Table of contents for February 2018 in NEXT

Living the dream I can pinpoint the first time I understood the power of ‘listening to my gut’ when it comes to making big decisions. I was about to start my seventh form year at high school, but during the summer my parents had moved to another town a short commute away. My choice was: Travel to my old school by train, or start afresh at a new school closer to home. The decision weighed on me all summer long, until eventually I took the easy option and re-enrolled at my old school. On the train journey home that day, I felt increasingly uncomfortable, as if my whole body was rebelling against my choice. All I could think about was the opportunity lost. It was a 40-minute trip, and by…

POKHARA, NEPAL Every weekend, many people from this town spend their time on this splendid lake. AMAZON RAINFOREST, ECUADOR More and more tribes of Amazonia are starting to adopt modern clothes for everyday life, but they still keep traditional clothes for important events. This young woman is wearing her wedding outfit. WAKHAN CORRIDOR, AFGHANISTAN The people and the natural surroundings here are beautiful, but life is harsh. Although the conflicts plaguing Afghanistan never reached this woman’s village, they were never far away, making it impossible for her to improve her life. NAPLES, ITALY Serena makes cornicelli, ancient good luck charms that are popular in this region. NAMPAN MYANMAR Mihaela met this lady at a local market. REYKJAVIK, ICELAND Thorunn is a singer and activist who brings Icelandic women together via a…

My problem with this so-called love affair New Zealanders have with their cars is the assumption that because everyone drives, driving must be what we desire. While the vast majority of people I know do own a car, I can safely say not all of them bloody love it. Mechanophiliacs aside, the thought of their daily commute isn’t what gets people excited. In fact, the rumbling slog into town is a bit of a drag. Whatever fantasies we have been fed about cars (more freedom/sex appeal/ability to run away from our problems), the reality for most of us is that cars bring with them mo’ problems. These problems affect individuals with their burdensome maintenance and costs, and they affect wider society, too. Much like the blinkers we put on to…

‘IT KEEPS YOU CONNECTED AND GROUNDED AS A HUMAN BEING, AND I THINK TO BE A GOOD ACTOR, YOU NEED THAT’ She’s beautiful, with genuine warmth and an easy smile, but you don’t have to spend very long talking to actress Bridie Carter to glimpse the core of steel that runs through her. This is a woman who doesn’t have time for being afraid and can be fierce when she needs to be. It’s a courage and inner strength that has been hard won. Bridie’s face is familiar from TV shows like McLeod’s Daughters and her current role as Jan in 800 Words. Although naturally open and upfront (she says she can sometimes be too blunt because she’s so honest), what all those years of celebrity have taught her is…

Sara Quilter Tailor Skincare Wellington’s Sara Quilter, 30, began her award-winning bespoke skincare brand Tailor Skincare ( tailorskin.co ) in her dad’s workshop with a Kenwood cake mixer and bag of clay. In the beginning The Tailor story started in 2012 when I was in California doing market research in the organic horticulture industry, working with a brand launching fertiliser. All the chemicals going into our food production got me thinking about the ingredients in skincare, so I decided to try making my own. I moved back to New Zealand and by April had started up production in my dad’s workshop making a detoxifying face mask. At the time, I was working as a support worker for adults with Down syndrome and autism, so I started trying to…

‘THERE’S A NEW ENERGY ABOUT TAURANGA AND A REAL SENSE OF GROWTH AND POSITIVITY’ Tessa and Rowan Dawson say they were forced out of Auckland by high property prices. The couple, who run Circus in a Flash, a company that provides circus-style entertainment for events, relocated to Tauranga with their sons Nate, six, and Fraser, three, in early 2016. “We really wanted to buy our own house in Auckland but we didn’t want to compromise on the area, or on having a garden,” says Tessa, 33, who also works as a lingerie designer. “Plus we really wanted our kids to be able to bike or walk to school in a place that had a real sense of community.” But as they watched house prices spiral out of control and slip…

