Peak performance

Why settle for the bare minimum? André Laurent wants the best, so he builds it himself.

Words Jenny Rudd

Performance has always been the north star for the team at Creative Space Architecture. It could be getting the most energy efficiency from a new build, alteration or ensuring bullet-proof and robust weathertightness in a multi-level apartment complex. Performance is what truly spins the wheels of this team, many of them with a background in construction.

Director André Laurent and general manager Regan Little have always sought out high-performing construction systems like insulated concrete forms (ICFs), seen to be alternative, but outperforming the field in terms of insulation and durability, especially important in our coastal environment.

This drive to build the best-performing houses for their clients has taken them back to their construction roots with their new project, EvoCo. 

We asked André about his passion for Passive Homes and other high performing design methodologies, which are built with a focus on the occupants’ health and wellbeing, while consuming very little energy.

How do you use your expertise to support clients?
When it comes to New Zealand’s housing stock and the building code, it’s important to understand that the New Zealand Building Code represents the bare minimum standard. Imagine if you were building a boat to sail your family to Europe – would you build it to the bare minimum marine standards? Most likely not. Similarly, we shouldn’t take that approach with architecture. Many homes under construction have the potential to achieve a much higher level of performance; it’s just not the industry norm to invest a little more in those areas, and many aren’t aware of what’s achievable, or what the returns are. Maximising energy efficiency through architecture involves guiding clients to choose the right products, materials, and construction methods. It’s about tailoring solutions to the specific site and project brief. Surprisingly, many energy efficiency benefits can be realised through sound decision-making in the early stages of a project, often at no extra cost. Good fundamental design provides a solid foundation for a project’s success.

How does passive solar design play a role in energy efficiency?
Passive solar design is all about orienting living spaces correctly and selecting suitable materials to collect, store, and distribute solar energy without added costs. It’s about getting the right spaces in the right places and capitalising on good design principles. To achieve an energy-efficient home, start with a well-oriented site with sun exposure when facing the views. Then we can choose construction methods that complement the location and prioritise insulation and air tightness to retain energy. We recommend construction methods like ICFs or SIPs (Insulated Concrete Forms or Structural Insulated Panels) to improve air tightness, regulate temperatures, reduce energy costs, and minimise outdoor sound pollution. Traditional timber-framed homes often have small gaps everywhere that leak heat and energy, while these systems significantly improve performance.

What part does design play in establishing performance and value?
We say that great design creates great value. This means that exceptional design enhances every aspect of a building from its aesthetic to its performance and everything in between. This includes the experience for everyone interacting with a building, whether it’s observers, occupants, or future buyers. Great design’s positive impacts endure throughout the building’s life-cycle so the upfront decisions truly count. One of the best things we can do for our clients is follow the KISS principle: Keep it simple, stupid. Wherever possible we aim to reduce design complexity knowing it has a direct corelation with costs. While its easier to determine costs for a new home, its almost impossible to do so with alterations and additions without investment in very detailed designs. These are then handed over to an external Quantity Surveyor or a trusted Building Contractor to reveal actual costs. Unfortunately, bespoke architecture is a little chicken and egg, so it is extremely important to simplify designs wherever possible.

Historically, high performance means high cost. Is that true of homes performing at a passive level?
The future of healthy, comfortable, and energy-efficient housing lies in Passive style homes that maintain consistent indoor comfort with minimal energy use for heating, cooling, and ventilation. With advancements in construction technologies, Passive level performance is becoming more affordable and achievable in the Southern Hemisphere. In essence, a Passive Home maintains comfort through continuous thermal insulation, airtight construction, high-quality windows and doors, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), and good passive solar design.

Partnering for progress

Creative Space Architecture’s journey took an unexpected turn when in
early 2018, Regan Little, now general manager, and André started discussing the challenges facing the construction industry. They brainstormed solutions that could raise the bar in quality, durability, technology and performance for housing. Their dream was to take control of the entire process by designing and pre-fabricating buildings in their own controlled environment.
Over the following years, they made steady progress in developing and evolving a range of flexible home designs that would be highly transportable. The next step was to select construction methods and materials that would bring a higher baseline of performance. The final specifications were designed to achieve a ‘Passive Home’ level of performance.

Progress, as exciting as it was, came with its fair share of challenges. André says, “We learned that the biggest hurdles sometimes offered the greatest opportunities. Somewhere along the way, we went from leasing a yard to designing and specifying our own purpose-built architectural offices and prefabrication facility.”

Once on their own site, EvoCo really started to take shape. EvoCo is now in production, operating in temporary digs at 400 Taurikura Drive with construction of the permanent facility anticipated late 2024.

The unity between Creative Space and EvoCo is strengthening both businesses. Creative Space is evolving, returning to its roots in hands-on construction, and EvoCo is benefiting from the wider team's skills available across both businesses. They see a strong future together pushing the boundaries of high-performance architecture and pre-fabrication.

André acknowledges the crucial roles played by his parents as role models, Creative Space and the EvoCo teams, especially Regan Little, Jonno Marshel, Grier Fisher, Abi Hubbard and Glen Hadfield, in making this journey enjoyable and successful.

“This has been an exciting ride, and to be entering production is a dream come true,” says André. EvoCo’s objective for the next year is to refine
their craft, scale their services, and collaborate with clients who share their dream. By mid-to-late 2024, they will move into their new purpose-built factory, evolving their capabilities producing Prefabricated Passive Builds.

EvoCo’s products reflect their commitment to high standards in design, performance, and durability. They incorporate technology that not only reduces living costs but also adds convenience to our increasingly busy lives. Their homes present an exceptional level of performance and quality, with production taking place in a controlled factory environment.

In the realm of performance, EvoCo provides homes that far exceed the current energy efficiency requirements of the building code. These buildings are constructed and tested in EcoCo’s controlled environment before being transported to the site, delivering optimal performance in any climate or earthquake zone.

EvoCo’s target audience includes those who value quality, want to reduce the environmental impact of new builds, and are eager to cut energy costs while enjoying a healthy and comfortable lifestyle.

When André says their homes are smart, he means they build residences equipped with intelligent and automated devices and systems that enhance comfort, convenience, security, and energy efficiency. Nowadays smart homes are not only achievable, the systems and devices are also affordable.

Currently, the EvoCo team is ramping up production, looking for like-minded clients interested in first builds. They have four 35m2 single-bedroom standalone dwellings underway, which can be used individually or customised as a group. Next is a 60m2 two-bedroom dwelling suitable for secondary dwellings on any Western Bay of Plenty site. There are other models right up to a four-bedroom home. Ultimately EvoCo will adjust their production plans based on demand.

The future for Creative Space and EvoCo is seen as a long-term partnership, continuously evolving and enhancing the products they produce. André says, “Really, this has always been about living life to its fullest and having fun doing the things we love. The future should be about the excitement and fun of exceeding our own dreams and expectations.”  

creativespace.co.nz

Flatmate from hell

Lauren Mabbett’s new roommate is too good to be true – but at least the rent’s being paid.

Delilah Nunin. When I search her on Facebook, the name doesn't come up. Weird. No Instagram, either. I guess she doesn't like social media.

In early 2020, I move into a cute two-bedroom home in Auckland, and go on the hunt to find a new flatmate. Delilah, or “Del”, sends a lovely message: She's 42, American, a luxury travel agent, clean and tidy. Perfect.

I tell her that rent is $300 a week plus bills, and she gives a “pfft, is that all” type of response. It's an interesting response considering when I ask her to pay bond before she moves in, she refuses, because she has no money until move-in day. 

I notice tiny things that seem slightly off, but let them go, like the fact her three children are growing up in America but she's in New Zealand just because she “liked New Zealand more”. I ask her if she’s on social media, but she tells me she goes under different names as she “doesn't want her mum getting all up in her business”. Maybe don't add your mum on Facebook? But okay.

Level 4 lockdown hits. This makes me slightly nervous, as Del is a “luxury travel agent”, and every travel agent I'm hearing about is getting made redundant. Despite this, she convinces me she's the busiest she's ever been, working longer hours to accommodate all the trips being booked. She tells a lot of long-winded stories that don’t quite add up.

Then one day, Del suddenly tells me she needs to find a new place as her parents are coming over and she needs to live with them (this must be the mum she didn’t want all up in her business). Within three days, she's not only found a house, but has been accepted, and is moving this coming weekend. Since we are still on really good terms, she agrees to cover rent for both places until I can replace her (despite her new place being $750 a week).

In the meantime, she's buying a brand-new leather lounge suite. Brand-new dining table. Brand-new TV. Brand-new iPad… For someone who couldn't pay bond right away, I can’t help but think this is a bit suspicious – but as long as she pays rent, whatever.

Over the next few days, Del comes and goes to get a few bits. Her room is still basically full minus her bed, and we keep in touch. I even go to her new house with a pot plant. Two more weeks pass… And then the rent bounces.

I message her asking what happened, and get no reply. I try twice more, then change the locks.

A whole week goes by without hearing from Del. This is SUPER weird, as we talked nearly every day and there'd been no fights or anything. Just as I'm expecting the rent to bounce again, her rent pops in. This is even weirder. If you're going to ghost me, why are you still paying rent?

The rent keeps coming. Week after week.

I reach out on Del’s birthday despite having not heard from her, and notice most people on her Facebook page are calling her Wendy. Don't they know that's her fake name? Suddenly, another week of rent is skipped. But the next week goes in. What the hell is going on? I go away on a girls’ weekend and fill my friends in on the situation. We decide to Google her.

Oh. My. God.

The first article I see is a formal complaint to the Better Business Bureau in the USA regarding a fraudulent travel agent named Delilah Nunin. She ripped a group off of roughly $30,000, and when they tried to get their money back, she gave the special Del brand of long, confusing, complicated answers, then vanished. Several other articles popped up about her different aliases, pyramid schemes, multiple birth dates… The list went on.

About four weeks go by, and I send Del a final message to cover myself, basically saying that if she doesn't pay rent this week I'll be removing her property from the house. No reply.

Right! Time to pour a wine, invite a friend over, and have a field day going through what she left behind. And oh, boy. Do we ever.

We start sorting through piles of documents, handbags, folders, diaries, boxes. Pretty much everything minus her bed was left there. (Let me just reiterate I'd made multiple attempts by this point to reach her, and also consulted a lawyer to protect my terrified wee backside.)

Straight away I find her passport; it's under the name Delilah Nunin - and it seems real. Why the heck would you leave that behind? I find a wallet with multiple credit cards, eftpos cards, and other cards (all current) inside. Letters requesting to change her IRD number, multiple name tags with different names on them, it doesn't stop. I then find several letters from debt collectors demanding payments of upwards of $20,000. I can only imagine this may have played a part in Del’s sudden move.

My face is starting to look like Tim Curry in Home Alone 2 when he discovers Kevin's credit card is stolen.

I find an iPad – sweet. Maybe I can sell this to make up for that $600 in Del’s rent I'm now paying. A voucher for a night away in a deluxe room with breakfast included? Strange but okay.

I then Google her “luxury travel agency” and find it's been raided and shut down for fraud.

The next thing I find makes me physically shake; she'd been advertising her room in my flat for rent, and replying to comments of interest. Replies that were sent three days ago, when we hadn't spoken in weeks, and she's had no access to the house. I can only imagine this is some
ploy to take people’s bond and scarper.

We then turn to Del’s wardrobe and discover it's literally jammed full of clothes, at a guess around 300 pieces, which are all brand-new, expensive, labelled, and in significantly different sizes.

Well, I did what any burned roommate would do, and went shopping in there. I now own a few pieces from The Del Collection *flicks hair and looks at camera*, and the Sallies and Recycle Boutique got the rest.

To this day, I still have not heard from the mysterious Delilah Nunin again. I can confirm her parents are not here and never were. I have passed on her new address to the debt collectors.

All that aside, I am looking forward to my night away in a deluxe room with breakfast included. Thanks, mate. 

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

thehits.co.nz

Art and soul

Visual artist Shona Moller brings artistic diversity and a unique approach to Mount Maunganui's arts scene.

After more than 20 years of professional practice from her beachfront Kapiti studio gallery, Shona Moller now calls Mount Maunganui home. From her gallery space at 102 Maunganui Road, Shona creates new works within two very different genres that tell stories of heritage and belonging within contemporary artworks, and reflect the unique Bay of Plenty light and energy through lusciously applied oils in representational works of local landscapes and seascapes.

UNO: Tell us about your background. How did you become an artist? 
Shona: Perhaps, to some extent, artists are born into it. I was a curious, explorative child, expressing and recording through artworks from an early age. In some respects, then, art is my first language. 

How would you explain your art approach now?
Similar to that as a child; explorative, intuitive, although now I work within two diverse genres where each allows me to express myself fully in different ways. Through representational works, which is really just a flash word for an artistic representation of what you can see, I explore my surroundings, my environment, intimately. I sketch, photograph and plan larger works on canvas where it is my intention to capture essence, mood, and resonance as opposed to finer details. My more contemporary urban inspired works tell stories of heritage, English and Maori, employing icons like the London Tube map with New Zealand place names. These speak on a national level as well as a |personal one.  

You self represent. Why does this work for you?
I realise how fortunate I am to have my own gallery; I don't take this for granted at all. Self-representation works for me on many levels. First, it frees me to work how I want, at a pace where I can do my best work. I am
not obligated to gallery directors, to create what sells well, to deadlines and timeframes. While I take commissions, I can be selective, and I'm very grateful that my work has commemorated many significant milestones in peoples' lives. Also, being accessible allows for a real connection with those for whom my art resonates. 

