Style: December 04, 2020

december 2020 

for the love of local 

“Dear 2020...” 

Local faces address the year that was 

Vineyard sleepovers 

Destinations with more 

than great wine 

Leftover love 

Recipes to mop up 

the excess 

Fashion flashbacks 

The good, the bad 

and the ugly

The Colombo is full of the perfect gift ideas 

this Christmas with their own personalised gift 

wrapping stations for you. Have fun when 

shopping this Christmas at The Colombo. 

the ColleCtive 

Made from FDA-approved food-grade 

silicone, our fegg & stemm collections are 

dishwasher-safe, foldable & unbreakable. 

Light & portable, they are the ethical way 

to enjoy your favourite drink at the park, 

pool, barbecue or when camping. 

Available as a set of two in a variety of 

colours to suit every taste, stemm & fegg 

are the future of sustainable outdoor living. 

Smith City 

Meet Fitbit Versa 3, 

the health and fitness 

watch with built-in GPS, 

Active Zone Minutes, 

20+ exercise modes and 

music experiences to 

keep you moving. 

the w room 

Discover a range of 

pieces that will take 

you from Christmas 

parties to the beach 

and on to summer 

adventures around 

the country. A place 

to discover your 

individual style. 

identity 

The Classic Jean Jacket 

from the Love By 

Liverpool Collection 

comes in three colours and 

is the perfect extra layer 

for those long 

summer evenings. 

induStriA 

A piece by 

Christchurchbased 

artist 

Hamish Allan 

is a great Kiwi 

gift for the bach 

or house this 

Christmas.

StenCil 

Mash up the past and future 

with two mainstay brands. 

Reebok Classic Legacy 

shoes fuse ’70s looks with 

modern style, while Huffer’s 

iconic 3 Ball Talk bucket hat 

has been carried through 23 

years of harsh lessons and 

cheers of success. 

repertoire 

Micro bags are still the “it” bag 

this season, taking us from the 

office to party just like that. 

Hate carrying around a 

super-imposing bag that will 

knock a few people about this 

season? This small leather tote 

is the ideal summer sidekick! 

AnnAh Stretton 

The Vita Venus Pant, worn with 

the Kanoa top, is a sure-fire 

way to add statement to your 

wardrobe this season. 

nordiC Chill 

Welcome to home of Maileg Family! 

The beautiful, wooden doll house is 

sure to be a sweet home for Maileg 

Mouse families, Maileg mini size 

bunnies/rabbits, and other small size 

dolls all available from Nordic Chill. 

Personalise with your favourite 

Maileg character and furniture with 

new arrivals instore for Christmas. 

priCewiSe 

Looking for stocking fillers? 

Summer standouts include the 

Garnier Skin Active Hydrating 

Gel Wash with Aloe Vera, 

the Cala Earth Bath Sponge 

(an essential in your daily 

cleansing routine) and any 

of facial sheet masks by cult 

favourite K Beauty. 

the Colombo bookStore 

Richard Curtis is an awardwinning 

and international film 

director and script writer, and the 

creator of Four Weddings and a 

Funeral, Love Actually, Notting Hill, 

Yesterday and Mr Bean. 

With award-winnning illustrator, 

Rebecca Cobb, he brings us a 

heartwarming tale of a magical, 

unconventional Christmas.

Q&A with Head Chef 

Nico Bousquet of 

Monkey Farm 

How did you end up at 

Monkey Farm? 

I’d heard they were all crazy there and knew 

I’d fit right in. No seriously though, I loved that 

I had free rein to create a menu from scratch 

rather than just cooking a pre-existing menu. 

It’s your local 

Whatever you’re craving, whenever you crave it, 

it’s likely you’ll find satisfaction at Monkey Farm 

Open seven days, it’s the type of place that will 

see you forming weekly habits, be it 2-4-1 pizza 

night (Mondays and Tuesdays); starting weekends 

on Fridays with live music; or family nights out with 

the kids, hungry and worn out from the playground, 

eating free (Wednesdays and Saturdays). 

It’s about time you became familiar with this 

Wanaka gem. Holidaymakers, make a note – 

they’re open every day except Christmas, with no 

surcharges on public holidays. 

Oh, and the name? While you’re there, see if you 

can spot the owners’ youngest son to find out. 

What is your go-to meal when 

cooking for yourself at home? 

To be honest I’m actually a huge fan of my local 

sushi shop – Sushi Mi. But if I do cook at home, 

I usually follow the same principles and whip 

up a puree of some sort, fresh seasonal veges, 

protein and some sort of crunch. 

What’s your background? 

I was born in Munich and grew up in a 

hospitality family. My dad owned a number 

of restaurants while I was growing up which 

contributed to my desire to cook great food. 

I’ve been In Wanaka 10 years, I love the 

lifestyle here, it’s really healthy and I couldn’t 

imagine going back to Munich. 

What should everyone try? 

The crumpets for sure. They’re homemade, 

the whole dish is vegan and the components 

in it together make it umami. Even a stoic 

meat-eater will enjoy this dish.

3 NORTHLAKE DRIVE, NORTHLAKE, WANAKA | HELLO@MONKEYFARM.CO.NZ | 03 443 6665

PUBLISHER 

Charlotte Smith-Smulders 

Star Media 

Level One, 359 Lincoln Road, Christchurch 8024 

03 379 7100 

GROUP EDITOR 

Kate Preece 

kate@alliedpressmagazines.co.nz 

DEPUTY EDITOR 

Shelley Robinson 

shelley@alliedpressmagazines.co.nz 

PROOFREADER 

Kerry Laundon 

SOCIAL EDITOR 

Zoe Williams 

LEAD DESIGNER 

Emma Rogers 

DESIGNERS 

Klaudia Krupa, Rodney Grey 

SALES MANAGER 

Vivienne Montgomerie 

03 364 7494 / 021 914 428 

viv@alliedpressmagazines.co.nz 

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES 

Janine Oldfield 

03 962 0743 / 027 654 5367 

janine@alliedpressmagazines.co.nz 

Gary Condon 

021 902 208 

gary@alliedpressmagazines.co.nz 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Alice Robinson, Deanna Copland, Deborah McCormick, 

Getty Images, Jamie Armstrong, Jet Campbell, Margaret Foster, 

Margi Robertson, Michelle Laming, Rebecca Lees, 

Sara Faull, Sarah Anticich, Sarah Burtscher 

Every month, Style (ISSN 2624-4314) shares the latest in 

local and international home, lifestyle and fashion with its discerning readers. 

Enjoy Style online (ISSN 2624-4918) at stylemagazine.co.nz 

Allied Press Magazines, a division of Allied Press Ltd, is not responsible for any actions taken 

on the information in these articles. The information and views expressed in this publication 

are not necessarily the opinion of Allied Press Ltd or its editorial contributors. 

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information within this magazine, however, 

Allied Press Ltd can accept no liability for the accuracy of all the information. 

A note to you 

Kate Preece 

EDITOR 

“Christmas is a time when everybody wants his past 

forgotten and his present remembered.” 

– Phyllis Diller 

If 2020 came to your Christmas table, it would be dressed 

in its very best. With not a hair out of place, it would arrive 

bearing champagne and be overgenerous with its gifting. It 

would be pointedly jolly, spreading the cheer to ensure laughter 

rings out across the scale: from child to adult, giggle to guffaw. 

A slight nervousness would endure. There’s more than one 

reason best behaviour reigns supreme. Oh yes, 2020 is very 

grateful of the invite after all that water under the bridge. 

Christmas brings with it a time for kindness, connection and 

forgiveness. As the promise to put others first rings loudest, we 

are provided a moment or two of clarity. What is worth taking 

into 2021? 

At the Style Christmas table this year, we sit with open letters 

from well-known names and faces, casting their impressions of 

2020. Common ground has been shared by all – perhaps more 

than ever before. 

It’s time to let bygones be bygones. Dial up the Christmas 

cheer and invite 2020 in from the cold. After all, it’s known for 

surprises. 

Have a cracker of a Christmas and see in the new year, 

with Style. 

WANT STYLE DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR LETTERBOX? 

CONTACT: zoe@alliedpressmagazines.co.nz 

style.kiwi | Facebook.com/stylechristchurch | Instagram: StyleChristchurch 

Need help 

choosing 

colours? 

A Resene Colour Expert will help you 

select the right colours to bring out the best 

in your home. Virtual, in store or at home! 

Come in and see us today at your local Resene 

ColorShop or visit resene.co.nz/colourconsult 

to book your consultation. 

In-shop assistance Provided free of charge with our compliments 

Addington 351 Selwyn Street Ph: (03) 338 1312 

Ferrymead 950 Ferry Road Ph: (03) 376 4286 

Hornby 278 Main South Road Ph: (03) 344 5158 

Lichfield Street 234-236 Lichfield Street Ph: (03) 363 3703 

Northwood Northwood Supa Centre, 

Ph: (03) 323 4492 

Main North Road 

Rangiora 83 Victoria Street Ph: (03) 313 7326 

Shirley 38 Marshland Road Ph: (03) 385 5082 

Tower Junction 4 Troup Drive Ph: (03) 343 3990 

Home or site visits 

Arrange an on-site colour consultation and our colour consultant will come to you. 

Book with your local Resene ColorShop team or on the Resene website. 

Free online advice 

Ask our Colour Expert – 

resene.co.nz/colourexpert

CONTENTS 

In this issue 

60 

Regulars 

12 NEWSFEED 

90 WIN WITH STYLE 

Almost $800 of gaming 

equipment and more! 

Fashion & Beauty 

60 HIT & MISS 

Fashion 2020: The faux pas & 

the fabulous 

Features 

19 LETTERS TO 2020 

Well-known women scribe 

notes to the year in question 

51 BARN BUILDING 

Inside a modern barn created 

on the city’s edge 

64 WHY PRELOVED? 

Stylist Sara Faull’s guide to 

preloved clothing boutiques 

66 SHIRTS WE BACK 

Blouses worth your bucks 

68 TRIED & TESTED 

Let the Style team be your 

beauty guinea pigs 

36 

79 VINEYARD DREAMS 

Picture-postcard places to 

stay and drink in the vines 

34 

79 

RESENE 

SURFIE GREEN 

RESENE 

DEEP SEA 

COLOURS OF 

THE MONTH 

THE BEST OF HOME, LIFE & FASHION 

Style is something unique to each of us. Each month Style encapsulates what’s remarkable, exciting or 

emerging in the vibrant communities from Canterbury down to the Southern Lakes. Be assured, the 

best of lifestyle, home and fashion will always be in Style. 

B owranda Roofs 

● Immediately increase the value of your home 

● Manufactured to customer specifications 

● Strong and durable frame constructed of 

powder-coated Aluminium and Stainless Steel in a 

wide range of colours 

● Eliminates 99% of harmful UV light 

● Modern square profile complements NZ 

residential architecture 

● Perfect solution for all NZ weather conditions 

● Option to enclose with 

outdoor blinds 

● Proudly servicing New Zealand 

A Lifestyle Choice 

For a free measure and quote call 0800 26 26 20 or contact us via bowranda.co.nz

A NEW TAKE ON 

AN OLD FAVOURITE 

There are very good reasons why 

Axminster is often the carpet of choice in 

heavy traffic areas such as hotels and airports. 

Their 80/20 blend of wool and nylon and woven construction 

Floorpride Mandeville St are 

proud to have been appointed 

the exclusive supplier of the 

Zillman Range in Canterbury. 

provide the ultimate in durability, long life and striking good looks. 

Brintons’ latest Zillman Range is an exciting contemporary alternative 

to the Axminster carpets that have been so popular over the past. Subtle 

textures, classical dots and chic plaids are woven in a timeless palette of gold 

and grey tones that complement today’s furniture and colourways perfectly. 

MANDEVILLE STREET, CHRISTCHURCH 03 348 0939 FLOORPRIDE.COM 

For more information, visit our website or give us a call!

12 

68 

28 

RESENE WOODBURN 

RESENE CORVETTE 

Home 

34 DRYING OUT 

Create a herb bouquet with this 

how-to guide 

36 SAVE OR SPLASH 

Outdoor cushions on the wish list 

39 GO WITH THE FLOW 

Keep the summer vibes going, 

inside to out 

Entertainment 

84 SUMMER READING 

What to add to your bach TBR pile 

& what we’ve been reading 

86 SEE BE SEEN 

We are back amidst the action! Were 

you at this month’s soirées? 

Wellbeing 

70 BREATHE DEEPLY 

Understanding the positive effects 

of breathing well 

72 THE SEASON OF EXCESS 

Tips to choose nourishment over 

plenty during the silly season 

76 RELATIONSHIP TUNE UP 

Are your connections true? 

Food & Drink 

28 FIX ME A PLATE 

Recipes to create mouth-watering 

dishes from Christmas leftovers 

32 SINGLE MALT ANYONE? 

We get some intel on what whisky 

lovers want this Christmas 

Our cover 

From the fashion world to the ski 

slopes, our experiences of 2020 all 

call for one heck of a New Year’s 

party. (Page 19) 

Photo Getty Images 

New and Independent 

“Good friends, good books, a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” 

― Mark Twain 

12 Normans Road, 

Strowan, Christchurch 

03 355 0995 

theclocksbookshop.co.nz

12 Style | Newsfeed 

NEWSFEED 

Did you hear? 

That tickling sensation is your 

tastebuds getting excited because 

Simon and Lisa Levy of Inati (48 

Hereford Street) fame are getting 

ready to open their new restaurant 

Hali at The Crossing. Best get to 

hinting to your partner or friends of 

the need for a night out now. 

We love a good collaboration. 

Preloved boutique To Be Continued 

has opened Chapter Two, its second 

location, at GM Hair (300 Cashel 

Street). Yes, that means you can get 

your flash new do alongside some 

vintage or preloved designer clothes. 

And for carefully curated leisurewear 

that looks like you went to the gym 

when actually you snuck out for a 

coffee, the good news is Stirling 

Women is looking mighty fine after 

settling into Merivale Mall. 

Eco-friendly find 

Ever heard of a paper towel that can be used up to 75 times? No? 

