Logitech has been honing down what gamers want out of a gaming keyboard. Last time we got our hands on a G Pro X keyboard it was the beautiful tenkeyless mechanical Pro X TKL, which is still a big recommendation if you need your arrow keys. It’s a common peripheral at the LANs I host […]
The Range Rover Evoque hybrid is a sorted car. It’s compact it’s easy to get around but it brings that measure of luxury of the status of a quality brand. The model we drove is a plugin hybrid and I’ve only got praise for its driving characteristics sending the power of a 1.3L turbo to […]
In the oft-overlooked world of sleep innovation, BEDGEAR has arisen not just as a trailblazer but as a bona fide disruptor. Founded in 2009, this New York-based company has quickly became the enfant terrible of the bedding industry, shaking up a sector that many considered, well, a bit sleepy. The BEDGEAR journey began with CEO […]
Hidden away in the busting heart of Auckland, an urban retreat awaits at the Luxe Spa at Pullman, where you can drop the to-do lists, meeting requests, and all those other things that add to the stress of daily life for a moment of tranquil reprieve. But the Luxe Spa at Pullman promises more than […]
In ode to the annals of Greek mythology, where Daedalus crafted his intricate maze, Rolls-Royce engineers have woven their own complex masterpiece, the Arcadia Droptail. This chariot, not of the sun but of the roads, is not just a nod to the pastoral utopia of Arcadia but a technical odyssey that would make even Hephaestus, […]
Civil War is the latest in a long line of culture war artefacts stirring up American audiences long before the movie even releases in theatres. Now that it’s here on an election year no less, how does it hold up? Directed by Alex Garland this is primarily a road-trip film following four journalists as they […]
Rolls-Royce, in a stroke of what can only be described as automotive couture wizardry, has rolled out the Ghost Prism. A limited edition, 120-unit tribute to the brand’s 120th birthday. And it looks like the party began with a particularly avant-garde game of Twister to choose the color options. The Ghost Prism comes in Gunmetal […]
At the best of times, I possess the general social skills of an amoeba. But these aren’t the best of times. For some reason, I have lately developed a debilitating conversational illness that is sure to ruin any first impression. With one simple question, I can turn even the most engaged pockets of a sauve […]
Zendaya slays it both on and off the screen, pictured here on the global tour for DUNE: Part Two in Mexico City. Zendaya plays Chani, a member of the Freme. We only got a glimpse of her performance at the end of the first movie, but she finally gets her own space in Part Two. […]
Bob Ross, the friend of stoners, 80s housewives, and people just looking to destress and make some nice little paintings, has sky rocketed in popularity in recent years. As people look for ways to unwind online his TV show has provided a respite of calm that nothing else can. Who else can tell you that […]
Here at M2 we love celebrating promising new companies, but some of them stay just promises until they inevitably run out of investor capital and runway. A lot of tech companies are currently feeling the rubber meeting the road and discovering that they don’t have a viable product on their hands. Here are a few […]
While Elon Musk has his sights set on Mars soon to be renamed X as the next step for hedging humanity’s chances of ongoing survival, NASA and JPL might just have found another less arid option. TOI-715 b emerges as a beacon of intrigue. This super-Earth, situated a mere 137 light-years from our own planet, […]
Have you ever been standing outside, looking at an airport terminal roof and thinking to yourself, “this could really do with a vineyard.” Neither. But Rafael Viñoly Architects on the other hand have a far more lateral approach to the point of airport terminals than the rest of us and have made that the key […]
If you’re an extreme sports photographer there’s one big competition you should aspire to dominate, and that’s the Red Bull Illume, the world’s largest imagery contest that celebrates adventure and action sports. The competition has run for 17 years now and welcomes everything from skaters to spelunkers. An international body of judges take the images […]
This story starts with a burnt out car. Its charred interior covered in soot, grime and broken glass. In the centre console, relatively unscathed is a giant travel mug. The girl filming what remains of her vehicle picks up the cup and shakes it. There’s still ice in it, ready to offer a soothingly fresh […]
