Verve. February 2022. Issue 183.

An uplifting monthly eclection of life, style and happenings.

FEBRUARY '22

We dive into the new year with a look at some super cool private swimming pools, sit down with designer Krystel English of label IXIAH, and learn the latest in wellness from some inspiring Kiwi gurus.

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Jak Wicker Side Tables (java, stonewhite, pebble & moss)

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Editors’ Notes Fran Ninow

Jude Mitchell

New year… same, but different

What a wonderful holiday!

Co-editor

This new year rang in like others before – in the company of a few good friends, toasted with champagne, much reminiscing done, and an optimistic look at the uncharted days ahead. But of course, as usual, when the ball dropped, I had no idea what – or if - I wanted to change.

Come 25 January, and the Feb issue of Verve is almost wrapped up, only the editors’ notes page keeps staring at me like a papery white void! I’ll share a few of the simple things I’ve thought of that I know will spark joy in my life, and hopefully in others’, without too much effort involved. Are these my new year’s resolutions? Maybe!

Send more audio messages (as opposed to texts). Occasionally (especially on birthdays) they might even be sung. So easy to do, and I feel, far more personable.

Develop my bird feeding station, currently located outside my work-from-home office window. The daily antics of the many birds that visit keep us thoroughly entertained, and have taught me so much about birdy behaviour.

Co-editor

I was lucky enough to spend time with my family in the Coromandel over the Christmas and new year break, at a secluded ‘off-grid’ bach which it seems crazy not being at right now given the long, dry summer we’re still enjoying.

Food was often the central gravitational force on holiday.

All meals were cooked on an open fire which seemed to offer limitless, adventurous possibilities for incredible food. The conversation during the day often turned to the subject of dinner that evening. I do feel we are not alone in the pervasiveness of the ‘what’s for dinner!’ question, before something mouth-watering was concocted, often after hours in the embers of the fire – quite literally rising from the ashes!

Miraculously, I managed to go the entire holiday without cooking a meal, which is complete relaxation for me! Never having to think of a meal to cook while on holiday? How spoilt is that!

We also had my beautiful five-month-old granddaughter, Moss, with us. She was adored and loved by us all as we competed with each other for a smile from her!

Set aside a half-hour each day to do something not work-related, be it reading a book, dabbling in a water colour, a quick French session on the Rosetta Stone app, calling an old friend out of the blue, or taking a dip in the sea.

I wish you all the very best for the year ahead. It could be challenging for most of us but let’s stay positive and well.

Enjoy an utterly decadent dessert, and wear something really bright (as opposed to standard black) at least once each week.

Jude x

Enjoy our February issue,

And what about Verve? This year, as always, we plan to keep altering, innovating and challenging Auckland’s free magazine standards. These tiny, ongoing tweaks might not seem like much, but are part of the continual renewal process we have become known for, a process that keeps us on our toes and creating this beautiful magazine that you all know and enjoy.

And how we love doing it. Cheers to another year!

Fran x

Up Front

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www.dedon.de

DEDON COLLECTION MBRACE Design by Sebastian Herkner

www.dawsonandco.nz

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What’s Inside Home & Design

Fashion

11 Gentle Approach to Tough Business 16 Vantage Point

96 IXIAH - Krystel English 101 Damien Nikora

Art

Food

38 Aotearoa Art Fair 44 The Art of February

Garden

121 Wonder Water Business & Society

134 Billionaires

108 What to Drink if You’re Not 112 Lamb’s Lettuce with Pineapple

Pets

138 Dogs ‘n’ Dreams

Health & Fitness

59 Well, Well, Well 67 Just Move

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St Heliers Bay Feature

87 Babylon Store 88 Turua Gallery

Up Front

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We’re at half-full!

Editors-in-Chief Fran Ninow and Jude Mitchell Sub-editor/Senior Writer Jamie Christian Desplaces Head Graphic Designer Arna Martin Junior Graphic Designer Yamin Cook Social Media Yamin Cook Contributors Manish Kumar Arora, Kelly Carmichael, Vicki

The glass in the residential housing market is definitely half full at the very least.

With several auctions already brought forward and enquiry solid, I would be careful, as a buyer, standing out of the market too long in the expectation of falling prices. In spite of Omicron warnings, interest rate rises, talk of Tsunamis and traffic light changes – it is none the less worthy accentuating the positive. As a business we have transacted real estate since the 1987 Sharemarket Crash, I can say market sentiment is always changing and the headlines are always sensational. Don’t believe everything you read or hear, just get on with your life – make 2022 your best year yet!

SOLD

SOLD

Holder, Melanie Dower, Nick Ainge Roy, Bella Sampson, Ophelia Mason and Dennis Knill.

Subscriptions online@vervemagazine.co.nz Published by Verve Magazine Ltd 13 Westmoreland Street West, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021 GST 90 378 074 ISSN 2253-1300 (print) ISSN 2253-1319 (online) Editorial Enquiries (+64) 9 520 5939 Fran Ninow: fran@vervemagazine.co.nz Jude Mitchell: jude@vervemagazine.co.nz Advertising Enquiries Ashlee Lala: ashlee@vervemagazine.co.nz Fran Ninow: fran@vervemagazine.co.nz Jude Mitchell: jude@vervemagazine.co.nz Pam Brown: pambrown@xtra.co.nz Cover Photo Kate Mahoney

66 SPEIGHT ROAD ST HELIERS

10 ALDRED RD REMUERA

WANTED: Homes on Remuera, Parnell and the Eastern Bays Circa $4m+ Call me now to discuss selling your home with an Agency who has their glass half full.

Be assured our approach to both buyer and seller is safety first in this Covid environment.

Jo Johnstone 021 411 107 jo@uprealestate.co.nz

Verve is published monthly (except in January) and has an estimated readership of 60,000. It is a free lifestyle magazine delivered to selected homes, cafés and businesses in Devonport, Epsom, Herne Bay, Kohimarama, Meadowbank, Mission Bay, Newmarket, Parnell, Remuera, St Mary’s Bay and Takapuna.

Verve is placed in magazine stands for free collection from locations in Auckland City, Devonport, Epsom, Grey Lynn, Herne Bay, Mairangi Bay, Milford, Mission Bay, Newmarket, Parnell, Ponsonby, Remuera, St. Heliers, Stonefields and Takapuna. Visit vervemagazine.co.nz for exact locations these magazine stands.

Verve is also available from all popular cafés in its main distribution areas as well as in ebook format. Visit vervemagazine.co.nz to sign up for your free monthly ebook. Verve is printed by Ovato. It is distributed by Ovato, Admail and Mailchimp.

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

LICENSED AGENT REA 2008

THE BAILEY TABLE

w w w. r o s e a n d h e a t h e r. c o. n z 3 6 6 G r e a t N o r t h R o a d. G r e y l y n n t: (0 9)3 7 6 2 8 9 5

Gentle Approach to Tough Business

WORDS — VICKI HOLDER PHOTOGRAPHY — VICTORIA BIRKINSHAW

Now running a successful construction company, Kerry Hanbury has come a long way since living in a converted double garage with her single mum in a small rural town.

When she was growing up, things were tight on a single parent income. She was determined to financially help her family so became very resourceful. Aged 12, Kerry sold snacks at her school and used her profits to help with household expenses.

After arriving in New Zealand at the end of her school years, Kerry studied accounting and finance at AUT. She dreamed of becoming a forensic accountant. She held several roles in her professional career, first in the forensic accounting space for some of the top accountancy firms, later taking on accounting positions. As a young woman, she navigated cultural challenges often faced by other young professional women and those experiences had a huge impact on her. However, it provided valuable lessons that she was determined to learn from, later enabling her to better adapt and make changes having established her own company, KNS Construction with business partner Shaun Jenkins.

Arrving from an accountancy background, how did you come to establish a building company?

I met Shaun, a third-generation carpenter, two years into my role as an forensic analyst. Shaun has been building since he was 15 years old having gained permission to leave school early for an apprenticeship with his grandfather, then his uncle. That old-school building experience has been really valuable.

Shaun is an all-round good person whose friendly approach clients enjoy. We discussed starting a business that was different to what was out there. Our number one goal was to create an environment where staff felt safe, valued and

essentially part of a family. We’ve achieved that goal and continue to keep it as a focal point.

How do you support your staff?

We put people first in everything we do. We have a huge focus on mental wellbeing at KNS and my team know I’m always available for a coffee catch-up or even a call. The communication is 100% open. If there are any issues with anyone in our team, we help them to deal with them. Being open and genuine both on- and off-site is encouraged. Emotions are a normal part of people’s lives and we don’t expect them to not have them at work. Our approach means issues are brought to the surface to be dealt with quickly.

How do you feel about being a female in such a maledominated industry?

I never planned to run a construction company but I couldn’t be happier to find myself in the industry. Chances are, that in addition to KNS I’ll end up starting more businesses in the future that may not be construction related. I get so much joy from being surrounded by our amazing team and working with clients. During the early stages of our business, I would go onsite and work to help get projects done. Shaun’s favourite story is when it poured down with rain and I still refused to stop working. I had a job to finish! That onsite experience has been invaluable and has meant I have solid construction knowledge as a base to help support my team. I still try to go onsite to help out because it’s important as a leader to be willing and able to assist within all areas of the business. It’s also a great opportunity to chat with the team.

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We make sure the client relationship is a good fit for both them and us, where there is honesty and trust, and that we get on well.

What has been your experience of working in the construction industry?

My experience from being onsite and also collaborating with suppliers and sub-trades is that the industry is made up of mostly amazing and genuine people who accept me, regardless of my gender. I have had the odd inappropriate comment such as one by a sub-trade worker who didn’t know who I was. But someone within the team shut them down quickly. I don't feel I need to change who I am or flash my title around. I’m accepted at face value. I do site visits in dresses and pink steel cap boots. We say the industry is male-dominated, but I work onsite and offsite with many hardworking ladies every day.

Are there other women in your team?

Yes, my sister Shelly is an administrator who works remotely from home as she has two children. We’re very accommodating of family needs. We’ve also recently had two ladies join our team, one in the office and the other is an apprentice.

We’ve been keen to have a female join our site team since the beginning but it took a while to find the right person. We only ever hire based on the person’s ability to fill the role and fit in.

Business is busy and we’re growing fast, but our team culture remains our focus.

through things with clients and ensure we find solutions to challenges that may arise. By the end of the project, we typically feel as though our clients are part of our extended family. We’ve been known to feed their cows, chickens and dogs while they’re away. We take them birthday gifts. We’ve even played taxi from time to time.

How do your costs compare?

We give a really fair, accurate and honest price, and work hard to bring the project in on budget. There have been projects we haven’t accepted because the client wanted a price we couldn’t provide in good faith, knowing a cheaper price wasn’t achievable. We make sure clients know of any additional costs before they occur. When additional items are requested or required, we price them up and get sign-off before proceeding.

How does Shaun’s ability as a builder contribute to the success of projects?

Shaun’s carpentry experience is worth gold when it comes to making the architects plans a reality. His experience is also valuable at the design phase as he works well with architects to translate the client’s vision into something that can be achieved onsite. He’s also someone clients really enjoy working with – they love his friendly approach.

What work does KNS do?

As a residential builder, our focus is on high-end new builds and renovations. We understand our clients are busy, so we put a huge emphasis on being transparent with them and looking after theirs interests. Our clients can rest easy knowing we’ll keep them informed.

What’s next for you and KNS?

We have a mix of exciting new build and renovation projects booked in for this year, with some projects starting to be booked in for next year. We’re looking forward to 2022!

What do you do for your clients that’s different to most builders?

My hope for 2022 is to connect with more people across the industry and engage with other ladies carving their own path.

I invite them to get in touch with me.

Home & Design

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We make sure the client relationship is a good fit for both them and us, where there is honesty and trust, and that we get on well. We’re in people’s homes for over a year sometimes so you have to get along. All the elements have to be there to attain an amazing end product while creating an enjoyable journey for our clients and team. We genuinely care. We have set radio stations that we allow our team to tune in to to ensure the music is appropriate for our clients and their neighbours. We work

Paint Your Home in AR

WORDS — FRAN NINOW

Like so many, I have, since covid struck, become involved in many DIY projects around the house. On a recent visit to my local Resene store, I saw a placard promoting the Resene DIY DecoratAR app. Always curious about creative new apps, I had to download it and have a play.

Using the app is a breeze – so simple that even the most technically challenged will find it a charm to work. The handy colour library is home to almost every shade under the sun, and you can save your faves to your own custom collection for later reference.

I was charmed to find that the Resene DIY DecoratAR app colours your wall ‘live’ in seconds to give a speedy reference of how a colour might look in a space. So, if you’re not sure what sort of colour you want to use you can try a few of them to see what might suit best.

The app is so fun and so useful, I highly recommend checking it out. Simply visit the Apple App store, search ‘Resene’, and download. resene.co.nz/decoratar

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February 2022

REFINED LIVING

by JI Home

J I H O M E H A S R E B R A N D E D, W E A R E N O W R E F I N E D L I V I N G V I S I T O U R N E W S H O W R O O M AT T H E S T R A N D, PA R N E L L ! refinedliving.nz

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Farmhouse Tables by Rene Jansen Furniture In the foothills of the Waitākeres you can find Rene Jansen applying his craft from a converted apple packing shed.

Over the years, Rene has made countless pieces of furniture in a variety of styles, timbers and finishes.

For his latest endeavour, he uses rusticated oak boards to produce traditional French-style farmhouse tables.

These tables are made in a range of sizes to suit his customers’ requirements.

Rene’s workshop is open to the public on Saturdays, or by appointment. Ph. 021-02582500 renejansenfurniture.com

Home & Design

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WORDS — LORI COHEN PHOTOGRAPHS — ELSA YOUNG

Vantage Point An apartment perched between mountain and sea plays with geometry, light and textures, conceiving a striking space where ceramicist Martine Jackson lives and works.

Togo Fireside Chair available from Ligne Roset 09 393 5636

"We were able to choose all the finishes, so we leant towards concrete floors and simplicity where we could," says Martine.

Get the look with Resene Resene Hint Of Grey Resene Green White Resene Blank Canvas

As a ceramicist, Martine Jackson is no stranger to teasing beauty out of the muted clay she works with. So, when she and her husband acquired an unfinished apartment on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, she was undaunted by the task of shaping a family home out of the stark concrete form and geometrically fragmented interior she was presented with. Installing swathes of bespoke oak

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cabinetry was the starting point of making the new residential complex unit a layered and exciting space to accommodate and celebrate her work.

Her choice of bright, soft furnishings, a striking floating kitchen island, and a succulent-laden deck combine to give it a quirky yet laidback charm.

February 2022

The kitchen is defined by a bulkhead that contrasts with the raw concrete ceiling and a showstopping custom-designed angular kitchen island.

The relaxed TV lounge is a space where children can unwind and do homework.

The lines are sharp and seamless in all the bedrooms, with doors and skirting boards sitting flush with the walls.

Get the look with Resene Resene Quill Grey Resene Sand Resene Serene

Keeping daughter Bailey's room (above) otherwise simple and pared-back, Martine chose to cover the bed in a fun woodland scene from Designers Guild that mirrors the hills that surround the apartment.

The architecture of the building created multi-angled interior walls. Custom cabinetry made sense of the space in the main bedroom (opposite page) and created nooks to display sentimental ceramic works.

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February 2022

Beautiful Bedouin Picnic Blankets intrepidhome.co.nz

Intrepid Home was the brainchild of the late Richard Hoggard (1971 – 2021) who, inspired by his time in the Middle East, brought these Bedouin rugs back to New Zealand upon his return.

Partnering with good friends Brian and Lucy Rooney, Bitesize Luxury was later established in the UK in 2019, and together, they began to sell rugs worldwide. Brian and Lucy have now taken ownership of Intrepid Home and continue to bring luxuriously large picnic blankets to the New Zealand domestic market.

As adventurous people, Brian and Lucy could see the extravagance these rugs brought to their beach days, road trips, and garden picnics. Sized at a generous 2x3 metres, their oversized rugs provide more than enough room for friends and family, and food and fun in your own backyard or when out and about. Not just practical, this picnic blanket also adds a beautiful bohemian aesthetic to your moment in the sun, creating the perfect canvas for memories captured on camera.

Expect to see them out for a day at the races or featured on outdoor romantic date pictures on Instagram, while they promise to turn a typical summer camping trip into a more elegant glamping experience.

Home & Design

Each of the Bedouin rug designs is a magnificent tapestry plucked from the artistic depths of Saudi Arabia to bring colour to an outdoor setting, inspired by the traditional carpets used by nomadic communities in the desert of Arabia. Patterns and colour palettes allude to the spontaneous and colourful lifestyle of nomadic communities, whilst the quality and size offer a glamorous picnic experience, either for lounging in the sun or with high-tea style chairs and table.

Intrepid Home by Bitesize Luxury proffers a product that creates lifelong memories and turns outdoor eating into a celebratory event. Each rug, made in Saudi Arabia, is constructed from a polyester-acrylic mix, and lined with a water-resistant canvas backing – meaning they’re usable on dewy grass, the beach, and bark trails. Plus, they’re easily transportable as they can roll up and be carried by a canvas handle alongside a picnic basket for a compact outdoor experience. These beautiful rugs are available online (intrepidhome.co.nz) or in person from stockists in New Zealand, including Black Barn in Hawkes Bay, The Cardrona Shop in Wānaka, Mildred and Co, and The Wells Trading Co. in Auckland.

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Auckland showroom, 299 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, sales@ligne.nz, 64 9 393 5636

WORDS — JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

True Blue “Colour is one of the most fascinating subjects I can think of,” artist and educator Anna Evans tells Verve. “The science of how we see colour is, frankly, mind-blowing.

Colour theory to me is like a form of visual maths. There’s a rhythm to colour, it has reason, and its own beat.”

Humans see colour depending on how light reflects off – and is absorbed by – any given surface. Most people can only see the three colours green, blue, and red; it is the photoreceptor cells (or cones) on our retinas that are then responsible for combing these colours to create either new ones, or various shades of the individual original three. Red and blue together, for example, will create purple, while a mixture of all three will create white.

When you envisage an idea for a drawing or painting, do you also see the colours, or will they evolve as you create the image?

“Colours are usually my starting point. I’ll have a gradient I want to play with, or a palette that I’m a bit obsessed with. In my youth, I’d start with a line drawing, but as I began painting it became more about colour and its application. For me, colour definitely dictates how I treat my subject.”

COLOUR THEORIES Author, teacher, and colour consultant Jill Morton says that colour theory incorporates “a multitude of definitions, concepts and design applications” but at its heart are three basic elements: the colour wheel, colour context, and colour harmony. The colour wheel – akin to a circular rainbow – was first developed by Sir Isaac Newton to demonstrate how light passing through a prism splits into seven separate colours (the visible spectrum); colour context concerns the behaviour of colour in relation to other colours – how red contrasts more against white than it does against black, for example; while colour harmony relates to how colours work together – say, in schemes.

Are there any colours that you are particularly drawn to?

“I am really captivated by the colours of dusk and dawn, which I suppose is rather vague seeing as almost all colours are present at one moment or another during twilight. I am specifically drawn to high impact gradients – glowing oranges, humming purples and explosive pinks. I find these colours resonant; they have an energy that can be peaceful and contemplative, but at the same time ultimately ephemeral.”

“Colour is a way to communicate stories, moments, feelings,” Anna adds. “I’m very deliberate in my colour choices. I edit my work to promote and complement certain colours over others. I’ll make compositional choices to elevate or relegate.

I’ll make use of contrasting and analogous hues.”

Have these preferences also changed with age?

“Yes. In my youth I wasn’t a fan of pink. I found myself most captivated by solid, flat, bold colour – the kinds you find in ‘90s cartoons. I was an avid reader of comics and spent hours copying my favourite X-Men and reimagining their costumes.