Pretty and bright, we love Rosy posy pink lipsticks for giving us a burst of colour. Wear with lashings of mascara, a bit of blush and a golden (faux) glow. Easy on the lips Infused with hydrating oils and sans parabens, these lipsticks tick all the boxes while still punching above their weight in the hue department. Tip Match cool or warm shades to your skin tone Tip Dab on cheek bones as a blush alternative…

Waltzing into autumn Launching this month, Città’s Autumn collection Ornamental is inspired by the opulence of Vienna. Featuring tonal velvet cushions, chunky knit blankets and woven fabrics, the textiles draw on the Viennese aesthetic; decorative cake shops, beautiful music halls and ornate buildings. Contrasted with the clean lines of functional furniture and lighting design classics, the collection combines form, function and beauty. OUR DIRTY SECRETS Half of us see flooring and carpet as the most important home investment, but most of us aren’t caring for it as we should. A study by Carpet Court found 57% of those surveyed had never had their carpet professionally cleaned; critical for maintaining quality. More than 75% only vacuumed once a week or less, and 32% had endured wine spills. TURN IT UP Sustainably…

THE FAST-MIMICKING DIET ProLon is a carefully balanced meal box developed by Valter Longo, professor of gerontology and biological sciences. Used for five days every month, it mimics the effects of a ‘periodic’ fast of three or more days and is said to enable maximum rejuvenation benefits. prolonfmd.com BODHIMAYA METHOD This also incorporates a Friday night to Monday morning fast every three months with only juices and soups and fasting retreats. bodhimaya.com BUCHINGER WILHELMI This offers 10, 14 and 21 days of medically supervised fasting in a hotel setting. Stays include an initiation phase and at least four days of progressive refeeding. buchinger-wilhelmi.com. For more on fasting, read Therapeutic Fasting: The Buchinger Amplius Method by Dr Françoise Wilhelmi de Toledo.…

KEEPING IT TOGETHER YOUR MARRIAGE MAY KEEP YOUR BRAIN HEALTHY.A REVIEW OF 15 STUDIES FOUND LIFETIME SINGLETONS WERE 42% MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP DEMENTIA, WHILE THOSE WHO HAD BEEN WIDOWED WERE 20% MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP DEMENTIA, AS THE STRESS OF LOSS MAY IMPAIR OUR COGNITIVE ABILITIES. THE GOOD STUFF Probiotics are enjoying some well-deserved attention on the health scene, but when is the best time to take them? The optimum time is right before or just after a meal, as food provides a buffer for the probiotic, helping to protect the good bacteria as it makes its way through your digestive system. Lifestream medical ambassador Dr Emma Parry says, “The concept that the gut is just somewhere to absorb food has been blown out of the water.” She adds…

A WEE DRINK Tribes in Zimbabwe are adamant a mixture of baboon urine and beer will increase chances of conception. The hormones from the baboon urine are thought to be the key. THUMBS UP In Istanbul, those wanting help with their fertility visit the Weeping Column, which appears to ‘weep’ holy water. They place their thumb in a hole in the column and rotate it as far as possible. GOING FOR A DIP In Ettigen, Switzerland, men cover themselves in branches from beech trees and, disguised as bushes, sneak up on women and dunk them in a well. The ritual is said to make women fertile. TAKE A SEAT The annual Festival of the Steel Phallus in Kawasaki, Japan, sees those hoping to start a family sit astride a huge model…

We’re swapping the frosé for a lemony frosecco Berry nice Over summer there are plenty of places up and down the country to go berry picking. It’s a great activity for the kids and a damn sight better than a walk to the dairy. Blackberries, boysenberries, raspberries and cherries will be available for picking in various places across the country over summer, with the season coming to an end mid-to late-February, depending on growing conditions. Locations are a quick Google away, but pickyourown.org/newzealand. htm is a good starting point. Keeping cool: The frozen rosé concoction known as the frosé ushered in the boozy slushie trend last year. This year we’re swapping the frosty pink frosé for a chilly, lemony frosecco. The concept is very similar and there are a number of ways to…

