Spring sole-mate
Spring sandals, sneakers and everything in between.
SOLECT is your one stop shop for spring sandals, sneakers and everything in between.
As the days grow longer and our outfits require more spring-suited choices, we find ourselves searching for stylish all-weather shoes. Birkenstocks are a perfect tran-seasonal footwear choice, and go with just about anything. SOLECT in Tauranga Crossing have the largest range of Birkenstock in the Bay.
We instantly recognise the classic two-strap Arizona sandal, but after seeing the wall of Birks sitting pretty, with an array of colours and styles to choose from, it’s clear we are spoilt for choice. From the stylish cross-strap Sienna, to the closed-in Boston clogs, there is something for everyone.
The team in store are extremely knowledgeable and will help you find the perfect sized footbed and chat you through the different materials – that’s what makes this service so special.
Looking for something different this season? Never fear, we asked buyer Michelle what her top picks are for spring.
“Timberland boat shoes are making a huge come back for men,” she says. “They’re great for a casual wedding, and have a modern street-style edge.
“I’m also seeing platform sneakers as a continuing spring trend. As well as giving you a bit of extra height, these sneakers are an easy smart-casual option. Take your pick from ASICS, Puma, Converse and more.”
With over 25 footwear brands to choose from, you’ll find the perfect pair at Solect. Be sure to pop in and see Cassie and the team at Tauranga Crossing.
Go to town
If it’s been a while since you visited the Big Smoke, take time
to rediscover Auckland with the family.
words Hayley Barnett
photos Hayley Barnett + supplied
The past two to three years haven’t been kind to any of us, but our biggest city, Auckland, has really felt the pain. If you haven’t been trying to escape it, you’ve at least been trying to avoid it.
But now that we’re all emerging from our bubbles and travelling like never before, the city is finally back on people’s radars.
If you were a local who couldn’t escape during those dark days, life went on, and the vibrancy of the city never disappeared. When I visited with my family for a long weekend earlier this year I was excited to find that there were new places which had opened up since our last visit, as well as renovations galore, proving the city had used its dog days to reemerge better and brighter than before. Here are some of the coolest, most fun activities that we squeezed into three days in the city.
Auckland War Memorial Museum
If you get stuck with a rainy day in Auckland, one of the best things you can do is head to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. It’s a fun day out for the family and also educational for both adults and kids alike. On entering, we immediately got up close to a complete T-Rex skeleton, a rare opportunity anywhere in the world. Most examples in museums are replicas but this one is made up of real bones, black in colour due to mineral deposits on the bones.
Next, we headed to the War Memorial gallery to take in the old planes, a favourite exhibition for four-year-old Oscar. Then we experienced what felt like a real volcanic eruption. The frightening simulation is designed to show you what it would be like if a volcano erupts whilst you relax in your living room at home. We also managed to get to the Weird and Wonderful exhibit, as well as the kids’ discovery centre, before heading down to the café for lunch.
The Covent Hotel
Nestled next to a Catholic church and school in Grey Lynn sits an old nunnery recently converted into a rather suave boutique hotel. It’s not your usual roadside accommodation typical of the Great North Road strip, and that’s its charm.
The Spanish Mission-style building offers 22 eclectic rooms to choose from, all stripped back to their original brick walls, keeping the old steel windows, and filled with religious paraphernalia in every nook and cranny. It turns out this modern-yet-creepy vibe is very, very cool.
The kids were excited to arrive at “the haunted house”, nicknamed after only seeing a photo of the building’s exterior on Booking.com before we made the journey.
Once inside the room, it feels more like you’re living the highlife in a cool, stylish New York apartment than sleeping in an old convent. But the kids couldn’t quite shake the creepiness. It might have been the giant murals of blood-soaked ghouls in the hallways, but who knows? For me, it just added a wow factor which made our trip to the Big Smoke that much more exciting.
Our apartment, aptly named Mother Superior, came fully equipped with a kitchen and lounge room, and our bedroom was separated from the kids by the bathroom and a hallway. Hard to come by in a regular hotel.
Just below our room sits one of Auckland’s hippest places to dine, Ada. We left the kids with Grandma and headed downstairs for a long Sunday lunch. Avoiding food envy, we chose the set menu, and enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant, with its super-high ceiling and bustling vibe.
Book The Convent Hotel on booking.com
Auckland Zoo
There’s always something new and exciting happening at Auckland Zoo. When we arrived, we were all blown away by how much had changed compared to our last visit two years ago. The new tiger enclosure is incredible, with the big striped cats wandering through tunnels overhead as you pass timidly underneath. Orangutans dangle high above in towers and it’s easy to spot them wherever they are. All the new enclosures are a vast improvement in size and quality for the animals and make the viewing experience that much more immersive. Even the main café has had a makeover.
Of course, all the classics remain – the concrete dragon in the playground, the huge elephant and lion enclosures, the penguin and seal pool, and the giant bird sanctuaries – but the changes make it seem like a whole new experience. Highly recommend a visit next time you’re up.
Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s
Everyone’s favourite aquarium is still just as fun as it was when it opened 38 years ago. Despite this fun fact making me feel very old, our visit to see the sharks, turtles and stingrays (special requests for our weekend) was a surprisingly awe-inspiring activity which saw all of us have a very educational rainy afternoon.
From Shackleton to Gentoo penguins, we came away all the more wiser and even watched someone feed the sharks inside the tank. A 100-year-old crayfish viewing was an unexpected highlight for the kids and I was quite taken with the centre’s Turtle Rescue operation. Did you know it’s the only place in New Zealand that offers a turtle rehabilitation programme?
Hayley and family stayed at The Convent Hotel courtesy of Booking.com
Blossoming with care
A newly opened childcare centre in the Mount holds true to its philosophy of creating authentic, inspiring early childhood experiences.
A newly opened childcare centre in the Mount
holds true to its philosophy of creating authentic, inspiring early childhood experiences.
Words Catherine Sylvester
Alisha Merriman had a clear vision of exactly what gap she wanted to fill when creating an early childhood education centre. She knew, not only because of her many years as a teacher in this sector, but also firsthand, as a mother of two young children. What she envisioned was a unique learning environment for children and their whānau, where they could thrive, grow and learn.
Bloesem (“Blossom”) – a nod to Alisha’s Dutch heritage – is precisely what the centre believes its tāmariki will do. Backed by research highlighting the importance of environment being pivotal to learning, the centre has a calming feel to it. Walls are painted in neutral colours, with spaces left uncluttered. “Aesthically pleasing environments enhance the children’s learning journey,” Alisha explains.
By creating physical spaces that are enriching for children to learn and grow in, Alisha and her team share their passion for creating inspiring new experiences daily. The team carefully create a teaching plan together, incorporating invitations to play based on suggestions from the children. Their aim is to instil a love of learning in their community.
With the first Bloesem opening in Te Puke in April 2019, the team have taken the time to firmly establish their vision and strong relationships with the children, whānau and staff. A high priority for Alisha is that they stay true to the “why” of Bloesem, and that means ensuring the right team of people working together to uphold the vision, philosophy and consistency of the centre. “Keeping it authentic is so important,” says Alisha.
“At Bloesem, children and whānau are part of a nurturing, caring, joyful, tranquil environment.”
The Te Puke centre has thrived, despite the unexpected arrival of a global pandemic less than a year after opening. So when a spacious site opened up in Alisha’s own neighbourhood, the Mount, she knew it was the perfect time to expand the vision and provide another community with the inspiring Bloesem way of early childhood learning.
Opened in August, Bloesem Mount Maunganui also carries the vision statement: “Value and honour whanaungatanga, taiao, rangatiratanga which reflects the good of reciprocal relationships, for the good of the environment and for the good of growing self-confidence.”
With a strong philosophy and a growing need for more quality early childhood education centres, Bloesem is sure of its identity and what it offers the communities it is part of.
It takes a village
If you’re looking for a more relaxed-yet-refined way of life,
Althorp Village may be just the right place to call home.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed-yet-refined way of life,
Althorp Village may be just the right place to call home.
Words Monique Balvert-O’Connor Photos Jahl Marshall
Given its top-notch appearance, the facilities and all that’s on offer (more than 30 activities a week, from choir to aqua aerobics), it’s not surprising Althorp Village has a holiday resort ambience.
With well-thought-out recreational facilities and architecturally designed dwellings, accentuated by stunning gardens and an expansive park-like setting, the retirement village combines resort-style amenities with high-quality homes. There are impressive outdoor facilities too – think lawn bowls, croquet, tennis and garden allotments (there’s even a hobby shed).
Althorp Village manager Claire Keen says the village residents enjoy the opportunities offered, as well as embracing independent living and organising their own groups and events.
“Our vision is to create an environment where our residents can find like-minded people and where they can be happy and enjoy their golden years, stress and trouble free.”
Set across more than 12 hectares, this premier residential village for seniors has two apartment blocks. The Lodge offers a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and The Garden Apartments are all large north facing two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments. There are 211 different properties on site including a motel.
The Althorp Village philosophy promotes the idea of residents staying in their own homes for as long as possible and with as much help as required. “It’s a happy balance between keeping a close eye on how everyone is doing without being intrusive,” Claire says.
“We are an independent living village – every level of care is available if, and when, required. Our residents can go from an independent apartment or villa to serviced apartments and then on to Radius Althorp Hospital if required. The hospital includes rest home level beds, respite care beds and geriatric care,” she explains.
Currently available is the opportunity to buy a license to occupy a two-bedroom apartment in The Garden Apartment Block, and a three-bedroom apartment in The Lodge apartment block.
