In a world where comments, shares and reactions are currency and influencers are well, influential, I realise I might sound a little stale if I share a warning about the dangers of too much of an obsession with social media. Before you imagine my words in the voice of your grandmother warning you not to […]
Unless you have been living under a rock without an internet connection, you will no doubt be aware of the tidal wave of #MeToo status updates prompted by the Harvey Weinstein revelations. What was a sordid Hollywood story of power and abuse has opened the door and cast a light on a dynamic that exists […]
They say nice guys finish last. Hugh Jackman says otherwise. The do-it-all megastar and face of Montblanc is widely regarded as the nicest man in showbiz. A jack of all trades and master of it all. TV? He’s done it. Hollywood? A bankable star and A-lister. Broadway? Conquered it and added not one, but two Tony […]
Here it is, the final make-or-break for DC. They’ve had some real stinkers on the lead-up to their Avengers knock off, but this is their chance to finally prove themselves. They’re coming off hot from Wonder Woman, which was released earlier this year, and they’re coming out swinging. The movie picks up with the death […]
Elon Musk is like the planets big promiser. If it wasn’t for the fact he has a ton of money to make his dreams become a reality then no one would take him seriously. His ideas are big, ambitious, and only achievable by someone with his sort of resources. Along with his recent announced plans […]
Copenhagen based architectural company EFFEKT has released plans for a walk that winds its way through the preserved Gisselfeld Klosters Skove forest, just an hour south of Copenhagen. It’s essentially a skywalk through the trees which ends in a spiraling ramp above the canopy. The path was designed for everyone to enjoy, regardless of physical […]
At CES2017 BMW revealed the BMW i Inside Future sculpture, an experimental concept pushing the boundaries of how we interact with our vehicles. The interior design is more zenlike in its simplicity, and takes the focus away from the driver. In previous BMW’s they’ve aimed all the controls at the driver, making them a pilot at […]
America’s Greatest Living Thriller Writer (as titled on the front cover of his latest novel, The Cuban Affair), Nelson Demille writes his books with a pencil and paper from his home in Long Island, New York. It’s a process that works for him. The Cuban Affair (his 20th novel) has hit-the-ground-running by heading straight to […]
While most architects are looking toward creating a sustainable future and cities that are built with humans in mind and not cars, some are looking past such droll things like land and are instead looking toward the great expanse of the ocean for their inspiration. That’s exactly what the Seasteading Institute has done. While the […]
First shown off at IAA Frankfurt Motor Show this year, the Bentley Continental GT is a sight to behold and a pleasure to drive and it’s coming to New Zealand soon. At the heart of the new British-designed, engineered and hand-crafted, third-generation Continental GT sits an all-new enhanced version of Bentley’s 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine, […]
Big footballing names are few and far between in New Zealand, but in recent times, the national side have had a genuine star of the game leading the way to the FIFA World Cup. In 2010, Ryan Nelsen famously led the All Whites to an unbeaten Cup run, and his underling in that tournament has […]
Bolivia’s natural beauty is superlative and it is one of South America’s most diverse nations. Take an expedition through this complex landscape and you’ll see everything from the continents largest lake, Inca ruins and rugged mountains (pictured).
