Driving excellence

Mount Maunganui’s only driving range brings technology and pro coaching together to make improving your golf game even more enjoyable.

Words  Dan Collins / Photos Jahl Marshall

“Golf’s quite infectious,” Scott Pickett smiles, as the constant, gentle thwack of golf clubs hitting golf balls rings out behind him. “One person gets into it, they tell their mates and the next thing they’re dragging them out. It’s an addictive sport.”

It’s a cheerful day and we’re standing in one of the 19 covered bays at Golf 360, the only golf driving range in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui. As we chat, a steady stream of golfers trickle in and out. 

In the far bay, a middle-aged chap who looks like he knows what he’s doing effortlessly whacks his golf balls down the range, while beside us a retiree practises her swing. Next to her, two teens share a bucket of balls and a laugh, and a couple of bays away, a 20-something works on her swing under the watchful instruction of one of the facility's PGA pro coaches, who happens to be a former New Zealand champion. 

The diverse group of players here this morning challenges preconceptions and proves how much golf has changed in recent years. No longer the preserve of stuffy, wealthy older gents, the sport has worked hard to attract new players and become welcoming to all who want to give it a shot. 

This is something Scott is passionate about. Since taking sole ownership of Golf 360 four years ago, he’s worked tirelessly to make the facility as welcoming and friendly as possible to new players, while providing the depth of knowledge and expertise that top players demand and is invaluable help to anyone looking to improve their game.

“One of our philosophies is, ‘Golf is hard, so let's try and make the game a little bit easier’,” he says. 

That philosophy drives, excuse the pun, every aspect of Golf 360. Every bay in the driving range sports the latest in fancy golf technology that you can use to analyse your game; you can get private lessons to identify, zone in and work out your problem areas; you can play a challenging round of mini golf on their Mount Maunganui-themed course; and you can even get fitted for your own set of personally tailored golf clubs, the ultimate experience for golfers wanting to reach the next level. 

It’s one that’s also surprisingly affordable. Scott tells me that a set of fitted clubs doesn’t cost more than a set of off-the-rack clubs. Best of all, there’s no charge for the fitting experience, during which your swing is analysed and you’re run through various combinations of club heads to find the absolute best one for your playing style. During the process you’ll see, in real time, how the different club heads impact your shot and the improvements the various brands and shapes are making.

“Everyone’s got a unique swing DNA – the way they swing – so we’re trying to match the clubs to that as best we can. It’s great that it doesn’t cost them any more,” Scott says. “We’d much rather sell them a set of clubs that are custom-fitted, designed for them, than something that’s off the rack.”

As experienced fitters, Scott and his team have a good idea about what might work for individual golfers, calling it an educated trial-and-error process that works off the data their process provides. 

“But also with their goals in mind as well. What are they trying to achieve?” Scott adds. “Sometimes we might be convinced that a particular model and brand is going to work out great, but it doesn’t always work out. We let the clubs do the talking. We’ll interpret the data, the technology and the clubs rather than steering them too much in a certain direction or to preconceived ideas.”

Because as anyone who’s ever played a round will tell you, all the data in the world can’t compensate for that most intangible quality of all: Feel. “Exactly right,” Scott exclaims. “When I’m fitting someone I can’t feel what’s going on, but we’ll ask the customer throughout the process, ‘What does that feel like?’ That’s important. If they say the club feels heavy or clunky, we take that advice on board.”

Scott says that one of the best parts of the job is calling people to tell them their custom-fitted clubs
have arrived. “It’s exciting,” Scott smiles. “You’re keen to see what they’re going to do for your game and usually they will make a difference.”

The club fitting and some of the lessons take place inside, not out on the range. To the right of the entrance when you walk into Golf 360, there’s a giant, wall-sized screen with an artificial hitting mat in front and a small box set up to the side on the ground. This unassuming box is Golf 360’s secret weapon. 

It’s called the Foresight GCQuad, and it’s a quadrascopic high-speed camera system that precisely measures every aspect of how your club hits the ball to create an accurate picture of your shot, capturing everything from launch angle, ball speed, spin, impact strength, angle of club… 

Basically, every aspect of how you hit the ball and where the ball goes after you’ve hit it.

“Golf’s a highly technical sport, and using this technology helps so that neither the player nor the coach is guessing as to what’s going wrong,” Scott explains. “We can see what the club’s doing and that has an effect on what the ball does. Because of that, we can make changes and then see what that does to the club information and how that affects ball flight. We can get very quick changes and results because of it. We can see results very quickly.”

But against the backdrop of numbers and data, you don’t want to forget that golf is a game. And games are supposed to be fun. Which is something else the GCQuad caters for.

“It makes it entertaining,” Scott says of his recent decision to fit out every bay in the driving range
with their own GCQuad unit. “You can actually play real-world courses on it.”

This means that you can hit your ball down Golf 360’s 240m long driving range and the full-colour touchscreen in your bay shows you how you fared on a virtual course. You can even directly compete in a virtual round of golf against your mate in another bay, and then compare your play data at the end. It’s a true game-changer.

“There’s a great little pitch and putt course which is ideal for a beginner golfer who is a little daunted about going out on the golf course but wants to work on their technique,” Scott enthuses. “They can come along and hit every club in their bag playing that little course. It’s very realistic, they have their shot, it tracks it and you can see the result on the screen."

Whether you want to pop in for a quick hit with a 45-ball bucket, spend some serious time working on your technique with the Mega Bucket of 175 balls, or anything in between, Golf 360 has you covered – even in bad weather, as the bays are fully covered, or at night, as the range is floodlit, with Scott saying late-night Thursdays are especially popular. 

And if golf’s something you’ve wanted to try but aren’t sure whether it’s for you, club hireage is just $5. As Scott says, golf has never been more accessible, and they love seeing new faces come through the door.

“We’re always seeing people we haven’t seen before. It’s exciting,” Scott says. “A lot of people haven’t been exposed to golf, and for many this will be their only taste. For us, it’s about people having a go.”

New players of all ages, genders and ethnicities started showing up during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when golf was one of the few sports you could play under Level 3 restrictions, with Scott saying ladies’ golf has seen one of the biggest upswings.

“Larissa Blackbourn, one of our PGA pro coaches, is heavily involved in our ladies’ coaching and she’s not had a problem at all filling up her ladies’ clinics,” Scott says. “There’s so much interest there from ladies in the game.”

He says the improvements he’s made to Golf 360 since taking over have completely re-energised the place.

“It’s more golfer-friendly,” he smiles, as the diverse batch of golfers around us thwack their balls down the fairway. “There’s a good buzz around.” 

golf360.co.nz

Back to the future

A lifetime of adventure and careers abroad has seen Jason Eves return to a family-focused BOP lifestyle and a professional role that offers challenge, reward and an outlet for excellence.

Words Jo Ferris

When it comes to Tauranga, I can’t help but connect with the idiom “born and bred”. Born in Tauranga Hospital and a pupil of Tauranga Primary School, Tauranga Intermediate and finally Tauranga Boys’ College, the main homes of my childhood were on Grace Road and Eleventh Avenue. I still very much connect
with these areas, having recently moved back to Grace Road late last year.

I met my wife Abigail at a conference while living in Auckland and working as national sales manager for the Animal Health division of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Abigail at the time was a key accounts manager based in Wellington. About eight months into a long-distance relationship, she joined me in Auckland and moved into a licensing executive role at TVNZ.

In our mid-thirties I had already lived five years overseas in Australia and the UK, but Abigail was keen to travel, so we picked up sticks and sailed off on an adventure. After varying directorship and management roles centred around high value assets and property in North America, we returned to New Zealand 12 years and one three-year-old daughter later.

Our decision to return to New Zealand was largely centred around our daughter, Harper, who is now seven years old and enjoying the same school playground that I did back in the 70s. We also wanted the lifestyle that Tauranga could provide for our family, and were excited by the opportunity to properly reconnect with family and friends who had remained in, or had also returned to, the Bay of Plenty.

Oliver Road is very much a family business. While it doesn’t bear the surnames of my business partner Cam Winter, nor mine (as was the case with my father Max Eves, who established EVES Real Estate in the late 60s,) we are personally connected to everything it stands for: The company’s values, reputation, level of service and outcomes delivered for clients are all reflective and representative of who we are. For us, Oliver Road was about rethinking and rebuilding the entire approach to selling real estate from the ground up, starting with a clear understanding of just how significantly technology and lifestyles have changed since the standard industry platform was established. Every field has had to deal with faster delivery of larger volumes of information, and we’ve all needed to specialise in order to contend with this ever-evolving landscape.

Narrowing our focus, increasing our level of understanding, and deepening our knowledge grows our capacity to deliver improved outcomes.
By looking inward and taking the time and space to explore our insights, we can question what we’ve previously done or held true – and then we can develop hypotheses, apply changes, and pave our own way forward. I think this best sums up Oliver Road’s journey so far.

