In a past life, I used to work in fiction (some might say that is journalism these days anyway), but the thing I love about the make-believe world is that it is often a way to cut to the most important elements of real-world dynamics without all the messiness of reality. When you are living […]
Emma Mackey is a name you should know now, her star is rising and she isn’t going anywhere. Her very first professional role was in the Netflix Comedy-drama series Sex Education as Maeve Wiley. She played the bad girl role with such aplomb that it earned her a BAFTA TV Award nomination in 2021 for […]
For NASA’s next jaunt up into space, they now will have a new moon buggy to play with. Aerospace creators, Northrop Grumman announced mid-November that its private team is designing a brand-spanking new Lunar Terrain Vehicle for NASA’s Artemis program. The program is set to be much like SpaceX’s pipe-dream of getting humans up into […]
Privately-funded American space juggernaut, Blue Origin, has fast become one of the leaders in the global race to space. Founded in 2000 by Amazon mad-genius-founder Jeff Bezos, the leaps and bounds they have taken to firmly establish themselves alongside the big space names has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. Recently, Bezos’ Blue Origin has added […]
To build a poem, as a work of art, takes a large amount of time and patience. To live in another life, if only for a brief moment, is a truly enlightening experience. Imagine, dear reader, the thrill of writing and creating a poem whilst also being able to walk within it. A real-life work […]
Here is the collated list of the top films we think will be worth going to the cinema to see. The King’s Man In Cinemas Jan 6 Of all the movies delayed over and over again by the pandemic, this is one I’ve been the most looking forward to. Wait no, Dune. Can I change […]
If you’re lucky enough to be a globe trotter at the moment, take a moment to stop in at the best bars for the best drinks in the galaxy. Connaught Bar London, UK Consistently rated the best bar in Europe as well as one of the best bars in the world, the Connaught is something […]
One day some ancient Romans found some brilliant white marble in the quarries of Massa and Carrara, a small province in Tuscany. They started to dig it out, and to this day the Apuan Alps continue to be carved out with the raw materials ending up in the form of some of the most famous […]
After scouting Iceland’s rivers, David Nogales Tarragó and kayak king Aniol Serrasolses, finally found the perfect spot to take a fantastic shot, The Aldeyjarfoss waterfall in Iceland’s northern highlands. As a part of the river Skjálfandafljót, the Aldeyjarfoss drops 20 metres. It’s a beautiful scene, fun if you have the skills but not one you […]
Auckland Anniversary; 29th of January, 2018. The City of Sails was, as I recall, filled to the brim with excitement. Thousands, I would say, of tiny sardine-like people stretching from the waterfront, through the viaduct and all the way to the top of Queen Street. All of them appeared to be following the current upstream […]
We spoke a lot of words last year, fortunately we can stop now. No more words, shhh. Just actions. Below are the words broadcasters stumbled over the most according to Babbel and the US Captioning Company Omicron Omicron is the sequel to Covid-19 nobody asked for. Worst sequel ever, boo. Personally, I say “omnicron” cause […]
Ryan Reynolds is so many things, holds many a name and wears many a hat. Hollywood’s best, brightest star, for starters. He owns an acting hat, a producer hat, he’s a writer, a father, a husband, a prankster, a charmer, a smooth-talker, a businessman, entrepreneur, a dreamer. Call Ryan Reynolds a joker, a silly-billy, an […]
“People need easy access to work and to essential services to live decent, independent lives. Cities need Universal Basic Mobility. It’s a human right.” So said Matt Caywood and Alex Roy of Bloomberg CityLab back in 2018. Plenty of people are listening too as in the Californian city of Bakersfield a pilot program is already […]
Well, the last two years were a bust, but 2022 is upon us and it’s time to finally become a better person by setting some New Year’s Resolutions. Tomorrow never comes so today is going to get busy. 1. Don’t Make New Year’s Resolutions Is this a cop out point undermining this entire article? Maybe! […]
Artist and photographer, Bruce Hunt, has been exploring New Zealand’s unique landscapes for over 40 years, walking the ridgelines of our rugged back-country and bringing back images of its rippling form. His new book “Tussock” is a culmination of that work, so we took some time to have a chat about his process, his journey […]
Refreshing, versatile, and easy to make. It’s no surprise the Margarita is one of the world’s favourite cocktails. Created in 1948 by Margaret Sames, the original recipe is simple and has remained unchanged since the beginning: Cointreau, tequila blanco, fresh lime juice, and a salt rim. In fact, Cointreau and the Margarita are so inseparable […]
FELLINI Fellini’s latest collection of locally-made accessories combines fresh summer blues with rustic earthen hues, giving you the flexibility to elevate any outfit, be it casual or formal. A new year, a new wardrobe. Fellini has you covered for the finishing touches. Available exclusively through independent men’s stores. ASRV x KEVLAR The first-ever ASRV x […]