Electric vehicles are becoming the new norm on land, and now EV Maritime has emerged as a leader of the transition to cleaner transportation on water. The brainchild of NZ innovator Michael Eaglen, EV Maritime sets out to decarbonise the maritime industry with its innovative approach to electric ferries. Eaglen has a background in boat […]
It would have been quite a sight, a British migrant Samuel Smith, planting vines under the moonlight 175 years ago but it was that moment that set root for one of the world’s most iconic wine brands and one that is still family-owned six generations on. Derived from the indigenous Australian word meaning “all the […]
Hearty, homegrown music is what keeps the music industry alive in New Zealand. That’s a fact. As is Kiwi custom, listening to classic homegrown musicians is a go-to for many a Kiwi playlist. The songs of Dave Dobbyn, Neil Finn, Tiki Taane or The Exponents permeate freely to the sounds of our glorious nation. Being […]
The Hollywood leading man. What a title to hold for any cold-blooded male. Take the names of James Dean, River Phoenix or Leonardo DiCaprio. By nature: talented; by birth: sensitive, charming, ambitious, forever-relevant, hard-working, goal-driven, and publicly averse. Whether you call him an art-house stalwart for his breath-taking performance in Call Me By Your Name, […]
HUGO BOSS has dropped it’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection, this time flaunted by a lineup of heavy hitters including Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen and British model Adwoa Aboah, plus returning BOSS ambassadors South Korean actor Lee Minho and Italian tennis player Matteo Berrettini. Images courtesy of HUGO BOSS The SS2024 collection uses the brand’s Miami Fashion […]
Frame and Function Sunglasses and opticals serve a very important function in terms of how we see the world, but of course the frames we choose impacts how the world sees us. Just ask Clark Kent. According to the Garrett Leight California Spring/Summer 2024 collection today’s frames are an effortless nod and a wink to […]
As we celebrate the year of the Dragon, horologists around the world are putting their master craftsmen to work making the most intricate dragon themed timepieces they can muster. Being born in the year of the dragon is particularly auspicious, with character traits of “dragon babies” leading to particularly good life outcomes. In recent years […]
CES 2024 recently gave us a window into all the new consumer tech heading our way, and I have some bad news. If you were planning on doing a drinking game where you took a shot every time someone said “AI” your body would be entirely replaced with vodka by the end of the event. […]
Sea level destinations might have beaches, blue lagoons, pina coladas and a ready supply of oxygen but if you want to really elevate your travel plans you want to head upwards. Here are some of our favourite vertically inclined goto spots. Nepal/Tibet Mount Everest Base Camp Everest is like the big kahuna of high altitude […]
Anne woke up on 1 January feeling positive and motivated (and just a tad hungover), saying to herself “This is going to be an awesome year!” She’d been thinking about her goals and now it was time to lock in her New Year’s resolutions and start making progress! That positive feeling and motivation lasted all […]
ACG Schools have once again achieved student outcomes that place them amongst the world’s best. ACG Schools, New Zealand’s largest independent school group has long been the gold standard for academic achievement – but their 2023 results have surpassed even their own high benchmarks. The 2023 results for the Cambridge Assessment have just been announced […]
If you’re reading this article, it’s likely because you, like me, are interested in or aspire to be successful. It’s a journey that we all embark upon, driven by our ambitions and the desire for personal accomplishment. In this piece, let us explore the concept of success, how we can enhance its perception, and why […]
I recently finished the excellent biography of Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson, and it got me thinking. Elon is totally unique; his appetite for risk is extraordinary, as is his ability to challenge the status quo. His impulsivity and ruthlessness are also legendary, resulting in many detractors and people who openly ridicule or disparage him. […]
Tech giants, Google and Microsoft have both done a lot to drive the rise of AI but in the process, they might just have empowered a whole lot more competition in the internet search and browser parts of their businesses a new wave of companies are introducing innovative functionalities that make browsing more efficient, personalised, […]
Look At Me… In 4k Zoom meetings are the new normal, even as working from home restrictions become retreating memories. We may as well lean into it and turf those budget grainy webcams that make us look like hostages and replace them with the PC equivalent of Peter Jackson 4k Hobbit cameras. The Logitech Brio […]
