Inside the mind of Richard O’Brien

Enter the surreal world of actor, writer and musician Richard O’Brien. Residing in Katikati, the Rocky Horror Picture Show creator takes us on a journey through the history of the world-shaking musical he wrote exactly 50 years ago.

Words Karl Puschmann
Photos Graeme Murray + supplied

I feel a slight shiver of anticipation as I approach the front porch of Richard O’Brien’s homestead, which sits between Tauranga and Katikati and overlooks the harbour. As a struggling theatre actor in the 1970s, Richard wrote a musical in order to create himself a job and have something to act in. That musical was an instant phenomenon and would go on to become the very definition of a cult classic, with the BBC hailing it as “the one cult movie to rule them all”.

As a teenager, it blew my mind when I discovered it had been written by a New Zealander. This was something far more impressive to me than any number of Rugby World Cup wins or America’s Cup victories. Richard’s musical was called The Rocky Horror Picture Show. 

A sexy, madcap tribute to Richard’s beloved sci-fi and horror B-movies of the 1950s, Rocky Horror revolves around a wholesome, newly engaged couple who seek refuge from a violent storm in the castle of Dr Frank-N-Furter, a lascivious transvestite scientist who is conducting strange experiments in his laboratory. The story follows Frank-N-Furter’s efforts to – depending on your view – either sexually corrupt the couple or sexually liberate them. And then aliens get involved.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat this is not. Rocky Horror is deeply weird, unashamedly sex-crazed and extremely funny. It features some absolutely banging tunes, the most famous of which is “Time Warp”, a spot-on rock n’ roll parody whose infectious lyrics instruct you how to dance to it (It’s just a step to the left / and then a jump to
the right). But songs like “Dammit Janet”, “Sweet Transvestite” and “Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me” are right up there with it in terms of memorability and sing-along catchiness.

On stage, the musical was an instant hit when it debuted in June 1973, in the small upstairs theatre of the Royal Court Theatre in London’s West End. The show became the hottest ticket in town and quickly outgrew the venue, moving to bigger and bigger theatres and collecting awards. Two years later in 1975, the film adaptation was released with most of the original cast reprising their stage roles, including Richard as the hunchbacked butler Riff Raff and Tim Curry in his star-making performance as the fishnet stocking-clad, nymphomaniac Frank-N-Furter. And that’s when things for Richard and Rocky Horror really launched into outer space. 

I knock on the door and the shutters, which I presume had been closed so UNO’s photographer could take these stunning portraits of Richard in his open-plan living area, are opened, allowing me and bright rays of light to enter. Having just finished the shoot, Richard, resplendent in black with a sparkling diamond necklace rubbing up against a sheer silky negligee that’s exposed under his open shirt, has taken a seat at the circular dining table. He’s now 81 but exudes an ageless androgynous glam rock cool.

To his left is a gleaming white baby grand piano that’s covered in stacks of books, and beside that is a flamboyantly dressed life-sized mannequin. Behind him is a wall covered from floor to ceiling in currency from around the globe, with the phrase “The root of all evil” painted in the middle. 

There’s so much to take in. Everywhere you look there are bright artworks, sculptures, instruments, books or pop culture collectibles. But don’t get the impression that it’s cluttered. Everything has been curated and displayed with an artist's eye.

I take a seat at the table as his wife Sabrina brings out a freshly brewed pot of strong coffee and a plate of chocolate bikkies before disappearing into the house, leaving Richard and I to talk.

Did she pull the curtains again on her way out? I’m not sure. But the day’s bright sun very quickly dissolves into a smeared golden haze, lending our chat an almost dreamlike quality as we veer away from Rocky Horror to discuss everything from the evolution of man, politics and religion, to what awaits us in the afterlife.

It was appropriately surreal. It’d be disappointing if an audience with the creator and star of Rocky Horror was not an intrinsically and pleasingly strange experience. There are also moments of breathtaking performance when he figures the best way to answer a question is to simply demonstrate rather than explain. 

A question about writing Rocky Horror’s world-famous songs sees him answer by picking up a guitar and brilliantly performing a tune from his upcoming musical The Kingdom of Bling before joking, “Three chords do go an awfully long way.”

And when I ask about his creativity, Richard says he’s striving to “create a gem of a phrase equal to Oscar Wilde,” before dramatically reciting an astonishing and wondrous poem titled The Fatous Fowl from a collection of children’s poetry he’s currently looking to have published, which consists entirely of sparkling gem-like phrases.

But before all that, we have to start with Rocky Horror which, unbelievably, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. 

“I really think it's wonderful,” Richard says when asked about the musical hitting this impressive milestone. “It's so nice to meet so many people that love it.”

Then, as a nod to his purpose for writing it in the first place, he adds, “And it's so nice that it has employed so many people over the years.

“Without it intending to be, it’s become a kind of haven for people who feel different sexually. We all know that nobody asks to be born straight or gay. We seem to be going backwards slightly, don't we, on this whole issue. I thought we'd have got over that. I thought we all understood now that people are born gay and people are born transgender. It's not a choice. I thought we'd all agreed on that. But lately, we're becoming confused by the whole subject once again. I prefer a more tolerant society. I'm not sure if I approve of being too tarty in public.”

Then he chuckles softly and says, “Although, I think you should push the boat out occasionally. We don't want to live in a stuffy, staid, deeply evangelical society. It’s unhealthy.”

It’d be easy to think Rocky Horror was Richard purposefully pushing the boat out, ruffling the feathers of stuffy old England while waving the flag for LGBTQIA+ ideology and inclusivity. But that would be wrong.

“Rocky was a piece of adolescent fun. A boys' bedroom musical,” he says. “It has nothing of great import to say. It's not a political piece. It’s just what it is; a piece of nonsense. It’s very entertaining and it’s not a bad yarn. As a piece of storytelling and entertainment, it’s perfectly good and enjoyable, and fun. But for it to have had this longevity… It doesn't make a great deal of sense.”

He sounds almost puzzled by its success. But then, he’s struck by a thought.

“Maybe,” he begins, “that’s all we want? Maybe it’s the fact that Rocky Horror guarantees an evening out. You’re going to enjoy yourself and have a good time. It really could be just as simple as that.”

Perhaps. Rocky Horror is a good time. A whole subculture has grown around the movie, with people dressing up as their favourite characters and singing along with the film, while the stage play is said to be performed somewhere around the world every single night. 

But it’s also credited as being a major influence on the counterculture and sexual liberation movements due to it being one of the first popular
and successful musicals to depict fluid sexuality and progressive values.

“It’s become connected by default to transgender issues and gay issues. I understand that and I'm glad that the world became more liberal,” he says. “As I get older, I’d like the world to be much, much more liberal and much more left-wing. I wasn't always that way. I was ‘conservative’ with a small ‘c’ when I was in my 20s.”

A surprising admission after he’d described himself as “a dope-smoking hippie” during the time he was writing Rocky Horror. 

“Well, I hated the politics of envy. If people have a nice car and enjoy it, I say f**k it, they’ve earned it. That’s their right. They’re only caretakers anyway. It’s only yours while you’re alive. I don't like resentment,” he explains. “But I really loved the fact that there's a welfare state. I say to look after those who are less well-off, disenfranchised, isolated, or marginalised. It means that we’re civilised. If we start putting some bucks into that, it means we're really civilised. The glorification of wealth by the right-wing is an empty path. It’s really a glorification of greed. And that's shameful.”

Politics is a subject that’s very much on his mind. He especially has a keen interest in the circus of American politics and holds sharp vitriol towards the likes of Donald Trump and those who hide unsavoury, rights-destroying political convictions behind the facade of religion.

“It's odd to me that people prefer fantasy to rationality,” he sighs. “I think as a human race, we've lost the plot. Religion has led us astray. It confused our thinking. It demands that you abandon rationality and believe in an invisible man in the sky.”

It’s ironic, I say, that religion’s promise is on what happens after you’re dead, rather than doing good while you’re alive. 

“Well, I do hope there’s something more because what I would like to do – what Sabrina and I want to do – is travel through time and space for eternity. To see how it all started and what went on. To see life on other planets and to look back on our own history. I can't wait to get back to the megalithic period. That’s my favourite. I want to know the answers to everything.”

Despite his age, his curiosity and creativity remain as strong as ever. Far from sitting back and watching the world go by, Richard’s working on a myriad of projects. There’s his art, which is currently going through a pastels phase, and the aforementioned children’s poetry book as well as The Kingdom of Bling, his brand-new musical which he describes as a “satirical fairytale”.  

“I have fun working and writing and doing things,” he explains simply. 

His slightly posh and proper accent betrays the short decade he spent as a child growing up in the upper-class town of Cheltenham, England before his family immigrated to Tauranga when he was 10 years old, but his affection for this adopted area can’t be overstated. 

It’s so strong, in fact, that rather than produce The Kingdom of Bling among the bright lights of Soho, Broadway or closer to home in Auckland
or Wellington, he’s instead chosen to put it on at his old school, Tauranga Boys’ College.

Smiling warmly, he says, “We’re going to have the world premiere of The Kingdom of Bling using pupils from the primary school plus students from the boys’ and the girls’ colleges. What joy.”

He’s a singular presence with a highly theatrical aura. He carries a reputation for being a little prickly at times, but this morning he’s nothing but delightful company, whether slamming close-minded politics, marvelling at the hidden mysteries of the cosmos, recounting minutiae about the creation and legacy of Rocky Horror to an obvious fanboy or enthusing about his latest works. 

“I’ve always lived in my head,” he says. “Being transgender and not being able to talk about that and yet wanting to be a young rock-and-roller...
But I enjoyed myself. I never felt that I’d been shortchanged in any way. Life is what it is and you get through each day. I was a dustman. I cleaned people’s houses. I pumped gas. I did a lot of these jobs.”