What inspires you to create?
Too many things! I'm inspired by East Coast sunrises, full unapologetic new beginnings. I'm inspired by (what someone much more articulate than me coined) the DOGS, the Dead Old Guys; Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Vermeer, Rembrandt. I'm inspired by those artists that had the foresight and the genius to simplify forms when others strove for realism, to leave brushstrokes proud where others blended, to use pure colour where others mixed. I'm inspired by narrative, and the circle of energy created between myself as the artist, a completed artwork, and the viewer.

What is your favourite piece and why?
It sounds very PC to say, but it's always the one I'm working on. 

What have been your career highlights?
I have loved every aspect of having my own space. Over and above that, the sell-out London show was an unexpected success. Travel, art tours; I've painted in Renoir's garden, followed Van Gogh's exact footsteps in Arles, sketched where Monet painted his water lilies. I've featured in many media outlets over the years; magazines and Holmes back when that was a thing. Katherine Ryan interviewed me for Radio New Zealand, and most recently 7 Sharp spent a full day with me. The article aired in July, and anyone interested can view it via my website. I think the biggest career highlight though, in all honesty, in no small part because of the amazing support I have received, is that I get to live my art every day.  Oh, and UNO, obviously!

UNO: What do you love about living in the Bay?
Let me count the ways. Sunrises, as mentioned. The sense of coming home, evident in the smells of white sand warmed by a spring sun, sea foam, and rock pools. Mynar birds. Tui song alarm 'clocks'. Coffee at café sharing tables. Dappled sunlight through ancient base track pohutukawas. Port lights reflected in the inky sea. Mauao, her moods, her constant grounded reassuring presence in all weathers. 'God rays' through thunder clouds. Whānau. The people! Bay people are good people. I have been so beautifully welcomed into the community here, and from what people are telling me, they're delighted to once again have an organic, authentically artist-run gallery space at The Mount. So, can I just say thank you to everyone for their generosity of spirit. I feel seen, acknowledged, and home. 

Shonamoller.com

California dreaming

Catherine Sylvester and her family escaped the Kiwi winter for a scenic coastal road trip in sunny California, hitting up the best the Golden State has to offer along the way.

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Four weeks, one state, multiple Costco lunches with mostly fabulous weather, and I can safely say we love California. Flying into San Francisco and departing from Los Angeles meant renting the biggest car I’ve ever seen, and hundreds of miles covered in between. 

First stop: San Francisco. Steep streets, Mrs Doubtfire, the Summer of Love and the painted lady houses of Full House fame. The presence of two iconic structures looms large over this northern California city – the Golden Gate Bridge and former prison Alcatraz. Both are situated over the harbour – one a conduit of movement and travel, the other an insurance against it. We tackled both with equal enthusiasm.

Golden Gate Bridge

Hiring bikes in town, we cycled along the waterfront in beautiful sunshine, pulling off jumpers and reapplying sunscreen. Upon reaching
the bridge, we entered a low-hanging, chilly cloud, causing the rapid redonning of clothing. Such is San Francisco. To the accompaniment of harbour fog horns, we made our way across the bridge and onto the adorable tourist town of Sausalito for burgers and ice creams back in the sunshine before the ferry ride home.

The island of Alcatraz.

Alcatraz Island

Make sure you book well in advance for Alcatraz as tickets sell out fast. We took the first ferry of the day, which was wise, as the island fills up steadily with tourists. A self-guided tour through the former maximum security federal prison allows you to move at your own pace and get all the photos you like. A fascinating look at a self-contained island and penitentiary that was home not only to some of America’s most notorious criminals, like Al Capone and The Birdman of Alcatraz, but hundreds of guards, employees and their families.

Locked up at Alcatraz. 

The gift shop at the end of the tour meant books for the road for me, written by those who grew up on the island, detailing their quite normal lives in a quite unusual setting.

El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a 3000ft climb from base to summit.

Yosemite National Park

Depending on road conditions, the drive to Yosemite takes around four hours from San Francisco, and the scenery is stunning.

We stayed in cabins at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes and felt very Bear Grylls as we roasted marshmallows for s’mores over an open fire. Although there was no foraging for bear droppings or whatever it is Grylls dines on, we still felt quite rustic.

Squirrel, chipmunk and deer sightings were big winners with our kids, though I did face a conundrum when a cute skunk sidled up to the campfire. How to move it on without alarm, thereby causing the release of its bespoke odour? Thankfully, a quiet “Shoo!” and soft clap of the hands did the trick.

California Tunnel Tree, Mariposa Grove, with a hole cut in 1895 to allow horses and buggies to pass through.

Emerging from Tunnel View into Yosemite National Park itself is breathtaking. Heavy snows last winter meant waterfalls were the fullest and most powerful they’d been in 50 years. We were fortunate to be there, as only weeks prior to our trip the park was closed due to flooding caused by the melting snow.

Mariposa Grove is worth the hike for the enormous sequoia, and a gentle ride on hired bikes to the Mirror Lake is also very manageable. Due to the change in the volume of the waterfalls, the Misty Trail hike up to Vernal Falls was more like the Torrential Trail, but quite spectacular and well worth the effort.

Pacific Coast Highway

On down the coast to the old fishing town of Monterey, then the exquisite artist colony of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and on to San Luis Obispo – home of the bubble-gum wall (exactly what it sounds like), and the one-of-a-kind Madonna Inn (nothing to do with either the virgin or the singer).

Carmel-by-the-Sea, an artist colony. 

Individually themed rooms with names like Caveman, Fabulous 50s, and Hearts and Flowers make the Inn a unique experience, and while we didn’t stay there this trip, a housekeeper was kind enough to let us take a peek. Definitely on our list of future accommodations.

Horse riding at Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo.

A leisurely meander across picturesque hills on horses from the Inn’s Trail Rides tested my courage. Snakes, spiders and the most nauseating of roller coasters I’m up for, but I am a little nervy around our equine friends. Thankfully I was gifted the docile Cherokee, to whom I softly whispered, “Please be nice!” all the way up the hill, and “Thank you for being nice!” all the way down.

Even if you’re not staying at the inn, you must grab a stool at the restaurant counter and order an American-sized slab of pink champagne cake and a soda. Look around the Barbie-pink explosion of finery that is the Steak House, and sneak into the world-famous men’s washroom with waterfall urinal – but best have a male friend check the coast is clear first!

World famous Steak House at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo.

Malibu and Los Angeles

Other highlights of a jam-packed trip were dinner on the sand at Paradise Cove in Malibu, watching Clueless by the pool and under the stars engulfed in the heady scent of jasmine at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, dining on wiener schnitzel and cabbage in the Danish-style village of Solvang, Dodgers baseball games, and a mandatory marathon two days exploring Disneyland and California Adventure Park.

At a Dodgers baseball game.

Saying goodbye to California is always hard, so as we crammed our shopping into the extra fit-for-purpose bags we’d bought and shared one more fabulous Mexican meal at Pancho’s in Manhattan Beach, plans were already well under way for our next trip to The Golden State. 

The Danish-style village of Solvang.

California travel tips

• School summer holidays run from the beginning of June through August. Tourist spots fill up then. Yosemite in May was perfect, but by mid-June it was apparently packed.

• Prices often look good, but always consider the exchange rate. Most goods will cost more than the price tag indicates due to state taxes that don’t appear until you’re at the checkout.

• When you’ve finished dining, your server will “bring you the check”, and you pay while seated, rather than at the till. It’s not warmly received if you bypass this process.

• Hollywood Boulevard itself is fun and a bit crazy, but you might want to keep the kids close and avoid after dark.

• What we call entrées, Americans call starters. What we call mains, they call entrées. Knowing this can avoid accidental over-ordering of food.

• If you hanker for some simple food, try the slightly fancy supermarket Whole Foods, as they have a self-serve smorgasbord arrangement. It’s not the cheapest, but by week three I was grateful for some plain salads and vegetables.

• We love LA but locals don’t refer to June weather as “June gloom” for nothing. Be prepared you may have a few overcast days.

• If visiting Disneyland or California Adventure Park, it is worth the extra investment of the Lightning Lane Pass, as it significantly cuts down wait times for rides.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Dopamine Decorating

This trend is all about vivid colours, clashing patterns, maximalism and pure happiness.

Styling Amber Armitage @ MARIGOLD
Photos Wendy Fenwick @ Flash Studios

Wall colours Resene paints

Back wall and bottom half of front wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Valentine. Top half of front wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Aviator. Floor painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Sea Fog. Hello Hermes Limited Edition Screen print by Emile Holmewood from $95, from Endemic World. Belinda Boucle Teddy Single Bed in Ivory $439.99, Kobie Cotton Blend Striped Floor Rug in Extra Large $219.99, from Mocka. Theodore Bench Seat in Off White $1,199.99, Cora Table Lamp in Blue/White $349.99, A&C Flax Linen Duvet Cover in Marine from $299.99, from A&C Homestore. Artie Open Bedside in Powder Blue $1,753, from Soren Liv. Bordallo Pinheiro Strawberries Bowl Oval 13.5cm $59, Rice Raffia Bag in Cherry Pink $125, Designers Guild Cushion Brera Lino $230, from Allium. Pink Stripes Linen Pillowcases from $32, from Foxtrot Home. Arcadia Cushion in Chambray $115, from Baya. Linen Quilt | Reversible from $480, from Alfie Home.

Stylist tip

Vibrant tones, such as yellow, red and orange, feel energetic and passionate. Mixing and matching this with checked and floral patterns on the bed, alongside a mural element, walks the fine line between fun and sophisticated.

Walls painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Meringue. Decorative line painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Tequila Sunrise. Floor finished in Resene Colorwood Bark. Dillon Rattan Queen Bedhead in Natural $449.99, Oslo Bedside Table in Sand $179.99, from Mocka. Light Original Painting by Sophie Melville $250, from Endemic World. Lily Pendant Lampshade in Cream $249.99, Jimmy Table Lamp $399.99, A&C Checker Printed Linen Robe in Terracotta $179.99, Emu Wrenlette in Natural $69.99, from A&C Homestore. Zinc Linen Duvet from $321.75, from Penney and Bennett. Bonnie And Neil Pillowcase Tiny Checkers Tan $85, Bonnie And Neil Quilted Throw Pastel Floral Sand $529, Bonnie & Neil Pastel Floral Sand Euro $99, from Allium. Lilac Purple Linen Pillowcases from $32, from Foxtrot Home. Sandringham Floor Rug in Putty from $1,420, from Baya. All else stylists own.

Top half of wall and floor painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Seafog. Bottom half of wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Wabi Sabi. Pure Shores original painting by Lucy Rice $1500, Still Looking original painting by Helen Dean $680, both from Endemic World. Lichen Standard Pillowslip $65 from Alfie Home. Tobacco Stripe Linen Pillowcases $32 from Foxtrot Home. A&C Stonewash Cotton Duvet in White from $189.99, A&C Stonewash Cotton Duvet in Pine Mini Stripe from $189.99, both from A&C Homestore. Riviera Side Table $1295, Kipas Vase $85, Dansa Cushion in Rose $179.99, all from Republic Home. Anna Arch Mirror in Gold $249.99, Eros Six Drawer in Sage Green $499.99, both from Mocka. Sol bag, large, $89 by Zay from Allium. All else stylist's own.

Stylist tip 

Although dopamine decor is very much focused on bold, bright colors, doesn’t mean these spaces can’t be soft and gentle too. Greens create a peaceful, relaxed setting and can help a space to feel grounding, ideal for
a guest bedroom space.

Season’s eatings

Great Kiwi Bakeoff winner Alby Hailes showcases his latest book, Good Vibes, with a selection of delectable, fresh recipes, each offering delicious flavours, perfect for celebrating.

Words Aaron Mclean

Turmeric roast potatoes with crispy kawakawa & brown butter whip

The perfect roast potato recipe, and potatoes this good deserve special treatment – kawakawa leaves, a plant endemic to Aotearoa, bring complexity to the brown butter and crisp up beautifully when fried to garnish. If kawakawa is unavailable, use fresh sage.

Hands-on time 30 mins

Total time 1 hour 10 mins

Serves 6–8 as a side

Ingredients

Brown butter whip

• 150g butter, chopped into small cubes

• 6 kawakawa leaves

  Turmeric roast potatoes

• 100ml canola oil

• 2kg agria potatoes, peeled and cut into 4cm chunks

• 1 tbsp + 1 tsp sea salt

• 1 tbsp finely chopped sage

• 2 tsp ground turmeric

• ½ tsp cracked black pepper

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 8 kawakawa leaves

Method

First start the brown butter whip. Melt the butter with the kawakawa leaves in a heavy-based saucepan over medium heat. Continue to cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring regularly and swirling the pan, until it starts to foam and the butter turns a deep golden brown (be careful here as it can rapidly go from brown to black). Pour the brown butter (including any flecks that have solidified) into a bowl, and discard the kawakawa leaves. Refrigerate the butter until cooled to the consistency of room temperature butter (this can take up to an hour). Stir a couple of times as it cools to mix up any browned solids with the melted butter.Remove from the fridge and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 190°C fan-forced (or 210°C conventional).

For the turmeric roast potatoes, pour the canola oil into a large roasting dish and place in the oven to heat. Place the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold water and add 2 tbsp salt. Bring to the boil over high heat. Once boiling, parboil the potatoes by cooking for 5–10 minutes, until a knife can go easily through the outer edge of a potato but they are still firm in the centre. Drain then return to low heat and stir for 1 minute to dry out the potatoes a little. Remove from the heat and give the saucepan a decent shake until the edges of the potatoes are fluffed up. Add the sage and turmeric, tossing to coat. Carefully remove the roasting dish from the oven. Add the potatoes and carefully toss to coat with the hot oil. Roast for 35–40 minutes, until golden, crispy and cooked through. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the pepper and remaining 1 tsp salt, tossing to coat.