Neither. But check out these 100 per cent sustainable bamboo 

cleaning wipes that can. Made by clever Tauranga mums Stine Smith 

and Kristy Hunter, you can pop these gems in your washing machine. 

One roll of these Good Change Bamboo Reusable Eco Wipes 

reportedly replaces 65 rolls of conventional paper towels. Oh, and 

they are also biodegradable and can compost in your garden. 

RRP $9.99. goodchangestore.com 

Shop 

Local 

With more than 30 

specialty stores, you can 

do all your shopping in 

the heart of Rolleston. 

Find out more: 

rollestonsquare.co.nz

DJ HEWITT BUILDERS - CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF BUILDING EXCELLENCE. 

BUILDING EXCELLENCE. 

LARGE HOME 

DELIVERS BIG 

ON ALL FRONTS. 

When the owners of this stunning 

Merivale home were to replace 

luxury penthouse apartment living, 

it was the lure of the four-car 

garage at the Open Home of this 

property designed by Darren O’Neil 

Architecture and constructed by 

DJ Hewitt Builders, that provided 

the impetus for them to engage. 

This generous two storey, six 

bedroom home (with four car 

garage and home theatre) boasts 

fabulous indoor and outdoor living 

with a semi-enclosed courtyard 

garden area, complete with inbuilt 

barbeque and outdoor kitchen, 

ideal for summer al fresco living. 

A 25 year reputation that extends beyond award winning building. 

Transforming imagination into reality, from land selection, planning, 

budgeting and design to building expertise. 

Let our experience and reputation be the foundation of your next build. 

The sheer attention to building 

foresight and detail, including 

the quality of craftsmanship are 

the enduring attributes that have 

repeatedly been admired by the 

owners over the years. 

CONTACT US TODAY 

ABOUT YOUR NEW HOME OR RENOVATION. 

Phone: (03) 384 7470 

Email: daryl@djhewitt-builders.co.nz 

READ THE FULL STORY AT 

djhewitt.co.nz


NEWSFEED 

Oh my word 

Petrichor (n) A pleasant 

smell that frequently 

accompanies the first 

rain after a long period of 

warm, dry weather. 

And nothing really sums 

up the year like the word 

the Collins Dictionary’s 

lexicographers selected 

for their word of 2020: 

Lockdown. It was chosen 

for its unifying experience 

for billions of people 

across the world. 

Just concentrate 

Known for plastic-free solutions, 

Ethique now brings us the 

Concentrate range, meeting our 

personal care and household 

cleaning needs. Segments of the 

solid bars are transformed by 

boiling water into the liquids we 

need to clean ourselves and our 

kitchens. Wunderbar! ethique.com 

Kombucha with a kick 

Ah yes, there’s always 

someone looking to spike the 

punch. Kiwi brand Batchwell 

Kombucha has added to its 

organic drop sparkling water, 

natural fruit, botanicals and 

quadruple-distilled spirits to 

produce low-sugar alcoholic 

coolers to see you through the 

summer. The Style team rated 

Gin, Cucumber & Lemon as 

the most refreshing out of the 

Blume range. blumecooler.com 

稀攀戀爀愀渀漀 

䌀甀爀愀琀攀戀礀吀爀攀氀椀猀攀䌀漀漀瀀攀爀䄀氀攀猀猀愀渀搀爀愀䈀愀渀愀渀愀䈀氀甀攀

JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON WITH 

THE ANNUAL TANNERY CHRISTMAS MARKET 

Beautiful wares from artisans and designers, tasty food offerings, live music 

and instore promotions from our retailers. 

Craftspople and Designers joining us: 

— Sleepfighters Club 

— Yho Design 

— Traditionally Tuscan 

— Neve Candles 

— The Barkery Brothers 

— Handcrafted by Hannah 

— Korukai Herb Farm 

— Succulence 

— The Gingerbread Company 

— Sweet Ltd 

— Jackelope Treasures 

— Birds will Fly 

— Ruby and Bear 

— Zippitydoodah 

— The Baughman’s Bees 

— Emma Timmis Illustrations 

— Little Dot 

— Recipes in a Jar 

— Willou 

— Earthlove Ltd 

— Lisa Rudman Creative 

— Christmas Jumpers NZ 

— Flora and Fabric 

— Honey HQ NZ Ltd 

— Lola and Alice 

— Pepin 

— Pretty Fly 

— Kiwi Bee Collective 

— Twee and Co 

— Le Ferrier 

— Elyse Creation 

— Lorna Jane 

— Style Fallow 

Food on offer from: 

— Cassels The Brewery 

— Mitchelli’s 

— Dumpling Corner 

— Penny Black Victorian Tea Rooms 

— Nori Table 

— Bellbird Bakery 

3 GARLANDS ROAD, WOOLSTON WWW.THETANNERY.CO.NZ


NEWSFEED 

Crushing on blush 

What a sweet little discovery. This summer release is a collab 

between The Hunting Lodge and Liberty Brewing Co that 

adds a dash of bubbles to a South Island sav. Coloured pink 

with a touch of cab sav, the combination of passion fruit, 

blackcurrant and fresh herbs sweetens the grapefruit zest to 

deliver an easy-drinking 9% wine option that begs to be taken 

to your next al fresco event. 

Most annoying 

Christmas songs? 

Either you are the person in the office 

proudly sporting a Christmas T-shirt with 

fabulously garish earrings, or you’re the 

person scowling at these people. Both are 

acceptable. However, if you really want 

to fire people up, here are some songs 

that make regular appearances in the most 

annoying Christmas song lists: Mariah Carey 

All I Want For Christmas Is You; Band Aid Do 

They Know It’s Christmas (boo!); Wizzard I 

Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (welldeserved); 

Slade Merry Xmas Everybody; and 

Wham Last Christmas. Trouble is, seems 

some of these songs also appear on our 

most loved lists. Ah well – get them all 

playing on a loop in the office. 

We’re intrigued 

Untouched World’s A5 

Memobottle V1 ($49) caught 

our eye as a different take on 

a water bottle. Designed so it 

can easily slip into handbags, 

laptop bags, in your festival 

tote or stacked with your text 

books for a less cumbersome 

walk to lectures. 

All hail halloumi 

Our editor decided to trust the 

chef for an evening’s dining at Town 

Tonic (335 Lincoln Road) and it was 

the cheese that took the cake. 

“My friend and I both had the 

grilled halloumi with radish and fennel 

salad, discovering a dish to go back 

for. Brimming with flavour, neither of 

us left a leaf. And normally, I prefer 

my entrées with meat.”

The season of giving... 

At Untouched World our mission is to create change, not just fashion. We work with nature to thoughtfully design and 

consciously curate simple, beautiful pieces. We believe fashion is about connection and people, supporting local suppliers, 

artisans and communities in need. So this holiday season, give a gift that keeps on giving, to you, to others and the earth. 

Christchurch | Wanaka | Wellington 

untouchedworld.com

Style | Feature 19 

Dear 2020 

If you wrote a letter to 2020, what would it say? 

Would you have some choice words for it or are you grateful for what it has showed you? 

We asked five people for their personal letters. 

From Paris Fashion Week to the snowy hills of Slovenia, 

they share their 2020 journeys.

20 Style | Feature 

Margaret Foster 

Former Silver Fern player and former coach of the 

Canterbury Flames, Margaret Foster loved being 

locked down with her family, but returning to her 

busy life afterwards required her to take stock of 

what she had truly learned during the pandemic. 

D 

ear 2020, 

What a year of the whānau! I am so grateful to have had this 

opportunity to be locked down with our family for the duration in 

Christchurch. I absolutely loved it and felt this ‘Covid way of life’ was 

good for my soul. 

Favourite pastimes were baking, attempting a puzzle, reading, playing 

and learning new card games, cooking up yummy dinners, Zoom 

meetings, being creative in my office space, and interviewing ‘Margie’s 

Mates’ on Facebook Live. I loved walking every day with Anthony and 

the dogs, and when we were allowed to go to the beach, I enjoyed this 

as well. 

I started to think about how I wanted to operate when we were back 

to level one, and what Covid learnings I could bring into it. Well, as soon 

as it hit I was back to ‘busyness’, feeling exhausted and lacking energy 

and chocking up my days with work. I started to reflect just recently and 

thought, “Come on Margie, you got this, just operate how you were 

during Covid or take the good stuff out.” 

This week, I have been baking, much to my son’s pleasure, and have 

started to make dinner. I have four books beside my bed and am ready 

to begin reading again. 

The biggest thing I was (and am) really missing was the international 

travel. Fiji is my go-to place to relax, to chase the warmth and sun. Not 

being able to travel over there has been tough mentally. 

Every second year we travel to Europe, so this year was meant to be 

Bali, Fiji, Aussie trips and then, next year, Europe. I know people say go 

visit your own backyard and, yes, we have done this and found a few 

great places: The Bay House villas (Westport), Lakestone Lodge (Lake 

Pukaki) and Glenburn Coastal Retreat (Kaikōura). I have enjoyed them, 

but for me, missing the sun, warmth, oceans for swimming and cocktails 

is what I am dearly missing so much. 

On the health side, I was very fortunate I was allowed to go into 

the medical day unit during this time for my three-weekly visits. I get 

Herceptin as part of my ongoing treatment for breast cancer – it sets up 

a barrier in my body to keep the cancer cells from getting together for a 

party. The staff at the hospital do an amazing job and I am forever grateful. 

You, 2020, have shown me once again to keep living in the moment 

and to always laugh, love and live life to the fullest.


Charlotte 

Smith-Smulders 

Allied Press Magazines 

publisher Charlotte Smith- 

Smulders’ 2020 journey 

saw her learning to bake, 

coping with teaching 

duties, and caring for and 

then losing a loved one 

during lockdown. 

D 


The year started well, but then the world that was suddenly 

wasn’t anymore. Boom, Covid! And it has most certainly stolen the 

limelight from everyone and everything. 

Yes, I know we are incredibly lucky in our New Zealand bubble; 

we listened to ‘Cindy’, went hard and fast and our team of five million 

got top marks. But 2020, you’ve truly tested us, emotionally, physically 

and financially. 

However, there has always got to be a silver lining, doesn’t there? 

In your funny way, perhaps you are trying to teach us all a lesson – to 

slow down, appreciate life and get off the treadmill. 

I will most definitely never be Martha Stewart or Nigella Lawson, 

but I learned to bake and that really impressed my children. Thanks to 

Covid, we also now have a large inventory of cooking essentials – a 

deep fryer, an air fryer, a bread-maker – none of which have seen the 

light of day since. However, my eldest daughter perfected breadmaking 

– that smell of fresh bread in the morning... 

I had time to teach my children the things it’s normally just easier 

for me to do. My children will hopefully be more capable than their 

twins of 2019. I really am appreciative for being given this chance 

to reset and rediscover – knitting was a stretch too far, though, and 

goodness you get a sore back gardening. 

I’ve always known, for very good reasons, I would never be a 

school teacher. I begged the school to take one of my children back 

– I’m an essential service, right?! So yes, I rejoiced with many others 

when the schools reopened. I had quickly discovered why we give 

our teachers alcohol at the end of the school year; drinking was a 

daily habit in my case. 

I also saw first-hand the hardship that comes from caring for a 

terminally ill person. In my opinion, there is sadly a massive gap in this 

market. However, it was a privilege to care for my mother in her last 

days, despite how hard it was. 

Our daily walks started well, twice a day around the block, but 

dwindled to once a day and then none when I resigned as a sergeant 

major. My kids prioritised online activities and I lost the energy to 

fight about the detrimental effects of being on a device all day and 

got sick of nagging myself to remember to nag them! I loved our 

neighbourhood driveway drinks (socially distanced of course); it 

reminded me of growing up with our neighbours. 

In my day job, we were in a state of flux, not knowing if we could 

publish. Many of our advertisers pulled their budgets overnight 

(understandably so), but we were determined to still bring our 

magazines to our loyal readers, for escapism and to bring a sense of 

normality. I will be forever grateful for having the best team around 

me – we made it happen despite all obstacles. Working from home 

has become our new norm and never have we had a happier team. 

But, like many of you, I will be pleased to sing Auld Lang Syne this 

year. On so many levels, both personal and professional, it has been 

one to forget, but it will also go down in history. I really hope we are 

telling a different story in 12 months’ time – I quite fancy a tropical 

island escape some time soon. 

Auf wiedersehen, au revoir, arrivederci, sayonara, adios to you, 

2020, our annus horribilis.


Alice Robinson 

Alpine ski racer Alice 

Robinson, 19, went 

from standing on the 

top of the World Cup 

podium to racing home 

to the security of her 

Queenstown home for 

lockdown within a few 

weeks. But she discovered 

true connection (and 

true love) away from the 

nomadic lifestyle of the 

circuit, alongside how to 

cope with worry. 

Dear 2020, 

You have brought madness, horror, excitement and love. 

But, I believe we can all agree, regardless of where we have 

been weathering the Covid-19 storm, that it has been 10 

months of emotional highs and lows since New Year’s Day. 

It was an eventful start, competing at and achieving the 

best results of my career at the World Cup in Slovenia and 

mooching around Europe like Covid-19 wasn’t a thing. But 

since then my personal experiences with you, 2020, have been 

bittersweet. We went from crossing finish lines surrounded by 

crowds, to picking apples in lockdown, and sitting and hoping 

the race season will continue for the remainder of this 

turbulent year. 

As the realities of a global pandemic really set in and 

governments began to announce travel restrictions, I fled back 

to New Zealand, where I isolated and then locked down with 

my immediate family in our home in Queenstown. I have had 

to remind myself, and those around me, that better times will 

come and all we can do is prepare for tomorrow and know 

that no matter how difficult things may seem now, we will 

experience normality, or a new normal, again. 

I have worried about all kinds of things this year: my family in 

Australia, my friends isolating across the globe and the general 

chaos that has been unleashed over the past months. I have 

had to learn to breathe, as panicking only makes you feel awful 

and wastes energy. I have resorted to various methods of 

relaxation over the last few months to clear the mind and help 

me stay calm. Bingeing Tiger King on Netflix, doing puzzles and 

having Zoom quiz nights with my family have all made this year 

better and more manageable. 