His first track ‘Wasn’t expecting that’ was a world-wide hit on his No. 1 album. Now, Jamie Lawson is back with his new record Happy Accidents and is on the quest to win the ears of listeners once again. We Talk about how he finds Ed Sheeran as a boss and his drive to continue creating music. Tell us […]
When you hear about radioactivity, you wouldn’t be the first person to automatically think of things you’d find in a sci-fi film: aliens, green glowing people, the odd deformed bird with four heads and 17 toes. We have researched and compiled a list of the most radioactive places on earth for your reading gratification and […]
The United States has a bit of a bad reputation for not only its consumerism but also the byproducts of that consumerism – rubbish. This criticism probably has some substance, given that the average daily waste production per capita globally is 1.2 kilograms, while Americans produce a wasteful 2.68 kilograms of rubbish a day per person. Given […]
After 40 years in the furniture and interiors business the one skill that I have learned which has been the most important to me is the ability to recognise whether a new design will become a furniture classic or will not. A modern furniture classic has the features which will turn it into a highly […]
With the addition of the new fragrance ‘Y’ to the YSL catalogue, the well-seasoned fragrance house teams up with three different artists and a talented creative team to form a campaign that celebrates the makers out there. Meet David Alexander Flinn, a sculptor, filmmaker, artist and model; YSL talks to him about what motivates, challenges […]
Update your wardrobe with all of these new and on-trend pieces, ready to leap straight into summer. WORKING STYLE Summer is the season for you to get amongst this pink trend. More and more brands here in New Zealand are experimenting with different tones and cuts, and one that has completely nailed it this season […]
Husband and wife team John and Josephine Love from Love & Co. are no strangers to the process of transforming old buildings into exciting new spaces but their latest project will define the heart of Auckland for generations to come. Love & Co. are transforming the old Civic Administration Building (The CAB) into 17 levels […]
Imagine waking up to the calming sound of waves washing upon the shore; birds and wildlife chattering in the distance; and smelling the earthy scent of the native forest as you slowly come to… Home of the spiritual getaway, Bali has become one of those destinations that every second person has been to, and for […]
Like it or not, you guys all know the importance of looking after your skin. Yes, that means washing your mug and using those ‘creams and stuff’ that your partner uses – she will love you for it! Cleanse But with so many products out there claiming to do different things, it can become a […]
Ermenegildo Zegna has recently unveiled the second chapter in its Defining Moments campaign, again starring Robert De Niro and welcoming French choreographer and dancer Benjamin Millepied. The collection, as always, embodies everything the Italian luxury fashion house is about. With the US Autumn-Winter 2017 collection reflecting strong emotion and a community-centric voice, we’re treated to a […]
M2 Man of the Year has been celebrating New Zealand success since 2007. We have people to be proud of in every sector of society. Mark Ellis was our first Man of the Year, and sportsmen have featured frequently over the years. Sportsmen might bring us international prestige but it’s our local business owners that […]
My good mate Crog is on a Paleo diet. He wants to ‘turn the big stone wheel’ one day. He scavenges fruit and nuts from the bushes surrounding his cave. Think The Flintstones and you’ve got yourself a Crog. The menu for Crog and his Paleo mates are: vegetables, meat of grass-fed animals, nuts, fish, […]
In light of it being Movember, be sure to get a check-up from your doctor, to get that all-clear. ‘Grow a Mo, save a bro’ Movember is this month, lads. So go grow yourself a mo. Call some mates together, go for a run, get the word out and raise some money for men’s health. […]
As I am sure you smart people already know, Pomp is essentially a ceremony or display and Happenstance is a coincidence; on a recent visit to the UK both these words came together in spectacular fashion. Unfortunately, for many of us, I can safely say that riding in a Rolls-Royce motor vehicle is a very […]
When Ghostbusters hit the silver screen back in 1984, it began a franchise of near-Star Wars proportions – well it seemed that way at the time. The supernatural comedy, written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis (they starred in it too) was essentially about three unconventional parapsychologists who started a business catching/busting ghosts. Bill Murray […]
Subaru’s 2018 Performance range (the all-wheel drive turbocharged WRX, WRX STi and Levorg 2.0 GT-S) has been dressed to impress. Mechanical and cosmetic modifications have muscled up the owner experience to new adrenaline-charged levels as the Rex pair add to their rally-backed reputation and the Levorg 2.0 GT-S cements itself in Kiwi culture as a […]
Vermicious knids are huge dark egg-shaped beings that live on the planet Vermes 184,270,000,000 miles away from earth and for some reason, they are the first things that came to mind when I drove BMW’s new M2 rocket ship. It’s obviously not their shape that made me think of them, it’s the ‘fact’ that they […]
