Verve May 2013 Issue

Verve Auckland’s Boutique Magazine.

MEN MATTER PLUS – Remuera Up Close Yunnan Province: China Gwinganna Inspired by Richard Branson

MAY 2013 — TRENDS HOME FASHION BEAUTY FOOD WINE TRAVEL EVENTS

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Contents REMUERA

MEN MATTER

HOME

JOURNEYS

14.

46.

67.

76.

Thinking2morrow

15.

The Youth Fusion Orchestra

18.

Iridescent Jems

FASHION 22.

There’s a Bite in the Air...

26.

Stitching Up Success

Finding the Unexpected at Formosa

Chemical-free Mattress Cleaning

68.

52.

What’s Hot

A Nation of Sails

70.

56.

Sigurd Ressell’s Falcon Chair

Win with Verve: For Men

57.

Re-experiencing Space with Tomás Saraceno

59.

Motorscience

BEAUTY/HEALTH

OUT&ABOUT

31.

60.

What is Osteoporosis? Festivals 2013: Auckland Writers & 38.

Readers; Architecture Naomi McRae & Design Films; Auckland Photography

FOOD 4 TOUGHT

Gwinganna: My Lifestyle Retreat

80.

90.

New Lease of Life for Hulme Court

92.

Let’s Hear it for Hospice

Yunnan Province: China

ESSAY OF THE MONTH

82.

94.

Inspired by Richard Branson: Stop Worrying and Start Living

Race Against the Machine

71.

Trade Aid

PETS

WIN WITH VERVE &

72.

84.

28.

85.

56.

Feel Marvellous for Mother’s Day

Off-Kilter Kitties?

75.

The Dog Club

Glengarry: te Pã

Cover: An elder of the Bai minority, Gao Zheung, is the custodian of a Buddhist temple in the countryside not far from the city of Dali, Yunnan Province, China. Photo by Julien Erwin. Read more on page 80

LOCALS

Evo Fabuloso Avalon

56.

Spa@Mollies

86.

56.

88.

73.

The Locals Matters of Interest

Triumph & Disaster Bottle-O

VerveMagazine — Editors-in-chief: Fran Ninow and Jude Mitchell Writers: Inger-Lisa Hurst and Jamie Desplaces Layout Design: J. David Contributors: Sara Bunny, Lulu Alach, Jackie O’Fee, Timothy Giles, Jenn Laidlaw, Paris Mitchell, Sara Faraj, Andy Jones, Julien Erwin, Katie Waldeck, Kate Walker, Brooke Steff and Kimberley Paterson Published by Verve Magazine Ltd. Level 1, 430 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland 1023 PO Box 99-288, Newmarket, Auckland 1149 GST: 90 378 074 ISSN 2253-1300 (Print) ISSN 2253-1319 (Online)

Advertising enquiries: P: +64 9 520 5939 E: jude@vervemagazine.co.nz Editorial enquiries: P: +64 9 520 5939 E: fran@vervemagazine.co.nz Subcriptions: http://vervemagazine.co.nz/subscribe.html

VERVE MAGAZINE is published monthly (except in January) and has an estimated readership of 40,000. It is a free community / lifestyle magazine delivered to selected homes, cafés and businesses in the following areas: Parnell, Newmarket, Remuera, Epsom, Mission Bay and Kohimarama. Copies of Verve Magazine are also available from the following places: Parnell Inc., The Strand Vet, Home Ideas Centre, New World - Victoria Park, Premium-Mission Bay, Just Rentals-Meadowbank, The Print Shop - Remuera, LJ Hooker - Remuera, Frame by Frame, Constant Cravings, Glengarry Wines, Barfoot & Thompson Parnell, Quest Hotels - Parnell, Remuera, and Newmarket, Parnell Community Centre and Library, Teed Street Lader and Level 1, 430 Broadway, Newmarket (above Mini showroom). Verve is also available from all popular cafés in its main distribution areas as well as in E-book format.

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 Ltf nor its agents accept any responsibility for loss or damage. Although every effort 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. Verve is printed by Webstar and distributed by AdMail. www.vervemagazine.co.nz

MAY 2013

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Editors’ Note YANG + YIN These days – you don’t really need traditional media to keep you up to date, as there is Twitter, linking you in to goingson all around the globe. All you need is your smart phone beeping updates day and night: Facebook, your favourite blogs, instagram etc, never sleeping – rendering you in touch all the time. Current affairs, the latest gossip, riot, terrorist scare, good news or bad – you are up with the play almost instantaneously. This informal network of news has certainly had its way with the world, bean-sprouting its seductive power into the engine rooms of our existence. Verve loves this hive of activity, the speed and energy of it all – modern media’s yang, yet we’re also happy and proud that we can offer our readers something a little more traditional, something more yin!

With good old-fashioned page-turning pleasure, Verve May brings this month’s

collection of verve-a-licious stories. Bearing in mind that opposites (the yangs and the yins) give each other meaning – this month we have focused on several very special men - who in their own unique way have added meaning to the lives of those around them.

Don’t miss reading about Remuera institution, John Lee; young local musicians - David, Daniel, Layne,Sam and Zane; golfing blokes Jeff Skipper and Peter Fowler; racing driver Mitch Evans; Bryan Crump of National Radio Nights; the men in a nation of sails; and others – each adding their distinctive brightness to our universe. We hope that you will agree that this month’s cover, photographed in the depths of Yunnan, tells a story and embodies much of what comes with the territory when born as man.

On that note, both Jude and I were quite blown away by another male initative at the launch of TOMS in New Zealand.

Celebrated at Ponsonby Central, John Elliot from TOMS explained to an audience of Auckland’s ‘glitterati’, just how special this footwear is, for each time a pair of TOMS is purchased, a new pair of shoes is given to a child in need. We take shoes for granted: unbelievably there are still millions of people out there who do not own even one pair! So next time you need ‘casj’ footwear for the boat or bach – buy TOMS. (Great idea for Mother’s Day too).

We hope you enjoy this issue of Verve and all that it has to offer. And to all those Verve mummies out there, enjoy your special day. You deserve it!

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MAY 2013

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REMUERA UP CLOSE

CAVE WHITE NIGHT Words: Robecca Leyden

Standing in an underground car park, outside New World in Remuera at 11pm on a Friday night; is not exactly where you would expect to see the latest creation from two of New Zealand’s most prominent artists.

But that is exactly what I found myself doing on a Friday night. The artists in question are Iain Cheesman and Chris Hargreaves. And this new project is called ‘Cave’.

Left: ‘Cave’, installation detail.

The concept is this - An array of skeletal drawings have been embellished with LED lights which gives the effect of a dull lit neon sign, a Contemporary Urban cave if you will. The drawings range from referencing prehistoric cave paintings with the use of a bison all the way to a comment on New Zealand history with “For God! For King! And For Country! “...to the process of stepping out of our cars and then taking the short, if not slightly treacherous, march from the car park to the ‘New World’. In preparation you gather your cell phone, your wallet and your shopping list…

Go the hunt go!”

This was one of my favourite pieces of art in all of White Night, so I had to catch up with Iain and Chris and asked them about the fascinating installation piece. Here’s what they had to say: How long did this project take you both to install?

I: About 30 hours in total. Though we did the majority of the work in the workshop.

How did you come up with the idea for Cave?

I: When we walked under here, the Remuera New World underground car park, our instant reaction was that it was like a cave. We wanted to add something interesting to it. The small text and symbols is a good way to engage with an instantaneous and short-lived audience.

The idea itself came very quickly to us.

Very interesting! How long would you say you two have been working together?

I: This is actually the first time we have done a project together! (laughs) We first met in 2003 at a showing we were both

Photographs by Jillian de Beer

involved in at Art Space. It was called Follow The White Rabbit. Straight away after meeting, we had an affinity with one another. This project was incredibly easy and fast to do together because we were able to flip ideas off one another and add to it quickly.

So let me ask about the symbols – what do they all mean?

I: We have both been to caves separately and been blown away by the evolution (of the cave paintings). We wanted to drag the idea of cave paintings into the modern era using LED lighting – low tech trying to be high-tech, that’s the intention, though everything is so slick these days.

The text is in pigeon English in format; we start with an image of a bison, which is a well-known symbol in cave drawings.

Then the words ‘Bully-Beef’. This is a poetic aspect.

C: There is a formal element to the sayings. Then the formal undoes itself then does itself back up again. It’s good that the residents of Remuera keep their cars so clean (laughs) looks good reflected in a Porshe.

How long will Cave be up and open to the public?

I: Cave is up for as long as it lasts.

Hopefully we will get some funding to make it bigger!

Cave is an on-going installation that opened for White Night in Remuera, as part of the Auckland Arts Festival, on 16 March.

Read about the artists, installations and activities on White Night in Remuera.

Check out www.remuera.org.nz and Cave artist Chris Hargreaves www.chrishargreaves.co.nz

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KEEP YOUR GREENS CLEAN

Words: Lulu Alach

GO ORGANIC Verve caught up with Adrian Barkla, owneroperator of New World Remuera, a man with serious insight into his shoppers’ needs and a passionate proponent of organic produce. Many of us would baulk at the idea of tucking into a plate of pesticides, antibiotics and hormones so why is it that we’re seemingly ok with ingesting food that we know has been drenched in just such chemicals? Luckily people like Adrian Barkla, owner-operator of New World Remuera, have made shopping for healthier, chemical-free food so much easier for us, the consumer. Adrian explains how not only is eating organic healthier, it tastes better too.

V: Why are you so passionate about organic food?

A: I have my eyes open and can see the destruction of land through poisoning by using chemicals and artificial fertilisers on it. I also see organics as a great opportunity for New Zealand to improve its clean, green image. In reality we are not that great, so my goal is to turn New Zealand totally organic, how cool would that be? At the end of the day organics just tastes heaps better too.

V: What health benefits do you think people get from eating organic?

A: For a start there are no toxic sprays on or in organic food and they offer the nutritional balance Mother Nature intended way before man started using his so-called modern farming methods.

Important nutrients enter the body in a more natural form to be taken up by your body’s systems and organs, reducing your chances of illness, making you stronger and of course this then improves your body’s ability to fight diseases.

V: Some people claim there is no such thing as organic food. What do you say to them?

A: Not much, they have their heads buried in the sand.

V: How are you able to keep your organic prices down?

A: By working closely with our growers and suppliers. If we can buy cheaper, we can retail it cheaper. Also by having common goals we can sell a lot more and gain a wider acceptance by the public.

V: What would you like people to be more aware of when they are buying organic?

A: Fresh is best and preferably eaten raw – throw your microwave away! When cooking, use a low heat and cook for longer with the lid on to keep all nutrients in. Be brave and try it without salt. It will take about eight days for your taste buds to adjust, then you will really taste the food. Stay away from processed food.

V: On a final note and because you are a health advocate, as well as eating organic what is your best health tip?

A: Be honest with yourself, it is all just common sense, eat as simply as you can and body will thank you for it.

Remuera

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VLADIMIR’S STYLE Vladimir Moiseev arrived to New Zealand four and a half years ago without any professional training in hairdressing. Today he is a recognised hairstylist with multiple prestigious hairdressing awards and his own hair studio in Remuera, where he and his partner have coupled hairdressing with interior design to provide an experience of extravagancy and indulgence.

How did you so quickly succeed in the industry in which you had no training in a foreign country? I was lucky to meet the most wonderful people, who supported and inspired me, and who helped me to make the best decision in my life – to leave everything behind and pursue my dream job. I worked a lot for free, which gave me good practice and developed my social network. I have never regretted leaving.

You have been passionate about hairdressing for years. Why have you only tried it in New Zealand? My parents didn’t encourage my interest in hairdressing, as it is hard to get by on the salary if you are in this occupation in Russia. So, I didn’t try to pursue this career until I came over

here. Being overseas allowed me to get to know myself better and to realise what matters to me the most. The hairdressing opportunities kept popping up, which confirmed to me that I’m on the right track.

You’ve opened your studio in the shared part of a big Remuera house. Why did you choose this place for workspace? I’ve always wanted to have my own business and had an idea of what my studio should look like. When I saw this space, it matched my vision of it 100 per cent.

Besides, my partner needed a workspace too, so this place worked for us both.

Have you envisaged working in an interior-designed space?

My partner is passionate about European antique and ornate furniture, and he chose every piece we have there. I feel close to this style too, it helps me to provide my clients with a totally different experience. Interior decorations, like ornamental mirrors and elegant gold drawers, some of which are over hundred years old, create an atmosphere in which I can take my clients on a little journey, so that when they leave they feel inspired, uplifted and truly relaxed.

Above: Vladimir Moiseev

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MAY 2013

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AESTHETIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE PLASTIC SURGEON Affiliated Provider to Southern Cross Health Society Julian Lofts has recently become an Affiliated Provider to Southern Cross Health Society for the assessment and removal of skin lesions, including skin cancers, cysts and suspicious looking lesions.

As a member of Southern Cross Health Society we manage the prior approval process on your behalf. All you need to do is provide us with your membership number and we sort out your prior approval and claim form for you.

If you would like to know more about the Affiliated Provider Services and the full range of procedures offered by Julian Lofts contact us on 09 520 3906 or visit the website www.plasticsurgeon.co.nz

THINKING2MORROW: Tuition Tailored For Success “Remember that life’s a great balancing act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed!(98 and ¾ per cent guaranteed)” - Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! THINKING2MORROW helps children achieve their full potential in a fun learning environment so they succeed academically. Whether your child is good but capable of great, or whether they have specific learning needs, THINKING2MORROW is more than capable of helping.

Tailored one-to-one tutoring may be all that’s needed for the ‘penny to drop’; but without it your child is in danger of missing vital steps towards understanding, progressing and exam success.

This is where THINKING2MORROW comes in. This leading learning initiative provides specialist tuition in English and Maths for Year 1

to Year 13 students in a place where learning is fun and students thrive.

Established by wellrespected local teacher Sarah-Louise Hayton, THINKING2MORROW is a vibrant new way of learning, based on Sarah-Louise’s 15 years’ teaching and tutoring experience, including four years as manager of NumberWorks’nWords.

Building on all that experience, she provides a fresher, updated approach to Year 1 to Year 13 learning.

Parents and students comment on the modern software, enthusiastic people and colourful environment that is uniquely THINKING2MORROW, and that the unique features

of THINKING2MORROW means learning is fun! And when it’s fun, it really works.

Sarah-Louise is assisted by a team of trained and experienced tutors in the subjects of English and Maths, utilising a unique combination of specialised computer software complimented by selected written work and lots of individualised attention.

It starts with a free professional assessment that assesses your child’s skills, and then crafts an individual learning

programme that individually suits your child to enhance their learning.

It naturally follows that THINKING2MORROW’s approach also builds each child’s confidence which has long been recognized as one of the secrets to helping a child reaching their full potential.

You can book your free assessment to discuss your child’s needs simply by phoning (09) 520 0220 or visit THINKING2MORROW at 305A Remuera Road, Remuera or go to www.thinking2morrow.co.nz.

MAY 2013

15

The Youth Fusion Orchestra Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

“Most genres are derived from jazz,” says Layne Parkes. “From the heavy backbeats of rock through to the funk of dubstep, jazz is the origin of most, if not all, musical types. I believe that all musicians should learn it, that’s why I did. When it comes to drumming, jazz is definitely the hardest thing to play.”

And boy, can he play. Layne lays down the beats for the Youth Fusion Orchestra (YFO), an award-winning quintet of 16- to 18-year-olds who met at Auckland Grammar School. At this year’s prestigious Tauranga National Jazz Festival they took home gold for the second year on the bounce, having also won gongs for Best Newcomer, Best Combo and Best Original Composition in 2012. Saxophonist, Daniel Reshtan, has twice won his school’s Ministers Plate for Best Solo Performer and guitarist Sam Montgomery has a pair of Musicianship honours from the highly regarded national event, Rock Quest, to his name.

As for influences, Sam singles out jazz axeman, Wes Montgomery, as “pretty sick” and the ensemble list other legends such as James Carter, Chick Corea and David Weckl as heroes. The band’s inspirations stretch beyond jazz with Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers a favourite of bassist Zane Hawkins.

Zane and Sam used to play in a heavy rock outfit while keyboardist David Dias cut his teeth performing at weddings, something that he occasionally still does to earn some extra cash.

The concept of YFO began as a master’s degree project for Daniel’s musician father. They formed only six months before entering the 2012 Tauranga nationals where they cleaned up with those first three awards.

Above: YFO perform at the Tauranga jazz festival. From left to right: David, Daniel, Layne, Sam and Zane

“None of us were even really into jazz before Daniel introduced us to it,” says Zane.

YFO’s sound certainly reflects their eclectic taste, a fusion of modern and traditional jazz that incorporates the styles of be-bop, Latin and funk. I was fortunate enough to catch one of their practice sessions and they really do well and truly rock. I ask if they achieved celebrity status at school having won so many national accolades.

“There were a few posters around the place,” says Sam. “But no-one was like, ‘Whoa, you’re in YFO!’” No autograph requests?

“Unfortunately not.”

Do you guys have any superstitions or rituals pre-performance?

“Not really, though if anything goes wrong,” smiles Daniel, “we blame David!”

They say they don’t suffer from nerves prior to heading on stage, though Sam admits that the butterflies do take hold before a big competition. Past shows include functions, weddings, parties and art galleries and they’re always on the look-out for extra gigging opportunities. I suggest entering New Zealand’s Got Talent but they claim there’s little point, it’s only ever bands with singers that get through.

“Plus, our stuff isn’t commercial enough,” adds David It’s a shame. It’s hard to imagine that there are too many teenagers out there so gifted and with such potential.

“We should feed the world some jazz!” says Layne.

Yes, they should.

To order the band’s CD contact Sonja at sonjahawkins@xtra.co.nz

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Sarah Clark: A Passion For All Things Beautiful Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

“People are so nice and well-mannered in Remuera,” says Sarah Clark, owner of gift and homeware store, Hedgerow. “I know other people that work in retail and dread their customers, but I get maybe two grumpy ones a year!”

It’s hard to feel anything but cheerful when you enter her shop with its soft lighting, rich, colourful wares and air thick with the soothing scents of lotions, potions and candles. Hedgerow is somewhat of a local icon, having been in existence for two decades and Sarah, who previously worked in advertising and the media, is now entering her eighth year of ownership.

“I thought about changing the name, but you can’t change something that everyone knows,” she says. “It’s such an institution in Remuera, and even beyond.

When I ring suppliers that I’ve never dealt with before, they may not know me, but they know Hedgerow.”

Sarah heads to gift fairs in Melbourne and Sydney a couple of times each year to source stock and has even gone as far afield as the States. She also spends time researching goods online, though, paradoxically, the rise of internet shopping – coupled with the recent economic troubles – has taken its toll on small private businesses like hers.

I mention the Australian shop-owner who recently made headlines charging customers five dollars to browse, not a strategy that Sarah will be adopting any time soon.

“Yeah, I saw that, I couldn’t believe it!” she laughs. “I’d be interested to see how much longer that business lasts. Some people just like to look, especially women.”

Sarah is thankful to her loyal customer base that has helped her get through a testing period, and says retailers have had to evolve their trading techniques to adapt to new conditions.

“Small operators like me can’t afford to have 50 per cent off sales. I need to operate on a full-price model for which you get gift-wrapping and a great personalised service. A lot of people still want that personal touch and we pride

ourselves on our service. You must make people want to come back. Anything that we don’t have, we’ll bend over backwards to get it for them.”

Staff play a key role in any operation, but for those in retail, they can make or break a business. Sarah feels blessed to have such a fine team.

“They’re amazing,” she smiles. “One of them has been there since before I took over and sometimes people mistake them as the owners, which is what you want.

The people who work for you must be invested in the business doing well.”

I ask what advice she would give to a young entrepreneur at the beginning of their journey.

“You can’t have one customer walk out of your shop and not have had a good experience, they won’t come back and they will tell 20 friends,” she says. “In this industry, you must be passionate and give one hundred per cent, one hundred per cent of the time.”

“A lot of people still want that personal touch and we pride ourselves on our service. You must make people want to come back. Anything that we don’t have, we’ll bend over backwards to get it for them.”

MAY 2013

17

Remuera Rise Opening this Year SHOW APARtment nOW On SIte. Call michelle on 522 7392 to make an appointment to view.

Independent living with care and support if you need it. remuera rise will offer a wonderful retirement lifestyle with a range of top quality facilities within a relaxed community environment.

Choose from a range of one and two bedroom apartments. Each apartment is stylishly appointed with quality fixtures and finishes, including a heat pump and a comprehensive Fisher & Paykel appliance package.

Our new on site show apartment provides a wonderful taste of the standard and quality that you can expect at Remuera Rise. Some prime apartments available now.

dInInG room a nd Ca fé • LounGe • Ba r • LIBr a ry • HoBBIe S room • Gy mn a SIum • SwImmInG PooL and SPa • HaIr SaLon • 24 Hour emerGenCy CaLL • Care SuIteS remuera rise is registered under the retirement Villages act 2003. registration number 2557887.

* Computer Generated Image

Library*

Swimming Pool*

Communal lounge*

Apartments range from $460,000 to $1,000,000 30 James Cook Crescent, Remuera Phone: 522 7392 www.remuerarise.co.nz

Waiheke Retirement Village

waiheke retirement Village is registered under the retirement Villages act 2003. registration number 2043897.

verve _J13801

LifeCare Residences also owns and operates waiheke retirement Village, right on the water’s edge at Anzac Bay, Waiheke Island, offering a choice of well-designed, modern one and two bedroom villas. If an island lifestyle appeals visit www.waihekeretirementvillage.co.nz or phone: 09 372 2820.

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Iridescent Jems Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

“The best part of my work is that you never know what’s going to come through the door,” says John Lee. “The other day a lady arrived with a metal box that had been locked in a vault for 30 years. We opened it up and it was like the crown jewels, I couldn’t believe what was in there. We bought the lot!”

The owner of Jems of Remuera loves his job and it sure does show. His enthusiasm for all things vintage, antique and sparkling is quite infectious.

Are people often surprised by the value of their collections?

“Absolutely, sometimes they’re astounded. I’ll tell them it’s eighteen carat Victorian gold, when they thought it was costume jewellery. One woman was certain she had a load of plastic tat, turns out it was diamonds.”

While some customers have a vague idea of the worth of their items, for the vast majority it’s a leap of faith and clearly a great responsibility for John. He’s often dealing with pieces of immense monetary and emotional value.

“I’ve been in the business for a long time and I have people’s trust,” he tells me. “So the next generations of the families come in too. They’re very loyal. There are items in here priced at $90,000 and for someone to spend that kind of money they want to know who you are. You have to have a certain rapport with the clients.”

It is a reputation John has earned over 20 years.

He opened his first business in Grey Lynn in the mid-nineties and moved to Remuera five years later. Six years ago he rebranded Jems and moved to the current location. “I used to go to a lot of market and garage sales when I was young,” says John. “I’ve always had that passion and a good eye.”

He comes from a highly innovative and entrepreneurial family, his grandmother was an artist, his father ran a restaurant in which he worked as a youngster alongside his siblings. He says it instilled within them all a great sense of work ethic and taught them the value of impeccable customer service.

“We’re very creative here at Jems,” says John. “We change the store around weekly, repositioning stock. We don’t sit on our laurels, we work the business.”

The antique industry, he says, has been a dying a trade. So what has been the secret to his success?

“Clever buying, I’ve kept up with trends. A lot of antique dealers are purists and stick to what they know, but in today’s climate

“Clever buying, I’ve kept up with trends. A lot of antique dealers are purists and stick to what they know, but in today’s climate you have to mix it up. Our shop is very eclectic. You must follow fashions, especially with jewellery and furniture.” you have to mix it up. Our shop is very eclectic. You must follow fashions, especially with jewellery and furniture.”

