M2 2022 Luxury Watch Preview: Cartier
SANTOS DE CARTIER CHRONOGRAPH WATCH Louis Cartier presented his first Santos De Cartier in 1904 to his good friend it was named after, Alberto Santos-Dumont. It lays itself bare with visible screws and a modern square design. Long after this gifting, Cartier is revisiting this iconic watch with the Santos De Cartier Chronograph Watch (W2SA0008)....
10 Things You Need To Get Checked Out On Yourself This Year
I think I speak for most guys when I say that most of the time we’d rather ignore our problems and just hope they go away. One time my brother stopped talking to his girlfriend for about a month before she eventually got the message and packed her stuff and left. That shows a whole...
Close the Dior, It’s Cold
Dior’s Men’s Ready to Wear Winter 22-23 looks have made their way across the runway and into our wardrobes. Designer Kim Jones, Creative Director of Dior Homme, look back at the beginnings of the fashion house for their inspiration going into the future. “I wanted to look at the archive, at the purity of the...
Become a connoisseur. Sponsored by Penfolds.
The Culinary Experience – Under The Ocean
In the deep, dark depths of the southernmost point of the Norwegian coast you will find diverse marine life and wild fauna of the sea – and soon the world’s largest underwater restaurant, a building half-submerged into the waters off the coast of Båly, a town three hours from Kristiansand. Designed by Norwegian architecture firm […]
Why You Should Have A Wine Cellar
If you are worried that out of control global inflation might be eroding the value of cash and are looking at other investment options, now might be the time to stock up on some wine. Sure, people will bang on about gold, Bitcoin and property, but some wine investors are making a fortune from buying […]
How To Convincingly Be A Wine Connoisseur
Ever wanted to feel like something other than a fraud when a sommelier shows you a bottle or gives you the opportunity to swirl the glass and give it a whiff? We’ve got you covered, welcome to the five-minute masterclass where we’ll show you how to not only act, but also BE a professional at […]
Discover the secret to over 60 years of excellence in watchmaking. Sponsored by Grand Seiko.
Grand Seiko Takes On Sport With The Evolution 9 Collection
Using Grand Seiko’s touchstones dating back to 1967, the new Evolution 9 Collection represents the future of watchmaking. The collection has expanded to accommodate five new Spring Drive sport watches. All together, it’s an equal split between featuring a GMT calibre and GMT chronographs, with the odd one out being a 200m diver’s watch. Their […]
It’s Time For You To Get a Watch, Let’s Get Started
If asked whether watches would receive a surge of interest during Covid, I’m not sure I would have been able to foresee the absolutely mania that ensued. But I guess everyone needs to spend their holiday money on something, and it’s either going to be NFT’s, stocks, or watches it seems. Estimates online foresee pre-owned […]
Celebrate 140 Years With The Grand Seiko SBGN023
Maintaining extreme precision in watches for international travellers used to be difficult, as each occasion you draw out the crown to adjust the hour hand to a new time zone, you are actually stopping the clock. It may only be for a second or so but they all add up. When Grand Seiko makes a […]
Gathering the best the world has to offer. Sponsored by Yalumba
Here’s To A Super Safe Bet On A Wine
If you are new to wine, one of the most intimidating things you can do is walk into a wine shop or, more realistically in these days of snap Lockdowns, look online for something to go with dinner. The sheer array of similar-looking bottles with labels that look pretty sexy is overwhelming, but they all […]
Discovering The Heart of Wine Utopia
If you ever find yourself in Adelaide, consider taking the 56km drive northeast of the city to visit Barossa Valley. Nestled here you will find a veritable utopia of 13,000 hectares of vineyards occupying what is now considered the country’s oldest and most premier wine regions. Here you’ll find some of the countries best Shiraz, […]
So Aston Martin Makes Penthouses Now
The name Aston Martin is definitely embroidered on the world. The coolness of their designs, fluid lines, luxe finishes and style – how each model oozes sophistication with that connection to power. Aston Martin has recently revealed their next plans, but it’s not a new car. Located in the 66-storey, 244-metre 130 William building in […]
Equipping you to do the full mile. Sponsored by Under Armour.
