Reset-Travel 24th August 2025

KOMODO An island of dragons and pink beaches

INSIDE

BONDING IN BOSTON Father and daughter find fun in the US WHAT AM I EATING? A meal of puffer fish in Japan

WHAT’S INSIDE

Raise a glass to Dad

Women lead solo travel boom

Women over 50 are leading the way in solo travel, becoming the fastest-growing customer segment for Inspiring Vacations To meet this demand the tour operator has launched Solo Journeys, holidays designed exclusively for those travelling on their own These small group tours remove costly single supplements and guarantee solo rooms Each trip includes return airfares airport transfers expert local guides and fully escorted itineraries with destinations spanning Japan, Egypt Sri Lanka, Africa and South America inspiringvacations com/nz/promotions/solo-journeys

Sofitel Wellington is celebrating Dad this Fathers Day with its Whisky & Wagyu dinner on Friday, September 5 Designed in partnership with Cardrona Distillery the evening promises a blend of culinary craftsmanship and fine

New Zealand spirits that will make any father feel special At $99 per person, it is a thoughtful indulgence for fathers who appreciate great food, exceptional whisky and time well spent with loved ones Bookings are essential as limited seats are available sofitel accor com

Matakana in full bloom

Each year cherry trees planted by Matakana Village founders Richard and Christine Didsbury in 2006 burst into delicate pink blooms creating a floral wonderland For Kiwis this is a chance to embrace the fleeting magic of cherry blossom season without leaving the country Blossoms

typically arrive in late September or early October with peak bloom lasting just one to two weeks Visitors can pair the spectacle with a stop at the Saturday Matakana Farmers’ Market turning a day trip into a celebration of food, community and seasonal beauty matakanavillage.co.nz

vity in St Heliers ers Art Fest debuts from t 29 to September 14 This eek celebration turns the of the seaside village iving gallery, blending art, music, food, and community spirit Visitors can wander a village-wide Art Trail showcasing works by established and emerging New Zealand artists, enjoy live music, or join workshops led by creatives such as Sara Langdon, Helen Dean and Helen Bankers

Highlights include Richard Harri’s exhibition at St Heliers Library, paint-and-dine nights, and botanical watercolour classes at Babylon Store Even pets get their moment with paw-print keepsakes and a dog photography competition Stheliers com

UNITED MATES

When Robin McKelvie takes his teenage daughter on a bonding trip to America, they’re braced for political tension and cultural clashes. What they discover is surprising and sweet.

As a father I always try to give my daughters answers But this time I didnt have any for 17-year-old Tara Will we be okay getting into America? What will it be like with Trump in charge?”

These are the nervous questions on our way across the ocean to Boston Ive booked a daddyand-daughter post-exam bonding trip but I share the anxiety forged in Tara by a welter of alarming news stories and social media reels

A breeze through Boston Logan eases our collective stress as does our server at Woods Hill Pier 4 on the citys revamped waterfront We love having visitors here; everyone is welcome despite what you might hear on the news ” he smiles adding with a wink as we tuck into boat-fresh New England seafood, “Scots are especially welcome ” Tara is delighted

Delight turns to intrigue the next morning at the Boston Tea Party Museum, where Americas independence struggle ignited Today history bursts viscerally alive here and Tara tosses her chest of tea with relish into the harbour At home she never wants to talk politics; here her synapses are popping: we later spend a whole dinner talking Scottish independence A focused meeting of minds the kind I always dream of having but that rarely seems to happen at home

Our best Boston meal arrives at another historic site Union Oyster House the oldest restaurant in America where manager Wes Hagan tells us: Boston and New England have always been very open no matter what is happening elsewhere ”

I tempt Tara into trying her first lobster roll an old favourite of mine Tara devours it, starting to hit her stride Excitedly she points out “Look at that Dad JFK used to sit at the table opposite ” John Fitzgerald Kennedy the President in my middle-age mind who represented the epitome of the American Dream drifts with us out of Boston on the fast ferry the following morning to the Cape Cod National Seashore, which he helped set up in 1961 It’s the heart of Provincetown an oasis so horizontally relaxed locals abbreviate it to PTown Rainbow flags billow like a sea of sails in the face of the divisiveness of modern America

