Get motivated at F45 The Mount with new owners Brett and Nicole Taylor
F is for functional, friendship and fun - and forty-five minute group workouts that really deliver results, as Nicky Adams finds out.
F is for functional, friendship and fun - and forty-five minute group workouts that really deliver results, as Nicky Adams finds out.
WORDS Nicky Adams PHOTOS Jahl Marshall
F45 first came onto my radar about three years ago, when I noticed that one of my friends had – within what seemed like a startlingly short time frame – honed her body into one that was svelte, toned and stop-in-your-tracks what-the-heck-have-you-been-doing-to-get-that-figure? The secret, she informed me, was F45.
Now, as pretty much everyone knows, when it comes to fitness, there’s no quick fix or easy way, but F45 has developed a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) formula that keeps its clients keen through short bursts of energy that maximise results. The gyms themselves are part of a franchise and follow the same model, although each site brings something different to the mix.
The Mount Maunganui branch of F45 has recently been taken over by Nicole and Brett Taylor, who both have extensive experience with F45, and a real passion for fitness. Nicole is a clinical exercise physiologist who has also worked as an F45 manager, and Brett has been in the industry for more than 12 years. Owning their own F45 gym revolves around their genuine desire to be instrumental in transforming people’s lives, as well as their perceptions of health and wellbeing. They love that F45 is an incredibly effective form of exercise, not only for athletes who already have a high level of fitness, but also for those at the start of their fitness journey.
The couple were drawn to F45 The Mount by the phenomenal community that already existed here. According to Brett, “The vibe grabs your attention straight away. When people come in the door, they realise, ‘Hey, this is cool’ – and that’s what appealed to Nicole and me. We felt the connection with our members from the first day.”
Family environment
“Once you come into the gym, you’re part of our family,” says Nicole. “It’s a really inclusive environment – the members, trainers, everyone is welcoming.”
The pair have a definite vision of where they want to take the gym. Nicole’s clear that “although we want to grow our membership base, we also want to make sure our current members are valued”.
Brett believes what sets them apart is that “we understand what our members want: unique driving through our trainers – strength, encouragement, understanding.” In addition to the focus on individual goals, other benefits of F45 The Mount (aside from the all-important sparklingly clean bathrooms) are the class format and instructor ratio.
For the uninitiated, the set-up at F45 is slightly different to the average gym. Specific equipment is assigned to each 45-minute workout and exercise sequences are projected via screens on the wall. This frees up the trainers to move around the room to help and motivate class participants.
As Brett says, “You’d seldom find a class elsewhere where you’d see two personal trainers engaging at the same time. Here, you get that one-on-one connection, which ensures correct technique.” Furthermore, they pick only trainers who have preventative injury-management experience. “This enables them to motivate our members to push past comfort but stay within their physical limits.”
Accountability for the win
F45 is fast-paced. Your interest is held by a range of exercises within a number of different sessions, and by different concepts introduced into the mix. A good starting point for any of the opportunities and challenges is a 10-minute benchmark fitness test known as the Playoffs.
F45 The Mount’s members genuinely support each other, which Brett says is part of what makes the studio’s regular six-week challenges so successful. A combination of exercise and diet, these challenges are where people can really see not just results but transformations – and says they work because “when you’re in a group environment, you don’t want to let anyone down – everyone keeps each other accountable.”
It’s hard not to be impressed by Nicole and Brett’s expertise and enthusiasm. After I gave F45 The Mount a whirl, I’d barely left the building before I was messaging friends to see who wanted to sign up with me.
The skin and within: Constance Santos of Epidermis and Sage shares her holistic approach to beauty
UNO’s beauty editor Lisa Shea catches up with Constance Santos of Epidermis & Sage, who takes a holistic approach.
UNO’s beauty editor Lisa Shea catches up with Constance Santos of Epidermis & Sage, who takes a holistic approach.
Sitting down with skin therapist Constance Santos in her beautiful new space in Mt Maunganui, I could tell from her carefully selected products that she has a real passion for all things skin. The clinic is clean and calm with a contemporary, comfortable feel, and I couldn’t wait to find out what’s behind it all.
LISA: How did you decide the name Epidermis & Sage?
CONSTANCE: I wanted a name that represents the way I believe in treating the skin, using more natural products and holistic methods combined with science. The epidermis is the area of the skin that we treat the most and where lots of important skin cells live, so that’s the science part of the name. As a herb, the “sage” part relates to the natural side of my business. Sage is a cleansing herb and I felt like it symbolised a new beginning for me and for my business.
What makes you different?
At Epidermis & Sage, we treat the skin quite differently to a lot of traditional methods. In my career, I’ve found that it’s never been enough to simply recommend products or treatments to clients, especially when you’re treating difficult skin conditions, as there’s often an internal trigger and it’s most likely gut-related. If you’re not treating the skin from within or trying to eliminate triggers from the inside, you’re not going to have much success with using products on the outside, so we combine both methods to get our amazing results. We also set up our clients with the knowledge and tools to continue on, even when they’re not seeing us. If they have an acne outbreak or an eczema outbreak, for example, they can look back and figure out what triggered it and address it themselves, and I think that’s important.
What can I expect in a consultation?
Our consultation process is extremely in-depth. There are so many things that can cause difficult skin conditions, so you need to find the triggers and go through medications and everything else with a fine-tooth comb. Our clients get a long form to fill out, then we get them in for a diagnostic Observ Skin Scan that gives us about 18 different views of the skin, including lipid levels, inflammation and pigmentation at different levels. All this allows us to treat the skin with absolute precision and means our clients can purchase the products we recommend or come in for a treatment knowing we already understand exactly what’s needed. Because a lot of skin problems come from stress, part of our method is making sure that we create a luxurious, pampering experience. Our clients get into a lovely, lush bed and receive their relaxing treatment.
Can you explain to me the importance of skin nutrition and how it’s different to general nutritional supplements?
People quite often have huge nutritional deficiencies – a big one that I harp on about is the common deficiency in essential fatty acids (EFAs). Your cells need EFAs to function properly, and when you don’t, you notice things like poor healing and chronic skin conditions such as eczema. We look at diet and address deficiencies, and bolster our results with supplements that aid in collagen production, for example. That’s also really important when addressing age-related skin concerns. Rather than blasting the skin with heat or over-peeling it, to rejuvenate skin, we like to focus on DNA repair and getting the skin functioning well. There’s no point trying to stimulate your skin with products and devices on the outside if your cells don’t have the right nutrition, so we really focus a lot on internal supplements and happily refer clients to some amazing holistic nutritionists in the area who we work closely with.
What products or equipment do you use in your treatments?
We use some high-tech devices. We have the Exceed medical microneedling device, which we use for our collagen induction; no one else has that device in this area. We also have the LED light Lutronic Healite, and using that kind of stronger, medical- grade equipment means our results are a lot better. What also makes us special is our expertise and continuous training – we’re always studying. We’re not about quick-fire or sticking-plaster treatments that mask the issue – we want our clients to see real changes in their skin that they can maintain permanently.
Autumn’s top treatment:
Constance Santos of Epidermis & Sage recommends...
Microdermabrasion is the perfect autumn reset for the skin after a long summer of sun damage and endless sunscreen application. It clears away built-up skin cells, increases circulation, supports the skin’s natural lymphatic drainage, eradicates toxins and gets the skin in optimal condition to absorb skincare products.
It is a form of exfoliation that uses tiny crystals to slough away dead skin cells while a vacuum acts as a pump for the body’s lymphatic drainage process. The machine we use at Epidermis & Sage has fully disposable heads and allows us to customise treatments, monitoring the intensity so it’s used at a safe level for your skin. We can apply peels before the treatment to get a better result, and calming and hydrating masks afterwards when the skin is more accepting, so the product gets to where it’s needed most. The Healite LED is included in our more advanced microdermabrasion treatment and it not only calms the skin, but also simulates the fibroblasts to help the healing and anti-ageing process.
Come in for a consultation with our state-of-the- art Observ scanner, so we can see exactly what your needs are and create a bespoke treatment tailored specifically to you.
Gimme some skin: UNO’s autumn hair and beauty favourites
Here are some of our top picks for the best treatments and supplements to keep your hair and skin looking amazing through autumn and beyond.
Skin essentials
The Dynamic Detox Duo is the latest addition to the Osmosis Wellness collection. Two high-potency supplements designed to improve your internal health, they’ll help you achieve the best skin of your life - from the inside out.
Regenerate
Regenerate addresses your body’s internal filtration system - your liver. It accelerates liver repair and maintains optimal liver health with the perfect balance of bioavailable collagen, amino acids, fat-soluble vitamins and alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG).
Recovery
Recovery is a complete prebiotic blend of essential fatty acids including omega-7. Regular use supports whole-body health at a cellular level, restoring gut health, recovering the loss of facial fat-pad volume and providing additional liver support.
All the better
Just when we thought Osmosis Skincare’s best-selling, award-winning serum, Rescue, couldn’t get any better, they’ve added breakthrough ingredients to amplify its legendary repair capabilities.
Throw compromised skin a lifeline with this uniquely powerful serum proven to neutralize toxins, calm inflammation and activate epidermal wound and DNA repair to dramatically improve skin texture and age spots. Now it also improves radiance and protects skin from environmental stressors and blue light damage.
Eye on the needle
Take a closer look at the latest treatment from Mt Maunganui’s Lucy Shalfoon-Roberts, aka The Skin Girl.
UNO: What do we need to know about NanoFusion?
LUCY: It’s a unique skin treatment that delivers amazing results, and unlike traditional needling, there’s no downtime. It creates nano-scale channels in the skin, improving the penetration and absorption rate of active ingredients. Along with massage and vibration, it promotes skin healing and collagen production to help you look rejuvenated and refreshed.
Who’s it suited to?
It’s great for all skin types, and can help with specific concerns such as pigmentation and acne.
Why is now a good time to do it?
This is a great autumn treatment because you don’t need to worry too much about preparing the skin ahead of time or avoiding the sun pre and post-treatment. Just swipe over a good-quality BB or mineral make-up afterwards and you’re away.