5 Health & Fitness Podcasts To Get You Pumped
When you’re out for your daily jog, it’s always nice to run and listen to the latest health and fitness podcasts to get you motivated. Did you know it’s been proven by experts that listening to sounds through your headphones whilst exercising greatly reduces stress and makes muscles easier to function? Plus some of the […]
Beat Your Personal Best By A Mile
‘It’s a mile or so up the road’; ‘Get some miles into those shoes and they’ll be fine’; ‘Sorry, I was miles away just then!’ We’ve all heard people say such things but what the heck is this ‘mile’ business they are babbling on about? A mile is a classic measurement of distance that is […]
7 Ways To Effectively Support Your Fitness Training
No matter what your fitness goals and the training you are undergoing to reach them, your hard work doesn’t stop once you leave the gym. There are plenty of steps you can take to ensure that your workout routine is supported with regular healthy lifestyle choices that will ultimately push you towards accomplishing your goals. […]
Learning to invest from the best. Sponsored by Augustus Park.
Own A Piece Of One Of New Zealand’s Most Desirable Suburbs
There’s a lot of reasons why Parnell is considered one of the country’s top suburbs. It’s got history, it’s got character, great restaurants, boutiques, a location to die for and Double Grammer zoning. Being “affordable” is not one of those traits. Well, until now, thanks to one of New Zealand’s most respected investor-focused developers, Safari […]
Is The NFT Bubble About To Burst?
2021 had two major plagues, both swept the globe and both made a very small handful of people uber rich. Now as we’re on the tail end of both of them, everyone’s playing catch-up. 2021 was a big year for NFT funding. In 2020, venture capitalists put just $145 million into the NFT scene. Last […]
Power Broker
While there is plenty of media coverage about economic headwind on the horizon, the head of CMC Markets New Zealand, Chris Smith, is optimistic about the future. And he should know, with access to over 10,000 financial products, CMC covers the gamut of the trading world. We talk to Chris about the life of an […]
Welcome to a world of heritage. Sponsored by Misson Estate.
Modern Heritage
With the migration of luxury car brands into the SUV space, it would be remiss not to have one of Italy’s most iconic marquees join in on the fun. And the Levante is Maserati’s answer to off road luxury and performance. And while there has been a bit of shift towards the SUV side of […]
Split Enz: Repercussions of Greatness
Something profound happened to the history of New Zealand music when, through some divine planetary alignment and the drive, talent and vision of Tim Finn, we got Split Enz. With hit album after hit album during the 70s and 80s, the band produced a library of iconic songs that are as meaningful today as when […]
Go On A Mission To Seek Out Great Wine
So you’re sitting with your 2019 Mission Jewelstone Syrah in a shady spot on the deck and you suddenly wonder; damn how did the winemakers get this to taste so good? And you’re not alone, as even legendary Masters of Wine like Andrew Caillard from Australia felt obliged to give this particular vintage a score […]
The stories and the people that make the destination. Sponsored by Rotorua Tourism.
Crankworx: Carving New Paths
Crankworx is the world’s biggest mountain biking festival and its world tour covers the planet’s most famous destinations – Innsbruck, British Columbia, Whistler and Rotorua. Millions of viewers watch each leg of the tour via global livestreams, as well as the thousands that attend in person. To have Rotorua on such a map brings huge […]
Explore Rotorua With These Four Walks
While Rotorua is chalked full of awesome activities for those looking to fill in time, sometimes, the best way to spend a day exploring the surroundings is on foot. Few locations in the nation offer more unique and exciting spots for a day walk than the geothermal paradise, with a whole host of tracks and […]
Graeme Murray: The World Is A Studio
Since first picking up a camera at 14, Rotorua local, Graeme Murray, has made a world renowned career out of photography. From portraiture to still life, from action to landscape photography, from ocean to mountain to studio, Murray’s work inspires the world. And he does a lot of it from his base in Rotorua which […]
Your Next Holiday Isn’t That Far Away. Sponsored by Hilton.