To finish the brown butter whip, beat the brown butter with an electric hand mixer for 3 minutes until fluffy and whipped.

For the crispy kawakawa, place the olive oil in a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is really hot, add the remaining kawakawa leaves and fry for 20–30 seconds on each side until blistered and crispy, then remove from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Serve the potatoes warm, topped with dollops of brown butter whip and the crispy kawakawa leaves

---

Lazy-day pulled pork with apple & beetroot slaw

This combination of pork and slaw can be stuffed into bao, tacos and flatbreads, or served with your favourite sides. A healthy swig of rum and grated green apple give the meat incredible flavour. Allowing the slaw to marinate 30 minutes in the fridge lets the cabbage soften just a little.

Hands-on time 15 mins

Total time 5 hours

Serves 6–8

Ingredients

Pulled pork

• 1.5kg pork shoulder or leg, bone-in

• 2 tsp ground sumac

• 1 tsp ground chipotle chilli (or other chilli powder)

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• ¼ tsp ground cloves

• 2 tbsp soft brown sugar

• 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger

• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 1 large green apple, grated

• 60ml apple cider vinegar

• 60ml golden rum

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• ½ tsp sea salt

• ½ tsp cracked black pepper

• 2 red onions, thinly sliced

• 400ml can coconut cream

  Apple & beetroot slaw

• ¼ red cabbage, shredded

• 1 large green apple, halved, cored, cut into matchsticks

• 1 small beetroot (about 125g), finely grated

• 70g unsweetened natural yoghurt

• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon

• 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses

• 2 tbsp chopped mint leaves

• 1 handful coriander leaves

Method

For the pulled pork, trim any excess fat or skin from the pork. Pat the meat dry with paper towel. Using a sharp knife, score the meat diagonally a few times, making cuts just 1cm deep. This lets the marinade penetrate the flesh. Place into a medium–large (about 25cm diameter) Dutch oven or casserole dish with a lid. In a bowl, whisk together the spices, sugar, ginger, garlic, apple, vinegar, rum, tomato paste, salt and pepper until well combined. Pour over the pork and massage into both sides of the meat. Cover with the lid and leave at room temperature for 1 hour to marinate.

Preheat the oven to 140°C fan-forced (or 160°C conventional). Add the onion and coconut cream to the meat and stir through to coat. Cover and cook for about 4 hours, until the meat is very tender and falling apart.

For the apple & beetroot slaw, combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss together. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

To serve, transfer the pork to a chopping board. Using two forks, pull the meat into shreds. Return the pork to the casserole dish and mix through the sauce to absorb all the moisture and flavour. Serve warm with the apple & beetroot slaw, either on their own or stuffed into tacos, buns or flatbreads.

Note: Alternatively, cook the pork in a slow cooker on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 6 hours, until tender and falling apart. Ensure you still marinate the pork first for maximum flavour

---

Black sesame, rose & cardamom cake with honey mascarpone icing

If there is a quintessentially me cake, this is it. This cake has fed hungry hospital nurses, been cut by a married couple, and even featured as the base for one of my showstoppers on The Great Kiwi Bake Off. I love how visually striking the grey tones of the crumb are against the whipped cloud-like mascarpone. The combination of black sesame, rose, cardamom and black pepper is an unusual one, and it’s sure to become a favourite.

Hands-on time 20 mins

Total time 1 hour 30 mins

Serves 12

Ingredients

Cake batter

• 100g butter, softened to room temperature

• 200g caster sugar

• 2 eggs

• 125ml canola oil

• 2 tbsp rose water

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 75g black tahini

• 125ml coconut cream

• 150g plain flour

• 110g ground almonds

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp ground cardamom

• ¼ tsp sea salt

• ¼ tsp ground black pepper

  To decorate

• 1 tbsp white sesame seeds

• 1 tbsp black sesame seeds

• 200g mascarpone

• 1 ½ tbsp honey, plus extra to drizzle

• 2 tsp rose water

Method

Preheat the oven to 160°C fan-forced (or 180°C conventional). Grease a 20cm round cake tin and line with baking paper.

To make the cake, beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl, using an electric hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, for 3 minutes or until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs and beat for 1 minute, until well combined. Pour in the oil, rose water and vanilla. Beat for 1 minute, until smooth. Add the black tahini and coconut cream and beat for an additional minute, until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground almonds, baking powder, cardamom, salt and pepper. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet until smooth and just combined. There should be no remaining specks of flour left in the cake batter. Pour into the cake tin and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 15 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely.

To decorate, toast the sesame seeds in a small frying pan over medium heat for a few minutes, until starting to brown and pop. Transfer to a small bowl to cool. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mascarpone, honey and rose water until smooth. Pipe or spread the honey mascarpone evenly over the top of the cooled cake, then sprinkle with the toasted seeds and drizzle with extra honey.

Serve on the day of baking, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

---

Matcha & pistachio amaretti

In the style of Italian amaretti, these biscuits are wonderfully chewy due to a base of egg whites and ground nuts. Matcha and pistachio are buddies in green and a dangerously moreish combination, so if ingredients are on hand, this recipe is always worth doubling.

Hands-on time 15 mins

Total time 1 hour 10 mins

Serves 15 small cookies

Ingredients

• 100g pistachio kernels

• 110g ground almonds

• 200g caster sugar

• 1 tbsp matcha powder

• pinch of sea salt

• 65g egg whites (about 2)

• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

• 75g icing sugar

Method

Place the pistachios in a food processor and blitz until finely ground. Transfer to a large bowl, add the ground almonds, caster sugar, matcha and salt, whisking to combine. In a separate bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the egg whites and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to gently fold together to make a soft, slightly sticky paste. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 40 minutes, so that the mixture can be rolled into balls without sticking to your hands.

Preheat the oven to 150°C fan-forced (or 170°C conventional). Line 2 oven trays with baking paper. Sift the icing sugar into a shallow bowl. Roll the chilled dough into small balls (about 30g each). Roll the balls in the icing sugar to coat generously. Place on the oven trays spaced at least 4cm apart, as they may spread a little as they bake.

Bake for 15–20 minutes, until cracked, fragrant and just starting to turn lightly golden brown at the edges. Leave to cool on the trays for 10 minutes, before carefully moving to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Style status

Versatility is key for the wardrobe this season.

Words Nicky Adams

Auguste Lelia maxi dress $299

containboutique.co.nz

Hot stuff

Balancing work and play outfits across the summer months is an annual consideration for most of us as the temperature rises. No one wants to overinvest in office wear, so to find pieces that tick the boxes of appropriate, breathable and stylish can be a challenge.

Gear shift dress $229

georgeedward.co.nz

Sheath dresses just so happen to be on-trend and, with their easy fit, will suit most body shapes. A style that is readily available in linen and cotton, should you opt for a sheer fabric, find a light slip to layer underneath. If it feels too shapeless, then belts are another key trend and one that will add a waistline.

MakJordan stripe blazer $239 and Salma stripe pants $175

urbanvogue.co.nz

An oversized slouchy suit in a light linen with a satin camisole top underneath is super versatile for office or evening – just change up footwear from ballet flats to heels. If you’re feeling brave, an all-white suit comes off as effortlessly elevated – classic monochrome definitely comes under the luxe category.

Beach shirt $385,

Caitlincrisp.com

Laser-cut designs are a thoroughly modern take on a lace look; still conjuring up all the romanticism associated with this finish, a shirt can be put with anything and will pay style dividends.

We know cargo pants are big hitters this season, and they’re coming in multiple fabrics, freeing them up from just streetwear – try styling with kitten heels for the office.

Lilac and purple had a makeover last year, and the softer tones remain a really coveted colour this season. It’s fun to pair the various shades together or, if this is too much, just try a splash among other colourways.

Trending Now

Most wanted this season

Wear It Well

Ultra-feminine and floaty are trends that naturally lend themselves to this time of year; semi-sheer can look sophisticated and polished while still giving off a light and breezy vibe. More timeless than trendy, it can take you from day event to evening occasion seamlessly. Above all, we want our summer outfits to feel effortless – the silhouette of the season is definitely strapless, which works perfectly with the hot weather holy grail of achieving as few tan lines as possible.

Morgan pleat bodice $229 and Morgan pleat skirt $249,

rubynz.com 

The simplicity of style is timeless; however, strapless naturally lends itself to a dressy occasion – and the cleaner the lines, the more you can layer up the accessories. Depending on the fabric (and event), the footwear will follow – cottons and stretch ribbed materials will suit casual slides, jandals or sneakers; and although we love to throw street shoes with everything, satin or shimmery fabric will dazzle with a dressy sandal. It’s fun to signal the frivolity of summer with your colours; vibrant hues are key this season – and if you don’t usually indulge, then try toning down by pairing with a more neutral piece such as jacket.

Riti Dress $529

gregory.net.nz

Whether you love them or loathe them, tailored shorts are here to stay this season; despite being a look that is trickier to carry off, worn with heels, even the haters will be converted to the Bermuda length. Again on the divisive front is a 1980s favourite. If I say bubble hems are back, I’m sure there will be mad scrabbling in the bottom of dress-up boxes. But like any past style, it’s reappeared in a more sophisticated form. Its full, voluminous style requires visual balance from top to toe, but creates a dramatic look that will be a showstopper.

Trelise Cooper Crazy In Love dress $999,

wendysboutique.co.nz

Shapeshifting

Underpin your look for the ultimate outcome.

When it comes to makeovers, the world of shapewear is right up there at the top of the tree. A gradual rebranding over the last 20 years has amped up into full force over the last five, to the point where most women will boast at least one pair of firm flesh-coloured undies in their lingerie collection.

The emphasis has moved from slogans that were enough to make you sweat at the mere thought – “hold-me-ins that don’t let you out” a popular catchphrase that said it all – to a rebranding as empowering underwear essentials that give you a seamless, smooth silhouette. Botox for the body, if you will. Our love affair with silky slip dresses and body-con loungewear has meant that the merits of good solid undies cannot be understated to achieve the ultimate flawless finish. 

Women’s dressing has historically relied on firm foundations, most famously the corset, and while we’ve largely evolved from the belief in blatant restriction, the concept has been taken and transformed into in all manner of variants (that unless you’ve dabbled in this world before, you really would have no idea existed). From the basic seamless slip that will give you line-free curves (some with built-in bra, some designed to go over your own), to a backless bodysuit (a real lifesaver if you want something that gives boob support and smooths over your tummy area) to high-waisted shorts that will smooth the belly, ensure no panty line, and continue over top of legs. There is literally something for every dress, occasion, and body shape. The most well-known of the brands are Spanx in the States, and Nancy Ganz here in New Zealand. Nancy Ganz has been at this game for a long time, which is reflected in the sheer variety on offer, and is easily available (Farmers). Kmart is worth checking out for entry level pieces. However, if you’re happy to shop online the Skims brand from Kim Kardashian has in some ways revolutionised the mass market, so much so that she has just introduced Skims for men – designed to enhance not conceal curves, she has had the forethought to introduce inclusive sizing and diverse shades from beige to brown. The brand has also thrown in a few other innovations – the one-leg undies are a godsend to anyone with a maxi dress with a side split. 

There are other tricks of the trade used to perfect a polished look. Boob Tape is useful, although how effective depends on the size and perkiness of your breasts – “three children” and “boob tape” don’t usually work in the same sentence. Nevertheless, it’s worth a go – double- sided, it sticks to your skin, then onto the dress. Using it is something you want to practise first as it can be as tricky as eating jelly with a fork. However, even if you don’t manage to harness your breasts effectively, it can be super useful for sticking down a gaping décolletage on a plunging dress. 

To achieve the ultimate look, the focus is to avoid anything that makes you feel as though you are being squeezed in. The point of the evolution of shapewear is that it is no longer seen as a tool in flab fighting –anything that claims to eliminate excess flesh totally overlooks the physics of the body. Just like a sausage, if you’re pushing something into a tight skin, the law of science dictates that it must burst out somewhere else, and no one wants spillage over the top of a waistband.
So just like with the external outfit, try, try and try again until you find the under-garment that may not look pretty, but feels fabulous.

Fashion forecast

Get ahead with the latest summer fashion trends.

Louis Vuitton

Mix and Match 

If you thought you’d seen enough rugby shirts after the World Cup to last
a lifetime, then you’re out of luck. The cool crowd have brought back this dad trend as a must-have, and it’s not just for the sideline sports fans: If you’re in any doubt then take note from the coolest of them all, Chloe Sevigny, spotted sporting one in downtown New York.

---

Stella McCartney

Tie it up

Sharp suiting – also known as power dressing – is a look that designers have brought to the fore for autumn/winter. This more polished approach to suiting is a throwback to the 1980s, so it’s no surprise to see exaggerated shoulders and sleek silhouettes. Throw in the double-breasted jackets, sartorial use of ties and tailored pinstriped pencil skirt suits and it’s hard not to feel nostalgic.

---

Alessandra Rich

Skirting the Issue

Denim skirts have been yanked back from the early noughties and heralded as the denim-to-die-for this season. In all lengths from midi to maxi, there’s a range of colourways and styles with detailing, belts and splits. This is one runway style that translates seamlessly to the wardrobe. For the cooler months and the shorter lengths, pair with long boots underneath for practicality.

