All the world’s a stage

The couple behind Summer Shakespeare promises an accessible
take on the great bard’s famous play Romeo and Juliet.

words KARL PUSCHMANN

Vikki and Pascal.

There’s a surprising fact about William Shakespeare’s plays that not everybody knows.

“Shakespeare's full of really bawdy jokes,” Pascal Tibbits grins, before
wife Vikki Gorton-Tibbits adds, “It’s quite hilarious. There’s a lot of comedy interjected with the seriousness of it all. Romeo and Juliet isn’t just a tragic love story.”

The couple is behind Tauranga’s increasingly popular annual Summer Shakespeare production, which this year is putting on his most famous play, Romeo and Juliet. Pascal, who is the creative director, says that making the works of the great bard user-friendly for modern audiences is one of their primary goals.

“It’s about the theatre, community, and accessibility for everyone to come and have a good time,” Pascal says. “We make sure our actors are telling a story that anyone can watch and understand. All the themes that were relevant in Shakespeare’s day are relevant now. This is the magic of Shakespeare.”

Vikki, who is the producer, nods and says “You don’t have to be a Shakespeare buff to go to one of these shows.”

Romeo and Juliet is the seventh play that the Summer Shakespeare Tauranga Trust has put on, and sees them transport the great tragedy from the Elizabethan era into the roaring 1930s. Running from February 6 to the 16th at the Te Puna Quarry Park, the beautiful purpose-built amphitheatre is set amongst a stunning natural backdrop.

Food is another passion of the pair, who together won the reality TV cooking show My Kitchen Rules in 2023. Fittingly, they’ve put together a flavourful menu of locally sourced and produced food, wine and beer, including crowd-favourite Pork Belly Bao buns and spiced beef focaccia.

“Our vision is to create an experience where people can enjoy themselves and feel welcomed, without breaking the bank,“ says Pascal. “Tickets are reasonable, the food and wine are priced fairly. We don’t believe in taking advantage of a captive audience. It’s about making the event accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”

Of course, you’re also free to bring your picnic basket. The main thing for the pair is that people enjoy themselves. 

Tickets available here

Empowering ink

For the thousands of Kiwis facing the overwhelming effects
of cancer, Stacey Peake’s cosmetic tattoo studio, nestled in the heart of Mount Maunganui, offers women the chance to reclaim their confidence in the wake of New Zealand’s leading cause of death. 

words Karen Clarkson | photos Salina Galvan

Stacey Peake

As Stacey prepares for her day in her studio, Beautifully Enhanced, a welcoming, light-filled sanctuary, she reflects on her journey from running a nail bar in Te Puke straight out of high school, to her newfound passion for tattooing lips, brows and areolas. “From the start, I have always loved to help give women a sense of confidence, to feel good in their bodies,” Stacey shares.

At the age of 19, Stacey left the salon in Te Puke and headed for England, polishing her skills as a nail technician at Selfridges London and later working front-of-house at Michael Van Clarke’s award-winning hair salon. 

After 16 years in the financial industry – from branch manager through to a successful career as a wealth coach for one of Australia’s leading banks – she welcomed twin boys, and chose to return to the world of beauty, training as a cosmetic tattooist and running a successful studio in the Gold Coast.

When Stacey returned to the Bay of Plenty in 2020, she was increasingly surrounded by family and friends navigating the challenges of cancer. Knowing she could make a difference to people suffering hair loss due to sickness, cancer treatments or alopecia, she started tattooing brows at a reduced price, before discovering her clients could receive a subsidy to get the service at no cost. 

For many of Stacey’s clients, coming to her studio is a sensitive step in
their recovery journey. Her work is transformative, but the results go far beyond the physical, offering a renewed sense of emotional benefits to her clients. “When you lose your brows or your breasts, you lose part of your identity. It can impact your confidence, your sense of self,” she says. 

Hearing more and more stories and the impacts of her brow work on her clients, inspired Stacey to gain certification to tattoo areolas for those women who have had reconstruction surgery or mastectomies due to treatment. “Working on intimate areas like the areolas is a highly delicate practice that requires a deep level of skill, combined with empathy.”

Stacey’s approach combines artistry with precision, spending up to four hours carefully recreating personalised, natural areolas. Using multiple pigments and needle techniques, she customises each tattoo to match skin tones and textures, bringing depth and realism to achieve a natural result. “Areola tattooing isn’t just about applying colour. It’s about mimicking the natural contours and textures – like Montgomery glands and constriction wrinkles – that give realism to the areola.” 

One of Stacey’s most memorable experiences is with a close friend diagnosed with cancer. “We tattooed her brows right before she began treatment,” Stacey recalls. “When she started to lose her hair, she was incredibly grateful to still have her eyebrows. It was a small thing, but it meant the world to her.” Kate, another client shared, “Stacey is not just an artist; she’s a friend and a confidante. She listened to my story with such empathy, and the results were life-changing. I left with a new sense
of self, and I am forever grateful.” 

With a deep understanding of the emotional and physical journey her clients are on, Stacey is acutely aware of the sensitive nature of the procedures. Before any treatment, she ensures that her clients have clearance from their oncologists and that sufficient time has passed for scars to heal. “I hope to create a safe space where my clients feel seen, valued, and supported. I spend a lot of time listening to their stories, understanding what they’re hoping to achieve. It’s a collaborative and deeply personal experience,” she explains. 

Through her work, she has become an advocate for open conversations around hair loss and body image, breaking down the stigma that can come with these experiences as well as supporting cancer charities within the community, regularly donating her services for fundraising events. “For many families the work that I do is not always financially possible, so as well as the subsidies available for eyebrow tattooing, my areola tattooing services are heavily discounted. I also offer a free non-laser service for removal of radiation dot tattoos – gently lifting pigment to the surface versus pushing pigment into the skin where it can get into lymph nodes.”

For Stacey, the impacts of her work are written in the smiles, the hugs, and the renewed confidence of her clients. “Women enter the studio with feelings of vulnerability, yet leave with a renewed sense of empowerment and a reminder of their own beauty. Being able to offer a solution that helps someone feel complete again; it’s incredibly meaningful.” 

beautifullyenhanced.co.nz

Rolling with it

The first woman to represent Aotearoa on the international skateboarding scene is throwing her support behind a skateboard collection that will be part of the permanent exhibition at Tauranga Museum opening in 2028. 

words DEBBIE GRIFFITHS | photos CRAIG BROWN

Georgina Matthews started skateboarding around her home in Ōtūmoetai at the age of 13. A year later, she won a national competition and then placed second at an international in Melbourne where she caught the attention of sponsors. 

“I was skateboarding and travelling the world from when I was 16 until my 20s,” she says. “I got to skate against the world’s best like Elissa Steamer and I met Tony Hawk a few times. In 2006, I was ranked ninth in the world. They were fun times.”

Skateboarding fits hand in hand with the Bay’s surf culture. In fact, it was the acquisition of an iconic collection of classic Kiwi surfboards and memorabilia from Tauranga businessman Dusty Waddell, along with around 40 of his vintage skateboards, that enabled museum curator Fiona Kean to create the exhibit. 

“The Waddell collection came with a skateboard made by ‘Cahoot’ which was a Mount Maunganui brand made in the 1970s. They pioneered the use of urethane wheels,” she says. “In researching the skateboard collection and also with the opening of the Destination Skatepark, one of the things that struck me is that there’s a story to tell here in Tauranga. Georgina fits so beautifully into that. She reached the top level and she grew up right here in the Bay.”

“Tauranga’s skateparks are amazing,” says Georgina, reminiscing about cheese grater ramps, splinters and rails so hot they burned. “We’ve come a long way from the old skatepark at 17th Avenue by Historic Village. It’s 100 percent easier for kids to get into. I love seeing them at parks that have entry level ramps and easy progressions.” 

It’s the next generation of skateboarders who were targeted in a recent competition to ‘design a deck’. Out of more than 260 entries, Georgina picked two winners – aged 9 and 13 – who had their images put onto boards. 

“The first design reminded me of how important cultural representation was for me on a global stage. My iwi is Ngāpuhi and I’m very proud to be from New Zealand. When I was competing, sometimes I’d wear a Māori band or a Tino t-shirt. I felt that this design was a beautiful reflection of our country and culture, and I loved the composition of the Tino Rangatiratanga flag, koru, and ferns contrasting. I could picture this being a cool board for a kiwi athlete in the Olympics someday. It’s what I would choose.”

Georgina loved the vibrant colours, fun characters and creative use of the whole board of the second winning design.

“I imagine that would be a really popular pick in skate stores,” she says. “We hope we’ve inspired the kids in some way – to try skateboarding or maybe graphic design,” says Fiona. “You never know what’s going to spark someone’s future passion. Museums are here to enrich our communities and to make people feel that they belong and are part of something bigger. A sense of collective place.”

“I’m very honoured and grateful to be involved in Tauranga Museum and that kids will be able to see more than what’s on YouTube,” says Georgina. “They’ll have an understanding of the history and the evolution of the sport.”

Fiona has been working with the museum collection for nearly 20 years and remains passionate and excited by it.

“We’ve got a history of Tauranga to tell from the 1400s to beyond today. Our plan is that we’re not picking a point in the past and saying ‘we’re doing up to here’; we’re creating contemporary stories so we can show local innovators, diversity and fresh stories and events.”