I did meet the love of my life because of you, 2020 – my 

family’s isolation love child Leonardo da Vinci, or ‘Vinnie’ for 

short. He is a very fluffy, very bold, long-haired Jack Russell 

who quickly assumed the head of our house this year. I miss 

him and my family very much since returning to the northern 

hemisphere winter, but luckily he always answers my FaceTime 

so I am coping. 

As bizarre as it seems, I appreciate the strangeness of you, 

2020, in the way you have taught me to be grateful. Having to 

slow down and appreciate the people and small enjoyments 

in our lives was, for me, extremely important. Being a ski racer 

requires the adoption of a largely nomadic lifestyle: always on 

the move and often not appreciating people and experiences 

in their entirety. Living life in slow motion over lockdown at 

my home in Queenstown really revealed this to me. Being able 

to watch the leaves brown and fall between autumn to winter 

was special, and being able to reconnect with old school friends 

and do routine things like getting coffee every Tuesday morning 

at my favourite café was new and makes you appreciate your 

relationships. I have realised the power of human connection 

and how much we need each other. 

When forced to cancel gatherings and reconsider the luxuries 

of family celebrations, I have a new sense of value for social 

connection. Never before did I look forward to going to the 

supermarket, where there was a small chance you would be


able to distantly wave at someone you knew before 

you quickly returned to hibernate back at home. 

Not being complacent and developing the ability 

to expect the unexpected is the biggest lesson from 

this year. No one is immune, and I believe that the 

pandemic has affected us in so many different ways. 

Enjoying both the big and little successes has 

been crucial for me to keep motivated and happy 

this year. Not comparing each day to the highs of 

a World Cup victory or the excitement of skiing 

on new slopes has been challenging. Particularly 

during my pre-season gym training, I found setting 

small incremental goals, such as fitness targets or 

random DIY projects around the house, kept up 

my appetite for life and helped me stay sane. 

What a year you turned out to be, 2020, but I 

believe we have all become more resilient, selfless 

and tolerant because of you. 

NeW styles 

ChRiStMAS 

& SuMMeR 

at Avonhead Shopping Centre 

Phone 03 358 8598 

facebook.com/bondstreetfashions 

www.bondstreet.co.nz 

Phone 03 358 9408 

andreasflorist.co.nz 

HAIR SALON 

Cnr Withells Road and 

Merrin Street, Avonhead 

facebook.com/Avonhead 

Shopping Centre 

www.avonhead.co.nz 

Phone 03 358 9712 

www.vivo.co.nz 

Phone 03 358 8598 

Facebook.com/missbondclothing


Margarita 

Robertson 

Iconic New Zealand 

fashion designer 

Margarita Robertson 

of Nom*d was at 

Paris Fashion Week 

in February when 

she had the first 

inkling that 2020 

was not going to go 

as planned. 

D 


What happened to us?! I can still remember celebrating the new 

decade up to the end of January, which coincides with my birthday, and 

I was looking forward to my usual expedition to Paris to embark on 

my buying trip of amazing garments for the forthcoming September/ 

October deliveries. 

Stories were circulating of a virus that had appeared in the northern 

hemisphere, and those close to me were apprehensive about my flying 

and maybe being exposed. Of course, I ignored the suggestions of 

cancelling – nothing ever really affects us tough Kiwis… and okay, I will 

wear a mask when I get to Charles de Gaulle Airport (which I did). The 

only others at the airport were the usual mask wearers indicative of the 

country they were from, where masks were commonplace. 

I attended my first show that afternoon and masks were handed out 

at the entrance to Opéra Bastille, the current favourite show venue for 

designer Dries Van Noten. Then, it hit me. This is serious. There was 

no double-cheek kissing; in fact, no kissing at all. Usually I have to get 

mentally ready for the fashion week kissing sessions, but there were 

none – just a few elbow touches, if even that. Faces were bleak, with 

just a hint of an acknowledgement smile. 

The next show was Rick Owens and this brand is totally 

manufactured in Italy, with the sales team mostly residing in Northern 

Italy. News of the virus was now big, especially out of Milan and 

Northern Italy. Not a lot of happiness on those faces. 

Ideas of visiting art galleries and even travelling on the Metro became 

undesirable. Stores were only visited for emergency items. Restaurants 

in the neighbourhood were the only choice, and discovering some 

cafés and bistros patronised by locals was a pleasing option to the usual 

‘fashion recommendations’. 

Meeting up with fellow friends from New York and London, which 

is part of my ritual during fashion week, still stood; however, the 

conversation was mostly about how friends and family were faring in 

this strange time, with no talk of future plans. There was not a lot of joy. 

However, none of my friends had sad news, which was pleasing at least. 

So appointments were attended masked and sanitised. Talk of 

returning home early to escape any border closures was vocalised, and 

many showrooms packed down early – business was bad. 

My return home was thankful and I pretty much kept to myself in my 

cabin onboard and luckily had a very short stopover in Doha. Arriving 

into New Zealand was pretty straightforward and the only security signs 

were asking if you had experienced any illness. I was back to work after 

a weekend and enjoyed a week of normality before announcements 

were made about isolation and lockdowns.


I realised that I could be a carrier of the virus and felt 

totally irresponsible with regards to our staff and my family. 

I went into my second week back by isolating, including 

using a separate bedroom at home. Thankfully no symptoms 

appeared… I had escaped the threat of being infected and 

had not passed on any germs. 

We are now in December. I just don’t know where the 

year has gone – it just seems to be getting to “Friday already?” 

in a constant rush. 

Time seems to have no meaning, and questions about the 

future have no real answers. Our world is in LIMBO. 

I don’t want to see you again 2020… go away. 

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Deborah McCormick 

SCAPE Public Art executive 

director Deborah McCormick 

often savours isolation in her 

home in the Waipara Valley, 

but during lockdown she found 

herself creating ways to keep 

people connected. 

D 


I am writing this to you on a glorious spring day feeling 

incredibly lucky to live in what feels like a haven, Aotearoa New 

Zealand. This has been a year that nobody ever expected, but 

the unexpected seems often the normal in our home Ōtautahi 

Christchurch. We are a city with a rich history of challenging 

situations and challenging the status quo. We have a past, present 

and future of creative exploration, regeneration and expression. 

The lockdown made us face a set of new challenges on a global 

platform. For me, my home in the Waipara Valley is where I am 

happiest, with my husband Bruce Baxter and our border terrier 

dogs (Pipi and Robbie). We are surrounded by nature’s breathtaking 

landscapes, with views stretching from the Southern Alps 

to the Three Deans range, Waipara Valley’s landmark hills. 

I appreciate how lucky I am to live in North Canterbury and 

commute. I drive past Neil Dawson’s Fanfare sculpture every 

day on the way to and from work. It is ever-changing with the 

weather and time of day. In the morning, it lifts my spirits; and at 

end of the day, it gives me that warm feeling of coming home. 

I missed it very much during lockdown. I also learned that the 

isolation I often savour is not as sweet when I’m unable to enjoy 

the company of others – family, friends or colleagues. 

This led me to want to keep everyone connected, whether 

that be through an online wine tasting (for my husband’s birthday 

via Instagram Live, with Black Estate’s owners Nicholas Brown 

and Penelope Naish), or an online hui with colleagues (or ‘zui’ 

as we affectionately named them). We worked with artists and 

friends of SCAPE Public Art to bring ourselves together digitally 

and sought new art activities for our young learners from our 

artists. The wonderful team at SCAPE brought our programmes 

online where possible and made digital galleries of established and 

emerging artists’ artworks. We worked with local and national 

agencies such as the Council, Christchurch NZ and Creative New 

Zealand to encourage people to enjoy art at home, and later 

during local walks and local explorations. We continued to plan 

for all scenarios and move forward, always forward. 

I was reminded during this time that art can inspire and 

challenge us: both at home and in public. Art invites us to respond 

and has the potential to inspire conversations about ourselves 

and what we value. All the artworks have stories that make them 

relevant to the way we are living and responding to recent events. 

By embracing different circumstances – in our reactions to art, 

in being open to new ways of connecting both here and abroad 

– we foster connection with each other and help build resilience 

and the peace-filled Covid-free future we all aspire to. 

The SCAPE Whakataukī proclaims ‘ka tipu te whaihanga’ 

– creativity will strengthen. This related well to our re-emerging 

city, but the experience we have all shared this year takes it to an 

even deeper level. 

When we experience art and creativity, we explore ourselves. 

We explore what it means to be human, what binds us as a 

community, what brings us joy and what causes us pain. When art 

flows into our homes, parks and cities, we explore our creativity 

in the places that define us. We can do this together and we can 

do it alone. It connects us.

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28 Style | Food 

Leftover recipes 

Your tasty leftovers can be transformed into mouthwatering sensations, 

so instead of throwing them out, recreate! 

Words Sarah Burtscher Photos Jet Campbell 

Ham and New Potato Gratin.

Style | Food 29 

Ham and New Potato Gratin 

SERVES 8–10 PEOPLE 

Believe it or not, after the Christmas feast, a lot of 

ham and turkey gets thrown out. Either we realise 

we cooked too much or, after a while, it doesn’t look 

as appetising anymore. And who also goes overboard 

with delicious new potatoes year after year? 

This is a super-easy and tasty dish that can be made 

in advance, using up leftover ham (or turkey) and new 

potatoes. It heats up easily and you can have it as a 

main for lunch with a side salad, or use it as part of a 

buffet meal. (When reheating, do so thoroughly.) 

I’ve used Mandy’s Horseradish & Apricot Mustard, 

which gives it a double wow factor, but any seedy 

mustard or chutney works. 

The size of this dish depends on the quantity of the 

leftovers you have, but I have based it on quite a bit! 

INGREDIENTS 

2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped 

20g butter (plus some for greasing the dish – use the 

butter wrap to do so) 

1 cup cream 

1 cup milk 

2 Tbsp Mandy’s Horseradish & Apricot Mustard 

1.5kg cooked new potatoes, sliced 3cm thick 

500g sliced turkey OR Christmas ham, off or on the 

bone (if you don’t have that much, just use what 

you have) 

5–6 asparagus spears, cooked and halved 

2 cups breadcrumbs (using leftover bread) 

2½ cups grated cheese (gruyère or mozzarella is best, 

but use what you have) 

2 Tbsp olive oil 

salt and pepper to taste 

METHOD 

1. Preheat oven to 200°C and grease a 

medium-sized (about 18cm x 26cm x 5cm) 

baking dish. 

2. Make a mustard sauce first. In a pot, heat 

the butter with the garlic. 

3. Add the milk and cream (or milk substitute) 

and slowly bring to boil. (Tip: I preheat my 

milk with the coffee machine wand, which 

quickens the process.) 

4. Remove from heat, add the mustard and 

season to taste. Set aside. 

5. Layer the potato slices on the bottom of the 

dish. Season each potato layer lightly with 

salt and pepper. 

6. Add a ham or turkey layer. It does not need 

to be a perfect match. 

7. Then, add another layer of potatoes. Keep 

alternating the layers, finishing with potatoes 

on top. 

8. Pour the milk and mustard mixture over the 

layered stack. 

9. Place the asparagus on top. 

10. Combine the breadcrumbs and cheese and 

sprinkle over, then drizzle with olive oil. 

(You may need slightly more than 2 Tbsp.) 

11. Pop into the oven until well heated through. 

This will take 30 to 40 minutes. The dish 

should bubble at the sides and be a golden 

colour. 

TIP: 

You don’t have 

to use cream: 

simply increase the milk 

content to 2 cups. 

For a non-dairy 

option, oat 

milk works well.

30 Style | Food 

Brandied Christmas Cake & Custard Tray Bake.

Style | Food 31 

Brandied Christmas Cake 

& Custard Tray Bake 

Who has a love-hate relationship with 

Christmas cake? According to Love Food 

Hate Waste, cake was something they were 

surprised to find in rubbish bins. Kiwis throw 

away 1787 tonnes of cake every year! I bet 

there’s some Christmas cake in those statistics, 

despite it being a long-lasting option that you 

can freeze easily. 

This recipe is for an un-iced Christmas cake. 

Personally, I’m not a Christmas cake fan, but 

I found this irresistibly mouthwatering and 

certainly won’t be throwing any of it out! 

TIP: If you really don’t want 

to make custard, you can 

use a shop-bought option. 

DID YOU KNOW? 

Frozen egg whites 

will keep for three months. 

Pour into ice trays to freeze, 

then transfer into 

freezer bags and label, 

making note of 

the date. 

INGREDIENTS 

butter (for greasing the dish – use the butter wrap to do so) 

500g–1kg un-iced Christmas cake, cut into slices 

½ cup brandy (or more, depending on how boozy you want 

it to be!) 

4 eggs 

2 additional egg yolks 

60g caster sugar 

250ml milk 

350ml cream 

icing sugar for dusting 

METHOD 

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a medium-sized dish. 

2. Place the Christmas cake slices into the prepared dish, 

snugly fitting it all in. You may have two layers. 

3. Pour the brandy over and soak for 15 minutes – or 

overnight for a jolly strong brandy flavour (omit if serving 

to children!). 

4. Whisk the eggs, yolks and caster sugar together, then 

add the milk and cream. Mix and pour over the cake. 

5. Wait for about five minutes for it to settle. 

6. Pop in the oven for 20 minutes, or until the top has 

browned. 

7. Take it out, cover it with tin foil and put back in the oven 

for another 20 minutes. You are making a custard as 

such, and it should be set. 

8. Remove from the oven and dust with icing sugar. 

9. Serve warm with some whipped cream, vanilla ice cream 

or brandy butter.

32 Style | Drink 

Bowmore 10-year-old 

“I’m a sucker for a sherry finish. Rich 

and woody, it’s well balanced in flavour 

and will suit anyone who likes drinking 

whisky. Up front it’s a mouthful of 

berry fruit, combined with the smoky, 

salty characteristics of an Islay whisky. 

Citrus fruits follow – almost orange 

rind overlaid with a shot of salt and a 

hint of smoke.” 