Get your bounce back
UNO chatted with Sam Crapp of Shine Hair Co. about how we rehab our hair post-summer.
UNO: Why is my hair so dry after summer?
Sam: Our hair has a protective coating called the hydrolipidic layer and the summer months - with all the sun, salt water and chlorine can cause this coating to become depleted. This results in extreme colour fade, and dull, lifeless locks. Your hair will be crying out for moisture!
What can we do about it?
Wella’s new ColourMotion range with Wellaplex goes beyond anti-fading - with regular use it actually improves hair quality in three areas that are specifically important for coloured hair; colour protection, shine and hydration.
Creative character: writer and poet Stuart Greenhill and the Fenton Arts Collective
Writer and poet Stuart Greenhill of the Fenton Arts Collective in Stratford talks to UNO.
PHOTOS Andy Jackson and Jane Dove Juneau
UNO: What a beautiful building you are housed in. How did you find it and what was the journey to restoration?
Stuart Greenhill: My partner Jo Stallard was looking for a heritage building to save. In 2016, she offered a ridiculously low amount for the Egmont Chambers building in Stratford, which was earthquake-rated 17%. It was accepted. The building was not listed on Stratford’s District Plan, so no funding was available. Other than that, it was a fantastic journey. We had enough experience from previous projects to ensure the outcome was what we wanted. The renovation won an Architecture Award in 2019 for Renovations and Additions. The building fascinates people, and many come just to see it.
What is the Fenton Arts Collective?
It is a collective of our passions and interests: Art, history, gin and espresso. We are 310 metres up a mountain, so our aspirations are just as high for each of them. The Collective offers people something unique, something intimate, something historical and modern; it offers a genuine experience.
Your partner Jo Stallard is the curator and artist-in-residence. What is Jo's artistic background, and what does she paint?
Jo comes from an art history background and is a portrait artist. She works in the traditional painting technique of “grisaille” or “dead painting” to traverse the landscapes of the human face and body. Looking, seeing and perceiving are the semantics of what a face has to give, share or provoke, and those are the landscapes she loves. So people come to the Collective, grab a coffee or gin from downstairs, and visit Jo’s working studio upstairs -- and maybe even chat about a commission.
Refreshment plays a strong role in your building; we hear gin and espresso coffee flow freely! Tell us more.
To survive in the provinces, businesses require diversity. Coffee, retail, and an art gallery were great, but we needed something more. Making gin is like writing. Botanicals are characters; each brings a different personality, so it was simply a matter of creating fantastic stories. People hear those when they book a gin tasting with me. Our espresso bar uses Proof & Stock coffee, made by our daughter, Adrianna, and offers high-quality healthy options including gluten-free and keto. And Tauranga celebrity Chef Ken Greenhill creates a monthly five-course degustation for us. They are so popular we have a waiting list.
What's your connection to Tauranga?
My brother’s been here since 1997, and Jo and I set up Deckchair on Marine Parade with him in 2007. We sold in 2010, travelled for a bit, and were approached in 2013 to establish Quantum Vis Eatery on Cameron Road. We still have a connection to the Bay, having formed many friendships over those years, and are thrilled that our gin is now carried by Mount Wine Barrel, Maunganui Rd and Fife Lane Restaurant.
And on top of all that, you're a published author! What have you written?
Dante Fog was published by Austin Macauley Publishers in London last year. It is autobiographical fiction (yes, that is a genre). The mother in the novel tells her son, “There are no better observers of life than artists.” I totally agree. Artistic license takes life and makes it art. That’s why I write poetry and prose and make gin and Jo paints. There is a beautiful complexity in discovering and understanding the layers in the mirror looking back at us. Our art attempts to express it so does the character Dante Fog.
What does the future hold for the Fenton Arts Collective?
There’s pressure to grow, but the distillery will remain boutique and so will the Arts Collective. Our gallery is booked for 2021, I am contracted to Austin Macauley Publishers for my next book, and Jo has two exhibitions this year. The future will be busy.
The mind-body connection at Natural Fit
An exercise revolution is afoot at this Mount gym. We spoke to co-owner Beth Ratcliffe about their purpose.
An exercise revolution is afoot at this Mount gym. We spoke to co-owner Beth Ratcliffe about their purpose.
UNO: What’s Natural Fit great at?
BETH RATCLIFFE: Our ‘what’ is grounded in purpose. We’re good at understanding what our members need because we aim to listen more than we speak to gain a deep appreciation for where they’re at. This begins by getting to know them and allows us to offer well-coached classes and personalised programmes, and to create a relaxed community that cares about connection, support and expertise in sport and health performance, exercise rehabilitation, dynamic functional movement techniques and the very best yoga offerings.
Why do people come to you? We feel the entire fitness industry needs a shake-up. People are walking through the doors of Natural Fit because we’re a signal in an industry full of noise. We teach people to move and function with self-awareness and control, and to build on their strengths. We’re proud of the beautiful environment we’ve created in the heart of the Mount, but we’re so much more than a room full of exercise equipment. We know that change comes from within, and that it’s not so much what you do but how you do it that counts. At Natural Fit, success isn’t measured in body scans or on the scales. Igniting healthy habits; moving with true purpose; feeling in control; celebrating strength, endurance and flexibility outside of the gym; and gaining confidence is how we notice and name success.
Who are you best suited to? We have a diverse range of members, from people who’ve learned to stand again following disease or injury, right through to competitive athletes. People in our community have begun to notice that we’re different. An entire community is choosing to learn and relearn how to move with purpose and trust their intuition. Fitness doesn’t always need to occur at a million miles an hour. In order to meet goals and make an impact, it needs to be purposeful and be a constant practice of self-reflection. By facilitating people to make a brain and body connection every time they choose a class, or to put in the hard work of following their goal-oriented programme, they’re forming healthy habits that can be applied outside of our supportive gym environment. Currently, the intended vibe within Natural Fit is a mirror for the diversities that exist in our community. We proudly have all members “come as they are” and help them articulate the goals that will affect their wellbeing.
What are you proud of at your gym? It’s the meaningful connections we have with our members and that they have among themselves that we’re most proud of at Natural Fit. Our membership is diverse and although each individual has unique goals, the culture that exists within Natural Fit means that we all work together and inspire each other.
What kind of classes do you run? Cardio, strength, mobility, agility… What makes our classes unique is less about what we do and more about how we do it. We teach people to move well, listen to their brain and body, and challenge their individual limits.
Who is this type of fitness best suited to? We welcome people that are willing to challenge the status quo and noise that exists within the industry. Our membership is full of people who understand that in order to take control over their health, they must be accountable to themselves and make inherent changes, rather than rely on the variety of bells and whistles that promise a shortcut to success.
What are your top tips for getting beach-ready? If you’re confident in your own skin, then you’re beach-ready. This is a function of being ‘strong’ mentally, emotionally and physically. Learning to move with self-awareness and control helps instill this sense of confidence, which sets you up to enjoy feeling good in any situation.
18 TAWA STREET, MOUNT MAUNGANUI
07 542 3163
Life’s a beach at Twinkle Twinkle
A pirate ship, a submarine, and an ice-cream truck – this early childhood centre is made for little imaginations.
Words Monique Balvert-O'Connor Photos Supplied
Every day is summertime at Twinkle Twinkle Early Learning and Childcare Centre, Mount Maunganui’s new beach-themed early childhood facility. It’s the perfect setting for owner and managing director Rosie Crombie and her team to combine their love for the local community and their expertise in early learning.
Rosie’s own childhood was spent in Tauranga, with Mount Maunganui Beach her family’s treasured holiday spot. Inspiration for Twinkle Twinkle came from those wonderful memories. “I was keen to create something that represents what the Mount means to me – water, sand and sunny days,” says Rosie. The centre’s location in the heart of the Mount ensured the beach theme was fitting.
Twinkle Twinkle, which opened in March, is a lively space that prides itself on providing an environment rich in opportunities. It’s a purpose-built new facility with a number of custom-made props and learning materials. Rosie has a creative focus and high standards; for example, the pirate ship in the outdoor area was designed by the set creators from The Hobbit.
“The pirate ship incorporates all sorts of climbing, crawling and jumping opportunities to extend children’s physical capabilities while feeding their sense of fun and adventure,” says Rosie.
Outside, the sandpit is super-sized, and a thatched bure roof provides a shady spot for imaginative play. Beach-themed pictures of deck chairs, sunshine, shells and sea creatures adorn cupboard fronts.
Inside the centre, the ice-cream truck (complete with wooden ice creams and a number plate that reads TW1NKL) is a magnet for children over age two, while the submarine is a fun attraction for the younger toddlers.
The children are also delighted by the dolphin cut-out, palm tree, surfboard rack for dress-up clothes, and fish tank featuring a shipwreck.
Children equate the beach with happiness, and indications are the same thing can be said of Twinkle Twinkle. “The feedback we get from families is that we provide a service that makes their children’s lives – and their lives – better,” says Rosie. “Our driving force is to provide high-quality care and an impressive education programme for children, and to make life easier for families.”
“I am passionate about providing a support network for families,” adds Rosie. “I believe that when children are happy, families are happy.”
This philosophy sees Rosie working closely alongside her team, striving to deliver everything needed so they can provide quality care and be happy in their work. “If my staff are happy, that transfers to the children, and then to their families,” explains Rosie.
Also pleasing is the centre’s early learning programme, with its focus on putting individuals at the centre of their learning experiences.
“We observe their interests and plan how best to extend those experiences holistically. And when children turn four, we help transition them to be school-ready,” says Rosie.
Rosie’s time with the children at Twinkle Twinkle is hands-on when needed. She also manages the centre, oversees administrative and compliance requirements, connects with families, and generally ensures things run smoothly.
Rosie has a Bachelor of Management degree and her working life has included roles in governance and human resources with the Kindergarten Association. A mother of two sons, and wife to Craig, she started her first early childcare centre nine years ago, selling it to establish Twinkle Twinkle.
“My journey with Twinkle Twinkle is hugely rewarding,” says Rosie.
Located at 413 Mount Maunganui Road, Twinkle Twinkle’s capacity is for 15 under-twos and 45 over-twos. Some places are still available – visit twinkletwinkle.co.nz or check out Twinkle Twinkle’s cheerful Facebook page to find out more.