Unless your partner has spent their reproductive years firing blanks, overusing the rhythm method or assiduously guarding their sperm, chances are any new relationship post-divorce/40 is going to include children. Sometimes you’ll both have one, or two, or more than a few, like The Brady Bunch, and they seemed to make it work. The younger man has a two-year-old. At the other end of the spectrum, my own daughter is 25 and pretends to be allergic to toddlers, in case she should accidentally want one. “What does the Child eat?” she asked in frosty tones as we went out for dinner. “Souls?” “Pizza.” “Oh, yay, I love pizza.” Other people’s children are generally lovely, especially if they’re really wee: a baby is much less likely to declare, “Mummy says you’re…

Glow getter Whether she’s in front of the camera on Fair Go or relaxing on a beach for a cover shoot, Pippa looks natural and luminous. And while you may not have a team of makeup artists (we wish!), here’s how you can recreate her lit-from-within glow at home. GET PIPPA’S LOOK Clowning around Co-ordinating six people for a shoot is a bit chaotic – let alone trying to sync schedules! But once we rounded up Fair Go’s reporters, it was laughs all round. It’s clear the team are a close-knit group, making for a very fun day in the studio. Trading jokes and striking poses – all in a day’s work for Fair Go…

Not so long ago turning 40 was the beginning of the end. Officially you were seen as being ‘over the hill’ and you might have been gifted a mug with those exact words on it – just in case it didn’t sink in. But these days, it’s a little different. Co-host of Fair Go, Pippa Wetzell, and the popular show itself both celebrated turning 40 last year, and it’s safe to say neither of them displays any signs of slowing down. In fact, Pippa says entering the new era has given her a new lease on life. The next phase “I know everyone says this, but I don’t feel old,” she says laughing. “I can remember both of my parents’ 40th birthdays and I look back and I think ‘gosh,…

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”CHARLOTTE BRONTË, JANE EYRE ‘THERE’S NO REASON TO SUFFER BORING WORK ANYMORE IF YOU’RE WILLING TO MAKE SOMETHING NEW HAPPEN’ There’s something about summer that magically creates more headspace, isn’t there? A sunny morning pottering around before work or a rosé-fuelled evening with a dear friend that allows you to dwell in the blissful realm of possibility. You dare to ask, “What if I started that business I’ve been thinking about for ages?” or, “I wonder if my boss would let me go down to four days a week?” Instead of following up on these yearnings, all too often we allow those lazy hours to whizz by and soon the leaves are…

1976 It was the year New Zealanders first celebrated Waitangi Day and the first McDonald’s opened here. Black and white TV was giving way to colour, the music charts were dominated by ABBA, and milk was delivered to each house by the local milkman. It was also the year that parliament introduced the Property (Relationships) Act, spelling out new laws for couples on who should get what post-separation. These laws not only redefined the roles of women in society but also aimed to provide women with fairer outcomes. Fast-forward more than 40 years and the government has acknowledged that a full review is well overdue. Not only has society changed, but so too have the relationships we’re entering into. The New Zealand Law Commission, an independent Crown entity, has the…

On a mild summer evening in London’s Covent Garden, the rooftop bars are open, silver-painted human statues spellbind toddlers, and a beggar is using a traffic cone as a trumpet, with mixed results. The streets are filled with theatre-goers out for an early meal before their West End show. At Marcus Wareing’s restaurant, Tredwells, in Upper St Martin’s Lane, opposite the trendy Indian street food eatery Dishoom, and Jamie Oliver’s less highly-rated Italian, it will be a big night. Three large parties are booked for 6pm. Their tables are already laid in the light-filled basement, beside the open kitchen. The chef has one eye on her laptop; the other glued to every dish sent out. A plate is sent back to adjust a less-than-perfect swish of puree. Another must be…