Whisky 

me away 

So, while our editor Kate Preece’s 

preference is for a strong G&T, 

her husband’s is for a single malt 

whisky, straight. She grills him for 

some intel, in between sips. 

S 

earching for a Christmas gift isn’t always easy 

when you’re dealing with someone who has 

tasted his fair share of whiskies. You’ve got to 

get it right. Hayden Preece is part of a small, 

private whisky club, which has established quite 

the reputation for whisky know-how. 

GlenDronach 12-year-old 

“You can’t beat a GlenDronach. The 

old faithful of the whisky club, I’m yet 

to have a bad one. The 12-year-old is a 

staple expression, but it doesn’t miss a 

beat. Crafted under the watchful eye of 

distiller Billy Walker, who has worked 

his magic on several distilleries now, 

including BenRiach and Glenglassaugh, 

he has a pretty big name as far as whisky 

goes. Extremely well balanced, great 

flavour and well finished. A Highland, 

with raisin flavours and an Oloroso and 

Pedro Ximénez finish.” 

BenRiach 10-year-old 

Curiositas 

“I first tried this at one of the whisky 

club’s earliest meets and, 11 years later, 

it remains in the top 10 [out of 210]. 

A very, very good staple, with a touch 

of everything: a smoky, salty whisky. It’s 

not one that needs to breathe – crack 

the lid off and get into it.” 

Dalwhinnie 15-year-old 

“Everyone’s palate is different, each 

conjuring different flavours – and stirring 

different memories, whether it be fresh 

wax on a horse saddle or a smouldering 

peat fire. Others conjure particular 

moments. This whisky is nostalgic for me 

as it’s the bottle my friend carried into 

the bush the first time he shot a deer. A 

lovely, flavoursome dram.”

DOMOBAR

34 Style | Gardening 

Drying herbs 

Create your own gorgeous herb bouquets for your summer table. 

Words Rebecca Lees 

G 

orgeous bouquets filled with dried herbs have become quite the trend. Adding a touch 

of nostalgia alongside elegance, drying herbs is quite easy to do. And the best part is, you 

can also create some dried herbs for your cooking at the same time. 

The tried-and-true method for drying herbs is the simple ‘pick, bunch and hang’ approach. 

This method is one of the oldest and simplest methods of drying. It doesn’t require much 

more than a little time and a bit of space. 

If want to use the leaves, pick the plant before it flowers and while it has plenty of leaf 

growth. If it’s the flowers you’re wanting to dry, pick when the plant is in bloom.

Style | Gardening 35 

Drying place 

A suitable drying area is out of direct sunlight, so 

have a scout out around your home. It should 

not be damp, but should not be completely dry 

either – it should have some humidity. Hang a 

piece of string, or hooks, ready for your herbs to 

be tied to. 

Harvest 

Harvest your herbs in the morning. Only pick the 

best parts of the plant. Ensure you have plenty of 

stem for hanging. 

A good rule of thumb is to harvest a maximum 

of one third of the plant and leave the rest to 

continue to grow. 

If you have used sprays or other things on 

your garden recently then you should wash the 

herbs with water, and be sure to dry them out 

well before going on to the next step. 

If you choose not to wash your herbs, give 

them a good going over. Remove any leaves, 

stems or flowers that have any aphids or other 

insects on them, and any parts of the plant past 

their prime, leaving only the choicest leaves and 

flowers remaining. 

Prepare 

Remove the lower leaves from the stems to 

the point at which the herbs will be bunched 

together. Place the herbs in small bunches 

(smaller groupings are best as they allow for the 

most airflow) and secure with a rubberband. 

Some stems shrink a little as they dry, but I find 

the rubberbands shrink with them, which means 

the bunches stay together and stems don’t fall 

out during the process. 

Tie 

Tie each bunch to your string (or hooks). An 

easy way to do this is to thread a paperclip 

through each rubberband and attach the 

paperclip to the piece of string. Make sure to 

leave room between each bunch for airflow. 

Leave 

Now you can simply leave your herbs to dry. 

Monitor them regularly for mildew and remove 

any that show signs of this. 

Contain 

Once the herbs are completely dry you can start 

using them in bouquets. Or if you want to cook 

with them, strip them from their stems and place 

in clean containers with sealable lids. There is no 

need to crumble the leaves or flowers, just leave 

them as is and any crumbling can be done when 

you use them. Place the jars in a cool dark place 

and use within one year. 

TIP 

If you are drying 

herbs for adding to meals, 

remember that they often 

have a higher concentration 

of flavour than fresh herbs, 

so you won’t need to 

add as much as you would 

for fresh leaves 

and flowers. 

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A MARKET NO 

ONE PREDICTED 

Here we are in December and I’m 

counting down the weeks to the 

end of the year. I’m more excited 

than usual about the prospect, but 

although I’m eternally weary, I’m 

also eternally grateful. 

Very soon this year will be behind 

us, but it looks like the market that’s 

been generated as a consequence will 

continue. Here are some of the reasons 

for this, as described by Tony Alexander, 

well-known New Zealand economist, at 

a presentation he recently gave to our 

company. 

As I’m neither an economist nor an 

analyst I’d like to jot down his facts, and 

some of the stats, and leave you to make 

up your own mind as to what the future 

could look like. 

Firstly, no one could have predicted the 

times we currently find ourselves in. 

1) It was initially thought that post- 

COVID-19, prices would fall by at least 

7%. In fact, they fell by a mere 3% and 

have since risen in excess of 10%. That’s 

the first big anomaly and it caught me 

and others, including many economists 

and experts, by surprise. 

2) Whilst $17 billion usually filters into 

our domestic economy each year 

courtesy of tourism – and that’s not 

a happening thing this year – the $10 

billion that Kiwis usually spend overseas 

is being spent inside our own borders 

instead. It’s going towards property and 

more property, investment property 

and land. It’s also behind the increased 

purchase of (wait for it) spa pools, Harley 

Davidsons, electronic equipment, bigger 

TVs, swimming pools, jewellery and art. 

In addition to $10 billion needing to find 

a home, coupled with extraordinarily low 

interest rates, first-home buyers are also 

looking to buy property, given the next 

five years have a level of uncertainty to 

them. 

Here’s another Alexander fact: firsthome 

buyers were very quick to act 

post-COVID-19. Usually comprising 

20% of the market, that figure is now 

24%. It seems many had saved more 

whilst in lockdown, reducing their usual 

entertainment and hospitality spending. 

Not buying a cappuccino a day – or 

maybe two – does add up when you look 

at a period of six weeks. Deposits start 

with this kind of action ... and they did. 

With the likelihood of no or nominal 

interest rate rises and the belief that our 

LVR restrictions provide a safety net for 

banks and consumers, I’m hoping our 

local Canterbury economy will grow. 

Our affordability as a region makes us a 

standout across NZ and construction in 

many parts of the city is surging. 

I’m not an economist, I know, but at this 

point I’m an old hand who is holding on 

tight to a market that looks like it could 

teach us all something new! 

Lynette McFadden 

Harcourts gold Business Owner 

027 432 0447 

lynette.mcfadden@harcourtsgold.co.nz 

gpm@harcourtsgold.co.nz 

(03) 352 6454 

PAPANUI 352 6166 | INTERNATIONAL DIVISION (+64) 3 662 9811 | REDWOOD 352 0352 

PARKLANDS & NEW BRIGHTON 383 0406 | GOLD PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 352 6454 

GOLD REAL ESTATE GROUP LTD LICENSED AGENT REAA 2008 A MEMBER OF THE HARCOURTS GROUP 

www.harcourtsgold.co.nz

Style | Home 39 

Pull it together 

Create connection between your interior and exterior this summer, 

to invite in those languid summer days with friends and family. 

Words Michelle Laming 

ABOVE: Exterior furniture is now becoming more like indoor furniture, which helps create flow and cohesion between spaces. 

Photo: Mokum, James Dunlop


Our homes have taken on more meaning than ever 

this year. Our connection to friends, family and 

homes has been thrust to the forefront due to Covid-19. 

With summer holidays almost upon us, there are lots of 

options for you to explore how to enhance the feeling 

of connection through your living spaces when you have 

friends and family over – visually enhancing the fusion 

of your garden and home without compromising its 

architecture. 

Create flow with flooring. 

Photo: Mokum, James Dunlop 

Connection through flooring 

You can pull your interior and exterior spaces 

together by selecting the same or similar flooring, 

running through from your home into your garden. 

This is a visual trick that allows cohesion of colour, 

texture and material, resulting in the garden and 

home almost reflecting each other. Using the same 

colours will immediately merge the spaces and 

make them look bigger, and keeping the interior 

and exterior flooring at the same level will add to 

this effect. 

The beauty of tiling is you can have real timber 

inside and then echo a similar look outside with a 

timber-look tile, following the flow and connection 

with nature. Or, if you have inherited your existing 

flooring, you can experiment with a fabulous array 

of floor rugs that are suitable for both indoor and 

outdoor use, and which support your interior scheme.


Doors 

A simple slide or bifold door system 

can create a fluid interior and exterior 

arrangement. It introduces connection 

and fusion between exterior and interior 

spaces and, with less framing on your 

doors, will maximise and enhance the view 

into your garden space. 

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Coast Corner White $4985, 

MODERN STYLE OUTDOOR FURNITURE 

Moss Bean Bag $149, 

CITTA 

Koo Outdoor Jungle 

Outdoor Cushion 

Green $25.80, 

SPOTLIGHT 

Mirror effect 

Choosing furniture for your garden that would not 

look out of place inside your home is a good way 

to merge your indoor and outdoor spaces. Garden 

furniture is getting closer to looking like interior 

furniture, with extendable tables, long benches, 

corner couches and seating areas all proving to be 

practical and attractive additions to an outdoor space. 

Mirror your outdoor furniture with your indoor 

furniture, or use similar colours and materials to 

create a cohesive flow. Or, choose similar lighting 

– with the festive season upon on, you can find a 

wonderful array of fairy lights to incorporate. 

RecoveR youR loved fuRnituRe 

Quality furniture 

specialists 

100s of fabrics to 

choose from 

LITTLE RIVER GALLERY 

28 NOV-15 DEC 

To Have To Hold 

www.qualityfurniture.co.nz 

Hours: Mon - Thurs, 7am - 4.30pm, Fri 8am - Midday, 

or by appointment with Keith 027 566 3909 Jane DOWNES Debra POWELL Lorelei JENNER Jasmine KEIR Jenny WILSON 

424 ST ASAPH STREET PH 371 7500 

RE-UPHOLSTERY SPECIALISTS KEITH HARTSHORNE 0275 663 909 

littlerivergallery.com 

03 325 1944, info@littlerivergallery.com 

QUALITY UNIQUE ORIGINAL NZ ART


Bring the outside in 

Placing plants inside your interior space will create 

an instant link to your garden and help with a feeling 

of calm. Big statement plant pots will make your 

interior more like a conservatory and encourage 

people to relax. If you do not want plants inside 

then you can approach this concept in a more 

organic way, with sculptural pieces of driftwood or 

wonderful stems of flax flowers or toetoe (which 

holds together well with lacquer hairspray) put into 

a huge pot or urn. These options create a little bit 

of drama when created in a large format and en 

masse – with a quiet nod to our native flora. 

RESENE 

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DIRECTED BY STEPHEN ROBERTSON MUSICAL DIRECTION BY RICHARD MARRETT 

COURTTHEATRE.ORG.NZ 

Wreaths, bouquets and stunning 

Christmas table arrangements for 

that perfeCt gift 

Fleur by DK Floral Design 

www.fleurdk.co.nz


Outdoor cushions 

Outdoor velvets for cushions/squabs are great additions to 

complete your outdoor entertaining area. These ultimate 

transitional fabrics add glamour and deliver on luxury, 

especially with palettes of timeless neutrals and saturated 

vibrant colours reminiscent of Malibu or Cuba. 

Now that cushions have finally busted out of the ‘interior 

only’ format, you can find designs and colours aplenty. Fabrics 

have been designed to withstand New Zealand’s weather and 

sun conditions, and there are also the new cushion inners that 

dry in five minutes due to the draining tapes that are placed 

with the zip for super efficiency. 

Cushion care 

1. Ensure the draining tape is 

downwards and spot clean 

with baby wipes or pop into 

the washing machine with 

neutral soaps (such as baby 

shampoo or Sunlight soap). 

To get rid of greasy marks 

from the infamous barbecue 

sausage, ammonia liquid 

cleansers, like Handy Andy, 

win out. 

2. To brighten them up, 

cushions will normally 

withstand a bleach or 

diluted bleach, but all 

products usually come with 

instructions on how to wash. 

3. Storing away in winter is 

now optional, but it will assist 

with maximising the lifespan 

of your cushion covers and 

inners. 

ABOVE: Gorgeous velvets add glamour and luxury to your outdoor 

entertaining area. Photo: Mokum, James Dunlop 

MEMORIES 

are made of 

DIAMONDS 

95 MAIN ROAD, REDCLIFFS 

www.marcbendall.co.nz 

Mon-Fri 11am-5pm 

Sat 10am-2pm (December only)

44 Style | Promotion 

Photo: Harry Talbot 

The 

goodness 

in art 

Artist Ira Mitchell is settling 

into her new art studio at the 

side of an old nunnery. 

She talks about her journey 

so far and her special 

connection to a charity. 

From where might people recognise your name and art? 

For the first five years working as an artist, I sold my art 

and prints in markets around the South Island. This was 

perfect for getting my name out there, alongside learning 

how to run a business. I’ve become known for my 

community work, contributing by way of donations, my 

time and organising art auctions. I’ve been recognised for 

this with both a Christchurch Civic Award and a Kiwibank 

Local Hero Award for these contributions. 

How did you become the artist in residence at Our 

House, a former convent in Christchurch? 

Working alongside Home and Family at a market 

stall over five years ago, I asked if they would like my 

help with fundraising projects. I had previously used 

its services for family counselling, so had an insight into 

their wonderful service. This was the start of a great 

friendship with the manager, Val Carter, and the start of 

many successful projects supporting artists and charities 

alike. 