John travels the globe sourcing goods to add to his Aladdin’s Cave. “I love the passion of a beautiful antique,” he says. “It’s hand made, it has history, beautiful craftsmanship and good timbers. You can’t buy that and it’s all coming back.”

The myriad treasures aside, Jem’s diverse range of services include duty-free and restoration, replication and repairs of both furniture and jewellery. An in-house jeweller is on hand to tend to your bespoke needs, and it is the destination of many an interior designer searching for that unique slice of style.

Regular VIP nights too, such as a recent jazz concert, are not only good for business but a chance to give something back to the community of which John feels extremely proud to be part of.

“We get to meet such loyal, amazing an interesting people in Remuera and they all seem to be so well-travelled,” he says. “We’re like one family in a little village and it’s a lovely place to work.”

mela purdie euphoria chocolat moss obi jacki peters sakaguchi e-design lucabella not your duaghters jeans +more

zebrano Select exquisite NZ & Australian designer labels, sizes 14+ .... & express your style.

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FAVOURITES FROM :

MYDEERFOX

Available at: hello.mydeerfox.com RUBY stores nationwide

STEP IT UP! Over the past month I have become a bit obsessed by My Kitchen Rules. I love watching the really talented home cooks creating innovative dishes in each of the challenges, presenting them beautifully and stretching themselves. I have also spent the past month doing a lot of work with Westfield up and down the country. Their winter fashion shows and their client focussed Walk-in-Wardrobe events.

What is the parallel, you ask?

Well, I guess it is the fact that we have been working with ‘mall’ clothing not top designer gear, just everyday staples you can buy at any of the chains within a mall. We take these and encourage kiwis to put together stylish, international runway-inspired ensembles.

An addition of a fur collar can transform an ordinary jacket, match an on-trend studded coat with a 60s inspired shift, add patent leather and you have a truly stand-out look.

Much like the right balance of ingredients in a winning dish on a cooking show.

I see the work we do with Westfield as a true privilege. I love talking to women who may not otherwise be able to spend time with a stylist, encouraging them to step beyond the ‘safe’, giving them tricks and tips to look their best. Of course, this is what we do with our personal clients too and it is equally rewarding. One of the best parts of my job is the hugs from delighted clients.

Sure, we are only working with clothing, but those garments sure effect more than just the outward appearance of our clients. Whether we have simply solved a “What am I going to wear to X special event?”, dressed a bride or created a cohesive wardrobe that mixes and matches perfectly for a clients lifestyle, the result is the same, it is taking someone to a place they might not have reached on their own. That combination of a guiding hand, an open mind and a whole lot of magic is the perfect recipe for something special.

JACKIE O’FEE If you would like to take your personal style to another level contact Jackie O’Fee, owner of Signature Style, Auckland’s leading style consultancy.

Further information is available at signaturestyle.co.nz or pop in and see us at 35 Broadway, Newmarket, Ph 529 5115.

See our ad on page.95

MAY 2013

new season in store now A.P.C. American Vintage Beau Coops Hailwood Swedish Hasbeens Hunter Boots Karen Walker Levis Libertine Libertine Standard Issue Nobody Zoe&Morgan Sessun Zora Bell-足Boyd Jewellery Osborne Lane, 4-足6 Kent Street, Newmarket, Auckland Ph:09-足529-足2167 facebook/pocketboutique

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FASHION

THE BITE IS IN THE AIR Winter should make you view the prospect of cold, stormy days not as something to be dreaded, but rather as an excuse to start nuzzling our faces into the softest of knitwear. Keep your knitwear interesting this winter with bold hues, geometric prints or crafty features.

The Karen Walker Fall 2013 collection ‘New Rose’ features mini knit dresses available from August. www.karenwalker.com

Yohji Yamamoto Fall 2013

Local designer Areez Katki has created a series of hand knitted ‘Botanical Scarves’ exclusive to Miss Crabb. The Lavender Augustifolia scarf, $260 also works as a halter vest when tied with the matching sash. Shop online www.misscrabb.com or contact Miss Crabb on 09 361 3322

Chloé Fall 2011

Ingrid Starnes Angus Jumper, $359

Words: Paris Mitchell

MAY 2013

BEAUTY PICKS :

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Moroccanoil® Round Brush is perfect for all hair types. It is an ideal tool to create shape, enhance curls, and help add volume. Tourmaline ceramic and ionic technology helps reduce frizz and static, cuts down on drying time, improves condition and increases shine. RRP $37.50.

MAKEUP BY M.A.C FOR ZAMBESI AT MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK, AUSTRALIA

LIMITED EDITION DIPTYQUE ROSE DUET CANDLE $169 FROM MECCA COSMETICA

Key Makeup Artist: Amber D Inspiration: “A Japanese manga with a nineties Madonna lip” Image supplied by M.A.C Cosmetics

Rose Duet offers a unique fragrance experience: two iconic Diptyque scents combined into one candle to create a combination of unusual, poetic scents.

Get this look with M.A.C’s Dipdown in brown Fluidline, RRP$38.

Premium hair brand evo® has officially launched its new collection of Fabuloso conditioners – designed to provide an instant hair colour combined with a nourishing treatment.

The Fabuloso range, which is available in six different shades, revives and brightens coloured hair in just three minutes making it perfect for use in between salon visits.

Phone 0800 25 25 30 for your nearest stockist.

Go to page 28 to win with Verve and evo® Words: Paris Mitchell

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FAVOURITES FROM :

Tessuti + Ingrid Starnes Clockwise from left: L’Eau d’Amber by L’Artisan Parfumeur 250ml – $250.00 Poppy Pendant on Choker Chain by Charlotte Penman – $598.00 Missoni Lobelia Cushion 60cmx60cm – $595.00

Below, left to right: Fredrick dress, chambray – $499 Emily dress, poppy – $338 Ned wool/cashmere dress, sand – $621

Where to go: Opposite Bambina, Teed St, Newmarket 09 555 9452

MAY 2013

LITTLE MOTHER TREASURES

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Your questions answered by

Meghan Maher

Words: Liam Fennell

Repertoire’s Style Director Are my tunics and skinny pants out of date?

I do understand why the tunic and skinny pant has been very popular over the past few seasons as it suits a number of body shapes and is so easy to wear.

The silhouette has, however, changed for Winter 13 becoming a little more tailored. Pants are more structured with narrow legs. A lot of the tops are getting shorter finishing at the pant waistband and can be worn out or tucked in and blousoned.

To make the tunic and skinny pant more current for Winter 13, try the following: 1. Layer from the top down with an appropriate jacket. Try a cropped bomber or biker style jacket. This will create shape and look current and on trend.

2. Style your tunic with a more structured skinny or slim leg pant, and wear with high boots or the new shoe boot.

3. Keep your tops/tunics short enough to allow you to show as much leg length as possible 4. The right accessories are key this season. The addition of a stylish clutch bag or a cheeky beanie and matching gloves will instantly add sparkle to your look.

Nicky Donoghue has a unique hobby: she collects mother brooches. Coming in all shapes and sizes, the collection started 5 years ago while Nicky was living in the UK. Within a year she had a half-dozen and now there are over sixty in her collection.

LOUNGE

Nicky’s mother died when she was 25 and connecting with her through the brooches is partly what drew Nicky to collect them.

But that’s not the only reason.

Repertoire’s Exclusive Resort Wear Label

“The real thing behind it is that many of them were given by soldiers to their mothers when they went to war,” says Nicky. “I am saving them from being junk, putting them somewhere safe, where I can appreciate them.”

New Winter 13 Collection in store now

“I love the filigree silver one, and I love the seriousness of the gold one. I also like Vegas Mother and Motorcycle Mother,” says Nicky.

She also loves the mystery surrounding the horseshoe shaped brooch wishing mother good luck. “I wonder what mother needs good luck with?” ponders Nicky.

Now a mother herself, Nicky’s two young daughters also get a lot of a pleasure out of the brooches, as do her guests. In fact it was observing how much other people enjoyed them that spurred Nicky on to create a new line of greeting cards using images of the brooches.

More than sixty stockists are carrying the cards including Collected at BLOC, The Poi Room, and Shop At Charles.

For more information and stockists visit www.motherscout.com Photos by Steve Dykes

Just be Tee • Gizmo Pant • Stripe Tee • Cloveletts

Since each brooch is so unique it is no surprise that Nicky has a hard time deciding on her favourite.

NEWMARKET 25 Osborne St TAKAPUNA Crn Lake & Northcroft Rds

www.repertoire.co.nz www.repertoire.co.nz

Words: Sara Bunny

Stitching Up Success With the catalogues gracing Kiwi coffee tables for decades and the online site drawing in a new generation of shoppers, EziBuy has become a household name.

Verve took a tour through the company’s head office in Parnell.

As chief executive officer of clothing and homeware retailer EziBuy, Simon West is at the helm of a true homegrown success story. It seems fitting, then, that he and the team at the Auckland head office run business out of a heritage building with it’s own connection to the country’s textile history.

“This building used to be a wool store,” he says, glancing at the exposed interior brick walls and high ceilings. “It’s really nice to have that link.”

EziBuy’s history goes back to 1978, when brothers Peter and Gerard Gillespie began a mail-order retail business in Palmerston North. The first EziBuy catalogue was a folded, A3 black-and-white page that was sent out to local clubs and organisations found in the phone book.

From humble beginnings, the company has seen exceptional growth and the large distribution centre remains proudly Palmerston North-based. A brand-new, high tech warehouse was purpose-built

in 2006, and is the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The company now employs about 700 staff at the Palmerston North centre and 120 at the Auckland office.

plus-sized range, chosen for having body shapes that best match average New Zealand customer sizes. All sizes in a particular range are created using the fit model’s measurements.

Back in the company’s Parnell headquarters, Simon gives a tour of the premises. A large workroom serves as the bustling main hub, where rows of computers and work desks are surrounded by clothing samples. There are rails heaving with clothes hangers, mannequins draped in fabric and garments spread out on tables.

Down a hallway is the designer’s room, where shelves of fabric swatches, photocopies and hand drawings are kept for inspiration. The team of in-house designers often work with items from previous seasons, altering an existing garment to reflect an on-trend twist.

Far from being simply a matter of looking at specs on a computer, items of clothing are turned over, tried on, and thoroughly tested by designers and specialist staff.

“It’s really hands-on,” says Simon. “We look at the cotton, the weave, and test the yarn. The items are weighed and also checked for colour quality.”

As well as design, the Auckland office is also used for the direct sourcing, marketing and merchandising sides of the business. When it comes to predicting popular fashions, the company’s planning team use focus groups, surveys and sales data to look at what would work best for their target market. “It’s not so much about current trends. It’s more about interpreting trends for our customers.”

Off to one side are rooms used by the fit models. EziBuy has two models, one for the standard and the other for the

With a background in direct marketing and logistics, Simon was working in Sydney when he was offered the position

THE EZIBUY

MAY 2013

at EziBuy. Although he enjoyed his time across the ditch, shifting his wife and three kids back to Auckland was an easy decision, he says. “We’re enjoying being back here, it’s good to be home.”

For Simon, work is always busy, as the business goes from strength to strength and the EziBuy product range continues to grow and evolve. Recent additions include the ‘Trelise at home with EziBuy’ range in collaboration with Trelise Cooper, as well as a variety of European brands such as UK label Next.

WINTER COLLECTION

wow!

IS SET TO

Simon believes the extensive product range, at value for money, is one of EziBuy’s key strengths. “If you’re trying to find something, chances are we’ll have it.” The convenience factor, with customers being able to purchase online, via phone or through one of the retail stores, is another thing that Simon believes stands the company in good stead among its competitors.

But, as with any business, facing difficulties comes with the territory.

The instability of materials, such as the rise in cotton prices, has been a recent challenge. Also, the rapid change in consumer behaviour and constant international competition, including competition from large online retailers, means the business has to stay on its toes.

But, with a future plan in place and a strong focus on moving forward, EziBuy is a company that isn’t afraid of challenges.

“We’re changing to meet customer needs,” says Simon. “As a team we embrace challenges. We’re striving to be truly world class.” From a humble folded catalogue to an award-winning, largescale business, EziBuy is proof that it pays to think big.

THE FACTS AND FIGURES: •

EziBuy has a 1.5 million-strong customer base.

•

More than 2 million orders are filled per year.

•

Distribution has reached 50,000 items per day.

•

The company has an annual sales revenue in excess of $250m.

•

EziBuy’s product range consists of about 20,000 styles.

•

The company produces about 70 catalogues each year.

•

EziBuy expanded into Australia in 1992, with 70 per cent of sales now derived from that market.

•

Max Fashions became a fully-owned subsidiary of EziBuy in 2007, but remains a separately run business.

•

EziBuy has grown 10 per cent per year for the past decade.

SHOP THE LOOK YOU LOVE... find all the latest looks and more in our new collection instore now, including womenswear, menswear, kidswear and homeware.

Albany Mega Centre, Don McKinnon Drive ezibuy.co.nz • 0508 500 500

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furnishings & curtains

Dryclean five or more garments and receive a 10% discount *

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WIN WITH VERVE & EVO Hey there dull red, boring brown, going-nowhere blonde, what’s new in your life? Nothing? Been a while since you visited old Pierre at the salon and now your hair colour has all the intensity of a pile of autumn leaves?

Maybe, just maybe, it’s time for… evo Fabulouso! evo Fabulouso is a revolutionary new range of colourenhancing conditioners providing an instant hair colour combined with a nourishing treatment to condition, repair, add shine, instantly tone and intensify hair colour... all in just three minutes. evo’s Fabulouso range keeps your hair healthy and your

colour fresh in between salon visits.

Simply leave on for three minutes and say hello to a refreshed you!

Available in six different shades – there is something for every head!

UP 4 GRABS: ONE EVO FABULOUSO PACK* WORTH $134.70 Interested? To enter is easy. Simply go to www.vervemagazine.co.nz and click on the competitions tab. Good luck! * Packaged in a beautiful padded box, this giveaway contains three fullsized bottles of Fabuloso in Chestnut, Purple Red, and Platinum Blonde.

The elegant design, exceptional craftsmanship and sartorial edge struck a chord with a sophisticated clientele, the first Fall/Winter collection in July 2011 enjoyed immediate success.

Today, Tarallucci encompasses a complete luxury leather goods brand. Women’s shoes remain the core of the product offer, alongside handbags, small leather goods and men’s shoes. The design direction is overseen by Creative Director and founder of company Richelle Q, who has a vision to create one of New Zealand’s most treasured footwear brands.

All leather products at Tarallucci are hand crafted using top quality leather, and guaranteed all shoes are made to have leather upper, leather lining, leather sock and rubber soles.

“There is only one boutique in Auckland so each pair of shoes is unique!”

Shop No. 048, Sylvia Park Shopping Centre (opposite JB HiFi) 09 573 3008 www.tarallucci.co.nz

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

SKIN INSTITUTE Q & A Q: I am wanting to have something done to my eyes, but I am unsure if I should be looking at surgical or nonsurgical treatments.

A: Deciding between a non-surgical or a surgical approach for treatment of ageing eyes, depends entirely on the symptoms that you are worried about.

serum (available at the Skin Institute) which has been specifically formulated to renew the delicate skin around the eye area, reducing dark circles, puffiness and fine lines. The potent blend of peptides, antioxidants and collagen stimulators has substantial research supporting its reparative effectiveness.

Firstly let’s talk about protection and prevention. Ageing is of course something that we cannot entirely prevent, but we are able to reduce some of its tell-tale signs.

Second on the list, as far as ease of administration goes, are Botox® and fillers. The Skin Institute use the ‘no-sting’ Botox® to make the treatment as quick and painless as possible.

One of the best ways to reduce ageing around the eyes, apart from a healthy lifestyle with good diet and exercise and of course avoiding smoking and alcohol, is to wear good UV protective sunglasses and sunscreen. By protecting the eye area, you will reduce the breakdown of collagen and elastin which essentially hold the area up, so to speak.

This treatment will help soften dynamic lines (lines created by movement), for example the vertical lines between the eyes. Tiny amounts of Botox® are strategically placed only in muscles that are conducive to improving the effects on expression. An experienced practitioner knows exactly which muscles will require treatment to soften your expression.

Using a good eye serum is also helpful.

We recommend Synergie Revitaleyes

Fillers are placed in deeper wrinkles and will soften expression of static and

dynamic muscles. Fat loss in the deeper layers of the face will cause the face to age and can be re-plumped with dermal fillers with minimal discomfort.

Fillers will help correct dark circles and hollows under the eye by camouflageing depressions and darkness.

Third to consider is surgery. Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure which removes excess fat and skin from the upper and/or lower lids to improve puffiness, sagging, or an overall tired appearance. This procedure can be done at our Takapuna clinic under local anaesthetic. The recovery is minimal, making blepharoplasty a viable and simple option for a reasonably longterm fix.

For more information visit www.skininstitute.co.nz or call us at the Skin Institute Ponsonby on 376 8888 for a FREE cosmetic consultation to discuss the best options available for your skin.

The Skin Institute Ponsonby is located at Level 1, Old Ponsonby Post Office, 3 St Mary’s Road, Ponsonby.

Botox® is a prescription medicine containing 100 units of clostridium botulinum type A toxin complex for injection. It is used for the treatment of severe frown lines and associated “crows feet” around the eyes. It should be administered by trained medical professionals. Talk to your specialist about the benefits/risks of this procedure in appearance medicine. Cautions: people with defective neuro-muscular transmission disorders, presence of infection at site of injection, glaucoma, pregnancy and lactation. Possible side effects include headaches, pain, burning or redness at injection site, local muscle weakness including drooping eye lids, lack of feeling and nausea. If you have side effects or concerns speak to your doctor. A charge applies. Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Auckland. Note: Botox® treatment lasts about four months and after this time further courses of treatment may be necessary. Speak to your specialist about your own situation.

FREE Cosmetic Consultation Always wanted to know about enhancing your skin so you’ll look and feel better? The Skin Institute has an experienced team of medical staff. Talk to us about: • Appearance Medicine • Medical Grade IPL/Laser • Hair Removal • Skincare

• New Generation Peels • Fillers & Botulinum Toxin • Microdermabrasion

Call us today: 376 8888

Ponsonby: Level 1, Old Ponsonby Post Office 3 St Marys Road Free consultation is for 15 minutes with a specialist nurse.

\

Appearance | Skin cancer | Veins

www.skininstitute.co.nz

MAY 2013

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What is Osteoporosis and Does Weight Lifting Really Help Bone Density?

Osteoporosis means porous bones and is a serious condition in which the bones become weak and fragile, leading to a higher risk of fractures (breaks or cracks) than in normal bone. The perception that osteoporosis, as a condition, only affects some post-menopausal women is incorrect. According to Osteoporosis New Zealand, bone loss in women can begin as early as age 25 and according to Osteoporosis Australia one in three men in Australia over the age of sixty will suffer a fracture due to osteoporosis. Loss of bone density occurs in all of us.

Peak bone density is normally reached between 25 and 30 years of age and studies have shown that people who regularly participated in strenuous physical activities in their teens and twenties developed denser bone mass, and maintained a denser bone mass until later in life compared to the control group of individuals. From about 30 years of age onwards the natural tendency is for bones to slowly lose density.

Bone is composed of a hard outer-shellmesh of collagen (tough elastic fibres) with minerals (such as calcium), blood vessels and bone marrow making up the interior. This mesh is formed by strong interconnected plates, giving it a honeycomb type look with open spaces.

Healthy bones are very dense with the spaces being small.

Osteoporosis is characterised by these spaces having become much larger. The bone is therefore much less dense and more susceptible to breaks or fracture, even from relatively minor injuries that normally would not cause a bone to fracture.

Fractures can be either cracking (as in a hip fracture) or collapsing (as in a compression fracture of the vertebrae of the spine).

Since bone is a living tissue it is constantly repairing itself: This process is called bone turnover. Osteoporosis occurs when the bones loses minerals, such as calcium, more quickly than the body replace them, leading to a loss of bone density (bone mass or thickness). This could happen for reasons related to lifestyle choices, some medications or even hereditary traits that can speed up the loss of bone density.

In all cases additional calcium is recommended along with vitamin D to help with the absorption of the calcium.

Other treatments include medication that slow further bone loss.

Peak bone density is normally reached between 25 and 30 years of age and studies have shown that people who regularly participated in strenuous physical activities in their teens and twenties developed denser bone mass, and maintained a denser bone mass until later in life compared to the control group of individuals.

Osteoporosis is difficult to reverse and therefore Osteoporosis New Zealand, as well as medical boards and practitioners around the world advocate prevention.

If prevention were a 3-legged stool, then good nutrition would be one of these legs. Follow a diet that provides the proper amount of calcium (at least 1200 milligrams per day), vitamin D, and protein. Cheese, low-fat milk, salmon, sardines (with the bones), yoghurt and leafy green vegetables such as spinach are good sources of calcium. Vitamin D is produced naturally by your skin when exposed to sunlight (careful not to overdose - i.e. end up with sunburn), and also found in milk and oily fish (e.g.: salmon and tuna).

The second leg of the stool is good lifestyle choices e.g.: no smoking and limited alcohol consumption while the third leg is regular high intensity physical activity.

According to the Osteoporosis Australia Medical & Scientific Advisory Committee, the strong muscle contractions required

to move a heavy weight places stress / strain on the bone that to which the muscles are attached. Regularly repeated high intensity training stimulates the body’s natural response to the demands being placed on it. It sees the stress on the bones and muscles as a threat, and responds by reinforcing the bones and muscle to manage this level of activity and protect itself. With this regularly repeated stress your body literally adapts, and your bones and muscles become denser and stronger and more capable of sustaining the demands placed on them. Clinical studies have shown that high intensity training results in denser bone mass as well as increased muscle mass, strength and balance.

Concept 1010 in Newmarket specialises in high intensity training (HIT). This form of exercise focuses on delivering significant muscle contractions and by doing so has a significantly positive impact on muscle growth as well as bone density.

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TEACHING TRUE HAPPINESS

Words: Timothy Giles

“If you want a contented life, getting stuck in heavy traffic could be just the help you need.”

It wasn’t quite the teaching I expected to hear at meditation class. Buddhist nun and our teacher, Kelsang Kyopba has a unique approach making her classes entertaining and relevant to everyday Auckland.

“Life does offer us many opportunities to practice patience and traffic is just one.”

Says Kyopba with her easy smile “We can rage against the world, the frustrations and difficulties.

Or we can develop a calm and peaceful mind. Traffic isn’t likely to change, nor is that annoying co-worker, as much as we think they should! So changing our own mind is our best course of action.”

Kyopba runs drop-in meditation classes weekly in Ponsonby, Takapuna, Meadowbank and the City. Her teaching style is conversational and classes are relaxed, following an easy routine.

Each one begins with her warm greeting before leading a short and easy-to-follow guided meditation then talking on her chosen topic for that week, topics like; a peaceful mind, overcoming anger and achieving contentment.

Teaching is rooted in the experiences of modern daily life. This is a defining feature of the the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT ) of buddhism that Kyopba follows which she says “puts Buddha’s teachings into practice in the context of our family and work commitments, in helping

Above: Kelsang Kyopba

people find meaning and purpose in their lives. Teaching methods to resolve daily difficulties and problems, developing genuine inner-peace and happiness.”

NKT was founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (Geshe-la) when in 1977, he accepted an invitation to leave Tibet to teach in the west and began building the first of 1200 centres worldwide.

Kyopba is just back from a few weeks teaching retreat in the UK where Geshe-la is based. “His life is inspiring, he is inspiring! So is his work, he is dedicated to helping people everywhere develop genuine inner peace and happiness..”