SILKY SMOOTH Suitable for all hair types, Goldwell’s new Kerasilk treatment is just what we need for the frizzy season. Available at selected salons, simply add it on to your cut or colour for around $90. Accompanying styling products prolong the hair-relaxing effects, including Kerasilk Control De-Frizz Primer, $39.50. SHINE BRIGHT MAC has collaborated with jewellery designer Jade Jagger (yes, Mick’s daughter) on a limited-edition collection for the Mineralize range. “The jewel-like tones and reflective pigments in my MAC collection were inspired by the precious stones used in my jewellery designs,” says Jade. “The Mineralize franchise was the obvious choice for my products because they contain over 70 minerals and properties that promote extra hydration while imitating my designs perfectly.” GOT THE BUZZ BLOGGER MEGAN HUTCHISON OF ‘SHE SAID YES’…

GREASE MONKEY When your hair is slicker than an oil rig, it may mean your sebaceous glands are overactive. There are two ways to tackle this. First, remove the oily build-up; and second, slow down oil production. Use a deep-cleansing shampoo to degrease but don’t massage the scalp as this can make the problem worse. A DYED SCALP Should you notice your hair dye has ended up on your skin, don’t panic. Makeup wipes are a great way to remove dye, especially when it’s still wet, as they have cleansing properties that help lift off the colour. Joico ambassador and owner of Cocoon Hair Design, Felicity Bruce, recommends having your hair coloured by a professional at a salon, but adds, “If you can still see staining after leaving the salon,…

It is the time of year for gathering with friends and family, and with the hot temperatures who wants to be stuck inside? So transform your outdoor spaces into a stylish entertainer’s hub or a family-friendly extension of your home. Think what you want to use this area for. Is it dining? Lounging? A combo of the two? Think how many people you want to seat – family or larger groups? This will dictate how big you go with your table. If you need that bit more flexibility look at getting bench seats, as they can fit more people along the sides. Keep built-in furniture in mind, like bench seating with storage. This comes in handy to pack away outdoor toys or store the cushions. Once you’ve decided, choose your…

16:8 + 1:7:2, aka THE BODHIMAYA METHOD. Eat within an eight-hour window and ensure your daily intake has an optimum nutrition ratio of 1:7:2: one portion carbs; seven fruit and veg, and two protein. 16:8, published as THE 8-HOUR DIET by Men’s Health editor David Zinczenko and Peter Moore. Fast for 16 hours and eat all food within an eight-hour window. THE WARRIOR DIET by Ori Hofmekler involves only one evening meal, supposedly as our warrior ancestors ate. Actor Joanna Lumley attributes her slimness to one meal a day. METABOLIC BALANCE PROGRAMME, founded by Dr Wolf Funfack, is offered by nutritional therapists worldwide. A bespoke three-month programme involving five-hour fasts between meals. HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WELL by Dr Xand van Tulleken. Eat one 800 calorie meal a…

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS? Arthritis isn’t a single disease – instead, it’s an umbrella term referring to conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, specifically the joints. While rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the most well known, there are more than a 100 different types of arthritis. In fact, irritable bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis also fall under the arthritis umbrella and are known as enteropathic arthritis, where those with IBD may also have some form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common condition and affects people by wearing away the cartilage, which cushions the joints. This means that bone rubs against bone, causing pain, swelling and stiffness and weakening the joint over time. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks the joints. This arthritis…

GET A MICRO TEAM Firstly you need to work out if the job is still right for you, and to do that you’ve got to get an old-fashioned work buddy. Not a mentor, but someone who is committed to you. Just someone to sit with you and do a career audit. You need to think about where you want to be headed. Quite often people are trying to be relevant and haven’t stepped back and thought, ‘Is this really what I want? Is this really the work culture that I want?’ It’s not about hierarchy or how can I fit in, it’s about you driving it. Think to yourself, ‘Is this the work I feel really comfortable and inspired by?’ Because when we’re inspired and interested we’ll want to embrace…