A Fresh New Offering From DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka
Even if you’re not a true foodie you probably will have heard of the ‘Farm to Table’ concept. It’s nothing too radical and plays out exactly as the title suggests; produce from farms goes directly to a restaurant where it is prepared, cooked and served. There are no middle men, shipping or warehouses and where […]
The Thrill Of Life On The Edge Of Town
The light shines brighter at the edges. It keeps us sharp, at the edge, where we gotta be. At least it did for Al Pacino in Heat, you can add your own finger snaps. It certainly does for cities too as the 21st century has seen property prices rise so high in the centres that […]
The Best Spots To Stroll In South Auckland
If there’s one thing we’re spoiled for choice for in Aotearoa, it’s spots to stretch the legs and get outside for a good walk. And it’s not just the well-known and (rightfully) renowned mountainous areas of the country that provide in this way; opportunities for exploring on foot can be found just about everywhere. South […]
The latest and greatest, brought to you by The Release
Forget The Morning Rush With This At-Home Barista
Swinging by your local café for a barista-made flat white or cappuccino during your morning commute is part of a daily ritual for many of us. However, doing this during the rush of getting in to the office can put a bit of a damper on what should be a relaxing moment. For those who […]
The Swiss Army Knife Of Baking Is Here
You might already be well ahead of the curve or you picked up baking for the first time during lockdown. I like to think we all picked up new skills over that time. In the kitchen you might be looking at getting a new instrument here and there, or an entire refit. Whatever your situation […]
Vacuuming Is No Longer A Chore With This Latest Release From Samsung
We all know that giving our homes a regular vacuum is a necessary evil, but the very thought of having to haul a bulky and heavy appliance out of the hallway cupboard and drag it around the house for an hour or so really does make you re-consider whether a private cleaner is worth the […]
Welcome to the centre of Urban Creativity. Sponsored by Jimmy Choo.
Virgil Abloh’s Nike x Louis Vuitton AF1 Collab Is Finally Here
Take a look at any new collection from the top fashion houses nowadays and one thing becomes evident; the boundaries between high-end and street fashion are constantly blurred in the modern day. It seems more and more often, high-profile brand crossovers are popping up on our radar, with results ranging from truly awesome to questionably […]
Dr. Martens Reimagines The 1460 With A New York Street Legend
Who doesn’t love it when an established brand branches out and does something a bit more daring? It’s always fascinating when a brand with a very strong association with one style and aesthetic drops a release that goes against their modus operandi. And it’s probably fair to say that few names in the world of […]
The Best Hair And Beard Combo, Plus The Products You Need To Maintain It
M2 recently took a few men in need of a haircut to Barbershop Co. to see what they could do after lockdown. This haircut was done by resident barber Tomi who gave our man Jonathan a messy high volume top with an undercut and skin fade, along with a bit of a beard trim to […]
The world of a daring classic Sponsored by Tanqueray.
200 Years Later, Tanqueray Is Still The World’s Most Daring Gin Maker
Has any drink received more of a resurgence in popularity in the last few years than the great spirit of gin? What was once the top choice of grandma’s everywhere has quickly become an incredibly fashionable option for men and women, young and old alike, in no small part to the contributions of fantastic distillers […]
Fight Off The Summer Heat With This Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla Negroni
We appear to be having all the weather of the Mediterranean right now with none of the sites. At the very least we can bring the taste of the Mediterranean to us. Today’s cocktail is a classic Negroni taking advantage of the Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla Distilled Gin. It’s a zesty, fruitful gin, offering a […]
The Tanqueray Nº Ten And Tonic Is the Perfect Transeasonal Cocktail
We teamed up with Tanqueray to bring you a selection of cocktails to choose from, perfect for this weather. Each of the cocktails uses Tanqueray No.10 Gin, which has set the standard as the first ultra-premium gin. It’s also the only Gin and only white spirit that has been awarded a place in the Hall […]
Explore the world of the lavish and luxurious. Sponsored by Rolls-Royce.
The Dark Art Of The Black Badge Ghost
If Rolls-Royce was a superhero, Black Badge would be its dark and brooding alter ego. Not entirely evil perse, but with a sardonic and cutting edge. At it seems that Rolls-Royce clientele is lapping up this drive on the wilder side with 27% of the Rolls-Royce commissions donning the Black Badge and its infinity symbol. […]
The Urwerk Aggregat Odyssey Is Watchmaking At Its Weirdest
You would’ve thought that with all of the incredible watchmakers out there pumping out new designs seemingly every five minutes, it would be hard to come up with something genuinely conceptually unique, something that we’ve really never seen before. Swiss-watchmakers Urwerk must have decided to take that as a personal challenge, as one of […]
Crystal and Gold Encrusted Skateboards? Why Not?