Geshe-la, is described by NKT as a humble Buddhist monk dedicated to helping people throughout the world find true happiness in their hearts. His example is readily found here in Kelsang Kyopba, a humble buddhist nun equally dedicated to helping Aucklanders find true happiness.

Find out more about NKT in Auckland, weekly meditation classes, weekend courses and regular study contact Kelsang Kyopba. Ph: (09) 846 5829 info@meditateinauckland.org meditateinauckland.org

Feel confident in your skin

Caci Epsom 409B Manukau Road, Epsom Caci Newmarket 53 Davis Cresent, Newmarket

caci.co.nz When we have great looking skin, we feel confident. As we age that flawless complexion associated with a youthful face gradually disappears. Lines, freckles, brown spots and red patches become more prominent and broken capillaries or spider veins may also appear.

Exposure to New Zealand’s harsh sun accelerates these changes, with 80% of age related skin changes being attributed to sun damage. A dull, uneven complexion can leave you looking older than your years and feeling less than your best.

Thankfully, fresh, bright, healthy skin can be achieved with the Reformaskin™ treatment program, exclusive to Caci, New Zealand’s leading Appearance Medicine professionals. Reformaskin™ is a revolutionary treatment programme that combines world renowned, evidence based, skin-correcting treatments, to reverse the visible signs of ageing and sun damage. Reformaskin™ treats uneven skin tone and texture, reduces lines and wrinkles and restores skin elasticity.

Clients can expect to see results within 12 weeks of their first treatment.

Before treatment begins every client meets with the Caci Treatment Coordinator to discuss their individual needs, any questions they might have and decide on the appropriate treatment program. There are different Reformaskin™ programs, developed for differing levels of skin damage: 1. Reformaskin™ Reveal. Reformaskin™ Reveal has been developed for the treatment of younger, less damaged skin, preserving the complexion and prevention of future damage. The programme consists of a microdermabrasion and sonopheresis.

Microdermabrasion prepares the skin to achieve optimal results. Sonopheresis is a machine that uses ultrasound to open pathways between skin cells to allow product into the lower lawyers of skin.

2. Reformaskin™ Restore. Reformaskin™ Restore has been specifically designed for the treatment of sun damage. The programme consists of a microdermabrasion and Photo Rejuvenation.

Photo Rejuvenation uses Variable Pulsed Light which is absorbed by the pigment in the skin. A reduction in pigment is achieved through the healing process.

3. Reformaskin™ Collagen Induction.

The Collagen Induction programme has been developed to firm skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and promote even texture and tone by boosting collagen production. It is also effective for those with acne scaring. This programme uses a combination of microdermabrasions and Collagen Induction treatments which create microscopic channels in the skin, which the body responds to by stimulating the natural healing process.

Reformaskin™ also offers a smart payment plan to spread the cost of the treatments over the year. The programmealso includes skincare products to protect the skin and enhance the results of the treatments.

Caci have more than 17 years’ experience in the skincare and appearance industry.

They are the largest appearance medicine and skin treatment group in New Zealand.

When you visit Caci you can be assured that you will be offered expert advice, treatment information and superior service from our Cosmetic Nurse Specialists and expert Beauty Therapists.

If you would like to learn more about our Reformaskin™ programme www.caci.co.nz/reformaskin or call Caci Newmarket or Epsom on 0800 458 458 and book a complimentary consultation

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Open All Hours Words: Lulu Alach

You know Auckland has reached international standards when gyms are open all night long! The state of the art and super funky Les Mills Britomart gym is leading the way.

Now open from Monday morning at 5.30am, staying open until 9pm Friday evenings, Les Mills Britomart is bringing a ‘city that never sleeps’ urban attitude to the Auckland CBD! Now anyone who does shift work, hospitality work, or is simply insomniac can get their workout at a time that fits their schedule.

Les Mills Britomart recently celebrated their second birthday and initiation of the extended hours with an all-day party including a live George FM DJ set from Dan Aux, free cupcakes and a treasure hunt.

Later that day, much later, at midnight there was a BODYJAM® class (dance fitness class ), with champagne on arrival, balloons and the world famous Gandalf Archer (the Les Mills BODYJAM® programme choreographer) taking the class along with three other instructors, it was a crazy party atmosphere!

Many people dressed up in the latest ‘onesie’ craze (although these came off pretty quickly as things heated up!), it all added up to creating a surreal experience for everyone doing an insane dance fitness class at midnight!

Les Mills Britomart is Auckland’s coolest looking gym, gorgeously designed and highly functional, it boasts a full range of Technogym bikes, treadmills and pinloaded strength equipment, the latest Life Fitness dumb bells and plates, Precore cross trainers, Concept 2 rowers and most of the cardio equipment has iPod capacity so you can have your favourite motivating music on while you workout!

There are big flat-screen TV’s around the gym playing music videos, wifi internet and Apple Macs are available.

At midnight there was a BODYJAM® class, with champagne on arrival, balloons and the world famous Gandalf Archer, the Les Mills BODYJAM® programme choreographer, taking the class along with three other instructors, it was a crazy party atmosphere!

In the changing rooms there are GHD straighteners and hairdryers, ironing boards and even a sauna!

Attending Les Mills Britomart is like stepping into the future, so current and so now. If you are not already a member – check it out!

Group fitness classes, however, will not be available overnight but all the aforementioned fitness equipment and even an in-house gym instructor will be available for you to get your best workout!

Top: Les Mills Britomart Midnight BODYJAM® Bottom: Gandalf Archer rocks the onesie look at Midnight BODYJAM®

MAY 2013

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CRAVING BALANCE? I would like to discuss the concept of “work-life balance”. And it’s credibility.

When people rattle off all that “work-life balance” talk, I really find it hard to listen. It just does not seem in alignment with the nature of what we actually are. Constantly changing, dynamic and fluid.

Example: how is your health affected if you hate your job? If you dread going to work, this is a major stress. How does this stress affect you in your workday? The food choices you make?

What mood you are in when you get home?

PINK RIBBON BREAKFAST The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation (NZBCF) is calling on people from around New Zealand to hold a Pink Ribbon Breakfast this May. This growing tradition began in 2008 and continues to gain momentum each year.

“The beauty of a Pink Ribbon Breakfast is that it’s something almost anyone can do,” says Evangelia (Van) Henderson, chief executive of the NZBCF. “It’s easy, sociable and built around the most important meal of the day.”

Over the years the Foundation has been supported by individuals and organisations ranging from clubs and sports teams to coffee and church groups. This year, following on from the overwhelming success of last year’s flagship event, they will kick off the annual campaign with an event again, this year on Mother’s Day 12th May 2013.

The Pink Ribbon Breakfast event will be held in the Alumni Marquee, on the lawns in front of Old Government House, University of Auckland, cnr Waterloo Quadrant and Princes Street, starting at 10am and finishing approximately 12.30 pm.

Guests will be entertained by MC Jackie Clarke, the fabulous New Zealand chef, author and broadcaster Peta Mathias MNZM; gardening guru Lynda Hallinan; and singing sensations Hinewehi Mohi and Erakah.

You can either book online at www.pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz or call the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation on 0800 902 732 to make a payment over the phone.

You can see there is a constant spilling-over from one facet of your life into the others, therefore affecting the quality and the time that each aspect gets from you. If one aspect is joyless, stressful or “not happening”, this will have consequences throughout the other elements of your life.

Everyone wants to achieve things in their lives no matter how great or small, but say you want to start your own business or are desperately seeking a promotion, are all aspects of your life going to be perfectly balanced and fulfilled on the road to achieving this? Short answer, of course not. If your career needs extra time and investment, then other areas of your life are going to need some level of compromise. For some reason there is this idealistic notion out there that we can put 100% of our attention into our careers, 100 per cent attention to our training, 100 per cent attention to all of our important relationships and well, you get it. Even my mathematicallychallenged mind understands that this is an equation that doesn’t add up.

To see my ad in Verve’s Market Place, go to page.95

Brooke Steff (B.Nat, Dip Herb Med) is a naturopath and medical herbalist based in Remuera, specialising in hormonal balance, environmental medicine, detoxification and mental health. She is also a Level II Biosignature Practitioner and a Level II Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Poliquin International Certification Programme(PICP).

You can contact Brooke via clinic phone 09 522 6759, email brooke@ webintegrativehealth.com or visit her website www.webintegrativehealth.com for any queries or appointment bookings.

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The Parnell Dentist Parnell Dentistry has been open in the same Parnell location for 15 years this month.

Owner Andrea Copplestone, is offering a very rare special price currently to celebrate this occasion. For any new patient booking for a comprehensive exam (which includes a set of X-rays as well) you will get the cleaning done for free! Patients that prefer a dentist to do their cleanings will get a free 20-minute cleaning when they see the dentist for their exam, or a separate time can be made for Michelle our lovely hygienist to work her marvels for your mouth! From this examination, you will get a detailed plan of any treatment or recommendations found from the exam and xrays taken. Andrea or Clare will ensure time is taken to fully go over the plan at no additional charge.

To redeem this special price, refer to the Localist website, www.localist.co.nz or phone 09 379 0709.

What you may not know about our practice…

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We have two female dentists available at the practice – Andrea Copplestone and Clare Goldwater. Both are NZ-trained with many years dental experience.

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We cater for people who have problems with bad breath using a halimeter and a range of Therabreath products from the US.

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Michelle our hygienist works every day including two late nights to accommodate busy working patients.

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She is a dual-qualified hygienist and therapist which means she can see and treat children up to age 18. We have a special “Kid’s Club” for these younger patients with reduced rates for their care and a real prevention focus.

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We have four free patient car parks available.

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We are open on a late night Monday until 7pm.

Ph: 09 379 0709

‘ARM LIFTS’ARE THEPLASTIC HOTTEST PLASTIC SURGERY THE HOTTEST NEW

Words: Katie Waldeck

Forget tummy tucks and nose jobs, there’s a new hot plastic surgery in town, and this time, it’s all about the arms. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons announced that the number of patients receiving upper arm lifts, have shot up a whopping 4,378% in just over a decade, making it the rising star of the plastic surgery world.

The two different surgeries that make up arm lifts, brachioplasty, for those with loose or excess skin, and liposuction, for those without it, target that “jiggly” fat on the under side of the upper arm between the armpit and the elbow. The latter leaves patients with a visible, permanent scar seen by surgery-goers as a perfectly fine tradeoff.

What’s driving this staggering soar in arm lifts? The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), said in a press release that it’s due in no small part to the toned arms of female celebrities from the First Lady to Jennifer Aniston.

ASPS Public Education Committee Chair David Reath, MD, said: “I think we are always affected by the people that we see consistently, either on the big screen or on TV. We see them and think, ‘yeah, I’d like to look like that.’”

But that isn’t the whole story. Reath also pointed to the increase in the number of people losing a lot of weight, particularly through weight loss surgery who are turning to arm

lifts to remove the excess skin they gained when they shed pounds. Many women, especially older women, are genetically blessed with excess fat deposits in their upper arms something even the best diet and exercise routines can’t change. But with a staggering price tag that comes with the procedure, it’s probably worth it to invest in some hand weights before going under the knife.

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Naomi McRae Naomi McRae, a 32-year-old Auckland woman, has just completed a girls trip with a difference with her sisters Sarah, Miriam and Hannah.

The sisters have driven the length of the country from Kaitia to Invercargill as part of the Pork Pie Charity Run, a fundraising event to raise money for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC), the charity that supported Naomi throughout her illness.

Back in early 2010, newlywed Naomi was settling back into a new life in New Zealand and acareer at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Surrounded by friends and family, a new husband and colleagues and getting stuck into work and the Kiwi way of life once more, everything was going well.

Yet, a feeling of fatigue was not going away and other symptoms, including itchy feet, were starting to cause her concern. Naomi checked in with her GP for blood tests.

While waiting on the results of her test, Naomi later collapsed in a shopping mall a week before her 30th birthday and was rushed to hospital for a 10-day stay.

A chest x-ray, a surgical biopsy to the chest and a bone marrow biopsy confirmed the devastating news of her diagnosis with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and the presence of a 12cm tumour in her chest.

Naomi began a fortnightly six-month course of chemotherapy, just before Christmas 2010, to fight back against the cancer.

She says the support she and her family received from Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand at this time was crucial in giving her hope and getting her through.

“LBC is simply an amazing charity that made the biggest difference to me and my family in absorbing the shock of having such life-changing news.

“They made things less scary by giving a level of personal support and care the hospital and medical staff do not have the resources to provide.”

Above: Naomi and Lauchie

She says the support she and her family received from Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand at this time was crucial in giving her hope and getting her through.

Following her chemotherapy, and halfway through her course of radiotherapy, Naomi received the incredible news she was in remission on 1 August 2011: a day she remembers well.

However two weeks after finishing her treatment she was feeling nauseous and thought “oh god it’s back”, and went to visit her oncologist for a routine check up.

However the news was not she expected at all. Naomi was astonished to learn she was pregnant, a big surprise as, following her treatment, she had been told it was unlikely she’d ever be able to have children.

A healthy baby boy named Lauchlan was born in May 2012: Mum and Dad couldn’t have been happier with their new life.

Naomi says the support she received from PwC and her colleagues during her illness meant all she had to worry about was getting better.

“I knew I could come back and pick up from where I left off as soon as I was well, which made all the difference in allowing me to focus solely on my health and getting better.”

MAY 2013

Auckland and Wellington Study Seeks to Eliminate Eczema, Allergies and Asthma from Infants Most couples have a chuckle thinking about the various traits they would pass down to their unborn children if they had a choice – his nose, her ears, his sensibility, her spontaneity.

While it is all in good fun, there probably are certain things you hope your child won’t get – like your brutal seasonal allergies. No one wants to pass down months of weezing and sneezing to their child.

Researchers at Otago University are currently recruiting 400 women in early stages of pregnancy to take part in a potentially ground-breaking study that could not only prevent your unborn child from developing those irritating allergies, asthma or eczema that you or your partner might be susceptible to, but it could also help expectant mothers ward off things like diabetes during pregnancy and vaginosis.

The key ingredient in the study is a strain of probiotics. You’ve probably heard of probiotics from television ads promoting yoghurt that will help balance your intestinal well-being with good bacteria, boosting your immune system and promoting a healthy digestive system. But before you rush to the dairy, understand that this particular study is not talking about eating yoghurt every day. If that were the case, the number of allergies would be going down in New Zealand, instead they continue to rise. In fact, according to Dr. Thorsten Stanley of Otago University, we have some of the highest rates of allergies among first world countries: “More than 50 per cent of New Zealanders have a first-degree relative with allergies and this number continues to rise.”

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A previous study by Otago University saw that by giving expectant mothers a daily probiotic capsule in the last month of pregnancy, and then giving a dosage to the newborn for the first two years of their life, the number of babies to develop eczema was reduced by 50 per cent. Now, researchers are focusing on early stages of pregnancy to see if they can also reduce rates of allergies and asthma.

“The baby’s immune system essentially turns on around 20 to 22 weeks, when it can start producing antibodies. If we can catch women during that period just before the immune system starts to work, then we might be able to say goodbye to a whole lot of health issues,” explains Dr. Stanley.

For this reason, the research study is looking for participants in Auckland and Wellington who are less than 16 weeks pregnant and who have been (or whose partner has been) susceptible to eczema, asthma or allergies. One major challenge for the study is that many women don’t learn they are pregnant until around the six to eight-week mark. And then by the time they hear of the study, they are quickly approaching the 16-week cut-off.

But Dr. Stanley is not put off, “Many of our participants are motivated because they have lived with symptoms of these health issues and they know how boring it can make their lives and they don’t want their child to experience that.”

For more information about the current study visit : www.otago.ac.nz/wellington/departments/medicine/research/ otago031744.html.

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www.hamiltonbrooks.co.nz phone (09) 520 7494 23 nuffield st, newmarket, auckland

Hamilton Brooks Hairdressing Winner of Creative Team of the Year at New Zealand Hairdressing Awards 2013

MAY 2013

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HALF PRICE INTRODUCTORY SESSION*

PILATES STRAND STUDIO — EST.1997 BRENDA WING – 77 THE STRAND, PARNELL – 09 377 7527 – WWW.STRANDPILATES.CO.NZ

At Strand Studio you will find a small group of people exercising individually and each performing precise movements tailor-made to their needs.

Under Brenda’s expert guidance and her vast knowledge of Pilates you will receive rapid and lasting results.

Do call in or phone Brenda on 09 377 7527

PILATES WILL: • RELIEVE YOUR ACHING BACK • IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE • SLIM YOUR LEGS • FIRM YOUR THIGHS AND LIFT YOUR BOTTOM • TONE YOUR UPPER ARMS • FLATTEN YOUR STOMACH

*CONDITIONS APPLY. BOOK BEFORE 5TH JUNE 2013

SPARKLEWHITE TEETH Sparklewhite is one of a small group of health whitening businesses nationwide.

Owner Matt McFarlane has just been voted in as president of the New Zealand Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Association (NZCTWA) – a self-regulating trade group devoted to protecting public safety.

The association is recognised by the Ministry of Health and the Department of Labour.

“It’s important to ensure you are dealing with a reputable company, and to always look for the NZCTWA logo indicating a registered practitioner,” says Matt.

Sparklewhite Teeth is one of a few small teeth-whitening businesses nation-wide that is recognised for conducting safe practises and meeting all the current legislation standards. The products that they use comply with new regulations coming into effect from 1 June 2013.

Sparklewhite Teeth has been operating for over three years and has whitened over 10,000 sets of teeth nationwide.

Sparklewhite Teeth uses Euro Gel, a product exclusive to them, containing no hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. ‘‘The gel is ideal for those who suffer from extreme sensitivity, gum disease, receding gums or previous whitening sensitivity,’’ says Charmaine McFarlane. ‘‘Results are as good, if not better, than those you get with the HP/CP based treatment.’’

A beautiful smile of white teeth can take 10 years off your appearance, make you look healthier, and give you the confidence to smile more. Euro Gel is great at lifting staining off caps, crowns and veneers – taking teeth back to the original colour they were

made in – and matching with existing tooth shades. Most people will go from two to ten (2 – 10) shades lighter in just a one-hour in-chair treatment. This affordable treatment can be performed on almost anyone over 16 years of age.

Call Bianca or Matt on 09 529 9359, or visit sparklewhite.co.nz, and for more information on the New Zealand Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Association visit www.nzctwa.org.nz.

CALL NOW ON (09) 529 9359 FOR A $299 TREATMENT* *Conditions Apply. Offer expires 31 May 2013

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MAY 2013

HEALTH & WELLBEING WITH LULU

Brought to you by Huckleberry Farms and Harvest Wholefoods

Holistic Healing These days, people are looking for solutions to their health issues, not just medications. Oriental medicine has known for 3,000 years that a holistic approach is the only way to regain health balance and truly heal. At Jay Acupuncture, Jay Kim brings his multiple and varied skills to your healthcare. Jay is trained in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and energy balancing (Qigong).

When I went for a session with Jay, my main concerns were knee and back pain, both from injuries. Jay gave me a thorough consultation, reviewing my medical history, and what was most concerning me that day. He also gave me sound advice about pushing my body too hard (I work out a lot), felt intuitively where my energy systems were lacking and gave me specific breathing and grounding exercises to help re-balance my qi.

Then it was time for acupuncture for my mildly swollen, sore knee and cupping for my lower back. I didn’t find the needles painful. An electrical current was attached to the needles and a pulsating sensation followed, it wasn’t unpleasant though. This stimulates the body’s natural healing responses and dulls the pain sensors. The cupping on my lower back was an enjoyable, deep-tissue massage-like feeling. I definitely felt relief as my lumbar muscles were in a tight spasm going into the appointment.

The best thing about Jay Acupuncture is that I wasn’t put on any medications and the exercises I was given I can do at home for free. Our bodies have an innate ability to heal themselves; it’s just the balancing we often need help with. Thank goodness holistic clinics like Jay’s are available to us and even covered by ACC if you have had an accident.

Rest Easy So many people I know complain that they don’t often get a good night’s sleep.

I have been one of them. It’s been so bad at times that if I was given three wishes one of them would be an uninterrupted eight hours of divine slumber! With the pace of life and the demands we put on ourselves, we get over-stimulated and find it hard to unwind at night, or fall asleep exhausted just to wake a few hours later with the mind racing. This is the awful cycle many find themselves in.

Sleep is such an integral part of good health. A lot happens in the recommended eight-hour sleep cycle: • • •

The body regenerates itself It eliminates wastes and toxins Hormones are released that keep us young, high-functioning, happy and the correct weight.

It is so important and completely taken for granted until you don’t get enough of it!

Sleeping pills unfortunately do not allow the mind to do its specialised regeneration and dreaming process, and are not the answer to this common problem. Typically Mother Nature can come to the rescue in the form of Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate. Rich in the natural sleep hormone melatonin (synthetic melatonin pills should also be avoided), high in antioxidants and phytonutrients, Tart Cherry is a wonderful, naturally occurring alternative to help regulate sleeping patterns.

Suitable for children and diabetics, with no added sugar, flavouring, colouring or preservatives, please try nature’s little assistant for a great night’s sleep.

Other tips for a good night’s kip are: • Make sure you start to wind down a few hours before your bedtime • No coffee after midday • Minimal alcohol

Lulu is passionate about health and wellbeing and is committed to helping people live happier, healthier lives. If you have any questions or feedback for Lulu please email: lulu@vervemagazine.co.nz

• •

Keep your sleeping area dark and noise-free Do some deep breathing to relax or meditation to quieten the mind before getting into bed.

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Now available throughVerve for only $89

E V R VE OP SH

Email your order to sales@vervemagazine.co.nz. For delivery to your address, add $5.50

NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH VERVE FOR ONLY $22 Email your order to sales@vervemagazine.co.nz. For delivery to your address, add $5.50

ORDER YOUR YOLKR速 IN ADVANCE YOLKR速 will be available in New Zealand from July and we already know that they will be a hit.

Ensure that you get one, or more (they will be wonderful as little gifts) by placing your order now.

Available through Verve for only $25 Email your order to sales@vervemagazine.co.nz For delivery to your address, add $5.50.

Delivery in July 13

MAY 2013

VERVE MAY

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Finding the Unexpected at Formosa

Skin Deep

48 Peter Fowler: Still Swinging Strong

55 Shopping and Other Dirty Words 56

Rembrandt

Giveaways from Avalon Audio, Spa@Mollies and Triumph&Disaster

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Jack Landy: Losing Love and Finding Fame

Re-experiencing Space with Tomas Saraceno

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Stayed Tuned with Bryan Crump

Mitch Evans: Speed Demon

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A Nation Sails

Motorscience

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MEN MATTER

Finding the Unexpected at Formosa

We want to encourage kids away from iPhones and back into golf...

Words: Inger-Lisa Hurst

It was difficult for me to get excited about visiting Formosa Golf Resort to meet Jeff Skipper, as I am not particularly interested in golf and couldn’t imagine what I could interview a golf director about. My pen wavered above my notebook, scribbling half-hearted questions such as ‘how long have you been a golf director?’, ‘What does it entail?’ and ‘how many golf carts do you have?’ It wouldn’t appear Mr Skipper was particularly excited about the interview either. I received a mere “OK love” in response to my email requesting an interview.

That all began to change as I drove down the rather picturesque winding road to the resort, which is located 40 minutes southeast of Auckland on the WhitfordMaraetai Road. I pulled up outside the golf club, which had a somewhat Asianresort feel with a high wooden-beamed pitched roof entrance, flanked by two water features with giant goldfish milling in the ponds.

course customer, I do a quick calculation.

This man had four children by the time he was 25 years old. I can’t help but be impressed by that fact alone. He laughs when he returns and I inform him of my mathematical prowess and his rather alarming rate of youthful reproduction.

