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 […]
We’re at the crossroads of being men. Standing somewhere between the city and nature, we’re expected to be masters of it all, or at the very least be in symbiosis with it. From being on point with cutting edge style in a landscape of modern architecture and urban living, to being able to handle the […]
New Zealand boasts a rich history of names in the realm of motorsport – Chris Amon, Bruce McLaren, Possom Bourne, Greg Murphy, Scott Dixon and Mitch Evans are just a selection of names in the NZ motorsport pantheon. While Kiwi drivers have had success across a variety of motorsport competitions and rulesets, there is one […]
The sneaker world is filled with beautifully slick nuances, detailing and room for expression – probably why the “sneakerhead” following is so massive. Knit in the sneaker-sphere has great crossover appeal for both fitness fanatics looking for something functional, but also in casual wear where knit provides a different dimension of texture and detailing. The […]
Whether you lived a previous life as a skater carving dried up swimming pools during the 80s, donned plaid and distressed denim while listening to Alice in Chains, or maybe you’re just after a really good fitting pair of sneakers that look slick with your jeans – Vans work because they’re an iconic name that […]
Parnell is one of Auckland’s most historic suburbs – and while it may have a reputation for being full of latte drinking yuppies there’s no denying the place has style. This is something the guys at I Love Ugly have picked up on and run with in their first collection of 2018. For a bit […]
It’s date night. You have your best suit on, perfectly tailored and fitting snug like a golfer’s glove. Your wristwatch and cufflinks are colour co-ordinated and working together in harmonious balance. Previous struggles from bad hair-days are now relegated to faint memories in the ether. What’s missing? The scent. You might look the part, but […]
“Suiting up” is an occasion most men relish. Heading to an event or to an important engagement with the right suit just gives you that boost. However, there are far too many instances when someone’s been spotted wearing a tie that’s too wide or where suit shoulders hang like an overbearing mother-in-law. Take Michael Fassbender […]
Grooming is an extremely underrated part of completing “the look”. Sure, you may have carefully organised your outfit for the day covering everything from fit, colour palette and accessories. Being well-groomed, however, that’s a true mark of detail. It’s the difference between looking like you were on the wrong side of a weekend at Burning […]
Auckland’s central city is set for a fashion-forward takeover as 4 Days of Fashion in the City returns for 2018 – it’s seventh year running. Spread across Queen Street, High Street and Britomart precincts, 4 Days of Fashion in the City sees NZ’s best and leading-edge brands taking the spotlight in an interactive and creative […]
It sits there in the heart of Auckland’s Titirangi. A corrugated beating heart surrounded by native bush with the warbling sing-song of Tui and Kereru as the soundtrack. While you might think that the seclusion of West Auckland’s native bush would mask the design mastery of “Red House”, it employs the opposite effect, so much […]
Inner-city buildings can often be categorised as ‘uninspired’ – giant eyesores, often blocky in nature, they tower in an overshadowing manner, a bit like the Lurch from the Addams Family. Chaoyang Park Plaza, designed by MAD Architects, offers thoughtfulness and a clever aesthetic, very different than many buildings dotted around the Beijing CBD. Taking inspiration […]
Water is wet, the sun is hot and supercars are cool. But if there is one major caveat to driving around in a Lamborghini, it’s that parts and repairs will cost you an arm and a leg… and then your other leg too. Not only that, repairs are a cumbersome process. Lamborghini has been collaborating […]
Death Of Stalin In cinemas March 15 Steve Buscemi (Pulp Fiction, Boardwalk Empire) stars in this political satire as Nikita Khrushchev, dealing with the instability of the Soviet Union in the wake of Joseph Stalin’s death. Beautifully shot, and sprinkled with humorous nuances, the film ended up being banned in Russia and several CIS states […]
They say that you eat with your eyes first. Humans are creatures requiring stimulus, and with structured perceptions of what food is. Typically, if we don’t like how food looks, we won’t eat it. ECAL student Erika Marthins is tackling food from a technological perspective, combining movement, noise and light with food to challenge our […]
Having a granite counter top in a kitchen isn’t something that sounds too outlandish. Neither does marble. New York studio Snarkitecture has decided to eschew traditional kitchen trends, taking design cues from nature and topography, with their series of kitchen islands inspired by glaciers, rivers and geysers. The project, entitled Altered State showcases kitchen islands […]
The One To Watch: Blair Tuke New Zealand sailing’s unsung hero Team New Zealand trimmer and 49er legend Blair Tuke hasn’t always been in his good mate, Peter Burling’s shadow and he has stepped out of it again by continuing New Zealand’s proud history in the Volvo Ocean Race. Before the America’s Cup became the […]
Gregg Hurwitz – the New York Times bestselling writer of 19 novels, numerous screenplays for films and a New York Times Bestselling graphic novelist for 14 comic books – has definitely hit the ground running when it comes to producing top-quality, thrilling fiction. With multiple award nods under his belt – such as a two-time […]