Is this your first time as an artist in residence? 

No, my first residency was with my now paint sponsor, 

Golden, in New York. For the past four years I have 

been staying with them, exhibiting and training as an 

artist-educator. The last session was two weeks in New 

Orleans in 2019. That was a blast. As soon as Covid 

allows, I will be in Ireland for another residency, but in 

the meantime, I am working on my Master of Creative 

Practice at ARA Institute of Canterbury and training as an 

art educator with the National Geographic Society. 

How will this post affect your day-to-day life? 

Working from home was the new normal, learning to 

do business online alongside teaching, but I really craved 

socialising at gallery openings and being face to face 

with people in general. I feel so fortunate to be in New 

Zealand, cherishing the freedoms we have now. 

What does the partnership with the Home and Family 

Society mean? 

It enables me to give back to my community in a more 

meaningful way. Being able to create a life as an artist is a 

privilege and joy, so to do it supporting a charity makes it 

more special. 

Is charity work something you do normally? 

I guess it is. Each year I volunteer with a local school to 

create a mural and I also set up group shows and auctions 

to raise funds for charities. By mentoring young artists, 

encouraging talent and teaching business skills, I pay it 

forward and give my career depth and meaning. 

ART BY IRA • artbyira.net • 027 448 9932

There’s a very good chance you’ve seen our work. 

But you would never know. 

The countdown to Christmas is on but there’s still 

a chance to get last minute bookings in! 

For a personal consultation at no charge 

please call 03 363 8810 

145 Innes Road (corner of Rutland St and Innes Rd), 

Merivale, Christchurch 

www.facevalue.co.nz


12 days of Christmas 

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RE9 Advanced Prepwork Gel Eye Masks, $82, 

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Hand-crafted Soaps, Balms and Body Products, 

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Spa Package Gift Vouchers, from $99, 

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Smash Suede Sneakers, $80, 

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Style | Promotion 47 

Bronze Hare 

Sculptures, 

from $89, 

FOLKLORE 

STORE 

Miele Benchtop Fresh Bean Coffee 

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KOUZINA APPLIANCES 

7 8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

St Argo Olive Dog Carrier, $229, 

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Guiding Star Signet, $199, 

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Mr Minimese in Marigold, $429, 

DEADLY PONIES 

Lorna Murray Capri Hats, from $145, 

THE COLLECTIVE


Luxe pooches 

Mother-daughter duo Charli and Michelle Freeman decided only the best would do for 

their pooches. So, they opened a luxury pet lifestyle boutique and pet grocer. 

Charli (left) and Michelle Freeman love their precious pups, Coco (left) and Meadow. 

What was the inspiration behind Charli & Coco? 

It came from what we thought was a simple need: a 

quest to find a quality contemporary dog bowl that fit 

the aesthetic of our home. Our dilemma? There were 

no local options available, and products purchased 

online were either of a much lower standard of quality 

than we expected or did not fit with our style. As our 

needs grew for our tiny pooches so did our frustration, 

hence we decided to take matters into our own hands 

and establish a luxury local pet grocer and supplies 

boutique in Christchurch. 

What can we expect to find? 

We are pet parents so we have sourced our range with 

other pet parents in mind. We’ve curated a collection 

of high quality, pet-safe and environmentally friendly 

wares, including our favourite New Zealand brands, as 

well as a select number of quality designers from the 

United States, Europe and Australia. We have lifestyle, 

grooming and feeding products, all hand-picked by us 

just for you and your pooch. 

What designers have you selected? 

We have selected brands such as Wolves of Wellington, 

smith&burton, St Argo, Fur Love, Hunter, Haute Diggity 

Dog and more. Virtually everything you’ll find in store 

and online has been thoroughly tested by Coco herself 

and her sister Meadow. 

Being environmentally friendly, wherever possible, 

appears to be important to you? 

Yes, we are proud to have this focus and we try to 

operate ethically and sustainably in every aspect of our 

business. Our entire shopping experience and your 

customer journey has been carefully considered to 

reduce waste and limit our carbon pawprint – from our 

beautiful reusable wooden box hampers and glass treat 

jars, to our eco-friendly packaging, allowing you to make 

conscious purchasing decisions. 

3/54 Holmwood Road, Merivale, Christchurch 

Phone 021 557 922

You bring the dream, 

we’ll bring the 

perfect patios - how 

to prep for spring 

To extend the al fresco dining season and 

experience all-weather outdoor living, 

Stratco has a range of options that can 

be custom designed to suit your needs. 

Whether you choose an opening and 

closing louvre, or a fixed roof verandah, 

you can relax in the knowledge that your 

custom-made, stylish roof is built to 

withstand local conditions. 

contact stratco today and let us 

create your perfect outdoor space. 

CHRISTCHURCH | 55 Hands Road | Ph: (03) 338 9063 

stratco.co.nz

Style | Architecture 51 

The modern barn 

With views of the Port Hills on one side and the Southern Alps on the other, 

this site called for a special house that encompassed both town and country. 

Words Shelley Robinson Photos Jamie Armstrong

52 Style | Architecture 

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Feature walls with battens bring the home’s exterior indoors; 

The cladding is also echoed in the stairway and in a more muted colour in the entranceway; The cosy window seat 

was created as a relaxing space from which the homeowners could watch the paeonies grow.


T 

he house doesn’t utter a sound from where 

it sits behind a fence designed for privacy and 

seclusion. But venture in and the house begins to 

tell you its story. 

It is a home created to encapsulate the stunning 

views, while nodding to the small-town upbringing 

of its owners. Though a modern take on a barn, 

expectations of a cavernous room inside soon 

depart, with the bright and light layout reminiscent 

of any other home. 

The pitch of the roof allows for a 76sqm 

bedroom and en suite upstairs, which could easily 

turn into a space for a home business or for a 

long-term visitor to stay. There is no stooping for 

contractors as they attend to things in the roof 

cavity – everything is spacious, with plenty of room 

to move. 

With the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula on one 

side and the Southern Alps on the other, this is a 

home created for rooms with a view – and at night, 

the stars above the hills will wink at you from the 

upstairs windows. 

For nights of relaxation, a whisky decanter has 

found its place in a cosy den, where battens coated 

in a soothing dark blue set a welcoming scene and 

contrast brilliantly with a bright and airy living room, 

ideal for long summer days of lounging. 

No, this house does not bellow to be seen. From 

its site, nestled in a place of retreat, it will slowly 

reveal itself to you, one delicious piece at a time. 

WIN $1000 

TOWARDS YOUR 

HomePlus awning 

Request a free 

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go into the draw to 

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We custom 

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*Promotion closes end of December 2020. 

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88 Gasson St, Sydenham | 03 379 3740 | www.homeplus.co.nz


TOP: The kitchen features lighting by David Trubridge and has a butler’s pantry tucked at the back. 

ABOVE: Due to the length of the kitchen, the butler’s pantry has enough room 

for a laundry, which can be hidden away with a cavity slider.


BUILDER: DJ Hewitt 

DESIGN SERVICE: Tara Hewitt of DJ Hewitt 

ARCHITECT: Darren O’Neil of O’Neil 

Architecture 

LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Texture Plants 

LIGHTING PLAN: David Moot Electrical 

SECTION SIZE: 726sqm 

HOUSE SIZE: 310sqm 

TIME: Eleven months, finished in October 

LAYOUT: Downstairs features three bedrooms 

including the master with en suite, a kitchen and 

butler’s pantry with laundry, a den, powder room, 

living room and dining area. Upstairs has a 76sqm 

room with en suite. 

PROJECT BRIEF: A home that fits into the natural 

surroundings, showcasing the views and not looking 

like an ‘everyday house’. Privacy from the street 

was a must. 

HOMEOWNERS’ FAVOURITE SPACE: The 

window seat (where you can relax) and the 

den. The ‘whisky lounge’ vibe was designed 

to create a feeling of being enveloped and 

comfortable. 

FEATURE LIGHTING: In the master bedroom and 

above the kitchen bench, hanging lighting is by Kiwi 

designer David Trubridge. In the powder room, the 

custom-made mirror is backlit with LED lighting. 

CLEVER: The homeowners wanted en suites for 

all bedrooms, but space did not allow. So instead 

of a traditional all-in-one bathroom, a three-way 

powder room was created, as both a feature and 

to enhance functionality. The backlit mirror and 

sink are positioned inside the wide entrance. The 

shower and bath are at one end and can be closed 

off with a door, likewise the toilet at the other end. 

FEATURE: A floating wall behind the bed in the 

master bedroom discreetly sections off the wardrobe. 

PRODUCTS: External material: board and batten 

from James Hardie; external colour Resene Nero; 

kitchen bench Caesarstone 2141 Snow Classico; 

den batten wall colour Resene Twilight Zone; tiling 

behind the powder room mirror from Brymac, 

Organic Rug Dark; en suite tiling from Brymac, 

Rain Grey Natural; Nevis Back-to-wall Bath from 

Oakleys; kitchen flooring, Majestic Desert Oak 

Light Natural MJ3550 laminate from Nextdore; 

bedroom floating wall colour, Resene Karen 

Walker Range Periglacial Blue. 

Rest Home 

& Dementia 

Rooms Ready 

for Residence 

Open Day 

Sunday 6 th 

December 

10am−3pm 

Rest Home 

Rooms 

Dementia 

Rooms 

Hospital 

Rooms 

For more details visit 

www.twizel.info 

Call Sarah 

Jacobson, 

Village Manager 

03 341 0543 | 027 3411 464 

sales@ladywigram.co.nz 

www.ladywigram.co.nz


ABOVE: The wardrobe area 

behind the bed, is sectioned 

of with a floating wall. 

LEFT: A powder room was 

used in place of a traditional 

bathroom layout. 

For EvErything 

Christmas 

• Trees / Decorations 

• Swagging / Wreaths 

• Father Christmas’s 

& much more 

Pataka Christmas shoP 

768 Marshland Road (North End) • Open 7 Days 10am - 4.30pm 

Greg and lyn marshall 

Good old fashion service from a 

owner/operated local business. 

• Full mechanical repairs • Vehicle servicing 

• woF repairs 

• Tyres 

• wheel alignments • Puncture repairs 

stockists of all brands of tyres 

walk ins welcome. Greg and Lyn Marshall and their 

experienced team look forward to welcoming you. 

496 Wairakei Road, Christchurch | Ph: 03 359 4114 A/h: 0274 356 484 

office@marshallautoandtyres.co.nz www.marshallautoandtyres.co.nz

The Perfect Engagement Ring 

An engagement and wedding ring should be perfect. 

There’s no question about it. You want a ring that 

will last for years to come, made to an exceptionally high 

standard. Polished Diamonds – Jewellery Design creates 

the most accurate and perfect jewellery and can offer you 

something that will last the distance. Polished Diamonds 

has the ethos that buying an engagement ring is about 

trust in the jeweller. Using Computer Aided Design (CAD), 

3D printing, laser welding, and MRI scanning, they can 

produce any ring design and draw it up in an accurate 

model for your review. This enables design adjustments 

to ensure perfection and your total satisfaction. Dan 

Joines and his team guarantee that their clients end up 

with the highest quality engagement or wedding rings at 

the best price – this is the future of jewellery. 

Each ring is 3D printed, then hand polished and set 

with your chosen diamond or gemstone and finished to 

perfection. The results speak for themselves. Polished 

Diamonds design and produce the world’s most 

accurate jewellery. They have over $120 million worth 

of Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) certified 

diamonds from their diamond cutting partners in 

Belgium, New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, and Israel, plus 

an amazing supply of the finest gemstones imaginable. 

Any jewellery design can be modelled and produced 

with perfectly fitted wedding rings. Any gemstone can be 

supplied, and any price point achieved. Also, on offer is a 

range of men’s wedding rings, in titanium, zircon, classic 

gold, and platinum. As manufacturing jewellers, they 

offer a great price, high quality and ensure your complete 

satisfaction with a lifetime guarantee. So, for Wedding, 

Engagement or just because… why go anywhere else? 

Freecall 0800 233 299 

Christchurch Showroom 

30 New Regent Street 

Auckland Showroom 

269 Ponsonby Road 

Online Showroom 

www.polisheddiamonds.co.nz


MARKETPLACE 

GORGEOUS WARES TO ENTICE, TEMPT AND PLEASE 

FLEUR BY DK FLORAL DESIGN 

Struggling to find the perfect gift for a 

colleague, client or that person who has 

everything? Treat them to a delicious 

gourmet gift hamper that’s packed full of 

tasty temptations nobody could resist. 

Starting from $60. 

fleurdk.co.nz 

LITTLE RIVER GALLERY 

Row, row, row your boat, but not 

with Anna Jacobi’s oars! Découpage 

and antique rope and fittings make 

these especially beautiful forms for 

the wall. Embellished with Banks 

Peninsula references to Akaroa and 

surrounds, Captain Cook, bird and 

sea life. $895–$950, 150–164cm. 

Available at Little River Gallery. 

littlerivergallery.com 

ANY EXCUSE 

Add quiet elegance to any outfit or 

surprise someone who loves to find 

jewellery in their Christmas stocking 

with this timeless fob from Love 

Winter. Beautifully handmade in 

sterling silver, add the cherry on top 

with a matching bracelet. Necklace 

$129.99; bracelet $59.99. 

anyexcuse.co.nz 

HERB STATION 

Evoke all the senses with an engaging herb 

bouquet taking pride of place on your 

banquet table. These gorgeous creations are 

made from organic herbs, purpose-grown for 

bouquets, carefully woven together by Rose 

Fuller. A truly bespoke touch to add to this 

festive season. 

facebook.com/gardenerscottageherbs 

FOLKLORE STORE 

A candle from Folklore’s signature 

range makes a beautiful gift – if you 

can bear to part with it! Our favourite 

is INSPIRE, a blend of paeony and 

rose entwined with geranium, 

blackcurrant, coconut and amber that 

evokes those sweet summer vibes. 

Shop in store or online. 

folklorestore.co.nz

60 Style | Fashion 

FASHION 2020 

The ‘hits’ and the ‘misses’ 

THE HITS 

A few of Style’s favourite fashion 

highlights and trends of the year. 