As we ease ashore we swap our shoes for sandals and grab a map, the Queer Adventure Guide & Map to LGBTQ+ Provincetown” from the ferry The Pilgrim Fathers who were saved from disaster on their first American landfall here in 1672 by the indigenous Wampanoag people would be turning in their puritanical graves

The first thing we encounter is the New York Store half ice cream parlour half cannabis dispensary Those rainbow flags flutter in the balmy air of Commercial St Its Kennedy-era clapperboard buildings may look like the streaming shows Tara rotates on Netflix but this is gloriously a very different America than the one Tara is bombarded with on social media

As we tuck into the sugary delights at ScottCakes whose logo is Legalise Gay Cupcakes , Tara smiles and asks, Are we the only straight people in Provincetown?” It’s a fair question in this marvellously inclusive escape I generally try to reinforce

the inclusiveness Tara gets taught at home Its all good in theory and in the classroom; life-affirming to actually experience a whole community in the real world where people can be who they want to be without fear of judgment Its the antithesis of what Tara was fearing in America

The last of our New England triumvirate is Salem, another fast ferry ride away from Boston Tara is visibly growing in confidence now She leads the way with Google Maps across town and picks the venue from TikTok for a spot-on lobster roll by now her fourth

Salem was Taras must-see, a semi-mythical small city for her that evokes myriad spooky books shes read one of her favourite TV shows (including a re-booted Sabrina the Teenage Witch) and the

in Tara’s teenage mind

I wasnt so keen on Salem, fearing a distasteful Disney-style Halloween money grab that hollows out the horror behind the society that murdered 20 innocent souls (a further five died in custody) mainly on the “spectral evidence” of teenagers and their parents with axes to grind

At Salem Witch Museum my fears are allayed It delves deep into horrors that in many way Salem has been paying penance for ever since We chat to a guide, who is very keen to impress on us that “Salem shows that we must always be on the lookout for witch trials in every guise” As we leave we see a No Kings anti-Trump rally poster, which leads us deeper and deeper into conversation about the guide’s words

On our last evening we sail out through a misty Salem evening with Mahi Cruises I ask Tara if she has enjoyed her time in America She beams “What do you reckon?

That smile is back between us the one so easily lost in a flurry of deadlines and distractions A smile that should never ever be lost A smile, the smile, the bond, that weve rediscovered together on an ocean away from home Details visitma.com

GUARDED

On the remote Indonesian island of Flores, a short flight from Bali, an encounter with Komodo dragons is just the start of an unforgettable adventure, writes Scarlett Cvitanovich

As I follow a rather nonchalant guide waving a very thin stick, I do question my life choices which currently find me in a dense forest on a remote Indonesian island, searching for the worlds largest heaviest lizard which also has a venomous bite If we do come across a Komodo dragon our guide jokes (I hope) that we should stay close to him, as there is no anti-venom on the island

Eventually, we spot a few Komodo dragons lying lazily in the sun on the beaches and are warned not to be fooled by their sprawl, as their long talons are on full display Nerves run high as we creep further into the thick jungle There are squeals from the jumpier group members when we hear scurrying ahead, but its only a wild boar going about its day

We then spot a fawn grazing in a sun-dappled clearing Shortly after that there’s a shout from another guide, and bowling through the bushes comes a full-sized male Komodo his flicking tongue and muscular body readily clears a path through foliage and tourists alike You only appreciate the full extent of the power of these beasts when a stick and open air are the only things separating you

the resort’s private 250m-long jetty where I can see swimming platforms and a full bar at the end calling my name to come and sip a cocktail The resort is a wonderful mixture of pure relaxation (there’s an on-site spa and plenty of sun loungers) and opportunities for adventure

The dragons are the flashing neon lights drawing visitors to Komodo National Park but are not the only things you should see when exploring these islands To make the most of our time, we join an island-hopping day tour organised by our resort Ayana Komodo Waecicu Beach at Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores

Labuan Bajo is a one-hour flight from Bali and has all the hallmarks of a Balinese holiday superb hospitality, balmy temperatures and picturesque views minus the crawling traffic

Within minutes of flying into this harbour town we pull up at the five-star resort The view from the lobby is breathtaking The hotel is built down the hillside so you see only a view that belongs on a postcard If you are dreaming of a tropical paradise, this is it

My room a Deluxe Ocean View lives up to its name Floor-to-ceiling glass sliders lead to a private balcony, where I gaze out on jagged islands, vibrant tropical flowers aquamarine water and the white sand beach below Jutting into the ocean is