I was in my late 20s when I discovered the pastel pinks and fuzzy purples of cool evenings. Perhaps as a child, the synthetic objects and media that saturated my experience were largely bold, solid colours, and that as I entered

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adulthood, I became more fascinated by nature and the world.

I became enchanted by the explosive colour around us – the

Anna says that she suspects her colour preferences and mood are likely linked, but that “it’s not so easily defined”.

way a single green leaf is never the same green leaf, but many different greens as each hour passes. How its shades and

“I’m uplifted by the action of painting and I find its process deeply meditative. If I’m super happy, I do find myself wanting

tones fluctuate with the sun’s daily passage.”

to incorporate as much colour as possible. That is definitely something I’ve noticed about myself. I choose to paint colours that uplift and energise me. Because painting is my literal ‘happy place’, I explore colours that enchant me.”

COLOUR MOODS Though gender plays a role when it comes to picking colours, studies have shown that both sexes are overwhelming drawn to blue and green, at least in part because of their evocation of nature. But interestingly, exposure specifically to blue/green light in the morning also encourages the release of cortisol, a stimulating hormone that encourages wakefulness while repressing the release of the drowse-inducing melatonin (also the reason why staring at your phone at night will hinder sleep). Studies have even shown blue light may lower the heart rate (red light has the opposite effect) and reduce impulsivity so acutely that when blue lights were installed at the end of Tokyo railway platforms, suicides fell by 74 percent.

Home & Design

Anna has also worked extensively with kids in a teaching capacity, creating large-scale murals, artworks for educational apps and learning aids, and illustrating more than 100 books.

“One of the most interesting questions a student asked me was how do I know that the blue I see is the same that he sees.

Of course, there’s no answer to that. We both define what we agree is blue, as being blue, because we were taught that specific shade and its presence on associated objects as being something we call ‘blue’.”

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Colour Coordinating Once artists have considered their colour scheme, it’s a gallery’s job to ensure those works are seen in literally the best possible light. Verve goes behind the scenes with Fran Davies, director of Parnell’s International Art Centre.

Though gender plays a role when it comes to picking colours, studies have shown that both sexes are overwhelming drawn to blue and green, at least in part because of their evocation of nature.

What must a gallery consider when establishing an exhibition space?

Lighting is a key component, while a spacious exhibition area allows works to be viewed as solo pieces rather than competing for the viewer's attention.

The theme of an exhibition, or selected works, may be mirrored and enhanced by the choice of the wall colour on which they’re hung. The integral association of certain colours with the artists that favoured them is reflected in names such as Titian Red and Yves Klein Blue.

Do artists generally have input into how a gallery shows their work?

At International Art Centre, whilst we work in a highly collaborative manner with our represented artists, when it comes to the curating of exhibitions this tends to become the province of our committed and experienced gallery team.

I ask if she’s noticed children to be more drawn to certain colours.

“In almost every pack of felt tip pens, colouring pencils, or sets of watercolour, the first ones I need to replace are black and red, followed by blue. I suspect it’s because these are bold and definitive. Black is used to outline, red because it’s so attractive and vivacious, and blue because it represents bodies of water and the sky.”

Do the public realise the significance of the gallery’s role?

I think they do. There are many yardsticks by which to measure the significance of a gallery, one of the most gratifying being the comments of clients and visitors.

Now into our 51st year, we’ve the enjoyment and privilege of welcoming three generations of clients, meaning there are lots of wonderful stories relating to the role the gallery has played in people’s lives over the years.

The sky, Anna reflects, has long fascinated her because of its natural palettes and “the way it shifts hour by hour”.

“The sky is always performing,” she adds. “It never disappoints.

The most spectacular shows occur when the first and last of the sun’s rays tint its passage into the deep blue hues of night, and of day.”

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February 2022

Design of February Resene 1838 Murals Wallpaper Collection 1906-133-01

Matisse Bell Light

House Doctor Alir Brass Cocktail Shaker Anthropologie Extravagant Floral Feature Wall Art

STYLING —

ClassiCon Brass Bell Coffee Table in Amethyst

BELLA SAMPSON

Ro Collection Hurricane Tealight no.53 in Sepia Brown

Antonio Citterio Maxalto dining table

Paulus and Brown Izzy Chair Wenge

Eilersen Butterfly sofa

TaylorRoad M. M Linen Maisie Notebook

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February 2022

OREXART

Exhibition of the Month

Jacqui Colley 8 February – 6 March After several covid-related delays, we’re delighted to finally be able to present a solo exhibition by Eastbourne-based artist Jacqui Colley, whose paintings and drawings we’ve long admired.

In 2018, Colley won the prestigious Parkin Drawing Prize with a drawing that was – arguably – a painting, described by the judge as “progressive, explorative, and extending the boundaries of what drawing can be”.

The deep and inextricable connection to drawing is clear in each and every one of the paintings that make up this new collection. The pigment sits lightly on the canvas surface, but its application draws power from unseen depths, managing to be simultaneously earthy and ethereal, spare, and lush.

Colley’s compositions evolve through time, place, and process. When creating these works, she comments: “I was thinking about geographical transformations that take place over millions of years; from the colour of minerals to the shape of a place. The pigments and other materials offer a means of translating the natural world.”

WORK FEATURED: JACQUI COLLEY’S EASTBOURNE STUDIO PARITEA OIL ON CANVAS 1200 X 1400MM

Art

221 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby

Open Tue-Sat 11am-5pm

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rex@orexart.co.nz 0212134449

orexart.co.nz

2 - 6 MARCH 2022

THE CLOUD /

A K L W AT E R F R O N T

The Art of Graham Young 2022 Calendar

Graham Young

Detail of painting © Graham Young 2022

Detail of painting © Graham Young 2022

2022

Detail of painting © Graham Young 2022

art of

Introducing the Art of Graham Young 2022 Calendar. Featuring 12 images of Graham’s popular paintings. An ideal calendar of the kiwi lifestyle for yourself, a gift or sending overseas.

On sale at leading booksellers and stationers or direct from grahamyoungartist.com

Aotearoa Art Fair The Aotearoa Art Fair is scheduled to be back from 2-6 March though at the time of writing, the red traffic light may mean a pause. With nearly a year of planning underway, almost half of the participating galleries are from out of town – including Bergman Gallery from Rarotonga and several Australian galleries.

CHERYL LUCAS, UNVAXXED, BLOOMING & BUGMANTI, 2020. COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND MCLEAVEY GALLERY

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JENNY WATSON, GIRL WITH A BLACK CAT, 2021.

COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND ROBERT HEALD GALLERY

Even if the fair can’t open in March, the artists will have made all the artworks, and their galleries will have it for sale. So, whether you’re looking for quirky ceramics, an outdoor sculpture, or a stunning painting to hang on the wall get in touch with the galleries to find out more! Here are some Verve picks…

Cheryl Lucas’ softly angular ceramics will look fabulous alongside paintings by Christina Pataialli on the McLeavey Gallery (Wellington) stand, and from Hamilton Laree Payne Gallery, will be pairing Laura Williams bright and clever paintings with ceramics by Taranaki-based Paul Maseyk.

If you are looking for a sculpture for the garden or a patio, we love Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine’s VAKA ‘A HINA (meaning in English ‘Vessel of Hina’). Ancient Tongan and Moana Oceania (Pacific) folklore provide the background story - Hina is a Tongan goddess who lives on the moon above the langi (sky) in vāvā (outer space) and travels frequently back and forth to maama (Earth). VAKA ‘A HINA can be imagined as the vessel or receptacle she uses as transportation on these intergalactic trips – it’s her waka (canoe) – thus evoking ideas of travel, motion and movement. VAKA ‘A HINA at the Art Fair is a new version of the work of the same name which was shown at SCAPE in Christchurch in 2019 – but the one at the fair is 2.4m high, not 16m!

Leading Australian artist, Jenny Watson will be showing a solo presentation of new paintings made for the Auckland Art Fair

TIM BUČKOVIĆ, LIST CHAIN, 2019.

COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND FUTURES

- including this one - with Robert Heald Gallery (Wellington).

Deliberately naïve in style, her paintings are acerbic in their emotional detail, inspired by both punk and feminism, and combine both autobiographical and fictional features.

The Misadventures of Te Kuri, a standout installation by Tawhai Rickard (Ngāti Uepohatu, Ngāti Porou) on the PAULNACHE (Gisborne) stand, will incorporate whakairoa (sculpture), and painting from antique assemblages and carved wooden objects adapting two Māori superheroes derived from 1960s American pop culture. Rickard‘s Batman figure (Te Kuri) and Robin (Pipiwharauroa) navigate their way through historical and contemporary landscapes of Aotearoa New Zealand, often in the face of adversity and antagonism.

Our one to watch comes from the new Melbourne Gallery, FUTURES, who will be sending a selection of paintings by emerging Australian artist Tim Bučković. Trained in Melbourne and Frankfurt, Bučković’s paintings have been described as “both abstract and figurative, specific yet universal, cubist and quasi digital”.

The Aotearoa Art Fair returns to The Cloud on Auckland’s waterfront, 2-6 March 2022. Tickets are on sale now from artfair.co.nz . Any changes to plans for a live Art Fair in March will be announced on artfair.co.nz and @aotearoaartfair on Instagram and Facebook.

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February 2022

WORDS — AIMÉE RALFINI

The Art of Curation

Your home is looking good, all major renovations are done, the garden is established, its growth well underway, but something is missing… The final touch to bring everything together, the visual crescendo of your personal space: Art.

“Through using digital, VR and AR presentation technology, we take our clients on a journey, presenting their bespoke collection in a professionally curated way.”

You’ve collected bits and pieces over the years, but nothing seems to fit quite the way you’d imagined… Perhaps you’re stuck in a rut? Uninspired? Don’t know what you like anymore and want to discover new artists, but you’re not sure where to start. Cue, Julie Green and Clare Mora from Artful Curation.

Whether it’s helping you with one work to tie your existing collection together, or curating the entire script for your home, Julie and Clare have you covered.

Artful Curation is an art curation, sourcing, and installation business. The service procures and curates wall art, sculpture, objects, and outdoor art, so all you have to do is think about what you like and enjoy the process of watching your space come alive. Something only art can do.

Clare is recognised as an expert in art and design retailing and developing/mentoring NZ artists locally and internationally, resulting in her running galleries in Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Dubai, Singapore and New York. Julie's background lies in marketing, technology and logistics. The pair met while volunteering at their sons' school's art show... fast forward five years and Artful Curation launched. The rest is history.

Their bespoke service starts with a conversation to ascertain the client’s needs. The pair have myriad tech tools and top galleries at their disposal, they use virtual and augmented reality to help clients visualise what an artwork would look like in their home, and source work from their rolodex of contemporary galleries such as Jonathan Grant, Sanderson, Two Rooms, Whitespace, Trish Clarke, and Gow Langsford. They can even action commissions with artists, advise on lighting, and of course, install the works.

It’s this hands-on, personalised service and independence from any one gallery that enables the team at Artful Curation to truly deliver and sees clients coming back for more. Word of their service has spread like wildfire, with a recent brief requiring an entire house in LA to be populated with New Zealand art during lockdown! A process one would imagine as stressful and fraught, but in reality, was quite the opposite. The client loved the journey, gained confidence in their tastes, and thought the whole process a cool experience.

Verve sat down with the pair for a kōrero (conversation) about Artful Curation.

A point of difference with Artful Curation is working with virtual and augmented reality. How did you get involved with this kind of technology and how does it work?

Julie: Our challenge was really to assist our clients with

being able to visualise the artworks in their homes, gardens, or business. Through using digital, VR and AR presentation technology, we take our clients on a journey, presenting their bespoke collection in a professionally curated way. Part of this presentation enables clients to position the artworks on their walls, furniture, floor or in their garden, bringing it all to life.

It removes the risk, while being convinced that they’re investing in something they love. It's almost a ‘try before you buy’ process which is novel and the whole family can get involved. It’s one thing to imagine art in your home… it's another thing to see it there.

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February 2022

Running a business solo isn’t easy, having a trusted business partner is key. How did you develop your working relationship, who does what, and how do your skillsets complement each other?

interests and architectural/interior design requirements are carefully incorporated, their input included every step of the way. It’s the customised journey that results in such a personally curated result and happy clients.

J: Clare and I met five years ago doing voluntary work at our sons’ school’s art show fundraiser. Clare was doing the art curation and I the marketing. A friendship began, with a mutual love for art. Fast forward five years, and we launched Artful Curation.

I’m in charge of ‘making the magic happen smoothly, enjoyably, on time, to spec, and transparently’.

In many ways Clare, and I have similar work experience and interests. We’ve both worked locally and internationally, been closely aligned with developing brands and products, and have solid business experience – Clare having worked with art and design products, me in marketing in book publishing, FMCG, construction, the health industry, and more recently the not-for-profit sector. Working together is a pleasure. We have mutual respect for our abilities and feel comfortable in healthily challenging each other. It’s also really nice to have someone to bounce ideas off. Communication is key. We talk regularly, however, we also allow space to get stuff done.

New Zealand has a unique position with the largest of moats surrounding us to help create a unique environment. What do you think New Zealand artists offer that is unique on a global level?

But to ensure that we run a tight ship, we have clearly defined roles. Clare is in charge of ‘where the magic happens', and it is magic. She will take any space – home, garden, office, art exhibition – and transform the interior and exterior environments into beautifully curated experiences with paintings, sculptures, and objects. Part of this ‘magic’ is taking the client/family on a holistic, bespoke journey where their

Art

I’m all about the customer experience being amazing but am the person in the background making everything happen seamlessly.

Clare: Our isolation possibly works in our favour here, as there are many original artists who work away in their studios and sheds, blissfully unrestrained by the weight and boundaries of, for example, European-based artists, as well as the complexities of the art industry. As in other areas of New Zealand innovation, artists can be inspired by their surroundings, 'give it a go', work away at an idea, an artistic impulse, for years before it becomes necessary to make a living from it. New Zealand art has a very high level of sophistication, appealing to those who seek to connect with works of art at a deeper, possibly complex, level.

It is not 'obvious’ or ‘loud' art, it is layered, moody, and often reflective of the country and its mentality.

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“New Zealand art has a very high level of sophistication, appealing to those who seek to connect with works of art at a deeper, possibly complex, level.”

Your work requires you to fulfil many roles like art advisor, listener, interior designer, or art-translator. What is the most satisfying?

You meet many fabulous artists and purchase beautiful works. What artwork at home is currently giving you the most pleasure and why?

C: The psychology of matching the artist and artworks to the people who are going to enjoy them. That is a highly delicate process, requiring patience, a bit of a push into new territory, and then seeing the a-ha moment of it connecting. I also love the spatial planning, bringing in the interior experience.

C: The latest piece to join my collection is a Garry Currin work, as well as a Grace Wright. I love them, though I must say, I love all of the pieces, big and small, in my collection.

J: For me, it's seeing the magic happen when the artworks are positioned then the clients fall in love with them. It makes everything worthwhile. The deep appreciation and the way artworks speak to new owners on such a personal level.

Whether it’s the hero piece in the collection, or the inexpensive, beautiful object that’s just perfect. They all have a place.

Many people are art curious but hesitant to go out and buy. What is your advice to them?

J: Come and talk to us, we can help.

C: We’ll make the journey enjoyable, rewarding, personal, and fun.

J: Like Clare I love all the pieces in my collection, each one arouses memories and meaning as to when and why I purchased them, from the very first artworks I bought from my art school friend and flatmate –incidentally for a packet of toffee pops – through to my most recent purchase, a beautiful sculpture by ceramicist Annie McIver. They all bring joy, just in different ways.

If you struggle to imagine how art would look in your home, find the process of purchasing art intimidating, or are unsure about what you want, Artful Curation is for you. Reach out, have a chat then sit back and enjoy the magical process of bringing you home to life with art. Check out the website for contact and other information artfulcuration.art .

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February 2022

The Art of February

WORDS — AIMÉE RALFINI

Tāmaki Makaurau is bursting at the seams with vibrant and divine art this February. Despite the Red Light restrictions, all systems are go, go, go to the gallery! Here's a curation of exhibitions throughout the isthmus, so you can enjoy an art respite without venturing too far from home.

ARTWORK: AN INVITATION TO DANCE - ANN SHELTON©.

COURTESY OF TWO ROOMS 2

Foenander Galleries Lost Pages 10 Feb - 8 Mar 455 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden

Thomas Pound and Roger Mortimer are exhibiting Lost Pages at Foenander Galleries. A collaborative project, the show combines the found object assemblages of Pound, with the ethereal illustrative paintings of Mortimer, creating an empowered, immersive experience within the gallery space.

Fresh Gallery Ōtara Tau Atu e!

12 Feb – 2 Mar Shop 5, 46 Fair Mall, Ōtara

foenandergalleries.co.nz

Masterworks Iro-Shino Oribe

by Aaron Scythe 19 Feb-19 Mar 71 Upper Queen Street, Newton

Aaron Scythe’s new work for Iro-Shino Oribe is a resurrection of precious styles learnt over the years of his extensive practice whilst working and living in Japan. His ceramics are a culmination of ideas that are integral to his practice, exploring motif and symbology as they are embedded within traditional form and technique.

Michael Lett Desert Flowers, and Wet Contact 25 Feb – 5 Apr 312B Karangahape Road

Bethany Matai Edmunds (Ngāti Kurī/ Māori Pohotiare/Ngātī Kurī/Māori) is a fibre sculptor who re-imagines tūpuna kōrero (ancestral stories) to articulate Māori urban perspectives and retain ngā taonga tuku iho (the skills passed down from ancestors) for future generations.

Tau Atu e! is a solo exhibition that materialises the artist's journey by following the flight path of the kuaka and activates the artist to her iwi of Ngāti Kurī.

Two artists exhibit in two standalone shows this month at Michael Lett, New York-based artist Paul Lee will be showing new works in Desert Flowers and Tāmaki Makaurau-based artist Anoushka Akel will be showing new paintings in Wet Contact. michaellett.com

masterworksgallery.co.nz

Studio One Toi Tū Until 24 Feb 1 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn

As always Studio One Toi Tū is brimming with creative activity. Positioned at 1 Ponsonby Road, it’s hard to resist popping in to see what’s happening.

This month the following artists are displayed: Mark Whippy – Auckland Under Construction; Two Hands Tattoo – Forever; Joanne Black – Whakaata Kitea (Through the Looking Glass); Garth Steeper – Kororareka Olive Green and Oxide Red.

Two Rooms An invitation to dance – Ann Shelton Until 5 Mar 16 Putiki Street, Newton

This month Two Rooms is exhibiting the saturated floral photography of Ann Shelton. This series is a tribute to Lola Montez, an infamous artiste who visited Australia during its gold rush to dance – and posed for the earliest known publicity photograph of a woman smoking. tworooms.co.nz

studioone.org.nz

Artspace Aotearoa New Artists Programme Until 19 Feb 292 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central

This year's Artspace Aotearoa's New Artists Programme features: †sAPEXALTERNATIVECONCUBINE, Connor Fitzgerald, Priscilla Rose Howe, Xi Li, Ming Ranginui, Obadiah Russon, and Anto Yeldezian.

The show is loosely structured around the themes resonant in Lauren Berlant’s seminal book Cruel Optimism (2011), who is said to have defined the fields of affect theory, heteronormativity and queer theory. artspace-aotearoa.nz

Check websites for how to plan your visit under current alert levels.