OpenAI are back at it, this time with a text to video model able to crank out highly realistic (or not depending on your preferences) videos that hold up under a casual glance. Watching closely you can still see the usual jank we’ve come to expect from this generation of AI models but the results […]
For those travellers who have long cherished the freedom of hitting the open road with a caravan or at least making your way to the nearest caravan park with full amenities, brace yourselves. The caravan game is getting an electric facelift, mimicking the EV craze that’s been reshaping the automotive world. Enter the Lightship L1 […]
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire 28 March Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) finally gets the respect he deserves as he returns alongside Dan Aykroyd to lead the new team of Ghostbusters following their first outting in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), Mckenna Grace, and Paul Rudd return and some new faces crop up in the form of comedian […]
Spider-man has a Spider-Man problem. Spider-people breed like, well, spiders I guess, and are starting to infest their own films with too many of themselves. Someone in a boardroom seems to believe this is a good idea. We put it to the test and find out empirically whether the committees designing these films are right. […]
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree June 21 If you haven’t got into Elden Ring yet, you either were never going to or you may have been living under some sort of rock – but with a new DLC finally on the horizon, this might be the perfect time to jump in. It has just […]
Sometimes you just need to stop for a minute and take stock of life. Literally. The number of livestock in and around our house is growing fast. Life is cropping up everywhere in my house. It’s a beautiful thing. Flowers blooming, black mould in the corner of the bathroom spreading. Here’s a quick summary of […]
You probably will have noticed by this stage of the magazine that this is the Year of Dragon. While Swiss watch brands have done a pretty good job of a bit of horological celebration, Rolls-Royce has entered the stage with a loud mic drop and four magnificent fiery beasts to pay a serious nod to […]
The macroeconomic landscape over the last couple of years has had global implications, but it has also had a very individual impact on most people. Restrictive credit, inflation, and the general cost of living make for daily headlines. Of course, we don’t need to read the newspaper to know that it can be hard to […]
Here at M2, and over at M2woman, we always like to celebrate Kiwis completely killing it on the world stage. No sportswoman is doing it more than our very own Lisa Carrington at the moment. She recently claimed her 15th Canoe Sprint World Championship title in Germany, with victory in the K1 200m on the […]
My favourite kind of energy storage has to be a big ol valley full of water. But when dams and regular hydro aren’t available how do you store energy? There are plenty of options out there but this one company may have found the edge on all the competition with an energy storage solution that […]
It’s incredible how far humanity has come with plant life in our race to create crops that can keep up with our ever-increasing demands. This started with cross-pollination and breeding plants that were more suitable for consumption. Early fruit wouldn’t have been much better than potatoes by modern standards. Then in recent years, we’ve gotten […]
A few months ago, through a series of bizarre events, I sat in on a funding round pitch, listening to Startup hopefuls. I was struck by a few things. One, scaling is a bitch. Two, it’s heartening to see how many startups want to support our primary industries. I feel as though us $10 coffee-quaffing […]
There’s always a lot of chatter about what we can do to chill out on making greenhouse gases, it’s just so fun making them though, it’s hard to quit. One solution is hydrogen, the simplest member of the family of chemical elements. Unfortunately getting hydrogen is anything but simple. If you want to extract the […]
Driving the BMW i5 M60 xDrive and I wonder to myself… “Where can cars go from here? Is this the pinnacle?” The handling is superb, suspension so smooth it glides over just about anything you put in its way. It’s as quiet as can be, and boasts just about every feature and function from a […]
Te Mata Estate makes some fantastic vintages. Last year we recommended the Coleraine ’21, and it has since subsequently sold out (according to their site right now). Available March 1st is the Coleraine ’22, which according to early reviews maintains the prestige of its predecessor. Critic Huon Hooke of The Real Review, suggests that “Coleraine […]