Diane and Ashleigh Davidson of EVES talk teamwork
This dynamic duo talks teamwork, telling the truth, taking their time and where they focus their attention.
WORDS Nicky Adams PHOTOS Salina Galvan
Diane Davidson loves her daughter Ashleigh. “But,” she says, “the thing is, I also really like her as a person.”
Together, Diane and Ashleigh are Davidson & Co, real estate agents who operate under the EVES banner. Although husband and wife partnerships are common in real estate, it’s rarer to see mother-daughter duos, but its clear this pair have such an easy rapport that helps them work so well together. Explaining the reasons that she thinks the dynamic is so successful, Diane continues, “Importantly, we’re very much on the same page as far as values and goals go. There’s an automatic trust.”
Having started her career in Auckland before moving to Tauranga 20 years ago, Diane has been in real estate for 25 years. Ashleigh is newer to the role. After completing a degree in communications, she moved into marketing and PR. Working for a couple of high-profile international companies, she loved what she was doing, but says “it never felt quite right. With real estate, though, I can use my marketing and communications skills, and every day is different.”
Despite having grown up immersed in real estate (Ashleigh’s dad Alan is also an agent of 30 years and now works part-time as part of the small, tight team), Ashleigh needed to complete her papers before she could become an agent herself, then prove her passion came with ability. In doing so, it quickly became apparent that she’d found her calling.
Dynamic duo
Diane and Ashleigh complement each other perfectly in many more ways than one. Diane has a strong moral compass and belief in old-school real estate values – for her it’s about telling the truth and helping people to achieve their goals, whether that’s finding a property within their price range or getting the best price possible for their home.
Ashleigh shares her sentiments and brings to the table a skill set that’s in keeping with buying and selling in the technological age; her videos and online marketing campaigns speak for themselves. Diane says she admires Ashleigh’s abilities. She laughs when she recalls that long before her daughter became an agent, she insisted that Diane needed to start using social media as a selling forum. “When Ash was still living overseas, she told me I needed to be putting something on Facebook, so I posted about a pair of shoes. ‘No,’ she said, ‘I meant something relevant to real estate!’”
Diane might leave the more complex tech to Ashleigh, yet her expertise in her field is beyond impressive. She’s naturally warm and engaging, but when it comes to work, she gets down to business. Diane has strategies that – evidenced by her excellent reputation and number of repeat clients – work exceptionally well, and Ashleigh, who has the same affinity with people, is similarly focused when it comes to the job at hand.
Extensive experience
As agents, these women do a lot of prospecting, and with that comes plenty of stock. Diane’s extensive experience has taught her that no matter what the market, auctions are almost always the best way to achieve the desired result; however, she doesn’t take credit for the incredible sales prices they’ve reached, instead pointing to the skill of the auctioneer, which she believes is absolutely crucial. The phenomenal auctioneer, Grant Child, they work with is one of the reasons she and Ashleigh love being part of the EVES family.
Another bonus aspect of being under EVES’ wing is its free comprehensive marketing plan – although this is an area where Davidson & Co offer exceptional value, through Ashleigh’s marketing talents, as she’s able to tailor plans to suit specific demographics. The social media whizz is also a proponent of print, which she believes remains an invaluable medium. In fact, she says that just the other day, “a lovely lady brought along a cut-out of a property. Print is definitely not dead. We know we have more people at an open home when it’s in print.”
With Diane and Ashleigh, there’s strategy at every stage, but no pressure. “We’d rather not get the listing than put anyone under pressure,” says Diane. “We under-promise, then do everything we can to overdeliver.”
For Davidson & Co, the keyword is ‘integrity’. It’s not about their egos or position on the awards chart, which is ironic given Diane is a multi-award-winner. For Diane and Ashleigh, it’s about what’s best for the client. “I’ve always said, ‘If it ever becomes about me, tell me and I’ll get out,’” says Diane. “That still holds true today.”
Immerse yourself in relaxation at Zen Float Spa
The first time I tried “medicinal” floating was in Israel in the Dead Sea. It wasn’t a hit, as I had open blisters on my feet – which, it turns out, do not mix well with concentrated salt water (ouch!). My second experience took place in a floatation pool, where I realised that effortless (and painless) floating could well be the key to ultimate relaxation.
Words Nicky Adams Photos Salina Galvan
The first time I tried “medicinal” floating was in Israel in the Dead Sea. It wasn’t a hit, as I had open blisters on my feet – which, it turns out, do not mix well with concentrated salt water (ouch!). My second experience took place in a floatation pool, where I realised that effortless (and painless) floating could well be the key to ultimate relaxation.
So when I discovered Tauranga’s Zen Float Spa, I knew I had to get in on the local action.
It’s the go-to for our local elite athletes, from Sarah Hirini and the Black Ferns Sevens team to All Blacks Sam Cane and Brad Weber. Professional sports players are familiar with the benefits of floating for muscle recovery and are aware that magnesium in this quantity (500kg per spa) is incredibly good for easing aches and pains; they are also tuned into the wellness and mindfulness aspects of floating.
Zen Float Spa has been open for three-and-a-half years and is run by owner/operators Reece and Nicole Fleming, based at their home in the Mount. A family business, Reece runs the back office, with Nicole the warm and welcoming face of the business. Clients cover the spectrum of chemotherapy patients looking for pain relief, people needing to destress, and those simply seeking an hour of pure relaxation.
I like to be prepared, so packed everything from towel to toiletries. However, at Zen, everything is provided, right down to ear plugs – in fact, all I needed, Nicole told me, was an open mind. This extends to the dress code; I quickly realised that wearing togs, while a preference for some, for me would feel a bit like jumping into the bath while clothed.
Nicole gave me a thorough rundown of what to expect, explaining how the sensory side of the treatment is vital. The water in the float pod is set to body temperature so you can’t feel where your body starts and ends. The experience is based around sensory deprivation; as you float in healing Epsom salts, gravity-free and in absolute darkness, the weight quite literally drops from you, both physically and mentally. As your body drifts, it absorbs these incredible minerals in the fastest, most efficient way – through your skin’s surface.
Any concerns over hygiene were allayed, as Nicole explained that after each client, the pod undergoes a 15-minute cleansing and filtration cycle. In addition, every visitor is required to shower before floating.
Another question I had was whether I should shut the pod – I can tell you now, if anyone was going to get stuck in one, fumbling to get out, it would be me. It turns out that I had nothing to worry about – if I didn’t feel comfortable, I could prop the pod open, but if I wanted to close it, the lid reopens with ease.
Fully briefed, I was left to my treatment. The water was warm (I was worried I might be cold, as I like my showers white-hot), and I placed a foam halo behind my neck for extra support. I opted to close the lid, and lay back to the sound of the low, melodic background music, in darkness so absolute that I couldn’t tell if my eyes were open or closed.
Sure enough, I floated with ease – initially I didn’t know what to do with my arms, as they felt heavy by my side, so I lifted them above my head like a starfish. Once I found my happy place, I simply drifted – conscious, as the music faded away, that the only sounds were my own breathing and heartbeat.
It is no exaggeration to say that this is, indeed, the epitome of “unplugged”. I felt relaxed but, at the same time, totally in control.
When my float experience ended, I easily found my way out of the pod and, to my surprise, my skin felt silky.
Floating really is an individual experience, and one that I feel everyone will take something unique from. I took bliss – oh, and two pots of calming Magnesium Balm from the Zen Float Spa product range.
Booking.com reveals how the ‘pandemic effect’ could finally tip sustainable travel intent for Kiwis into impactful action
New research from Booking.com suggests that the pandemic has been the tipping point for travellers to finally commit to their own sustainable journey, with 68% of Kiwi travellers believing we have to act now to save the planet for future generations.
Booking.com reveals how the ‘pandemic effect’ could finally tip sustainable travel intent for Kiwis into impactful action.
New research from Booking.com suggests that the pandemic has been the tipping point for travellers to finally commit to their own sustainable journey, with 68% of Kiwi travellers believing we have to act now to save the planet for future generations.
Booking.com’s 2021 Sustainable Travel Report reveals that more than three quarters (77%) of Kiwi travellers think sustainable travel is a vital part of achieving this, with two thirds (61%) stating that the pandemic has influenced them to want to travel more sustainably. The timing of the report makes the findings even more poignant, as the travel industry looks to rebuild amidst the ongoing pandemic, says Todd Lacey, Area Manager of Booking.com New Zealand.
“Our research uncovers how the travel hiatus has opened New Zealanders’ eyes to the impact, both positive and negative, that their trips can have on local ecosystems and communities around the world,” says Lacey. “At Booking.com we believe travel is a force for good, but it has to be done in the right way to ensure we are protecting the planet for future generations.”
Lowering our footprint
Kiwi travellers shared a variety of steps they plan to take to leave less of a footprint on the world as they explore it including’ 80% wanting to reduce general waste, 79% wanting to reduce their energy consumption and 75% wanting to use more environmentally friendly modes of transport such as walking, cycling or public transport over taxis or rental cars.
Fortunately, it’s not just good intentions. Many of these sustainable pledges are coming to fruition, with travellers revealing that while on holiday in the past 12 months, 40% made a conscious decision to turn off their air conditioning/heater in their accommodation when they weren’t there, 53% took their own reusable water bottle, rather than buying bottled water, and 38% did activities to support the local community.
Yet Kiwi travellers feel their own efforts may be hindered when on holiday with over half (58%) admitting they get annoyed if their accommodation stops them from being sustainable. Further, despite 81% of travellers pledging to seek out accommodation that has reputable third-party sustainability accreditation, barriers still remain with 49% of travellers believing there simply still aren’t enough sustainable travel options available in 2021.
But it may be more a lack of communication than a lack of action: 3 out of 4** Booking.com accommodation partners say they have implemented sustainable steps at their property, but only one-third (31%**) actively communicate their efforts to potential guests, with this mostly happening at the time of check-in (59%**). With half of Kiwi travellers still believing ample sustainable travel options are not available, this suggests that significant change is needed to make sustainability information accessible at earlier stages of the booking process.