At Oliver Road, we don’t have a phalanx of salespeople or subscribe to the “bigger is better” philosophy. Rather, we instead support our clients, customers, and outcomes by adding roles that enhance the single service we offer. Every decision we make about how to structure our business, including those people we select to join the Oliver Road family, is born out of our desire to constantly evolve and improve our specialist endeavour. We are dedicated to offering our clients an alternative, and are excited about what the future of real estate will bring.

oliverroadestateagents.com

Next big thing

The up-and-coming star of Muru got into acting almost
by accident – but his onscreen talent is certainly no fluke.
Words  Dan Collins

Rising star Poroaki Merritt-McDonald opens UNO’s interview with a surprising confession.

“I wasn’t too big on the idea of being an actor,” he admits, before explaining how his mum helped him turn tragedy into triumph, while also keeping him from wandering down the wrong path – despite his protestations at the time. The 18-year-old local is being hotly tipped as the next big Kiwi actor to take flight, having starred in notable New Zealand films like Muru and Savage, as well as the theatre play Little Black Bitch.

“It wasn’t until I went through losing my brother and kind of went off the rails that my mum thought to chuck me into acting, to help me cope with what I was dealing with at the time,” he continues. “I’ve always been an out-of-the-box type of person, a bit of a character, all my life. So she thought she’d just chuck me into that.”

It was a prudent move and one that proves the old saying ‘mother knows best’. Even if initially she had to drag him along to drama classes.

“A lot of the time I was annoyed at my mother for making me do it,” he laughs. “But I look at it now and I’m like, ‘Ah, okay. Thank you, Mum!’”

The very first audition he got was for the lead role in a short film called My Brother Mitchell, which screened at the New Zealand International Film Festival back in 2018.

“That was based on the director losing his older brother, so I had that connection straight away with the director,” he says. “Acting just went on from there. I feel like it was fate.”

Poroaki’s a friendly and engaging guy and was used to the limelight, thanks to his time performing in a Kapa Haka group, which he credits for giving him skills that he was able to transfer to acting.

Even still, the natural performer says that he found his first audition extremely nerve-wracking. “Walking into the audition room I was definitely nervous and didn’t know how to come across or what to expect,” he says. “But once I got into a flow I started seeing all the benefits and started to really enjoy it. After the first short film I thought to myself, ‘I wouldn’t mind doing this.’”

His performance in My Brother Mitchell got him noticed, and more auditions started coming in. One was for a role in the critically acclaimed feature film Savage in 2020, a movie no less than The Guardian described as “a moving New Zealand street-gang saga” and a “touching character study.” But even with these successes behind him, the Bay of Plenty local still wasn’t sure if acting was for him.

“It wasn’t until Muru, really, when I thought I could do something with acting. For a lot of it I really thought I was tin-assing my way through. That it was just luck,” he reflects. “I thought I only got My Brother Mitchell because of that connection with the director and I really thought I only got Savage because I had a really rugged haircut!"

“After Muru, people started giving me props and nice feedback, and I thought maybe I could do it. Leading up to Muru, I still didn’t have too much of a care about acting. It was taking me away from school and rugby tournaments and all of that stuff. Every time I missed out on a school trip I’d be moaning, ‘I just want to hang out with my mates’. My parents would be like, ‘Do you want to hang out with your mates at the marae or do you want to be in America at a five-star hotel?’ So, it wasn’t until Muru when I realised that if I tried and really applied myself I could get somewhere with this.”

As well as being a game changer for his career, Muru has also been a true game-changer for his outlook. Previously, he’d begrudgingly go to auditions telling his mum he didn’t want to do them or that he “couldn’t be bothered”. That all changed when he heard about Muru. He says something clicked in his head and he knew that he really wanted to be a part of it.

“I thought I was actually going for an audition for Vegas,” he says, referencing TVNZ’s action-thriller series. “I had this mullet at the time and the casting crew asked if I knew how to ride a horse. I’ll be honest with you, I wasn’t the best horse rider.” He lets out a hearty laugh and then grins, “But I said yes anyway. You gotta fake it to make it, man!”

Having had his equestrian skills verbally confirmed, they proceeded to tell him what he was actually there auditioning for.

“When they gave me the rundown of what Muru was about, straightaway I was like, ‘I need to do this.’ This is one of the most pinnacle stories and historical moments that has happened in New Zealand, and for Māori, in the 20th century,” he says. “I was beyond relieved about getting this part, eh. It was a big uplifting moment, a real proud moment I felt for myself, to be able to tell this story. I feel for all my cousins from just down the road. When I was looking into all the stories from locals and people that were a part of it or heard of it, it was quite emotional.”

Muru tells the story of 2007’s real-life event that saw the Government’s elite Special Tactics group raid a remote Māori township in Ruatoki, in the Eastern Bay, under the auspices of the Terrorism Suppression Act.

“Although this movie is a recreation, it’s more of a response. It shines a light on a dark story that has been hidden away from us,” Poroaki says of the film. “The first few scenes I did I was with all the Kaumatua, the elderly, and on the van trips with them I’d be yarning to them, asking, ‘What was it like? How did it feel? What actually went down?’

“You don’t learn about this type of history in school. I felt really embarrassed for myself being a Māori and growing up in the Māori world, that I didn’t know much about in the first place. I was like, ‘Yeah, not only would this be a great story to finally let out to New Zealand and the world, but it would also be a grea learning moment for me to see what happened to my cousins from Whakatāne.”

Born in Tauranga, Poroaki grew up in Arataki (“the hood,” he laughs) before moving out to the more rural setting of Matapihi. With Muru under his belt, he’s now signed with a big UK talent agency and has already had a couple of overseas auditions, although he’s under strict instructions not to reveal any of the details about what these may be just yet. He’s also starring in a new TV show, which he says will be out around November, and is currently working on a new theatre production with his mates and some well-known directors that will be staged in Tauranga early next year.

UNO notes that this sounds like a busy schedule and he agrees, saying, “There’s not a lot of breaks but I’m enjoying it.”

Poroaki found that one of the unexpected pleasures of his success is how it motivated and inspired his friends to also get involved in the arts, with many finding their own successes in doing so and forming a bustling creative community here in the Bay.

“As Māori men in New Zealand, we’re mostly perceived as tough fellas who only make it in rugby. That’s all we’re really good at,” he says.
“So opening this door to my mates, that nah, it’s not just sports, it’s not just rugby. I always looked at my mates and thought, ‘Some of you are a lot better than me at this, you could actually do this’.
It has opened up a real big doorway for mates who were into Shakespeare and all the performing arts. It’s been a proud moment being able to see all my mates up on stage. They just blow me away. One of my mates is actually now over in London and about to perform at the Globe!”

He smiles and says, “That’s where a bit of perseverance and sitting down and learning lines can take you.” 

Into the Incubator

This creative hub has built a colourful reputation over nine amazing years

Words Sue Hoffart Photos supplied

Pilots love the rainbow-hued roadway that loudly, proudly adorns the entrance to The Incubator’s headquarters inside Tauranga’s Historic Village.

From the air, the artwork has become a well-known and cheery navigation beacon for passing planes. On the ground, it is yet another practical example of the “edgy, alternative, multi-genre art space” that Incubator director Simone Anderson envisaged a decade ago.

When the Tauranga artist set out to establish a creative hub for budding fellow practitioners, she and her
small team inhabited a converted barn divided into six studios. These days, the barn – dubbed the mother ship – is headquarters to an arts organisation that boasts 24 resident artists who now inhabit 15 buildings within The Village. Countless initiatives, events and artists have flourished along the way.

Every year, thousands of people visit to celebrate eccentricity at the Fringe Festival or attend Incubator-led workshops, to hear live music or buy the ceramics and clothing, jewellery and other items created by artists working on site.

“We’re expanding and growing beyond our wildest expectations and we’re changing the perception of
what our city is,” Simone says. “Tauranga has had a reputation as a cultural wasteland. We knew that wasn’t the case but now all these alternative, quirky high-functioning artists are really visible, in one place,
in The Village.

“And we have this whole ecosystem of working artists who now have community support, sharing resources and marketing and retail space.”

The Incubator is living up to its name in a multitude of ways. As well as incubating talent and ideas, it is inspiring visitors to appreciate new or different art forms.

“We want people to say yay, I went to that exhibition or event and I didn’t even don’t know I was interested till I saw it. Far out, that was cool.

“And we want everyone to realise art is a real, professional trade, like an electrician or a plumber.”

The organisation is also propagating creativity beyond The Village gates.

Tauranga Art Gallery has featured work by many artists who found their feet through the Incubator, while the city centre and local area are more vibrant thanks to murals by Incubator graduate Sam Allen. The young painter found confidence and connections in The Village.

City women are wearing clothing by fashion designer Kerry Funnell, who launched her Nape label and boutique after sharing a satellite studio in The Village.

“Kerry’s work is stunning, and people can walk in and see her with her sewing machine and bolts of fabric, on the main street here.

“The Village has always been an open, inclusive asset for the city and that’s exactly what we aim to be. Everything we do is really grassroots, accessible, the cost barrier is low. It’s not elite or pretentious.”

