Verve. April 2023. Issue 196.

An uplifting monthly eclection of life, style and happenings.

Inside we celebrate two icons close to our hearts: mums and the awesome suburb of Grey Lynn!

Also in April, we sit down with Marlborough winemaker Daniel Sorrell and find out about Tiny Escapes.

HAND CRAFTED BY ARTISANS IN NEW ZEALAND

each piece is made by hand, for you, to your own unique, specific, and bespoke requirements that include your choice in size, finish and material selection. It is essentially tailored specifically for you, right here in New Zealand.

We pride ourselves on delivering a product that is Made in New Zealand to an exceptionally high and first-class standard. Its impeccable design, meticulous attention to detail and quality workmanship, are all traits of something very special.

We would like to invite you to share in this unique experience, support LOCAL, be SUSTAINABLE and celebrate NEW ZEALAND DESIGN.

Editors-in-Chief Fran Ninow and Jude Mitchell

Sub-editor/Senior Writer Jamie Christian Desplaces

Head Graphic Designer Arna Martin

Graphic Designer Yamin Cook

Social Media Yamin Cook

Contributors Manish Kumar Arora, Lucy Kennedy, Dennis Knill, Milly Nolan, Paul Leuschke, Aimée Ralfini and Bella Sampson.

Subscriptions vervemagazine.co.nz/shop

Published by Verve Magazine Ltd 13 Westmoreland Street West, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021

GST 90 378 074

ISSN 2253-1300 (print)

ISSN 2253-1319 (online)

Editorial Enquiries (+64) 9 520 5939

Fran Ninow: fran@vervemagazine.co.nz Jude Mitchell: jude@vervemagazine.co.nz

Advertising Enquiries danielle@vervemagazine.co.nz fran@vervemagazine.co.nz jude@vervemagazine.co.nz pambrown@xtra.co.nz

Cover Photo: Project: Casa Azucar; Photography: Andres Garcia Lachner; Location: Nosara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Verve is published monthly (except in January) and has an estimated readership of 60,000. It is a free lifestyle magazine delivered to cafés and businesses in Devonport, Epsom, Ellerslie, Herne Bay, Kohimarama, Meadowbank, Mission Bay, Newmarket, Parnell, Remuera, St Mary’s Bay and Takapuna. Verve is placed in magazine stands for free collection from locations in Auckland City, Devonport, Epsom, Grey Lynn, Herne Bay, Mairangi Bay, Milford, Mission Bay, Newmarket, Parnell, Ponsonby, Remuera, St. Heliers, Stonefields and Takapuna. Visit vervemagazine.co.nz for exact locations these magazine stands. Verve is also available from all popular cafés in its main distribution areas as well as in ebook format. Visit vervemagazine.co.nz to sign up for your free monthly ebook. Verve is printed by Blue Star, 8 Collard Place, Henderson, Auckland. It is distributed by Verve, ERC Contracting and Mailchimp.

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

Editors’ Notes

Fran Ninow

Co-editor

We are so excited about this latest issue of Verve, most especially as it features the area where our HQ is situated. We moved to the Westmoreland precinct almost three years ago and it fast became our home away from home. Not only is it a nice part of the world to be – with every convenience at one’s fingertips – but because of all the people we’ve got to know and friendships formed, all special and delightful in their own way. If you have picked up this edition from a Verve stand located in Grey Lynn or one of the surrounding areas, you will, no doubt, understand this sentiment.

As I write this, we’re exactly a week away from the ending of daylight savings – a landmark day for many as it means the first quarter of the year is done and dusted, a new financial year, and of course a much-looked-forward-to Easter break. It also means that for a while our beautiful ports will see less luxury liners as many of them take to the northern hemisphere for its summer months. Yesterday, I visited one of those bound for the other side of the world – the Noordam, a mid-size Holland American liner, or as I prefer to call them, a simply stunning floating resort. The occasion was in celebration of Holland American’s 150 years of seafaring. Quite incredible really, especially the realisation that their earliest voyages would have taken place towards the end of the 1800s and were the transatlantic crossings between Europe and New York that carried all manner of people, many hoping for a brilliant new life in another part of the world –some of whom may have been related to you.

There’s never a better time for a relaxed read of a beautiful lifestyle magazine like Verve then over a lazy long weekend. We so hope that you enjoy delving through this issue filled with excellent articles and great ideas of things to do like trying a delicious recipes (p92); binging new series Daisy and the Six (p112); reading a novel that you can’t put down (p106); trying a new wine (p84 and p90); or thinking up a fabulous treat for Mother’s Day (p56).

Wishing you all a blessed and sunny Easter.

Well, here we are bringing our April issue to you. Time is once again passing by at a rapid pace.

This month, Verve is, as per usual, full of wonderful stories. We have our Mother’s Day feature with the most beautiful mums sharing their experiences of motherhood.

We also have a special Grey Lynn feature about that most wonderful suburb, its rich history, fine restaurants, great bars and diverse community. I live in Grey Lynn – as did my great grandmother – and love it with a passion.

Dani, our newest team member, (pictured) worked passionately getting this Grey Lynn feature together and we are so grateful to her for building such an interesting piece. Thank you so much Dani for your diligent work!

For our forthcoming May issue, Dani is keen to work on a Herne Bay, Ponsonby and Westmere feature — so watch this space! If you’re a business in these areas and would like some exposure, please email Dani at danielle@vervemagazine.co.nz.

I’ve just spent two nights at Resolution Retreats, near Cambridge, with Christine who does our administraion. Christine and I have known each other for 60 years! I feel so privileged to have had her friendship for so long, and spending this time with her was really special. If you’re feeling like a weekend away to do a little yoga, walking, massages, facials — I definitely recommend visiting the Resolution Retreats website to see what they have to offer.

See you next month.

Shades of G rey

WORDS

Grey Lynn is described by the NZ Herald as Aotearoa’s “most fascinating suburb” and by The Washington Post as “the most rewarding of Auckland’s neighbourhoods to traverse on foot”. Verve – now also of Grey Lynn – pays tribute to the legendary suburb with the help of some locals that know it best.

“We’ve had our office in Grey Lynn for around three years now, and it’s certainly becoming a busier neck of the woods,” comments Verve co-editor Fran Ninow. “It seems like that Ponsonby vibe has spilled into it. People are friendly here and watch out for one another; there is a definite community spirit.”

Other Verve co-editor Jude Mitchell, who also lives in Grey Lynn in an awesome home that’s been converted from a panel beaters’ workshop, loves the suburb for daring to be different. “It’s diverse, it has charm, and it has culture,” she says. “The environment is so beautiful also, with the villas and bungalows spread along tree-lined streets.”

“It’s the kind of place where you run into people and have a chat,” says Kate Rogan, co-founder of Rogan Nash Architects. “Someone is always waving to a friend or sharing a meal together. It has a real sense of togetherness.”

Grey Lynn is named after Sir George Grey, a former soldier and New Zealand premier, and later Member

of Parliament for Auckland West. Famed for its Victorian kauri villas, like Ponsonby, the suburb, springing from the site of a former Māori stronghold, was once home to an eclectic community of immigrants, and has experienced significant gentrification in recent times. The landscape may have altered, but a core of “anti-establishment artists” and “free thinkers” remains, exemplified by the likes of the Grey Lynn Park Festival which has, since 1984, celebrated its creative community.

Trish Clark, owner of Trish Clark Gallery, first moved to Grey Lynn, from Herne Bay, more 30 years ago, lured by “the more relaxed vibe”. Though now a Waitākere resident, her gallery remains at 142 Great North Road. “From my workspace I look across the top of Scanlan Street to the wide sea views beyond, to the everchanging light on the sea, and amazing winter sunsets,” she says. “I love the still-relaxed vibe of Grey Lynn, the mix of residents, and generally, the patina of age in the innercity suburbs.”

Goran Loncar

Financial advisor Goran Loncar of Loan Market has worked in Grey Lynn for seven years. “It’s a total vibe and every day is different,” he beams to Verve . “During summer, it’s absolutely humming with positivity and there’s always something to do, somewhere to go and a new place to visit for a coffee or a spot of lunch.”

Tell us about some of your favourite hang outs. “Foodcourt wins hands down! You’ll always see me there either enjoying the sambal fried rice or BBQ pork noodle soup – both are absolute bangers! Plus Orphans Kitchen, totally yummo across the board! For the best cocktails around, head to Deadshot where they make your drinks based on your mood. The dark cosy setting is a must do.”

What’s changed over the seven years?

The area changed particularly during the lockdowns with businesses having to close which is really sad. But I've seen loads of construction and development recently, which is great but the area will never lose its villa-style appeal.”

Sum up the suburb in a few words…

“A rich history, an unmatched community, and a sense of art.”

Martina Langsford

Martina Langsford, manager of Gregory Boutique, had, until recently, lived in Grey Lynn for seven years, during which time she witnessed “an exciting array of new businesses popping up, including some of the best restaurants, cafes, and shops in the city”.

“ We opened the doors to our new Gregory boutique in Richmond Road in February of this year,” she tells Verve . “We’d been looking to relocate our Ponsonby store for quite some time and when we found a beautiful space at 104 Richmond Road, we fell instantly in love with it. We always liked the idea of being part of a small community and businesses who support each other.”

What else do you love about Grey Lynn?

“That it’s a vibrant and diverse suburb that values community, culture, and heritage. Its residents are proud of their neighbourhood and work together to maintain its unique character and charm. There is a relaxed atmosphere and friendly people, and Grey Lynn Park is a great place to connect with others if you're a dog owner!”

What’s it like to work in the area?

“Being a part of the small, supportive community is the cherry on top. Whether it’s getting welcome flowers from our lovely neighbours Flowers on Franklin or picking up a coffee and salad from Ripe or admiring the diamonds at Diamonds on Richmond, we love being a part of our little community.”

Favourite spot to hang out?

“It has to be Lilan with its super-relaxed atmosphere and amazing food – it never disappoints.”

Sum up the suburb in a few words…

“Diverse, family-friendly, and a chilled place to be.”

“A rich history, an unmatched community, and a sense of art.”

Trish Clark

The gallery boss recalls long walks resulting in lots of social spontaneity and sitting on Grey Lynn ridge admiring the “long views out west and stunning sunsets” as among her favourite local memories: “Happy days.” Lively, sustaining, and relaxed is how Trish sums up the suburb, and as for her favourite place to hang out?

“Ada at The Convent, the best food by Hayden Phiskie, who was my regular chef at The Refreshment Room on Scenic Drive and sustained me with the incredible takeaways through challenging work times. Then, K’ Road's Cotto, and now next to my favourite Milan Mrkusich stained-glass windows at St Joseph’s Church, tucked in the back of the renovated Convent – only in Grey Lynn would you have this wondrous mix!”

Fran Ninow and Jude Mitchell

Fran says her favourite place to hang out is Westmoreland Street Precinct, “of course, our office is here, and I have a car park – a precious commodity!”

“There are a couple of really good cafes,” she adds, “one that does really yummy hot cross buns. Plus, Base Camp Yoga and Peak Pilates are good for a stretch and resistance training, there’s the best Farro and Countdown in Auckland, not to mention Fruitworld for when one is tired of Farro. Corcavado, Homage, Citta Thread and Bauhaus are great for a bit of a browse and if you like hardware stores the Mitre 10 is a goodie – as not too big or confusing. Commune for great hair and

Hana when one needs to wind down at the end of the week – or rev up at the start.”

What do you most love about the place?

“The people, the well-established leafy trees, and the eclectic mix of beautiful homes – many stunningly renovated and stylish, while others are as they were 60 years ago,” says Fran.

“I love the Grey Lynn festival,” says Jude. “I enjoy the music bellowing out from the oversized speakers, and the families with their children all enjoying a day of dancing and freedom.”

Sum up Grey Lynn…

“Feels comfortable, like an old friend,” says Fran. Jude calls it “eclectic and vibrant”.

Faye Bland

Faye moved to Grey Lynn four years ago from Freemans Bay, in search of “a quieter inner city suburb”. Her favourite places to hang out are Freida Margolis and the RSC “for the music”.

“Grey Lynn is a great community, very mixed,” she adds. “It doesn’t have the same attraction as Ponsonby with its trendy bars and restaurants, and feels more authentic.”

Other Grey Lynn highlights?

“The annual festival. West Lynn and Grey Lynn shopping strips have everything - bars, restaurants, doctors, dentist, book shop, barber, butcher, hairdresser, and dog groomer. There’s Grey Lynn Library, the Farmers’ Market every Sunday, and

“Grey Lynn is a great community, very mixed. It doesn’t have the same attraction as Ponsonby with its trendy bars and restaurants, and feels more authentic.”

you’re always bumping into someone you know at the local bar, Freida’s!”

Sum it up in a sentence…

“An inner-city alternative to Ponsonby, without the masses.”

Gerard Fitzgibbon

Gerard Fitzgibbon, managing partner at marketingforCEOs, loves to begin his day with “pre-dawn early morning walk in the park”. Gerard has been Grey Lynn based since 2009. “It sure has changed a lot since then,” he tells Verve . “The process of gentrification has accelerated which has meant it lost some of its original charm. But it’s such a great location with easy access to the motorway, lots of places for business meetings, and proximity to plenty of fun spots.”

Favourite places to go?

“Freida’s is great, but Annabel’s Wine Bar remains my favourite.”

If you were to sum up the suburb in a sentence… “Better than Herne Bay or Ponsonby by any measure you would want to apply!”

Kate Rogan and Eva Nash

Rogan Nash Architects has called Grey Lynn home for over five years. “Over this time there has been a lot of new architecture, from apartment buildings to new homes and renovations,” says Eva. “It’s an exciting and inspiring place to be.”

What attracted you to set up business there?

“We love the buzz of Grey Lynn, there is a vibrant community which we wanted to be part of. Also, we do a lot of work in this area, so this is a wonderful place for us to see our clients.”

What do you most love about Grey Lynn?

“How people smile at each other on the street. It’s such a friendly neighbourhood.”

Best place to hang out?

“We can usually be found at Honey Bones getting our morning coffee. And we love Florets for fresh bread.”

Sum up the suburb in a few words…

“Creative, vibrant and social. A wonderful place to work and live.”

Luke Crockford

Few know Grey Lynn as well as Luke Crockford of Ray White, who has lived in the area for 25 years, and considers it the “heartbeat of Auckland”. “I love the food, culture, people, and how close and central Grey Lynn is to everything,” he adds. “It’s such a lovely neighbourhood for an early morning – or evening – walk, saying 'hi' to the neighbours, looking at the houses. A walk down to Cox's Bay is always gold.”

Favourite restaurant?

“I’m a regular at Malt as it's family friendly but I like them all, I can't pick a fave – I just love food!”

Best place for a coffee?

“Big Sur or Neighbour. But I'm always on the run, so not too fussy as now you can get a good coffee at most cafes in Grey Lynn.”

Do you have a favourite street or house in Grey Lynn?

“ I probably can't single any one particular house or street – it changes week to week depending on where my listings are! Though I love water views.”

Why are you the one to come to when selling or purchasing a Grey Lynn property?

“It’s simple – I have great local knowledge and run a processdriven business. Both of these together have proven themselves successful. I'm also super approachable and I will talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime about anything.”

John Ryan

Tonic Tile Lounge owner John Ryan praises the people of Grey Lynn for their support and sense of community spirit. “This was very evident recently during the crazy weather events,” he tells Verve . “People were supportive and empathetic to the issues the local businesses faced. The Westmorland district has become a real design hub for the area. Grey Lynn people shop local as much as they can, and this is really refreshing. We love being involved with their projects and offering a high level of service. There are great cafes, restaurants and bars nearby.”

