined to change the status quo, last year she approached the organisers of the Mount Monster; one of New Zealand’s most prestigious endurance
events that allows composite teams (amalgam of two or more clubs), and successfully lobbied for the creation of a veteran women’s team category. With this, the Re-Belles was officially born; as was their training schedule to prepare for the gruelling endurance event consisting of a 12-kilometre surf ski, a five-kilometre soft sand run, a 1.5-kilometre ocean swim, and a six-kilometre board paddle.
Stronger together
In the lead-up to the competition, the Re-Belles held fortnightly training camps bringing together 16 women aged 51 and over, with the oldest competitor aged 66. Some were seasoned athletes; others had never entered a surf sports event
before. What united them was a shared passion for the ocean, lifeguarding and a commitment to pushing their limits together.
“For many of us, it was a big transition,” says Karyn Leach of Pāpāmoa Surf Club. “I’m a confident swimmer in the pool, but out in the ocean navigating the conditions is a whole different challenge. Jumping off the end of Moturiki Island (Leisure Island) for the swim leg was something I never thought I’d do. But the support and encouragement of the group made it possible.”
Trish Mau, a long-time Omanu lifeguard and swim instructor, echoes this sentiment. “A mature post-menopause body is very different from a 35-year-old
Ali McMaster, Joanne Miller, Naomi Davoren, Karyn Leach, Sandra Boubee, Karen Giles, Michelle Kalma, Catriona Manning and Kate Morley.
Naomi Davoren.
Karen Giles, Karyn Leach, Catriona Manning.
one. We learned to work smarter, not harder. Our training wasn’t just about endurance – it was about using the wisdom of our years and adapting.”
On race day last December, the four Re-Belle’s teams all placed on the podium in their category, with their first two teams finishing ahead of the under 19’s teams – proving that female lifeguards 49+ have the grit and ability to take on the tough event.
“People from within our clubs and the wider surf lifesaving community were so inspired,” says Boubee. “We had veteran men asking, ‘How were you allowed to enter?’ And some of the under 19s commented that they had to paddle harder on the water because the ‘old ladies’ were catching them,” she laughs.
Building a lasting legacy
What started as a small group training for a single event has grown into something bigger with goals to enter more events in
2025. The Re-Belles are now 18 members strong with lifeguards from Whakatāne to Waihī joining their ranks. “At the end of the day, we all patrol the same stretch of coastline,” says Boubee. “Building these relationships only makes us stronger and the goal is to keep growing and inspire other regions to follow suit.”
To keep the momentum going, the group hosts regular Sunday training sessions, paddling around Motuotau (Rabbit) Island or running beach drills. “You have to keep moving at this age,” says Mau. “And every time we’re out there, we’re not just training – we’re learning. Conditions, tides, waves, they’re always changing. That knowledge makes us better lifeguards.”
The Surf Life Saving New Zealand motto is ‘In it for Life’ and the Re-Belles are evidence of that. “Women over 50 often feel that competition doesn't cater for them,” says Boubee. “But we’re proving otherwise. There’s strength in our
numbers, in experience, in resilience. We are reminding lifeguards across New Zealand that they can compete at any age. And when young women see us out there, they see a future for themselves, too.”
The group is calling on more event organisers to remove barriers to entry by allowing composite teams, to allow more veteran competitors to take part. “If you make space for us, we will show up,” Boubee says.
And they’re calling on more women, whether they’re lifeguards, athletes, ocean-swimmers or simply looking for a new challenge, to join them. “This is about physical health, mental health, community, and connection,” says Boubee. “Whatever your background, whatever your story, there’s a place for you in this movement.”
As they continue to train together and advocate for change, the Re-Belles are proof that the ocean belongs to everyone, at any age.
“Women over 50 often feel that competition doesnʼt cater for them. But weʼre proving otherwise. Thereʼs strength in our numbers, in experience, in resilience.”
Sandra Boubee
It’s all Goode in the hood
Auckland’s popular gastropub Goode Brothers has left the nest to land in Bethlehem. UNO pops in to see what makes it so special.
WORDS KARL PUSCHMANN
Goode Brothers has always been about family. It’s right there in the name.
Across its four locations in Auckland, the popular gastropub has been a place where you can be equally comfortable having a meal with your loved ones or a night out with your family or friends. This is why UNO was excited to hear that Goode Brothers had not only welcomed a new addition to their family but that it had also left the Auckland nest.
“We ’re super excited to be part of the Bethlehem community,” Jamie Freeman, Goode Brothers’ head of operations enthuses from the freshly opened venue. “We believe Goode Brothers
has the potential to become a local favourite, and we're already seeing how the community vibe is shaping up.”
Situated on a prime corner spot in Bethlehem Town Centre, Goode Brothers is hard to miss and ready to welcome you in with open arms. Once inside, it’s spacious and inviting. Like its Auckland siblings, the space has been carefully designed into subtle sections that allow for versatility. You can make yourself at home hosting a family celebration in one of the large booths, enjoy a meal out at one of the stylish dining tables (that along with traditional condiments also comes complete with a pot of fresh basil) or just pop in for a casual drink and a catch-up at one of the high-top areas.
kitchen is sending out incredibly enticing aromas along with the fresh, Kiwi-Italian-inspired favourites that make up the menu.
Along with traditional favourites like pizzas, pasta, fish n’ chips and burgers, all freshly prepared from quality ingredients, Jamie is particularly proud of the fun elements that are woven into the dining experience.
“There’s space for everyone here,” Jamie smiles.
The spot, which was once just a glint in the eye of Goode Brothers’ expansion plans, certainly makes a lasting impression. So much so that it’s already proving itself a welcome addition to the local community’s dining scene.
“It ’s really great here,” Jamie continues. “The location is prime, right in the hub of Bethlehem, and this area has so much potential. We believe it aligns perfectly with what we do.”
It’s a busy Saturday afternoon and the buzz is palpable. The bar staff are working the impressive selection of tap beers, which offers both premium and craft, and the sizzle from the open
“Our food is ideal for those seeking a casually elevated dining experience,” he says, citing their hero dishes like the Pork and Wagyu Brisket Meatballs. This showstopping dish offers a touch of drama by being lit with flames as it ’s served. Another dish we’re dying to try is the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, which is also served flaming, only not from a plate. Instead, it is served at your table from an absolute behemoth of a parmesan wheel.
But it’s not all about the theatrics. Goode Brothers prides itself on its fresh, handmade pasta.
“Everything here is handmade from scratch,” Jamie says. “We have a pasta machine on-site.”
You can even have a go at it yourself by attending one of their famous pasta-making classes. These are held in a private room with the adult classes
“Goode Brothers has the potential to become a local favourite, and we ʼre already seeing how the community vibe is shaping up.”
offering a fun evening out, and you get to leave with your own little bundle of freshly made pasta, while the school holiday kids’ classes teach them how to make their own pizzas.
“It’s something different. You can come down with your partner, have a glass of wine or prosecco and enjoy that,” Jamie says. “I think people are looking for experiences as well as good food. We want our customers to have fun with food. It’s about fresh, modern, and exciting dining, yet still grounded in the Kiwi classics.”
The jewel in the crown of the new gastropub has to be its large outdoor area. Equipped with a playground to keep the kids busy, the large deck offers plenty of seating, perfect for sunny afternoons and evenings. And on big sporting occasions there’s plenty of screens inside and out for catching the big game.
The secret ingredient in the sauce is this flexibility. Goode Brothers want to bring people together, whether that’s an intimate couple on date night, family celebrating a milestone, mates popping in for an after work drink or a group of friends on a night out, they’ll all find a home at Goode Brothers.
“We’re trying to offer something for everyone here,” Jamie smiles. “It’s all about creating that sense of togetherness.”
GOODEBROTHERSBETHLEHEM.CO.NZ
Simple savoury solutions
In a world of complicated recipes and confusing ingredients, Linda Duncan has come to the rescue. In The World’s Easiest Recipes she combines just five ingredients per meal using low-cost, easy-to-source items.
Lemon, basil and feta chicken
The combination of these simple Mediterranean flavours will have your taste buds singing. It’s such an easy way to jazz up chicken breasts and have you looking like a culinary genius at the same time. You can use chicken breasts or thighs in this recipe.
SERVES 4 | PREP TIME 10 MINUTES
COOKING TIME 20–25 MINUTES
INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs
2 tbsp lemon rind, finely shredded
1/3 cup basil leaves, roughly chopped
120g feta, crumbled salad, to serve
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 200°C.
Combine the oil and lemon juice in an ovenproof dish that will fit the chicken snugly but with a little gap between
each piece. Add the chicken and turn to coat in the marinade.
Sprinkle the top of the chicken with the lemon rind, basil and feta. Season with freshly ground black pepper.
Bake for 20–25 minutes or until topping is golden brown and chicken is cooked through. Cover with foil during cooking if the topping starts to burn.
Rest for 5 minutes before serving with salad.
Quick potato bake
A potato bake is a must in your recipe repertoire. This one is quicker to make than a normal potato bake, with the help of your microwave. It’s also a lot easier than a potato gratin as you don’t need to slice the potatoes thinly and then layer them.
Just chop into cubes and throw into your baking dish. Couldn’t be easier!
SERVES 4 | PREP TIME 15 MINUTES | COOKING TIME 45 MINUTES
INGREDIENTS
800g roasting potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1cm cubes
30g butter, melted
30g dried French onion soup mix
1 cup cream or milk, or a mixture of both
1 cup grated tasty cheese
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a 20cm square microwave-safe baking dish.
Place the potatoes into the prepared dish. Pour over the butter and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Mix to combine, then microwave uncovered on high for 15 minutes.
In the meantime, add the soup mix to the milk or cream and mix until well combined. Pour over the potatoes then sprinkle the cheese over the top.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is golden and the mixture is bubbling. Stand for 5 minutes before serving.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup Israeli (pearl) couscous
2 cups frozen peas
½ cup mint leaves, roughly chopped
2 tsp lemon rind, finely grated
2 tbsp lemon juice
80g feta, crumbled
1 tbsp olive oil
Couscous, pea and feta salad
I just love the freshness of this couscous salad. It's delicious served alongside roast lamb. It can be prepared well in advance so is perfect for entertaining. I really like the texture of Israeli couscous in this recipe; however, any couscous will work.
SERVES 4 | PREP TIME 10 MINUTES | COOKING TIME 10 MINUTES
METHOD
Cook the couscous in a large saucepan of boiling water according to the packet instructions, until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
Cover peas in boiling water for 5 minutes to thaw, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
2 X DOUBLE GOLD
Place couscous and peas into a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients, season with salt and pepper to taste and toss well.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
The specialists in: pool consultation, commercial and residential construction, maintenance, & outdoor structures.
SERVES 6-8
PREP TIME 15 MINUTES
COOKING TIME 40–50 MINUTES
INGREDIENTS
820g tinned peach slices, in juice
540g pkt vanilla cake mix
120g butter, melted vanilla ice cream, to serve
Three-ingredient peach cobbler
Old-fashioned peach cobbler is made even easier with the use of packet cake mix. The great thing about this recipe is you can get quite creative with it. I have made this recipe multiple times using different tinned fruit like plums, apricots, pears or cherries. A handful of berries thrown in is also delicious. I have also used chocolate cake mix instead of vanilla. Dust with a little icing sugar before serving.
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a 23cm square baking dish.
Tip the peaches (including the juice) into the dish and spread out evenly.
Place the cake mix and butter into a bowl and mix until combined. Scatter the mixture over the peaches. It doesn’t matter if the mixture doesn’t completely cover the peaches.
Bake for 40–50 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Stand for 5 minutes, then serve with vanilla ice cream.
Extracted from The World’s Easiest Recipes by Linda Duncan. RRP$45. Published by HarperCollins NZ.
Foodie finds
Flavourful, fresh and sure to impress — here are our latest tastebud tempters.
Spot the difference
Allpress has had a glow-up. The fresh new packaging is bright, bold and easy to spot, with updated blend names, tasting notes and a handy flavour guide to help you find your perfect match. You’ll also find roast dates on every bag, giving you total control over freshness. But don’t worry — the coffee inside is still the same top-notch brew, roasted fresh in Allpress Espresso Roasteries. Plus, the new bag design is a step towards even better materials in the future. RRP from $17-$22.
ALLPRESSESPRESSO.COM
Mezcal Kiwi style
Amigos Aotearoa Mezcal blends the traditions of Oaxaca with Kiwi ingenuity. Designed for New Zealand palates, it’s smooth and slightly smoky, with notes of banana, raisin, caramel, and herbs. Perfect for mezcal newcomers, this award-winning spirit is crafted in small batches with quality at its core — no shortcuts, just authentic flavour. RRP$80.75.
AMIGOSAOTEAROA.CO.NZ
Elevated Easter treats
Plumper and fruitier than ever, Volare's famous Hot Cross Buns are back for a limited time. These awardwinners are semi-sourdough, which means they have a richer, more complex flavour and are easier to digest than your standard supermarket variety. Made from scratch with a buttery brioche-style dough, and fermented just long enough to develop that signature depth of flavour without being too tangy. Lashings of
Match made in Marlborough
Roots Rosso is what happens when world-class Marlborough gin meets organic Pinot Noir, and the result is magic. This rich, off-dry spirit brings together a classic juniper-forward gin infused with grapefruit, hops, and native kawakawa, then blends it with biodynamically certified Marlborough Pinot Noir, harvested from carefully nurtured vineyards. Expect a lush sip bursting with dark fruit, ripe strawberries, and warming spices — like a bold vermouth with extra depth. Elemental Distillers takes pride in full transparency, knowing exactly where every ingredient comes from and who grows it. A truly traceable, top-quality tipple. RRP$93.
ELEMENTALDISTILLERS.COM
Spice up your life!
Pic’s Peanut Butter is creating a stir with a bold new savoury twist on their classic spread. Their new Salt & Pepper flavour is launching this month and it’s a party for your tastebuds any time of day — perfect for slathering on toast, adding to stir-fries, or stealing the show on a cheeseboard. Think crunchy, nutty goodness with just the right amount of pep — once you try it, you’ll wonder why this hasn’t always been a thing. RRP$7.50. PICSPEANUTBUTTER.COM
Plenty under twenty
In part two of Plenty Under Twenty, Stacey Jones hunts out the best cheap eats under $20 that the Tauranga region has to offer.
WORDS STACEY JONES
Iput the call out to the local community recently, asking for their favourite meals under $20, and the response was meatier than a pie from Patrick ’s Pies — hundreds of recommendations flooded in.
So, after a fair bit of eating (it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it), here’s my pick of the best cheap eats in the Bay of Plenty this month. From dumplings to falafel, sushi to curry, these are the top spots serving up serious flavour without breaking the bank.
Weekday wins
If you’re happy to dine out earlier in the week, you’re onto a winner-winner dumpling dinner. Let’s start with a ridiculously good deal over at The Rising Tide on a Monday in Mount Maunganui – and now at their new spot in Ō mokoroa. For just $15, you can treat yourself to five mouthwatering dumplings paired with a pint of craft beer. I’d recommend the mushroom dumplings, but they’ve also been branching out with limited-edition flavours like lemongrass and lamb. Yum.
East of the middle
Next up is one of my all-time favourites: Falafel Metro. They serve up the crispest falafel known to humankind, wrapped in a house-made pita softer than a fluffy white cloud for just $17. Total steal. Even the most die-hard carnivores won’t miss the meat here.
The Rising Tide.
Japanese feasts
If Japanese is your vibe, Chidori Ramen might just take the crown for the best meal under $20 in the BOP. I’ve been going there since the day they opened, and my go-to is the patina ramen with extra chashu and a ramen egg — it never lets me down. Pro tip: their set meals are a great deal too, and the chicken karaage is a personal favourite.
Happy Fryday
Right next door is Chicken Fryday, a fried chicken lover’s dream. Half a Koreanstyle fried chicken sneaks in at $19.50. Slather it in wasabi mayo for a flavour punch, or, if you’re feeling brave, go for the hot and spicy sauce — it’s hotter than Satan’s breath and will leave you sweating like you’ve just run a marathon.
Sushi secret
Still in the Japanese lane, pop into Rikarika — the new spot where Falafel Metro once stood. Their sushi is arguably the best in the Bay, thanks to husbandand-wife team Brian and Rika, who take a near-religious approach to perfecting their rice. Grab a sushi set for just $15, or if you’re after something lighter, a mini rice bowl for $12. I’d recommend the tofu teriyaki. Plus, the owners are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
Bananarama
Just a hop, skip and jump from Rikarika is the wildly underrated Banana Blossom Café, serving up Malaysian Cheesy Chilli Fried Eggs for $18.50 — a fusion combo of absolute yum. And if your wallet can stretch just a smidge over a crisp $20, their laksa at $29.50 is all manners of “fork yeah”.
Best of the rest as voted by locals
• For the locals in Matua, Head Loco got plenty of shout-outs for its Japanese grubs.
• Kebab lovers, Kebab Istanblue in Mount Maunganui is a go-to.
• Early risers, Pronto Burger does a $9 breakfast combo, including coffee – absolute steal.
• Curry cravings? House of Spice in Fraser Cove serves up generous portions, and all their curries are under $20.
• Vietnamese food enthusiasts, Pho Vina (just off Wharf Street) dishes up authentic, soul-warming goodness for under $20.
The secret’s out — I’ve taken over @bop.eats, and I’m officially dedicating my life (and my stomach) to uncovering the best eats in the Bay. That means I’ll be diving even deeper into the best eats across the region, starting with another round of budgetfriendly bites that prove you don’t need to spend big to eat well.
Rikarika.
From Paris to paradise
From French bistros to New York dreams, globe-trotting chef Paul Patterson has found his anchor at Ōhiwa Harbour's Fisherman’s Wharf.
WORDS SUE HOFFART | PHOTOS CLAIRE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY
Fijian-Kiwi chef Paul Patterson admits it was fun rather than food that lured him into commercial kitchens.
