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86 Articles

EDITOR’S LETTER nā Susanna

When 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini was killed in Iran last month for not covering her hair properly with a headscarf, demonstrations started happening all over Iran. More than 230 people, many of them young women, have been killed by Iranian security forces. Protests in support of the Iranian freedom movement have been gathering force all over the world. Here in Aotearoa, Gilda Kirkpatrick is among the many sickened and incensed by a regime that she actually witnessed first-hand as a young girl. Unable to be complacent, she is backing the protests and putting some of her money to the fight for women’s rights and equality in Iran. We talked to her and other Iranian women living in Aotearoa who are using their freedom to help those who have none. They are…

EDITOR’S LETTER nā Susanna

EDITOR’S LETTER nā Susanna

When 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini was killed in Iran last month for not covering her hair properly with a headscarf, demonstrations started happening all over Iran. More than 230 people, many of them young women, have been killed by Iranian security forces. Protests in support of the Iranian freedom movement have been gathering force all over the world. Here in Aotearoa, Gilda Kirkpatrick is among the many sickened and incensed by a regime that she actually witnessed first-hand as a young girl. Unable to be complacent, she is backing the protests and putting some of her money to the fight for women’s rights and equality in Iran. We talked to her and other Iranian women living in Aotearoa who are using their freedom to help those who have none. They…

EDITOR’S LETTER nā Susanna

The sound of a violin. A music lesson with a child in another room. The contrast between the lulling beauty of distant strains of music and the crackling intensity of Gilda Kirkpatrick is quite something to experience. She is a woman with a cause, and you cannot help but listen up. However, everything I see around me in her home seems to deny what she is telling me: the mansion on Paritai Drive overlooking Waitemata Harbour; the opulence of the spaces and grandness of the furniture; the gorgeous pets – a Maine Coon cat, an orange pointer; a bespoke aquarium complete with side plate-sized turtles; and a child, or possibly two, at King’s Primary in Remuera. This is the outcome of Iranian diaspora, and this is Gilda’s remarkable story. She was…

Women, life, freedom

Like millions of Iranians who grew up after the Islamic revolution, Samira Taghari endured events that have left a shadow over her life. As a law student and young professional, she personally witnessed hangings, a fatal stoning and the lashing of several people. A close relative of hers is among the thousands of people killed under the current regime. Samira has been an active political protestor here in Aotearoa but fears for the Iranian diaspora, believing there are several defenders of the Islamic regime in New Zealand who are feeding intelligence back to the regime, which in turn targets family members still living in Iran. “I do worry about family safety,” Samira says. “But that’s true of everyone who stands up to this cruel regime – particularly the heroes fighting for freedom…

Women, life, freedom

Making the CULT

The first rule of cults is: don’t ever call it a cult. Which is a problem if you’re trying to write a book about them. The patience and pivoting that author and journalist Anke Richter exhibited in finding subjects willing to talk is extraordinary. She set out to trace the still-raw wounds of Centrepoint, the more contemporary sexual abuse in religious community Gloriavale, and the controversial tantric yoga school Agama. But all of these communities, operating outside of mainstream cultural norms, rely on secrecy. Getting people to talk openly, even decades later, proved complicated. When she finally finds someone brave, angry or arrogant enough to speak, their stories are wildly disparate from each other. For example, Centrepoint was both a freeing and benevolent social experiment (if you were an adult) and an…

Making the CULT

WORDS to live by

To be married at our marae was a dream come true, but one that I’d barely dared to dream. As the season of mārena (weddings) is upon us, I thought I’d pull out our kītaurangi (vows) for our wedding, which was nearly 17 years ago. My husband Scotty and I got married at Ōhinemutu in Rotorua, at Te Papaiouru Marae, a paramount marae for our iwi of Te Arawa, in what I affectionately call My Big Fat Māori Wedding. It was January 2006, and as I’d already been learning te reo Māori for a few years, I was an intermediate-level speaker, nowhere near as fluent as Scotty already was. Our marae is a stronghold of te reo Māori, and as we’d already planned to make te reo Māori the first language and reo…

WORDS to live by

Let’s talk about PORN

‘When I was discovering that I was gay, I was also discovering porn at the same time and it was a way for me to actually figure out [my sexual identity]. I want to have a relationship with porn that’s not linked with shame anymore,” Celebrity Treasure Island winner Chris Parker says. Sitting side by side in a white Toyota Corolla, the Dancing With the Stars host, along with contestant Eli Matthewson, describe their first interactions with porn in the opening sequence of the new documentary web-series, Chris and Eli’s Porn Revolution. For Parker, he remembers almost confessing to himself that it was “okay” to want to look at men. For Matthewson, whether it was “hunkymen.net” or “straightcollegemen.com”, the heteronormative smokescreen of these videos meant he “could be straight as well”. The brutal…

Let’s talk about PORN

The sound of a violin. A music lesson with a child in another room. The contrast between the lulling beauty of distant strains of music and the crackling intensity of Gilda Kirkpatrick is quite something to experience. She is a woman with a cause, and you cannot help but listen up. However, everything I see around me in her home seems to deny what she is telling me: the mansion on Paritai Drive overlooking Waitemata Harbour; the opulence of the spaces and grandness of the furniture; the gorgeous pets – a Maine Coon cat, an orange pointer; a bespoke aquarium complete with side plate-sized turtles; and a child, or possibly two, at King’s Primary in Remuera. This is the outcome of Iranian diaspora, and this is Gilda’s remarkable story. She…

Women, life, freedom

Like millions of Iranians who grew up after the Islamic revolution, Samira Taghari endured events that have left a shadow over her life. As a law student and young professional, she personally witnessed hangings, a fatal stoning and the lashing of several people. A close relative of hers is among the thousands of people killed under the current regime. Samira has been an active political protestor here in Aotearoa but fears for the Iranian diaspora, believing there are several defenders of the Islamic regime in New Zealand who are feeding intelligence back to the regime, which in turn targets family members still living in Iran. “I do worry about family safety,” Samira says. “But that’s true of everyone who stands up to this cruel regime – particularly the heroes fighting…

Women, life, freedom

Etching the future

The idea of getting a moko kauae came to Ariana Tiako in a dream. She envisioned two lizards, a bright green male and a paler female. The female lizard was hapu (pregnant) and Ariana took care of her, while the male lizard slowly walked up towards her chin. Moko, or mokomoko, is the Māori word for lizard, and when Ariana woke up, she knew that her dream was a sign. “As a child, growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, I never saw a living person with a moko. I had seen moko kauae in books, but they seemed like relics from a world I did not know. I knew one day I would follow whānau tradition and get my moko. But back then it seemed like a joke. Thirty years…

Etching the future

Making the CULT

The first rule of cults is: don’t ever call it a cult. Which is a problem if you’re trying to write a book about them. The patience and pivoting that author and journalist Anke Richter exhibited in finding subjects willing to talk is extraordinary. She set out to trace the still-raw wounds of Centrepoint, the more contemporary sexual abuse in religious community Gloriavale, and the controversial tantric yoga school Agama. But all of these communities, operating outside of mainstream cultural norms, rely on secrecy. Getting people to talk openly, even decades later, proved complicated. When she finally finds someone brave, angry or arrogant enough to speak, their stories are wildly disparate from each other. For example, Centrepoint was both a freeing and benevolent social experiment (if you were an adult)…