Tell us a little about your business.

“We’re an importer/retailer/wholesaler and installer of predominantly Italian tiles. We specialise in big format product including sizes up to 1200mmx2800mm, with a full service from design to install. Our products are all exclusive to us. When you come to us, you quickly see the difference with our offering. We’re boutique and unique with something for all budgets.”

Favourite local cafe?

“Would have to be Bread and Butter. Good atmosphere, great food, always fresh, and only a three-minute walk from our showroom! The staff are welcoming, and they know what we like. Wolf, our white standard poodle, loves sitting outside and gets lots of attention. We like dog-friendly cafes.”

And favourite restaurant?

“Lokanta rates highly due to its point of difference. It’s tucked away up on Richmond Road and the food is always amazing and interesting. I like trying something a bit outside the square when I dine out, and they do that well.”

What do you love about working in the area?

“I have a showroom and our warehouse in Pakuranga and another showroom in Albany, and I live in the bays. However, my favourite location to work is Grey Lynn. I love the vibes and the eclectic mix of people. The eateries and bars are welcoming and chilled and simply nice places to be. The retail in the area is a unique and quirky and a lot more relaxed than in most places. People are generally friendly and happy to stop for a chat – especially when we have Wolf with us!”

“Grey Lynn people shop local as much as they can, and this is really refreshing.”

April 2023

Gregory

Gregory, proudly unveils its new boutique at 104 Richmond Road.

Inside the boutique, you'll find our Gregory seasonal collections alongside a carefully curated selection from Ricochet. But the experience of Gregory extends far beyond the racks of clothing. The space has been thoughtfully designed to evoke a sense of comfort and ease, like stepping into a dear friend's home. A place where you can linger, chat, and explore.

At the heart of Gregory's ethos lies a deep reverence for the principles of the Bauhaus movement. For Gregory, form must follow function, and every detail is infused with a sense of purpose. The result is a collection of clothes and a space that are not only visually stunning but also imbued with a deep sense of meaning.

Come and discover the AW23 Collection at the new Gregory boutique.

104 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn gregory.net.nz

Thread Design

Another popular destination in Grey Lynn is Thread Design. This boutique store offers a carefully curated selection of NZ made bed linen, including crisp cotton sheets and a wide range of French flax linen duvets and pillowcases, available in an array of colours. What sets Thread Design apart are their collaborations with New Zealand artists to create unique printed collections that coordinate with their linen ranges.

Thread Design's roots go back to 2001, when they started from a flat in Grey Lynn. Since then, they have grown into a truly local business with a reputation for quality and style that continues to flourish. Their linen is a popular choice for interior designers and home stagers, and it often features in the most beautiful homes showcased in real estate pages.

Besides their success with linen, Thread Design sells a wide range of furniture and homeware products. This includes rugs, ceramics, a mix of New Zealand made and imported furniture, kitchen, dining and bathroom accessories, as well as jewellery and fashion. With something to suit every style and taste, a visit to this fantastic Grey Lynn store is a must to discover your new favourite pieces.

274a Richmond Road, Grey Lynn threaddesign.co.nz

Shjark

Shjark offers a collection of classically informed yet thoroughly modern womenswear.

Designed to be a concise modular wardrobe, versatility, quality and attention to detail are at the forefront of the Shjark ethos. We carefully consider the development of each new garment and design with longevity in mind. All garments are proudly made within 20km of our Studio Store.

534 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn shjark.com

UBX

We started UBX with one aim in mind: to give everyone the opportunity to train like a boxer. We deliver a unique mix of boxing and strength training in an ultra-flexible format that removes class timetables and bookings altogether. We like to think that we’re everything a traditional gym is not: fun, flexible, addictive and inclusive!

ubxtraining.com/gym/GreyLynn We

Loan Market Coast to Coast

P: 021 913 302

W: loanmarket.co.nz/coast-to-coast

Paw Hub is a dog and cat grooming salon situated centrally on 428 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn. We offer the latest in grooming techniques, catering for all breeds of dogs and cats.

pawhub.co.nz

Their muse is Rome, ancient and contemporary, but it’s a tasty inspiration rather than a history lesson. Anything and everything Italianate is ripe for the taking – at times with an irreverent twist (She-Wolf Pizza, Eggplant Chips), or timelessly authentic (Osso Buco, Pappa al Pomodoro, a sublime Tiramisu).

An understated yet stylish, airy interior, with touches of olive green, Roman gold, and recycled timber; raw concrete columns separate a mezzanine split level from the cafe-style lower porch area. There’s plenty of scope: an escapist dinner for two, a streetside weekend brunch with the dog, or a long table of Roman feasting for groups.

Honey Bones

Known for its delicious brunch and lunch options, Honey Bones is a favourite among locals and visitors alike. The cafe has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with plenty of natural light and greenery, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal indoors or outdoors. Head chef Reginaldo Richard creates a menu at Honey Bones that features a range of classic and innovative dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Some of the most popular items on the menu include the Istanbul Scrambled and Cilbir Eggs, or just pop in for your daily coffee fix. There are plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options available too.

In addition to its food, Honey Bones is also known for its excellent coffee and specialty smoothies. The cafe uses Supreme beans and has a skilled team of baristas who can make a perfect cup of coffee every time. Honey Bones is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for delicious food, great coffee, and a welcoming atmosphere in Grey Lynn.

Master & Margherita

PASSION FOR PIZZA! The Master & Margherita welcomes you to our Grey Lynn eatery! Our hand selected high quality flours and the perfect dough recipe ensures our pizzas are so unique: crunchy on the outside, soft inside, and seriously tasty. All dishes are cooked on Vesuvian stone and use dry Fiore Di Latte mozzarella.

themasterandmargherita.co.nz

The Plaices to Be

Nates Plaice was opened by Nathan Ward in 2022 after Nathan returned from overseas working on superyachts and cooking in top London and Melbourne restaurants in Melbourne and London like Rockpool and Maha.

pocketbar.co.nz

Nates Plaice offers a selection of fish and chips and gourmet burgers. The team pride themselves on making most products in-house and sourcing the freshest of produce including locally sourced meat from Grey Lynn Butchers and sustainably caught fish from Kiwi Fish. Nate’s vision is for a healthy yet authentic fish and chip shop.

Nate’s Plaice has been named one of Auckland’s top 10 fish and chip shops in Denizen, while Nathan has also been approached to take over the Grey Lynn RSC kitchen where he offers a mix of seasonal dishes and bar snacks. His scotch egg and middle eastern koftas

with carrot and harissa are absolute favourites, along with the mushroom risotto!

Nathan and the team also offer functions at the RSC. Or, if you’re looking for something intimate at your house, such as a BBQ lunch, sit down dinner, or relaxed finger food party, the team is happy to accommodate.

So, check them out at both Nate’s Plaice and the Grey Lynn RSC!

Nates Plaice

411 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn 09 360 2388

Tuesday 3 - 8pm

Wednesday - Saturday 3 - 9pm

Sunday 3 - 8.30pm

Available also on DeliveryEasy and UberEats

G rey Lynn RSC

1 Francis Street, Grey Lynn 09 376 2909

Wednesday 5.30 - 8.30pm

Thursday 5.30 - 9pm

Friday 12 - 9pm

Saturday 3 - 9pm

For functions contact Nathan Ward quincehgroup@gmail.com

Designer

Furniture

All available in Grey Lynn.

More Than a Feeling

WORDS

Architectural design is touchy feely.

Recently I had a client who wanted a house addition: a covered outdoor entertainment area. But I had an issue with the footpath to the house. Once through the substantial wooden pedestrian gate, you needed to step down slightly to the inside path. The path started as hit-and-miss slabs with Mondo between. Then, the side of the driveway swept in to become the path and then that changed into sandstone steps. Stepping down felt wrong, stepping onto the driveway felt wrong, and the material inconsistency of the path felt wrong. I hadn't stepped into the house but already I was feeling uneasy.

I suggested they raise the path, separate it from the driveway, and use a consistent material.

It wasn't immediately obvious to me what was wrong so I believe that most people would not know why they had that negative feeling. We all live by signals or signs that guide us in our everyday life. When they are correct, we feel comfortable in the space.

A separate pedestrian gate tells you how to enter the property, the nice path leads you to the front door. The front door should be of a design reflecting the house proper.

A hit-and-miss path is casual and of the garden. A glass front door can let you see into someone’s private life and make you feel uncomfortable.

paul@leuschkekahn.co.nz 021 894 895 leuschkekahn.co.nz

HOUSES

Selling the Good Life

Hi everybody, my name is Cristina Casares. If my face looks familiar, then we might have crossed paths as I was darting into one of the local cafes. Or you might just recognise me from my oversized photos on the back of AT link buses…

If you detected a slight accent as I was ordering my coffee, you’re right. As an Argentinean expat who has called New Zealand home for the last 20 years, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to develop a deep connection with my adopted home of Grey Lynn. As much as I love Auckland as a whole, I really couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Perhaps it’s because it reminds me of the suburb in Buenos Aires where I grew up, Palermo. If you can dream it, you can do it in Grey Lynn.

It seems funny to say when you look at all the beautiful old houses, but there wouldn’t be a suburb in Auckland that has changed as dramatically as Grey Lynn has over the years. From a relatively modest neighbourhood in the 1960s, it has transformed into a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and highly sought-after suburb, full of world-class bars and eateries and inspirational architecture.

In case you can’t tell, I absolutely love Grey Lynn. And I’ve been incredibly gratified to find that it loves me right back. In 2022, I had the immense privilege to be the top real estate agent in Grey Lynn, across all agencies. Hard work has its rewards, but I confess it doesn’t often feel like work, living my dream of selling the good life in Grey Lynn to the next generation of locals.

I do try to give back when I can, though. I’ve been involved with Cooking for the Homeless charity over the years at the Grey Lynn Community Hall. Nadia Lim, I am not, so I’ve been supplying all the fresh vegetables and leave the cooking to others!

It feels good to be of service to the Grey Lynn community that has given me so much. If I can ever be of service to you in a professional sense, I’d love to grab a coffee with you. Follow me on Instagram @criscasares_realestate – there might be the odd photo of Lionel Messi, but there are also some of the coolest properties in Grey Lynn!

Phone Cristina Casares on 021 333 615.

G’day, Copper

WORDS

In 2020, it was reported that when the novel coronavirus responsible for Covid-19 landed on glass or stainless steel, it lasted for several days, whereas when it landed on copper, it died in a matter of hours.

As impressive as that sounds, some researchers were amazed that it even lasted that long as earlier coronaviruses succumbed within minutes of landing on the metal. And it’s not just coronaviruses that copper works its antimicrobial magic on, with studies showing it effective in mere minutes against the likes of the bacterium Legionella pneumophila (that causes Legionnaire's disease, H1N1 (swine flu), and even the drugresistant Staphylococcus aureus which can cause infections of the skin, lungs, and blood.

Copper (which takes its name from the Latin, Cuprum, in reference to the island of Cyprus where the Romans mined it, and hence its chemical symbol, Cu) is not the only heavy metal with antimicrobial properties – gold and silver, for example, have them too – but its atomic makeup gives it a disinfecting edge. When landing on the surface of a heavy metal, bacteria and viruses are pummelled by electrically charged ions that cause cell damage and prevent mutation. Unlike gold and silver, copper also possess a free electron, which, according to Michael G. Schmidt, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the Medical University of South Caroline, acts as “molecular oxygen grenade”, increasing its reactivity – and lethality – to germs. Schmidt tells Smithsonian that copper’s “truly a gift from Mother Nature”.

Incredibly, copper’s healing properties were appreciated way before humans knew anything about microbes, referenced in Smith’s Papyrus , an Ancient Egyptian medical document – and history’s oldest known one. Though the document was written around 1600 BC, the hieroglyphic symbol that denotes copper implies that it may have been used as a disinfectant for a good 1,500 years prior.

Also around 1600 BC, the Chinese were placing copper coins around their bodies to alleviate various aches and pains, while other ancient civilisations were known to have used copper cups to help cleanse drinking water and others to use shavings from bronze (an alloy of copper, predominantly, mixed with the likes of tin and zinc) swords to cleanse battlefield wounds. Tests have also shown that copper’s antimicrobial properties last for many years; perhaps even indefinitely.

Another characteristic that copper shares with gold is colour. Few metallic elements are anything other than silver or grey, whereas copper’s natural hue leans towards orange, turning a more reddish colour with exposure to air (and eventually bluegreen with corrosion). Copper is beautiful as well as medicinal. Little wonder, then, that its first purpose was that of decoration. A pendant dug up in modern-day northern Iraq dates back around 8700BC, meaning copper was discovered at least 10,000 years ago – around 4,000 years before the discovery of gold – and likely making it human’s oldest metal.

“It’s just such a warm material,” says Mount Maunganui copperworker and artist Tony ‘Copper Poppa’ Barnett, who discovered his love of copperworking using leftover and unwanted scrap through his other life as a plumber (copper was, of course, famously utilised by Romans in their legendary plumbing systems).

“It’s beautiful to touch, it’s basically soft, it glows, and it goes together with other materials really well.”

Throughout human history, civilisations from East Asia through to Europe and South America were spellbound by the metal’s beauty and malleability, fashioning it into all manner of jewellery and decorations. The Ancient Egyptians also used it to make razors, weights, and balances, and to adorn obelisks and temples. Aesthetic appeal aside, copper is a useful building material because it’s not just tough – it gets more durable with time.

While iron and its alloys rust – and weaken – through oxidisation, when the same reaction occurs on copper, it develops a layer of copper carbonate on the surface known as patina. This new blue-green skin not only lends the structure a unique and beautiful appearance, but further protects the copper from the elements for centuries, and in some cases, millennia. Famous examples include New York’s Statue

More recent buildings include the Macon City Auditorium in Macon, Georgia, which has one of the world’s largest copper roofs, and the Museum of Fire, Żory, Poland, designed to resemble dancing flames (and treated with a high-powered varnish to prevent patina to keep it flame-like). Boston’s Museum of Medical History and Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital was even built using handcrafted recycled copper cladding.

Copper’s near-indestructibility combined with its recyclability makes it one of the most sustainable building materials out there also. As Tony knows all too well, sourcing his material from scrap dealers and friends in the plumbing trade.

“You have the likes of these beautiful old hot water cylinders with gorgeous patina that would likely end up flattened and sent off to China,” says the coppersmith who makes everything from artworks to kitchen splashbacks to plant pots and door panels. “But it’s so beautiful, with so many possibilities. And it’s such a forgiving material, my workshop doesn’t even have power – all my work’s all done by hand.”

Copper’s nearindestructibility combined with its recyclability also makes it one of the most sustainable building materials out there.

Casa Azucar

Nestled in the heart of the blue zone community of Nosara, Costa Rica

Contemporary Tropical House brings warmth and comfort within nature.

Our Canadian clients were looking to swap the winter season for tropical climes. Their desire was to create an oasis that blends the indoors and outdoors while respecting the existing trees and nearby natural creek that creates an incredible wildlife corridor. This would generate a family dynamic that would be fun and healthy. We carefully choreographed to allow entry from the back of the house to allow a creek view upon arrival, while living in the common areas of the dwelling.

Get the look with Resene

Resene Colorwood Natural

Resene Sante Fe

Resene Colorwood Whitewash

We were confronted with a property in the heart of the town of Nosara, which meant easy access to the beach and town amenities, but also meant dealing with neighbours on all sides.

We decided to focus our attention on creating the sensation of a secluded oasis, merging architecture and landscape design to carefully frame all views toward the creek and the wildlife it spawned. The house, in turn, is conceived as a habitable garden pavilion.

