Stepping into the tiny nook of High Street’s Unity Books Auckland in early October this year, I was greeted with one of my favourite smells in the world. Books. Stacks of them. Glorious, beautiful, stunning books. Floor-to-ceiling cream-coloured shelves displaying thousands of these divine morsels—new releases, top-sellers, fiction, non-fiction, poetry—waiting to be devoured and consumed […]
I’m conscious that this is meant to be an energetic and positive welcome to this issue. Actually, I’m not sure there’s a rulebook for editor’s letters, but I presume they’re meant to be upbeat. And generally, over the years, I’ve taken an overly optimistic bias to things. Some have even accused me of being optimistic […]
Superman has officially become the highest earning movie in the franchise, surpassing the high tide mark left by Man of Steel in 2013. This is despite a strong opening for Man of Steel overall which pulled in an extra 40 million over this latest film. While Louis Lane didn’t get as much screen time as […]
Cooping, thatching and wainwrighting; all great skills we used to be expert in once upon a time – but ask anyone to make a barrel, straw roof or wagon today and you’re more likely to get blank stares than quality products. The sad truth is; we just don’t need those skills anymore so we’ve let […]
When one is given the unenviable task of entertaining some privileged belly acher with some music, it behoves one to find the world’s smallest violin. Only the smallest will be sufficient for playing the level of sad music required for a person you don’t give a single micron of organic fertiliser about. Unfortunately the world’s […]
Founded in 1969 in Houston, Texas, the Southern rock-blues-boogie band, ZZ Top, has reigned supreme as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. With 15 studio albums, a raft of awards and a fan-base that continuously stay devoted to the hard-rockers, ZZ Top are very, very hard to beat. Synonymous with long white […]
The days of the mancave are played out. Now is the time of the tiny Irish pub. Look out at your lawn, would you like to not have to mow a couple more meters of it? Why not put a miniature booze temple there instead. You’ve always dreamed of owning a tavern, now it’s time […]
The World’s Oldest Single Malt Coming Soon Gordon & MacPhail has announced their plans to release the world’s oldest single malt scotch whisky. Cask number 336, a handsome American oak sherry cask was started back in 1940 when WW2 was heating up and rationing had started to bite. A lack of manpower and other factors […]
There’s a lot of booze on the following pages so let’s start things off on an alcohol free note. The team at Free AF are back at it again with a cocktail in a can, this time the non-alcoholic Mango Margarita that’s unapologetically punchy AF. It’s got the same alcohol style afterglow delivering a tingly […]
Each issue, Tim Warren, our untamed reviewer of all things that make life wonderful, turns his attention to the bountiful New Zealand gin scene. Awildian Manuka Coromandel based Awildian has been making waves since their London Dry won “Best in the World” in 2022. This “Old Tom, new tricks” promises an updated 18th-century recipe with […]
James Laughlin has spent his career in the company of champions and not just in the pipe band world, where he’s a seven-time world champion drummer or his award-winning podcast. As a high-performance coach, he’s worked with elite athletes, CEOs, founders, world-class musicians, and leaders at the very top of their game. These are people […]
In case you hadn’t heard; we’re living in the Digital Age. Therefore we expect – nay, demand! – neat, clean, efficient answers. No more of those messy analogue imperfections. Ours is a world of instant updates, real-time data, and domestic appliances that answer our questions on demand. So when scientists, economists or politicians can’t explain […]
In case you hadn’t noticed; Pedro Pascal is so hot right now. Fresh off a never-ending series of hit shows he’s made a significant impact on like: Game of Thrones, Narcos, The Last Of Us, and The Mandalorian, Pedro seems to be everywhere. His tired, lived-in face with its kind and caring eyes seems to […]
The question came from my friend Sam, who’s just quit his job. Together, Sam and I co-founded two businesses. The first, a user research consultancy, was sold to PwC in 2014. The second, a SaaS business supporting user researchers, was sold to a private equity firm in 2021 (although we both remain minority shareholders). Thanks […]
In May this year, An executive order from the United States was written up titled ‘Delivering Most‑Favored‑Nation Prescription Drug Pricing.’ The idea here was for American health agencies to set U.S. drug prices equal to the lowest price paid by comparable (i.e. ‘wealthy’) nations. It’s been tried before with a similar MFN scheme in 2020 […]
Anybody know who convinced Americans that Elon Musk was the ideal auditor for government spending? Or who managed to sell Joe Rogan as a legit expert on archaeology? If you know these dudes, send them our way – we’ll need their help explaining why CRISPR might be more like penicillin than Frankenstein. Gene Modding is […]
Greg Montgomery, Principal Consultant at ClearPoint, delivered a keynote aimed at helping business leaders navigate the rapid changes AI is bringing, not through abstract forecasts, but through practical examples and actionable strategies. His message was clear: AI is not something to fear or admire from a distance, it’s something to use, test, and integrate into […]
Ryan Johnson-Hunt explored how finance is undergoing a structural transformation driven by technologies like blockchain, tokenisation, and artificial intelligence. Rather than focusing on digital currencies or retail speculation, his session focused on how programmable infrastructure is being used to streamline core financial processes such as settlement, compliance, and customer engagement. These technologies are not just […]