Garden apartments have two bedrooms, a large ensuite plus a guest bathroom. They are north-facing and at ground level, opening out onto a large patio, beyond which are the much-admired gardens. These apartments enjoy spacious open-plan main living, underfloor heating throughout, a separate laundry and excellent storage. Parking is secure and undercover, with a large storage cupboard included.
Lodge Apartment 8 captures lots of sun, features three bedrooms, ensuite and main bathroom, and an open plan kitchen, dining and lounge. This apartment is on the second floor and overlooks the village gardens. The large deck is a lovely spot where you can bask in the afternoon sun. There is underground parking and storage. The apartment is accessed via the village’s atrium area – a popular enclosed space, flooded with light. It’s but a hop, skip, and jump from this apartment to many of the indoor activities on offer. Housed in the building are, for example, the indoor heated pool, gymnasium, spa, movie theatre, bar, library, games room, dining and lounge areas.
Claire and team also stress that its important for families to know we have a friendly and caring community of residents. The Althorp Team is also aware the aging process for families can often be daunting and its important for family members to know we can guide them to whatever levels of support are required.
Claire says the opportunity to buy a Licence to Occupy at Althorp Village is an exciting one as they don’t come up very often and there is usually a waiting list.
Zen by design
East meets west in this stunning home’s Japanese-inspired aesthetic.
East meets west in this stunning home’s Japanese-inspired aesthetic.
Words Jo Ferris
This Mount Maunganui home’s dramatic street-front greeting showcases a striking look born in Japan. Yakisugi’s authentic process of charring sugi cedar not only improves the timber’s life span, it adds another layer to this home’s haunting story.
It’s a story of evolvement – from this home’s birth in 1956 to a stunning epitome of the Mount’s coastal vibe.
The weatherboard construction remains, but that’s about all. Over the years, different owners have embedded their own mark. The vivid allure of black, vertical shiplap on walls curving around this home’s lower area are a fitting imprint by these vendors.
Stunning aesthetics aside, two hidden elements enhance this driveway’s function. Power in one corner offers
a charge point for vehicles and parking for a motorhome. A gas point in a recess allows for the addition of screen doors to hide bottles and utility bins.
The garage is another improvement by these owners. Lined over block, carpeted and finished with extra detail, it is now a multi-purpose zone. An internal stairwell leads up to the first level. For visitors, the
sugi-clad steps sweep up through a coastal-themed garden, where resident tuis haunt the pōhutukawa. They’re so frequent and familiar, these owners have even named them.
Other than original native timber flooring throughout the home, the décor was completely transformed by prior owners.
One intriguing feature pays homage to the construction. A distressed weather-board panel hanging on a passage wall as a work of art, is actually a disguise for the hot water cylinder behind.
Apart from one original window in the master bedroom, joinery was replaced with double-glazed aluminium. Plywood is a statement element that instils tone and texture in key areas. Feature walls showcase ply’s natural blonde finish, while black negative detailing makes a striking effect in-between the panels. Kitchen cabinetry is finished in laminated plywood, while timeless stainless steel benches are a practical surface cooks will appreciate.
Open-plan living and outdoor flow maximises space to connect with areas outside. A morning balcony at the front gazes out to sea. At the rear, there’s an intimate link with a secluded backyard oasis. The third bedroom also opens out to this sun deck and shelter from afternoon breeze within this tropical sanctuary. It’s an easy-care garden – with a corner for veges and a hidden sink bench for filleting fish.
The master bedroom commands the front-row ocean view. A second living area above, elevates this to a grandstand coastal outlook. With glimpses to three islands, Motiti sits directly in front and waves can be seen lapping on the beach. This is a spacious, multi-purpose zone – an invitation for leisure or work. With sun streaming inside, an air conditioning unit keeps life cool in hot weather. There are two more heat pumps elsewhere, plus a wood burner. Highly efficient, it’s another feature which matches this home’s distinctive vibe.
Within walking distance to the beach and cafes, this impressive home awaits another chapter. Inspection is invited, and more information is available on Oliver Road Real Estate’s website.
Art lovers rejoice
Live music, food, garden-related trade stores, tiny houses, guest speakers and art displays are all part of the fun at Bloom in the Bay.
Live music, food, garden-related trade stores, tiny houses, guest speakers and art displays are all part of the fun at Bloom in the Bay.
Words Monique Balvert-O’Connor Photos supplied
Dubbed a little like a festival within a festival, the Craigs Investment Partners’ Bloom in the Bay event has become a vibrant part of the biennial Bay of Plenty Garden and Art Festival. And there will certainly be plenty to enthral this year at the 17-20 November family-friendly event, assures festival director Marc Anderson.
Bloom in the Bay will be held at Tauranga Racecourse, where there’s room aplenty for the array of planned activities and stalls. New to the event this year is, for example, the inclusion of 30 garden-related trade stores offering their wares for sale – this exhibition space will be called Bloom Plaza. Also a first, will be an array of tiny houses and cabins that will form a charming wee art village, Marc explains, as there will be an artist set up in each.
Entry to Bloom in the Bay is free to BOP Garden and Art Festival attendees and to children under 14, and will cost adults without festival tickets only $5. The idea is to drop in whenever it suits on the four festival days and enjoy the many wonders of this colourful event, Marc says. It will run from 9.30am to 6pm on the first three festival days, and from 9.30am until 3pm on the Sunday.
The food options will be many, the bar will be open, and the live music lineup will include Kokomo Blues and Caitriona Fallon, for example, as well as emerging talent. There will be a “Make Art Not Waste” Envirohub catwalk event on the Saturday, and a scintillating mix of environment-focused speakers. Discover more about living predator-free, growing microgreens and making seed bombs, find out what endangered species we have living on our beaches, and hear from an award-winning photographer who has been cuddled by a whale
and attacked by an octopus.
Check the gardenandartfestival.co.nz website in the lead-up to the festival for the timing of the different Bloom in the Bay events and performances.
Meanwhile, tickets are selling fast for the festival’s Long Lunch, with gardening guru (and former NZ Gardener editor) Lynda Hallinan as guest speaker. A three-course meal, glass of bubbles on arrival, live music and entertainment will all be on offer.
And art lovers, rejoice: The festival includes more artists than ever and an Art Studio Trail, within the main trail, is being introduced. The festival map is marked with these 22 purpose-built art studios (see photos of
some of the art to be found in these studios).
Festival tickets are $40 for one day, and $65 for multiple days, and are available at Palmers Bethlehem (the festival’s trail sponsors), Décor Garden World, Pacifica Home & Garden Store, i-SITE Tauranga, Te Puke Florist, Katch Katikati information centre, online at Eventfinda (service fees may apply) and on the festival website.
The Bay of Plenty Garden and Art Festival is sponsored by Bayleys.
Bringing Bali home
Landmark Bay of Plenty’s latest show home combines tropical-inspired landscaping with relaxed, resort-like living.
Landmark Bay of Plenty’s latest show home combines tropical-inspired landscaping with relaxed, resort-like living.
Words Monique Balvert-O’Connor Photos supplied
It’s another passion project, says Carly Stewart of the latest Landmark showhome that’s just opened its doors in Palm Springs, Papamoa.
Carly, who co-owns Landmark Bay of Plenty with husband Logan Stewart, admits she’s fallen in love with the house, just as she did with her company’s previous show home in Omokoroa’s Harbour Ridge.
In true Landmark Bay of Plenty style, this latest beauty, sited in Montiicola Drive, is two-storied and clad in weatherboard. But, while the Omokoroa show home was Hamptons themed, this one represents Bali at its best - Balinese luxe resort to be exact, says Carly. This time, she was determined to take “a sidestep” and create something slightly different from the many coastal-themed abodes on the Montiicola strip.
Tropical planting is an early indicator of the Balinese theme, and the James Hardy white-painted linear weatherboard (in Resene Quarter Rice Cake) has been joined on the exterior by blonded cedar detailing. The cedar aspects add to the home’s cutting-edge contemporary look, Carly explains, and it was important that the cedar was bleached (a Dryden wood oil was used to achieve this) to suit the light and breezy Balinese look. Also in accordance with that look is the pergola leading to the front door. It’s topped with narrow timber slats while bamboo grows at its sides. The white breeze block wall nearby features a frangipani design.
A family home, this build spans 220 square metres, with the downstairs dedicated to open-plan main living (including a spacious scullery that incorporates a sink and wine fridge), the master bedroom suite, and a powder room. There is a separate laundry and internal access to the double garage. Accessing the outdoors is a breeze, as one would expect of a home channelling many things Balinese. A large timber deck feeds off the dining and living rooms where the doors stack back to integrate the inside and outside. There’s a patio off the master bedroom and a second patio off the lounge, facing roadside. This patio’s outdoor fire (there’s a gas fire inside, too), built-in cooking facility, breeze blocks, and plantings (including palms and cycads) amp up the home’s street appeal.
Carly and Logan were especially keen for this home to be two-storied, as the upper levels offer the opportunity to enjoy sunset views over the Papamoa hills. The stairwell, rising from the entranceway of the home, leads to two double-sized bedrooms, a family bathroom, and a small lounge/retreat that can also function as a study space.
The wonderfully functional layout and exterior appeal is complemented by the beauty in the detailing throughout the home. Carly so loves dealing with this aspect and calls upon interior designer Roselle Blockley of La Belle Maison to assist as an excellent sounding board. Carly sources product with the wow factor and turns her hopes and dreams into reality.