“It starts with talking with the community and our conversation about the new museum has been a long one,” Fiona continues. “It’s not a one-way conversation. There have been consultations and discussions over the last thirty years but over time you can see the trends coming through and the objects that support the stories we’re being told. Sometimes it’s just magic, like getting the opportunity to purchase the Waddell collection of surfboards and that it came with the wonderful bonus of the skateboards which will now allow us to tell that story as well.”

Today, 37-year-old Georgina still gets on her board and is looking forward to skating and sunbathing through the summer. 

“For me skateboarding is amazing for mental health,” she says. “You’re your own boss, you don’t have to skateboard at a certain time or in a certain place. It’s an indescribably beautiful feeling of freedom. I still love it like I did when I was 13. I’ll be skating until I can’t.” 

taurangaheritagecollection.co.nz

Eastern eats

Whether you’re planning a holiday in the Eastern Bay or thinking of a day trip, you’ll find a range of eateries for all tastes and some notable spots for a drink or two. 

Cigol.

Whakatāne’s CBD has come of age in recent years. The attractive and bustling town centre makes it easy to roam with a range of boutique shops and tempting eateries. With many outdoor dining options, it’s easy to soak up Whakatāne’s plentiful sunshine and admire the impressive town gardens. Veer off the main drag and you’ll also find a few hidden gems.

Mata Brewery and Tasting Room
An award-winning family-run business, Mata Brewery offers craft beers and good food. It’s also based at new Ōhope hotspot, Wharfside, over the summer. Check their website for regular live music evenings.

Volk & Co
Volk & Co coffee brew bar is the latest coffee locale in Whakatāne. It specialises in espresso, filter and cold brew coffee, with a changing selection of specialty drinks and hard-to-resist cabinet treats.

Cigol
A mouth-watering menu, including slow-cooked pork belly, stone sizzling bibimbap, Korean fried chicken, Japanese yakitori and much more. Wash it down with a good range of Korean beverages and Asahi on tap. 

The Comm
The iconic and historic Commercial Hotel has returned to its former glory, with a modern twist. The Comm brings renowned Good George Co. beverages to Whakatāne, along with awesome food and top-notch service.

The Wagon
These guys know good food. The focus here is on damn good burgers washed down with an equally good brew. Great for takeaways too if you feel like an alfresco dinner overlooking the Whakatāne River as the sun sets.

Café Awa
Seriously good coffee and the best cheese scones in town. Often filled with locals who know a good thing. Sit in the sun on the balcony overlooking boats moored along the riverfront.

Gibbo’s on the Wharf
With fish straight off their boats, Gibbo’s serves the best fish and chips in town. Situated right on the wharf, this is the perfect spot for a casual dinner as the sun sets. 

Café 4U
Great vibe, great service, great people, and of course, great food. The counter display here is something to behold – sweet treats and epic scones are impossible to resist. Check out the outdoor courtyard out back.

Cadera.

Ōhope

Although it can be hard to drag yourself away from the waves of New Zealand’s most-loved beach, it’s worth taking a pit-stop at Ōhope Village to enjoy the laid-back dining and shopping scene, perfectly aligned with
beach life. At Wharfside, Port Ōhope you’ll meet a similarly cruisy vibe with the best sunsets in town.

Fisherman's Wharf
It’s no exaggeration to say this is one of the best spots in the Bay. Situated right on the edge of Ōhiwa Harbour, the evening sunsets are superb. Fresh oysters regularly feature on the menu. Stop for a drink on the deck, or enjoy an entire evening with exceptional food.

Moxi Café
Super funky container fit-out and really good coffee. Always buzzing, Moxi has been loved by locals and visitors since inception. 

Cadera
A social dining experience at Ōhope Beach. Serving up delicious food and seriously unmissable margaritas, it’s great for groups of any size with a super relaxed vibe, aligning seamlessly with the Ōhope way of life.

Tio Ōhiwa Oyster Farm
Enjoy harbour-to-plate oysters with a side of chips overlooking the water. 

Julian’s Berry Farm.

Other notable mentions

The Smokin' Goose
This American Barbecue-style restaurant and beer garden, is just a short drive from Whakatāne CBD. This one is a local favourite!

Drift
Whoever said you can only get a good cheese roll in the South Island? You’ll find them here along with superb coffee and a warm welcome to natter away the morning’s news. Loved by Matatā locals and visitors passing through.

Berry Farms
There’s a reason there are so many berry farms in the Eastern Bay – they grow amazing berries of course!  Take your pick from Julian’s Berry Farm and Café, Blueberry Corner and R n Bees. 

No reservations

Reliving the spirit of their 20s, with fewer compromises and more surprises, mid-life travellers Sue Hoffart and her husband discover the beauty of making it up as they go along.

Reflecting on the Con River, Phong Nha.

There is no good reason to leave Tan Son Nhat International Airport the
way we do, that Wednesday morning in May. My spousal travel buddy cannot explain his urge to wave away perfectly good buses and taxis in favour of lugging our backpacks 8.5km to downtown Ho Chi Minh. After 22 hours of travel. In 38°C heat. C’mon, my normally sensible husband insists. It’ll be fun. I’m so shocked – the ill-advised ideas are usually mine – that I agree to mark the untethering of our middle-aged, middle-class lives with that long, hot walk.

When we reach our $50 a night hotel, red-faced and grimy, the sole visible employee is dumbfounded. The man has never heard of anyone walking from the airport. Ever.

Uniformed guard outside a government building in Hanoi.

Our four-hour schlep is a bewildering, exhausting, outlandishly sweaty and strangely satisfying way to acclimatise to the frenetic rhythm of Vietnam’s largest city. Crowds and wonder slow our steps. A verdant park gives way to a tangle of black power lines and concrete jungle. Our first purchase feels like a medical necessity; hydrating fresh coconut
water is urgently guzzled through a straw in an alleyway, flesh scooped from the shell with a plastic spoon.

Every road crossing is an act of faith, only slightly less terrifying each time we step into the beeping, unregulated swirl of traffic and trust drivers to veer around us. Motorbike riders wear masks against the pollution while we suck it all in, teetering on the edge of footpaths crowded with yet more motorbikes.

Breakfast fruit at Mekong Pottery Homestay in Vinh Long.

The city is also home to an ornate French Colonial opera house and a deeply sobering war museum. One street is lined with book vendors, while the vast, vibrant flower market is busiest after midnight. At another market, a woman sells dozens of kinds of edible orbs; humble brown hen’s eggs and tiny speckled eggs, preserved eggs, eggs coated in some kind of black crust and eggs wrapped in red and gold. 

Saigon – the city’s official Ho Chi Minh moniker hasn’t really caught on with locals – is where we fall back in love with backpacking. Almost three decades have flown since that fat yellow Lonely Planet guide book was hauled through other corners of South East Asia on our backs. In those days, blue Aerogram letters were dispatched with stories from a prison visit in Bangkok, hitchhiking in Malaysia, island hopping to see dragons on Komodo.  

Thung chai, or ‘basket boats’, beside the sea in Mui Né.

The in-between years have brought all the trappings of adulthood, from marriage, mortgages and children to appointment diaries and well-planned holidays with wheeled suitcases. 

Now that our grown-up lives are on hold, needs have been pared back to overhead locker size, maximum 7kg. No itinerary, no responsibilities, no proper plans for 36 days.

It turns out independent travel has become a whole lot easier since we last attempted it, thanks largely to phones and ubiquitous Wifi. Google Maps gets us to the Hue train station without fuss, and locates the ferry to Cu Lao Cham island. 

 Lâm Đong Province.

In the mountain town of Da Lat, a translation app helps us discover more about our Russian-speaking hostess. The new travel card leaves old school traveller’s cheques in the dust, with its instant exchange rate calculator and access to automatic teller machines. It also links seamlessly with the same local transport app that Vietnamese city dwellers use. Meanwhile, online booking sites ensure we can always find a bed before arriving in a new town. Sometimes, we change tack and move on quickly. More often, we linger for an extra day or three, choosing a new route for exploratory morning cycle rides through surrounding streets or rice paddies, past incense-scented temples and coffee stalls. Mostly, we stay in inexpensive small hotels with pool, ensuite, bikes, buffet breakfast and beautiful service.

 French Colonial architecture, Saigon.

Because this is very definitely not the “please let there be one clean sheet and no fleas” version of backpacking we knew. It feels a little like cheating, with all the joys of making-it-up-as-you-go travel, and none of the hardships. Our budget has improved but so have the roads; plenty are better than highways back home. On local buses, we meet a Filipino mother teaching English in Vietnam, and a delightful medical student from the provinces. The reclining seats and individually curtained cubicles are a far cry from terrifying rides of old, shared with chain smokers and live animals.

In other ways, nothing has changed. Thankfully, my fellow backpacker and I still journey well together and continue to find this type of travel liberating. We both strive for snippets of the language and quiz new friends about politics and religion, history and their family stories. 

Bich Dong Pagoda.

At mealtimes, we turn to the street to perch on child-sized plastic stools in bustling little shacks. When language fails us, we point to whatever a neighbour is eating. Then the neighbour will show us how to fold herbs and salad leaves into a particular dish, or extract a spicy stuffed snail from its shell. 

