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 […]
Florence Pugh was seen wearing a white Rodarte Fall 2025 along with a lavish Bvlgari necklace from their new Polychroma collection at their hosted event in Sicily. As for what she thought of her “Sicilian dream”? “I’m grateful for everything, especially the love and of course the Aperols.” Photography by […]
The arrival of September means one thing: Negroni Week is coming. A celebration of the world’s most iconic red-hued cocktail, it’s a week to pay homage to the beverage that’s been on the most-sipped list since 1919. Rooftop at QT, perched on the sixth floor of QT Auckland and with […]
Each issue, Tim Warren, our untamed reviewer of all things that make life wonderful, turns his attention to the bountiful New Zealand gin scene. Juno – Maia Gin Juno Maia is a seasonal spring-inspired gin with distinctive lemon-forward characteristics. On the nose, the gin presents hints of lemongrass, lemon verbena, […]
On a sunny April afternoon in New York, a small crowd gathered in Washington Square Park. There was no announcement, no stage, no hoopla. Just a woman with damp hair and an acoustic guitar. The voice was unmistakable. It was Lorde, playing a new song called What Was That. The […]
There’s a quiet kind of power that comes with finally having something built for you. Not adapted, not borrowed, not made to fit after the fact. The RS15 Avaglide, adidas’s first rugby boot designed specifically for women, is one of those moments. Developed in collaboration with some of the world’s […]
As the CEO of Skills Group, Rosanne Graham oversees a national education provider that spans 27 industries, serves 23 thousand learners, and is reshaping itself for a future defined by both human capability and technological change and is helping create the future of industry leaders of tomorrow. In the role […]
Jodie King is the Chief People Officer at One New Zealand, and leads a team responsible for the culture, capability and performance of circa 2,500 employees, while also helping steer one of the company’s boldest ambitions to become one of the most AI-enabled telcos in the world. It is a […]
Justine Gladwell-Hunt’s career has been anything but predictable. Moving from the UK to New Zealand, taking on roles across different industries, running a marathon on a whim with barely ten weeks of training, and most recently stepping into the role of National Compliance Manager at Raine & Horne New Zealand, […]
Mariele Klering – Movement as the Language of Resilience Mariele Klering stood on the Journey to Excellence stage to share a deeply personal story about resilience. But she quickly made it clear that this was not going to be a theoretical discussion. “What do you do when thinking stops helping? […]
Cynthia Hunefeld – Building Resilience Through Science, Humour and Purpose Cynthia Hunefeld, founder of Evithe Biotechnology and an award-winning scientist, has dedicated her work to creating groundbreaking plant-based treatments for inflammation. At the Journey to Excellence event, she stood before the audience and said, “I just flew back from the […]
Danu Abeysuriya – Accelerating Humans in the Age of AI Danu Abeysuriya, founder and CTO of Rush Digital, walked on stage with a grin and immediately broke the ice. “When Andre asked me what order I wanted to go in, I really, in hindsight, following the Syrian hostage negotiator was […]
Naomi Ballantyne – Defining C-Suite Leadership with Substance Over Status She opened with humour. “I’m retired, so this might be my last chance to speak to an audience like this before Chat GTP takes over from me,” she said. “I am also grateful for the chance to get out of […]
As the final keynote wrapped, MC Mel Homer invited three of the day’s standout speakers – Dr Alia Bojilova, Naomi Valentine, and Danu Abeysuriya – back on stage for an open conversation. “If there’s anything you think, gosh, she’s got to ask that and she hasn’t, let me know,” Mel […]
New Zealand’s worst-kept educational secret is out – NCEA is a joke and it needs to go. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon finally admitted what everyone except a handful of Education policy wonks have known since ten minutes after NCEA was originally announced: ‘The evidence shows NCEA is not consistent and […]
Deep in the Beverly Hills is the Beverly Hilton, the beating heart of 70 years of Hollywood glitz. Since the 50s it’s been home to Hollywood glamour and red carpet events. A lot of celebs have stomped these halls, but it’s time for a refresh. The distinctive mid-century modern design […]
As I write this the future of the middle east is being brought into question. Iran just had its nuclear development facilities become the test-bed for a dozen bunker busters delivered by two B2 stealth bombers. Hopefully none of this will be a problem by 2030 though because just over […]
In the middle of the Aegean sea there is paradise. This is Mykonos, one of the islands in the Cyclades group. Among its iconic landmarks are 16th century windmills but it’s history stretches way way back, Before the johnny come latelies from Athens arrived in the 11th century BC Carians […]
If you’re anything like me, you carry your cell phone around with you like a bad boyfriend. You know you gotta break up, but it’s oh so easy to keep it with you. One of the reasons I keep my phone with me is the potential for a photo. I’m […]
Craig Wood has been in hospitality for more than 15 years, but stepping into the General Manager role at Rydges Latimer Christchurch was different. It was coming home. “I did a hospitality diploma at Polytech here in Christchurch. To then come back as a General Manager into a hotel in […]