Making the CULT

Drive home the difference

Right now, we are loving all things hybrid. Hybrid working, hybrid living, hybrid dogs and cats, but most of all I think we are all starting to quickly fall in love with hybrid cars. Why? Because we care about our emissions, of course, but also because hybrid means we don’t have to choose between the new tech and the old tech. We can have the best of both worlds operating seamlessly as we drive. Everyone has a picture in their minds when you say the words “Toyota Corolla”, right? Such an iconic car brand. But is that picture an SUV? Or a hybrid electric vehicle? Well, the good news is, now it will be. The all-new Corolla Cross Hybrid SUV from New Zealand’s favourite, most trusted car brand Toyota is going to…

Drive home the difference

THE WISDOM of gibberish

A while back, in the unreal days of 2020, when it seemed foolish to try to comprehend the enormity of what we were collectively living through, a clay penguin reacquainted me with the clarifying power of gibberish. Pingu is a stop-motion children’s television show about the titular character, a penguin tyke who lives with his family in a little igloo village at the South Pole. Initially, the episodes appear to be light five-minute affairs about the small dramas of toddler penguinhood: Pingu spits his veggies into the toilet; a municipal penguin employee turns Pingu’s play area into a parking spot. But with a balance of farce and sentiment, the show also gestures toward some of early life’s more complicated realities – sibling rivalries, parental punishment and the loneliness of childhood. Created…

THE WISDOM of gibberish

WORDS to live by

To be married at our marae was a dream come true, but one that I’d barely dared to dream. As the season of mārena (weddings) is upon us, I thought I’d pull out our kītaurangi (vows) for our wedding, which was nearly 17 years ago. My husband Scotty and I got married at Ōhinemutu in Rotorua, at Te Papaiouru Marae, a paramount marae for our iwi of Te Arawa, in what I affectionately call My Big Fat Māori Wedding. It was January 2006, and as I’d already been learning te reo Māori for a few years, I was an intermediate-level speaker, nowhere near as fluent as Scotty already was. Our marae is a stronghold of te reo Māori, and as we’d already planned to make te reo Māori the first…

WORDS to live by

Let’s talk about PORN

‘When I was discovering that I was gay, I was also discovering porn at the same time and it was a way for me to actually figure out [my sexual identity]. I want to have a relationship with porn that’s not linked with shame anymore,” Celebrity Treasure Island winner Chris Parker says. Sitting side by side in a white Toyota Corolla, the Dancing With the Stars host, along with contestant Eli Matthewson, describe their first interactions with porn in the opening sequence of the new documentary web-series, Chris and Eli’s Porn Revolution. For Parker, he remembers almost confessing to himself that it was “okay” to want to look at men. For Matthewson, whether it was “hunkymen.net” or “straightcollegemen.com”, the heteronormative smokescreen of these videos meant he “could be straight as…

Let’s talk about PORN

In memory of Mary J. Partington

Joan lives alone. She has ever since Bill died, and she’s not going anywhere anytime soon. “You’ll have to carry me out of here in a box,” she’s told all and sundry on more than one occasion. It won’t come as a shock then, to learn that Joan is as predictable as she is independent. On Joan’s watch the trains run very much on time. Dinner’s at six with the news. “Lights out” is no later than nine; and means just that. Total darkness. After nine you’ll find black holes that emit more light than Joan’s windows. Now imagine you’re Joan’s neighbour. You wake in the night for a drink, as you often do. At the kitchen sink, you can’t help but notice that Joan’s house is, by comparison, lit up like Times Square on New…

In memory of Mary J. Partington

Recovering with mana

Former methamphetamine addict Jessica Apanui (Ngāti Porou) was deeply embroiled in the drug world for 25 years – as a user and a dealer. Her addiction to the drug was so intense that her mates started calling her “Meth-ica”. But she has been clean and sober for three years and she can proudly say goodbye to her past life and alter ego. “I feel sorry for Meth-ica, that she had to go through what she did,” Jessica says. “Being in recovery has given me the opportunity to live. Once I changed my mindset, it helped me transition back into the community and be part of my whānau again.” Part of Jessica’s recovery is being brutally honest about her past and delving into the reasons why she became addicted to methamphetamine in the first…

Recovering with mana

Etching the future

The idea of getting a moko kauae came to Ariana Tiako in a dream. She envisioned two lizards, a bright green male and a paler female. The female lizard was hapu (pregnant) and Ariana took care of her, while the male lizard slowly walked up towards her chin. Moko, or mokomoko, is the Māori word for lizard, and when Ariana woke up, she knew that her dream was a sign. “As a child, growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, I never saw a living person with a moko. I had seen moko kauae in books, but they seemed like relics from a world I did not know. I knew one day I would follow whānau tradition and get my moko. But back then it seemed like a joke. Thirty…

Etching the future

Christmas GIFT GUIDE

Industrious gift pack by Aesop A gift kit comprising three handcare essentials. A suitable gift for the gardener, the crafter or the handcare devotee. Includes Resurrection Aromatique hand wash, Resurrection Rinse-Free hand wash and Resurrection Aromatique hand balm. RRP $105, aesop.com/nz Sunbeam iced coffee machine The latest trend in specialty coffee and the coolest kid on the block, is the Sunbeam iced coffee machine. RRP $129.99, available at all leading retailers nationwide. Waste-free celebrations All the fun of snapping the crackers and wearing the silly hat without the waste! Reusable, plastic-free Re-Crackers are made of custom-designed, recycled cardboard tubes covered in festively printed cotton sleeves. RRP $99.95 for a set of 4, wastefreecelebrations.co.nz The Royal New Zealand Ballet The perfect gift for anyone who enjoys live performance: a 2023 season subscription to the RNZB! A subscription gives…

Christmas GIFT GUIDE

Drive home the difference

Right now, we are loving all things hybrid. Hybrid working, hybrid living, hybrid dogs and cats, but most of all I think we are all starting to quickly fall in love with hybrid cars. Why? Because we care about our emissions, of course, but also because hybrid means we don’t have to choose between the new tech and the old tech. We can have the best of both worlds operating seamlessly as we drive. Everyone has a picture in their minds when you say the words “Toyota Corolla”, right? Such an iconic car brand. But is that picture an SUV? Or a hybrid electric vehicle? Well, the good news is, now it will be. The all-new Corolla Cross Hybrid SUV from New Zealand’s favourite, most trusted car brand Toyota is…

Drive home the difference

When good gifts Go BAD

’Tis the season for gift guides and mall car parks, for emergency vet visits to get the tinsel out of the cat and for absolutely refusing to roast chestnuts on open fires. As the magic of Christmas washes over us with the force of an All Blacks’ front row, it’s time to embrace the warmth and abundance the holidays offer. This year I’m going to manifest all that compulsory joy by channelling Nigella, Martha Stewart, Donna Reed… mull me a wine, I’m going full Domestic Goddess! To bring about this apotheosis I’ll make all my own gifts and decorations with no help from Saint Kmart. So Victorian! So eco-friendly! Visions of sugar plums dance in my head, and I don’t even know what a sugar plum is. Is it just sugar…