Travel tips are still traded with fellow travellers. The motorbike street food tour in Saigon is a must-do, we tell our bright young backpacker friends. Vinh Long, in the Mekong Delta, is wonderfully devoid of tourists. It’s worth rising early there, to bike 10km down a dusty road and watch the sun rise over brick kilns that look like giant terracotta beehives. Quy Nhon is far more popular with Vietnamese tourists than Westerners but it has some fascinating Kiwi links courtesy of medics who have been helping in hospitals since the Vietnamese-American war. Nha Trang, on the other hand, feels far too much like Las Vegas by the sea. 

In the north, Hanoi is a heady mix of lakes and leafy boulevards, Old Quarter tradition, glitzy contemporary shopping malls and communist glory. We splash out on a restaurant meal. This one specialises in duck and the balcony is so tiny it can hold only our table for two. On our last night, an impressive downpour clears the crowded streets; monsoon season has begun and it’s time to fly home. For now, though, this place has washed away the years and made us young again.  

Masterful simplicity

Perched above nature, this peaceful home showcases refined minimalism and breathtaking rural vistas.

words JO FERRIS

The serenity of rural seclusion is absolute in this hidden pocket within Western Bay. Nestled at the end of a private lane, the home’s elevated position above a vast lawn makes an immediate impression. It presents the advantage of views, while the backdrop of towering trees instantly suggests prolific birdlife.

As a young home, there is ample potential to develop the grounds into playground pastimes. The owners have already planted numerous fruit trees and sown banks with wildflowers, herbs and lavender. Tiered gardens in front of the house complement its clean lines, while hinting at the style behind its vision.

Mindful of melting into nature, not dominating it, the home's designers have mastered the art of restraint. The simplicity of minimalism actually hides the intricacy behind it. It’s not easy maintaining that concept, but this home achieves it with respectful appreciation.

It begins at the formal welcome, with a massive pivot front door. The connection between outdoor elements and rooms inside – while unobtrusive – are evident throughout. The horizontal thread of larch on exterior cladding continues on feature walls inside. Full-height glazing ensures nature and views are always in sight, while recessed motorised blinds maintain the clean look of minimalism.

The heart of the home revels in sun and a country outlook. Devoid of any clutter, it adheres to the restrained philosophy with extraordinary skill. The kitchen showcases a bold dark tone of textured cabinetry, negative detail and integrated appliances, while the hidden scullery enjoys the appeal of open shelving.

Banks of stacker doors instil a seamless link with outdoor relaxation. Polished concrete flooring is finished with a salt-and-pepper tone, putting a new slant on concrete’s functional appeal and capacity to harness solar warmth. Zoned underfloor heating is there if required, however – including in all three bathrooms. The media room has the mood of a flame, with its gas-fire cosy ambience.

The owner's privacy is assured in one wing, which includes an office for work; while an ensuite guest room and remaining bedrooms offer options in the far wing. Every bathroom is fully tiled – similarly designed with dark allure and a no-fuss approach. Except the main bathroom – where the white oval bath is the star; fronting a full-height window for a garden outlook.

Complex simplicity underpins an extraordinary home. Its promise of privacy – at one with nature – cannot be emphasised enough. 

6H Ainsworth Road, Minden

oliverroadbayofplenty.com 

She means business

Meet some of the businesses that are part of She Is Unleashed, a local networking group where women support and mentor other women in business.

Moxi Café

Moxi Café is nestled in the heart of New Zealand's best beach – Ōhope. Serving up epic food, epic Allpress coffee and an epic vibe. A beach café that stands out from the rest, it’s the perfect all-day brunch spot in summer.

MOXICAFE

Her Tribe Travels

Curating bespoke journeys for women seeking more than just a holiday, Her Tribe Travels crafts tours that prioritise safety and foster a sense of community. These experiences allow travellers to explore the world while forging meaningful connections with like-minded women. HERTRIBETRAVELS.COM

Michelle Makeup Coach

Offering a unique makeup experience in the Bay of Plenty, this service specialises in personalised, natural makeup lessons for women over 35. Using pure-mineral, skin-nourishing products, the approach focuses on enhancing individual beauty and boosting confidence through tailored guidance.

MICHELLEMAKEUPCOACH.COM

Chelsea Waru – Mortgages

With a tailored, client focussed and stress-free approach, Chelsea Waru is your local Bay of Plenty mortgage advisor ready to simplify home ownership. She focuses on the path to home ownership – whether you’re a first-time buyer, expanding your property portfolio, or considering refinancing, tailored solutions are offered to suit your needs.

CHELSEAWARU_MORTGAGES

MarketHer

This innovative platform offers a comprehensive solution for women in business seeking to enhance their brand marketing skills. Combining an app and community, MarketHer provides tools and resources for growth on your own schedule, empowering entrepreneurs to elevate their brands effectively.

MARKETHER.CO.NZ

Something to talk about

At Sala Art Gallery, the art is an invitation to conversation and connection.

words KARL PUSCHMANN
photos JAHL MARSHALL

The thinking behind Tauranga’s newest art gallery can be described as gently radical. There are no price tags or pretension on exhibits at Sala Gallery. Instead, it takes a more holistic approach where the art on display can be considered an invitation to deep thought, reflection and, most importantly, genuine connection. 

“I put the gallery together as an excuse to have conversations with people,” Nigel Banks says. “Rather than a focus on showing art or a focus on selling pictures, the focus of the gallery is about having conversations with visitors about the origins of meaning in their lives. The primary purpose of the pictures is as props to support those conversations.”

Nigel is both Sala’s founder and the artist behind its inaugural exhibition We Are The Earth. This series of works meditates on the journey of life and explores larger themes of sense and self. Nigel sees the work as a conduit to conversation, either with oneself or with the artist himself, as he is often to be found nearby.

“It’s been a lifelong obsession, thinking about issues of meaning and where meaning comes from,” Nigel says. “When you touch into those moments, it’s something that feels really worthwhile. Much more so than just the standard social exchange.”

The vibe inside Sala is peaceful and meditative, which is appropriate as it’s nestled beside the popular Thai Touch massage therapy studio in Tauranga’s CBD, which Nigel opened with his wife Orasa in 2023. In fact, there’s an internal entrance to the gallery straight from Thai Touch which allows those holistic vibes, and visitors to the gallery, to flow in. It’s a welcoming space and one that takes off any pressure or intimidation that people can sometimes feel about entering a gallery.

That’s one of the most important aspects of value that I see in the philosophy that’s driving this,” Nigel explains. “Instead of going into a gallery and feeling an obligation to look into the pictures and figure out what they’re about, in this case the whole conversation is about meaning, and the pictures are there to support that conversation. You’re not looking for the meaning in the picture, the pictures are there to support the conversation about the meaning. It takes the pressure off.”

This core belief shapes every aspect of Nigel’s work and Sala, right down to the gallery’s carefully selected name. 

“It’s a Thai word, chosen because it’s soft, because it’s short, it’s got a slight repetition in it, but also that it means ‘outdoor meeting room’. A sala in Thai is like a pavilion or a little shrine or temple in somebody’s garden. People go to a sala, they meet in the sala, and they'll have conversations that are important to them. This is creating a space that is dedicated to that same sort of purpose.”

While Sala only recently opened its doors, the idea for a gallery of this nature has been percolating in Nigel’s mind for 20 years, after a “transformative” experience at an exhibition by the prominent New Zealand artist Melvin ‘Pat’ Day in Wellington.

“I was totally entranced by his artworks, just amazing stuff. I spent two hours there, intimately and repeatedly engaging with every piece. It was like a mental vacuum cleaner, a little bit like meditation. Extraneous thoughts were washed away from me. When you’ve got art, you’ve got an obvious thing to focus on. By the time you’ve done that for a couple of hours you are left in this blissful state of being totally at peace and at one with the pictures. I was interested in whether this might happen for other people.”

It was his piece ‘Billboard’ that inspired him to make this longheld dream an “audacious” reality. Fittingly, ‘Billboard’ is Sala’s centerpiece. It abstractly depicts the journey of life, the search for meaning and what you leave behind. While working on it he vowed that when finished he’d have a place to hang it. Over the 18 months it took to create ‘Billboard’, he worked on having Sala ready to open.

“When I put this up it felt like a monumental shift inside me,” he says. “It’s like a perfect life opened out in front of me because I get to have these conversations on a semi-professional basis. Having conversations with people about the stuff that is actually really important to everybody, but most of the time we don't talk about, is a really amazing thing to me. Just casually with people who have stopped by, I’ve had amazing conversations about people’s lives and it’s just really, really neat.”

Then the artist smiles and says, “In Sala’s case I’m thinking beyond anybody’s requirement. I don’t think anybody needs this. But I’m hoping that some people will really enjoy it.”  

sala.gallery

Head-long, head strong

Rotorua downhill mountain biking star Lachie Stevens-McNab is representing both his town and his nation on the world stage, carrying with him a whole lot of local knowledge, skill and support.

WORDS + PHOTOS Jamie Troughton

Earlier this year, Lachie Stevens-McNab finished 32nd in the elite downhill semifinals of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Italy. He was just 0.614secs from making the final. That’s not the impressive part. Set in the Italian Alps, the Val di Sole track is known as the ‘Black Snake’; they say there’s venom waiting on every fang-like rock that racers have to bounce over. It’s one of the hardest courses on the circuit, with riders reaching 65km/h as they drop 550m in altitude over the 2.1km distance.

Let’s set the scene a little more. Not only were the rocks lethal-sharp, they were also slippery thanks to a misty rain, ready to send the slightest mistaken line straight into the trunk of one of the most densely-packed pines lining the trail. At this level and at these speeds, the margin between triumph and abject disaster is infinitesimal. This round would eventually see 14 of the world’s best 160 riders fail to even finish. 