“Within my practice, I contribute to a Black canon of culture and art and its preservation. This is why, to preserve my own output, I record it at length.” Virgil Abloh said in 2020. Abloh was and still is a legend in the fashion industry, pushing boundaries where ever they lay and his recent passing […]
BMW is one of the most well-known car brands in the world. Everyone loves and can recognise one when they see one. Recently, they have released information about their latest concept car, called the BMW i Vision Circular, that will feature recycled materials. At the end of the car’s life, it will be able to […]
If you were thinking of jumping across the ditch to start a life in Melbourne, we’ve got just the pad for you. This sleek mid-century home just south of town in the little township of Jan Juc is a statement piece all in its own right, and it’s up for grabs. You’ll have truly uninterrupted […]
With Covid lockdown’s being a constant reminder for us to stay inside, keep our distance and maintain our mental health by seeing the silver-linings, any warm-blooded person would much rather spend their days following all of the rules set out by our government, but at sea. So let’s dream for a second…with the Ghost Yachts […]
Aotearoa Ultra Marathon (Jan 2022) With Covid-19 restrictions easing much quicker than imagined by most of us, the annual mighty Aotearoa Ultra Marathon is set to happen early next year in January. Organized by CJM’s Events and set in three parts, all unique in length and branching over Banks Peninsula and Christchurch, this marathon is […]
Zac Sielder is a clinical psychologist and men’s health researcher. Zac has spent the past several years working out how to better understand and respond to male distress and suicidality. He has worked with a diverse range of men and boys, from those with HIV+ to Indigenous youth in Darwin. His focus is on using […]
Your world view can often be defined by where you live and what is in your immediate surroundings. But then it is up to you what you do with that; whether you move to a new place, manage your outside space, influence what you see through your windows, what your hedges block out and how […]
Tackling a tight labour market is no small issue for talent-seeking business owners. And 2021 certainly delivered a challenging time in that regard, with the lowest unemployment rate since just before the GFC and high inflation putting pressure on wages and spending power. It really has been – once again – quite the year. So, […]
Last year, I did a wrap up on 2020 and said that I hoped 2021 was going to be a far more positive and productive year. And while I can say the first half of 2021 was, obviously the second half of the year was quite the challenge! So at the time of year where […]
Believe it or not, if you are reading this, and you manage your investment property privately, you have probably experienced at least one of the following reasons as to why a professional property manager is contracted to manage private property. Over the last 5-6 years, and especially within the last few years, the industry has […]
Since its genesis in 2013, Crimson Education has gone big, really big. It is the world’s leading US/UK university admissions consulting company, it operates in 20 locations, supports students from 35 countries, reaches millions of students with its content and assistance, it is backed by the giants of investing and has the sort of board […]
My British wife and I had no friends or family to support us when we first landed on New Zealand shores in 2009. Those first months were full of challenges. I had taken a punt on renting a property unseen through TradeMe, optimistic that things would work out. Without “Kiwi experience,” I struggled to find […]
Just because everyone was locked in their hobbit holes all year trying to avoid getting a bad case of the plague, it didn’t stop the wheels of commerce from turning for some (I’m sorry service industry). Some of New Zealand’s biggest startups over the last decade have grown into powerhouses, and overseas investors have noticed […]
While we are lucky to live in a nation that has some fantastic road tripping routes within our borders, the reality is that it’s a big wide world out there, with a heck of a lot worth exploring beyond our shores. Sure, some like to spend their holidays lounging on quaint beaches and sipping on […]
Since first picking up a camera at 14, 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 gives him […]
We’re almost at the end of this often weird, occasionally wonderful year which means it’s time to put on the rose-tinted glasses, adopt a glass-half-full mindset and look back at the year that was 2021. While it’s difficult to look past the tough times that this year in particular threw our way, we’re using this time to weed […]
Last week, we gave you part one of our “best inventions for 2021”, which highlighted some of our favourite innovative products to come out of the last 12 or so months. However, we’ve decided that confining our favourites to just one list of five wasn’t enough, so we’re shining the spotlight on four more inventions that are worthy of being regarded as part […]