When good gifts Go BAD

THE WISDOM of gibberish

A while back, in the unreal days of 2020, when it seemed foolish to try to comprehend the enormity of what we were collectively living through, a clay penguin reacquainted me with the clarifying power of gibberish. Pingu is a stop-motion children’s television show about the titular character, a penguin tyke who lives with his family in a little igloo village at the South Pole. Initially, the episodes appear to be light five-minute affairs about the small dramas of toddler penguinhood: Pingu spits his veggies into the toilet; a municipal penguin employee turns Pingu’s play area into a parking spot. But with a balance of farce and sentiment, the show also gestures toward some of early life’s more complicated realities – sibling rivalries, parental punishment and the loneliness of childhood.…

THE WISDOM of gibberish

In memory of Mary J. Partington

Joan lives alone. She has ever since Bill died, and she’s not going anywhere anytime soon. “You’ll have to carry me out of here in a box,” she’s told all and sundry on more than one occasion. It won’t come as a shock then, to learn that Joan is as predictable as she is independent. On Joan’s watch the trains run very much on time. Dinner’s at six with the news. “Lights out” is no later than nine; and means just that. Total darkness. After nine you’ll find black holes that emit more light than Joan’s windows. Now imagine you’re Joan’s neighbour. You wake in the night for a drink, as you often do. At the kitchen sink, you can’t help but notice that Joan’s house is, by comparison, lit…

In memory of Mary J. Partington

Recovering with mana

Former methamphetamine addict Jessica Apanui (Ngāti Porou) was deeply embroiled in the drug world for 25 years – as a user and a dealer. Her addiction to the drug was so intense that her mates started calling her “Meth-ica”. But she has been clean and sober for three years and she can proudly say goodbye to her past life and alter ego. “I feel sorry for Meth-ica, that she had to go through what she did,” Jessica says. “Being in recovery has given me the opportunity to live. Once I changed my mindset, it helped me transition back into the community and be part of my whānau again.” Part of Jessica’s recovery is being brutally honest about her past and delving into the reasons why she became addicted to methamphetamine…

Recovering with mana

GIFT IDEAS to Avoid Throwaway Culture this Christmas

A few of my gifting tips • Always prepare a list of who you’re going to buy/make presents for. This makes sure that in the hectic lead-up to the day, you won’t miss anyone out! • Set a budget. This is super important. While I love going above and beyond, Christmas is also about being around loved ones, not just presents. It also makes saving for the season a little easier when you break it down into weekly amounts. • As the gift-giver, don’t be afraid to ask them what they really want. It will help reduce waste and give you some ideas of things they have really been wanting. • Consider experiences. It’s generally not something you’d think of for yourself, but this idea can create amazing memories. Even if it’s just a…

GIFT IDEAS to Avoid Throwaway Culture this Christmas

Christmas GIFT GUIDE

Industrious gift pack by Aesop A gift kit comprising three handcare essentials. A suitable gift for the gardener, the crafter or the handcare devotee. Includes Resurrection Aromatique hand wash, Resurrection Rinse-Free hand wash and Resurrection Aromatique hand balm. RRP $105, aesop.com/nz Sunbeam iced coffee machine The latest trend in specialty coffee and the coolest kid on the block, is the Sunbeam iced coffee machine. RRP $129.99, available at all leading retailers nationwide. Waste-free celebrations All the fun of snapping the crackers and wearing the silly hat without the waste! Reusable, plastic-free Re-Crackers are made of custom-designed, recycled cardboard tubes covered in festively printed cotton sleeves. RRP $99.95 for a set of 4, wastefreecelebrations.co.nz The Royal New Zealand Ballet The perfect gift for anyone who enjoys live performance: a 2023 season subscription…

Christmas GIFT GUIDE

A bigger SPLASH

A bigger SPLASH

PREP Start with a cleanser and hydrating spray so you have a clean and fresh canvas to work on. Apply serum, moisturiser and a sunscreen for that poolside lounging. For evening cocktails, add a highlighting liquid to your décolletage, arms and legs. BASE Using a couple of drops of serum primer on the back of your hand, work in a little Aleph concealer/foundation so it becomes dewy and sheer, perfect for this summer look. Set through the T-zone and under eyes with the Aleph translucent powder, allowing the high points to appear dewy and fresh. CHEEKS Dab a little Aleph cheek/lip tint in Ascend onto your cheeks and pat into your skin with your fingertips to create a “glow from within”. Add a touch of Aleph Radiance Moon to the same area to create a…

When good gifts Go BAD

’Tis the season for gift guides and mall car parks, for emergency vet visits to get the tinsel out of the cat and for absolutely refusing to roast chestnuts on open fires. As the magic of Christmas washes over us with the force of an All Blacks’ front row, it’s time to embrace the warmth and abundance the holidays offer. This year I’m going to manifest all that compulsory joy by channelling Nigella, Martha Stewart, Donna Reed… mull me a wine, I’m going full Domestic Goddess! To bring about this apotheosis I’ll make all my own gifts and decorations with no help from Saint Kmart. So Victorian! So eco-friendly! Visions of sugar plums dance in my head, and I don’t even know what a sugar plum is. Is it just…

When good gifts Go BAD

HANDBAG ESSENTIALS FOR SUMMER

1. To Save Face SPF50+ Sunscreen by Mecca Cosmetica, from $21 Already a year-round must-have, this is a timely reminder to stock up on sunscreen. Our pick? The cult favourite To Save Face SPF50+ Sunscreen from Mecca Cosmetica. Better yet, it comes in a full-size and a mini, for on-the-go top-ups. meccabeauty.co.nz 2. Lip De Luscious Glide Lip Balm by Mecca Cosmetica, $36 It goes without saying, after the first suggestion, that we’re big endorsers of SPF. We’ve got 90 percent of the face covered, but you can’t forget your lips! Mecca’s Lip De-Luscious Glide is top of the list. It comes in three sheer tints – natural, pink and red – and is SPF15. meccabeauty.co.nz 3. Tort Comb by Sophie, $22 While we’re talking hair and accessories, the Sophie comb is your next handbag…

HANDBAG ESSENTIALS FOR SUMMER

Seasonal sparkle

There’s an extra air of excitement about 2022’s festive season. Last year we were still in the throes of serious Covid restrictions, with large gatherings and end of year celebrations well and truly off the cards. However, this December is shaping up to be much more like the glamorous, event-filled month we’re used to. So why not go big – amp up the shimmer and shine and hit the party circuit ready to toast a huge year and dance the night away. Once you’ve picked your outfit and popped on a party playlist to set the mood, it’s time to start your make-up. Embrace the sultry summer warmth and go for glowing skin, pops of bright colour and even a touch of glitter – nothing screams glitz and revelry more than sparkles. It…

Seasonal sparkle

GIFT IDEAS to Avoid Throwaway Culture this Christmas

A few of my gifting tips • Always prepare a list of who you’re going to buy/make presents for. This makes sure that in the hectic lead-up to the day, you won’t miss anyone out! • Set a budget. This is super important. While I love going above and beyond, Christmas is also about being around loved ones, not just presents. It also makes saving for the season a little easier when you break it down into weekly amounts. • As the gift-giver, don’t be afraid to ask them what they really want. It will help reduce waste and give you some ideas of things they have really been wanting. • Consider experiences. It’s generally not something you’d think of for yourself, but this idea can create amazing memories. Even…