Driving the BMW i5 M60 xDrive and I wonder to myself… “Where can cars go from here? Is this the pinnacle?” The handling is superb, suspension so smooth it glides over just about anything you put in its way. It’s as quiet as can be, and boasts just about every feature and function from a […]
New year, new you, new desk. It’s time to upgrade your aging tech and get some gear that will truly maximise your efficiency while making you look sophisticated to boot. Here are our 2024 picks: Logitech’s MX Keys S combo A reliable mouse and keyboard are the bedrock of any setup. Logitech are well aware […]
From the moment you push the red start stop button you know you are in for a treat. I’ve driven a limited edition M3 (E92 4L V8 DCT) so I had high expectations. My expectations were shattered. This car is possibly the best sports car in its class. Road holding is sensational. And while the […]
As you approach the BMW R18 it’s virtually unlike any other bike. For a start, its monumental size means that there are few other man made pieces of machinery that rival its sheer presence. Photos do not do it justice. This is truly a heritage inspired piece of sculpture that ‘out chromes the chromes’ and […]
A new star was born in January when a little known developer Pocket Pair dropped its new game ‘Palworld’ onto game marketplaces Steam, Epic and Xbox Game Pass. The influences are clear, and the casual description of the game prior to release was “Pokemon but with guns” or in other words “Pokemon if they lived […]
In his keynote speech, Greg Cross, the founder of Soul Machines, discussed the rapid advancements in digital technology and the need for businesses to adapt to stay relevant. He emphasised the importance of understanding the digital world and how it can be utilised to enhance customer experiences. Cross made a point of debunking the myth […]
What is it? A naked sports bike? A street bike? A roadster? It’s all of them and none of them. The BMW R 1250 R is an axe in a world of knives. From carving the corners and zipping through traffic to proving warp drive is a thing, it seems to be good at just […]
Tesla is well…. Tesla. Different. And now that Tesla is just a little bit better. I had the privilege of attending the launch of the updated Model three. Model three is the mass market car, that car that the Model S and X paved the way for. The one that’s attainable and affordable and it’s […]
Hopefully over this christmas and New Years you found a chance to hang out and have good times with friends and loved ones. To celebrate these times The Macallan have crafted a unique single malt Scotch whisky for these unique golden moments. The limited-edition whisky was created using a combination of The Macallan’s sherry seasoned […]
Whisky is about harmony. It’s about the orchestra of ingredients working together over many months and years to create a concert in your mouth to be savoured. Weird analogy sure but I think it works. Now the spirit of this endeavour is being applied to The Harmony Collection, a celebration of the lands of Scotland, […]
I’m giving away my age a little with this admission but 2008 was a pretty great year for me personally. It was a formative year of getting away from home for the first time, seeing some of the world, and graduating from child to gangly adult. This also marked the year The Dalmore put away […]
I’m conscious that this print magazine has a lot of AI content. I’m also conscious that this can come across a bit like those print magazines in the early 2000s all about the internet and the new websites to visit. I found that ironically amusing at the time and now I am probably complicit in […]
Director/Writer/Producer Denis Villeneuve on the set of “DUNE: PART TWO”. Denis Villeneuve has done the unimaginable and actually done justice to one of the most epic sci-fi’s ever written. Dune has been to sci-fi cinema what Napoleon has been to historical dramas. Not even Ridley Scott could wrestle that epic into line. What Villeneuve brings […]
The iconic Auckland Restaurant, Jervois SteakHouse got a facelift over winter and is once again firing on all cylinders. Part of the refresh saw the return of the much-loved “meat board”, from which you can choose the most premium cut of beef on offer. But when presented with a row of raw steaks what do […]
In a universe far, far away (also known as Chengdu, China), a curious spectacle has emerged on the shores of Jingrong Lake. It’s the Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, a structure so audaciously futuristic that it seems to have warped in from another dimension, leaving a trail of stardust in its wake. Designed by the universally […]