While he found success in London, he did so with a very Kiwi attitude. He didn’t wait for anything to happen. He made it happen. He knocked on doors. He took any theatre stagehand job he could get just to feel a part of that magic. 

And when he couldn’t get acting work, he sat down and wrote his own musical, inadvertently creating a show that would resonate with millions of people around the world and become a saucy, fun, fishnet-clad beacon of the LGBTQIA+ community in the process and championed as a progressive cultural landmark. So happy 50th birthday, Rocky Horror, and bravo Richard. 

To quote his character Riff Raff in "Time Warp", “It’s astounding.”

Fresh flavours

Stacey Jones introduces us to Tauranga's newest – and supremely talented – chefs.

You know you're having a food moment when, 13 years later, you close your eyes and you can still taste it. That happened when I first stepped into the French Café in Auckland and was treated to a deconstructed lemon meringue pie, perfectly executed by Simon Wright. So imagine my delight when I learned that the very same chef behind the infamous citrus dessert was venturing to Tauranga to head up Clarence Bistro. 

Simon Wright of Clarence Bistro

The arrival of new chefs in the Tauranga region is cause for celebration. With the culinary landscape constantly evolving, these talented chefs bring a big dollop of energy, flavours and new ideas.

Simon and his family previously settled in Whangamata after selling the French Café in 2018. A few years down the line, after setting up the renowned Gather & Roam, they felt ready for a new challenge.

Simon explains, “We loved being by the beach, so Tauranga was a lovely, natural transition. It has such a great balance of beach with a cosmopolitan twist.”

“We’re six months in and still finding our feet. We’ve launched a French du jour-style menu in a two- and three-course format to really capture the essence of a bistro. My food philosophy is to use the best of everything. Fish is line-caught, meat is organic or naturally raised, and vegetables are from a collective in Katikati, who are spray-free.”

But it’s not only the CBD that is being treated to some culinary creativity. I was delighted to discover that another passionate chef, Italian Simone Saglia, has taken over the reins of The Trading Post in Paengaroa, together with wife Kylie, who runs the front of the house.

Kylie and Simone Saglia of The Trading Post

“I started cooking and experimenting with food from a very young age,” Simone says. “I would visit my aunt’s house after school, and she would teach me how to cook. Hearing her talk about food, and then tasting how good it was, definitely sparked my interest.”

His journey led him to study at the culinary art school IIS Giolitti Bellisario in Mondovi, honing his skills at Michelin-starred restaurants. Venturing to London, Simone expanded his horizons before an exciting opportunity arose. “One night when working at Harry’s Bar, Neil Perry came into the kitchen and asked if any chefs would like to move to Australia and help him open Rosetta in Melbourne.”

With a culinary style that marries tradition with a modern twist, Simone lets the flavours take centre stage. His standout dishes include must-try lasagna, mouthwatering beef and chamomile ravioli, and exquisite agnolotti del plin with three cheeses.

While we’re on the subject of Italian cooking, meet Stefano Raimondi,
owner of Autentico, another chef who is bringing the essence of Italy to the Bay. He hits the nail on the head when he says, “Italian cooking classes, with a real Italian chef − how could you say no, right?"

Stefano Raimondi of Authentico

Embodying the Mediterranean spirit, his cooking style is a celebration of simplicity and tradition. He explains, “When I'm doing a menu, I usually find a good seasonal product, and my mind starts thinking about possible matching flavours and the best way of treating it. Remembering and mixing dishes learned in almost 20 years of cooking.”

Currently collaborating with Basilico pizzeria making fresh pasta and sauce, owning a food truck called Fritto, and planning pop-up dinners, Stefano has some delicious plans ahead. His classes run most Sunday afternoons and will feature favourites such as mushroom risotto and tiramisu. 

Stefano’s Italian cooking classes

Wrapped in aroha

These Māori-designed organic
cotton baby blankets and throws
blend traditional elements,
modern style, and timeless quality.

Photos Ria rawiri

Tasmyn Roach's idea for organic cotton paraikete (blankets) came from her love of making baby blankets for close friends and whānau. But as she learned more about her own culture and heritage, a passion for te ao Māori blossomed into a fusion of creativity and entrepreneurship – and Awhi was born.

Working alongside her sister Shenaye, partner Lance, and son Kahika, Tasmyn founded Awhi Company – the word “awhi” means “embrace” or “cuddle” – selling unique Māori-designed baby blankets, muslin wraps, and throw blankets that feature traditional Māori designs, patterns, colours, and themes. “I want to normalise Māori culture for the next generation,” Tasmyn says. “Each blanket is designed with an element of te reo Māori or Mātauranga Māori to ensure our pēpi stand strong in their identity from the moment they enter this world.”

With a degree in fashion design, Tasmyn is inspired by her journey learning te reo Māori, by the strength of her Māori heritage, and by a desire to celebrate and treasure Māoritanga. “Awhi encompasses everything I am about – values, focussing on te reo Māori, developing products for pēpi, and normalising te reo from birth,” Tasmyn explains. Here, she tells UNO more about Awhi. 

How did Awhi Company come about?

Awhi Company came about from my love for babies. I would make baby blankets for gifts for friends and whānau. My niece was the reason it turned into a business. She was born in Perth and I wanted to make some extra money to visit her. I started selling them on Facebook, auctioning one a night with the highest bidder at 7pm the following night winning the blanket. From there the demand grew, and so did my business. My partner and I eventually took a trip to China to check out manufacturers and ensure they had the same values as us and could create beautiful organic cotton blankets. 

What do you love most about it?
I think our pēpi are the most important thing in the world, and it’s our job to nurture and protect them. I feel so grateful that our blankets can play such an important part in their lives, help them settle, feel loved, warm and protected for many years. My niece is six and still has her Awhi Blanket!

What is your career background?
In 2012 I moved to Tauranga Moana and completed a degree in fashion design. I even took a couple of collections to NZ Fashion Week through Miromoda, which was an amazing experience. I then went on to work with our at-risk rangatahi, supporting them with education, employment and helping to remove barriers. On the side I was hard at work growing
Awhi Company organically. 

What inspires you?
At the moment I am inspired by the change that is happening around the motu. Te Reo Māori and Māori designs are becoming standardised in everyday situations. I love that we can play a small part of that by creating Māori-designed baby blankets and throws for the whare. What an exciting future for our tamariki here in Aotearoa!

What is most important to you – in work and in life? 
When you have a business you are so passionate about, the lines get blurred. Learning te reo Māori, travelling, and spending time with my whānau are important to me. Helping ensure our babies are wrapped in their culture and language from birth. My son is 18 months old now and I feel so lucky to be learning te reo Māori alongside him and for him. 

What's been the highlight of your business journey?
We have recently opened a shop at the Historic Village in Tauranga! Before then we were operating out of home. This was such a big moment for us as it opened a door and has enabled us to connect with our customers and community. We get to meet Māmā and pēpi and genuinely check in with people. As a māmā I know how hard the first year can be so creating a safe space for Māmā to come in is really important to us. We have a change table in store and a safe place to feed baby. 

What's next for Awhi Company?
Normalising Māori designs is only one part of our business. We are working hard to create intimate te reo Māori play groups for Māmā and pēpi. Helping Māmā on their journey of reclaiming their language for the next generation. We are so lucky and grateful for where we are and look forward to what else we can offer for our people.  

Awhicompany.co.nz

Pause, Relax, Unwind

As we shrug off winter and look to set new health and wellness goals, the answer to lowering your stress levels and feeling better could be closer to home than you think.

Bay of Plenty is renowned for epic beaches, surf and sunshine but the variety of wellness activities on offer here has exploded post-pandemic. Soothing our minds and recharging our bodies is now a legitimate priority and there are some heavenly ways to do just that in our own backyard.

STEAM

Release physical, mental and emotional stress with The Sauna Project at the Mount or Waihī Beach. Heat up inside their traditional wood fired sauna followed by a cold ocean plunge. Known as “contrast therapy”, exposing your body to temperature extremes is a renowned way to promote healing, reduce pain and enhance your overall wellbeing. 

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SOAK

Try float therapy at Zen Float Spa. Their quiet pods of high-density saltwater remove gravity from the equation so you can completely escape from life’s many distractions. Fernland Spa and Ōropi Hot Pools provide a tranquil setting to let go of daily stress, or book a massage at one of the many beauty spas or massage therapy clinics across the Bay. 

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MOVE

Outdoor activities help promote mindfulness and improve your mental wellbeing. Mauao Adventures offer stand up paddleboard (SUP) sessions so you can admire both our moana (sea) and whenua (land). Or book a surfing lesson and experience the rush of riding our ocean’s waves.

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STRETCH 

Yoga and Pilates are long-recognised for their enormous physical and mental health benefits. Improve your strength and stability while releasing a rush of endorphins. Classes are available everywhere and are suitable for all ages and experience levels. Pilates can be done on reformer machines for extra resistance or just by using your own body weight. Enjoy a yoga session with Miriama at Waihī Beach or try a “Breathwork with Camilla” class for something a bit different.

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CONNECT

We are surrounded by nature but often forget to fully appreciate it. Reconnect with the outdoors by playing a game of disc golf at McLaren Falls Park or take a stroll along our extended beachside boardwalks. Go for a hike through Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park or explore native forests and spot a real life kiwi in the Eastern Bay with Ōmataroa Eco Tours. 

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PAUSE
Italians celebrate “dolce far niente” – the “sweetness of doing nothing”.
We can probably all agree that slowing down and enjoying the simple things in life is a great idea. Sit on the beach, walk through a park, enjoy a delicious smoothie at your local café, or pay your local coffee cart a visit. Find time to do nothing and you’ll be happier for it! 