---

MakeBottega Veneta

Leather looks

Leather has been in every winter wardrobe for a number of years; however, it’s looking to reach its zenith for autumn/winter 23. Never has this medium been used with such breadth – versatility is an understatement. Skirts, shirts, denim-look leather, evening dresses – even socks.

Athlete’s paradise

Pro triathlete Hannah Berry has had a whirlwind year on the world stage. She’s back in the Bay for summer, and loving the lifestyle of her home base.

Words Scott Yeoman | Photos Scott Yeoman + supplied

You can be a full-time professional athlete training and competing on the world stage – jetting off to Australia, Spain, Switzerland, Finland, France, Mexico and Hawaii in the space of six months – and still call this place home.

You can chase your sporting dreams and still spend hot summer afternoons on your favourite Mount Maunganui beach. Swim laps at your local pool, go for picturesque runs around Mauao, and work out in a high-performance gym alongside familiar – and famous – faces.

You can recover from an injury and smash your training goals, and still celebrate at the end of the week by having a glass of wine with your husband at home.

Hannah Berry is proof of all that. She is proof that Mount Maunganui is an athlete’s paradise.

The 33-year-old pro triathlete has had a whirlwind year; from a podium finish at the Ironman Taupō event in March, to a season-stopping stress reaction injury in her femur, to bouncing back and winning gold in Mexico in September, and then a personal best at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii in October.

Hannah's home for the summer and has a lot of training ahead of her; the 2024 Ironman Pro Series is firmly in her sights.

So, what does a normal day in the Mount look like for a professional triathlete who wants to be able to swim 3.8km, cycle 180km, and run 42.2km in less than eight hours, 53 minutes, and 45 seconds? Hannah starts her day by swimming laps at Baywave (about five or six kilometres worth). She does that five days a week, starting at 5.50am. She might then head home and do three or four hours on the indoor trainer bike in her garage. She also runs three times a week; her favourite route takes her around Mauao.

Then there’s strength and conditioning and gym work at the University of Waikato Adams Centre for High Performance. Hannah trains there at least a couple of times a week. This state-of-the-art facility is situated on the outskirts of Blake Park and has become a one-stop shop for individual athletes and teams preparing for competition at the highest level. The Netherlands women’s football team trained at the Adams Centre during the FIFA World Cup earlier this year, and other recent visitors include the All Blacks, Wallabies, New Zealand Warriors, and the English cricket team.

The centre is also home to both New Zealand rugby sevens teams, the
Bay of Plenty Steamers and Bay of Plenty Volcanix, as well as North Island-based Black Caps, the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, and the Adams Academy – a development programme with around 100 aspiring and established athletes across 27 sporting codes and counting.

Hannah has been a member of the Adams Academy since its inception and recently won Athlete of the Year at its annual awards. “Being surrounded by other high performance athletes is quite unique,” she says. “And it's really cool to see other athletes here training – there’s motivation everywhere.”

The Adams Centre has a team of strength and conditioning coaches onsite, a dietitian and sports psychologist, and a sports science laboratory with a full array of testing equipment, including an environmental chamber (one of only two in the country) which helps athletes like Hannah prepare for international competitions in varying climates and altitudes.

Hannah will be back competing in Ironman pro events all over the world next year. It’s a remarkable achievement, considering she only started long-distance endurance triathlons about 10 years ago. In fact, that’s when she started competing in any kind of triathlon for the first time.

Hannah believes her late entry into the competitive world of triathlon might actually be an advantage. A lot of the top triathletes have been pouring hours into this individual pursuit since they were teenagers, or even younger. Hannah only played team sports like netball, volleyball, and hockey while growing up in Te Puke. Then she went off to university and studied her way towards a PhD in biotech engineering. She is now Dr Hannah Berry. She only decided to pause that career and chase her triathlon dreams full-time in 2019. 

Her 11th-place finish at the iconic World Championship event in Kona in October was her fourth full-length Ironman. She’s just getting started. “It's a very demanding, time-consuming sport, so I think the fact that I picked it up later in life is quite good,” Hannah says. “I haven't just been this sort of one-dimensional person my entire life and that means, at the moment, it still feels really fresh and exciting. And I'm seeing improvements all the time. So that I think is good and it keeps me going.”

It keeps her swimming, cycling and running, chasing her sporting dreams all over the globe, 226km at a time, with Mount Maunganui as her home base. 

uowadamshpc.co.nz

Subtropical Summer

Ginny Clark from Decor Gardenworld shows us just how easy it is to grow subtropical treats.

The best time to plant fruit trees, trees and shrubs was five years ago. The next best time is now. 

Growing your own is easier than you think and, with the subtropical summer on our doorstep, and shortages of some of our most popular of summer fruits in the shops, there is no time to waste. 

For the edible garden, we are spoiled in Tauranga, as we can grow numerous subtropical fruits that give us that tropical feel, along with many of the all-time hardy favourites. No matter what size your property is, there are plenty of options for you to grow in a sunny corner. 

Berry fruits, such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, and loganberries spring to mind. If you are growing blueberries, choosing several different varieties will help with pollination and extend your harvest season from November until April. Raspberries are either summer fruiting or autumn fruiting types, so again the season can be extended. There’s even a cute little raspberry called “Mini Me” which is ideal to grow in pots or hanging baskets.

Passionfruit, strawberry, guavas, tamarillos, and Lady Finger bananas are subtropical fruits that are easy to grow. You could even plant a dwarf growing Cleopatra Avocado in the small home garden.

For those of us that have spent time in the tropics, you will remember the gorgeous fragrance that is quintessential to that part of the world. Plants that will remind you of that year after year include one of our all-time favourites, Gardenias. Ranging in size from the little low Radicans through to the taller Veitchii, Professor Pucci and True Love, you can’t go wrong. They work well as an under planting to Palms and glossy-leafed Pukas and all those other tropical-looking plants. Star Jasmine is another all-time favourite, and it can be grown as a ground cover or climber.

Vireya Rhodos are also a good choice. Some are fragrant, plus they will flower three to four times a year. Murraya (Orange Blossom) and Australian Frangipani also grow well here. But the piéce de résistance is the Tropical Frangipani. If you have the right spot that is super sunny and warm with a bit of space, then she would be my favourite.

Of course, we can’t ignore Hibiscus either. Although not fragrant, they will give you a fabulous show right through until late autumn.

Combine this selection, along with a Batik Bench seat, colourful Morris
and James Pot and super-efficient Zieglar and Brown BBQ and you will be well on the way to creating your own subtropical paradise. 

Decorgardenworld.co.nz

Split decision

Rachael from Rotherham Law knows about divorce, from the legalities to the emotional impact it can have. Here she tells you what you need to do if you’re thinking about saying ‘I don’t’.

For some, separation comes as a shock, and for others it’s a slow burn. It can often be comparable to a partner passing away. You can go through similar stages of grief, fluctuating between shock, denial, anger, depression, bargaining, testing and acceptance. 

Family lawyers can assist with legalities, as well as personal matters, that range from contracting out (prenups), separation, childcare, spousal maintenance, child support, family violence, adoption and surrogacy. At the other end of life, they help with enduring Powers of Attorney, Wills and capacity matters like helping family members get orders to make decisions for elderly relatives when they have lost capacity. 

Here's a rundown of what to expect in divorce proceedings and advice on how to make it easier for everyone.

Pick your battles

It is possible to separate with dignity, compassion and understanding. It doesn’t have to be The War of the Roses. Most people who hire a lawyer do not go near a courtroom and many choose a collaborative approach. Court is there when you need it, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The starting point is dividing property after all the debts are repaid 50/50. But not always, as sometimes there are circumstances that lead one party to be entitled to more based on their situation. When you come to an agreement without the Court’s intervention it is called a Separation Agreement. It needs to be in writing to be legally binding, and the parties must have had independent legal advice from a lawyer who explained the effects and implications of it.

Know your audience

Make sure when you get legal advice that you are comfortable with the lawyer you are instructing. You need to be able to talk to them and feel listened to. But you also need to feel comfortable and trust them when they tell you something you don’t necessarily want to hear. They are always acting for your interests but what you are entitled to may not necessarily marry up to your expectation (pun intended). You know when you walk into a room and start talking to someone in that first minute if they are the right fit. Go with your gut instinct. We all have the same qualifications but different lawyers have different approaches, so it needs to feel right to you.

Get organised

Go to your meetings prepared so that you make the most of your time. Make a list of what you want to talk about. If you are instructing on a separation, have a list ready of what assets and debts you have so when you get asked this question you have that information. As difficult as it might be, try to remove the emotion so you’re making the most of your time with your lawyer, and they can gather all the necessary details needed the first time. 

Don’t sweat the small stuff

As with any breakup, emotions are high and it can be hard to separate yourself from those feelings. But try to think about what is most important, like having somewhere to live and paying the bills, or the children’s care arrangements and what is best for them. I have been that lawyer who wrote a letter about returning the Cirque du Soleil umbrella that held emotional attachment, but was it worth the cost of my time to do it? That’s an individual decision, but my advice is to focus on the big picture. Your emotional wellbeing and moving forward are more important. 

A qualified mediator and collaborative family lawyer, Rachael Rotherham spent the majority of her working life in Auckland at a large commercial firm before deciding to move her family out of the city and here to the Bay. Now, Rachael has created a boutique law firm specialising in family law and separations.

Rotherhamlaw.co.nz

Natural elegance

Tauranga Harbour’s spellbinding beauty around a hilltop peninsula is inspiration enough for an exceptional home. But a sensitive deference to nature – blending contemporary brilliance with the landscape that preceded it – underlines this home’s distinctive air.

Words Jo Ferris

Hidden from the world, the home showcases bold design and precise execution. Deserving a string of awards in the 2019 Master Builders House of the Year, it was named supreme regional winner, and went on to earn national gold reserve status, also winning its category.

Imposing, thanks to its lone presence on this peninsula, the home’s sole focus is on what surrounds it. The views are spectacular – a sweeping panorama that follows Tauranga Harbour and Matakana around to the Kaimais. The home captures nature and how the sun plays with water and trees before dipping behind the hills. Scenery is integral to this home’s design and how it connects with each aspect.

Central to this concept is the swimming pool and how family living mimics similar infinity. The pool is like a separate extension that floats out to space, thanks to the innovative design. It’s heated for year-round exercise, while the built-in spa is a natural companion. Full-height glazing in the family wing ensures a seamless link with the patio and pool, while framing an extensive grasp on scenery. 

Genius design in the family lounge, cantilevers it in midair. Glazing wraps around this extension to heighten the floating feeling. Even the unique unit, housing a wall TV and display alcoves, appears to hover within the glass surround. The pool outlook might be centre stage, but a discreet sheltered patio provides a different perspective of nature.

Full-height glazing is a significant feature in this home. It begins with a towering front door, drifts into various rooms and highlights aspects like the oak stair treads – another intriguing element that seems to float up to the master retreat.

This retreat cherishes ultimate privacy. A sumptuous suite, with its “look-out” ambience stretching across the harbour, bespoke dressing-room backdrop and a romantic bathroom. The simple elegance of an oval bath is matched by egg-shaped vanities on a custom dresser. 

Oak weaves a story throughout – on flooring, bespoke units in both lounges, kitchen cabinetry and designer vanities in all three bathrooms. With the master retreat relishing penthouse privacy, two more bedrooms share semi-ensuite luxury downstairs, while a guest bedroom has a private bathroom. Sitting in its own corner, this suite opens out to the poolside patio.

This home displays the knowledge that refined class needs no extra flattery. Underfloor heating and a ducted system ensure constant comfort. Drapes disappear into the ceiling, while LED lighting hides in extraordinary ways to infuse soft illumination throughout. As day passes into evening, this home’s mood changes everything about its demeanour.

Other features extend this property’s generous parameters, including an avocado orchard and shed. A secondary, high-stud, three-bay shed houses self-contained accommodation. Lined with plywood and featuring polished concrete flooring, this suite provides a bedroom, bathroom and open-plan living with a wrap-around verandah patio. 

The boat-shed ambience of this unit complements the considerable storage next door. Ideal for the Sealegs, this could be driven down the garden pathway to the private ramp into the harbour. A sandy beach invites launching the kayak at high tide, or packing a picnic to fossick as the water ebbs and flows.

With a lily pond attracting wildlife, amid a garden wonderland and giant guardian pōhutukawa, nature is the eternal winner here – and willing to share it. 

oliverroadbayofplenty.com

Love conquers all

He’s one of Aotearoa’s biggest music stars and she’s working hard to make a difference in our community. Together Rachel Axis Taane Tinorau and Tiki Taane are one of the Bay’s most recognisable couples. Here they talk about their unusual love story, overcoming addiction and ghosts.

Words Karl Puschmann | Photos Graeme Murray + Supplied
Styling Nicky Adams | Hair Sam Henry | Make up Desiree Osterman

Moving up to the Bay from Christchurch had been a dream come true for Rachel. But the dream turned into a living nightmare when a ghost showed up. “I had a rough time when I first moved here. There was a weird energy and a spirit,” she tells UNO over a piping hot cup of cinnamon tea. “We nicknamed him Spirit Fingers.”

We’re sitting in the comfy lounge of the Pāpāmoa Beach home she shares with her husband, musician Tiki Taane. It may be a gloriously sunny afternoon but her haunting story and the spirit’s creepy nickname cause a shudder. 

It’s fair to say that Spirit Fingers put something of a spooky damper on the excitement the couple had been feeling. They’d spent two years making their long-distance relationship work. Rachel’s move up in 2015 marked the beginning of not just their life together but, as they each had a child, also the beginning of their life as a blended family. The couple couldn’t have been happier. 