Our common goal of respecting the existing trees and a natural creek that the property had was a must.

Get the look with Resene

Resene Blanc

Resene Fuel Yellow

Resene Alabaster

Bedrooms on the ground floor have direct access to the gardens while the second-floor bedrooms offer spectacular views of the forest canopy and its wildlife. Carefully placed planter boxes and vegetation in and around the house generate an experience of privacy that bridges the best of both worlds: closeness to everything and solitude in the forest.

Under our guidance, local craftsmen were involved in designing the loose furniture, creating a sense of authenticity. Comfort and durability of all furniture and finishes were essential, both to accommodate the family’s vacations and serve those who rented the property throughout the rest of the year.

Under our guidance, local craftsmen were involved in designing the loose furniture, creating a sense of authenticity.

This house is a clear reflection of our clients' personalities and their desire to create a clean beach-like feel so the colors, textures, and materials chosen were light and soft. This approach gave us the opportunity to implement a modern interior design that is both authentic and rooted in the past as well.

A Design For Life

The Kevin McCloud Column

Designer, writer and television presenter, Kevin McCloud leapt into our consciousness with the vastly successful Grand Designs UK. This month, the affable architectural business owner talks about his love of modernism in interior design.

I often get people asking why so many of the build projects on Grand Designs end up being decorated in a modernism style, with sharp lines, slick surfaces, uncomplicated decorative features and a view to celebrate space and light.

The answer comes not in the contents of a house, but its exterior. Simply, it follows that the architectural design of a building will often be mirrored by the interior design within it; and while developers may regularly seek to replicate Georgian or Victorian designs styles, most newbuilds still celebrate straight lines, clean shapes and hard edges. Aside from anything else, the build requirements are much easier!

Certainly, with people whose journeys we have followed on Grand Designs, this is very much the trend, although the advent of modernism in home furnishings was something that really took off towards the end of the 20th century. In essence, it was a rebellious response to the years of floral, ornate, elaborate, elegant and largely curved, flowery styles that had patterned so much of people’s lives.

In modernism the modus operandum became creating something much more straightforward. Within this, overuse of colour was discouraged, while the invitation was laid out to embrace textures and textiles not previously considered homely – consider steel, concrete, large expanses of glass and other materials once thought of as cold and unwelcoming.

Where colour did prevail, this was to be bold and statementgiving, so perhaps blocks and slabs of shades adjacent to blacks, greys and whites.

Where did this all come from? Well, the Industrial Revolution had a lot to do with a more measured and practical approach to living, and these modernist statements extended to literature, art, music and more – countless areas where people were expressing a desire to rebel.

Although no end date for modernism has ever been noted, it’s perceived that post-modernism came into being in the late 1970s, and from there society has largely embraced a mass of contrasting and conflicting styles in elegant harmony. Yet modernist architecture has never gone away, and speaking personally, I love the perfection of modernism in interior design – its flow, simplicity, practicality and function.

Exquisite Living

Named ‘Honour’ in tribute to the affluent suburb of Herne Bay, three exquisitely designed freestanding townhouses will be built on the suburb's prestigious tree-lined Hamilton Road and will become home to a lucky few.

When looking for their dream city home, Andrew and Catherine Holden's wish list was "for a contemporary, easy-care townhouse with sea views and a short walk to the beach".

"Maintaining access to the central city life, having great proximity to Auckland Harbour Bridge and local amenities was also high on the list,” says Andrew. "After an extensive search within the Herne Bay and St Marys Bay areas, we realised that such homes rarely exist. Not wanting to live above, below or in between, we gave up on finding an established or off-plan home and purchased a site with an old villa in a state of disrepair to develop our ideal city sanctuary."

With an active property portfolio across all sectors, the couple have utilised their commercial expertise for this project while embracing the opportunity to share the benefits with others by creating two adjacent townhouses – now available to purchase off-plan.

The Holdens' intent from the beginning was to create something extraordinary.

A home that is not only suitable for them and their lifestyle but also for likeminded people who desire to live in luxurious surroundings, be comfortable, and have a lowmaintenance, easy-care home. Honour is your perfect 'lock-and-leave'.

Freehold and freestanding, these three-bedroom homes have been meticulously crafted to present the best contemporary living with an edge. The foundation brief provided to the architects, Leuschke Group, was for 'high quality and beautiful architecture'. With Lindy Leuschke leading the architectural design process, her eye for detail and functionality is reflected in every element.

"In designing these three unique homes, I took inspiration from older quality homes in the well-established suburb of Herne Bay," she says. "While harbour views, outlook and orientation to sunlight are maximised, privacy is maintained. I designed these homes to be contemporary, to sit comfortably into the Herne Bay environment, and to stand the test of time and remain relevant for many decades."

Spread over three levels, the northfacing aspect of the townhouses provides a stunning view of Waitematā Harbour while allowing natural light to fill the airy interiors. Location is a true feature; with proximity to the sea, the shops and restaurants of Jervois Road are only a short stroll away, and the Harbour Bridge, Westhaven and the CBD are also nearby.

With no stone unturned, the interiors have been carefully curated by Al Paget (designer and founder of Pipi Design), with an emphasis on the finest quality and luxurious finishes. The cleverly combined soft palette throughout the homes provides timeless energy with a choice of two colour schemes. Featuring Matisse kitchens, complemented by Gaggenau appliances, marble bench tops, exquisite mosaic finger tiles and Forte European oak flooring, it all combines to making the heart of the home a joy to be in. The bathrooms are equally elegant, with custom-made vanities, Italian tapware and marble tops. The soft palette continues in the bedrooms, where custom-built wardrobes and designer lighting complete the sense

of comfort and wellbeing. The striking facades and tranquil outdoor settings will be complemented by landscaping by Shafer Design.

Having worked within the residential development sector for many years and understanding the intricacies of selling off-plan, Maria Salmon, director of Reeveal Projects, is excited to take these two townhouses to market.

"There has not been anything quite like this on offer for some time in Herne Bay," she says. "Having been part of the project since the design planning phase, it's exciting to see Andrew and Catherine's dream come to fruition. We decided to call the development 'Honour' for a few reasons. Firstly, because it's honouring the suburb of Herne Bay with its rich history and natural beauty. It also honours the integrity that Andrew and Catherine have shown in replacing the old home on the site by putting an offering back into the market, which is not only needed but will also fit into the community and be well received by the locals. These homes are truly stunning examples of architecture done well."

With resource and building consents issued, 65b and 65c Hamilton Road are now released for sale.

FEATURES:

65b Hamilton Road, Herne Bay: Comfortable, open-plan living and decks, three bedrooms, study, two bathrooms, two separate powder rooms, and a stone bathtub in the ensuite. Dumb waiter, double garage and landscaped garden.

65c Hamilton Road, Herne Bay: Comfortable open-plan living and decks, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, dumb waiter, double garage and landscaped garden.

Expressions of interest are welcomed. Please contact Maria Salmon with all enquiries or to arrange a private appointment to view the display suite. 027 274 0573 reeveal.co.nz

Sheet dreams

WORDS FRAN NINOW

Workwise, I’ve had a variety of roles during my life. My ongoing passion for words, pictures and media in all its forms aside, I truly loved the time I spent training and working as a selector for a company called Woolworths Holdings Limited (known in New Zealand for Country Road, Witchery, and Trenery).

Here, I was fortunate enough to learn everything I know about textiles, including ethical trade, sustainable farming and sourcing of raw material, water stewardship, and waste reduction. I came to appreciate how different fabrics are made, and fell in love with anything of natural origin, especially merino, cashmere, silk, linen, and cotton.

So it was with great joy that I greeted an invitation from Lisa of House of March to try a night or two sleeping between their beautiful white cotton sheets, especially as I was fascinated by the fact that their bedding is 100% organic and that no

additional chemical nasties are used to add crispness or sheen or anything else along those lines. Plus, the raw material used in the manufacture of their sheets is both ethically farmed and traceable.

Sounds wholesome, doesn’t it? And this bed linen is. But it is also beautifully soft and silky to the touch, and wonderful to look at, too.  Sophisticated simplicity are the words that came to mind. Check out houseofmarch.co.nz to see what I mean. Oh –and they give the best night’s sleep ever.

Natural wooden wick with soothing sound of crackling fire

Essential Pieces

A Superior Night’s Sleep

On a mission to set a new standard for the bedding that New Zealanders sleep on each night, Lisa Knowler, from House of March, is creating luxurious bed linen that not only feels incredible to touch but is also free of any nasty chemicals.

Lisa Knowler’s love affair with highquality bed linen began with a stay at the world-famous Savoy Hotel in London where she lived with her husband. “The sheets and pillowcases were so lovely and soft to sleep on, that from that moment on I have always had a thing about buying the best bed linen possible. Having a great sleep experience is important to me and luxury sheets is now a part of that.”

After living overseas for a decade, Lisa and her husband returned home to New Zealand eight years ago with the desire to start a family, only to discover that their fertility journey wasn’t so straightforward. Struggling to maintain a pregnancy, Lisa started evaluating not only what she was eating, but also what products she was using on her body, as well as in her home. In a bid to live as toxin-free as possible, she switched to organic produce and products.

When researching the chemicals in bedlinen, Lisa was shocked to discover that many store-bought duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases are soaked in harmful chemicals to prevent wrinkling - one such ingredient is formaldehyde, a

known carcinogen. Or, they are made from cotton that is grown using harmful pesticides and toxins. “The idea of sleeping on that every night was so off-putting,” says Lisa. “I wanted a better option not only for myself, but also for others.” Having studied fashion design, the only obvious answer was to create her own range of safe, chemical-free and organic bed linen, and so the idea for House of March was born.

It wasn’t until Lisa sadly lost her father to Covid-19 that she became serious about starting the business. “New Zealand was in lockdown and my family and I were unable to fly to see my father when he was ill or then go to his funeral – we watched it on a video screen. This was a turning point for me. I decided that life is short and anything can happen, so there was no better time to start House of March.”

While being chemical-free was of utmost importance to Lisa, she did not want to compromise on the luxurious feel of the bed linen that she had become so accustomed to. The fabric needed to be soft and light against the skin, and wash and wear well. Using her knowledge of textiles, she started researching organic cotton growing practices, finally finding the perfect product in India where long-staple cotton is grown in rain-fed areas without irrigation. “Long staple cotton is superior in feel to short staple cotton, giving a much smoother feel against the skin,” says Lisa.

“We spend a huge amount of time in bed, so I think it is important that we have as 'clean' a sleep as possible and that means no nasty chemicals or toxins against our bodies. Organic cotton is grown without any pesticides and our products are finished without any harmful chemicals – so from seed to sew it has full traceability. If a customer can have premium sheets that are also organic, then it’s a win-win situation.”

Partnering with a Fairtrade supplier meant that House of March became New Zealand’s first Fairtrade certified bedding company. “Fairtrade means a lot of things, but the key things that are extremely important to me are that our organic cotton growers are paid a fair and decent price for the amazing cotton that they grow, and a proportion of sales goes back into the community,” says Lisa. “It also means that our entire supply chain is Fairtrade and that my company and everyone in my supply chain is audited. We are audited against things like only using adult employees with free will, that they work decent hours in safe conditions, and that they are paid a fair and decent wage – many of the rights that we would expect from our own workplaces in New Zealand.”

Intended to fit into any bedroom, the House of March range of duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases is timeless in its design. The current range – so popular that it has sold out in many sizes - consists of a crisp white palette with borders in various shades, from mink to navy. “I wanted to create luxurious bed linens in beautiful neutral designs that will fit into any colour scheme, but which will standalone to create a beautiful visual aesthetic,” says Lisa. A new range of colours is to be released in May.

Where will House of March be in the next 10 years? “I want House of March to be the first company people think of when needing to buy new bed linen,” says Lisa. “I want to be associated with quality and longevity and ethical design. Some House of March shops dotted around New Zealand would be pretty nice also.”

Want to be in to win a set of signature House of March fitted and top sheets? Visit @houseofmarch to enter.

“I want to be associated with quality and longevity and ethical design.”

Design of April

Backhouse Bell Pendant Lamp

Designer Box Álvaro

Designer Box Off-Centre Desk Clock

Cult Design About A Chair

Katalog Kant Desk

Because She’s Worth It

WORDS

Chia is mum to “three charming little men”. Her 10-year-old “bookworm” Etienne, who still allows her to kiss him on the lips and hold his hand in public. “Kitchen whizz and sports nut” Wolfgang is eight years old and “loves a good prank”, while the youngest, four-year-old Cassidy, is a musician who’s obsessed with Beyblades and craft glue.

What lessons and values do you hope to pass on to them?

Discover your passion and find a way to pursue it. Strive to live an authentic life and be kind, respectful and honest to those around you while doing so.

How did your mother influence your life and parenting approach?

My mother was strict with my brother and I. She missed out on having a carefree childhood and missed out on having an education, having to work from the age of 10 to help support her family of six siblings. She’s always been very clear with her intentions and her hardworking nature and meticulous

ways of doing things has definitely rubbed off on me. But I’m more open minded and adaptable, like my father, so I think my approach to parenting mimics my mother’s approach of having clear boundaries – but a little less strict! It’s lovely to see how my mother has softened over the years as a grandmother to six grandchildren. I think her time in NZ has helped her adjust to a more laid-back Kiwi way of raising children!

What are your earliest memories of Mother’s Day?

Growing up in Vietnam, Mother’s Day isn’t a celebrated. My parents escaped to New Zealand as refuges after the Vietnam War and worked most days to provide us with an upbring they could only dream of. My mother says: “Every day is Mother’s Day if my children are behaving!” The most memorable moments I have with her would be the countless karaoke nights in our living room squished together on a cream La-Z-Boy recliner – which my parents still own – belting out ‘Love Me Tender’ on repeat!

In celebration of Mother’s Day, Verve sits down with some cool Auckland mums who share some favourite memories and thoughtful parenting tips.

What are your favourite memories as a mother?

I’ve always loved the arts and crafts sent home from kindy with the boys, but to be honest it is just another day in our household. It’s definitely an excuse to do some baking which then gets delivered to my parents or girlfriends. Some years, we’ve gone out for a big family yum cha – which is always a winner with everyone!

Plans for this year?

My boys and I will probably whip up a batch of almond croissants or macadamia biscotti which we will deliver to my mum and partner’s mother. Probably followed with the usual cuddles, chaos, requests, mess, and noise from our gaggle of children.

What do you most love about motherhood?

I’m not sure how to answer that one – it’s just one big ride! So many highs and lows, it’s hard to pinpoint one specific thing. I think I’ll always enjoy having the opportunity to see how each of my boys develop in character as they get older. What I once thought they struggled with suddenly becomes their strength and what I used to worry about is no longer a problem. Noticing how inquisitive they become of the world around them as they get older amazes me. They develop their own opinions and beliefs and suddenly they’re getting to the age where you are no longer teaching them. You are alongside, supporting them. I guess I love the challenge of motherhood. For me, the challenge is to bring them up with good core values while also support their unique personalities and allowing them work it out for themselves, with my peripheral guidance.

Anything you now know that you wished you’d known as a new parent?

Everyone has their opinion and beliefs about how things should be done. Use what information sits well with you, trust your intuition, and just go for it. It’s not often things go exactly as planned, so just being mindful to go into each day prepared for the ups and downs. Don’t sweat the small stuff and just be kind to yourself, those around you, and enjoy the ride as no day is like the other.

Advice you’d give to new or expectant mums out there?

Take the time to really treasure the newborn stage. Every stage is great in its own way but there’s nothing like the smell, noises, and cuddles a brand new baby provides, and unfortunately this stage passes in a flash. Also, take the time, especially in the first month to rest, recover, and nap whenever possible. Making a conscious effort to take it slowly and let others help as much as possible will really help with recovery and your mental health.