There are seven different dining options on site (three of them bars the jetty a panoramic rooftop bar and the essential swim-up pool bar), including a seafood restaurant on the shoreline and a waterfront international offering that is also where the daily buffet breakfast is served Dont let a buffet put you off this is top-shelf and has an array of tasty options If you can tear yourself away from the bliss Ayana offers the resort sits at the gateway to the Komodo National Park a Unesco World Heritage Site We set off on our day trip at 7am perhaps not the preferred choice on holiday but worth the effort before temperatures rise The boat we travel on is exclusively for resort guests and takes only 10 passengers Our first stop is Padar Island It is clearly a popular destination for multiple tour groups and we jostle for a place at the jetty After disembarking we are greeted by the ubiquitous vendors selling cold drinks and souvenirs as well as several deer on the beach (yes, you read that right) Timor rusa deer are native to the Indonesian islands and a primary food source for Komodo dragons Fortunately for the deer on this island, its Komodo dragon-free

The hike which is mainly uphill, involves a lot of uneven stairs and is narrow and crowded in some parts Guides direct the traffic at times so you have some space to clamber up While its a slog at certain points you are rewarded with the sublime view

From the peak you can see stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters a taster of what is to come later that day

Our first chance to swim is Pink Beach and it turns out there is more than one pink beach in the national park Our captain steams past the overcrowded first options to arrive at rosy shores with no other tourists in sight I wasnt expecting the sand to be Barbie-bright, but we were all stunned at just how vibrant it was The distinctive colour is created by crushed red coral mixing in with the white sand The vivid blue of the gently

BY DRAGONS

lapping waves makes the colours pop Its only after weve splashed around for an hour or so that someone notices a sign reading “Please be alert! You are on Komodo dragons’ corridors!” Apparently dragons can swim as well, so Im pleased one of them hasn’t joined us for a dip

Despite being the beacon of the national park the trip to visit Komodo dragons isnt the only highlight of my experience with giant beasts that day The tour usually stops at the appropriately named Manta Point, however, after no manta rays were sighted the day before, our captain ventures to a new destination It seems he has a direct line for the manta ray highway, as when we dive beneath the waves, we see ray after ray swim past below us at one point there are five It’s a truly magical experience and I feel like Ive been plunged into a world-class aquarium as a stunning array of tropical fish and coral abound

On our final evening we join an evening cruise from the resort, mooring off Kalong Island to watch not only a spectacular sunset but also thousands of fruit bats taking off from the mangrove forests into the purple sky Komodo was so enchanting that I didn’t want to leave the following day As fate would have it while enjoying our final-night boat trip, a volcano erupted on Flores, the island on which we were based Mt Lewotobi Laki-laki is one of Indonesias most active volcanos but

thankfully its also 600km away from Labuan Bajo Other than the eruption forcing the cancellation of our flight back to Bali we didn’t hear smell or see any volcanic activity What it did mean however was an extra 24 hours in paradise before planes were once again cleared to return to the air I couldn’t imagine somewhere I’d rather be stranded

The only direct international flights to Labuan Bajo are from Singapore and Malaysia Theres talk of more connections coming, however and as other hotels start to sprout up, it feels like now is the perfect time to explore this piece of paradise before its really on the map I can confirm theres more to Komodo than its majestic dragons

BLOW YOUR MIND

The best way to embrace local cuisine in Japan’s smaller cities is to accept you won’t always know what you’re eating, writes Melissa Nightingale

Idont typically make a habit of eating things that could kill me but when in Rome I suppose

By Rome, I mean Yamaguchi Prefecture in Japan Im seated in a restaurant called Kiraku in the city of Nagato with a tray laid out in front of me bearing several versions of a potentially poisonous treat

I’m talking about fugu or pufferfish a delicacy that if not prepared correctly can kill you within hours of consumption The fish can contain high levels of tetrodotoxin a neurotoxin that can stop nerves from firing leading to paralysis and causing the victim to stop breathing

But let’s not dwell on that That’s the attitude I adopt as I eye the deep-fried fugu in front of me Theres also a pleasantly arranged plate of fugu sashimi among other variations