Until…“I’d wake up with someone standing next to the bed or at the bedroom door,” Rachel continues. “When Tiki was away, walking down the hallway would freak me out. It was creepy. I could feel there was always someone there. It was full-on.”

Tiki, who has planted himself in a huge, comfy beanbag, nods and says, “Where we are there’s a lot of spiritual energy. And a lot of spiritual history as well.”

He explains that the area was used as battlegrounds and that there are urupā (burial sites) underneath the nearby boardwalks that stretch along the beachfront. “That’s why it’s up high,” Tiki explains. “There’s a lot of bones in that area.”

There was something strange in their neighbourhood, but both being spiritual people, they weren’t about to call Ghostbusters. Instead, they wanted to show respect and understanding. They had a karakia (a traditional Māori prayer to invoke spiritual goodwill) written, which they then recited in their home. “It was basically to say to them, ‘You're welcome to be here’,” Rachel says. She laughs, then adds, “But just please don’t interfere with my sleep.”

Looking back now, she thinks it was curiosity, rather than a terrifying Hollywood-style haunting, that was the spirit’s motive.

“Tiki’s been settled here for a while so they were probably like, ‘Who’s this bitch?’” she grins. “They were just sussing me out. Since the karakia, it’s been sweet. There’s definitely still an energy, but not a bad one.”

“This whole area of Pāpāmoa has an energy that I really enjoy,” Tiki says. “I love it here.”

His connection to the area runs deep. He moved here back in 2010 but first visited in 1996, when his former band, the award-winning group Salmonella Dub, played in the Mount. 

“The first time I came it blew me away. Then I just loved coming back here,” he says. “It’s always been good vibes.”

When Tiki first laid eyes on Rachel, she wasn’t even there. He was in Auckland getting a tattoo when he saw a photo of his tattooist and her friend. “I was like, ‘Who’s that hottie?’ and she was like, “Oh, my God! I’ll hook you up!’” he laughs. 

Rachel of course knew of Tiki, but even with their mutual friend putting in the good word, she wasn’t prepared to rush a meeting with a stranger.

“Rachel was like, ‘This is a red flag’,” Tiki laughs. “She didn't give me her number. She gave me her email. So I started emailing. Then emails led to texting and texting led to phone calls. We'd call each other every night.”

In that regard, it was quite an old-fashioned courtship, with Tiki really trying to impress her. “Yeah. Hard,” he grins.

When Tiki appeared somewhat out of the blue, Rachel was concentrating on being a solo mum to her toddler and not at all about relationships. “I hadn't had very good experiences with men, so I had my boundaries up,” Rachel says. “I was quite weary. But Tiki was really respectful. He wasn't creepy. So when I had trust through the emails, I was like, ‘Okay, here's my number’.”

While the pair hadn’t committed to each other, they were becoming bigger parts of each other’s lives. But they hadn’t yet met and were still, in the words of Rachel, “doing our own thing.”

About six months on from their virtual meeting Rachel entered a radio competition to win a trip to Rarotonga. It was a typical shock-jock style of radio competition, which saw five married men going to the island with five single women and their friends.

“It’s so wrong and looking back now I’d be so anti it,” Rachel admits. “But I entered as one of the single chicks and won. I told Tiki and it turned out the dates I was there he was actually going to be there as well.”

In what can only be described as serendipity – a word Tiki would also use when he wrote a love song to Rachel before proposing on camera during the making of its music video – he was going to be there with the drum ’n’ bass group Shapeshifter.

The pair arranged to meet the night she arrived and he zipped over to her hotel on a scooter. After their six-month courtship, the couple finally met, and embraced, for the first time.

“Then she got on the back of my scooter and that was it,” Tiki beams.

“I pretty much spent the whole time with Tiki,” Rachel smiles. “It was a great first date.”

After the fairytale romance in Rarotonga, the real world hit hard when they returned home. Rachel’s friends were worried she’d get too attached and her mum was concerned her old habits might return.

“My mum was absolutely horrified. I'd been through such an intense time with addiction that she was really scared about the rock-and-roll, party lifestyle. Tiki was not like that at all. But there was an assumption, a stereotype, that the music industry
is all about getting slaughtered and taking drugs all the time. It may be in some groups, but not ours.”

Having finally met Rachel, Tiki wasn’t about to let her go. He already knew she was the one. He emailed her tickets to fly to Auckland that weekend so they could go to a dance party. 

“You told me that you loved me and I was like, ‘Ooof. This is a red flag’, because it had only been a week of physically knowing each other. But you asked me that weekend to be your partner. I was like, ‘Yeah!’ and here we are!”

“We both had the same mindset and just really connected, big time,” Tiki says. “We were talking for months and months and months before we actually met in person. So we built our connection that way.”

“Yeah, we had the same values and passions, like advocacy. We both had a kid, they’re only two years apart,” Rachel adds, referring to her daughter Karcia (12) and Tiki’s son Charlie (14). “And a similar life story in a way. Both of us have been through addiction and both came out the other side of that. We're both of a similar vibe.”

Because Rachel’s mentioned it a couple of times, I ask about her addiction. 

“I was a meth addict for four or five years, from age 14 to 19,” she replies. “I'd done my work well prior to Tiki coming along. I went to rehab when I was 19.”

Rachel escaped into addiction due to trauma. Her parents separated when she was two years old and Rachel's relationship with her father has had its challenges ever since. She moved schools a lot due to bullying and at just 14 years old she was sexually assaulted in a park after a party. The culmination of all this trauma at such a young age led her to meth. 

“I still struggle with PTSD,” she says. “I hate the word addiction. I look at it more as escapism. When people use a lot that's usually because they're trying to numb or hide from something that's either happened or that's going on. But me and Tiki have a really good relationship where if there’s something going on, we both talk about it. We don't need to get wasted to numb anything.”

Those dark days are well and truly behind her. Having turned her own life around, she’s now determined to help others do the same. She does public speaking at events where she shares her journey through trauma, addiction and recovery and is also a qualified social worker who previously worked at Women’s Refuge and now goes into the Bay’s secondary schools to deliver consent education and healthy relationship education.

“As someone who has had sexual trauma, I wish that I’d had this education when I was younger,” she says.

Depending on the situations she encounters and the people she helps, it can sometimes be hard for her to switch off at the end of the day. But she knows Tiki is always ready to support her.

“I listen and I wait till she’s got it all off her mind,” he says. “It’s been a huge education for me as well and made me really become more talkative about sexual harm in the music industry. When you start delving into the subject, this kaupapa, you've got to look at yourself, what you've done and start questioning the behaviours that you've done in the past. Some of it might not be nice. I can't sit here and go ‘this, this, this and this’, I have to look at what I've done and think about that and go, ‘How come that happened?’ or ‘Why does this happen?’. It's a really vulnerable opening you've got to do, and I think a lot of people are scared to do that. For me, I've learned loads from Rachel. Untold amounts of stuff.”

Tiki, in turn, has also been sharing his knowledge with Rachel. Over lockdown, he taught her how to DJ and now she often plays support slots for him at his shows. Because he’s away playing his own shows so much he doesn’t often get to interact with the local music scene here that much. 

“This is my home. This is where I live. When I think of doing gigs and stuff, I think outwards. I don't think about playing locally. It’s quite interesting. I don't know why that is.”

As well as touring, Tiki produces artists and bands in his purpose-built home studio and recently released his first feature film, the award-winning concert-documentary Tiki Taane in Session with CSO, which he produced, directed and performed himself. Following rave reviews at the New Zealand International Film Festival, it has since been accepted into numerous festivals around the world and continues to clock up awards.

“It's doing really awesome. It's been a wicked buzz,” Tiki says of the project which took him three years to complete. “I'm so stoked that I rolled the dice on it.”

Spend some time with Rachel and Tiki and it’s easy to see why they work so well together. They’ve both overcome demons and found each other, and then overcame their initial physical distance to connect in a deeper, spiritual way. Their personalities complement each other with Rachel outgoing and Tiki more laid back. And with Spirit Fingers no longer haunting the hallways, their home has a chill vibe and a welcoming atmosphere. 

“We definitely made the deal, the commitment,” Tiki says of their relationship. “I knew from the beginning that I’m in this for the long run.”

Then, smiling warmly, he says, “It's been incredible.” 

Tiki Taane in Session with CSO is available to rent
at Tiki’s website tikidub.com

Made in the Mount

Meet the women paving the way for a new tech scene in Mount Maunganui.

Words Lucy Bleakley | Photos Katie Charlotte

What do a chemical engineer, graphic designer and teacher have in common? Apart from above-average smarts and creativity, they are part of a burgeoning, female-founded tech scene coming to life from kitchen tables across Mount Maunganui. 

Bonnet, Kept and euulo are three locally made apps developed by women who’ve created beautifully designed, “Why didn’t I think of that?” tech. All from home and with small children in tow. 

Each app is impressively thoughtful, and perhaps unsurprisingly, they all have one more thing in common – easing the mental load for their users. 

Deftly solving specific consumer problems to make everyday life, and in euulo’s case, life’s harder moments easier.  

Bonnet, founded by Steph Kennard, houses vehicle admin in one place when over 50 percent of Kiwis are driving on our roads without a WOF or rego. Kept, created by Nic Winslade and Katie Hunter, is a new marketplace for cleaners, allowing users to book a trusted, peer reviewed cleaner and giving cleaners greater independence in an industry rife with unfair wages and hours. 

And Kerriden Edmondson, Renaya Lloyd and Sheree van den Broek have developed euulo, a SaaS product for the funeral industry. euulo is image-gathering technology designed to replace the clunky process of curating funeral photo tributes. 

“With backgrounds in fashion, design and engineering, the looks on people’s faces when we explain our technology is not lost on us,” muses Renaya Lloyd, co-founder of euulo. 

“But, if you’ve been in the difficult position of organising a photo tribute, you will understand the arduous process and we know we can make a real difference. We’ve spent a lot of time speaking to funeral directors and validating our solution to ensure our technology is easing the burden from all sides,” explains Renaya.

Nic Winslade’s career has been all about bringing ideas to life for clients and Kept was an opportunity to explore an idea sparked from managing the mental load of family life. 

“The Mount was the perfect place to launch Kept, with so many busy, self-employed households wanting flexibility. And the focus on quality of life here is also the breeding ground for our innovation. Making life easier, better, and more rewarding for independent cleaning professionals as well as busy local homes,” says Nic.  

Like euulo and Kept founders, Steph saw an obvious gap in the market and a way to ease life’s admin overload.

“I’ve worked in the car industry and seen time and time again the barriers to keeping up with car admin for families, heavy vehicle operators and fleet managers – many are still using spreadsheets to manage hundreds of car regos and WOFs. There had to be a better way, and after years of development, Bonnet was launched earlier this year,” says Steph.

Steph says it’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it from the Mount.

“Research, development and design have all been done from our home office. With remote working taking off, a Zoom with a web developer or writing pitch decks from home with a walk up the Mount in between is completely doable,” says Steph. 

The gumption to do something different has paid off for these tech founders. Bonnet launched as the number one app on Google and in just a few months, over 50,000 cars are being monitored by the app. Kept has launched here in Tauranga, and in new markets across Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and Christchurch, with thousands of cleans booked and several independent cleaning businesses thriving thanks to Kept’s marketplace model.

euulo, the baby of the three start-ups, has recently launched to a waiting list of funeral directors representing almost a third of New Zealand funeral homes, and already have plans to launch in Australia and the UK.

Mount Maunganui has always been a creative haven, but these founders are driving a new type of tech scene forward. One built on empathy, flexibility and bloody hard work. 

Steph Kennard, Bonnet 

Steph is a digital native through and through, developing Bonnet after working in the car industry with the likes of Jeep and Volkswagen. 

Bonnet houses all vehicle management in one place and gives reminders for regos, warrant of fitness, and diesel RUC, using Waka Kotahi data to create seamless reminders. Less than half of New Zealanders remember to do their WOF and registration in time, creating potentially unsafe cars on our roads, and Bonnet aims to change this with a brilliantly simple solution. 

bonnet.co.nz  |   bonnet_app

---

Nic Winslade and Katie Hunter, Kept

A housekeeping app that helps local customers find cleaners they trust with an instant booking system. 

Cleaners can create their own free online booking platform through Kept, setting their own hourly rates and availability, in a safe, supportive space.
It also changes the game when finding a cleaner for your home. The app enables you to book for your specific needs and offers exit cleans, one-off cleans or regular cleaning. You can also specify which rooms you want cleaned. The booking and payment are completed through the app, so cleaners are guaranteed payment, and peer reviews help regulate the marketplace, encouraging a high-quality service. 

kept.nz  |    kept.together

---

Renaya Lloyd, Sheree van den Broek and Kerriden Edmondson, euulo 

euulo is a SaaS solution developed to alleviate some of the pressure associated with creating a photo tribute for grieving families and funeral directors. The app features in-built scanning, social media integration, and image editing, giving families the opportunity to gather their photos in their own time and space. For funeral directors, the software gives visibility over the process and specific tools to create beautiful photo tributes with ease.

Technology for the funeral industry is not something any of the euulo team could have foreseen in their future, but here they are, passionately designing a thoughtful way to ease the load for grieving families.  

euulo.com  |    euulophototribute 

The art of ink

UNO talks to local experts about the transformation of the Bay’s tattoo industry and the healing power of this often misunderstood art form.

Words Karen Clarkson

In 2012, when celebrated tā moko artist Julie Paama-Pengelly (Ngāi Te Rangi) set up shop in Mount Maunganui, there were four tattoo studios in the area. Today, the local body-art industry has expanded to nearly 100 artists, operating from Waihi to Te Puke. 