Driving a brand new car for the first time is a bit like going on a first date. There’s that undercurrent of unfamiliarity as you try and figure each other out and try to find what makes each other tick. But once you find that common ground, that’s when sparks fly. I turned up to […]
Our pick of what’s hot, fun and quite simply bizarre. Coupe or Spyder – why not BOTH? McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has created a unique MSO R Coupé and a Spider for one customer. The two MSO R cars, which have the same external, internal and mechanical specifications, are finished in a striking yet understated […]
Think about the magic and excitement of driving up to a local parking lot, ready to watch the latest feature film in the comfort of your own car. The light from the projector beams a dancing stream of images onto the giant screen ahead, while kids laugh and play beneath the screen. American-based photographer Lindsey […]
Over the past few years, we have seen a huge jump in the level of innovation, experience and concepts within the hospitality industry in this part of the world. No longer do we have to jump on a plane to get unique and exciting hospitality experiences. We are creating world-class cafes, restaurants, hotels and developments […]
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always […]
When starting out in business, you barely have the resources for your own desk, let alone a marketing budget. Fortunately, marketing doesn’t have to take up a large chunk of your capital. You can increase brand presence and drive customer acquisition without spending a cent. It’s not top secret, but many entrepreneurs underestimate the importance […]
I was fortunate enough to head to Vegas for the Connor vs Mayweather fight. It will go down as the best trip of my life. I bought tickets to the fight but the goal for the trip was to meet both the fighters. It was an ambitious goal. But not only did I watch the […]
To let your fears determine what you do will not only limit what you fail at but, more significantly, what you succeed at. A degree isn’t any better or worse than experience, it’s just that a degree is no longer enough. The only way to learn about life is to experience it and that means […]
If you are looking at changing jobs or even finding a job to start with, the process can be soul destroying. It may very well come down to how many jobs you apply for – after all, a great job is hardly likely to fall into your lap – but what happens if you’re seriously […]
Running a fast-growing company can be difficult; the buck stops with you and, as well as the ‘big picture’ strategic and leadership work, you’re often dealing with issues and fighting fires. You have to delegate and put your trust in other people and, invariably, some of them let you down, which only adds to the […]
A crucial process your business can go through is creating a set of values. I believe having a well thought out set of values is just as important as a business strategy. But putting them down on paper and ticking them off the list is not enough – you and your team must live and […]
Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit. Conrad Hilton Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking. Marcus Aurelius Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say […]
While Chardonnays might be making a comeback and a lot of people are ‘branching out’ and trying different varietals, it is still the Sauvignon Blancs that dominate the landscape when it comes to our favourite white wines. It is of course the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that we have to thank for the meteoric rise of […]
I think we’ve all considered what it would be like to make our own wine. Having rows of grapes stretching across acres of Otago land. While you may not be able to uproot your family and lifestyle to chase idyllic rural dreams you may be able to get in on this personalised wine making business. […]
Age: 30 Occupation: Actor & Director What is your morning routine? I work best in the morning so I’m up at 5:00am, head to the gym before it gets busy, then with a coffee in hand, I’ll have a script or laptop in front of me getting work done for the day. What are the […]
Age: 29 Occupation: Business Manager at Carat What is your morning routine? I get up at 6.40ish take my first shower of the day and bus into work for an 8.30 start. Breakfast at work which normally means muesli and yoghurt. What are the top three things on your bucket list? I don’t think I […]
The Cintiq name is one that’s always bandied around creative circles with a certain amount of jealousy. If there’s one thing that creatives covet it’s top shelf tech from Wacom. Until now my wife and I have gotten by on a entry level Bamboo Pen & Touch and a nice Intuos Pro. With these sorts […]
It’s that time of the year again. Yes! We have got our hands on a new, shiny iPhone 8 Plus in all of its full glass glory… On that note, I think glass is a great place to start; the most obvious update with the new device is that it is full glass. Glass back, […]
Bose announced its iconic QC35 will be the first headphone to offer seamless voice access to your Google Assistant. It also now comes with settings to control the noise around you. The QC35 II noise cancelling headphones have all the performance and features of the original QC35. They deliver the same noise cancellation, audio performance, […]
Charging your iPhone just got as easy as putting it down. Belkin has worked closely with Apple to create a fast efficient charging pad for iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone 8. The BOOST↑UP Wireless Charging pad looks good sitting on your bedside table or desk, and it’s made the whole process of charging a […]