Hang on – there’s more. Going into this season, the Union-sponsored rider had spent the best part of 18 months either injured or recovering. His 20-year-old frame was aching; he broke his back in 2022, while a lingering ankle injury suffered last year means he still struggles to run. Although he’d qualified 10th after the first run, in a small, dark corner of his brain is always the thought: ‘what if it all goes wrong?’.

And the punchline? Lachie Stevens-McNab completed all but the first 30-odd seconds of his 3mins 57.713secs semifinal run with no back brakes. He smashed his rear disc rotor just after the start, heading through the Trentino Rocks section, sending the pistons awry.

Anyone with even the slightest concept of physics should stop and think that through for a second. Most of us have been over the handle bars at least once in our lives but avoiding that fate, racing down a hazard-strewn mountain, making hundreds of split-second survival decisions, almost defies comprehension.

“To not have a back brake was so gnarly,” Lachie laconically muses. “I didn’t crash and got to the bottom but that was probably the hardest run I’ve ever done and there were definitely bits I should’ve stopped. It was so scary but I just kept going and tried to finish it.”

The Rotorua star has had much better results – a week earlier, he broke through for his first World Cup podium at the Austrian round in Salzburgerland, finishing third. A week before that, he was fastest on course in Poland, only to crash in his final run. And, as this edition went to press, the young tyro had just picked up his best elite world championship result in Andorra, the leading Kiwi in 16th spot.

But if we’re judged by our hardest battles rather than our finest, then his astonishing, headlong descent down a hill in the Dolomites is particularly revealing; the competitiveness, the desire, the unreasonable skill and the tenacity to keep going.

Those that have known the two-wheeled tyro for any length of time will just nod, sagely.

The eldest of three intrepid boys and the son of two dedicated parents, Lachie is, possibly above all, the product of an extraordinary environment. Halfway through his third year, there was the blonde tearaway caked in mud and diving into a soggy puddle at the bottom of the Skyline gondola in Rotorua, while the 2006 UCI World Mountain Biking Championships raged around him.

If ever there was an infusion of environment into character, this was it, as the sleepy geothermal town transformed into a genuine global mountain biking mecca.

So many things have shaped Rotorua into such an influential place for a young rider, starting with the volcanic, pumice-ridden terrain – they call it ‘aero-dirt’ – which drains rain so quickly and makes riding year-round so feasible. There are the sweeping hills funnelling into the town basin and, crucially, continued access granted by the iwi-owned forestry operation.

And then there’s the community. “We’ve been a real mountain bike town for a number of years, where most cars have a bike rack on the back or they’re utes with a pad over the tailgate,” long-time MTB enthusiast Dave Donaldson explains. “It's not down to any one individual – more a community that’s been inspired by the mountain biking lifestyle we’re lucky to enjoy – and it just gives me a warm feeling.”

The 73-year-old is a former president of the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club, a former policeman and former deputy mayor of Rotorua. With prodigious support from an enthusiastic committee and especially his wife Shreeve, he was a key figure in getting the world championships to Rotorua all those years ago.

“I’ve no doubt that event inspired a bunch of young locals, and Lachie
joins a long list of home-grown ambassadors for the sport here.” He points to current Rotorua-grown stars Tuhoto-Ariki Pene and Jenna Hastings, the likes of Louis Hamilton who, as an 11-year-old, was the ‘sweeper’ at the 2006 Worlds, and Tauranga-based former stars Jon Hume and Vanessa Quin.

BMX beginnings

Pretty soon after his 2006 mud exploits, Stevens-McNab was off on two wheels. Dad Steve – a veteran of the rafting and adventure sports industry – also loved a bit of motocross and as soon as his eldest ditched training wheels, he was fitted out on a 50cc Peewee motorbike. 

Coming back from a ride one day, the inseparable pair passed the Rotorua BMX club track and young Lachie was entranced. Soon, he was spending every available hour there.

Even sooner, his desire to win came shining through. By six, he was a BMX world champion. By 11, he’d won three world titles and three runner-ups. Younger brothers Wyatt and Stirling followed him into the sport and Lachie became great mates with Rico Bearman, who has just competed in BMX at the Paris Olympics.

“Every day after school, he’d be asking to go to the track or the forest and I used to have to say no, just to give him a rest from his bike. It was just mad,” mum Kylee Stevens recalls. “He and Rico really pushed each other growing up, and it was awesome. BMX was amazing family time – every weekend, we’d be going somewhere different to ride and Lachie just loved it.”

Sporting DNA

Kylee has a decent sporting pedigree of her own. She spent 12 years in the White Sox, New Zealand women’s softball team, and her father was a tough-as-teak policeman – at one stage serving with Dave Donaldson – and 42-game provincial rugby flanker for Wellington.

From an early age, Kylee and Steve could see that their eldest son was built a little different. “We kept him busy because he was always so active. And he’s always been quite calculating, from a young age. He wasn’t fearless but he would quickly work out if he could do something or not.”

BMX fulfilled the racing urge for Lachie but eventually – inevitably – the Whakarewarewa Forest would come calling. “We went to my last world champs for BMX and the year after that was going to be in Columbia. I was beginning to understand how much money my parents were spending and I wasn’t sure I wanted them to keep spending if I wasn’t really into it. I got my first mountain bike when I was 13 and did my first race soon after and I just started riding more and more in the forest.”

He first conquered Taniwha – Rotorua’s iconic national downhill trail – as an 11-year-old and by his mid-teens, he’d morphed from a wide-eyed enthusiast to a fully-fledged competitor. He rode in the Oceania champs in 2019, won his first national title in 2020 (under-17) and added his first open national crown this year, as well as his first Crankworx Rotorua downhill title.

“I remember thinking, when I was racing juniors and was 10 seconds off the elite times, 'how on earth could I go 10 seconds faster?’ and all of a sudden, this year, I’m hitting those times.” 

Riding the talent wave

One of his early heroes is now a friendly rival on the world stage. Brook Macdonald has been one of New Zealand’s finest downhillers in the past two decades, winning the 2009 junior world title in Canberra and accumulating World Cup podium finishes ever since.

“It’s been a long time since we have had such a wave of good riders come out of New Zealand but it seems like we’ve got more depth than ever, with riders like Lachie, who has had a breakout season and found form with consistent results and a podium along the way,” 32-year-old Brook says. “Kids are starting from such a young age and developing skills so quickly, and we have so much in the way of bike parks and facilities, which puts them in a spot of endless opportunity.” 

The key to success, the veteran explains, is consistency – getting everything dialled coming into a season, with comprehensive testing and plenty of miles under the belt.

And that means staying injury-free, which in downhill racing is nigh impossible. Lachie estimates he’s broken more than 40 bones in his body over his racing career, mostly in his arms and wrists, though twin vertebra fractures in 2022 at the world championships in France highlighted how serious the sport can be.

“I hate watching,” his mum confesses. “I just feel sick until they’re down safe. There are huge consequences, going so fast down such a steep gradient, with so many trees, roots and rocks. Injuries are going to happen and you just hope they’re not going to be life-changing.”

That’s certainly influenced how Lachie rides these days. “I don’t try and throw the biggest whips on jumps these days – it’s not worth it – and the biggest thing is that when I’m playing these days, I’m not playing too hard. I’m not going to stop having fun on my bike but I don’t want to be having dumb crashes.”

It’s a level-headed approach from a 20-year-old but somewhat appropriate from one who can sense a big future. “I realised the opportunity I had a couple of years ago and I don’t want to throw that away. I try to make sure I’ve done the work and make sure there’s nothing I haven’t done. There is so much shit you can’t control but as long as I’ve done everything I can, what happens, happens.” 

Weekend in the city

A girls’ getaway to the Big Smoke doesn’t disappoint.

Having lived in Aotearoa’s largest city for many years of my adult life, I’m
no stranger to its amazing attractions. But, as a city does, Auckland seems to transform every time I return. New shops, restaurants and hotels pop up faster than an Intercity bus on Hobson Street at rush hour.

So when a friend suggested we leave our families for a weekend in the Big Smoke, I jumped at the chance. Shopping, cocktails, amazing food and great company – what more do you need from a girls’ getaway? Said friend arrived early on Friday to pick me up. In jumped two other tired mums, and we all miraculously mustered up the energy to head straight for the shops.

Sylvia Park

Sylvia Park is perfectly positioned for anyone south of Auckland. We pulled right in off the motorway in time for lunch at one of the many restaurants at the mall’s alluring food alley near the entrance. After some traditional Vietnamese pho – and some not-so-traditional cocktails – at Vietflames, we hit the shops. We only had a couple of hours to spare so prioritised all the major brands like Zara, H&M, Country Road, Decjuba and Gorman, as well as the two big make-up and skincare chains, Sephora and Mecca. Yes, we have a few of these in the Bay, but the bigger offerings provide far more variety and options. 

Westfield Mall Newmarket + Nuffield Street

The next mall on the hit list was one I hadn’t visited in years. It may have just opened last time I was here, and boy has it changed. Newmarket’s Westfield Mall offers all your usual middle-of-the-road stores but also has great women’s clothing shops like Assembly Label, Sass and Bide, Seed Heritage and COS, as well as the high-end stores such as Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton and the luxe department store David Jones, all of which I successfully avoided.