Excellent décor decisions are immediately apparent. The light fitting in the stairwell void is a handcrafted circular stunner – a visual treat that can be enjoyed from outside the house, too, given the window over the front door follows the roof’s high pitch. Also pleasing the eye from the get-go is the view from the front door of the stairway’s American Oak slatted balustrade (to bring the natural timber through to the inside), and a feature wall of handmade seagrass wallpaper.
Carly has ensured the build includes naturally derived product where possible. Sustainable, natural fibres were to the fore, for example, when the carpet was chosen – they’ve gone for Bremworth wool loop pile – and Roselle’s sourced natural organic linen for the drapery throughout the house. This environmentally friendly approach applies outside, too, where a water bore has been installed to keep the gardens lush year-round.
This showhome’s name promises luxury and a resort-like ambience so, as expected, there are many aspects that look fabulous and speak of enjoyable living. Top of mind for Carly are inclusions such as the large, round skylight inserted in the rooftop over the expansive deck; Forte timber flooring laid in a herringbone pattern in the lounge room; and “the most divine, opalescent tiles” from Sydney in the bathrooms’ shower recesses. Then there’s the kitchen where, in place of a splashback, there’s a window looking out on one of the patios with its lush planting – and then there’s the outdoor shower.
“It’s a Balinese resort-inspired shower – it will be like standing in a tropical garden, with planting around and reached via misshapen glacial schist stepping stones in among a crushed shell path,” Carly enthuses.
The comprehensive landscaping plan, feature walls of wallpaper and tongue-and-groove timber, custom-made cabinetry, American Oak features, brushed nickel tapware, the high raked ceiling… All this and more give Carly joy when she views this latest show home.
Already sumptuous, there’s the potential to make it even more Balinese resort-like, she adds. There’s room for a swimming pool, too.
The big squeeze
Are rising interest rates and low capitalisation rates making you nervous? Owen Cooney from OC Consulting advises investors on how to withstand “yield squeeze”.
Are rising interest rates and low capitalisation rates making you nervous?
Owen Cooney from OC Consulting advises investors on how to withstand “yield squeeze”.
Photo Jahl Marshall
Commercial property has been a passion of mine for decades, but the economic environment we are all accustomed to operating in is changing.
For as long as I can remember, there has been a differential between the interest rate paid on mortgage debt and the yield (or capitalisation rate) received from a property. However, with interest rates now rising, the cost of debt will soon be similar to, if not greater, than the capitalisation rates a commercial property can reasonably generate.
In recent years it has been common to use debt to increase yield to an investor because that debt was so cheap. But thanks to inflationary pressures and rising interest rates, investor yields are being squeezed – and will continue to be squeezed until the market adjusts.
These comments are, of course, a generalisation. There are always markets where some purchasers will happily accept a very low capitalisation rate for a particular property. It’s also worth pointing out that investors who don’t need to take on debt to purchase a commercial property will not feel that same squeeze!
But the investor collectives we help set up at OC Consultancy Ltd do use non-recourse debt and will continue to do so. Instead of leveraging a property at 45 percent to 50 percent of LVR, we now intend to leverage at around 30 percent to ensure the smoothest path forward as New Zealand’s Reserve Bank battles to bring inflation back under control.
In our post-pandemic climate, there’s no escaping yield squeeze for the foreseeable future. But our message to investors is this – yields are only one factor that should be considered when making an investment decision.
You may be familiar with the advice of Warren Buffett regarding investment as a long-term game. Buffett famously said, “If you aren’t willing to own a stock for 10 years, don’t even think about owning it for 10 minutes.” Unfortunately, in our recent bull market, this message has been forgotten by many.
In the commercial property context, our focus is on securing long-term leases with good quality tenants and covenants. This, coupled with robust rent review mechanisms, is the best way to protect your investment from the effects of inflation and yield squeeze.
To be a successful property investor, you must look beyond what’s happening right now and see what is most likely to occur in the future.
We are confident that good commercial property will stand the test of time and be resilient. Just like any other investment, you must be prepared to weather the ups and downs of each economic cycle and keep your eyes firmly on the horizon of what’s to come.
The right building, with the right tenant and the right lease arrangements in place, will always be profitable in the long run.
Bella Italia
Impressive and imposing, this Italian-styled home brings a taste of the Mediterranean to Tauranga.
Impressive and imposing, this Italian-styled home brings a taste of the Mediterranean to Tauranga.
Words Jo Ferris
Sharing more in common with some of the finest estates on Waiheke Island or Auckland’s blue-chip suburbs of Herne Bay and Remuera, the fact this prestigious property even exists here in Tauranga is testament to its owners’ foresight and belief in the district’s future. This home will defy time
– and remain as rock solid as it stands today – long into the future.
This home’s design, construction and innate essence are born from the Italian aristocratic palazzos it pays homage to. Solid concrete – including internal walls – construction and quality finish throughout totally belies any initial perception some buyers could be forgiven for thinking, according to Oliver Road’s Cam Winter.
Viewing is essential – if only to confirm the extent of this home’s magnitude. On the surface, the epic design and unique finish extols the Italian penchant for grandeur. Beneath all this however, the home hides well-considered attention to the fundamentals of a warm, healthy environment.
It epitomises the Mediterranean appreciation of family and nourishment. Togetherness feeds the soul - and this home instils that village philosophy in every conceivable way. Layered – like family – it revolves around the main household. This is magnanimous, and caters for crowds as effortlessly as it does for intimate dinners for a few. From here, the house embraces inter-generational unity with two individual, self-contained suites. The largest provides a two-bedroom apartment on the upper level. The second is a New York style one-bedroom apartment cleverly built into the basement level. Separate living for elders or extended members with children – together, yet independent.
Being multi-faceted, this home’s capacity for accommodating staff is also brilliant – from groundspeople to nannies or private tutors. A property of stature that also lends to boutique accommodation or an intimate function venue. Entertaining inside or out, the focus revolves around nurture and nourishment. It’s easy to envision long, lazy lunches outside, or lingering dinner parties in the soaring luxury of the banquet hall inside.
Such status personifies the luxury of international grand homes and estates often featured on TV programmes and in exclusive magazines. And deservedly so. Seen firsthand, the quality here is clearly apparent – from the concrete construction to the interior finish that mixes genuine Italian materials with exquisite New Zealand and accents. It is an intricate fusion of ancient Mediterranean heritage with hi-tech innovation and engineering ingenuity. Safely guarded behind gated security, within nearly an acre, this haven ensures seclusion and solace, protection, and privacy. Manicured gardens and courtyard corners, topiary pathways and sloping lawns,
a heated pool for year-round leisure, a spa for added bliss – it is the quintessential lifestyle.
Cam Winter notes that its relative length of time-on-market can be almost entirely attributed to perception, both with respect to its construction (given Tauranga’s and New Zealand’s unfortunate “leaky home era”), which this property sits so far beyond – not only in age (built 2008) but also in the reality of its solid-concrete construction. Possibly also some concern about the future Takitimu North Link.
Now under construction and, with clear evidence of what will eventuate on Waka Kotahi, NZTA’s website, far away from producing any audible impact on this property, the highway will actually improve surrounding traffic and shorten distances to key arterial connections including shortening the distances both into Tauranga’s CBD and north towards Auckland. The scenic beauty of Wairoa Valley will remain, and its uninterrupted west-facing aspect will continue to produce magnificent afternoon sunshine which become romantic late-evening sunsets. With only 14 neighbours spaced in their own settings, life in this elite enclave can only improve.
5 Sunny Downs Drive, Tauriko
For the love of arts
The new artistic director of Tauranga’s flagship Arts Festival brings passion and experience to the event.
The new artistic director of Tauranga’s flagship Arts Festival
brings passion and experience to the event.
Words Monique Balvert-O’Connor Photos Jeremy Hooper
Gabrielle Vincent thinks she may have shed a tear or two upon hearing she’d got the job of Tauranga Arts Festival artistic director.
“I love programming live performance and really wanted to get into the festival world, so being given this opportunity was just so very exciting,” is how she explains her happy tears.
Renowned as one of the most exciting art producers in the country, Gabrielle has come to the Tauranga Art Festival job after six years leading Auckland’s Basement Theatre where she commissioned and produced some of New Zealand’s boldest and bravest new talents.
The new position she was so thrilled about came her way at the tail end of 2020. But because the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to the planned 2021 Tauranga Art Festival, and caused a pushing out of this year’s Escape festival (from June to October), there’s a sense among Tauranga’s art community that Gabrielle has yet to be properly introduced. The October 12 to 16 Escape – little festival with big ideas – event is about to change that.
“This will be the first festival I actually get to deliver. We did a lot of work and came up with an exciting programme for the 2021 festival – it was heartbreaking having to call that off. Now it’s really wonderful to be able to deliver something.”
While she has years of experience programming, Escape will offer Gabrielle (34) her first opportunity to programme a writers’ festival. And what an exciting journey it has already been, says this woman with great ideas and vision.
There’s much on offer to thrill, and Gabrielle selects News, News, News as an example – a television news show, made by children for adults, recorded in front of a studio audience and broadcast live from Baycourt. Children from Mount Maunganui primary will be involved, guided by Andy Field and Beckie Darlington – Gabrielle’s enticed both over from the United Kingdom. Andy and Beckie came up with the concept, and have worked with children across the world who have performed it.
“It’s going to be a really fun show. It’s incredibly informative and, of course, very funny and sweet and enlightening.”
Gabrielle is delighted the timing of Escape falls within the school holidays, and as a result the line-up includes many family-friend events and children’s work.
“I am passionate about art bringing family together and sharing moments that become memorable experiences,” she says.