The Ōhope restaurateur was 15 when he began washing dishes in a city pizzeria, relishing the vibrant social scene and comparative maturity of his female workmates. But everything shifted on the night a short-staffed chef called him to the stove.
“I was chucked in the deep end and I loved it,” he says. “By the time I was 16, I was half-running the pizza joint.”
So began a culinary career that has taken him to Paris, New York and to the Waiheke Island bowling club. He has flown to Glastonbury music festival to cook for celebrities and once scooped an award at the barbeque world championships in the American city of Memphis.
There have been a few additional stops along the way, too. Like starting a horticulture degree and completing an auto engineering diploma, with stints as a drainlayer, a security guard and photographer for a music industry magazine. Not to mention appearances on reality television show The Bachelorette.
“But I always end up back in the kitchen.”
Now, at 40, he is settling into small-town life while casting for kingfish out the window of the Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant he has purchased on the edge of Ōhiwa Harbour.
It was an act of charity that introduced him to the coastal community three years ago. Paul had agreed to donate a personal chef experience for an animal welfare fundraising event, held at the Ōhope Beach Golf Links clubhouse each year. On that first visit, he was gobsmacked by the stunning beach backed by rolling hills and an especially relaxing rural ambiance. During a subsequent stay, for the same event, he discovered a wharfside eatery with a bank of wooden windows that overlook darting stingrays, sailboats and a waterway stocked with fresh oysters. Paul claims he pestered the previous owner into selling.
Last year, he and partner Sarah Day moved their toddler son Hendrix to Ōhope to immerse themselves in a different kind of life.
“It’s a really beautiful place and this region is amazing, with the water and the bush. I can watch people floundering out the front here and 40 minutes’ drive from work, I can shoot a deer. A 40 minute boat ride and I can catch a marlin.
“I have customers with a gin distillery and there’s an island across the harbour with an avocado orchard on it. You can’t really beat it.”
Paul admits he was vastly less enthusiastic about the New Zealand lifestyle when Covid forced him to leave his central Parisian apartment and fly home in March 2020. He had been living on the banks of the Seine river, working as a restaurant consultant responsible for opening more than a dozen eateries in Paris and beyond. In fact, he was weeks from launching an eatery in New York’s Lower Manhattan when the global pandemic scuppered not only the restaurant but his own plan to live part of the year on that side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Suddenly, Paris became eerily empty and Paul’s Fijian-born mother and Kiwi dad begged him to return to Auckland. He found himself marooned, unable to return to the bright lights of his former life and unsure how to move forward in his homeland.
It was, he says, a tough pill to swallow.
So he dug drains to fund a new restaurant business in Parnell. When that didn’t work out, he moved to Waiheke Island to run the kitchen inside the island’s sole bowling club. During his tenure, membership swelled from 300 to 900 members.
His brief and unlikely screen career was sparked by an unsolicited casting call for The Bachelorette.
He said no. However, he warmed to the idea after a few too many glasses of Bourbon with friends.
“And, actually, it was great. It was definitely a fun experience. You learn a lot about yourself. You’re
“Yes
I love the food, the creativity, the thrill of getting a menu perfect but it’s more than that... the kitchen is a place of crazy ups and downs. You’re forever chasing something, trying to fix something, get better service, a better dining experience. It’s addictive.”
stuck in a house with no phones, no music, no TV, so you have a lot of time to be in your own head. It was therapy.”
As always, he returned to his chef whites.
“Yes I love the food, the creativity, the thrill of getting a menu perfect but it’s more than that. For me, the kitchen is a place of crazy ups and downs, with a lot of emotions and a lot of pressure. You’re forever chasing something, trying to fix something, get better service, a better dining experience, better leadership of your staff. It’s addictive.”
On April 5, Paul will host a ‘Scales and Ales’ beer and seafood event for the Flavours of Plenty Festival. His ‘Cray Tales and Cocktails’ evening is scheduled for the following Saturday.
FLAVOURSOFPLENTYFESTIVAL.COM
Between the lines
Add this season’s best new reads to your hit list.
Northbound
By Naomi Arnold, HarperCollins NZ
Award-winning journalist Naomi Arnold spends nearly nine months walking the length of New Zealand on Te Araroa, fulfilling a 20-year dream. On her own, she traverses mountains, rivers, cities and plains from summer to spring, walking on through days of thick mud, blazing sun and lightning storms, and into cold, starlit nights. Along the way she encounters colourful locals and travellers who delight and inspire her. An upbeat, fascinating and inspiring memoir of solitude, love and friendship, and the joys and pains to be found in the wilderness.
The Death of Us
By Abigail Dean, HarperCollins
This is a story about one couple and one traumatic event, which ultimately tears them apart. One spring night in South London, Isabel and Edward’s home is invaded by a serial killer. Highlighting cracks in the relationship, the event proves too much for their bond. Years later, they are reunited to face their tormentor at his sentencing, where Isabel and Edward are forced to face what happened that night, as well as the real reasons their marriage broke down. This is a story of survival, but most of all, this is a story of love. Even Stephen King, the ‘king’ of thrillers, confirms The Death of Us lives up to the hype.
No Words For This
By Alison Mau, HarperCollins NZ
As a young girl growing up in suburban Melbourne, Ali Mau wanted to be a journalist like her dad. After working in some of Australia’s most influential newsrooms in the ’80s and ’90s, Ali went on to build a prolific career as one of New Zealand’s most recognisable media personalities. A conversation with her sister 40 years in the making prompted Ali to reconsider her buried past. As the leading advocate for New Zealand’s #MeToo movement, Ali confronted the questions so many others had to face about accountability and the shape justice takes. In No Words for This, Ali brings her gift for telling stories to her own courageous and multi-faceted life.
Rich Enough
By Mary Holme, HarperCollins NZ
The revised and updated edition of Mary Holme’s number one bestseller is finally here. One of New Zealand’s most respected financial experts continues to push the message that laid-back investing is not only easier, it can actually make you richer. Learn how to kill off debt, curb spending, find your best KiwiSaver fund, save painlessly, buy a house or be happy not buying one, and move confidently towards and through retirement (hint: you don't need $1 million).
Juniperlooza: Gin-soaked Cocktails and Concoctions
By Elouise Anders, Smith Street Books
Shake up your cocktail game with Elouise Anders, a renowned gin genius. With 60 creative cocktails – some classic, some with a fresh spin – you’ll never run out of ideas. Whether you're a Martini purist, a Negroni devotee, or if Rosewater Fizz sounds more like your tipple, this book has you covered. There’s even a guide to infusing your gin with botanicals. Grab your shaker, stock up on tonic, and let the juniper magic begin.
Bay of style: Local fashion, flair and creativity
The Bay has been a mecca for successful fashion designers for decades, and now the new Tauranga Museum is planning to showcase its creative history in a collection that’s dressed to impress.
WORDS DEBBIE GRIFFITHS
From homemade psychedelic ’ 60s frocks to prototype shoes to swimwear that made waves worldwide – the Bay is home to innovative fashion that will be celebrated in Tauranga Museum when it opens in 2028.
“Our fashion collection will show the talent and stretch people’s ideas of what Tauranga is,” says curator Fiona Kean. “Our fashion industry doesn’t get as much focus as it should.”
In fact, there are a number of New Zealand brands – both past and present – that many don’t realise are local. Expozay burst onto the scene in the 1970s, within a decade becoming the first Kiwi swimwear label in the North American market.
“We have the largest Expozay collection in New Zealand that starts from the beginning with hand airbrushed bikinis through to pieces from the early ’90s.
Then we leap forward to emroce, which is also groundbreaking and global.”
P ā p ā moa-based emroce, by designer Emma La Rocca, is the only zero-waste swimwear brand in the world.
“Her desire is to see the way clothing is manufactured change to be more sustainable,“ says Fiona. “She uses fabric made from recycled fishing nets and cuts it in a way that means there’s no waste. She also makes inclusive gender-neutral swimwear.”
There’s also a nod to Staxs that had 21 stores around the country, boutique shoe designer Chaos & Harmony, surf labels – like RPM and Lower – Nyne, Repertoire and Greerton-based Beverley Productions that’s been creating knitwear since 1962.
“We’ ve got over 5000 textile related objects in the museum collection and a lot have been handmade by local women who have the skills and passion to look great, and make their own clothes,” says Fiona.
Among them, former Ōtūmoetai Intermediate home science teacher Ruth Espin who donated seven pieces before she passed away in 2019.
“Each dress represents a pivotal moment in her life; the one she wore when she got engaged, her wedding dress and the outfit she was wearing when she took her baby home from hospital.”
Some of the outfits were purchased at Hartley’s on The Strand. Those who grew up in Tauranga will have fond memories of their Lamson Cash Carrier System before the store closed in 1987.
“Nostalgia will be an important part of the museum experience and reminding people that they’re part of something bigger,” says Fiona. “There’s so much to share, we’ll be swapping out items regularly so it will be constantly changing. We’re very excited to showcase our fashion success stories.”
Photos courtesy of the Tauranga Museum collection. Bottom right: Expozay swimsuit, photographed by Karen Ishiguro, nzfashionmuseum.org.nz
Making waves
Meet the boat builder turned artist who crafts sculptures so fluid and luminous, they feel alive.
PHOTOS OLIVIA RENOUF + BEN YOUNG
For an artist without formal glasswork training, Ben Young has mastered the medium like few others.
Raised by the sea in Waihi Beach, he developed a fascination with the ocean’s ever-changing nature –something that now defines his work. The former boat builder’s hands-on craftsmanship and innovative layering techniques turn rigid glass into fluid, almost living forms that capture
water’s movement and depth. His work balances precision and artistry, playing with light, waves and reflections – while incorporating concrete and metal to add texture and dimension. Here, he shares the journey from experimenting with glass to shaping it into something truly breathtaking.
How did you become an artist?
I grew up in Waihi Beach in the Bay of Plenty, surrounded by the ocean, which has been a huge influence on
Bay of Plenty’s authorised repairer for:
me from a young age. Before becoming a full-time artist, I spent 10 years training and working as a boat builder, playing with glass on the side. That hands-on experience with materials, problem-solving and craftsmanship naturally carried over into my artwork. I’ve always loved making things and sometimes I feel like I should be labelled a maker as opposed to an artist – I love being able to see the craft in something. I never had formal training in glass art. I’m completely self-taught.
How did your work evolve into glass sculpture?
It happened quite organically. My journey into this medium started when I was young and travelling through Europe with my family. My dad saw an amazing laminated glass window display in Greece. That artist was actually the first one to make a glass wave. When I was old enough to play with glass, I began making them, too, trying to create the perfect wave. I started experimenting and developing my own techniques, which eventually evolved into the work I create today. When I first started working with glass, I was drawn to how I could use layers to create depth, much like the ocean itself. Over time, I refined my techniques, combining glass with concrete and metal to bring in that contrast between fluidity and solidity. My work has always been about trying to capture the essence of water – its movement, depth and vastness – through a material that is typically rigid and structured.
Who and/or what influences and inspires your work?
The ocean and nature is my biggest influence – it always has been. I’ve spent my life in and around the water, surfing, boating and just being immersed in that environment. There’s something about
the way water moves, the way it interacts with light, and the way it can feel both calming and powerful at the same time. That duality really inspires me. I also draw inspiration from landscapes,
architecture, and even simple, everyday moments where light and form interact in interesting ways. I think my connection to the ocean is why I’m so drawn to
working with glass – it allows me to recreate that sense of depth and movement in a tangible form. What do you hope to achieve with your work?
I want my work to evoke emotion and connection. When people look at my sculptures, I want them to feel something, whether it’s a sense of nostalgia, calm, curiosity or even a deep appreciation for the natural world. My goal is to create pieces that make people pause, reflect and maybe even see the ocean or landscapes in a different way.
How has technology helped/changed your style of work?
I still do a lot of my work by hand, but technology has definitely played a role in refining my process. I use digital tools to sketch and plan my pieces before I start physically working on them. This allows me to visualise depth, perspective, and how the layers will interact before I commit to cutting and assembling the glass. While I embrace technology for the planning stages, I always return to the hands-on process – it’s the physical making that really brings the pieces to life.
What do you love about the Bay?
I’ve been in the Bay of Plenty for most of my life apart from a stint in NSW, Australia. I’ve been lucky enough to do a lot of travel and the feeling I always get when I return to the Bay is that it’s home. I love how central we are to everything, nothing feels too far to get to. We have the ocean, the forest, bush walks, lakes, mountains – the best of it all really close by. It all feeds into my creativity. There’s something special about being so close to the water every day; it’s a way of life for me, and a bonus when there is surf.
Have you heard of CoolSculpting®?
This non-surgical treatment is designed to target those small stubborn areas that no amount of squats or sit-ups can seem to fix. CoolSculpting® works by gently freezing fat cells, which are then naturally eliminated by your body over time. This safe and comfortable procedure offers a long-lasting solution to help shape trouble spots. Book your consultation to discover more about this affordable treatment.
THRIVE
Look and feel the best version of you.
Anna Hayes’ new arrival in the Mount PAGE 68
Best in beauty
Picks of the season
PAGE 62
Hair guru
Shelley Pullar UNO’s new columnist PAGE 66
Alternative health
Ways to wellness PAGE 70
Basic instinct
An autumnal wardrobe is an in-between collection, that you really want to last from now until next spring. With the general slowdown of trend-led pieces in an attempt to beat the ‘churn over’ of fast fashion, more consciously focused designers and brands have made tweaks rather than huge style changes. So, for 2025 there are many looks that will be familiar, but for autumn appear with slight seasonal updates that will segue you and them into the following months. Leopard, draping and boho continue to be strong looks, and with these trends it’s not about reinventing the wheel, more around finding a style within the genre that you love and works for you. Bolder statement pieces crafted in gold and leopard have moved from occasional wear to being considered every day, to the point that both are now heralded as the new neutrals. While worn head to toe may be pushing this a little, certainly when worked into an outfit they both work brilliantly as cornerstone print and colourways. Draped blouses continue to be a hardworking staple, and minimalists love the clean lines of a funnel neck. There’s no avoiding the barrel leg pant trend that’s everywhere, which I was convinced would be a fad I refused to – literally – buy into. Typically, I crumbled, and I can report that this style (fitted at the waist, billowing leg and tapered hem) is so incredibly flattering I was an immediate convert. It’s a really wearable day to night, dress up/down style and looks great with kitten heels, loafers or casual shoes, a tucked in shirt or a shorter tee to show off the waistline.
Trending now
Most wanted this season. WORDS NICKY ADAMS
Palette pleasers
The colour that’s coming in strong for autumn/winter is without doubt burgundy. As luck would have it, it pairs perfectly with the previously mentioned leopard and gold tones, but it also looks pretty fabulous with more unusual choices such as pale blue, shades of green or soft pink. These colour matches make for a more contemporary feel and keep the dreariness of the colder months at bay. Like navy, burgundy is kinder on the skin tone (black can be aggressively life sucking as you age). If there was ever a ‘gotta have it – make it stop’ moment, surely it just has to be in relation to the bubble skirt. I never thought I would see it again, let alone wear it, yet low and behold it has bounced back with aplomb and turns out it’s not a oneminute fashion wonder. Worn long or short, this is a style that has actually been on the fashion wheel since the 1950s so isn’t as faddish as it first feels. A casual version can be worn with a western boot or an oversized boxy tee/jumper by day, or ramp up the look with a kitten heel and sleek top. It also makes for a beautiful silhouette as a dress; there are lots of high street versions based around ribbed tight tops with a smooth cotton bubble bottom. A cool look for this season is the cropped trench – a twist on this classic trans-seasonal piece. If you’d dragged your old faithful out of the wardrobe and decided it was time for an update, then this might be a direction you want to take. Another updated classic is the slimline sneaker –this year a fold-over tongue on a heritage style like the Adidas Samba signals taking it up a notch.
Photo finish
From a wedding to work drinks – it pays to dress for the camera.
WORDS NICKY ADAMS
Having a group photo taken used to be largely restricted to weddings or family portraits destined for your home. Not anymore! While those events still need outfit attention, we now live in a world where every micro event involves someone capturing the moment – and your outfit.
With the knowledge we’ll likely end up on social media, there’s more inclination to consider what we wear and how that look will translate to an image. This isn’t vanity, it ’s planning, and for the generations under 30, knowing how to be your best self in a photo is second nature.
Some outfits simply look better than others in print. Of course, you shouldn’t base what you wear specifically around how it might look on someone else’s Insta page – the most important thing is how you feel. However, if it's a concern, there are easy adjustments to help you feel more confident about the visual aftermath.
Wedding wear, event wear and planned photoshoots
The best strategy is to complement rather than match those in your group. Think of tones within a palette (earth, neutrals, pastels), allowing everyone to pick something that suits them. If you want a pop of colour, that’s great, but balance with neutrals.
Highlight your best asset and consider your insecurities. If you hate your arms in pictures, avoid sleeveless dresses. Statement shoulders may look striking in person but can be more Dynasty in photographs. Patterns can be busy and prone to date. Large florals, while beautiful in person, can be ageing and overpower petite frames. Small patterns can create optical illusions when photographed. Plain or subtle is generally safer.
Check style choices with your group –not suggesting a theme, but consider keeping to a conservative version of the genre. Essentially dilute the more ’out there’ fashion choices. If everyone else is covered up, one person in a mini skirt will throw the image.
Fabrics are key. Silk is inclined to cling to lumps and bumps, and the sheen reflected over curvy areas can create unflattering illusions. For a satin look, try a heavier weave.
Don’t be shy to test first – take photos at home to see how things look behind the lens.
Impromptu photoshoots
Colours: Block black makes it hard to see detail (consider olive or dark grey instead), white can wash out, blue sucks warmth and vibrant shades potentially throw light onto your face, changing your skin tone. Know which colours work for you; softer colours are often more flattering (pale pinks, muted blues, greys, creams, beige, brown).
Fabric: Be mindful of creases in silks and linens; after a sit-down lunch, you risk looking as though you've just picked your outfit from the laundry pile. Consider whether sweat patches might show under arms, below boobs and across tummy folds.