Chia has kindly donated a $250 1-hour wellness session at Wellness with Chia ( wellnesswithchia.com) for one lucky mum. To enter visit vervemagazine.co.nz and click WIN then follow the directions.

Milly’s earliest Mother’s Day memories involve she and her sister excitedly waking up their mum “at the crack of dawn!” jumping into her bed with presents and handmade cards. “Now that I’m a mum myself, I realise that being woken up early was probably the last thing she actually wanted on Mother’s Day but I’m sure she loved the cuddles!”

What are your favourite memories of the day as a mother?

So far, that my kids are repeating history and also find the day so exciting. It’s nice to feel their love and spend the day altogether.

Plans for this year?

It’s ironic that I’m wishing for the very thing I never gave my own mum on Mother’s Day – a sleep-in would be the best present of all! Then, followed by breakfast in bed made by the kids – as long as I don’t have to clean the kitchen after the three of them have set a bomb off in the process! My mum always insists that my sister and I spend the day with our own kids now that we're also mothers, but we tend to ignore her and make sure we see her while my husband visits his mum. So many amazing mums to honour!

Tell us about your children.

Willow who, is seven, is literally like the Energizer bunny. She has so much zest for life and loves being active, from gymnastics to horseriding. Five-year-old George is the sweetest wee soul and a self-declared “prankster”. He loves being outdoors foraging and imagining up all sorts of magical games. Our third – and final – little one is our cheeky Remy, who, although only two, manages to keep up with his big sister and brother in both speed and noise. Having three kids can feel like complete madness at times, but it’s a beautiful chaos and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

What lessons do you hope to pass on to them?

“Just be kind and caring” is a motto we repeat a lot in our house – especially before a day at school – and I hope that this carries them right into adulthood also. But mostly, I’d love my kids to grow up spending more time in nature than they spend indoors in front of screens, and for them to be happy and confident in their own skin and to believe in themselves. The world truly is their oyster. I’m also trying to teach them the belief that the energy you put out into the world, is the energy you attract.

What do you most love about motherhood, and what advice would you give to mums just starting out?

The unconditional love that I feel for them. Sure, it can be exhausting and emotional at times, but they literally make my heart burst with happiness. My favourite moment is always at the end of the day lying next to them and reading books. With their head on my shoulder, and their warm little hands placed on mine, there really is no better feeling. As for advice, I love the saying ‘comparison is the thief of joy’. I spent so much time as a new mum worrying that I wasn’t doing it right, or that someone else’s baby was sleeping better. I wish I’d known that ‘my way’ was the only way I needed to follow. And be present and embrace every stage as it is true what they say, ‘the days are long, but the years are short’.

Tell us about your mum.

Mum has always been incredibly kind and selfless – my sister and I have always been her first priority and even now as adults she’s always there for both us and her grandchildren. She learnt to cook from her Mum (my Oma who was Austrian), and I’d like to think that her ability to make sure everyone is well fed has been passed down to me, although I’m definitely not as amazing a cook as she is sadly!

My favourite moment is always at the end of the day lying next to them and reading books.

Mother’s Day is bittersweet for Luci who sadly lost her mum when she was 25 to breast cancer. “It was before I became a mother and I found it a very difficult day to navigate,” recalls Luci. “But after having children eight years later, and experiencing the joy of having my own kids, I’ve come to enjoy this day more and find it easier to remember and celebrate my amazing mum.”

We’d love to hear about her. Mum was a very caring, selfless and strong woman. She wanted the very best for me, always putting me first. She was the oldest of seven children, so was always organising family and friends get-togethers – a role I often now find myself in! She envisioned having loads of kids herself, but had fertility issues, so just had me.

She seemed to juggle life as a working mum incredibly well and easily, working as a nurse while also being there for me, as Dad worked long hours. She was always there for me - both emotionally and physically, and encouraged me to have good morals and values, and this is

something I’m trying to continue with my children while I juggle running a business and being a mum.

Being my biggest cheerleader, no profession was off limits. She wanted me to achieve great things and to experience true love and the happiness of having a family of my own. She encouraged me to take every opportunity and try new things – piano and drum lessons, competitive roller skating, playing netball, athletics, skiing, trampolining, and doing many art programmes. This approach is something my husband I embrace, encouraging our kids to get involved in lots of different activities. We always ate together as a family. She was a fantastic cook, having lived overseas for 10 years, very experimental, cooking European dishes like paella for dinner, when everyone else was having meat and veg. I like to continue this tradition, eating together as a family every night, enjoying dishes from around the world and using this as an opportunity to teach the children about other cultures – which they’ll hopefully get to explore one day.

What are you favourite memories of Mother’s Day with her?

My parents collected NZ contemporary art and were heavily involved in the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth. I have fond memories of exploring the art gallery and lots of wine nights at my house with their friends, discussing art –and no doubt a lot of other things! Being an only child, I used to entertain myself with crafting and little art projects. For Mother’s Day and birthdays, I made origami boxes with notes inside telling her why and how much I loved her. My mum was super sentimental, and I found many of these homemade mementos in her jewellery box after she passed away.

What are you plans for Mother’s Day this year?

Breakfast in bed with homemade cards from my kids. Then a shared lunch with my in-laws, celebrating my amazing motherin-law.

Tell us about your kids.

Taylor and Enzo are two-and-a-half years apart and the best of friends – 90% of the time! We recently went on an amazing trip to Disney Land in LA and the Panorama Ski Resort in Canada and the kids absolutely loved the storytelling and thrilling rides of Disney Land – and the best churros ever – and skiing amongst the trees. Taylor is nine years old, with a quiet confidence – she’s really come out of her shell in the last couple of years. She’s super sporty, able to do most sports she tries her hand at. Her idol is Ruby Tui and she’s obsessed with Rippa Rugby. Enzo is seven and currently sporting a mullet. He’s a bit of a joker but a sensitive soul who’s always up for a cuddle when no one’s watching. He loves pasta, football and also gaming.

What values do you hope to instil in them?

To always try your best and give everything a go. To be honest, kind and treat everyone with respect and equality. To live life to the fullest – and have fun!

What do you most love about motherhood?

Experiencing unwavering, fierce love and being tested daily. Watching these little people grow before your eyes and learn new things.

Anything you wished you’d known as a new parent, and advice you’d pass on?

Try and relax. An anxious parent makes for an anxious baby and child. That those sleepless nights do pass, and that they grow so quickly, so enjoy those cuddles and milestones in the moment, not wishing for the next. Though there’s no rule book, there are some great books to guide you on babies’ sleeping and eating, which was all so foreign to me. And when someone offers to help or bring you food, say yes.

Experiencing unwavering, fierce love and being tested daily. Watching these little people grow before your eyes and learn new things.

Sarah is mum to five-year-old Mataya, who’s affectionate and loving and, “like a little fairy, moves gently in this world”. Though shy a first, Sarah says that once Mataya gets comfortable, you’d “better be ready for endless chatter!” A huge lover of music and dance, last year, Mataya performed a ballet, jazz, hip hop and contemporary item, and this year has started in the bi-lingual te reo unit at Westmere Primary School, which she adores.

What lessons and values do you hope to pass on to her?

Be brave, be honest, be kind.

Can you tell us a little about your mother and her influence on your life?

My mum is my best friend. We speak several times a day and Facetime on top of that! But we probably approach parenting differently! Mum is a stickler for time, something I certainly didn’t inherit – though I know my husband wishes I did! I just remember always feeling loved and safe with my mum, and I still do. I want my daughter to feel the same.

Do you have any favourite Mother’s Day memories with her?

Lunch at Sails. Mum getting me into my number ones for a fancy lunch. In the 80s, all the boardwalks were open and we loved walking up and down after lunch looking at all the beautiful boats.

And favourite memories of the day as a mother?

Every year since Mataya was born, I’ve worked Mother’s Day at my restaurant. It’s a huge day for hospitality. I have the fondest memories of bringing her in for a while over Mother’s Day lunch

each year, from carrying her around as baby to her toddling around as she learned to walk, and last year her wanting to seat people and offering water! Mataya is the same age as Morell, so it’s lovely for the regulars to watch her grow with us.

So, you’ll be working again this year?

Yes! Mataya will make her usual cameo appearance but she’ll spend most of the day with her Nonna - my mum – celebrating with the rest of the family.

Tell us what most moves you about motherhood. That unconditional, pure love that’s so equally reciprocated.

Anything you wished you’d known as a new parent, and tips you’d pass on?

Yes, trust your gut – the most important things will happen organically. And a mother’s instinct is everything trust that too.

Motherly Love

Struggling to think of that thoughtful gift to show your appreciation this Mother's Day ?

Read on...

ÀIMAI Design | aimaidesign.com

Treat Mum this Mother's Day with the timeless, effortless yarn and cashmere range at ÀIMAI Design. Luxurious, tactile bouclé, it's the essence of the importance of maintaining the durability of ÀIMAI's knitwear collection, using ultra-fine merino wool that's incredibly soft to the touch and ideal for sensitive skin. Shop their range in Ponsonby, New Market and CBD.

ECOVACS WINBOT | ecovacs.com/nz

Give your mum the gift of sparkling clean windows with the ECOVACS WINBOT W1 PRO robotic window cleaner! Featuring ECOVACS’ first dual direction cross auto-spray technology, strong suction power of 2800Pa, intelligent WIN-SLAM 3.0 path planning and more, the WINBOT W1 PRO enables for a simple, smooth and thorough window cleaning experience. RRP $899

Make Mother's Day unforgettable with a special gift of jewellery that tells the story of your love. Show your appreciation with my beautiful collection of handcrafted pieces and let your mum know just how much she means to you with a gift that will last a lifetime.

July

Melbourne-based luggage brand July has a range of beautiful travel bags and accessories that are now available in New Zealand, including the Carry On which features an ejectable battery to charge phones and laptops, SilentMove® 360 spinner wheels, a hidden water-resistant laundry bag and a lifetime warranty.

To make the gift even more special, you can personalise it with Mum's name, favourite quote, or even a cute emoji.

Exquisitely detailed, and meticulously handcrafted by jeweller, Nicki, in her small studio in Auckland, Lilygriffin Jewellery is named after her children and takes inspiration from the colourful beauty of Aotearoa. Sterling silver and solid gold hand-painted botanicals – little treasures to spoil Mum with this Mother’s Day. Made with love, from one mum to another.

Treat your mum to something as beautiful as she is this Mother's Day with The Wild Rose's stunning Flowers and Gifts. Choose from a vast selection of beautiful bouquets, hat boxes, flower gift boxes, candles and giftware that come with a free gift card to express your love and appreciation in your own words. With nationwide delivery (free on orders over $100) you can make Mum feel cherished no matter where she is. Order online and get a 5% discount by using the code VERVE at thewildrose.co.nz

Modern Wedding Etiquette

Everyone loves being invited to a wedding. They are joyous and heartwarming occasions, and it’s an honour to be a part of a couple’s special day. A day in which they have poured their hearts and souls into planning.

To help you navigate your next wedding – and to ensure you stay in the couple’s good graces - here are the 10 top etiquette rules:

Return your RSVP on time

It may seem simple enough, but not returning your RSVP is the first faux pas a guest can make. Couples base their entire day (and budget) on their guest count, so it’s important to return your RSVP in a timely manner – don’t give the couple the added pressure of having to chase down responses just weeks before their nuptials. Return your RSVP by post or digitally, per instructions provided by the couple.

Bring a ‘plus one’ only if the invitation allows Etiquette debates surrounding plus-ones are common, but there's a straightforward answer: only those whose names are on the invite are invited. If it’s just your name, then you are going solo. Don’t even think to ask whether you can bring your new fling. However, if your invitation does include “and guest”, be sure that you RSVP for two and include your date’s name. As for whether kids are invited, again this is usually included on the invite. If unsure, reach out to the bride and groom as soon as you receive your invite and check whether it is appropriate to bring children to any part of the celebration. Never assume anything.

Arrive on time

No doubt the bride will be fashionably late, but that doesn’t mean you should be too. No excuses for being late are good enough when it comes to weddings, so make sure you allow enough time for any mishaps, such as bad traffic or your children not wanting to be left with the babysitter, so that you arrive before the specified start time. If all hell breaks loose and arriving late is unavoidable, stand quietly at the back of the ceremony until there is an appropriate time to sneak into a seat without any fanfare. And always make sure your phone is on silent.

Stick to the dress code

A wedding is all about honouring the couple so make sure your appearance reflects that by being respectfully and appropriately dressed for the event. If a dress code is written on the invite, make sure to stick to it. If no dress code is listed, try to match the tone and venue of the wedding. If it’s more a beachy vibe, you could get away with more casual attire and flat shoes, whereas a formal reception would require a dressier look with high heels. Also, it’s the couple’s special day, not yours, so don’t bring undue attention to yourself - now is not the time to wear a bold fashion statement or anything too revealing. If your outfit is better suited for a nightclub, then that’s where it should remain to be worn. Unless you're the bride or the invite says otherwise, leave all white, ivory, and champagne-hued shades in the store. You could even go to the extra length of finding out the colour of the bridesmaids dresses to avoid wearing a similar shade.

No one wants to be that guest at the wedding. The one who the married couple wished they had never invited. While some wedding etiquette rules have become old fashioned in today’s world, there are still some that you must absolutely follow.

Respect the seating plan

If there is a seating plan, know that it did not come about without some headache. The least you can do is respect the couple’s wishes and sit where you are supposed to. This is especially important when it comes to dietary or allergy requirements so to not cause any confusion when the waiters are serving meals, or God forbid, a guest to have an allergic reaction.

Give an appropriate gift

These days it’s no longer considered gauche for the couple to ask for gifts via a wedding gift registry, or even a cash contribution towards either an experience or a large ticket item. Whatever the couple have requested, it is good etiquette to obey their wishes – don’t be the guest that takes it upon themselves to gift something the couple don’t want or need. If choosing something thoughtful is important to you, rest assured that there is usually a variety of gift options listed on a registry – as long as you don’t leave purchasing something to the day before the wedding. There is no minimum or maximum dollar amount to spend, but this is a time to be generous if you can, taking into consideration your relationship with the couple.

Be respectful with your phone

The couple would rather you be present at their wedding than on your phone all day, so be respectful of this and keep it turned on silent, or better yet turned off. Some couple’s may even request an unplugged ceremony – if this is the case, keep it untouched in your bag or pocket. Unless you’re specifically told no photos are allowed, taking a few snaps or videos of the day is fine, however, for critical moments, like the first kiss or the cake cutting, be sure to stay out of the way to avoid ruining the shot for the professionals. And certainly don’t push or barge just to get ‘the shot’.

Follow social media guidelines

When it comes to posting on social media, make sure to follow any social media guidelines the couple may have, such as using a specific hashtag, tagging the couple, or not posting the location. Often a couple will request that you don’t post any photos of them on social media until they have – so only guest and party shots will do in the meantime, but always be tasteful and respectful with what you choose to share with your followers. The last thing the newlyweds want to see when scrolling Instagram the next day is an unflattering photo of themselves or of their inebriated bridesmaid. If in doubt, don’t post.

Party responsibly

Sure, weddings are for having a good time, but do so responsibly. An extremely drunk guest is not a good look. Know your limits, and don’t drink to get drunk. If you do find yourself slurring, then excuse yourself and leave before you make a scene. Equally, don’t be the party pooper who sits in their seat all night. Get involved in the wedding – even if it means taking part in a conga line - and show the couple how much you appreciate being there.