All aboard

A dedicated rum bar in the Mount is making waves with its refined mixology and sophisticated eats.

Words Hayley Barnett

It’s official: The rum revival is real. While 2023 is being hailed as the year rum makes its comeback, there’s one new bar and eatery getting fully on board with the trend.

The dynamic duo behind Mount Maunganui’s Brew Co and Hide Thirst and Hunger recently set sail with another gem, Sailor Galley and Rum Bar. Also located along the Mount Main Street, where the now-closed Fish Face eatery was situated, this new project is a labour of love.

When the space came up for sale Matt and Kimberley Hayward jumped at the chance to secure it, with the aim of expanding its back garden terrace for the summer crowds, to take full advantage of the sun-laden deck.

The original plan was to set up a sophisticated wine bar, after the couple recognised a need for bars and eateries targeted at their more mature clientele. But, mulling over the idea, they decided it would be much more fun to do something a little bit different – and more relevant to their sunny seaside surroundings. And so they ran with the idea of a rum bar.

Matt and Kimberley have held true to their promise of sophistication – this isn’t some grubby old sailor’s quarters. The restaurant gives off more of a super yacht vibe. The modern fit-out feels very much like a wine bar, but offers premium rum and delicious cocktails, from local labels like Armada Spirits in Pāpāmoa, to rums further afield like Flor De Caña from Nicaragua.

The menu is suitably sumptuous with dishes like Smoked Bone Marrow on Sourdough and Burnt Butter Crumpet with Blue Swimmer Crab. 

Despite the name, the menu isn't too heavy on seafood. Executive chef Perrin Yates, former chef of Picnicka and Clarence Bistro, has designed a travel-inspired culinary journey offering up a good mix of refined and favourite go-tos – some of which are blended to create something delightfully gourmet yet casual. 

On the snack menu is the popular Boston Crayfish Roll as well as the Parmesan Churros with fire roasted capsicum sauce, both equally tasty.

Regardless of whether you're a sun lover, a rum drinker, or just a fan of good food, Sailor will hit the spot. 

Sailormount.nz

Bring in the sunshine

Illuminate your space for the season ahead with this colourful palette.

Styling Amber Armitage @ MARIGOLD
Photos Wendy Fenwick @ Flash Studios Wall colours resene paints

Walls painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Illuminate. Tara Nesting Bowls $109 from Citta. Bubble Vase $108 and Grid Vase Satin $49.50, both from Tessuti. Bon Parfumeur Eau De Parfum 30ml in 203 Fruity $81.99 and Acme Roman Cup and Saucer Mini $16.60, all from Father Rabbit. Canyon Two-Drawer Bedside Table $169.99 and Quinn Queen Bed in Natural $559.99, both from Mocka. Calypso Duvet Cover in King from $270, Mushroom Flat Sheet in Queen $165, Mimosa Pillowslips $90, and Mushroom Pillowslips $90, all from Dehei.

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Walls painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Illuminate. Floor finished in Resene Colorwood Bask. Twin Wall Bowl $185 and CC Stool in Walnut $745, both from Good Form. Karimoku Case Study A-S01 Sofa from $12,495 from Mr. Bigglesworthy. John Tootill Raumati V Artwork $11,000 from Sanderson Gallery. Scent of Home Candle $119, Remodelista in Maine $69.99, and Patina Modern: A Guide to Designing Warm, Timeless Interiors $95, all from Father Rabbit. Radial Round Coffee Table $1,390, Bouclé Cushion Cover $89.90, Makaua Tambo Basket $189, and August Throw $159, all from Citta. Torrance Rattan Occasional Chair $439.99 from Mocka. Lago White Floor Lamp $219 from Lighting Plus. Willis Cushion in Sage/Ivory $125 and Wichita Floor Rug $1,120, both from Baya.

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Walls and shelf painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Illuminate. Floor finished in Resene Colorwood Bask. Maquette Ceramic Table Sculpture B $185, Stair Table Lamp $675, Bloom Table Lamp in Dusty Green $1,195, CC Stool in Walnut $745, Ildhane Candle Holder $145, and Magazine Rack $275, all from Good Form. Iconic Dick Cordemeijer Cleopatra Daybed by Auping $2,950 from Mr. Bigglesworthy. Vauban Vase $585 from Tessuti. John Tootill Raumati V Artwork $11,000 from Sanderson Gallery. Nomad at Home $69.99 and The Home Upgrade $120, both from Father Rabbit. Torrance Rattan Occasional Chair $439.99 from Mocka. Cheltenham Throw $130 and Wichita Rug $1,120, both from Baya.

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Back wall and shelf painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Illuminate. Maquette Ceramic Table Sculpture B $185 from Good Form. Vauban Vase $585 from Tessuti.

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Testpots and Drawdowns (from top) in Resene Illuminate, Resene I Dare You and Resene Tropical.

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Doorway painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Green Days. Back wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Illuminate. Pulse Platter $295, Large Ovum Vase $350, and Romana Large Sideboard $6,795, all from Good Form. Katherine Throne Hidden Gems Artwork $3,050, from Sanderson Gallery.

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Walls painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Illuminate. After the Song Art Print by Helen Dean $289 from Endemic World. Tara Nesting Bowls $109 from Citta. Bubble Vase $108 and Grid Vase Satin $49.50, both from Tessuti. Bon Parfumeur Eau De Parfum 30ml in 203 Fruity $81.99 and Acme Roman Cup and Saucer Mini $16.60, all from Father Rabbit. Canyon Two-Drawer Bedside Table $169.99 from Mocka. Calypso Duvet Cover in King from $270 from Dehei.

Share to care

Do you really need a car? The answer may surprise you. GoTo Car Share’s founder Steven Vincent explains the environmental and financial benefits of only using a car when you need to.

Words Karl Puschmann

Car sharing is a concept that’s popular in many major metropolitan cities across the globe, but one that has been slow to arrive in Tauranga.
Until now.

GoTo Car Share is the first such service to zoom across the starting line here in the Bay. And because the company was started by locals it’s been created with a mission to be as environmentally friendly as possible to help not only ease traffic congestion in and around the CBD but also sustain the natural beauty of our renowned beaches and environment. 

“Having electric vehicles (EVs) only was part of the plan all along,” Steven Vincent, GoTo’s founder, explains. “It’s about sharing resources and having an environmentally conscious solution for business and people.”

Starting GoTo Car Share happened organically. Steven and some business partners had already formed the office-sharing company Basestation in Durham Street where freelancers and small business owners could rent a desk, meeting room or office for anywhere between an hour to a more lengthy commitment. His team had a fleet of four cars and he began to see the waste in having to park, insure and pay for cars that spent most of their time idle.

“We started thinking about whether we needed the cars at all as they only got used 10 percent of the time,” Steven says. “So we talked about how we could share those cars with other people and get more use out of them. It wasn’t just the car, it was also the fact of them taking up valuable car park space as well.”

As they were already sharing meeting rooms and office spaces the concept of sharing was at the forefront of his mind. Looking around he realised that Basestation had a great central location with a potential customer base of around 50 businesses already in the building. And so Steven started GoTo Car Share from the same space. He got rid of the petrol cars and began building a small fleet of EVs, believing the environmental benefits and user accessibility were key. 

“We wanted to make a public service where anyone can use it,” Steven says. 

Of course, Kiwis love their cars. A byproduct of decades worth of woefully underfunded public transport. Steven too loves cars, just
not owning them.

“If you look at the service of car sharing it comes down to the concept of flexibility. It’s about usership, not ownership.”

With a current fleet of five EVs available 24/7 and plans coming along to expand to other locations, including Mount Maunganui, customers will never be caught short without access to a vehicle when they need one. The convenience and financial freedom of not running a car could even make ownership a thing of the past.

The concept is initially a bit different but Steven says change is in the air, as evidenced by the variety of people using the service. Including those you’d least expect.

“The person who took a car just before I talked to you, even he admits it would be very difficult to get out of his petrol car,” Steven says. “However, this week, he made a commitment and he hasn't used his car all week. He's used the bus service for the first time in his life, and electric scooters. And now he's trying the car sharing. So if that's an indication of what people are doing there's a sea change underway.”

“People are definitely embracing it. And they're definitely wanting to change,” he continues. 

“People are wanting to get out of their cars and use other forms of transport. Where we fit into that puzzle is, if you need a car just for an hour, come and use one. You don't necessarily need to own one.” 

Goto.nz

Fighting fit

Rachael Ferguson’s stage four cancer diagnosis was a stark reminder that health really is our wealth

Photos Tim Ingle + supplied

When Rachael Ferguson was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer no one was more shocked than the former competitive bodybuilder herself. At just 32 years old, Rachael was the picture of health.

“I’d just got back into training,” explains Rachael. “I had been a member of Clubfit Baywave for five years and did a bit of running, too.”

At the time she was feeling a bit more fatigued than normal. Having just got married, Rachael put her tiredness down to the stress of the wedding and all the COVID-19 lockdowns that came afterwards.

Rachael and her husband Glen were planning to have a baby in the near future so she visited her doctor, to make sure she had nothing to worry about.

“Hand on heart, if we weren't planning to have a baby, I probably wouldn’t have made that call,” admits Rachael. “Had I not gone, it’d be a different picture for me today.”

After her diagnosis she had what is called definitive surgery treatment
– surgery on a sufficient margin of tissue. Her margins returned clear, but she still had to undergo chemotherapy, to catch any rogue cells.

Twelve rounds of chemo later, Rachael is thankfully one of the lucky few to survive stage four cancer. 