Dr Peter Catt, Chair and Director of Virtual Blue, presented a practical framework for how organisations can respond to uncertainty through applied AI and predictive modelling. Rather than focusing on hype or emerging technologies still in development, his session centred on tools that businesses can use now to reduce risk and improve planning. He opened […]
Simon Jordon, cybersecurity consultant at Resilient IT, gave the audience a mild panic attack with his talk on how AI is accelerating both the sophistication and scale of cyber threats. He described a shift in the threat landscape, where generative tools are no longer theoretical risks but active enablers of fraud, phishing, and impersonation. What […]
Raffaella del Prete tackled a crucial, often overlooked question in the race to adopt AI: what are the operational risks, and how can they be managed without slowing innovation? Her keynote explored the realities of AI implementation, where the speed of experimentation often outpaces governance. She pointed out that innovation only works when organisations are […]
Bindi Norwell, Group Chief Executive of ProCare, shared the real-world experience of bringing AI into one of New Zealand’s largest primary healthcare networks. Rather than starting with technology, her team began with people. “We created a leadership playbook. That’s how we started.” For Norwell, the core challenge was not about access to innovation but building […]
Dermot Butterfield, CEO and Founder of Wych, delivered a focused and timely presentation on how artificial intelligence is intersecting with regulation, privacy, and the ownership of personal data. His talk emphasised that the rise of generative AI is not just a technological shift, but a regulatory and ethical one, particularly as new laws around consent […]
In a wide-ranging fireside discussion, Mark Bregman explored the growing tension between the accelerating pace of technological change and the organisational structures that struggle to adapt to it. Drawing on decades of executive leadership at companies like IBM, Symantec, and Veritas, Bregman brought a systems-level view of innovation, offering insight into how business leaders can […]
The G wagen is beautiful brick, barely changed in appearance since 1979. Scarcely a more iconic vehicle on the planet, it’s now a cultural icon, the ultimate gangster whip, while gracing the pages of luxury magazines like this one. Designed in a time before aerodynamics, and not reviewed since, it’s not destined for a race […]
You drive a Cadillac because you’ve made it, and you want people to know. It’s a great, big, comfortable car. It’s a fast, yet cool, calm, status piece. You’d love to be picked up in this if you’re an international artist, being taken to your gig, being ferried around town between red carpet events – […]
Recently the Giltrap Group gave us our first local look the brand new Lamborghini Temerario. France was home to it’s international reveal and what a reveal it was. “The Temerario stands out as the new benchmark supercar within the HPEV range. Paris, the capital of creativity and avant-garde, was the ideal stage for this premiere.” […]
Only a couple thousand Delorians ever got made, of that number only a handful are knocking around New Zealand, last count from a decade ago pegged it at about 14 registered. Now these local DMCs really have the opportunity to go back to the future of 2015 and get outfitted with electric drivetrain systems by […]
At Octane Logistics, we know your vehicle is more than transport—it’s an investment in design, engineering, and heritage. Our bespoke, fully enclosed car transport service is trusted by collectors and enthusiasts who demand precision and care at every step. We combine modern equipment with a dedicated team who understand the value of craftsmanship. Whether classic, […]
Carbon fibre, titanium, a redesigned lightweight body with high levels of reliability. These are all things you’d want in a top tier F1 racing machine and it’s everything you’re getting in the brand new Tudor Black Bay Chrono Carbon 25. Tudor knows it’s way around a racetrack. They’ve been designing watches for competitive driving since […]
For 50 years, the BMW 3 Series has been the backbone of BMW’s model lineup and the standard-bearer of what a compact executive sports sedan can and should be. In New Zealand, it has remained the highest-selling BMW of all time. And what better way to celebrate this longevity and success? Well, the release of […]
The internationally acclaimed World Press Photo Exhibition returns to Auckland later this year, showcasing the best and most important photojournalism and documentary photography from around the globe. The exhibition, which presents the winning photographs of the prestigious annual World Press Photo Contest, will head to Tāmaki Makaurau thanks to the Rotary Club of Auckland, from […]
An article caught me eye the other day entitled “I Ate At Jeremy Clarkson’s Farm 90 Minutes From Wales, Two Words Sum Up The Whole Experience”. I read the whole article and it was longer than two words. There was also no two word summary. For the sake of accuracy the title should instead be […]
There are people who are really good at what they do; Usain Bolt dominated race sprints, Adadeus Mozart knew how to write music and Steve Jobs was pretty good at innovation. Then there are people who are really good at several things at once, or polymaths. One such is C B Fry who captained England […]
Created for basketball, adopted by the pioneers of streetwear, championed again and again by each generation, the Superstar is the original icon that made a journey from sports to culture. Who better to bridge that gap than legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson alongside a retinue cast including multi-award winning songwriter and producer Missy Elliott, skateboarding […]