GIFT IDEAS to Avoid Throwaway Culture this Christmas

I am your stomach

It’s the season of celebration and excess – yay. I’m certainly feeling it. You may also be feeling it, though stretching is one thing I do brilliantly. I have many other talents you wouldn’t even suspect, but don’t worry, I’m happy to do all of it for you – so you can enjoy the guilty pleasures. You’re welcome. But first, let me explain a little about myself. I’m part of the gastrointestinal system (or gut), a glorified plumbing system that processes and extracts nutrients from food. How glorified? Read on. But I promise I’m the most glorious part of it. Some call me bean-shaped, but that’s a little demeaning. For a start, I don’t look that much like a bean, and secondly, I change in size and shape all the time. I’m…

I am your stomach

We are on the countdown to Christmas, and after another difficult year, summer festivities will be welcomed by many. However, we know that the holiday season can also increase stress and amplify loneliness. Though we are unable to eliminate life’s stressors or open up our country’s borders, we can help protect each other’s mental wellbeing by consistently checking in with our loved ones, neighbours and colleagues. It’s not just about distress Checking in is not a behaviour purely reserved for when people are struggling. Creating a regular habit of enquiring about someone’s wellbeing enables you to establish proactive and preventative measures. Once normalised, the act of checking in will come to be extended into your social network and will enable you to pick up on signs of struggle early. There is no written rule…

Electric servants

Recently, a robot vacuum came to stay. The idea was I’d try it for a week and then write about how it had changed my life. I was sceptical – but intrigued. Everyone I know who has one is evangelical about them, especially people with kids and pets and busy lives. Generally I’m a low-key housekeeper, house-proud but not routine-bound, given to sudden frenzies. The kids pick up their rooms, him indoors does the bathrooms, and everyone respects the kitchen spider. We all muck in. I’m quite fond of the 1970s feminist slogan: “If your housework is done, you’re neglecting the movement”. Vacuuming, however, is my kryptonite. With open-plan indoor-outdoor flow, two kids, three cats, assorted rugs and a hardwood floor, it’s one chore I find I can’t ignore. Gotta suck it…

Electric servants

PREP Start with a cleanser and hydrating spray so you have a clean and fresh canvas to work on. Apply serum, moisturiser and a sunscreen for that poolside lounging. For evening cocktails, add a highlighting liquid to your décolletage, arms and legs. BASE Using a couple of drops of serum primer on the back of your hand, work in a little Aleph concealer/foundation so it becomes dewy and sheer, perfect for this summer look. Set through the T-zone and under eyes with the Aleph translucent powder, allowing the high points to appear dewy and fresh. CHEEKS Dab a little Aleph cheek/lip tint in Ascend onto your cheeks and pat into your skin with your fingertips to create a “glow from within”. Add a touch of Aleph Radiance Moon to the…

Orange maple glazed ham, sourdough and mustard sauce Serves 10+ There’s nothing quite like warm ham at Christmas, and glazing it yourself is easy to do. ½ or whole cooked ham – try to select one with a decent fat layer under the skin3 fresh oranges2 tablespoons maple syrup1 heaped tablespoon flour2 tablespoons wholegrain mustardSourdough bread to serve 1. Heat oven to 120°C and place ham in to warm for 30 minutes. Take out and remove the top layer of skin, leaving the layer of fat intact. Warming the ham first makes it much easier to ease the skin away from the fatty layer. 2. Use a sharp knife to score the fat layer in whatever pattern you like. 3. Slice one orange into very thin rounds. Make the glaze by mixing together juice from the…

HANDBAG ESSENTIALS FOR SUMMER

1. To Save Face SPF50+ Sunscreen by Mecca Cosmetica, from $21 Already a year-round must-have, this is a timely reminder to stock up on sunscreen. Our pick? The cult favourite To Save Face SPF50+ Sunscreen from Mecca Cosmetica. Better yet, it comes in a full-size and a mini, for on-the-go top-ups. meccabeauty.co.nz 2. Lip De Luscious Glide Lip Balm by Mecca Cosmetica, $36 It goes without saying, after the first suggestion, that we’re big endorsers of SPF. We’ve got 90 percent of the face covered, but you can’t forget your lips! Mecca’s Lip De-Luscious Glide is top of the list. It comes in three sheer tints – natural, pink and red – and is SPF15. meccabeauty.co.nz 3. Tort Comb by Sophie, $22 While we’re talking hair and accessories, the Sophie…

HANDBAG ESSENTIALS FOR SUMMER

Lemon and Pistachio Semifreddo Serves 4 Prep this great summer dessert a day ahead and serve it by itself or alongside another dessert. You can buy lemon curd at the supermarket or, if you have a lemon tree, whip up a big batch to share with friends. 250g frozen raspberries⅓ cup caster sugar3 large eggs500ml creamZest of 2 lemons½ cup lemon curd70g raw pistachios, choppedFresh raspberries, to serve 1. Place raspberries in a small pot with 2 tablespoons of the sugar on a low heat and simmer for 5 minutes until they break down. Set compote aside to cool. 2. Separate eggs, reserving whites. Whisk yolks with remaining sugar until pale and doubled in volume. Set aside. 3. Whip cream to firm soft peaks. Fold in lemon zest. 4. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. 5. Fold…

Seasonal sparkle

There’s an extra air of excitement about 2022’s festive season. Last year we were still in the throes of serious Covid restrictions, with large gatherings and end of year celebrations well and truly off the cards. However, this December is shaping up to be much more like the glamorous, event-filled month we’re used to. So why not go big – amp up the shimmer and shine and hit the party circuit ready to toast a huge year and dance the night away. Once you’ve picked your outfit and popped on a party playlist to set the mood, it’s time to start your make-up. Embrace the sultry summer warmth and go for glowing skin, pops of bright colour and even a touch of glitter – nothing screams glitz and revelry more…

Seasonal sparkle

Good job, Gerry! Deliciously soft in texture with a slightly darker crust, Gerry’s Super Bread is an excellent source of protein and fibre with only 1.7g of carbs per slice. Gerry’s Super Bread wins for the smooth texture and high nutritional content – great for kids and those who don’t love seeds. Gerry’s Super Bread contains the magical ingredient lupin, which is great for helping to keep you feeling full and your blood sugars stable throughout the day. No more mid-morning snacking! Available at Pak‘n’Save, Countdown, Fresh Choice, Farro and Selected New Worlds. RRP $8.50. Keep keto & carry on These keto cookies are designed specifically to keep blood sugar levels stable and seamlessly integrate into any low-carb, high-protein diet. With an emphasis on real wholefood sources – coconut, almond, cacao and hemp to…

HERB your ENTHUSIASM

Between the stress of gift-giving, family gatherings, and work deadlines, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed during the holiday season. Luckily, there are some simple things we can do to help ourselves stay sane during this hectic time. So if you’re feeling stressed this holiday season, remember to take care of yourself both mentally and physically. Herbs have been used for centuries to help with everything from anxiety to digestion issues. And there are plenty of herbs that can help you get through the hectic holiday season. From passionflower to ashwagandha to camomile, these plants can help you make it through to the New Year feeling calm, collected, and healthy. Give yourself some time to relax, and don’t forget to add some calming herbs into the mix! Camomile Camomile (Matricaria recutita/Anthemis nobilis),…