“My treatment took place over six months, with one every fortnight.
I just kept an open mind every time and didn't fixate on side effects.
Plus I worked out the whole way through.”

Her doctors recommended she continue her fitness regime as best she could.

“I was told it’s really important to replenish your body after chemo, because it absolutely knocks you. Exercise can be the last thing you want to do and often I'd feel average for a couple of days after treatment,
but as soon as I would start to feel okay, I’d either be out going for a walk or back in the gym.”

Rachael continued training at Clubfit throughout, allowing her to still attend her favourite classes of Body Step and Body Pump.

“Everyone at Clubfit was so great,” says Rachael. “They knew what I was going through and where I was at. It’s always been such a nice community to be a part of. There's no judgement and there’s so much support for everybody, which you don't often find in a gym.” 

Just six weeks after her last round of chemo, Rachael fell pregnant with her son, George. These days, with George having just turned one, Rachael still makes sure she prioritises fitness. She goes to Clubfit classes twice during the week and once on the weekend when George is at his swimming lesson at Baywave below the gym.

“I really believe being healthy and fit played a huge part in me fighting
the cancer the way I did,” says Rachael. “Everyone knows what the gym means to me now. It’s more than just staying in shape. A lot of women believe that once they become a mother their needs don't matter anymore, but you can't be your best if you're not feeling right. In many ways, looking after yourself is the most important thing.” 

Clubfit.co.nz

Live in the now

Lauren Mabbett ponders whether it’s a midlife crisis that drove her to getting a tattoo for the first time at 38, or is it her insatiable zest for life? Perhaps just a questionable obsession with Wayne’s World.

According to Google, 40 through 60 are the years we are likely to suffer a midlife crisis, but I've never been one to follow the crowd, so I think I'm gonna have one at 38.

As I watch my fellow 38ers meet their partner, buy a house, get married or have kids, I go and book myself in for my first ever tattoo.

Tossing around ideas with a friend after three too many glasses of wine (the way only the best ideas are created, right?) I message my tattoo artist buddy and lock in an appointment for the following Friday. 

“What did you want to get?” she asks.

Of course most people get something incredibly significant or heartfelt; a date of birth, a symbol that means a lot, the name of a family member...

“Wayne from Wayne's World,” I reply.

Oh great, is this a midlife crisis? Probably, although the fact I still drive around with my CD wallet on the floor of my car suggests maybe I never grew up in the first place.

Look, in my defence, I’ve loved this movie since its release in ‘92. I've dressed up as Wayne for many a dress-up party, I have the cups and the t-shirts, I’ve visited every possible filming location as well as detouring my two last American roadies to include Aurora, Illinois where it’s set, and Delaware – the butt of a joke during the movie. When it comes to getting something on my body that’s gonna be there forever, it was only right. If anything I should be happy I didn't cave during the tramp stamp era.

I think subconsciously the changes began earlier this year, when I thought back to how 20-year-old me would spend the weekend drumming in a rock band at bars, with dyed black hair, feeling so cool, and here I was spending the weekend pushing back my cuticles and having a slice at the garden centre café.

So far this year I’ve dyed my hair black again and bought an electric drum kit. Not sure I'm feeling cool enough yet though, hence the tattoo. 

I've noticed myself increasingly referencing “the good old days” of the Strand in Tauranga. 

Remember when you’d don your “jeans and a nice top” then head out to Krazy Jacks, Grumpy Mole, and Bahama Hut? You wanted to go to Beach Street but it was such a long walk all the way up Devonport Road so you ended up at Harringtons instead. Sigh.

It was a fun, carefree time where, instead of cutting out dairy and nightshades because your nearly 40-year-old tummy doesn't like them anymore, you ate that dirty 3am pie from Snackarama and bloody loved it. (Still can't figure out why we all have gut issues now.)

The amount of tasks we need to accomplish to feel like we aren't disgusting as we get older is ridiculous. Creams and serums, beauty appointments, tweezing and shaving areas that didn't previously have hair encroaching on them.

In our 20s we could bang on some cargo pants and an army singlet, wipe your face with some Dream Matte Mousse and leave the house looking gorgeous for the day. During my 30s, every year I’ve had to add another ingredient to my face to make it look somewhat acceptable. I’ve given laser companies hundreds of dollars to make me look like a hairless cat, and I’ve had more cameras inside me than the Love Island villa.

Growing old is a part of life, of course, but as cliché as it sounds, you're only as old as you feel. As I drive around cranking my Killing Heidi CD, I think to myself: Physically I’m 38, but mentally I’m 23 (despite increasingly discovering a new line on my face that I swear wasn’t there yesterday).

So get that tattoo, wear those jeans and a nice top, and party on.

Listen to Lauren weekdays 9am to 3pm on The Hits 95.0FM. 

In the blood

Racing is all in the family for the McClymonts, a three-generation clan of Baypark Speedway legends.

Words Catherine Sylvester | Photos Alan Gibson + supplied

Brent, Hayley, Luke and Emma at Baypark Speedway.

If Shakespeare was correct when he wrote “music be the food of love”, then the soundtrack to Brent and Hayley McClymont’s romance was playing long before they met. Instead of chords and harmonies, however, the backing track to their lives consisted of revving engines and the roar of a crowd as they travelled the speedway tracks of the North Island with their fathers.

Hayley and twin sister, Kylie, grew up around motorsport with their dad, Brian Audas, racing at Mystery Creek in Hamilton. A hundred kilometres away in Tauranga, Brent and his brother, John’s dad Dave, were also racing, and had helped build the old Baypark racetrack, behind what is now a trucking yard across the road from the current venue. Christine, the matriarch of the McClymont clan, has been involved with Baypark Speedway for many years, serving in a variety of roles including treasurer and secretary. 

Dave and Christine McClymont

With both senior members of the family holding honorary lifetime club memberships, and their lengthy involvement in racing, it’s unsurprising that Brent and John followed in dad’s tyre tracks and took up the sport themselves. There was even a time when all three McClymont men were competing weekly against each other on the track.

Brent McClymont

Keeping things in familia, more than 20 years ago Hayley married Brent, and Kylie married John. Both couples had children – Luke and Emma, and Jack and Josh, respectively – and the third generation of McClymonts became involved with speedway, either behind the wheel or in the pits.

Call it fate, karma or kismet, but Luke even made his earthly debut the opening night of speedway 20 years ago.

“It was also Brent’s birthday,” laughs Hayley. “Brent didn’t want to miss any racing, so he stood outside the hospital while I was in labour, doing a rain dance in the hopes it would be postponed – the speedway, that is, not Luke!”

While still only a few days old, Luke and Emma could be found at the racetrack, and grew up around the sport, playing in prams and sleeping
on chairs. The speedway community was like family, and all the competitor’s children would have a collective eye cast their way to ensure they were safe and staying out of trouble.

Although Brent hung up his helmet at the end of the 2014/15 season after 25 years of racing, he did so with an impressive array of trophies to his name. He’s a two-time NZ champion and has the distinction of being the only competitor to have placed in the top three on the podium for seven consecutive national titles since the recognition of the saloon class of cars.

The decision to pass the racing baton to his son came after Luke was rushed to hospital following a crash one night, with Brent unable to accompany him due to already being strapped into his own car and sitting in the line-up. He knew he could no longer fully support Luke and maintain his own racing career.

“I had another go last year when Luke was sick with COVID-19,” Brent explains. “Now, though, it’s watching the kids coming through the ranks
that I get a buzz from.”

Luke says racing is in his blood and that he’ll never get rid of it, nor would he want to. 

“Dad raced on the first ever opening night of speedway at Baypark, and there’s definitely a legacy there,” says the winner of the Regional Competitor of the Year Award 2023. “It’s something I’ll definitely want my kids to do, too.”

Unable to officially race at Baypark before the age of 12, Luke and Emma, along with cousins Jack and Josh, started out in motocross. When old enough, the three boys moved into racing mini-stocks, with Josh and Luke now competing against each other in the six-shooter category. Even Emma’s boyfriend, who used to race, has been brought into the fold as part of the McClymont pit crew.

Apart from a handful of “mums’ races” during fun days held at Waharoa Speedway (that turned quite competitive when sister Kylie joined in), Hayley is happy off the track, behind the scenes and in the pits. When they began dating 30 years ago, Hayley knew what she was getting into and jumped in boots and all. After race-day, she could be found polishing the car’s aluminium panels and cleaning Brent’s helmet. She acknowledges that although it’s the drivers who get the accolades, Brent and Luke know the work their crews do behind the scenes is what enables them to get out there and do what they do best. Competing is a full McClymont team effort.

“The crew make sure the gear is cleaned, memberships completed, accommodations booked when travelling for competitions, and entry forms filled out,” Hayley explains. “Brent and Luke always get up and thank everyone behind the scenes when they win, and that means a lot.”

The family credits their sponsors, particularly the ongoing, long-term support of local business McLeod Cranes, with their ability to keep racing.

Dave McClymont

“McLeod’s have always been on the side of our cars – Brent and John’s saloons, all the boys mini-stocks, and now Luke and Josh in the six-shooter class,” explains Hayley. It’s no surprise to learn there’s even a family connection there. “Brent’s mum is godmother to one of the boys who now run the business!”

With Luke firmly buckled into the driver’s seat and eyes focused forward (at the time of print Luke received sponsorship from Seamount Racing, taking him into the Midget class), dreams of racing sprintcars are on the horizon. However, his biggest obstacle in getting this out the gate isn’t the competition, but the financial outlay it requires.

“The only way that it could happen is if someone else owns the sprintcar package, Luke races it and we help maintain it,” says Hayley. “That’s the dream scenario, anyway – or to win Lotto!”