Send a thank you note

While the art of letter writing is slowly disappearing, a thankyou note never goes unappreciated. Whether you send a note by phone, email, or a handwritten letter, short or long, it is a polite and lovely sentiment to let the married couple know how much you enjoyed their special day, and how grateful you were to be a part of it. You could also include your favourite memories from the wedding and make sure to wish them well for their married future.

Get involved in the wedding – even if it means taking part in a conga line - and show the couple how much you appreciate being there.

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Skiers and snowboarders can experience incredible heliskiing with a private guide, departing directly from the lodge to some of New Zealand’s most renowned terrain.

Minaret Station Alpine Lodge invites guests to savour the finest local cuisine, matched with award-winning wines, and bask in the afterglow in a private hot tub under the southern stars.

Black Swan Luxury Lakeside Boutique Hotel

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It's simple to plan the wedding of your dreams with this spectacular property. Exclusive venue hire includes access to the entire property, nine elegantly designed guest rooms, sweeping lawns, a private jetty, a grotto with two spa pools, and an outdoor swimming pool.

The Black Swan is well known for its picturesque settings, Victorian-styled gardens, and panoramic lake views. Our philosophy is about sharing the New Zealand story with you while adding value for guests beyond a room. All in an authentic luxury setting where everything you touch in these exquisite rooms is of the highest quality, with designer lounges intended to be lounged on.

This chic, contemporary romantic hotel is located on the edge of Lake Rotorua – a most tranquil setting. Relax in the comfort of your in-room fireplace, stone soaker tub,

or monsoon shower. Luxurious toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers complete the look.

On the lawn or in the elegant conservatory, serve champagne and canapes to your guests. The private dining room is ideal for your wedding reception, where guests can sip a glass of wine while admiring the lake views.

This breathtaking venue has everything you need in a wedding venue and will impress your guests with spacious accommodation and unforgettable settings.

Gift certificates are available for special occasions; all enquiries are welcome.

Koura Lodge

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Situated at the lake front of Lake Rotorua, Koura Lodge is at the centre of it all: just five minutes’ drive to the city centre and even closer to many of Rotorua’s attractions. The lodge offers a variety of accommodation across 10 spacious rooms all with 180-degree views of Lake Rotorua.

Wake up to the sound of native birdlife, and as the sun rises over the water enjoy a fresh breakfast buffet at our lakeside dining room. Enjoy kayaking, fishing, the spa, the sauna, or relax and unwind on the lakeside with a glass of local wine on our sun lounges.

Autumn is a time of change and a great time to reset at Parohe with our range of pampering, educational, immersive retreats that will get you ready for the cosy winter months ahead.

Grab a couple of days on the island away from your busy life and experience the outstanding wellness packages on offer:

Reset at a 2,3, or 4 night Signature Retreat in April

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Not only do we share the same morals and sense of humour, but the same passion for our craft and vision of what we wanted to create for our future perfectly aligned. GOODHOOD HAIR is set in a unique, character-style building with a strong industrial fitout softened with pops of colour, lots of books, and contemporary art. A visual reflection of who we are. A dream we shared brought to life. This is goodhood. Phone 09 9639764 .

This Mother's Day, give the gift of luxurious lips with Luxe Appearance’s premium lip filler. Our expert team will help you achieve the perfect pout, tailored to your individual features and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a subtle enhancement or a bold statement, we will work with you to create a natural looking and beautiful result. Treat your mum, or yourself, to a little luxury and book your appointment today.

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Treat your mother to the luxurious Davines Oi Range this Mother's Day. Enriched with nourishing Roucou Oil, the range adds an irresistible shine and spa-like experience to any hair routine. The new Liquid Lustre delivers a luminous finish that exudes opulence and sophistication. Indulge in this decadent line and let your Mother feel truly pampered. Available in all Servilles Salon, and online at Servilles Shop.

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Dealing with the Big S

Stress is an unavoidable part of our lives.

Whether it's work-related pressure, financial troubles, or relationship woes, we all experience stress in one form or another. While occasional stress can help us perform better, prolonged stress can take a toll on our mental and physical health, including our skin.

The skin is our body’s largest organ and plays a vital role in protecting us from the outside environment. Stress affects the skin in many ways, and understanding its effects can help us take better care of ourselves. In this article, we will explore the relationship between stress and skin health.

EFFECTS OF STRESS ON THE SKIN

Stress triggers a series of reactions in the body that can affect the skin's health. Here are some ways stress can impact the skin:

Acne and Breakouts

Stress can cause an increase in the production of the hormone cortisol, which stimulates the sebaceous glands in the skin. This can lead to an overproduction of sebum, causing acne and breakouts.

Premature Ageing

Chronic stress can accelerate the ageing process, leading to premature wrinkles and fine lines. This is because stress causes an increase in the production of free radicals, which damage the skin cells and reduce collagen production.

Inflammation and Irritation

Stress can cause inflammation and

irritation in the skin, leading to conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Inflammation can also aggravate existing skin conditions, making them more difficult to manage.

Dry Skin

Stress can disrupt the skin's natural barrier function, leading to dehydration and dryness. This can make the skin look dull and lifeless.

MANAGINING STRESS FOR A HEALTHY SKIN

Managing stress is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Here are some tips to help reduce stress levels:

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise is a great way to reduce stress levels. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters that can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Practice Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help calm the mind and reduce stress levels.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial for reducing stress levels. Aim to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night to help your body and mind recharge.

Eat Healthily

Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help reduce stress levels and improve overall health.

Care for Your Skin

Taking care of your skin can also help reduce stress levels. This ritualistic practice can help you either prepare for your day or help you unwind. Engage a professional to ensure you are using the correct products for your skin and have the tools to ensure that your skin can be managed during stressful periods.

CONCLUSION

Stress can have a significant impact on our skin's health, leading to acne, premature ageing, inflammation, and dryness. Understanding the effects of stress on the skin can help us take better care of ourselves. By managing stress through exercise, relaxation techniques, sleep, and a healthy diet, we can maintain healthy, glowing skin. Remember, healthy skin is a reflection of a healthy mind and body.

Inner Beauty

Resonate is a new concept in hearing health. Tell us about your approach and what makes you different.

Craig: At Resonate, we’re on a mission to help all Kiwis feel more comfortable and empowered when it comes to their hearing health. For most of us what goes on in our ears is a mystery, yet hearing has a huge part to play in our overall health. Sleep, balance, and memory are just some of the areas of our lives that are impacted when we have poor hearing – if we can help people with that it absolutely changes lives.

When a client walks through your door, what are the key priorities?

Mel: Everything starts with giving our clients a brilliant experience. Our studios are really comfortable and welcoming. Our Ear360 ear and hearing health assessments go beyond typical hearing checks, empowering customers to understand the link between hearing and overall health. If a client needs hearing devices, Resonate offers top-ofthe-line technology at a much more affordable price point, and everything is included: you get unlimited support and servicing and you can return your devices at any time, no questions asked.

What started your own journey as hearing health practitioners?

Mel: I was born in the United States and initially worked in social work which is where I found my calling: helping others. When I started working at Resonate I found that I actually have extended audibility loss myself and so I got fitted with hearing aids. They’re brilliant – I even do yoga in mine!

Craig: I grew up in Auckland and originally trained as a teacher before going back to Uni to study for my Masters in Audiology. My special area of interest is innovation in audiology and I’m now completing my PhD.

Anything you’d like to say to those putting off getting their ears checked?

Mel: Yes! Don’t put it off – come in and see us. If you or a loved one have been struggling to hear you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make when you finally get some help. You can get so much energy back.

To find out more, visit resonatehealth.co.nz

Verve chats with Craig Lett and Mel Owen from Resonate to find out more about their holistic approach to hearing health.

Pesky Pigment

However, overactive areas of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) within the skin can cause areas of hyperor hypopigmentation, giving our skin an uneven appearance.

Hypopigmentation is the loss of the cells’ ability to produce melanin and results in a lighter patch than the surrounding skin, while hyperpigmentation – or excess production – leaves us with darker patches.

The causes for hyperpigmentation can vary, and include:

· ageing and genetic factors

· t rauma to the skin

environmental and UV exposure medications and medical conditions, particularly hormonal

As most people will have these experiences, you could say a life well lived causes pigmentation!

The most common types of hyperpigmentation we address in clinic are:

Freckles

Small spots of concentrated melanin, usually brown, tan, red or black. They tend to be activated by UV exposure so tend to bother patients when they are in areas such as the face, arms, neck, and decolletage.

Melasma

While most people associate it with ‘the mask of pregnancy’, it’s much more complex. It’s more common in women than in men, typically occurs between 20-40 years of age and is most common in those that tan easily or have naturally darker skins.

Age Spots (Solar Lentigo)

Caused by repeated UV exposure over time and also known as liver spots, these typically appear as large flat and light brown in colour.

Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

If you have had an injury or even a mole removed, your doctor will have discussed the possibility of PIH. This is when the inflammation from the injury can disrupt the melanocyte. The melanin may then be unable to spread evenly or may in effect pool or clump in areas. This can be very difficult to treat as the melanocyte is physically damaged.

TREATMENT

Here at Clinic 42, doctors believe that IPL, and in particular the Venus Versa, offer the best overall results in pigment reduction.

IPL uses light-based technology. This generates heat when absorbed by the targeted tissue, while leaving the surrounding tissue undamaged, while

a built-in cooling system helps keep the surface of the skin comfortable during the procedure.

The same frequency used to target pigment also targets haemoglobin, so visible veins and blood vessels on the face are also treated at the same time.

IPL works best for light to medium skin tones. The treatment may work on darker skin, but there is a higher risk of discolouration as darker skin has more pigment in it. We encourage patients to have a consultation, discuss what’s involved, and carry out a test patch to check if it’s the right treatment for them.

Most patients will undergo 4-5 treatments per area. The exact number will depend on the individual and the area being treated. Treatments are usually spaced 3-4 weeks apart and our skin therapist will go over what you need to do between treatments. This will involve protecting the area from any UV exposure, which can be difficult during warmer weather, or if it’s the backs of hands.

If you’re interested in finding out more about IPL for pigment or any of the treatments available at Clinic 42, visit our website at clinic42.co.nz . If you’d like to book an appointment to see one of our practitioners you can do this on our website or contact our reception team on 09 638 4242 or reception@clinic42.co.nz .

Smoother and more confident you!

Before 12 weeks after one treatment

Before 12 weeks after one treatment

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In the Name of the Father

WORDS

Sorrell Wines may be a relative new kid on the Marlborough vineyard block, but founder and winemaker Daniel Sorrell has learned from some of the very best. He takes a break from harvest to share his story with Verve.

“Harvest is a thrilling time for me as winemaker,” he says. “Thanks to all the hard work that the vineyard team have put in throughout the growing season, you get to work with amazing fruit. I love heading out to the vineyards and getting excited about what I’ll be able to create in the bottle.”

Sorrell is a smaller scale label “committed to tradition” and “minimal manipulation”, using indigenous vineyard yeast fermentations that ensure “a connection to place”. Wines, aged in French oak, are crafted from

grapes grown on vineyards spread across three Marlborough sites. The historic Auntsfield, where Scotsman David Herd planted the region’s first commercial grapes in 1873, has high mineral greywacke rock and low fertility loess clay soils to sustain vines of sauvignon blanc. The Wrekin is a spectacular hillside location where fruit blooms “with concentration, varietal intensity and bright, natural acidity”, while the dense, deep clay soils and alluvial gravels of Churton, one of Marlborough’s most elevated blocks, promises wines of “compelling structure and character”.

“Working with such amazing and varied sites and showcasing the diversity of varietals across the Sorrell wine range is great,” says Daniel. “They have their own DNA and their own people and personality behind them. Hopefully, I have been able to do them justice.”

Do you have a favourite vineyard?

“No – it would be like picking between your children! I choose to work with these sites because of their uniqueness, and I want to translate them in my wines. When you line up a Sorrell portfolio tasting you’ll see the difference between

sites. That’s why I do single vineyards. I want to show the pedigree of these sites and how special and different they are. It’s amazing to see how much a site can influence a varietal in a region like Marlborough, which has very distinct sub-regions. Every ferment is started from the corresponding vineyard, so every wine is truthful to its origin.”

How much is down to the soil and climate versus the skill of the winemaker?

“Good question. Wine is made in the vineyard. Without good grapes you can’t make great wine. Soil and climate are everything and the growers work hard trying to improve their soils that grow our grapes for Sorrell wines. We work in an industry that relies heavily on Mother Nature, so I believe you must do the best for the land so that it gives back to you and ensures a better place for the next generation.”

Daniel’s journey to winemaker was an unusual one. Taking a break from a neardecade-long career in corporate banking in London in his mid-20s, he headed to mainland Europe to work on luxury boats where he crewed with a French guy from Montpellier.

“We dropped in to visit his family and it happened to be harvest time which

totally opened my eyes to a new culture – and the possibility of a new career. I met so many great people, hard workers passionate about their vineyards, wines, and craft. They were humble and happy and excited to share with this New Zealand boy what the wine world was about and I was hooked. I headed back to London to work in finance, but I didn’t forget that experience.”

Daniel later enrolled in a Wine & Spirit Education Trust course and returned to Aotearoa to study at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawke’s Bay.

“I’m not a natural student but studied hard and gained hands-on experience at Vidal, one of Villa Maria’s brands at the time. That practical experience confirmed that I was on the right track. Once qualified I did back-toback vintages in France, America, and Australia, finally ending up back home in New Zealand eight years after graduating. I was fortunate to work under many talented winemakers who helped me refine my craft and better understand what I’m trying to achieve.”

I ask Daniel how the New Zealand industry differs from overseas.

“Vine age, viticultural practices, history, tradition, culture, it’s all hugely

different,” he says. “I’m so lucky to have experienced all of it over my years in this industry, and I still want more. With Sorrell Wines I’m able to pick the best from all of it, as we luckily don’t have a lot of restrictions that other places do, such as the appellation laws in France.”

What advice would you give to a young winemaker just starting out?

“It’s such an amazing industry. You get to see and experience new cultures, to visit some of the world’s most beautiful countries, meet amazing people, and have experiences you’ll remember for the rest of your life. You’re always learning, and you’ll be able to bring back fresh ideas that are going to be beneficial for the NZ wine industry. So go with open eyes and embrace all challenges and opportunities. Don’t be precious – get your hands dirty. You’ll learn something different from every vintage and maybe one day you’ll be crazy enough to start your own label.”

Getting his hands dirty is something that Daniel embraced from an early age, with many a day spent helping out on his grandparents’ farm: “My parents were hardworking middle-class people, and I spent a lot of my youth with my grandparents on the farm. I think I’ve always been a hard worker.”

Daniel had an especially close bond his late father (the Sorrell Wines logo is his family crest, which is originally from France), who passed away “before I launched my wines, but was very proud I was finally chasing my dream”.

“He was a humble man that didn’t want for much, apart from his love for travel, a good yarn, and tasty treats. He was a red wine lover. His father spent a lot of time in Australia, and passed on his affinity for port, sherry, and Australian big reds to my dad. Not what I make, but I do enjoy them.”

One of Daniel’s favourite father-son wine memories is of a birthday trip to the Amalfi Coast, to an “amazing little restaurant in Positano” where they were the only non-Italians. “By the end of the night my dad had just about met everyone in the restaurant, chatting with his broken Italian and their basic English,” recalls Daniel. “It’s one of the great memories I have of travelling with him and captures who he was.”

Any other favourite wine memories?