Gabrielle’s daughter (she and husband Simon have a three-year-old named Edie) will grow up with a plethora of such memories, for sure. Before long she’ll be tagging along with her mother who loves to soak up theatre, dance and music performances. Perhaps, like her mother, Edie will be a “drama geek” at school, too.
Acting, singing – and a seventh form curriculum full of art subjects – filled schoolgirl Gabrielle’s creative soul with joy. As a school leaver, who felt “incredibly passionate” about theatre and live performance, Auckland Unitec beckoned with its opportunity to major in theatre directing.
During her third year of study, Gabrielle was seconded to Auckland Theatre Company, where opportunities included getting to assistant-direct a show. Then, when a stage manager position came up, Gabrielle – who thoroughly enjoyed being backstage – was the “go to”. Gabrielle spent the next six years as a freelance stage manager, working mainly for Auckland Theatre Company.
A keenness to get into the producing side of the business coincided with a six-month pilot producers’ programme on offer at Auckland’s Basement Theatre – the home of independent theatre.
“I got that, which was exciting. I saw many emerging artists come through and then head off and thrive
doing phenomenal things.
“I then realised I actually liked programming more than producing and I managed to get a programme director
job there for about five years.”
It’s been a career full of wonderful opportunities and adding the part-time Tauranga Arts Festival director job to the curriculum vitae is another highlight. Preparation for the next festival, in 2023, with its range of art forms are well underway. But first, Escape, with its writers, speakers, live theatre and more.
“Programming a writer’s festival has been a really exciting journey. It occurred to me that what’s different about this compared to other live performances is that none of the conversations are rehearsed. They are conjured up by people, places, ideas and we are seeing something magical unfold at the time. Conversations are unique and cannot be replicated,” she says.
When UNO chats to Gabrielle she’s not long off preparing to head to Tauranga (Auckland is home base) for a month, in readiness for, and for, Escape. She can’t wait!
A village with heart
You'll find old-world appeal in this vintage-inspired shopping and community complex, with its unique cobblestone streets and charming historic buildings.
You'll find old-world appeal in this vintage-inspired shopping and community complex, with its unique cobblestone streets and charming historic buildings.
Words Sue Hoffart Photos Jess Lowcher + Salina Galvan
Extraordinary moments happen remarkably often beyond the steel gates that separate The Historic Village from ordinary Tauranga life.
Children with disabilities discover their voices on stage at Detour Theatre, while men wielding hand tools address mental health issues inside the Men’s Shed workshop. At the resident chapel, marriages are conducted beside woven tukutuku panels that previously stood in an old Matapihi church. After dark, artistic careers are launched at gallery openings and new musical talent is discovered at lively gigs.
And every day, people in need receive practical help, counselling, mentoring or even a new job thanks to the myriad of social service organisations that operate from the Village.
Village manager Blair Graham and his team manage the 5.5ha Tauranga City Council-run property, with its sweeping lawns and tracts of native bush, boutique shops and character buildings.
Jewel in the crown
Eight years into the job, Blair’s main focus is looking after the resident community groups and retailers who help to attract more than 200,000 visitors each year.
“This village has heart. It’s a jewel in the crown of the Te Papa peninsula,” he says, describing the way vibrant cultural festivals and corporate events unfold alongside everyday kindnesses. At the recently revitalised Village Cinema, (activated by The Incubator), for example, Sonic Cinema run a relaxed cinema experience for all ages where the cinema is adapted to the audience's sensory requirements and comfort.
The cinema, which can be transformed into a cocktail venue or lecture theatre for corporate groups, is one of five indoor function offerings on site. The Village Hall, which was renovated late last year, is a cathedral-like space with purpose-built lighting and sound systems.
“The thing about hiring a Village venue is that it ticks the corporate social responsibility box because it helps fund all the innovation and collaboration and good things that happen here.
“We host a lot of weddings here, too, partly because our 60-seat chapel has all the charm of a small country church. In fact, my brother was married there 22 years ago and I was best man.”
Sometimes, bridal parties choose to wed in the adjacent amphitheatre, amid tranquil native bush, perhaps with a Whipped Baker cake made onsite and old-fashioned lawn games afterwards.
Festive spirit
Other visitors come seeking entertainment and international cuisine at the city’s annual multicultural festival or the Diwali festival, with its lanterns and incense, swirling saris and spicy food.
During the day, people attend appointments or hui, conduct business or browse the boutique shops that sell everything from vinyl records to vintage or designer-made clothing, gemstones, lead lighting and art. In the evenings, dance lessons and upholstery classes kick off. The weekend crowd is different again as families, cyclists and joggers step off the neighbouring Kopurererua Valley walkway for coffee and treats.
“Early on, we discovered Pokémon geocache players were coming here at night to play the online game.”
Blair’s domain is also part of the city’s wellbeing precinct, with Tauranga Hospital, St John and the TECT Rescue Helicopter service all housed a few minutes’ walk away. Time and again, the centre manager has seen families of people dealing with serious health issues find their way from the hospital to the Village for scones and tea and solace.
“There’s a slower pace of life here. The sun streams into the cobbled streets and it’s a little bit like stepping back in time. It calms people
Baked with love
Baby Albert Cooper was six months old when his mother Fran almost died of meningitis.
The mother of five and Whipped Baker proprietor – Fran co-owns The Historic Village bakery with husband and fellow baker Aaron – has never forgotten the people who saved her life. That’s why any café leftovers go straight to nearby hospital emergency department staff or ambulance officers across the road.
However, leftovers can be tough to find at the incredibly popular eatery, which specialises in “really luscious, sumptuous food that people can’t help but dive into.”
On the day the café launched in 2015, the husband and wife team employed a single barista. That first morning, the customer queue stretched out the door and down the street. Now, the seven-day-a-week business employs 18 extra staff, offers catering services and still struggles to meet demand. Aaron and Fran still frequently start work between 2.30am and 3.30am and all their children help in the business.
“We’ve always been known for our doughnuts and custard slice. We’re very old-school bakers, not people who like fancy food and stuff you can’t pronounce. It’s just good, wholesome, fresh-baked food. Everything is made 100 percent from scratch.”
Fran and most of her family are lactose-intolerant, which means they cannot consume much of the food they produce.
“I can’t eat it myself, but I just like feeding other people. I bake to make people happy.
“And being part of the Village is like being part of one big family. I feel like we’re the village kitchen. I love the atmosphere, love the people. It’s like going home every day.”
Sustainability in bloom
Mitre 10 MEGA Tauranga has come of age – leading the way on all things green with a new-look garden centre and strong focus on sustainability.
Mitre 10 MEGA Tauranga has come of age – leading the way on all things green with a new-look garden centre and strong focus on sustainability.
Words Jo Ferris | Photos Jahl Marshall
Mitre 10 MEGA Tauranga has come of age – leading the way on all things green with a new-look garden centre and strong focus on sustainability.
With fresh ideas, new technology and their ‘arms-wide-open’ approach, nothing rains on this team’s parade. Now fully roofed, the only place rain falls inside is in two 30,000L tanks.
Feeding a sophisticated irrigation system, it not only eliminates using town supply, plants are flourishing – noticeably so. Staff efficiency has also gained. Despite the new technology – rather than downsizing the garden centre’s team – it has increased from 14 to 25, as supervisor Lorena Stead and 2 IC Marisa Pirina shift up another gear.
“Spring is our busiest time of the year. It’s like turning the lights on,” says Lorena.
Customer focus underpins this store’s entire purpose. That means people on the floor and more time to greet and help customers. The café moved instore, but still overlooks all the activity. Opening up the garden centre not only created additional space for more stock, visibility increased thanks to new, lower plant bays. The Garden Hub is also a novel drawcard – a central station which enhances staff’s ability to handle customer queries. Just outside is the plastic pot recycling bin – another sustainability initiative, which has seen 900kgs recycled in the past 10 months. And that’s not counting any containers foraged by customers. Mitre 10 even takes polystyrene – number one in New Zealand to do so.
Changes also flowed instore. By definition, ‘garden’ has assumed an entirely new meaning.
More than a green space for trees, flowers and veges; outdoor zones are another room – an extension of how we live, play, entertain – even work. Anything from a simple patio now extends to sophisticated retreats – fully sheltered or open-air; lit and heated. As much as gardens grow, so has this store’s vision, according to Lorena.
“Gardens are another room in the home. But there’s also the internal garden – indoor plants – not only but also.”
Specialty zones cover the full gamut – from indoor plants, tools, plant care, ornaments and rainwater storage systems to probably the Bay’s largest selection of outdoor furniture, BBQs and every accessory to match. If you can’t find it, this store will seek it. Being owner- operated and part of a solely New Zealand co-operative, buying power and access to a wide range of products strengthens this hugely successful business.
Innovation and a "people first" mantra feed this store’s belief in mutually beneficial relationships – from everyone who walks in the door to everyone on the shop floor.
Newbies to long-timers, staff know their stuff; and they know people. Customers come from far and wide, such is the store’s reputation for familiarity. It’s an attitude Mitre 10 MEGA Tauranga continually works on. And customers feel it. Regulars watched closely as the garden centre remained open throughout the renovation. Written feedback was overwhelming and staff are grateful.
Inspired by the new look, Lorena and Marisa say customers love all the initiatives as well – especially how
plants respond to the new irrigation. Both agree the garden centre looks and feels brighter. True to the "spring has sprung" philosophy, team members are also thriving – watching their garden grow as natural rain waters it from above.
Driving excellence
Mount Maunganui’s only driving range brings technology and pro coaching together to make improving your golf game even more enjoyable.