ABOVE: NEW ARTISTS - COURTESY OF ARTSPACE AOTEAROA. PHOTOGRAPHY SAMUEL HARTNETT

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February 2022

TYLER JACKSON, SENTINEL, SOTG 2022

Walk, Play, Eat, Stay

WORDS — AIMÉE RALFINI

Majestic headlands, secluded bays, intimate nooks and grand vistas – Waiheke Island, home to Sculpture On The Gulf, is the unique whenua (land) and coastal canvas upon which 31 contemporary New Zealand artists have created site-responsive sculptures for this year’s event.

So much has happened in the years since the last Sculpture on the Gulf in 2019. A pandemic, a postponement, a whole new board and two new curators. With additional exciting initiatives and partnerships in place, “this year’s event promises to be an inspiring and exhilarating ride,” says Dr Kriselle Baker, (new) Sculpture on the Gulf board member and one of the four curatorial selectors.

Sculpture on the Gulf (SOTG) is New Zealand’s foremost outdoor sculpture exhibition, and is scheduled to return 4 March to Waiheke Island’s magnificent coastal landscape, after a covid-hiatus in 2021. This year SOTG new board has collaborated with local business to create a series of companion events at the island’s vineyards, like Artisan Dinners which see chefs and artists working together with food inspired by the artist’s work. The artist and chef will speak briefly about the food and the artist about their work at each event. These Artisan Dinners seat around 50–60 guests (restaurant depending), so book early to secure a reservation.

In addition to the Artisan Dinners, SOTG has also partnered with The Auckland Art Fair, which runs 2-6 March. With many artists crossing over between the two events, the partnership makes a lot of sense. Martin Basher’s work greets guests on the forecourt of The Cloud, as the first SOTG placement, itself an act of encouragement to visitors to ‘make a weekend of it’ on the island.

Staying for a weekend on Waiheke will appeal to many people, I’m sure. Wine and dine in the city, then jet over to the island for

VIRGINIA LEONARD, GANGRENE WITH SMELLING SALTS, 2021, PHOTO OLIVER KING

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February 2022

LOUISE MCRAE, KODAMA: THE SPIRIT OF THE TREE, SOTG 2022

NATALIE GUY, THE GENIUS LOCI OF THE CHAPEL, SOTG 2022

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CHRIS MOORE, INTRODUCED SPECIES, SOTG 2022

a stroll through the sculpture trail with its impeccable views of the gulf.

Then take an afternoon the following day to relax at one of the island vineyards. This proposition has the added benefit of avoiding any queues for the ferry as you can travel outside peak times.

The biennial exhibition usually attracts 30,000–50,000 visitors to the island, something that will not be too badly affected by the new red light system in place in Auckland.

Unlike previous Sculpture on the Gulf events, this year’s event will be ticketed to comply with the Covid-19 Protection Framework. During the three-week exhibition, opening hours will be Monday to Thursday 10am – 4pm, Friday and Saturday 9am – 6pm, and Sunday 9am – 4pm, with tickets for the event available for purchase from sotg.nz.

Demand is sure to be running high, so book early to avoid missing out.

In line with government health and safety requirements under the Covid-19 Protection Framework, anyone wishing to enjoy the event will be required to produce a valid vaccination pass upon

entry. This means that the public space used for the event will be restricted to vaccinated ticketholders only during event hours. Please note that currently this requirement does not apply to children under the age of 12 years and three months.

As usual visitors can expect a spectacular lineup of exciting artists from diverse communities all over Aotearoa (including Waiheke) that have been selected by a curational panel of highly accomplished art experts, this year: Nigel Borell, Rachel Yates, Fiona Blanchard, and Dr Kriselle Baker.

Thirty-one significant outdoor sculptural works respond to the spectacular setting and environment of Waiheke and Tīkapa Moana (the Hauraki Gulf). The works will be displayed along a two-kilometre stretch of coastline along the Waiheke headland from Church Bay towards Te Atawhai Whenua Reserve and Matiatia.

The event fosters the potential of contemporary sculpture to activate the environment, creating opportunities for audiences to experience the power and beauty of sculpture in the landscape.

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Prior to the beginning of the curatorial selection process, curator Rachel Yates noted: “I’m humbled to be a selector for Sculpture on The Gulf 2022. It is a unique, reputable event that offers a meaningful space and platform for artists and contemporary issues.

I look forward to the review process, and getting an in-depth insight into materials, design, context, and the storytelling of works considered.”

MORE INFORMATION Dates: 4–27 March 2022 2022 artist line-up: sotg.nz/our-artists To Book a Companion Event visit: sotg.nz/event-program For Waiheke accommodation: staywaiheke.com bemyguestwaiheke.co.nz For tickets and bookings, and to organise transport visit sotg.nz

February 2022

WORDS — JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

Thankful for Connection

“Something as simple as writing down three things you’re grateful for every day for 21 days in a row significantly increases your level of optimism”

Having (so far!) survived the greatest global health crisis for a century – and what is arguably the most consequential sociocultural catastrophe since the second world war – among the things this technophobe has been most grateful for over the past couple of years is my smartphone and its now most-used application: WhatsApp.

I was especially grateful for WhatsApp during lockdowns because working from home meant I could leave videocalls to my mother back in the UK running for hours on end so she felt as though she had some company – even when set to mute so I could get my work done! Aside from the fact I’m somewhat of news addict – who isn’t, nowadays?! – the daily calls across the globe also made me even more grateful for being part of the team of five million in fortress Aotearoa, well away from the partying prats in Westminster happy to let the pandemic run amok.

Dr Robert Emmons, author, psychology professor, and eminent scientific expert on gratitude, advises the practice of gratitude to be among the best medicines we can take at present for its power “to heal” and “to bring hope”. “Project yourself into the future and imagine how grateful you will be when your circumstances change,” he tells US Davis Health’s Newsroom.

“This has been very powerful for people during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s a defiant attitude that insists that gratitude is the best approach to life, no matter what.”

Gratitude as a ‘tonic’ has been promoted for at least 2,000 years by ancient philosophers such as Cicero. According to Dr Emmons, gratitude, from the Latin, gratia – meaning grace or gratefulness – comprises two stages. The first stage involves acknowledging what’s good in our lives while the second is about recognising the source of that goodness – whether it be, say, other people, the environment, or companion animals. But importantly, gratitude should always be an outward expression, a selfless recognition of the positivity of other things or people, and not something to be practised towards oneself.

Practising gratitude has been proven to have all manner of physical and mental benefits, including fighting depression and creating resilience to stress. Studies have shown that simply being more optimistic doesn’t just put you (and those

around you) in a better mood from day to day but increases your lifespan by up to 15%, with more successful romantic relationships and better jobs with fewer sick days.

“Something as simple as writing down three things you’re grateful for every day for 21 days in a row significantly increases your level of optimism, and it holds for the next six months,” Harvard researcher and author Shawn Achor tells Inc.com.

“The research is amazing.”

Research conducted in 2015 found folk with heart failure who kept gratitude journals had reduced inflammation and better mood and sleep. Plus, their symptoms of heart failure reduced after just eight weeks.

Further research has found that the practising gratitude to have increased activity in parts of the brain responsible for reward, morality, and judgement – possibly why it forms the basis of so many religious and philosophical teachings. A study by the University of Indiana concluded gratitude to actually rewire the brain. Psychology writer Dr Christian Jarrett describes the long-lasting neurological effects as “particularly noteworthy” suggesting the brain has “a sort of gratitude ‘muscle’ that can be exercised and strengthened”: “The more you practice gratitude,” he explains in Science of Us, “the more attuned you are to it and the more you can enjoy its psychological benefits.”

Aside from keeping a journal, ways to practise gratitude include through meditation, writing thank-you notes, voicing gratitude to others, noticing nature, developing greater self-control, thinking positive thoughts, and avoiding gossip (and possibly the news!). For religious folk, gratitude can stem from prayer.

This year marks not only hopefully the end of the pandemic (or the most dangerous stages of it, at least), but on a personal note, my tenth year in Aotearoa New Zealand (and as a writer for Verve). It’s a period of my life that has resulted in opportunities, friendships, and an appreciation for what really counts, for which I’ll be eternally grateful to both my adopted country and the folk I’ve met along the way – though I’m most certainly not so grateful for how fast that decade has gone.

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February 2022

Get Addicted to Learning with The Mind Lab “The landscape changes so quickly. There are new platforms and tools popping up all the time, so I knew there was more to learn and I wanted to challenge myself.”

- Jess Connors, student at The Mind Lab. Upskill and invest in yourself without the time commitment of a traditional university degree – all you need is a laptop and an internet connection.

A few years into your career, upskilling with further education can be daunting. Doubly so if you’re looking to change paths from one career to another. On top of that, there’s the uncertainty of the Covid-19-era and the fact that Kiwis in particular tend to be apprehensive about further learning. Plus, most people just don’t think they have time.

Enter The Mind Lab, founded and led by Frances Valintine, offering postgraduate learning for busy adults. The ‘bite-sized’ micro-credentials are NZQA-recognised courses designed to fit in with a full-time-working life. They’re achievably short enough that they don’t feel like a massive commitment, while the applied skills that the courses teach directly benefit both work and personal life.

Jess Connors is one such student stacking up her qualifications well after she studied Human Resources Management and Public Relations at Humber College in Toronto, Canada from 2006-2009. Her ‘Jill of all trades’ career has seen her with roles in everything from administration to corporate affairs and teaching – on three different continents. Since settling in Aotearoa, Jess has been working in HR, communications, and public relations.

She started with The Mind Lab’s Postgraduate Certificate in Digital and Collaborative Learning. “I was inspired because I had such a great experience with my first programme and I knew that there was much more that I could learn, especially in the digital and tech space,” she says.

So, from that first course, it snowballed. Jess took on two micro-credentials, Digital Skills for the Workplace, and Leading Beyond Sustainability, and is currently part-way through her postgraduate certificate from The Mind Lab's sister organisation, Tech Futures Lab, where she is studying Human Potential in the Digital Economy. Jess will be done around June, and is already eyeing up another Tech Futures Lab programme.

Jess has found what The Mind Lab has long suspected – that learning is addictive.

A self-professed active relaxer, Jess was also able to fit all her courses with The Mind Lab around her career. She admits that she hasn’t had quite as much time to spend chilling out and watching Netflix but made that sacrifice very purposefully in order to invest in herself instead.

“I've learned how to be more proactive and conscious about where I spend my energy and I have found that really fulfilling,” she says. “Schooling has cut into my social life for sure, but I

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“My studies have broadened my perspectives and enriched the depth to my thinking and way of being.”

have gained a great social circle of likeminded people through my studies too.”

And for her hard work, Jess has been rewarded in her career.

“Absolutely, my studies have enriched my career. They have broadened my perspective and enriched the depth to my thinking, and way of being.

“In fact, I have recently moved into a more tech-related role, working in the digital assets/crypto space. Without my studies and willingness to learn new things and pivot, I don't think I’d have had the confidence to move into this career and tech startup, Easy Crypto.”

The learning easily fits in around a working life, with some courses requiring around 10 hours a week, consisting of videos, reading, and facilitated live classes. But it’s also really flexible, with students able to focus more deeply on areas that suit their interests and less on areas that aren’t so relevant to them personally or professionally. Jess notes that when she’s been unwell, or had a lot of work, The Mind Lab was flexible and accommodating with her courses. But more than that, the flexibility of The Mind Lab’s courses is built around the way students learn.

terms of speaking in large groups,” Jess reports. “We have been given assignments, of course, but have had the choice whether to complete an essay, or a report, or to record a video, create a presentation, and so on. So, this has really allowed for people to present their work and their learnings in the way that feels most authentic and comfortable for them.”

In comparison, her previous traditional schooling felt very oldschool, “with ancient textbooks and teachers speaking at the students rather than collaborative learning”.

The Mind Lab’s courses on the other hand utilise a diverse range of learning methods, including videos, readings, discussions and facilitated live classes. “We’ve done a whole lot of group projects as well as individual assignments. It feels very contemporary, practical and fit for the times we are currently living in.”

Though taking the leap to do the first course seems to be the tricky part, it’s just the thing that will revolutionise your career, your CV, and your skills base, to get that ‘new you’ you’re hoping to get out of the new year. And if you’re still hesitant, Jess's message is to go for it: “I genuinely can't rate The Mind Lab and Tech Futures Lab more highly!” themindlab.com

“There has also been acknowledgement and flexibility around students with different personalities and comfort levels in 53

February 2022

WORDS — BELLA SAMPSON

Miss Understood “OMG, he’s so annoyi… he’s like a lot.

He’s, you know, I think like, very ADHD, you know what I mean?”

An acquaintance vents at me, as we catch up at a party. Her new co-worker sounds like a real treat. I smile politely and nod, then hold her gaze and bite my lip.

Should I? Yeah, the night is young.

“Oh, is ADHD synonymous for annoying?” I ask innocently.

Her eyes widen and she re-assesses me. Perhaps it wasn’t as innocent as I thought.

The ‘Are you…? I didn’t mean to… You don’t seem…’ unfinished whisps of assertion and questioning flow rapidly.

What does five percent of the population ‘seem’?

ADHD stands for ‘attention deficit hyperactive disorder’, ADD is just without the hyperactivity symptom. There’s also the combined type, which is a little of both categories. For the sake of this article, I’ll use the term ADHD. It’s a neurological condition that affects the frontal lobe – specifically, the dopamine receptors aren’t receiving the amount of dopamine they should. The frontal lobe is responsible for memory, motivation, impulse control, social behaviour, planning, attention, delaying gratification, decision making and language. So, nothing too important. People have symptoms

to varying degrees and may have some that barely present themselves.

Symptoms do need to be present from childhood to achieve diagnosis in adulthood. Forgetting your keys or being a little disorganised from time to time may seem like an ordinary thing for some that happens from time to time. Which leads to the popular, ‘aren’t we all a little ADHD?’ rhetorical question you’ll often hear posed. For ADHD people, however, their symptoms are always present and as a collective, not everyone ‘loses their keys’.

The consistent forgetful nature or lapses of someone that others notice from time to time, may be illustrative of strained coping mechanisms, used to hide the extra effort used for certain tasks; to run where others walk.

The dopamine deficit leads one’s brain to look for sources, which seemingly speeds it up as it takes in the entirety of an environment in search. Our brains constantly multitask throughout our waking hours at such a pace, that sometimes the smaller details can be overlooked, when looking at not just the bigger picture, but all the pictures at once.

However, we can also really focus and zone in at times, so ‘attention deficit’, is quite the misnomer. There’s a symptom called ‘hyper focus’ where one can sit and have a high level of attention for long bursts and often produce incredible work.

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Women are, comparatively significantly underdiagnosed and are more likely to get diagnosed in adulthood, rather than childhood.

Personally, I’ve had it pop up for essays where I’ve spent up to eleven hours sitting still, not daring to get up for food or chance a sip of water, whilst completely absorbed in my work.

This singular and intense focus is often offered as a reason for ADHD people make up the bulk of entrepreneurs. When we have a vision, we put in that extra mile. We’re great outside-ofthe-box thinkers, academics, artists, and creators. Whatever we love, really, we excel at.

Women are, comparatively significantly underdiagnosed and are more likely to get diagnosed in adulthood, rather than childhood. It’s still thought of as a loud boy’s disorder, but a chatty girl with ‘needs to talk less/try harder’ is an equally good indicator – as well as being a chronic ‘daydreamer’. As the brain is trying to correct a dopamine deficit, it seeks out stimulating environments, which may just be a stimulating conversation or a daydream rather than maths class. It presents a little differently for adults, but if the childhood pattern is there, it’s a good indicator.

Medication is often shamed; it corrects the dopamine deficit to a near normal level and won’t get a person ‘high’. I personally find myself wanting a nap, as even though I can focus with ease, it’s a bit tiring to have the world quieten down a little. However, personally, it's a necessity, given the contrast. For most patients,

medication is deemed as the most effective tool in tackling it, as it helps to minimise most symptoms.

Sure, I could not take medication, just like I could go without my glasses. With my 20cm of clear vision, I could achieve all my tasks in a day, it would just take a lot more time and effort, and would be incredibly draining. I would figure out coping strategies and shortcuts, I’m sure, but it wouldn’t stop the process from being frustrating, especially when there’s a significantly easier way.

I have an inordinate number of friends who are also ADHD, some only recently diagnosed. None of whom fit the stereotypes seen in media or attributed broadly to a set of behaviours.

My ones are all inspired, passionate, empathetic, fast-talking beauties with such a fascinating myriad of expertise.

Perhaps that is a lot, for one to be. Although, aside from the labels above, I’d struggle to create a list of what they ‘must be’, due to one shared factor out of the plethora of elements and experiences that make them who they are.

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Angela Byelich Pearl Wellness

You specialise in burnout, can you explain what this is, how we recover, and how it can be prevented?

The Mental Health Foundation defines burnout as exhaustion (emotional and physical), cynicism, and a reduced sense of accomplishment. I see burnout as the deep fatigue that comes from carrying too much, for too long. Burnout comes with a range of physical symptoms and disease may be developing. By the time a client reaches out to me they may have been trying to improve their wellbeing for many years.

Left untreated, burnout can cause anxiety and depression which can affect the ability to function day-to-day, and relationships may be suffering.

Recovery involves peeling the layers back and taking a holistic view to then prioritise what’s truly needed. We use what we know about behaviour change to support recovery to make it easy and even enjoyable! I can’t tell you what’s right for you, but I can help you find your way.

Preventing burnout is a lot to do with picking up on the signs early. What’s my body trying to tell me? Am I getting irritable?

How’s my sleep? Am I avoiding problems?

Am I using substances to numb? How do I nurture myself?

Do I enjoy my life?

Getting to the root cause of symptoms like fatigue, stress and anxiety has the potential to be quite confronting. How do you support clients as you journey through this together?

Not everybody is ready to address the root cause of their symptoms, and that’s okay. I’m upfront from the start and talk about the ‘stages of change’ so the client can understand where they’re at. This empowers the client. ‘Failure’ and relapse is a normal part of change, so we manage this openly.

Beauty & Health

Coaching does involve challenging the client at times and I use my intuition to guide me through this. Staying focussed on what’s most important to them, asking the right questions, keeping it light when needed, are ways I keep the partnership supportive.

Navigating chronic illness can be an exhausting and overwhelming process. What would you say to those who feel like it’s too much extra work to put aside time for support and help?

I would say book a free introductory session with me and experience how health coaching can help you! My role is to manage the process and lighten the load, while the client directs where the healing journey needs to go. It’s always my aim that the client experiences a sense of ease, not extra work! I regularly get coached myself and this has been my experience.

What has been the most rewarding part of your role as a health coach?

When clients get their spark back. The psychology behind behaviour change is what makes health coaching so effective for the client and rewarding for the coach – I’m blown away at how this works! Seeing clients improve their health and enjoying their lives again is so rewarding and I’m so humbled to be able to support them.

Angela can reached at info@pearlwellness.co.nz and pearlwellness.co.nz

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WORDS — JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

Well, Well, Well

Now into February, some of those wellintentioned new year wellness resolutions may be on the wane. Verve sat down with some of the nation’s most eminent wellness gurus for some tips on taking charge of our physical and mental health.

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February 2022

We are changing that narrative around exercise to show it’s not just about losing weight, it benefits energy levels, mental health, body image and self-efficacy.

Kate Ivey Kate Ivey is founder and CEO of DediKate, an online health and fitness community for busy women, with a combined Facebook and Instagram (@kateiveyfitness) following of nearly 50,000.

She tells Verve that February’s a good time to revisit and reassess our “idealist” January goals that might not have been so realistic. “Work out what is working and what isn’t, what you really want to achieve, and why,” she says. “Take each day at a time. I love to remind people that it’s normal to not feel like exercising, you are not alone. A simple goal to have is to still be exercising at the end of the year.”

The all-female Dedikate team combines the likes of yoga, pilates and HIIT to offer “a balanced and holistic approach to health and fitness” including nutritional advice and exercise psychology.