Wear your outfit with confidence – if you feel good, chances are you ’ll look great.
Animal magic
Along with leopard, other animal prints will be fêted for their natural beauty. Mostly fake of course, but the lineup will include snakeskin, zebra, and the most surprising of all, a revisit to the early noughties’ flirtation with cowhide. This is the trickiest one to pull off, and my suggestion would be if you love it, maybe stick to a bag if you want longevity.
Fashion forecast
Hot off the catwalk to your wardrobe.
WORDS
NICKY ADAMS
The abominable showman
The Yeti coat is fun, cosy and, judging by the European runway shows, set to be around for next winter too. It may feel a little over the top for the low-level winters we have here, but you can swap it out for a more versatile cardigan version. With its underlyingly dramatic silhouette and its vintage throwback rock’n’roll vibe, it brings glamour to the most basic outfit.
Moto boho
This one is wearable. As the name suggests, biker mashed with boho, gives us a softer feel to the gruntyness of biker chic. Leather bomber jackets worn with slip dresses, studded bags and belts worn with lacey tops. If you want a muse, once again, Sienna Miller is leading the charge.
Get a head start on next year’s Southern Hemisphere trends. Peep toe shoes are coming to the party, and although it may seem odd that it’s hitting in winter, it’s not so strange when you consider that the trend for tights is still going strong. So much so that Zoe Kravitz, purveyor of all things cool, stepped out in the snow of New York in strappy shoes and tights. Peep toes went out of favour quite some time ago and were considered rather dated, but watch this space, if they’re big in winter they will be massive by spring.
Hailey Bieber Anya Taylor-Joy
Gestuz
Michael Kors
Sienna Miller
Mui Mui
ALAÏA Twinkle toes
Beauty gold
Glow through autumn with our freshest picks of the season.
Glow getters
With 50 percent more product included, Essano’s Intense Hydration and Advanced Brightening serums now provide even more benefits at no extra cost. Their top-selling serums are clinically tested and deliver on what they promise − just seven days is all you need to see results from the Needle-Free Filler. Sign me UP. From RRP$29.99.
AVAILABLE AT CHEMIST WAREHOUSE AND COUNTDOWN.
From brow to wow
Enjoying time in the great outdoors sans makeup can be a daunting prospect if you’re accustomed to putting a ‘face on’ every day. Dyed brows and lashes are a fantastic low-maintenance alternative, without any weight or mess. The 1000HOUR Lash & Brow Tint Kit takes just three minutes to apply and lasts up to six weeks, saving you the hassle and expense of salon visits. RRP$29.95.
BEAUTYGARAGE.CO.NZ
Be all eyes
Roses are red
Jo Malone London doesn’t launch a Cologne Intense often, so when they do, you know it’s going to be something special. Taif Rose Cologne Intense is a modern take on the classic rose, with an intriguing blend of coffee and amber resulting in an irresistible, seductive scent. RRP$266.
FARMERS.CO.NZ
M.A.C's Hyper Real skincare range is designed to visibly brighten, smooth and repair the skin barrier while perfectly prepping for makeup. The potent, fast-absorbing Serumizer Eye Treatment visibly reduces dark circles, and for truly hyper-lifted eyes pair with Studio Radiance 24HR Luminous Lift Concealer. RRP$109.
FARMERS.CO.NZ
In the mist
Our hottest season may well be officially over, but autumn here serves up some of the best weather of the year. Keep up your summer sun protection habits with Natio’s Invisible Mist Sunscreen SPF 50+, an on-the-go Vitamin E-enriched formula that finely mists onto the skin and can be applied over makeup. RRP$27.99.
AVAILABLE AT FARMERS AND SELECTED PHARMACIES.
Absolute pearler
If you love sheet masks but don’t love the mess, check out Boost Lab’s new Essential Collagen Boosters. These magical little freeze-dried collagen pearls offer an immediate treatment for firmer, hydrated skin, ideal for a pre-event glow or in the AM/PM as part of a 7-day intensive treatment. Simply mix with serum and apply. RRP$39.95.
BOOSTLABCO.COM
Embrace change
Menopause can be tough, but making simple skincare adjustments is an empowering way to address skin concerns that come with declining hormone levels (such as dryness and redness). Antipodes’ new Jasmine Flower Menopause Facial Cream naturally boosts collagen and elastin production for smoother, firmer, skin – without causing breakouts. RRP$68.
ANTIPODESNATURE.COM
On the tools
Break down cellulite, drain fluids and toxins, stimulate lymphatic flow and release tight fascia all from the comfort of home with the Sculpt + Detox Tool Kit. A gorgeous coffee-infused body oil is coupled with the medicalgrade silicone massage cup to suction and glide across skin with ease. A moment of selfcare worth savouring. RRP$99.
MYBEAUTYROOM.CO.NZ
Head first
Healthy hair starts at the root, and just like the skin on your face, your scalp needs attention and nourishment to thrive. Aveda ’s Scalp Solutions collection understands this, featuring the Hydrating Scalp & Hair Masque and Overnight Scalp Renewal Serum that work to nourish the scalp, soothe irritation and support hair quality and growth. From RRP$83.
Straight up
UNO ’s social media manager Steph Taylor put the ghd chronos max to the test.
For anyone with longer, curly hair the ghd chronos max is going to be a game changer. The wider, close-to-edge plates make it easy to get in close to hair roots and style hair fast - three times faster than the original chronos, in fact! It lives up to its promises – including all-day hold – and for that I highly recommend it. RRP$520.
GHDHAIR.COM
Winter might not seem like the season to think about summer skin, but it’s actually the perfect time to invest in treatments that deliver long-term results. It’s all about helping you get ahead of the game.
The UltraMD Laser kickstarts your skin transformation before the warmer months arrive. This advanced laser treatment is designed to refresh and rejuvenate, tackling concerns like pigmentation, sun damage, fine lines and uneven texture. The best part? You don’t need to wait months to see changes, with many clients noticing a difference after just one session.
UltraMD is a game changer for those looking to improve their skin without the pain or downtime associated with older laser treatments. Numbing cream is applied beforehand, making the experience comfortable, with some clients finding it quite a relaxing way to spend their lunch break. Post-treatment, skin may be slightly red with a subtle sandpaper-like texture, but within days, the old skin naturally sheds, unveiling a refreshed and glowing complexion.
Unlike traditional resurfacing lasers that require weeks of recovery, UltraMD creates tiny thermal zones in the skin that trigger natural renewal. This process increases permeability with minimal disruption, making it an effective treatment for reducing pigmentation, sun damage, fine lines, and even conditions like actinic keratosis, lentigos, and freckles.
Using a gentle rolling system, UltraMD treats the face, neck and décolletage in as little as five to twenty minutes, depending on the area. Results are visible almost instantly, with continued improvement over a course of three to six treatments. It can also be paired with other advanced technologies for even greater skin rejuvenation, combining UltraMD with Secret RF which enhances collagen production, while pairing it with IPL Veloce targets pigmentation at a deeper level.
Laser focus
Leanne Cashmore from Cashmore Clinic talks the latest miracle beauty treatment and how to maximise its benefits.
PHOTO SALINA GALVAN
One of the biggest advantages of UltraMD is its versatility. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used year-round, unlike many other lasers. With its ability to deliver powerful results with minimal downtime, it’s quickly becoming the go-to treatment for anyone serious about achieving their best skin yet before next summer.
Timing is everything when it comes to skin treatments. During winter, UV exposure is lower, which means your skin can heal more effectively post-treatment. Starting these treatments around May will mean that by the time summer rolls around, you’ll be glowing with confidence, not just relying on makeup to cover imperfections.
Each session lasts between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the treatment area, and while a single session can deliver noticeable improvements, a series of three treatments is recommended for the best results.
Investing in your skin now means you’re allowing your skin the time it needs to renew, repair and truly transform. You’ll be stepping into summer with a fresh, luminous complexion. Starting your UltraMD journey this winter will give your skin the boost it deserves.
CASHMORECLINIC.CO.NZ
Curl power
Get to know Shelley Pullar, UNO’s new columnist, bringing fresh insights and expert hair advice.
PHOTOS KATIE COX
From London’s high-fashion scene to Tauranga’s creative heart, Shelley Pullar has spent 30 years transforming hair. She’s trained in millinery, showcased work on the runway, and competed in the British Hair Awards – but at the core of it all, she’s a problem solver. Whether it’s taming curls, perfecting colour, or cutting through haircare myths, Shelley believes good hair starts with knowledge. At Tauranga’s Salon G, she’s built a space where clients learn to love their locks – and she’s excited to soon be sharing expert advice, styling secrets, and fresh takes on hair trends with our readers.
What is your background? How did you become a hairstylist?
I’m a creative person who has always done some form of art. I have 30 years of experience in the fashion industry and studied Millinery and Fashion at the London College of Fashion. I owned a salon in London with 25 staff and was a finalist for the British Hair Awards. I showcased hair, clothing, and hats in numerous London stage shows. I’ve spent seven years hairdressing in Tauranga city centre, searching for the perfect place to call home – and I found it! I spent six years creating head pieces for Tarnished Frocks and Divas. Before becoming a hair stylist I’d planned to attend Whitecliffe School of Fine Arts, but I ended up helping a friend at a salon, which led to being offered a hairdressing apprenticeship. And I’m so glad I did!
What do you specialise in and why?
Helping people understand their hair type and potential. As a creative, I see my clients as my walking canvases. My passion is form and colour. I believe there is a need for greater knowledge and education in this area. As a child, going to the salon was a nightmare. I have curly, fluffy, and unruly hair, and the stylist would always cut it too short or blow-dry it too smooth. It was terrible to manage once I got home. My dad’s daily comment was always, “Go brush your hair,” and I constantly compared myself to my sister’s sleek locks. So, my hair was simply scraped into a ponytail. I never had the knowledge to understand, appreciate, or love my hair like I do now. Hence my interest in curls. I love the challenge of difficult hair and want to offer solutions so people can love their hair too.
What do you wish more people knew about their hair?
Understand your hair. As you age, its texture, thickness, and colour may change. It’s important to have these conversations and seek advice from a professional stylist – not Instagram. Hair care doesn’t have to be overcomplicated with 100 steps. Keeping your hair healthy isn’t as difficult as it seems.
Hydrate inside and out. Drinking water is good for both your hair and skin. Find the right conditioner, whether it’s lightweight, leave-in, or a more indulgent hair mask.
Be mindful of the temperature settings on your styling tools. Many go up to 240°C, but 185°C (according to GHD) is the ideal temperature for styling and setting. Try to limit your use.
What are your top three hair tips?
Pre-shampoo. Apply your purple shampoo before getting in the shower. Leave it on for five minutes, then lather as your first shampoo. This will maximise its benefits as it won’t be diluted.
Curl definition. Invest in a curly hair brush. This maximises volume at the roots and leaves you with more defined curls – no clumping! Our clients love them.
Hairspray application. Try spraying onto your hands to create lift and a longerlasting hold at the roots. Run your fingers
“Hair care doesn’t have to be overcomplicated with 100 steps. Keeping your hair healthy isn’t as difficult as it seems.”
through your hair – this helps build hold within the hair rather than leaving a stiff exterior. It’s great in humid conditions or for those slightly warm flush moments, creating sexier movement and texture.
When it comes to hair, who inspires you?
After 15 years in London’s fashion scene, showcasing garments on the catwalk with Vivienne Westwood on the HMS Belfast, working with celebrity hairdresser
Desmond Murray as my photographer for the British Hair Awards, and drawing inspiration from British hair icons like Vidal Sassoon, I’ve been deeply influenced by the industry’s greats. Beyond that, I find inspiration in celebrity culture, New Zealand’s natural beauty, architecture, form, and colours.
How do you see the salon evolving?
Redesigning the ‘little’ things was important to me when creating my salon. A large table in the centre serves as a homely hub, where people can come together and chat. Fostering this kind of environment is always an aim. We love being in the heart of Ōtūmoetai and want the salon to reflect this. Partnering with local businesses and fostering a sense of social responsibility – giving back to the community – is a key focus of mine.
SALONGRANGE.COM
LOVE
Crafting timeless jewellery that celebrates love, legacy, and life's special moments.
From bespoke design and repairs to gold buying and insurance services, our Mount Maunganui workshop and showroom offer it all. With free parking at the door, your jewellery journey starts here.
Mon-Fri 8.30-5.00 | Sat-Sun closed Unit 18A Lambert Industrial Park, 23 Tukorako Drive, Mount Maunganui 07 5723434 | 0274 875106 info@quantumjewellers.co.nz Quantum Design
More than skin deep
Anna Hayes from Skinvae might be new in town, but she’s an expert in her field – and knows how to build a successful business from the ground up.
WORDS DEBBIE GRIFFITHS | PHOTOS KATIE COX
It’s common knowledge that the sun causes skin damage, but did you know modern phones also contribute to premature aging?
Anna Hayes does – and with 18 years specialising in skincare, pearls of wisdom like that are common when chatting with the founder of successful brand, Skinvae.
“I’ve been in beauty since I was fresh out of school,” she says. “I grew up in Te Kuiti, studied in Hamilton when I was 18, and by 19 I had opened my first business. Before that, I worked for one other business for six months and that was Mount Skin and Body.”
It’s a full circle moment, with Anna recently adding that clinic to her string of businesses alongside Taupo and
Cambridge. Recently she took over SELF_ in Mount Maunganui and rebranded it as Skinvae.
“It was a little nerve-wracking taking over the Mount clinic,” she admits.
“My other two I started from scratch and picked my teams, but this was established and already doing well.
When I told the girls what was happening it was great because they’d
Anna Hayes, founder of Skinvae.
heard of my brand and were super excited to get our technology into their clinic. We put an emphasis on training, so the girls are upskilling weekly, which adds to their already huge knowledge.”
To say Anna has grit and determination is putting it lightly. A mum of two and Crossfit enthusiast, the 37-year-old entrepreneur rarely has downtime and loves it that way.
“I’ve grown up very driven in sport, representing New Zealand in triathlon for a few years, so I trained hard and worked hard. I had two jobs from the age of 14. My dad and my sister both had their own businesses, so could see that’s what I wanted to do too. I also like to call the shots; to be able to provide the treatments I want and to make sure I’m ahead of the game when it comes to trends and machinery.”
Anna makes no apology for focussing on skin – in fact, she takes great pride in being the ‘go-to skin clinic’ for her clients.
“We launched the Skinvae brand in Cambridge 11 years ago and that’s when we started specialising in skin. I love to see results and to take clients on a skin journey, particularly for people looking for non-surgical, non-injectable options,” she says.
“We use DMK, Nimue and Pure Fiji, which have some amazing treatments. With skin, it’s never a one-session fix – especially with acne and pigmentation which can look worse before they get better – so we recommend clients sign up for a six-month plan to see real change.”
It ’s more than skin, though, it’s the sense of connection, calm and confidence that’s infused during treatments.
“We have a lot of mums who come for the experience and it’s almost as though great skin is just an added bonus,” laughs Anna. “We like to educate about the importance of home care. Mums are often running around like headless chickens after everyone else, so their own ritual in the morning and night allows them to take a moment for themselves.”
Skinvae is at the forefront of innovation, attracting clients looking for cutting-edge solutions. Anna describes a new stem cell treatment from DMK, Stemzyme, as ‘revolutionary’ and says there’s been a big demand recently for body sculpting and tightening options.
“They call HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) the non-surgical facelift,” she explains. “As we age, we lose fat in our cheeks and our face drops. HIFU is a great alternative to Botox or fillers on either the brow or jawline, and you can use it on any part of your body – loose skin on your tummy, arms, or legs. It uses ultrasound energy to penetrate deep into the skin to tighten. It doesn’t get rid of fat, but it does work on the muscle and to stimulate collagen and elastin. You see instant results, but it takes three months to see the full effect.”
Anna urges teenagers, in particular, not to take advice from social media, which may result in them using products like Retinol that are too strong and could eat away at their skin barrier.
And her number one skincare tip?
“Use sunblock,” she says, without hesitating. “Our sun is horrific. If you’re going to buy one product, get a good SPF and make it one that also protects against blue light from phones and computer screens. We see a lot of people with more pigmentation and crepey skin on the side of their face they hold their phone up to. Even if you work in an office, wear sunscreen every day.”
After almost two decades in the industry, Anna knows that 80 percent of skincare results come from what people do at home and their professional treatments simply provide the extra 20 percent that push it further. With that in mind, her vision is to expand her chain of beauty clinics.
“We’re ready to be the number one brand for skin in New Zealand, but all I can say right now is watch this space.”
SKINVAE.CO.NZ
Heal, recharge, revive
Alternative healing is becoming more and more mainstream. UNO looks at three thriving Bay businesses focusing on innovative therapies to help people heal and transform their wellbeing.
Into the light
Burnout led Ange Ellison to discover holistic healing — now she’s helping others with Red Light Therapy.
Ange Ellison knows firsthand how frustrating it can be to feel unheard by conventional medicine. That’s what led her to explore alternative therapies, and ultimately, to create Gaia Wellness in Pāpāmoa. Specialising in Red Light Therapy, Ange helps people dealing with chronic pain, exhaustion, and skin concerns find relief in a space designed for effortless self-care. From full-body red light therapy and infrared sauna and ice baths to Power Plate technology, Gaia Wellness offers science-backed treatments aimed at restoring energy and promoting recovery. We sat down with Ange to learn more about how it works and why her clients keep coming back.
How did you get into alternative therapies?
I used to try to do it all – attempting to be ‘superwoman’, constantly juggling all the things. But over time, I realised it isn’t sustainable in the long run. The conventional medical system told me that feeling completely exhausted 24/7 was just part of being a full-time working mum. While I had always known about alternative and holistic therapies, I was led to believe they were ineffective or ‘woo-woo’. But in the end it was these therapies that truly helped me, and they continue to support me to this day.
What are the benefits of Red Light Therapy and how does it work?