The art deco Village Cinema has recently joined The Incubator stable, with its Hollywood-themed designs and "for the people, by the people" mantra. The cinema aims to cater to everyone from independent filmmakers to people living with dementia or a disability while embracing guests who are neurodiverse, new immigrants, on a low income, or from the LGBTQIA+ community. Audiences can expect to find vintage, arthouse or Pasifika film events as well as children’s holiday or private screenings and Bollywood film nights.

At the eastern end of The Village, a creative community campus is the newest addition. This development, in a repurposed Montessori school, encompasses a textile and sewing hub, a ceramic and pottery hub, large outdoor teaching spaces and a roomy classroom ideal for workshops and seminars.

“It’s one of our most exciting projects. It’s second in size to the city’s art gallery and it’s a game-changer for the city in terms of arts infrastructure.”

theincubator.co.nz

Great escape

Running from October 12 to 16, Tauranga’s Escape Festival brings some of the best writers and thinkers to the Bay for a little celebration of big ideas.

Impressive writing, journalism and thinking is what makes up this series of invigorating talks and panel discussions. Here are some of the authors featured and highlights to look forward to at Escape 2022.

Gangland

In Gangland, Tauranga’s own award-winning investigative reporter Jared Savage shines a light into New Zealand's rising underworld of organised crime. His stories go behind the headlines and reveal an invisible world that’s frighteningly close to home - in which millions of dollars are made, life is cheap and allegiances can change with the pull of a trigger. Gangland also reveals the wider social issues facing Aotearoa, including gangs and our illicit drug market. Over the past 20 years, dealers have graduated from motorcycle gangs to Asian crime syndicates and now the Mexican cartels - the most dangerous drug lords in the world. 

One in Four 

One in Four is an intimate kōrero between recently retired fertility counsellor and author of Maybe Baby Sue Saunders; actor and author Michelle Langstone, who writes about her IVF journey in her outstanding novel Times Like These; and journalist, actor (Shortland Street) and writer Elisabeth Easther. 

Barrister Kathryn Lellman, who has sponsored this special event, says, “One area of speciality for me in my family law practice is surrogacy and adoption, and I am endlessly fascinated by  the ways through which we can now make babies and constitute families and how that is reflected legally. I am acutely aware of the challenges fertility issues bring to families. It is going to be a fascinating, heartfelt session.”

The Mirror Book

Shortlisted for the 2022 Ockham Book Awards, Charlotte Grimshaw’s explosive and thought-provoking memoir The Mirror Book is a vivid account of growing up in one of New Zealand’s most well-known literary families: That of poet, novelist and memoirist CK Stead. Grimshaw says, “When I became a writer I took a different surname from my father’s to distinguish myself from him. But later on in life I discovered I was still very enmeshed in our family fictions, and my memoir The Mirror Book is an account of challenging those fictions, forming my own opinions and finally achieving my own sense of a truly independent self. I received ferocious reactions before the book was published, and when I showed the manuscript to some members of my family. I wanted to publish the book even though I knew it would be difficult.” In conversation with Michelle Langstone, Grimshaw deep-dives into this truth, the fallout, and the messy reality of family life.

Too Much Money

Today, someone in the wealthiest one percent of adults in Aotearoa – a club of 40,000 people – has a net worth 68 times that of the average New Zealander. Max Rashbrooke’s Too Much Money is the story of how wealth inequality is changing Aotearoa. This talk addresses a conversation most New Zealanders prefer to avoid: class. Chief Philanthropic Officer at the Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation, Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’i speaks with Rashbrooke and final Chair of Auckland District Health Board and company director Pat Snedden about the evidence of - and the possible solutions to - our inequality issues, and asks us to consider whether we really can reduce wealth disparities to a point where most people are doing well.

NUKU: Story Sovereignty 

In 2021 the much-celebrated book, NUKU: Stories of 100 Indigenous Women was released, platforming Indigenous wāhine and giving them ownership over their narrative in an unfiltered, uninterrupted way. Through telling their stories, the women in NUKU seek to influence the world around them. In this powerful panel session, NUKU founder, creator and publisher Qiane Matata-Sipu (Te Waiohua, Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao and Cook Islands) discusses story sovereignty with two formidable Tauranga wāhine – Pāpāmoa-based marine ecologist, Professor Kura Paul-Burke (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Whakahemo), filmmaker and producer Chelsea Winstanley (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi), alongside racial equity educator, Kat Poi (Tainui, Te Arawa, Tonga) from Courageous Conversations South Pacific. These women will generously share their stories – the good and ugly – and wrestle with how story sovereignty could be improved today in Aotearoa.

taurangafestival.co.nz

Style status

Looks you can’t live without this winter

Words / Nicky Adams

Key pieces

Brace for a wet and windy winter with the ultimate wardrobe staple - the trench coat. This year outerwear silhouettes are trending as oversized, and while the extra wiggle room is handy for when you need to layer up underneath, upsized can feel just plain big on smaller frames. If you feel like you’re wearing a sack, then look for structure with exaggerated shoulders as an option. Pleats have cemented their place in every capsule wardrobe by becoming more prolific than ever – skirts, shirts, and dresses, you name it, you can find a pleat in it. The beauty of the pleat is that there’s something for everyone, and they’re quick and easy to style. A pleated skirt or dress looks sophisticated with a long blazer or pair a floaty fabric pleat with a heavy jumper for casual. The trick is to pick a pleat width to flatter your figure – an elasticated waist will create more bulk in this area, a dropped pleat less. Skirts themselves are having a hey-day; again, they offer versatility and open up colourways and patterns that you might not usually wear close to your face. Equally fabric that you may feel too ‘evening’ i.e., silk or sequins, can easily be dressed down for day wear in skirt form. It’s hard not to mention leather/faux leather trousers as a staple – now very much a daywear option they are more versatile, and hardwearing, than you would ever have imagined. Wide, straight, or tapered leg, leather is the new denim.

Trending now

Most wanted this season

In the pink

There’s so much to love about trends this winter – from the rush to get a fringe cut in (better than Botox it’s claimed) to a huge surge in searches for yellow after the UK Jubilee celebrations. Bright, feelgood colours are in vogue, and pink is most definitely the hue of the season (particularly fuchsia). People can’t get enough of the uplifting nature of this palette: psychologically soothing, it tends to be flattering on all skin tones, and with no age limit on wearing it, it’s hard to resist. If diaphanous pink dresses aren’t your thing, then try sharp tailoring – a pink blazer suit with a simple white vest top or t-shirt and white sneakers is a modern classic. If this is too much, then a colour pop with shoes or bag will do nicely.  

Metallic Moments

Another big look this season is the vest, which can be tied into so many different styles, from preppy knits to boho. Throw on with a skirt, pants or over a dress - super quick, super chic. If there is ever a time to revel in the decadence of molten metal, it’s winter, and this season it’s all about the look of liquid metallics. While gorgeous sequins are perennially popular, the subtle, grown-up feel of a shimmering metallic is contemporary and luxurious all in one. If all over sheen is too much, then look for lurex which can be found woven through everything from knitwear to a basic tee. 

Jean genie

The magic of getting to grips with wearing baggy jeans.

I think it’s fair to say that unless you happen to be a Gen Z, most women are currently struggling with the concept of finally retiring their beloved skinny jeans. I must confess that even though I haven’t worn mine for some time, they still haven’t been culled from the wardrobe. A bit like a breakup when it’s hard to know when to finally rip up the photos in case there’s a reunion, many of us have stashed our pairs still within reach. Nevertheless, when Kate Moss – the original pioneer of the skinny jean – moved on, the rest of us were on notice.

Most of the reticence to replace the skinny is simply that unlike a close fit jean, which tends to fit any form - even if, in my case, it involved a fight against the cotton/Lycra mix fuelled saggy bum look - baggy presents myriad style quandaries. Mention the move to baggies and the concerns fly from all directions - too short, too stumpy, too old – unless you are a 5ft 10 beanpole, it can initially seem daunting. In fact, the slouchier look is far more flattering to a far wider spectrum of figures and ages than it initially appears, and as a bonus its comfort levels put it up there with loungewear.

The first difference with baggies, is unlike skinny leg, there is an awful lot of choice. From wide leg to tapered, mom to boyfriend, high waist or low slung – there are many variations on the theme. Which means that there really is something for everyone, no matter body shape or height. Another key factor is there is a huge amount to be said for styling the top half, as well as footwear – these simple things will make the difference between feeling less like Eminem and more like Hailey Bieber.

The high waist tends to be a go-to for the more mature among us – not only will it elongate the legs, but nothing feels better than relaxing those lack lustre stomach muscles and letting the denim do the work. Pair with a knotted satin shirt, a boxy Chanel style jacket or blazer for a sleek look. High waist is also a winner for the younger and tauter of tummy – a loose crop top tee for a casual vibe, or bralette style for evening. Proportion and fit are key – a more relaxed bottom looks chicest with the contrast of a neater top.

When it comes to the fit of the leg if you are shorter and curvier seek out something specific to your shape -multiple brands offer both petite and curvy options (Abrand, Nobody Denim, Good American to name a few). Try to avoid too much fabric through the hips – loose rather than voluminous. Don’t buy a flare that is too long with a view to taking it up, the flare will get lost when shortened and you’ll be left with a bootleg.