Mount Maunganui’s only driving range brings technology and pro coaching together to make improving your golf game even more enjoyable.
Words Dan Collins / Photos Jahl Marshall
“Golf’s quite infectious,” Scott Pickett smiles, as the constant, gentle thwack of golf clubs hitting golf balls rings out behind him. “One person gets into it, they tell their mates and the next thing they’re dragging them out. It’s an addictive sport.”
It’s a cheerful day and we’re standing in one of the 19 covered bays at Golf 360, the only golf driving range in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui. As we chat, a steady stream of golfers trickle in and out.
In the far bay, a middle-aged chap who looks like he knows what he’s doing effortlessly whacks his golf balls down the range, while beside us a retiree practises her swing. Next to her, two teens share a bucket of balls and a laugh, and a couple of bays away, a 20-something works on her swing under the watchful instruction of one of the facility's PGA pro coaches, who happens to be a former New Zealand champion.
The diverse group of players here this morning challenges preconceptions and proves how much golf has changed in recent years. No longer the preserve of stuffy, wealthy older gents, the sport has worked hard to attract new players and become welcoming to all who want to give it a shot.
This is something Scott is passionate about. Since taking sole ownership of Golf 360 four years ago, he’s worked tirelessly to make the facility as welcoming and friendly as possible to new players, while providing the depth of knowledge and expertise that top players demand and is invaluable help to anyone looking to improve their game.
“One of our philosophies is, ‘Golf is hard, so let's try and make the game a little bit easier’,” he says.
That philosophy drives, excuse the pun, every aspect of Golf 360. Every bay in the driving range sports the latest in fancy golf technology that you can use to analyse your game; you can get private lessons to identify, zone in and work out your problem areas; you can play a challenging round of mini golf on their Mount Maunganui-themed course; and you can even get fitted for your own set of personally tailored golf clubs, the ultimate experience for golfers wanting to reach the next level.
It’s one that’s also surprisingly affordable. Scott tells me that a set of fitted clubs doesn’t cost more than a set of off-the-rack clubs. Best of all, there’s no charge for the fitting experience, during which your swing is analysed and you’re run through various combinations of club heads to find the absolute best one for your playing style. During the process you’ll see, in real time, how the different club heads impact your shot and the improvements the various brands and shapes are making.
“Everyone’s got a unique swing DNA – the way they swing – so we’re trying to match the clubs to that as best we can. It’s great that it doesn’t cost them any more,” Scott says. “We’d much rather sell them a set of clubs that are custom-fitted, designed for them, than something that’s off the rack.”
As experienced fitters, Scott and his team have a good idea about what might work for individual golfers, calling it an educated trial-and-error process that works off the data their process provides.
“But also with their goals in mind as well. What are they trying to achieve?” Scott adds. “Sometimes we might be convinced that a particular model and brand is going to work out great, but it doesn’t always work out. We let the clubs do the talking. We’ll interpret the data, the technology and the clubs rather than steering them too much in a certain direction or to preconceived ideas.”
Because as anyone who’s ever played a round will tell you, all the data in the world can’t compensate for that most intangible quality of all: Feel. “Exactly right,” Scott exclaims. “When I’m fitting someone I can’t feel what’s going on, but we’ll ask the customer throughout the process, ‘What does that feel like?’ That’s important. If they say the club feels heavy or clunky, we take that advice on board.”
Scott says that one of the best parts of the job is calling people to tell them their custom-fitted clubs
have arrived. “It’s exciting,” Scott smiles. “You’re keen to see what they’re going to do for your game and usually they will make a difference.”
The club fitting and some of the lessons take place inside, not out on the range. To the right of the entrance when you walk into Golf 360, there’s a giant, wall-sized screen with an artificial hitting mat in front and a small box set up to the side on the ground. This unassuming box is Golf 360’s secret weapon.
It’s called the Foresight GCQuad, and it’s a quadrascopic high-speed camera system that precisely measures every aspect of how your club hits the ball to create an accurate picture of your shot, capturing everything from launch angle, ball speed, spin, impact strength, angle of club…
Basically, every aspect of how you hit the ball and where the ball goes after you’ve hit it.
“Golf’s a highly technical sport, and using this technology helps so that neither the player nor the coach is guessing as to what’s going wrong,” Scott explains. “We can see what the club’s doing and that has an effect on what the ball does. Because of that, we can make changes and then see what that does to the club information and how that affects ball flight. We can get very quick changes and results because of it. We can see results very quickly.”
But against the backdrop of numbers and data, you don’t want to forget that golf is a game. And games are supposed to be fun. Which is something else the GCQuad caters for.
“It makes it entertaining,” Scott says of his recent decision to fit out every bay in the driving range
with their own GCQuad unit. “You can actually play real-world courses on it.”
This means that you can hit your ball down Golf 360’s 240m long driving range and the full-colour touchscreen in your bay shows you how you fared on a virtual course. You can even directly compete in a virtual round of golf against your mate in another bay, and then compare your play data at the end. It’s a true game-changer.
“There’s a great little pitch and putt course which is ideal for a beginner golfer who is a little daunted about going out on the golf course but wants to work on their technique,” Scott enthuses. “They can come along and hit every club in their bag playing that little course. It’s very realistic, they have their shot, it tracks it and you can see the result on the screen."
Whether you want to pop in for a quick hit with a 45-ball bucket, spend some serious time working on your technique with the Mega Bucket of 175 balls, or anything in between, Golf 360 has you covered – even in bad weather, as the bays are fully covered, or at night, as the range is floodlit, with Scott saying late-night Thursdays are especially popular.
And if golf’s something you’ve wanted to try but aren’t sure whether it’s for you, club hireage is just $5. As Scott says, golf has never been more accessible, and they love seeing new faces come through the door.
“We’re always seeing people we haven’t seen before. It’s exciting,” Scott says. “A lot of people haven’t been exposed to golf, and for many this will be their only taste. For us, it’s about people having a go.”
New players of all ages, genders and ethnicities started showing up during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when golf was one of the few sports you could play under Level 3 restrictions, with Scott saying ladies’ golf has seen one of the biggest upswings.
“Larissa Blackbourn, one of our PGA pro coaches, is heavily involved in our ladies’ coaching and she’s not had a problem at all filling up her ladies’ clinics,” Scott says. “There’s so much interest there from ladies in the game.”
He says the improvements he’s made to Golf 360 since taking over have completely re-energised the place.
“It’s more golfer-friendly,” he smiles, as the diverse batch of golfers around us thwack their balls down the fairway. “There’s a good buzz around.”
Back to the future
A lifetime of adventure and careers abroad has seen Jason Eves return to a family-focused BOP lifestyle and a professional role that offers challenge, reward and an outlet for excellence.
A lifetime of adventure and careers abroad has seen Jason Eves return to a family-focused BOP lifestyle and a professional role that offers challenge, reward and an outlet for excellence.
Words Jo Ferris
When it comes to Tauranga, I can’t help but connect with the idiom “born and bred”. Born in Tauranga Hospital and a pupil of Tauranga Primary School, Tauranga Intermediate and finally Tauranga Boys’ College, the main homes of my childhood were on Grace Road and Eleventh Avenue. I still very much connect
with these areas, having recently moved back to Grace Road late last year.
I met my wife Abigail at a conference while living in Auckland and working as national sales manager for the Animal Health division of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Abigail at the time was a key accounts manager based in Wellington. About eight months into a long-distance relationship, she joined me in Auckland and moved into a licensing executive role at TVNZ.
In our mid-thirties I had already lived five years overseas in Australia and the UK, but Abigail was keen to travel, so we picked up sticks and sailed off on an adventure. After varying directorship and management roles centred around high value assets and property in North America, we returned to New Zealand 12 years and one three-year-old daughter later.
Our decision to return to New Zealand was largely centred around our daughter, Harper, who is now seven years old and enjoying the same school playground that I did back in the 70s. We also wanted the lifestyle that Tauranga could provide for our family, and were excited by the opportunity to properly reconnect with family and friends who had remained in, or had also returned to, the Bay of Plenty.
Oliver Road is very much a family business. While it doesn’t bear the surnames of my business partner Cam Winter, nor mine (as was the case with my father Max Eves, who established EVES Real Estate in the late 60s,) we are personally connected to everything it stands for: The company’s values, reputation, level of service and outcomes delivered for clients are all reflective and representative of who we are. For us, Oliver Road was about rethinking and rebuilding the entire approach to selling real estate from the ground up, starting with a clear understanding of just how significantly technology and lifestyles have changed since the standard industry platform was established. Every field has had to deal with faster delivery of larger volumes of information, and we’ve all needed to specialise in order to contend with this ever-evolving landscape.
Narrowing our focus, increasing our level of understanding, and deepening our knowledge grows our capacity to deliver improved outcomes.
By looking inward and taking the time and space to explore our insights, we can question what we’ve previously done or held true – and then we can develop hypotheses, apply changes, and pave our own way forward. I think this best sums up Oliver Road’s journey so far.
At Oliver Road, we don’t have a phalanx of salespeople or subscribe to the “bigger is better” philosophy. Rather, we instead support our clients, customers, and outcomes by adding roles that enhance the single service we offer. Every decision we make about how to structure our business, including those people we select to join the Oliver Road family, is born out of our desire to constantly evolve and improve our specialist endeavour. We are dedicated to offering our clients an alternative, and are excited about what the future of real estate will bring.
Next big thing
The up-and-coming star of Muru got into acting almost by accident - but his onscreen talent is certainly no fluke.