Recipes These dishes are easy, delicious and nutritious – and minimise the washing up along the way! Edamame hummus with teriyaki frozen prawns 60ml (¼ cup) teriyaki sauce 2 Tbsp honey 36 frozen peeled green prawns, with tails intact, thawed on a plate lined with paper towel 5 spring onions, cut into 4cm lengths 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 tsp soy sauce ¼ sheet toasted nori, snipped into small strips (optional) EDAMAME HUMMUS 1 slice white bread, crusts removed 60ml (¼ cup) milk 450g frozen edamame beans 1 spring onion, coarsely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tsp tahini 2 tsp ground cumin 60ml (¼ cup) olive oil 1 Tbsp lemon juice Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 Combine the teriyaki sauce and honey in a bowl. Add…

HOMAGE TO BOWIE It’s the last chance to see the David Bowie exhibition before it concludes its five-year world tour. The exhibition, David Bowie Is’ has its final stop at Brooklyn Museum in New York and celebrates Bowie’s life and art. As the music legend once said, “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” SUITCASE SELFIES HOTELS.COM HAS FOUND A DECIDING FACTOR FOR 14% OF TRAVELLERS BOOKING A HOTEL IS THE POSTS THEY CAN MAKE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA – AND A THIRD OF AUSTRALIANS WON’T BOOK HOTELS THAT DON’T OFFER WI-FI. SAVVY SERVICE A new app has hit the road in Queenstown, offering on-demand transport. For an introductory flat fare of $5, users can book a ride through the Savy app and…

Under the skin Avène Hydrance Optimale intensely hydrates the skin, thanks to the combined action of Lipomucine and Meiboserine, and protects the skin against free radicals to unify the complexion. More than an all-in-one, this complete care protects the skin against daily environmental aggressions, leaving your skin ready to face the day. Guilt-free ginger crunch Hunter Gatherer Gourmet baking mixes are super-quick and easy, and only contain ingredients that’ll make you feel great. They’re perfect if you’re paleo or vegan, looking for low sugar options, if you have allergies, or if you just want baking that tastes good and helps you feel good. RRP $24.95. Available at selected New World and speciality stores. A fresh touch Batiste is an instant hair refresh between washes. Just spray in, massage through and…

Martha Stewart confesses her guilty pleasure is a spoon of really good organic peanut butter. Surely you can do better – or rather worse – than that? It’s not even a saturated fat. I mean you went to jail for lying to investigators, for heaven’s sake! Confess to an espresso martini and a cigar, at least. The feeble guilty pleasure is like when you go to a job interview and they ask you what your weaknesses are and you say you are a perfectionist. Rather than, for example, that you regularly waste three hours of work time watching wedding proposals on YouTube. Believe it or not, this is a problem. We are all trying too hard to be good. And it’s not good for us. I know that might sound…

The city I’d love to live in is… I currently live in Maketu and I absolutely love it. It’s so peaceful and quiet. I definitely love visiting cities, but I don’t think I’d like to permanently live in one. But if I did, I’d choose either Paris or New York. I love the vibe of both of these places and they also have amazing food! The best birthday I ever had was… … dining at Ultraviolet in Shanghai in 2016 after we won Best TV Cookbook at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. It was a really special time for us and the dinner at Ultraviolet is one of the highlight dining experiences of my life. My typical working week… I don’t have a typical working week. When we’re filming, it’s full-on…

‘EVERY TIME WE VISITED HAWKE’S BAY, WE NEVER WANTED TO LEAVE. WE LOVE THE CLIMATE AND THE CREATIVE CULTURE’ The headline was in bold, 54-point type. ‘Leaving Auckland for the regions a smart move’ it announced on the front page of a recent Sunday newspaper. The story went on to explain why escaping from New Zealand’s largest city was a good idea: more affordable houses, less congested roads, fewer people ruining the view… you get the idea. Clearly, someone was listening: figures show that between the 2008 and 2013 censuses, 32,184 people left the City of Sails for greener pastures. What’s more, a recent survey revealed one in three Aucklanders (32.2%) had considered moving away in the past two years, mainly because of house prices. A further 36% admitted they…