HERB your ENTHUSIASM

I am your stomach

It’s the season of celebration and excess – yay. I’m certainly feeling it. You may also be feeling it, though stretching is one thing I do brilliantly. I have many other talents you wouldn’t even suspect, but don’t worry, I’m happy to do all of it for you – so you can enjoy the guilty pleasures. You’re welcome. But first, let me explain a little about myself. I’m part of the gastrointestinal system (or gut), a glorified plumbing system that processes and extracts nutrients from food. How glorified? Read on. But I promise I’m the most glorious part of it. Some call me bean-shaped, but that’s a little demeaning. For a start, I don’t look that much like a bean, and secondly, I change in size and shape all the…

I am your stomach

We are on the countdown to Christmas, and after another difficult year, summer festivities will be welcomed by many. However, we know that the holiday season can also increase stress and amplify loneliness. Though we are unable to eliminate life’s stressors or open up our country’s borders, we can help protect each other’s mental wellbeing by consistently checking in with our loved ones, neighbours and colleagues. It’s not just about distress Checking in is not a behaviour purely reserved for when people are struggling. Creating a regular habit of enquiring about someone’s wellbeing enables you to establish proactive and preventative measures. Once normalised, the act of checking in will come to be extended into your social network and will enable you to pick up on signs of struggle early. There…

Low Carb Haven is an online destination dedicated to all things keto, low carb, diabetic friendly and sugar-free. One hundred percent family owned and operated, Low Carb Haven started as a side-hustle and took off over the 2020 lockdown. Owners Laura and Stewart created a one-stop shop for both international and local brands. Providing the highest quality of goods and services to support you through keto, low carb or sugar-free lifestyles. As the festive season fast approaches, there comes an abundance of temptations to stray off the keto course. Low Carb Haven has replacements for all your holiday favourites to ensure you stick to keto this festive period. Sugar-free and sure to please Celebrate the holiday season with Low Carb Haven’s sweet treat range. Enjoy their no-added-sugar chocolate truffles, well-loved Vitawerx white chocolate…

Bright & Beautiful

TEXT: ROBYN ALEXANDER. PRODUCTION: SVEN ALBERDING. PHOTOGRAPHY: GREG COX/BUREAUX, WARREN HEATH/BUREAUX, ELSA YOUNG/BUREAUX.…

Bright & Beautiful

Electric servants

Recently, a robot vacuum came to stay. The idea was I’d try it for a week and then write about how it had changed my life. I was sceptical – but intrigued. Everyone I know who has one is evangelical about them, especially people with kids and pets and busy lives. Generally I’m a low-key housekeeper, house-proud but not routine-bound, given to sudden frenzies. The kids pick up their rooms, him indoors does the bathrooms, and everyone respects the kitchen spider. We all muck in. I’m quite fond of the 1970s feminist slogan: “If your housework is done, you’re neglecting the movement”. Vacuuming, however, is my kryptonite. With open-plan indoor-outdoor flow, two kids, three cats, assorted rugs and a hardwood floor, it’s one chore I find I can’t ignore. Gotta…

Electric servants

Orange maple glazed ham, sourdough and mustard sauce Serves 10+ There’s nothing quite like warm ham at Christmas, and glazing it yourself is easy to do. ½ or whole cooked ham – try to select one with a decent fat layer under the skin3 fresh oranges2 tablespoons maple syrup1 heaped tablespoon flour2 tablespoons wholegrain mustardSourdough bread to serve 1. Heat oven to 120°C and place ham in to warm for 30 minutes. Take out and remove the top layer of skin, leaving the layer of fat intact. Warming the ham first makes it much easier to ease the skin away from the fatty layer. 2. Use a sharp knife to score the fat layer in whatever pattern you like. 3. Slice one orange into very thin rounds. Make the glaze…

MY COLOURFUL DOOR COMPETITION

Do you know how to make an entrance? If you have a Resene-painted door that pops, enter our competition and be in to win a fab Resene prize. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR • Colourful interior or exterior doors • Unique colour combinations • Doors that stand out HOW TO ENTER Email your photos and a short description of your door to hello@schoolroad.nz with “Resene My Colourful Door” in the subject line. Please include your name, home address, daytime phone number, the names of the Resene colours used, and details of when your door was painted and why you chose those colours. The winner will appear in a future issue of Woman, and will receive a $500 Resene ColorShop voucher to spend on their choice of Resene quality paints, wood stains, primers/sealers or decorating accessories at…

MY COLOURFUL DOOR COMPETITION

Daring to be different

When choosing the colour palette for her new home, Georgia Skiffington and her partner faced the challenge of working with a very small space. “We needed it to be as bright and airy so it felt as big as possible,” she says. They chose neutral colours such as white, brown and green. But then they decided it needed a little brightness and fun. “We debated over colours and narrowed it down to orange as it’s a favourite of both my partner and I,” Georgia says. “We were a little concerned because it’s such a strong colour. But then we figured, why not – we’ll make it a fun visual focus.” The colour they landed on was Resene Daredevil, a vibrant red-orange shade that creates a fun bonus effect. “The fact that it’s a recessed door means…

Daring to be different

Lemon and Pistachio Semifreddo Serves 4 Prep this great summer dessert a day ahead and serve it by itself or alongside another dessert. You can buy lemon curd at the supermarket or, if you have a lemon tree, whip up a big batch to share with friends. 250g frozen raspberries⅓ cup caster sugar3 large eggs500ml creamZest of 2 lemons½ cup lemon curd70g raw pistachios, choppedFresh raspberries, to serve 1. Place raspberries in a small pot with 2 tablespoons of the sugar on a low heat and simmer for 5 minutes until they break down. Set compote aside to cool. 2. Separate eggs, reserving whites. Whisk yolks with remaining sugar until pale and doubled in volume. Set aside. 3. Whip cream to firm soft peaks. Fold in lemon zest. 4. Beat…

Good job, Gerry! Deliciously soft in texture with a slightly darker crust, Gerry’s Super Bread is an excellent source of protein and fibre with only 1.7g of carbs per slice. Gerry’s Super Bread wins for the smooth texture and high nutritional content – great for kids and those who don’t love seeds. Gerry’s Super Bread contains the magical ingredient lupin, which is great for helping to keep you feeling full and your blood sugars stable throughout the day. No more mid-morning snacking! Available at Pak‘n’Save, Countdown, Fresh Choice, Farro and Selected New Worlds. RRP $8.50. Keep keto & carry on These keto cookies are designed specifically to keep blood sugar levels stable and seamlessly integrate into any low-carb, high-protein diet. With an emphasis on real wholefood sources – coconut, almond,…

Christmas with a TWIST

One of my favourite things about Christmas is how we all do it so differently. I’m intrigued with how others celebrate and am forever stealing ideas and traditions to try myself (to varying levels of success). It all takes on a different form when you’re the one who gets to make the magic (to varying levels of enthusiasm). I’m a bit of a Christmas chameleon – I frequently change it up depending on how inspired or energetic I’m feeling. Some years I’ve started early and gone hard on the festive decorations with up to four trees, each a different colour and with a different theme. Other years I’ve exhausted my festive mojo with commercial styling jobs long before December arrives and I’m left half-heartedly throwing a tree up the week before…