The benefits of Red Light Therapy are extensive. Some of the main reasons people try it are for recovery, skin issues, body and bone aches, and because they are desperate to find relief after being told by conventional medicine to “suck it up“ and live with it.
The simple way Red Light Therapy works is that our cells need energy and light to help us function, but modern lifestyles often deprive them of this. The wavelengths of
Red Light Therapy deliver this energy to our cells, allowing the body to prioritise its use where it’s needed most. While this is amazing, it can sometimes be frustrating for clients who want it to target a specific issue, but the body determines another priority.
Describe your typical client.
We have a variety of clients — young, not-so-young, sporty, mums, corporates, male, female. It suits everyone except those who are pregnant, as there is no research confirming its safety during pregnancy. One of my clients initially came for tennis elbow treatment but now returns three times a week, simply to enjoy 20 minutes of uninterrupted relaxation.
What are your most FAQs?
What do I wear in the Red Light Therapy? The more skin exposed, the better, but comfort is key. You have the room to yourself, so you can go naked if you’re comfortable or wear underwear.
Why does it smell so good in here? That could be me! Or the diffuser in the chill-out space, the essential oils for the sauna, or the diffuser in the entrance.
What made you open this? My experiences led me to create a space where self-care is effortless. Once you reach burnout, it ’s a long and hard road back. I wanted a place where people can just turn up, with everything provided, so they don’t have to think about what to bring.
Are there any side effects?
More energy, better sleep, tiredness if your body needs rest, improved skin, reduced pain, and decreased inflammation.
How much does a typical session cost?
A one-off session at Gaia is $60. Our Red Light Therapy is full-body. We offer concessions and memberships for more cost-effective options.
GAIAWELLNESSANDRECOVERY.CO.NZ
Ange Ellison.
Healing hands
Rachel Hyatt’s FaceUp therapy blends massage, myofascial release, and lymphatic drainage for transformative results.
With 15 years of experience as a therapeutic massage therapist, Rachel Hyatt has always been passionate about helping people feel their best. But after discovering the FaceUp method, her approach to treatment changed entirely. Combining techniques like myofascial release and lymphatic drainage, FaceUp works holistically to ease tension, reduce stress, and refresh the face. We caught up with Rachel to learn more about this innovative therapy and the impact it’s having on her clients.
How did you get into alternative therapies?
I’ve been a therapeutic massage therapist for around 15 years, working alongside different chiropractic clinics in Tauranga. I saw Olga’s (FaceUp method) work online and thought, “Wow, I want to train in this technique.” I completed her FaceUp training in November 2023, and it completely transformed my approach to treating people.
What are the benefits, and how does it work?
FaceUp is an algorithm of different techniques, including lymphatic drainage, myofascial release, and massage. It works physically, spiritually, and mentally, releasing tension, stagnation, and stress from the face. Clients leave feeling depuffed, less stressed, lifted, and tension-free.
Describe your typical client. Does it suit certain people and why?
Anyone can benefit from it — men and women alike.
What are your most FAQs?
How can I get rid of jaw pain, elevens (frown lines), forehead wrinkles, double chin, headaches, and a tight neck?
FaceUp helps to alleviate these issues by targeting tension and improving circulation in the face and neck. I also do buccal massage, which is inside the mouth, for jaw pain and joint issues.
Are there any side effects?
No.
How much does a typical session cost? $250.
HANDSONSTUDIO.NZ
Rachel Hyatt.
Go with the flow
Flowology’s Karen Gemmell helps clients restore balance and vitality through Flowpresso’s deeply relaxing therapy.
After facing burnout and menopausal symptoms, Karen Gemmell discovered the power of Flowpresso therapy — and it changed everything. Inspired by her personal results, she trained in the technique and cofounded Flowology Wellness, helping others access its deeply restorative benefits. Known for enhancing lymphatic function, Flowpresso combines compression, deep pressure and heat, to support relaxation, recovery and rejuvenation. Whether clients seek stress relief, better sleep, or overall wellbeing, Karen’s approach to holistic health offers a path to balance and renewal. We spoke with her to find out how Flowpresso works and why people are embracing this cutting-edge therapy.
How did you get into alternative therapies?
In 2019, after experiencing significant burnout and menopausal symptoms, I was introduced to lymphatic specialist and Flowpresso creator, Desiree De Spong. The therapy had a profound impact on my health, and when it officially launched in February 2020, I trained as a Flowpresso technician and co-founded Flowology Wellness with Desiree.
What are the benefits, and how does it work?
Flowpresso delivers a sensation similar to a gentle full-body embrace, combining compression, deep pressure hugs, and thermodynamic heat. It fosters beneficial flow, activating the body’s natural healing mode to calm the mind, promote relaxation, and enhance lymphatic function. It helps reduce
stress, fatigue, fluid retention and inflammation while restoring energy and improving sleep.
Describe your typical client.
Flowpresso is ideal for those seeking a holistic, non-invasive wellness approach. It benefits busy professionals, exhausted parents, menopausal women, frequent travelers, those with ongoing conditions, and athletes seeking muscle recovery.
What are your most FAQs?
What should I wear to a Flowpresso session? Loose, comfortable clothing such as long sleeves, full-length pants, and socks.
How many sessions are recommended?
Typically, three to six sessions for noticeable benefits, with regular sessions for optimal long-term wellness.
Why should I support mind and body flow?
Enhancing natural lymphatic, mind, and body flow has wide-ranging benefits for long-term health, such as boosting detoxification, immune function and autonomic balance.
Are there any side effects?
Some people may experience mild detox symptoms like headaches or fatigue, but these are temporary.
How much does a typical session cost?
$85 for a 40-minute therapy session.
Karen Gemmell.
LUXURY LAKESIDE RETIREMENT
Pacific Lakes Village is set amongst tranquil park like grounds and private lakes. Spacious modern villas and terrace houses have been designed to create a vibrant community, providing an ideal setting for your active and independent lifestyle.
The village’s main community facility, The Pavilion, is currently under construction. Positioned on the lakes edge, this impressive building will house an eatery, lounge bar, library, art studio, beauty salon, wellness suite and extensive recreational facilities. Experience our community first-handshow home available by appointment.
Luxury real estate
Dream homes in the Bay
PAGE 80
LIVE
Celebrating the places and spaces we call home.
Retire in style
The Pitau village
Interior design
For short-term rentals
PAGE 98
PAGE 87 ’
Playful design
Creating kids spaces
PAGE 94
Covert luxury
Cool, aloof and understated, this is a sophisticated style that whispers rather than shouts.
STYLING AMBER ARMITAGE @ MARIGOLD
PHOTOS WENDY FENWICK @ FLASH STUDIOS
WALL COLOURS RESENE PAINTS
Walls painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Ted. Floor in Resene Walk-On tinted to Resene Alabaster. Pukka Settee and Oxydation Table from Ligne Roset . Meadow Rug by Bernabeifreeman from Designer Rugs . Lorne Panel Vase (on floor) from Soren Liv. The White Jug by Helen Kerridge and Chair By Open Window by Neil Driver, available from Parnell Gallery. Ripple Glasses and Amal Small Vase by Marloe Marloe from Slow Store. Richmond Throw in Sage from Baya
Set the tone
Resene Eau De Nil is a pale green with a tranquil soul, a reinvention of the popular hue in the mid-1800s – water of the Nile.
Resene Ted is a cool understatement of light grey. Together they are a perfect duo.
CLOCKWISE: Wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Eau De Nil. Classique Round Dining Table and Sketch Poise Upholstered Dining Chair, from Soren Liv Ceramic Pirout Vase 02 and PISU 06 Bowl by Louise Roe, both from Slow Store. Routeburn Valley by Helen Ollivier, available from Parnell Gallery
Wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Eau De Nil. Floor in Resene Walk-On tinted to Resene Alabaster. Gavrinis 3 Rug in Grey Blue from Ligne Roset . Walker Chair and Chronicle Side Tables in Ghost Grey, from Tim Webber Design . Lorne Canopy Table Lamp from Soren Liv. Danish Ceramic Architecture Book from Slow Store. Lakeside Sun by Greer Clayton, available from Parnell Gallery
Wall and round column painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Ted. Floor in Resene Walk-On tinted to Resene Alabaster. Trove Classic Swivel Occasional Chair from Soren Liv. CM 191 Low Table In Cherrywood, and Gavrinis 3 Rug in Grey Blue, both from Ligne Roset . Column Table Light from Tim Webber. ‘66 Falcon, St Clair, 2023, by Elliot Love available from Parnell Gallery. Books, stylist’s own.
Left wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Ted and back wall and corner column in Resene Eau De Nil. Floor in Resene Walk-On tinted to Resene Alabaster. Classique Round Dining Table and Sketch Poise Upholstered Dining Chair, Lorne Panel Vase (on floor) all from Soren Liv Ceramic Pirout Vase 02 and PISU 06 Bowl by Louise Roe, both from Slow Store. Routeburn Valley by Helen Ollivier, available from Parnell Gallery
Wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in (clockwise from top) Resene Carpe Noctem, Resene Alabaster, Resene Eau De Nil, Resene Ted, Resene Tacao, Resene Ted and Resene Paddock. Column in Resene Ted and floor in Resene WalkOn tinted to Resene Alabaster. Pukka Occasional/Side
Table with Marquinia Marble top. Side Table from Ligne Roset . Balloon Vase 08 by Louise Roe from Slow Store.
PROJECT: THORNE GROUP
Resene Eau De Nil
Resene Carpe Noctem
Resene Ted
Resene Paddock
Resene Alabaster
Resene Tacao
A legacy to love
At Lemon Grove, grace and history stand tall, with elegant architecture, breathtaking harbour views, and a century-old beech tree anchoring its story.
WORDS JO FERRIS
Heritage and sentiment share a natural synergy – history ever present in this home’s journey through time; as each owner added new chapters along the way.
Known to many who live in and around Lemon Grove Avenue, the towering beech tree gracing this home’s entry is seen far and wide. If trees could only talk, memories would run deep.
As it turns out, memories not only run deep, they stretch around the world – to England, where the son of this home’s developer still remembers his early childhood here. Built in 1932 for a Mr Knowles, this English engineer had moved to New Zealand to follow his dream to grow lemons on this Ō tūmoetai site. Originally covering some 30 acres, this address was named accordingly.
A far cry from what exists now, the house started out as a single-level farmhouse in solid stucco with a terracotta tile roof. After the birth of her son, Mrs Knowles planted a beech tree when he was two years old. Sadly, she missed England so much, the family returned home a year later.
Despite his youth, the son never forgot the home; missing it his entire life – even making visits over the years to see the dramatic changes it underwent. Now
two levels – the second storey was added in the ‘40s by a Dr Kenney, who used the house as a surgery and convalescent home.
The next owners subdivided and sold the surrounding land – adding their own mark to the property with a swimming pool, creating a large terrace and loggia at the same time. As the beech tree grew, the grounds were developed and nurtured over the years to resemble the formality of an English country garden with hedgerows, specimen trees and wisteria. Records also show that the home has been used for a knitting business and at one point was split into three flats.
The current owners fell in love the moment they saw this home nine years ago – lured by the landmark towering beech; but also, the size and scale of the property, plus the harbour view to Mauao and beyond. Having lived overseas for many years, they wanted to return to New Zealand to continue raising their family. The space was vastly different from what they had left – a house of substance and around 1600 square metres of grounds, offering the sheltered privacy of a pool, gardens and large playground lawn for cricket and croquet.
North-facing and elevated, the sweeping harbour panorama can be seen from every room, bar the laundry. Impressive in its
design, the solid rimu kitchen with its marble benches is a standout. Elegant living areas revolve around entertainment and link to the outdoors and terrace settings. A study, guest bedroom, heritage bathroom and laundry sit downstairs, while the ensuite master retreat and three more bedrooms sit upstairs – all basking in the stunning views.
Joining this home’s handful of owners who have loved life here, the time has come to pass the heritage on to another family. Every owner has done something to the home – either dramatically through extension; or cosmetically. Committed to maintaining the home’s character, these vendors have redecorated throughout – preparing its upkeep with respect and mindful of its essence.
A particularly poignant aspect concerns a letter these owners now have as a reminder of that little three-year old who never forgot this home. Now in his 80s, upon hearing a niece was coming to New Zealand, he wrote a letter for her to give to them.
Just as he never forgot the home of his childhood, these owners will take their own memories with them – a letter in hand, marking the bond between generations and a home – history and sentiment forever intertwined.
39 Lemon Grove Avenue, Ō t ū moetai OLIVERROADBAYOFPLENTY.COM
“Impressive in its design, the solid rimu kitchen with its marble benches is a standout. Elegant living areas revolve around entertainment and link to the outdoors and terrace settings.”
Elegance defined
Perched on a ridge with commanding views, this distinguished residence and premium avocado orchard unite to create one of the Bay of Plenty's most prestigious, perfectly crafted lifestyle properties.
WORDS JO FERRIS
Bought for the exquisite panorama from Mauao, Matakana and harbour to the Kaimais, this elevated ridge was virtually a blank canvas. Nothing remains externally of the original house; only the shelter belts and concrete driveway strips.
Constructed by former boat builder turned house builder Tony Farley, an obsession for detail both by Farley and the owners entailed a lengthy journey to perfection. Its Hamptons theme blends quality with a focus on views and intimate outdoor flow.
Designed as a boutique bed and breakfast, Ridgeton has earned praise from guests who cherished this exquisite seclusion. The privacy afforded in the lower level is equally appealing as a family residence, however. An elegant lounge and four bedrooms all open outdoors to bask in the scenery amid various verandah settings. One bedroom has its
own ensuite, while another has semiensuite access to the bathroom shared by remaining bedrooms. A powder room enhances the convenience, while design genius combines a private laundry, kitchenette and cloakroom feature. Significant storage also uses every possible space – including the stairwell.
Upstairs privacy elevates this home’s prestige and command of scenery. The five-star master retreat greets sunrise and bathes in Mauao’s glory; spacious luxury enjoying the indulgence of a bathroom for two and fitted dressing room.
Open-plan living takes full advantage of natural light and scenery. Eyes feast on the kitchen – imported Palazzo glass cabinetry cleverly finished in a matte white sheen and stainless steel hardware accentuating the quality. Nothing dominates, features stand out simply due to tasteful finish and detail; accents showcased on the likes of tiled splashbacks and solid oak elements on flooring and bathroom vanities.
Wrap-around decking follows the sun all day; glass balustrades ensure all views are seamless. When the sun does dip behind the Kaimais, rainbow beams flicker off the crystal chandelier as fairy lights in the lounge. Nuance and nature are balanced by high specifications in this home and graceful garden.
It exudes romance amid secluded tranquillity – settings to reflect throughout the day and evening – under the verandah, amid floral fragrance or beneath the alfresco bower, where espaliered citrus plantings will eventually cover the trellis roofing.
Genius is everywhere, including the avocados. Planted in 2020, this highdensity orchard is a pioneer of the industry’s future; part of the extraordinary invitation this property extends. Graceful in design, refined with detail; Ridgeton has reached a milestone – ready for a new chapter.
The height of luxury in a private Minden enclave, this bespoke residence harmonises innovative design with the tranquillity of its lush surroundings.
WORDS JO FERRIS
Life has a habit of moving the goalposts. Designed as this couple’s forever home, new priorities now invite someone else to change their own destiny. A beautiful home, in an exquisite setting –cocooned in a sheltered Minden valley – amid a private community.
Tucked at the end of a small enclave, the house stands above its neighbours –seemingly built into the hillside, with its bush backdrop of pongas and natives. Towering banks envelop the home amid nature and birdsong; deceptive size and scale that includes a playground lawn.
Given the extent of lush gardens, it’s hard to believe this house was completed just five years ago. The owners wanted a future-proofed, timeless look. Without that knowledge, it’s easy to overlook how cleverly this home facilitates flexible living. A significant two-level residence – with a 2.7 metre stud throughout – it is designed with generous, wide passages
and doorways for proportion convenience and a lift for access upstairs.
Colin Davis of Davista Architecture changed nothing in the owners’ vision for their family hub, merely playing with elements elsewhere to perfect the final flair. Built by 90 Degrees Construction, the attention to detail is flawless. The kitchen and dining hub is the centre of entertainment. Black cabinetry features a specially-mixed double lacquer – matte not gloss. Black engineered Caesarstone covers the bar-stool island, while an interesting finish of Dekton in the scullery adds a unique contrast. The splashback is also purpose made – another single sheet that mimics smashed antique glass.
Dining caters for crowds; its soaring ceiling and bespoke lighting just one of this home’s many talking points. Linked with a mezzanine lounge above, a glass balustrade allows connection below, while ensuring a seamless view of scenery through the ascending wall of glass.
A kitchenette increases the convenience for family and guests, while bedrooms either side enjoy personal space.
Tone and texture dominate this home’s intrigue – highlighted with high-end Italian porcelain floor tiling in the family hub and passage. It was selected specifically for endurance and the deceptive look of dark oak timber.
An office downstairs could double as another bedroom, while the master retreat revolves around romantic privacy. A waterfall garden framed by a full-length window embraces nature, but the ensuite is pure indulgence. An oval bath for two, picture glazing framing a tropical garden and outdoor flow to enjoy the birdsong.
Detail and luxury underpin every aspect of this secluded haven. Surprise and innovation are everywhere – a home for today, designed for the future.
8 Minden Hill Lane, Minden OLIVERROADBAYOFPLENTY.COM
Fraser and Donna Sanderson.
A bold return
Always underpinned by excellence, the Sandersons are redefining luxury retirement living with a project set to impress.
WORDS NICKY ADAMS | PHOTO ALAN GIBSON
With a life’s work spanning 38 years developing in the luxury retirement and care home facility sector, Fraser Sanderson made front page news in 2019 when he sold off three of his retirement villages, at the time quoted as saying he was going to ‘give retirement a go’. Clearly ticky-touring about in his campervan didn’t cut the mustard because roll on a few years and Fraser has returned, and returned with style. The project that has brought him back to the fray is the most exciting and prestigious one of his career, The Pitau in Mount Maunganui.