If the family’s record of wins is anything to go by, the odds are most likely in their favour. And with two competitors still in the game, we’ll no doubt be hearing the name McClymont announced for the victory lap over loudspeakers at Baypark for quite some time to come. 

 mcclymontracing

 McclymontMinistocksRacing

Nurture in nature

Karen Clarkson spoke to the Principal of Matahui School to learn why for the last 30 years the school has turned traditional education systems on its head and the critical role nature plays in creating positive learning outcomes. 

While politicians and education researchers are divided over the state of our education system in the lead up to this year's election, a special character primary school on the outskirts of Katikati, is providing a beacon of hope for parents whose children have struggled in traditional school environments. 

Principal, Mary Woods, says that the mainstream education system is not suited to every child. Matahui School provides an alternative approach to education so that young people can achieve success with the increased pace and technology the modern world demands.  

“Matahui School challenges traditional education methods and provides a unique sanctuary for children to learn. All children have a diverse range of strengths and learning styles. Unlike the mainstream system, we don’t believe one size fits all. Our smaller class sizes allows individual one-on-one time with the teacher and creates a quieter, calmer environment that is more conducive to learning,” she explains. 

At Matahui, the school embraces a balance of the fundamentals of core learning wrapped in enquiry that encourages the child to flourish in a way that best suits them. 

“Recent reports and findings from the ERO (Education Review Office) and Education Hub describe children having better outcomes when they develop their own learning goals. Enquiry-based education is at the centre of our ethos and the children actively influence their own pathways to learning daily.

“Recently the Year 1 and 2 students wanted to learn about space. Through discussion their teacher came to understand that they were more interested in learning about moon buggies and space transport, so she used this as the springboard for their enquiry,” says Mary.
While more and more schools reach for technology to deliver the curriculum, Matahui School nestled among towering pines and surrounding orchards, uses a progressive curriculum that values outdoor education and delivers core subjects across a variety of disciplines.

“Connection with and within nature has been proven around the world to be critical to supporting healthy development in children. All of our teachers will agree that the real magic happens beyond our classroom walls, where hands-on experiences and challenges empower the children to develop independence, confidence, learn technical skills, and manage risk,” says Mary. 

Every week, rain or shine, students spend a full day immersed in nature, building makeshift shelters, exploring meandering streams, and overcoming challenges as part of the forest school programme. The Year 7 and 8 students attend four camps throughout the year, clocking up to 30 days a year in the great outdoors. Recently a class visited and worked on a local farm to better understand the milk production process from farm to fridge.

Ruth, mother of Polly, a former student of Matahui, says she appreciates the positive impact the school’s values and unique learning approach has provided her daughter. 

“Polly’s college teachers have noted how engaged she is with her personal learning, the confidence she has to challenge herself and her perseverance when things are hard.”

Mary agrees that the environment and experiences Matahui School students are provided supports them to learn in the way that not only suits them best, but empowers them to develop key skills to handle the inevitable challenges they will meet in their future education, and life beyond the classroom. 

Matahui.school.nz

Heart of the village

A wander into Bethlehem Town Centre uncovers some hidden treasures, both old and new.

If you haven’t visited Bethlehem Town Centre recently, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover new offerings among its boutique specialist shops.

Ko Ko Dak is the newest eatery on the block, offering Korean cuisine with a twist. Now a choice of burgers offers even more of a fusion between east and west.

Luxurious new nail bar Majestic Nail Salon is a relaxing stop for shoppers looking for some retail respite, with a comfortable space and competitive pricing. 

Other favourites like Caroline Eve, award-winning salon Rodney Wayne and home of Tauranga's famous fudgery Options Gifts on the High Street
make it easy to lose yourself in a day of retail therapy and pampering indulgence.

With spring upon us, the allure of Bethlehem's High Street lies not only in its boutique treasures but also in its inviting ambiance. For those seeking a touch of nature, take a leisurely stroll through “the grove”, a serene enclave of native trees accessible via a charming boardwalk. With over a dozen mature trees, the grove creates an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquillity. 

Shoppers can begin the day with a steaming cup of rejuvenating coffee at one of the charming cafés that bookend the street, like the revamped outdoor dining at The Coffee Club. Or savour the scenic views from Columbus Coffee, where a menu of local favourites await, curated by owners Alana and Steve.

So whether you're drawn to designer fashion, pampering beauty treatments, or a serene natural retreat, Bethlehem Town Centre's High Street has something for every discerning visitor. Unveil the charm of this shopping haven and indulge in the pleasures that await around every corner. 

TRENDING IN BETHLEHEM

Fashion and gifting is at the forefront of Bethlehem Town Centre. Some of the village style gurus tell us what’s on offer for spring.

SHOO

Shoo is welcoming a fun new season with a pop of colour for spring. Handcrafted shoes from Italy showcase bright oranges, cobalt blues and emerald greens. With a strong European influence in store, key brands this season include Laura Bellariva, Repo, Manufacture d'essai, and Repaini, all from Italy. Kathryn Wilson is bringing a touch of 70s with cork outsoles on high platforms and fun colours with bags to match. New sunglasses range Otra is in store and well priced from $89. 

Shoo.co.nz 

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AFTER HOURS BOUTIQUE

With main designer brands being Joseph Ribkoff, Frank Lyman and Anthea Crawford, the trending colours for Spring/Summer 23 are hot pink (thank you, Barbie!) and emerald green. Tropical florals are going to be popular for wedding season, while sequins are having a major comeback for party/cocktail wear. There are a lot of floaty styles coming in as well as more structured silhouettes.  

afterhours.boutique

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URBAN VOGUE & GEORGE EDWARD

Two iconic fashion boutiques sit side by side in the town centre. The sister boutiques stock some of the country's leading fashion designers such as Kinney, Lemontree and Nice Things, Blackstone, MIMOSO and Noa Noa. Led by a small and experienced team who help their customers curate beautiful, stylish looks that are built on quality, taste and superb design, it's an experience to shop here that is matched only by overseas fashion houses.

Urbanvogue.co.nz  georgeedward.co.nz

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TANGO’S SHOES

Chrissie Blazen (pictured) is fashioned with linen, giving an earthy, minimalistic look – a key style this spring. Providing an effortless flair
with chic ruffled French pleat detail, the look is finished with this stunning mule. Available in Natural and Black Linen. Exclusive European brands include Aerobics, Andacco, Carrano, Gaimo, Plakton and Viguera. 

tangosshoes.co.nz

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BETHLEHEM EYE CARE

Discover the epitome of elegance in eyecare at Bethlehem Eye Care,
where independent optometrist Stuart Willats and his team redefine vision excellence. With more than 20 years experience delivering unparalleled high quality and professional care, they specialise in comprehensive eye examinations, precision contact lens fittings and bespoke spectacles. Brands include Woody®, Barcelona, Face & Cie and Vanni.

betheyes.nz

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DECK THE HALLS

Bethlehem Town Centre is gearing up for a busy Christmas season. Each year, the centre makes the most of its open-air village experience by featuring Santa’s sleigh, Tauranga’s biggest Christmas tree and New Zealand’s largest Nutcracker Soldier. There will be some fun new additions to this year’s Christmas installs, including some Christmas card-worthy photo opportunities with gingerbread man and Santa chairs, and a 3D Christmas card. The village is also home to a beloved Santa – he’s a third-generation Santa Claus!

The A to Z of Dire Straits

Everything you didn’t know you needed to know about the legendary English rock band, playing at A Summer's Day Live in Tauranga on December 30.

Words Karl Puschmann

A Summer’s Day Live 

This annual concert has become a must-do Summer event. This year Dire Straits Legacy headline, supported by Nazareth and Hello Sailor. They play Tauranga’s Wharepai Domain on December 30. Other dates include Napier, Matakana and New Plymouth.

Banned

Canadian radio banned Money for Nothing due to a problematic slur in the song’s lyrics. The ban was overturned in 2011, a mere nine months after being instigated. 

Compact Disc

Dire Strait’s 1985 Brothers in Arms was the first album in history to sell a million copies on the then brand-new Compact Disc format. 

Dire Straits Legacy

Former Dire Straits members keyboardist Alan Clark, guitarist Phil Palmer, percussionist Danny Cummings and saxophonist Mel Collins started this band. They enlisted the legendary Trevor Horn on bass and keys supremo Primiano Di Biase. Marco Caviglia, the world’s authority on original frontman Mark Knopfler’s distinctive guitar-playing style, leads the band. 

English teacher

Before Dire Straits took off Mark Knopfler was an English teacher at a college in Essex.

Football

Mark Knopfler famously supports football team Newcastle United. The
club plays his soaring instrumental, 1983’s “Going Home (Theme Of The Local Hero)” before every home game.

Grammy Awards

Dire Straits won four Grammys, including Best Rock Performance and Best Music Video, and was nominated for seven others including Album of the Year and Best New Artist.

Headbands

Dire Straits wasn’t the most fashionable band around, but Mark Knopfler’s dedication to sporting a headband during the 1980s has since become iconic. 

Infidels

Mark Knopfler produced Bob Dylan’s 1983 album Infidels. Dire Straits Legacy keyboardist Alan Clark also played on the record. 

Jack Sonni 

Guitarist Jack Sonni played with Dire Straits from 1984 to 1988. He was in Dire Straits Legacy until passing away aged 68 in September. The upcoming shows at A Summer’s Day Live are dedicated to him.

Knopfler, Mark

The founder, frontman and flipping amazing lead guitarist of Dire Straits. Classic Rock described him as “a virtuoso” and Rolling Stone ranked him 27th on their 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. 