Christmas with a TWIST

Modern Christmas Traditions

DIY crackers. (Did you know Australians call them “bonbons”? I only recently learned this and I was shocked). Making your own crackers is a beautiful idea if you’re handy with a craft knife, but a more cost-and time-effective way to do it is to replace the gift inside ready-made crackers. Write personalised jokes and pop something people will love inside (beauty product minis, fancy chocolates, or a nice pen can all make great fillers depending on budget). You can even customise the outside with a simple band of wrapping paper to match your table set-up. Furoshiki (fabric wrapping). We all know wrapping paper has a bad wrap and not only is using pieces of fabric very cute, it can also double as a second gift. I like to scout the op…

HERB your ENTHUSIASM

Between the stress of gift-giving, family gatherings, and work deadlines, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed during the holiday season. Luckily, there are some simple things we can do to help ourselves stay sane during this hectic time. So if you’re feeling stressed this holiday season, remember to take care of yourself both mentally and physically. Herbs have been used for centuries to help with everything from anxiety to digestion issues. And there are plenty of herbs that can help you get through the hectic holiday season. From passionflower to ashwagandha to camomile, these plants can help you make it through to the New Year feeling calm, collected, and healthy. Give yourself some time to relax, and don’t forget to add some calming herbs into the mix! Camomile Camomile…

HERB your ENTHUSIASM

Low Carb Haven is an online destination dedicated to all things keto, low carb, diabetic friendly and sugar-free. One hundred percent family owned and operated, Low Carb Haven started as a side-hustle and took off over the 2020 lockdown. Owners Laura and Stewart created a one-stop shop for both international and local brands. Providing the highest quality of goods and services to support you through keto, low carb or sugar-free lifestyles. As the festive season fast approaches, there comes an abundance of temptations to stray off the keto course. Low Carb Haven has replacements for all your holiday favourites to ensure you stick to keto this festive period. Sugar-free and sure to please Celebrate the holiday season with Low Carb Haven’s sweet treat range. Enjoy their no-added-sugar chocolate truffles, well-loved…

Oy my Christmas LIST

Oy my Christmas LIST

Squirrelled away

Matakana has something of a magnetic pull for Aucklanders. When you think of getting out of the city, it’s one of the first places that springs to mind. Not only is it close to some of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches and vineyards, but Matakana Village and the area itself is always sure to have something delightful to buy, eat or to inspire your latest home and garden project. The Squirrel Tree family have been curating a beautiful environment in their store on the corner of Matakana and Anderson Roads. It’s not just a store, however – it’s an experience. A place where you can immerse yourself in their assortment of both new and vintage homewares, indoor and outdoor living, garden accessories and inspiring gifts. The barn-like store is a place…

Squirrelled away

A twist on tradition

You will need • Pencil, ruler and Resene craft knife• 5mm-thick balsa wood• Resene testpot brush• Resene artist brush set• Papier-mâché and wooden baubles• Quick-set glue• Resene trade advance masking tape• Resene Metallic Gold Dust• Resene Magma• Resene Lucky Point• Resene Wavelength• Resene Blue Moon• Resene Kalgoorie Sands• Resene Paper Doll 1. Use the full width of your balsa wood and cut a triangle around 23cm high (B). You can make various heights for added interest, like we did on our table. 2. Using the outside off-cut pieces, glue the straight edge and place it on the centre of one side of your complete triangle, with the points meeting at the top. Repeat on the other side once the first is dry so it stands evenly (C). 3. To create our multi-coloured version, start…

A twist on tradition

MY COLOURFUL DOOR COMPETITION

Do you know how to make an entrance? If you have a Resene-painted door that pops, enter our competition and be in to win a fab Resene prize. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR • Colourful interior or exterior doors • Unique colour combinations • Doors that stand out HOW TO ENTER Email your photos and a short description of your door to hello@schoolroad.nz with “Resene My Colourful Door” in the subject line. Please include your name, home address, daytime phone number, the names of the Resene colours used, and details of when your door was painted and why you chose those colours. The winner will appear in a future issue of Woman, and will receive a $500 Resene ColorShop voucher to spend on their choice of Resene quality paints, wood…

MY COLOURFUL DOOR COMPETITION

STOPPING to smell the ROSES

Where did the idea for the book spring from? RB: I’d been thinking about it for a while. There’s an amazing range of private and public gardens around Aotearoa, and many people, even avid garden-lovers, don’t know about them all. I’m a magazine journalist, and when Covid came along I was working at Bauer Media, which suddenly closed its doors. It was quite a shock, but I thought – here’s my chance to finally do this book I’ve had bubbling away at the back of my mind. Luckily Juliet, who is a friend, and a fabulous garden photographer with 11 books under her belt, was happy to work with me on it. Any challenges along the way? RB: Covid again, of course. I was meant to be travelling with Juliet last spring to…

STOPPING to smell the ROSES

Daring to be different

When choosing the colour palette for her new home, Georgia Skiffington and her partner faced the challenge of working with a very small space. “We needed it to be as bright and airy so it felt as big as possible,” she says. They chose neutral colours such as white, brown and green. But then they decided it needed a little brightness and fun. “We debated over colours and narrowed it down to orange as it’s a favourite of both my partner and I,” Georgia says. “We were a little concerned because it’s such a strong colour. But then we figured, why not – we’ll make it a fun visual focus.” The colour they landed on was Resene Daredevil, a vibrant red-orange shade that creates a fun bonus effect. “The fact…

Daring to be different

Step One Gather together floral wire, ribbon or rope, and flowers and foliage that won’t wilt if they’re not in water. I chose crimson-flowering manuka, strawflowers, fir, thuja, leucadendron, lichen-covered twigs and echeveria, along with some baubles in antique shades, and bells for jingling! Step Two Your garland will be made up of small bunches of flowers. Strip the lower quarter of the stems of greenery and cut the wire into pieces long enough for wrapping a couple of times around each bunch. Create small bunches of foliage and/or flowers using two or three different types of greenery per bunch and wire together. Step Three Once you have made your bunches, lay them in a line on a flat surface, rearranging until you have a cohesive look that pleases you. (I like to make each…

A league of her own

I kicked ass on screen way before I did so in real life,” says Geena Davis. In a marvellous memoir that will resonate with many women of her generation, the 66-year-old actor becomes the poster girl for “fake it till you make it”. Only by playing “badasses” in feminist classics such as Thelma & Louise (1991) did she learn to stop bending over backwards to accommodate everyone around her (parents, teachers, husbands, directors, co-stars, extras, catering staff, casual passers-by) and stand up for all six foot of herself. Although advance headlines have focused on the brief passages in which Davis alleges the actor Bill Murray behaved in a sexist way towards her, this isn’t an angry book. It’s an endearing and inspiring account of one “offbeat” woman finding her own voice. Davis…