“Meeting Angelo Gaja was a great moment. He is one of the Barolo’s pioneers, a wine legend and someone I have huge respect for. I’d have never thought Angelo would have greeted a

little Kiwi winemaker, but after the cellar tour, he was there. A fearless and wise man. Extremely kind and open to what a winemaker from the New World had to say. We tasted Gaja wines in the cellar door and then he suggested a place for lunch. Was one of the best meals I’ve had in Italy.”

But there’s nowhere quite like home, “with family, friends, and my beautiful partner”, for enjoying a glass or two of his favourite vino: “We’re in the middle of renovations, so not so much wine drinking at the moment – maybe a cold beer at the end of the day! After harvest and renovating we’ll get some lovely wines and enjoy some good meals with friends. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Daniel describes his wines as “elegant and balanced”. He loves tension in wines, a characteristic for which Marlborough is ideally – and uniquely – suited. “I’ve only released my 2021 wines – 2022 are still in-barrel – and I’m extremely happy with the quality. 2022 looks just as promising. But it will always be the first vintage that means most. It’s such a learning curve in the first year and a huge new responsibility that doesn’t compare to making wines for someone else.”

The first wine is always scary, he adds, putting yourself out there and hoping folk “understand what you’re trying to achieve”.

“Sorrell Wines has been a bit of a selfish project - one that I’ve wanted to do for years and finally built up the courage to pursue. I make wines I am proud of and so I went with my surname, as I stand behind them to make something delicious. It is also a tribute to my dad.”

Daniel is full of praise for the vignerons that so expertly work and manage the vineyards to “grow great grapes”: “It’s humbling to take their fruit and work closely with them to achieve what I think is the best for Sorrell Wines.” An exciting new project has started in 2023, but he’s sworn to secrecy for now.

“Whether it’s restoring old cars, house renovations, raising three kids or starting my own label, I’ve always got something on the go! There are never enough hours in the day. I need to keep busy, it’s just the way I’m wired.”

And with that, it’s time to return to harvest.

sorrellwines.co.nz

“It’s humbling to take their fruit and work closely with them to achieve what I think is the best for Sorrell Wines.”

Taste & Drink

Wine columnist and connoisseur DENNIS KNILL gives his views on two of Orlando’s new wine portfolios.

It all began when Johann Gramps migrated from Eichig, a small village in Bavaria, to South Australia in 1837. After planting grapes along the banks of Jacob’s Creek in 1847, the first vintage produced 12 dozen bottles of hock, fermented in small oak barrels.

The vintage was so successful the winery grew rapidly and in 1877 Gustav Gramp, Johann’s son, built a new winery in Rowland Flat, naming it Orlando after an Italian version of the settlement’s name. For the next century, Orlando progressed from a family business to a multi-national and in 1971 was acquired by Reckitt and Coleman only to be brought back by the family before being on sold to Pernod Ricard, a global producer of some of the world’s finest wines.

Today, Orlando is a household name with award-winning wines that capture all that is great about Australian classic wines, at an affordable price point. For sheer depth and intensity, these two take some beating.

’18 Orlando Printz Shed shiraz, RRP $30

Finding a good shiraz at this price is rare. A full-bodied, textured wine from Northern Barossa propelled with waves of ripeness and aromatics, and balanced with great structure and an abundance of concentrated fruit that makes for an easy drinking wine. Works well with BBQs, roasts, lamb, and casseroles.

’15 Orlando Centenary Hill shiraz, RRP $65

This excellent example from Southern Barossa sets the benchmark for Orlando’s new wine portfolio. Picked from old vines and fermented in French and American oak barrels, this flavour-bursting wine is packed with richness and framed with soft, silky tannins. Will cellar well and long. Pair with beef, venison, lamb and game.

Food & Wine

Let’s Eat Out

DENNIS and ROSAMUND KNILL

The iconic Eight is back leading the way with classy dining overseen by executive chef Volker Marecek and his innovative buffet package.

It’s hard to keep such flair on track from one kitchen to another let alone eight different workstations! The menu depends entirely on you, a culinary journey with a variety of dishes from the likes of the US, India, Italy, and Japan that includes everything from seafood to salad to sweet treats and everything in between. You might start with entrees of sushi, sashimi, rock oysters, prawns, dim sum, or a simple handmade fresh salad. And if temptation rules, a wiser suggestion for mains would be small samples rather than normal servings.

Leading the way from the seafood kitchen is a selection of wet fish, crab, oysters, mussels, bugs, and squid. Awaiting on the grill are premium meat cuts of venison, sirloin, eye fillet, lamb rump, kangaroo, ostrich, wild pork and a range of pork, angus, and chicken gourmet sausages. The frequently changing Indian route has its own tandoor ovens with offerings of butter chicken, fish tikka, lamb korma, prawn biriyani complete with rice, chutneys, yoghurt dips, naan bread and poppadums.

Passion lurks with pizzas, risotto, and chicken pasta from the Italian station while the Japanese chef works his magic expertly preparing salmon, tuna, kingfish, snapper, squid, and prawn sushi. His attention to detail will have you re-evaluating benchmarks.

With no limit to how many times you can fill your plate, don’t pass up on dessert and the pleasure of sweets. Chocolate mousse, creme brulee, sticky date pudding, chia passionfruit, tapioca and mango, bread and butter pudding, fruit salad, sorbet, ice cream – and a chocolate fountain for chocoholics!

The wine list is a big hitting line-up of local and imported vintages including an excellent by-the-glass selection to engage with all the senses.

And the verdict? Eight has some of the most adventurous and exemplary food in Auckland with dishes that continue to push the envelope from the inevitable boredom of smorgasbord dining. This is a must-do, fasten-your-seatbelts dining experience that never misses a beat. Expect to pay $149pp (weekends) and $105pp (weekdays). Bookings essential.

EIGHT

Cordis Hotel, 83 Symonds Street, CBD. 09 379 5132

Menu: 9.5, cuisine: 9.5, wine list: 8, service: 8.5, decor: 8, value for money: 9.5.

Tomato with Whipped Feta

Serves: 2

We love the height of summer, when heirloom tomatoes are rich and sweet, ripened on the vine, and the subtleties of flavour in the varieties are pronounced.

T his tomato medley salad plays on the subtleties of the varieties’ flavours with a contrasting whipped feta and a sweet honeychilli drizzle. Make extra of the whipped feta and the honeychilli drizzle to reconstruct this later as a dip with other garden goodies. Though, honestly, it is best with fresh tomatoes – an addictive combination.

Ingredients

4 tbsp honey

½ tsp chilli seeds

1 tbsp butter

2 tbsp capers

500g mixed heirloom (or homegrown) tomatoes, sliced (little ones can be left whole)

½ small red onion, finely chopped small handful of Italian parsley, roughly chopped

Whipped feta

80g feta

40g sour cream (or yoghurt)

½ garlic clove, minced

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp olive oil

lemon zest and cracked pepper (optional)

Method

To make the whipped feta, blend the feta and sour cream in a food processor until smooth, then stir in the remaining ingredients by hand. Chill until required.

In a small pot, heat honey until runny (no need to simmer or boil) then add chilli seeds and stir thoroughly.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a small pan and fry capers until crispy. Leave to cool.

Layer whipped feta on the base of the plate, followed by tomatoes, capers, red onion and parsley. Drizzle with the honey chilli just before serving, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Recipes extracted from Nostrana by Bri DiMattina. HarperCollins NZ, RRP $55. Photography: Lottie Hedley

Food & Wine

Tomato Caper Sauce with Parmesan Fish

Serves: 4

This sauce is essentially a ‘cooked salsa’ to serve on fish, chicken or even beans, rather than as a pasta or pizza sauce (although go right ahead!).

It’s a summer flavour bomb and goes with everything. Most memorable for me growing up was this sauce served on blue cod, so that’s what I’m giving you here. If you like, make a bigger batch of the sauce and keep it in the fridge or freezer to have on hand for a quick meal.

Ingredients

plain flour, for dusting the fish

4 blue cod fillets

3 eggs

¼ cup (60ml) milk

chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme or oregano), to taste

½ cup (40g) finely grated parmesan butter or olive oil, for frying

Tomato caper sauce

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 slices pancetta or streaky bacon

4 large tomatoes, chopped

5 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp lemon zest

½ tsp paprika

¼ tsp cayenne pepper, optional

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 cup (250ml) water

1 cup (250ml) white wine

1 cup combined oregano and parsley leaves, finely chopped

100g butter, chopped

¼ cup (50g) capers

100g butter, chopped

1/4 cup (50g) capers

Recipes extracted from Nostrana by Bri DiMattina. HarperCollins NZ, RRP $55. Photography: Lottie Hedley

Method

To make the sauce, heat the oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, then add the pancetta and cook until crispy.

Add the tomatoes, garlic and lemon zest. Cook for a few minutes, until the tomatoes have reduced down a little, then add the spices, tomato paste, water, wine and half the herbs. Simmer for about 10 minutes, until it thickens. Add the butter and stir until melted and combined. Remove from the heat and add the remaining herbs and capers (if you want, you could fry the capers in a little butter until crispy first).

Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.

Season the flour with salt and pepper then use to lightly dust the fish. I do this by placing a few tablespoons of seasoned flour to a bag, then adding the fillets and shaking gently to coat evenly.

In a shallow bowl, lightly whisk the eggs and milk together, then stir in the herbs and parmesan.

Heat the butter or olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.

Dip the fillets into the egg mixture and place into the pan (you may need to spoon a little of the herbs and cheese left in the dish on top of them). Cook for about 5 minutes each side, until lightly golden brown and just cooked through.

Reheat the sauce and serve with the fish on top.

Note:

You could swap the blue cod for monk fish, or talk to your fishmonger for other alternatives.

Grilled Capsicum & Tomato Tart

Serves: 4

This tart is almost better cold the next day than it is straight from the oven, making it perfect picnic food.

Feel free to use puff pastry instead of shortcrust, but still leave a border around the edge so that you get a lovely crust.

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra to drizzle

2 anchovy fillets

2 shallots, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

500g shortcrust pastry

150g gruyere, grated

4 tbsp chopped herbs (such as thyme, sage and oregano), plus extra, to serve

2 large heirloom tomatoes, sliced

3 large capsicums, cut into pieces and lightly chargrilled

Method

Preheat the oven to 190°C fan-forced. Lightly grease a large baking tray.

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat and cook the anchovies, shallots and garlic for a couple of minutes, until softened.

Set aside to cool.

Roll out the pastry to a 30cm × 20cm rectangle and place onto the prepared tray. Spread the cooled anchovy mixture over, leaving a 2cm border around the edge.

Sprinkle with gruyere and herbs, then layer the tomato and capsicum on top, slightly overlapping.

Fold the edges of the pastry over to make a crust. Drizzle the topping with olive oil. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until pastry is golden.

Cool slightly and serve topped with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and cracked pepper.

Recipes extracted from Nostrana by Bri DiMattina. HarperCollins NZ, RRP $55. Photography: Lottie Hedley

Food & Wine

Strawberry & Goat’s Cheese Gelato

Serves: 6

I designed this recipe a while back for a newsletter, for a couple of friends who made the most delicious goat’s cheese.

It was such a stunner of a recipe that I decided to enter it into the New Zealand Ice Cream awards to really test its quality Ingredients

6 cups (about 800g) frozen strawberries (see note)

1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar

1/2 cup (125ml) milk

(you can use almond or soy milk if you prefer)

130g goat's cheese

1 tsp lemon juice pinch of salt

Recipes extracted from Nostrana by Bri DiMattina. HarperCollins NZ, RRP $55. Photography: Lottie Hedley

Food & Wine

against actual gelato standards. This little ‘instant gelato’ recipe won a silver medal no less! If you are trying to imagine what it tastes like, strawberry cheesecake would be the closest thing I can think of. It’s a great recipe as it doesn’t require churning or a special ice cream machine, or even more than ten minutes of your time!

Method

Place all the ingredients in a food processor and process until completely smooth. Serve immediately.

If you aren’t going to use it all straightaway, transfer to an airtight container with a lid and keep in the freezer. Take it out of the freezer a good 10 minutes or so before scooping, for a nice soft texture.

Note:

The strawberries need to be hulled and frozen solid.

Avocado & Lime Ice Blocks

Serves: 6

My lime tree and avocado tree are both full of fruit in winter, so this was almost a way of preserving them.

It’s a little out of season for ice blocks, but this will transport you to spring for a moment.

Ingredients

2 ripe avocados, flesh scooped out 3 limes, zest finely grated, juiced 400ml can coconut milk

1 cup (250ml) maple syrup

1/3 cup (80ml) water

Recipes extracted from Nostrana by Bri DiMattina. HarperCollins NZ, RRP $55. Photography: Lottie Hedley Food

Method

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If you have an ice cream machine, add the mixture and make according to the machine instructions.

If you do not have an ice cream machine, pour the mixture into ice cube trays, reserving about 100ml of the mixture in the fridge until needed. Freeze the mixture in the trays.

Combine the frozen mixture and the chilled mixture in a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to an ice block mould and place into the freezer until firm.

If you cannot wait, however, you can also serve immediately.

Limoncello

Makes: 1 .25 litres

I’ve drunk too much limoncello in Italy, but also not spent enough time in Italy drinking limoncello.

One of my most memorable episodes was in my twenties on the deck of a tiny restaurant in Stromboli, overlooking Strombolicchio in the Tyrrhenian Sea. I think we had arrived

Ingredients

4 lemons

1 1/2 cups (375ml) vodka

3 cups (750ml) water

1 1/4 cups (275g) sugar

Recipes extracted from Nostrana by Bri DiMattina. HarperCollins NZ, RRP $55. Photography: Lottie Hedley

Food & Wine

for a late morning espresso and then lingered so long it became appropriate to abandon the espresso drinking for chilled limoncello. A hot sunny afternoon in mid-summer, on a tiny island where time stands still, the heat offset by an ocean breeze and the chilled limoncello … perfection.

Method

Wash the lemons well. Use a small sharp knife or a vegetable peeler to remove the skin in strips, with as little white pith as possible.

Place into a glass jar with the vodka. Seal with a lid and store in a cool dark place for 4–6 weeks.

Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and stir over low heat to dissolve the sugar. Set aside to cool.

Strain the lemon skins from the vodka, then stir the vodka into the sugar syrup. Place into a bottle and seal. Limoncello is best kept in the freezer and served cold.

Note:

If you are using commercially grown lemons, wash well in warm water and rub with a tea towel to remove any wax.

Keeping it Real

Few – if any – of Auckland’s realtors are as respected as the multi-award-winning Leila MacDonald of Barfoot & Thompson Remuera, but her innate humility means that she doesn’t like to discuss such things. She just wants to get the job done.

Now celebrating 35 years in the business, Leila – who works alongside her son, David – is loved for her no-nonsense approach, her authenticity, and for “always being available”.

“I just love the industry, the people,” she says. “For me, it doesn’t matter whether the property is worth $800,000 or $20 million, I treat each one the same. Every sale, every vendor is special.”

Ensuring each client knows that they are so appreciated ensures that ongoing relationships are established, like Leila says, “Business doesn’t end when a deal is done.”

“We get the best outcome for people, no matter what’s happening in the market,” says David. “The final decision is always with the vendor, but we strive to make sure all parties are happy.”

And, from Covid to weather events to a cost-of-living crisis, a lot has happened in the market, but Leila, robust and resilient, remains unfazed. It’s the kind of confidence and expertise that comes with nearly four decades in the business.

“You have to remain positive, the market always fluctuates,” she says. “Buyers often make the mistake of thinking that prices will keep dropping until they hit rock bottom, but it’s just not the case, especially around the central suburbs where people always want to live. If anyone has unrealistic expectations, we’re always honest with them, re-adjusting assumptions about the market."