“Only a decade ago, the perception of the tattoo industry wasn’t positive. It sat within a genre which was not understood or recognised as mainstream. Aotearoa is now considered in the top five in the world as a destination for body art, and the scene here in the Bay of Plenty is as vibrant as ever,” says Julie, owner of Art + Body Creative Studio, which embraces a range of experienced artists offering contemporary tattoo alongside traditional tā moko and custom Māori design.

Overall, New Zealanders are becoming more discerning, respecting the honoured tradition and its therapeutic benefits, and selecting artists who value authenticity and originality. “For a while there it became a copying profession and people were wanting the same as a friend, or choosing a design straight from the wall. Tattoo is like any fine art form, where originality is what drives and defines what we do, and there is more appreciation for that now,” says Julie, who features in World Atlas of Tattoos, a book showcasing 100 notable artists from around the globe.

Tattoo as therapy

Tattoo artist Veronica de Oliveira, of Black Orchid Collective Studio, moved to New Zealand 20 years ago from Brazil and agrees the perception has changed radically. “When I first got my neck tattoo and walked around, people just stared. There is a renewed appreciation and respect for this form of self-expression, including its transformative power,” she says.

“Tattooing alters your state of consciousness,” she explains. “The chemicals your body produces to manage the discomfort changes the energetic field and transforms your body into a different state. When you alter the vibration, you can heal the cells, make new cellular memories, and create a new state of mind. It's a special, sacred process that can heal people,” Veronica says.

Julie agrees. “In the tā moko space, it is very much a therapy-based practice. Yes, there is execution, care and aesthetics that goes into the marking. But you’re also confronting pain, past trauma, covering scars or claiming a new path, which opens a healing, spiritual and cultural journey for people.”

The COVID-19 pandemic presented an interesting phenomenon for the local tattoo industry, with a huge spike in demand after lockdowns and studios booked out months ahead. 

“People were confronted with mortality, loneliness, and disconnection from the world. They had time to research a meaningful piece of art that reflects their story, where they have come from and where they are going. For some, it was a way to mark a critical time in their life or to set a future goal,” Julie explains. 

TRENDS

International artists sharing their work online and connecting with people globally have challenged stigmas, resulting in a range of ages and stages getting inked – from Gen-Z first-timers or groups of millenials wanting to memorialise something, to an 80-year-old ticking off their bucket list. 

“Larger, colourful pieces seen on heavily tattooed people in Europe or America are gaining momentum here alongside full sleeves, legs, necks and heads. I recently did a project with an older lady, maybe in her 70s, who wanted to fully cover her back. It was a beautiful, vulnerable experience,” says Veronica. 

Cover ups or redos are on the rise, too, with Kiwis wanting to reink old tattoos, or cover “regret” and “party” tattoos. “Some people go for years hiding a tattoo that reflects a bad memory or experience in their life. We can take something shameful and create something beautiful together,” says Veronica. 

MODERN TECHNOLOGIES

From hand-tattooing to machine-produced designs, new technologies are constantly evolving and opening the doors to a range of clients desiring thinner, more stylised lines, shading, florals, and delicate work.

“The rise of portraiture and realism in the Bay of Plenty mirrors the growth internationally. Micro-tattooing allows portraits across smaller
areas using finer needles, different machines and ink,” says Veronica. 

Julie credits the Māori art revival as playing an important role in the changing psyche of New Zealanders and popularity of tattoo. “We are highly regarded for tā moko and the work of Aotearoa tattoo artists is honoured around the world. Indigenous cultures that have embraced this sacred art form have created a pathway for tattoo in general,” she says.

“Tā moko and tattoos are one of the most powerful forms of communication. There's authentic connection and cultural function that is created through this historical practice. When you get a tattoo, you embody that art form, its power and healing, and share that everywhere you go.”

Read on to discover the many tattoo artists around the Bay.

---

Sacred honour

Veronica de Oliveira brings art and healing together through her collective of creatives.

While the Western world may have adopted tattooing in recent decades, ancient cultures around the world have performed this sacred art form for millennia. One local tattoo artist has set up a creative studio combining body art with holistic healing, products and services, all honouring a theme of healing, transformation and community.

Black Orchid Creative Studio in downtown Mount Maunganui is a collective of artists offering tattoos, hair and barber services, piercing, massage, coffee and healing reiki. Owned by Veronica de Oliveira, tattoo artist and mum of three, she is determined to transform the male-dominated industry, reclaiming its feminine history. 

“Ancient cultures used body markings to acknowledge the energy of the divine feminine, and some of the earliest recorded tattoos were found on female Egyptian mummies. Considered gods of birth, Egyptian women were tattooed on the abdomen and upper thighs, to celebrate creation and provide protection over the birth,” she says. 

Veronica studied Reiki and is passionate about increasing understanding about the transformative power of tattoos by offering a large range of healing modalities alongside body art. “Tattooing is a historic blood ritual that transforms energy through art to someone's skin. There's an opportunity for more people to be educated on this sacred experience for its ability to heal trauma, overcome shame, provide empowerment and increase body positivity,” says Veronica.

Inspired by her own journey to becoming a body art professional, Veronica believes with the accessibility of Youtube tutorials, and machines easily purchased online, it's important to create opportunities for the next generation to learn all the elements needed to become a professional tattoo artist. 

“My goal is to create an educational platform and offer workshops, education and guest speakers so up-and-coming artists can not just hone their artistic talent, but learn about the history of tattoo, its healing powers, how to honour the client, as well as the ins and outs of running your own business,” she says.

Quick questions with Veronica de Oliveira

UNO: How long have you been in the industry?

Veronica: About seven years.

How did you become a tattoo artist?

I’ve always been an artist; I believe you are born like that. I am a self-taught person, and when something interests me, I can’t stop until I master it. Before tattooing, I was working as an interior and events designer and as a florist. I tried a friend’s tattoo machine once and never went back! I was quite good on it to start, which made me buy my own equipment. I’ve offered free tattoos for family and friends until I worked as a volunteer in the Tattoo & Art Extravaganza and met my mentor, Pepa, who gave me my first opportunity to work in a shop. By that time, I had two small children on my own. It was my return to work life, and I knew I was supposed to do something big with my life. 

What do you love most about your job? 

My job empowers me. Through art, I can transcend reality and bring happiness to people. My studio is my temple, my dream. I love to come to work, meet people, share energy and heal. 

Do you have a favourite piece of work? 

At the moment I’m working on a collection of star sign goddesses. I’m in love with it! I create large pieces with my clients’ astrology characteristics in a black and grey neo-traditional style. 

Who and/or what inspires you?  

I could name so many artists that  inspire me, but my real inspiration comes from my family and my devotion to women, the Divine Feminine. I think we are so resilient, so powerful and beautiful. Most of my clients are women, and we learn so much from each other. 

What do you think makes a good tattoo artist? 

Drawing skills, creativity, drive, humility, compassion, cleanliness, good customer service, ethical professional mentality, good communication and understanding, intuitive people reading. Good common and aesthetic sense. Hunger for learning.

What do you think has changed positively in the tattoo industry in the last 10 years? 

The increase of women in the industry and the technology. We now can rely on amazing equipment and material. Social media became a great marketing tool for artists to show their work. There is also less discrimination against tattooed people and artists. I also love that we see young and older people getting tattooed in the same room. Tattoo art has also evolved significantly – these days, artists are doing the most incredible art on peoples bodies. 

What do you want to see in the future for the tattooing industry? 

I would like to see more recognition
of the profession from governmental institutions through more regulations and more educational incentives to apprentices and mentors. At the moment, I’m in the planning phase of an introductory tattoo course and workshops, to be released next winter. I believe that so many people out there are trying to learn on their own and wanting some guidance, support
and the opportunity to succeed
in the profession. 

 Ladydragontattoos

 Blackorchidcollectivestudio

Blackorchidcollective.co.nz

---

Making her mark

Characterised by openness and support,
this tattoo studio balances the mana of its artists with deep respect for its clients.

Step into Art + Body Creative Studio in Mount Maunganui, and embrace a vibrant, collaborative, light-filled space buzzing with a large team of artists including tā moko and contemporary tattoo artists working alongside eager apprentices. The open-plan workshop, complete with
bus-theming throughout signifying the shared journey between artist and client, is the antithesis of the closed-off, traditional tattoo shop stereotype; a deliberate design by owner Julie Paama-Pengelly. 

“When I opened ‘Body’, I wanted to reject the conventional male-led tattoo paradigm; expose the mainstream to the often hidden nature of the industry, while also demystifying tā moko. As a result, we have created an environment where the powerful, intimate and transformational practice of tattoos is shared and celebrated,” explains Julie.

Considered one of New Zealand’s leading tā moko artists, Julie (Ngāi Te Rangi), has played a key role in the revival of Māori arts since the 1980s. With a background as a university lecturer, arts faculty leader and renowned arts advisor, it was natural to combine her experience in education space with her commercial studio, evolving a pathway for apprentices since 2015.

“As client demand for experienced moko artists took off, I knew I had a role to play to support the succession of artists. More female practitioners were also coming to me asking, ‘How do we get access to more knowledge, more learning, more mentors?’, and I was passionate about supporting the rise of Māori women practising tā moko,” she explains.

In the last nine years Julie has trained over 20 artists, with one to two per year graduating to full-time employment at  Art + Body Creative Studio or starting their own successful business. 

“Our apprentices learn technical skills and hone their artistic niche, but at the forefront of our kaupapa is creating an environment to support the clients' physical, emotional and spiritual transformation. This includes learning protocols, tikanga, health and safety, and coordinating an open and supportive client dialogue - which is less about the purchase and more on creating an honourable, respectful exchange,” she explains. 

Julie’s education work also extends beyond the studio, into orchestrating festivals, exchanges and exhibitions working to strengthen and enrich Māori arts and indigenous tattoo around the world. Toi Kiri, the world indigenous arts festival, developed by Julie and the team from Te Tuhi Māreikura Trust, was held in Tauranga last month. The fourth world indigenous tattoo event is held annually in October over 10 days, featuring a symposium, exhibition and public event showcasing 45 tattoo artists and 200 cultural performers from 16 different nations around the world.

“We have worked hard to create a healthy and vibrant tā moko and tattoo community in Tauranga, and as a result of the vision here, New Zealand is at the forefront of an international movement supporting the revitalisation and exhibition of indigenous arts around the world,” says Julie.

Tā moko on display

Julie Paama-Pengelly is one of eight cultural tattoo practitioners selected to take part in a world-first exhibition at the Museum of Vancouver in 2024. Internationally-acclaimed tattoo artist Dion Kaszas is curating “True Tribal: Contemporary Expressions of Ancestral Tattoo Practices”, an exhibition featuring podcasts, documentary, live performances, living portraits and a photographic exhibition; all celebrating the work of contemporary indigenous tattoo artists around the world. 

Quick questions with Julie Paama-Pengelly

UNO: What's your background? How did you become a tattoo artist?

Julie: I have a background in design and did an undergraduate degree in anthropology, which gave me a cultural context to Māori ethnography, world view, and also the importance of our historical art objects. This led to an interest in Māori and Pacific Island development and a Masters of Third World Development. I then did a Bachelor and a Masters in Māori Visual Arts and went on to teach at Massey University School of Design, doing tā moko on the weekends. Tā moko is a cultural signifier of identity and pride; in the early days, it was a community practice that happened on marae and in whanau contexts, as part of the ongoing reclamation of health and wellbeing for Māori.

How long have you been in the industry?

I have been applying tā moko for more than 30 years, at times around my other roles as teacher, writer, exhibiting artist, and parent to two children. When I moved to Tauranga to be closer to my tribal base (I’m from Matakana and Matapihi), I saw the contrast between an affluent Western community and the relative position that Māori now occupied in Tauranga after suffering loss of land and capacity during colonisation. In 2011, I decided to open a studio to locate tā moko within other tattoo practices, to clarify the relative differences between tā moko and tattoo, and to engender further acceptance of tā moko – particularly facial markings which had historically faced discrimination in Western tattoo history.

How would you describe your style?

I am a tā moko specialist and since I have been practicing for an extended length of time, this practice has developed quite a bit. I understand that the principles of tā moko design are underpinned by an inherited language vocabulary (Māori didn't have a written language so our arts served a powerful role), and once you know this, its up to the tā moko artist to expand on this and to reflect the changing nature of Māori experiences and society. When non-Māori copy tā moko, they fail to understand the language system, the design meaning as a personalised engagement between the wearer, their community and Māori ancestors, connecting us with our ancestors throughout time.

Do you have a specialty or area of expertise and if so what?

Within tā moko, I now focus most of my attention to doing moko kauae (the chin area) and moko peha (the lower back, buttocks and down the legs) on women. My body doesn't hold up like it used to, so my focus is now on what I can contribute to the ongoing practice of tā moko. As one of the few female practitioners, it is important for me to consider what unique voice I bring and how I can help keep the art form current into the future.  

What do you love most about your job?

Tā moko is all about the people, and while this requires energy, it is the most rewarding part of the job. Particularly the therapy that we each share on the journey, what their story is, their hurdles and celebrations, and being able to collaborate to bring forth something that holds the meaning of generations of Māori. With bigger pieces where clients return time after time, they become family and we all feel connected, and this affects our studio too. Some clients will seek out our other artists to get pieces that reflect their specialties, which makes for a really nice working environment.

Tell us about your most memorable experience with a client.

This is a difficult one, but I have had affirmation of the healing power that tā moko can have. One client who received a significant piece (some
60 hours of work) as a moko peha had a significant history of understanding that she couldn't conceive. She went on to have a child four years later, and more recently reflected that the moko peha might have contributed to this.