As the face of the Sanderson Group – family owned and operated nationwide with a portfolio of diverse developments under its umbrella – Fraser is well known to be an astute businessman, but one who holds the values of honesty, loyalty and family at the heart of it all. His children all have exciting ventures underway themselves in the retirement and development sectors and are excited by this latest turn of events; wife Donna is equally supportive, understanding that The Pitau is very much Fraser’s passion project. A concept too compelling to resist, the luxury and magnitude make it groundbreaking in New Zealand, and even on an international scale it would be considered trailblazing.
Fraser is no mere figurehead. His involvement has always, and continues to be, more than just in name only; a driving force from the ground upwards, he notoriously dives into every single aspect of a development. From overseeing the selection of the Travetine cladding of The Pitau or obsessing over the correct placement of the cabling in the building’s basement, Fraser prides himself on being a part of every feasible decision. He is lauded for his meticulous
attention to detail, as well as the speed with which he ensures everything is executed. A friend of mine once sat next to Mick Jagger at a cricket game, and said she could feel the energy fizzing from him for every second of the match. Fraser has the same kind of sizzle – always on the move, it’s hard to even get him to sit down for an interview.
When Fraser does sit down, he is reluctant to wax lyrical about his achievements, but it’s hard to deny his significant impact on, and shaping of, the luxury retirement sector. I wonder which aspect of his legacy he is most proud of, to which he replies:
“For me, it’s having been instrumental in raising the bar for luxury retirement living, and creating spaces where people can enjoy the highest standards of comfort, service and lifestyle. It’s all been about giving people the freedom to truly live well.” I comment he already has such a peg in the ground, so it’s intriguing as to what exactly it was about the concept of The Pitau that tempted him out of his brief retirement. He tells me: “It was really the opportunity to push the boundaries of what a luxury retirement village can be. I knew it would be something extraordinary in both design and lifestyle.”
Was it, I wonder, an idea that had been bubbling away for years, or was it simply circumstantial as the location presented itself?
“I’ve always believed that people who have worked hard their whole lives deserve something truly exceptional. When this prime location became available, it was the perfect opportunity to create something that sets a new benchmark for luxury and excellence. Now, people who never would have considered a traditional retirement village are considering The Pitau”.
country club and built a hospital. Fraser’s trademark is rolling out projects that present with challenges. Over the years his undertakings have been diverse – from retirement villages and residential subdivisions, to specialist medical facilities, and hospitality to retail – however, the common thread is the uncompromising commitment to quality that remains steadfast. Fraser firmly believes that quality pays dividends in the longterm, and for him there is no budging on delivering the highest calibre product.
“Don’t wait until you have to move –move while you can truly enjoy it. This isn’t about giving anything up; it’s about gaining more – more freedom, more connection and more time to focus on what really matters.”
There seems to be a genuine passion for helping people in the retirement space. A question Fraser says he asks himself about every undertaking is, “Is this somewhere we want to spend our twilight years, or, is this a place we want our children to spend their formative years?” It’s clear an impetus for Fraser is creating an environment where people who have worked hard their whole lives can relax and enjoy the next phase. With retirement villages now offering resort-like facilities, I imagine the concept is very different from how it was 40 years ago. Has there been a shift, I wonder, on when people feel ready to move to the ‘golden years’ of relaxation? “Absolutely. It’s no longer about slowing down – it’s about upgrading your lifestyle. People are moving in earlier, not because they have to, but because they want to enjoy everything a luxury community has to offer while they’re active and independent. It’s a shift from necessity to choice.”
While The Pitau is an ambitious and prestigious venture, it is not out of character for Fraser to be ‘thinking big’. His visionary approach was apparent from the start when he embarked upon his first retirement village in Ō mokoroa, bucking the trend of the time when it was believed that retirement living needed to be centrally located. Conversely, when he did go into the city, he initiated industry change by developing at height in the Avenues. Taking his ‘out-ofthe-box’ approach to Queenstown, he spearheaded development on Ladies Mile where he established a
Despite the allure of the wonderful quality of surroundings, luxurious facilities and stunning landscaping that all make up the core of any project under the Sanderson Group, Fraser still must come across many people who just aren’t sure if this next step is the right one for them. What, I wonder, would he say to people who are teetering on the edge of the unknown next stage? “I’d say, don’t wait until you have to move - move while you can truly enjoy it. This isn’t about giving anything up; it’s about gaining more –more freedom, more connection and more time to focus on what really matters. The sooner you step into this next phase, the more rewarding it becomes.” And with that, it’s beginning to feel as though there’s no such thing as too soon.
Introducing The Pitau
Mount Maunganui’s five-star lifestyle retirement offering promises uncompromising luxury.
WORDS NICKY ADAMS | PHOTOS SUPPLIED
When Fraser backtracked on his welldeserved retirement plan, it was because he couldn’t pass on the opportunity to create something totally unique. The Pitau was born of a desire to take luxury to new heights – quite literally.
A unique multi-level triple tower design, the outlook across the mesmerising beauty of the twinkling Pacific Ocean naturally is spectacular. But plonking an architectural wonder in a stunning location and simply
signing off is not Fraser’s style. For him the devil is in the detail; the layout of the building has been designed to maximise both sunlight and views, the high room stud, thoughtful indoor/outdoor flow and optimised privacy all tie together seamlessly. The architectural mastery is apparent; curved edges and the neutral palette leans to an elevated aesthetic combining form and function. Investing in exceptional landscaping is part of the charm of Sanderson Group developments, so it’s no surprise to see the balcony edges are green planted – softening the form of the building and factoring in the need for foliage.
While the architecture is exceptional, both the exterior (which incidentally is clad in beautiful Travertine tiles imported from Turkey) and interiors are a work of art. It’s obvious that no expense has been spared to create homes that Fraser and Donna would want to – and be proud to - live in themselves; so it stands to reason that they have already earmarked an apartment for their own ‘golden years’. The apartments themselves vary in size and configuration, and the inclusion of a dedicated care facility with Memory Care and hospitallevel care suites ensure that future additional medical needs can be met. It's hard not to get excited when you look through the spec – which in many ways feels more as though you’re flicking through the details of the most exclusive five-star-plus resort. Tasteful opulence at every turn you might say.
1. A welcoming and cosy guest lobby space. 2. A striking architectural view from Pitau Road. 3. A scenic coastal pathway along the Mount boardwalk.
1. 3.
“There is, frankly, what feels like acres of premium amenity space... A massive swimming pool, expansive high-tech gym, yoga studio, sauna and spa. If you want time out, then there is a boutique cinema and library; if you feel like pampering, then head to the salon. If a billiards room sounds appealing, then take a breath and visit the Wine and Whisky Bar.”
Then there are the lifestyle opportunities. If you’ve ever been through a Sanderson Group retirement village, you’ll be aware that the facilities are the lynchpin of luxury living, and The Pitau takes this premise to a whole new level. The facilities alone will make most people – myself included – stop in their tracks. There is, frankly, what feels like acres of premium amenity space; all created with the understanding that, firstly, the residents will be in their prime ‘post work’ years, and secondly, life within the building as a whole should feel like a continuation of the luxury of their apartment living. A massive swimming pool, expansive high-tech gym, yoga studio, sauna and spa will all be part of the active offerings. If you want time out, then there is a boutique cinema and library; if you feel like pampering, then head to the salon. If a billiards room sounds appealing, then take a breath and visit the Wine and Whisky Bar; oh and of course there are multiple café and restaurant areas.
This is not a traditional retirement plan, instead it is a five-star lifestyle offering – and it is here that The Pitau is elevated into a league of its own. Managing to be swanky without crossing the line to ostentatious, there is a huge main lobby area that opens into an internal
4. Luxurious penthouse bedroom in the Rockpools interior scheme. 5. Breathtaking views from level six towards Pilot Bay and Matakana Island. 6. Expansive views from a level four apartment. 7. Life in the heart of a vibrant coastal lifestyle.
5.
5.
courtyard, complete with water feature and reflection pond for just the right amount of Zen. A resident concierge service is available, because this really is a time of life when you deserve to delegate your life admin, and even better, there’s a chauffeur service on hand to whizz guests to the Golf Course, the airport or just to run errands. Those that like a little more independence can dip into the complimentary fleet of e-vehicles or borrow an e-bike if they have had one too many at the Whisky Bar.
Operating at a unique level unseen in New Zealand, The Pitau brings an international flavour. Many aspects were the result of endless research into what was missing from the premium retirement sector, not just in New Zealand, but globally. It’s fair to say that this concept will be market leading on completion. There really couldn’t be a more perfect location than the Mount. As Kiwis, we flock here, and it’s well known internationally as an incredible coastal location. Naturally this level of living comes at a price, and with this, intended residents are putting a huge amount of
“A resident concierge service is available, and even better, there’s a chauffeur service on hand to whizz residents to the Golf Course or airport.”
trust into the Sanderson Group. A proven track record goes a long way, and additional reassurance is provided by the way the Group operates. Unusually for this type of development, the Sanderson Group controls all the main aspects of the build, with an internal team in place for everything from the architects to the civil earthworks and internal joinery. By acting as the main contractor, Fraser and his team are afforded greater control over quality and delivery.
This really does back up the realisation that nothing is accidental with Fraser. The Sanderson Group is based around the premise of delivering on the promise of uncompromising luxury, quality and good living. Every single aspect of any development undertaken has been considered in micro detail, so the perception of unparalleled comfort is not just an illusion, the evidence is there to back it up. As Fraser said, when it comes to this type of lifestyle change “People are moving in, not because they have to, but because they want to.”
8.
“There really couldn’t be a more perfect location than the
Mount.”
Completion dates:
Tower 1 – December 2026
Tower 2 – December 2028
Tower 3 (Care) – December 2029
To view, visit: 227 Maunganui Road Mount Maunganui Bay of Plenty
8. Coastal living on the doorstep. 9. A wellness sanctuary featuring a spa, sauna, gym, and yoga studio. 10. Mauao, a natural treasure that defines the landscape.
9.
10.
There's real joy in designing a space for a child. The key is creating a cosseted, almost nest-like area that feels secure. Pick pieces – whether furniture or accessories – that are as natural, sustainable and safe as possible, but don’t forget to have fun! While age and stage will dictate the overall theme, it’s important to futureproof where you can. Consider wall lights and lamps that can easily be swapped out, and rugs that can be updated. Storage is the ultimate advantage in a child’s space, as is floor sprawl. Remember the scale of furniture and consider how much ground space this occupies.
“Every time you buy a product, you’re effectively casting a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.”
IHarnessing consumer power
Kate Fenwick, the waste-free warrior, shows us how to create real change as a consumer. It’s simpler than you think.
n a world brimming with disposable everything, it’s easy to feel powerless against the tide of waste. But here’s the truth: as consumers, we wield far more influence than we think. Every purchasing decision we make sends a message to businesses about what we value. And when enough of us prioritise sustainability, industries take note. Here are a few tips on how to create change yourself.
Vote with your wallet
Every time you buy a product, you’re effectively casting a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. Supporting businesses that prioritise minimal packaging, refillable options, and sustainable materials encourages more companies to follow suit. Look for brands that offer circular economy models – where products are designed for longevity, repair, or reuse – and avoid those that rely on excessive plastic or single-use packaging.
The power of saying no
One of the most effective ways to minimise waste is simply refusing items we don’t need. Say no to unnecessary receipts, plastic cutlery, or promotional freebies that often end up in landfill. By making refusal a habit, we reduce demand for these wasteful products and encourage businesses to reconsider their offerings.
Small changes, big impact
Sustainable habits don’t have to be daunting. Swapping out disposable coffee cups for a reusable one, carrying a cloth bag, or choosing loose produce instead of plastic-wrapped options are all minor tweaks with major impact. If millions of people make these small shifts, the cumulative reduction in waste is staggering.
Speak up and advocate
Companies respond to customer feedback. If you see excessive packaging or unsustainable practices, let them know. Many businesses are open to change but need a nudge from
consumers to prioritise sustainability. Whether it’s through emails, social media, or in-store conversations, your voice matters.
Community and collective action
Waste minimisation isn’t just an individual effort – it thrives on community action. Joining local sustainability groups, participating in clean-up events, and sharing tips with friends and family amplifies the impact. The more people embrace conscious consumption, the faster change happens.
Final thoughts
Consumer power is one of the most underutilised tools in the fight against waste. By making thoughtful choices, refusing unnecessary waste, and advocating for better options, we can shift industries towards a more sustainable future. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to a larger movement of change. Let’s wield our power wisely and waste less, together.
WASTEDKATE.CO.NZ
The foundation of style
The right flooring isn’t just a detail – it’s the base of great design, shaping a space’s look, feel, and the way it’s lived in.
WORDS MONIQUE BALVERT-O’CONNOR
PHOTOS JAY DREW + BOUNDLESS VISION + CAB CREATIVE
For nearly four decades, Gerrand Floorings has been a trusted name in the Bay of Plenty, known for delivering quality flooring solutions across homes and businesses alike. They’re sharing with us today the breadth of their expertise through three recent projects – two in collaboration with leading local interior designers. Spanning residential and specialist commercial spaces, these flooring renovations highlight the versatility of Gerrand’s offerings, with options to suit a range of styles and budgets. Each project is designed to elevate its space, proving that the right flooring can make all the difference.
Refresh, refurbish and up-spec
When it came time to refurbish her Pahoia hilltop home, Urban Lounge Interiors owner Sally Lines turned to a trusted partner – Gerrand Floorings.
Sally and her husband, Andy, set out to refresh and elevate their interiors, selecting two luxurious Bremworth wool carpets to bring their vision to life. Both selections being from the prestigious Bremworth Collection with yarn that has undergone an additional felting process – one of the Bremworth Collection exclusive features.
A warm, light grey unstructured high-low loop carpet (Galet in Dolomite) was chosen for most of the home, offering understated elegance and durability. Sally opted for a rich, brass-toned cut pile carpet (Te Aroha in Copper).
“It’s snug, like a whisky lounge, and this beautiful carpet, with its chunky cut pile and uneven texture, just pops,” says Sally. The plush, felted yarn not only enhances the room’s moody aesthetic but also delivers a sensation so irresistibly soft that you can’t help but sink your feet into it.
Having worked alongside Gerrand Floorings for many years to bring exceptional products and service to her Urban Lounge clients, Sally’s own experience was no different – seamless, professional, and ultimately, a result that exceeded expectations. “It’s just wow,” she says, proving once again that the right flooring can completely transform a space.
A good-value, natural choice
Needing a quality carpet, with a fair investment – and one that looks and feels so good it’s going to help sell a property – was the brief on this second project.
The clients, who are savvy within the interior design world, were au fait with what would work well for a pre-sale zhushing up of their P ā p ā moa property, Leanne says. They knew a natural fibre would appeal to prospective buyers.
“They chose a Bremworth carpet (Thorndale) from the Lifestyle Collection, so that was a practical, hardwearing, good-value choice. It is a loop pile wool carpet with a soft honeycomb weave, as opposed to lineal or square – what we call a casual, unstructured loop. It provides a relaxed and lovely ambience,” she says.
Selecting the right carpet was a key factor of this renovation project and, in addition to this, Gerrand Flooring endorsed the clients’ decision to choose the better underlay, as Gerrand always recommends.
“It was a smart choice. In this case our clients opted for a good value carpet and, by also retaining a better underlay, they achieved extra comfort underfoot. The result is a softer and spongier feel. It’s a no brainer,” Leanne, Gerrand Floorings' owner, says.
A warm welcome
Resimercial requirements are on the rise. It’s a look, Leanne explains, that supports a work environment leaning towards homely rather than sterile – an environment that is welcoming.
Mount Maunganui interior designer Kathrine McDonald has captured that mood on a recent project transforming the space from its former use into a Mount Maunganui office for insurance brokers, Citadel.
“This commercial space has a residential feel to it – a luxe but comforting and relaxing vibe,” Leanne explains.
The area was divided into two zones using hard and soft flooring, namely a carpet tile with softness and noise absorption qualities, and a hardy engineered timber with a lacquer finish.
Kathrine chose carpet tiles that are a sandy neutral, with a slightly darker fleck. This colourway lifts the space, giving the office a light and fresh feel. It marries nicely with the timber flooring, which ticks both the functionality and presentation boxes.
The carpet tiles are underfoot in the desk spaces and meeting zones, and the timber flooring in the entrance, creating a pathway to the social zone.
“We have curved the timber flooring, so it slows the journey through the office space,” Kathrine explains.
Durability was a key factor. Wear and tear concerns are minimal as individual carpet tiles can be replaced, and the natural timber product can be sanded back with a refresh, including a resurface and even a colour change if desired.
The project’s outcome? Excellent. It’s little wonder Gerrand Floorings is an absolute go-to store, Kathrine says.
GERRANDFLOORINGS.CO.NZ
Raise your game
Sarah Parry from Testament Interiors offers tips to elevate your short-term holiday rental.
PHOTO GISELLE BROSNAHAN
In the beautiful Bay of Plenty we’re blessed with some of New Zealand’s finest beaches. Mount Maunganui has been included in the top 25 beaches in the world. So it’s no surprise that over the summer months, thousands of holiday makers converge on Tauranga to enjoy the Kiwi summer break and the golden sandy beaches.
You may have a home that lends itself to Airbnb or short-term rental, or have a current rental home. But with a huge amount of competition, what can you do to attract holiday makers to your place?
Firstly, there are certain rules around how much time you can let out an area of your residence without it impacting your personal house and contents cover. I recommend you check with your insurer to find out their policy wording. You will also need to check with your local council regarding their bylaws on how much of your home you can use before requiring a resource consent.
To begin the process, sort a design style. You need to know this before you start and, if you are working around existing fittings and furniture, then what do you have as a base to work off? You can mix luxury and cost-effective items – it all comes down to what looks good together and which items you can get longevity out of. For example, comfortable beds and sofas are important to spend more on, but you can save using cost-effective items in kitchenware like plates, etc. Invest in good soft furnishings, pillows and local artisans for art and décor items.