It’s not just buyers that can have unrealistic expectations, but fellow industry professionals, too.

“A young agent recently came to me for advice on how to work with higher-value properties,” recalls Leila. “I told him he needs to start crawling before he tries to walk. And to practise walking before he can run! It takes time to build relationships, clients, trust, reputation. It starts with the basics, knocking on doors, putting cards through letterboxes. It’s the only way you’re going to make it. You also need to be yourself. Be real, let your personality come though.”

Leila’s accolades are too numerous to list, but highlights include several salesperson of the year awards and an induction into the industry hall of fame. Over the years, Leila and David have also overseen the sale of some of the city’s most sought after properties – but quality, she says, is more important that quantity. Leila’s resume boasts both.

And her community presence reaches well beyond real estate, supporting local schools, charities, Starship Hospital and organising and sponsoring local fundraising events, too.

It's second-nature to Leila. “This community means so much to us, it's where I raised my kids, and now it's where my grandchildren are growing up as well,” says Leila. “So, it’s important to be active in the area, and give back where we can.”

All in a day’s work, for Leila and David MacDonald.

021 928 926

l.macdonald@barfoot.co.nz

021 650 901

d.macdonald@barfoot.co.nz

“For me, it doesn’t matter whether the property is worth $800,000 or $20 million, I treat each one the same. Every sale, every vendor is special.”

On the Bookshelf

NZ Booklovers Awards 2023

The NZ Booklovers Awards is now in its fifth year of celebrating the best of New Zealand books, and here are some of the shortlisted books in the Fiction Category, where the judges were looking for the best in storytelling, a novel they couldn't put down!

The First World War brutally rips a young couple apart when Otto, who is of German descent, is interned on Somes Island. Pansy becomes pregnant and marries her childhood friend Clem Bright, whose story is told through their daughter Lena's eyes. No one emulsifies historical fact and imagination better than Paddy Richardson.

HARBOURING

Jenny

Opening in 1839, Martha and Huw escape a grinding life of poverty in Wales to start a new life in Wellington, but they struggle in this burgeoning society. Hineroa, a young Māori wahine whose life is dominated by oppression, faces different struggles. This is an immersive read with suspense and energy that brings our nation’s history to life.

THE DARKEST SIN

This is the enthralling follow-up to City of Vengeance, which won the NZ Booklovers Fiction Award in 2022.

Once again, D.V. Bishop creates a captivating story set in 1500s Florence, with detective-protagonist Cesare Aldo investigating a report of intruders at a convent. The author skilfully brings the dangerous streets of this Renaissance city to life.

THE SLOW ROLL

Simon

A stunning debut crime novel set in Auckland, where professional gambler O’Malley tries to find a runaway daughter, but before long, there is a murder, and it seems his girlfriend Claire is better at part-time sleuthing than he is. Intricately composed, it has a tone that tightropes between dry and melancholic and the O’Malley/Claire dynamic is irresistible. The Slow Roll has gone on to win the NZ Booklovers Best Fiction Award for 2023.

Box Office

ALLELUJAH

6 April

A warm, humorous, and deeply moving story about surviving old age. When the geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital is threatened with closure, the hospital decides to fight back. Allelujah celebrates the spirit of the elderly patients whilst paying tribute to the deep humanity of the medical staff battling with limited resources and ever-growing demand.

Directed by Richard Eyre and starring Jennifer Saunders and Judi Dench.

6 April

Mavka, a soul of the forest, faces an impossible choice between love and her duty as guardian to the Heart of the Forest when she falls in love with a human – the talented young musician Lukash. An animation about the magical power of love.

Directed by Oleh Malamuzh and Oleksandra Ruban.

PAPER SPIDERS

20 April

Dawn recently lost her husband and experiences growing anxiety as her daughter Melanie plans to move away for college. An altercation with a hostile new neighbour aggravates Dawn’s mental condition, and she begins to show signs of paranoid delusions. Determined to help her mum, Melanie attempts a series of interventions, but challenging Dawn’s reality of persecution threatens to destroy their loving relationship. She starts to spiral out of control — sabotaging Melanie’s academics, social life, and blossoming love life. Melanie is forced to make the toughest of choices about her own life as she struggles to support her mother on the path toward recovery and healing.

Directed by Inon Shampanier, and starring Stefania LaVie Owen and Lili Taylor.

SHACKLETON

20 April

Twenty-eight lost adventurers must fight for their lives after their only lifeline is destroyed in the most uninhabitable place on Earth – Antarctica. Shackleton-The Greatest Story of Survival reveals the true story of polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance, told by the only man ever to have repeated their incredible feat – explorer and adventurer Tim Jarvis. Following in the beset crew’s footsteps, Tim reveals the enduring legacy of Shackleton's crisis leadership in the face of impossible odds, a lesson more relevant to us now than ever before.

Directed by Bobbi Hansel and Casper Mazzotti.

Summerset St Johns sales suite now open

Summerset St Johns is excited to announce our sales suite is now open at 400 Remuera Road - in the heart of the Remuera shops.

Once complete, the village will offer sophisticated retirement residences designed with luxury in mind. Set in the heart of the eastern suburbs, enjoy breath-taking views towards the sea, city and neighbouring bush. This is a location you can be proud to call home, helping you get the most enjoyment out of your retirement years.

Visit our sales suite today and take a look through our incredible show home, complete with a full-size kitchen and bathroom, as well as a 3D model. Plus, you can discuss the range of homes and floor plans with our Sales Manager and find out more about our timings and release dates.

Visit our sales suite today

Open Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm

Summerset St Johns sales suite

400 Remuera Road, Remuera

09 950 7982 | stjohns.sales@summerset.co.nz

2022 AgedCare & RetirementVillages AgedCare & RetirementVillages

l Uncover how much you’ll need to fund your dream retirement lifestyle.

l Discover the opportunities for growing your wealth to ensure you’ll have enough for yourself & to leave a legacy.

l Learn how to manage your investments for consistent cash flow when you retire.

l It’s never too early (or late) to start planning so you can retire how you want, when you want.

WELCOME HOME TO RANFURLY VILLAGE

Experience the relaxed elegance of our shared spaces; idyllic rooms where you can raise a glass or meet with friends, all while enjoying our attentive service and exquisite attention to detail.

Final apartments selling now

To learn more, telephone Bev Dyson 09 625 3420, or visit ranfurlyvillage.co.nz

Lucy's Corner

This month Verve’s star teen reviewer LUCY KENNEDY feasts on the new Amazon Prime Video series, Daisy Jones & The Six.

Daisy Jones & the Six - 16+

Based on the novel of the same name, Daisy Jones & The Six, follows a fictional rock band – how they got together, and how they fell apart. Centred in Los Angeles in the 1970s, and filled with bohemian, period fashion, the main singer Daisy Jones, portrayed by Riley Keough – granddaughter of the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley – closely resembles a young Stevie Nicks. And Nicks is clearly okay with this as Fleetwood Mac’s song ‘Gold Dust Woman’ appears in the show.

The entire cast play their own instruments and the lead singers in the ‘band’ perform their own vocals - which lends to the feeling that the band are familiar with their instruments and

comfortable playing together. Filmed in an interview-style format, the show feels like watching a real band looking back on their history.

At the beginning of the series, I found it to be a little cliche. I thought, “Oh, great, another show about a rock band falling apart in the 70s.” However, while it starts slowly, it definitely gets better as it progresses and you become more invested in the characters. All in all, I enjoyed watching the show. It’s a light series to watch, and fun to sing along to.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. 3/5 stars

Instagram: @lucykennedyreviews

An independent family business with decades of experience.

“Let us take the stress and hassle from you and your family”

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Home sale preparation

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Downsizing and sorting

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• Home sale preparation

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A bespoke tailored service

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We are an independent family business who specialise in working with older people and those pressured for time, offering an individually tailored service to meet your specific needs. We have decades of experience and have been working with Aucklanders since 2006.

• Estate closure and dispersal

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We pride ourselves on delivering a superior quality service at the highest ethical level. As an eco-conscious business, we work sustainably across the whole of Auckland and beyond.

“Let us

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Contact Mrs. Owen today to organise your free initial consultation.

and hassle off you and your

021 0854 5339

MovingMadeEasyNZ

info@movingmadeeasy.co.nz

movingmadeeasy.co.nz

• We are a friendly independent family company who specialise in working with older people and those who are pressured for time, offering a bespoke and individually tailored service to meet your specific needs.

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VILLAGE

In the heart of Mt Eden, you’ll find the perfect place to begin your exciting next chapter.

Eden Village is a tight-knit community where friends chat over a delicious dinner or an evening pinot noir. Where they play all the hits on dance nights and plenty of classics on movie evenings. In fact, everyone has a say in how each day comes to life. Dive into your favourite book in peace in the library, or join in on an evening with friends in the lounge. Of course, we all need a breath of fresh air. Fortunately, there are plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants just a stroll away, including walking trails to hear the birds sing. A drive into town also opens up the bustling waterfront – the perfect spot for a bite to eat and a sparkling view.

Our spacious apartments come in a range of sizes to suit your needs. Look forward to a designer kitchen, open-plan layout, stylish fittings, and an enclosable balcony.

Fixed Weekly Fee for life - Guaranteed.

Welcome to Oceania’s Eden Village. 28 View Road, Mt Eden, Auckland

For residents 70 years and above.

What's On in April

DANS LE NOIR

ThursdaySaturday

The Grand Millennium

Three evenings a week, the Grand Millennium invites the public to experience this truly unique dining event. Set in a dark room, you’ll indulge in a delicious, fresh Japanese-inspired menu by chef Akihiro Nakamura, and encouraged to converse with those around you in this immersive environment.

auckland.danslenoir.com

WICKED!

1-21 April

SkyCity Theatre

The longest-running musical on Broadway is here! Catch the Emerald City’s most enchanting and powerful residents as they take over Sky City Theatre. Wicked tells the story of the unlikely but profound friendship between Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

iticket.co.nz

THE PROSECCO EXPRESS

13 -14 April

Bruce Mason Centre

Due to a relentless ageing process, Irish comedian Joanne McNally is somehow in her late 30s without many of the ‘things’ everyone else seems to have. The comedian's latest show raises critical questions, such as if her Tinder match describing themselves as ‘spiritual’ on a dating app is a warning sign. The antithesis of problem-solving, yet oddly reassuring – McNally is hilarious.

ticketmaster.co.nz

THE 1975

21 April

Spark Arena

The beloved Mancunian rockers are back, touring with their classics and a few surprise songs off their eagerly awaited album Being Funny in a Foreign Language. The album described as having a “grand and playful sound – that only the 1975 could pull off”.

ticketmaster.co.nz

WAITING FOR WAITING FOR GODOT

1-6 April Q Theatre

A slight twist on the existential yet absurdly comedic play Waiting for Godot sees a pair of hapless understudies wait for their chance to appear in the production. But will their time come? It seems as if the understudies are better versed than the cast, in what it really means to wait for Godot.

qtheatre.co.nz

COMEDY ALL STARS AND THE L8 SHOW

Fridays and Saturdays

The Classic

Catch some of New Zealand's best comedians either at the All-Stars Show (7:30pm-9:30pm), or from 10pm at The L8 Show. Both shows feature a mix of headliner comedians, rapidly rising stars, and the occasional ‘drive-by’ set from international legends.

PROFESSOR BRIAN GREENE: THE TWILIGHT OF TIME

5 April Q Theatre

With most of the world linked through the internet, we have the ability to view an expanse of historical problems. Yet, we seem to repeat many. Professor Brian Greene presents a fascinating chronology of the planet, humans, our remarkable impact, and the care we are capable of in this captivating show.

qtheatre.co.nz

HER FESTIVAL

12-22 April

Auckland-wide

HER is a festival for feminists of all genders, ages, and ethnicities, celebrating arts, creative expression, self-development, and thoughtprovoking experiences. The free programme is packed with film screenings, workshops, and activities all over Auckland.

herfestival.co.nz

The Art of April

As autumn falls upon us and the days grow shorter, it's hard not to become enthralled by the changing colours of nature and inspired to discover new creative realms.

It's time to refuel your soul with enchanting artistic encounters; let your curiosity guide you to the hidden treasures displayed in unexplored galleries and spaces.

From Ōtara's Ōyster Gallery to Titirangi's Te Uru, this April's selection of exhibitions brings together some of the most exquisite shows from established artists, across all disciplines.

BERGMAN GALLERY

The Painted Hibiscus

Tabatha Forbes

19 April – 13 May

Tabatha Forbes is a New Zealand visual artist. After living in Rarotonga for seven years, Tabatha is now based in Taranaki. The Printed Hibiscus is an exploration into the botanical study and floral fabric history, settling uncomfortably on the stylised hibiscus as it has come to represent/misrepresent the South Pacific.

Watercolours, prints, hand-painted screen prints, light installations, fabric installations, and wall prints will be shown.

SANDERSON CONTEMPORARY

Sathu

Daniel Kerr

On until 9 April

Artist Daniel Kerr builds up texture and layers on his canvas with gels and thickness of paint, while listening to the intonations in each opus. Sometimes he moves quickly and ferociously, whilst at other times he remains in a quiet and contemplative state. In the final stages of completing his works the artist works in complete silence.

Kerr doesn’t work on preliminary sketches for his pieces, nor does he have a plan in mind before beginning to work on the canvas. Rather, memories come to him while working, which conjure a range of emotions that inspire his movement and application of his brushstrokes.

Osborne Lane, 2 Kent Street, Newmarket. sanderson.co.nz

TE URU

Unbeautiful

Unbeautiful Evening is an exhibition by leading Pacific artist Andy Leleisi'uao of the artists’ rescued flood-damaged artworks, that, along with his studio and home, were devastated in Auckland’s January deluge.

On until 28 May

The exhibition reflects on how, just as water cycles through its various properties, when its swells settle and throats are quenched, a new process in life begins.

420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi. teuru.org.nz

TWO ROOMS

a Clear Night

Two Rooms presents two solo shows in two rooms, just as the name suggests. April’s artists are Selina Foote and Renee Cosgrave.

On until 29 April

Foote presents a selection of abstracted paintings with descriptive evocative titles, which prompts the viewer to search the paintings for the visual representation.

Cosgrave’s work is concerned with colour, gesture, repetition and her identity. In her new exhibition, Papa, Cosgrave speaks to concepts of whakapapa, whenua, te reo Māori and raranga (weaving).

THE ŌYSTER

Artist in residence

Elisabeth Kumaran

8 – 29 April

Emerging artist Elisabeth Kumaran is a New Zealand-born, Samoan/ Chinese visual artist based in South Auckland. She hails from the villages of Vailele, Ulutogia, and Vailoa-Palauli. The Samoan language, traditions, and the artist’s heritage are core components expressed through her work. Kumaran’s practice spans mediums such as drawing, illustration, hand-drawn stop motion video animation, and hand-cut paper illustrations.

The Ōyster is located in Ōtara Town Centre, below the big fish head. facebook/theOysterOtara

16 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn. tworooms.co.nz

IMAGE: TABATHA FORBES_HIBISCUS, TYGER TYGER. COURTESY OF BERGMAN GALLERY

The Show Goes On

Wellington hosted the nation’s first purpose-built theatre, The Royal Victoria – later The Royal Olympic Theatre – in 1843, where New Zealand’s first original play, Marcilina , was performed. Auckland’s first theatre proper, The Fitzroy, opened on Shortland Street the following year.

Alas, these early entertainment venues are no longer with us, but Verve takes a look at some of the historic ones that still stand.