Do you have a favourite piece of work?

I treasure my large projects the most, as they allow me to build a significant design relationship between the elements as well as a bond with the receiver. My original first full moko peha piece on Jeanette Rata in 2004 still resonates with me, because the work flowed quite spontaneously from session to session, and the image has been widely viewed so I have had plenty of time to be critical of the work. My current moko peha piece on Erena Mikaere represents how my practice has developed over a 20-year period.

What inspires you?

The work of my ancestors, particularly when I see photos and marvel at the expertise of what they executed with tools fashioned from nature. They remind me of why it’s important to continue this practice, not necessarily to replicate their work, but to look at how they responded to the world. If only we had more primary material from artists back then! I am also inspired by everyone that takes on the commitment to wear tā moko. It’s a mark of bravery and a commitment to wear their identity, experiences and journey forever. They are the ultimate muse, creative influence and legacy for our tā moko traditions.

Artbody.co.nz

artbodycreative

---

Art with heart

Pepa Heller of Bohemian Tattoo Arts in Tauranga strives to provide a friendly, relaxed atmosphere in his well-established, legendary parlour, with plenty of talent to choose from.

UNO: How long has Bohemian Tattoo Arts been open?

Pepa: We opened the studio in 2002, so we've been established for more than 20 years now.

Did you have a big party to celebrate the anniversary?

Not quite a party but we wanted to do something special that would also support the wider community, especially those in need of help. We also wanted to express gratitude to our clients and supporters, so we decided to run a mental health awareness fundraising project for I AM HOPE. It took us more than a year in preparation and about four months to execute. 

What was the project about? 

One of our team members, Jeffrey Robinson, had the idea of coming up with an animation in support of mental health. It consisted of 100 sketches of John Dory fish in support of men's mental health. The storyline is that the fish was absorbing a lot of darkness and negativity and became sad, only to realise that it could speak 'bubble' to become a happy fish once again. This was to represent mental health struggles. Everyone was really excited about this, so we decided to go ahead with it. The task was to tattoo 101 animation frames on 101 people. All profits were donated to I AM HOPE. Tattooing that many people takes a lot of time, so we called for more tattoo aficionados, mostly the ex-Bohemian crew to help us out. By the time we finished, it had taken us four months to complete all 101 tattoos. We are very happy to have fundraised over $15,000 for a great cause.

That's amazing. How many artists worked on the project and how many do you have in the studio?

Fifteen artists took part in completing the John Dory frames. We have eight amazing tattoo artists at the studio at the moment.

Could you elaborate on your artists and their styles?

Our team, from four different continents, consists of incredible talent and covers a broad spectrum of tattoo art styles. I cover large-scale realism/freehand kirituhi, while Julie of Reconnectink has her own unique style that is strongly connected to nature and good energy. We are both from Czech Republic. Grace of Ink_trek (NZ) is a master of fine lines, mandala art and stipple shading. Paul Collier (NZ) is amazing with large-scale colour and black and white realism. Bryn of spookeestuff.tattoo (UK/NZ) specialises in traditional tattoo style with solid lines and fine shading. Matias of Eme_Ese from Argentina is a solid artist on the rise. Sanjay of Swostiktattoo (Nepal) holds a Masters degree in Arts and focuses on oriental style and realism. Last but not least, Aidan Holland (NZ) covers most styles. Just as cherished and important is our shop manager, Aja, along with professional piercer Olive, both hailing from Bohemia, Czech Republic. 

What do you think makes a great tattoo?

I believe there must be a great deal of understanding and good communication between the artist and the client. The client needs to be tattooed by an artist whose style aligns with what the client wants. We are very fortunate to be able to cover most styles of tattooing at Bohemian Tattoo Arts. A great tattoo must strike a balance between scale, proportion, and flow while meeting the client's goal.

How do you work with clients to create a custom design?

First, we arrange for a free, no-obligation consultation, during that time we discuss the client's ideas and offer our own professional input. For the best possible result, it is important to come to a mutual understanding regarding the concept. Once we strike that balance, an appointment is determined and we start designing.

What's the most interesting tattoo you've ever done?

My awesome client Brent gave me his full back to do whatever I wanted, so naturally, I reached for a portrait of a majestic horse. During the first session, to my surprise, Brent was keen to make the commitment and come along with me to the Las Vegas Tattoo Convention in only four weeks. At that point, it sounded impossible to finish such a large-scale tattoo, but in the end, that’s exactly what we did. There were a lot of hours squeezed into a short time, but it was well worth it.

What do you love most about your job?

I am the luckiest man in the world to have the job that I do. It is creative and intimate; I get to know my clients very well and I feel privileged to be part of their life and journey. In the end, they will never be the same after they leave my chair. 

Do you have a favourite piece of work?

The personality of my client and the project itself go hand in hand to determine my favourite projects, and there are a lot of these. So, if you’re reading this, and have a tattoo in mind, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Bohemiantattooarts.com

---

Body of work

With almost 20 years of history, this tattoo studio is a multi-generational hub of creativity, where originality and custom designs take centre stage.

Originally established in Dunedin in 2004, Visual Intelligence is a boutique-style tattoo studio, which recently moved to Pāpāmoa from the Mount. With three tattoo artists – Aaron, Emily and Kyah – the studio has a combined experience of almost 50 years. Macaela, who paints canvases for the studio gallery, is the manager and what the staff call the “organiser of everyone’s lives”. The studio specialises in all styles of tattooing and offers a friendly, professional and personalised service, together with high-quality artwork, in a comfortable and relaxed environment. 

Here UNO asks the team a few burning questions.

UNO: How long have you been in the industry?

Aaron: Visual Intelligence has just celebrated its 19th birthday! I’ve been tattooing for 26 years, Emily for 20 years, and Kyah for two years.  

How would you describe your style?

Aaron: We don't box ourselves into one particular style. We specialise in all styles of tattooing, from realism/portraits, to Tā Moko and Polynesian, full-colour, black and grey, illustrative, neo-trad, fineline, and everything in-between. We also custom design almost all of our work because, first and foremost, we are artists.  

What is your favourite style of tattooing?

Aaron: I prefer big, bold custom work in black and grey or colour – tattoos that are built to last and will stand the test of time. I also have a large portfolio of Tā Moko/Māori, Polynesian and Japanese-style work.  

Emily: I love illustrative and neo-traditional art, but am happy to do all styles of tattooing.  

Kyah: I’m Aaron's apprentice and son, so I’m following in Dad's footsteps. I have a passion for tā moko/Māori, Polynesian and Japanese art.

What do you think makes a great tattoo?

Macaela: A customised design which has been skilfully executed, aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and one that both the artist is happy with and the client is proud to wear. It's also important to note that even a perfectly executed tattoo needs to be followed up with a perfectly well-healed tattoo. We provide personalised aftercare advice which is the responsibility of the client. This would include keeping the fresh tattoo clean at all times and out of the sun, sand and surf, using an aftercare product specifically for tattoos, and even once healed, using sunscreen whenever exposed to the outdoors.

How do you work with clients to create a custom design?

Macaela: The client would come to us with an idea or reference images and we then go through a consultation process, with the artist talking through their ideas, what will and won't work, size and placement and whether they're wanting colour or black and grey. Consulting with the client eliminates the need for multiple designs to be done, as a solid tattoo plan is discussed prior to any designing. There also needs to be an element of trust between client and artist. At the end of the day, the client has come to us through either a recommendation or because they've loved the work they've seen, and are happy to wait months in advance for a booking. Some clients like to see a design prior to their booking; however, most trust our process and only see their design on the day of their booking.

What inspired you to become a tattoo artist? What is your background? How did you become a tattoo artist?

Aaron: I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil and I’ve been an artist my whole life.  Drawing and design led me to becoming a self-taught tattoo artist and eventually Macaela and I opened Visual Intelligence in Dunedin in 2004. I also enjoy digital art and painting in oils and acrylics, and as well as being a tattoo artist, I was an aerosol artist for many years in Dunedin, painting large-scale murals. More recently I’ve been busy with commissions for custom-carved skate decks, inspired by my love for music, art, culture, skating and tattooing. 

Emily: I was brought up in West London and, as a teenager, was into the punk scene and also enjoyed designing tattoos for friends to get tattooed by other tattoo artists. I was always stoked to see my own designs as tattoos on my friends and one of them suggested I should look for an apprenticeship. I approached one of the best tattoo studios in West London for an apprenticeship, and that's where it all started! I have since tattooed in London, Perth and Sydney, and then joined the
Visual Intelligence team in 2018. I also enjoy painting in oils, acrylics and watercolours.

Kyah: My parents are Aaron and Macaela and I’ve basically been brought up in a tattoo studio my whole life. I’ve always been surrounded by their art and seeing what my dad could do in the tattoo studio inspired me to focus on my art at college. In my final year, I received the Mana Toi Tāne Award, which is awarded to "the male student who represents their culture through visual arts with perserverance, commitment and pride." I also completed a Certificate in Art & Design at Toi Ohomai and started my tattoo journey in 2021.

What makes your studio unique?

Macaela: Our studio not only produces high-quality, custom work, but also provides our clients with an experience.  We have a beautiful new studio in Pāpāmoa and our environment is a professional hub of creativity, artistic flair, with a personalised service created for each individual client. Our clients feel welcomed, listened to and looked after throughout their tattoo journey.  The majority of our clients are also repeat customers and are always thinking ahead and discussing with us the next project they wish us to help them undertake, whether that be on skin, canvas or a wall! 

Visualintelligence.net.nz

At the water’s edge

Down on the harbour you’ll find this elegant, light-filled eatery, where the food is just as appealing as the view.

Words Karl Puschmann

You’d be hard-pressed to find somewhere to eat with a more spectacular view than The Restaurant at Trinity Wharf. Perched on three piers that stretch out and over the glistening waters of Tauranga’s harbour, the only way to get any closer to the water would be to jump in.

It’s a view that would improve any meal. But Trinity Wharf’s executive chef Rob Forsman, doesn’t want the food to simply match the gorgeous views, he wants it to exceed them. Rob’s been working in restaurants for close to 25 years. During this time he’s worked as head chef for Aotearoa’s restaurant royalty like Simon Gault, Al Brown and the Bay’s Kitchen Takeover team before moving to Trinity Wharf 18 months ago.

It’s a long way from his humble beginnings. “I started as a kitchen hand,” he says. “It was out of necessity. I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a chef. That would be a really cool story to tell but it’s not the case. I’ve always enjoyed cooking, but it didn’t occur to me as a job until I started washing dishes.”

He spent well over a year in the “dish pit,” picking up knowledge around the kitchen and getting trained in the basics. Soon enough his days of scrubbing pans were over and his passion had been ignited. Not just for the work, but for kitchen culture itself.

“To be in a team of hardworking people who are all single-minded in their vision and all working toward the same goal is an amazing feeling. It epitomises kitchen work.”

He worked his way up the chain of command until he attracted the attention of Simon Gault, who offered him the head chef role at Ponsonby’s acclaimed Jervois Steak House. He was there for three years before accepting the head chef role with Al Brown at the trendy Federal Delicatessen beside Sky City.

“I loved working in these places. AI’s whole vision was to treat customers like friends and treat staff like family. It’s inspirational.”

That’s the mindset he’s instilling in his staff at Trinity Wharf. He wants to inspire and feel that inspiration himself. If the kitchen’s cooking, so to speak, then he reasons the food will take care of itself.

To that end, his first priority was to refresh the menu.

“We now use New Zealand ingredients and try to source as much as we can locally. There’s a lot of great produce and fruit in this part of the country and we want to support local business as well.”

While adapting from the single-focused restaurant business to the multi-faceted role at Trinity Wharf, with its multitude of menus for various occasions, events and the day-to-day, has been a challenge, it’s one he’s embraced.

Looking out over the glistening sea which is right outside the window, he reveals his hopes for The Restaurant at Trinity Wharf.

“We’d love to become a destination for the local population.” He smiles. “We’d absolutely love that.” 

ASK THE CHEF

Rob Forsman takes on UNO’s quickfire questions.

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?

The street food in Southeast Asia. It’s not a polished, plated meal but the flavours are insane. It’s so humble but the love has been put into it. I recently went to Indonesia and ate my way around. I didn’t eat any Western food at all.

What’s your earliest food memory?

Baking bread with my grandmother. I was really little and the process was like magic to me – kneading the dough and seeing how it rises. Her secret was to pop it under the bed to proof.

How can you make everyone’s most disliked vegetable, Brussels sprouts, tasty?

Blanch them in a little bit of salt and sugar to take the bitterness off. Get some bacon nice and crispy, some caramelised onions, some chilli if it takes your fancy, and then toss them all together in the frying pan with some butter until you get a little colour on the Brussels sprouts. Colour is king.

What’s the next big trend in food?

I think people are going to start consuming a lot less meat. It’s become too expensive, and there’s a lot more awareness around the environmental impact. I think meat is on its way out. Slowly. We’ll never get rid of it. It’ll just become more opulent. More special. 

Trinitywharf.co.nz

Sister act

Katie and Charlotte Mead are laser focused on their new venture together.

Words Hayley Barnett | Photos Jahl Marshall

Siblings Katie and Charlotte Mead have never been closer – in both spirit and proximity. Now the two have come together in business too, opening their first store together – The Cosmetic Clinic at Tauranga Crossing.

Having been in the beauty industry for 11 years, Katie’s expertise lies mainly in advanced skin and laser technologies. Katie had previously joined The Cosmetic Clinic as a manager in one of the Auckland clinics seven years ago – the first to open in New Zealand.