“Yes,” he smiles. “I was a granddad at 39 and a great granddad at 44!”

In the 1960s and early 1970s, Skippy had a company in the building industry.

When finding work started to get tough in the UK, Skippy’s sister proposed both families move to Australia. Having never heard of Australia, Skippy was sold on an image of sunshine and palm trees. When the families were unsuccessful in getting visas into Australia, New Zealand was thrown up as a second choice. While Skippy had never heard of New Zealand, his sister assured him it was an island off Australia, so logic dictated there would still be sunshine and palm trees, which was all Skippy desired.

I notice straight away that Skippy hasn’t always been a local and he quickly informs me that he is in fact a Londoner.

A cockney from the east no less.

On arriving in New Zealand, Skippy and his family and his sister’s family of four bunked in a tiny villa with a lady from the UK they didn’t know very well. It didn’t take long for Skippy to get a job as a joiner and he was quickly promoted to project manager. He remained in the business until 1997 when he suffered from a stroke. While recuperating from his stroke, Skippy watched as Formosa was in the final stages of being built and when the golfing resort eventually opened, Skippy had recovered the use of his right side enough to be able to drive a golf cart and offered to ferry golfers between holes nine and ten on opening day.

Skippy arrived in New Zealand with his first wife and four children in 1972. He informs me he is now 65 years old and while he pops away from our interview to assist another eager-to-get-on-the-golf-

Skippy went on to get a part-time job at Formosa and using his building nouse he called in some deals and managed the building of the existing and impressive number one tee area.

I made my way down to the pro shop where I had arranged to meet Mr Skipper.

Standing behind the counter is a smiling man, good-naturedly bossing golfers about as they look to embark on their afternoon round of golf.

He spots me and offers his hand over the counter. “Hi, love. I’m Skippy. I’ll be right with you.”

After the construction of the tee area, Skippy took over the lease of the golf course and managed the greenkeepers and pro shop for four and a half years, before moving on to the Grange Golf Course in Pakuranga for another eight and half years.

15 months ago, Formosa asked Skippy to return as the course had been badly managed in the time he had been away and was starting to get a bad name amongst golfers. “Once a golf course has a bad name, that’s it,” says Skippy.

In the 15 months Skippy has been back managing the course, it is once again recognised as world-class, attracting golfers from New Zealand, Australia, America, Canada, Japan and China to name a few. However it hasn’t been easy keeping the course standards up in the face of the drought and tough economic times. When the course was first opened it employed 23 greenkeepers. This was reduced to 14, eight, six and now has just full-time greenkeepers.

In the face of the difficulties, Skippy seems to be a very content man with a strong focus on constantly improving the course as well as supporting junior golf.

“We want to encourage kids away from iPhones and back into golf,” says Skippy.

In April, Formosa is holding a major tournament, which will involve hosting close to 400 golfers over two weekends, with all of the money going towards junior golf. As well as that, for a minimal annual fee, juniors can play at Formosa anytime of the week, unlike most other courses, which allow juniors to only play at nominated times.

For more information on the resort and upcoming tournaments visit: www.formosa.co.nz.

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Peter Fowler Still Swinging Strong Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

“People see the likes of Tiger Woods and don’t realise that there are thousands more pros around the world battling for a pay-cheque, You’re spending your own cash to compete and 99 per cent of us rely on prize money. A tournament player has to earn $150,000 a year just to break even. ” Peter Fowler is a busy man. I first get hold of him at the departure lounge of Auckland International airport, so arrange to call when he gets to Perth. Not wanting to disturb his weekend and give him chance to recover from the flight. I try again a couple of days later, but he’s already left. He’s in Thailand competing in the senior tour, coming in 12th (“I had a bad second day”). The window of opportunity closes once more when he heads to Japan where he places with a respectable top ten finish. What a life, you may think, another stereotypical jetsetting millionaire sportsman. But you’d be wrong.

“People see the likes of Tiger Woods and don’t realise that there are thousands more pros around the world battling for a pay-cheque,” says the amiable golfer when I finally catch up with him back on home soil. “You’re spending your own cash to compete and 99 per cent of us rely on prize money. A tournament player has to earn $150,000 a year just to break even.”

A few days after the interview, 53-year-old Fowler is due to head off again. His first stop will be the States, a gruelling schedule that will last until Christmas. He has gone through somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, winning the likes of the European Senior Tour order of merit, ISPS Handa Seniors World Championship and Switzerland’s Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open.

It’s a resurgence that nearly never happened, having suffering a severe back injury on his 50th birthday playing in England.

“I tried to battle on, but it was hopeless,” he says. “I had 12 months off and started again, got through that year then had a great spell the year after. Any time you have back surgery, you wonder whether you can continue professionally. You can always play, but once you’ve competed at the top level, you want to carry on. I wasn’t sure whether that would ever happen again. ” To make matters worse, he also had to contend with knee and hip problems, spending months on end in physio. It gave him a lot of time to do some soul-searching, he says, and led to a fortified mental strength. It also improved his swing and made him a more consistent player. I ask Fowler if people underestimate the physicality of the sport.

“I think so. People presume that it’s a passive game, but when

you play professionally, you hit everything as hard as you can.

“The playing side is great, but also the friendships you make along the way are pretty special. Like every job, golf has its good points and its bad, but I wouldn’t want to ever do anything else.”

You walk a good 14km on a round too.” In his heyday of the 80s and 90s, his titles included the Australian, BMW, New Zealand and Singaporean Opens and in 1983, he was a World Cup winner. For eight years straight, Fowler was in the top 30 players of the European Tour. Now, he is as focused, competitive and hungry as the day he turned pro in 1977.

“Golfers are self-employed so don’t have to do anything, you can sit on the couch all day if you want to,” he says. “A lot of the younger guys get caught up with the fast cars and the Sheilas, but you have to be mentally tough to handle the travel and the setbacks.” Australian by birth, Fowler met his future Kiwi wife, Kim, in 1985, and moved here soon after. They have two daughters, Kate and Georgia.

Though Fowler has dual-citizenship and adores New Zealand, he admits that when it comes to sporting events against the Aussies, his loyalties lie across the ditch. As for his sporting career, he tells me that he intends to soldier on for a good for years yet.

“The playing side is great, but also the friendships you make along the way are pretty special,” he says. One of those friendships is with tennis legend Ivan Lendl. “I caught up with him a couple of times at Wimbledon last year and at this year’s Australian Open. He’s a pro now and we play a few rounds together. Like every job, golf has its good points and its bad, but I wouldn’t want to ever do anything else.”

MAY 2013 49 www.rembrandt.co.nz

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Jack Landy – Losing Love and Finding Fame Words: Inger-Lisa Hurst

Jack Landy’s lyrics are those of a real romantic. Described by brainchild John Watson in a recent Radio New Zealand interview, Landy is “a traveller, he’s a drifter and it doesn’t really matter who he is. He’s a nobody. He just plays love songs about travelling and then he’s on his way.”

It was the six months Watson spent at the School of Media and Journalism in Aarhus, Denmark while completing his studies that his love of travel and adventure was sparked. He went on to “follow a girl” back to Europe a couple of years later, looking for work on super yachts. “I love the highs and lows of travelling,” says Watson. “You’re either very high or very low, which is great for song writing.”

Landy’s lyrics speak of being lost – “drifting through lands unknown” and “cast into the sea of lonely souls.” He speaks of losing love and finding home.

A perfect fit for the title of his first solo album – Lost & Found.

Amidst the experiences of turbulent love and constant employment rejections Watson was able to spend time ‘drifting’ through unknown cities finding solace in his writing and creating the heart-felt lyrics for his first album.

“I’ve always loved writing,” says Watson. “In hard times it’s a creative outlet. It’s like therapy.”

Jack Landy is a pseudonym used by John Watson to separate his two careers – an investigative television journalist by day and a talented, multi-instrumental musician by night. Jack Landy was born through Watson’s respect for American poet and novelist Jack Kerouac and his admiration for influential singer and songwriter Bob Dylan (Landy being an anagram for Dylan).

On returning to New Zealand a year ago, Watson decided to dedicate what he thought would be a weekend recording his tracks in a recording studio in Devonport. “It ended up taking eight months,” says Watson. “I kept thinking ‘oh this song needs a violin, this song needs bag pipes,’ and it just kept going.

Eventually my sound engineer said ‘Stop now!’ I agree with what da Vinci said – you don’t finish art, you abandon it.”

Watson has spent the last two months putting his band, Landy & Co together, meaning that all of the instrumental components of his solo album can now be played at live gigs. With roots in indie folk, folk rock and blue grass, Landy & Co has already been receiving positive reviews and performing popular live gigs across Auckland. “We love playing together,” says Watson. “We plan to rerecord some songs off Lost & Found, and maybe release some new songs all under the title of Landy & Co.” Jack Landy’s solo album Lost & Found is available through bandcamp.com or iTunes. Follow Landy & Co on Facebook facebook.com/LandyandCo.

Above: Jack Landy – Lost & Found

MAY 2013

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Stay Tuned With Bryan Crump Verve meets the well-travelled, widely read and eccentric Wellington-based Bryan Crump, host of Nights on Radio New Zealand National, hours of compelling and eclectic listening weeknights on 101.4 fm.

Words: Timothy Giles

Full name: Bryan Spencer Crump.

Age: 47.

Immediate family you live with: My partner Penny and my three-year-old son John.

Show you host and hours you work?

Nights on Radio New Zealand National. We come on air after the news at 7 Monday to Friday. We clock off at midnight.

What makes the nights alright?

You’ll sleep better for it.

Brief synopsis of career prior to nights?

Tape recorders, school radio plays, BA, postie, nature guide, roof painter, gas station-cranker, kiwifruit-picker, student and access radio, ATI journalism degree, Thames Star, UK trade journals, another tape recorder, Radio New Zealand rural reporter Dunedin, Radio NZ Wellington, ABC rural reporter Katherine Northern Territory, ABC Darwin Breakfast Show host, more tape recorders, helping to look after the old man, Nights.

You talk about many places you’ve spent time in how many countries have you visited?

33.

Favourite countries?

Whichever one I’m in.

Favourite city?

Darwin, Northern Territory. Because, like a lot of the best things, it wasn’t what I expected, and because it had such a free spirit.

Least favourite job you had/work you did on your travels?

Working for trade mags in the UK nearly finished off my career, but hey! I

struggled for two years at PC Business World and Meat Trades Journal. PC Business World was staffed by an army of young, funky and beautiful people, and me. I had no idea what I was writing about, although I did go on some good junkets; flying to Venice to pick up a press release was ok by me, even if I didn’t understand it. But the boom was coming to an end. I only saw one person reading the mag in public, and he’d just fished it out of a rubbish bin.

You often talk about riding to and from work in Wellington, just what is the attraction of cycling in such a hilly city?

It’s cheaper than a second car. It keeps me fit. It wakes me up on the way to work (if it didn’t I wouldn’t be writing this now) and some of my best ideas come riding home up the hill after midnight.

Drawbacks of cycling, aside from the hills?

None, and I love climbing hills.

You are new-ish father, how has life changed?

A whole lot of unimportant stuff fell off the edge.

You talk to people, from thinkers and drinkers, athletes and actors to zookeepers, who were you most excited to interview?

I was pretty excited about talking to the ecologist Dr David Suzuki. He’d always come across as such a nice, wise bloke on the telly.

How did the interview compare to your expectations.

He was a grumpy old fart.

What regular interviewees and contributors do you particularly look forward to?

Whoever’s up next. As I write this it’s Leo Schep from the National Poison

Centre. Who would have thought toxins would make such great topics? I keep meaning to slip them into dinner party conversations.

You seem to have a very good general knowledge and remarkable knowledge of obscurities too, how do you gain and retain it all?

The lack of brain space devoted to useful things like spelling leaves more room for trivia! I learnt a lot reading the back of Dad’s old record covers, watching trains, poring over maps.

Typing Wiki into Google and hitting return also gets results.

What is the key to decoding your weekly conundrums?

I was hoping you might be able to help me out on that one.

From the emails, letters and contact you get back, who are your listeners on nights?

A wonderfully diverse bunch, united by a common hatred of bad television.

What do you hope for your boy?

Selfishly, that he outlives me. Less selfishly, that he’s his own man, and he doesn’t turn into an arsehole.

Best advice you’ve received?

Don’t be such an arsehole.

Advice you most like to offer?

That love counts for something.

Got a favourite quote, saying or whakatauki?

I could hum a bit of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 down the line. Failing that, I can’t think of anything better than what I overheard a sound engineer say one busy afternoon in the control room: “relax and take charge”.

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A Nation Sails Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces

HERITAGE Stuart, like many a Kiwi, started young. A tradition passed down to him and that he has in turn passed down to his sons. He is a member of the world-renowned Royal Yacht Squadron, New Zealand’s most senior sailing club.

“From the age of two and a half, I remember there was a boat on my front lawn,” says Steve Burrett, the Squadron’s commodore. “My father was a member of the club many years ago, and he enrolled my brother and me as cadets. I’ve been here ever since.” Now his children too, have the boating bug.

“Sailing is my sanity,” says Stuart Reed. “It’s my relief, my release, my relaxation. The only place I can feel totally at ease.” He captures the essence of the Kiwi love affair with the sea. From the ancient Polynesian settlers through to the age of European exploration and the myriad modernday sporting triumphs, this isolated island nation has housed ocean-conquering greats, its relatively small size belying its sea-faring might.

There’s a real majesty about the Squadron building, a sense of history, an atmosphere of gravitas. Resting on the shore of Westhaven, its panes afford a spectacular vista of Auckland’s enchanting harbour. The best view in the city, says Steve. It may well be. A host of oak cabinets house countless trophies that shimmer and sparkle, bearing testament to the organisation’s glories past and present. I am proudly informed by the commodore that it is the only club to have won every major sailing honour there is.

Under the Royal Yacht Squadron’s burgee, in 1995 the legendary Sir Peter Blake led Team New Zealand to the nation’s first America’s Cup success.

Five years later, they became the first team outside the States to successfully defend what is the oldest existing trophy in international sport. Others on display include the Whitbread, the Admiral’s and Kenwood Cups, the Champagne Mumm World Cup and the Sydney to Hobart Race. At last year’s Olympics, Squadron members Polly Powrie and Jo Aleh brought home gold and since 1987 a youth programme has been in place to hone the skills of further champions.

Adorning the panelled ballroom walls are half models of New Zealand’s most iconic vessels such as the Endeavour, Rainbow and Steinlager 2. The committee room is lined with photos of past commodores

Images: Mirabella V by Ron Holland Design

Ron Holland’s record-breaking designs have won a host of trophies worldwide.

Whirlwind XII was the first ever 100-foot-plus super-yacht and the 247-foot Mirabella V is the largest sloop in existence

dating from the late 1800s and beneath each one sit images of their beloved boats. Steve points to the spot that waits to immortalise him, but he’s not ready to hand over the reins just yet.

“One of the great things about being involved with a club like this, aside from the spectacular yachts,” he says, “is that you get to meet such fantastic people.

People that you wouldn’t normally get the chance to meet.”

One such member is the brains behind some of those most spectacular of yachts, Ron Holland.

DESIGN The Yacht Research Unit of Auckland University is a global leader. In 2008 it was appointed Team New Zealand’s Official Scientific Advisor, having played a leading role in their America’s Cup triumphs. The university now offers a Master’s degree in Yacht Engineering and students the chance to learn from one of the world’s very best. He’s excited to be a part of it.

“New Zealand has created an enviable international reputation in all aspects of sailing,” says Ron Holland. “This degree links into the positive position that New Zealand has achieved and

as far as I am aware, no other facilities teach a module on the specific subject of super-yacht design.”

Ron Holland’s record-breaking designs have won a host of trophies worldwide.

Whirlwind XII was the first ever 100-footplus modern super-yacht and the 247foot Mirabella V is the largest sloop in existence. He has been commissioned by the globe’s elite to create both floating and motorised palaces and designed Morning Cloud for British Prime Minister Edward Heath. I ask him how much input his customers have.

“Sailing yacht owners are very involved down to the last detail, the power ones less so. The sailors have often grown up through a range of boats from small to large, whereas the powerboat guys tend to be very wealthy and buy one just like you’d buy a car.”

When travelling the world’s harbours, Holland still gets a real kick from catching a glimpse of his boats, especially any long forgotten designs. He was pleased to recently discover that White Rabbit, the first he built as an apprentice in Auckland in the mid-60s, is still floating, and intends to track down “the little bit of history” next time he’s in the area. The industry, thanks in no small part to Ron, has since changed beyond all recognition.

“In the last 15 years the yachts have got bigger than we could’ve imagined,” he says. “When I designed my first 100-footer, we thought that would be the ultimate, but then came the Mirabella V. Though, bigger isn’t necessarily always better. There’s a trend now for smaller boats as people want to reduce the size of their crew and simplify their sailing lives.”

Holland, now 66, has been sailing for as long as he can remember, embarking on offshore Pacific voyages in his early teens.

In the late 60s, he moved to San Francisco to further his maritime dreams.

“You can imagine what that was like! For a 20-year-old Kiwi arriving there in 1968 it was pretty scary.”

Did you make the most of it?

“I was too conservative to make the most of it!” he laughs. “But I certainly know about the Grateful Dead.”

A world championship trophy for a 1973 design gave Holland the chance to start up his own studio. He did so in Ireland and remained there for nearly 40 years.

His reputation – and customer list – boomed.

“Each project is driven by the client,” he says. “They all want something different and it’s always a great challenge for me.

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My approach has always been driven by my competitive experience.”

Last year, he relocated his eponymous company to Vancouver, but for all his globetrotting still considers New Zealand as one of the top sailing spots.

“The north island, especially around the Bay of Islands, is pretty unique,” he says.

“It’s definitely special.”

SAILING BLIND Perhaps the most inspirational members of the Royal Yacht Squadron are a group I meet during preparations of their defence of a world title due to take place in Japan. These are, however, sailors with a difference. They can’t see where they’re going. What they lack in sight, they more than make up for in skill, determination and enthusiasm and are also very, very funny guys.

When back on dry land, Dick Lancaster, Chairman of Blind Sailing New Zealand, is a keen horseman: “I’ll be riding with friends and when we come to a steep hill they’ll all get off to decide whether or not to walk down, but I just give my horse a kick and away I go! You can’t frighten me.

I don’t know what the hell’s going on!”

“I’m forever telling my wife,” adds Vice Chairman Dave Allerton, “that she looks as good as the day that I married her!”

The Blind Sailing World Championships have been going for over 20 years, and this team is among the most successful in its history. Dave Allerton has sailed all his life. He began to lose his sight in 2001 and though he is still able to make out undetailed outlines, his vision is in a state of terminal deterioration. Dave discovered the team through the Blind Foundation, it gave him a new lease of life but he says some people tried to wrap him in cotton wool. They’d tell him he shouldn’t sail.

“Once you get a disability you like to be faced with a challenge,” says Dick.

Above: Steve Burrett, Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron

“We’ve been affected at a time in our lives when we’re still active and keen to get out there. If you say to a blindy, ‘you can’t do that’, then it’s a case of ‘well you just watch me.’”

Interestingly, Dave says blindness has made him a more skilled sailor and other members of the team agree. They appreciate the sport on a whole new level.

They have learnt to sense changes in pressure, read the feel and movement of the boats, and, most importantly, listen.

Communication is the key to their success.

For safety reasons, each vessel does have a sighted tactician and crew member on board, though they are not allowed to be professional sailors and are forbidden from aiding with the sailing duties.

“We like to think that we can do it all on our own, but we are still dependent on the sighted guys,” Dick tells me.

The sighted help are all volunteers. The team are keen to express their gratitude to them and also to those who have donated funds and loaned their boats.

Though, Dick says with a smile, they could always do with some more. World Championships aside, the team’s longterm goal is to have the sport embraced by the Paralympics and they’re currently lobbying for inclusion in the 2020 games.

Their fearlessness, zest and can-do attitude are an absolute inspiration. Best of luck to them.

To offer your time, funding or lend a boat to the team, email dicklancaster@ farmside.co.nz

MAY 2013

SHOPPING & OTHER DIRTY WORDS Useful tips for business websites.

Like many men, I’m not a big fan of shopping. When I find myself in a mall I begin sweating in terror. Hemmed-in, judged by shop assistants, hounded by screaming children and assaulted by canned music. At home, surrounded by my own music and screaming children I’m free to research products exhaustively and in my own time; I check-out user reviews, find the best price and have it delivered to my door (from other countries if I need to). It’s less instantly gratifying but somehow more... rational. Does online shopping work for me? Yes. Should you start your own online store? Probably not.

Some people feel that creating a successful online store will be easy, maybe because for a fraction of the fit-out cost of a bricks-and-mortar store they’ll be able to build a site that can sell many times the volume of products. But online retail can be as unforgiving as any other form of retail. You have to have a rock-solid idea of who you’re selling to and how much they’re willing to pay. Whilst I’m squarely in a demographic that uses online shopping as a way of avoiding self-concious encounters with shop assistants, there are plenty of other demographic groupings that will avoid e-commerce like the plague.

One thing that I come across often are sites that try to sell all things to all people, perhaps in a misguided attempt to take on Amazon. Amazon lost many hundreds of millions of dollars for many years before it began making a profit – so unless you have that kind of cash lying around in your sock drawer, I suggest finding a well-defined niche you can exploit. Then, once you’ve decided on a niche, research the market for what you’re selling; how much your target demographic spends online and on what, how often they’re online and what sites they visit. Surveys are a great tool for this.

Although I focus on technology, I can say with confidence that when planning your online store it’s more important to understand your audience than it is to understand the technology.

SKIN DEEP Gone are the days when guys could get away with slapping some cold water on their face before heading out the door.

Having healthy, fresh looking skin is vitally important in our image driven world, both on the job front and in our social interactions. This month’s column focuses on the basics of skincare for men.

1. Cleanse daily - It’s the single most important thing you can do for your face. Men typically have large pores and very active sebaceous glands so at a minimum need to use a proper facial cleanser that can wash away nasties like excess oil and dirt.

Don’t use regular soap, look for a cleanser that can cut through grease yet still be gentle enough for daily use.

2. Exfoliate - Two or three times a week. Sometimes a simple face wash just isn’t enough to get all the nasty stuff deep down in your pores. A good scrub should have granules to help smooth the skin and eliminate the dullness that results from normal pore clogging and dirt build-up. Exfoliation also softens hair follicles for a closer, less-irritating shave, and allows for better absorption of moisturisers.

3. Moisturise daily - Showering and shaving open up pores allowing water to escape, but a light moisturiser can put it all back in again. It also helps prevents razor burn, and one with an SPF will protect you against sun damage too.

4. The eyes have it - One of the first visible signs of ageing comes when the soft, thin layer of skin surrounding the eye creases and crinkles. This can be prevented with regular use of an eye cream. It needs to be dabbed gently on the edge of the bone around the eye to maximise effectiveness and prevent irritation. Apply regularly.

It’s important to find skincare products that work well for you.

Recently I discovered Triumph & Disaster, a local brand launched by former New Zealand cricketer Dion Nash. It’s a great range combining the best of science with the wisdom of nature, and includes all the essentials just listed (bar the eye cream), plus a stylish badger hair brush and old school shaving cream that smells so good I swear you could eat it (not recommended).

This month one lucky reader will win a tube of Triumph & Disaster Moisturiser. To register your interest for this offer simply visit www. vervemagazine.co.nz and click the competition tab which you will find top right of the page. The rest is self explanatory.

For more about Triumph & Disaster visit www.triumphanddisaster.com

James McGoram is an author, designer and the director of Messiah Studio, a web-design company based in Parnell, Auckland. Visit www.messiah.co.nz for your free online business guide.