Three hours free parking gave us just enough time to get through the mall. The building is also perfect for kids with a covered playground, Event Cinemas and plenty of food options. 

The top floor is dedicated to dine-in eateries, while the food court offers plenty of healthy food options, and your usual takeaway fare.

Of course, we had to get across the road to Nuffield Street too. A jewellery sale at Karen Walker had us standing outside in line for 20 minutes just to get a look at the new collection. Once we entered the store, free coffee and bowls of candy kept our energy and spirits up just enough to meander down the rest of Nuffield Street, to experience all its great offerings.

Ponsonby Road

Ponsonby has always been a boutique haven for shoppers, but since the addition of Ponsonby Central it now has the glue to hold it all together – and a pinpoint for the Uber to stop smack bang in the middle of the energetic suburb. 

Still staying in line with the boutique-focused vibe, Ponsonby Central offers pop-up stores and cafés but also a vintage shop, a food market and Wallace Cotton, which remains a permanent fixture.

Across the road are two of my favourite stores – the Women’s Book Store and Mag Nation, and a bit further down is the famous Scotties Boutique and Zambesi. Of course you can’t go past Workshop and Karen Walker (again), and the many little vintage shops tucked between bars and cafés. I could stay here all day.

Commercial Bay

This new mall in downtown Auckland is obviously designed to cater for the harbour cruisers, but there’s a great amount of variety for your casual shopper here too. It has everything from H&M, General Pants and Lululemon, to Kiwi designer stores, Calvin Klein and Hugo Boss. There’s also some great eatery options with fine dining restaurants such as Ahi, PONI and a whole lot more upstairs.

STAY

QT Auckland

When looking for accommodation, QT Auckland suited us to a T. Centrally located between the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter, the hotel is a short walk from the downtown shops and restaurants, and a quick Uber to Ponsonby, Parnell and Newmarket. 

Its quirky decor is surprising when you walk in from the street. The 20-year-old repurposed office building still fits in with its commercial neighbourhood, yet the interior’s sophisticated character, combined with its avant-garde style, makes you feel as if you’ve travelled to Paris or Berlin. We were offered bubbles on arrival and invited to the rooftop bar where they were celebrating the addition of a new bubbly to their menu. We were planning to go straight up but were so impressed with our rooms that we decided to lounge around in them for a while beforehand. 

EAT

QT Rooftop Bar

On our first night at the QT we didn’t even think about leaving the building. We headed up to the top level for a few drinks before dinner, which was booked down on ground level at Esther. The views at the rooftop bar are spectacular, and the cocktails went down a treat after a hard day of shopping. Sipping divine drinks while enjoying the stunning views of the Viaduct and Waitemata Harbour was just what we needed. The place was already packed at 5pm, and somehow got busier as the night wore on. This was obviously the place to be. 

Esther

Fronted by top international chef, Sean Connolly, everything about this Mediterranean-inspired restaurant is designed to impress, especially the
food. The slow-cooked roasted lamb was a definite highlight, along with the Truffle Fonduta with ciabatta and black Perigord truffle.

Even breakfast is quite the international food journey with strong Middle Eastern, Asian and Spanish flavours to get us ready for another day of shopping. Dishes such as the Khach a Puri, Baked Shakshuka and Tortilla Espanola were a delight to the taste buds, enough energy for the body and offered just the right amount of stodge to soak up our cocktails from the night before.

Daphnes Bar Taverna

Keeping with our choice of old-timey-turned-trendy-named restaurants, we booked in at Daphnes in Ponsonby for Saturday night. The service was on par with the incredible food, especially when one over-excited friend accidentally flung a whole glass of red wine all over another friend’s newly purchased white Karen Walker blouse. The waiter was immediately to the rescue with laundry tips and expert dabbing. As well as the great wine selection, I would highly recommend the raw scallops,
oyster mushroom skewers and grilled chicken. 

Textured tones

Margaret Gill from Guthrie Bowron Tauranga explains how the emerging trend of Quiet Collected Luxury is transforming wallpaper choices.

PHOTO  Salina Galvan + supplied

The worlds of interior design and textile fashion are more intertwined
than ever. Weathered silks and linens, as well as shimmering nuances of silver, rock and gemstones all remain refined and understated.

These days, people are more confident in experimenting with varied textures throughout their home. For example, plaster walls mixed with wooden floors and feature murals with textured wallpapers. 

The emerging trend of  ‘Quiet Collected Luxury’ is being seen within highly textured, softer tone-on-tone coloured wallpapers.

Reflected in new collections we see crafted dark wood grains, curved arcs and geometrics, recycled materials, aged velvets and stone washes that emphasise texture and silhouettes.

When following these trends, it’s best to choose effortless tactile finishes that will age gracefully, rather than going with the slick and new. Think handwoven textiles, wool fabric, complex stones and expressive woods. The subtle sophistication of mixed materials in a room conveys an artisan, collected interior.

The mandate is to embrace the artisan movement, celebrating handmade and one-of-a-kind pieces. We see this in beautiful wallpaper collections such as Khroma Aquila Arc Desert or Aquila Gigi Copper (both pictured below). 

Plain wallpapers are now in fact anything but plain. They are soft and luminous, and can encompass nuances of what we see in nature. For example, silk, linen, bark, leaves and shimmery night skies. This captivating layering of tonal understated beauty serves to cocoon a living space.

We are also seeing a resurgence of aged patina, muted colour palettes and more uneven or quirky patterns being introduced to wallpapers, whether this be across velvets, damask, arc shapes or animal prints, it adds an extra layer of faded luxury to the overall appearance.

Whatever you decide on, it’s best to consult an interiors or wallpaper specialist, who can offer advice on styling and what will suit best with your current aesthetic. 

guthriebowron.co.nz

Sweet serenity

Create a relaxed coastal style through the use of lighter tones that echo the serenity of the landscape along with the materials found within it.

STYLING Amber Armitage @ MARIGOLD 
PHOTOS Wendy Fenwick @ Flash Studios

Wall colours Resene paints

Walls painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Meringue and through doorway in Resene Alabaster. Floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Large planter painted in Resene Spacecote Flat in Resene Foundation and small pot on table in Resene Yogi. Felix Arc 3 Seater Sofa, Seb Balance Coffee Table, Porto Console and Livia Occasional Chair from Soren Liv. Margin Table Lamp (on console) and Kizu Portable Lamp both from Slow Store. Mitchell Floor Rug from Freedom Furniture. Ottavio cushions, Creative Homes and Easy Wins books, from A&C Homestore. Round marble tray, stylists own.

Wall painted in (base colour) Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Open Seseme with Resene FX Paint Effects tinted in Resene Foundation applied over the top. Floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Porto Block Side Table from Soren Liv. Riley Boucle Queen Bed from Mocka. Mitchell Floor Rug from Freedom Furniture. Oatmeal Stripe Pillowcases, Khaki Stripe Duvet, Natural Gingham Euros and Oatmeal Quilt, all from A&C Homestore. Olive Green linen pillow slips from Foxtrot Linen. Lamont 3 Light Table Lamp in Brass from Lighting Direct.

Tongue and groove wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Morning Haze. Floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Blair King single bed and Blair Six Drawer from Mocka. Toffee Gingham duvet set in King Single, from A&C Homestore. Kizu Portable Lamp and Spade Chair by Please Wait To Be Seated, both from Slow Store. Woven Sage cushion, Check mini pot, Check tray, Dr.Suess book and squishy toy, all from Kmart. Artwork, stylists own.

Stylist’s tip

When it comes to coastal colours, think light and breezy shades of whites (Resene Meringue), tans (Resene Open Seseme) and blues (Resene Morning Haze).

Walls painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Meringue and floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Classique Oval Dining Table from Soren Liv. Arch Dining Chairs in Avalon Piccolo by Ellison Studios from Slow Store. Louis 340 Squat Pendant from Lighting Direct. Wheel Bowl, Brooklyn Tumblers in green, Algarve Tablecloth, Acquacotta, Healthy Kelsi Travel Kitchen and Easy Wins books, all from A&C Homestore. Check vase from Kmart.

Walls painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Meringue and through archway in Resene Alabaster. Floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Felix Arc 3 Seater Sofa from Soren Liv. Alva armchair and Isola Side Table by Ellison Studios from Slow Store. Mitchell Floor Rug from Freedom Furniture. Roger Floor Vase, Alberti Jar in chalk, Creative Homes and Easy Wins books, from A&C Homestore. Haus Floor Lamp in Black from Lighting Direct. Artwork, stylist’s own.

The shape of you

Ready to find your perfect hairstyle? Here’s how to choose cuts that flatter your face shape.

PHOTO Salina Galvan

Before heading to the salon for your favourite celebrity’s haircut, take a moment to consider which style will suit you best. Understanding your face shape can make a world of difference to which hairstyle works for you – and help you avoid that dreaded post-fringe regret. If you’re unsure about your face shape, grab an eyebrow pencil – or similar – that wipes off easily, trace the outline of your face in the bathroom mirror, step back, and voilà!

Square = Minimal cheekbones, wide chin, square jawline.

Round = Curved edges, round chin, full cheekbones.

Heart = more length than width, wide forehead, narrow jawline.

Oval = pronounced cheekbones, soft curved chin, narrow jawline.