Spoiler alert my lunch didnt harm me Chefs in Japan must undergo highly specialised training before they are licensed to serve fugu, and most of the remaining poisoning cases occur when people buy the fish from unlicensed chefs or try to prepare the meal themselves, a practice which is outlawed

While I enjoyed the meal and the thrill of eating something with such an infamous history, I confess my palate is not sophisticated enough for me to figure out what was so special about it at least to make it worth breaking the law to eat

I fear much of Japan’s authentic cuisine was lost on me partly since I had no idea what I was eating most of the time Yet, theres something freeing in going to a foreign country and just embracing the mystery of what’s on your plate

My first encounter with unknown food items was in the city of Fukuoka where my lunch was served with a side of what looked at first glance like a human tongue Pink, plump, and inexplicably veiny, it was also unexpectedly grainy to bite into I only found out after eating it that it was mentaiko a Japanese delicacy made of spiced and salted pollock roe

If you really want to immerse yourself in local food of unknown origins, a great way to do that is with a kaiseki meal at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn

When our group arrived for dinner at Hotel

Checklist

NAGATO CITY, JAPAN

Yokikan, Nagato, a gasp of delight ran around the room at the sight of the meal laid out on the table

There were about eight tiny dishes at each place setting, exquisitely displayed and that was just the entree

Once I’d powered through what appeared to be a savoury foam on top of raw fish a ball of jelly with green plants dotted through it and a cube of something that tasted like solidified tomato soup there were still about eight more courses to come Yamaguchi is big on fresh seafood, so this was a major feature of the meal and most of the food we had throughout the trip

Breakfast was a similar experience When I sat down at the table there were about 12 small dishes in front of me: concoctions of seaweed tofu grilled fish and edamame beans

Those are just the ones I could identify I still don’t know what most of the food was but for those of us unburdened with dietary requirements, it can be immense fun just diving headfirst into the confusion One of my favourite dinners of the trip was perhaps the most straightforward Yakitori, Japanese barbecue skewers, with, traditionally, bitesized portions of chicken are simple and delicious

At Koumori in Nagato we squeeze around a tiny bar and kitchen to watch the chef cook everything from meat to leeks mushrooms and egg yolks crispy on the outside and still runny on the inside while her husband jokes with us, breaking out a haka when he realises I’m from New Zealand

Having vowed not to eat Western food while in Japan, it seems ironic that our final dinner in Nagato is at a Kiwi-themed restaurant

Of all the places in the world to find the Sweet As Cafe and chow down on New Zealand lamb, steak and fish and chips I wouldnt have expected it to be a tiny Japanese city only visited by 13 000 tourists last year But almost all of my meals in Japan have contained something unexpected, so it seems like a fitting end

CHEESE IS COOL AGAIN

SHUFFLE OFF TO SLEEP

Until recently I fell asleep easily but then insomnia struck Sleepless nights became the norm Desperate, I tried “cognitive shuffling” a mental distraction technique designed to deliberately mimic the mental drift into sleep

I discovered that thinking about random emotionally neutral words or images like lettuce, ladder, leopard interrupts the stressful, looping thoughts that keep you awake One sign a technique works is that you dont recall the effort of using it; I woke the next morning fresh forgetting I’d been awake at all

The method was developed by Dr Luc Beaudoin of Simon Fraser University He says I began to read think and experiment on myself In the early 2000s I perfected the technique

Eventually I published a paper on my theory of sleep onset and described the method ”

His research published in 2013 showed that when the brain is engaged in structured goal-oriented thinking it remains alert In contrast random nongoal-directed mental activity mimics the natural drift into sleep

Eleni Kavaliotis a psychologist from Monash University, explains: During the transition to sleep, brain activity slows Your brain starts to generate disconnected images and fleeting scenes known as hypnagogic hallucinations It

involves picking a random word and focusing on the first letter Start listing all the words you can think of with that letter

You can also visualise the words as you go along When you cant think of any other words move to the next letter

There was a time when cottage cheese was shorthand for selfdenial It was the poster child for 1980s and 90s diet food low in fat low in joy and often begrudgingly eaten by those chasing thinness

Now improbably its cool Cottage cheese has been reclaimed by food content creators, recipe developers and TikTokers who’ve figured out how to make it taste genuinely good Its everywhere, blended into pancake batter, whipped into dessert bowls added to pasta sauces for creaminess, frozen into high-protein ice cream or blended with honey and frozen fruit to create a creamy, scoopable dessert