Maybe the only way to truly understand Christmas is to treat it like we treat everything in our lives, a product to be used, reviewed, and possibly recycled if found wanting. Recently I came into possession of Christmas, an annual subscription service which proclaims to be fun for ages zero and up. The instructions didn’t […]
The Gamer’s Face Mask If you want gamers to buy anything, it’s a well known scientific fact that you need to bedazzle it in LEDs and they’ll go wild for it. The Razer Zephyr is about as “Look at me!” as it gets. It uses a transparent anti-fog design around the mouth so people can […]
Just because a game is old doesn’t mean it shouldn’t get free updates. Here are our top picks for classic games getting a little revival. Resident Evil 4: The Mercenaries RE4 first dropped in 2005 on the PS2. That didn’t stop the timeless classic from re-releasing on Quest 2 and becoming the stores biggest selling […]
If you are like me, a ‘library’ is a place where you cooled your heels after school until your parent(s) had finished work and could come and pick you up. I remember the library I used to wait in was full of these things called ‘books’ that were like movies but without the moving pictures. […]
Maybe it’s just because we’ve finally gotten tired of talking about all of the ills we’re dealing with in the real world, but the ‘metaverse’ has been dominating the headlines in the past 12 months. Companies from all over the world in a myriad of different industries are exploring the opportunities in virtual reality tech, […]
Queenstown remains one of the country’s most beloved domestic holiday spots and is great to visit any time of year. If you’re making the journey down to the southern paradise in the near future, here’s five terrific ways to fill in the days. HIKING Many will know that Queenstown is renowned for its sensational […]
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 […]
Many lament the annual adjustment that we are asked to make when the climate commits to its seasonal change. As we are forced to bid a rueful farewell to the sparkling sunny mornings and long, warm nights of summer and accept the teeth-chattering chill of winter, those with a more optimistic outlook gleefully anticipate the natural wonders that the brisk season can provide. One of the many unique winter phenomenon’s hailed in […]
While many outsiders might not be aware, few areas in Aotearoa are as rich in stargazing opportunities as Queenstown. Queenstown sits right on the cutoff point of the famed Aurora Australis (commonly known as the Southern Lights), so on the right day, you can catch one of the world’s most spectacular natural displays from one […]
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 […]
Rotorua is one of the North Islands most popular and beloved holiday destinations. You can scarcely meet anyone who hasn’t got more than one story of a Rotorua experience, be it with family as a child, with friends as a teen or with a partner as an adult. One of the great things about the […]
Running a business is no picnic and as we’ve learnt in the past two years, the world can throw some crazy obstacles your way that can be incredibly challenging to navigate. One of the few positives for small business owners to take away from this period is that there are thousands of others in the […]
Now that we’re coming out of lockdowns, it’s time to start brushing up your hosting game. A true host has everything on hand to make brilliant cocktails, and this Tom Collins is the third and final one we have for you today. You can find the rest here. All of the cocktails have been using […]
As our new confusing traffic light system gets ever less crimson, everyone’s starting to get out more. Those of us content to stay put are still venturing out, and going to the cinemas and getting back to some semblance of the before-times. Perhaps the bastion of these happier days is Bond, who’s latest film we’re […]
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 […]
If you’re a regular follower of M2, you’ll know that we love a good superyacht. The sheer scale of design and engineering that goes into these magnificent boats is truly special, and even the ones that never make past the conceptual stage are fun to fantisise about. I mean, at least in theory, those concepts are designed with the hope of […]
Regardless of what you think of legendary Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone, everyone knows that the man is at the very least a highly expressive performer. We learnt last week that the actors’ creative talent extends beyond the art of film, as the former Academy Award winner unveiled a brand new project; an art exhibition. The Sylvester […]
Has any film series in the last decade been more overlooked than the Kingsman series? It feels a little odd to infantilise an entity that has drawn budgets and box-office results in the hundreds of millions, but in a pop-cultural era absolutely dominated by mainstream tentpoles Marvel and Star Wars, it’s quite reassuring that a […]
Summer’s here and with life steadily returning to normal with the loosening of gathering restrictions for the moment, there’s scarcely a person in the country who hasn’t gotten a backlogged summer wedding invitation swiftly approaching. When we think about wedding fashion, we tend to think all of the attention will be on the happy couple. […]