It’s very important to design a space around what guests will require while staying at your property. Do they have a private entrance?
If you have a pool or spa area, they will need beach towels and pool accessories. Think about offering treats or gift baskets. By personalising the space this will help you gain top reviews and make the stay comfortable and enjoyable for your guests. It also creates repeat customers.
If starting from scratch, it ’s important to decide what type of accommodation you wish to offer, how often you would like to do this and of course what other accommodation is in the vicinity, with the demographic you will be marketing to. This will help you decide what budget you will require to set up and style if it’s viable.
And lastly, make sure you put together a compendium. Most people who stay at Airbnb’s do not know the local area and will want to know what the local amenities are.
Whatever you decide to do with your accommodation, keep in mind that people want to feel like they’re in a home away from home. The more you can offer, the more satisfied your guests will be.
TESTAMENTINTERIORS.CO.NZ
“To begin the process, sort a design style. You can mix luxury and cost-effective items – it all comes down to what looks good together and which items you can get longevity out of.”
Cool, calm and cosy
In the first of Guthrie Bowron Tauranga’s Design Elements series, Margaret Gill and Anoushka Haskell demonstrate how to create a relaxed indoor space with paint and wallpaper, to conjure up all your favourite feels.
There are plenty of ways to use wallpaper and paint to create spaces that evoke certain emotions.
Firstly, consider how you want your space to make you feel. What kind of atmosphere do you wish to create, whether it be relaxation, inspiration, festivity or playfulness? This is a chance to do design differently from your everyday safer palette.
This space can be created wherever you like – in a hallway entrance, a guest bedroom, sunroom or reading nook. Anywhere you want to let the sunshine in.
For instance, in the image centre left, the colour and pattern of the feature wallpaper, Cuba ‘Pina’ from Casadeco, creates the exotic feel of Cuba and establishes the sense that you’re experiencing island life in the summertime, in a conservatory setting.
The anchor colour is crucial to the look and feel of the décor – in this case a mellow pineapple yellow holds centre court.
Be bold with emphasising the key colour. In this case it is repeated within the retro sofa fabric, golden cane pendant, coloured glass panes and mid-century side table.
With paint and fabric accent colours it’s best to go for muddier hues such as Dulux Ruakaka and Crow Valley, which don’t compete with the hero wallpaper.
Two thirds of the room is dominated by the grey denim blue and yellow, whilst the other third is in crisp white. The neutral summery cane and palm frond accents, found in plantation summer rooms and verandas, serve to balance out the wallpaper choice.
This two-thirds rule, also known as the golden ratio, is an interior design technique that involves dividing a space into two sections, with one section taking up
two-thirds of the space. This technique can help create balance, scale, and proportion in a room. For instance we see that the sofa is approximately two thirds the size of the wallpapered feature wall, which maintains visual harmony.
In the next image – above left – the petite beachside sleeping space makes you almost feel the salt spray in your hair and the hazy blue skies above you. With the emphasis on the horizon, it evokes all those possibilities that an endless summer can bring. This wallpaper collection, from BorasTapeter Marstrand 11 Coastal Living ‘Horizon’, celebrates the maritime spirit of the Swedish coastline.
The natural Nordic linens, blonded wooden ladder and simplistic choice of pared-back accessories complement and don’t overwhelm this dreamy tranquil bedroom.
Consider using white wood washes that can add interest on wooden ceilings as they’re not a heavy paint colour as such, rather much softer and organic. The height of the bedroom attic roofline allows the wallpaper panels to show off their full potential and almost take flight, in a very natural way.
Our last example is from the Harlequin Idyllic Retreat wallpaper collection in Atlantic coastal tones – below left. This mood board shows various combinations of that cooling colour palette of blue and green. Within each combination, there is an anchor wallpaper featuring flora or fauna, complemented with textured woven and embroidered fabrics.
Putting together a mood board is an effective way to work with colour and balance when considering the addition of paint colours and flooring or cabinet veneers. And it can provide the basis for expert wallpaper, paint and window treatment advice
Heidi Hughes of Veg Babies.
Home grown
If you’ve always
wanted a thriving veggie garden, Bay local Heidi Hughes’ ingenious Veg Babies is a great way to start.
WORDS
KARL PUSCHMANN
Big ideas often start with a small question. For Heidi Hughes, it was simply, “How can we get more people into gardening?”. This small question was the seed that sprouted Veg Babies.
Veg Babies is like a food box with a twist. Instead of a week’s worth of meals, once a month a box of seedlings is delivered. You plant them and soon you’ll have an overflowing bounty of fresh, homegrown vegies and herbs.
“The idea and design is that you’ve got a constant harvest to go on your dinner table,” Tauranga resident Heidi explains.
The boxes offer a curated gardening experience that will quickly grow leafy greens that turn over each month, like rocket, lettuce and bok choy, as well as seasonal vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, chillies and capsicums that take a few months.
“There’s a real variety and it’s all designed so there’s always something you’re harvesting, as well as something that’s looking into the long term of harvesting down the track,” Heidi explains. “People also get a different herb each month. Within 12 months, you’ll have a beautiful herb garden.”
One of the benefits of the service, aside from all the fresh veggies, is that the curated experience takes away the stress of knowing when to plant what. Heidi says it’s perfect for beginner to mid-level gardeners who don’t have much experience or space, as well as time-poor gardeners.
“Many people don't know where to start with gardening,” she says, likening it to how food boxes simplified cooking and made it more accessible. “This gives you a whole process that is achievable and keeps things going.”
To make Veg Babies as accessible as possible, the whole garden has been designed to fit in a planter box that’s only 2.5 m ². This will fit in most backyards and/or apartment decks. The seedlings are delivered straight from Veg Babies’ commercial growers in Pukekohe where they spend a couple of weeks outdoors before being shipped out. This makes them hardier than those found in places like garden centres. There’s also no
plastic used in the delivery or shipping – something Heidi says was crucially important to them.
The subscription is $26 a month for the box of seedlings. How does that compare to buying from the supermarket? In terms of cold hard cash, what’s the monetary value?
“It’s about $40 a week if you’re getting a constant harvest off your garden,” Heidi says. “I’m currently harvesting lettuces, which I’d be paying $5 each for. I haven’t run out of cucumbers or courgettes all summer. You can get a bunch of parsley out of your garden whenever you want, or basil or oregano to put on your pizza. Same with tomatoes, you just pick one off. Once you get on a roll with things, it’s on tap. People often waste a lot of food, especially herbs. You buy a bag for $5, use half of it and throw the rest out. When you take into consideration that waste, we’ve worked out the value is about $40 a week.”
But it’s not just about the vegetables. Heidi also wants to share her love of gardening. To help people’s gardening journey she sends out weekly instructional emails, along with a YouTube video she records in her garden. She explains where your garden is at, what you should be harvesting and even suggests cooking ideas.
“I’m growing in the exact same amount of space with the same veggies, and the same box,” she says. “Every week you’ll know what to do to make your garden thrive. It’s real colour-by-numbers gardening.”
Veg Babies is part of the PiPS Charitable Trust, which sets up school gardens around the Bay. All Veg Babies profits go directly back into the trust to help them grow.
“We currently have 10 gardens in 10 schools,” she smiles. “We have orchards and veggie beds, and teach kids how to grow food. We’d love to include more but we’re at capacity until we can raise more funds.“
It’s not often something comes along that can not only improve your life but also the lives of others. Veg Babies does both. It teaches new skills and provides constant fresh healthy vegetables as well as raising money for charity. That’s got to be better than a sausage sizzle outside a big box hardware store.“Yeah, totally,” Heidi laughs. “It’s win-win.”
VEGBABIES.CO.NZ
Boosting business
A new company to the Bay is ready to help distressed businesses "turn things around".
WORDS KARL PUSCHMANN
PHOTO QUINN O’CONNELL
Martin Macdonald is under no illusions about his methods.
“It's a prick of a process to go through,” he admits. “But then, when we’re done, the business is often saved, the people retain their jobs, and it's all going well. That's a fantastic feeling. There’s nothing better in life than doing this.”
Martin is CEO of Whiterock, a business advisory firm that specialises in helping medium and large-sized companies with annual turnovers in the millions navigate out of any tough financial waters they may have drifted into. In corporate lingo, they’re called a ‘distressed business’.
“But distressed businesses or turnarounds don’t necessarily mean failing or at death’s door,” Martin explains. “You can have a business that’s turning over $5 million a year but it’s not making any profit. That’s partially distressed as opposed to heavily distressed.”
Martin, who has over two decades of expertise in the field, likens it to a business losing steam. His job is to go in, identify the problems and come up with a plan to turn things around. Once called in, he’ll go through the business with a fine-toothed comb, talk to its people and also survey the outside world in which the company operates, all to get a thorough understanding of the bigger picture.
“I get a feel for all the different parts of the business and then I report back,” Martin says, before acknowledging that this initial meeting can sometimes be a little awkward.
“It’s a bit like a doctor telling somebody what they need to hear,” he says. “Often, it’s not what they want to hear. But it is what they need to hear.”
This process of stabilising or recovery and on to growth usually involves tough decisions, which are challenging to confront.
“I'm often dealing with the owners of a business. They’ve built it up from scratch
and they're very passionate,” Martin says. “So I don't just go in, give turnaround advice and then leave.”
Instead, his approach is hands-on and sees him overseeing the implementation of the recovery plan over a three-to-six-month period. To do this he calls in a large network of specialist contracts, eg HR, health and safety, marketing, etc.
“It can take time,” he says. “But time is an interesting thing. Sometimes you don't have much time, and sometimes you do."
To that end, the best time for a business to get in touch is as it's approaching the cliff, rather than in the precious few seconds before falling off. For example, Whiterock is currently helping a company with a turnover of $220 million return to profitability.
“New Zealand is a country full of medium and large businesses,” Martin says. “And many need a hand. I'm ready to help.” WHITEROCK
“I’m dealing with the owners of a business. They’ve built it up from scratch and they're very passionate, so I don’t just go in, give turnaround advice and then leave.”
Seeds of lasting change
A $20 million milestone proves the Acorn Foundation is igniting powerful change in the BOP, while building a legacy of hope and transformation.
WORDS KARL PUSCHMANN
It’d be easy to say the Acorn Foundation has 20 million reasons to celebrate, but that would only be telling half the story. It’s actually the entire Western Bay of Plenty that has cause to celebrate the charitable foundation’s amazing success.
The community foundation, which was formed in 2003, has just passed the significant milestone of handing out $20 million in distributions to our community. What’s even more impressive is that in the next year or two that figure is projected to hit a whopping $25 million.
“This milestone reflects the collective effort of everyone who has been involved with Acorn over the years,” Lori Luke, the Acorn Foundation’s CEO, tells UNO “For many of our donors, they ’re very modest, everyday folks. They ’re not the uber-wealthy. For them to be able to contribute to something that has such a long-lasting impact on this community is really powerful.”
The Acorn Foundation’s community model is what sets it apart from other types of philanthropy in New Zealand. While this model is new here, it’s well established overseas, especially in the US and Canada.
Acorn CEO Lori Luke is also deputy chair of the peak body, CFANZ. From left: CFANZ Trustee Holly Snape, CFANZ CEO Arron Perrium, Lori Luke, CFANZ Chair, Raymond Key, CFANZ Trustee Emma Lewis, CFANZ Trustee Josh Hickford.
“The whole basis of it is that a lot of people participate and identify things that are important to them,” Lori explains. “We collect that money, invest it and distribute a portion of the investment returns each year to where our donors want it to go. The beauty of this model is that there's always money coming in and we build quite lovely relationships with our donors and get to understand what's important to them, to help them meet their giving goals.”
Donors can choose where to direct their funds, either supporting broader fields like arts, animal welfare, or youth development or they can get specific. One example Lori gives is the Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club, which receives around $50,000 a year thanks to
one donor who named them as a recipient in her sizeable estate.
“It's been a game changer for them,” Lori smiles. “This particular donor, they ’d never heard of her! She just happened to live up the road and liked watching the nippers practise.”
Ultimately, Acorn’s philosophy is about making a tangible difference in the community. As well as aiding and supporting various charities and services, they also provide scholarships and awards.
“It’s about human connection," Lori says. “For those who want to leave a lasting legacy, Acorn offers a powerful way to give back and is creating positive change that will benefit the region for years to come.”
“...to be able to contribute to something that has such a long-lasting impact on this community is really powerful.”
Rising star made partner
From left: Acorn chair Michelle Malcolm and Acorn CEO Lori Luke on board the Wish4Fish boat with founder Bryce Dinneen.
Teens and screens: Finding the balance
Ellie Gwilliam from Parenting Place explains how parents can guide teens back to real-world connections when screen time dominates social
interactions.
Technology offers us great ways to stay connected and maintain relationships.
Our teens, amongst the first ‘born and bred’ digital natives, are experts at online connection − handy if we ‘older folk’ need tech support. But, how are their social skills playing out in real life?
Are our young people able to connect with others and build relationships in the offline world? Can they be social without the media? Will they ever actually talk to us again, instead of just sending a DM asking what’s for dinner?
If this concerns you, here are three things to consider as you encourage your teenager to put down their device and engage in some face-to-face interactions.
Try to remember what being a teenager is like
The teenage years are defined by social awkwardness, feeling misunderstood and a desire to assert independence, all while still having to follow rules. So, it isn’t surprising that our teens can find interacting in-person difficult – especially when we insist on them doing so on our terms.
Find ways to connect with your teen offline and online
The teenage brain thrives on connection with peers, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t like connecting with parents. While a teenager’s friends are very important to them, research tells us that the parental relationship remains a strong influence. Our teens want us to show them that we find them interesting, likeable and worthy of our time. One of the best ways to do this is by connecting through their interests and pursuits. This may mean trying to understand online gaming or wading through obscure reels, but it could also mean giving them a lift to the gaming store or skate park, shopping for snacks or trying testers at the makeup shop – all opportunities to develop real-life social skills without them realising!
Model good social skills
Teenagers are experts at tuning out lectures. While our words may not matter much, teenagers always watch and learn from our actions. So, if we want our teens to get off their devices and use their real-life social skills, we must do the same.
While you might think getting them to show off their ukelele skills at the staff Christmas party is a helpful way to face their social insecurities, it may just reinforce their beliefs that the online world is a much safer and more pleasant place to socialise. Instead, provide low-pressure opportunities for social interaction – perhaps with people familiar to them where they can choose to interact or just observe. Ask for their suggestions and follow their lead.
Managing our own device use and getting out and about ourselves can give our teenagers the confidence to do so as well. Be a role model of good conversation and asking good questions. Show them how to treat others with respect and empathy. And even if you’re not that assertive in social situations, make the effort to go outside of your comfort zone and flex all the social muscles you have – after all, that’s what we’re asking our teenagers to do!
PARENTINGPLACE.NZ
“ ... if we want our teens to get off their devices and use their real-life social skills, we must do the same.”
Instax Wide Evo
Tech testing corner
Karl Puschmann tries out the latest and greatest gadgets.
Quirky tech
Instant cameras have always been fun, but the surprise of how your photo turns out –closed eyes and awkward faces – can be a bummer. The Instax Wide Evo guarantees that every print will be a keeper. This retro-styled camera blends digital convenience with the nostalgic charm of instant prints. Its standout feature is the large back screen that lets you review your shot, adjust parameters, and apply filters and effects before printing. A 20-pack of film costs around $40, so with each print costing around $2, the guarantee that you’re getting a great shot every time is worth its weight in gold.
The camera’s nostalgic vibe is a big part of its appeal. With its stylish retro aesthetic, tactile buttons, cute little printer crank and old-school style photos, it really feels like a cosy blast from the past. While it may not rival your phone’s camera in quality, this fun, instant memory-capturing device is a winner. Widely available from RRP$649.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
The most exciting part of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is that it represents Apple’s first big step into AI integration. The phone itself comes with plenty of impressive features like its brilliant, bright 6.9” screen, its super-powerful A18 chip, and the advanced camera that offers a dedicated physical button, new wide and ultrawide settings and a 5x optical zoom telephoto lens, I was most jazzed to see what Apple would do with AI. They’ve taken a cautious approach. The phone launched without any AI features with the cheekily titled, ‘Apple Intelligence’, or AI, only recently launching. Like with other phones I’ve tested, most AI features don’t get much daily use, although Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, has improved.
The exception, however, is the Photos app. The ability to quickly erase unwanted objects, like a random person standing in the background or some unnoticed dog poop on the ground, is a game-changer. It’s here where AI comes into its own to become indispensable. However, unless you need all the power of the XL-sized 16 Pro Max, the regular iPhone 16 or last year’s iPhone 15 models also offer AI and are more affordable options. Widely available from RRP$2299.
Mova: SelfRotating
Globe
Bring the final frontier into your home with these incredibly nifty self-rotating globes. Available in a range of planets created using images from NASA – here we’ve selected the startling beauty of Venus – these mesmerising ambient lights rotate slowly using hidden magnets for movement and are powered by solar cells so there are no ugly cords or batteries.
RRP$334 from GIFTMONKEY.CO.NZ
Bookaroo Travel Tech Tidy
Get Anyone who’s ever forgotten to pack their phone’s charger before going on holiday will tell you how stressful it was. Well, you’ll never be caught short again with this handy travel wallet that’s specially designed to keep all your messy-but-essential cables, chargers and miscellaneous bits and bobs tidily together. Available in pink or black.
RRP$64.99 at FUNKYGIFTS.CO.NZ
Teenage Engineering P.O-33 KO!
It may look like a calculator but this nifty device is actually a fully-functional music studio. Simply record a sample into it, like your voice, instrument sound or song snippet, and then play that sample using the buttons. Effects and tweaks can be applied and the recorded song exported out. Endless fun and the results are super funky and cool.
RRP$189.99 from GROOV.NZ
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions a person can make.
With the variety of banks and mortgage options available, navigating the process can be overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers. A mortgage adviser plays a crucial role in simplifying this journey, offering expert advice and access to a wide range of mortgage products.
Here are some key benefits of working with a mortgage adviser.