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LIAM FENNELL Liam is a writer, actor and creativity coach. He enjoys writing about matters close to his heart and inspiring others to lead fulfilling, creative lives. For any questions, comments or suggested topics email: liam@vervemagazine.co.nz

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WIN WITH VERVE: MEN’S GIVEAWAYS WIN WITH VERVE & SPA AT MOLLIES It’s time for men to be well groomed and destressed . At Mollies we know what we are doing and have over 25 years of experience in men’s treatments. Treatments have now become a normal part of blokes’ regimes as well as women’s and they are healthier and better looking for it. Mollie’s No Nonsense allows you to come relax and let the experts take care of you.

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WIN WITH VERVE & TRIUMPH&DISASTER Triumph & Disaster are on a mission to help guys take better care of their skin with an exceptional rage of mens skincare products.

This month Verve are happy to give away a tube of their Gameface moisturizer, specifically designed for blokes and light on the skin with easy absorption.

UP 4 GRABS: ONE TUBE OF GAMEFACE MOISTURISER Interested? To enter is easy. Simply go to www.vervemagazine.co.nz and click on the competitions tab. Good luck!

MAY 2013

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Re-experiencing Space with Tomás Saraceno Born in Argentina in 1973, acclaimed artist Tomás Saraceno is investigating expanding the ways we inhabit and experience our environment.

nine metres wide and eight and half meters high offering the limited number of museum goers allowed to access it “a dizzying experience of spatial illusions with unique panoramic views of Central Park and a high-rise vision of Manhattan’s cityscape.”

For six months last year, Saraceno had an installation titled Cloud City at the acclaimed MET museum (Metropolitan Museum of Art) in New York City, which was his first major commissioned, sitespecific installation in the United States.

The MET described Cloud City as an extension to Saraceno’s practice of “constructing habitable networks based upon complex geometries and interconnectivity that merge art, architecture and science,” while artreviewer Bruno Latour (e-flux.com) discusses Saraceno’s ability to present both networks (understood in terms of movement and unexpected connections) and spheres (“local, fragile and complex ‘atmospheric conditions’”) together.

Latour also suggests Saraceno’s work pushes the age-old debate between philosophers and physicists of ‘who owns the space in which we live collectively’, ahead in a way that is more relevant to the century we live in.

Renowned for his interests in chemistry, biology, physics, engineering and the cosmos, Saraceno’s Cloud City was inspired by forms found in bacteria, clouds, universes, foams and animals neural communication networks.

Cloud City consisted of a geodesic bubble made up of 16 inter-connected modules constructed from glass and steel. Located on the roof of the MET, the work measured over 16 metres long,

Quoting Daniel Kahneman, Saraceno writes of his own work “…Telescopes have turned into microscopes, and now all universe fit into it[sic]…reflected on the moon is the atmosphere of cloud cities where nothing in life is as important as you think it is, while you are thinking about it, in the focussing illusion.”

For more information on Cloud Cities and Tomás Saraceno visit tomassaraceno.com or metmuseum.org/saraceno

Images: Tomás Saraceno’s Cloud Cities

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GEN-C

Mitch Evans Speed Demon Words: Jamie Christian Desplaces Image: Daniel Kalisz

“I’ve always had faith in my own abilities, otherwise I wouldn’t be here, but to be honest, I was very surprised to have such a great first weekend and make the podium.”

He may not be a household name just yet, but 18-year-old Mitch Evans is one of New Zealand’s hottest talents. Only one step from the dizzying heights of Formula One and the superstardom that it encompasses, Evans has already taken the world of motorsport by storm. Australian F1 driver Mark Webber has branded him as “exceptional”.

In 2011, Mitch became the youngest driver to win an international grand prix and last year secured the World GP3 Series championship. Earlier this year, he joined the GP2 circuit – Formula One’s feeder series – and came in third in only his second race. With that, he also became the youngest driver to ever make the GP2 podium. I ask Mitch if he expected his transition to the next level to be so smooth and instantly successful.

“I’ve always had faith in my own abilities, otherwise I wouldn’t be here,” says the friendly Aucklander who’s currently based in the U.K. “But to be honest, I was very surprised to have such a great first weekend and make the podium.”

They’re not so used to having Kiwis competing over there are they?

“No, I don’t think they are! There aren’t many of us over here so it’s unusual for them. I have a few European mates here who I socialise with when I can.”

He still has the same group of friends that he grew up with, he says, and I ask if he gets homesick being away for such long periods at a time.

“Not really, though I do miss my family. New Zealand is definitely my favourite country in the world but my goals aren’t there so there’s little point getting tied up with homesickness. I have a dream, and that is in Europe.”

It’s a dream that he has harboured since he first stepped into a kart, spending his childhood days in classrooms fantasising of Formula One success. Mitch never liked school, he tells me, leaving early to move overseas and further his racing career.

He must feel he’s missed out on his youth, I say, and he agrees, for him the concept of youth existed only in age. He doesn’t regret it though, it was his choice, he states with the singlemindedness of a true champion. Determination, dedication and focus are the key to success, he tells me, and he clearly has those attributes in spades.

GP2 vehicles can reach in excess of 330km/h and I ask Mitch if he’s ever afraid out on the track.

“Though I do miss my family. New Zealand is definitely my favourite country in the world but my goals aren’t there so there’s little point getting tied up with homesickness. I have a dream, and that is in Europe.”

“Yes, absolutely. There’s obviously the speed and danger of crashing, but my biggest fear is that of failure.”

He trains his body daily to cope with the immense G-Forces involved and as for mental preparation, it comes with experience: “Your brain adapts to high levels of concentration, and after a while it just becomes normal.”

If he could race anyone in history, he’d choose Ayrton Senna and outside of his field, Mitch admires sportsmen who balance success and professionalism, singling out Roger Federer as a prime example. He is thankful to his sponsors and backers for their amazing support and also his fans with whom he enjoys interacting with on social media sites: “Even though I don’t have that many!”

He’s being modest of course. His Facebook page has over 5,000 ‘likes’ and on Twitter there are a thousand more following his every move. Not bad going. So when will we see him thundering around the track behind the wheel of an F1 racing car?

“Soon, I hope!” is the succinct reply. “We hope so too,” is ours.

MAY 2013

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MOTORSCIENCE LTD If you are lucky enough to be looking to buy a Porsche, here at Motorscience Ltd, we offer a pre purchase service and a pre purchase chat. It pays to be quite clear on what you are looking for and to be fairly certain that this may quite possibly be the car for you.

Here are a few ideas about the ‘tyre kicking” process: Establish how much money you are prepared to spend, do you have any flexibility there? Do research to see if this is a realistic figure, this is where we can come in with the pre purchase chat!

Decide which model really appeals to you, also, is it going to be a daily driver and again, do your research, does it have all the things you are looking for, ie: AC, manual/automatic trans etc.

Drive the ones you like, once you have narrowed down the field to one or two in particular – get a pre purchase carried out. Our pre purchase inspection consists of a written pre purchase check indicating the state of the car at the time of inspection, what work may need doing in the short term and what could be required in the longer term, so you have a plan.

Bear in mind that we don’t have a crystal ball and no dismantling is undertaken, there may always be hidden or latent defects that are not evident at the time of inspection. We do have up to date

Peter Booth

Paul Reynolds Jono Munro

Glen Robson

diagnostic tools and our technicians often know the history of the car, such are the wide ranging experiences of our team. All the hard work is now behind you and all that is left to do is make your decision, knowing that you have been as thorough as you can be!

Whatever you decide, to buy or not to buy, do not despair, there will be the right car for you somewhere and here at Motorscience Ltd, we are part of the process that supports you in your quest!

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OUT & ABOUT

ARCHITECTURAL AND DESIGN FILM FESTIVAL

AUCKLAND WRITERS AND READERS FESTIVAL

Auckland May 9 to 22 - Rialto Cinemas Newmarket Showcasing excellence, creativity and innovation in architecture and design, and not to be missed. Verve faves below Eames: The Architect and the Painter 18/05/2013 at 6:45pm Winner of a 2012 Peabody Award Eames: The Architect and the Painter is first film about Charles and Ray Eames since their deaths and the only film to peer inside their collaboration, their marriage and the “Renaissance studio” they created in a gritty warehouse in Venice, CA. Family members and design historians help guide the story, but it is in interviews with the junior designers swept into the “24-7” world of “The Eamery,” that a fascinatingly complex picture of this husband and wife creative team really emerges.

From Nothing, Something: A Documentary On The Creative Process

Image: Rosemary McLeod

09/5/2013 at 5:45pm 12/5/2013 at 8:00pm 15/5/2013 at 11:45am 18/5/2013 at 3:15pm

150 guests from New Zealand and around the world will appear in more than 100 events in the largest programme of writers and sessions yet presented at New Zealand’s premiere festival of literature and ideas, the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival.

From Nothing, Something profiles creative thinkers across a variety of disciplines (including architecture and design) to find the common techniques, habits and neuroses that lead to breakthrough ideas. This is a thoughtful, intimate, often funny look at the creative process - straight from the brains of some of culture’s most unique and accomplished talents.

Headed up by superstars Kate Atkinson, William Dalrymple, Sir Max Hastings, Anita Desai, Patrick Ness, Jackie Kay, Carlos Ruiz Zafon and Fleur Adcock, the event will kick off with two days of schools’ programming, a political debate on the rule of the West and the traditional storytelling gala opening, and will spread its tentacles across five days, ending with the celebration of Pacific writing legend Albert Wendt.

Featuring interviews with: Architect Preston Scott Cohen, Fashion Designers Alexa Adams and Flora Gill of Ohne Titel, Video Game Designer Jason Rohrer, Top Chefs Mary Sue Milliken & Susan Feniger, two-time Pulitzer-Winning Cartoonist Steve Breen, among many others.

Fiction, poetry, politics, food and wine, sport, conflict, science, music, travel, history, gardening, architecture and health will all feature in the wide-ranging programme.

“A Festival is a chance to immerse yourself in a diverse range of experiences – writers you know, writers you don’t, familiar subject matter and new worlds, thought-provoking ideas and sheer fun and this year’s programme is designed to do all of that in spades. There is something for everyone in this unmissable event,” says Festival Director Anne O’Brien.

Alongside the usual in conversation and discussion formats, and the debate which will feature internationals Pankaj Mishra (India) and Sylvia Nasar (Germany / US) with Dalrymple and Hastings, this year the Festival introduces two small musical concerts.

There will also be a free book valuing event; live playwriting in the Aotea Centre foyer; two days of sessions at the Auckland Art Gallery; a cricket lunch with Australian cricket writer Gideon Haigh; and three free readings sessions each day bringing together New Zealand and international writers around themes.

The Auckland Writers & Readers Festival takes place 15-19 May in and around the Aotea Centre in Auckland.

Further information is available at www.writersfestival.co.nz

MAY 2013

AUCKLAND FESTIVAL OF PHOTOGRAPHY 30 May -21 June The 10th annual Auckland Festival of Photography rolls out across the Auckland region again in May - June , with over 90 free photography exhibitions and events in a selected Signature and open-access Fringe programme. Amongst the highlights in this year’s Signature programme is the Annual Fine Arts Commission exhibition at the Wynyard Quarter at Silo 7 by Jeniffer Mason from 4 June to 21 June.

Alongside Mason’s work the theatrical images of 56 ethnic groups in “Features of China” by Shanghai photographer Chen Haiwen, taken on a road trip around the whole of China is being exhibited at Aotea Center Gallery, as part of a partnership and cultural exhibition exchange with the Pingyao International Photography Festival.

While at Northart is the Festival’s first portfolio reviews by a expert panel including Ron Brownson, Harvey Benge, Marie Shannan and Dieneke Jansen on 8 June.

Following the success of last year’s Talking Culture series, this year’s Symposium is on June 1 & 2 at the Auckland Art Gallery Auditorium focuses on the issue of Response to natural disasters through photography.

This two-day event features speakers Kit Wise (Aus), Fofoga Setoga Tuala (Samoa), Michel Varisco (US) as well as Australian photographers Giles Crook and World Press Photo winner Andrew Quilty. Along with NZ photograhers Allan McDonald and Richard Mahoney who focus on post Christchurch earthquake building restoration. Plus our exhibition circuit of those shows opening on the Festival Tuesday Circuit on 4th June.

The Nikon Auckland Photo Day competition on 8 June gives photographers just 24 hours to capture their city in a single photo. Groups, individuals, families, children and anyone who has access to a camera is encouraged to take the scenes, people and places that reflect their vision of Auckland region on this day. Get ready to shoot!

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LOVE EVOLUTION In 1881, getting married at age 13 was normal. Mum and Dad picked your mate. It was all very straightforward. Love is about reproduction and necessity. Take this actual ad from a newspaper in the mid-1880s, “Any gal that got a bed, calico dress, coffee pot and frying pan, and knows how to take care of children can have my services till death do us part.” Charming.

Now take the1950’s. The 20th century introduces romance and a special thing called, “a date”. Forget your parents arranging your marriage with Faye Fertile from the Village of Piha. You’re expected to do your own wooing, and as we all know, that can be hard work. Maybe that’s why things will veer off in the most unexpected and science fiction direction yet.

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the computer. It will change most everything about the way you conduct life, and that includes meeting someone special. The world wide web is at your fingertips, which for singles means a VIP pass to world’s biggest pick-up bar . . . but there’s a catch. As fabulous as internet dating is, it can also be very un-fabulous. The Net can be a breeding ground for deceit. Careers can be changed, body types reconstructed and lives re-written all with a few simple key strokes. It’s a liar’s paradise, and it’s hard to call a bluff with no one sitting across the table.

And so of course we’ve reached the turning point. Many are breaking up with the internet. Singles have retreated from love websites and entered the real world again where they can learn so much from a touch or smell, but the 21st century wouldn’t dream of being as boring as to not offer a new rung on the dating ladder.

We are the dating agency generation and that’s where we come in. My name is Sasha Madarasz and I run Two’s Company – an Introduction Agency for busy singles. Clients chose us because they would rather die than have their photo on the internet and hate the thought of a group event where they might bump into a colleague, client or neighbour. We meet, we talk, we let you know if we have the right people to introduce you to and then you can walk away and make your own decision in your own time.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but for now, it’s safe to say singles have many options. If you’re single and not meeting the right single people, give me a call. It’s so 2013.

For more information about Two’s Company visit our website www.twoscompany.co.nz or email sasha@twoscompany.co.nz.

Sasha Madarasz 0800-021-522 sasha@twoscompany.co.nz www.twoscompany.co.nz

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Book Reviews Contributor: Doris of Arcadia Books

1. SQUARE METRE GARDENING

4. THE PUPPET BOY OF WARSAW

Mel Bartholomew

Eva Weaver

If you have just dusted off your gardening tools and put away the bean poles for another year then you might want to put your feet up and read about how to grow all the vegetables you and your family can eat from a space of just a square metre of garden. This book has sold over two million copies and is packed with easy to follow advice on planting and harvesting and much more. Cost effective and taking only ten minutes a day this has to be the new gardening revolution and perfect for those city dwellers who lust after home grown produce.

The Puppet Boy of Warsaw is a debut novel that tells a magical tale of a young boy and his fight to survive during and after the Second World War. The story is told by Mika - a boy from the ghetto who inherits his beloved grandfather’s overcoat and the secrets it holds. Heart-stoppingly sad and ultimately uplifting the author takes you to the very heart of human survival when all seems lost. This is a book a dark time in our history - that can be read and discussed by book groups or just left to the individual reader to absorb and digest. Eva Weaver is German and lives in England where she is an art therapist- The Puppet Boy of Warsaw is her first novel.

2. SO FAR

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David Trubridge A designer with an international reputation who has made his home in Hawkes Bay New Zealand, David Trubridge is most probably most well known for his iconic “Raft “ furniture.

So Far tells his story, from his first workshop and learning about wood to his adventures crossing the world with his family by boat to settle in New Zealand and of course the development of his environmentally sustainable work practices for which he is now world famous. The book is lavishly illustrated so the reader can enjoy the best of both worlds, a thoroughly fascinating story, well told, wrapped up in a beautifully produced package. A definite for the coffee table stash.

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3. PARIS Edward Rutherfurd Famous and well loved for his bestselling novels, Sarum, Russka, London, Dublin and more, a new major book from Edward Rutherfurd is always eagerly anticipated.

His latest - Paris, hot off the press, lives up to all expectations and delivers a story packed with character and atmosphere.

From the very beginnings of the city as a small trading post to the wonderful cosmopolitan place it is today the story of Paris is told through the generations of four families and their fortunes and misfortunes. Edward Rutherfurd will be a guest speaker at the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival in May. Arcadia Bookshop 26 Osborne Street, Newmarket (09) 522 5211 www.arcadiabookshop.co.nz

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MAY 2013

Coming up at the Movies SHOPPING New Zealand, 1981: muscle cars, racial tensions and a thieving bird all inform the small town life of brothers Willie and Solomon.

After a chance encounter with charismatic thief Bennie and his close- knit gang of “shoppers”, Willie is seduced into a criminal world that allows him to escape mounting tensions with his volatile father. But as Bennie’s hold over him grows, Willie finds himself in over his head; and when Solomon is left to fend for himself at home, Willie’s two worlds collide with shattering consequences.

Directed by Mark Albiston & Louis Sutherland Starring: Kevin Paulo, Julian Dennison, Jacek Koman, Alistair Browning Runtime: 98 minutes | Rated Rated R16 Violence, offensive language and drug use

IN CINEMAS APRIL MAY 30TH

SONG FOR MARION A feel-good, heartwarming story about how music can inspire you. Grumpy pensioner Arthur can’t understand why his wife Marion would want to embarrass herself singing silly songs with her unconventional local choir. But choir director Elizabeth sees something special in the reluctant Arthur and refuses to give up on him. As she coaxes him out of his shell, Arthur realizes that it is never too late to change and, aged 70, Arthur finally dares to unlock his emotions and reach out to his estranged son, James.

Directed by Paul Andrew Williams Starring: Terence Stamp, Vanessa Redgrave, Gemma Arterton Runtime: 93 minutes | Rating: PG Coarse language and sexual references

IN CINEMAS MAY 9TH

THE HUNT Lucas (Mads Mikkelsen) is beloved by his students and fellow teachers at his local kindergarten. After a divorce, made especially painful when his wife moved away from town with their teenage son, Marcus, Lucas’ life is recovering with a new girlfriend, and the reforging of his relationship with Marcus. His world comes crashing down, however, when a young girl in his class accuses him of inappropriate behaviour.

It’s a simple lie that spirals out of control and the small community suddenly finds itself in a collective state of hysteria. Long-held friendships are tested as mistrust takes hold, and Lucas must summon all his strength in a brave fight for his life and dignity.

Directed by Thomas Vinterberg Starring: Mads Mikkelsen Runtime: 115 minutes | Rated: R16 Violence and sex scenes

IN CINEMAS JUNE 13TH

THE OTHER SON As he is preparing to join the Israeli army for his national service, Joseph discovers he is not his parents’ biological son, and that he was inadvertently switched at birth with Yassin, the son of a Palestinian family from the West Bank. This revelation turns the lives of these two families upside-down, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, their values and their beliefs.

Directed by Lorraine Levy Starring: Emmanuelle Devos, Pascal Elbe and Jules Sitruk Runtime: 95 minutes | Rating: M Violence, offensive language and drug use

IN CINEMAS JUNE 13TH

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HOME

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01. Jill Tuck Hilton Chair in Cramond velvet $2,900 02. Jill Tuck Ogee feather filled silk cushion $217.00 03. Jill Tuck Liberte feather filled cushion $148.90

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04. Jill Tuck Onya personalised Cat cushion in washable velvet $185 05. Allium Spencer & Rutherford Lorraine Bag Limited Edition $525

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06. The Wool Company NZ Made Merino Possum Curve Pattern Scarf $69 Chic French Blue Textured Beret $39 Long Wrist warmers $39 07. The Wool Company Merino Possum Anyway Wrap in berry $179 moss cap berry $45 long wrist warmers $39

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08. Allium Rob Ryan Vase $79.90 09. Allium NZ made Kio Kio body products $18.20 - $52.90

Allium Interiors 11 Teed St, Newmarket www.allium.co.nz 09 524 4242 Jill Tuck 11a MacMurray Road, Remuera www.jilltuck.co.nz 09 522 4863 The Wool Company www.thewoolcompany.co.nz 0800 60 70 10

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MAY 2013

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CHEMICAL-FREE MATTRESS CLEANING AND SANITISATION Have you heard the one about our mattresses doubling in size over the course of ten years due to dust mite debris and skin cells?

Urban myth or the truth?

Gross though it may seem, it’s a fact.

Over the course of just ten years, your mattress could double in weight because of the accumulation of dust mite debris (and let’s be real here: dust mite poop), your dead skin cells, moisture, mould, fungus, etc.

Did you know a single dust mite produces about 20 waste droppings each day, each containing a protein to which many people are allergic. Yuck! And what is worse is that almost certainly there are over a million dust mites living in the mattress you will sleep on tonight, not to mention your pillows, the duvet etc.

Just thinking of these dust mites living in your sanctuary of rest, in their droves, eating your dead skin and hair is enough to make you sick (literally and figuratively), especially vulnerable individuals, like your children or your elderly parents and grandparents.

So how do you ensure your child is raised in fresh healthy living environment when dust mites and bacteria can fully populate your bed’s within six months of purchase?

Fortunately there is an answer: CleanBed. They have a solution that will spruce up your beds and get rid of the dust mites. Using the latest chemical free technologies to deep clean your bed and get rid of the nasties, CleanBed’s services are essential for asthma and allergy sufferers, but a great idea for anyone concerned with healthy living CleanBed controls dustmites by •

Giving the mattress and bedding a real heavy-duty vacuum, which vibrates and shakes as much of the dry debris as possible out of the mattress. It also has a germicidal U.V. function.

•

Steam at 120°C is used to kill remaining mites. The fine steam particles penetrate deep into the mattress, and the mattress is left almost dry.

•

This step is optional and includes the use of an antimicrobial which kills bacteria, moulds and spores for future protection

The great thing about CleanBed is they ensure that your bed is a healthy place to be. And not only your beds, they can make your carpet, curtains, sofas and strollers healthy environments for your family too.

Contact CleanBed to get an easybreathing, fresh sleep for yourself and your family.

www.cleanbed.co.nz Phone: 0508 20 40 60 Email: info@ecotize.co.nz

www.metrogas.co.nz | 0800 METROGAS

LPG DELIVERY 9KG + Why do it yourself when we deliver?

LPG cylinders exchanged at your doorstep. 9kg LPG cylinders and larger, from only $35 delivered to your home or business.

Verve special - 10% discount - use Promo Code ‘Verve01‘ Offer valid to 30 June 2013, one order at discounted rate per customer only.

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Hot Right Now Words: Inger-Lisa Hurst

1. FOOD TRUCK GARAGE

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If you enjoyed the television series The Food Truck – which featured chef Mike Van de Elzen travelling the country proving to New Zealanders that fast food can be healthy and tasty – then you are going to love his new fast food restaurant. Opening to the public on 1 May, the Food Truck Garage will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week and is located in the popular and rapidly growing City Works Depot in Auckland. “This is a chance to come and try my take on fast food and see that healthy food really is also tasty food!” says Van de Elzen.

For more information visit foodtruckgarage.co.nz Photo by Lance Wordsworth

2. BRON ALEXANDER

Hamilton-based freelance graphic designer, Bron Alexander creates stunning illustrations straight from the heart. With each illustration telling their own story, Alexander pays homage to admired New Zealand artists, celebrates the uniqueness of Maori language, creates pretty Babushka dolls and uses colour schemes inspired by her favourite childhood memories. “They each have their own story,” says Alexander. “My illustrations are an extension of my self. They often represent things in my life that I love.”