Closing the gap, step by step
Booking.com believes they have an important responsibility to make sustainable choices easier, both for accommodation providers and travellers. That’s why the company is currently rolling out a program for properties that will support them in taking the next steps to become more sustainable. This includes sharing guidance, insights and best practices with properties via various educational opportunities, including handbooks and dedicated content, all available via the Booking.com Partner Hub.
In connection, Booking.com is currently displaying over 30 certifications officially approved by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Green Tourism and the EU Ecolabel, as well as multiple hotel chain sustainability programs.
Booking.com is also encouraging its accommodation partners to update their sustainability information, which includes 32 practices across five key categories: waste, energy and greenhouse gases, water, supporting local communities and protecting nature.
“As a leader in travel, at Booking.com we believe we have an important responsibility to make sustainable choices easier, both for accommodation providers and travellers. While there is much, much more to be done, we are optimistic about the passion and commitment we are seeing from all sides,” says Lacey.
To download Booking.com’s full 2021 Sustainable Travel Report, click here.
Just keep swimming: a love affair with year-round outdoor dips
The Bay of Plenty could have been called “Bay of Plentiful Waters” – with hundreds of streams cascading down off its ranges, deep rivers delivering the streams to numerous wetlands and estuaries, and then all of that fresh water flowing into the sea.
WORDS Annette Lees PHOTOS Supplied
The Bay of Plenty could have been called “Bay of Plentiful Waters” – with hundreds of streams cascading down off its ranges, deep rivers delivering the streams to numerous wetlands and estuaries, and then all of that fresh water flowing into the sea.
It’s a watery place, and so it’s a swimmy place. Every little neighbourhood here has its outdoor swim – a fizzing plunge pool in the local creek, a rope swing out across the river hole, a place to float in the warm estuary water and, of course, the coast with its surf and rock pools.
From the very first, outdoor swimming has defined the Bay. The first swimmer in Tauranga may have been Taurikura, a puhi of Ngāti Ranginui. Taurikura was from a village called Kahakaharoa in the Omanawa Falls area. She was shamed for refusing to fetch water for her grandfather, so she slipped away from her village one night, changed into a ngārara (a reptile-like being), and dived into the river. On that swim, she carved a new course for the river, in the process naming some of our favourite swimming places, until she reached the sea.
I grew up in Whakatāne. My childhood, like that of almost every other kid I knew, revolved around our swimming places. I swam everywhere I could, building layers of water memories and a strong sense of place and home – a “water-biography”. It wasn’t until my own kids became teenagers that my habit to jump into any water at my feet started to fade. And then came a fateful summer when I dipped into wild freshwater only once or twice.
I shocked myself. I had never wanted to be that dry adult who stood on the bank or the beach, lazily watching the kids have all the fun. So I made a resolution to swim every day the coming summer to break the spell and return me to the delight of immersing myself in the wild.
That year, I did swim every day of summer. I loved it so much that I carried on, swimming every day all through autumn and into the winter and then through spring. 365 days that had a mini-holiday inserted into them every time I jumped in.
I swam wherever I found myself that day, so I frequently entered unknown waterscapes. I approached strangers to ask where they swam and, through this, a nationwide network of very local swims opened up to me. I met people everywhere taking a dip in all kinds of weather, all through the year, and collected swimming stories from all over the country.
As I collated those stories into a book, I had the sense of a great swell of serious passion for water and swimming by New Zealanders that goes back hundreds of years.
I found 100-year-old stories from childhoods spent in the creeks of the western Bay of Plenty. In one, a memory from the 1920s, local kids filled coal sacks with stones to dam the Waitete Stream near Waihi. Each swimming hole had its own name and if you helped dam it, you were a member of that place for the summer and could swim there whenever you wanted. Winter storms washed the whole thing away, but no one minded the fun and watery job to rebuild it the following summer.
Mount Maunganui, of course, has a long history of happiness in the water. One memory from the 1920s featured the use of the ironing board to catch the waves.
Water-biographies are still being built all over the Bay of Plenty. Any beach, any river hole you were at this summer, you would’ve seen kids in the water. And with Tauranga’s recent investment in the Tidal Steps, you’re invited to step into the water any old time you’re in town.
The Tidal Steps is an officially sanctioned bombing place where kids can practice the old leaps - the Pin, the Gorilla, the Coffin Bomb, the Knee Bomb, the Angel, and the more traditional Cannonball. In recent years, we have the Manu, a bomb simulating a bird taking flight. A good Manu bomber enters the water in a perfect V, with legs and arms straight up and the tailbone entering the water first. Advanced is to hold a rugby or volley ball between your legs as you pop the Manu, sending the ball tens of metres into the air when you hit the water.
Bombing is a competitive sport now, with its own town and national tournaments. In 2017, Tauranga had its first official bomb competition at the newly opened Tidal Steps. More than 30 bombers fought it out that year for the Best Bomber title, and the numbers of people entering these competitions grows annually. There’s even an “old people’s” category for those over 45.
Don’t let the arrival of winter put you off a dip. This season can provide us with some of our best swimming. Winter swimming has a seriousness about it. In my year of swimming, I found it did take a little more dedication to out in the cold, rain and gales. The sun is slow to rise and early to descend in winter, so I would sometimes have to swim in the dark to keep my pledge, but there is an added deliciousness about night time swimming.
Founder of that New Zealand icon the Plunket Society, Dr Truby King placed cold-water swimming among his top six essentials for health. The others were fruit, raw vegetables, coarse bread, water-drinking and vigorous towelling-down.
It is true that swimming in very cold water is one of life’s great experiences. A glorious shock awakens the entire body. You are made instantaneously present and aware. You have a vivid sensation of inner cleansing, revitalising and freshening. All of your senses are sharpened by peril, so that light appears crisper, your sense of touch precise, your tastebuds bright and the scent of coldness concentrated.
When you emerge, the blood returns to your skin in a visible fizz of pink health. You are burning from head to foot, and you are likely to be laughing. The coolness, freshness and sparkle will stay with you for many hours, leaving you with a bountiful sense of wellbeing and joy. You will be kinder to your family and more generous to your workmates. You feel calm. You feel assured that the day will be exactly the right length to achieve what needs to be done. Well, that’s how it feels, anyway. I bet you swam in cold water as a kid. Try it again. Nothing’s changed.
There are actually proven health benefits to cold-water swimming. People suffering from pain or allergies (rheumatism, fibromyalgia and asthma) describe how their symptoms are eased by winter swimming, perhaps because of the sudden burst of neuroendocrines which act as natural painkillers and anti-inflammatories. Swimming regularly in winter significantly reduces tension, fatigue, and negative memory and mood states.
You could, of course, just have a cold bath, but then you miss out on all the loveliness of wild water. Open wild water adds to each swim special qualities of sunlight slanting through the lake or sea, watery views of the natural world, full immersion in the temperature of the season, and a taste of the water’s origin. Water has 600 times the resistance of air, so it is an effort to swim through it. At the same time, it holds us up, allowing us to discover its multiple dimensions – sideways, down and back up again. We get to explore as if we’re flying. We feel weightless and freed: A 70-kilogram adult weighs only 3.5kg in water.
Only outdoor swimming has bright light shafting through the water. The pools of watery darkness as clouds pass overhead. The wind and waves. The sense of risk and wildness and freedom. Unknown things rising up out of murky water. A feeling of falling when the water below is so deep and clear you can see fathoms. Disorientation without painted lines on the bottom. Not being able to stand, just in case you need to. The cold. The underside of paddling ducks, the flicking swish of a fish, the silence, the wobbling horizon, the distant mountain, the reflection of clouds, the fresh silkiness of wild water on your skin, the ripples and coins of light on the water surface, the rocking of the waves and currents, the watery blue. Fear and joy all mixed up. The wild blue yonder right here in the Bay of Plenty.
Swim: A Year of Swimming Outdoors in New Zealand, by Annette Lees (Potton & Burton $39.99). Available from pottonandburton.co.nz and booksaplenty.co.nz
VPT Health Club: Omokoroa’s gym for everyone
Omokoroa’s gym for everyday people, VPT welcomes folks from all walks of life.
UNO: So, what’s your gym great at?
VANCE ELLIOTT (owner): We’re great at being accepting and encouraging of our members, and we work hard to make all of our clients feel comfortable to be in our space. We make sure we know as much as possible about why they came to us, so we can best help them to reach their goals. We really try to cater to everyone and believe listening to client feedback is key to being a quality gym. Why do people come to you? Because we’re not just an equipment-based gym. At VPT, we’re about creating lifestyles and encouraging positive habits. What kind of classes do you run? Our gym boasts a massive number of classes for our size – currently 25-plus, all included in our membership fees. They range from beginner to advanced circuit training, box-fit, Pilates, Body Balance, yoga, and Pound with Aotearoa’s only New Zealand-certified instructor. We’re also lucky to have an incredible karate teacher, who’s a New Zealand champ – he works with us to run after-school sessions for local kids, so kids can do karate while their parents work out.
UNO: What other services do you offer?
V: We run seminars and supermarket tours that allow us to educate our clients about healthy living, mental health, injury prevention, rehabilitation, exercise techniques, how to read food labels and more. How do we book? When they sign up or start a trial, each member gets access to our app that lets them book classes, personal training sessions, seminars and events. It also allows them to add and track their health and fitness goals, add and edit measurements with photos, view any workouts we’ve uploaded for them, message us, view their membership details and update personal information. What are you most proud of at your gym? We’re really proud of what we offer our clients in our great little community. For the dream we have, we might be starting small, but we’ve been all about quality from the get-go. What are your top tips for getting healthy and fit for summer? Surround yourself with people who will support your goals, be consistent – and join VPT Health Club!
MEET THE OWNER
Meet the owner Vance Elliott Vance started VPT as a small personal-training business in Hamilton, with a dream to one day run his own gym – a dream that has now come true with VPT Health Club. Committed to creating healthier lifestyles in the community, and specialising in rehabilitation, weight loss and habit-changing, he has a bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science, along with training in injury prevention, rehabilitation, sports training, and pre- and post-natal exercise.