Lawyers 

After asking Sting to sing backing vocals on “Money For Nothing” Mark Knopfler got a call from The Police’s lawyers. Because Sting accidentally sang “I want my MTV” with the same melody as The Police’s hit “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” the lawyers demanded – and got – Sting a song co-writing credit.

Money for Nothing 

This pop-rock classic belittling the rock stars on TV was written verbatim from an actual conversation Knopfler overheard in a hardware store. The song reached No.4 here, spending 27 weeks in the charts.

New Zealand

Dire Straits regularly toured here throughout the 80s. Their first gig was at Western Springs Stadium in 1981. Their final was at Mt Smart Stadium a decade later in 1991. 

On Every Street

The 1991 follow-up album to Brothers in Arms couldn’t match its predecessor's success. With morale at an all-time low, the band called it quits after the accompanying tour.

Private Dancer 

Tina Turner’s darkly seductive comeback hit was written by Mark Knopfler for Dire Straits. He shelved it after deciding the lyrics were unsuitable for a male singer. 

Q Magazine

Popular UK music mag Q ranked Brothers in Arms number 51 in their 100 Greatest British Albums Ever list.

Romeo and Juliet 

Alongside its Shakespearian influence, this early Dire Straits hit from 1981 takes oblique inspiration from one of Knopfler’s real-life failed romances.

Sultans of Swing

Undisputedly Dire Straits’ greatest song. This sublime, melancholic rocker from their self-titled 1978 debut album is a sophisticated fusing of rock, blues and jazz and details the (mis)fortunes of a pub band. The 10-minute performance on 1984’s live album Alchemy will rock your socks off.

Twisting by the Pool

The band’s only No.1 single here was this rock n’ roll throwback from 1983’s ExtendedancEPlay EP. It spent four weeks at No.1 and was in the charts for 15 weeks. 

Uli Edel

In 1989 the director tapped Mark Knopfler to write the soundtrack for his grim drama Last Exit to Brooklyn. Edel followed up this film with Madonna’s 1992 erotic thriller Body of Evidence.

Vertigo 

The British label that signed Dire Straits in 1977 after a London radio DJ played a demo of “Sultans of Swing” on his show.

Walk of Life 

This cheery ditty off Brothers in Arms spent 14 weeks in our charts, peaking at No.3. The album’s producer wanted to leave it off the record but he was outvoted by the band. 

Xylophone 

The xylophone appears on “Love Over Gold”, the title track from the 1982
album that went straight to No.1 in our fair country. 

Yes 

The influential English prog rock band was formerly home to current Dire Straits Legacy bassist Trevor Horn. 

Zaragoza

This Spanish city was the literal end of the line for Dire Straits. The band played their final ever concert there at the Estadio La Romareda on
October 9, 1992. 

For tickets to A Summer’s Day Live, visit trademark.flicket.co.nz

Plan, plant and pot

Ginny Clark from Decor Gardenworld says a little bit of planning now will go a long way to ensuring you have time
to sit back, relax and enjoy your garden this summer.

In an unprecedented year of lacklustre weather, spring is finally emerging. This is a wonderful time to spruce up your outdoor spaces with thoughtful gardening. 

Begin by evaluating your indoor-outdoor flow. Enhance the appeal of your outdoor living areas and don’t forget about your main entrance – this is the first area your guests will see! Simplify access to vegetable gardens and utility spaces. Replace aged trees, update planting schemes, and tend to outdoor containers.

Foliage is key, and a variety of texture forms and colours will enhance year-round interest. Contrast and repetition create visual appeal, while varied heights add depth. Grass-like textures like Lomandra, Astelias, Carex, Flaxes, and small palms, combined with easy-care shrubs such as Coprosmas, Nandinas, Hebes, Green Ball Pittosporum and Loropetalum Plum Delight offer vibrancy. Leucadendron and Grevilleas will provide lasting colour.

Nandinas

Layer your spaces with ground-covering plants to curb weeds and backbone plants with red and green foliage shrubs. Use plants to create low borders – flowering annuals, low perennials and Japanese Box or even parsley can be very effective and as long as they are trimmed occasionally.

Then turn your focus to elevating the spaces with garden art, ornamental pots, furniture, and screens. Revitalise your entryway with pots of perennials or annuals, fruit trees or a specimen plant. It is easy to change the look seasonally, and consistency in pot style will help enhance the visual impact.

Strategic placement of artistic elements like urns or bird baths adds character. Use them as a focal point that can be viewed from both indoors and outdoors. Introduce outdoor “rooms” through shade trees, pergolas, ornamental screens, or a bench seat. A New Zealand-made glasshouse extends growing seasons and doubles as a cosy place to relax. 

The options are endless, so get planning, planting and potting to make your outdoor space a home to be enjoyed for many moons to come. 

Decorgardenworld.co.nz

A family affair

One of the South Island's original furniture retailers,
McKenzie & Willis Interiors, is set to bring Bay of Plenty homes their signature treatment. UNO spoke to managing director Bill Willis about his great-grandfather's legacy and the brand’s expansion north.

Words Karen Clarkson | Photos Salina Galvan

Having your family’s furniture store at your fingertips to explore and play in every day, might just be every child’s dream. For Bill Willis, and his cousin Tim Willis, directors of family-owned interiors brand McKenzie & Willis, this sums up their life as kids in Christchurch. 

“In those days, McKenzie & Willis was a four-level downtown showroom, managed by my dad, and Tim’s dad. We had great fun as children bouncing on the beds and exploring the furniture displays. As a teenager, I learnt to drive the trade truck and spent weekends delivering furniture around Christchurch,” recalls managing director Bill Willis. 

Bill and Tim’s great-grandfather Joseph Willis, along with RS McKenzie, first launched the business in 1906, selling houses, land, and furniture. Now almost 120 years later, and passing through three generations of Willis’, the Christchurch institution has become one of our country’s leading home furniture and interior design brands. 

Bill and Tim, who took the helm from their respective fathers after the Christchurch earthquakes, have set about expanding the brand’s footprint across New Zealand. 

With five successful stores in the South Island, including a purpose-built Christchurch showroom, McKenzie & Willis Interiors opened in the capital in 2017.  In 2021, Bill and Tim took the leap further north with the acquisition of The Design Depot from Mount Maunganui and Hamilton, and this year they added two contemporary showrooms to their now eight locations across Aotearoa. 

Bill says the purchase and rebrand of The Design Depot was a natural fit for the brand’s growth and values: a family business dedicated to creating beautiful interiors with excellent personalised service to match. 

“People and service have always been at the heart of what we do. We’re really proud to have all The Design Depot team continue with us at the new stores. To be able to adopt a great team with experience and relationships is the best outcome for everyone,” explains Bill. 

Kylie Keene (former owner of The Design Depot) took the lead alongside the McKenzie & Willis product team to design the new Mount Maunganui showroom collection and fit-out. 

Inside the space, creative curtain and blind displays, furniture, homewares, beds, and linens reflect the region’s personality. Across the store’s collection, the Bay’s relaxed, calm style, influenced by nature and the outdoors, has been combined with eye-catching patterns, textures, and wallpapers synonymous with the McKenzie & Willis brand.

“The focus was to bring the very best of these aesthetics together with high-end homewares and quality brands from here and around the world,” explains Bill. 

Alongside their hallmark showrooms and core offering of furniture, beds, and furnishings, is a full-service interior design experience with a focus on clients building a relationship with one key designer on their personal project. 

“We have been so fortunate to have attracted incredibly talented and passionate interior designers in each of our stores. Homes are where we spend time, bring up families, and entertain with friends. Our team of specialists works closely with our clients to turn houses into beautiful spaces that Kiwis love,” explains Bill.

The new Mount showroom features an expansive and inspiring sampling area allowing customers to visit and work alongside their interior designer. Whether clients are transforming a bedroom, living room, or building a new home, Bill says that by having one key contact, creating a strong relationship, and leaning on the chain of other stores, the team delivers exceptional results. “Across our family of New Zealand-made and imported brands, we can tailor-make sizes, fabrics, and configurations bespoke to your home and style. This is a real strength of McKenzie & Willis,” says Bill. 

Alongside the new Mount Maunganui showroom, McKenzie & Willis have renovated and rebranded The Design Depot store in Hamilton – a move he knows his dad and uncle would be proud of.

“Opening in new locations signals an exciting chapter for us; expanding
our offering nationwide and giving New Zealanders greater access to our comprehensive collections and design expertise. Dad had a real passion for growth and building beautiful showrooms and while he passed away last year, he knew the Mount Maunganui store was opening. I know he would be proud of our vision and what our team has created here.” 

mcw.nz

Go with the flow

Sentimental childhood memories played a huge role in choosing this home to raise the next generation. It took next-generation vision however, to transform a simple three-bedroom brick bungalow into a modern-day masterpiece.

Words Jo Ferris

Returning home after years overseas, the familiarity of Tauranga’s Avenues’ precinct was the starting point for these vendors when searching for a home to raise their children. The location was perfect; enhanced by the fact the house hid down a private driveway. All it required was a new look to fit this family’s lifestyle.

In a somewhat back-to-front approach, the swimming pool came first. A challenging thought, given the secluded spot this home enjoys. Looking
at it now, the pool seems like it was here from the outset; such is the home’s intimate connection with this sun-drenched corner. 

Intimacy is a key feature. Despite the density of this Avenues’ position, the home enjoys precious privacy. The driveway is the introduction – and was actually the first area to be upgraded. Lined with manicured olive trees and leafy layers of greenery, it sets the tone for what hides beyond.