“We are changing that narrative around exercise to show it’s not just about losing weight, it benefits energy levels, mental health, body image and self-efficacy. It’s life-changing for so many women to see exercise as a tool for being their best or improving their mood, rather than as something to do to try and burn off dessert.”

Do many underestimate the importance of good diet for fitness?

“People certainly overestimate the weight loss benefits of exercise and underestimate the benefits of nutrition, often starting a new regime by eating as little as they can, which is unsustainable. The focus should be on fuelling your body to be at your best every day, to be able to exercise well for the physical and mental benefits. Set yourself up for success, don’t try and achieve everything at once. Allow some grace to learn, and remember we aren’t aiming for perfection – we’re not training for the Olympics.”

“Exercise psychology was my favourite paper at university. It’s so important because considering the benefits of exercise, too many people don’t exercise, or drop out. That’s why creating a community like DediKate, that women and mothers can relate to, is important. Women are seeing it’s for everyone, you don’t have to be sporty to be exercising regularly.

Has there been a greater interest in health and fitness since the pandemic?

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“The main change the pandemic has driven is a move to exercising online. It’s positive because people are realising how much time they can save by working out at home. They can more easily make it a part of their lives and are more likely to stick at it.”

What are your personal goals for 2022?

“Firstly, to reduce the amount of work I do at night! I don’t often get a break and hurrying the kids to bed isn’t fair on them. Plus, working on the computer at night makes it harder to sleep. So, my goal is to get up – and go to bed – earlier during the week.”

What wellness trends do you expect to see this year?

“I think we will continue to see modes being intertwined, like on DediKate. Resistance training being HIIT and resistance training; HIIT infused yoga, pilates and barre. Mixing styles creates lots of variety and benefits – and prevents boredom. It’s also a great way to transition people from their favourite styles to others that they realise they enjoy.”

Is this holistic approach the key to good health?

“We all have our favourite way to work out but using just one limits the benefits. Including a variety means we can improve cardiovascular fitness, strength, and flexibility. Mixing it up keeps us challenged – ask someone that only does resistance training or HIIT to do a DediKate pilates class and they’ll find it tough! It’s also helpful to align the type of workout you are doing with your mood, stress, or energy levels. HIIT, weights or a run are perfect when we’re unmotivated whereas yoga, pilates or a walk are needed when stressed or wound up.”

DediKate is a supportive and collaborative environment, is a sense of community key to motivation?

“Yes! People love to feel they identify with us and what we have created at DediKate. Some are really into community and interaction, whereas others stick to themselves but like to know they are a part of something that aligns with their values. Our members are really motivated by the fact that our trainers are just like them – all mothers, all busy, and all just doing our best to look after ourselves and balance life. We sweat with them, we struggle to finish sets, and have flat days. We share the good times and the bad, and women can see that it’s not about how much you can lift or how much weight you have lost – it’s about how you feel and being in control of your health and fitness for all the benefits.”

Learn more at kateiveyfitness.com

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February 2022

PHOTO: MATTY SMITH @HARRINGTONSTUDIOS

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Goals are important, but we need to be more flexible and lenient on ourselves.

Lydia O’Donnell Marathoner Lydia O’Donnell is a Nike Pacific head running coach, Insta star (@lydiaodo), and founder of Femmi, a group of female trainers who create personalised running and strength coaching programmes for women. Hailing from Bay of Plenty, but now based in Melbourne, Lydia tells Verve: “My home, Mount Maunganui will always have my heart, but I also love exploring. The great walks across the country also make amazing trail runs, earlier in 2021 I did the latest great walk from Punakaiki, and it was incredible.”

Where are you favourite running spots in Australia?

And common health and fitness misconceptions in general?

“Everybody’s health and fitness journeys are different. I see a lot of people focusing too much on how they look rather than how they feel. We need to be more aware of how we feel and play into that. We tend to fall into the trap of thinking more is better, but this isn’t true. If you can vary your training, understand you don’t need to empty the tank every training session to make gains, and listen more to how you respond to different types of training, you will ultimately start doing the training that’s right for you.”

What are your tips for staying motivated?

“I have recently spent time in the high country of Victoria at Mount Buffalo. That is a beautiful spot to run. I love exploring new places by foot and there are so many places in Australia I am excited to venture out to.”

“Motivation shouldn’t be seasonal. If struggling with your new year’s resolutions or long-term goals, create some shorter-term benchmarks to keep on track. Find goals that light you up and excite you. This can also help with your motivation levels to get up and get out each day.”

How do you sell running to those who find it boring?

Are there any trends you expect to see this year?

“Running is a form of meditational movement. It is one of the most accessible tools to help with our mental health. If you find running boring, try to focus on the benefits that running can provide your health, both mentally and physically. This way you’ll always be motivated to move and feel good after every step. If you need further motivation, put on a podcast or a good playlist to help keep the mind ticking over.”

What are your personal fitness goals for 2022?

“The more time I spend training and competing as an athlete, the more I understand my purpose in why I love running so much. The way the sport connects me to others and creates an innate confidence in myself is what continues to pull me back. This year my goal is to continue to learn more about my own body and mind, and to live my purpose of educating and inspiring women to feel empowered.”

What are the common mistakes people make with new year resolutions?

“People give themselves the year to achieve their resolutions, and if anything interrupts it, they give up. Goals are important, but we need to be more flexible and lenient on ourselves. If we miss that one day of moving, or eat the wrong thing, that doesn’t mean we’ve immediately failed. Understand that the end goal is just a point to have something to work towards, but the journey is where the magic is made, so enjoy it.”

“I hope to see the fitness trend for females to become more aware of their hormones and start training to their physiology.

For so long, there’s been a huge misunderstanding and lack of research around female hormones and our menstrual cycles.

There has been much recent research around how much our hormonal fluctuations affect the way we respond to how we train and eat – women who menstruate should be paying more attention to these changes. If we track our menstrual cycles, and understand which phase of the cycle we’re in, we can adapt our training to be sure that we are doing the best training for our bodies at that time.”

What are the plans for Femmi this year?

“Femmi is continuing to grow in many aspects. We now have 10 coaches spread across New Zealand and Australia, and new athletes joining our team all the time. We’re really excited to be launching Femmi Theory in February 2022. It’s a 12-15hour online education course for everyone, including athletes, coaches, trainers and beyond, all about the female body and how to work with females better. Modules are built around female physiology and empowerment through conversation, mindset, and identity. We hope to become a globally-renown accreditation to give the world a better opportunity to learn about females.”

Learn more at femmi.co

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February 2022

Calories in and out is the key, not one single food group.

Jake Campus

What are your personal goals for 2022?

More than 80,000 follow Jake Campus Nutrition on Instagram (@jakecampusnutrition) for the latest in fitness and nutrition.

“What you put in your body will affect how you feel, your weight, health, mental and physical ability,” Jake tells Verve.

“Whether it's fat loss, muscle gain, toning, performance, or health, it’s essential to eat better and sleep better. The outcome of the training and nutrition will come down to energy intake.”

“Last year came with many challenges, as it did for many others.

Whilst I'm feeling optimistic, I have to be realistic with what I can personally achieve this year and put my physical and mental wellbeing first. I’ve had multiple injuries over the past 10 months, so am working with a team to rehabilitate and rebuild. Once I heal, I’d like to work towards a WBFF pro show. Businesswise, I aim to work with my team to introduce a variety of new services and products for the company – as a CEO, I have business goals, but a personal one here is to support my team to achieve theirs.”

What are your tips for staying motivated?

What wellness trends do you expect to see this year?

“We set a framework for goal-achieving using the acronym SMART: ‘S’ is for specific goals; ‘M’ is for measurable data – such as weight lost or dress sizes dropped – in order to stay motivated; ‘A’ is for attainable, keeping those goals within reach in the long term; ‘R’ is for realistic, don’t set yourself up for failure; and ‘T’ is for time-bound, allowing for deadlines to keep motivation high.”

What common myths and misconceptions remain the hardest to dispel?

“Most common is that carbs are bad. The reemergence of the keto diet has further demonised carbohydrates, which, in reality are great as they’re our bodies’ go-to energy source. The problem is that carbs are easy to overeat, cheap to buy, and the base of most meals so you can accumulate calories fast. Fat loss is fundamentally ensuring you are in a net caloric deficit for the week through diet and exercise. A balanced diet of protein, carbs and fats can have you losing fat, or maintaining a healthy weight, with great mental and physical energy often lost with low-carb diets. Don’t cut out all carbs – yes, you can have them after dark and still lose fat provided that caloric deficit is adhered to. Calories in and out is the key, not one single food group.”

“I believe more people will use group fitness, HIIT, and strength classes. With restrictions due to the pandemic, and lack of social interactions, I think we’re all craving that community and social engagement now things are starting to lift.”

You advise everyone has different nutritional needs when embarking upon a new fitness regime, about how do you assess that?

“Clients are assessed based on their current routine of food intake and activity along with food likes and dislikes, goals, and medical and diet history. We then work out energy requirements for each individual and use foods they enjoy, structured to work with their individual routines and goals. In-house clients receive a comprehensive body scan which breaks down more data to track. Our online clients can get this and send it to us if not able to work with us face to face.”

Any exciting upcoming projects for Jake Campus Nutrition in 2022?

“We’re constantly striving to enhance what we do and introduce new services and products, but unfortunately, this is all top secret! All I can say is that this year is going to be tasty, empowering, and next-level awesome.”

Find out more at jcn.co.nz

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Lara Franks larafrankscoaching.com @larafrankscoaching

I love making genuine connections with people, being that person on their journey who helps them evolve.

What inspired you to become a life coach?

My background in training and development certainly helped me get started as a life coach, but what inspired me were my own challenges and wanting to be the guide for women that I never had.

Tell us about your personal transitions or self-discoveries?

What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?

The most recent – and probably biggest – transition occurred in March 2020 when my role was made redundant. It was tough, but the forced change was exactly what I needed to push myself outside my comfort zone. The first lockdown happened shortly after, so I spent plenty of time alone with my thoughts, reflecting, working on myself, and figuring out what I truly wanted. I did a lot of meditation, reading, exercise and exploring nature, but I think the best tool was creativity. For the first time in ages I wasn’t too busy to write music, sing, dance or do photography. Being able to play and just be, without distractions, helped me figure out my next steps and eventually start my own business.

You’ve said creativity coaching not only helps develop artistic talent, but your humanistic talents too, can you elaborate?

Emotional intelligence, like empathy and compassion; social skills, like respecting others regardless of differences; and practical skills like problem solving, are all examples of humanistic talents. They require looking at different perspectives and ways of doing things. This is creative thinking – which creativity coaching can enhance.

Tell us about your Creative Power programme, and who it’s for?

It’s about stepping into your authentic creative expression without being fearful of the outcome or comparing your ideas to others’. We're unfortunately in a time of toxic comparisons, which can limit us creatively. This six-week online group programme is for women wanting to harness their creative abilities, stop self-doubting and learn ways to get unblocked.

We start 28 February at 7pm; Earlybird Enrolments are open via my website.

What do you love most about your job and lifestyle?

You also offer creativity coaching – can you tell us more about this?

Like life coaching, it helps you get to where you want to be, but with a focus on your creative work. It’s also a great space to brainstorm for anyone struggling in the beginning ideation stage.

Is creativity coaching for those creating for work, or for fun, or both?

I love making genuine connections with people and being that person on their journey who helps them evolve. I also love being self-employed! I get to do things on my own terms, and create everyday with a real sense of purpose. If you’d said to me two years ago that I’d be where I am today, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s amazing how much can change in a short period of time.

Email Lara at hello@larafrankscoaching.com

Definitely both! Whether for business or pleasure, creating should be fun. I’m all about injecting joy into your process so everything flows with ease.

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February 2022

JOIN ONEMAN — ONEMAN.CO.NZ @ONEMANNZ, FB: ONEMANNZ WORDS — MAX DAWSON

Valentine's Grooming

At OneMan, we don’t think you need an excuse to practise good grooming habits or participate in a little self-care for that matter, but, if you need a little push, 14 February is ideal for lighting that fire.

Have a think about it, if you’re taking someone new out, showing up well-groomed is not only a sign that you respect yourself, but it shows that you respect them, too. If you’ve been with someone for a while, putting in a little more effort than usual shows them that they’re in for a special night and you’re thinking of them.

Upgrade Your Hair Product

Pomade may be your best friend when you’re wanting to look sharp for a meeting or interview, but on Valentine’s Day, it’s time to play it cool and relaxed. Try switching out your pomade for a clay, which still has plenty of hold to keep your style in place but gives a more natural and textured finish.

Exfoliate Your Mug

You want to show up on Valentine’s Day with a bright, shining face, not looking like you have never washed it before.

Exfoliation is the key. It gets rid of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. Remember to do this the night before the date, not on the day.

Beauty & Health

Smooth Your Beard

Short facial hair can feel like sandpaper on another person’s face and a longer beard can feel like making out with a broom.

Anyone with even a whisper of a beard knows that nothing can prevent a post-date smooch faster than scraggly, dry facial hair.

No matter how long your facial hair is, use a beard balm or oil to help smooth and hydrate your whiskers. Use a small amount and work your way up if you need more to prevent it from getting too greasy.

Get A Fancy Deodorant

Smelling like you just came from the locker room is fine any other day of the year, but this is Valentine’s Day for god’s sake—you need to up the ante. Think of a good-smelling natural deodorant as an extension of your cologne. It shouldn’t overpower everything else but enhance your overall vibe with a clean scent. The trick is putting on just the right amount as to invite someone to lean in closer but not leave your scent all over them after they go in for a hug. Reserve it for special occasions and use it only when you need to feel especially put together.

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Just Move Whether it’s a home workout, a HIIT class or a gentle yoga flow there’s an abundance of ways to embrace movement, keeping our bodies and minds inspired in 2022.

BODS IN MOTION Bods in Motion pay you $10 for every kilo you lose! They hire out a range of treadmills, bikes, rowers and cross-trainers, so it’s easy to keep moving at home. Plus they have free delivery (all assembled) and free equipment swaps, so if you’re bored with the treadmill, swap to a cross-trainer at no charge. bodsinmotion.co.nz

MAHI YOGA

HOT YOGA WORKS

Mahi Yoga is based in Auckland, but accessible wherever you happen to be through in-person, livestream and on-demand classes. Our team of experienced teachers offer yoga, meditation, breathwork and other body-mind practices through classes and workshops that support you to 'do the mahi' that’s right for your body, mind and spirit.

Nestled in downtown Auckland, this vibrant hot yoga and hot HIIT pilates studio is an oasis with classes ranging from total body workouts to free meditation and accredited teacher trainings. If you want to try hot yoga or pilates, their two-week $49 intro package will ease you into the warm studio, away from the hustle and bustle. hotyogaworks.nz

mahiyoga.co.nz

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February 2022

Create A New You IN 2022!

SURF LESSONS AT TE ARAI EVERY DAY

Learn to surf from scratch or develop your skills.

All ages & stages welcome.

SURF & STAY

Choose either our Eco Pods or Glamping Teepees and package them with your surf lessons - perfect for couples, families or the solo traveller.

BOOK ONLINE OR CONTACT US aotearoasurf.co.nz | 09 431 5760 | surf@aotearoasurf.co.nz

Elstree Pharmacy Professional pharmacists serving the Glen Innes community. Come and see us for fantastic gifts for all ages, all of your family’s health needs and excellent advice. Ample free parking. Stockists of Innoxa Cosmetics and Skincare, Stella + Gemma and Antler ranges, NZ brand Moana Road sunglasses and readers, and a fabulous and ever-changing range of homewares.

—

145 WEST TAMAKI RD, GLEN INNES 09 528 3636 ELSTREEPHARMACY@XTRA.CO.NZ

®

SporeBiotic

TM

Probiotic + Antioxidant We believe that a happy microbiome is the key to your health. Our Microbiologist-formulated, 100% spore-based probiotic formula reconditions the gut to support a healthy, flourishing microbiome. Trust your gut – be Gutsi®.

Digestion

Immune

Skin

Energy

Sleep

Hormones

Mood

Metabolism

Available in selected health stores and pharmacies.

DNA verified

GMO free

Vegan friendly

Allergen free

Always read the label and use as directed. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional – Gutsi®.

gutsi.co.nz

@gutsi_wellness

Probiotics Building a healthy ecosystem

The human body plays host to trillions of bacteria – on the skin, and in the mouth, gut, and vagina. Historically, public perception of bacteria has been negative, and most medical professionals’ knowledge and experience of bacteria have been associated with disease.

But ‘good bacteria’ do exist to benefit our health: they’re called probiotics.

Understanding Probiotic Science

‘Probiotic’ is derived from the Greek pro and bios meaning ‘for life’. The modern history of probiotics starts in the early 20th century with Nobel Prize-winning Russian scientist Eli Metchnikoff who associated the longevity of rural people to their consumption of fermented products.

The Human Genome Project, an international, collaborative research programme that ran 1990-2013, discovered the number of bacteria hosted by humans to outnumber human cells tenfold. Since then, the human body’s been considered an ecosystem for microorganisms.

Our bodies’ bacteria help degrade consumed food, make nutrients available, and neutralise toxins. Also, they play an essential role in defending against infections, protecting colonised surfaces from invading pathogens.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that have a positive effect on the environment they live in, like the human body. With that in mind, it’s simple to understand the concept of probiotic supplements.

Probiotic supplements

Fermented foods like yogurt or kimchi are common sources of probiotics. However, what sets probiotic supplements apart is that they contain specific types of well-researched bacteria.

Different types of bacteria with different characteristics play different roles in the body. Bifidobacteria, for example, normally live in our intestines and stomach, while L. rhamnosus travels around the body. The same goes for their effects – if a specific kind of lactobacillus helps prevent an illness, that doesn’t mean another kind of lactobacillus would do likewise.

“That’s why MAAB has removed the overwhelming choice of probiotics by providing products focusing on the five key health areas: gut health, women’s health, oral health, skin health, and respiratory health,” says Betty Su, co-founder and chief operations officer of MAAB Probiotics. “So, shoppers can easily find a probiotic supplement to suit their own particular health needs.”

MAAB, a New Zealand company founded by pharmaceutical industry veterans, develops and sells a range of probiotic supplements internationally. "A new era of probiotic use has arrived,” says Betty. “Humans are more mature in understanding ourselves and our relationship with the environment. Finding and using the good bacteria to fight the bad ones to achieve internal balance is the logical, natural way."

MAAB’s Fastmelt range is unlike many other supplement products made as capsules or pills. The tasty-but-sugar-free probiotic powder is easily ingested without water, ideal for those that resent the idea of taking pills to stay healthy – just pour one gram of probiotic powder onto your tongue and enjoy. maab.co.nz

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Smoother & more confident you!

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

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

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

How is truSculpt iD treatment performed?

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

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

How many treatments will I need?

Your initial assessment and personal goals will determine the best course of treatment tailored to you, however patients will only require one treatment.

Whether one or two treatments are required, all patients will see an effect at 12 weeks.

TruSculpt ID Benefits

NZ MedSafe approved for permanent reduction of up to 24% fat (*shown through ultrasound clinical trials) 15-minute treatment (half the time, and twice the treatment area vs cryotherapies largest applicator) No discomfort & No Downtime – resume normal activities immediately after Customisable and flexible treatment opportunities depending your body and goals No BMI restrictions Male & Female suited Skin tightening – post partum suitability Treatment areas: abdomen (upper, mid and lower), flanks (love handles), upper back fat, lower back fat, inner thighs, outer thighs, arms and under the chin.

Before

12 weeks after one treatment

Is the treatment painful?

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

Before

How long before I see my results?