VPTHEALTHCLUB.CO.NZ
168 OMOKOROA ROAD
OMOKOROA, TAURANGA
027 333 1465
Autumn beauty special: our local experts share their top treatments for the season
Is your skin showing signs of a summer – indeed a life – well-lived? Or perhaps you’re considering more advanced physical improvements? Undo any damage and up your game with advice from the foremost local experts.
Is your skin showing signs of a summer – indeed a life – well-lived? Or perhaps you’re considering more advanced physical improvements? Undo any damage and up your game with advice from the foremost local experts.
Our panel includes appearance medicine specialist Kate Schuler of Tauranga’s Fraser Clinic; Cindy Hooker and Tasmin Crocker, owner and manager respectively of Papamoa’s Reveal Skin & Body; Katie Mead, owner of Bayfair’s Cosmetic Clinic; and cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeons Brandon Adams and Adam Bialostocki of Tauranga’s Da Vinci Clinic.
KATE SCHULER - FRASER CLINIC
Appearance medicine specialist Kate is also an intensive care nurse.
UNO: What can we do to look and feel our best in the cooler months?
Kate: As the seasons change, so can your skin and the care it needs, so autumn is a great time to introduce treatments to revitalise it. Whatever your summer experience, your skin will probably need some help to recover from the harsh effects of lazy days in the sun, whether that’s repairing dehydrated skin or combating summer pigmentation – a big issue for New Zealanders.
U: What do you advise to combat pigmentation?
K: One of the best ways to reset your skin is with IPL light therapy or laser resurfacing. They’re excellent for pigmentation as they give an overall improvement in tone and texture, and set you up for ongoing improvement with the use of good medical-grade cosmeceutical skincare at home. No treatment is a standalone panacea. You need to support anything we do in the clinic with the effort you put in at home.
U: And how about hydration?
K: We can apply topicals to the surface of the skin, but nothing’s better than delivering it right where we’re targeting, altering the dose and depth to personalise the treatment and give your skin the wake-up call it needs. Our V2 Beauty Booster is a micro-injectable cocktail of antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and hyaluronic acid that helps to recover a healthy glow by increasing skin elasticity, thickness and hydration. It combines the benefits of skin needling – stimulating collagen, elastin and fibroblasts – while delivering a Dermo-Restructuring complex for repair, rejuvenation and retexturising. Best results are achieved with a series of three treatments, with the results continuing to improve up to 12 weeks afterwards.
U: And what about trouble spots other than the face?
K: Two notoriously difficult areas to rejuvenate are the neck and hands, which tend to show telltale signs of ageing. The skin on the neck thins and takes on a more crepey appearance, often accompanied by horizontal lines, while changes in skin texture – including thinning, a decrease in elasticity and surface pigmentation, coupled with pronounced veins, tendons and a bony appearance – affect the appearance of our hands. Our bio-stimulating injectables coupled with light therapy are great not only for the face, but also for these areas, plumping up the skin to make it stronger, healthier and clearer, and delivering longer-lasting results.
CINDY HOOKER & TASMIN CROCKER - REVEAL SKIN & BODY
This clinic’s philosophy is to provide clients with affordable, accessible and effective treatments. At this Papamoa sanctuary, clients are encouraged to celebrate themselves.
UNO: Are we ever too young to consider advanced skincare?
Tasmin: Our natural production of collagen starts to slow at around 26 – fine lines start to appear around your eyes, and you might notice a slight change in skin tone and firmness. Coming off birth control and having babies can also result in pesky blemishes and hormonal pigmentation. All this means maintaining a good skincare regime at home is vital. Everyone needs a good cleanser, moisturiser and SPF; think of these products as your baseline. Serums and advanced treatments are your ‘vitamins’ or ‘protein powders’ that’ll give your skin an extra boost.
Cindy: Great skin is all about starting early. Regular facials can help you maintain youthful, glowing skin, while SPF reduces pigmentation down the track. Your twenties and thirties are also the time to start ‘collagen banking’; if you use vitamin A when you’re younger, your skin will retain collagen for longer.
What do we start to see in our forties and fifties?
Tasmin: The effects of sun damage becomes more apparent. Our skin becomes drier and more fragile, and we wave goodbye to more collagen. But the good news? Advanced treatments such as Dermaneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, can help wind back the clock. Dermaneedling is great for everything – it breaks up pigment, strengthens the skin and produces new collagen. Reveal’s A-Zyme Skin Workout is one of our most popular treatments, and for good reason – it really is the powerhouse of all anti-ageing treatments. It’s essentially a powerful burst of vitamin A that plumps out fine lines and wrinkles, and leaves you with hydrated, younger-looking skin.
How do we continue to age well in our sixties and beyond?
Cindy: As we enter our sixties, our skin loses moisture and elasticity. Advanced treatments like IPL photorejuvenation, which uses light to stimulate cell renewal, help to keep skin firm and vibrant, while at-home serums are great for plumping and hydrating.
SERIOUS SERUMS at Reveal Skin & Body
Ultraceuticals Ultra A, Skin Perfecting Serum This vitamin-A-containing power serum plumps the skin to improve the appearance of wrinkles while stimulating collagen. It’s ideal for every skin type.
Ultraceuticals Ultra B Hydrating Serum B vitamins help with cell-to-cell communication, so daily use of this serum will strengthen your skin, and it’s packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid, which holds a thousand times its weight in water.
Ultraceuticals Ultra C10+ Firming Serum This serum dulls pigment and tones the skin to give your complexion a natural glow and all-round boost. For better protection, use it in the morning under your SPF.
KATIE MEAD - THE COSMETIC CLINIC
This clinic’s philosophy is to provide clients with affordable, accessible and effective treatments.
UNO: What do you recommend for dry post-summer skin?
Katie: Say hello to HydraFiller, the treatment that’s taking hydration to the next level. Designed to improve the quality of your skin from the inside out, it’s a minimally invasive cosmetic injectable treatment now available at The Cosmetic Clinic six days a week. We believe everyone deserves to be the best version of themselves every day, so that’s why we’re super excited about this new treatment. Combine it with a great daily skin routine and a personalised skincare plan from one of our expert clinicians and your skin will thank you.
UNO: So what does HydraFiller entail?
K: As we age, our skin loses vital molecules involved in hydration, which can lead to dry, crepey and dull skin, fine lines and wrinkles. HydraFiller is a next-generation dermal filler that addresses these concerns by providing your skin with around-the- clock moisture from the inside out. Unlike regular dermal filler, HydraFiller isn’t used to add volume, but to help increase and retain moisture in the skin through a unique cross-linking of the key ingredient, hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in our bodies. Administered through a series of micro-injections by our expert cosmetic injectors, it helps to restore and increase dermal hydration and tissue elasticity, and decrease wrinkle formation, fine lines, acne scarring and unevenness for fresher, glowing skin.
What areas can be treated, and how long does it last?
K: HydraFiller can be used to treat the face, neck, décolletage and hands. It can help improve overall skin quality for up to nine months with just one treatment per area.
Does it hurt?
K: Similar to any dermal filler, there can be a slight stinging or discomfort at the site of the injection, but HydraFiller contains an anaesthetic that can help alleviate that during the treatment. Clients can also receive numbing cream to take home with them.
UNO: What other after-care do you advise?
K: Our hydrating Balense Quench Pack is a four-step process – cleanse, activate, hydrate and protect – that’s great for those with dry, tired or ageing skin. We recommend using it as ongoing support after your HydraFiller treatment, to help your skin stay hydrated and radiant. We also offer micro-needling treatments that support what HydraFiller does and can help with pigmentation, overall skin tone, fine lines and scarring.
BRANDON ADAMS - DA VINCI CLINIC
Brandon also works as a consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Waikato DHB and a visiting plastic surgeon at Tauranga Hospital.
UNO: Where should someone start if they want to take their new-season refresh to the next level with cosmetic surgery?
Brandon: When it comes to ‘updating’ the face, we’re not searching for a whole new look – we’re wanting to achieve natural-looking results. Achieving this means utilising techniques that incorporate the fat and sheaths of tissue underneath the skin too. Rather than just ‘pulling back’ and ‘cutting away’ skin, we aim to lift and reposition the underlying muscles. This involves using stitches to tighten the connective tissue enveloping the muscles of the midface and neck, or alternatively, the underside of the muscles – a deep-plane facelift. This is where the expertise and experience of your surgeon come into play. Evaluation of a patient’s anatomy – where their skin is pre-surgery – is important for long-term success. We assess how much volume loss your face has, the damage your skin has sustained and the type of asymmetries your face shows, and we’ll also discuss additional volume-loss solutions as part of your surgery, which might include dermal fillers or fat transfer.
UNO: What do you advise for the neck and jowls?
B: For lower facial jowling or a sagging neck, non-surgical injectables such as fillers or Botox may not be the answer. A facelift – or rhytidectomy – corrects sagging facial skin to restore harmony, bringing back the jawline and re-establishing fullness in the cheeks. The chin is also a difficult area to treat, so a lift combined with Belkyra injections, which permanently dissolve fat, can effectively target this area, harmonising and restoring definition.
UNO: Is there an ideal age at which to consider surgical intervention?
B: Many women and men undergo their first facelift in their fifties and beyond, however the skin’s elasticity begins to steadily break down from the early forties onwards, so for some, undergoing a facelift earlier means there’s greater elasticity for better long- term results. Ultimately, there is no ‘best’ age to have a surgical lift, so seeking the expertise of an experienced surgeon who’s able to spot and manage asymmetries, and accurately assesses volume and loss, is essential for the best outcome.
ADAM BIALOSTOCKI - DA VINCI CLINIC
Adam works as a surgeon at Tauranga’s Grace Hospital too.
UNO: What should people keep in mind when considering making improvements to their body through cosmetic and reconstructive surgery?
Adam: Beyond social media inspiration, taking an individual approach to any procedure – breast implants, reconstruction, abdominoplasty – is essential for best practice and greater peace of mind. Placing yourself in the hands of a qualified surgeon with the right experience and advice means you’ll stay truly connected to your body’s journey from beginning to end – and those results will hit all the right notes.
UNO: Let’s talk about breasts...