The home nestles with a sheltered sun trap, thanks to a leafy fringe enhancing the privacy and discreet ambience. With the brickwork gone and the house completely transformed, sun and outdoor connections are integral to its outlook on life. Architectural designer John McAlpine of the Thorne Group turned the kitchen upside down, opened up the family hub in the process, added a second lounge and extended the home at the rear. This allowed for an ensuite master bedroom, a powder room and well-appointed laundry.

A mud room connects this laundry with the garage. Originally an external garage, the creation of an internal entry was not only logical, it allowed a natural corridor for a cloak room. The laundry was also given special treatment with decent bench space and custom cabinetry below and above. 

Its finish matches the kitchen’s clean aesthetics. This is a focal point of the home – styled to match the coastal appeal of the family hub. A scullery expands pantry storage and provides a second workplace. It also leaves spacious counters in the kitchen free for entertaining around the essential bar-stool island. Double skylights and well-placed double glazing stream light and sun to ensure natural warmth all year round. Ducted heating is in place, but when the sun shines, this is rarely needed, thanks to the way this home harnesses the sun’s warmth all day.

Family relaxation considers family preferences. Two distinct living areas give separate places for family members to enjoy their own entertainment. The main hub is the initial focus – for dining, gathering and lazing on the cushioned window seat in the sun. Smart storage within this unit hides games, toys and books, while bi-fold windows slide open for a seamless connection with the cottage garden. 

The TV lounge sits down the passage and shares a personal link with the swimming pool. Moods change in this room. This snug has a more intimate vibe. Inbuilt shelving and a desk cater for work and library storage. Its link with the pool however, instils a subtle resort hint. 

A discreet outdoor corner slips off from the master bedroom. It’s yet another feature that highlights how good design not only embraces various corners outside, but demonstrates how outdoor flow and privacy can be incorporated into the function and flow of a family home. One that still has the advantage of a 10-Year Master Build Guarantee. 

27 Briarley St, Avenues, Tauranga

oliverroadestateagents.com

Life’s a beach

A lifestyle village with an increasingly admired business model welcomed its first residents at Waihi Beach.

Words Monique Balvert-O’Connor | Photos Alan Gibson

Recently Waihi Beach became home to its own Karaka Pines Village, the seventh in the country operating under a model focussed on fairness to investing residents – who keep the capital gains made on their property when they decide to sell their village dwelling.

Located at the north end of Waihi Beach, and only an eight-minute stroll to the ocean, Karaka Pines’ latest village will feature 96 premium homes. 

The first part of stage one of the development is completed, with 12 dwellings constructed and selling fast. The first residents moved in over May, with the initial three homes occupied by Waihi Beach locals who are thrilled with the opportunity to live in a retirement village within their beach community. And they’re enjoying the growing community at the village itself.

Karaka Pines Villages chief executive Adam Yates says open days were held in June, with enthusiastic interest coming from further afield too, mainly from Auckland, the Waikato and Coromandel.

There are still opportunities to buy one of the first homes on site, and now is a good time to visit the village and potentially stake an interest. The next builds will get underway at the earliest opportunity, Adam says.

Tucked away in a sunny, protected valley, Karaka Pines Village is sited on what was farmland. The village is located on Browns Drive, spans 5.12 hectares, and neighbours residential streets and a council reserve.

The village’s brick and tile houses come with either two or three bedrooms, offer either a single or double garage, and feature an ensuite as well as main bathroom. Houses are either standalone or duplexes. The homes range in price from a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, single garage duplex at $1.1 million to $1.4 million for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, double garage standalone dwelling.

Spacious apartments also feature on the village plan (with parking included), as does a clubhouse, which will include a pool complex, wellness centre, and well-stocked library – but for now, a temporary clubhouse is currently being enjoyed by residents and friends. The apartment plans show two-storied buildings with a patio providing alfresco dining opportunities for ground-floor residents, and balconies serving the same purpose one floor up. 

Karaka Pines Villages operate under an independent living model, although for peace of mind each home is equipped with an emergency call button that is monitored 24/7. 

The Karaka Pines operating model has been admired and trusted for many years. There are Karaka Pines Villages in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and Christchurch, led by Tauranga’s Kempton Park, which was the first to open about 12 years ago. 

Each village has its own special character, but they all have one thing in common: All are vibrant communities where like-minded people enjoy living as they choose, secure in the knowledge that their capital gain is protected.

“Like all properties that come under the Karaka Pines Villages umbrella, when the time comes for owners of the Waihi Beach dwellings to sell, they are the ones who will benefit from the capital gain in their homes, not the management. We think that’s only fair,” Adam says. 

In fact, a recently released research report (by Janine Starks at moneytips.nz) on New Zealand retirement village costs found that Karaka Pines residents receive back 99 percent more capital on death/exit than those with the country’s “big six” retirement village operators. 

Adding to Karaka Pines’ financial security equation is the fact residents have the chance to opt for a fixed fee for life. That fee (it can be variable, if preferred) covers outside maintenance, insurance and rates. This way residents can have a very clear vision of their financial state, Adam explains.

Karaka Pines Villages specialise in independent living, but because of their financial structure – particularly its capital gains model – people moving on to assisted living, for example, are more likely to be able to afford to do so. 

“We value our residents and want them to own their financial future,” Adam is proud to say. “We see the village as the residents’ village. We are resident-centred, and want our residents to feel like they own the place. After all, we only work there – they have to live there.”

Adam explains that it’s important for Karaka Pines Villages staff to live the ethos that it’s not their job to make their own jobs easy, but to make the residents’ lives easier. “We do things for people, not to people,” he says. “We look for moments of ‘I see you’ – seeing each of our residents as independent individuals and supporting them to live their best lives through our words and actions.”

Adam and his team are proud to offer a retirement living model that concentrates firmly on fairness.

Those keen to check out what’s developing can visit the village and tour the show home. Touch base with the village manager on 027 223 8822 or click on the website tab to send an email enquiry. People can also subscribe to the Karaka Pines newsletter, via the website, for updates.
karakapines.co.nz

Pouring their hearts out

UNO’s wine columnist Jess Easton heads to Hawke’s Bay to discover a resilient label which is perfectly balanced in more ways than one.

Words Jess Easton  |   Photos Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media

Woven into grapes on the Saorsa wine label is a heart so vivid and intricate, it almost pulses.

Everything they do, they do with heart. And while their recent viticultural journeys have involved a degree of heartbreak, they've also been pretty heart-warming too.

When we drop in to see them at their Haumoana home, a steady drizzle occasionally erupts into rain outside. A traumatic Cyclone Gabrielle-plagued summer has given way to a miserable winter and Alex has been busy digging boxes and boxes of their delicious wine out of the silt.

Saorsa is Gaelic, with rough translations of freedom, salvation, redemption and liberty. The label lived up to its name; despite the vineyard being in the heart of the Esk Valley, it came through the cyclone relatively unscathed. Unfortunately they had stored most of their stock at neighbouring Linden Estate and much of it was left buried beneath metres of flood-strewn material, however.

But this is where the heart comes in. As soon as he could after the unprecedented devastation, Alex was back helping clear the vineyards, pulling the drowned stock of neighbours out from beneath the wires, doing his bit to help resurrect an ailing industry.

Wife Hana, meanwhile, was ignoring the floodwaters lapping at their own home and spending days and nights on duty with the local volunteer fire department.

With Haumoana's fire station under water, their home became the
designated base, and remained that way for months afterwards.

Selfless and community driven, it's worth remembering the couple have
three children of their own, while Hana – a qualified stainless steel
engineer – has a full-time job as operations manager in the waste industry.

The pair are perfect foils for each other; Hana is a 100km/h live-wire, bristling with energy and zest, while Alex is all earthy calm. And somehow, impossibly, they've infused all this personality into their wines.

The Saorsa Syrah 2021 is luxuriously earthy and smoky, with hints of rose, yet retaining a freshness and liveliness.

And their Viognier 2021 is decadent and silky, with bold notes of peach and apricot mingling with toasted spices.

Saorsa's grapes are handpicked and treated with the utmost care. There are no shortcuts during winemaking and the whole process is an affectionate nod to tradition, mixed with modern sensibilities and style.

This is the dream Alex and Hana have created – making wine they love with the ones they love – all of which is infused with heart. 

Let it snow

Flying south for the winter, UNO editor Hayley Barnett attempts to turn her family into thrill-seeking adventure enthusiasts, with mixed results.

Words Hayley Barnett

As far as winter getaways go, you don’t get much better than Queenstown. It’s a hub for skiers, thrill seekers, partiers and foodies, and, although partying was off the agenda this time, it’s the perfect destination for a family’s first ski holiday.

Getting my kids on skis has long been a dream of mine, but with COVID-19 restrictions and the recent debacle that kept our local ski fields closed, my grand plans have never come to fruition. Until now.

This year was the year, I decided. It’d be the year the kids would finally fall in love with snow sports and we’d become one of those families who hit the slopes every winter, toasting marshmallows in front of the fire at the end of a long, enjoyable day skilfully flying down the mountain at top speed. Après ski, here we come.

If you have kids, you can probably guess it didn’t all go completely to plan. Five-year-olds don’t always comply in an environment where everyone is wearing ski masks and wielding large planks around. But I can officially say I have skiers now, and I can also recommend some amazing activities to do in the area on those days you don’t quite make it to the slopes.

OAKS QUEENSTOWN SHORES RESORT

Jumping on the Booking.com app, I came across Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort, serviced apartments on the outskirts of Queenstown with incredible views of Lake Wakatipu. A two-bedroom apartment was
the perfect size for the four of us. With an electric fireplace, fully self-contained kitchen and two bathrooms, it has everything you need when sharing with kids and a snorer. The apartment was huge and meant we didn’t have to venture out to get breakfast. We even stayed at home for dinner one night because it was too cosy to leave. There’s a gym for those who don’t get all their energy out on the mountain, and an inviting reception area with a fireplace, dining room and a bar, overlooking the lake.