1. Access to a wider range of mortgage deals
One of the biggest advantages of using a mortgage adviser is the ability to apply to multiple banks and other financial institutions. This is something most people would never have time to do on their own. Unlike going to a bank directly, a good adviser knows all the banks and the products they offer and can target your application to the most suitable institutions. This means they can find deals that best suit your financial situation, potentially saving you thousands over the life of your loan.
2. Expert guidance and market knowledge
Mortgage advisers have extensive knowledge of the mortgage market, interest rates, and lending criteria. They stay updated with changes in regulations, policies, and economic conditions that can impact mortgage approvals. Their expertise helps borrowers understand complex terms and conditions, ensuring they make informed decisions that align with their financial goals.
Master your mortgage
Brooke Rapson of Rapson Loans explores the many benefits of working with a mortgage adviser.
3. Tailored advice based on your financial situation
Every borrower has unique financial circumstances, from income levels and credit history to employment type and debt obligations. Mortgage advisers assess these factors and recommend mortgage options that match individual needs. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, self-employed, or looking to refinance, an adviser can find solutions tailored to your situation, increasing your chances of approval.
4. Time-saving and hassle-free process
Applying for a mortgage involves extensive paperwork, applications, and negotiations with lenders. A mortgage adviser streamlines this process by handling much of the administrative work, from gathering necessary documents to submitting applications on your behalf. This not only saves time but also reduces stress, allowing you to focus on other aspects of buying a home.
5. Support throughout the mortgage process
A mortgage adviser provides ongoing support beyond the initial mortgage application. They help with negotiations, liaise with solicitors and estate agents, and ensure a smooth transaction from start to finish. Even after securing a mortgage, they can advise on refinancing options or future financial planning.
In conclusion, working with a mortgage adviser can save time, money, and stress while providing expert guidance tailored to your financial situation. Their access to exclusive deals, in-depth market knowledge, and ability to navigate complex processes make them an invaluable resource for homebuyers.
RAPSON.CO.NZ
PHOTO JAHL MARSHALL
Leading from the front
A Tauranga law firm’s huge national win proves that even the smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.
WORDS KARL PUSCHMANN
When Cecilia Burgess heard her name announced as the winner of the prestigious, ‘Law Firm Leader of the Year’ award at the NZ Law Awards last November, there was only one thought rushing through her mind; “Don‘t trip up the stairs.”
“I really didn’t expect to win,” the CEO of Tauranga law firm Cooney Lees Morgan says. “I was blown away. It’s very humbling to get an
award like this. I don’t put myself out there for these sorts of things.”
The recognition at the esteemed awards was a surprise. Law firms are usually led by their partners, not CEO’s, and Cecilia’s background isn’t in law at all. Not only that, but as a female leader, she’s also breaking gender barriers in the traditionally male-dominated position.
And while the judges didn’t go into detail about what set her apart from the other nominees from the big city law firms – “they didn't say and I was dying to know!” – after chatting with
her, UNO is prepared to take a guess at what made her leadership stand out; her belief in the company’s core values.
It’s quickly apparent that her focus is on creating a supportive environment for her team, and the positive flow-on impact that has for Cooney Lees Morgan’s clients. One small example was a recent offer of free parking to the firm’s staff.
“We have a lot of people who are working mums or dads,” she says, noting that the school run is often a daily pain point for working parents. “Taking away that stress was a really good thing. A tiny thing to do, but huge ramifications for our people.”
It’s a small showcase of her commitment to the firm’s values, particularly towards “whānau”, or family. Cecilia is also proud of the firm’s Rainbow Tick accreditation, which was a difficult, “soul-searching” process to complete, but important in showcasing their commitment to inclusivity.
“We spent a lot of time challenging ourselves and looking at our documents, asking ourselves, ‘Is this showing an unconscious bias?’,“ she reflects.
As well as values-based improvements, Cecilia has also been steering Cooney Lees Morgan through a significant internal transformation, streamlining and improving their systems and processes behind the scenes.
Although these changes may be unnoticed outside the company, together they contribute to an award-winning performance that has greatly benefited both the firm and its long-time clients, many of which have been loyal for decades.
“I don't think you get to achieve that in this day and age unless you are delivering something beyond the letter of the law,” she smiles. “It's about the whole experience.”
COONEYLEESMORGAN.CO.NZ
“It’s quickly apparent that her focus is on creating a supportive environment for her team, and the positive flow-on impact that has for Cooney Lees Morgan’s clients.”
are pet owners too, and we understand how difficult it is to say goodbye. But when the time comes, we are here to help at each step.
TOUR HOST
– Michelle Crook
Michelle has long had a love of gardens and gardening, albeit that her gardening is proving quite difficult thanks to the bugs that live in Ōpoutere, just north of Whangamatā. That doesn’t deter her though and she is always experimenting with new varieties to try and see what will survive and thrive through the hot dry summers and wet, windy winters that characterise her home. Michelle has previously been a trustee of the Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival which saw her helping to profile many of the beautiful gardens of the Bay, a role that gave her huge pleasure.
LOCAL BOTANICAL
GUIDE – Julie Prent
EXCLUSIVE TO YOU
Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show Tour and Gardens of Victoria
Inclusions
• Four nights’ accommodation in a centrally located five-star hotel, plus one pre-night accommodation before the tour
• Return private airport-to-hotel transfers, plus nine meals
• Travel in a small group of just 21 guests on an exclusive departure with YOU Travel Bethlehem
• Experience the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, including a pre-visit lecture
• Visit the Diggers Foundation gardens of St Erth, Cloudehill & Heronswood.
• Explore the garden of the late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, Cruden Farm
6 Days Melbourne Return
Departure: 22 March 2026
Price from: $6,095* pp twin share
Solo traveller from $8,065*
Flights are not included in the listed price, please enquire for flight pricing.
• Tour the nursery of Antique Perennials to learn more about this style of garden
Day 1. Melbourne, Heronswood Garden and Cruden Farm . Depart Melbourne Marriott Hotel at 8.30 am. Travel to the Mornington Peninsula to visit Heronswood Garden in Dromana, the home of the Diggers Club, and enjoy a tasting plate lunch. Have a behind-the-scenes visit to the heirloom vegetable trial and production gardens with the head gardeners to learn about growing your own vegetables from heirloom seeds. Afterwards visit Cruden Farm, home of the late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. Explore the expansive gardens which Dame Elisabeth was so fond of. LD Stay: Four Nights, Melbourne, Marriott Hotel or similar Day 2. Macedon Ranges, Garden of St Erth, Babbington Park and Paul Bangay’s Stonefields. Visit the Garden of St Erth, one of Australia’s most exciting cool-climate gardens and home to a collection of rare and unusual plants. Next, visit the home and garden of celebrity chef, Annie Smithers. Have lunch here before enjoying a
special garden tour of Stonefields, the private garden of Paul Bangay. Stonefields is heavily influenced by the philosophy of Italian hill villas and gardens. BL
Day 3. Yarra Valley Gardens – Edible Forest, Alowyn and Antique Perennials. Travel to the Yarra Valley to visit the Edible Forest. With over 300 plants growing within a one-acre forest garden, everything is either edible or medicinal. Then travel to Alowyn Gardens, a beautiful garden designed along strong symmetrical lines. Continue to Kinglake to visit Antique Perennials nursery and display garden, where you’ll see hard-to-find perennials, bulbs, grasses and alpines. During dinner tonight, enjoy a special Melbourne Flower Show lecture by regular judge Teena Crawford. BD
Day 4. Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. Enjoy a full day at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. Regarded as the largest and most successful horticultural event in the Southern Hemisphere, it is rated among the top five flower and garden shows in the world. B
Day 5. Dandenong Ranges, Cloudehill Garden, Fortnums Lunch, Phillip Johnson Garden and Melbourne. Visit the acclaimed Cloudehill Garden, with its extensive herbaceous borders, roses and azalea walks. Enjoy a Farewell Lunch at the beautiful Fortnums Restaurant. Afterwards, visit the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden and admire the new Australian Garden, designed by Phillip Johnson—this is a replica of the award-winning garden Phillip exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2013. Return to Melbourne, where our tour concludes at the Marriott Hotel at 5.00pm. BL
Coach No. of nights stay Flower Show
EXPLORE
Celebrate the Eastern Bay
If stunning scenery and sun-filled days aren’t enough to draw you to Whakatāne and Ōhope this autumn, event season certainly will – and there are plenty to choose from.
Flavours of Plenty events
Scales and Ale’s
Saturday, April 5
An evening of exceptional flavours at Fisherman’s Wharf. Indulge in a fourcourse dinner, each course paired with craft beers sourced from the region. Enjoy delicious, locally grown produce while taking in the stunning harbour views. This event is a must for beer lovers and foodies, offering a fusion of taste and ambiance. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable culinary experience, showcasing local brews and seasonal ingredients.
Tamariki Foodie Fair
Saturday, April 5
Treat your youngsters to a day of delight at the Tamariki Foodie Fair – the ultimate foodie event for children, offering fun, sensory experiences such as blind tasting, nut cracking, face painting, stilt walkers and food demonstrations for kids by kids. Food trucks will be there to serve kids’ favourite treats throughout the day at Wharfside overlooking Ōhiwa Harbour. Treat your Tamariki to a day of delight – the perfect day out for families. Free entry ensures everyone can join in, with delicious treats and selected activities for purchase.
Late Summer Farm Kitchen
Saturday, April 5
A unique farm-to-table experience celebrating the joy of cooking, sharing and savouring local produce. Set on a beautiful family farm with expansive gardens and a hand-built barn, this long summer lunch is part workshop, part cooking class, and part indulgent feast. Guests will enjoy a hands-on experience before sitting down to a long, leisurely lunch built around the best seasonal produce the farm has to offer. Whether a seasoned cook or a beginner, there’s the option to get involved or simply relax with a glass of wine and soak up the rural charm while enjoying great food, local wines, and warm hospitality.
West End Wiggle 2025
Discover Wainui's Food Secrets Tour
Saturday, April 12
Join this exclusive food tour through Wainui, where you’ll explore the region’s best-kept edible secrets. It will take you to five carefully selected stops, each with its own remarkable story. From the oyster farms of Ōhiwa Harbour, where cultural significance meets sustainable farming, to the unlikely truffle success story, the journey unfolds as you meet local producers and taste their creations.
A Taste of Wainui Marketplace
Saturday, April 12
Celebrate the first-ever Wainui Producers Market, held in the picturesque Waingarara Valley. This free, family-friendly event showcases the region’s best food producers, offering fresh oysters and organic produce to truffles, olives, honey, macadamia nuts, berries, ice cream and wood-fired pizza. A licensed bar will be available for beer and wine purchases, while live entertainment adds to the fun atmosphere. Enjoy lunch, shop, and discover unique local produce in this scenic, community-focused event.
Cray Tails and Cocktails
Saturday, April 12
Enjoy four delicious crayfish dishes, each paired with a cocktail, all served in a laid-back atmosphere at Fisherman’s Wharf. With local produce, stunning waterfront views, and a relaxed vibe, this evening is all about indulging in tasty food and having fun. Whether you're a seafood fan or just looking for a casual night out, this event is one you won't want to miss.
To purchase tickets to any of these events, visit FLAVOURSOFPLENTYFESTIVAL.COM
Make your bed
Retail paradise
If you make a weekend of it, be sure to save time for some retail therapy. Whakatāne and Ōhope have a selection of beautiful boutiques, featuring wellloved national and international brands.
Whakatāne
Whakatāne’s CBD has come of age in recent years. The attractive and bustling town centre makes it easy to roam with a range of boutique shops. After some retail therapy, soak up the plentiful sunshine at one of the outdoor eateries. Veer off the main drag and you’ll also find a few hidden gems.
Top Picks
Him.Her Tomorrow Store Presentables
Ōhope
The Good Life Tūī Aotearoa Rosita's
Although it can be hard to drag yourself away from the waves of New Zealand’s most-loved beach, it’s worth taking a pit-stop at Ōhope Village to enjoy the laid-back shopping scene. Distinct and 4Artsake both offer beautiful gift ware, art, clothing and accessories.
110 The Strand GEORGESTREETLINEN.COM RETAIL
George Street Linen is one of those rare retail gems that is a delight to discover. Browse the ultimate selection of New Zealand-designed premium bed linen and bedding in a charming, light-filled store, abundantly stocked with inspirational textiles, home fragrances, and giftware. Their knowledgeable, friendly team prides themselves on hands-on service and passion for the brand.
RETAIL SPOTLIGHT
Style by design
Stocking top New Zealand and international labels – Deadly Ponies, Kathryn Wilson, NYNE, Elk, Lolly's Laundry, Zoe Kratzmann, Briarwood and POM Amsterdam among them – Capiz is centrally located in the heart of the shopping precinct. Its carefully curated range has made it Whakatāne’s boutique destination of choice for designer fashion, footwear, handbags and accessories.
156 The Strand CAPIZ.CO.NZ
Escape to Paradise
Other events
West End Wiggle 2025
Friday, April 11 – Sunday April 13
A traditional longboard festival presented by Salt Air Surf, this weekend includes lots of surf, art and music. This will be the event’s sixth year running.
Farming Like Grandad & Country Fair
Saturday, April 12
Experience farming as it used to be. Clydesdale horses, sheep shearing, farm animals, tractors, and farm machinery, food, music and much more for a fun day out for the whole family.
STAY BEACHFRONT AT OHOPE BEACH MOTEL
Wake up to the sound of waves and step straight onto the golden sands of New Zealand's most loved beach. Nestled in a sheltered coastal haven, Ōhope Beach Motel offers the perfect retreat for families and couples wanting a getaway . With 10 comfortable units just steps from the water, you’ll enjoy the ultimate beachfront escape. Whether you're exploring the stunning Bay of Plenty, soaking up the sun, or simply unwinding to the rhythm of the ocean, paradise is closer than you think. Book direct and save on your coastal escape today!
ohopebeachmotel.nz
52 West End Road, Ohope. 027 777 2292 | office@ohopebeachmotel.nz
Ohope Beach Motel
Ōhiwa Oyster Festival
Saturday, May 17
Don't miss out on this unforgettable celebration of oysters and local culture at Wharfside Ōhope. The opening ceremony will blend oyster appreciation with cultural celebration. Savour mouthwatering oysters, explore local food stalls, and groove to live entertainment from 12pm to 4pm.
TheMarquee,SilverNova
SILVERSEA - CURATORS OF UNFORGETTABLE VOYAGES!
Close to Home
Auckland to Sydney
15 Days | 2 Countries | 11 Ports
SET SAIL: 12 December 2025
SHIP: SilverNova
From $14,250*pp Superior Veranda Suite BONUS - US$500 shipboard credit
Bethlehem Town Centre, Bethlehem, Tauranga bethlehem@youtravelbop.co.nz | 07 579 3431 SAVE up to $7,920* per couple
Magical Mediterranean
Monte Carlo to Rome
8 Days | 4 Countries | 8 Ports
SET SAIL: 07 September 2025
SHIP: SilverRay
From $10,290*pp Classic Veranda Suite BONUS - US$500 shipboard credit
Contact our cruise experts to book today!
Introducing Silversea’s newest ships, SilverRayand SilverNova, designed for discerning travellers seeking discovery and luxury. Featuring spacious ocean-view suites with butler service and private verandas, you can enjoy champagne while soaking in breathtaking vistas. Experience Silversea’s unique S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) programme, which connects you deeply with local cultures through culinary and immersive excursions. Sail effortlessly across all seven continents and explore the world’s coastlines, whether it’s icebergs or palm trees that capture your imagination.
The Best of Japan
Tokyo return
14 Days | 2 Countries | 9 Ports
SET SAIL: 12 March 2026
SHIP: SilverNova
From $20,810*pp Classic Veranda Suite BONUS - US$500 shipboard credit
Adventure awaits
Nicky Adams explores the timeless appeal of Disneyland and discovers its magic isn’t only reserved for the kids.
It’s hard to put your finger on just what makes theme parks so magical, when most of us are way past our Disney delight days.
‘We’re doing it for the kids,’ mutter the adults as they race behind the super-sized Mickey Mouse, not a child in sight. The fact is it doesn’t matter what age you are, there is something wonderful about being transported into another world, where everything is bright, fun, and essentially make believe. To quote Walt Disney, ‘You’re never too old to be young.’
I think the sheer fantasy is what makes me love it so much – the larger-than-life characters, the ‘cast members’ (staff) dressed up as a 1950s Barbershop
Quartet belting out random a capella on Main Street, the sight of a Mark Twain-style steamboat making its way down the Mississippi. The wild imagination of it all is nothing short of joyous. Ironically, I hate roller coasters, but there’s a million and one other rides to try, from flying through Neverland on the low-level Peter Pan’s Flight to the exhilaration of gunning down enemy craft as you take the helm on the Star Wars’ Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run.
Disneyland Anaheim opened in 1955 and is made up of Disneyland and the latterly added California Adventure (which opened in 2001); between the two parks they cover every single age and stage. Both parks are divided into ‘lands’ and tactically feature rides and references to the original Disney days but have kept up to date with all the latest stories and characters, so no genre is left untouched. There’s the old-worldly fairground feel of the ferris wheel in California Adventure (where you can choose between a carriage that stays static or one that swings), or there’s the high-tech Rise of the Resistance, the latest simulation Star Wars ride in Disneyland. In between you have the fan favourites of the indoor rollercoaster Space Mountain, river rapid ride Grizzly River Run and of course the dark speed of the Radiator Springs Racers.
The fantasy world that you’re about to step into starts before you enter the parks themselves. Downtown Disney District serves as the soft launch; connecting the two parks and the three hotels, it’s free to get into (although you do need to go through security) and is a lively and beautifully landscaped, easy-to-navigate outdoor shopping and dining area that hums with entertainment. It’s also home to a dangerously delicious Wetzel Pretzel café – try at your peril. This is the area from where you enter one park or the other – the Park Hopper ticket will gain entrance to both on the same day. Exploring both parks will likely take you a good couple of days, although with opening hours going between 8am and 10pm it’s possible – if exhausting – to simply keep going, to get the most out of your ticket entrance. However, if you do, brace yourself to cover an awful lot of ground during your day.