A: Whether you’re seeking greater breast volume, or a lift or reconstruction, various factors influence breast decisions. If it’s a volume issue – after weight loss or pregnancy, for example – an implant can restore fullness and shape, and when combined with a lift, it can correct lax tissue. If the nipples have rotated downward or become larger, opting for a mastopexy to raise breast tissue and reposition the nipple is a good option. For women with asymmetrical or small breasts, an implant, a lift or both can restore. Breast reconstruction is driven by personal preference, wellness, and short- and long-term expectations. It’s also a procedure that can be delayed, with surgery carried out months, even years, following breast cancer recovery. The two main procedures available to Kiwi women are breast implant reconstruction and breast flap reconstruction. Breast implant reconstruction involves inserting an implant under the skin and muscle to restore the shape and volume of the breast, while breast flap reconstruction uses flaps of a woman’s own skin, fat and muscle tissue from the back, bottom, inner thighs or lower abdomen – sometimes with the addition of an implant too – to reconstruct the breasts. Visualising what you’ll look like post- surgery is hugely important, which is why we use 3D Vectra imaging technology when discussing the procedure and to provide our clients with a real-life depiction of their breasts post-surgery.
UNO: And tell us about tummy tucks...
A: Abdominoplasty isn’t a weight-loss procedure – its aim is to reshape, sculpt and contour. Skin is released from the lower part of your abdomen to allow for tightening of the muscles and flatter contour. It’s then re-draped and trimmed and the belly button is redefined. Scars and surgery go hand in hand, but incisions are strategically positioned so the scars remain discreet – and they fade over time, too.
WIN! UNO presents Flourish with Arbonne
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.
UNO is proud to present Flourish with Arbonne, an exclusive wellness event overlooking the sparkling Tauranga Harbour at Trinity Wharf.
This special breakfast event will have a guided meditation, yoga session and smoothie bowls as well as the latest Arbonne products.
Head to Instagram and tag a friend in the comments below to go in the draw to win one of two prizes:
1 x double ticket to the event
1 x double ticket to the event and a night's stay at Trinity Wharf
Terms and conditions:
1. These terms and conditions relate to the Arbonne giveaway competition run by the Promoter to encourage people to comment, share and like the Promoter’s Facebook post about the Flourish Breakfast Event (“Promotion”). Information on how to enter and prizes forms part of, and entry into the Promotion is deemed to be acceptance of, these terms and conditions.
2. The promoter is Spectre Publishing Ltd (UNO Magazine), (“Promoter”).
3. The Promotion commences at 4.30pm Friday 11th June 2021 and closes at 9am Wednesday 23rd June 2021 (“Promotional Period”). Entries received outside of the Promotional Period will not be accepted.
Conditions of Entry
4. Employees (and their immediate families) of the Promoter, its related companies and any other companies associated with the Promotion are ineligible to enter.
5. The competition is open to residents of New Zealand aged 18 years and over.
6. You may only enter once. Prizes
7. 14 x level ONE prizes, 1x level TWO prize winners will be drawn.
8. Winners will receive: Level one prize: 2x tickets to the Flourish Breakfast event at 10am on Wednesday 30th June at Trinity Wharf Hotel, Tauranga – travel to event and accommodation not included Level two prize: 2x tickets to the Flourish Breakfast event at 10am on Wednesday 30th June at Trinity Wharf Hotel, Tauranga and a one night stay for two at Trinity Wharf - including room and breakfast. Expires 30th November 2021- travel to the event not included How to enter
9. To enter, you must, in response to a post (indicated as being the post relating to the Promotion (“Relevant Post”) on the Promoter’s Facebook or Instagram page (“Social Media Page”), comment on, like, and share the relevant post.
10. In addition to complying with these terms, you must comply with any additional instructions stated in the Relevant Post. You must also comply with any terms of use relating to the relevant Social Media Page. The Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or the responsibility of, Facebook or Instagram.
11. All entries are deemed to be received at the time of the receipt into the Promotion database and not at the time of transmission by you.
Draw and Winner Notification
12. The prizes will be drawn at random on 10am Wednesday 23rd June at the UNO office 3/17 Banks Ave, Mount Maunganui and the winners will be notified by personal message on the social media platform through which the winner entered the Promotion. If a winner has not responded within 24 hours another draw will take place. Winners will be notified in the manner set out above. In the event that the winners of the second draw (if any) fail to respond to such notification, further draws will be undertaken in the manner set out above until all prizes have been awarded. 13. The Promoter's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
14. Prizes will be awarded to the person named in the entry to the Promotion.
General Terms
15. The Promoter reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without prior notice. 16. Prizes cannot be varied and are not transferable or redeemable for cash. In the event that a winner does not take an element of the prize at the time stipulated by the Promoter, then that element of the prize will be forfeited by the winner.
17. If the winner is not able to be contacted within a reasonable time period following the draw, that winner shall forfeit the prize and the Promoter may choose to draw another winner, and so on until a winner is contacted to accept the prize.
18. Unless expressly stated in these terms and conditions, all other expenses become the responsibility of the winner including meals, taxes, transport, insurance and any other ancillary costs of any nature.
19. The Promoter reserves the right to request the winner to provide proof of identity, proof of residency at the nominated prize delivery address and/or proof of entry validity. In the event that such proof is not provided by the winner or is not suitable to UNO, then that winner shall forfeit their rights to any prizes.
20. The Promoter reserves the right to verify the validity of entries and to disqualify any entry (including the winning entry) which, in the Promoter’s opinion includes objectionable content, profanity or potentially insulting, inflammatory or defamatory statements.
21. The Promoter may disqualify any entry or individual (including any prize winner) who tampers with the entry process, submits an entry not in accordance with the terms and conditions, breaches these terms and conditions, or who has, in the opinion of the Promoter, engaged in conduct which is unlawful, improper, fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or generally damaging to the goodwill or reputation of the Promoter or Promotion.
22. The Promoter is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any website, telephone network or lines, computer systems, servers, providers, computer equipment, software, technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or any combination thereof.
23. The Promoter assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorised access to, or alteration of entries.
24. If for any reason the Promotion is not capable of running as planned for reasons including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud, technical failures or any other cause beyond the control of the Promoter, which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Promotion, the Promoter reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel, suspend or modify the Promotion.
25. The Promoter takes no responsibility for lost, damaged, misdirected, late or illegible entries or any entries that for whatever reason, are not received by the Promoter or are incomplete.
26. The winner of any prize agrees to co-operate with all reasonable media editorial requests relating to the prize, including being interviewed, photographed or filmed. The winner permits having their name, image and/or voice appear in connection with the Promotion, the Promoter or the advertising or marketing thereof, in any media whatsoever throughout the world.
27. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Promoter and its related companies shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or personal injury whatsoever by or to any person in connection with the Promotion or with winning or benefiting from a prize.
28. All entries become the property of the Promoter. The Promoter needs to collect personal information from entrants in order to conduct the Promotion – without this personal information the Promoter may not be able to provide you with entry into the Promotion. Unless otherwise authorized by you, your personal information will be held by the Promoter for the purposes of the Promotion in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and may be shared with partners of the Promoter solely for the purposes of the Promotion.
Ben Hurley finds the funny in cricket
“I made the Hawera High School First XI, but partly because one of my closest friends was the captain and put in a word. I’ve had my moments on the field but I was a bit of a late bloomer, physically, and by the time I was able to compete properly, other career paths had presented themselves. Mostly comedy and beer.”
Comedian Ben Hurley is bowled over by the “ridiculously quirky” game of cricket.
WORDS Ben Hurley
“As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster,” is Ray Liotta’s infamous and chilling line in the opening scene of the Martin Scorsese movie Goodfellas. A story of a man born into the mafia; essentially a crime cult held together by family, centuries-old tradition, rival factions and unwritten rules and terminology that the uninitiated don’t really understand. I never wanted to be a gangster, but as far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a cricketer.
I know half of you stopped reading when you read that word. Cricket is an acquired taste, polarising like blue cheese or Jim Carrey. I don’t expect you to like it and understand if you don’t. I know it’s “slow” and “boring” and “complicated” and “sometimes it’s a draw after playing for five days.” I’ve heard it all a thousand times and it doesn’t offend me.
Cricket isn’t really what this is about. This column is really for anyone who thought their natural inability to do something (well) would preclude them from doing it for a living. Because I am one of that number and testament to the fact that it isn’t always the case.
I came to the game later than my friends. I grew up in an arty household more than a sporty one, so I never really saw much sport on TV. I remember New Zealand winning the 1987 Rugby World Cup, and a handful of moments from the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, but that’s about it. Until I was about 11 and a combination of cricket-mad next-door neighbours and seeing New Zealand play Australia in something called “The Benson and Hedges World Series” set off a strange reaction inside me. Something I’ve never truly been able to explain. Within a few months, I was part of a real cricket team that played on Saturday, and my bedroom walls were covered in posters of cricketers. I knew stats and names and nicknames and stats about nicknames. I’d caught the bug, with two hands, reverse cup, in front of my face.
Was I any good? Not really. But, if I’m honest, I wasn’t awful. I made the Hawera High School First XI, but partly because one of my closest friends was the captain and put in a word. I’ve had my moments on the field but I was a bit of a late bloomer, physically, and by the time I was able to compete properly, other career paths had presented themselves. Mostly Comedy and Beer.
I still played as a semi-social weekend warrior but the realisation eventually dawned on me that I was unlikely to make the premier club side, let alone the national one. I would always be someone who loved the game and could ruin any party by finding the one other cricket person in the room and settling in for the night. Commandeering a corner of the kitchen to loudly debate what went wrong in the 1992 World Cup semi-final loss to Pakistan. That would be my lot in cricket life. Or was it?
Around 10 years ago, when comedy and TV work became more abundant for me, New Zealand Cricket got wind of the fact that I was one of these cricket “tragics”, as we are often referred to (I prefer the term “nuffy”), and got in touch. They wanted something called a “Match Day Host” to travel around with the team over the summer and interview drunk people in the crowd for the big screen. Not only did I jump at this opportunity, but I did it for seven summers. Only giving it up and passing on the role to someone younger because I realised no one wants to see a 40-year-old man doing boat races on the embankment while a dozen Otago students chant, “Down in one!”