100 per cent created and manufactured in Hamilton, Alexander’s cards and prints are the perfect gift for that someone special – or even better, yourself!

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For more information visit bronalexander.bigcartel.com Photo by Bron Alexander

3. FERMENTED FOODS

While fermented foods have been around for centuries in some cultures, in ours the benefits of cultured vegetables are only just being celebrated – bringing with it a massive following.

The perfect accompaniment for a variety of meals from salads to sausages, the fermentation process these foods undergo boosts natural enzymes and good bacterias and allows sugars and starches to be broken down, which means by adding a spoonful to your meal you are automatically stimulating proper digestion and assisting your body to better absorb natural vitamins and minerals.

A range of delicious cultured products are available to purchase including sauerkraut, kimchi and kefir products – or just make your own! Pop into your local health store for more information.

4. FELLOW LAMP BY Y.S COLLECTIVE

The gorgeous Fellow lamp was created for character.

Designed by Sam Griffin of the contemporary Taurangabased design company Y.S Collective, this cute desk lamp consists of a spun aluminum reflector propped up by a tripod of hand turned American Ash legs.

Fellow is available in matte black or in high-gloss white and measures 500mm high – a perfect desk companion for those grey winter days spent behind the computer.

For more information visit yscollective.com Photo by Y.S Collective

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MAY 2013

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SIGURD RESSELL’S FALCON CHAIR The Falcon chair with its hammockstyle floating seat, is a collectable design classic from the 1970s. It was designed by Sigurd Ressell, who was born in Norway in 1920 and discovered in the 1960s by Niels Vodder - one of Denmark’s leading designers.

Buying Guide •

Check the quality of the leather.

Ideally, it should show a good patina without being dry and cracked and have an even colour throughout.

We love the Falcon chair for its laidback look and comfort. The cushion, sling and frame flex, making the chairs unbelievably comfortable.

•

Examine the corner leather straps carefully as these are usually the first things to show signs of wear. They can be repaired or replaced, but it’s expensive.

•

The chairs were manufactured by Vatne Mobler and genuine originals will have a black and silver Vatne Mobler sticker on one of the legs.

The leather chairs are available in a variety of colours but the most common are black, chocolate or tan. There are a few different designs in the market – low back, high back, spider shaped bases, chairs with arms. Our favourite is the original.

Early editions were made with a chrome base but were discontinued (circa 1974) and replaced with bent rosewood and lightwood frames. Matching footstools and coffee tables are also available.

If you’re in the market for an original Falcon chair here’s what to look out for:

•

Check for any rips and tears.

•

Check the angle of the frame to the floor as copies often have the wrong shape and won’t sit as flat to the floor.

•

Good quality Falcon chairs are hard to find and you’ll pay more for the rarer chrome and high-backed versions.

Karakter stocks and sources a selection of genuine Falcon chairs from Europe and a beautiful chrome chair is coming in our next shipment.

Karakter – Original mid-century furniture Geyser Building, Suite G03 Garfield Street entrance,100 Parnell Road, Parnell T. (09) 550 8749 | www.karakter.co.nz See Karakter’s ad in Verve’s Market Place on pg.96

Call the Window Design Interiors team today!

As the days grow shorter, and the evenings cooler, Autumn is the perfect time for an interior facelift!

Let Window Design Interiors help with this transformation.

Our new showroom display has incorporated the latest colours, designs and textures.

Deep plums, teals, mustards and raspberries.

Don’t let the cold get you down this Winter!

We manufacture soft furnishings ...

Drapery, Headboards, Cushions and everything in between!

All are custom made to suit your style, décor and budget.

Make an appointment today, with one of our Interior Designer consultants, we will guide you through the selection process.

Our showroom is open to the public from Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4:30pm.

Our displays are constantly changing, to keep you inspired and excited.

130 Marua Road, Ellerslie, Auckland 525 1675

www.windowdesigninteriors.co.nz

MAY 2013

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FOOD 4 THOUGHT

Fair Chocolate, Chocolate Fair!

Trade Aid, Newmarket, will be holding a ‘Chocolate Party’ to mark World FairTrade Day on Saturday 11th May. Hot chocolate, brownies, chocolate samples and free recipe booklets will be sure to please shopping chocoholics along Broadway on the 11th.

It’s a celebration of the win-win aspects of fairtrade that highlights the links between New Zealand consumers and the talented producers in developing countries, Come and try some of the exciting Fairtrade food lines and the testers for the new chocolate range, initially based on 70 per cent chocolate with flavours like Sri Lankan Spice, Salted Toffee, Palestinian Almond and Mint Crisp, which will be in store soon.

Trade Aid: 370 Broadway, Newmarket

Join our Chocolate Party at the Trade Aid shop, on Saturday 11 May World Fair Trade Day

A RECIPE FROM TRADE AID:

Chocolate Truffles INGREDIENTS 350g Trade Aid chocolate 200g butter ¼ Kahlua or other coffee liqueur - or 3tsp Trade Aid black coffee 3 cups icing sugar Trade Aid cocoa powder for rolling

METHOD Melt chocolate and butter together in microwave on medium for 4 minutes. Stir in liqueur (or coffee) until well combined. Chill in fridge until firm enough to roll. Roll into balls and freeze until very firm. Dip in sifted cocoa powder.

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FEEL MARVELLOUS FOR MOTHER’S DAY This is a day for you to take time and reflect on yourself and the changes in your body shape and energy levels.

2.

Plan your own lunch and snacks along with your kids, even if you are a stay-at-home mum.

Stress and busy lives can find mums falling into a number of nutritional mishaps. Often they run around in the morning feeding the kid’s breakfast but not themselves, packing lunches but not organising their own meals, grazing on the kid’s halfeaten lunches after school or getting tired and hungry and grabbing high-sugar snacks before cooking dinner. Life is hectic and what makes it harder is when we don’t eat properly. This can cause blood sugar levels to go up and down all day long and lead to increased levels of emotional stress as we juggle kids and life in general. “We don’t always realise that it’s not what we are eating, it’s what we are not eating’’ says Gwyn, busy mum of three. “I thought I could get away with having a coffee in the morning and graze throughout the day, having Kate teach me about all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants I was missing out on was astonishing. Getting me back into a healthy routine of looking after myself with balanced meals and exercise, meant I had more energy to spend on my family and doing less emotional eating”. For many mums this can lead to easier weight loss especially around the middle section, due to less stress, stable sugar levels and a healthy thyroid.

3.

Sugar and refined carbohydrates are not your friend when feeling stressed, resist and choose a piece of fruit, sliced veges or a high-protein snack instead.

Spoil yourself or your mum this Mother’s Day with a consultation and tailored nutrition plan to help reach energy and body-shape goals! Only $99 for the month of May!

THREE TOP TIPS FOR LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF 1.

Take moments throughout the day to take some deep breaths, this calms the nervous system down and helps you make rational decisions (especially in regards to food choices!)

Kate Walker is a nutritional and wellness consultant at Liz K Transformation studio.

For confidence, direction, accountability and support in dietary and food habits to help reach your goals, contact Kate Walker at the Liz K Transformation Studio on 379 -2706 or kate@lizk. co.nz. Please refer to her ad in Verve’s Market Place on page 95

ACTIVITY PACK

COOK IT. SHARE IT. LIVE IT.

GET INVOLVED FRIDAY 17 MAY 2013

A GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION AIMED TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO GET COOKING AND CHAMPION BETTER FOOD SKILLS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.FOODREVOLUTIONDAY.COM

MAY 2013

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THE BOTTLE-O As an independent business owner and liquor retailer, it is becoming more difficult to compete and maintain a quality and competitive offer in the New Zealand market. To ensure that we can deliver a great retail experience and drive a competitive offer without compromising on quality, we decided to join “The Bottle-O’, a national broad-range retail liquor group.

Becoming part of The Bottle-O group means that we have the ability to access a huge range of quality products, more promotions and in turn, better buying power. This means that we get to pass on all of these great benefits to you – our local customers. We also have the autonomy to stock what you require, so please be sure to let us know if there is anything in particular you would like us to range.

WORKING FOR THE RICH Words: Inger-Lisa Hurst

When Downton Abbey first premiered on our television screens in 2011, we were given a somewhat dramatic introduction to the lives of butlers and house staff as they silently watched the lives of their wealthy aristocratic employers unfold.

Being part of the new Bottle-O group also confirms our commitment to deliver genuine value to all our local customers. This is part of our new brand promise. It’s all about recognising our local community, and working hard to make sure you get a fair deal, every time you visit our store.

The Bottle-O is a true independently owned and operated New Zealand retail liquor store and we want to make sure you feel welcome every time you step through our door.

Remember our promise, and we look forward to see you shopping in our exciting new store.

While less common in New Zealand, butlers are still in hot demand in Australia, Britain, the United States, Middle East and Caribbean; with the UK paper The Independent claiming that there is currently an “unprecedented renaissance” in the art of “butling.” As a result there are a number of butler training schools and programmes popping up around the globe due to the serious shortage of skilled applicants in what has been termed a “butler boom.” In response to the rapid growth in demand, City & Guild (a worldwide organisation developing vocational qualifications to meet the needs of the workplace) is launching Britain’s first accredited qualification for butlers in conjunction with Buckingham Palace.

Phone (09) 526 4134 Now in Ellerslie at 23 Kalmia Street Easy access from Greenlane (Great South Road) and Tecoma Street off-ramp. (Used to be Hops and Grapes).

While butlers today are more likely to be called a “household manager” and less likely to be expected to wear white ties and tails, they are still required to carry out similar jobs to the traditional butler such as preparing the house, setting the fire, getting the newspapers, taking the children to school, organising property maintenance, preparing meals and laying out clothes for the family.

EACH VALUED AT OVER RRP $21.99

Australian butler Simon McInerey told the Sydney Morning Herald that a significant difference in the job today is that the wealthy tend to be more self-sufficient than the days of Downton Abbey. Households who have staff tend to keep the fact relatively private and the relationship is more low-key.

Good luck!

High-quality staff are in fierce demand to work in famous households such as that of the Beckham’s and Sean “Puffy” Combs or for the more media-shy dotcom millionaires and Russian oligarchs, who in turn offer top dollar for suitable assistance with wages in the UK starting on £30,000 and going up to £100,000 for experienced managers. Numerous perks also come with the territory including free accommodation, food, healthcare and vehicles.

WITH WITH VERVE & BOTTLE-O UP 4 GRABS: SIX BOTTLES OF WINE

Interested?

To enter is easy. Simply go to www.vervemagazine.co.nz and click on the competitions tab.

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SERVICED APARTMENTS

YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

For business or leisure, for family or guests, you can be confident with Quest whether for one night, one week or longer.

Planning renovations or alterations which may necessitate your leaving your house for a while but need to keep the family routines going?

You would be welcome at Quest Newmarket. With both 2 and 3 bedroom apartments we can accommodate most families.

QUEST PARNELL

8 Heather St, Parnell Ph 337 0804 reservations@questparnell.co.nz www.questparnell.co.nz

Parnell

QUEST NEWMARKET 31-39 Davis Cr, Newmarket Ph 520 3000 host@questnewmarket.co.nz www.questnewmarket.co.nz

Newmarket

Quest Parnell offers studios, one and two bedroom (two bathroom) self contained apartments along with an on-site heated lap pool and gymnasium.

• Perfect location just off Parnell Road • Over 50 restaurants and cafés within walking distance • Kitchen and Laundry facilities in all apartments • Secure undercover parking • Group accommodation for friends and families of wedding parties home away •Your Sky Guest Select offering 50+ from channels. home

Quest Serviced Apartments For business or leisure, for family or guests, you can be confident with Quest whether it’s for a night, a week or longer.

Guests can have complimentary access to Next Generation Spa (limited access cards available)

Quest Carlaw Park: Studio, 1 bedroom and luxury 2 bedroom penthouse apartments for 1 night, 2 weeks, 3 months or longer!

• Onsite Café, Italian & Japanese Restaurants • Secure undercover parking • Full kitchen and laundry facilities in all apartments • Room service dinner (delivery) Visit our website for more information

Quest Carlaw Park (opened January 09) Studio, 1 bedroom & luxury 2 bedroom penthouse apartments for 1 night, 2 weeks, 3 months or even longer!

• Onsite Café, Italian & Japanese Restaurants • Secure undercover parking • Full kitchen & laundry facilities in all apartments • Room service dinner (delivery) Visit our website for more information Quest Carlaw Park

Quest Newmarket

QUEST CARLAW PARK 15 Nicholls Lane, Carlaw Park, Parnell Ph 304 0521 host@questcarlawpark.co.nz www.questcarlawpark.co.nz

Carlaw Park

MAY 2013

TE PA

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Down in Marlborough when people mention a Big Mac mostly they are referring to that burger from that place. But, sometimes, they are talking about a guy called Haysley. Haysley MacDonald is a gentle giant sort of bloke but also a quiet achiever. Haysley and his family have lived on the Wairau Bar for a long time and no the Wairau Bar is not some pub on the North Shore. The Wairau Bar is on the coast in Marlborough and is a long gravel bank formed where the Wairau River meets the sea. It is sort of like an island and it is proving itself to be a great place to grow grapes.

Three or four generations of the MacDonald whanau have been making things happen in Marlborough, from railways to retail, farming and fishing and now growing grapes and making award winning wines. These wines are called te Pa. Te Pa is different. Over the years dozens of wineries have appeared on the scene in New Zealand. All of them talk about having a vision and a story. Some even have really flash PR companies. At te Pa it is simply about family history, the love of the land and the ability to extract the best from it. Or as Haysley puts it “At the end of the day we’re just caretakers of the land, for the next generation”.

Are the wines any good? Yip. But come and try them for yourselves. There is a Sauvignon Blanc (of course) and Pinot Gris and a Pinot Noir. We will be tasting them all at Glengarry Newmarket on Friday 17th May at 22 Morrow St between 2pm and 6pm.

Glengarry Newmarket, 22 Morrow Street. Phone 524 5789.

FREE PARKING.

TE PÃ PINOT NOIR 2011

NOW $27.99

TE PÃ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2012 TE PÃ PINOT GRIS 2012

NOW $19.99 NOW $19.99

*PRICES VALID UNTIL 02/06/13 OR WHILE STOCKS LAST

0800 733 505

SALES@GLENGARRY.CO.NZ

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Gwinganna: My Lifestyle Retreat Words: F Harrison

“For the rest of your life, Gwinganna truly does offer the ultimate break from a world gone mad and a chance to re-set the balance on a number of different levels by going walkabout in the Australian bush.”

Day 1

I have only been here for a few hours and already I love this place. Gwinganna is a quick half hour’s drive from Gold Coast Airport, up a long steep driveway through thickly wooded landscape. I could almost sense the shift in energy as we drove through the entry point. After a healthy snack of herb tea and wholemeal salad wraps, guests were welcomed (quite a few are on their second or third visit), and then there was an orientation programme, during which time I was shown my gorgeous room - one of the Orchard suites, a sort of reclaimed timber loft style design, leading onto a wide open veranda style deck that overlooks sloping lawns, a huge variety of trees, fruit, nut and other, and home to a bunch of gentle looking red-necked wallabies that lope off lazily if you get a little too close.

Meals are served in a stylish dining area with views that stretch across the pool deck and onto a thickly wooded mountain slope, with bits of the Gold Coast visible in the distance in-between the trees. Tonight there were about 57 of us sat round 8 tables. Everyone made an effort to chat to his or her neighbour; noone stood on ceremony. The food was amazing, fresh, flavoursome and healthy. (No wine and no salt mind you – somehow I did not miss either).

Technology is not encouraged at Gwinganna – so in its absence I have decided to record my stay each night in diary format with good old-fashioned pen and paper. In this way I will be able to share my 3-day chill-out weekend with Verve readers.

Day 2

Today the programme began in earnest. At Gwinganna, our own internal body clocks are taken seriously with activities geared to fit in with the circadian rhythm: We rise with the sun and retire when it’s dark, hence around 5.30 am each day, we are woken with a gentle knock. First activity on the menu is all about movement, breathing and awareness with a gentle session of Qi Gong in the Pavilion. Nothing is compulsory, though guests are encouraged to participate and to get involved.

Next, three staff members presented us with our pre-breakfast options. Activities varied from strenuous to those that are less physically demanding. We could choose from a water activity (in one of two heated infinity pools), a gentle walk or more strenuous hike. I went for the hike up to the yoga deck. Exhilarating and vigorous but quite achievable as we stopped regularly to catch our breath: “interval training” as our guide Karl, explained to us. The view from the yoga deck is amazing, fringed by tall, swaying gum trees that whisper in the wind, and stretching out all the way from Moreton Bay to Coolangatta. I found the ancient majesty, sheer strength and natural beauty of this land humbling, and demanding of my respect.

The staff are wonderful, all premium, talented people – and more than qualified to do their jobs, from fitness instruction to catering, to spa and wellness therapies, each person has something special and unique to offer. They are generous and giving of their time and knowledge, and nothing seems too much trouble.

By 8am we were all hanging out for breakfast, and were not disappointed.

Healthy, organic and delicious. I can already feel the benefits my body is deriving from such smart nutrition.

After breakfast there are more activities.

Movement is a big part of Gwinganna’s curriculum, and whether you are into boxing or belly dancing, there is something for everyone, from yoga, spinning, aquatraining, tennis, running, swimming, sessions in the state of the art gym and so much more. By morning tea I felt totally invigorated, virtuous (having had so much exercise) and happy (having had so much fun). Next up was a lecture on neuroplasticity presented by Sharon Kolkka – Gwinganna’s GM, a subject close to my heart…. the basic message was manage your mind, manage your body. Her presentation was spot on, loved it.

After lunch came “dreamtime” singing serenity into my world. Wide open and unstructured, the afternoons are pure indulgence, and can be spent by the pool, reading a book or simply napping in the sun.

Mixed in with “dreamtime” is spa time.

The Gwinganna Spa Sanctuary is the largest in the southern hemisphere with 33 custom-designed treatment rooms.

The construction is spacious and organic (lots of copper, wood and stone) – and mirrors the natural tree-rich environment in which is firmly embedded. It breathes new life into whoever walks into its nurturing embrace. Sitting in the waiting area, all togged down to a soft white gown and thongs, it felt as if I was sitting in a nurturing affectionate embrace.

MAY 2013

This is a world in which one happily surrenders the body and mind to the team of experienced and gifted therapists who offer the most comprehensive range of massage and specialty treatments I have ever seen; there are therapies like Sound and Stone, Rockupuncture, Tribal Dreaming and Lotus Lullaby, or physical treatments like CHEK (corrective, holistic, exercise, kinesiology), and wellness therapies, such as Holistic Iridology. There are also emotional and stress management sessions like Mind Medicine, and Transformational Therapy, which addresses old patterns of behaviour and repeated situations that may be affecting your enjoyment of life. The menu item called Wild and Wise is recommended for women and men in transition who wish to be re-inspired and deepen their sense of faith, trust and hope in themselves, life and all it has to offer.

Tarot Card Readings, Numerology, and heaps more. Truly mind boggling in the very best of ways.

amazed at how much I enjoyed it. We sat on round floor-cushions, candlelight gently illuminated the rounded pressed ceiling above and was reflected in the old stained glass windows, while we sang to music by Deva Premal.

Before dinner-time yet another activity was on offer. Calming and beautiful – we gathered in the church to chant‌. I was

Perhaps the most extraordinary experience of my stay, however, was the Equine Experience with Sue Spence and

After dinner, guests retired to their rooms, pleasantly exhausted by a spectacular Gwinganna day.

Day 3

Today the order of the day was much the same as yesterday. I wanted to choose experiences that were new and different to things I can do at home, so pre-breakfast went on a nature walk with John Palmer. Our guide was one of the most entertaining men I have met in a long while. Recipient of the Order of Australia medal for services to the environment (in 2000), I found him to be amusing and deeply credible as he taught us all about Gwinganna, the land, its flora and fauna. People cannot help loving this man.

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horse Stevie, aimed at enabling guests to experience and understand their emotional energy through interaction with a horse.

Working individually with each one of us (six in the group), Sue coached us into gaining a deeper understanding of how we communicate and react to situations and how small improvements can add a magnitude of confidence and self-respect both in and out of the workplace. During the 4 hours we spent together, Sue devoted herself to helping each one of us develop healthy communication and body language skills and emotional control (helping turn aggression or anxiety into calm assertiveness).

At dinner tonight, as it was a Saturday, we were spoilt with a soupcon of organic wine, red or white. Maybe it was the wine, maybe the excellent cuisine, or a combination of both that gave an atmosphere of celebration, guests (each person so different from the next) sharing stories about their day, their families and their lives outside Gwinganna. I went to bed on a high note.

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JOURNEYS

Day 4

Today was as usual till morning tea. Those that were leaving then packed up and checked out. Those who had arrived in their own transport were free to leave whenever. Quite a few of us had flown into Gold Coast airport and had to wait till after lunch for the courtesy airport shuttle. Many last minute purchases were made from The Store, which is located in a beautifully restored heritage building. Offering leisure and active-wear, accessories, books, CDs, gifts, skincare, organic foods and other products, this is a shopping experience not to be missed.

I spied many happy shoppers leaving with the Gwinganna Cookbook (the version aimed at cooking for children was particularly popular), as well as their delicious signature muesli. And for those that wished to give their purchase a bit more thought there is the online web shop – located at www.gwinganna.com/thestore.

I left rich in the knowledge that for the rest of my life Gwinganna will be there offering me the ultimate break whenever I need it.

VERVE READER SPECIAL

15% off Orchard Suites for stays until 27 July 2013* *Some conditions apply

Gwinganna is located in the Tallebudgera Valley, less than 30 minutes from the Gold Coast airport and an hour from Brisbane. Packages for a 3-night stay in a double Heritage room start at just AU$1280 per person fully inclusive. Rates for a 4-night specialty retreat start at AU$1710 for a double Heritage room per person. A 3 night stay includes: • 3 nights accommodation • All organic meals and snacks • 80 minute Classic Massage • Key seminars • Access to all facilities and scheduled activities such as daily Tai Chi, plus yoga and bushwalking • Courtesy transfers from Gold Coast Airport at set times Inclusions may vary depending on package.For more details visit www.gwinganna.com.

Day visits and overnight stays are not available. Guests must be 16 years and over. This is a smoke-free environment. Organic wine is available in moderation on weekend retreats.

For bookings contact: info@gwinganna.com or phone Toll Free from NZ on 0800 000 780 or +61 7 5589 5000

RECIPES FROM GWINGANNA:

Raw Date & Almond Slice

INGREDIENTS 1 cup almonds, soaked overnight, discard water 2 cups dates, soaked for a couple of hours (1 cup for topping) 1 cup filtered water ½ cup carob powder 2 cups coconut meat or dessicated coconut

METHOD Place the soaked almonds, 1 cup of dates, filtered water and carob in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. Mix in the coconut, then press the mix into a biscuit tray, to about 1 inch thickness. Leave covered in the fridge for 2-3 hours to firm up.

For the topping: process the second cup of dates in blender with a little water until smooth like a cake icing and spread over the set mix. Sprinkle with some coconut or other nuts of your choice. Rest in the fridge, then cut into small squares to serve.

Makes 20 squares

Nutrition Info: This is heaven for your tastebuds and just as heavenly for your health. Full of fibre, calcium and magnesium plus fats that will promote a great immune response, a piece of this sweetness will become a firm favourite.

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Banana & Almond Smoothie INGREDIENTS 2 bananas 3 cups (600ml) rice milk ½ cup (50g) raw almonds, soaked 2 tsps spirulina

METHOD Blend bananas, rice milk and almonds and pour into a glass.

Mix spirulina with a little bit of filtered water and drizzle it over the top of the drink.