Visiting in October, the weather was cool in the morning and evening, but by 10am had warmed up to high 20s, which may sound sweltering, but low UV saved burning. Saying that, it wasn’t a heat you wanted to stand around in for too long, so a queuejumping Fast Pass was invested in at an extra cost. While this certainly saves plenty of time in the queues (you can book an advance time slot) it’s by no means a perfect system. We found it incredibly frustrating
that you could only hold one slot, and when the time shown came up it often gave you a later time slot than shown on the Disney app. The waiting, I’m afraid, is unavoidable. On the plus side, the queues are incredibly civilised and, other than slowing you down, could just be accepted as part of the experience. The cost is another aspect to be considered. A weak NZ to US exchange rate, along with post-Covid price rises, doesn’t go unnoticed when on top of the ticket price comes a day of theme park treats. Saying that, while there are plenty of in-park refreshment stops, packing your own water bottles and snacks is worthwhile.
As I mentioned – as someone that is terrified of rollercoasters, you might think that it would be hard to find things to do. Oh contraire! Weirdly, although I’m rollercoaster averse, I found I was born for the simulated rides, which (I was quietly smug about) other far gutsier family members struggled with. My pick would without question be Soarin’ Around the World. If I could have done it all day long, I would have. Strapped into a simulator you whizz above the African plains, Eiffel Tower – even tropical islands – all the time being infused with the scent to match. Sounds weird I know, but it was incredible. Another goody was the Pirates of the Caribbean – I lost count of how many times we all did this. A couple of wee water drops was as scary as it got, but an underground journey through the land of the pirates was more fun that you can imagine with something
“All the while you wander, there will be a million other things going on around you. Bands marching followed by carriages carrying Cruella de Vil and her henchmen, Disney Princesses amid eager young children waiting for a hug, Storm Troopers arresting bystanders. ”
different to see every time. The detail was so mesmerising it came as no surprise to learn that it was the ride that inspired the movie. The adrenalin junkies did Big Thunder Mountain Railroad on repeat, loving the thrill of the ride, but everyone agreed you needed nerves of steel for the Guardians of the Galaxy. Formally called Hollywood Tower of Terror, involving stomach-churning drops. Nothing would possess me to do this.
All the while you wander – or race depending on your timeframe – through the parks, there will be a million other things going on around you. Bands marching followed by carriages carrying Cruella de Vil and her henchmen, Disney Princesses amid eager young children waiting for a hug, Storm Troopers arresting bystanders. And then there’s the parades – crowds stand aside while highly decorated dancers dance and singers sing. The excitement stretches well into the night, with light shows and weekend firework extravaganzas. Just when you think you’re all out of energy, you might find that last bit in the tank for another round of rides.
Without doubt the easiest way to maximise your time is to stay at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels – the newly vamped up Pixar Place, Grand Californian, or original Disneyland Resort. A stay here will ensure you get early access to the parks before any other guests arrive and gives you the ability to bob back and forth to regroup throughout the day. It also extends the magic as the hotels are home to more characters, round reception corners and you might bump into Chip and Dale – peep above your poolside cocktail and you may spy Goofy on his way to wow the diners at the Goofy’s kitchen restaurant. In the worlds of Walt Disney: “Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy.”
TOP TIPS
• Plan in advance on the Disneyland website.
• Ensure your days don’t clash with events held at the park.
• Check out the hotels along the strip –they’re easy to bus or walk to and from.
Adventure in comfort
Luxury and family-friendly travel don’t always go hand in hand. But travelling with children doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the finer things in life. Tanya Chaffey from Chaffey and Turner Travel Associates is UNO ' s new travel columnist, this time offering her expert advice on navigating luxury travel with the whole family.
PHOTO SALINA GALVAN
Embarking on travel with children creates life-long memories that you and your family will treasure for years to come. It does, however, require a bit more planning to balance relaxation with family-friendly needs. Here are a few tips to get you going.
• When it comes to choosing which destinations to visit with children, look for spots that offer both premium amenities and child-friendly activities. Think resorts with dedicated childrens' clubs, private villas or hotels offering family suites and family activities.
Family-friendly, luxury resort, Sugar Beach, Caribbean.
• Luxury resorts in places like the Maldives, Bali or the Caribbean offer specialised kids' programmes and family activities, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Also, consider destinations with easy access to nature, such as safaris in Africa, or mountain retreats in Europe, which can engage children while offering relaxation for parents.
• Invest in private tours or excursions. A private guide for a day trip, a yacht charter, or even private spa treatments can offer both familyfriendly activities and some quality adult downtime. This can be especially helpful if your child has specific interests or needs (eg a zoo tour for animal lovers). Luxury hotels sometimes offer VIP access to major attractions, meaning you can avoid long lines and crowds, which makes it easier with children.
• Many cruise lines offer amazing inclusions for children, like standing waves, rock climbing walls and even dodgems. And the wide variety of cuisine onboard means there will be options for even the fussiest eaters. Be sure to enlist the help of a travel agent, who can suggest the best cruiseline that will work for you and your family.
• When booking flights, ask your travel advisor to book with an airline that has child-friendly amenities (like bassinets, entertainment and children' s meals). Many airlines offer priority boarding, extra legroom, and specialised children' s kits to make the flight more enjoyable.
• Finally, even with the best planning, travelling with children can bring surprises – meltdowns, sickness and the like – so remain flexible. Having an advisor on hand means there is always someone available to accommodate last-minute changes or requests. But staying relaxed and patient is the key to enjoying the experience!
Tanya Chaffey is a specialist for premium travel for the Bay of Plenty. Having been in the industry for 17 years, she’s explored 65 countries, with many more on her bucket list, and is a master at planning journeys off the beaten path. She visits hidden gem destinations and finds experiences that give her an incredible perspective on the culture of a place. One of her best travel experiences was visiting Paro Taksang, or Tigers Nest Monastery, in Bhutan and most recently visited the Five Stans of Central Asia. No matter your travel plans, whether it's a multi-generational trip of a lifetime, or a romantic seaside escape, the team at Chaffey and Turner Travel Associates will make your holiday special.
Safaris can engage children while offering relaxation for parents.
Avoid long lines and crowds by investing in private tours, charters or excursions.
Matakana: A foodie’s dream
Matakana is well known as a hub for Auckland beach-goers, but, thanks to its flourishing food and beverage scene, it’s now on the map as a highly-desired destination for those beyond the Bombay Hills.
WORDS HAYLEY
BARNETT
Matakana, located just north of Auckland, may not look like
much on a map – a few buildings lining a roundabout on your way to more populated destinations like Omaha and Leigh. But looks can be deceiving. By the weekend, the usual 10-minute drive from Warkworth into Matakana becomes an hour-long standstill queue. Everyone’s
desperate to get their hands on some of the best food products the region has to offer.
The best way to experience this little food haven is to get in before the weekend crowds by making it your base. My husband and I came across two local businesses which allowed us to do just that. Canopy Camping Escapes became our base, just an eight-minute drive from the town, and Village Picnic offered a way for us to explore the region through its burgeoning food and beverage producers.
STAY
High on a hill, nestled in native bush, are two secluded glamping sites named Sola and Sokoon. We booked into Sokoon, the Persian of which means tranquility and stillness – exactly what we were craving after dropping the kids at Grandma’s in Auckland. Besides the WIFI, this accommodation offers the feeling of being completely off grid. To get to the site you need to park your car at the top of the hill and make your way down a steep, narrow track. Top tip: don’t take a suitcase. Owners Rachael and Ario were kind enough to lend us a backpack to transport a few essentials down to our site. They live on top of the hill with their two daughters in a house they’ve
recently restored, with panoramic views of the coast and mountains. They both believe strongly in living as sustainably as possible, and this is evident in the way they’ve set up the two glamping sites. Many of the salvaged materials from their home rebuild have been repurposed into the domes, giving them, as they say, a “sustainable charm”. Beyond the dome is a sheltered kitchen, bathroom, outdoor shower and bath. Don’t let the sustainability factor fool you, however. The site has everything you need to make your stay comfortable and the interior is every bit as beautiful as the scenery.
“Philippa Potaka cleverly puts together
mystery picnic adventures for those wishing to meet and explore local producers, to taste test the very best of the region. At the end of a fun scavenger hunt you have yourselves a very ample picnic to feast on at your final destination.”
Opposite Page: Produce at Matakana Markets.
This page: Our glamping dome accomodation, Sokoon.
Wine tasting at Brick Bay Winery, one of the stops on our mystery picnic adventures.
Enjoying our ' banquet ' picnic at Highfield Gardens Reserve.
DO
On our way in from Auckland, we stopped at Village Picnic in Warkworth. Philippa Potaka cleverly puts together mystery picnic adventures for those wishing to meet and explore local producers, to taste test the very best of the region. At the end of a fun scavenger hunt you have yourselves a very ample picnic to feast on at your final destination. You don’t know what you will be scavenging, or where you’ll end up, which is perfect for these explorers who love good kai.
Ours covered the coast from Matakana Village down to Algies Bay and finished in Warkworth. Other packages include the areas of Puhoi, Pakiri and Leigh.
Matakana Markets
We started at the famous Matakana Markets. Without giving too much away, our first clue took us straight to two popular stores at the market. Joining a long line, which weaved through the shop and out on to the street, we were treated to the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread. From there, it was on to a chocolatier that specialises in artisan bonbons. After an insightful chat with the store’s very knowledgeable staff, we picked up our parcels from each, stowed them in our chilly bin and moved on to the next clue.
Charlies Gelato
This popular gelato cafe wasn’t on the list, but happened to be home to our next mystery vendor – a place where you can pick your own flowers. The hidden garden sits between a giant wood-fired pizza kitchen and a gelato store, located on Sharp Road, about five minutes drive outside of Matakana Village. We arrived just before lunch and the place was already buzzing with pizza and gelato lovers getting their fix. Thankfully we had the garden to ourselves as we picked a bunch of flowers to take with us on our picnic. As we precariously wedged the jars of flowers between our car seats, we worked out the next riddle and headed towards the coast.
Snells Beach
Next we found ourselves at the water's edge and a home to cute miniature villages, where we picked up some equally cute homemade condiments from a local residence. The next clue took us to a long winding driveway and through to a magical world of art and horticulture. As we took in the sights and sampled an array of beverages on offer, it became apparent that we must start eating our collected edible treasures, so we made the next stop our final picnicking place.
Highfield Gardens Reserve
This reserve at Algies Bay is known as ‘the donkey park’, for the amount of donkeys roaming around the grounds. You can drive through the gates of the park up to the top, which overlooks the whole of the bay. It was the perfect spot for what had become more of a banquet than a picnic. As well as the treats we'd picked up along the way, Philippa had also supplied us with a range of cheeses, crackers, deli meats, pickled vegetables and drinks. We quickly found a picnic table before the rush and got to work on our feast. Later, we found we had more than enough to last us through dinner!
VILLAGEPICNIC.CO.NZ
EAT
Brick Bay Winery
This, we discovered, is one of the area’s most famous wineries. As you enter, art sculptures are dotted along the farmland, and an impressive glass house that seemingly floats above a large pond is home to a beautiful restaurant and bar. The Row, where the tastings take place, sits outside this – a greenhouse-esque structure completely covered in grapevines, which provides a cool and quirky shelter to mingle and taste the best of Brick Bay’s vintages.
Viet-Q Vietnamese
Definitely worth a mention is Viet-Q's Vietnamese food truck. This was recommended to us by our lovely hosts at Canopy Camping. The trailer is tucked between houses on the main road coming into Matakana Village but is hard to miss. The amount of people milling around the area will immediately catch your eye. Head chef and founder Phuong Graham trained in food technology before introducing locals to her authentic Vietnamese flavours. Today it’s one of the most popular eateries in the region. From Banh Mi to Chilli Chicken, this is authentic Vietnamese cuisine at its best.
Matakana Market.
Flower picking at Charlies Gelato.
Viet-Q Vietnamese.
Brick Bay Winery.
Flying High: 40 Years of Sunair Aviation
Celebrating four decades of local legacy, adventure, and community connection.
Mount Maunganui has always been a place of sun, surf, and an unbeatable sense of community. But for 40 years, it’s also been home to something else—Sunair Aviation, a pioneering, locally owned airline that has kept the North Island connected. Whether soaring over coastal landscapes or ensuring business travellers reach their destinations with ease, Sunair has become a trusted name in regional aviation.
From humble beginnings, Sunair began in 1985 with a single aircraft serving Motiti Island, ensuring reliable mainland connections. For 40 years, this family-owned airline has strengthened air links for communities, businesses, and adventurers. While airlines have come and gone, Sunair has endured—proving that local expertise, commitment, and exceptional service make all the difference.
Sunair is proudly owned by Dan and Bev Power, whose deep Bay of Plenty roots fuel their commitment to exceptional service and a customer-first approach. Supported by five senior managers, ten pilots, four office staff, and four engineers, their dedicated team ensures smooth operations and high safety standards. From ground crew to pilots,
everyone at Sunair shares the same goal: delivering reliable, efficient, and comfortable flights across the North Island.
Sunair offers scheduled regional flights across the North Island, private charters for business and leisure, and scenic flights showcasing New Zealand’s coastline. It also plays a vital role in medical transport, ensuring clinical staff reach remote communities. As an All-of-Government travel-approved carrier, Sunair provides trusted air travel for government agencies, reinforcing its role in New Zealand’s aviation industry.
In addition, Sunair operates an aircraft engineering workshop, providing maintenance and servicing for private aircraft owners. The company also supports aspiring pilots through its flight training programs, helping them take their first steps into aviation.
Celebrating 40 years in aviation, Sunair remains committed to serving its community and keeping regional New Zealand connected. From the heart of Mount Maunganui to the skies above, Sunair Aviation isn’t just a business—it’s a local legacy that will keep New Zealand flying for years to come.
SUNAIR.CO.NZ
SUNAIR | FLYSUNAIRNZ
Spirit of Mexico
Hayley Barnett discovers authentic Mexican cuisine and innovative cocktails in the heart of Mount Maunganui.
PHOTOS CHRISTIAN LONGHI
“Kiwis are beginning to understand tequila is not just a shot,” Marco Rodocanachi says, delivering another amazingly delicious tequila-based cocktail to UNO's table.
The mixologist and co-owner of the newly-opened Agave at Mount Maunganui’s Cruise Deck is explaining the welcomed shift in perception for the spirit that has largely been known as a party drink and making an incredibly convincing case for a reassessment.
“A lot of people don’t know this, but tequila is probably the healthiest thing you can drink,” he adds, with casual conviction and air quotes around the word “healthy”. “It ' s not got many calories, it releases serotonin in your brain so it makes you happy, and in terms of alcoholic drinks, there's not really anything better – so long as you’re choosing a quality tequila.”
Marco opened Agave with fellow co-owners and chefs Isaac Partida and Claudia De La Torre last December. Marco met the couple when they were working together at the foodie favourite Clarence Bistro in Tauranga. They all came to New Zealand six years ago – Marco from Italy and Isaac and Claudia from Mexico – and bonded over their shared passion for Mexican cuisine and drinks.
The trio’s initial idea was a speakeasy. The location was perfect, hidden in the corner of the Cruise Deck. But the large glass bifold doors created an open environment that was somewhat incongruous with the dark and moody vibes of a speakeasy.
The cuisine was always going to be authentic Mexican, and with Marco’s love of tequila, it just made sense to focus on an all-Mexican offering. Isaac and Claudia both grew up cooking with their families. Isaac travelled around Mexico and worked for renowned international chefs, gaining amazing gastronomic experiences along the way.
“There aren’t a lot of restaurants here in New Zealand serving real Mexican fare that isn’t Tex-Mex, so it’s hard to understand what Kiwis will like,” says Claudia. “Mexico is a big place. In the north, it’s more meat and barbeque, and they use wheat instead of corn tortillas. Sometimes people have only tried food from certain parts so it doesn’t seem authentic to them. We’ve had to work out what people like and what they don’t.”
At the moment the menu includes handmade tostadas, veggies with white mole, duck enchilada, and a cacao tart to die for. “I always said I’d never be a baker of sweet food, but now it’s my favourite thing to make,” Claudia smiles.
Isaac and Claudia have kept the flavours as authentic as possible. “Now that we have more time and are more adapted to the place, we are starting to have regular customers, so can start to play more with the menu and introduce new flavours,” Isaac says, citing the rich, complex flavours of Oaxaca and the slightly sweet seasonings of Chiapas and some new additions they are planning for the menu.
“But slowly,” smiles Marco, suggesting they won’t be alienating those with less than adventurous Kiwi tastebuds. “Very slowly!”
AGAVEBISTRO.CO.NZ
Excellence
isn’t claimed - it’s earned.
"Their marketing plan and strategy were top-notch, ensuring maximum exposure for our property. "
JILL & MATTHEW | TE PUNA
"They removed the stress and made the overall experience of selling our property memorable."
MURRAY & PHILIPPA | OTUMOETAI
"We highly recommend taking the Oliver Road journey, you won't be disappointed!"
MIKE & JAYNE | MT MAUNGANUI
"The entire team excel; their integrity and professionalism set them apart"
KERRY & MARK | TE PUNA
"Attention to detail was paramount with a unique and professional approach."
JENNIFER & PETER | AVENUES
"I would highly recommend the team from Oliver Road and wouldn't hesitate to list with them again."
MELISSA & MATTHEW | PAPAMOA HILLS
They exceeded our expectations in every way. We absolutely made the right choice to list with Oliver Road
CHRIS & NATALIE | MT MAUNGANUI
"There was no 'hard sell' or 'game playing', we had a straight-up experience”
JEANNIE & ROSS | TE PUNA
"They bring a classy and sophisticated approach to selling homes, and it works."
JAMIE & THOMAS | WELCOME BAY
"The team at Oliver Road are professional, approachable, responsive and reliable."