Once again, I thought that would be it for me but, last year, in a deal even more complicated than the LBW rule, Spark Sport got the rights to televise the cricket and they gave me my own show! Who said nothing good happened in 2020? And this is what I did all summer. Half-an-hour a week where I’m paid to talk about this game. This ridiculously quirky game that has featured in many of the happiest moments of my life. (My wedding, my kids’ births and Grant Elliot hitting that six at Eden park to put us into the World Cup final). It’s not a dream job because I rarely have dreams this good.
Ok, so I’m not a gangster, and yes, I still think about it. I didn’t have the genes or the constitution for it. But, in this analogy, maybe I’m Martin Scorsese, telling those who are interested all about the ones that do. And I’m mostly okay with that.
Lexus rolls into Tauranga
If you’ve ever driven a Lexus, you’ll know the experience is all about luxury. The high-end sister brand of Toyota is famous for its quality, attention to detail, and craftsmanship. And for the very first time, those features are about to be seen up close in the Bay of Plenty.
WORDS Daniel Dunkley PHOTOS supplied
If you’ve ever driven a Lexus, you’ll know the experience is all about luxury. The high-end sister brand of Toyota is famous for its quality, attention to detail, and craftsmanship. And for the very first time, those features are about to be seen up close in the Bay of Plenty.
For Tony Coutinho and Mark Ranstead of Ebbett Toyota, a Lexus is more than just something to get you from A to B. It represents a higher level of service, stunning showrooms, and a bespoke approach to finding people the right vehicle. Think of the difference between flying business class and economy, and you’re about there.
The duo is close to launching Tauranga’s first Lexus showroom as Ebbett capitalises on Hamilton's growing market. While Bay of Plenty motor enthusiasts were previously forced to travel across the Kaimais to get a sneak peek at the latest models, they will soon have one of the region’s most luxurious showrooms on their doorstep.
The perfect match
After 30 years in New Zealand, why is Lexus heading to Tauranga? Coutinho, the chief executive of Ebbett Toyota, says the city and brand are a perfect match.
“This is an up-and-coming city that attracts people who like quality things,” Coutinho says. “It’s thriving, and it’s vibrant. It matches the product well and suits the kind of person who wants an experience and a certain level of service.”
The centrepiece of Coutinho’s plan is the new showroom at 158 Elizabeth Street in the heart of Tauranga.
The new Lexus store will open in the next few weeks, informed by Japanese culture and the concept of “Omotenashi”, the unwavering commitment to exceptional hospitality. Lexus spaces in Tokyo, New York, and Dubai will inspire the ambience of the Tauranga site.
“It’s about a sense of engineered luxury,” says Ranstead, who will helm the Tauranga operation. “You walk in, and you feel that spacious, clean environment that also has warmth.”
Ranstead wants customers to be “at home” during the experience and enjoy “the art of hospitality”. “We’re there to listen more than we speak,” he says.
Dedicated to motoring perfection
All Lexus models are designed by Takumi Masters, highly-skilled Japanese master craftsmen who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of motoring perfection. The company confidently offers a four-year warranty on new cars sold in New Zealand.
Ranstead expects the latest Lexus SUVs, including the hybrid UX and NX, will be as popular in Tauranga as they are in Hamilton as people transition away from internal combustion engine vehicles towards eco-friendly alternatives.
“We know that a lot of people in Tauranga are ecologically driven, and about 70 percent of our cars are hybrids,” Ranstead says. “So we expect that to resonate with people.”
Following Lexus's global blueprint, car buyers in Tauranga will be treated to something out of the ordinary when the new site launches next month.
Customers will be closely guided through which cars suit them, steered away from those models that don’t, and offered a tailored service to help them choose the right vehicle.
“We help them select something that suits their lifestyle,” Coutinho says.“We want people engaged but relaxed. For people to walk out and say, ‘that was fun’.”
“It’s all about fine-tuning and getting to know the customer,” says Ranstead. “We know we’re not just presenting a motor vehicle. We’re presenting an experience.”
With a fleet of green luxury cars, Japanese hospitality and some local know-how, Tauranga motorists are about to get something a little different this autumn.
Stylist Amber Armitage shows us how to create a space to call home
It’s the little touches that make a house a sanctuary. We put the pieces together to create a space for ultimate calm.
PAINT + WALLPAPER Resene STYLING Amber Armitage PHOTOS Wendy Fenwick at Flash Studios
Resene Wallpaper Collection MG11102, walls and floor in Resene Nero. Art print original by Claire Stapleton X LA TRIBE. Frame from Country Road, Inside Pendant Lamps by Oblure, Tokyo Stool OMK 1965, ‘Von’ armchair by Ercol, all from Good Form. Cushion from Mood Store. Arch Lean mirror by Made of Tomorrow. Brass drum coffee table from Contempa. Books and magazines from Sunday Home Store. Pot, plants and candle stylist’s own.
Expert tip: By pairing the wallpaper with a bold colour paint, you add even more impact. We’ve teamed Resene Wallpaper Collection MG11102, a gold patina look wallpaper, with Resene Nero to add even more drama.
Resene Wallpaper Collection 218741. Walls in Resene Alabaster. Floor in Resene Colorwood Rocksalt. VV Cinquanta Twin wall lamp by Astep from Good Form. Soho 3 seater sofa and Juno Ottoman in Olive from Contempa. Cushion covers and Elevation side table, all from Città. Sophie So Shady hat by Sophie Store. Ay Soho sunglasses, Veja sneakers and framed print, all from Father Rabbit. Books and magazines from Sunday Home Store. Vase stylist’s own. Rug from Mood Store. Arch Lean mirror by Made of Tomorrow.
Ready to getaway? We’ve got the best of the Cook Islands for every traveller
For those itching to get back to island travel, Booking.com shares their picks for travellers planning to head to the Cook Islands.
It’s an exciting time for Kiwi travellers with more options becoming available overseas, like the stunning Cook Islands.
After over a year of travel restrictions, Booking.com has new research revealing our appetite to explore the world remains undiminished. Nearly two-thirds of Kiwi travellers (59%) feel more hopeful about travelling in 2021 since the global roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines, with the bubble announcements welcome news for many keen travellers. Further proof that Kiwis are as eager as ever to dust off their passports comes as Booking.com reveals searches for accommodation in Rarotonga shot up 15 places in the most searched destinations year-on-year.
For those itching to get back to island travel, Booking.com shares their picks for travellers planning to head to the Cook Islands.
Best for families
For many with kids in tow, escaping the New Zealand winter for an island getaway has become something of a July school holiday ritual. A week-long stay at a Rarotonga beachfront villa offers a relaxed yet fun-filled environment, with the added benefit of self-catering making mealtimes with the family a breeze. Overlooking the beautiful Muri Lagoon, Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa offers 5-star accommodation with a private pool and patio – and a completely self-contained space means you have all the luxuries of home at your fingertips.
Best for a romantic getaway
If it’s a romantic trip for two you’re after, look no further than Aitutaki. Just a short plane ride away from the Rarotonga Airport you’ll find, situated on its own private island, the Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort. A luxury, adults only resort that offers beach-front and over-water bungalows with panoramic views of Aitutaki Lagoon, you can enjoy stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling and cultural activities – or if you’re after some pampering, head to the spa that offers massages, a sauna and a hot tub.
Best for getting back to basics
For a true island experience a stay at the Ikurangi Eco Retreat in Matavera Rarotonga will leave you feeling rested and at one with nature. You can choose from snorkeling at the nearby beach or hiking and cycling – the property offers free bicycles onsite. Just 5 minutes' drive from shopping and dining options, this eco retreat offers an onsite swimming pool and if a day outdoors has worn you out, enjoy a private meal cooked by a private chef served on your balcony. You can also unwind with an in-room massage.
Best on a budget
If you’re keen on an island getaway but the luxury resort life just isn’t for you, then a self catering beach hut could be just the ticket to relaxation. The Matriki Beach Huts provide absolute beachfront accommodation on the sunset side of the island. You can enjoy snorkelling from the beautiful white sand beach right at the front of the property. Or make the most of the outdoors and go on a hike or head out for a fishing trip. Each of the unique, rustic, self-contained beach huts, has its own terrace, simple cooking facilities and an open air shower.
Matriki Beach Huts, Arutanga, Cook Islands
Best for group travel
It’s time to reinstate the annual island getaway with the gang and where better than a private villa in sunny Raro. The Te Etu Villas are in close proximity to one another and offer all the amenities you could need for group travel, from a private pool to a poolside bar and barbeque. These gorgeous self contained villas also boast a sun terrace and both snorkelling and cycling can be enjoyed nearby this holiday home.
UNO celebrates 50 issues with cover star Joel Shadbolt!
“On stage ready to welcome everyone to UNO’s 50th birthday party, I could see exactly why the Bay of Plenty’s thriving. The room was full of people who support each other. Locals in the arts, business, governance, community groups and medical teams, our columnists, advertisers, readers – we wanted to invite everyone we'd ever met to share the joy together.”
We recently celebrated our 50th issue – hurrah! Editor Jenny Rudd has the round-up.
PHOTOS Jordan Vickers
On stage ready to welcome everyone to UNO’s 50th birthday party, I could see exactly why the Bay of Plenty’s thriving. The room was full of people who support each other. Locals in the arts, business, governance, community groups and medical teams, our columnists, advertisers, readers – we wanted to invite everyone we'd ever met to share the joy together.
And what better way to celebrate than with the lead singer of one of the country's biggest bands (and the cover star of our 50th issue) playing all their bangers and some epic covers?! We hit the dancefloor while L.A.B's Joel Shadbolt performed, before singing our hearts out to his closing rendition of Lean On Me. He showed us exactly why L.A.B’s In The Air was 2020’s biggest-selling single – the energy in the room was electric.
The entire night was truly a local effort; everything we ate, drank and did came from the hard work and enterprise of those connected with the Bay of Plenty. Pals came from Jay and Anna Reeve and Katikati’s Leveret Estate kept us bubbly. Non-boozy bubbles came from San Pellegrino, which is distributed nationwide by Federal Merchants, based here in Tauranga. The iconic yellow Easy Lager cans were from at The Island in Papamoa, and the absolutely delicious grazing table came from Tauranga caterers Blank Canvas. And, of course, the fabulous location was Totara St, arguably the best venue in the country, right here at the Mount.