The up-and-coming star of Muru got into acting almost
by accident – but his onscreen talent is certainly no fluke.
Words Dan Collins
Rising star Poroaki Merritt-McDonald opens UNO’s interview with a surprising confession.
“I wasn’t too big on the idea of being an actor,” he admits, before explaining how his mum helped him turn tragedy into triumph, while also keeping him from wandering down the wrong path – despite his protestations at the time. The 18-year-old local is being hotly tipped as the next big Kiwi actor to take flight, having starred in notable New Zealand films like Muru and Savage, as well as the theatre play Little Black Bitch.
“It wasn’t until I went through losing my brother and kind of went off the rails that my mum thought to chuck me into acting, to help me cope with what I was dealing with at the time,” he continues. “I’ve always been an out-of-the-box type of person, a bit of a character, all my life. So she thought she’d just chuck me into that.”
It was a prudent move and one that proves the old saying ‘mother knows best’. Even if initially she had to drag him along to drama classes.
“A lot of the time I was annoyed at my mother for making me do it,” he laughs. “But I look at it now and I’m like, ‘Ah, okay. Thank you, Mum!’”
The very first audition he got was for the lead role in a short film called My Brother Mitchell, which screened at the New Zealand International Film Festival back in 2018.
“That was based on the director losing his older brother, so I had that connection straight away with the director,” he says. “Acting just went on from there. I feel like it was fate.”
Poroaki’s a friendly and engaging guy and was used to the limelight, thanks to his time performing in a Kapa Haka group, which he credits for giving him skills that he was able to transfer to acting.
Even still, the natural performer says that he found his first audition extremely nerve-wracking. “Walking into the audition room I was definitely nervous and didn’t know how to come across or what to expect,” he says. “But once I got into a flow I started seeing all the benefits and started to really enjoy it. After the first short film I thought to myself, ‘I wouldn’t mind doing this.’”
His performance in My Brother Mitchell got him noticed, and more auditions started coming in. One was for a role in the critically acclaimed feature film Savage in 2020, a movie no less than The Guardian described as “a moving New Zealand street-gang saga” and a “touching character study.” But even with these successes behind him, the Bay of Plenty local still wasn’t sure if acting was for him.
“It wasn’t until Muru, really, when I thought I could do something with acting. For a lot of it I really thought I was tin-assing my way through. That it was just luck,” he reflects. “I thought I only got My Brother Mitchell because of that connection with the director and I really thought I only got Savage because I had a really rugged haircut!"
“After Muru, people started giving me props and nice feedback, and I thought maybe I could do it. Leading up to Muru, I still didn’t have too much of a care about acting. It was taking me away from school and rugby tournaments and all of that stuff. Every time I missed out on a school trip I’d be moaning, ‘I just want to hang out with my mates’. My parents would be like, ‘Do you want to hang out with your mates at the marae or do you want to be in America at a five-star hotel?’ So, it wasn’t until Muru when I realised that if I tried and really applied myself I could get somewhere with this.”
As well as being a game changer for his career, Muru has also been a true game-changer for his outlook. Previously, he’d begrudgingly go to auditions telling his mum he didn’t want to do them or that he “couldn’t be bothered”. That all changed when he heard about Muru. He says something clicked in his head and he knew that he really wanted to be a part of it.
“I thought I was actually going for an audition for Vegas,” he says, referencing TVNZ’s action-thriller series. “I had this mullet at the time and the casting crew asked if I knew how to ride a horse. I’ll be honest with you, I wasn’t the best horse rider.” He lets out a hearty laugh and then grins, “But I said yes anyway. You gotta fake it to make it, man!”
Having had his equestrian skills verbally confirmed, they proceeded to tell him what he was actually there auditioning for.
“When they gave me the rundown of what Muru was about, straightaway I was like, ‘I need to do this.’ This is one of the most pinnacle stories and historical moments that has happened in New Zealand, and for Māori, in the 20th century,” he says. “I was beyond relieved about getting this part, eh. It was a big uplifting moment, a real proud moment I felt for myself, to be able to tell this story. I feel for all my cousins from just down the road. When I was looking into all the stories from locals and people that were a part of it or heard of it, it was quite emotional.”
Muru tells the story of 2007’s real-life event that saw the Government’s elite Special Tactics group raid a remote Māori township in Ruatoki, in the Eastern Bay, under the auspices of the Terrorism Suppression Act.
“Although this movie is a recreation, it’s more of a response. It shines a light on a dark story that has been hidden away from us,” Poroaki says of the film. “The first few scenes I did I was with all the Kaumatua, the elderly, and on the van trips with them I’d be yarning to them, asking, ‘What was it like? How did it feel? What actually went down?’
“You don’t learn about this type of history in school. I felt really embarrassed for myself being a Māori and growing up in the Māori world, that I didn’t know much about in the first place. I was like, ‘Yeah, not only would this be a great story to finally let out to New Zealand and the world, but it would also be a grea learning moment for me to see what happened to my cousins from Whakatāne.”
Born in Tauranga, Poroaki grew up in Arataki (“the hood,” he laughs) before moving out to the more rural setting of Matapihi. With Muru under his belt, he’s now signed with a big UK talent agency and has already had a couple of overseas auditions, although he’s under strict instructions not to reveal any of the details about what these may be just yet. He’s also starring in a new TV show, which he says will be out around November, and is currently working on a new theatre production with his mates and some well-known directors that will be staged in Tauranga early next year.
UNO notes that this sounds like a busy schedule and he agrees, saying, “There’s not a lot of breaks but I’m enjoying it.”
Poroaki found that one of the unexpected pleasures of his success is how it motivated and inspired his friends to also get involved in the arts, with many finding their own successes in doing so and forming a bustling creative community here in the Bay.
“As Māori men in New Zealand, we’re mostly perceived as tough fellas who only make it in rugby. That’s all we’re really good at,” he says.
“So opening this door to my mates, that nah, it’s not just sports, it’s not just rugby. I always looked at my mates and thought, ‘Some of you are a lot better than me at this, you could actually do this’.
It has opened up a real big doorway for mates who were into Shakespeare and all the performing arts. It’s been a proud moment being able to see all my mates up on stage. They just blow me away. One of my mates is actually now over in London and about to perform at the Globe!”
He smiles and says, “That’s where a bit of perseverance and sitting down and learning lines can take you.”
Into the Incubator
This creative hub has built a colourful reputation over nine amazing years
This creative hub has built a colourful reputation over nine amazing years
Words Sue Hoffart Photos supplied
Pilots love the rainbow-hued roadway that loudly, proudly adorns the entrance to The Incubator’s headquarters inside Tauranga’s Historic Village.
From the air, the artwork has become a well-known and cheery navigation beacon for passing planes. On the ground, it is yet another practical example of the “edgy, alternative, multi-genre art space” that Incubator director Simone Anderson envisaged a decade ago.
When the Tauranga artist set out to establish a creative hub for budding fellow practitioners, she and her
small team inhabited a converted barn divided into six studios. These days, the barn – dubbed the mother ship – is headquarters to an arts organisation that boasts 24 resident artists who now inhabit 15 buildings within The Village. Countless initiatives, events and artists have flourished along the way.
Every year, thousands of people visit to celebrate eccentricity at the Fringe Festival or attend Incubator-led workshops, to hear live music or buy the ceramics and clothing, jewellery and other items created by artists working on site.
“We’re expanding and growing beyond our wildest expectations and we’re changing the perception of
what our city is,” Simone says. “Tauranga has had a reputation as a cultural wasteland. We knew that wasn’t the case but now all these alternative, quirky high-functioning artists are really visible, in one place,
in The Village.
“And we have this whole ecosystem of working artists who now have community support, sharing resources and marketing and retail space.”
The Incubator is living up to its name in a multitude of ways. As well as incubating talent and ideas, it is inspiring visitors to appreciate new or different art forms.
“We want people to say yay, I went to that exhibition or event and I didn’t even don’t know I was interested till I saw it. Far out, that was cool.
“And we want everyone to realise art is a real, professional trade, like an electrician or a plumber.”
The organisation is also propagating creativity beyond The Village gates.
Tauranga Art Gallery has featured work by many artists who found their feet through the Incubator, while the city centre and local area are more vibrant thanks to murals by Incubator graduate Sam Allen. The young painter found confidence and connections in The Village.
City women are wearing clothing by fashion designer Kerry Funnell, who launched her Nape label and boutique after sharing a satellite studio in The Village.
“Kerry’s work is stunning, and people can walk in and see her with her sewing machine and bolts of fabric, on the main street here.
“The Village has always been an open, inclusive asset for the city and that’s exactly what we aim to be. Everything we do is really grassroots, accessible, the cost barrier is low. It’s not elite or pretentious.”
The art deco Village Cinema has recently joined The Incubator stable, with its Hollywood-themed designs and "for the people, by the people" mantra. The cinema aims to cater to everyone from independent filmmakers to people living with dementia or a disability while embracing guests who are neurodiverse, new immigrants, on a low income, or from the LGBTQIA+ community. Audiences can expect to find vintage, arthouse or Pasifika film events as well as children’s holiday or private screenings and Bollywood film nights.
At the eastern end of The Village, a creative community campus is the newest addition. This development, in a repurposed Montessori school, encompasses a textile and sewing hub, a ceramic and pottery hub, large outdoor teaching spaces and a roomy classroom ideal for workshops and seminars.
“It’s one of our most exciting projects. It’s second in size to the city’s art gallery and it’s a game-changer for the city in terms of arts infrastructure.”