Makes 4

Chicken & Quinoa San Choi Bow

INGREDIENTS 700g chicken mince 1½ cups (300g) raw quinoa 375g water chestnuts, drained and chopped 1 medium to large knob ginger, chopped 2 medium hot chillies, chopped ½ cup (100ml) tamari ¼ cup (50ml) maple syrup 2 tbsps (50ml) camellia tea or macadamia nut oil 1 tbsp (20ml) sesame oil 1 tbsp potato or corn flour 15 iceberg lettuce cups, washed and trimmed 5 sprigs coriander some carrot and capsicum strips slivers of shallots as garnish

METHOD Rinse quinoa well and cook absorption method, using 1 cup quinoa to 1¾ cups water. Heat oil in wok, add mince, chillies and ginger and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly to break up any lumps. Add the tamari and maple syrup and cook further. Mix the potato or corn flour with a little water and add it to the mix to thicken it slightly and to give it some glossy appearance.

Check seasoning. Use the mix to fill the lettuce cups and garnish with sprinkles of the carrot, shallot, capsicum and coriander. Serve with sweet chilli sauce and lime wedges on the side. Makes 15 Hungry for more Gwinganna style recipes?

Check out a recipe for escabèche on the Verve website (www.vervemagazine.co.nz).

Reminiscent of Spain - this is a healthy and tasty way to serve any of our firmer fish. It is a cool fish dish served and marinated in a sweet and sour sauce.

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COVER STORY

Yunnan Province China Words and Photos: Julien Erwin

Fragrant teas, robust arabica coffee, orchids, stone forests and frozen lakes are but a few of the many delights that await travellers to Yunnan province in China.

Situated along the southwestern frontier, Yunnan has much in common with its neighbours Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos. Characterised by a rich diversity of landscapes, from the snow-covered peaks of the Tibetan highlands in the north through the central plains traversed by three of China’s major rivers – the Yangtse, Salween and the Mekong – to the volcanic plains and tropical rain forests in the south, Yunnan is home to one-third of China’s ethnic minorities. Due to its relative isolation Yunnan largely forged its own path and was little affected by the internecine wars that ravaged northern and central China for centuries.

Kunming, the capital of the province, is a laid back city even though its streets are crammed with a chaotic melee of buses, pedestrians and scooters.

Markets offer an eclectic variety of goods including pink frogs, tarantulas, canaries, swords and relics of the Cultural Revolution.

Not far from Kunming lies spectacular Shi Lin. Fossils recovered in the area indicate that Shi Lin lay under the sea some 270 years ago and, once the sea had retreated, the weather was left to work its magic on the remaining limestone seabed.

Resembling a petrified forest, the extraordinary formations have equally bizarre names such as “Everlasting Fungus” and “Wife waiting for Husband”.

The Shani people, one of many subgroups of the Yi minority who populate the southwestern area of Yunnan, live predominantly in the area surrounding Shi Lin. They are master embroiderers, and their traditional costumes are a riot of colour.

Although Yi society was largely feudal well into the twentieth century, it has well-documented histories of the ruling families and numerous dissertations on medicine and shamanism.

North of Kunming lie the charming towns of Dali and Lijiang, home to the ethnic minorities the Bai and Naxi respectively.

Within the city limits of both Dali and Lijiang the areas that were once the heart of the ancestral villages are well preserved, and the cobbled streets, small shops, market places and stone houses conjure up wonderful images of traditional life.

The Bai are mostly fishermen and farmers and market days in Dali are vibrant affairs where the locals catch up on news and trade everything from scissors to yaks. Women, particularly those of the older generation, are attired in traditional garb and different ways of tying their outer clothing denote the marital status of the wearer.

Lijiang’s old town – Dayan – has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Charming stone bridges lean over small canals, the cobbled streets are lined with the workshops of craftsmen and wooden houses and to this day men gather in the market square to play cards, chat and to show off their eagles and hawks.

The Naxi minority honour Lijiang as their spiritual capital. Very much a matriarchal society the women run the businesses and head up the families while men are relegated to whiling away their time gardening and playing music.

“Dongba” is the name for both the Naxi religion and the Naxi script. The Naxi script, consisting of over 1,400 pictograms, is the only hieroglyphic system in use today. The Naxi religion is polytheistic and is a strange mixture of Buddhism, Tibetan Lamaism, and animist beliefs. To this day Shamans and sorcerers still preside over certain festivals and events.

Traditional clothing is still prevalent amongst the older generation and the design and colouring of their beautiful shawls represent elements of nature such stars, daylight and the eyes of a frog.

Whether it is rice terraces, magnificent flora, deep gorges, spicy local fare or Buddhist temples that interest you, Yunnan province is an alluring and magical place with an abundance of rich and tantalizing diversity and well worth a visit.

MAY 2013

ABOUT YUNNAN PROVINCE Yunnan province, located in the southwest of China, has a population of over 5 million inhabitants.

Over one third of China’s ethnic minorities live in Yunnan.

It covers roughly 394,000 square kilometers.

The capital is Kunming.

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It has the greatest diversity of plant culture in China with over 17,000 species.

Reserves of lead, aluminium, tin and zinc are the largest in China.

Some of the most important archaeological discoveries, including Bronze Age artifacts and fragments of human teeth from approximately one to two and a half million years ago, have been uncovered in Yunnan.

Clockwise from above: Sani women in traditional dress against a background of karst mountains of the Stone Forest at Shi Lin One of the guardians of the temple of Xingjiao Temple in Shaxi The ancient Buddhist temple of Xingjiao which overlooks Sifang, the main square of Shaxi

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She Stopped Worrying and Started Living Words: Kimberley Paterson

You could call him the world’s ultimate CEO – a big picture man, a dreamer, someone unafraid to take on the establishment, an adventurer, a charismatic leader with a great sense of purpose.

morning. It gives you a zest for life. You love what you are doing and you don’t want to go home at night. There is that Ralph Waldo Emerson quote that says `work is love made visible’ and working at Virgin was like that.”

“I think a lot of characteristics people on a spiritual search seek sit within Richard Branson. That sense of adventure. Having fun. The ability to laugh at yourself, to do good for other people … the ability to get over yourself and get on with the job.

When destiny called forth a man to pioneer change and show others how to do business with heart, Richard Branson answered the call. He took a student magazine and spun it into a global empire that is now heading – literally – for the stars.

British born Caroline joined Virgin in 1992 and went on to become national account manager in the UK before being sent to start up the South African arm of the airline business with another employee in 1996. It was a glamorous life of jet-setting, parties, negotiation and deals – combined with incredible demands and pressures.

“He has had huge success, but in the early days with the student magazine and record company he had setbacks. His parents stepped in and helped him and made him learn some tough lessons.

For Caroline Ravenall he was boss for eight years.

“When you are around someone who wants to do something big in life it gives everyone a sense of purpose,” says Auckland-based Caroline, 48. “He sold half his record company to buy an airline and it was his baby. He had such drive, such passion. He wanted to make air travel better. I think when you have a very charismatic CEO who also has great resources of humility; it comes across the whole organisation.

“People recognise that sense of purpose … that you are working for something bigger than just you. It makes you look forward to getting out of bed in the

For Caroline, a type-A extremely driven perfectionist, it was an utterly compelling life and one that she worked herself to burnout pursuing. At age 35 she decided to step back and look for a life of deeper meaning. Now working as a coach/ speaker, Caroline has written a book, Stop Worrying and Start Living, about her journey from high-flying corporate executive to finding meaning through tools like mythology.

Her last interaction with Richard was in the 1990s, but she believes he’d just be the same person today. “He’s older now, in his late 60s, but the drive is still there to make a difference. He has a huge sense of adventure resident deeply within him.

“But I’d say he spent many other lifetimes working to gain wisdom … and came into this life with a special purpose that has inspired others.

“Yet Richard calls himself an atheist. He says he does not believe in god and people have yet to convince him that there is a god. He believes totally in evolution, in doing good for people.

“Rather than chasing money, he was chasing a sense of adventure, chasing how something could be.”

Journalist & author Kimberley Paterson has been writing about spirituality & inspirational change for 20+ years. www.generationspirit.com

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FOR THE BEST IN BUCKET LIST ADVENTURES

TAKE AN EXOTIC JOURNEY THROUGH BUTAN AND SEE THE “LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON.”

EMBARK ON A JOURNEY THROUGH THE RUINS OF MACHU PICCHU

WATCH THE SUNRISE FROM THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT KILIMANJARO

CLIMB ABOARD THE TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY AND RIDE FROM BEIJING TO MOSCOW

ENJOY THE CHILLING BEAUTY OF THE ANTARCTIC

SAIL ALONG A BREATHTAKING CROATIAN COAST

DO BURMA BY BIKE

For bookings look no further than Intrepid My Adventure Store – your partners in adventure travel.

0800 29 66 66 www.myadventurestore.co.nz

WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE’VE COME FROM: Who we are : We’re explorers of a modern world. We are Shackleton with a Goretex, we are Indiana Jones with an iphone. We are travellers.

Where we came from: The story started way back in 1973 on the

other side of the globe, and morfed and morfed again eventually into an adventure travel store that does the works – adventure tours plus bargain flights. Genius! This masterpiece of adventure travel has grown and grown into that which you have

before you – Intrepid My Adventure Store. Built by explorers for explorers.

What we do: We sell every adventure travel tour on the market that’s worth anything. If we don’t have it, it’s not worth having.

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PETS

HUNTING FOR THE VERY BEST IN PET NUTRITION? Raw Essentials are the raw-feeding specialists.

At Raw Essentials we have a simple philosophy for ensuring that your pet gets the best nutrition: Feeding a species-appropriate, raw meaty bone diet of the highest quality works wonders for health.

OFF-KILTER KITTIES? My cat Ronnie has anger-management issues. Just when we think he is becoming a mentally stable four-legger, settling in to our happy pet-friendly home, a disturbance will send his kitty aura reeling and bad behaviour is the final result. ‘Kitty eyes’ and ‘paddy paws’ change to kung-foo-cat for nothing more than a doggie misdemeanour, forgetting a meal, or god forbid something new taking place in our residence. We live in fear of his attacks.

The recent new arrival of Boxer grand puppy, Mako, sliding sideways through the front door has done nothing to improve Ron’s moods and it is not until he becomes critically ill, often with pus pouring out of a wound somewhere, that I have an inkling that his state of physical well being off-kilter.

As a vet I’ve always wondered if cat owners were less diligent than dog owners when it came to care of their pet, but with the feline propensity to limbic explosions using teeth and claws, along with loud nerve-rattling protests even the bravest cat owner needs to weigh up the seriousness of illness to justify the level of distress that may come with a trip to the vet.

“They think they’re the cat’s pyjamas”, 1920s lingo describing someone who presumes themselves to be stylish or special, describes all our felines because they know they are just that. I am sure cat owners would agree, most cats would also rather stay at home in bed when feeling poorly as after all 75% of illnesses will improve of their own accord with a little TLC. Beware. Cats are subtle patients though and small signs often mean big things and late arrival for care often means they present to us in dire straits. As elderly pets it is not until they are very ill, very sore, very skinny or very quiet that owners brave getting them in a cage and bringing them in which is often too little, too late.

As we shift to cooler weather, check out our Grey Paws page at www.thestrandvet.co.nz for our guide to keeping your ageing cat healthy. Don’t let the trip to the vet put you off looking after your feline friend and remember-house calls can be arranged if they just don’t want to get out of bed!

Dr Megan Alderson THE LITTLE THE STRANDCLINIC VETERINARIAN WITH 114 The Strand, Parnell A BIG HEART P: 09 377 6667 Led by Dr Megan Alderson Please see our• ad in Verve’s • Market Place onExceptional care & service page.96

• Fully equipped pet hospital • Boutique pet products 09 377 6667 114 The Strand, Parnell

TheStrand VETERINARIAN

Cats and dogs are carnivores. For thousands of years they have eaten raw prey. Their digestive systems are adapted to a diet high in moisture and protein, but low in carbohydrates. They have carnivorous teeth, designed to catch and consume prey; highly acidic stomachs for efficient protein digestion; and short intestinal tracts (plant-eaters need longer tracts).

It is only very recently in evolutionary history that our pets have made a dramatic shift to a dry, highly processed, carbohydrate-rich diet.

The benefits of a raw diet include: • Improved digestion (no more vomiting cats) • Reduced stool odour and volume • Healthy coat, skin and ears • Clean teeth – no brushing required • Support for sore joints • Better urinary health • Weight control Wild, clean, simple, unprocessed, free-ranging, natural – and grown in New Zealand: Our food is a nutrient-packed, sustainable choice.

Our experienced team of vets and nurses has helped hundreds of dogs and cats to a better level of health through good nutritional management. We offer ongoing support and advice to all our clients.

With stores in Grey Lynn, Glenfield, Ellerslie and Kumeu, we have Auckland covered.

See our website for more information www.rawessentials.co.nz

LOCAL BUSINESSMAN-CUM-BONE-A-FIDE DOG NUT OFFERS BEST DOGGY DAY CARE

ONE MAN’S MEAT IS ANOTHER CAT’S POISON When we happen upon something agreeable, or which works well for us, our tendency is to share it with those we keep close.

We shower our pets with love, often in the shape of what we enjoy ourselves.

Most of the time this sharing of common interests works well, for instance, our pets are likely to relish comfort, safety and companionship as much as we do. We know instinctively that if rat poison kills rats that it’s best not to serve it up to our pampered pooches! The distinction is not always so simple.

When we feel sore, or if our children have a fever, we often reach for paracetamol. It is not surprising then that occasionally a pet owner, with the best of intentions, attempts to ameliorate their pet’s discomfort with this drug.

Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is converted in the liver by various pathways, most of which yield inactive compounds. Dogs can tolerate paracetamol at therapeutic doses, but in cats there is no safe dose, as they have inadequate levels of an essential enzyme. Toxicity causes oxidative liver failure in dogs and humans. While liver failure occurs in cats, the oxidative process also has a profound effect on their red blood cells, leading to oxygen deprivation and anaemia. Early initiation of treatment may save a life, but generally this is a difficult condition to treat and affected cats often die.

Over time anthropomorphism has heralded many positive changes for animals, but there remains a risk of causing great harm by assuming that what is good or safe for us will be so for our pets. Think carefully next time you offer your dog some chocolate or grapes, display lilies in the house if you have a playful kitten, or dose your pet with human medication.

Verve: How did you get into the doggy daycare business?

David King: I used to take my dogs to Barkley Manor once a week and saw how happy all the dogs were enjoying the freedom to run and play in a safe environment. It was great to see them tired but so contented when I picked them up. I said to Krista (owner of Barkley) “We need something like this in the Eastern Suburbs”. It took two years of looking to find a suitable site with an outside area.

V: What do you love most about dogs?

DK: I believe dogs are the most amazing animals known to mankind. They provide us with a love that is unconditional, companionship, and a reason to get out in the fresh air. Dogs are man’s closest and oldest domestic animal. I believe a child growing up with a dog in the family becomes a better person for it. Whatever we give them and effort we put into them, they give back tenfold!

V: What do you find to be the best aspect of running The Dog Club?

DK: People who bring their dogs to us genuinely really care about them and they are such nice people to deal with. We also just love seeing the sheer delight and excitement of our dogs as they drag in their owners in the mornings. Some dog members are shy when they first start with us and hold back from integrated play with others, but this is something we work on and it’s incredible to watch their confidence grow and see them become part of The Club pack.

V: What are your plans for the future of The Dog Club?

DK: We have Jess Allsop (Training Dogs for Life) coming on board and running dog training at The Club, something we are pretty excited about. She and her team are extremely good at what they do and will be doing training here on Sundays and some weeknights. Dog-grooming and selected natural food products are other things that we would like to offer members in the future.

(DR LISA FERGUSON, BVSc CertVR) Clinical Manager: ANIMAL EMERGENCY CENTRE 97 Carrington Road, Mt Albert T: 09 849 2121 Please see our ad in Verve’s Market Place on page.97 Plants that are poisonous to dogs can be found in our homes, our yards and in the wild - here are two common examples.

Grapes and raisins: Some pets eat large amounts with no symptoms, or mild effects such as vomiting and diarrhoea, however others die of kidney failure after consuming just a small handful.

Lilies: while certain species of lily (e.g. peace lily and calla lily) can cause gastrointestinal upsets in dogs, in cats the situation is much more serious. Just a few bites of one of the more deadly species can potentially cause severe kidney disease and death in cats. Know your lily! True lilies such as easter lily, tiger lily and some species of day lily have been shown to cause kidney disease.

www.thedogclub.co.nz 09 574-5125 62B Morrin Rd, St Johns david@thedogclub.co.nz

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LOCALS

Ruth Hawes: The Locals When it comes to property, it pays to know The Locals. with sellers and buyers who are riding an emotional rollercoaster and you have to remember how hard it can be for them.

Sellers have to trust you with their biggest asset and buyers in our part of town invest hundreds of dollars in preparations for auctions only to lose a house they love - maybe for the third or fourth time. It’s a massive moment in their lives and a privilege to see them get on with the next steps. You are involved with the beginning of new chapters for people and I love that aspect of the business”

Ruth Hawes certainly doesn’t fit the stereotype of real estate agents perpetuated by television and movies; in fact she’s a very practical, straight up, warm and down-to-earth individual.

Perhaps this is why she was so thrilled to receive an award last month for being the top international sales person for Ray White across 5000 salespeople in eight countries.

“It was pretty overwhelming to tell the truth,”says Ruth “I knew we’d worked hard and that I had done well nationally but no idea the results were this good on an international scale. I was pretty ecstatic because the last time a New Zealander won it was Mum - and there’s only ever been three of us kiwi’s win in 20 years. That’s very special.”

Ruth took her sister Rachel and brother Tim up on stage with her to receive the award. Not only are they, and their mother Lesley, part of the business, but their dad Chris as well. It’s a true family affair. Although her parents are currently stepping down their role in Ray White Kingsland they have all been working together for the last seven years.

It all started with Lesley. A bit of a real estate legend nowadays, Ruth’s mum wasn’t always a businesswoman. In fact when they moved out to the Clevedon countryside from England in 1977 she did all kinds of administration jobs and even a ride-on lawn mowing round!

It wasn’t a direct and glorious ascent from administration jobs to real estate superstar – there were some large and trying hurdles along the way. An attempt at running motels in the late 80s failed miserably when the stock market crashed and the accommodation industry was a casualty.

“That was a very hard time,” says Ruth.

“Mum and Dad lost nearly everything, which makes it even more wonderful that they’ve been able to rebuild and thrive rather than ending up a sad story.”

After the crash, Lesley, Chris and Tim moved to Wellington while Rachel and Ruth stayed in Auckland. Lesley had done well at home-based sales like Avon and Herbalife and soon excelled in a role at a bank where she ended up in a selling capacity as part of her teller role. It was clear she had a gift for building business relationships; and one day a friend suggested she give up her bank job and try her hand at real estate.

With Lesley, Ruth and Chris now all in the same business, the majority of the Hawes clan were working together. It was only a matter of time before they convinced the rest of the family to join the team and in 2006 when establishing Ray White Kingsland, Rachel moved up from Wellington to add her skill set to the mix.

She heeded her friend’s advice, and did well fast. This prompted a move back to Auckland in 1995 where she joined Allens initially, then Ray White in Mt Albert and continued this stellar trajectory to the point where she was soon one of the most successful real-estate agents in Auckland.

In the meantime, Ruth had qualified as a nurse and departed on her OE for five years. “I worked as a nurse overseas and had a great time; it’s a fabulous profession and very portable in terms of travel. When I came back in 1999 I slipped easily back into a busy cardiac ward at Greenlane Hospital and into a Clinical Charge Nurse Role in 2001. It was fantastic but in 2003 after 15 years in that industry I started to get a little restless and Mum suggested I come and help her for a while.”

She joined the team in 2004 as Lesley’s PA but soon ended up selling too. “I think the skills you learn as a nurse really transfer well to a job like this. I’m so glad to have had my first career as it grounded me, gave me people and communication skills and keeps me real and honest. You don’t have to be a shark in this game and like in nursing it’s all about working out what people really need and helping them get it.”

“People say real estate can be soulless but I feel quite the opposite. You are dealing

“Rachel’s skills are perfect to complement all ours.” says Ruth. “She is the systems person. The one who makes it work on a logical, practical level. Her background working in IT and audit management has been invaluable and she runs the property management side of things entirely.”

The final piece of the puzzle was completed in 2008 when brother Tim left teaching to come and join the company. He now sells for “The Locals”, as the business has now been named, and certainly has the people skills so prevalent in the family. He is an integral member of Ruth’s team.

“It’s madness working with your family every day,” says Ruth “I love it as you can be straight up with each other but there are probably days when we can be too direct with each other!” The fact that it is a family business is definitely a factor in The Locals success. “It’s helped us weather the bad times, like the onset of the Global Financial Crisis which kept us a lot quieter for a year and taught us all never to take things for granted.” she adds.

“We’re really proud of what we’ve built together. We talk about ‘putting people first’ but that’s not just a cheesy tagline.

It’s a value that has prevailed in our home life as a family and has now flowed over into the business too. You have to think about people’s lives, needs, situations and feelings in this major purchase and if you do that, the rest will come. As Mum and Dad gradually step out and leave us to it, it will be interesting and exciting to see what the next chapter has in store for us. I can only hope it will be as rewarding and as much fun as the last 9 years have been!”

MAY 2013

Rachel Hawes

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Chats about how to avoid property ownership nightmares

Just gone 9am and The Locals™ (Ray White Kingsland) office is already humming. The delicious aroma of coffee heralds the fact that they are conveniently situated just across the road from Atomic.

Rachel Hawes welcomes me with a warm easy smile. We start talking.

Like the true professional that she is – she knows her job inside out. It quickly becomes apparent that she is deeply passionate about her role in this remarkable family business. Rachel runs the rental division at The Locals™ and when she has the time to spare – pitches in where needed. “Helping with sales,” she said, “is experience that can really add value to your rental owners.

At The Locals™ there is a lot of crossover between our sales and rental teams.”

We spoke of buying investment properties and renting them out. The conversation went something like this: Verve: When buying an investment property, what should one keep in mind?

Rachel: Look for something that is low-maintenance. Large gardens for instance are not much help and don’t really add rental value in the way they might when selling and can end up costing a lot.

Go for the home with more than one bathroom – a second bathroom and a dishwasher are just about ‘must haves’ these days.

Location is an important consideration.

Think about the demographic of renters in the area.

Purchase with capital gain in mind.

Sadly the reality these days with the ever rising property prices is that central/city fringe rents have not yet caught up.

If you are looking at an apartment factor in the body corporate fees, rental returns can sound better than they really are.

V: Do you have some tips on how best to look after your investment property?

R: Make sure that it does not deteriorate, but appreciates. Treat it like a business - property is a big investment. Plan for upkeep, put money aside and do work regularly

Above, left to right: Sandy, Lorraine, Caroline and Rachel

and between tenancies to keep the standard up. Good tenants are looking for a home not a ‘flat’.

Choose the right tenants – it sounds so easy but tenant selection is critical. Get this step right and the rest generally happens in a straightforward manner. If done well, there is an incredible amount of work and time involved in the process of renting out a property and checking tenants. Experience counts for a lot so getting a professional involved in the process will pay dividends.

V: What does the rental manager do?

R: Gosh where to start! In a nutshell - everything - from advertising the property, to selecting the tenants, inspecting the property on a regular basis, dealing with maintenance and most importantly ensuring that the rental money ends up in your account.