A league of her own

Christmas with a TWIST

One of my favourite things about Christmas is how we all do it so differently. I’m intrigued with how others celebrate and am forever stealing ideas and traditions to try myself (to varying levels of success). It all takes on a different form when you’re the one who gets to make the magic (to varying levels of enthusiasm). I’m a bit of a Christmas chameleon – I frequently change it up depending on how inspired or energetic I’m feeling. Some years I’ve started early and gone hard on the festive decorations with up to four trees, each a different colour and with a different theme. Other years I’ve exhausted my festive mojo with commercial styling jobs long before December arrives and I’m left half-heartedly throwing a tree up the week…

Christmas with a TWIST

Modern Christmas Traditions

DIY crackers. (Did you know Australians call them “bonbons”? I only recently learned this and I was shocked). Making your own crackers is a beautiful idea if you’re handy with a craft knife, but a more cost-and time-effective way to do it is to replace the gift inside ready-made crackers. Write personalised jokes and pop something people will love inside (beauty product minis, fancy chocolates, or a nice pen can all make great fillers depending on budget). You can even customise the outside with a simple band of wrapping paper to match your table set-up. Furoshiki (fabric wrapping). We all know wrapping paper has a bad wrap and not only is using pieces of fabric very cute, it can also double as a second gift. I like to scout the…

ROOMS by Jane Ussher (Massey University Press, RRP $85) The wonder of this work from photographer Jane Ussher, beyond the beauty of its outstanding curation and craftsmanship, is found in the angles in which you can view it from. Admiring her portraits as standalone works of art is a joy, as you wander the hallways, alcoves, and rooms framed by angular beams of natural light, unique artworks, tchotchkes and un/fashionable interior decor. This, with a glass of red wine at sundown, is my preferred angle. Alternatively, take the scholarly angle. As John Walsh explains in the evocative opening essay, the philosopher and critic and contemporary of Freud, Walter Benjamin, “saw collecting as a means of asserting control over the uncertainties of modernity… Ussher’s interiors portraits are testament to controlling instincts – those of…

#book of the month

Shrines of Gaiety By Kate Atkinson Publisher: Transworld – Penguin Random House RRP $37 Reporting on the funeral of Kate Meyrick in 1933, the Singapore Daily News declared: “Ever since this remarkable little woman […] took the night side of London by storm, she seemed to live for publication in a sensational romance.” In 2022, that prophecy is fulfilled. In Shrines of Gaiety, Kate Atkinson recreates Meyrick as Nellie Coker, the small, shrewd, indomitable empress of London’s dark side, “eschew[ing] traditional history books in favour of the gossipy, chattering kind. Shrines of Gaiety is fiction, not history.” The novel opens in 1926 with Nellie Coker, around whom all the mischief, mystery, and magic of London appears to be centred, being released from prison in triumph and celebration. With both the highest and lowest of society…

#book of the month

Squirrelled away

Matakana has something of a magnetic pull for Aucklanders. When you think of getting out of the city, it’s one of the first places that springs to mind. Not only is it close to some of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches and vineyards, but Matakana Village and the area itself is always sure to have something delightful to buy, eat or to inspire your latest home and garden project. The Squirrel Tree family have been curating a beautiful environment in their store on the corner of Matakana and Anderson Roads. It’s not just a store, however – it’s an experience. A place where you can immerse yourself in their assortment of both new and vintage homewares, indoor and outdoor living, garden accessories and inspiring gifts. The barn-like store is a…

Squirrelled away

So this is Christmas. Ding dong go the clanging chimes of doom and all is merry and bright, something something. All the signs are pointing to the end of the year, what with it being, actually, the end of the year and, ergo, almost bloody Christmas. Try as I might, I just can’t seem to catch the vibe to get in the mood. As always – there’s music for that. Christmas music is like Viagra. A seasonal aid, if you will, to get you prepared and ready for action. Like Viagra it is entirely, awkwardly irrelevant outside its prescribed time and purpose. Like Viagra it also lasts a lot longer than is necessary. I wasn’t always so jaundiced about the most wonderful time of the year. As a kid, naturally, I loved…

Sagittarius (Nov 23 - Dec 21) Sagittarius Ingress November 23, 8.33pm NZT The Sun moves into mutable fire sign Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, named after the king of the Greek gods, Zeus, and the largest planet in our solar system. Those born under the influence of the Archer are enthusiastic, adventurous, and constantly seeking information. They thrive on knowledge. Sagittarius energy is open, honest and jovial but the larger-than-life disposition can at times be a little too frank! The Sagittarius call sign is “I Seek”. Many happy returns, Sagittarius Woman – may your special month live up to your expectations and may it herald a promising year ahead. A rush of energy will start the month, Jupiter turns direct (yay!), and there is an invigorating New Moon within the first three days. Run with…

A twist on tradition

You will need • Pencil, ruler and Resene craft knife• 5mm-thick balsa wood• Resene testpot brush• Resene artist brush set• Papier-mâché and wooden baubles• Quick-set glue• Resene trade advance masking tape• Resene Metallic Gold Dust• Resene Magma• Resene Lucky Point• Resene Wavelength• Resene Blue Moon• Resene Kalgoorie Sands• Resene Paper Doll 1. Use the full width of your balsa wood and cut a triangle around 23cm high (B). You can make various heights for added interest, like we did on our table. 2. Using the outside off-cut pieces, glue the straight edge and place it on the centre of one side of your complete triangle, with the points meeting at the top. Repeat on the other side once the first is dry so it stands evenly (C). 3. To create…

A twist on tradition

Hexagon World Use the clues to fill in the spaces in the numbered hexagons. Each answer runs clockwise but can start anywhere in the shape. Where hexagons touch, they have the same letter. We’ve given you a word to start with. The letters in the white hexagon reveal a mystery word. CLUES 1 Observe 2 Entertained 3 Spanish rest period 4 Years ahead 5 Overlook 6 Lace hole Anagram Square Rearrange the letters in each row to form a word. Write your answers into the blank grid. The first letter from each word, reading down, will spell a mystery word. Big Crossword ACROSS 1 Spain’s capital 4 Pulls strenuously 7 Tropical lizard 10 Shocking ordeal 13 Chess and Ludo (5,5) 15 Runaways 17 Cash points (1,1,2) 19 Leading lady, prima … 21 Promise 23 Mentioned once more 25 Humbly 28 Rides bike 29 Merited 30 And the rest 32 Black mark 36 Keyboard key 37 Low rumbling sound 38 Tolerate 40…

STOPPING to smell the ROSES

Where did the idea for the book spring from? RB: I’d been thinking about it for a while. There’s an amazing range of private and public gardens around Aotearoa, and many people, even avid garden-lovers, don’t know about them all. I’m a magazine journalist, and when Covid came along I was working at Bauer Media, which suddenly closed its doors. It was quite a shock, but I thought – here’s my chance to finally do this book I’ve had bubbling away at the back of my mind. Luckily Juliet, who is a friend, and a fabulous garden photographer with 11 books under her belt, was happy to work with me on it. Any challenges along the way? RB: Covid again, of course. I was meant to be travelling with Juliet…

STOPPING to smell the ROSES

THE WHISTLE DRESS

I buy a new black dressmade by Whistle. It’s the sortshop girls wear who have to buytheir own clothing: plain and blackserviceable with a trace of chic. That trace is at the back: a gapin the shape of a diamondwith a strap across: nothingthat requires extra expenditurein the lingerie department: blackbra. I have a drawerful of black knickers. Be careful lest you getrun over by a bus, my mother saidso that’s the reason for black: a messlooks better when it’s obliterated.It’s the last Whistle on the rack. The staff have been buying themwholesale the black-clad assistantsays. You’ll find it serviceable.If I could see the back I’d whistle.…