100%

Fat is energy-dense so we absorb almost 100% of it

Early research shows promise A study of 150 university students found the technique helped them to lower arousal before sleep, improve sleep quality and reduce the effort involved in falling asleep ” says Kavaliotis

Source: Giles Yeo, MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit University of Cambridge

If you find yourself staring at the ceiling tonight, give cognitive shuffling a try No pills No rituals Just a sleepy little shuffle back toward dreams

Will Stoddart, Daily Telegraph UK

that interest in protein-rich products has grown steadily over the past five years, especially among millennials and Gen Z consumers who are drawn to more functional foods

Meanwhile, cottage cheese toast” slathered thickly and topped with tomatoes cucumbers or fruit has become a staple of the internets current obsession with “highperformance breakfasts

Theres a strong protein logic behind the trend Cottage cheese contains around 11-13g of protein per 100g depending on the brand and fat content, which makes it attractive to fitness influencers and everyday eaters trying to stay fuller for longer

Market research firms and food industry reports consistently show

And in a cost-of-living crisis, affordability matters too Compared with Greek yoghurt its closest rival in the protein snack space cottage cheese is often significantly cheaper especially in bulk Its also lower in sugar and, unlike other soft cheeses, tends to come without added thickeners or emulsifiers

Here’s how to try it: Blended cottage cheese can be folded through scrambled eggs spooned on to toast used as the base for a herby ranchstyle dressing or turned into a proteinrich tzatziki Make cottage cheese pasta sauce blended with garlic and lemon or a whipped cottage cheese dip mixed with herbs and lemon zest

Nikki Birrell

WHAT WE LIKE

Our top picks from the latest in food, fashion, beauty and lifestyle

BOUGIE ON A BUDGET

It’s Restaurant Month, and to celebrate, Ben Bayly’s modern French bistro, Origine, is offering a threecourse meal for $45 Yep, $45 Indulge in duck liver parfait with figs, honey, and hazelnuts, followed by lamb shoulder with carrots and puffed grains, and a chocolate mousse. If you miss out, Origine also offers a three-course express lunch for $49 per person: the winter vegetable risotto comes highly recommended Commercial Bay Level 2, Auckland, available seven days from 12pm until August 31 Express lunch available weekdays, 12pm-3pm. Make a booking at origine.nz

A SNEAK PEEK

IKEA has shared a sneak peek at the expected top-sellers when it opens its first New Zealand store later this year and we’re excited, to say the least Of the highlighted products, the Mackapär Shoe Rack is definitely on our radar: it stacks vertically, making it perfect for compact storage An IKEA report into Kiwi homes found 88% of us have crowded, shoe-littered entryways, so this rack could be an ideal space-saving solution IKEA Mackapär Shoe Rack, availability TBA

KISS AND TELL

I’m about to let you in on a little secret: my current go-to lip combination

It’s not for everyone a fan of a 90s lip, list create definition with Pencil in Chestnut: th creamy and long-las and the colour is a rich, brown Top it off with Almost Lipstick (Nud my shade of choice) or a layer of ultra-hydrating Breeze Balm

A great colour combo for winter Mac Lip Pencil (Chestnut), $46, and Clinique Almost Lipstick, $58, available in store and online

e but if you’re sten up First, th the Mac Lip the formula is sting, ch, chocolate th Clinique ude Honey is ),

WHAT’S THE STORY?

PERFECT MATCH(A)

Nomu Matcha is the brainchild of Tessa and Karen, a mother-daughter duo from Waikato/Bay of Plenty Their mission is simple: to ensure no one has to drink a s**t matcha ever again”. Nomu’s premiumgrade, organic matcha is grown and harvested in Kyoto, Japan. The taste is clean, light, and importantly, not grassy (let’s face it, some matcha tastes like you ve been thrown mouth-first into dense foliage). The “Sip Happens” kit is super-cute and comes with a bamboo whisk and serving spoon. Nomu Premium Grade Matcha, $39, available online at nomumatcha.com

Calling all Oasis fans: you’re not gonna want to let this one slide away Casetify has launched a collection of Oasis-themed tech accessories to celebrate the band’s highly anticipated reunion tour and we’re obsessed The collection includes phone cases laptop sleeves, snappy stands, and lanyards, all emblazoned with iconic Oasis imagery in a sleek monochromatic style Don’t look back in anger, as this drop is limited edition. Oasis C tif lle tion ilabl lin t tif om/ -l b/ is d t selec

sis x Casetify collection, available online at casetify.com/co-lab/oasis and at lect retailers.