Yes, Celeste! 

If we were ever on the catwalk this would be 

us – cranking out the chardys with a whole 

lot of attitude. Australian comedian and 

social media queen Celeste Barber, known 

for posting ‘real’ life versions of celebrity and 

fashion shoots on Instagram, showed models 

how it’s really done. With over-exaggerated 

squeezing, mincing and pouting, she owned 

the stage at the Melbourne Fashion Festival in 

March for Ginger & Smart. She’s our hero. 

CELESTE BARBER 

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI 

DIOR 

Heads up 

As we emerged 

bleary-eyed from 

lockdown, we did so 

with regrowth that 

harked back to our 

teenage days, when 

we were growing 

out an ill-advised 

tussle with Sun-In. 

This year, some of 

us simply embraced 

it and headed back 

to our wild woman 

ways, while others 

waited weeks for a 

hair appointment. 

Handily, designers 

like Dior, Dolce 

& Gabbana and 

Giambattista Valli 

reminded us that 

using a scarf during 

these times looks 

rather jaunty indeed. 

DOLCE & GABBANA 

Plaid 

In our humble opinion, 

Miu Miu did it best this season 

with the trend towards plaid. 

Done badly, it brings to 

mind a frumpy school 

uniform – but when 

done well, it sings. 

MIU MIU 

Thank goodness for Dolce 

Dolce & Gabbana Milan Women’s Fashion 

Week show was exactly what we needed. 

While many other designers were opting 

for a minimalist look, this playful marvel of a 

collection was something we could munch 

on with our salt and vinegar chips while 

feeling rather uplifted. Bless them.

Style | Fashion 61 

Period piece 

Just bring us a sidecar cocktail and a jaunt under 

the moonlight with Frank Sinatra crooning 

away. Though we aren’t fond of winding back 

the clock to the 1980s and ’90s (pages 62–63), 

we are on board for a nostalgic stroll through 

the 1940s to ’60s, the suiting particularly. 

DOLCE & GABBANA 

The hue 

Perhaps it is no 

coincidence that the hue 

trending this year is a very 

soothing colour. 

Let there be tranquillity 

in cornflower blue. 

Namaste. 

MAX MARA 

Big on knits 

When we went into the first 

lockdown, our daily walks 

around the block involved 

T-shirts and light trousers. 

That first day we were 

allowed back out into the world 

beyond our neighbourhood, it 

was freezing. Fortunately, big 

knits were there to wrap their 

tender arms around us. 

ABOVE: Fendi. 

JASON WU 

Blazers and 

bandeaus 

Team an oversized 

blazer with a bandeau 

or a bralette and 

you are festival-ready 

this summer. 

The return of Patricia 

Well, technically she never went anywhere, but 

Patricia Field, the legendary costume designer behind 

Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada is once 

again back on our screens with Netflix’s Emily in 

Paris. Now, sit where you may with the story itself 

– a young woman (Lily Collins) heads to France and 

fulfils the ‘awful American’ stereotype to her scornful 

and sophisticated Parisian work colleagues – but 

the clothes are satirically in stark contrast to the 

French style. Patricia nails it. Using designers such 

as Christian Siriano, Christian Louboutin, Alice and 

Olivia, Chanel, and Stéphane Rolland, she crafts the 

cultural tensions in the series through fabric. 

ABOVE: Emily in Paris. Image: Netflix


THE FASHION 

MISSES OF 2020 

These are the trends that, as hard as we tried, we 

just didn’t have the prowess to pull off. 

The impractical 

Remember that Friends episode when Ross 

got stuck in leather pants? There is not 

enough talcum powder in the world for 

this type of nonsense, even if it is Balmain. 

Not to mention it would be like an oil 

slick in there. The video watching Kim 

Kardashian-West getting into the reported 

USD$28,750 outfit is highly entertaining. 

There were condom references and 

questions over the feasibility of bathroom 

visits. We gave it a LOL. 

KIM KARDASHIAN-WEST AND 

KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN 

RALPH & RUSSO 

Bonnets 

It’s a bonnet. On a 

grown person. But 

tied up, would it look 

rather coquettish? No 

matter how we tried 

it, we still looked like 

we were gardening. 

Sigh. Next please. 

AMI ALEXANDRE MATTIUSSI 

Feathers flying 

We were meant to look like 

elegant swans, effortlessly gliding 

across a lake of tranquillity. We 

looked like half-plucked chooks 

who’d gone two rounds with 

the neighbour’s cat. And no one 

has time for that nonsense of 

vacuuming each time you wear 

it. Yes, Anna Wintour can wear a 

feather well (think 2019 Met Gala), 

but she probably has people to do 

all the vacuuming for her. 

It’s fine – we’ve 

all been there 

She just didn’t know 

it was a skirt and 

wore it incorrectly. 

Trends are hard. 

VICTORIA/TOMAS


ISABEL MARANT 

Gorging on leisurewear 

We thought lockdown would be a good time 

to channel our Kim Kardashian-West trackpants 

and heeled boots from 2017... and our children 

laughed at us. Leisurewear definitely started out 

in the ‘hit’ list for 2020, but towards the end of 

the year we found ourselves lying on the couch 

in said leisurewear, stained with memories of 

gorging ourselves on our homemade sourdough 

and the sticky remnants of paper mâché 

children’s projects. Then it was all over when 

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour was on the 

’gram with her red trackpants after she swore 

she would never wear any. As one despondent 

Twitter commenter put it: “This could be the 

end of the world as we know it.” Next! 

Too fly for us 

This back to the 

future look doesn’t 

work. Marty McFly 

wouldn’t wear this and 

neither would we – 

even if Biff 

threatened us. 

The return of jazzercise? 

We swear, we checked the date 

on these photos three times. No, 

it’s not Jane Fonda and it isn’t the 

1980s. It’s Etam and their range 

from Paris Fashion Week (insert 

‘shock’ emoji!). Our editor Kate 

has since admitted she still has her 

footless tights and leotard from 

her dance days – though now 

they are used as a Halloween 

costume for her daughter. 

BALMAIN 

ETAM 

Those noughtie nineties . . . 

Remember the old-school days of those tight, long denim 

shorts, usually teamed with a fitted T-shirt or baggy hooded 

sweatshirt (we didn’t call them hoodies back then, it was 

a simpler time), high tops and a Country Road bag if you 

were so inclined? We were slick. 

On repeat 

We were chasing waterfalls 

in this combo back in 1994 with 

TLC, and then we rocked it 

in the early 2000s with 

All Saints and Nelly Furtado, and 

recently once more with Miley 

Cyrus. We just can’t do it again. 

ISABEL MARANT 

Masking up 

Yes, some fashion 

designers went for pure 

escapism and were all in 

for the aesthetic, and a 

visual discussion of the 

dystopian narrative with 

masking up. We just 

wanted something for 

the supermarket. 

PACO RABANNE


A prelude to preloved 

Stylist Sara Faull has five reasons why preloved 

boutiques are an essential stop. 

Preloved boutiques are the perfect solution for a fashionista on a budget. With carefully 

curated, high-fashion selections that are often near-new or (as the swing tags attest) have 

never been worn, preloved clothing is worth investing your retail time and attention if you want 

a ‘value for money’ experience. Let the owners behind three local preloved boutiques explain 

why fashion lovers seek out their collections. 

1 

cost, 

Variety 

In a world where fast fashion has become 

the norm, finding originality can be hard, 

says Amanda Stirling-Exon, owner of To Be 

Continued (48A Bryndwr Road, Fendalton, 

Christchurch). Escape carbon-copy 

fashion by finding a designer item in “mint 

condition” for half to a third of the original 

she advises. 

2All ages 

Boutiques are for all ages, from 

15-year-olds seeking a ball dress 

to people in their seventies. 

“Boutiques like ours are for 

women of all ages who love 

beautifully designed, well-made 

garments in quality fabrics. For 

many clients, shopping this way 

becomes both a lifestyle choice 

and a hobby,” says Bridget 

Brownrigg, owner of LOFT 

Preloved Boutique (93 Cossars 

Road, Tai Tapu).


4 

3Size doesn’t matter 

Think you’ll only find a size 8 in these boutiques? 

Think again. Coral Harman, owner of Rangiora’s 

ENVIE – Preloved Beautiful Clothing (Unit 2, 6 

Cone Street), says she caters for sizes from 8 to 

20. “Women sometimes come in here, unsure of 

what suits them, but they walk out floating on air. 

From the beach to the boardroom, I love to show 

women how they can look amazing, no matter 

what their age or size.” 

It’s personal 

Don’t expect a thin smile 

thrown your way and then to 

be ignored when you are in a 

preloved boutique. Amanda 

says customers are treated as 

though they are in a designer 

boutique. “We have many 

repeat customers who tell me 

specifically what they are after, 

so if something like that comes 

in, I’ll give them a ring.” 

5 

Sustainability 

Fast fashion equals more production of clothing and, 

hence, more things being tossed out each season. 

Preloved boutiques counter this. Bridget says: “From 

an ethical point of view, these are garments finding 

new homes rather than landfill. This is fashion 

that lasts. Plus, we are supporting New Zealand 

designers because we are bringing their products to 

a new market that can afford them.” 

magazine 

designer clothing 

sizes 10-26 

Sizes 

10 - 26 

Dresses to dazzle this Christmas! 

Windmill Centre 

188 Clarence Street 

Riccarton 

Christchurch 

021 686 929


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68 Style | Beauty 

Tried and tested 

The Style team trial the latest beauty products. 

EDITOR 

& GIN 

APPRECIATOR 

KATE 

PREECE 

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner 

My medium-length, thick hair was at that stage where it could no 

longer be worn out. Yet the Pureology shampoo lathered beautifully 

and my normal twice-over wash was not required. (The concentrated 

formula allows for 70 applications per bottle.) 

I applied restraint with the conditioner, which has a decidedly minty 

hit. I couldn’t run my fingers through my hair, but left the conditioner 

to do its magic, which it did. Teeth brushed (two minutes later) and I 

was able to slide my fingers through now-silky locks. I kid you not. 

For the greenies, the packaging is 95 per cent post-consumer recycled 

plastic and is itself recyclable. There are no sulphates, parabens, mineral 

oils or animal products involved in this very effective vegan range. 

RRP $44 each 

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As a person who wears sunscreen 

every day, I struggle to find a 

product (even if it says hypoallergenic) 

that doesn’t make my 

very sensitive skin react. This is 

the first product I have tried that 

has given me no reaction at all. 

I’m careful about what I put on 

my skin, so it was a big tick for a 

natural sunscreen product with 

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in New Zealand, it means it is 

made to our standards of sun 

protection, which can be difficult 

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brand. The coverage comes out 

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70 Style | Wellbeing 

Breathing 

matters 

Breathing influences every organ in the body. 

It controls blood flow to the brain, regulates 

the activity of the nervous system and panic 

responsiveness, governs neural tissue activity and 

so much more. We don’t usually take the time to 

stop and think about it, but breathing correctly 

maintains balance in the body and can make a big 

difference to our overall health. Oxford Women’s 

Health physiotherapist Julee Binns explains why 

breathing well matters. 

Proud sponsor of the 

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Style | Wellbeing 71 

What is the definition of breathing well? 

Breathing should be effortless and sustainable. It helps the body maintain a good 

balance so you’re not escalating muscle tension (which is what hyperventilation will do) 

and upsetting the chemical balance. People often think breathing is hard work and it 

shouldn’t be. 

A lot of people come to see me regarding pelvic health, and if they’re breathing badly, 

it can escalate tension in the abdomen and pelvic area. By changing their breathing 

technique, it can really reset a lot of muscle tightness and tension within the body. 

What effects can not breathing well have on the body? 

Most people will relate to tension in the neck and upper body. This may mean you’re 

using accessory breathing muscles and not breathing efficiently. This also applies to the 

pelvic floor. If you’re over-breathing, you interfere with your connection to your pelvic 

floor and the ability for it to relax. Other symptoms of breathing incorrectly can include 

clammy hands; a fast, breathless or altering speech tone; postural and jaw tension; 

tremors; and yawning. 

What are the causes of breathing problems? 

Stress is a massive one. Also, not sleeping well. That sense of waking up and still feeling 

like you haven’t rested. There are many parts to that, but balance is the key. How much 

you exercise, rest, sleep… it’s about finding that equilibrium point and it’s different for 

each person. People should always seek professional help with any concerns or red flags 

they may have. If you’re unsure about something and it doesn’t feel quite right, get it 

checked out with your General Practitioner. 

What are the benefits of breathing well? 

Changing a breathing pattern can have a really powerful effect on your sense of 

wellbeing. It’s something you can control and doesn’t involve medication. Sometimes, 

it can take about six weeks to change a pattern, so don’t expect a change in the first 

couple of days. You just have to be patient with it. 

What are the treatment options? 

There are respiratory physiotherapists with a special interest in breathing and breathing 

pattern disorders here in Christchurch. I’ve also done extra training in the Brad Cliff 

Breathing Method. 

Don’t take breathing for granted, it’s a big part of our body’s ability to relax, reset and 

get air into the lungs. It’s very important. Other great techniques that can help us to 

breathe well are mindfulness and yoga. 

At Oxford Women’s Health, we want you to leave every 

appointment feeling better than when you arrived. 

We understand it can be difficult living with health problems but 

sometimes finding sympathetic expert help can feel even harder. 

Our staff are friendly, respectful and professional, so you can feel 

comfortable while receiving the very best advice and treatment. 

We have 15 health professionals who are highly-respected leaders 

in their fields of gynaecology, obstetrics, oncoplastic breast and 

general surgery, physiotherapy, nutrition and endocrinology. 

Women of all ages come to us for advice and treatment, including 

those with endometriosis, menstrual problems, pelvic pain, 

prolapse, incontinence, fibroids, menopause and hormone issues. 

Call us today on 03 379 0555. 

Level 1, Forté Health, 

132 Peterborough Street, Christchurch 

oxfordwomenshealth.co.nz


Not in excess 

December can be more about excessive consumption than 

nourishment of the body, mind and soul. Naturopath Deanna Copland 

shares her easy tips to get you through. 