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

12 weeks after one treatment

CALL TO BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

437 Remuera Road, Remuera • 09 520 5331 • finessefaceandbody.co.nz

A Brief History of Preventing Pregnancy

WORDS — JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

There used to exist a silly schoolboy poem about what medieval knights used as contraception (socks, so went the rhyme), but have you ever wondered how birth control really did work way back when?

Thirteen-thousand-year-old cave paintings in France depict men using animal skins as condoms, while the Ancient Egyptians and, later, Romans used the likes of linen, animal bladders, animal intestines, and, so say some, the muscles of defeated combatants as sexual sheaths.

Ancient Egypt also provides us with some of the earliest writings on female contraception by way of near-4,000year-old texts such as the Ebers and Kahun Gynecological Papyruses. Advice ranged from the bizarre – using a pessary made from crocodile dung – to the impressively prescient – lining the vagina with acacia gum, which does in fact serve as a scientifically-proven spermatocide. Similarly, Greek philosopher Aristotle suggested natural remedies such as cedar oil or frankincense be inserted instead.

Other ancient contraception cues stretch from the frustratingly literal – coitus interruptus (‘withdraw’), courtesy of the Book of Genesis – to the literally frustrating – abstain!

– so argued Roman writer Pliny the Elder.

Things progressed little over the next several centuries, with Renaissance-era butchers fashioning condoms from the intestines of lambs and goats, and other ‘medics’ promoting chemical-soaked linen ones to protects against STDs. In the 17th century, halved lemons were even used as cervical caps.

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A government inquiry in 1937 discovered at least one-fifth of pregnancies ended with illegal abortions, with most of the women married with at least four children.

For hundreds of years before the arrival of Europeans to Aotearoa, Māori women would boil up a broth using the leaves of the poroporo shrub as a means of birth control. Though, according to Te Ara, the efficacy of the method is not known, the shrubs were grown in Taranaki as late as the 1970s and ‘80s for their solasodine – a steroid used in contraceptives – until cheaper synthetic and natural alternatives were cultivated overseas.

The development of vulcanised rubber by US inventor Charles Goodyear (the same Goodyear after whom those famous tyres are named) led to the first mass-produced reusable rubber condoms in the 1860s, but they were so thick and uncomfortable that many claimed the animal entrails to offer greater pleasure. Latex condoms arrived in 1920, though the old rubber ones remained in use well into the 20thcentury. (Astonishingly, in Ireland condoms were illegal until 1985, unless prescribed by doctor.)

POWER TO THE (FEMALE) PEOPLE According to Donna Drucker, author of The Classification of Sex: Alfred Kinsey and the Organization of Knowledge, the modern history of contraception began in 1882 in the Amsterdam clinic of Dr Aletta Jacobs – the first place in the world where a woman could get a diaphragm fitted without the need for anyone else’s approval. (Though invented in 1842, the diaphragm wouldn’t be widely available to women in the US until nearly a century later.)

The first birth control clinic opened in the UK in 1921, by 1930 there were five birth control societies advocating “children by choice, not chance”, and by 1939 there were 65. In Aotearoa New Zealand the Sex Hygiene and Birth Regulation Society was founded in 1936, becoming Family Planning three years later. A government inquiry in 1937 discovered at least onefifth of pregnancies ended with illegal abortions, with most of the women married with at least four children.

Within five years of the approval of the birth control pill in the US in 1960, nearly half of married women were using it (it remained more difficult for single women to access it in many

countries for many years), and within five years of its arrival in Aotearoa in 1961, according to Family Planning, “40 percent of married, fertile women” were on it. (In Japan, the pill wasn’t legalised until 1999.) By 1967, 12.5 million women around the world were taking the pill, leading to social – and economical – revolution as more were able to achieve higher education and pursue careers. This period also saw the arrival of the plastic, then, in the ‘70s, the copper, IUD, along with emergency contraception, or the morning after pill.

Though designed as a pregnancy-planning app, Natural Cycles – which uses the basal body temperature to predict ovulation and advises on peak fertility – was (controversially) approved as a contraception method by the European Union in 2017, and more recently in the US. MANPOWER In a bid to encourage more blokes to take greater responsibility around casual sex, a famous UK advertising campaign of the 1970s showed an arresting image of a pregnant man with the tagline, ‘Would you be more careful if it was you that got pregnant?’

Indeed, the male pill was first proposed way back in 1957, but with hormones triggering the constant creation of new sperm cells in fertile men, scientists have struggled to find a way of lowering hormone levels without reducing sex drive or causing erectile dysfunction (other clinical side effects have included testis shrinkage and weight gain). Recent studies have shown an alternative method of reducing the function of sperm – rather than supressing it altogether – to show potential.

Also being trialled is a hormone-based gel that massively reduces sperm production in the testicles while replacement testosterone in the gel maintains libido and performance.

However, the gel, like the male pill, is many years from regulatory approval meaning if men want to take control of contraception their only options remain condoms, a vasectomy or, as the Bible advises coitus interruptus (but please don’t rely on that one).

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February 2022

When Beauty Meets Science Are you using a product that is just ‘mopping up the mess’ that ageing has left behind?

There are a lot of products on the market that contain great ingredients that are said to aid in triggering collagen or elastin production. They have been designed to make you ‘look’ a little younger by plumping up the cells or sloughing something off the surface. But in reality, you are applying very little that could actually tackle true age reversal.

Most of you will know that skin is in a constant state of flux.

The cells are in a sloughing off process of the skin which is called desquamation.

For decades, you've been told that 'anti-ageing' is all about making this process faster in order to bring new cells to the surface and 'look younger’. In fact, it's the sales pitch for most 'anti-ageing' products: Reveal new skin! Increase cell turnover!

Have you heard of the Hayflick limit?

Cells can only divide a certain number of times before they die. This is because of telomeres, which are like a long tail attached to your DNA in order to protect it during the cell division process. Each time a cell divides the telomere shortens, until it reaches a certain point where it is so short the cell can no longer divide and it dies of old age. The number of times a cell can divide is called the 'Hayflick limit'.

In the lead up to the old cells expiring they have critically short telomeres and don’t function well. They have no collagen, no elastin, and pigmentation goes haywire. So, forcing your cells to divide faster is without doubt forcing them to age faster.

There is commercial gain to be made in selling you products that age you faster. Why change their story when selling skincare that ages you faster is a multi-billion dollar industry?

To be honest, sometimes it's not easy telling a different story even if we are telling the truth. Decades of youth seekers from consumers to dermatologists have all been indoctrinated to use therapies that accelerate telomere shortening. The only way to repair this damage is to activate telomerase to relengthen the telomere. The good thing though, is, at least one company had the brains to create a product that does just that, and can you believe it was created here in New Zealand?

Topical telomerase activation (TTA) wasn't even a concept that had been dreamed of until a New Zealand company pioneered it. You see, until TAM-818 was created there was no active ingredient that was strong enough that could have achieved TTA, no one had even thought of it!

They are proud pioneers, continuing to push the envelope and bring you the truth. As a clinic, we are driven by science and are extremely proud to use and stock One Truth 818. It is all of our long-term anti-ageing ‘insurance policy’ and one product that no one should be without!

Shop 2/224 Kepa Rd, Mission Bay 09 528 9010 louisegray.co.nz

This limitation of cells to continue dividing was discovered DECADES AGO. So why are most skincare companies still telling that story?

Beauty & Health

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Does Christmas and Lockdown Have a Lot to Answer For? Special for

February, Save $800

Does this remind you of you?

To start streamlining this male client, Yvonne did four areas, all twice: upper, middle, and lower tummy, for which a double hand piece was used.

What a difference three months makes!

Shrink a total of eight areas (2x four treatments) for $3,999, a saving of $800.

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A sharper jawline is created by removing fat from under the chin, and made even more defined with a Botox treatment from the Sapphire Clinic, which is part of our medical centre.

Yvonne Marvin is New Zealand’s most experienced practitioner of Cool Tech Machines We guarantee full-body contouring using COOL BODY FAT FREEZING TECHNOLOGY. Don’t hesitate to call for a free consultation.

To book, call 09 360 0055 or call Yvonne on 021 923 430 / coolbodynz@gmail.com

COOLBODYNZ.COM • 28 COLLEGE HILL, FREEMANS BAY

Something New from Clinic 42 Banana Lift

Over the past few months, the doctors at Clinic 42 have developed a new technique using dermal fillers to reframe the shape and appearance of the upper face. We are calling this new treatment the ‘Banana Lift’, named so to reflect the shape of the injection-pattern, which, as the name suggests, sweeps up along the cheekbone and into the hairline in the shape of a banana.

Inspired by plastic surgery techniques and similarly, those used in our thread-lifting procedure, the Banana Lift reshapes the temple area, which is prone to losing volume as we age. In doing so, the Banana Lift elevates the outer corner of the eyebrow, opens up the eye area, and softens the crow’s feet around the eyes by providing support to the overlying muscles. The result of these subtle, yet powerful, changes provide an effect that draws the observer’s attention to the eyes and upper part of the face.

The Banana Lift can be used in conjunction with other techniques, as well as in other areas of the face, to soften sharp edges and age-related hollowing. It can also be used as a standalone procedure for enhancing the eye and cheek area. In some cases, the Banana Lift procedure can lift and reframe the outer part of the face, resulting in a more youthful shape and a refreshed looking appearance.

Due to the injection technique, as well as the local anaesthetic contained within the dermal filler, some patients find the Banana Lift mildly uncomfortable, but not painful. As with most injectable procedures, there may be slight bruising at the injection points, but again, this particular technique helps to minimise the risk of bruising, as well as any associated discomfort.

The results are immediate and sufficiently subtle enough that others may only notice that you’re exuding a more rested,

Beauty & Health

healthier, softer and lifted appearance… without being able to tell exactly what has changed!

This is often because we don’t consciously notice the temple hollowing or flattened cheekbones that gradually appear as a sign of ageing, unlike lines around the mouth, sagging jowls, or looking tired or gaunt, which are easier to spot. With the Banana Lift, even when elements of ageing are only subtly corrected, the overall effect creates an impression of freshfaced wellbeing.

When we show our patients their results in the mirror, the immediate effect of the procedure, coupled with the knowledge that the natural-looking result won’t prompt questions from friends or family about what exactly has been treated, promotes a delight on their faces that is so very gratifying.

Cost of the Banana Lift: $1,900 Time for procedure: 60 mins

If you’re interested in finding out more about the Banana Lift, or any of the treatments available at Clinic 42, you can visit our website at clinic42.co.nz . We also post before and after photos and updates regularly on our Facebook and Instagram pages. If you’d like to book an appointment with one of our practitioners, please contact our reception on 09 638 4242 or reception@clinic42.co.nz

We’re also asking all patients to leave a two-week gap before/after covid vaccinations when booking treatments.

We encourage all patients to get their booster ASAP. If you’re now able to get your booster, please do not hesitate to contact us to change your existing appointment dates.

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Learn to rest, relax and restore — maruia.co.nz

One of the ways we can restore balance in our lives is to increase the quality and the length of our sleep, but it can be a challenge to manage the recommended 7-9 hours. Here are some tips.

1. Create a simple bedtime ritual. Set aside 30 minutes before bedtime to arrange your sleeping space with pleasures like fresh sheets, essential oils, or lavender sprays. Dim the lights and consider silence or relaxing music.

ABOVE: JULES MATTHEWS AND CRISTINA HOLOPAINEN WILL LEAD DAILY RESTORATIVE YOGA, YOGA NIDRA AND GONG BATH/SOUND HEALING SESSIONS 12-15 MAY AT MARUIA RIVER RETREAT

2. Know the effects of stimulants to your sleep schedule.

Caffeine can cause 9-12 hours of stimulation. Observe your own alertness and wakefulness with alcohol and caffeine and adjustment accordingly.

4. Set aside time for soothing breaks during your day. A 20-minute nap can restore energy levels and calm your temperament.

3. Take a restorative yoga class or listen to a yoga nidra recorded session and learn to rest the body as you are guided to deep relaxation and surrender to rest. Making this a habit allows you to evoke the relaxation response which is our natural ability to restore and repair from the harmful effects of stress and anxiety.

5. Develop a daily rhythm. Teach the body to know when to be awake and alert, and when it’s time to rest.

Intro To Yoga Retreat is from 12-15 May at Maruia River Retreat with Cristina Holopainen and Jules Matthews.

Only 7 private villas available in a 500-acre nature estate.

Take the time for a Personal Restoration Retreat at Maruia River Retreat Nelson-Tasman region, South Island.

Photo Credit: Bare Kiwi

"Hands down, the best retreat in NZ. A completely immersive and restorative experience, where the food and hospitality are unparalleled and the beauty has to be seen to be believed.

The yoga healed soul and body, and the food was exquisite in taste and presentation, but also in goodness." - TripAdvisor review, January 2022

Book now at www.maruia.co.nz

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February 2022

WORDS — JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

Wrong Place, Wrong Times Google ‘Jason Cairns-Lawrence’ and you’ll find news sites from around the world citing him and his now-ex-wife Jenny as the ‘world’s unluckiest couple’ having been caught up in New York on 9/11, the London bombings of 7 July 2005, and Mumbai’s November 2008 terrorist attacks. Little surprise the British travellers were branded “tourists of evil omen”, according to the Press Trust of India.

The pair’s terrorism-tinged travels even feature in a couple of books about chance and statistics: Beyond Coincidence, by Brian King and Matin Plimmer, and The Improbability Principle

by David Hand. Using theories such as the Law of Inevitability (something must happen) and the Law of Truly Large Numbers (given enough opportunities, unlikely things will happen), David Hand – a multi-award-winning, internationallyacclaimed British statistician and OBE recipient – argues that the odds of two people stumbling across three of history’s worst terrorist atrocities, across three continents, in three different years are not, in fact, as slim, as you might think.

But here’s a statistical twist: what are the odds of all those journalists, authors and publishers getting their facts so spectacularly, so absolutely, wrong? Jason and Jenny hadn't yet met and weren’t even on the same continent as the Twin Towers when they fell; were over 200km from London when the trains and buses were bombed (and still hadn't met); and arrived (together) in India days after Mumbai’s terrorist attacks. I know this because I know Jason – he’s one of my very best friends, and, as amusing as it is to rib him about being a world-famouson-the-internet ‘tourist of evil omen’, it simply is not true.

REVELATIONS

“It was towards the end of 2008, I was in the pub, and one of my mates called up and asked, ‘How much did you get paid for that then?’” recalls Jason, who hails from Birmingham, UK. “I didn’t know what he was talking about.”

He was talking about a double-page spread in local paper the Sunday Mercury, where, around the headline, ‘Are these the world’s unluckiest travellers?’ was a picture of Jason and Jenny on their wedding day – a picture lifted, without permission, from Jason’s Facebook page – and apocalyptic shots of New York, London, and Mumbai.

The real story, however, is far stranger and, in this era of fake news, downright depressing, bringing to mind the Winston Churchill quote about a lie travelling halfway around the world before the truth has had a chance to put its pants on. (Except, fittingly, Churchill didn’t say that, either.)

THE GENESIS

Jason and Jenny were in Mumbai in November 2008 but arrived days after the terrorists had struck. After a morning spent sightseeing, the couple headed back to their hotel to shower for some afternoon drinks before dinner and were soon lured by a street sign advertising beer towers in Leopold Café and Bar. “We didn’t realise that the bar was one of the places that had been attacked. The waiter lifted some pictures on the wall to show us the bullet holes.”

It was there that they were approached by a young male journalist.

“We only chatted for around five minutes. He made it clear that he was a reporter and did make a few notes, but it didn’t feel like we were being interviewed. I was in New York about three weeks after 9/11, and I made some offhand remark about being impressed how life in Mumbai was already seemingly back to normal faster than in New York – though that attack was obviously far worse. He asked where we from and we told him ‘Birmingham’ and he asked if it was near London, and we said ‘no’. The London bombings were never even mentioned.”

But that didn’t stop the journalist quoting Jenny as saying: “In London, the police appeared more scared than the people.”

THE AFTERMATH

The story, unsurprisingly, soon took on a life of its own.

“Jenny and I had actually separated by then, and I initially thought that she must have sold the story to the paper!”

Journeys

“There were reports on BuzzFeed and HuffPost. We were talked about on the local news, we were in the Daily Telegraph, I was

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Like becoming a victim of revenge porn or a viral meme, it’s the non-consensual, helpless aspect of internet notoriety that’s so hard to deal with, and it has understandably knocked Jason’s trust in journalism to boot.

getting calls from the BBC, The Sun, and Sky News. Journalists began calling my workplace. All because of this avalanche of lies.”

Jason managed to get most of the stories quickly removed from the British press, but overseas editors proved “less responsive”.

In the age of clickbait, it’s a helluva headline to have. Jason was told by Google that they were unable to remove reports from independent websites, and at the time of writing, a quick search shows it still active on the Brisbane Times, The Times of India, and Stuff here in Aotearoa. Kolkata-based The Telegraph – one of the first outlets believed to have run the story – still has the headline: ‘Thank God! Jason & Jenny aren’t coming here’, adding that tourist boards the world over “will now probably pay them” to stay away.

Jason continues to receive regular interview requests from journalists and even documentary makers from all four corners but has long since given up trying to explain the truth. A few weeks ago, he forwarded me a request from the Guardian to be interviewed for a piece about bad luck.

“I don’t doubt that there are job opportunities I’ve lost out on because of it,” laments Jason. “During interviews, it’s always there in the back of my mind. It’s like a stigma. It creates hesitancy. Your name is your brand nowadays and I’ve never known whether it might be better to bring it up first and explain it.”

Like becoming a victim of revenge porn or a viral meme, it’s the non-consensual, helpless aspect of internet notoriety that’s so hard to deal with, and it has understandably knocked Jason’s trust in journalism to boot.

“If there is anything positive that has come from it, it’s that it has made me less judgemental,” he says. “Whether they be stories about celebrities or everyday Joes, I read them through a different lens now, I question their validity. There are real people behind these articles, and reckless journalists must stop and consider the consequences.”

THE CONSEQUENCES

Luckily, none of the online reports include the couples' photographs, but not so lucky for Jason is the rarity of his name.

“At the time, I was the only male Cairns-Lawrence in the world!” says Jason, who now lives with his fiancée, Emma Sabell in Gold Coast, where he works as Queensland state sales manager for Oji Fibre Solutions. The couple initially emigrated to New Zealand, and the knowledge of his online infamy made the process “far more stressful” than it needed to be: “As someone who hires people, I certainly do Google checks.”

If New Zealand Immigration Googled Jason, they didn’t say, but he was soon pulled aside in his first job in Auckland at Steel & Tube to be asked by a group of colleagues, “We’ve got ask, is that you?!”

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February 2022

thelandingnz.co.nz

Landing Amongst the Vines Amid the splendour of the Far North, Dennis and Rosamund Knill visit The Landing – a winery of grand proportions with luxurious accommodation and a bounty of fine wine and gourmet delights.

The Boathouse

There is something impossibly romantic about a place that changes with the wind, or the hour of the day.

Don’t worry about packing an alarm clock. You only need listen for the kiwi that routinely punctuate the morning. And if you sleep through dawn then there’s the chorus of native birds as they warm up for the day ahead. Nature and eco-themes imbue all The Landings’ features. You’ll feel a million miles from the nearest town with only four luxury villas delicately located around the property, the character-rich heritage architecture built around Mother Nature. The feel here is eco-cool, with enough mod cons to put it in the luxury class. Fringed by six beaches, The Landing is a sanctuary of peace and tranquillity combined with privacy and discretion.

It’s not often that we’re speechless but as we drop our bags in the living room of The Boathouse, we don’t know whether to turn left or right or stare straight ahead at the spectacular coastline.