By Tim Lawrence I haven’t read the first two Orphan X novels, but I did read and review another Hurwitz novel last year, Tell No Lies, where I said: “ The story is set in San Francisco, the hero is a rich kid with a tough, wealthy mother; he gives up everything to marry his […]
It’s known as “The Sweet Science”. Where mere millimeters mean the difference between slipping a punch or waking up gazing at the bright lights of a stadium ceiling. Where the right amount of torque and placement decides whether or not a punch becomes a knockout blow. Where timing is the difference between a successful counter punch […]
We’re only two years off 2020. It seems rather matter of fact, but by movie standards, you’d expect we’d be riding around on hover boards, have robot assistants and be flying around in cars, right? Actual technological advancements and ideas tend to live on separate timelines… but the realm of flying cars is becoming excitingly […]
So, a high-powered panel of female leaders featuring Theresa Gattung, Justine Smyth, Tracey Cross, Naomi Ballantyne and Linda Meade were at the M2woman Journey to Excellence forum recently. I think it’s fair to say that the gist of their forum was; “we want moregender equality in the workplace! Now, dammit! Now!” Huh? Is this really […]
I try my best to avoid cliche, but there’s this famous quote that goes, “if you do what you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life”. While normally I would lump that quote in with gems such as “live, laugh, love” and “keep calm and carry on”, I feel like using […]
Hit the ground running as we head into the new season of fashion. We are saying goodbye to summer and welcoming the autumn/winter fashion season. Specsavers Freshen up your look with new frames this season. Paying homage to the Scandinavian design movement of the 1960s and 70s, Specsavers has just released a new in-house-designed collection […]
If there’s one thing the Gold Coast is renowned for, aside from the vibrant nightlife and ridiculously good looking weather, it’s Surfers Paradise – the heart and jewel of the crown. However, Surfers has always had a reputation for being relatively gaudy and garish. Many of us wouldn’t consider it as a bucket list destination […]
Fall into autumn this March as we change seasons – get the best, to perform at your peak. New Balance New Balance will release its latest shoe onto the market this month. The annual Grey Day is merging the sophisticated with the sportiest footwear. Made with a breathable suede and a well-made lightwear, the 574 […]
Just because we are on the flip side of summer, it doesn’t mean there are no more chances to head out for a beach day. In fact, the best days at the beach are when all of the kids are back at school and you can truly relax in peace.
As we begin the seasonal transition from shorts back into pants, think about the hem. Go for a pair that has a nice tidy crop just above the ankle, and don a fresh pair of sneakers while you’re at it.
Having recently been behind the wheel of the latest Honda Civic hatch and the new (and impressive) Civic Type-R, it seemed only right to visit the Swindon plant to see where and how they had been created. Call me a bit of a geek if you like, but I am actually fascinated by how things […]
Ari Leff, the man behind Lauv, is making waves in the music industry with his unique sound. His single “I Like Me Better” went platinum all around the world including in New Zealand. Leff is a humble, grounded and talented musician and those traits will take him far. We got the opportunity to talk with […]
Expressionist American photographer, Aaron Siskind once said: ‘Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever…’ We bring you the iconic shots from The Wildlife Photographer of the Year, developed and produced by the National History Museum, London. Capturing the most magical parts of a […]
Their iconic bright pink Lightpath cycleway on Nelson Street in Auckland’s CBD speaks for itself, but that is just the tip of the iceberg for Monk Mackenzie. Hamish Monk and Dean Mackenzie, the brains and namesake behind the architecture and design studio Monk Mackenzie, pack an impressive breadth of experience on projects that span across […]
The Winter Games, both Olympic and Paralympic, usually pass with minimal mention down under, but in the case of the compact Kiwi Paralympian team heading to South Korea this March, there’s reason to take notice. For a global event that is heavily dominated by northern hemisphere athletes, New Zealand participants more than hold their own. […]
BMW 640i xDrive Gran Turismo Five meets seven when creating the BMW 640i xDrive Gran Turismo. Take the front from a 7-series and combine it with the tail end of the 5-series. Add in some extra comfort, take away the road noise and you get BMW’s new 640i xDrive Gran Turismo. Built for conquering oodles […]
A recent study by Ford research boffins in Europe highlighted that regularly driving a sports car can greatly increase your sense of wellbeing and emotional fulfillment. Therefore, although our off-roading friends may find a certain sense of pleasure slowly wallowing around in the mud ruts of the countryside, they have evidently, by owning a mere […]
In my humble opinion, the idea or concept surrounding a man cave is, essentially, escape. It’s a place to call your own. You can ‘design’ it yourself (and by that I mean fill it with every toy and gadget you can lay your hands on), turn up the volume on your stupidly overpowered stereo, and […]