Great escape
Running from October 12 to 16, Tauranga’s Escape Festival brings some of the best writers and thinkers to the Bay for a little celebration of big ideas.
Running from October 12 to 16, Tauranga’s Escape Festival brings some of the best writers and thinkers to the Bay for a little celebration of big ideas.
Impressive writing, journalism and thinking is what makes up this series of invigorating talks and panel discussions. Here are some of the authors featured and highlights to look forward to at Escape 2022.
Gangland
In Gangland, Tauranga’s own award-winning investigative reporter Jared Savage shines a light into New Zealand's rising underworld of organised crime. His stories go behind the headlines and reveal an invisible world that’s frighteningly close to home - in which millions of dollars are made, life is cheap and allegiances can change with the pull of a trigger. Gangland also reveals the wider social issues facing Aotearoa, including gangs and our illicit drug market. Over the past 20 years, dealers have graduated from motorcycle gangs to Asian crime syndicates and now the Mexican cartels - the most dangerous drug lords in the world.
One in Four
One in Four is an intimate kōrero between recently retired fertility counsellor and author of Maybe Baby Sue Saunders; actor and author Michelle Langstone, who writes about her IVF journey in her outstanding novel Times Like These; and journalist, actor (Shortland Street) and writer Elisabeth Easther.
Barrister Kathryn Lellman, who has sponsored this special event, says, “One area of speciality for me in my family law practice is surrogacy and adoption, and I am endlessly fascinated by the ways through which we can now make babies and constitute families and how that is reflected legally. I am acutely aware of the challenges fertility issues bring to families. It is going to be a fascinating, heartfelt session.”
The Mirror Book
Shortlisted for the 2022 Ockham Book Awards, Charlotte Grimshaw’s explosive and thought-provoking memoir The Mirror Book is a vivid account of growing up in one of New Zealand’s most well-known literary families: That of poet, novelist and memoirist CK Stead. Grimshaw says, “When I became a writer I took a different surname from my father’s to distinguish myself from him. But later on in life I discovered I was still very enmeshed in our family fictions, and my memoir The Mirror Book is an account of challenging those fictions, forming my own opinions and finally achieving my own sense of a truly independent self. I received ferocious reactions before the book was published, and when I showed the manuscript to some members of my family. I wanted to publish the book even though I knew it would be difficult.” In conversation with Michelle Langstone, Grimshaw deep-dives into this truth, the fallout, and the messy reality of family life.
Too Much Money
Today, someone in the wealthiest one percent of adults in Aotearoa – a club of 40,000 people – has a net worth 68 times that of the average New Zealander. Max Rashbrooke’s Too Much Money is the story of how wealth inequality is changing Aotearoa. This talk addresses a conversation most New Zealanders prefer to avoid: class. Chief Philanthropic Officer at the Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation, Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’i speaks with Rashbrooke and final Chair of Auckland District Health Board and company director Pat Snedden about the evidence of - and the possible solutions to - our inequality issues, and asks us to consider whether we really can reduce wealth disparities to a point where most people are doing well.
NUKU: Story Sovereignty
In 2021 the much-celebrated book, NUKU: Stories of 100 Indigenous Women was released, platforming Indigenous wāhine and giving them ownership over their narrative in an unfiltered, uninterrupted way. Through telling their stories, the women in NUKU seek to influence the world around them. In this powerful panel session, NUKU founder, creator and publisher Qiane Matata-Sipu (Te Waiohua, Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao and Cook Islands) discusses story sovereignty with two formidable Tauranga wāhine – Pāpāmoa-based marine ecologist, Professor Kura Paul-Burke (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Whakahemo), filmmaker and producer Chelsea Winstanley (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi), alongside racial equity educator, Kat Poi (Tainui, Te Arawa, Tonga) from Courageous Conversations South Pacific. These women will generously share their stories – the good and ugly – and wrestle with how story sovereignty could be improved today in Aotearoa.
Style status
Looks you can’t live without this winter
Looks you can’t live without this winter
Words / Nicky Adams
Key pieces
Brace for a wet and windy winter with the ultimate wardrobe staple - the trench coat. This year outerwear silhouettes are trending as oversized, and while the extra wiggle room is handy for when you need to layer up underneath, upsized can feel just plain big on smaller frames. If you feel like you’re wearing a sack, then look for structure with exaggerated shoulders as an option. Pleats have cemented their place in every capsule wardrobe by becoming more prolific than ever – skirts, shirts, and dresses, you name it, you can find a pleat in it. The beauty of the pleat is that there’s something for everyone, and they’re quick and easy to style. A pleated skirt or dress looks sophisticated with a long blazer or pair a floaty fabric pleat with a heavy jumper for casual. The trick is to pick a pleat width to flatter your figure – an elasticated waist will create more bulk in this area, a dropped pleat less. Skirts themselves are having a hey-day; again, they offer versatility and open up colourways and patterns that you might not usually wear close to your face. Equally fabric that you may feel too ‘evening’ i.e., silk or sequins, can easily be dressed down for day wear in skirt form. It’s hard not to mention leather/faux leather trousers as a staple – now very much a daywear option they are more versatile, and hardwearing, than you would ever have imagined. Wide, straight, or tapered leg, leather is the new denim.
Trending now
Most wanted this season
In the pink
There’s so much to love about trends this winter – from the rush to get a fringe cut in (better than Botox it’s claimed) to a huge surge in searches for yellow after the UK Jubilee celebrations. Bright, feelgood colours are in vogue, and pink is most definitely the hue of the season (particularly fuchsia). People can’t get enough of the uplifting nature of this palette: psychologically soothing, it tends to be flattering on all skin tones, and with no age limit on wearing it, it’s hard to resist. If diaphanous pink dresses aren’t your thing, then try sharp tailoring – a pink blazer suit with a simple white vest top or t-shirt and white sneakers is a modern classic. If this is too much, then a colour pop with shoes or bag will do nicely.
Metallic Moments
Another big look this season is the vest, which can be tied into so many different styles, from preppy knits to boho. Throw on with a skirt, pants or over a dress - super quick, super chic. If there is ever a time to revel in the decadence of molten metal, it’s winter, and this season it’s all about the look of liquid metallics. While gorgeous sequins are perennially popular, the subtle, grown-up feel of a shimmering metallic is contemporary and luxurious all in one. If all over sheen is too much, then look for lurex which can be found woven through everything from knitwear to a basic tee.
Jean genie
The magic of getting to grips with wearing baggy jeans.
I think it’s fair to say that unless you happen to be a Gen Z, most women are currently struggling with the concept of finally retiring their beloved skinny jeans. I must confess that even though I haven’t worn mine for some time, they still haven’t been culled from the wardrobe. A bit like a breakup when it’s hard to know when to finally rip up the photos in case there’s a reunion, many of us have stashed our pairs still within reach. Nevertheless, when Kate Moss – the original pioneer of the skinny jean – moved on, the rest of us were on notice.
Most of the reticence to replace the skinny is simply that unlike a close fit jean, which tends to fit any form - even if, in my case, it involved a fight against the cotton/Lycra mix fuelled saggy bum look - baggy presents myriad style quandaries. Mention the move to baggies and the concerns fly from all directions - too short, too stumpy, too old – unless you are a 5ft 10 beanpole, it can initially seem daunting. In fact, the slouchier look is far more flattering to a far wider spectrum of figures and ages than it initially appears, and as a bonus its comfort levels put it up there with loungewear.
The first difference with baggies, is unlike skinny leg, there is an awful lot of choice. From wide leg to tapered, mom to boyfriend, high waist or low slung – there are many variations on the theme. Which means that there really is something for everyone, no matter body shape or height. Another key factor is there is a huge amount to be said for styling the top half, as well as footwear – these simple things will make the difference between feeling less like Eminem and more like Hailey Bieber.
The high waist tends to be a go-to for the more mature among us – not only will it elongate the legs, but nothing feels better than relaxing those lack lustre stomach muscles and letting the denim do the work. Pair with a knotted satin shirt, a boxy Chanel style jacket or blazer for a sleek look. High waist is also a winner for the younger and tauter of tummy – a loose crop top tee for a casual vibe, or bralette style for evening. Proportion and fit are key – a more relaxed bottom looks chicest with the contrast of a neater top.
When it comes to the fit of the leg if you are shorter and curvier seek out something specific to your shape -multiple brands offer both petite and curvy options (Abrand, Nobody Denim, Good American to name a few). Try to avoid too much fabric through the hips – loose rather than voluminous. Don’t buy a flare that is too long with a view to taking it up, the flare will get lost when shortened and you’ll be left with a bootleg.
Those long of limb and boyish of hip are the perfect candidate for a low rise, as well as the baggy style. Again, style with a silky shirt, this time pick a slightly more tailored look and tuck it in. A skinny belt looks fab with low rise, and if you’re on the shorter side then keep the top simple. Without the high waist to lengthen the leg, footwear becomes more important. While sneakers and chunky boots look fab with relaxed jeans, a stacked heel looks great, or a chunky loafer with added sole.
Ultimately getting in the changing room with an armful of denim is the only foolproof way to find the right amount of baggy for you. And if when all is said and done you prefer a more streamlined silhouette, that’s fine – personal style is always on trend.
Fashion forecast
Put a spring in your step by incorporating upcoming trends into this season’s wardrobe.
Ultra mini
As temperatures start to rise, so will hemlines. The micro-mini has been awaiting its return, and it’s back with a vengeance for spring. With everything from sequin to satin to stretch knit, these miniscule minis are in super statement shades, prints and fabrics, and are ready to pack a punch. Designers are aching to recreate the late 90s vibe, so there’s a smattering of everything replayed - hemlines are frayed, waists are low, and for the more sophisticated feel matching tweed jackets are paired with the teeny tiny skirts.
