You might look at me, the editor of a Men’s Lifestyle magazine, and imagine that my life is all about beard oils, tailored suits and night serum, but I do actually come from humble working stock. In fact, I come from a long line of truck drivers. Even my great grandfather drove the equivalent of […]
Located in the heart of Eden Terrace, the Sid At The French Cafe is a rich tapestry of homegrown flavours fusing alongside different cultures. The fierce heat, the delicious aromas wafting from the stove top and the passions that manifest in it paint a picture like a brush to canvas. Owner of Sid at The […]
There are some memories that just seem to etch themselves into your consciousness for the rest of your life. There are the big memories of course, like swimming in a lagoon and encountering a hammerhead shark or partying with the saxophone player from Jackie Chan’s band. The memories that you just know at the time […]
Welcome to The How to Win issue. Yes, there is a kind of zero-sum game, capitalist overtone to that sentiment. A sentiment that seems a little old hat now. Over the last 10 years since the collapse of the Lehman Brothers and the financial carnage that ensued, certain priorities seemed to shift. Young, educated people […]
To get you going, below I have outlined my 10 most valuable business and life lessons. I wish I knew these back then when I was first starting out. 1 – Process driven vs. energy driven: The reason why McDonald’s is successful is not because the burgers taste great but it’s the system that’s great. […]
Tom Panos has been working with the top 1% of real estate agents across Australia and New Zealand since 1993. As a leading auctioneer, real estate speaker and founder of the Real Estate Gym, he has helped over 19,000 real estate agents to learn what it takes to grow a 7 figure real estate business. […]
Undefeated Kiwi UFC fighter Israel Adesanya is one of the hottest properties in the sport right now. While he is a lethal opponent in the ring he is not the old brutish, masculine definition of tough. He credits some of his success to his dancing background and is even open about being in touch with […]
Robust and water-resistant to 300 metres, this watch — featuring a ceramic uni-directional rotary bezel, with its twelve sides and six studs, screw-down crown, large luminous indications on the indexes and hands for improved visibility and screw-down case back engraved with a diver’s helmet — is immediately recognisable. The TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300m timepiece is […]
The world’s first drive-thru opened in 1947 at Red’s Giant Hamburg on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri. The concept revolutionized fast food and takeaways. In 71 years, the concept hasn’t really changed much. Drive up to a microphone and give your order. Drive up to another window and pay. Drive on a little bit further […]
Sleep is that time in your life where you go into a short-term coma and escape the horrors of life. It keeps you at the top of your game and gives you time to sort through the challenges of the day. However, it’s delicate and the smallest thing can ruin your sleep. Of course there’s...
I know you’ve come here to read about inspiring people, big boats, fast cars and technology but let me just stop you for a moment before we get to that. Do you think about legacy? Big question, I know, for so early in the magazine but (I’m not sure if this is down to hormones from the […]
Time to up your watch game? M2 has put together a list of our favourites from 2018, from big names like Tag Heuer, Grand Seiko, Rolex and Cartier. Have a few thousand dollars spare…? The Dan Carter TAG Heuer Aquaracer Special Edition Dan Carter has been a longtime friend TAG Heuer and joined their exclusive […]
Recognised as New Zealand’s most awarded SEO agency and ranked as one of the fastest growing businesses in New Zealand twice in a row, in 2014 and 2015, Pure SEO has come a long way since its birth in 2009, when founder Richard Conway saw a gap in the market for quality SEO. From a shared office space […]
As lamborghini’s new Asia Pacific Ceo Matteo Ortenzi points out, the automotive industry is currently experiencing one of the most exciting times within its history. New technology, consumer expectations and behaviours and trends are creating a pace of change like never before. For a man leading the Asia Pacific region of one of the world’s […]
THE RECENT RELEASES OF VIDAL LEGACY WINES HAVE ACHIEVED LOCAL AND GLOBAL ACCLAIM AND ALSO INFLUENCED THE PROCESS BEHIND VIDAL’S OTHER TIERS, SOLAR, RESERVE AND ESTATE. WE TALK TO VIDAL WINEMAKER, HUGH CRICHTON AT A RECENT TASTING IN AUCKLAND ABOUT HIS APPROACH, A FOCUS ON QUALITY AND BEING PART OF A LEGACY. It is a […]
THE MARVEL EMPIRE’S COLLECTION OF TIGHTLY CLOTHED SUPER HEROES SEEM TO BE TAKING OVER THE BIG SCREEN AT THE MOMENT, BUT IF YOU PREFER YOUR MASKED CRIME FIGHTING CATHARTIC ESCAPISM TO BE OF THE MORE INTERACTIVE KIND, YOU’LL BE PLEASED TO KNOW THAT SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT, INSOMNIAC GAMES, AND MARVEL HAVE TEAMED UP TO BRING THE […]
Silicon Valley, the place and the concept has shaped modern culture. It has changed the way we connect with friends and reminisce about the past while arranging future events, it has changed the way that we get from A to B, and it has changed the way that we get our food from A to […]
While Dan Carter has spent the last few years playing in France and become a TAG Heuer ambassador alongside global superstars like Bella Hadid, Tom Brady, Cara Delevingne and Chris Hemsworth, his All Black career is well and truly etched into New Zealand history. While his All Black jersey might not have seen action for […]
On Monday 26th of March 2018 while the April issue of M2 was being printed we learned of a tragedy involving one of our feature profiles, Volvo Ocean Race sailor, John Fisher. His team, Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag reported that John had been lost overboard in gale force conditions whilst the team was racing through the […]
MediaWorks CEO, Michael Anderson has leadership experience honed by years at some of Australia’s largest media companies. He led one of Australia’s largest commercial radio groups, Austereo for seven years, was Chairman of Oztam and oOH! Media and a non-Executive Director of Fairfax Australia. But from an environment that is often still associated with the […]
I know that purpose of editor’s letters are to give some welcome to the magazine, maybe draw on some key features and wrap them up with some of insight. This month I will let you find your own way through the magazine while I use the space as a dedication to someone who means something […]