Marketing is often referred to as a necessary evil in many businesses. In a world that’s over-saturated with choice, information and contradicting advice, it can often be overwhelming. With no one tried and tested successful formula that can be blanketed to every industry, it is also frustrating for both the client and marketing agency trying […]
We know this stuff, but how well are we doing it? When airlines around the world put in airport lounges to increase the end-to-end experience, they were embracing this philosophy. Even though they may have been motivated by trying to also lock in loyalty with memberships that encouraged them to always book with the same […]
Social media is a valuable tool to communicate with your customers in a two-way conversation that encourages their engagement around your brand and product. It’s key to make sure you are creating the right content and conversation to help tell your brand story and connect with people in a way that is genuine. We use […]
I’m blessed to work with some incredibly switched-on young people at Pure SEO. With today’s entrepreneur acutely aware of disruption and impending changes to the future of work, I decided to sit down with this month, and understand a little around his thoughts on this. Two years out of Otago University, Nathan has been with […]
The Pinot Noir grape hails from Burgundy in France. While their origins are in France you’ll find that our New Zealand Pinot Noirs are quite unique. It is this uniqueness that has our wine producers looking to Pinot Noir to being the next big export success – on the back of their outstanding success with […]
Age: 31 Occupation: Advertising Mad Man by day and men’s fashion blogger somewhere in-between What’s your morning routine? Typically it starts with a shock when the alarm goes off at 6am, then me jumping into my exercise kit and hitting F45 training for a workout. This is followed up with a coffee to kick-start the […]
Age: 24 Occupation: Marketer at Bookabach and Influencer at Clink Clink Drink What’s your morning routine? I wake up, shower, do my hair and take care of my skin, get dressed, get in a good breakfast and a coffee (or two) and then head to work. Sometimes I will work on my own projects for […]
Age: 29 Occupation: Comedian and writer What’s your morning routine? Press snooze three times and then scroll my phone for at least ten minutes before rushing out of bed to get to work . How do you plan to get the most out of 2018? Read less Trump news, read more happy news. What are […]
Mirrorless cameras are beginning to usurp the throne where DSLR’s once sat and if you’re looking for a top of the range mirrorless that’ll sharpen up your video skills (content creators, we’re looking at you), then the Fujifilm X-H1 is well worth a look at. The latest addition to the Fujifilm’s X-Series line, the X-H1 […]
Like the words “synergy” and “ecosystem”, “disrupt” is in the Mount Rushmore of trendy buzzword neologisms. Real tech disruption, however, is indeed that – disruption. Uber disrupted the taxi industry. Netflix didn’t just disrupt places like Video Ezy and Blockbuster, it killed them off like a superior species in the next phase of evolution. Tech […]
Chances are, you have a smartphone. Chances are, that smartphone is an iPhone. And, chances are, you deal with the frustrating issue of the lightning port. Battery sitting at four percent but you still want to listen to your favourite podcast? It’s either a dead phone or listening to talking heads on the radio – […]
More than just your favourite spread, if you are unaware of the benefits of manuka honey, then you have clearly not been listening to us share about its health benefits recently. So, we’ll say it again… listen up, and take notes. In 1974, Comvita® founders Claude Stratford and Alan Bougen believed in the power of nature. Four […]
Performing Arts are essentially an emotional expression. They are a way for artists to convey feelings and emotive articulation through the likes of music, dance and theatre and generally in front of a live audience. The Jaguar Art of Performance Tour is all of the above but aptly presented, in vehicular format. In a very […]
We are in an age when having something customised to your own specific style and individuality is more and more sought after. So when it comes to having your suit made to measure, it just makes sense to go the place that has been making and customising garments for more than 30 years. Working Style is […]
Ex-engineering student, sport fanatic and skilled gymnast, David Bishop is a perfect example of someone who emulates the good ol’ Kiwi spirit. He has a can-do attitude, that lovable personality and the type of ability any sportsman would love to encompass. He is a medal-winning gymnast, fitness coach, and with some big competitions coming up, […]
Hit the ground running this season with a new pair of boots. Whether you wear casual or a more formal look to work, or even out in the evenings, now is a good time to be looking at the new boots hitting the market. As the seasons change from summer to autumn, we start to […]
A recent Microsoft study found that 72% of New Zealand’s workers expect their workplace to invest in culture development and 76% expect leaders to close the digital skills gap. With the rise and dependency on digital technologies and an increasing influx of millennials in the workforce, workplaces are under increasing pressure to address worker expectations, […]
Be it sprayed on the podium after an F1 race, raised as a toast at a gathering of colleagues and associates, or popped open for a special occasion, champagne is a prerequisite for any celebration. Hailing from a long line of German barons and knights going back to the 12th century, the Mumm family founded […]