Thank you to everyone who came to UNO’s birthday party and celebrated and smiled along with us. Here's to the next 50 issues!
Making homeowners happy - one house at a time
With his father in the trade and having pretty much grown up on building sites, it was inevitable that Matt Gudsell would be a builder.
Prepare to upgrade your dream home standards with these incredible Bay of Plenty builds by Gudsell Builders.
WORDS Andy Taylor PHOTOS Amanda Aitken
With his father in the trade and having pretty much grown up on building sites, it was inevitable that Matt Gudsell would be a builder. He farmed for five years, but the tools soon called him back, and that’s a good thing, because Matt has built a solid reputation for creating beautiful homes throughout the Bay of Plenty and Waikato – and for making their owners happy indeed.
“What attracted me to building was seeing the result of all the effort and time that goes into building one of our houses,” says Matt. “I like to see the reward of a job really well done, and that comes down to attention to detail and quality of finish, making sure everything’s just right and to the very highest standard.”
To achieve those standards, at Gudsell Builders, Matt has built a team that shares his keen eye and a passion built on 30 years in the trade. “People are much more discerning now – they know what they want,” says Matt of their customers. “The industry is constantly evolving too. In addition to our team of 24, we have eight apprentices, and the old hands and new guys work hard to keep up to date with the latest technology and products to make sure we offer the very best available. I like to think that what people see in us is dependability and quality, and seeing the job well done is still what I love about what I do – I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t.”
The semi-rural resort
Wood, concrete + space
Dependability and quality is certainly what attracted the owners of one of Gudsell Builders’ latest projects in Tauranga’s Bethlehem, for a family of four who were relocating from the Mount and wanted more living space and room to entertain. “Our first experience of building had been great,” says one of the homeowners, “but we were taking our new build to the next level, so we wanted a trusted builder, someone who’d done a lot of quality homes – and Matt had a good reputation for that and for being financially secure.
“Throughout the whole process, we knew that if there was any problem, we could take it to him and he’d take it seriously and fix it. Quality’s very important to him, so if he sees something that isn’t right, he’ll get it fixed, and that’s really important. From a client’s perspective, you don’t always know what to look for, so having his attention to detail was fantastic.”
That shows through in the finished home, which Matt says was a big project with many decorative concrete finishes that took careful setting up to get just right, as well as large decks built for family and friends.
“Gudsell Builders have a great team, which means the whole process flows really well, with plenty of communication,” adds the homeowner. “You hear people saying that they’ll never build again, but we loved the whole process. When you have a partner like Matt, it makes it easy.”
The country retreat
Contemporary cedar luxe
The two-storey home the team built for George Lin and his wife in Te Puna, Tauranga was the couple’s first new build, but they’re already thinking about doing it all again – with Gudsell Builders. The contemporary dwelling with cedar timber throughout is testament to their commitment to quality and communication.
“It was our architect, Brendon Gordon, who recommended Gudsell Builders to us,” says George. “We found Matt and his team really easy to talk to. I really enjoyed the process, so much so that I started thinking that I should build another house! I’ll definitely use Matt and his team again – I wouldn’t change a thing about working with him.”
The beach breeze
A good time all round
Meanwhile, Pete McSweeney’s beachfront Mt Maunganui home merges the Kiwi coastline with thoroughly modern living spaces that champion the tone and texture of stone and timber. Thanks to its carefully crafted open plan, floor-to-ceiling glass and showcasing of materials, it was a design that demanded top-notch craftsmanship and expertise to bring it alive.
“We wanted a modern-day beach house and a builder who could deliver the dream we had and that the architect encapsulated,” says Pete. Gudsell Builders seemed the obvious choice. “I looked at some of the homes they’d built and was really impressed. Gudsell Builders have a great team of people who weren’t just top builders but top blokes as well. Having good banter on site made the process so much easier.”
The evolution build
Glass + light
David and Ainsley Ewings’ impressive property in one of Tauranga’s avenues began as a concept drawing, but in collaboration with their architect and Gudsell Builders, it evolved into something unique. The pavilion-style house features a double-storey living area, vertical shiplap cedar and unobstructed views – and the couple are quick to credit Matt with helping to make it a reality.
“He’s very collaborative, and any issue he saw was flagged well ahead of time so it could be discussed,” says David. “The build went smoothly, even though it was quite a difficult time, with problems with materials being withdrawn meaning we had to consider other options. But we worked on that with Matt and just worked our way through it. I’d recommend Gudsell Builders to anybody.”
“They were such a nice team to work with,” says Ainsley. “Matt is just delightful – and man, did he get the job done. This house is so different, it’s fantastic, so we’re really, really happy.”
Jay Reeve talks to Ben Harper
“Everytime I’m here I’m thinking, ‘I just need to send for all my sh*t and stay right here.”
A long-time Ben Harper listener, our columnist Jay Reeve (along with his radio co-host Duncan Heyde) relives his youth and talks to his teen idol during the musician’s recent New Zealand tour that included a gig at the Mount.
I’m a Ben Harper fan – have been since his first album, Welcome to the Cruel World. In my early teens, I used to recreate his cover art in the misguided hope it’d impress the masses of girls enamoured by this guitar-playing, bohemian, skateboarding world traveller.
In 1994, Welcome to the Cruel World struck a chord with me, and Ben still has that swagger he rolled with back then – although he’s arguably better looking – and still has the effect on the fairer sex; the 17-year-old girls I was trying to impress back in the day were reliving their own dreams during his recent appearances in Aotearoa. His male fans were too, causing a veritable babysitter shortage on the night of his Mount gig.
The crowd was older, but music drops a veil over your tired adult eyes and transports you to wherever you first heard it or it affected you. I love that, I love the way Ben’s music transcends age and I love seeing people enjoying themselves. The one thing I don’t love, though, is ‘Steal My Kisses’. I understand it’s one of Ben’s most commercially successful singles, peaking in the top 20 on the Billboard charts on its release in early 2000. It garnered him more fans and the record label wanted more, so the division was set: you were a ‘Steal my Kisses’ kind of Ben Harper fan or not.
I’m not. To me, unlike his gig-closing tune ‘Glory & Consequence’, it’s not a great song and not one worthy of rolling out 20 years later. But the crowds of predominantly 40-something women at his recent show – those ’90s teens – loved it.
While he was in New Zealand, my The Rock radio show co-host Duncan Heyde and I had a chat to the man himself about what he loves...
Duncan: Welcome mate!
Ben: Well-equipped with a cheering section and everything. How’s it going, Jay and Duncan?
Jay: Oh good, mate. Kia ora, kia ora, kia ora and welcome back to our fine shores – we’re looking forward to having you. So, your biggest musical inspiration came around the age of nine… We heard a cheeky rumour you played your first gig at 12?
B: Well, you wouldn’t call it much of a gig when you’re just hammering out some chords. At 12 I was actually on the drums, because I started on the drums.
D: Isn’t there a funny story about one of your first open mic nights that you got paid for? At a church?
B: The first gig I ever got paid for was in the church basement, and at the end of the night the guy who ran it handed me $50 in the parking lot. I said, “What’s this?” and he said it was for the door. And you know churches have those fancy doors on them with stained glass and stuff, so I said, “No, no, no you can’t sell the door to pay me, that’s crazy! Go find it, go get it back.” And he said, “No, no, no, that’s the money from people who walk through the door”!
D: And you’re like, “Oh wow, I can get paid for doing something I love!”
J: You’ve had 28 years of commercial success and worked with so many different musicians – who’s still on the hit list for you of musicians you’d love to work with?
B: Alicia Keys.
D: Oh, that’d be good!
B: Yeah man.
D: Isn’t it just as simple these days as sliding into their DMs, sending them an Instagram message like, “Righto mate, I’ve got a couple of months spare coming up, let’s do this”?
B: You’d think so, right?! I stopped drinking, though. If I was still drinking I’d probably have the nerve to do that.
D: She’s hardly going to say no to you, though? That’s a fun message for her to read in her inbox, isn’t it?
B: But what if she did?!
J: You hold a special place in a lot of New Zealanders’ hearts and I can only assume that New Zealand holds a fairly special place in yours. When was the last time pre this tour that you set down in Aotearoa?
B: It’s been about four since we’ve been here, and as far as I’m concerned that’s four years too long. Every time I’m here I’m thinking, ‘I just need to send for all my sh*t and stay right here’. It’s on me, man, it’s on me everywhere – my back, my arms, my entire upper torso is here.
D: You’ve actually spent quite a bit of time here. We heard you owned a house here, we heard [musician] Jack Johnson owned a house here, we knew that [musician] Serj Tankian owned a house here... And weirdly, as Kiwis, we kind of just let celebrities do their thing when they’re in New Zealand, but we also like to think that you all go round to each other’s holiday houses for barbecues and play tunes together.
J: And go surfing!
D: Has that ever happened?
B: Oh yeah, that happens plenty with Jack and I. Jack and I are always getting together and looking for reasons to record together. In fact, we’re talking about doing a duet record.
D: That’d be sick!
J: I know that you’ve made your political ambitions heard and that you’re thinking about throwing your name in the hat for the United States of America presidency. I heard that you’re running on surfboards and steel guitars for everybody and then putting a [skate] bowl in at the White House. How’s that progressing? Would Jack be a running mate of yours?
B: Yeah, Jack or [retired professional skateboarder] Tony Hawk, I suppose!
J: You’ve got a couple of days spare while you’re here. It’s a very tight tour schedule, but you’ve got a little bit of a gap in the middle between your gigs in Queenstown and Auckland. Have you got any plans to check out some waves or skate parks while you’re here? What do you do in your downtime in New Zealand?
B: Yeah, skate parks. That’s it – concrete, finding as much concrete as possible. When I get off the phone with you, there’s a local coffee shop here in New Plymouth that supposedly has a bowl in the coffee shop, so that’s getting hit up right now.