If you’ve spent any time at all on a board, you’re required at some point in your life to hang a deck on your wall to let guests know that while you no longer live on the streets, the streets still live in you. These limited edition decks made by No More Essentials are the […]
Power Up Your Small Business. Sponsored by MYOB.
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
New Zealand’s marine industry punches well above its weight on the global stage and Cule Marine is an example of the sorts of businesses that drive this sector – fuelled by hard work, a passion for boating and even the willingness to help the competition. Cule Marine director, Ursula Hanson, gives us her take on […]
Damon Kelly: From Caravan to Global Impact
It was in this year and out of a caravan in Hamilton that Damon Kelly formed the tech company Enlighten Designs which today is NZ’s largest website design, systems design and software development companies – employing over 70 staff. In 1998, you’d be at the cutting edge of things if you had a 56kb dial […]
The Big Power Of Small Business
New Zealand really is a country of SMEs, not only do they make up 99% of businesses here but they also employ 42.6% of all workers. Not only are these businesses opening up opportunities across different sectors but they are also heavily involved in the communities in which they are based. In spite of this […]
The best the world can offer. Sponsored by Waitiri Creek Wines.
Waitiri Creek: Not Your Usual Winery
It’s said that a business is always a reflection of its leadership. So, a CEO who has been given no mandate to grow his or her business from the shareholders will always cultivate a culture of conservatism within the company. On the other hand, a CEO who has been given a free hand is far […]
Here’s Everything To Do To Make The Most Of Your Queenstown Summer
It was a long, at times brutal, winter spent mostly indoors on our lonesome, but summer is finally here and domestic borders opening up all across the country. Queenstown remains one of the country’s most beloved domestic holiday spots and is never more appealing than in the shining summer months. If you’re making the journey […]
Spotlighting Four Of The Finest Restaurants In The Otago Region
When it comes to the culinary arts, Otago is most synonymous with its vast collection of vineyards, which produce some of not just the nation’s, but the world’s most celebrated wines. But we all know that a great glass of wine is at its best when accompanied by an equally exceptional plate of food, and […]
Take Your Experience To A Whole New Level. Sponsored by Simrad Yachting
The Lift3 F Electric Surfboard Is Your Next Expensive Obsession
Ever watched those awesome surfers ripping up the waves at Piha and Muriwai with envy and wish you had the energy and the coordination to get up there yourself? While there’s no replacement for the feeling of paddling out into the ocean and riding a perfect wave on your own, the electric surfboard is beginning […]
Our Family Yacht: History In the Remaking
Starting life as a pilot boat for America One in the America’s Cup race in 2000, a 14m (50ft) launch, a catamaran or twin hull motor yacht had made its way into our family. After 20 years of many family trips though it was in much need of some love and attention, so we set […]
Underwater Aston
Submersibles are wonderful pieces of technology. Small, nifty little marine machines designed to go under the water… and yes they’re so much more than just a submarine… People remember James Bond for the tuxedos, vodka martinis, beautiful women and spy adventures. The actors behind it, legends in their art…Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Timothy Dalton, […]
Discover the Best New Zealand Wines Have to Offer. Sponsored by Te Mata Estate.
An Auspicious Offering
As history would have it, many great wines have been forged along the most unforgiving edge of that terroir deemed best capable of expressing its place in a wine. A complex of natural, environmental influences such as poverty in soil nutrients and water that force the grapevine to dig deeper into the ground to survive […]
Three Very Good Reasons To Focus On Awatea
Ever since Time began, there’s always been something magical about the number 3. Stories have always had three phases with a beginning, middle and end; in mythology the hero always gets offered three wishes and the ancient king of the fable always had three strong sons or beautiful daughters. In more modern times, competitions of […]
It Was A Very Good Year
When I was 17, it was a very good year It was a very good year for small town girls And soft summer nights We’d hide from the lights On the village green When I was 17 So sung Frankie Sinatra back in… well, let’s just say it was a long time ago. In this […]
Giving you everything you need to know about the great Scottish liquor. Sponsored by Whisky Galore.