Those long of limb and boyish of hip are the perfect candidate for a low rise, as well as the baggy style. Again, style with a silky shirt, this time pick a slightly more tailored look and tuck it in. A skinny belt looks fab with low rise, and if you’re on the shorter side then keep the top simple. Without the high waist to lengthen the leg, footwear becomes more important. While sneakers and chunky boots look fab with relaxed jeans, a stacked heel looks great, or a chunky loafer with added sole.

Ultimately getting in the changing room with an armful of denim is the only foolproof way to find the right amount of baggy for you. And if when all is said and done you prefer a more streamlined silhouette, that’s fine – personal style is always on trend.

Fashion forecast

Put a spring in your step by incorporating upcoming trends into this season’s wardrobe.

Ultra mini

As temperatures start to rise, so will hemlines. The micro-mini has been awaiting its return, and it’s back with a vengeance for spring. With everything from sequin to satin to stretch knit, these miniscule minis are in super statement shades, prints and fabrics, and are ready to pack a punch. Designers are aching to recreate the late 90s vibe, so there’s a smattering of everything replayed - hemlines are frayed, waists are low, and for the more sophisticated feel matching tweed jackets are paired with the teeny tiny skirts.

A bit of fluff

If you’re looking ahead for the perfect transitional statement to take into the new season – then you’ve found it in feather detailing. Feature feathers have been edging back in on the runway for a wee while, and whether a feather accent on a shoe or full marabou jacket, even the most casual outfit can be transported to old school glamour with the addition of a little plumage. 

Colour me pretty

Cast aside your dingy sweaters and bring out the bright, bold colourways. For spring prints are big and boisterous with abstract prints and stripes reigning supreme. While the Breton stripe simply never goes away, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal stripes all feature heavily this spring. Oh, and so much green to come – from lime to grass, this colour will freshen up every wardrobe.

Net worth

Stretchy sheer knits in spring hues have taken off. Ultra-fine and uber comfortable, netted knits are the next step in the ribbed knitwear dress / pant/ skirt-top style that has been trending for the last couple of years. With the netted look coming at us in everything from tops to bags, this is an offbeat fashion that can be styled for day or night.

Guiding light

A stunning new interactive artwork, unveiled during Matariki,
has brought its warm glow to a humble bus shelter – and to passersby – in Tauranga.

The Willow Street bus shelter in central Tauranga has a chequered history, but artist Sara Hughes (left) hopes her interactive, colourful art installation, Midnight Sun, will shift the public’s opinion of the troubled site. The artwork launched during Matariki, and its intent is to bring beauty, light and a feeling of warmth and safety into the city centre during a season of new beginnings.

Suspended above the Willow Street bus shelter and wrapping around Tauranga Art Gallery to Wharf Street, Midnight Sun is comprised of 96 panels of glass which create a 260-square-metre corridor of coloured light on the footpath below. As clouds pass overhead, hues of pink and gold will flicker on the pavement, bathing passers-by in a warm glow. At night, Midnight Sun
will be lit to simulate the luminosity of sunset and bring beauty – and safety – to the bus stop and surrounding area.

Sara, an established and dynamic artist whose works grace public and private spaces across Australasia, tells UNO more about her creative process and what inspired her to create Midnight Sun.

 UNO: How did this project come about?
Sara: I was approached by Sonya Korohina of Supercut Projects at the end of 2020. At that time, she was putting forward a proposal to Creative New Zealand to fund a series of public artworks for Tauranga. These projects were originally to coincide with the Tauranga Arts Festival, but due to COVID-19 cancellations, the projects were delayed and have been spread out over the past year, with mine being the final one. I was drawn to this project as I felt an affinity with the city.

UNO: What is your aim with the piece?
Sara: Midnight Sun is an artwork about the daily rhythm of the setting sun. I aim to draw viewers in with beauty and recognition, then allow them to discover the artwork and have their own encounter with it. I hope it will pause people in their daily life. Midnight Sun can be walked under and driven past; it will have different moods in different weather conditions; it can be viewed during the day and at night; it’s open 24 hours a day – there are many ways to experience this artwork. 

UNO: What was it like to work on?
Sara: The project has been in development since early 2021. There are a lot of different people required to get this artwork to completion, and it’s been great to work with Sonya and Tauranga City Council on the details and project management. Local photographer Anne Shirley documented sunsets in Tauranga for me over the month of June in 2021. These photographs form the base layers on top of which I layer my painted imagery. While I have been developing the imagery, I work closely on the technique with a printer, and I worked with light designer Richard Bracebridge on achieving a warm golden glow of 2200 kelvin to mimic the light at sunset. It’s exciting to see all the parts come together.

UNO: What inspires you?
Sara: I have travelled a lot and lived all over the world, and these experiences have influenced me. I’m currently fascinated by the measuring of time and light and the way our day is structured by the sun and the earth’s orbit. How the light changes during this rotation from day to night and all the variants in between. Wherever you are in the world you can experience this – that’s what I’m interested in capturing in Midnight Sun.

UNO: What do you love about public art?
Sara: Over the past 20 years, I’ve focussed on working in site-specific contexts and examining the way people relate to art in their environment. I strongly believe public artworks are important to the urban fabric of cities. Aesthetics are important, but public art is more than decoration; it can make an important contribution to a site, it can communicate with the public, and it gives voice to ideas. I love that public art can be seen by everybody. There’s humanity in that. It’s rewarding for me to hear from a wide range of people who respond to seeing my public artwork. People’s lives are busy and its fulfilling when someone tells you that the highlight of their day is the bus trip past your artwork. 

Artgallery.org.nz

At the water’s edge

A family-friendly weekend in Taupō is fun for parents and kids alike.

words Hayley Barnett

Thinking of Taupō, I see a giant lake, the iconic Macca’s aeroplane (every Kiwi kid’s dining dream), and an Irish pub with good food that conjures up regrettable memories from my early twenties. When my partner challenged me to find a family-friendly destination close to the Bay, which would entertain us rain, hail, or shine, it was the first town I thought of. The forecast looked gloomy for our weekend away so we needed some serious back-up plans to keep the youngsters occupied. Luckily, I was right and Taupō came through with the goods.

Editor Hayley and her kids’ Poppy and Oscar make a splash at the Hilton Lake Taupo.

HILTON LAKE TAUPO

Perched on the hill just behind the main township sits a stunning 19th-century heritage building which takes you back in time to the Victorian era. It was this picturesque scene that jumped out at me when searching for accommodation on Booking.com. The hotel boasts five stars on the website so I knew we were in good hands, but I was still surprised to find out just how good those hands were. Our three-bedroom, two bathroom self-contained apartment was livable to say the least – as in, I could quite happily live there forever. The living area spanned the width of the building, giving us all-day sun and stunning views each side of the hotel – of the lake as well as the pool, spa and gym area. The Bistro Lago Restaurant offers delicious food all day, and we treated ourselves to an all-you-can-eat breakfast every morning. I’m not going to lie – it was hard to drag ourselves away from this spot, and the serviced pool area didn’t help. Only when the wind and rain swept in unexpectedly were we forced to think about making some sort of plan for the weekend. We sat down, perused our collection of tourism brochures, and decided we would each pick an activity. And so our adventure began.

booking.com

TIMBERLINE RACING SIBERIAN HUSKIES

My partner, Karl, chose an unusual activity. Watching dogs race around a track isn’t normally my cup of tea, but this one proved to be a hit for everyone. Not only did we get to watch some impressively fast dogs pull a very tall man around a track, we were also able to pat, cuddle and mingle with the dogs afterwards. It’s obvious the tall man, Steve Coxhead, and his wife Taniya have a shared passion for dogs. They both mentor Husky owners on top of managing the racing team, since many new owners find themselves baffled by the breed. Steve tells us they are no ordinary dog: “They just want to run and have no loyalty to you whatsoever. They’re pack dogs.”

Despite this, the pair light up at any questions about the Huskies, and each dog is loved for its own unique personality, which they’ll gladly describe in detail. They have owned and trained the breed for more than 25 years and pride themselves on being a home for life for Siberian Huskies. This is one activity that any dog lover will enjoy.

TIMBERLINERACINGHUSKIES.CO.NZ

TONGARIRO NATIONAL TROUT CENTRE

In my first job out of school, I spent time working for the Turangi Chronicle. I was keen to revisit the tiny town surrounded by nature. I remember beautiful riverside walks and the famous Turangi Bakery and Café, where I would undo all my good work with a pie and a custard twist.

On my daily drive past the Trout Centre, I always wondered what it was like. Since having a fish-obsessed child, now was probably a good time to find out. So we headed out to Turangi, a 45-minute scenic drive from Taupō, along the lakeside. Tongariro Trout Centre is located in a beautiful spot next to the Tongariro River and offers fish feeding, conservation education and a very pretty walk along the river edge. The kids loved finding and feeding the fish, as well as exploring this little piece of paradise hidden in the bush. A must for nature lovers.