THE WHISTLE DRESS

Step One Gather together floral wire, ribbon or rope, and flowers and foliage that won’t wilt if they’re not in water. I chose crimson-flowering manuka, strawflowers, fir, thuja, leucadendron, lichen-covered twigs and echeveria, along with some baubles in antique shades, and bells for jingling! Step Two Your garland will be made up of small bunches of flowers. Strip the lower quarter of the stems of greenery and cut the wire into pieces long enough for wrapping a couple of times around each bunch. Create small bunches of foliage and/or flowers using two or three different types of greenery per bunch and wire together. Step Three Once you have made your bunches, lay them in a line on a flat surface, rearranging until you have a cohesive look that pleases you.…

Whirimako Black MNZM (Ngai Tuhoe) is the kind of person who makes you feel like you’ve known each other forever, even though we’re meeting for the first time, and it’s on Zoom. She sits on the couch in her Ruatoki home, windows and doors open, and we chuckle about the heat, needing glasses to see computer screens, barking dogs, and the importance of choosing to be kind rather than correct. Now in her early 60s, it has been a busy year for Whirimako. She’s collaborated with Salmonella Dub on several songs as well as the band’s nationwide tour and, in March, she’ll be closing Auckland Arts Festival in true style, performing for one night only in He Kete Waiata, with Allana Goldsmith (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tai ki Tārere) and Leon Wharekura (Ngaati…

A league of her own

I kicked ass on screen way before I did so in real life,” says Geena Davis. In a marvellous memoir that will resonate with many women of her generation, the 66-year-old actor becomes the poster girl for “fake it till you make it”. Only by playing “badasses” in feminist classics such as Thelma & Louise (1991) did she learn to stop bending over backwards to accommodate everyone around her (parents, teachers, husbands, directors, co-stars, extras, catering staff, casual passers-by) and stand up for all six foot of herself. Although advance headlines have focused on the brief passages in which Davis alleges the actor Bill Murray behaved in a sexist way towards her, this isn’t an angry book. It’s an endearing and inspiring account of one “offbeat” woman finding her own…

A league of her own

ROOMS by Jane Ussher (Massey University Press, RRP $85) The wonder of this work from photographer Jane Ussher, beyond the beauty of its outstanding curation and craftsmanship, is found in the angles in which you can view it from. Admiring her portraits as standalone works of art is a joy, as you wander the hallways, alcoves, and rooms framed by angular beams of natural light, unique artworks, tchotchkes and un/fashionable interior decor. This, with a glass of red wine at sundown, is my preferred angle. Alternatively, take the scholarly angle. As John Walsh explains in the evocative opening essay, the philosopher and critic and contemporary of Freud, Walter Benjamin, “saw collecting as a means of asserting control over the uncertainties of modernity… Ussher’s interiors portraits are testament to controlling instincts…

#book of the month

Shrines of Gaiety By Kate Atkinson Publisher: Transworld – Penguin Random House RRP $37 Reporting on the funeral of Kate Meyrick in 1933, the Singapore Daily News declared: “Ever since this remarkable little woman […] took the night side of London by storm, she seemed to live for publication in a sensational romance.” In 2022, that prophecy is fulfilled. In Shrines of Gaiety, Kate Atkinson recreates Meyrick as Nellie Coker, the small, shrewd, indomitable empress of London’s dark side, “eschew[ing] traditional history books in favour of the gossipy, chattering kind. Shrines of Gaiety is fiction, not history.” The novel opens in 1926 with Nellie Coker, around whom all the mischief, mystery, and magic of London appears to be centred, being released from prison in triumph and celebration. With both the…

#book of the month

So this is Christmas. Ding dong go the clanging chimes of doom and all is merry and bright, something something. All the signs are pointing to the end of the year, what with it being, actually, the end of the year and, ergo, almost bloody Christmas. Try as I might, I just can’t seem to catch the vibe to get in the mood. As always – there’s music for that. Christmas music is like Viagra. A seasonal aid, if you will, to get you prepared and ready for action. Like Viagra it is entirely, awkwardly irrelevant outside its prescribed time and purpose. Like Viagra it also lasts a lot longer than is necessary. I wasn’t always so jaundiced about the most wonderful time of the year. As a kid, naturally,…

Sagittarius (Nov 23 - Dec 21) Sagittarius Ingress November 23, 8.33pm NZT The Sun moves into mutable fire sign Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, named after the king of the Greek gods, Zeus, and the largest planet in our solar system. Those born under the influence of the Archer are enthusiastic, adventurous, and constantly seeking information. They thrive on knowledge. Sagittarius energy is open, honest and jovial but the larger-than-life disposition can at times be a little too frank! The Sagittarius call sign is “I Seek”. Many happy returns, Sagittarius Woman – may your special month live up to your expectations and may it herald a promising year ahead. A rush of energy will start the month, Jupiter turns direct (yay!), and there is an invigorating New Moon within the first…

Hexagon World Use the clues to fill in the spaces in the numbered hexagons. Each answer runs clockwise but can start anywhere in the shape. Where hexagons touch, they have the same letter. We’ve given you a word to start with. The letters in the white hexagon reveal a mystery word. CLUES 1 Observe 2 Entertained 3 Spanish rest period 4 Years ahead 5 Overlook 6 Lace hole Anagram Square Rearrange the letters in each row to form a word. Write your answers into the blank grid. The first letter from each word, reading down, will spell a mystery word. Big Crossword ACROSS 1 Spain’s capital 4 Pulls strenuously 7 Tropical lizard 10 Shocking ordeal 13 Chess and Ludo (5,5) 15 Runaways 17 Cash points (1,1,2) 19 Leading lady, prima…

THE WHISTLE DRESS

I buy a new black dressmade by Whistle. It’s the sortshop girls wear who have to buytheir own clothing: plain and blackserviceable with a trace of chic. That trace is at the back: a gapin the shape of a diamondwith a strap across: nothingthat requires extra expenditurein the lingerie department: blackbra. I have a drawerful of black knickers. Be careful lest you getrun over by a bus, my mother saidso that’s the reason for black: a messlooks better when it’s obliterated.It’s the last Whistle on the rack. The staff have been buying themwholesale the black-clad assistantsays. You’ll find it serviceable.If I could see the back I’d whistle.…

THE WHISTLE DRESS

Whirimako Black MNZM (Ngai Tuhoe) is the kind of person who makes you feel like you’ve known each other forever, even though we’re meeting for the first time, and it’s on Zoom. She sits on the couch in her Ruatoki home, windows and doors open, and we chuckle about the heat, needing glasses to see computer screens, barking dogs, and the importance of choosing to be kind rather than correct. Now in her early 60s, it has been a busy year for Whirimako. She’s collaborated with Salmonella Dub on several songs as well as the band’s nationwide tour and, in March, she’ll be closing Auckland Arts Festival in true style, performing for one night only in He Kete Waiata, with Allana Goldsmith (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tai ki Tārere) and Leon…

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