CARDRONA SKI RESORT

With friends staying in Wanaka, we decided Cardrona would be a good place to meet up for a couple of days skiing. It was recommended I book lessons for the kids well in advance – and tickets, too, as they were limiting the number of people on the ski fields this year. The winding hour-long drive did make me question our decision not to just book at Coronet Peak or The Remarkables, the much closer options, but it ended up being the best decision of the trip. The smoother, flatter slopes proved to be much less intimidating to my three learner family members (who were expecting the steeper runs of neighbouring mountains), and Cardrona had the most centimetres of snow that week. Score!

Having booked our vacation a week before the school holidays, it meant there were hardly any chairlift lines to wait in. I managed to get a heap of runs in that first day, despite the visibility being somewhat dismal.

Luckily, for our second day at Cardrona, the weather had improved. The sun was peaking out and we’d had a large dump of snow overnight, replacing slush with powder. Having learned from the previous day, I dropped the kids off at their lessons, pockets stuffed with lollies (top tip to convince small – and big – kids to do anything) and took off up the mountain again.

By the end of day two, Poppy was flying down from the top, as I’d hoped, and Oscar had learned to avoid crashing into anyone who ventured into his eyeline. Jumping on the bus back down to our rental car, we were soon on our way to the Cardrona Hotel for some well-deserved pub grub and drinks.

TRANSPORT

If you want to get the most out of your Queenstown family holiday, a reliable vehicle is a non-negotiable. Enabling travellers to seamlessly plan their travel, Booking.com offers much more than just accommodation and is a one-stop solution offering a wide range of travel services such as car hire without ever having to leave the platform or app. We easily secured a mid-sized Toyota Corolla via the app. I added booster seats for the kids and chains for the wheels. Pick up was easy. We caught a ride with the Snap Rentals van from the airport and 15 minutes later we were in our car and heading off to our accommodation.

CARDRONA HOTEL RESTAURANT & BAR

A five-minute drive from the turn-off up to Cardrona Ski Resort is one of New Zealand’s oldest hotels and one of only two remaining buildings from the Cardrona Valley gold rush era. These days, it’s most well known for its après ski pub food and drinks and its warm and cosy atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to take the kids, with plenty of room to run around outside, featuring a playground and a giant outdoor fireplace. There are bags of marshmallows, which we purchased a few of, after discovering Oscar had devoured the first bag before we even made it over to the fireplace. We can highly recommend the loaded wedges and the seafood chowder, both washed down with some local gin from the Cardrona Distillery across the road.

PUZZLING WORLD, WANAKA

One of the highlights for all of us was Puzzling World. Yes, we had to travel for an hour from Queenstown, but boy, was it worth it. I had booked tickets through Booking.com when securing our accommodation
months ago, which forced us out of our cosy, warm beds on a non-ski day. By the time we got there we knew we’d made the right decision. 

The family-run attraction started with a wooden maze in 1973 and evolved into a science museum that has become famous across the country – and internationally. Home to the world’s first multi-level “mega maze”, Puzzling World offers a challenging course that takes around an hour to complete (well, it did for us, anyway). Participants must reach all four towers located in four corners of the maze. The kids were the perfect age for it and no one noticed they’d been running around for an hour. 

The Illusion Rooms inside the museum provided hours of entertainment. The slightly nauseating Tilting Room was a favourite for the kids, as was the Ames Room, where they suddenly outgrew us adults, becoming giants to our dwarfed bodies. Afterwards we headed out to the idyllic Lake Wanaka, just a five-minute drive from Puzzling World, to recover from all the excitement.

ARROWTOWN

On our way back home we decided to stop at the little historic village of Arrowtown for dinner. Proving to be just as pretty at nighttime as it is during the day, we took our time wandering up and down the town centre’s main drag, overwhelmed by the many dining choices on offer. We settled on Bendix Stables – a “watering hole and food emporium” built in 1873 as a stable to keep local politician Bendix Hallenstein’s horses. We had the top floor to ourselves where we devoured giant burgers and toasted marshmallows for s’mores.

KAWARAU RIVER JET BOAT TOUR

On our last day, we headed into Queenstown for one more adventure – the Kawarau River Jet Boat Tour. It popped up as a recommendation on Booking.com and was super easy to add as a last-minute addition
to our itinerary. There are two tours to choose from – a 20-minute joy ride around the lake or an hour-long tour up the river. We went for the hour, which was filled with thrills and not-too-many spills, thankfully. The kids loved the build-up of suspense when our driver raised his hand in warning each time he slammed on the brakes for a heart-stopping 360-degree spin. The scenery became more and more impressive the further down the river we spun. An exciting attraction for families with just
the right amount of thrill for the littlies.

To book your holiday to Queenstown, simply download the booking.com app and get planning!

Legacy of luxury

Pāpāmoa’s latest aged care facility is a testament to resort-style
retirement living.

Words Monique Balvert-O’Connor 

Bay of Plenty aged care options have taken yet another leap forward thanks to the recent completion of the Pacific Coast Care Centre – Te Manaaki, a luxurious $30 million aged care facility.

The new residential aged care centre opened in June at Pacific Coast Village, located at Maranui Street, on the coastal stretch between Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa. The completion of Te Manaaki (loosely translated to mean care and support) allows Pacific Coast and its adjacent sister village, Pacific Lakes, to offer a full continuum of care – from independent living, serviced apartments to residential aged care. Te Manaaki offers rest home and hospital level care, including palliative and end-of-life care.

Pacific Coast Village and Pacific Lakes Village are part of the Generus Living Group, which can lay claim to what’s been described as an unrivalled reputation for creating some of New Zealand’s most respected lifestyle villages.

Generus Living director Graham Wilkinson says the villages are indeed known for their upscale design and resort-style facilities rarely seen in New Zealand. 

“The Care Centre, Te Manaaki, is a continuation of this considered design, crafted to provide residents with luxury living as well as elevated care and with it an added sense of security in their later years,” he says.

The rapidly burgeoning Bay of Plenty population has been watching the development of the villages – and lately Te Manaaki specifically – with interest, Graham says, especially those seeking a more upscale living and caring environment than previously offered in the area.

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Designed by architectural firm Sumich Chaplin, the new building is 3000 square metres and seamlessly integrates with Pacific Coast’s architecturally designed Beach House. Te Manaaki presents as a modern facility with 58 highly appointed care suites over two levels, offering a range of spacious residences. Premier Suites, for example, are up to 56 square metres and include a small kitchenette, dedicated dining lounge area, walk-through wardrobe, and private ensuite. The extended living spaces and amenities are substantial and have been carefully curated to present as highly residential, providing residents with choice of environment and a sense of home 

THE TE MANAAKI WAY

Te Manaaki will place a significant emphasis on a personalised approach, where residents will take the lead in their own lifestyle. They will be supported by a collaborative approach between Te Manaaki’s multidisciplinary clinical staff and family. 

“It is recognised that this extra time, effort, and energy to adopt and engage in this model of care delivers significant outcomes, enhancing the daily life of both our residents and team,” Graham says.

Three months on and the feedback indicates it’s an applauded approach. Residents and stakeholders speak of the “warm and welcoming” staff, excellent companionship, removal of worry, the hotel-like standards, and the well-crafted building and fit-outs.

VOICING THEIR PRAISE

UNO spoke to Te Manaaki residents Joy Morgan, and Neil and Claire Robinson, who live in premier suites, and Tony King, who lives in a care suite, close to a villa where his wife lives. All are aged over 80. 

Joy says living at Te Manaaki removes the worry for her children who both live overseas, and there is no other immediate family nearby.  As well as that she’s happy to say she has all the amenities she needs, with plenty of activities offered to occupy her time. Plus she loves the company of people of a similar age. Joy was already a village resident, and the transfer and transition to Te Manaaki were seamless.

Neil and Claire both have conditions requiring care and can no longer manage being at home. They are more than happy to call Te Manaaki their new home. They love that it is brand new and enjoy amenities like the café and restaurant. Not having to cook or do their own washing gets the thumbs up too. The fact the village plans included building an aged care facility was the clincher in their decision making around where to live. 

“We are being taken care of and enjoy the nice company offered by the other residents.”

Tony says he “liked the look of the place” and it has lived up to expectations. He appreciates how living in a care suite has removed the burden of his care from his wife. It is a safe place. 

VALUE-CENTRED PARTNERSHIP

The care centre’s name acknowledges Generus Living Group’s partnership with Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporation (MPBI) in the development of both villages – Pacific Coast and Pacific Lakes and whose taonga tuku iho (ancestral land) the villages are built on. 

MPBI chief executive Scott Wikohika says Manaaki is a concept which is deeply valued. “Manaakitanga is about reciprocity of care and support," he says. "We are proud to have partnered in an investment that celebrates and recognises the value and contribution people continue to make to communities throughout their lives, regardless of their age.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

There are more than 600 residents calling either Pacific Coast or the adjacent Pacific Lakes Village home. Once Te Manaaki is fully occupied, and the remaining Pacific Lakes villas completed, the two villages will be home to more than 800 people. Pacific Lakes has 170 completed villas, with that number expected to reach 250 within two years’ time. Under development at Pacific Lakes is also The Pavilion – a larger amenity to the highly-acclaimed and widely-enjoyed Lake House. The Pavilion is also expected to be completed in two years’ and is set to become one of the largest and most comprehensive community facilities in any New Zealand village. The opening of Te Manaaki has boosted staff numbers, with the villages currently employing about 120 people. Employee numbers over both villages will eventually exceed 140.   

pacificcoastvillage.co.nz