TROUTCENTRE.COM

TAUPŌ DEBRETTS HOT SPRINGS, POOLS AND WATER PARK

Our own little fish, Poppy, chose to visit the local hot springs, nestled conveniently next door to the Heritage Hotel. It was also the perfect Sunday rainy day activity. We threw our towels overhead and ran across the driveway, then down the steep slope that heads to DeBretts Water Park. The hot springs were a great way to relax after the intensity of excitable dogs and long walks the day before. And the three water slides kept Poppy entertained for hours. Oscar was a little more cautious and stuck to the preschoolers’ water park, filled with splashing buckets and a much less daunting water slide for the littlies.

TAUPŌDEBRETTS.CO.NZ

MIND JUNCTION

Our four-year-old LEGO® enthusiast, Oscar, made the fastest decision when it came to each of us choosing an activity. He took one look at the plastic fantastic world in the Mind Junction brochure and was instantly sold. It didn’t disappoint. The activity park was a good stop-off on our way back home as it sits slightly on the outskirts of Taupō off State Highway 1. The LEGO® room displays 30 years of collecting and is New Zealand’s only public LEGO® display, featuring Star Wars, trains, The Simpsons, a ferris wheel, a container ship, Friends and hundreds of other LEGO® creations. Oscar (and Dad) spent so much time finding all the hidden characters that we only managed to get to one other activity that Mind Junction offers, the Discovery Centre. This interactive science experience allows you to participate in mirror and optical illusions, magnet and sound experiments, and a whole heap more. With mini golf, a giant maze, flight and shooting simulators, a family could easily spend an entire day here.

MINDJUNCTION.CO.NZ

Hayley and family stayed at Heritage Lake Taupō courtesy of booking.com.

Between the lines

Books A Plenty owners Scott and Sheree Brown reveal their all-time favourite books.

Heartstopper

By Alice Oseman

Hachette (Publisher)

It's the first day back at Truham Grammar High School. Charlie Spring, an openly gay year 10, is seated next to Nick Nelson, a Year 11 boy from the rugby team. After being assigned next to each other in the new vertical form classrooms, they're quick to become close friends. But with this closeness, Charlie develops feelings for Nick that he is unsure goes both ways.

It's not often I come across a book series that I would read in one sitting, but Heartstopper is definitely one of them. In these heartwarming novels, Alice Oseman achieves a positive representation of queer love. Telling a story not of tragedy but of acceptance and celebration in identity and sexuality. Depicting so many relevant topics and presenting them in a realistic way, these books can be incredibly comforting. Heartstopper can be your best friend, and can help you feel like you're not alone in your struggles.

Sheree’s pick

The Alchemist

By Paulo Coelho

HarperCollins (Publisher)

The Alchemist is about a boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried near the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist who points Santiago in the direction of his quest.

A fantastic book full of wisdom and philosophy. The story bursts with optimism and shows that the journey to your destiny is as important as the destiny itself. I think this book is appealing because we all have dreams and sometimes we just want someone to tell us that they may come true. The Alchemist is a very exciting novel and it deserves a space on everyone’s bookshelf.

Hard Boiled Wonderland & the End of the World

By Haruki Murakami

Penguin (Publisher)

A narrative particle accelerator that zooms between Wild Turkey Whiskey and Bob Dylan, unicorn skulls and voracious librarians, John Coltrane and Lord Jim. This is science fiction, a detective story and a post-modern manifesto all rolled into one rip-roaring novel.

I found the method of story telling, with the use of parallel story lines, fascinating. The book’s chapters alternate between futuristic Tokyo (Hard-Boiled Wonderland), and an isolated town with a perimeter wall (The End of the World). As the story picks up, the reader begins to notice parallels between these two vastly different and far away worlds. 

Murakami unites East and West, tragedy and farce, compassion and detachment, slang and philosophy. Reading Murakami feels like experiencing a dream in book form.

Booksaplenty.nz

Georgia on my mind

With her emotional, original songs and powerful te reo Māori waiata,
singer-songwriter Georgia Lines is conquering the
New Zealand music industry.

words Sue Hoffart photos Graeme Murray

Having spent seven years striking at doors with her well-shod feet, piano-playing singer-songwriter Georgia Lines has finally entered the room.

Now, for the first time, the unquestionably talented Tauranga Moana artist has enough work to call herself a full-time music professional. She has clocked up more than 2 million streams for her singles – including a recent release in te reo Māori – as well as a self-titled 2020 extended play (EP) record. Her recent national tour comes on the back of other high-profile gigs at Auckland’s Eden Park, Spark Arena, The Civic, and New Plymouth’s Bowl of Brooklyn. Georgia has another EP tagged for release in late July, and is heading across the Tasman shortly, for a week of songwriting alongside other writers and producers. 

None of it has come easily. And she takes none of her recent successes for granted.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen next,” she says cheerfully. “We’re not in the clear yet, but I do feel excited now.”

In 2015, the then-18-year-old told UNO she was ready to face whatever highs and lows the notoriously difficult music industry might hurl her way. Instead of heading to university alongside her peers, the recently graduated Bethlehem College head girl was determined to be an independent artist. At the time, her debut single “Wannabe” had climbed to number six on New Zealand’s iTunes chart within one day. She was prepared to “go all in,” she said at the time. “Not put half a foot in the door, but kick it wide open.”

And boy has she kicked. And kicked. Against a global pandemic and multiple cancelled concerts and tours. Against isolation instead of audiences. Against financial uncertainty and the heartache of lost opportunities. 

When she speaks with UNO this time around, Georgia is finishing songs and making decisions over artwork for a new EP, while juggling interviews and wrapping up two tours. One is the much-delayed six-show, five-city Leave Behind music tour. The other is an annual road show that places inspiring New Zealanders in front of intermediate-aged children. This year’s National Young Leaders Day lineup included a bright young entrepreneur from Dunedin, the national Student Volunteer Army founder, an explorer who lost his leg in a volcanic eruption, and one determined 25-year-old singer.

She had no trouble relating to the resilience theme of this year’s leadership event, and has spoken with her young audiences about dealing with disappointment and online bullies, feelings of inadequacy, or being a people-loving extrovert during lockdown.

“COVID-19 has been really difficult,” the natural optimist admits. “There were many days I wanted to give up and throw in the towel. But my family and friends have kind of carried me through those really disappointing moments. 

“My first EP, in 2020, was released two days before lockdown. I had this big release party planned, even had the merch printed. And we had to pull the pin. That was the start of a string of events, of having to adapt and go okay, all right, we just have to carry on. Have a cry, let go of the emotion, feel what you feel, then pick yourself up and carry on.”

Music itself has also helped. Georgia’s single “Leave Behind” helped her deal with the sudden death of a beloved grandfather. The song addresses grief and the need to relinquish sentimental attachment to her Poppa’s possessions.

And how about those very few nasty online messages that come her way? 

“It’s easy to say words don’t affect me, but they do,” she admits. “No one likes to think they’re doing a bad job, and I’ll probably have to continue to deal with it. But are you going to take the one strange, sideways, negative comment or go, I’m really proud of what I’ve been doing and a bunch of people also think it’s awesome. And again, family have been really good at reminding me I’m really good at what I do, keep going.”

To combat the tough times, she aims to exercise regularly, eat well “80 percent of the time”, periodically switch off her phone, and check in with a psychologist as needed. There are near-daily chats with parents Andy and Sally Lines, who live rurally and own Urban Lounge Interiors. She also shares a tight bond with younger brother Mac, a drummer in her band. The all-important support crew now includes husband Nathan, the intermediate school teacher she shares a home with in Mount Maunganui. They do not, however, share equal wardrobe space; Georgia admits to hogging most of the storage with her shoe collection, fashion pieces, and vintage or op-shop finds.  The couple managed to wed before the pandemic struck, though COVID-19 stymied their honeymoon plans as well as her career aspirations. 

“As humans, we’re really good at adapting. As creatives, you have to be. I feel like I’ve become okay at riding the (uncertainty) wave. I also make a really intentional choice to think, ‘How can I enjoy this and not let the stress of the job weigh me down?’ When you release something, there’s a lot of work to do. A lot of deadlines, all the practical things. So it’s learning to love the process, the chaos.

“All I can do is give 100 percent to the opportunities in front of me, do a really good job of being a good wife, a good daughter, a good friend. And be really good at my job.”

For the last four years, Georgia has worked as a teacher to supplement her patchy performer’s income. She has offered students one-on-one piano and singing lessons, songwriting, and performance instruction, privately and through schools. 

This winter, for the first time, she is too busy to teach. Frankly, she isn’t sure how she managed to fit it in before now, between the rehearsals and songwriting and the hands-on decision-making that comes with being an independent artist. That includes being intimately involved in the production of her own highly stylised music videos, notable for her bold fashion choices as much as her songs.

“Me and my team do everything ourselves. I have my fingers in all the pies.