There is something impossibly romantic about a place that changes with the wind, or the hour of the day. During a sudden storm one afternoon the sun fled, and the trees shook before a gusting wind sent waves crashing over the coastal wall, and soon a torrent of rain enveloped the property. Then, just as abruptly the storm ended and the sun reappeared, the turquoise restored to the sea and the terraced lawns greener than ever.

In a land not short of competition in terms of sumptuous multimillion-dollar winery developments, this elegant 1,000-acrespan – with breathtaking coastal views over – has an immediate impact the moment you drive through the grand gates. Upon entering, you’re right in the middle of Northland’s most coveted stretch of beachside real estate, at one of the world’s most topranking wineries.

The anticipation grows as you pass vast fields of grapevines overlooked by manicured rolling hills as far as the eye can see.

Surrounding forests of native trees host endless bushwalks of sheer beauty that will give you muscles that you never knew you had.

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February 2022

This is such a special place, where you want for nothing except perhaps for a handful of your closest friends to share the experience with.

This is such a special place, where you want for nothing except perhaps for a handful of your closest friends to share the experience with.

The food is prepared courtesy of a head chef who pursues a modern-yet-classic French menu whose combinations of tastes and textures are supplemented by the outstanding on-site garden. From fresh fruit and vegetables to free-range eggs and locally caught fish and farmed meats, the daily menu offers a taste of magic that lingers.

Then there’s the wine. As winemaking gets more sophisticated, it’s never been more important for a new winery to be able to stand out from the crowd. Northland is one of our newest winegrowing regions and has come a long way since wines were first nurtured back in the ‘80s.

The diversity of Northland’s climate and coastal soils allows for a wide range of grapes, with chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, syrah, pinot gris, viognier, rose, and chambourcin all present.

Whilst New Zealand’s traditional wine trail has a wealth of riches, there has been a dramatic expansion of Northland vineyards that are pushing the boundaries to steal the march on their southern competitors.

gris, chardonnay, and syrah. With the assistance of Rod McIvor of Marsden Estate-fame, and Ben Byrne and Warren Gibson winemakers extraordinaire, the winery today is producing some of the country’s finest.

But what makes The Landing’s wines really different is Ben’s combinations of grape varieties – the most notable being Vino Rosso, a common wine throughout Italy. Dominated with sangiovese and montepulciano grapes, this adventurous wine is blended with cabinet franc and merlot that makes it so very food friendly.

We meet with Keith Barker at the cellar door to taste our way through barrels of chardonnay. The savoury style of Ben’s wines is evident. The new oak is kept from a minimum to the underlying – fresh, vibrant, and finely balanced showing great richness with instant appeal. Making our way into the rammed earth tasting room we sample the syrah, pinot gris, and rose, and get into lively discussion about various wines styles.

Upon saying our goodbyes, we board Iti Rangi for the 20-minute journey back to Waitangi. The Landing has reached the highest levels, with great food and wine while imbuing a deep a sense of relaxation.

Peter Cooper, born and bred in Kaitaia and a lover of wine, is the latest entrant to join Northland’s growing wine trail. Peter’s enthusiasm for fine wine resulted in the initial planting of pinot Journeys

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Win

Are you buying or selling your home or investment property?

The Landing The Landing has a dozen premium wines for one lucky reader. To enter the draw for a chance to win, name five varieties of grapes grown at The Landing. Find the answer within the article or at thelandingwine.co.nz.

Our team of lawyers provide prompt, practical and cost-effective advice to guide you through the process of buying and selling property. As well as property law matters, we can also assist with estate administration and planning, trusts, wills, enduring powers of attorney and relationship property matters.

What our clients have said about us: “My wife and I would like to acknowledge the huge support, guidance and peace of mind that we had during the process of the sale of our family home. Dawsons who have been our lawyers for over 20 years supported us through the different stages by giving us appropriate advice we need and made the legal process and monetary transactions very comfortable, seamless.”

Entering is simple. Visit VERVEMAGAZINE.CO.NZ and click WIN then follow the directions. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @vervemagazine.

GOOD LUCK!

“Dawsons Lawyers provided an excellent service to our family by concluding our mother’s estate very efficiently. They were professional, good value and always responsive.”

Call us or book online if you’d like to find out more.

09 272 0002 3 Averill Ave, Kohimarama lawhelp@dawsonlawyers.co.nz www.dawsonslawyers.co.nz

ALL OVER

ST HELIERS

Our tight-knit group of agents pride themselves on having the most up to date knowledge of the market while servicing the Eastern Bays which includes Mission Bay, Kohimarama, St Heliers, Orakei and Glendowie. Committed to maximising the value of our clients real estate assets by superior customer service.

Come in and see the experienced team at Bayleys St Heliers today!

Bayleys St Heliers 09 575 0760 stheliers@bayleys.co.nz 421 Tamaki Drive, St Heliers, Auckland New Zealand BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE, ST HELIERS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Residential / Commercial / Rural / Property Services

Bayleys St Heliers — 421 Tamaki Drive, St Heliers bayleys.co.nz

Bayleys St Heliers is a smaller, boutique-sized office, able to provide incredibly high levels of personalised service whilst retaining the backing and power of a seriously strong national brand.

The Bayleys brand is well known for representing highcalibre homes throughout New Zealand – a perfect fit for the properties that sit in our local Eastern Bays area.

The Bayleys St Heliers office boasts well over a century of combined real estate experience, and many of the salespeople live, work and play in the immediate area.

In August 2021, the office welcomed me, John Wills, as the new sales manager. I arrive with almost 20 years’ experience in the industry, as a business owner and salesperson working on the Auckland City Fringe.

With the traditional Kiwi summer only just getting underway, we here at Bayleys St Heliers look forward to seeing everyone out and about in the local community, enjoying all of the wonderful beaches, parks, cafes, walkways and boutique shopping on offer.

Feel free to pop in and say ‘hi’ to the team anytime at 421 Tamaki Drive, in the heart of St Heliers.

John Wills, Sales Manager, Bayleys St Heliers.

021 333 053

Babylon Store — 15 Turua Street, St Heliers babylonstore.co.nz

The magical Babylon Store is a must-visit thanks to a superb selection of plants and New Zealand’s best pot collection – including handmade NZ ceramics and gorgeous planters from around the globe.

Babylon staff, renowned for their knowledge and friendliness, offer classes and services like site visits to upgrade your interior, courtyard, or deck to add lushness and character by way of special pieces designed especially for you and your home.

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February 2022

Crisp Home + Wear — Shops 4 & 12, St Heliers Mall, 33-39 St Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers crisphomeandwear.co.nz

Located in St Heliers Mall since 2014 – with shop frontages either side of the mall – Crisp Home + Wear is passionate about delivering a carefully curated range of homewares and smart, easy to wear, beautifully made men’s and women’s apparel. No wonder they were Supreme Award winners at the 2021 Orakei Local Board Business Awards!

Crisp Home + Wear is still open and safely operating under the Covid-19 Protection Framework, 7 days a week, while all stock can also be found online, 24/7, at crisphomeandwear.co.nz.

Crisp Home + Wear offers free shipping on all domestic online orders over $100, as well as click and collect, and free local delivery within the 1071 postcode. Sign up to Crisp Home + Wear’s loyalty programme to receive rewards and updates on new arrivals.

Turua Gallery — 10A Turua Street, St Heliers turuagallery.co.nz

Turua Gallery is a relaxed space where you’ll find a beautifully curated collection of contemporary New Zealand art, showcasing established and emerging artists through regular exhibitions. Our openings are not to be missed and we love the opportunity they give us to bring our Turua Gallery friends and artists together. We are passionate about New Zealand art and the opportunity to support some of the wonderful artists our country has to offer and show an ever evolving, carefully selected collection of original artworks including paintings, limited edition prints, photography, sculpture and ceramics.

PHOTO: SAIT AKKIRMAN / ARTSDIARY

St Heliers Bay Feature

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Celebrating distinction for more than 70 years.

First of all, find the right company When selling or managing your property, you need an agency with the resources and expertise to achieve the best outcome for you. An agency like Barfoot & Thompson.

As Auckland’s leading real estate company we have been trusted for over 95 years. With our large network, effective marketing and competitive commission rates - we know the market!

Take the stress away - if you're thinking of selling your place or having your investment properties managed, we’d love to help you.

St Heliers & Kohimarama Branch Sales Contact Mike Symonds msymonds@barfoot.co.nz 09 575 9079

Property Management Contact Hasaru Weerasinghe m.weerasinghe@barfoot.co.nz 09 575 9075

The Colour Bar — 13/33 Saint Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers thecolourbar.nz

The Colour Bar is a hidden gem in St Heliers Mall, celebrating sustainable hair and beauty brands sourced from around the world. With Auckland's humid climate and Kiwis’ passion for the outdoors, they specialise in replenishing lost keratin and smoothing frizzy hair. Get hair that’s easier to manage and easier to style, with each hair strand feeling new. Download the handy Fresha app to explore their extensive range of products and services.

Established in 1967, Lovegroves Lawyers is the longest running legal firm in St Heliers.

We take great pride in our friendly, ‘open door’ approach to business, practising most areas of New Zealand law.

Lawyers, Kevin Harborne, Audrey Billington, John Radley, Alasdair Long, Jack Soh, Sonja Nikovic, Philip Miller, and Terry Hibbitt, ably supported by six support staff, provide an efficient and comprehensive service for the diverse needs of clients, the team available at short notice to assist with any transaction or problem.

Please feel free to ask about fees – we endeavour to keep costs reasonable and competitive.

11 Polygon Road, St Heliers, Auckland 1071 09 575 6540 · lovegroves.co.nz

St Heliers Bay Feature

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Braziwi – It’s a Feeling!

— 413 Tamaki Drive, St Heliers braziwi.co.nz

Our catchphrase embodies the principle that interior and exterior design are about how you want to feel in your personal spaces. At Braziwi, we’re all about inspiring, demonstrating, and working with our customers to achieve those desires. Our shop windows and interior spaces are constantly changing to encourage customers and clients to come in and explore.

Braziwi began about seven years ago when Erika was inspired to bring a touch of Brazil's modern designer decor to Kiwis.

She secured a distribution contract with leading Brazilian manufacturer KarstenTM and began bringing some of the colourful Brazilian cotton home décor products she used to sell to New Zealand. The business launched as a wholesaler in January 2016 and made the move to retail at St Heliers in June 2018.

In addition to Karsten’s beautiful and luxurious linen products, Braziwi also imports a uniquely vibrant and versatile range of indoor and outdoor-resilient fabrics. From these fabrics, we

produce our NZ Made Braziwi beanbags, cushions, squabs, and bespoke products, including personalised custom renovations.

We are proud to have our Braziwi products certified NZ Made since 2019 and we complement these with a select range of other NZ Made products, and occasional works from local artists.

Today Braziwi is not just a shop, it’s an interior and exterior design experience, and one of a growing number of unique and beautiful home decor destinations in St Heliers.

Braziwi – it’s always a very good feeling!

It’s a Feeling!

Our catchphrase embodies the principle that interior and exterior design are about how you want to feel in your personal spaces. At Braziwi, we’re all about inspiring, demonstrating, and working with our customers to achieve those desires.

Our shop windows and interior spaces are constantly changing to encourage customers and clients to come in and explore.

In addition to Karsten’s beautiful and luxurious linen products, Braziwi also imports a uniquely vibrant and versatile range of indoor and outdoor-resilient fabrics. From these fabrics, we produce our NZ Made Braziwi beanbags, cushions, squabs, and other bespoke products, including custom designs, and renovations.

We’d love to bring a touch of Braziwi to your place; so you’re always welcome to come in and just browse for inspiration, or consult with us on your next project, no matter how big or small.

413 Tamaki Drive, St Heliers Open from 10am Tue to Sun 09 272 9494 | Hello@braziwi.co.nz braziwi.co.nz facebook.com/Braziwi.nz @braziwi.home.decor

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February 2022

St Heliers Bay Village Business Association — stheliers.com

Opening mid-February A woman’s footwear store based in Saint Heliers, Auckland - and online 24/7.

The Shoe Rack is a woman’s footwear store based in Saint Heliers and online providing style conscious customers the latest in fashion for every occasion, whilst maintaining practical shoes of high quality and comfort.

With exclusive, fashion forward styles from around the globe, we pride ourselves on our unique product range, beautiful leathers, and high levels of craftsmanship.

Discover classic everyday styles, easy wearing summer slides, practical, office-friendly loafers, statement heels, neutral and jazzy mules, elegant and trendy boots and all the rage sneakers – we've got your shoedrobe covered for all seasons!

Keds

Theshoeracknz@outlook.com

Rollie

18 Polygon Road, Saint Heliers, Auckland

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Django & Juliette •

Mollini

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Woden •

Diana Ferrari • Top End

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Silent D

Visit beautiful St Heliers village – consistently among Auckland’s most popular and desirable suburbs. Experience an exotic destination where swaying palm trees overlook white, soft sand and a gently lapping sea. Walk the pristine beach or take a longer stroll along the flat boardwalk, captivated by the serenity of the surrounding natural beauty. Where village and ocean meet, St Heliers tempts with tantalising cafes, buzzing restaurants, and an array of sophisticated shopping from boutique fashion to jewellery, to interiors, home- and giftware.

Only 20 minutes from downtown, historic St Heliers is the ideal setting for a glass of wine with good friends.

St Heliers Bay Feature

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theshoerack.co.nz

Next to Skin — Shop 8 The Mall, 33-39 St Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers

Specialising in fine European lingerie from Germany, Italy, and France, as well as New Zealand-made nightwear in fine summer cottons and silks, Next to Skin also offers a full bra fitting service to help you achieve a comfortable and fashionable uplift! Also, a Ministry of Health provider for mastectomy garments. Rest assured that when you visit, our service will be personal and professional.

Foss & Kruger — 21 Saint Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers fossandkruger.com

Foss & Kruger is a St Heliers-based women’s fashion and lifestyle store whose incredible offering of top international labels is constantly growing and evolving. We believe that fashion is what you buy, style is how you wear it. We sell high quality labels with inspirational design and a brand ethos that fits with ours – a free mind to be creative, experimental, and unique. From Scandinavian labels such as Mos Mosh and Second Female, to chic French labels such as Leon & Harper, Baum & Stella Forest, to Californian shirt label Rails, and the casual Dutch label Scotch & Soda, we have something to suit women from all walks of life. We want to help you look stylish and confident and to feel fabulous.

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February 2022

What's On In Feb

WORDS — BELLA SAMPSON

PICTURED: GRAND HORIZONS

AUCKLAND PRIDE FESTIVAL 1-26 February

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK

GRAND HORIZONS 8 Feb – 5 Mar ASB Waterfront Theatre

They’ve done old, blue, and borrowed.

Time for something new. Nancy and Bill are 50 years into the picture-perfect marriage. Now, as they settle into the beige walls of their new lifestyle village, Nancy announces she wants out. If her husband Bill is shocked, he doesn’t show it. Crisply observed and gloriously funny, come see the Auckland premiere of this Broadway hit.

WOMEN IN WINE 11 February Hilton Auckland

asbwaterfronttheatre.co.nz

Treat yourself to an evening out, celebrating industry-leading, awardwinning female winemakers. Starting off with appetisers, introductory drinks, and a chance to socialise. Guests then move on to the carefully designed one-off dinner menu, crafted by top Auckland chefs, alongside eight wine pairs picked by the panel. Throughout the night, hear their stories, industry anecdotes, and expert distinctions; guaranteed to up your dinner party vocab. iticket.co.nz

SWINGING SIXTIES IN AUCKLAND 16 February Auckland Art Gallery

Join fashion historian, Angela Lassig as she traces the rise of boutique culture along the backstreets and side alleys of ‘60s Auckland. Explore fashion, music and makeup that energised a generation. This talk is an accompaniment to the Mary Quant exhibition, which traces the cultural phenomenon and movement, that started in Quant’s first boutique in London and rapidly travelled the globe.

RUM RACE 18 Feb – 29 Apr 220 Quay St

Skip the standard overcrowded happy hour and sail into the weekend, aboard the legendary Steinlager2 (or Lion NZ) yachts on select Fridays. Join the crew for a fun and social Rum Race around the beautiful Auckland Harbour for 2-3 hours. nzsailingtrust.com

aucklandartgallery.com

BILLY T JAMS 25 February Q Theatre

Celebrate the return of live comedy with this quintet of our nation’s best burgeoning comedians as they compete for the highly esteemed Billy T Award.

Masterfully hosted by hilarious, national treasure (island contestant, but also beloved comedian), and previous winner, Brynley Stent. Join Abby Howells, Gabby Anderson, Jack Ansett, Janaye Henry and Maria Williams for a guaranteed night of hilarity.

AUCKLAND FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS 27 February Western Springs

Whether you’re an anthophile, hobby gardener, or simply appreciate an aesthetic arrangement; the Auckland Festival of Flowers is sure to delight.

Additionally, there’s a wide variety of plants for sale amongst the stalls, if inspiration strikes, as well as floral demonstrations and expert advice. eventfinda.co.nz

qtheatre.co.nz

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February 2022

WORDS — NICK AINGE-ROY

IXIAH - Krystel English Growing up, Krystel English never imagined becoming a fashion designer, despite being seemingly born for the role. In the 1980s her parents, Gloria and Mel, ran Fidgit’s Fashion on Auckland’s Darby Street, a hip men’s and women’s boutique that carried its success into Australian department stores and even counted Stevie Nicks among its customers.

While it was not the future she imagined for herself at the time, a childhood spent surrounded by the day-to-day working of the fashion business left its mark.

Fashion

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February 2022

“I was immersed in a creative industry since I was born. I remember the sewing machines raging as I would fall asleep.

I remember recently looking at some of their media clippings and seeing a similar resemblance from their collections back in the ‘80s to mine today.”

The collections she speaks of are for Krystel’s Sydney-based label, IXIAH, and though she may see in them a connection to her parents’ work, they are very much made for the here and now. Uniquely intricate with a sense of luxury bohemia, IXIAH represents a new era of individualism synonymous with strong femininity. Rejecting the seasonality of the traditional fashion calendar and its trend-driven approach, IXIAH favours styles that can be worn today, or 10 years from now, and passed on to the next generation. Krystel’s design approach emphasises a diversity of detail in the form of intricately crafted hand bindings, flouncy, full hemlines cut using voluminous amounts of fabric, pleating, and clever tailoring combined with hand-crochet techniques. The introduction of more pared-back denim offerings provides a wearable counterbalance to the eyecatching dresses and bodices IXIAH has built its reputation on and demonstrates Krystel’s understanding of a label’s need for versatility in an increasingly casual market.

and when to enhance its impact through injections of tropical colour and complex print. Rich splashes of mango orange and hibiscus red punctuate past lookbooks alongside psychedelic prints that appear to be painted in watercolour, another speciality of the label. The suite of prints and baroque details are conceptualised and designed in-house by Krystel and developed over an extended period with their factories and makers, with whom the label has built a close relationship over the past decade.

This sense of balance is also evidenced by her intuition of when to let the craftsmanship of her pieces take centre stage against a backdrop of creamy whites and midnight blacks,

This slow way of working is central not just to Krystel’s approach – “I’ll sketch out a collection and refine it continuously, often coming back to it weeks later” – but to IXIAH’s ethos of creating unique and timeless designs that customers will cherish well into the future: “When you purchase a creation of ours, you buy an investment piece knowing it will stand the test of time.” The importance IXIAH places on conscious purchasing is also motivated by another central concern: the planet. Avoiding the topic of sustainability is an impossibility for any label nowadays, and while IXIAH acknowledges that calling themselves entirely sustainable is not a realistic proposition at this stage, they are constantly striving to minimise their impact throughout the supply chain. Natural fabrics such as silk, linen and cotton feature heavily in collections, while production runs are limited to eliminate the possibility of wastage and encourage customers to appreciate the inherent exclusivity of their pieces.