Check Out 185 Years Of Whisky Tradition
1836 was a very interesting year; the Battle of the Alamo happened in Texas; Charles Darwin returned on the HMS Beagle with its hold stuffed full of biological goodies he would use to base his Theory of Evolution on; and Adelaide was founded in Australia. Across the globe, another venerable institution opened its doors too, […]
The Most Expensive Scotch Single Malts You Can Pick Up Right Now in NZ
It’s easy to find ridiculously priced bottles of whisky out there. Usually studded with diamonds to fluff their value and to grab easy headlines. But let’s be realistic, if you’re an actual connoisseur, you aren’t buying that stuff. You can’t taste a bottle. So let’s get back to what really matters, the liquid inside. The […]
Try Before You Imbibe – How To Do A Whisky Tasting
Stop! Before you slosh all that Coke or ginger ale into your whisky, ask yourself; ‘Have I ever actually tasted this without a mixer?’ And illicit swigs from Dad’s liquor cabinet when you were 12 don’t count. If the answer is ‘no’ then it’s definitely time for you to get your classy on and organise a […]
Get to know one of Auckland’s finest dining establishments, recently named 15th in the world on
TripAdvisor’s 2021 Travellers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Restaurant’s list. Sponsored by San Pellegrino
The Grove: World-Beating Local
The Grove restaurant is like an institution of food for New Zealand. Since its inception in 2004, the Auckland fine dining eatery has developed a reputation for excellence that stretches far beyond Aotearoa’s borders. So much so that fully 60-70% of its clientele were visitors to the country. Many of these people came on cruise […]
The Grove At Home: Sakura in Aotearoa
Fine dining establishment, The Grove, is more than just a restaurant, it is the crown jewel amongst Auckland’s superb culinary scene. Headed by owner, Michael Dearth, alongside Head Chef, Ryan Moore and Food & Beverage Director, Andrea Martinisi, The Grove was recently named 15th in the world on TripAdvisor’s 2021 Travellers’ Choice “Best of the […]
The Ever-Changing Face Of The Grove
The Grove is a dining institution in Auckland. Established in 2004 by ex-pat American Michael Dearth, The Grove offers a French-inspired, technique-driven degustation menu featuring New Zealand produce alongside high end bar snacks in a well-appointed wine and cocktail bar. Immensely popular with both Kiwis and international travelers alike, The Grove has become a “must-go” […]
Ep.2 – Strategies For Navigating the Current Climate
John Cleghorn is a Founding Partner of Prime Strategies Group. Prime focuses on business excellence in the Small to Medium (SME) business market. Their ethos is to help SME owners make their respective businesses operate better, become successful and put their lives back on track. Getting good advice and some outside perspective is important, even […]
Ep.18 – Why Losing Everything Isn’t The End Of The Game
In times like this there is the very real chance that many of us will have to start again. But starting again or failing is not the end of the game and often we will come back stronger. Nikki Connors is testament to this. After having it all and then losing it and ending up […]
Ep.42 – Hemp Innovation And How The Future Could Be In Old Knowledge
Kirsty Harkness is the first licensed industrial hemp grower in NZ vineyards, Co-founder and Managing Director of Mount Base Vineyards, Owner of Tigertiger photography agency, and Ice Angel. While very seemingly different businesses, Kirsty leverages the connections and creates new value along the way. While only it’s early days, Kirsty’s trials in growing hemp alongside […]
Ep.90 – Have You Got What It Takes To Be A Venture Capitalist – Rob Vickery
Rob is the Founder and Managing Partner at Hillfarrance Venture Capital and an entrepreneur-turned-VC who has been investing at the frontiers of enterprise technology since 2014. Prior to creating Hillfarrance, Rob was the Founding Partner of one of Los Angeles’ most active enterprise software venture funds, Stage Venture Partners. Rob spoke at the M2 Summit, […]
Ep.112 – How To Build & Sell A $500M Company. And What Do You Do Next?
What exactly does one do after they sell their business for $500m? Vaughan Fergusson, founder of Vend, dropped in for a fireside chat with our editor Andre Rowell at the M2 Summit on Thursday 20 May to give us the insight and impart with some wisdom on just how he grew his business to […]
Ep.85 – How To Monetize Your Own Data – Rachel O’Shea
Rachel is the co-founder of technology company, Yabble. Yabble is one of the first businesses globally to use blockchain technology to create consumer-to-business data marketplaces. Rachel spoke at the M2 Summit, 3 November 2020, about how you can monetize your own data. Events You Should Attend Buy Now Buy Now Buy Now Buy […]