Even as I near the end of my 30’s, I don’t think I am particularly old, although there are an office full of 20-somethings here that are determined to prove that I am. Mind you, they do have their uses. They have taught me proper Instagram etiquette, and taught me the meaning of “OG” and […]
A talented travel-documentarian, author, personality and all-round-good-guy, Bourdain first rose to prominence with his 2000 bestselling-book, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly and then several TV programs followed. Shows like Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, A Cook’s Tour and Parts Unknown (to name a few) helped him become one of the most influential and exciting […]
The 2018 Aston Martin Vantage is here and it’s angry 2005 was a busy year for the world. YouTube was launched, The Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles tied the knot, the Xbox 360 gaming console was released and Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith was number 1 at the box office, but more […]
The Journey of the Mazda6 In my final years of university, I owned a secondhand 1989 1.8 litre Mazda 626 Turbo hatchback named Kirk. I don’t know why it was named Kirk, that was a decision of the previous owner, but it seemed right to go with it. It was mostly metallic blue, except for […]
While Al Brown has run a silver service restaurant before, he sees New Zealand’s unique “Ace Card” in our informal, no-fuss style. Just good food, good company and style that celebrates true New Zealand. It’s a philosophy that Al and his team put into books, events, Restaurants, Depot and Federal Deli and the Best Ugly […]
As far as bucket lists go, Joe Naufahu must have a pretty impressive one as he has ticked off a few things that most mortals could only dream about. He has played professional rugby. He is the founder of Ludas Magnus, a gym and a community that has changed the lives of many New Zealanders […]
Nick Cowper joined coffee roasters, Hummingbird as a 16-yearold the day after his parents’ purchased the business in 2000. 18 years later, he is the GM of a company that has a global network of coffee growers with a focus on fair trade and community growth around suppliers, a company that has gone through equity […]
M2 is, of course, a men’s lifestyle magazine, so we haven’t really covered issues around gender diversity and pay equity so much in the past. As men, we tend to be on the winning side of any lack of diversity and equality issues. But are we really? How does limiting perspective and experience at a […]
It might be that I’m a bit more conscious of it lately with our recent focus on company board diversity, but there seems to have been a bit more of a spotlight on the liability of boards of late. The Fletcher situation for a start which resulted sadly in Ralph Norris’ resignation and then Shane […]
There are three things to be aware of when travelling in Boston and talking to locals: 1. Do not under any circumstances attempt to mimic the Bostonian accent; 2. Never attempt the Bostonian accent; and 3. The Bostonian accent is not to be attempted. You will find yourself alone. Fast. You can take this tip […]
Drinks International has for the fourth year in a row named Villa Maria as one of the most admired wine brands in the world and the highest ranking New Zealand winery in this year’s “World’s Most Admired Wine Brands” list. And while Villa Maria has become an icon in the New Zealand wine industry and […]
I’m an optimistic person by nature (probably a little bit too much so when it has come to some past financial investments) lately, though not even my overabundance of positivity is enough to make it through the financial news without coming away with at least a small amount of dread. Concerns about rising debt levels, […]
Over the last 30 years Rob Campbell is on the board of some of our largest companies across our largest industries. Currently Chair of Summerset Group Holdings (NZ) and WEL Energy, and a director of SKYCITY Entertainment Group and Precinct Properties as well a director of or advisor to a number of hedge and private […]
In a world of exponential innovation, disruptive technologies and giddy cryptocurrency speculation a discussion about another KiwiSaver fund might seem a little vanilla. But after a few minutes with Simplicity founder, Sam Stubbs even the most finically unfocused would be hard pressed not to find excitement in compounded interest from saved fees, the growth of […]
In reading through the transcript of the interview with our M2 Champagne Bollinger, Man of the Year for 2017, Peter Burling; I was reminded of something that is becoming more and more a consideration lately. The concept of drive. What is it that really gives us the momentum to push through the pain of training? […]
Simon Moutter is a man who has the livelihood of thousands of New Zealanders on his shoulders, he has control over 100s of millions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure and he has influence over how many of us connect with each other and the world on a daily basis. Yet there is one simple human […]
Spark CEO, Simon Moutter, is leading our largest telco through the one of the most disruptive eras in business and the tech industry. All whilst reinventing the nature and structure of a company that employs thousands of New Zealanders and invests hundreds of millions into infrastructure. This is a process that is helped by the logic and pragmatism of a...
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Unless, of course, you are a subscriber to the digital version of this magazine, chances are you’re reading this on good old, glossy 95GSM paper and four-colour ink based on a process that has a direct ancestor in the press that Johannes Gutenberg invented in 1440. Therefore, it would seem that we aren’t possibly in […]
It’s not the most masculine way to start of the editor’s letter of a men’s magazine but the other day I watched Bambi. I was watching it with my 2-year-old daughter so I have an excuse… honestly. Apart from the whole orphaned baby deer thing I was really taken with the technical execution of the […]
The M2 Champagne Bollinger Man of the Year 2016 went to two time gold and one time silver medal winning Paralympian and blade running record breaker Liam Malone. He may have only had three years to prepare for Rio but as he has proven, he moves quickly. On and off the track. And this is […]
Explorers know it well: adventure has no limits. Once you have climbed a new summit, you start thinking of the next challenge. After Legend and Emblem, Montblanc launches a new fragrance that pays tribute to a theme to which it is closely linked: exploration. Montblanc shares the same values as explorers, such as the relentless […]