Square Shape

Square

Nice and soft chin-to-collarbone layers will soften a strong jaw. A side parting with side-swept bangs will minimise a wide forehead. If your hair is wavy or curly, a middle parting with a few short layers that fall over your forehead and softly around your face work well. Any length that ends at the jawline is going to emphasise the width of your face.

Round Shape

Round

A blunt straight across fringe will enhance your cheekbones while a deep side parting will emphasise your bone structure. A shoulder-dusting length for straight hair is most flattering, or wavy hair can be slightly longer to mid-back. Consider long layers as these elongate your face shape.

Heart Shape

Heart

Thinking of going short? Heart-shaped faces are perfect for the pixie cut. Curly wavy hair? To balance the forehead width, encourage fullness around the shoulders with layers.

Oval Shape

Oval

Heavy shaping around the face with layers, starting just below the eyes will make your face look fuller. If hair is long, avoid all one length. 

SHINEHAIRCO.CO.NZ  |  STUDIOMAY.CO.NZ

Turkish delight

Bridging Europe and Asia, Nicky Adams explores the melting pot that is Turkey. 

PHOTOS Nicky adams + supplied

Throw Turkey into a travel conversation, and you’re sure to get an animated response. From those that looped it in on their OEs, to those who are fizzing to book their own trip. 

Seen as a rite of passage for many New Zealanders, with the deep connection to Anzac Bay held dear, most Kiwis would admit to this being on the bucket list.

A land that offers diversity in spades, there is the multi-cultural pull of Istanbul, where east really does quite literally meet west, the opportunity to pay your respects at Anzac Bay, the magic of Cappadocia with its homes built into the hills and underground network, and stunning Mediterranean beaches. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Exploring the tunnels and caves of Kaymakli underground city.

I visited Istanbul over 20 years ago, and it was a revelation to look at the city again with a fresh perspective. The blend of cultures is something you can’t take for granted and was a real joy to see. Side by side Muslims and Christians rush around, and the city celebrates both faiths with a rich history. The landmarks are of course every bit as spectacular as they appear in the glossy pages of travel mags; yes, there are crowds and queues but time it right and you can get lucky. And it’s certainly worth the wait – the Blue Mosque is majestic, Hagia Sophia breathtaking, the Topkapi Palace a symbol of Ottoman splendour, and the Dolmabahce Palace (on the shore of the Bosphorus) the architecturally innovative  ‘upgraded’ home to the Sultans from the 1800s. Walk through the Yerebatan Underground Basilica Cistern built by the Romans, a strangely beautiful attraction, mesmerising and eerie in equal measure. Meanwhile a trip along the Bosphorus by night lets you hear the beating heart of the city as it shimmers and shines in all its glory.

The balloons create a surreal day-break vista.

It’s hard to resist the most touristy of tourist attractions – a visit to the Grand Bazaar. This is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world dating back to 1453, and the icing on the tourist cake is a guided walk across the rooftop. Showcased in Skyfall, the James Bond movie where Daniel Craig shot across on his motorbike, you’ll find yourself balancing on teeny-weeny ledge ways high above the city, putting one foot tentatively in front of the other. Those with height issues would find this marginally stomach churning (no OSH here) – but the vista below is incredible. Both inside and outside the Bazaar are gazillions of tiny stalls with marketeers peddling their wares; some fabulous, some not so much. It’s hard to get out without having committed to a Turkish rug, which, if you do your research and buy from someone reliable, is potentially the purchase of a lifetime. If you don’t get a rug you have to at least buy the Turkish delight – these delicately flavoured jellies are addictive. The sweet shops are themselves an experience, rammed with ornate delights you’ll likely be regaled with stories of the Ottoman Emperors, the birth of boiled sweets and a million other things you never knew, while being pumped with Turkish coffee and baklava. This is a very hospitable nation.

The ancient, cobbled streets are bathed in baking sunshine but cooled by a breeze from the Baltic – ice cream vendors are everywhere, and pathways are peppered with tiny kittens and wide-eyed cats. Just as you wonder how they’re all so well fed, you see a passerby open their handbag and scatter cat food for these street dwellers. Feeding the strays is apparently a quirk of the city, but with the end game of keeping rats at bay – the Turks are no fools. The tradespeople and cab drivers are also always up for a bit of bartering – it doesn’t take long to get past the embarrassment of a good haggle.

Istanbul’s grand Blue Mosque.

Istanbul is a feast not just for the senses, but also the stomach. I chose
to do a walking food tour through the city; it was wonderful touring the back streets, where cafes are crammed into the narrowest lanes, serving Turkish tea to customers on slouchy sofas. Stopping at historic sights and trying every type of traditionally-made Turkish fare from breakfast eggs to spicy koftas and Doner Kebab, I was loving the rich, flavoursome dishes – until I was faced with the minced lamb intestines, at which point I became extremely squeamish. The older parts of Istanbul are captivating and sit alongside the newer flasher areas – as a city it certainly feels wealthy, and the lavish hotels reflect this – the tourists are as diverse as the natives. Staying at an international chain certainly offered every luxury – but came at a cost, Turkey is not the cheap country some remember from their backpacking days. It’s easy to get around, taxis are plentiful, but some run without meters so it’s worth having an idea of fare otherwise you’re fair game to be charged a very steep tourist rate. As a place with a turbulent past, it was heartening that everywhere you looked there was a strong police presence, and entrance to every hotel and mall involved a bag screen. 

Moving on from Istanbul, an air-conditioned coach ride to Anzac Bay was an easy way to travel, and still allowed us to get there in good time to thoroughly immerse ourselves in the experience. It is so many things to so many people, and deserves the time spent walking along the beach and meandering through the gravestones, reading the inscriptions and thinking about the huge sacrifice and loss. It’s emotional on a different level, even if you have no direct link to the fallen soldiers. The on-site museum is also a place of reverence; nicely laid out to give visitors the opportunity to become engrossed in the moment.

Akbas Cemetery and Memorial honouring fallen Turkish soldiers during Gallipoli.

Travelling onto Cappadocia, a region of central Turkey known for its otherworldly landscapes, is to experience a different side to Turkey altogether. Soft volcanic rock formations amongst undulating hillsides feel closer to a film set than reality. Again, the history is at the forefront, as you weave through dusty streets, with houses, hotels, bars, and restaurants all burrowed deep into the rock face. Staying in a boutique hotel with rooms set high in the rocks, this felt luxurious, even though the room was reminiscent of something from The Flintstones. Of course, Cappadocia is home to the balloon rides – and as someone who visualised my time would be spent poolside with feet firmly on the ground, I was not planning on adding this to my ‘to-do’ list. Nevertheless, I dug deep, and I’m so glad that I did – the whole experience felt reassuringly safe; drifting cloudlike above beautiful dusty landscapes, the skies filled at sunrise with a fleet of colourful balloons was a natural as well as physical high. This area is peppered with ancient underground labyrinthine cities built by residents sheltering from invading forces, and for the non-claustrophobic, a tour through Kaymakli, the most historic of them all, is a must. Thought to date back to as early as the fourth century BC it’s insane to think whole communities lived self-sufficiently underground for years at a time – and even more crazy to think for some it was as recent as the second world war.

Istanbul’s Eastern and Western influences, create a dynamic city rich in history and culture.

If you want artisanal keepsakes, then this is the place to find them, as silver and local pottery are the artefacts to shop for in this part of Turkey. Ornate pieces are hard to resist, and there are plenty of manufacturing shops that mean you can be confident you’re buying the real deal. A visit to this area wouldn’t be complete without exploring the famous Fairy Chimneys. Located deep in the dusty hillsides, these natural marvels are simply incredible. Wandering among these distinctive landscapes, you can’t help but be awestruck at the natural wonders of this country.

The intricate vaulted ceilings of the Blue Mosque.

With temperatures that can reach heady heights, the beaches of Turkey are tempting, but can get crowded. Spring and Autumn are lovely times
to visit, especially if you want to do lots of sightseeing. In Turkey everything is diverse – from the landscapes to the cuisine – and it’s this that makes every step of the trip feel fulfilling and joyous. With an abundance on offer, it’s fair to say Turkey leaves you wanting more.

Entertaining a dream

Nichola Vague of Nichola Vague Landscape Architect, in collaboration
with Shawn Williamson Building Ltd, reveals her latest masterpiece in
Te Matai, Te Puke – a stunning transformation that turns an ordinary backyard into a lush entertainer's paradise.

PHOTOS Boundless Vision

UNO: What was your overall aim for this project?

Nichola: Our goal was to transform the existing backyard into a cosy entertainer’s retreat with multiple options for lounging, seating and dining. The garden lacked a coordinated style, so we addressed that in the design. We created a journey through the garden via a series of ‘rooms’, connecting indoor and outdoor spaces while maximising opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. A crucial part was creating a generous covered dining space for year-round use.

Did the client give ideas and preferences in terms of the style and how did you apply those here?

The clients wanted to maintain a connection with the relaxed rural setting while updating the useability of their property. We aimed for a contemporary casual garden style that connected with the existing home layout. We referenced materials from the house within the garden – corrugated metal, timber, and natural stone. The lush planting provides a beautiful backdrop, focusing on foliage textures. You can see the clients’ personality in the colourful seating and various garden sculptures.

What kind of budget were you looking at and did you stay within that range?

The project was a close collaboration between the client, myself, and the build team. We stuck to budget of $100,000 while making on-site adjustments during construction to meet budget requirements and address layout opportunities as they arose.