The Mercury, Auckland

Tāmaki Makaurau’s oldest surviving theatre, The Mercury, first opened as King’s Theatre, on Mercury Lane, off Karangahape Road, in 1910, the 1,800 capacity making it the largest building of its class”, according to the NZ Mail at the time. The venue was the brainchild of architect Edward Bartley, built in English baroque style as a setting for silent movies and the vaudeville shows of the famous Fuller family who went

on to also lease theatres in Wellington and Dunedin, taking over the latter’s Princes Theatre in 1905. Having briefly served as a full-time cinema, the establishment reopened as a professional theatre renamed The Mercury in 1968. Its first production was JM Barrie’s The Admirable Crichton.

The Civic Theatre, Auckland

Among the world’s only remaining atmospheric theatres, The Civic is an Auckland icon. Built in 1929 on the site of an old colonial marketplace, it was the first purpose-built cinema of its kind in the country, imagined as a “movie palace” for the talkies. Living up to its palace moniker, its regal interior incorporates the likes of Moorish and Hindu arches, minarets and balconies, but, like so many other near-abandoned establishments on the list, its elegant architecture very nearly didn’t make it and the building was rescued in the late 80s by the Historic Places Trust. Facelifts followed to restore the magnificent

Though The Mercury, built in 1910, is Auckland’s oldest surviving theatre, the city’s very first theatre was established in the back of a city hotel in 1841.

Facelifts followed to restore the magnificent building to its 1920s glory with sweeping staircases and decorative bars complemented by high-tech gadgetry.

building to its 1920s glory with sweeping staircases and decorative bars complemented by high-tech gadgetry.

The Victoria Theatre, Auckland

Devonport’s iconic auditorium The Victoria Theatre, is the earliest purposebuilt cinema in the southern hemisphere. Constructed in 1912, by the American John Leon Benwell, to show silent movies, the theatre boasted a capacity of 1,000. The following decade, the theatre, under new ownership, received an art deco makeover to coincide with the arrival of the talkies. Ownership changed hands again the 1940s, until it closed down in the late 1980s, to be reopened and renovated by Bruce Palmer, who divided up the space. Following more changes in the 90s, the theatre almost became an apartment block in 2001 before being saved by current guardians, the Victoria Trust.

St James Theatre, Wellington

It took just nine months to construct Wellington’s impressive St James Theatre, which opened on Boxing Day 1912, and was one of the world’s first fully steel-framed reinforced concrete

venues. Though officially then called His Majesty’s Theatre, it was often referred to as ‘Fullers’ in honour of vaudeville and variety theatre group John Fuller and Sons, for whom it was built. It took its present name in the 1930s when it reopened as a movie theatre, it’s first movie being The Gold Diggers of Broadway. More live performances followed in the post-war period, before closing its doors with threats of demolition in the late 80s. Purchased by the city council in 1993, it has since hosted the likes of The Royal New Zealand Ballet and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Now listed as a Category 1 building by Heritage New Zealand, the historic venue is said to be haunted by a wailing woman, a choir, and, most famously, Yuri, a Russian performer who fell to his death there.

Royal Whanganui Opera House, Whanganui

One of the most striking venues on the list, the Royal Whanganui Opera House is famed for its bright white exterior and gold columns and known as much for its acoustics as its aesthetics. Designed by Wellington architect George Stevenson

and built by the local council to celebrate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee, the classical revival venue was opened by Premier Richard Seddon in 1900. Aotearoa’s last remaining Victorian theatre, it has survived three fires and continues to host local and international shows and musical performances and can even be hired for weddings.

Theatre Royal, Nelson

The southern hemisphere’s oldest operational wooden theatre, the Theatre Royal was built by a company of Oddfellows in 1878. One thousand people showed up for its opening night, an astonishing number considering the local population at the time was only 6,000. But its fortunes soon dwindled and by the 1930s there was talk of converting the theatre into a joinery shop until the Nelson Repertory stepped in to save the day. By the turn of the century, its fortunes had faded once more, the theatre falling into such a state disrepair that it was refused an operating licence. Following a campaign by the Nelson Historic Theatre Trust, the theatre was

restored to its Victorian splendour even down to recreating the original wallpaper – with plenty of extra mod cons like computerised air conditioning – and reopened in 2010.

The Mayfair, Dunedin

Dunedin’s original theatre, the Princess Theatre, was built in the late 1840s, but burnt down to be replaced by a grander offering that was to become known as the St James. The site of the city’s first film screening (in 1867), it closed down in 1951 and was later demolished, leaving The Mayfair as Dunedin’s oldest surviving purpose-built theatre. Opened in 1914, the venue, which was then known as King Edward Theatre, was designed by local architect Edward Walter Walden. Renamed The Mayfair in the 1930s, the two-storey brick structure was gifted to The Mayfair Charitable Trust by the Dunedin Opera Company in 2014.

Keen to see how the theatres referred to in this article actually look, visit vervemagazine.co.nz

One thousand people showed up for its opening night, an astonishing number considering the local population at the time was only 6,000.

Your Tiny Escape

Tiny Away’s tiny houses allow guests to immerse in nature while enjoying comfortable accommodation. Verve sat down with Tiny Away founder, Jeff Yeo, for a tiny chat.

How did you first come up with the idea for your company?

In 2017 my friend and cofounder Adrian Chia was holidaying along the Great Ocean, swapping the grind of Singapore city life for a tranquil, rural setting. Back in Singapore, together with another friend Dave Ng, we realised there was a huge opportunity to use tiny houses to help rural and regional landowners open up their beautiful natural surrounds to city dwellers keen to escape.

From the start, our vision was to build a sustainable tourism business that both changes and challenges the holiday accommodation landscape. Our tiny houses are beautifully designed and set in stunning locations, but what sets us apart – and what we feel has driven a lot of our success – is our network of local landowners who make a Tiny Away stay so unique.

Tiny Away guests can expect to wake up – and go to bed – in style, before having the chance to engage in a variety of activities offered by landowner hosts, like farm tours, horse riding, bushwalking, wine tastings and quad biking. All activities promise to put guests a million miles from their hectic city life.

How does a Tiny Away experience tick the eco-friendly tourism boxes?

Our ethos is centred around reducing resource consumption and environmental impact. We know that tiny houses are an eco-friendlier alternative to traditionally constructed accommodation settings. Our houses feature waterless compost toilets, rainwater collection tanks for showers, and solar panels. One of the most important objectives of our tiny home escapes is to invite visitors who share our ethos

of travelling more sustainably while experiencing remote natural regions and their local communities.

Small rooms and structures require far less energy and fewer materials to build, while the non-permanency of the accommodation structures is designed to preserve the land they inhabit. The homes require less energy to keep guests warm in winter and cool in summer, and the minimalist interiors help minimise our impact on the planet overall.

Is Tiny Away a family holiday or more a romantic getaway? Both. Some of our houses are equipped with an extra sofa bed for the little ones. Other houses are just fit for a couple. What better way to get truly and unavoidably up close and personal than to spend a night or two in a tiny house?!

Whoever it is, the minimalist tiny house holiday is different to other holidays. Taking only the bare minimum of material possessions on a break is sometimes harder than it seems. But once people learn this new way of holidaying, like anything, they quickly adapt.

Tell us more about becoming a Tiny Away host. The ‘social enterprise’ model within which we work with landowners means hosts become their own micro hoteliers, hosting tiny houses on their privately-owned land, maintaining the houses, and hosting guests – all while sharing a cut of the earned revenue.

To book a Tiny Away escape, head to tinyaway.com

Our ethos is centred around reducing resource consumption and environmental impact.

April's shorter days are still warm, so it’s a great time to tidy and nourish your garden in preparation for winter. The temperatures can start dropping quite quickly, so be prepared, and keep a close eye on your garden.

Veggies

Get your winter veggie garden underway! Plant seedlings of leeks, spring onion, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, and beans. Stagger planting to enjoy a longer harvesting period. And don’t forget to give your still-producing beds some love by digging in compost and sheep pellets.

Flowers

Add some colour to your garden with potted flowers like calendula, alyssum, poppies, viola, and pansies in pots and hanging baskets. Deadhead your roses once flowering comes to an end. And if you’ve chilled your tulips and hyacinth bulbs for 4-6 weeks, you can plant them

now. Chilling these bulbs in a paper bag in the fridge before planting encourages better blooms come spring.

Indoor Plants

Finish taking any cuttings for propagation, as there is a lower chance of survival once the colder weather starts to set in. Reduce watering as the temperatures cool down.

Garden Plants

Plant new season camellias! They love full sun to part shade, depending on the variety, and make an attractive hedge flowering in Autumn to early spring. Feed with Kings Azalea, Camellia and Rhododendron Fertiliser. It’s also time

to plant your hedges while the soil is still workable! Eugenia, griselinia, and pittosporum are great for medium to large hedging, while corokia and buxus are perfect for smaller, well-maintained spaces.

Lawns

Get rid of weeds in your established lawns with Yates Weed 'n' Feed. Remember not to sow new lawn seed for at least three weeks after weeding. Evenly apply Kings Lawn Fertiliser to existing lawns and water in well. Mow less as the days start to get shorter.

For more gardening tips, pop into your local Kings, or visit kings.co.nz

Dogs love to run but often old age, arthritis and joint pain can make this difficult.

Time to give your dog

‘Active Again’ - a blend of natural food oils that possess potent lubricating properties that gives your dog more flexibility and mobility.

Proven by NZ Vets to work exceptionally well.

Win

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

WIN THE ULTIMATE TINY HOUSE WEEKEND

Soaking up a weekend amongst nature in your own private tiny house sounds like a dream, right? Well, now’s your chance to make it a reality. Tiny Away and Verve have joined forces to give you the opportunity to win the ultimate tiny house weekend away.

Tiny Away’s tiny houses are dotted across New Zealand, tucked away in some stunning regions from Northland and Waikato to Canterbury and Otago.

WIN a fabulous two-night stay in a Tiny Away tiny house.

MOISTURE MINIMISER

With the approach of winter, homeowners and landlords should consider ways to make homes warmer, drier, and healthier. Showerdome® is a solution. The clear, acrylic dome affixes atop the shower to help reduce moisture. Steam occurs when warm moist air collides with cold, a Showerdome® acts as a barrier between those two air masses for a steam-free bathroom. Showerdome® is a Kiwi invention and the company is proudly New Zealand owned and operated.

$3,000

Wellness Retreat Giveaway

Imagine waking up to a breathtaking view of Queenstown with some of New Zealand’s top wellness experts by your side. This vision could become your reality.

We're giving away a chance to join us on our upcoming 4-night Realise Retreat takeover in a stunning luxury home with a sauna and cold plunge. One lucky person and their friend will get to nourish their mind, body, and soul alongside us. Designed by the founders of Aro Ha Wellness, Realise is an elite retreat, delivered digitally.

To participate, follow the simple steps below:

1. FOLLOW @ realiseretreats

2. SHARE this post to your story!

3. COMMENT, tagging the person that you'd like to share your master suite with

4. ENTER as many times as you’d like. Each tag = 1 entry Easy as that!

For a closer look at what your prize will include visit vervemagazine.co.nz/category/win/

This competition closes at midnight Wednesday, 5 April. So if you are keen don’t delay entering this one.

Resolve to Reset

Reset your health at Resolution Retreats, New Zealand’s only live-in weight loss, health and wellness retreat exclusively for women. Unwind in the peaceful setting of Lake Karāpiro, fully immersed in a health kickstart to equip you with the tools, resources, and support to empower you to achieve your wellness goals and reset your mind and body.

This three-day Fresh Start Retreat prize includes luxurious private chalet accommodation, nutritionist-designed meals, and a complimentary lymphatic drainage treatment at the in-house luxury spa. Activities range from gentle, daily yoga and group training sessions to cooking classes, nutritional workshops, and health workshops.

There’s access to the wellness centre's five-star facilities, which include the spa, saunas, steam rooms, indoor salt swimming pool, yoga studio, tennis courts, and Jacuzzi.

Full-time facilitator support and sought-after, leading industry experts deliver a pragmatic programme that delivers results while providing the encouragement and motivation you need to begin and maintain your journey to a healthier, happier self.

The winner must be able to attend the retreat on 4-6 August, and provide own transport (excluding the complimentary pick up offered from Hamilton airport).

resolutionretreats.co.nz

Horoscopes

This month, you get a big taste of positive energy. It is particularly strong for useful advice and the power of teaming up and combining your talents with someone. You might find yourself drawn to push the usual boundaries, which can be profound in healthy ways but could lead you down the wrong path if you’re not mindful of your limits.

This is a good time for reaching out to others, sharing ideas, writing, and scoping out various prospects and ideas. Your ideas or work may gain some recognition now. Putting the feelers out makes a lot of sense this month. There could also be a major revelation about your finances, a love relationship, or friendship. You’re likely to feel more in your element on a romantic level.

The biggest area of passion and possible upheaval this month is likely to involve your private world, family life, and home matters. You’re ambitious about these things now, desiring to make deep changes that will last. Someone who’s in the position to help further your goals, promote you, or help you find a direction can take special interest in you. Express your faith in yourself now for best results.

This is a great month for picking up new practical skills, finding new work, or throwing more of yourself into your current job. It’s also a fine time for improving your daily habits and health. As confident and energetic as you feel, however, avoid taking on too many new projects, as you’re likely to feel their weight in the last week of the month. It’s an inventive and creative time but you might also feel like a whirlwind. There can be a significant realisation of responsibility, or a sense of joy in committing to someone or something. The last week of the month is particularly strong for ideas and plans surrounding work and health. You get along well with the people with whom you share your day.

VIRGO

23 August –22 September

You might thoroughly enjoy the work you do or the services you provide. There can be increased respect for your work and efforts. Career matters fly along rather smoothly. Ambitions to improve your standing, security, and comfort levels are increasing. You might find that you achieve the most or are most motivated through involvement with a group or team.

CAPRICORN

22 December –19 January

You’re in a period of reflection and preparation, so take things as slowly as you can. Sacrifices may need to be made when it comes to your relationships – you are required to be sympathetic and helpful now. Acknowledging and resolving problems with family or people you live with will be in focus. Look for the root of issues instead of seeking out cosmetic fixes.

LIBRA

23 September –22 October

You may find yourself in a position to defend your values, possessions, or money. This energy might also translate in more positive terms – you could be working exceptionally hard at making your life better. This period can bring surprising, revealing, or startling feelings to the surface or events to your life. There could be a sudden decision to break out on your own, or into a new relationship.

AQUARIUS

20 January –18 February

Your competitive, enterprising nature comes to the fore, and you readily throw yourself into pursuing your goals. This can be a time of increased activity in your career, and you may also feel a strong desire to take the lead and act independently. Willingness to take emotional risks in the second half of the month can bring interesting experiences into your world.

SCORPIO

23 October –

21 November

This is a potentially active relationship month. You’re very focused on connecting on all sorts of levels, and quite successful at it. You’re also quite willing to take care of others. Shared finances can become tricky to handle so do what you can to straighten out debt, as well as ownership and joint money matters, in a logical way. This can be a passionate, revealing time.

PISCES

19 February –20 March

You are exuding much charm and positive energy that won’t go unnoticed. Communications of all kinds are emphasised, but especially those involving creative contacts, children, and romantic interests, and they’re generally favourable. You’re mentally wired, and you want to put ideas into action. You’re more conscientious as a result and take pride in solving problems, acquiring or honing skills, and taking care of business.

SAGITTARIUS

22 November –21 December

You can be very contemplative this month. You’ll benefit greatly from actively seeking out ways to heal and de-stress. There can be a significant realisation of responsibility, or a sense of joy in committing to someone or something. You might gain insight into an old issue, and this pushes you forward. New opportunities can emerge that turn your attention behind the scenes.