Blackpink’s Lisa Manobal was in attendance at Bvlgari’s latest event to reveal their Polychroma collection, which she was also sporting. The event took place on the beautiful Sicilian coast in the town of Taormina which is home to an ancient theatre built by the Romans in the third century BC. […]
High jewellery isn’t just about sparkle it’s about craftsmanship, storytelling, personality, and a good dose of fantasy. And this year’s collections from the world’s top maisons exactly the fantasy that the world needs right now. Whether it’s Van Cleef & Arpels capturing the carefree beauty of wildflowers, Cartier bringing myth […]
Silk & Steel has released it’s latest collection, Harmony, an ethically crafted modern, soulful celebration of connection, balance, and strength. A Hexagonal motif runs throughout and at it’s heart are two stones, rose quartz, the stone of love and healing, and black spinel, a symbol of strength and resilience. From […]
On London’s New Bond Street just across the way from regular Bond Street (the green one on the Monopoly Board) Miu Miu reopened their flagship store with their typical flair and star power including the likes of Daisy Ridley, Georgia May Jagger, Cailee Spaeny and Sydney Sweeney. The nights celebrations […]
PUMA is turning heads once again with the return of its iconic Mostro silhouette, and this time it’s fronted by none other than Amelia Gray, the model and tastemaker known for her unapologetic edge and trend-setting style. In a campaign shot after dark, Amelia channels the retro-futuristic spirit of the […]
Have you ever wanted to dress like a potential victim in The Shining or Twin Peaks? Well now you can with Sylvester’s newest capsule collection Neo Noir which takes all it’s cues from Stanley Kubrick and David Lynch, pioneers of the Neo Noir genre and seminal influences. Models: Aileen from […]
Kowtow has released its SS25 collection which acts as a study in connection. not the loud kind, but the quiet, everyday kind. The type that lives between people, nature and the clothes we choose every day. In a world wired for the individual, Kowtow are drawn to the gentle power […]
There’s something refreshingly unapologetic about a brand called Sweaty Betty. Equal parts cheeky and empowering, it says: “Yes I sweat. No, I don’t apologise. And yes, I fully intend to look incredible while doing it.” Now, that attitude has taken root in Christchurch, and Auckland’s Ponsonby. Founded in London in […]
Passing through a busy Auckland street earlier today a sleet of rain was gusting through. A guy crossing the road literally had to wave goodbye to his beanie as it blew into one of our permanent live art installations, otherwise known as roadworks. You know how windy it needs to […]
Envelop yourself in sensorial indulgences and nourishing rituals to soothe the soul. Beauty hotlist Spring’s freshest drops are centred on glow-giving rituals to heal, restore and reawaken the senses. 1. Match Me A buildable formula with a barely there feel, Jane Iredale Skintuition SPF30 Radiance-Boosting Liquid Foundation, $120, melts seamlessly […]
Root Remedy A third of women over 30 experience hair thinning in one form or another, often triggered by stress, hormonal shifts, or postpartum recovery. In a viral campaign fronted by mum-of-three and TikTok sensation Indy Clinton, who candidly documented her five-month hair transformation, Bouf Flouf Factor Growth Tonic, $39.95, […]
New season means new tableware. Ok it doesn’t usually mean that, we aren’t throwing away our spoons every time the weather changes, but if you’re looking to refresh your home’s look, starting with the things you use every day is a good start. The Roman Cup, now in Kōkako 002 […]
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 […]
We spend a third of our lives in them, yet they’re often the last space we give proper attention to. The bedroom isn’t just a place to sleep, it’s where the day begins and ends, where thoughts unwind, and sometimes, where laundry goes to hide. Whether you’re after a sanctuary […]
For Hayley Dryland, timeless design isn’t just a bit of marketing buzz, it’s the foundation of every project she takes on at August & Co. She’s not interested in ripping out a bathroom because a tile has fallen out of fashion and is a hue or two out of favour […]
In the days after giving birth, Alicia Segal was sore, exhausted, and trying to figure out how to feed her baby. Support was minimal, emotions were high, and when the nurse wheeled in a bulky electric breast pump, she was faced with the challenge of figuring out how it worked. […]
The Sony World Photography Awards are always a great chance to get a peek into what the world’s top photographers are doing, where their interests carry them, as well as the techniques employed to capture them. This year comprises 30 finalists whittled down from over 419,000 images hailing from over […]
Handsome looking inside and out, you can tell this M3 Touring Competition means business, yet it’s hard to tell just how good it is until you drive it. The interior is very similar to the M4, featuring tons of carbon and leather and low-reflective surfaces. Both the driver and passenger […]
A convertible Mini is a piece of joy. It’s how a small car should be. It’s a fun bit of entertainment that you don’t want to let go of. I had the open top Cooper S for a week, and although the weather was hell bent on limiting my ability […]
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey If you aren’t familiar with Director Kogonada now is the time. He’s consistently brought a new flair and flavour to cinema rarely seen. His films, despite having a focus on architecture and making the environment a character is primarily about what it is to be […]