Oakley has resurrected the MUZM Mars X-Metal Leather sunglasses, a relic from the ’90s, famously worn by Brad Pitt in ‘Fight Club’ – a film that vehemently mocked the very idea of consumerism for just AUD$2,959. Yep, you too could own a piece of anti-consumerist history, at a price tag that would have Tyler Durden […]
Wandering around in the back lanes of Auckland’s Parnell you discover quite a few things you just didn’t know existed.One of those things should be Tala restaurant. With a chic minimalist design and limited seating space you know you’re about to receive excellent attention with you walk through the unassuming door. Tala is the brainchild […]
As a child of the 80s I didn’t need TikTok, Instagram or 24/7 news sources to keep connected to the world. We had a sophisticated tapestry of 80s TV shows to set the foundation for our worldviews. Of course, there were parents and school in the mix but they couldn’t compete with the philosophical teachings […]
On the night of 7 of December 2023, Mike Kerr—the lead singer of one of the biggest rock bands in the UK, Royal Blood—stood on the Spark Arena stage regally, dressed in all black, and looked almost prophet-like to his thousands-strong kiwi fans. The lights shining gold and white behind him gave him a certain […]
Taika Waititi is the filmmaker who dances on the line between the absurd and the profound with a sardonic twinkle in his eye. Celebrated for his offbeat hits like Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Ragnarok, Waititi now turns his unique lens on Next Goal Wins, a film that delves into the comically tragic saga of the […]
ZEGNA, the grandduke of luxury menswear, has joined sartorial forces with The Elder Statesman, the laid-back yet ludicrously-priced cashmere wunderkind. The result? A collection that’s causing more buzz in the fashion world than a viral TikTok dance. Images courtesy of ZEGNA x TES Picture, if you will, the scene: the rugged, time-worn beauty of the […]
In the fleeting world of fashion where trends often vanish as swiftly as they appear, New Zealand style icon, parisian has stood as a beacon of sophisticated sartorialism for over a century. Founded in 1919, this family-owned business making ties and belts, these days under the guidance of John Crompton, the fourth in line, represents […]
These days wristwatches often try to double as fitness instructors and personal assistants, BOVET has decided to take things back – way back to ancient China, with its latest horological masterpiece, the Recital 26 Chapter Two Golden Dragon. When was the last time you looked at your watch and thought, “This is great, but it […]
Rihanna has just dropped a new sneaker that’s spitting more bars than a rap battle. Enter the FENTY x PUMA Creeper Phatty – a sneaker so bold, it makes other shoes feel like they’re stuck in a silent disco. With an audacious, bulbous design and an electric colour palette, The Creeper Phatty is the sneaker […]
Ah, COS – the brand that took the concept of ‘less is more’ and ran with it all the way to the bank. Launched in 2007 emerged not with a bang, but with a minimalist, barely-there whisper on London’s Regent Street. Fast forward to today, and they’re spreading their chic, understated gospel in 259 stores […]
In a world that often feels like it’s spinning off its axis, with one harrowing news cycle after another, there is at least a beacon of neon-drenched, hedonistic escapism: Miami. And perhaps the perfect testament to the cultural complexity yet utter carefreeness of the Magic City is Hublot’s latest horological masterpiece – the Big Bang […]
In the pantheon of automotive excellence, Rolls-Royce occupies the high altar, the sanctum sanctorum of motoring royalty. And within that revered space, a new deity rises, casting a shadow that is both literal and metaphorical. Welcome to the stage, the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost Ékleipsis. A name like a spell, a car like a charm. […]
BMW has just thrown down the gauntlet in high-end, high tech luxury automotive design with the new fully electric i7 xDrive60, and it’s as subtle as a sledgehammer in a library in the best way possible. In the metal, the new 7 series is an absolute unit – imposing and defiantly modern. The car’s aero-efficiency […]
BMW has just thrown down the gauntlet in high-end, high tech luxury automotive design with the new fully electric i7 xDrive60, and it’s as subtle as a sledgehammer in a library in the best way possible. In the metal, the new 7 series is an absolute unit – imposing and defiantly modern. The car’s aero-efficiency […]
Air New Zealand has just charted a more sustainable course for delivering cargo by partnering with Beta Technologies to introduce the ALIA electric aircraft to the fleet. The ALIA electric aircraft, a brainchild of Beta Technologies, is a hallmark of modern engineering and environmental consciousness. Designed with a 50-foot wingspan, the aircraft stands out for […]