No one ever wants to miss capturing a special moment, and that’s why smartphone cameras are great, but when you want to take your photography game a little further it is important to look for a camera that suits and caters to your needs. In this case we take a look at the Sony DSC-HX90V. […]
We took to social media for your opinions on these hot topics PETA Campaign comes from left field A PETA campaign featuring Alicia Silverstone puts shearing sheep into the spotlight for being what they think is unethical. “This is quite frankly ridiculous and another predictable example of what PETA resort to when they seek attention […]
I instantly fell in love with the Note 7 when it came out. Then the news started to come out and all of a sudden my open love letters to the phone on social media began to get responses like “blown up any planes with it yet?” Samsung eventually figured out that the fault was […]
As we celebrate the right to a 40-hour working week this Labour Weekend – a precious three days off! – it’s time to look at how to make the rest of the year work for you. It may not be possible to turn your job into one long weekend, but here are some tips to […]
Our Father, who art in V8’s, hallowed be Thy Mercedes AMG. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Hockenheim, on Silverstone. Give us our daily petrol, and forgive Gran Turismo, as we forgive those who still think it’s the best; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. My God […]
The world was a very different place 50 years ago. Wilson and Johnson watched over the UK and the US, while we watched Evel Knievel jump 16 cars in a row (and then fail to jump the fountains at Caesar’s). Bond ‘Only Lived Twice’, The Beatles still topped the charts (and released Sgt Pepper’s) and […]
One of the things that makes New Zealand interesting is its short history. In places like Europe, Asia and the Middle East, a century feels like almost nothing, as you can travel along roads and live in buildings that are hundreds and even thousands of years old. History is not such an everyday part of […]
One of the best things about New Zealand is the generosity and egalitarian spirit of our people.New Zealand is the second most charitable country in the world, according to a recent report by the Charities Aid Foundation. Around 400,000 New Zealanders give in some way every week, with more than a million giving each year. […]
You’ve heard the saying “Do something you enjoy”? Like many journeys, my latest business adventure started with something I am passionate about. As an avid wine enthusiast, and after collecting for more than 20 years, I decided to join the Waiheke winemaking community and create my own wine label. The experience has taught me valuable […]
New Zealand has an interesting relationship with art. It gets little coverage in our sports-obsessed nation yet New Zealanders are more in touch with their artistic side than we think. And while New Zealand produces some world-class artists, funding is limited and the sector doesn’t attract as much philanthropic support as it needs. Art is […]
Recent global events remind me how lucky I am to call New Zealand home. There have been terrorist attacks in countries including the USA, Iraq France and Turkey in recent weeks, and the political and economic turmoil in Europe, headlined by the ongoing migrant crisis and the surprise Brexit result. New Zealand has its own […]
The Global Financial Crisis in 2008 was centred on the world having too much debt and yet today there is even more debt and more inequality. We all feel something isn’t right with the world, but the game keeps playing. We simply cannot keep borrowing more, even with low interest rates. Eventually it doesn’t matter […]
Prostate. Prostate. Prostate. Sorry, I couldn’t think of a more eloquent way to draw attention to something that still kills too many New Zealand men. I’m sorry, I know you’ve come here to read about success, style, entertainment, tech and Ryan Gosling but we’ll get to that shortly. Every year, around 600 men die in […]
With a total price of 12,500,000€ (about 21 million NZD) and a delivery date of 2019 Porsche can build you a palace for the seas. The Dynamiq GTT 115 Hybrid by Studio F.A. Porsche brings multiple firsts to the yachting world. This 35m superyacht is the first you can configure and order online, the first with two […]
As a former member of the Royal Navy I still sail regularly, recently joining the crew of the classic yacht, Waitangi. She is a beautiful yacht first launched in 1894. Previously I competed up to 40 times a year in various countries. My work life as the owner of a group of trust companies can […]
For the last 20 years every time I start to play a new Mario game I always tell myself this is too cutesy for me…. I’ve moved to bigger and better gaming…. I need more grit in my games like Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto……. then 8 hours later my controller’s battery has […]
A few weeks ago we had a another of our whisky nights with a group of lads from the neighborhood. We call it the Renfrew Whisky Appreciation Society but it is simply an enthusiastic bunch from all walks, including lawyers, accountants, bankers and a couple of project managers, all of whom have a common interest […]
