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Developing Leadership, Resilience and Personal Growth
Friday 12 September 2025, Christchurch
Friday 8 May 2026, Auckland
Latest Issue – Spring 2025

Six Kiwi Startups Ready For Global Impact
New Zealand’s startup scene has always been a bit of an underdog story. We might not have the size or the capital of Silicon Valley, but we do have a knack for punching above our weight. Our innovators work close to the problems they are solving, build lean, and think […]

Editor’s Letter
The moment that has stayed with me most from Journey to Excellence began not with a business case study or a leadership framework, but with Dr. Alia Bojilova recounting the day she was taken hostage in Syria. Armed militia surrounded her and her UN team. They were trapped just 500 […]

Give Your Home Flow
When God closes a door he opens a window, because he keeps wanting to let the bloody draft in. Just because your son was born in one doesn’t mean every house has to be a barn you know. I’m not a big believer in ley lines and Feng Shui, but […]

Growing Success With Sharyn Catt: Managing Director & Founder at Virtual Blue
How do you define effective leadership, and how has your definition evolved over time? Effective leadership is the ability to inspire trust, align people toward a shared vision, and empower them to do their best work. Early in my career, I focused on delivering outcomes and leading from the front. […]

Growing Success With Trish Adams: Director at Ray White Synergy Realty
How do you define effective leadership? Effective leadership for me involves setting an example and following through in what you say you will do, providing a vision and inspiring others while always maintaining integrity. Over time, it has evolved to what is best for the business is making sure I […]

Natasha Callister – Chief Commercial Officer at MTF
How do you define effective leadership, and how has your definition evolved over time? I believe strong leaders foster a culture of excellence, bring grit and unwavering determination and get everyone swimming in the same direction. You’ve got to be outwardly focused so putting the team and organisation above yourself. […]
Sharing the secrets of the most exclusive experiences. Sponsored by Spy Valley.

This Restored Castello Is Now A Stunning Hotel
While we have a pretty awesome range of cultural sites and monuments down here in New Zealand, one thing you sadly don’t see a lot of is castles. That might be due to the fact we’ve never had our own kings or queens (just a stab in the dark guess), […]

Wharekauhau Country Estate: A Rugged Haven of Luxury and Nature
Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Wairarapa’s Palliser Bay, Wharekauhau Country Estate embodies a dreamy fusion of luxury, relaxation, and nature. The 3,000-acre property, named “place of knowledge” in te reo Māori, provides discerning travelers with the ultimate Kiwi getaway, combining a warm, personalized service with the untamed beauty of […]

HAND-MIXED CHILLI & LIME ICE CREAM
This is SO EASY! A summer smash — and also excellent in winter. This is another fine example of chilli getting busy with sweetness and fruitiness. MAKES ABOUT 500ML 190g icing sugar 4 limes 2 fresh habaneros 450ml cream (or crème fraîche) Note Pour some boiling water into a small […]
Exceptional Design
Ecologically, artistically and aesthetically, exceptional in every way. Sponsored by MINI.

Here’s How MINI Has Become A Cultural Icon
On what appears to be a stereotypically overcast day in the port city of Bristol, people are gathering from all over Europe and beyond to celebrate something they have all in common. In a time that sees people increasingly more fractured from one another, everyone can agree on at least […]

Chanel’s New York Nouveau
Fifth Avenue, New York, has become an even more glittery affair after Chanel has recently planted its très chic footprint with a new flagship dedicated solely to Watches and Fine Jewellery. This isn’t just any boutique—it’s a veritable temple to all things Chanel. Designed by Peter Marino, the space is […]

New Store Alert: Get The Red Carpet Treatment On Queen Street In Auckland
Good news for Auckland’s Queen Street as it welcomes a brand new luxury boutique near the waterfront. Christian Louboutin has quite literally set up shop in a 90-square-metre boutique located at the entrance of Queens Arcade. You cannot miss it with it’s bright red scale tile façade and blue ceramics. […]
The inspiration you need for your next home. Sponsored by G.J. Gardner.

Which of these home designs match your lifestyle?
Home is where the heart is, so ensuring your home is right for your heart, lifestyle and personality is important. When looking at existing house designs it’s really important to consider your lifestyle and future needs. A new build can easily be designed for your current and future needs, whereas […]

Beautiful and Bespoke
With ultra-contemporary styling and everything you could wish for in a floorplan, this large GJs home has raised the benchmark for family living. This pavilion-style custom showhome titled ‘Bespoke in Brooklands’ by GJ’s Taranaki boasts 250m2 of luxury, with carefully thought-out spaces that don’t miss any details. While this custom […]

Living Interior Inspiration: Old School
Turn back time with a twist on old favourites. Toeing the line of kitschy and cool, retro forms, vintage textiles and a palette of cobalt, tobacco and walnut brings personality to any room. Image of the Manade 2 Fabric collection by Casamance, available at James Dunlop Textiles 1. Resene Daredevil, […]
Travel the world the way you want. Sponsored by YOU Travel

Endangered Travel
Culture, like all living things, is under constant threat of disappearance. Without careful nurturing local scuffles and global movements can erase centuries of human history off the face of the earth. It can be passive as well as active actions that result in this slow disappearance. Fundamentalists leveling holy sites […]

Summer Done Differently
At last, Summer is here! And not a moment too soon after the seemingly endless Big Wet we’ve suffered through this year! So, at last we’re going to have the chance to slip the shades and sunscreen on and break out the barbeque on that long-neglected deck. It’s also the […]

Hawai’i: It’s Got Everything For Everyone
There are some holiday destinations where you go once to lie on a beach and recharge your jaded batteries. These destinations are terrific for working on the tan, maybe dipping in the pool and snorkelling in the lagoon – but that’s about it. There’s not a lot else to do […]

M2woman Journey To Excellence May 2024 – Executive Summary
In today’s rapidly changing world, finding a moment of calm and clarity is invaluable. The recent M2woman Journey to Excellence event provided just that—an afternoon filled with thoughtful keynotes, engaging insights, and meaningful networking opportunities. Our editorial director opened the event with a reflection on how far we’ve come since […]

How to Build Personal & Team Resilience – Hannah McQueen
At the M2woman Journey to Excellence event, Hannah McQueen, the founder of Enable Me, took the stage to share her journey from financial frustration to helping thousands of Kiwis conquer their mortgages and build wealth. Her story is one of resilience, innovation, and a fair bit of Kiwi ingenuity. It […]

My Career Path To Becoming A Professional Director – June McCabe
June McAbe’s keynote covered her extensive career journey, highlighting a pivotal moment in 1994 that set her on the path to governance. “It’s about taking risks and seizing opportunities,” she explained, underscoring the importance of being adaptable in an ever-changing world. For those aspiring to governance roles, June recommended reading […]
Journey To Excellence Galleries

How to Lead A Multi-Generational Workforce – Laurent Sylvester
Laurent Sylvestre’s engaging mix of humour and heartfelt sincerity provided fresh insights into leading a multi-generational workforce, a topic that hits home in today’s diverse workplaces. Laurent’s journey to founding The Human Perspective started on April 1, 2020. No, it wasn’t an April Fool’s joke—it was a mission with a […]

Journey to Excellence – 20 November 2020 Gallery
Diversity & InclusioN + ESG This forum discusses the issues that matter. Experts share experiences, advice and the latest insights. Learn More The Importance of Companies Understanding Their ESG Metrics for Investors and Stakeholders. Learn More The Connection Between Physical, Mental & Business Performance. Learn More […]