What were the biggest challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

One major challenge was blending the new elements with the existing rural landscape. We selected materials to reflect a casual landscape setting, fitting in with the clipped shelterbelt trees and local orchards. The Oztech retractable roof was perfect - it doesn’t look out of place and is high enough so it doesn’t compromise light levels in the house.

How long did it take?

The main development was completed within five months, which was expected given the complex elements. Since then, after meeting with the clients, we’ve been periodically adding to the garden planting and features. We’re currently preparing for the upcoming Bay of Plenty Garden and Art Festival, where this property will be featured on the trail.  

nvla.co.nz

The cost of wasting food

As thousands of Kiwi families struggle to make ends meet, it’s astounding how much food the average household wastes each year.

WORDS Kate Fenwick

In New Zealand, households discard around $1.13 billion worth of food every year, contributing to the global issue of food waste. Approximately one third of the world’s produced food for human consumption is being lost or wasted annually.

The impact of wasting food goes beyond just the financial cost. It also contributes to unnecessary energy and natural resource waste, and the large amount of food that ends up in landfills generates methane, one of the major causes of global warming.

The root causes of food waste often stem from overbuying and not consuming what was purchased before it goes bad. Many people shop without a plan or a list and end up buying more than they need, which leads to food spoilage and ultimately being thrown away.

Top tips for home meal planning

Meal planning is a valuable strategy for saving time and money, particularly in today’s busy world. By creating a weekly meal plan, you can purchase only the necessary food items and utilise what you already have in your pantry and fridge. 

1. Check your inventory: Begin by assessing what you already have in your fridge, freezer and pantry. Pay attention to the expiration dates of existing food items, and aim to incorporate these into your meal planning before they expire.

2. Create a freezer inventory: It’s easy for food to get lost at the bottom of the freezer. Consider making a freezer whiteboard where you can jot down all the items you have in the freezer so that nothing is forgotten.

3. Utilise leftovers: Transform your leftovers into new meals – create soups, stir-fries, or casseroles. Freeze extras for later or repurpose them into creative dishes to minimise waste.

How to shop smart

Making a meal plan is a fantastic way to shop smarter. By already knowing what you need for the coming week, you are less likely to make unnecessary purchases. Here are some top tips to help you shop more effectively and avoid impulse buys.

1. Have a shopping list: Keep your shopping list visible, such as on the
fridge, and remember to take it with you when you go shopping. Alternatively, snap a photo of it on your phone to ensure you don’t forget it. A list can help you stay focused and avoid making impulse purchases.

2. Stick to your list: Before adding items to your cart, ask yourself if you really need them and if they are on your list. If the answer is no, it’s best to bypass the item. 

3. Buy what you need: Avoid bulk purchases unless you are certain that you will use all of the items before they spoil. For example, if your meal plan calls for a couple of carrots, opt for loose carrots instead of a 2kg bag. 

Keeping your food fresh

Effective food storage not only extends the shelf life of your groceries but also provides you with greater flexibility in meal preparation and consumption. Here are some top tips for smart food storage to help minimise waste and maximise the longevity of your food.

1. FIFO method: Implement the “first in, first out” method. When you unpack groceries, move older products in your pantry, fridge or freezer to the front, and place newer items at the back. This approach encourages you to use older foods before they expire.

2. Monitor and adapt: Keep track of the food items you are disposing of on a regular basis, and consider recording these instances in a diary for a week. This can help identify patterns and adjustments in storage practices that could potentially extend the lifespan of your food.

3. Label “Eat Me First”: Items nearing their expiration date should be labeled as “eat me first”. Utilise your meal planning to incorporate these products into your recipes and avoid unnecessary waste.

By incorporating these sustainable practices into daily life, households
can contribute to reducing food waste. These methods offer practical and efficient ways to manage and recycle food waste, ultimately minimising waste and benefiting the planet.  

WASTEDKATE.CO.NZ

Blank canvas

Leanne Cashmore from Cashmore Clinic explains the wonders of new-age laser technology with the introduction of the Ultra MD.

PHOTO  Salina Galvan

Clients often ask, what is one thing I can do to improve my skin? The most obvious is sunblock. Sun protection is the number one thing you must do. But, of course, I can never give an answer for just one treatment.

There are so many skincare options out there today, with clinics promising all sorts of treatments to turn back the clock. Good skin is a result of a combination of those treatments, and taking care of it is much like going to the gym. Consistency over a long period of time is the only way you really see results.  

Starting with active skincare will make a difference, but it will take time. For a quicker fix, in-clinic needling and peels will produce fast results, but laser treatments will work even faster.

No one wants pain or downtime and, finally, the laser gods have listened. The recent release of the amazing Ultra MD laser means there’s no pain (with numbing cream applied prior, you could almost fall asleep), skin is only a little flushed when you leave, and it feels a bit like fine sandpaper for about a week. All much more manageable than the old laser treatments. Prior to machines like Ultra, conventional resurfacing lasers would cause pain with days or weeks of downtime to recover. 

With Ultra, when the old skin sheds, the new layer is much brighter, smoother and fresher, and after a course of three to six treatments, you will have less pigment, sun damage and fine lines.  

The way it works is that it creates tiny thermal zones in the skin, prompting the body to quickly generate new tissue. It increases permeability with minimal mechanical disruption to the outermost layer of skin and also treats mild to moderate cases of actinic keratosis, benign pigmented lesions, lentigos, and freckles across the face, neck and décolletage.

A roller system is used, gently gliding over the skin, which takes as little as five minutes to 20 minutes, depending on the surface area and produces instant results for pigment and sun damage, tone and texture.

The Ultra can be combined with other machines as well to get incredible results. Using the Secret RF and Ultra MD for a double whammy treatment at one time can cause the most amazing skin rejuvenation. And combining the IPL Veloce and the Ultra MD treats pigmentation at a deeper level. 

Unlike other laser treatments, the Ultra can be used on any skin type at any time of year. 

There’s nothing else quite like it being used in clinics at the moment. So, when anyone asks me what is the number one treatment that will make a difference, right now I would say Ultra MD is the one. 

cashmoreclinic.co.nz

Before

After

Style status

Say hello to a warm weather aesthetic.

WORDS Nicky Adams

Alexandria Dress $249, Blak.co.nz

Cool comfort

Wardrobe staples ahoy. Longevity is the biggest drawcard, so look to a light cover or trench, a pencil skirt, trouser suit and jeans, which all have the potential to play a part in your spring capsule collection. The camel-coloured skirts (which you can try styling with a black or pale blue top for a change), muted tailoring and crisp white shirts that indicate simplicity are in vogue, and are a look that resonates with those that want to lower consumption and make the ‘what to wear’ question easy to answer. If you loved the New York minimalism epitomised by 90s icon Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, who died tragically 25 years ago, you’ll be celebrating the fact that her super-stylish legacy is inspiring the current heightened love of a sleek capsule wardrobe. Arm yourself with a sharp blazer, perfect tee and jeans with a slim loafer, or a slip dress
and flat slingback for the ultimate streamlined look.

Whilst we’re all clear on the widening trouser leg, waistlines feel like they’ve been yo-yoing up and down to the point of not knowing what’s in and what’s out. I think it’s fair to say that super Y2K low is generally a youth move, and anything north of that is fine. Mid waist is a comfy fit without a doubt, but high is looking to make its way back for next year, with designers such as Loewe showing under-bust super high at his Spring/Summer 24 fashion show. Really high can be smoothing when covered with an on-trend buttoned untucked white shirt – after all no-one knows what lies beneath. Skirts are still big news though, with lots of lengths to play with, the latest being the return of the midaxi. No prizes for guessing this falls to above ankles, below mid-calf. 

Spencer shirt in Baroque $225, Riper short $169, urbanvogue.co.nz

Trending now

Most wanted this season.

Spring fling

While sheer skirts and dresses may feel whimsical by day, they are the ultimate in cool sophisticate for the evening, screaming the boho chic synonymous with high-end designer Chloe. Currently seeing a huge red-carpet fashion moment, being modelled impeccably by the ultimate fashion muse Sienna Miller has certainly helped bring this look into the mainstream. Unless you pick a more robust layered tulle, you’ll find a single layer chiffon needs careful wear, so if it’s an investment piece then be mindful of snag hazards. This look calls for delicate jewels and accessories and a sleeker choice of footwear; a little kitten heel, strappy sandal or even a Mary-Jane flat will finish the look nicely. 

The word jumpsuit may send a shiver down your spine – and not a joyful one – but don’t be hasty. There are so many elegant and age-appropriate versions, the practicalities of not being able to go to the toilet simply fade into the background. Having been given the high fashion treatment, it’s hard not to get excited about some of the really flattering all-in-ones hitting the high street. You can’t miss the European inspired aesthetic of bold prints – Italian summer themes reign supreme, all Versace and la dolce vita rolled into one glorious burst of vibrant colour. The lightweight fabrics, layered jewellery, matching trouser sets together with dropped waists and puff sleeves all play to the frivolity of spring. The fashion obsessed will have tapped into Nicole Kidman’s latest Netflix series The Perfect Couple. Reflecting a world of American wealth, it’s perfect inspiration for spring event wear, with everything from structured gowns to layers and frou-frou, and an array of looks that can easily be emulated from the high street. When it comes to colours, take your pick from light blues, butter yellow, red – joyful shades will be everywhere.

Step up to step out

Man up to the season ahead with an elevated look.