The thought of delving into the deep and getting face-to-face with some of the world’s biggest and deadliest beasts is not something everyone can face. But it is a different story for underwater videographer and adrenaline junkie, Steve Hathaway. Fascinated about life under the surface, M2 dove straight in when the opportunity arose to talk […]
Walking, hiking, tramping – they’re Kiwi traditions that everyone loves. There are a wide variety of walks around the country to suit anyone and everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or an old hand, there’s a walk out there for you. Here at the M2 office, we’re big fans of anything that’s fun, active, and gives […]
You slowly look to the left, spotting your target. Unable to fully scope the terrain you let your pet eagle scout the area from above and highlight enemies for you. Scaling the nearby building you wait for your target to get near. You dive towards him as a hidden retractable blade flicks out from your […]
As a child, Matt-Lewis Hewitt had always been drawn towards sports that required discipline, teamwork and structured routine. Sports like rugby, swimming, surf lifesaving, water polo and, especially, surfing. Starting at 14 years old, it took Hewitt just 18 months before he was competing professionally in surfing. The young prodigy was headed for success, no […]
Huawei is making some bold claims about its new Mate 10 series. Its biggest being the world’s first mobile AI-specific Neural Network Processing Unit, within its Kirin 970 AI mobile chipset. What does that even mean? Let’s find out! The Kirin 970 AI chipset’s specialised NPU, combined with Huawei’s HiAI mobile computing platform, means the Mate […]
700 cars. 700 cars!!!!! I’m never going to have the time to race in 700 cars. That’s a huge number. These aren’t just 100 cars with 7 slight variations to each – these are 700 unique vehicles. A few days back my go to car was a 1932 Ford De Luxe coupe. Today it’s the […]
JUST DO IT Last month I wrote about the realisation that, no matter what time of life you are at, retirement will come upon you at some stage (whether you like it or not). Whether you choose to retire early or are faced with having to, the earlier you start planning the better. We all […]
It will make you happier, more profitable and give you more free time, and this one strategy will carry on giving right through your life. The cost of working around a mess, looking for something in an overfull storage room, carrying too large a range of stock, producing small production runs makes our world busy, […]
Having a great company culture is not an option; it is absolutely fundamental to growing a thriving, successful organisation. It is important to understand however, that as a company grows, the culture evolves with it. As an organisation evolves it develops in a direction that is good for both the business and its people. An […]
As the cooler months approach, the days start getting short and the nights start getting chillier. At this time of year with more germs floating around and a greater chance of coming into contact with infectious bacteria or viruses it is important to keep yourself fit and healthy. There are a number of precautions you […]
Fiat money is paper money that comes into existence by government law. It is not valued to any ‘objective standard’ like gold or silver, so governments can produce as much money as they like. When you hear the expression ‘printing money’, that’s what is being referred to. The widely held view amongst economists is that […]
A couple of years ago Pure SEO, one of my companies, was declared the only New Zealand winner of the Google Engage All Stars Competition. The prize was an all-expenses-paid trip to the Googleplex in San Francisco, the epicentre of the Google empire. Among the amazing people I met at Google HQ was a guy […]
Disruption occurs when the environment you are working and living in is stifled and not open and flexing freely like it would when it is dynamic and unrestricted. It also occurs when the new way is: Cheaper More available Faster Creates a better experience Is easier and more responsible Sustainable Being able to adapt quickly […]
I remember when I was young thinking how old my parents were and how I could never imagine getting to their age. Now here I am, older than they were at the time. Like many people I had my life planned out – go to school, go to University, get a job to make money […]
So much stimulus, and yet no growth and negligible inflation. We are overloaded with debt, so lowering interest rates and encouraging people to borrow is not a sustainable economic strategy. It’s like giving beers to an alcoholic. In the movie of the same name, Morpheus eludes to the existence of the matrix, “You know something […]
In late 2009, a few months after immigrating to New Zealand from England with my wife, we invested $200 in a website template and with my ageing laptop, sat in our rented flat and started Pure SEO. Seven years later, I have one of the fastest growing businesses in New Zealand. I’ve grown a business […]
To be able to see things from the perspective of your children or a new staff member or your customer, gives you a serious advantage over your peers and any competition! This article was going to be about the best things I have learnt from my 9 year old daughter when I realized there is […]
It’s Friday, so what do you have lined up tonight? Because heads up for Whiskey lovers, a new Single Malt hit NZ yesterday, the Ardbeg An Oa. Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks, Dr Bill Lumsden, says, “Ardbeg An Oa’s rounded and subtly smoky aromas reflect all the contrasts of the Mull […]