“I love it all. I love the visual side, too. Fashion is a natural extension of my personality. I’m drawn to colour and fun things. People often say to me, ‘I could never wear that!’ and I wonder if that is a compliment or not. But I don’t actually care. I can express my creativity through putting outfits together, and that feeds into photoshoots and videos. I get to work with amazing brands and borrow amazing clothes.”

An Auckland Museum show with members of the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra called for a high-necked, full-length beaded gown. The release of her extraordinary, goosebump-inducing “Hine E Hine” single saw the singer clad in a bright yellow shirt, with a vast number of oversized hair clips marching down her dark tresses. In July last year, Georgia played a grand piano and sang that same piece at Auckland’s The Civic theatre for the Tuawāhine show that lined her up alongside Anika Moa, Tammy Neilson, Annie Crummer, and Paige.

The waiata choice dates back to her school choir days, though she revisited pronunciation and learned its true meaning in honour of the event.

“It was really, really special, celebrating Matariki and the power of wāhine toa. Everyone on stage was female, we had a full band, and I’m standing there thinking, how am I here, sharing the stage with these incredible women. 

“That was the start of singing in te reo. I felt really honoured to be asked, and I really wanted to take the care to honour the event. I thought, man, there’s something really special about this.”

Although the planned Tuawāhine tour was cancelled courtesy of COVID-19 restrictions, Georgia was subsequently shoulder-tapped to re-record one of her own songs in te reo Māori for the New Zealand music industry’s Waiata Anthems Week. She fell for the language even harder the second time around while transforming “My Love” into “Tōrere”. 

Working alongside “incredible” translator Hana Mereraiha, she was able to instil new layers of poetry and metaphor. 

“It almost feels that it has captured the meaning of the song in a way that the original didn’t. I am still in the baby stages of my te reo journey, but it has been an absolute privilege to learn, and I am really loving it.” 

In the meantime, fingers are crossed as summer shows start to line up and she dares to look ahead a little further.

While Georgia struggles to recall the exact detail of the dreams she chased as a teenager, she has no doubt her goals have shifted.

“It’s less of that ‘play a big show in a stadium in New York’. Though that would be nice. If we end up with kids, I want to still be loving what I’m doing, to be able to be a mum and do a good job of that, but also release music and play shows.

“In 10 years, what I’d love to be doing is writing music I’m really proud of.”

georgialinesmusic.com

Lauren Mabbett

10 things you didn’t know about… Lauren Mabbett. Newsreader, comedienne, drummer, plane aficionado, Backstreet Boys fangirl, and she worked at Alcatraz – we hope The Hits radio personality Lauren Mabbett has an opening for a new best friend, because we want that job.

Words Carly Gibbs / Photo supplied

Lauren is The Hits day show announcer for the Bay of Plenty (9am-3pm on 95.0FM). Born and bred in Tauranga, she started her radio career in the Bay, before working on air in Auckland and Wellington and returning home late last year to take up her current dream role. 

1. I have a weird obsession with America. 

Growing up seeing America on TV, that’s what I thought life was – living on Full House in a San Francisco townhouse. I’ve visited about 30 of America’s 50 states and want to tick them all off. When I was 27, I spent a year living in San Francisco and worked at Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. My job was to be on the landing giving out tickets, but once a week I would go out to Alcatraz Island and welcome guests. People have ghost stories about Alcatraz (which closed in 1963 and is now a museum), but I didn’t get any weird vibes. 
2. I was twice a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. I was at broadcasting school in 2009 when my two roommates and I made YouTube videos about how we wanted to raise money to go to America for a holiday. Within a week, someone at The Ellen DeGeneres Show had found the videos and contacted us. Then it snowballed. Ellen called us live on air telling us she was flying us over. We had VIP treatment: Picked up from the airport in a limo, tickets to Disneyland, a baseball game, and they surprised us by putting us on the show, where we met fellow guest and Friends actor Matthew Perry. We were doing a tour of Warner Bros Studio and unbeknown to us, everyone in the audience had been watching us before we were led on set. Ellen was lovely. Very tiny. I remember hugging her and thinking “Oh, I’m going to break you.” We stayed in the presidential suite of the Bonaventure Hotel in LA, where we occupied half of one tower. You could stand at one end of our apartment and yell and the person at the other end couldn't hear you. It was insane. A whirlwind. We appeared on the show a second time at the end of our trip for a recap. It’s a claim to fame that I don't think I’ll ever beat.

3. I used to be a full-time drummer. 

I was 12 when I started playing the drums. I was in a few original, metal bands, but the one where I got paid (in my early 20s) was the cover band Budokan. We’d play at Krazy Jacks, Cornerstone, Crown & Badger. It was such a different life because my gigs would start at 11pm and now I’m in bed at 9.30pm. Other fun facts: I’m left-handed but I play right-handed. I love drumming to Nickelback and Creed and I do a bit of air drumming to some of The Hits songs. I have a drum kit set up at my house but it’s hard to find the time to play. I’m also conscious of the people around me. It’s literally the most annoying instrument. It’s loud, and huge to transport. Whenever my mum was helping me carry out my gear she’d say, “Why didn’t you play the harmonica?”

4. I do stand-up comedy. 

I was doing it for about six years, two or three times a week when I lived in Auckland, and got paid for it. I’ve done a little bit here in the Bay at The Hop House. I met my boyfriend at the time through comedy and many friends. I’ve fallen away from comedy in recent years. It takes so much brain power. You feel like you should always be editing and writing more, and making it better. I never felt like I could just relax.

5. I’ve never burped. 

When I tell people that they’re like “Why don’t you try drinking a Coke?” Do you think I’ve never had a Coke in my 36 years? I have met a few people that can’t burp so I know I’m not alone. And no, it doesn’t mean you fart more. 

6. I am a fluent mirror writer. 

When I was in preschool, I would mirror my name on my art. So, then I had to learn to write forwards. Even now, I can still very fluently write a reflective paragraph. I can sign my name backwards. 

7. I have a ginger rescue cat called Oscar. 

When I lived in Auckland, I wasn’t allowed a cat at my flat, but he rocked up at our door with a big gash on his neck. I tried to find his owners on community pages – I didn’t want to encourage him, but it was the middle of winter. After a week, I put a box outside with a towel in it. I came out in the morning and he was sleeping in it, in a ball. I was going to take him to the SPCA, but my flatmate suggested we sneakily keep him. So, I adopted him, or he adopted me. He moved with me to my next house, and then I had to move to Wellington, so I gave him to my parents in Tauranga. It’s worked out well, because now I’m back here, I can visit him and he remembers me. He’s so affectionate and a real people’s cat. He’s literally another family member. 

8. I won the funniest Twitter award at the New Zealand Comedy Guild Awards. 

I think there’s a bit of my stand-up comedy coming through my Twitter. I’ve got 2,300 followers (@laurenmabbett), which isn’t that much, but I think I write quite relatable tweets. My pinned tweet is: “In New Zealand, you have to say ‘Just these, thanks’ as you place your items on the counter, otherwise they’ll not serve you and assume that you’re acquiring many more items.” To win that award was a cool acknowledgement. It’s so fun. 

9. I’m obsessed with Wayne’s World and Backstreet Boys.

I've watched Wayne’s World hundreds of times. When I was in the States, it happened to be the film’s 20th anniversary. I was in San Francisco and I caught a bus to LA for the reunion. The tickets were $10 to be in a theatre with Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe, Tia Carrere, Lorne Michaels (producer), and Penelope Spheeris (director). They did a Q&A and then we all watched the movie together. I have Wayne’s World T-shirts, mugs... It’s quite sad. Ha, ha. 

With Backstreet Boys, I’ve seen them both times they’ve come to New Zealand, and I’ve got tickets for next year when they come here. I’m going to be right up the front crying my eyes out. I used to do the dances in my room so I know all the moves. I won’t do them at the concert. Maybe after a couple of wines. Howie was my favourite Backstreet Boy, and my fangirling over them is kind of ideal because we do play Backstreet Boys a lot on the Hits. 

10. I love planes.

I’ll go to the airport and sit and watch planes all day. I have a flight radar on my phone. It’s not so great here in the Bay of Plenty – you see one come in from Wellington and that’s it for the day – but in Auckland, I’d sit in the observation deck and watch the jets. Me flying as a passenger, however, is a different story. You don’t want to sit next to me. “Are we good? Can you smell that? What was that noise?” Sweating, gripping. I just like seeing them. I’d happily work on the runway as a landing signal officer. The Airbus A380 – how does something that huge gracefully take off and land? They’re fascinating pieces of machinery.

Thehits.co.nz

Days to treasure

When someone’s life is to be tragically cut short by illness, it takes a special kind of person to reach out and gift a day full of magic for them and their family. This is precisely what Melanie Quin was inspired to do and now she has a vision to make this a choice for as many people as possible - so that life’s magical moments can be celebrated to the very end.

Words Nicky Adams / Photos Jahl Marshall + supplied

The idea of a bucket list is born of the belief that there will be the opportunity at some point to complete it. However, for some, blindsided by terminal illness, time is a luxury that is tragically snatched away. Melanie Quin believes in celebrating life, and for those who have had their timeframe shortened, she has created the concept of A Day Of Magic, where dreams come true. 