It seems we spend much of 

December at social gatherings, 

whether it be for work, end-ofyear 

functions, or with friends 

and family. It can be difficult to 

resist temptation and easy to 

keep reaching for the foods that 

don’t nourish us as much. 

What can we do to get around 

it? Avoiding social situations is not 

the answer as socialisation and 

human connections are vital for 

our mental wellbeing. So, instead, 

try a few of the following tips so 

you can have a bit of cake, but 

also keep nourishing your body. 

Just remember, it is not what you 

do some of the time but most of 

the time. 

Don’t ‘conserve 

calories’ 

Not eating the day of a 

social function in order to 

‘conserve calories’ is not 

a great option. Try to eat 

regularly, even if it is lighter 

than usual and possibly 

even have a healthy snack 

or light meal before you 

go. This might include a 

hard-boiled egg or a small 

handful of raw almonds as 

you get ready.


Hungry or thirsty? 

Keep up your water intake 

during your day – this 

can help determine if you 

really are hungry or just 

dehydrated. If you are having 

alcohol, water is advisable, 

especially if you want to 

avoid any embarrassing 

situations in front of 

workmates. 

Alcohol is absorbed 

through the gut, so try to 

avoid drinking on an empty 

stomach. Having fat with 

alcohol, such as olives, 

nuts or the likes of salmon 

canapés, will help to slow 

the absorption. 

Try something new 

Pot-luck dinners are great because you can try out a new recipe 

for a healthy salad. We don’t often go to the extra trouble of 

adding the likes of halved grapes and slivered almonds to everyday 

meals, so this is a good opportunity to try a new, healthy recipe of 

which you can be proud. 

Give your receptors time 

Once the waitstaff have cleared away the entrée and main debris, 

there comes an opportune moment to pause. Give your appetiteregulating 

hormones time to catch up and you might discover you 

are already satisfied and don’t need to follow with dessert. Often 

we can’t resist anyway, so sharing a dessert is a good option. 

Our treatments New Thoughts. New Technologies. Better Results. 

Visit our website to book your consultation. 

Phone 03 343 2880 

52a Mandeville Street, Riccarton 

& 121 Papanui Rd, Merivale 

www.transformclinic.co.nz 

Christchurch, Auckland, 

Dunedin and Queenstown.


Daily habits for surviving 

the silly season 

• Set your alarm for one hour earlier than usual 

Initially, the snooze button will be luring you to stay 

in your warm bed, but the reward of getting up 

will pay off after only a few days. Try to do all your 

chores and exercise at the start of the day and be in 

bed earlier to work more with the circadian rhythm 

and to support hormonal health. Hal Elrod’s book 

The Miracle Morning is a great read if you need more 

convincing – perhaps one for the camping holiday. 

• Try a detox tea 

Have a cup on rising each day for a month, at least 

twice a year. Artemis Liver Detox tea is a gentle, 

Swiss-formulated herbal blend that supports your 

digestive function. 

• Consider taking a good-quality multivitamin and 

mineral supplement 

Our soils are depleted of some key nutrients, so this 

is a good way to improve your nutritional status. 

• Try to get as much physical movement into your 

day as possible 

We know it, we just don’t always want to hear 

it – but yes, the stairs are a better option. Parking 

further away from the supermarket entrance 

will not only benefit you physically, but it may 

save your car from accidental damage from 

stressed, distracted drivers. The likes of a Fitbit or 

Apple Watch can be great tools for keeping you 

accountable. 

• Get out in nature 

We have so many beautiful gardens, parks, beaches 

and other public areas, so make the most of them. 

A beach walk after work is so refreshing, as is just 

leaving the office to sit in the sunshine to have 

your lunch. 

• Meditation in the evening 

Try this with dim lighting before bed to initiate the 

sleep response. Headspace is a great app. Goodquality 

sleep will make all the difference to your 

coping mechanisms. 

• Disconnect to truly connect 

Switch off smartphones to really value the company 

of your friends and family. A Harvard University 

study showed that participants’ IQs dropped 

by 10 per cent just by having their phone facing 

downwards on the desk during a test, as opposed 

to when it was not present. 

• Live in the moment and remember to laugh 

As Richard Carlson says, and titled his book, Don’t 

Sweat the Small Stuff – and It’s All Small Stuff.

Smile Creator… 

Now it’s your time to smile


True connection 

Are your relationships serving you or are they out of tune? Clinical psychologist 

Dr Sarah Anticich shares advice on making your connections matter.


“The most important property of humankind is the capacity 

to form and maintain relationships.” 

– Dr Bruce Perry 

Humans are social creatures and 

relationships are a defining feature of 

being human. Science clearly demonstrates that 

social connection is one of the most important 

factors for predicting wellbeing. It’s that simple. 

Supportive relationships buffer us from 

stress. They enhance positive emotions, 

health and wellbeing. In fact, the neural 

networks relating to the stress response, 

feeling rewarded, our social interactions, 

communication, empathy and the capacity to 

bond with others are all intrinsically linked. 

We feel safest in the presence of familiar 

and nurturing members of our family and 

community, and we are highly motivated by 

the strong urge to connect and belong. 

A noticeable expression of the need to 

belong in contemporary life arises because 

of the prevalence of social media. We live 

in a time when, for the first time in history, 

people have two overlapping sets of social 

relationships: those in the real world and 

those in the virtual world. As such, modern 

culture has evolved into a world where we 

are well-connected digitally, while being 

increasingly disconnected in terms of faceto-face 

communication. We are missing the 

opportunity to attune to each other. 

‘Attunement’ is defined as the sense 

of ‘feeling felt’ and it is crucial for our 

relationships, helping us to feel vibrant and 

alive, to feel understood, and to feel at peace. 

Tips to enhance connection 

1. Be where you are 

Practise being present and 

mindfully focus your attention in 

the moment when connecting 

with others to enhance 

attunement. 

2. Disconnect to reconnect 

Take breaks from technology 

and social media and intentionally 

connect with people face to face 

to enhance the experience when 

engaging with others. 

3. Quality over quantity 

The quality of relationships 

matters more than the quantity 

with regards to enhancing 

psychological wellbeing. 

4. Perform acts of kindness 

Kindness should be central to 

the way we engage with others. 

Engaging in acts of kindness 

releases endorphins and oxytocin 

– the feel-good hormones. 

5. Connect to manage stress 

Oxytocin is released when we 

are under stress. It improves our 

ability to understand how people 

are feeling; it increases empathy; 

it increases trust among people 

we already have a relationship 

with; and it makes us more willing 

to help people. It even makes 

us feel better when we do help 

people. 

The research is clear. The more we intentionally engage with others and 

embrace social connectedness, the greater the likelihood we’ll live with 

meaning, compassion and purpose.

REJUVENATE 

at Edgewater, Lake Wanaka 

When you’re exploring 

Wanaka’s amazing landscape, 

stay and dine in comfort. 

LAKE WANAKA | NEW ZEALAND 

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0800 108 311 

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arrival. Use promo code: STYLE

Style | Travel 79 

Amongst the vines 

What could be more perfect than staying in picture-perfect landscapes, 

surrounded by nature and enjoying estate wines? 

Vineyards are most often set in the most 

picturesque landscapes with the best climate 

and a natural playground. So, why not stay amongst 

picture-postcard wineries tucked away in lush valleys, 

along dramatic coastlines and draped amongst the 

rolling hills of New Zealand’s 10 major wine regions? 

You don’t have to be a wine buff or connoisseur 

to get the best out of the experience. While 

there’s obvious appeal for a romantic getaway or a 

food-and-wine-themed holiday, vine stays can also 

be a great option for families keen to explore the 

natural environment and enjoy on-site facilities for 

sport and recreation. Choose from quaint cottages 

tucked amongst the vines, private luxury homes with 

sweeping sea views, glass houses under the stars or 

find the perfect place to park your campervan. 

ABOVE: You can enjoy views of Greystone’s vines from high above when you stay in 

their PurePod accommodation. Photo: Greystone

80 Style | Travel 

Northland 

Vineyard Villa is one of four exclusive luxury residences at 

The Landing, a small vineyard located on the tip of the Purerua 

Peninsula with stunning views over the Bay of Islands. First 

planted in 2007, The Landing’s vineyard stretches across 10ha 

of some of the best grape-growing land in Northland and 

produces award-winning, sustainable wines. 

Half an hour’s drive away at Ake Ake Vineyard near Kerikeri, 

customers with motorhomes can stay overnight in the winery 

car park free of charge if they’ve bought wine at the cellar door 

or are dining in the restaurant. A great option for travellers keen 

to enjoy this popular organic wine without having to worry 

about drinking and driving. 

Auckland 

It’s hard to surpass Waiheke Island, New Zealand’s ‘island 

of wine’, less than a 40-minute ferry ride from downtown 

Auckland. World-acclaimed wineries producing awardwinning 

syrah, chardonnay, cabernet blends and fine 

aromatics are a key attraction. Visitors can join a wine 

tour, rent a scooter, or hop on the bus to discover 

vineyards dotted across the island for themselves. 

Favourites like Cable Bay, Kennedy Point Vineyard, 

Frenchmans Hill Estate and Mudbrick Vineyard & 

Restaurant have a range of accommodation fitting most 

budgets. And as well as on-site chalets and lodges at the 

wineries, there are scores of holiday homes for rent on 

the island, which means you’re never far from a quality 

glass of wine or memorable meal. 

TOP: When you stay at The Landing in Northland, you get stunning views across the Bay of Islands. Photo: The Landing; ABOVE: The sumptuous attention 

to detail at Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant makes it a perfect place to laze away those summer days. Photo: Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant 

Waikato 

Vilagrad Winery, established in 1922 

by Ivan Milicich Snr, is now in its 

fifth generation as a family-owned 

and operated winery at Ōhaupō, 

south of Hamilton. As well as wine 

tours, tastings at the cellar door and 

legendary Sunday lunches, visitors can 

also stay at Vilagrad House, nestled in 

the vines. Choose an individual suite 

or hire the whole house. 

Gisborne 

Gisborne is one of the country’s 

most exciting and entrepreneurial 

regions in terms of developing 

new varieties and vineyard sites. 

A 10-minute drive south of 

Gisborne city, Matawhero has a 

vineyard retreat and cellar door, 

and is the perfect spot to watch 

the sunrise as you wake up 

amongst the vines. 

Hawke’s Bay 

The North Island’s premium wine 

region has nine main wineries where 

you can stay on site, all within easy 

reach of main tourist attractions. 

Craggy Range’s luxury lodges and 

cottages have won several accolades 

for their contribution to tourism. The 

boutique accommodation sits amongst 

the vines and gardens at Craggy 

Range under the escarpment of Te 

Mata Peak. Like other local wineries, 

including Black Barn, Elephant 

Hill, Mission Estate and Clearview 

Estate, the accommodation here 

complements the winery’s popular 

restaurant and cellar door, making it an 

enticing getaway package.

Style | Travel 81 

Stay in 6.5ha of secluded luxury at The Marlborough Lodge. Photo: The Marlborough Lodge 

Wairarapa 

There are more than 20 wineries around Martinborough, a charming colonialstyle 

settlement, and most are within cycling or walking distance of the village 

square. Some of New Zealand’s best pinot noir comes from the town’s 

boutique vineyards, and the close proximity to Wellington (an hour’s drive) 

makes Martinborough easily accessible for weekend breaks or as a base to 

explore the Wairarapa on holiday. At Porters winery there is a converted 

100-year-old loft, and you can also stay at the homestead, Iona, which is one 

of Martinborough’s original houses – a grand villa with expansive grounds that 

include the 10ha vineyard. 

Margrain Vineyard, a family-owned boutique winery specialising in pinot 

noir, has 14 stylish villas and a luxury Pinot Suite nestled amongst the vines with 

panoramic views of the Tararua Ranges. The Winemakers Cottage in the heart of 

Blue Rock vineyard on Luna Estate is also an ideal rural retreat for a romantic vine 

stay, and the Shearer’s Quarters within StoneCutter Estate provides a genuine 

taste of life amongst the vines and wines of Martinborough. 

Nelson 

As holiday destinations go, Nelson ticks all the boxes with chart-topping 

sunshine hours, beaches and national parks. Several boutique wineries have 

accommodation, and many, like Kina Beach Vineyard, enjoy stunning views across 

Nelson’s dramatic coast. Two vineyard cottages at Kina are open to guests: Stan’s 

Cottage, in the heart of the vineyard; and The Old Schoolhouse, originally built in 

the 1930s as Redwood Valley Schoolhouse, which was given a new lease of life 

when it was moved onto Kina Beach Vineyard in 1999. 

Mārama Vineyard on the Milcrest Estate has two aptly named guest rooms 

– the Sauvignon Blanc Suite and the Pinor Noir Suite. Guests are invited to sample 

selected wines as they relax in beanbags amongst the vines. 

Pine Hill Lodge and Pine Hill Serenity Vineyard are also well on theme, with 

three luxurious bed and breakfast rooms named Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and 

Riesling, and guests are encouraged to relax in the outdoor hot tub while sampling 

the wines of the region. 

Richmond Plains, an organic winemaker and pioneer of New Zealand’s first 

certified-organic sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, has an on-site cottage and you 

can enjoy wine tasting at the cellar door or walk across the vineyard to the Grape 

Escape Café & Gallery. At Ruby Bay Vineyard, a five-minute drive from Māpua 

Wharf, guests who stay at the vineyard get a free vineyard tour and tasting. 

Marlborough 

From the luxury bed and 

breakfast accommodation at 

Bell Tower on Dog Point, 

to the charming vineyard 

cottage on the Hans Herzog 

Estate beside the Wairau 

River, Marlborough has a bit 

of everything. Sitting amongst 

the sauvignon blanc vines you’ll 

find Walnut Block Cottages 

at Walnut Block Wines, 

overlooking the 100-yearold 

walnut tree that gives 

the winery its name. And at 

Vicarage Lane, John Kennard 

and Satu Lappalainen have 

renovated part of their winery 

shed to create Vau Vineyard 

Cottage so visitors can 

experience vineyard living and 

share the beautiful views that 

attracted them to the property 

near Blenheim. 