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Uniquely intricate with a sense of luxury bohemia, IXIAH represents a new era of individualism synonymous with strong femininity.

The consideration shown in each step of IXIAH’s design and production has been rewarded in turn with a business that has not only managed to weather the worst of the pandemic but actually grown throughout it. Over the last three years, IXIAH’s international market has steadily expanded within Europe, having secured their initial overseas stockists in, of all places, Poland, where the brand is carried in half a dozen stores across the country and sits alongside major labels such as Gucci, Prada, Valentino, and Isabel Marant.

More impressively, this expansion has occurred organically and without the use of agents – just last year they were approached by five separate stockists in Norway and now have three accounts there, along with four more in the United Kingdom, Barbados, Israel, and Egypt.

For IXIAH, the overseas market proved indispensable throughout Australia’s extensive lockdowns in 2021 and moving forward Krystel sees it continuing as a major driver of growth for the label as they continue to bring their vision of timeless beauty to the wider world.

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February 2022

Fashion

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Damien Nikora Though only in his mid-40s, Damien Nikora has already lived several lifetimes. The photographer is one of New Zealand’s most respected creatives, known for his striking editorial and commercial campaigns in the fashion industry as well as the presence and intimacy of his portraiture and documentary work.

His career has seen him collaborate with national brands like Glassons and international behemoths like Victoria’s Secret, Kiwi artists Stan Walker and David Dallas, and carried him to all corners – from the Arctic Circle to rural Aotearoa.

Far from being a dream or calling, however, photography was something Damien mostly fell into while at school, the by-product of a beneficent teacher who instilled him with self-belief.

“I wasn’t really that gifted, but I think he was just super generous about his marks… and it made me believe I was really good.”

The remark is all the more heartwarming in light of Damien’s early life and the

possibilities that could have awaited him if it weren’t for the influence of individuals like that teacher. Damien was born in Wellington, three months premature and with his intestines on the outside of his body. It was a life that as far from a fashion editorial as possible.

His mother was a prostitute who worked on Vivian Street and would frequently disappear, leaving the children for days at a time in the care of her boyfriend, “an amazing man” who sheltered the children from the worst of the world that surrounded them.

When Damien was 11 years old, his grandfather introduced him to the Mormon church, beginning a religious relationship that would come to define the next 20 years of his life. This life was expectedly strict, but Damien relished its 101

February 2022

When the family returned to New Zealand, Damien began carving out a space and a name for himself in an industry where “no-one even knew who the heck I was”.

rigours and dictates, proud of the staunch convictions his faith demanded. After completing his mission to Australia aged 19, and marrying at 20, he returned across the Tasman with his wife and five-month-old son to work in the video game industry and as a freelance photographer. When the family returned to New Zealand, Damien began carving out a space and a name for himself in an industry where “no-one even knew who the heck I was”.

But for all the careers and countries and changes he’s had in life, the greatest came five years ago after watching the documentary The True Cost: “It snapped me out of this coma that I was in. I realised that the fashion industry had a massive impact on our environment, and I decided that I wouldn’t shoot for anyone like that anymore.”

Since then, Damien and his girlfriend, Chanelle Taylor, have been on a singular mission to seek out the most ethical and sustainable people and products possible and make a difference however they can. The pair currently juggle three different projects, the first of which is The Current Marketplace: “It’s a story-based marketplace where we just locate awesome people and shoot them in amazing garments that are made from organic materials; truly ethical clothing.” Launching alongside the marketplace is Current Label, an ethical swimwear brand that aims to support artists as well as the earth they walk on.

Manufactured from Econyl – a recycled nylon made from discarded ‘ghost nets’ and other landfill-bound consumer plastics – Nikora and Taylor plan for the label to serve as a blank canvas for the work of artists from all over the world, with a

Fashion

profit-sharing model that will feed back to the artists and enable them to keep creating.

The final project is called Food Stand, and it has the potential to create far-reaching change in communities throughout New Zealand. A marketplace app designed to connect backyard growers with those looking to purchase their produce, Food Stand was developed out of a desire to build resiliency and food security in a time of shortages and supply-chain disruptions and will enable ordinary people with a few fruit trees or veggie beds in their garden to supplement their income and share with their community. Best of all, users will be able to choose their preferred method of payment in a modern barter-based system, whether it be cash, produce, or even a massage.

It’s all run far from the Auckland studios where he used to work, on a 10-acre property filled with fruit trees and livestock – the beginnings of a harmonious, permaculture lifestyle he and Chanelle have begun together. When we talk over Zoom, Damien speaks of the past with reference to his ‘previous life’. This is not some religious concept of rebirth, or language couched in regret, because Damien doesn’t seem to know what regret is. All he knows is that in this life, his new life, he has a chance to do something wonderful and he plans to pursue it.

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A dedicated Middle School for Year 7-10.

It’s learning evolved.

Do you have a child going into Year 7 or Year 9 in 2023?

Don’t miss our upcoming information evenings! Come and hear about our unique Middle School environment that sets us apart and keeps them together.

Year 7 Information Evening Thursday 10 March 7-8pm Year 9 Information Evening Thursday 17 March 7-8pm Register to attend at kristin.school.nz or call our Admissions Manager on 09 415 9566 ext 2324.

Progress with vision, integrity and love.

Stella Mccartney Frayme Shoulder Bag

Fashion

Paris Georgia

Jil Sander Beige & Black Drawstring Crossbody Bag

Jil Sander Off-White Oversize Strap & Sole Sandals

Nanushka Aarna Printed Denim Shirt

Nanushka Zoey Printed Flared Jeans

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Helmut Lang High-Rise Wrap Flared Pants

New Beginnings

Paris Georgia White Denim Heart Singlet Tank Top MAGDA BUTRYM Cropped Leather Jacket

Jil Sander Beige Poplin Shirt

Paris Georgia Khaki Poplin Cocoon Lounge Pants + Khaki Twist Bandeau T-Shirt

Jil Sander Green Tangle Shoulder Bag

Jil Sander Oversize Wrapped Slides

Lemaire Leather-Trimmed Mesh Pumps

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February 2022

2 9 8 1 R H Y T H M S H E E R TO P 2 9 2 0 LT L P O C K E T PA N T

CLOTHINGGIRL DESIGNER RECYCLE

Clothinggirl Designer Recycle is based at Greenwood's Corner Epsom and open 7 days with free parking right outside.

We have an amazing range of designer labels from NZ and overseas and also stock samples and end of lines.

We cater for sizes 6 to 22 and offer free in-store styling.

553 Manukau Road Epsom, Auckland 09 623 0993

䴀漀礀甀爀甀

稀攀戀爀愀渀漀

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February 2022

What to Drink if You’re Not Whether you’re the virtuous type or just taking a break from the booze, there are plenty of sophisticated non-alcoholic liberation

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AF Drinks

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AF Drinks is on a mission to not only normalise not drinking, but to make it aspirational AF. With 6 delicious drinks and an open conversation around drinking, AF is not just a product, but a world where it’s ok to make your own decisions and to do that with confidence.

Edenvale Premium Reserve Blanc de Blanc

Predominantly chardonnay-based, this Premium Reserve Sparkling Blanc de Blanc has a clean, fresh palate with a light citrus flavour. A multiple award winning non-alcoholic wine, this is the perfect tipple for the health conscious or anyone who wants to enjoy the experience of wine drinking but without the alcohol content.

af-drinks.com

thegoodwine.co.nz

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SIX BARREL SODA

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Made from real fruit in their Wellington soda kitchen, Six Barrel Soda syrups contain around 40% less sugar than other soda brands. With 18-plus unique and interesting flavours, it is super easy to make wonderfully great tasting drinks – just add soda water. Plus, enjoy a 15% off discount when you use the code VERVE15.

WILD DELICIOUS

Naturally sparkling like a champagne, Wild Delicious water kefir is a powerful combination of gut goodness, full of probiotics, prebiotics and digestive enzymes. With 87 billion beneficial probiotics per 100ml, this is the highest of any drink in NZ. Light, delicate and refreshing, it pairs well with Wild Delicious botanical shrubs and/or seedlip non-alcoholic spirits.

sixbarrelsoda.co wilddelicious.co.nz

Food

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WORDS — DENNIS KNILL

The Wine Rack Wine columnist Dennis Knill gives his views on Esk Valley’s new Artisanal Wine Collection.

The massive earthquake that devastated Napier in 1931 forever altered the course of the Esk River – which had once served as a vital source of shellfish for local Māori – resulting in perfect conditions for viticulture. Enter Robert Bird, founder of Glenvale Vineyards (now Esk Valley Estate) and the visionary who identified the potential of growing grapes in the area, becoming one of the first to plants vines, in 1933. And the concrete fermentation vats that he constructed all those years ago are still being used today.

One of Hawke’s Bay’s most renowned cellar doors, the winery, with its wonderful sea vistas overlooking the ocean and stunning hillside vine views, continues to produce some of the country’s best wines.

And its success is all down to Gordon Russell’s winemaking skills. Since 1986, Gordon has steered his team to produce some truly great wines, such as the Artisanal Collection, which have gone

on to win prestigious awards. This new release of classic Hawke’s Bay wines includes barrel-fermented chardonnay, a unique malbec dominant blended red wine, and a cluster-fermented syrah that form the backbone of the collection, with chenin blanc and gamay noir adding the final touch.

This rich collection of Hawke’s Bay terra-firma has plenty to offer for wine lovers and sets a new benchmark for quality wines at an affordable price in an intensely competitive market.

’19 Esk Valley Artisanal Collection syrah

Pure, fruity, and well-structured with a warm aftertaste that showcases Hawke’s Bay. Ripe and soft on the palate with generous flavours that are fresh and clean on the nose. Perfect for summer barbecues. RRP $20. ’19 Esk Valley Artisanal Collection malbec, merlot, cabernet sauvignon

Full-bodied, three-grape deep red blend with malbec representing the lion’s share, full of concentrated fruit gripped with density and good tannins. At its best when served with meat dishes. RRP$20.

’20 Esk Valley Artisanal Collection chardonnay

Delicately rich and full-flavoured, this easy-to-drink upfront wine oozes with fresh citrus and subtle oak spicy overtones that are finely balanced on the nose. Food-friendly wine at its very best.

RRP$20.

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February 2022

What a summer it's been so far! Below you’ll find some light, luscious and sumptuous recipes perfect for what we hope are many more sunny days. Chill that wine or prep some cocktails, and enjoy…

Cumin Roasted Beets and Grilled Pepper Salsa

A great one to have up your sleeve for a quick weeknight meal or when you have unexpected guests come over. Using simple, familiar ingredients, this salad is taken to the next level thanks to punchy preserved lemons. We always have a jar of them in the fridge. We serve this alongside salmon, beef, lamb or chicken.

Ingredients

Method

4 medium beetroots, cut into wedges oil 1 teaspoon ground cumin pinch of sea salt

Preheat the oven to 200°C.

Grilled Pepper Salsa

For the Grilled Pepper Salsa, place the capsicums, cherry tomatoes and garlic on another baking tray. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Toss to combine.

3 red capsicums, deseeded and sliced 200g cherry tomatoes 3 cloves garlic, crushed and roughly chopped oil pinch of sea salt black pepper ¼ preserved lemon, finely chopped, flesh included handful of fresh herbs, roughly chopped ½ cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped 2 heaped tablespoons coconut yoghurt To Serve

fresh rocket

Place the beetroot wedges on a baking tray, drizzle with oil and sprinkle with cumin and sea salt. Toss together.

Place both baking trays in the oven, with the capsicums and tomatoes on top. Cook the capsicums and tomatoes for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven. Continue cooking the beetroot for another 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Add the preserved lemon, herbs, walnuts and beetroot to the tray with the cooked capsicums and tomatoes. Toss gently to combine. Add the coconut yoghurt and toss again gently.

To serve, place a couple of good handfuls of rocket on the bottom of a dish and top with the beetroot mix.

Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Salad: 70 delicious recipes for every occasion by the Two Raw Sisters RRP$45, Allen & Unwin NZ Food

Serves: 4–6

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PHOTOGRAPHY — SUSANNAH BLATCHFORD AND MARGO FLANAGAN

PHOTOGRAPHY — SERGE PHILIPPI

Lamb’s Lettuce with Pineapple

Sweet, ripe pineapple and smoky bacon form the base of this juicy salad with crunchy seeds and salty caperberries. Capers are the pickled or dried unopened flower buds from Capparis shrub that grows all over the Mediterranean. When the flower is fertilised, a berry is formed: the juicy caperberry.

Ingredients

Method

1 pineapple 100g smoked bacon 2 shallots 90ml extra-virgin olive oil juice of 1 lime 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard 50g lamb’s lettuce (mâche) 75g semi-dried cherry tomatoes 50g caperberries 2 tablespoons Seedy Mix: equal parts sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, roasted pine nuts, linseeds (flax seeds) and crushed coriander seeds

Halve the pineapple lengthways. Remove the skin and the hard core. Cut the pineapple into strips and then into pieces. Cut the bacon into cubes and slice the shallots.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a frying pan. Fry the bacon for 4 minutes or until crispy.

Whisk together the lime juice, honey, mustard and remaining olive oil to make a dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Wash and dry the lamb’s lettuce well; remove the stalks. Divide the lettuce, pineapple, and shallot among four plates.

Drizzle the salad with the dressing. Sprinkle the bacon, tomato and caperberries over the top and sprinkle with the seed mix.

Serves: 4

Recipe extracted from Salad: 100 Recipes for Simple Salads & Dressings by Janneke Philippi RRP$55, Smith Street Books Food

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PHOTOGRAPHY — LIZZIE MAYSON

Jackfruit Larb

Is it a salad? Is it a wrap? No. It's larb, and it's here to make your lunchtime tastier. This is a brilliant healthy-but-tasty finger-food meal for when you have friends over and want to put something fun and informal in the middle of the table for everyone to dig into. Great texture, great colour and great taste.

What's not to love?

Ingredients

Method

2 x 400g tins jackfruit 1 lemongrass stalk 1 garlic clove 2.5cm piece fresh ginger 2-3 red chillies 10g fresh coriander 10g fresh mint 50g salted peanuts 2 baby gem lettuces 1 tbsp groundnut oil

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Line a baking tray.

For the dressing

2 limes 1 banana shallot 1 tbsp light soy sauce 1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

Drain and rinse the jackfruit, then pat dry with the clean tea towel. Spread out on the lined baking tray and roast in the hot oven for 20 minutes. Use two forks to pull apart and shred the jackfruit.

Meanwhile, prepare the remaining ingredients. Trim the lemongrass stalk, strip the bark and slice finely. Peel and finely grate the garlic and ginger. Finely slice the chillies. Pick the coriander leaves and finely slice the stems. Pick the mint leaves.

Break the peanuts up in the pestle and mortar. Cutaway the stems of the lettuce, pull apart the larger leaves and rinse under cold water. Halve the limes for the dressing, peel the shallot, cut it in half and finely slice it lengthways.

Warm the oil in the wok over a medium-high heat. Add the jackfruit and stir for 3-4 minutes. Add the lemongrass, garlic, ginger, two of the chillies and the coriander stems. Stir for 2 minutes. Turn the heat down to very low to keep warm, stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn't catch.

Make the dressing

Squeeze the lime juice into a bowl. Add the sliced shallot and squash it slightly to break it down a little. Add the soy sauce and sweet chilli and stir to combine Spoon the jackfruit mixture into the lettuce leaves, drizzle over the dressing, garnish with the fresh coriander, mint leaves, broken peanuts and a few slices of chilli if you like it extra kicky! Serve immediately.

Recipe extracted from BOSH! On A Budget

by Henry Firth and Ian Theasby RRP $39.99, HarperCollins Food

Serves: 4 (as a lunch or starter)

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RECIPE — HARBOUR FISH/ THE MACPHERSON DIARIES PHOTOGRAPHY — SEAFOOD NEW ZEALAND

Green Fish Curry

Ingredients

Method

1 Tbsp oil 1 onion, finely diced 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and minced/finely grated 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 2 Tbsp green curry paste 1-2 cups of fish stock 1 can coconut cream 1 can coconut milk 4 kaffir lime leaves ½ disc of palm sugar, pounded up in pestle and mortar (or 2 Tbsp of brown sugar) 250g noodles 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets 1 stem of lemongrass, bashed to release the flavour 700g of firm white fish, cut into large chunks (monkfish & ling work well) fish sauce 1 cup frozen peas coriander, leaves picked 1 kaffir lime leaf, thinly sliced 1 lime, cut into wedges

Heat a heavy bottom saucepan to medium-high heat.

Saute onion in oil until translucent.

Add garlic and ginger, fry for a minute.

Add curry paste and fry for another minute, cooking out the paste. If it's sticking, add a splash more oil.

Once fragrant, about 90 seconds, add half a cup of the fish stock.

Cook out until reduced by half and add another add half a cup of fish stock.

Cook out again and add the coconut milk, coconut cream, lemongrass stem and kaffir lime leaves (all whole), and sugar.

Cook for about 10 minutes to infuse all the flavours.

While cooking, steam the broccoli and cook the noodles as per the packet instructions.

Taste the curry sauce. Add more sugar or fish sauce if needed. If it is too thick add some more fish stock and cook a little more.

Remove the kaffir lime and lemongrass Add the fish when you are happy with the flavour. Cook for a minute and then add the peas. Once you are happy the fish is cooked (no translucence left), it will probably take 3-5 minutes, remove from the heat.

Serve the curry sauce with the noodles, broccoli and top with coriander, kaffir lime leaf and lime wedges.

Food

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RECIPE — HARBOUR FISH/ THE MACPHERSON DIARIES PHOTOGRAPHY — SEAFOOD NEW ZEALAND

Thai-Style Baked Whole Fish

Ingredients

Method

For the Fish

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

whole fish, scaled flaky sea salt oil, good quality and neutral flavoured Fresh 'flavourings' (lemon/lime slices, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, fresh ginger slices all work well) For the Sauce

½ cup sweet chilli sauce 2 Tbsp soy sauce 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 knob of ginger, minced 1 lemon or lime, juiced 3 dashes of fish sauce (or pinch of salt) 1 heaped tsp palm sugar (or brown sugar) kaffir lime leaves or a handful of coriander (optional) For the Garnish

fresh herbs (Thai basil, mint, coriander work best) sesame seeds, toasted

Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Rinse the fish and pat dry (using paper towels works well). Cut a few evenly spaced large slits on each side of the fish.

On the baking tray, drizzle the fish with oil and season generously with salt. Rub the oil and salt over both sides of the fish until it’s well covered.

Fill the cavity of the fish with your fresh flavour.

Place the fish in the oven. Cooking time will depend on the size of your fish. Around 10 minutes per 2.5cm of thickness is a good rule to follow; for example, a small-medium tarakihi takes about 15 minutes. Make sure it’s lost its translucent appearance and don’t forget it will continue to cook when removed from the oven.

While the fish is cooking, prep your sauce by blending all the sauce ingredients together using a stick blender/blender. Adjust flavours to taste.

When the fish is done, transfer it to a serving plate. Drizzle the sauce, reserving some to serve on the side. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and garnish with herbs or fresh greens around the edges.

Food

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Your February Checklist

Seedling Start planting out winter crops at the end of February, including broccoli, cauliflower, and silverbeet.

Enjoying the last summer month before autumn is a must – but between the heat of the day, remember to give your garden a bit of love, too. Don’t forget those weeds and keep on top of watering!

PLANT NOW Vegetables

Chillies Our large-grade, super-hot chillies are available now – including Carolina Reaper, Trinidad Scorpion, and Habanero. Plant them out into larger pots or in the garden as they produce fruit.