For founder Melanie, the idea of starting a charity happened unexpectedly. In August 2019 she was touched to the core when she heard some devastating news about a local woman she remembered from college. “Out of the blue, I caught wind of the news of Kristie. When I heard she had four weeks left to live, I couldn’t even comprehend it. I called her and I asked if there was something she wished she could have done if she had more time. She said she would love to fly in a helicopter.”

This felt achievable, so Melanie set about making it happen. Except that she didn’t just stop at a helicopter ride. Working for three days and nights straight, she organised an experience for Kristie’s husband and children that also included a limousine, launch, lunch, a room at Twin Towers, an afternoon at Eagle Ridge with family and friends and an intimate gig with Tiki Taane. Oh, and a photographer and videographer to boot. The joy that this experience brought to Kristie, her family and indeed Melanie was something that left Melanie with the unshakable feeling that this was something that everyone in similar situations deserved to experience.

Since registering as a charity in August 2020, growth has been organic. Melanie has had five applicants and rolled out five equally thoughtful, beautiful events – among them a fishing charter, yachting experience, and time at Waihi Beach. She is now entering what she considers ‘Stage Two’ where she plans to take the concept to a whole new level, with a national reach. Melanie combines thoroughness with compassion, vision and a ‘make it happen’ attitude. Her business background enables her to operate effectively entirely on her own, and with no charge for her time, she relies on the backing of sponsors to roll out her plans. She has recently taken on a premises which will serve as both a base and an income stream for A Day Of Magic. Her plan is to find backers who share her vision.

When it comes to the wishes that she has so far granted, the experiences have been heartwarming. “People’s requests are incredibly modest. When I get the enquiry, I have a call with the person and tell them to go and talk to loved ones and think about what in their life has made them sparkle. So far no one has asked for anything extreme. If they do, I’m open to it – anything is possible I believe.”

The modest requests, Melanie reiterates, are a common thread: people don’t ask for the moon, just for things that resonate with them and their loved ones. Melanie has been blown away by the generosity of the companies she has reached out to along the way – and she is heartened by the knowledge that although she is the one physically making it happen, there’s a whole raft of people out there that believe in what she’s doing and want to help her do it.

It is this that spurs Melanie on and fuels her belief that with the right help she will be able to keep that magic happening. 

Adayofmagic.org.nz

Winter neutrals

Our picks from Galleria, Moochi’s latest offering.

Earthy undertones and heritage patterns designed for the adaptive dresser. Prints are amplified with a fresh pop of colour to lift the season’s winter hues.

moochi.co.nz

All that glitters

Sandali introduces its latest range

Words Nicky Adams / Photos supplied

As soon as Ali saw the striking silver rings crafted by Lebanese jeweller Rosa Maria, he knew that it was a look his business partner and mother Sandy would also love. While Ali’s aesthetic is minimalist and modern, Sandy adores the simplicity of silver, expressing her own distinctive style through jewellery. They both agreed that Rosa Maria rings, with their beautiful craftsmanship and statement finish, were the perfect fit for Sandali.

A rich Lebanese cultural heritage has provided Rosa Maria with endless inspiration for her stunning avant-garde pieces. Her range is extensive, and over the course of 20 years she has developed her own unique style, combining clever techniques with an array of precious metals and jewels. What struck Ali straight away was how Rosa Maria allows her clients to express themselves through her jewellery: “The rings are so cool – you can either choose a single statement piece, or she does these tiny stacker rings you can build up. It means that people can style themselves exactly how they want.” 

Using predominantly sterling silver with diamonds, Rosa Maria works with other semi-precious gems as well as yellow, white, and rose gold. She uses techniques such as oxidised and beaten silver with rose-cut yellow and black diamonds to great effect, and the result is a dramatic piece that feels contemporary or vintage, depending on the wearer. Ali believes the artistry as well as the quality is all part of the appeal. “People see the beauty – since we brought in her first pieces, I’ve had enquiries from everywhere from Northland to Hawaii.”

As the only Rosa Maria supplier in New Zealand, Ali is excited about continuing to build on this jewellery range. “We just love something with a point of difference – and these artisan pieces really are completely unique.” 

sandalihome.co.nz

Honouring memories

Jono Gibson of Cambridge Funerals believes funerals are for the living, and the industry is becoming more innovative every day.

Sharing a person’s life story and keeping their memory alive is what funeral director, Jono Gibson, likes best about his job. “It’s an honour to tell someone’s story. You don’t get a second chance, so it’s important it’s done right.” 

Jono’s interest in the funeral industry was first piqued in his early 20s, when he lost a good friend to a car accident. “The funeral process was new to me. It was very sad, but also fascinating. I spent time wondering about the journey my friend had taken from being in the car, to lying in a casket in front of me. I filed that in the back of my mind as something I’d like to investigate one day.”

After spending the first decade of his career in the radio business and sales, Jono eventually took some annual leave and spent a week doing work experience at a funeral home.

“When I joined the funeral industry in 2013, TV shows like Six Feet Under had glorifed it. A lot of people were entering the industry, but it’s a job you really need to be passionate about.  You soon learn if you’re cut out for it. Thankfully, I was.”  

Today, Jono is the funeral director at Cambridge Funerals in Cambridge, Waikato. Owned by Tauranga’s Legacy Trust, the Cambridge branch has recently been modernised, refurbished and will soon be renamed in keeping with the Legacy brand. Legacy Funerals has plans to expand further into the Waikato this year too, with a new office in Hamilton.

Jono offers the Cambridge community the same compassionate care that Legacy Funerals is known for. And like its sister company in Tauranga, profits from the business are gifted back to the local Cambridge community.  

For Jono it’s the people, the families of those who have passed on, that make the job rewarding. “I believe the funeral service is for the living; the people who are left behind. Making funeral services really special and memorable for them is my aim.”

Thankfully, Jono says, the industry is becoming more innovative, so a service and the venue can feel more personalised. Alongside the newly renovated Cambridge funeral home, the world is your oyster when it comes to places to hold a funeral with Legacy Funerals.

“Instead of a traditional church service, people now are choosing to farewell their loved ones in different ways. I’ve organised several funerals on the beach, services held at wedding venues, a hearse driving a lap of a horse racetrack, and arranged for an opera singer to sing hymns at one funeral so attendees didn’t feel pressured to. Making the whole process unique and relevant to the person concerned and their family is what matters most.”

Legacyfunerals.co.nz

The fitness diaries

New beginnings. Editor Hayley Barnett faces her fitness fears - and the dreaded fat scanner - to embark on a year-long self-improvement journey.

Photos Salina Galvan

Gyms have never been my jam. I joined one with a friend back in high school and we would regularly show up, hit the stationary bikes for five to 10 minutes, then saunter off to the sauna feeling very pleased with ourselves. It wasn’t until I joined my university gym that I realised I wasn’t really achieving anything. All that beer, combined with not growing taller, wasn’t doing me any favours either. So I started running, outside, away from the gym.

Over the years, the running has helped to keep me fairly fit, but as you get older, apparently, you need to build muscle everywhere. Something to do with your metabolism slowing down and hormones being thrown out of whack.

I liked the idea of joining ClubFit at Baywave because it was close to home, my kids did their swimming lessons there and I wanted to try the Body Combat class my friend always raves about. But, on my first consult with trainer Kiriwai Poroa, she advised that kicking my way to a stronger body in the beginning was not a wise move, and so reality kicked in instead.

She suggested having a BodyScan, a machine that measures everything from your weight to how much muscle and visceral fat you have. ‘Visceral what?’ I hear you say. The fat around your organs - the most dangerous fat. It turns out mine wasn’t that bad. My muscle to fat ratio, however, wasn’t great. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great, and Kiriwai had a plan. 

For the first few months, I am to focus on resistance training. Not only does it build muscle strength and tone, it also protects your joints from injury - magic words for a runner. She set up a programme including a circuit of five resistance machines, two body weight exercises and two cardio machines for warm up and cool down. I then downloaded the ClubFit app, where my workout is kept, showing exactly how many reps, weight and time to be spent on each exercise, so there are no excuses to be made, like blaming a foggy memory. The app even includes videos showing you the correct form for each exercise. You can connect it to other devices and monitor your heart rate while you exercise, as well as track outdoor movement, calories burned and distance travelled. It’s an all-in-one hub for your health and fitness. Technology has come a long way since my uni days.

Together with two resistance days a week, we agreed I would attend one Body Balance class per week, to get my stretch on and relax those muscles after a couple of outdoor running sessions. This is getting serious.

The biggest motivator (besides having my face splashed across a magazine) is going to be my visit back with the old BodyScan machine in three months’ time. Watch this space!

Follow Hayley’s journey at @unomagnz

clubfit.co.nz

A fine balance

Lisa Perko from Wantem Design reveals why texture and layering are crucial for any lived-in space.

Photos Jahl Marshall

Texture is one of the most important elements in interior design as it helps to keep a space from feeling flat and one dimensional. Adding texture allows a space to come alive and provides a tactile experience with many points of interest.