SKINCARE A couple of years ago, I upgraded all my skincare to Ultraceuticals and it’s honestly been the best thing – especially as I approach 40. I’d been going through a bit of a sensitive-skin phase and liked the way you can start fairly neutral, then slowly increase to more active ingredients. I now use Ultraceuticals’ Ultra Brightening Foaming Cleanser morning and night, layering up with Ultra B2 Hydrating Serum and Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF30 during the day. At night, I use their Ultra A Perfecting Eye Cream, Ultra A Skin Perfecting Serum and Ultra Moisturiser Cream. HAIRCARE I have naturally curly hair, so unless I’m swimming regularly, a blow-dry finish is a must. I love Redken’s Pillow Proof Blow Dry Primer as it reduces drying time and…

When Jessica and Osvaldo signed off on this house 14 years ago, they didn’t think it would end up being such a well-loved, long-term home. It had taken a while for them to get into the property market and as they had bought ‘off the plan’, they hadn’t been able to walk through the house. But as soon as they signed the contracts, Jessica found out she was pregnant with their third child. “All of a sudden we were a bedroom short before we’d even moved in,” recalls Jessica. With a little negotiation, they managed to alter the original design, moving a wall, adding a door and stealing space from the original dining area to make a bedroom. Room for all Six months later, the family of five moved in.…

We now know that fasting – ie reducing our calorie intake – is linked to a raft of benefits, with experts extolling its virtues in everything from weight loss and lowered blood pressure to improved mental clarity and healthier ageing. What if, however, the sort of diet we were to consider were not about food or calories – but akin to a couple of ‘mental fasting’ days a week? The world’s largest survey on rest, which included more than 18,000 respondents from 134 countries, found that more than two-thirds (68%) of people globally would like more rest. But perhaps more notably, these rest-deprived people scored lower in terms of their overall wellbeing than those who had adequate rest. In fact, people who said they felt they regularly had enough rest…

Recipes Vegetables too often play second fiddle in a meal... yet they present to us a staggering array of tastes, textures and culinary opportunities Charred tomatillo tostadas There is nothing quite as good as a fresh tomatillo – and the tomatillo salsa is definitely the hero in this Mexican dish. Also referred to as a ‘Mexican husk tomato’ due to the fine, almost translucent papery husk that encloses it, the flesh of the tomatillo is firm and tastes simultaneously fruity and tart. If tomatillos aren’t in season, green tomatoes can be used instead. However, don’t use tinned tomatillos here – the flavour just won’t be the same. Vegetable oil, for shallow frying 10 small soft tortillas ½ cup shaved red cabbage ½ cup shaved white cabbage Kernels from 1 fresh…

I don’t usually look forward to Monday mornings, but today I feel almost relieved to open my computer and hack away at the thicket of work emails. Over the past two days, my thoughts have been circling obsessively around three facts. One: Mr Stable has told me and several others that his marriage is over – but has neglected to tell his wife. Two: Mr Stable’s wife is furious, not because the marriage is over (because she doesn’t know that yet), but because her husband hardly ever comes home anymore. Three: Mr Stable is now in Cologne with Mrs Stable, celebrating her birthday before breaking the news that, soon, he won’t be coming home at all. “How can you trust someone who acts like that?” My Italian friend Alfredo, who…

1 We could run in high heels. 2. We’d look pretty when crying. 3. Bradley Cooper would shop at the local supermarket. 4. We would have perfect hair and makeup when running/ in childbirth/on waking up. 5. We’d always find a park. 6. Taxi drivers would all offer great life advice. 7. We’d find our courage just at the right moment. 8. The television would always flick on to the pertinent news story. 9. We’d be able to run through rush-hour traffic and never get hit. 10. It would be okay to seriously injure and/or kill around 50 people in a high speed road chase for the purpose of saving just one person’s life. 11. Dumpsters would always provide a soft landing no matter how far we fell. 12.Our grocery…