PARISIAN CRAFTED PARISIAN’S CRAFTED COLLECTION DRAWS ON OVER 100 YEARS OF MAKING RIGHT HERE IN NEW ZEALAND. Genuine materials – Small batch editions – Made to last. The leather business tote combines slim, minimalist proportions offering simplicity of form and function. Subtle rounded lines are complemented by piped handles, finished with a hand-whipped stitch. Each […]
this season’s directive at R.M.Williams is centred on investing in quality and timeless style; curating a versatile wardrobe that evolves with its wearer. Think denim, heavy coats and accessories that elevate winter outfitting, designed to pull a look together with ease and refinement. Premium leather belts offer a considered finishing touch, paying tribute to over […]
We’re not saying denim is having a comeback, because it never left. But every now and then, a store arrives that reminds you what the whole obsession was about in the first place. Tucked into the bustling Cashel Street retail stretch in Christchurch, Selvedge & Stitch isn’t another soulless fashion chain cranking out cotton-poly blends […]
photography by DaniloPhoto Ben Liebert never set out to build one of the most sophisticated cloud integration and data access platforms on the market. But then again, the SyncHub founder never quite followed the script either. “I’ve built about 15 different startups or software platforms over the years,” he says. “But this one just clicked. […]
In the high-pressure day to day of hospitality, leadership often defaults to survival mode—juggling rosters, handling complaints, and plugging staffing gaps. But across New Zealand, a quiet transformation is underway. It’s more than having a system, it’s about self-awareness. Moving Beyond ‘Managing People’ Our hospitality leadership has long relied on reactive management: fix the issue, […]
I studied a BSC (Hons) in Business Computing in the UK many years ago. Going to university taught me many things, it helped my critical thinking, how to manage a budget (first time living away from home) and honed my social skills. One thing I didn’t learn at university, however, was one of the most […]
How to Spot a Dickhead: A Field Guide by acclaimed writers Kathryn Burnett and Nick Ward is exactly what it says on the tin — a field manual for navigating the strange, chaotic, and often hilarious world of modern dickheadery. Less a self-help book and more a survival guide, it’s part humour, part social observation, […]
Apple’s legendary product designer Sir Jony Ive, responsible for the iPhone, iPod, MacBook Pro, and Airpods struck off on his own in 2019 to start his own design house LoveFrom. Following the wave of AI LLM breakthroughs he started another AI company in 2024 called IO, which was promptly scooped by ChatGPT’s CEO Sam Altman […]
Belkin Switching It Up The Switch 2 has a battery life of between 2 and 6.5 hours depending on how intense the game you’re playing is. Super Mario Odyssey will drain it’s power in two and a half, as opposed to the five and a half it takes on the Switch OLED. Just a PSA, […]
I’ve noticed recently a yearning to unplug and return to more atomised technology. My nephew rocks a dumbphone and a digital camera he found in an op shop for a few dollars, swinging the full might of his uni student spending power. For those with a stable job Fuji has a much classier, versatile option […]
With the news Spike Lee would be tackling the Kurosawa classic “High & Low” I decided to give myself an education by actually watching it. I have now joined the ranks of film nerds who will badger you to watch everything Akira Kurosawa has ever made because it really is that great. High & Low […]
After 25 years Dwayne Johnson has finally done it, he’s acted in a movie. In a weird circular way it took a role that was most like his real life before he was able to fully immerse himself both mentally and physically into his role. Viewers seeing the first trailers for The Smashing Machine were […]
High to Low is a cinematic masterpiece, a cornerstone of black and white crime thrillers by legendary director Akira Kurosawa. Can it be successfully adapted 62 years later? We’re about to find out as Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are reuniting for their 5th film Highest 2 Lowest. The film centers around Denzel’s character David […]
It was only a matter of time before we’d start getting flicks about people going insane during the COVID lockdowns. Eddington is a new A24 feature starring Joaquin Phoenix as a small town sheriff running for mayor and Pedro Pascal, the incumbent hoping to rejuvenate the little dustbowl town by attracting an AI data center […]
Superman hit a high tide line with Superman II back in 1980. Since then it has failed to every reach the heights the first two films with Christopher Reeves achieved. Things got particularly dire when DC tried launching their cinematic universe with a dark gritty Batman inspired tone to set itself apart from Marvels pack […]
It’s hard to believe it’s been 15 years since Director Joseph Kosinski reimagined what a modern Tron movie looks like. I was an instant fan of the film which seemed to get a lukewarm critical reception. It was a real vibe of a movie, and with Daft Punk doing the music, the soundtrack was a […]
In the run up to the publication of this issue many bombshells were dropped, the most sustained was the Epstein thing, the most conveniently sidelined was continued revelations about Steel Dossier shenanigans, and the most fun had to be the Coldplay concert going down in history for suddenly turning into reality TV. It was just […]
“It really does highlight how it feels sometimes when I jump into LinkedIn or I look at one of the podcasts that I regularly check into and see what’s changing. Everything seems to be being turned upside down with what’s possible and what was normal.” Greg Montgomery opened his session at the M2 AI Summit […]