 Texture refers to the different surface qualities of floors, walls, rugs, furniture and soft furnishings, and texture can be either visual or tactile.

 For instance, walls can have a variety of tactile textures, from seagrass wallpaper to exposed brick. In the photos I’ve used a specialty paint finish called limewashing. Limewash creates surfaces that are mottled and matt with a chalky texture - something like suede. It lends a depth and luminosity to flat walls.

 I have introduced different textures and layering by grouping contrasting textures together - smooth polished décor items with matt textured ceramics or patterned objects. Plants are also an easy way to introduce texture into a room. Mixing materials and layering is the key to making textural elements work.

To get this right, don’t overdo it as introducing too much texture will result in a cluttered look, feel overwhelming and compete for your attention. The key is to balance it with neutrals and smooth clean lines to allow your eyes to rest.

To achieve a cohesive and welcoming textural experience, decide on your design style first and then work through the different elements of the room to explore where you can introduce texture. Start with the floor, then walls, furniture, lighting and ceiling, then soft furnishings and décor items.

A well-thought-through textured interior should create tactile moments that invite touch and delight the senses. Whether you choose a patterned rug to warm up your bedroom floor or a wooden coffee table to bring life to your living space, the importance of texture is clear. It completes the room. 

So don’t be scared to try different combinations and layers. Step back and assess the results. Do they add appeal to the overall design or just clutter? Keep experimenting until you feel you have achieved the right balance. Enjoy!

Perfect fit

Solect specialises in quality shoe brands that stand on their own two feet.

Words Nicky Adams / Photos Jahl Marshall

Light, bright, and breezy with an expanse of white space and sleek seating areas – walking into Tauranga Solect Shoe store, there’s a moment when I wondered if I’d just come in because it looks so darn restful. Then I glanced around and yep, I knew exactly what had brought me through the doors.

I love a relaxed shopping experience, and low-level music is a great first step. Good, knowledgeable customer service is a solid second. Then of course there’s the shoes themselves. Artfully displayed on minimalist style shelving, it’s all about the footwear. With a range that, in the words of branding manager Kat Farron, cleverly covers everything from “boots to Birkenstocks, sneakers to slippers, no matter whether you need to fit your feet out for the beach or the office, you’ll find it at Solect.” Catering for men and women, the range has been carefully curated. Here it is most definitely a case of less is more, so rather than sending your brain into anxious overdrive, the premium brands that have made it on to the shelves have done so because of their proven quality, performance, and heritage.

Solect prides itself on listening to its customer, so among the instantly recognisable classics sit some exciting additions. The Buffalo range is 100% vegan, with some of the boots even gaining the PETA tick of approval. While the puffy cloud soles and bouncy vibe is synonymous with the Spice Girls in the 90s, the combination of reimagined retro cool and super ethical has earned these boots and sneakers a space up there with the Dr Martens, Vans, and Timberlands. Another draw card is the extension of the Emu Australia range. While the uber Instagram-able sheepskin slippers are a firm favourite, this season the Emu cosy minis and leather ankle boots have been brought in to give the customers even more choice. As someone who loves to wear sheepskin boots all year round, I’m a pretty good road tester – and it’s fair to say I’m a big fan of this brand for its combination of price and durability.

Snuggly boots aside, the season ahead will see farm style Blundstones styled with flowing dresses, Dr Martens remaining the unisex wardrobe must-have, and street shoes and sneakers the cool, comfortable backstop. Whether for trends or staples Solect likes to think it has all bases covered. 

Solect.nz

Will Johnston

Will Johnston vows to keep it cool. It took some matrimonial mayhem to inspire Will to become a celebrant himself. Cringeworthy, cookie cutter nuptials? Awkward side eyes in the aisles? Not on his watch!

I pride myself on not being a boring old lady dressed in a curtain, adorned with some form of floral headdress, spouting love metaphors like I’m channelling Mr Darcy. 

Allow me to give you some context on this. I have three celebrants to thank (or blame, depending on how you look at it) for becoming a celebrant myself. They are the three who ran the weddings of mates of mine all over one memorable summer a few years back.

Culprit one, mid-ceremony, broke into prayer, followed sharply with a hymn – high-pitched and solo – at a wedding that the couple specifically requested be free of religion.

The second spent the entire ceremony calling the groom Max. His name is Matt. 

And the third opened the ceremony with the words, “Love is like a river…”. That’s where I tuned out. I couldn’t tell you a word of the rest of it. She also got in the car with the bride when she arrived and asked “if she was sure she wanted to go through with it.” Then said, “It’s not too late to back out”. Read the room, lady!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that there are many who haven’t been taken with the untraditional diatribe I spout as a celebrant. But I’ve never sung a hymn at an atheist wedding. 

On the contrary, we are living in the Bay of Plenty of exceptional celebrants. I’m constantly blown away by the great people who get into the wedding industry full stop, actually. And the vastly experienced vendors that have constantly evolved with ever-moving wedding trends. 

There is one concept that I have held as gospel over the years I’ve been a celebrant: It’s such an honour to be invited to marry a couple, you owe it to them to not make it like every other ceremony they’ve been to. You must do something different every ceremony.

I remember doing a ceremony in Rarotonga a few years ago for some friends and there was a celebrant there who had three ceremonies to choose from. As in you pick one, write your names at the top and the bottom and it was done. Literally the definition of ‘insert your name here’. Seems a shame for such an idyllic setting.

Speaking of idyllic settings, the BOP has had a hell of a time over the last few years when it comes to weddings. Imagine buying a wedding venue, getting it all up to scratch ready for the summer ahead and then all of a sudden, it’s a global pandemic, the borders are shut, no one is allowed to leave their regions and there’s a 10-person limit at weddings. I’d cancel it too! 

I have a couple I’m going to be celebrant for at the end of 2023. They were supposed to get married on the first day of the first lockdown a few years ago. They rebooked right as we all got locked down again. And then again when the regional palaver kicked in. So they’ve just rebooked for two years’ time… Surely?!

At the end of every season, I look back on the weddings I’ve been part of and the people I’ve met over that time. There’s always a sentiment I feel at that point. It’s different at the end of every season, much like every wedding is different. But this last season was really one of thankfulness. If nothing else, the weird Covid world we’ve inhabited the last few years has given us perspective on when to be thankful. 

If you’re going to have literally the most expensive party of your lives, you may as well start it with a few laughs. If you’re getting married sometime soon, make sure you tell the person you’re using as a celebrant that. Otherwise, you might get a hymn-signing, curtain-clad lady. Ain’t no one got time for that, especially when there’s an open bar waiting! 

@radiowill

Bouncing back

We all deal with life’s curveballs in different ways, but surrendering to pain rather than enduring it will get you through even the toughest of times, says Fresh Coaching’s Anna Veale. 

Photo Salina Galvan

I recently returned from a long overdue trip back 'home' to the UK to visit my family and friends post Covid. One of the first things I noticed when I caught up with my friends is how tough the impact of Covid has been on mental wellbeing. 

Whilst we all deal with stress differently, resilience is a skill that prepares people against the inevitable suffering that life throws at us. 

One thing’s for sure, building resilience helps people adapt better to life’s curveballs, keeps self-esteem and confidence intact, allows people to handle setbacks without falling into a victim and blame mentality and promotes a growth mindset, looking at life with curiosity and compassion rather than fear and judgement. 

 Resilience isn't about 'sucking it up' or taking an 'it is what it is' attitude to the stressors of life, more a quality that empowers us to step back, take a bird’s eye view of a situation and compassionately process, accept and adapt to the challenges in front of us. 

Resilience asks us to accept difficulty with courage, to work with it, not against it. So how can we build resilience and prepare for adversity? 

Invite curiosity

By understanding your habitual thought patterns, you will become more equipped to step out of reactive behaviour when triggered by stress. You could start by asking yourself these questions: 

How do I currently react to triggering situations? 

What and who are my Achilles heels in terms of triggering a stress response?

How does my body respond to stress?

What tools do I already have to cope?

What habitual responses do I currently do which aren’t helpful? 

Having curiosity about how you react to situations will enable you to learn and grow rather than beat yourself up. 

Lean in

Suppressing emotions long term undermines our resilience so it’s important to get comfortable with noticing your emotions, recognising and labelling them. Do you push them down or do you go over and over the same scenario keeping you stuck in the same circumstance? Can you name the emotion you are feeling? What is the cause? How can you change the situation? 

Practice courage 

Knowing your values and living your life according to those values whilst challenging yourself daily to choose ‘hard over easy’ creates a compound effect when building resilience. 

Challenge yourself 

The body and mind are intrinsically linked so it is vital to check in daily with your body.

 Ideas on how to challenge yourself physically (check with a physician before commencing any new regime.)

Daily breath work or mindfulness practice

Cold showers/cold water therapy 

Physical exercise that pushes you out of your comfort zone

Like anything worth learning, developing resilience will take consistency, commitment and vulnerability. Meeting yourself where you are at and boldly working through challenges with an open mind will create an inner strength you didn’t know you had. 

freshcoaching.me