A bit of fluff
If you’re looking ahead for the perfect transitional statement to take into the new season – then you’ve found it in feather detailing. Feature feathers have been edging back in on the runway for a wee while, and whether a feather accent on a shoe or full marabou jacket, even the most casual outfit can be transported to old school glamour with the addition of a little plumage.
Colour me pretty
Cast aside your dingy sweaters and bring out the bright, bold colourways. For spring prints are big and boisterous with abstract prints and stripes reigning supreme. While the Breton stripe simply never goes away, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal stripes all feature heavily this spring. Oh, and so much green to come – from lime to grass, this colour will freshen up every wardrobe.
Net worth
Stretchy sheer knits in spring hues have taken off. Ultra-fine and uber comfortable, netted knits are the next step in the ribbed knitwear dress / pant/ skirt-top style that has been trending for the last couple of years. With the netted look coming at us in everything from tops to bags, this is an offbeat fashion that can be styled for day or night.
Guiding light
A stunning new interactive artwork, unveiled during Matariki,
has brought its warm glow to a humble bus shelter – and to passersby – in Tauranga.
The Willow Street bus shelter in central Tauranga has a chequered history, but artist Sara Hughes (left) hopes her interactive, colourful art installation, Midnight Sun, will shift the public’s opinion of the troubled site. The artwork launched during Matariki, and its intent is to bring beauty, light and a feeling of warmth and safety into the city centre during a season of new beginnings.
Suspended above the Willow Street bus shelter and wrapping around Tauranga Art Gallery to Wharf Street, Midnight Sun is comprised of 96 panels of glass which create a 260-square-metre corridor of coloured light on the footpath below. As clouds pass overhead, hues of pink and gold will flicker on the pavement, bathing passers-by in a warm glow. At night, Midnight Sun
will be lit to simulate the luminosity of sunset and bring beauty – and safety – to the bus stop and surrounding area.
Sara, an established and dynamic artist whose works grace public and private spaces across Australasia, tells UNO more about her creative process and what inspired her to create Midnight Sun.
UNO: How did this project come about?
Sara: I was approached by Sonya Korohina of Supercut Projects at the end of 2020. At that time, she was putting forward a proposal to Creative New Zealand to fund a series of public artworks for Tauranga. These projects were originally to coincide with the Tauranga Arts Festival, but due to COVID-19 cancellations, the projects were delayed and have been spread out over the past year, with mine being the final one. I was drawn to this project as I felt an affinity with the city.
UNO: What is your aim with the piece?
Sara: Midnight Sun is an artwork about the daily rhythm of the setting sun. I aim to draw viewers in with beauty and recognition, then allow them to discover the artwork and have their own encounter with it. I hope it will pause people in their daily life. Midnight Sun can be walked under and driven past; it will have different moods in different weather conditions; it can be viewed during the day and at night; it’s open 24 hours a day – there are many ways to experience this artwork.
UNO: What was it like to work on?
Sara: The project has been in development since early 2021. There are a lot of different people required to get this artwork to completion, and it’s been great to work with Sonya and Tauranga City Council on the details and project management. Local photographer Anne Shirley documented sunsets in Tauranga for me over the month of June in 2021. These photographs form the base layers on top of which I layer my painted imagery. While I have been developing the imagery, I work closely on the technique with a printer, and I worked with light designer Richard Bracebridge on achieving a warm golden glow of 2200 kelvin to mimic the light at sunset. It’s exciting to see all the parts come together.
UNO: What inspires you?
Sara: I have travelled a lot and lived all over the world, and these experiences have influenced me. I’m currently fascinated by the measuring of time and light and the way our day is structured by the sun and the earth’s orbit. How the light changes during this rotation from day to night and all the variants in between. Wherever you are in the world you can experience this – that’s what I’m interested in capturing in Midnight Sun.
UNO: What do you love about public art?
Sara: Over the past 20 years, I’ve focussed on working in site-specific contexts and examining the way people relate to art in their environment. I strongly believe public artworks are important to the urban fabric of cities. Aesthetics are important, but public art is more than decoration; it can make an important contribution to a site, it can communicate with the public, and it gives voice to ideas. I love that public art can be seen by everybody. There’s humanity in that. It’s rewarding for me to hear from a wide range of people who respond to seeing my public artwork. People’s lives are busy and its fulfilling when someone tells you that the highlight of their day is the bus trip past your artwork.
At the water’s edge
A family-friendly weekend in Taupō is fun for parents and kids alike.
words Hayley Barnett
Thinking of Taupō, I see a giant lake, the iconic Macca’s aeroplane (every Kiwi kid’s dining dream), and an Irish pub with good food that conjures up regrettable memories from my early twenties. When my partner challenged me to find a family-friendly destination close to the Bay, which would entertain us rain, hail, or shine, it was the first town I thought of. The forecast looked gloomy for our weekend away so we needed some serious back-up plans to keep the youngsters occupied. Luckily, I was right and Taupō came through with the goods.
Editor Hayley and her kids’ Poppy and Oscar make a splash at the Hilton Lake Taupo.
HILTON LAKE TAUPO
Perched on the hill just behind the main township sits a stunning 19th-century heritage building which takes you back in time to the Victorian era. It was this picturesque scene that jumped out at me when searching for accommodation on Booking.com. The hotel boasts five stars on the website so I knew we were in good hands, but I was still surprised to find out just how good those hands were. Our three-bedroom, two bathroom self-contained apartment was livable to say the least – as in, I could quite happily live there forever. The living area spanned the width of the building, giving us all-day sun and stunning views each side of the hotel – of the lake as well as the pool, spa and gym area. The Bistro Lago Restaurant offers delicious food all day, and we treated ourselves to an all-you-can-eat breakfast every morning. I’m not going to lie – it was hard to drag ourselves away from this spot, and the serviced pool area didn’t help. Only when the wind and rain swept in unexpectedly were we forced to think about making some sort of plan for the weekend. We sat down, perused our collection of tourism brochures, and decided we would each pick an activity. And so our adventure began.
TIMBERLINE RACING SIBERIAN HUSKIES
My partner, Karl, chose an unusual activity. Watching dogs race around a track isn’t normally my cup of tea, but this one proved to be a hit for everyone. Not only did we get to watch some impressively fast dogs pull a very tall man around a track, we were also able to pat, cuddle and mingle with the dogs afterwards. It’s obvious the tall man, Steve Coxhead, and his wife Taniya have a shared passion for dogs. They both mentor Husky owners on top of managing the racing team, since many new owners find themselves baffled by the breed. Steve tells us they are no ordinary dog: “They just want to run and have no loyalty to you whatsoever. They’re pack dogs.”
Despite this, the pair light up at any questions about the Huskies, and each dog is loved for its own unique personality, which they’ll gladly describe in detail. They have owned and trained the breed for more than 25 years and pride themselves on being a home for life for Siberian Huskies. This is one activity that any dog lover will enjoy.
TIMBERLINERACINGHUSKIES.CO.NZ
TONGARIRO NATIONAL TROUT CENTRE
In my first job out of school, I spent time working for the Turangi Chronicle. I was keen to revisit the tiny town surrounded by nature. I remember beautiful riverside walks and the famous Turangi Bakery and Café, where I would undo all my good work with a pie and a custard twist.
On my daily drive past the Trout Centre, I always wondered what it was like. Since having a fish-obsessed child, now was probably a good time to find out. So we headed out to Turangi, a 45-minute scenic drive from Taupō, along the lakeside. Tongariro Trout Centre is located in a beautiful spot next to the Tongariro River and offers fish feeding, conservation education and a very pretty walk along the river edge. The kids loved finding and feeding the fish, as well as exploring this little piece of paradise hidden in the bush. A must for nature lovers.
TROUTCENTRE.COM
TAUPŌ DEBRETTS HOT SPRINGS, POOLS AND WATER PARK
Our own little fish, Poppy, chose to visit the local hot springs, nestled conveniently next door to the Heritage Hotel. It was also the perfect Sunday rainy day activity. We threw our towels overhead and ran across the driveway, then down the steep slope that heads to DeBretts Water Park. The hot springs were a great way to relax after the intensity of excitable dogs and long walks the day before. And the three water slides kept Poppy entertained for hours. Oscar was a little more cautious and stuck to the preschoolers’ water park, filled with splashing buckets and a much less daunting water slide for the littlies.
TAUPŌDEBRETTS.CO.NZ
MIND JUNCTION
Our four-year-old LEGO® enthusiast, Oscar, made the fastest decision when it came to each of us choosing an activity. He took one look at the plastic fantastic world in the Mind Junction brochure and was instantly sold. It didn’t disappoint. The activity park was a good stop-off on our way back home as it sits slightly on the outskirts of Taupō off State Highway 1. The LEGO® room displays 30 years of collecting and is New Zealand’s only public LEGO® display, featuring Star Wars, trains, The Simpsons, a ferris wheel, a container ship, Friends and hundreds of other LEGO® creations. Oscar (and Dad) spent so much time finding all the hidden characters that we only managed to get to one other activity that Mind Junction offers, the Discovery Centre. This interactive science experience allows you to participate in mirror and optical illusions, magnet and sound experiments, and a whole heap more. With mini golf, a giant maze, flight and shooting simulators, a family could easily spend an entire day here.
MINDJUNCTION.CO.NZHayley and family stayed at Heritage Lake Taupō courtesy of booking.com.