Enter the Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail, a car that makes a statement louder than a rock star’s wardrobe and yet, somehow, more refined. This isn’t just a car; it’s a rolling piece of art, commissioned by someone whose wallet is as thick as their passion for unique gems. The Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail is the latest plaything […]
Embark on a journey through Australia’s beating heart aboard The Ghan, a train as legendary as the land it traverses. This isn’t just a means to get from Darwin to Alice Springs; it’s an expedition through history, culture, and landscapes so vast they make your daily commute look like a trip to the mailbox. The […]
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Tom Cruise’s reliable paycheck took a big financial hit this time round, earning almost $200 million less than its predecessor, but due to no fault of its own. Dead Reckoning dropped right when the infamous Barbenheimer was storming the box office. Who knew that a historical biopic and […]
2023 scorched by. Here in New Zealand, we started things off on entirely the wrong foot. Only Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern knew when to cut and run to a Harvard gig. The rest of us, collectively traumatising ourselves with floods, leaving the newly-promoted Chris Hipkins in the hot seat to run around in a raincoat […]
One of New Zealand’s leading AI companies, Arcanum has been leading the adoption of AI in New Zealand since 2016, but they have now propelled onto the global stage with their partnership with AWS as the only AI provider from the APJ region alongside IBM and McKinsey and PwC. And while Arcanum might be up […]
At a time of year when finances have been getting a workout, it is easy to lose sight of the long term, but those day-to-day decisions can have profound impacts on savings goals. To help Kiwis manage both, New Zealand financial services company, Booster has unveiled its latest innovation – the Booster Savvy Fund. This […]
In the pursuit of real success, it’s crucial to recognise that achievement is not just ticking off tasks; it’s about completing them well enough to deliver the desired outcomes. With always more to do we often underestimated the practice of celebrating victories, no matter how small, they play an important role in reinforcing value, commitment, […]
2023 has been a bit of a crazy year in marketing. In this article, we’re looking at all the shifts reshaping how marketers work and key insights informing our approach to marketing. A standout phenomenon over the last year has been the advent of AI. In November 2022, OpenAI launched ChatGPT. Now, there hasn’t been […]
It has been said a watershed moment is a turning point, the exact moment that changes the direction of an activity or situation. A watershed moment is a dividing point, from which things will never be the same. It is considered momentous, though a watershed moment is often ONLY recognized in hindsight. In the OpenAI […]
Things are moving quickly in the cutting-edge of longevity research, a field where the line between science and science fiction is getting blurred. We zero in on areas of research and study that aren’t just about adding years to life but infusing those years with vitality. From the genetic wizardry behind longevity-linked genes like FOXO3 […]
Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D Printer Bambu has new designs coming out all the time, one of their latest is the Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D Printer. It does multi-coloured printing and is completely Plug-N-Play (after about 20 minutes of setup out of the box for your very first print). It stays idiot proof with […]
Masters of the Air 26 January In the heart of every guy is the yearning to forget Band of Brothers entirely and watch it again like you’re seeing it for the first time. It’s a seminal piece of jingoistic World War II cinema. Now Executive Producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks are back in the […]
As a new dad I thought I’d be keeping my kids screentime down to an absolute minimum, growing brains and all that good stuff. I also thought we’d be able to feed them healthy, but it turns out that after your kid breaks you down to your very atoms and throws everything but chicken nuggets […]
Paper Python This innovative set beautifully marries the tactile joy of writing on paper with the digital world’s convenience. The luxurious Montblanc Augmented Paper python print red leather envelope houses a digitiser and a notebook. Write on the paper, and with a press of a button, your notes transfer to your mobile device via the […]