Billed as the “ultimate retreat 

in New Zealand’s gourmet 

province”, The Marlborough 

Lodge is a grand country estate 

on 6.5ha of secluded parkland in 

the heart of Marlborough wine 

country. What better place to 

indulge in the gourmet delights 

and world-renowned wine that 

earned the property Luxury 

Travel Guide’s 2016 Culinary 

Destination of the Year?

82 Style | Travel 

North Canterbury 

With so many world-class wineries stretched 

across North Canterbury and the Waipara Valley, 

staying at a vineyard delivers on many counts. 

One of the most spectacular is the PurePod 

accommodation high above Greystone vineyard, 

with 360-degree views of the Waipara Valley wine 

region and Southern Alps. Built totally of glass and 

yet with pure privacy, this is ultimate luxury where 

you can sip award-winning wines while stargazing 

through the glass roof of your luxury pod. 

At Black Estate, bed and breakfast 

accommodation at the opposite end of the 

vineyard’s cellar door and restaurant has 

expansive views across the gardens and vineyard 

to the Southern Alps. Next door is the threebedroom 

Kumiko’s Guest House, and both 

properties are adjacent to the Waipara Valley 

Vineyard Trail. E-bikes and mountain bikes are 

provided for guests. 

Blackhouse Vineyard has a private guest house 

where bed and breakfast guests are welcome to 

wander through the 4ha property, and Dunnolly 

Estate offers a north-facing luxury vineyard 

cottage that overlooks the Waipara Valley, giving 

guests breathtaking views. 

There is hosted accommodation at the House 

of Ball, a boutique winery. Waipara River Estate 

also provides vine stays at their family-owned, 

boutique vineyard and farm in the heart of the 

Waipara Valley. Annie’s Loft and Studio has 

luxury bed and breakfast accommodation with 

views across this historic vineyard. 

Otago 

At the historic Gibbston Valley winery, luxuriate at the 

Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa. There are 24 stylish vineyard 

villas, an exclusive wine cellar, a small movie theatre, 

private meeting rooms and relaxing communal areas for 

wining and dining indoors and out – not to mention the 

luxurious ‘vinotherapy’ spa treatments. 

Kinross in the Gibbston Valley has a cellar door, 

bistro, and 14 studio cottage rooms perfect for visitors 

wanting to explore the region. Grey Ridge has a 

secluded vineyard suite, where you can enjoy stargazing. 

Hawkdun Rise, a small vineyard a short distance from 

the townships of Alexandra and Clyde, also has bed and 

breakfast accommodation, which overlooks the vines with 

panoramic views of the distant Hawkdun Ranges, from 

where the winery takes its name. Judge Rock, known 

for its award-winning pinot noir wines, has a renovated 

cottage set amongst the vineyard’s attractive gardens and 

is ideal for people using the Otago Central Rail Trail. The 

Alexandra Basin Weaver Estate Wines, a 4ha familyowned 

and run vineyard, has two vineyard cottages: 

Leaning Rock Cottage and Old Man Cottage. 

TOP: Stay where the views are magical at Greystone vineyard. Photo: 

Greystone; RIGHT: Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa is a place of pure 

relaxation near the vines. Photos: Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa 

For more, go to nzwine.com/visit

84 Style | Read 

The book nook 

Your essential summer reading guide. 

The Dressmaker’s Secret by Rosalie Ham 

(Macmillan, RRP $34.99) The compelling 

sequel to the bestselling novel, The 

Dressmaker, which was made into a 

movie starring Kate Winslet. 

The Contented Vegan by Peggy Brusseau 

(Head of Zeus, $55) A guide for anyone 

looking to transition to a vegan lifestyle. 

With more than 100 delicious recipes, 

as well as practical advice. 

Conversations with RBG by Jeffrey Rosen 

(Macmillan, $37.99) A unique portrait 

of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, drawing on 

more than 20 years of conversations 

with Jeffrey Rosen. 

Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty 

(Thorsons/Element, $36.99) Social media 

superstar Jay Shetty distils the timeless 

wisdom he learned as a practising monk 

into practical steps anyone can take to 

live a less anxious, more meaningful life. 

Blowing My Way to the Top by 

Jen Atkin (HarperCollins, $34.99) 

From celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin 

comes a smart and spirited guide to 

finding your voice and creating the life 

and career you deserve. 

The Cousins by Karen McManus 

(Penguin, $21) The Storys are the envy 

of their neighbours: rich, beautiful, and 

close. Until the four children are suddenly 

dropped by their mother with a single 

sentence: “You know what you did.” 

Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho 

(HarperCollins, $24.99) For fans of 

Crazy Rich Asians and Bridget Jones’s 

Diary comes a hilarious story of love, 

friendship and the most intrusive 

people in the world: family. 

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth 

(Macmillan, $34.99) When Fern’s sister 

Rose discovers she can’t fall pregnant, 

Fern sees her chance to pay her back 

for everything Rose has done for her. 

She just needs to find a father. 

Purposeful Breathing by Dr Greg Smith 

(Exisle, $34.99) A practical, user-friendly 

guide to simple breathing skills that can 

rapidly reduce states you don’t want 

and increase the states you do want.

Style | Read 85 

WE’RE READING 

The Survivors 

Jane Harper 

(Macmillan, $32.99) 

I thought I had this story all tied up at the halfway mark. From the Tasmanian 

locals to the cop brought in to solve the murder, I had a good grasp of the myriad 

characters and had the motive and motivation all sewn up. But I was wrong. 

Having read Australian author Jane Harper’s other three books, I should have 

guessed the resolution would be far more complex. 

The bestselling author has delivered another captivating story that tells of 

a small community forever altered by tragedy. Twelve years after Evelyn Bay 

residents lost three of their own, another is found dead on the beach, and old 

wounds reopen. As the central character grapples with his own past, the story 

unfolds and the reader sinks deeper and deeper into this captivating mystery. 

– Kate Preece 

New Zealanders: The Field Guide 

Tom Sainsbury 

(HarperCollins, $36.99) 

I’m a bit of a Tom Sainsbury fan. I have thoroughly enjoyed his social media portrayal 

of former National MP Paula Bennett. But I’m not much of a reader, so I was hesitant 

about picking up his book looking at the colourful array of characters in New Zealand 

– from the ‘martyr mother who guilt-trips her children’ to the ‘officious office-worker 

who narks on others’. 

But there I was, right there on page eight: ‘The Drinking Mum’ – it was like he 

interviewed me for his book. He had me pegged, right down 

to the layers of jewellery, jeans and hair colour. 

Sainsbury’s good honest journey through our stereotypes is truly laugh-out-loud 

funny – which can be a bit inconvenient if you are reading it in the office while 

everyone else is studiously working. 

– Emma Rogers 

Redhead by the Side of the Road 

Anne Tyler 

(Chatto & Windus, $35.00) 

Micah Mortimer’s predictable routine is disrupted when he hits an unexpected 

obstacle in his relationship with his girlfriend, Cass, at the same time as a teenage 

boy arrives on his doorstep, claiming to be his son. 

Tyler’s latest novel is short, sweet and uncomplicated, making it perhaps the 

perfect read after the challenges of 2020. And yet she still manages to paint such 

a vivid portrait of the lives of others – the importance and value of family, the 

idiosyncrasies that make us unique, the nature of love and how it affects everyone 

differently. Through Micah’s story, Tyler offers a fresh perspective on the complexity 

of human relationships and the power of words – the ones we choose to ignore, 

and the ones we decide to give meaning to. 

– Kerry Laundon

1 2 

3 

4 

LADIES’ DAY AT 

RICCARTON PARK 

It turned out to be a very sunny Wednesday at 

Riccarton Park, where ladies (and lads) got 

dressed up in their best to enjoy Coupland’s 

Bakeries Mile Day. The atmosphere was light 

as groups cheered on their chosen horse, while 

others enjoyed a quieter setting of bubbles and 

lunch under the shade of the trees and marquees. 

5 

6 

7 8 9 

10 11 12 

1. Alister and Janine Bremner, Simon Bonifant; 2. Daniel Peter, Nicola Tiffen; 3. Belinda Thomas, Rachelle Connelly, Julia March, Penny Gough, Laura Palomino de Forbes, 

Sarah Burtscher, Lou Parnham, Jo Scott-Lysaght, Charlotte Smith-Smulders; 4. Griff Simpson, Jacquie Aynsley; 5. Heidi Crawford, Anthea Herron, Kelly Bush; 

6. Kathryn Hampton, Jayne Bell; 7. Lizzie Dyer, Belinda Hargreaves, Claire Sparks; 8. Rebecca Scott, Bryan Pearson; 9. Jan Pinkney, Katie Edmonds; 

10. Brian Le Vaillant, Jane Mannering; 11. Hans Van Schreven, Alastair Picton-Warlow, Michael Taylor, Jimmy Mac, Scott Fairclough, Gerry Brookman; 

12. Lindy and David Owen, Paula Nicolaou.

HOUSE OF 

TRAVEL AWARDS 

It was a night where many a glass was raised to toast 

the success of staff at the Christchurch House of Travel 

Awards evening. With bubbles and smiles all around, it 

was a fabulous night to celebrate HOT’s 2019 results. 

Photography: Olivia Woodward

I’M IN A UNITED 

STATE WITH PAUL 

HENRY 

People came together for dinner to launch 

the red, white and beautifully entertaining 

memoir by one of New Zealand’s most 

recognisable broadcasters, Paul Henry. 

Guests enjoyed drinks, dinner and a copy of 

his latest book I’m In A United State, which is 

a homage to the land of the slightly shabby 

stars and stripes. 

Photography: Olivia Woodward

ST MARGARET’S COLLEGE 

ART EXHIBITION 

With more than 100 of New Zealand’s finest artists 

and sculptors on display, the St Margaret’s College 

Art Exhibition and Sculpture Garden event was launched 

with a VIP opening night. There was also a special 110th 

anniversary sculpture unveiling, with all proceeds from the 

evening going to the St Margaret’s College Foundation. 

AN ESSENTIAL 

NIGHT OUT 

I 

t brought out competitive streaks and 

the bidding on the silent and live auction 

was even more heated than last year, but 

what a night of fun was had at the Medbury 

Parents’ Association ‘An Essential Night Out’ 

quiz evening. You can tell just by looking at 

those costumes!

90 Style | Win 

GIVEAWAYS 

Win with Style 

Every month, Style sources a range of exceptional prizes to give away. 

It’s easy to enter, simply go to www.style.kiwi and fill in your details on the 

‘Win With Style’ page. Entries close December 18. 

BRING ON THE BANDAL 

Slip your weary 2020 feet out of your work shoes and 

into the comfort of summer with a Bandal. Brought to you 

by Red Band, makers of the iconic hardy gumboot, these 

jandals are made with high-quality rubber with a thicker 

top strap, perfect for our Kiwi summer lifestyles. From 

$14.99, we have 10 pairs to give away. redband.co.nz 

COFFEE ANYONE? 

Kick-start your morning caffeine fix in style with the Bialetti 

Moka Express. A good eco choice, it doesn’t produce 

harmful waste or require detergents for cleaning. Win one 

of two four-cup coffee makers, valued at $84.99, in aid of 

Bialetti’s partnership with Oceana, an organisation focused 

on protecting the world’s oceans. bialetti.co.nz 

GAME ON 

Get kitted out for some serious gaming time these 

holidays with Logitech G. We have nearly $800 of 

products to give away, including a blue G733 Lightspeed 

Wireless RGB Gaming Headset ($279.90), a blue G305 

Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse ($119.90) and a 

black G915 TKL Lightspeed Wireless RGB Mechanical 

Gaming Keyboard ($399.90). logitechg.com/en-nz 

TIME TO ESCAPE 

Need to rejuvenate? How does a night on the edge 

of Lake Wanaka sound? With gorgeous views of 

the mountains, Edgewater Lake Wanaka is the only 

accommodation in Wanaka with direct access to the lake 

and, with four star-plus facilities and amenities, it’s certainly 

a place to relax in style. Win a night in a one-bedroom 

Lake View Deluxe Suite, valued at $278. edgewater.co.nz 

Last 

month’s 

winners: 

GHD GIFT SET: Denise Morales 

WILD DISPENSARY KIT: Amelia Haller 

RADIANCE PACK: Joy Rose 

*Conditions: Each entry is limited to one per person. You 

may enter all giveaways. If you are selected as a winner, 

your name will be published in the following month’s 

edition. By registering your details, entrants give permission 

for Star Media to send further correspondence, which you 

can opt out of at any stage.

Discover the GLA and GLB. 

All kinds of strength. 

Playing to their strengths is something our SUVs do exceptionally well. Like the compact, agile GLA 

that’s designed to be the perfect urban companion. Or the versatile GLB, with 7 seats and room for more 

freedom, more flexibility and more family time. These outstanding SUVs are now stronger than ever. 

Discover yours at Armstrong Prestige Christchurch today. 

GLA 250 4MATIC SUV 

From 

$86,500 * Offer price 

• Complimentary AMG Sports Package 

• Complimentary Vision Package 

• AMG Exterior 

• LED Headlamps 

• PARKTRONIC Park Assist 

• 360-degree Camera 

GLB 250 4MATIC SUV 

From 

$92,900 * Offer price 

• Complimentary AMG Sports Package 

• Complimentary Vision Package 

• Seat Comfort Package 

• 7-Seats 

• 19-inch AMG alloy wheels 

• Panoramic Glass Sunroof 

*Excludes on-road costs and any additional vehicle options. Offer valid for vehicles ordered and delivered between 11 th November – 31 st December 2020 

at Armstrong Prestige Christchurch. Not available in conjunction with any other offers, while stocks last. Fleet customers excluded. Based on RRP of new 

standard specification GLA 250 4MATIC SUV and GLB 250 4MATIC SUV with complimentary AMG Sport Package and Vision Package. 

Armstrong Prestige Christchurch 6 Detroit Place, Christchurch 03 343 2468 www.mbchristchurch.co.nz

Style: December 04, 2020

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