It’s that time of year when invitations start arriving with the ubiquitous ‘smart casual’ dress code. For women this can be a little perplexing, more so as the cultural definition of both smart and casual has changed hugely over the last decade. For men though, it’s nothing short of a ‘what does this even mean’ as everyone starts furiously ringing round other attendees to find out if it’s a tie, or no tie, shorts, long trousers… help!

Life stage is another factor. While women are often conscious of the old-
school perception of ‘age appropriate’ this is equally outdated for both males and females, particularly when you see some of the middle-aged male role models currently taking centre stage – Daniel Craig and Brad Pitt, we’re looking at you. Finding your personal balance of still looking invested but allowing your style to mature along with you is pivotal. 

Without a doubt there’s been a shift in emphasis onto the male of the species. Midlife men have had a celebrity boost in the style stakes with trendsetters such as the aforementioned Daniel Craig, who hitherto would not have ranked as a fashion icon; however he has shaken off sleek conservative style and before our eyes adopted a more rugged on trend vibe. 

So, with this it’s clear that when navigating the spring/summer smart casual code, the parameters are wide. A real go-to would be a polo shirt. It doesn’t need to be branded but would likely be one that wasn’t covered in slogans. Short or long sleeve shirts are equally fine, and the shirt by no means has to be plain. Dress pants tend to be chino style and fabric is often a cotton twill. Tailored linen would be fine but leave the Ibiza drawstring ones in the island holiday pile. A linen suit is great for warmer weather but be mindful that linen naturally inclines to crease. Women are slowly making the shift from skinny over to a wider leg trouser, and men are following in their wake. Rather than skinny, a straight leg is a great smart/casual option. Depending on the event, sneakers, even designer ones, are probably lower on the list than a more professional style shoe – however you would really need to consider the event and crowd you will be with.

Make the most of being more confident in your choices:

Wear the clothes, don’t let them wear you: Even if you love the idea of going out in a blaze of glory, consider whether a more ‘out there’ look would just end up being the talking point, as opposed to a more subtle style choice.

Be authentic: If you’ve always been a surf dude in Billabong shirts and jandals then a total switcheroo would be weird. But there are plenty of summery shirts from smaller Australasian brands that do a really good job of well-cut short sleeve shirts in a breezy print that elevates the surf look to a smarter or more mature feel.

Pick an area of interest – don’t go for multiple: Try a shirt with detailed stitching, a suit in a bold colour, or ‘pricking’ or hand stitching on the edge of lapels.

Change up the corporate colour wheel: Light coloured suiting, while still polished, feels less stuffy. A taupe suit will look spring/summer ready and less like office wear. Light grey looks good; two shades can be put together tonally very easily. 

To tie or not to tie: Ties are increasingly less common outside of the boardroom. A suit with a shirt with the top button undone is widely acceptable, and you can add the trimmings of pocket kerchief and cufflinks. A step up would be the top button of the shirt fastened.  

Fashion forecast 

Look ahead to summer 24/25.

Letting loose 

The pajama look trend of oversized shirts and relaxed pants or boxers can be tricky to pull off when it’s not on the catwalk – but it’s not impossible. And it scores huge points for being seasonally appropriate and hugely comfortable. The key could be in the accessories – lots of jewellery and carefully paired shoe and bag combination to show that this is in fact a very deliberate outfit not a moment of menopausal madness.

Steal the limelight

‘Brat green’ – otherwise known as lime – is the colour that’s trending for Summer 24. Popularised by a British popstar, Charli XCX (if that means absolutely nothing to you, you’re not alone), apparently ‘the girls that get it, get it’. Aside from its pop culture context it was already in the mix as a summer favourite after appearing on the catwalks. It can be mixed with more than you might imagine, from black to gold to burgundy, grey, navy – even sky blue.

Aye aye, captain

What’s summer without a Breton stripe? With the call having gone out to the high fashion mavens to make the ordinary extraordinary, there’s been a host of classic styles given a lift. So, mariners’ stripes are looking hotter than ever, and nautical styles, from sailor collars to gold naval buttons, are a trend we can all get behind.

Fashion faithful

I honestly didn’t see this one coming, especially after culling all capris from my wardrobe some time ago. But here it is, and not only are they on the runway: the trend-setting and sealing Hadid sisters have both been seen wearing them, as has Kendall Jenner, so we can consider it official. Forever throwing Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot vibes, capri pants or pedal pushers can be styled in multiple ways, and we’ll be seeing them in every form from leggings to trousers to denim.

What is right-sizing?

Sarah Parry from Testament
Interiors offers tips for moving to
a new space.

PHOTO  Giselle Brosnahan

As with nature’s seasons, a person’s life follows cyclical patterns. Each life stage has its beauty and challenges, and each one prepares us for the next. Right-sizing is about embracing change and finding value in every one of those stages.

Most people know what downsizing is, but the term right-sizing is less familiar. Downsizing can cause feelings of loss due to changing circumstances, but the process of right-sizing is quite the opposite. It’s about being mindful of what you require in your new home and what items are most suitable for you, your current situation, and the future. Right-sizing means adapting to a new living environment that better suits your stage in life. It empowers you to take control of your life so it feels right, and you can enjoy this new chapter. 

There are many reasons why people want to right-size, whether they’re newlyweds, relocating, having children, breaking up, blending families, dealing with the passing of a loved one, becoming empty nesters or retiring. People can undergo the process of right-sizing multiple times as they journey through life. As we all know, life is full of ups and downs and crossroads. 

When you realise the home you are currently in is no longer right for you and it is time to move, it’s important to have a plan in place that ensures your new home and décor are the right fit for your new lifestyle. You’ll have to decide what items to let go of, what to keep, and what new items you may require.

At the later end of life, it’s important to include family members in this process so that everyone knows what’s happening and your wishes are known and documented. I always recommend making a living will of possessions to sit with the main will so that unwanted items are offered to family or friends first and everything taken to your new place is clearly listed as to who gets what. This saves your loved ones from heartache and disagreements about family heirlooms after you have passed and will help ensure your legacy lives on and can continue to tell a new story.

Right-sizing tips and tricks 

1. Declutter – Go through your house and eliminate items that are no longer required. This helps you decide which items are important.

2. Plan – List items that will go to the new space. This will help you see what’s left to rehome. A layout plan enables the clients to visualise the new place with their furniture inside and decide if they require anything new. 

3. Prepare – Have a container of essential items, including scissors, can opener, jug, mugs, water glasses, pens, tape, notepad, rubbish bags and some snacks. This saves you having to unpack boxes to find the basics.  

4. Systemise – Labelling and colour coding your boxes and containers help you to place items in the correct spaces and avoids double handling.  

5. Use a right-sizing expert – Save yourself and loved ones the stress of moving by using an expert who can help guide you through the process. If the thought of moving and unpacking fills you with dread, an expert can even set up the place so all you have to do is walk in and start enjoying your new chapter of life. 

testamentinteriors.co.nz

Designing for change

In a world of profit-driven corporates, Jenny Williams of Jumbo Design is helping create a different picture – one of compassion and community.

WORDS Hayley Barnett  |  PHOTOS Salina Galvan

Amove from Auckland to the Bay two years ago was a way for Jenny Williams to really sink her teeth into something a bit more bite sized. Having been immersed in the corporate world for years, Jenny and husband David had recently had a taste of what it was like to give back to their community and decided purpose-driven business suited them much more than the corporate world.

“Really, it’s small businesses and charities that are keeping our country ticking over at the minute,” says Jenny, co-owner of Jumbo Design, the name of which was her nickname as a toddler. “I take it as a term of endearment!”

Together with David, Jenny has created a business that specialises in branding and design for small businesses and charities, and charge differing fees based on the client.

Jenny, David and dog Lexi have made Te Puke their home and work base.

Striving for integrity became a key factor for the couple when they started working with a charity called Steps For Life Foundation, focused on supporting youth in the fight against childhood obesity.

“It started pretty randomly,” explains Jenny. “I was at the gym and finishing a workout when one of the guys who worked at the gym came and plonked himself next to me and asked, ‘do you reckon you could help my sister and I out with a website?’ So began 10 years of working with the Steps for Life Foundation.”

Sadly, the charity had to stop work over Covid lockdowns and hasn’t had the funds to start up again since. But it was Steps For Life that was the catalyst for Jenny to realise she had a way of helping other charities and not-for-profits through her design work.

“I finally realised that art and compassion had a way to work together,” she says. “I had the power to invoke change through art.”

Today, from her home in Te Puke, she markets her skills towards charities and small businesses as a way of giving back. “David and I are at a point in our careers where we have the ability to help others,” explains Jenny. “There are so many businesses out there doing good that don’t have the budgets big corporations do, and there’s also a lot of cowboys offering services for extortionate amounts of money. We don’t think that’s fair.
We negotiate a price that is equitable to the client.”

Of course, they still work for large companies, but Jenny hopes to get to more clients who are helping to make a difference in the community.

Known as “the Geek” by family and friends, David is a full-stack developer who also specialises in SEO and Google Analytics. Jenny’s strengths and passion lie in designing and crafting brands that make businesses and charities shine in a competitive market. But the best part, she says, is meeting and connecting with people. 

“It’s fun helping those small guys, seeing the satisfaction they get from the work you do for them,” says Jenny. “And I love going for coffee catch ups, even if it’s just for a chat around future plans.” 

jumbodesign.co.nz