Herbs Plant herbs and leafy veggies such as basil, lettuce, coriander, parsley, and spinach, but make sure to keep them well-watered.

Fruit

Grapes February is the best time to get grapes into the ground, best planted against a trellis, wall, or pergola in full sun.

Passionfruit You can still plant passionfruit in fertile, free-draining soil rich in compost. Ensure it is in a spot with good airflow and avoid wetting the foliage when watering.

Feijoa Plant two different varieties of feijoa to ensure good pollination. Plant an earlier season and a slightly later season variety to extend your harvest, or plant the Unique variety on its own for selffertilised fruit.

Trees and Shrubs

Fragrance Add scented plants to your garden by

planting some evergreen star jasmine, gardenias, or the tropical climber stephanotis.

Tropical Plants Have a colourful tropical oasis at home by planting gorgeous trumpet-flowered Mandevilla, vireya, frangipani, hibiscus and bird of paradise.

Flowers and Perennials

Instant Colour Add a plethora of colours by planting beautiful annual flowers, including petunias, dianthus, penstemon, marigolds, and gazanias.

Perennials Plant flowering perennials now to enjoy their gorgeous blooms until the end of autumn. Petunias, geraniums and alstroemeria are along with the most popular varieties.

Spring bulbs While spring is still a while away, the first bulbs should be planted from February until late June. Daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinth will be hitting the shelves soon!

For more useful garden information visit vervemagazine.co.nz and search ‘Tend.’

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WORDS — ROBYN ALEXANDER PHOTOGRAPHS — GREG COX

Wonder Water

From the breathtaking to the beautiful, these inspiring swimming pools are arguably the ultimate in family-friendly domestic luxuries, plus, they add loads of value, style and atmosphere to the properties they adorn.

SCULPTURAL STYLE (previous page) Anchored by a sculptural curved pillar, the main deck of this multilevel home fit for a tech baron showcases a 25-metre rim-flow swimming pool that makes a smooth visual transition from architecture to the landscape beyond.

SEXY CURVES (above)

The dreamily restored farmhouse to which this pool area is appended has seven bedrooms and is frequently filled with visitors, “which makes for a lot of social interaction and beautiful memories”, says the homeowner. No doubt that for guests and residents alike,

Garden

plenty of those memories will be centred on lounging around and swimming in the property’s enviable new pool, which features a delightfully old-school curved shape.

BLUE NOTE (right) Designed to merge seamlessly into its spectacular oceanside location, this clean-lined infinity pool overlooks a 20-kilometre stretch of pristine beach and a sparkling expanse of sea that in turn dissolves into the sky. As a result, when swimming in the pool, the overall effect is one of being part of — rather than a spectator to — the incredible scenery.

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As a result, when swimming in the pool, the overall effect is one of being part of — rather than a spectator to — the incredible scenery.

But the intrusion of the cantilevered wooden deck into the space of the water gives this pool area a contemporary edge too, making it pretty much the best of all worlds.

MOUNTAIN HIGH (left) Sporting what must be one of the most breathtaking views of any pool on the planet, this urban oasis also has all the easygoing, family-friendly vibes of a classic suburban home — complete with loads of surrounding greenery and oldschool mosaic-tile detail. But the intrusion of the cantilevered wooden deck into the space of the water gives this pool area a contemporary edge too, making it pretty much the best of all worlds.

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SET IN STONE (above) On one side lies a forest of oak trees, and on the other, a view in which, on most days, the division between sea and sky becomes blurred into a single vista of blue. In between is an arresting, stoneclad house and this exquisite swimming pool, which, with its dark interior and mirror-like surface, is perhaps the most perfectly magical element of a very special holiday home.

February 2022

NATURAL RHYTHM (left) The renovation of a holiday home perched atop a series of mountainside terraces near the sea included a complete overhaul of the existing swimming pool.

It’s now a simply gorgeous rim-flow design that seamlessly links water and sky when viewed from the large shallow steps on two sides of the pool, which are ideal for water-based lounging and also make entering and getting out of the water easy.

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JUNGLE BOOGIE (above)

Proof positive that a swimming pool need not be large to be envy-inducing, this oval oasis forms part of a coastal retreat that enables its busy owners to relax in a verdant conservation village at weekends, and makes up one level of a mountainside home that unfolds over multiple levels. The pool is a very necessary addition to the property, too, as the adjacent Atlantic Ocean is notoriously cold all year round — excellent for surfing while wetsuitclad, but by no means comfortable for recreational swims.

February 2022

Box Office RIGHT: PARALLEL MOTHERS

PARALLEL MOTHERS 3 February

THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD 17 February

Art

Janis and Ana meet in a hospital room where they’re about to give birth. Both are single, their pregnancies accidental.

Janis, middle-aged, doesn’t regret it and is exultant, while adolescent Ana is repentant and traumatised. Janis tries to encourage Ana during walks along the hospital corridors – their resulting bond complicates and changes their lives in a decisive way. Directed by Pedro Almodóvar and starring Penélope Cruz and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón.

About to turn 30, Julie’s life is an existential mess. Talents have gone to waste and her older boyfriend, Aksel— a successful graphic novelist—wants to settle down. One night, she gatecrashes a party and meets the young, charming Eivind. Soon, she breaks up with Aksel to embark on a new relationship, hoping for a new perspective, but will come to realise that some life choices are already lost. Directed by Joachim Trier and starring Renate Reinsve and Anders Daniels.

UNCHARTERED 17 February

FLEE 24 February

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Street-smart thief Nathan Drake is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor “Sully” Sullivan to recover a long-lost fortune. What starts as a heist becomes a globe-trotting, whiteknuckle race to reach the prize before the ruthless Moncada, who believes he and his family are the rightful heirs.

If Nate and Sully can solve one of the world’s oldest mysteries, they stand to find a $5 billion treasure and perhaps even Nate’s long-lost brother. Directed

by Ruben Fleischer and starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg.

Amin Nawabi, a 36-year-old highachieving academic, grapples with a 20-year-old secret that threatens to derail the life he has built with his soon-to-be husband. Recounted mostly through animation, Flee is his extraordinary journey as a child refugee from Afghanistan. It’s an unforgettable story of self-discovery that shows how only by confronting the past is it possible to carve out a future, and the universal truth that only by stopping fleeing from who you are can you truly find the meaning of ‘home’. Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen.

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Q&A with UP Real Estate’s Jo Johnstone (Answers are subject to Covid Level changes by Government)

1. What has happened in the market since December?

New Zealanders have enjoyed a much needed long summer and had time with friends and family. I have discovered ‘property’ is still very much the main topic of conversation around the BBQ and dinner table.

Buyers are still trying to find a home and Vendors are weighing up their options. In short, the phone has been ringing…

2. Is there still a shortage of property for buyers?

I am still working with a strong well qualified group of buyers who want me to find them a home in Remuera, Parnell or the Bays circa $4m-$12m. If you are looking to sell please contact me.

3. Can a long settlement still be organised for buyers?

In some cases homeowners prefer a long settlement as it gives them more time to secure their next home or wait for the completion of the home or retirement village that is being built.

4. What do Vendors want?

The Vendors I am speaking to in Remuera, Parnell and the Eastern Bays want a long settlement to enable them to find a lock up and leave in Auckland and they are also buying up North and in Queenstown or Wanaka. Vendors are trying to support their adult children and help them find a home, so they are thinking hard about all the options.

WANTED: Homes in Remuera, Parnell and the Eastern Bays circa $4m+ Call me anytime!

Jo Johnstone 021 411 107 jo@uprealestate.co.nz

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Billionaires: What are they Worth?

WORDS — JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

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According to the World Economic Forum, the richest 10% of the global population takes home 52% of the total income, while the poorest half earn just 8%.

The actual wealth gap makes for even grimmer reading with the poorest half of the world’s population owning just 2% of the total wealth, while the richest 10% own a staggering 76%.

Inequality becomes even more acute when viewed through the prism of minority communities: Hispanic children in the US have access to around five cents for every dollar enjoyed by their white schoolfriends; for African American kids it drops down to just one cent. Things aren’t much better in Aotearoa where child poverty rates are among the worst in the OECD (Māori and Pasifika kids are around twice as likely to be suffering hardship than Pākehā ones), and where the wealthiest 40,000 or so people have a net worth nearly 70 (yes, 70) times that of the median citizen.

And the pandemic has only made things worse.

In October 2021, Forbes reported the USA’s 400 richest people had accumulated 40% more wealth during the pandemic – a total of US$4.5 trillion, or an extra US$2.5 billion each. On top of that, a further 44 people were added to the super rich list (while Donald Trump dropped off it for the first time), a list whose membership requires a net worth of US$2.9 billion – up from US$800 million the previous year. The World Inequality Report concludes that just 2,750 people have now accumulated more wealth than half the world’s population.

As for the world’s 10 richest men, they more than doubled their money during the first two years of the pandemic, raking in a cool US$15,000 per second, or US$1.3 billion each day. (In the real world, 114 million lost their jobs in 2020 alone.)

“If these 10 men were to lose 99.999% of their wealth tomorrow, they would still be richer than 99% of all the people on this planet,” says Oxfam International’s executive director, Gabriela Bucher.

“They now have six times more wealth than the poorest 3.1 billion people.”

According to Oxfam, a one-off 99% tax on those 10 individuals’ gains made only during the pandemic would raise enough capital to vaccinate everyone, and provide universal healthcare and social protection, fund climate adaptation, and reduce gender-based violence in more than 80 countries, while still (make sure you’re sitting down for this) leaving the men US$8 billion better off than they were before any of us had even heard of coronavirus.

But is it really that simple?

In an interview with CNN last November, the director of the UN’s World Food Programme, David Beasley, said that just 2% of Elon Musk’s wealth could help solve world hunger. Billionaires, added Beasley, must “step up now, on a one-time basis… US$6 billion to help 42 million people that are literally going to die if we don’t reach them”.

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Musk tweeted that if the World Food Programme publicly described “exactly how $6B will solve world hunger, I will sell Tesla stock right now and do it”.

The UN duly responded with a breakdown of how US$6.6 billion would stave off famine to help save 45 million lives in 2022 (not solve world hunger), including spending US$3.5 billion on food and delivery; US$2 billion on cash and voucher programmes; and setting aside US$700 million for ‘country-specific costs’. There was no response from Musk.

Jeff Bezos’s four-minute space flight last year (his “best day ever”) cost US$5.5 billion, which, according to Global Citizen, would save over 37 million vulnerable people from starvation for a year; fully vaccinate two billion people in low-income countries against Covid-19; fully fund the International Fund for Agricultural Development; or plant up to five billion trees.

Soon after the launch, Prince William told the BBC that we need the planet’s greatest minds concentrating on repairing our planet rather than trying “to find the next place to go and live”.

Long-term rivals Bezos and Musk are famously prone to duking it out on Twitter occasionally, comparing the size of their wallets, and of their, er, spaceships. But when you’re getting called out by the heir to an all-powerful, 1,000-year-old unelected family-run institution to come back down to earth, then you’ve maybe joined the Dark Side.

February 2022

On the Bookshelf With Waitangi Weekend and Easter still to come, we’ve put together some of our favourite titles from our summer holiday reading.

THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB Richard Osman

A DIAMOND IN THE DUST Frauke BoltenBoshammer

Art

In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet to discuss unsolved crimes, calling themselves The Thursday Murder Club. When a local developer is found dead next to a mysterious photograph, the club suddenly find themselves in the middle of their first live case. Then, as the bodies pile up, the gang must catch the killer before it’s too late.

Within minutes of landing in Kununurra, Western Australia, Frauke Bolten made up her mind to return home to Germany.

In 1981, the dusty frontier town was no place for a woman. However, Frauke stayed to help her farmer husband, who, three years later, took his own life, leaving her to raise their family.

Twenty-six years after she sold her first necklace off the back porch, Kimberley Fine Diamonds is now home to one of the world’s largest collections of Argyle pink diamonds, with a client list that includes Nicole Kidman. Frauke is credited for not only pioneering an industry, but for putting the tiny outback town and its precious diamonds on the map.

THE GIRL WITH THE LOUDING VOICE Abi Daré

KLARA AND THE SUN Kazuo Ishiguro

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The inspiring story of a teenage girl from a Nigerian village who longs to get an education to find her “louding voice” and speak up for herself. The Girl with the Louding Voice is a simultaneously heartbreaking and triumphant tale about the power of fighting for your dreams that sees Adunni determined to build a future of her choosing, while helping other girls like her do the same.

From the Nobel Prize-winning, bestselling author of The Remains of the Day, is a stunning new novel about the mystery of the human heart. From her place in the store, Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, watches browsing customers, and those who pass on the street. She remains hopeful that a customer will soon choose her, but when the possibility emerges that her circumstances may change forever, Klara is warned not to invest too much in the promises of humans.

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WORDS — JAMIE CHRISTIAN DESPLACES

Dogs ‘n’ Dreams One of the many joys of being a parent to a pooch are the times when said pooch is asleep. Not necessarily because it means peace and quiet (though that is sometimes the case), but because dogs can be just as amusing snoozing as when they’re at play. Legs may start kicking or the mouth may start slurping, sometimes they’ll even wake themselves up with a fart!

Pets

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Though significantly different in size, brains of dogs and humans are, structurally speaking, remarkably alike and experience similar waves and activity.

But what exactly is going on with those snoring theatrics, do our dogs really dream of chasing rabbits or munching on the world’s juiciest bone?

Though significantly different in size, brains of dogs and humans are, structurally speaking, remarkably alike and experience similar waves and activity. According to Dr Gary Richter, Rover’s veterinary health expert, such similarities mean our canine companions, like us, have multiple sleep stages during their snoozing cycle, including REM, “which is why we see them twitch”. REM usually begins around 20 minutes into a nap, which is when the sounds and movement – often coupled with irregular breathing – will begin.

SO, ARE DOGS DREAMING?

An MIT study monitored neurons in the hippocampus (the brain part linked to memory and learning) of rats while they ran around a track for food rewards – an activity resulting in easily identifiable activity in their brains. The creatures were then monitored as they slept, and researchers found near-identical brain patterns indicating that the rats were ‘reliving’ the activity in the form of dreams. Similar studies of mice and cats have led scientists to conclude that it’s probable that dogs (and likely all mammals and perhaps even vertebrates) experience similar dream states.

Dr Stanley Coren, canine researcher and author of the book Do Dogs Dream? Nearly Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know, writes that larger dogs have sleep cycles of up to 90 minutes (similar to humans), whereas smaller breeds have shorter cycles – as little as 10 minutes – meaning their dreams don’t last as long but occur more frequently.

SO, WHAT DO DOGS DREAM ABOUT?

The pons is the part of the brain stem that not only helps control sleep cycles and regulate deep sleep but paralyses muscles to prevent us from literally acting out our dreams. As the pons is less developed in puppies, and less efficient in senior dogs, their dream twitches tend to be more dramatic than those in their middle years (it’s the same with humans). By temporarily deactivating the pons, researchers have been able to partly peek into pooches’ dreams and, “what we’ve basically found is that dogs dream doggy things,” says Coren.

It’s impossible to know the exact details of what goes on in our pooch’s subconscious as they snooze, but it’s probably a far more literal interpretation of their daytime activities – like those rats chasing their edible rewards – both the good and the bad. Although it’s believed that they’re probably incapable of creating complex, fantastical nightmares that we sometimes suffer, those sleep-induced snarls and whimpers may be the result of recollections of, say, the neighbour’s cat staring teasingly through the fence, or of that dreaded bath time. Dr Coren recalls an owner who told him about his dog who was terrified of baths and would run straight between his legs after each one – the only time he ever performed such behaviour.

But one day the owner noticed his dog run between his legs following a bad dream implying that he’d been dreaming of being bathed. (It’s advisable to never wake a dog during such a ‘nightmare’ as the shock and redirected energy may result in an accidental bite.)

But, presuming Fido’s living his best life, he’s mostly experiencing positive dreams about tummy rubs or treats or running around that woodland or the thing that he most loves – you!

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February 2022

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Horoscopes AQUARIUS 20 January – 18 February

PISCES 19 February – 20 March

ARIES 21 March – 19 April

You have a harder time until 17 February dealing with mental tasks with a group of people or by yourself, and work better when you have one partner. From the 18th it's a good time to talk about your relationship with someone, or to form a new business partnership. You will have an easier time dealing with your loved ones than usual.

You’re presently interested in many things, more curious than usual, and want to learn more. You may not stick with anything for very long though, so you will pick up lots of new, random bits of information, but won’t become a master at anything. You can be more outgoing, wanting to be more socially engaged, and need a busier schedule.

TAURUS

You may come across as more proud, warm, and friendly. Your creative self can come out, and you let your artistic side shine. There are no fences that can hold you in and no limit to how high you can fly. If you’re single, you can meet more people who pique your interest.

If in a relationship, you can try to bring romance back into it.

GEMINI

20 April – 20 May

21 May – 20 June

143

You’re more defensive of your beliefs, and if you feel threatened, you’ll defend them strongly. You can question your dreams for your future, and feel that they’re too unrealistic and out of reach, but this may not be a good time to make any final decisions about what you should do. You can let your emotions run more freely and give your head a break.

You embrace what it is that makes you who you are, and want to be a unique, independent person. You can be more dramatic with your emotional displays, requiring more attention when you’re feeling insecure. You can finish a creative project, take a love relationship to the next level, or stop seeing someone entirely if you don’t feel it’s working out.

February 2022

manish@manishastrologer.com

CANCER 21 June – 22 July

LEO 23 July – 22 August

VIRGO 23 August – 22 September

WORDS— MANISH KUMAR ARORA

You will come up with big ideas of what you want to do with your life. You can see the big picture more clearly, but the details are a little fuzzy. You can take an interest in something and want to study it further, You can become more interested in other cultures, and try to learn about other ways of living.

SCORPIO

This is a good time for returning to a previous career. You may feel like your life isn’t expanding the way that you want it to, and it’s frustrating. You’re stuck in the dark, dwelling on the issues that hold you back. You may experience power struggles with someone, especially over money, and have issues with other people’s money.

SAGITTARIUS

Your mind is active and sharp and you come up with lots of new ideas. This is a good time for any mental work that needs to be done, though you’re not good at sticking with any project for very long right now. Smaller projects will get done quickly. You might be more loud and boisterous, and more social and engaging with others

CAPRICORN

23 October – 21 November

22 November – 21 December

22 December – 19 January

You’re driven to pursue your dreams.

You want to get closer to attaining them and can accomplish one of them during this time. You’re more open to things that are unusual, unconventional, innovative, inventive, and futuristic, and want to push the envelope. You have more mental energy than physical energy and can do a lot of investigating into subjects before pursuing any of them.

This isn’t a period to focus on the seriousness of life; it’s a time to joke about its kookiness and relish in its joy. You’re extremely optimistic and positive about life, feeling everything is going great. You want to expand your consciousness, and spend time learning something new, studying a philosophy or culture, or jet-setting to some foreign land.

You’ll feel more ambitious, hardworking, and focused on success. You may seem more distant emotionally, too concerned with your goals and with where you want to be in your life. You have an easier time with travel, legal dealings, writing, and learning. You’ll have more passion for your dreams, and more focused on the future, and may have a harder time living in the present.

LIBRA 23 September – 22 October

Horoscopes

You may come across as more of a perfectionist, organised and anxious.

You work quickly and efficiently, and won’t stop until you get everything done.

You are good with the details and can gather the facts you need. You can also feel stronger and more vital, and decide to try to improve your health through diet, exercise, or some other lifestyle changes.

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The BMW iX3. Born Electric.

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Continental Cars BMW 45 - 65 Wairau Road, Wairau Valley, North Shore. (09) 488 2000 continentalcarsbmw.co.nz

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