If anything has been proven in the last few years, it’s that we’ve put to bed the tired adage that style and sustainability can’t go hand-in-hand. With brands local and abroad releasing high-quality clothes using recycled or vegan products, the market is now flooded with options for those looking to shop with more of a […]
2021 was a big year back at the movies, with a boatload of delayed releases finally hitting our screens. As always, a collection of new movies and TV shows means more of our favourite actors crushing some absolutely sick on-screen looks. Here are four from 2021 that we simply have to tip our hats to. […]
While we are lucky to live in a nation that has some fantastic road tripping routes within our borders, the reality is that it’s a big wide world out there, with a heck of a lot worth exploring beyond our shores. Sure, some like to spend their holidays lounging on quaint beaches and sipping on […]
Now, we often hear the phrase ‘art is subjective’. And it’s true, what is pure genius to one person might be a complete eyesore to the person next to them. The phrase is never more relevant when it comes to art that is really working outside of the parameters of tradition, made by artists who […]
Headlines surrounding the space industry in last few years have indicated a resoundingly positive outlook for the future of the industry. Between all the attention for notching landmark achievements in representation and all of the touting of the immense advancements in technology, it would be easy to think that the industry was one without any major issue, at least not from an internal point-of-view. However, ever […]
M2 contributor and General Manager of Angel Delivery Grace Kreft has seen it all as a business owner and has lived to tell the tale. What keeps her going is her ‘why’; The motivating factors that keep her pushing through the constant challenges that the business world throws at her. While these factors are constantly evolving, one […]
Idris Elba is someone you dust off the word “debonair” for. He’s British. He’s a ladies man. You can picture him overpowering anyone who gets in his way. In short he’s everybody’s Bond choice. People have been lobbying him for the hallowed position for years while Daniel Craig dilly dallies over whether he even wants […]
The holiday season beckons and a new year dawns. As well as taking a well-deserved break with family and friends and (hopefully) enjoying some sunny days and tranquil nights, it’s the time of year when we tend to take a look at the year that was – what we have accomplished and the goals we’re […]
Ridley Scott’s new movie House Of Gucci starring Adam Driver, Lady Gaga and Jared Leto with a trainwreck of a hairline drops in New Zealand on January 1st, although American audiences have already had plenty of time to watch it. This has given everyone plenty of time to critique the film, with a general panning […]
What makes billionaires tick? It seems like such a simple question but everyone has drivers making them do what they do. Some are motivated purely by numbers and money going up, others are passionate about their niche, and have been richly rewarded for this obsession. We decided to find out, and see if there was […]
Woops, Tesla just dropped it’s latest little gadget, this time aimed at kids. Aaah, just in time to be late for Christmas. The Cyberquad is an all electric quadbike for kids inspired by the blocky triangular design of Tesla’s infamous Cybertruck. It’s even retailing for the decently reasonable US$1,999. The shop listing states that it’s […]
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 […]
Pure luxury can be defined as everything being tailor made to your specifications, the world bent to your will for your own comfort. I can’t say many of us get to enjoy this definition on a regular basis but one mega-rich Ferrari customer sure is. Taking advantage of the Special Projects division of Ferrari the […]
Now, if you really, really like whisky and want someone to give you a bottle or two for Christmas, then; ‘don’t be afraid to be understood’. You must forget about so-called subtlety and offer your loved ones the opportunity to appreciate your true feelings toward whisky without clouding them by using any sort of vague […]
The app that, arguably above all others, has transformed the way we consume and interact with the news is falling into a new set of hands for the first time since its inception. The man often referred simply by his Twitter handle, @jack (full name; Jack Dorsey), announced that he would be leaving his post […]
After what has been a colossally complicated 18 months for the film industry, one entity has proven above all others its ability to withstand just about every obstacle thrown its way and still come smelling like roses. While compared to its most lucrative years 2021 stands poised to be one of its weaker periods in recent memory, it can’t be denied that, relative to the circumstances, Marvel Studios have […]
While the aerospace industry has ticked off first after first after first in the last few years, commercial air travel has become such an incredibly common form of transportation in the modern day, one might believe that we’re all out of ‘firsts’ to conquer in the industry. Those with that expectation will be surprised to hear, that a unique aviation achievement has been marked for the […]