Key advantages of using a professional would be that rents are paid into our trust account (regularly audited) and we reconcile and check rents every banking day and handle all the gritty financial matters (e.g.: late payments) promptly. If a tenant gives notice, we start the advertising and selection process immediately! This is a tangible advantage of property management because we don’t hang around and avoiding two or three weeks vacancy

at a tenancy roll over would almost cover management fees for a year and you wouldn’t have to take those annoying phone calls or do any of the work! ‘Saving’ money on property management truly is a false economy.

Having a property manager is a little bit like having an insurance policy: our job is to mitigate and reduce the risks involved in being a landlord. We work to get you the best rent, and to minimize vacancy, we ensure rents are monitored and kept in line with market values, we give you the advice and support you need throughout the process, we deal with rent reviews and of course ongoing maintenance and we make sure your asset is looked after and appreciates.

To find out more about The Locals™ (Ray White Kingsland) Property Management Services, contact Rachel Hawes on: Telephone: (09) 815 4018 Mobile: 021 485 778 Email: rachel@thelocals.co.nz

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MATTERS OF INTEREST: CHANGING OUR DRINKING CULTURE

ALCOHOL-RELATED HARM TAKES ITS TOLL ON BOTH AUCKLAND INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES Auckland Council is committed to reducing that impact on our communities – balanced with safe and responsible enjoyment of our vibrant café, bar and restaurant scene.

I believe there needs to be a significant change in New Zealand’s attitude towards alcohol.

On Friday and Saturday nights in Auckland many of us have seen the harm that bingedrinking can cause.

This is why I was delighted to support the alcoholreform legislation through Parliament.

This legislation is focused on reducing harm, and promoting a more moderate approach to drinking.

Some of these new changes will come into effect from next month. The first is around liquor-licensing criteria – meaning it will be harder to get liquor licences and easier to lose them.

Local residents in South Auckland and around K Road have told me they think there are too many off-licences in their communities.

From December, communities will be able to have a greater say on the number of off-licences in their area through their local alcohol plans.

As well as influencing where they are located, local authorities will be able to limit the sale of drinks and set conditions on licences.

From December there will also be stronger rules on what types of stores can supply alcohol.

Supermarkets and dairies will be restricted to displaying alcohol in a single area and there will be stronger controls around advertising and promotion – it will be an offence to promote alcohol in an appealing way to young people.

Parents will also need to give express consent before supplying alcohol to minor – those who do so without express parental consent will face fines of $2,000.

I recently spent a morning with Inspector Andrew Coster – area commander for Auckland City – and local police who deal with drunk and disorderly people every day.

Auckland Police believe a national closing time, and the ability to issue on-the-spot infringement notices for breaching liquor bans, will have a positive impact in Auckland city.

The government is addressing our binge-drinking culture.

Our reforms to alcohol laws zero in on where harm is occurring, particularly around our young people.

In the next 18 months, changes to the supply and sale of alcohol will be phased in, ultimately giving communities greater say on alcohol availability in their areas.

Along with all councils in New Zealand, Auckland Council is changing the way it does things, including developing the first local alcohol policy, establishing district licensing committees to consider local licence applications, and a new fees system for licensing.

The changes are the result of new laws introduced by central government introduced in December. They are long overdue.

Local communities have wanted changes for years, the worst affected desperate for more input into the number and location of local liquor outlets, opening hours and conditions on licences.

I urged the Minister of Justice Judith Collins to expedite the progress of the alcohol reforms, and allow them immediate effect upon the bill’s adoption. The government chose to pursue its own timetable, meaning it will be 2014 before local communities start to feel the positive benefits of these changes.

But alcohol licensing is just one part of Auckland Council’s work mitigating the impact of alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

The council has researched drinking behaviour and attitudes in Auckland and adopted its Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy, to help us create a safe, healthy city where there is minimal risk to our communities from alcohol-related activities. It gives different parts of the council a coordinated, consistent and systematic approach across both our regulatory and nonregulatory activities.

We work closely with government and social agencies, emergency services, community groups and industry groups like Hospitality Association of New Zealand.

Our Community Development and Safety teams run, participate in and promote a wide range of educational initiatives targeted at licensees, young people and their parents and the general public to promote the responsible use of alcohol.

And in our role as community event organiser, employer, transport and parking provider, and community landlord, the council actively promotes good host responsibility.

Auckland is a great city and these changes will be hugely positive for the people who visit our city, and those of us who call it home.

Early next year, we will invite input from local communities for the new local alcohol policy. You can find out more about our research, harm reduction strategy, alcohol policy development and activities, and regulatory changes on the council website, or by signing up to our Liquor Link email newsletter.

Hon Nikki Kaye MP for Auckland Central

Len Brown Mayor of Auckland

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Like many of our readers, we at Verve are concerned about the addictive properties of alcohol, and the acceptance of a mass habit of daily alcohol consumption. Should we be looking to change this, or is it a matter of personal choice?

Some of our community leaders offered the following insights.

YOUTH DRINKING: GETTING BOOZE LEGISLATION WILL HELP COMMUNITIES BETTER OR WORSE? Talking with friends and neighbours in the Epsom electorate, I hear real anxiety about binge drinking among the youth. Our eldest child is about to hit secondary school next year, so like all parents my wife and I are particularly interested in the topic.

When I was at the Newmarket Business Association there were a couple of times when we got really frustrated with the Sale of Liquor Act 1989. It seemed, despite community outrage over any prospective cheap and nasty bottle stores, locals’ concern counted for nothing when a new licence application was considered. Subsequently, for over 20 years we saw off-licences literally popping up around New Zealand like corner dairies.

The frequent assumption is that the problem is getting worse and many people cite the decision a decade or so ago to reduce the purchasing age for alcohol from 20 to 18 as the primary culprit.

There’s no question that alcohol and young people are a dangerous mix. And parents have every reason to be concerned and watchful, though this is nothing new. Underage drinking was rife and prodigious when I was at Grammar in the 1980s, for example, and I doubt it was any different in the 1970s and 1990s.

What’s the story now?

The Ministry of Health has just published the latest of its surveys of New Zealanders and alcohol. The results are striking.

Compared to five years ago, the proportion of 15-to-17-yearolds who had a drink in the past year has dropped from 75 per cent to 59 per cent. That’s a drop of more than a fifth.

Steady progress is being made in reducing alcohol abuse in the wider population. The proportion of adults who have “hazardous” drinking habits has dropped from 26 per cent to 22 per cent for men and from 11 per cent to 9 per cent for women.

But the best progress is being made amongst the young.

The proportion of 18-24-year-old drinkers who are hazardous drinkers has fallen from 49 per cent to 36 per cent.

We’ve got a long, long way to go before we can say we’ve got on top of New Zealand’s binge-drinking culture, but we do seem to be heading in the right direction. There is good evidence to suggest that the message of restraint and indeed of steering clear of alcohol for as long as possible is getting through to more young people.

The National government is committed to carrying on the task.

The alcohol reform legislation that was passed a few months ago included many elements designed to reduce further the harmful effects of alcohol, particularly around hours of availability and rules relating to liquor licences.

One change that I believe will make a real cultural difference is the proposal to make it an offence for anyone to supply alcohol to under-18-year-olds unless they have consent from a parent or guardian. It will send a message that it’s not OK to give your 16-year-old son, daughter, younger brother or sister, and his or her 30 mates a pile of booze and leave them to it.

Thankfully some better news is coming. Late last year the National-led government passed the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, which replaced the 1989 legislation.

One of the good things about the new Act is that it creates a new and broader criteria for granting and objecting to licences, empowers communities, and councils will be responsible for establishing local alcohol policies (LAPs).

LAPs will guide licensing decisions and could also determine location, density and maximum trading hours of licenced premises. After public consultation, the draft policy will be open for feedback in early 2014, with the policy likely to be adopted later that year. Any new licence applications in the interim will only be given a 12-month licence, and will have to reapply under the new policy after that. That is designed to avoid opportunists rushing in to set up shop before the tighter rules take effect.

All is not bad. Some things around alcohol have definitely improved in recent decades such as society’s overall intolerance towards drink driving. What’s more, people have more awareness and appreciation for the many health issues alcohol can cause. However, as a country we love to drink, with the rise in binge drinking among women one of the notable trends.

Now someone called Brewer is hardly going to give advice but as a 40-year-old I’ve noticed a few things over the past 20 years that haven’t helped. The price of buying takeaway alcohol has barely changed since I was at university. Drinking wine at almost any time of the day is now seen by many as acceptable and even sophisticated, with some pouring it down their throats like beer. However what we often forget is that wine is nearly three times the strength of beer.

I’d be interested to hear what you think.

What’s more, booze can almost be bought from anywhere at any time. Thankfully the rules are tightening up but nonetheless wine is now one of most commonly purchased products in a supermarket, replacing the likes of bread and milk. Yes we have some new legislation. Yes the community will have more say, but arguably it remains harder than ever to escape alcohol in this country. How can you help? If someone says “no thanks” just roll with it.

Paul Goldsmith MP National List MP based in Epsom www.paulgoldsmith.co.nz, 524 4930

Cameron Brewer Councillor for Orakei www.cameronbrewer.co.nz

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PARNELL HERITAGE Issue 2 of Parnell Heritage Journal out now!

Parnell’s historical society, Parnell Heritage Incorporated, has launched its second issue of the Parnell Heritage Journal. The 40 page publication features a wonderful collection of stories about the people and places of Parnell, New Zealand’s first suburb established in 1841.

The content includes coverage of early Parnell residents Sir John Logan Campbell (who lived in Judges Bay from 1879-1912) and the Lush family (who resided in Ewelme Cottage from 1863).

NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR AUCKLAND’S OLDEST HOUSE Auckland’s oldest house has undergone a major restoration, thanks to a joint effort between its owners and Auckland Council.

Parnell’s Hulme Court was built in 1843 and is believed to be Auckland’s oldest house on its original site. It has been home to a number of key figures in Auckland history.

Its current owners bought the property in mid-2011, and in discussion with Auckland Council heritage experts and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, started restoration in January 2012.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS •

Hulme Court is the oldest known house still standing on its original site in the Auckland region.

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The house was built in 1843 for Frederick Whitaker who later became Premier of New Zealand.

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Whitaker rented the house to Bishop Selwyn for three years, after which Colonel William Hulme (Commander of British troops in New Zealand) bought the property.

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Hulme Court stood on three acres of land up until 1863 when Thomas Russell and William Aitken bought the property and subdivided it.

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Francis Dillon Bell (Minister of Native Affairs and advisor to Governor Grey) bought the house from Russell and Aitken and sold it in 1872.

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Hulme Court is one of the best examples of Regency architecture in New Zealand despite some interior alterations and is the finest example built in permanent materials (plaster over 300mm-thick bluestone walls and slate roof).

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It shares many of its formal features with earlier mission houses, such as its hipped roof, the verandah tucked well under the eaves and the ‘Union Jack’ balustrades.

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It is registered as a Category 1 house of ‘outstanding historical significance ‘ in the NZHPT Register, and Category A in the district plan.

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This restoration has been funded by private owners. It will not be open to the public, but will be rented out to commercial or residential tenants.

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The restoration team has tried to retain as much of the original fabric of the building as possible.

Other items include the story of how Albert Pomare became Queen Victoria’s godson in 1863; leading New Zealand landscape historian John Adam’s survey of the history of the Auckland Domain from 1841; the Fitt family’s connections to early Parnell, and an entertaining 1905 item, ‘Every dog has its day’.

Rendell McIntosh, Patron of Parnell Heritage said “Our inaugural issue was very successful with copies sold around New Zealand and overseas. Support this year from the Waitemata Local Board, Corso de’ Fiori, Jonathan Grant Galleries, Parnell Village Workshop and private sponsorship has enabled us to add extra pages, and ensure another high quality publication. We are delighted that at long last some of the relatively unknown stories of our suburb are now coming to light, to be enjoyed by people with an interest in Parnell”.

For further details email rendell@nzevents.co.nz. Copies are available from the White Heron Dairy, 64 Gladstone Road or Paper Plus, 213 Parnell Rise or by contacting Parnell Heritage at journal@parnellheritage.org.nz.

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UPTOWN

BUYING THINGS

Words: Rob Thomas

Words: Sorted’s David Kneebone

BUSINESS DISTRICT LAUNCHED

THAT PUT MONEY IN YOUR POCKET

When the government opened pre-registrations for the Mighty River Power share offer last month there was significant public interest, signalling that New Zealanders are considering investing – many for the first time.

Taking some time to think about your finances is the best way to make an informed decision about whether or not it is the right time to become an investor. Start by asking yourself what you want to achieve by investing and what your goals are.

Then consider how much debt you have. If you have dumb debt (high-interest debt that could have been avoided), or other debt such as a mortgage, you need to think carefully about where you would get the most bang for your buck. If you were investing, ask yourself if you’ll get more back than you would by shrinking your debt. It’s a big ask. If you’re not confident, repaying your debt first is a better option.

Auckland’s latest business district of Eden Terrace, Grafton and Newton has launched their new brand www.Uptown.co.nz Upper Symonds Street has always been a unique part of Auckland nestled at the top of the city with its funky cafes and restaurants like Altezano Espresso or Gina’s Italian Kitchen. Lining the streets are many boutique shops like men’s clothing store I Love Ugly, Ariel Books and Kiteworks.

Live gig venues such as The Powerstation and The Kings Arms Tavern attract hundreds of people and embody much of the area’s energy and excitement.

The precinct is home to some of New Zealand’s largest and well-known brands like 2degrees Mobile and Auckland Co-op Taxis. There’s also a strong element of professional services and manufacturing from O’Neils Personnel and Symonds Street Drycleaners to the team at Boston Wardrobes. The creative sector has set up shop in Uptown too, with businesses like Fuse Creative and D1 Creative who have jointly created the Uptown brand.

In front of a large crowd of local business owners, Uptown manager Gary Holmes, Auckland mayor Len Brown, Uptown board chairperson Ron Harcus and myself Waitemata local board member Rob Thomas (left to right in the photo above), unveiled the giant Uptown logo.

Under Auckland’s draft Unitary Plan, the Uptown area is planned to undergo significant changes that would allow for an additional 18,750 new residents and 16,000 more workers over the next 30 years. Of course, the multibillion dollar question on everyone’s lips is whether rail through the innercity will get the green light and a train station pop-up on Newton Road.

Whatever the future has in store, Uptown is well poised to take on the challenge.

Please refer to my ad in Verve’s Market Place on page. 96

If you do decide to invest, understanding your investor type and what mix of investments is right for you will help you do it well.

Sorted’s new investment planner helps you figure out just that: your investor type, a mix of investments that matches it, and the sorts of results you can expect. It gives you a guide to the right balance of investments in order to achieve the results you want.

Remember to consider important questions such as how long you want to invest for, the level of returns you want, the amount of risk you’re comfortable with and whether you need to access your money easily.

Your main options for investing include cash (term and bank deposits), bonds, property and shares. If you’re a conservative investor (risk adverse), bonds will probably make up the greater share of your portfolio, since there is less risk associated with them compared with shares and property. Again, Sorted’s investment planner can help you find a mix of investments that’s right for you.

The idea of investing can seem intimidating, but it’s really just about buying things that can put money in your pocket, instead of most everyday things we buy, which typically drain it. If you do your homework and make informed decisions, investing can help you reach your financial goals.

DAVID KNEEBONE Sorted is New Zealand’s free independent online money guide. It offers free booklets, material for seminars that you can run for your own organisation, and calculators to help you make financial decisions at sorted.org.nz.

Do you have quality items someone else could use?

LET’S HEAR IT FOR

HOSPICE! During the month of May, Hospices throughout New Zealand will be running fun events to lift the lid on what they do and to raise some much-needed funds.

With the support of the local community and a few high-profile Kiwis they won’t be doing it alone.

Recycle | Reuse | Reduce

The “Hospice Cuppa” event is a fun way Mercy Hospice Auckland will be raising funds and awareness to coincide with its Annual Awareness Week activities (Monday 13th May to Sunday 19th May 2013). It is hoped that as many as 100 Auckland businesses, community organisations and homes will take up the opportunity to bake some sweet treats and host a cuppa get together with friends and colleagues to raise support for the charity.

Our Mercy Hospice Shops welcome donations of good

Mercy Hospice is a charitable organisation. Operating 24 hours of the day, 365 days of the year, it provides its services free-of-charge.

Turning second hand goods into first class care. quality clothing, accessories, homeware, books, CDs, furniture, small electrical appliances, surplus items or unwanted gifts.

We ask that your donations of good quality items be clean and in working order.

Your support will directly help fund the free palliative care Mercy Hospice Auckland provides for people facing life-limiting illnesses living in the Auckland District Health Board area.

MERCY HOSPICE SHOPS Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm Ellerslie Hospice Furniture Shop 188 Ladies Mile, Ellerslie Town Centre, Ph 579 1208 (Ext 5) Ellerslie Hospice Shop 188 Ladies Mile, Ellerslie Town Centre, Ph 579 1208 Mt Eden Hospice Shop 453 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden Village Ph 630 7110

Royal Oak Hospice Shop 728 Manukau Rd (opp Pak’N Save car park), Royal Oak, Ph 625 9300 Ponsonby Hospice Shop 300 Ponsonby Rd (Herne Bay end) Ph 376 5301 Pt Chev Arcade Hospice Shop Pt Chev Arcade, Pt Chevalier Ph 849 2258 Blockhouse Bay Hospice Shop 560 Blockhouse Bay Road (near roundabout), Ph 627 0128

To arrange free collection of furniture call 579 1208 (Ext 5).

www.hospiceshops.org.nz

Mercy Hospice relies heavily on the goodwill of the public to assist with its care of patients facing life-limiting illness as well as their families. Partially funded by the Auckland District Health Board, Mercy Hospice still needs to raise a funding shortfall of $2.8 million this year in order to accommodate the growing number of Aucklanders requiring quality end-of-life care either at home or at its 13-bed In-Patient Unit (IPU).

This Awareness Week Mercy Hospice hopes to raise $200,000 to help cover the annual patient services costs involved with running its IPU facility.

Helping spread the word are three well known New Zealanders who have all been touched by the work of Hospice.

Left to right: Judy Bailey, Simon Dallow and Peter Williams

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Simon Dallow In 2010, Simon’s mum Denise was told that a previously treated cancer had come back aggressively. Simon says that from that point on his Mum’s life consisted of frequent visits in and out of hospital. When it was suggested Denise be admitted to Hospice for specialist palliative care she was very reluctant go.

“What we found exceeded all expectation,” Simon says, “Hospice was a place where Mum was treated with empathy, compassion and dignity rather than rules and regulations.

Nothing came before the respect of her as an individual. The little things did matter. Mum died peacefully three days after being admitted. It gives you great faith in humanity when you discover the humanity shown by Hospice yourself.”

PROPERTY MANAGERS DEAL WITH ALL SITUATIONS. Property managers have to deal with all situations – over the past 15 years I have experienced floods, fire, suicide and most recently, a dead body!

Peter Williams Peter Williams was in the process of moving his family across the Tasman for a short time when his wife Cecile was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Four months after leaving their family home in Upper Hutt the Williams moved back in.

“Dying at home was important to Cecile,” Peter says, “For the last few months of her life she was cared for by visiting Hospice staff. Their services were extraordinary. Hospice is a movement that should be supported by everybody in this country.”

Judy Bailey Judy Bailey has had a number of friends cared for by Hospice, including her good friend Angela D’Audney. She is now patron of her local Hospice and a huge advocate for the charity.

“The more you are involved with Hospice, the better understanding you have about death and dying, Judy says, “I think you come to see it as more of a journey and it certainly doesn’t frighten me as much as it used to. Hospice is such a unique service. The community would be so much poorer if it wasn’t there.”

For more information on hosting a Hospice Cuppa visit www. hospicecuppa.co.nz or visit www.mercyhospice.org.nz to make a donation. Keep an eye out for collectors 16-19 May.

The past week has been very upsetting for me: I manage a block of apartments and one of my tenants rang to say he had not seen the old gentleman who lives alone next-door for some time and that there was an awful smell coming from the unit.

I went to investigate. It is something I hope I don’t have to do again. The elderly gentleman had been dead for a week! How sad is that?

Police, doctor and undertaker were called, and the body was finally taken away about three hours later. Who cleans up?

Whose responsibility is it to remove the furniture? And who do we give notice too?

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VERVE ESSAY OF THE MONTH

Racing with the Machine – Erik Byrnjolfsson Words: Inger-Lisa Hurst

Director of the Massachusetts Centre for Digital Business, Erik Byrnjolfsson spoke out recently in argument to recent articles in various American publications claiming that we have reached the end of growth as we rapidly put ourselves out of work as machines take on more jobs. “The growth we have is an illusion,” recited Forbes.com, as productivity increases and incomes decline across America.

Byrnjolfsson has introduced his notion of a “new machine age” which suggests we are in a stage of idea production rather than physical production. Byrnjolfsson suggests a “rhyme” in history where we saw the Second Industrial Revolution 120 years ago where tools were invented for mass production to take effect, but productivity didn’t increase for another three decades.

The reason for this was because while the tools changed, managers didn’t radically redesign their systems and work focus. “It took a generation for the old ways to be abandoned and new norms to be established,” says Byrnjolfsson. “Then, productivity soared.”

Above: Erik Byrnjolfsson

“The full implications of the new machine age are going to take at least a century to play out,” he says. “But…for now, the growing pains are very real. People in a wide slew of industries are being replaced by digital labour and losing their jobs – not to mention their difficulty in finding a new one.”

The answer for our prosperity to continue Byrnjolfsson claims, “Is not to try to slow down technology, we need to race with the machine.” By this he means that instead of competing with machines, we need to work together to create unbeatable teams. “The answer is doing the thing that humans do best – thinking – while working with machines, doing what they do best.”

“Technology is not destiny,” says Byrnjolfsson. “We shape our destiny. Racing with the machine beats racing (against) the machine.”

While we are confronted with the great challenge of sharing prosperity, we need to reinvent organisations and our economy in order to catch up with the technology that is currently leaving people behind. If we are to see any patterns from history, according to Byrnjolfsson’s claims, after a lag, productivity and human and economic prosperity will excel.

Left: Erik Byrnjolfsson and Andrew McAfee’s book: Race Against The Machine

The answer for our prosperity to continue Byrnjolfsson claims, “Is not to try to slow down technology, we need to race with the machine.”

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25 ALLEN JOHNSTON PL - ST JOHNS PARK Pretty As A Picture Absolutely special and seldom found is this well presented 1984 stucco and weatherboard home. Offering 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a generous living area with views of the Sky Tower. Sunny decks ow from the lounge to the lovely garden. Conveniently located only moments from the Remuera Road shops and cafes. In zone for St. Thomas Primary and Glendowie College. Just move in and enjoy this absolutely lovely home.

Auction 12.00pm Saturday 18th May 2013 Venue On Site (Unless Sold Prior)

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REX WONG 021 249 9968 | rex@clearrealty.com

22 LOCHIEL ROAD - REMUERA Double Grammar Zone Winner Spacious 2 level, light-lled, family-friendly bungalow on 673m² garden-laced section. 3 double bedrooms + ofce/4th bedroom. Massive polished wood oor bathroom, large formal lounge with replace, modern kitchen plus open plan dining & family room owing onto elevated deck with views. Internal access garaging plus off-street parking. Potential for further downstairs development. Gas central heating.

Asking Price $1,599,000

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29 MOANA AVE - ONE TREE HILL What A Find Beautifully refurbished, this 188m2 family bungalow consists of 4 double bedrooms, master with ensuite, 3 bathrooms and a modern open-plan lounge all owing out onto a fabulous wrap around verandah. An additional studio room offers wonderful potential. Very close to Cornwall Park and a short walk to One Tree Hill. Secure garaging & auto gates ensure an environment of exclusive enjoyment.

Auction 6.00pm Wednesday 29th May 2013 Venue 778 Manukau Road, Royal Oak (Unless Sold Prior)

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