It wasn’t long before the beach life beckoned and her and partner, Derek, moved down to the Bay where Katie opened her first Cosmetic Clinic in Bayfair, then a second in Rotorua.

Two kids later, her sister, Charlotte, and partner Calvin, decided their children needed to be around their cousins. “After having my two babies 12 months apart, I needed my sister!” laughs Charlotte. “And as I knew Katie was about to embark on her parenthood journey, she would need me also. Cliché, but it does take a village.” So with two under twos, and partner in tow, Charlotte made the journey down to Tauranga.

Both Katie and Charlotte hail from London, England but have spent over half of their lives in New Zealand, both knowing they’d end up living near the other. Now business partners, the sisters are closer than ever.

Charlotte and Katie opened TCC Tauranga Crossing side by side less than six months ago.

“When the opportunity arose for us to make our way down here, we just wanted to be near Katie and Derek, so we made the jump before the business was a sure thing,” says Charlotte. “Since we moved down here I’ve been managing the Bayfair clinic for Katie after she had her first baby, and that's where I discovered my love for beauty. I would never consider myself a girly girl, but I love skin and cosmetic injectables. That’s how Katie and I realised it would work if we opened one together. And here we are!"

Offering treatments from Dysport (a European version of Botox) and fillers, to laser hair removal and pigmentation treatments and peels, TCC targets a wide range of concerns – aging seemingly their clients’ biggest concern of all. But it’s their safety and professionalism that the sisters are most proud of.

“It's really nice having registered nurses on site,” says Katie. “All of our technicians have at least a level four or five Beauty Therapy diploma. Generally speaking, all of our staff are familiar with working under pressure. And then our entire clinic is overseen by doctors. It's a really safe environment with a lot of protocols in place that we have to adhere to.” 

Charlotte pushes the importance of finding clinics with a strong safety ethos.

“These days anyone can work out of their garage with a laser machine, and it does happen. We're comfortable offering treatments that are advanced and can get results because everything's been tried and tested.”

The Cosmetic Clinic is an Australian company, whose hygiene and safety protocols are among the most stringent in Australasia. Before any treatment launches at the New Zealand clinics, there is a lengthy process of case studies and market research, to ensure each procedure is safely executed. 

“Our point of difference is that we don't sell anything that doesn't work,” says Charlotte. “Everything has an intention. So if it's pigmentation removal that you're
trying to achieve, or hair removal, all of the technology we use is tried and perfected before it's allowed on to the market. So you’re guaranteed a really great result if our clients remain committed.
We also love that our skincare range was created alongside our treatment menu to enhance the results of our treatments. Not to mention they are cruelty free and marine and vegan friendly."

Right now, the sisters are excited about where the industry is heading, with what they call “the clean girl aesthetic” trending across social media.

“The clean movement has got people thinking a bit more about their skin, realising they need to feed and hydrate and care for it,” says Katie. “We were in an era before that, where it was about covering up, whereas now it's about letting your natural skin come through. Of course, you have to take care of your skin if you're going to be comfortable doing that. I just hope it keeps going in that direction.” 

Thecosmeticclinic.co.nz

Tauranga Crossing

Breaking the brunch rules

Pāpāmoa influencer Makaia Carr is taking on the big business of beverages headfirst.

Words Catherine Sylvester  |  Photos Erin Cave

Known to some as one of the first social media influencers in Aotearoa, and to others as the founder of the charity Kura Kai, Makaia has her sights set on bringing the humble mimosa out of the brunch-only routine and into our lunches, picnics, BBQs and beyond.

“I’m solely responsible for my life now,” the 44-year-old says, referring to her newly single status. “I knew this was the year to create something that will be exciting, enduring, and allow me to leave something for my kids.”

Brainstorming with friends in early January, the genesis of her new venture, Henlee, was born. 

“I realised the drinks industry would be a good option,” explains Makaia. “I thought that having a mimosa in a can would be fun, convenient and would reduce wastage.”

By February, meetings with a local bottling plant were underway, and by March the designers were at work. By late August, Henlee went to market and has been gathering momentum since.

“It’s such a strong New Zealand product,” she says. “We use Hawke’s Bay sparkling wine and Gisborne orange juice. It’s low sugar and low calorie and you’re guaranteed the same great blend every time.

Having made Pāpāmoa home since moving from Auckland a few years ago, Makaia was conscious of working and engaging with people and businesses in the region. She worked locally to create the perfect mimosa formula, with it being bottled in and distributed from the Mount. For brand design and packaging, she worked with the
Woods Agency, a local mainstay.

Makaia credits her 20 years of retail experience with giving her the skills necessary to successfully run a business.

“Those were my ‘university’ years,” she says, smiling. “I learned so much from old-school retailers about marketing plans, budgets, managing and leading teams. I was able to firstly apply that to my career in social media, and now to Henlee
and the beverage industry.”

With demand from Australia for the new mimosa in a can, and bars and retailers around the country stocking Henlee, it’s only a matter of time until an international market comes calling.

Makaia acknowledges that New Zealand wine has such great renown overseas but is happy to take things one considered step at a time. 

“I’m not going to rush things,” she adds. “For now, it’s all about focusing on making our mark. When people think mimosa, they’ll think Henlee.”

And if her track record and current momentum is anything to go by, it will play out exactly the way she has planned. 

Henlee.co.nz

Golden touch

This multi-purpose complex has created an amazing community packed full of dining, entertainment, health and retail options for Pāpāmoa East

The ever-growing area that is Golden Sands, in Pāpāmoa East, has fast become a destination for visitors and locals looking for quality stores and services. This is thanks mainly to the Excelsa Centre, the community hub offering a wide range of dining, entertainment, health and retail options.

Situated on the corner of Golden Sands Drive and Pāpāmoa Beach Road, the main area houses everything from a luxury cinema, to a reformer pilates studio and the now-famous contemporary restaurant and bar,
Papa Mo’s. Across the road sits the famous Henry and Ted Café, catering to all ages but especially to families and their extended furry friends.

Read on to discover just what eachone has to offer. 

Reform Pilates

Recognised throughout New Zealand as synonymous with high-quality studios, incredible trainers and killer reformer pilates classes, the Reform brand’s mission is to turn traditional pilates on its head. Creating a more upbeat, dynamic and results-driven experience, this studio strives to provide an exciting, unique exercise programme that delivers fast results in a safe and carefully controlled environment. Classes are challenging with options offered to suit all fitness levels and abilities.

reformfitness.co.nz/studios/papamoa

Papa Mo’s

Serving up quality food and drink with a focus on local produce, Papa Mo’s has become the place to be in Golden Sands. With live music every Friday and Sunday, along with the Tuesday pub quiz and Happy Hour from 4pm to 6pm seven days a week, it’s the perfect locale to meet up with friends and family. Special meal and drinks deals happen on the daily and the menu covers something for everyone.

Papamos.co.nz

Henry and Ted Cafe

The suburban eatery that prides itself on catering for everyone just keeps getting better. With a brand new menu, brunch is tastier than ever. Dishes like Sourdough Crumpets with honey-roasted pear, thyme, and housemade lemon ricotta, are impressing foodie diners, while others, such as the Philly Cheese Steak Sammy, are providing comfort food year round. For caffeine addicts, the Nitro Cold Brew is back on tap and events are always being planned. Keep an eye on their social pages for tickets.   

henryandted

Luxe Cinemas

This luxurious, upmarket cinema is not your average picture theatre. Housing three cinemas showcasing a wide selection of films, the family-run business caters to a range of people, from families to seniors. It's the perfect place for a quiet catch up, and you don’t even have to watch a movie. They offer coffee, wine and snacks and the space is also available to rent for functions, fundraisers and birthday parties. Luxe Cinemas Pāpāmoa is open seven days a week.

Luxecinemas.nz

On a roll

The Mount’s favourite sushi fusion restaurant and bar, Satori Lounge, has moved across the bridge to bigger, better and far more modern premises on The Strand.

Words Hayley Barnett

Lisa Wilson never pictured herself in hospitality, let alone owning and running one of the most popular sushi restaurants in the Bay. She didn’t even like raw fish. But, 13 years ago, that’s exactly what happened, and now she can’t imagine doing anything else.

“It was an accident, really,” says Lisa, gesturing towards her expansive, modern eatery on The Strand in Tauranga, which is right now heaving with the inner-city weekday lunch crowd.

“My ex is Chilean and sushi is huge in South America, so he talked me into giving him some of my savings to start a sushi restaurant in the Mount. Of course, he kept needing more and more money until eventually I didn’t have any savings left. And then we broke up!”

Lisa found herself having to quickly take the reins, all while working her day job in banking to stay afloat. 

After one too many reviews stating that the food was great but the service needed some work, Lisa realised she’d have to quit her day job and take on the restaurant full-time – and to stop responding to those reviews with “If you want quick service, head to McDonald’s.”

“It took me a while to learn that the customer is always right,” laughs Lisa.

Today is Tuesday – gluten-free day – at her new premises. It’s always been popular, but now that Satori Lounge has moved across the bridge, every day is popular.

It could be the new office crowds that she’s catering for, but I suggest it might be the fact that Satori Lounge has such a great reputation for fresh (and fast) sushi with a difference.

All the best dishes are still on the menu, like my personal favourites, the Citrus Sushi Roll and the Ceviche Sushi Roll,as well as the Honey Chicken Sushi Roll and, well, everything else.

“I don’t like to change the menu,” explains Lisa. “Chefs have tried but people know our menu and they like it, so why change it?”

It was the Citrus Sushi Roll that was responsible for Lisa’s about-turn on the raw fish front. She added more raw salmon little by little until her tastebuds agreed, and now it’s one of her favourite foods.

Though a change in menu won’t be on the cards, it seems the change in scenery is working to the restaurant’s advantage. Lisa even has plans to landscape the back into a garden area for diners with the help of Blair, her landscaping partner and father to her twin boys. 

So, whether you’re a hardcore sushi fan, or just keen to try the Honey Chicken Roll (the most popular dish), you’ll definitely find something to love about Satori Lounge. And say hi to Lisa if you see her fumbling around the bar area.

“I wasn’t cut out for hospitality,” she assures me. “I love talking to people too much!” Which is, funnily enough, what makes a restaurant so hospitable. That could be part of the reason this not-so-new eatery is really hitting the spot.  

satorilounge.co.nz

Surfing for the soul

Bay farmers are learning to take the beach back to the paddock.

Words Hayley Barnett

It’s fair to say the past few years haven’t been kind to our farming and horticulture community. Economic conditions and labour shortages have really taken their toll on a once-thriving industry. But a small group of people have been working hard to bring a little bit of sunshine back into the lives of the people holding together our country’s backbone, with an initiative called Surfing for Farmers.

The idea is self-explanatory – getting more farmers and orchard workers out onto the beach and into the waves. The free programme runs over the whole of summer and offers surf lessons and an evening out for the whole family to enjoy.

“The theme this year is to take the beach back to the paddock,” says BOP board member Sarah Hickey. “We want to encourage anyone working on a farm or in the horticulture industry to get out there into the surf then take that experience back to work, talk about it with their colleagues, or just feel better in their day-to-day life. We want that ripple effect to happen once you’re off the beach, to spread that good feeling.”

This will be the fourth season that Surfing for Farmers has run in Mount Maunganui, but the programme itself has been running since 2018. The founder, Stephen Thomson, who worked in the farming industry himself, started the project after watching a documentary on returned soldiers using surfing as PTSD therapy. 

“Something just clicked and he was like, ‘I could do that here for farmers’,” explains Sarah. 

A year later, Sarah was sitting with a friend, who had been teaching her how to surf, when they came across a newspaper article about Stephen. 

“That’s when I realised that, hey, we could do something here in the Mount,” she says. “It kind of snowballed from there and now we’re running in 28 locations around New Zealand.”

Each region operates slightly differently, but the main aim is the same. In the Bay, friends and family of the team, who surf themselves, volunteer their time to coach, and the boards and wetsuits are borrowed from local surf schools.

“It’s about sharing knowledge and getting everyone out here,” says Sarah. “It’s really fun. We always have a barbecue afterwards, so it turns into quite a community event.”

The feedback, says Sarah, has been overwhelmingly positive. “We’ve definitely had some amazing stories. We've had one guy who was a farmer his whole life but had stopped working. He came along for one session and got hooked on surfing. And that became his way to still be connected to the industry. Now, he's retired and this has become a hobby that himself and his son do together.

“It’s about connections and people. They come along, and then suddenly, three weeks in, they've got this new surfboard and wetsuit and they're grabbing their neighbours and inviting them to come down. Or they're discussing things on the farm and giving each other tips and tricks because it's a real mixture of young and old. We like to get the children involved too.”

And that ripple effect Sarah was talking about earlier comes into play throughout not just the farming community, but the wider community as well.

“Farmers’ families often tell us that their dads have come home much happier,” says Sarah. “We had a daycare sponsor give us some money and we were like, ‘What's a daycare doing sponsoring Surfing for Farmers?’ And they said it was because they notice that the kids are happier. When the dads have been out for a surf, the kids are happier at the daycare. So it's a win-win for everyone.”

But it’s not just the men getting amongst the waves. “It is mainly men but we do get quite a few women. One night we had females outnumber the males, which was a really cool night.”

So far, around 4000 to 5000 farmers are taking part every year, and Sarah says they’d like to increase that number substantially. “Our goal for 2026 is that by the end of summer 2026, we will have moved the needle for 25,000 people.”

To participate, all you need to do is turn up at any session and register. Session times are posted on the website for each region. “Just show up. That's all you need to do. We cover the rest.” 

surfingforfarmers.com