SAT 3 JAN

HALL TUE 6 JAN

KJ APA: IN HIS

alks to imer new using his for the n 10 years

The last time I used my New Zealand accent was on Shorty, says KJ Apa a faint twang of an American accent now peeking through Its been 10 years since the actor left Shortland Street and Kane Jenkins the character that brought him fame and he admits hes nervous to use the voice that defines him personally but not professionally

His loyal US fanbase knows the 28-year-old as all-American football player Archie Andrews in the Netflix series Riverdale, or Michigan native Ethan in A Dog’s Purpose

But Apa’s latest role in romantic drama The Map That Leads to You, has him embracing his own voice as Jack a young Kiwi revisiting his grandfathers travels through Europe

Using his accent was not in the script, and it was a risk, removing the line between KJ the actor and KJ the man

When Im doing an accent it kind of acts as the first line of defence between me and whatever character Im playing so I definitely feel a little more exposed, says Apa

But after conversations with his producer Marty Bowen director Lasse Hallstrom (who gave a young Leonardo DiCaprio one of his first big breaks in Whats Eating Gilbert Grape), and a table read with co-star Madelyn Cline he knew it was the right call

It really works for this movie and the way that Lasse likes to shoot, which is very off the cuff We were in Europe and shooting a lot on location so it felt right to use my own accent because the character is very similar to me as well he says of the Prime Video project

Despite living in LA for the past 10 years Apa holds his identity and that sense of self close to his heart His father Keneti a Samoan chief and mum Tessa still live in Auckland, and Apa admits he gets emotional thinking about his roots

“Being from New Zealand is the one thing in my life that can bring me to tears on an aeroplane or as I’m driving Its something that I can’t really articulate to a lot of my friends, in my community in LA, because its such a special thing ”

But after finding a new level of fame in Hollywood, does he still

OWN WORDS

think about how his first-ever audience, New Zealanders, will receive his work?

“I guess I do have a hope that people from New Zealand are liking what Im doing, he says Thats a good question Ive never thought about that but yeah I guess I do actually I feel like we [New Zealanders] can be a little judgmental you know?

Apas star power is about to reach new heights He will travel to Ireland shortly to play American actor Jimmy Stewart in a biopic, something the Kiwi describes as a “dream role”

Im really excited material-wise It’s one of the bigger roles for me as an actor to wrestle with and I’m really excited for the challenge

So, will he head home to New Zealand anytime soon or have we lost him to the bright lights of Hollywood?

“That’s something I do think about All my familys still there but I have a son now that Im raising in LA; hes American Hes got his New Zealand passport but I honestly dont know I would love to, but right now Im really happy in LA I’m so grateful to be there and Im grateful for everything that that citys given me

Apa recently credited his 4-yearold son for much more than his reason to stay in LA revealing on Andy Cohen Live that becoming a father had forced him to sober up

A lot of things that I realised I had to button up, I buttoned up And I realised that there’s no other way for me to do it, the actor shared, adding that son Sasha saved my life after he got “lost” in fame and partying after Riverdale

While his career has turned out better than he could have imagined Apa says he never lost his belief and

Photos / Supplied

faith” that he could make it as an actor in some sense

“Thats just the most beautiful thing about life the fact that we just dont know whats around the corner

That belief now has him starring in The Map That Leads to You a film about where the paths we choose may lead us But Apa isn’t someone who looks back with regrets

I really believe that there are all of these jobs jobs that you don’t get and jobs that you get but the right project will find its way to you

“I prefer to kind of think of it as the right thing finding me not to say that you dont chase things and and work for things But I think that you can’t have too much expectation otherwise, at least for me I inevitably just get let down ” he says

One thing Apa says never lets him down is his favourite sports team

Being the nephew of rugby legend Michael Jones the All Blacks hold a special place in his heart and are “ one of the few things in my life that make me truly happy

Im watching the All Blacks every time they play live I stream it live wherever I am he says

When its rugby season and the All Blacks are playing I have a lot to look forward to It brings me a lot of happiness, like a lot of other people in New Zealand ”

Before saying our goodbyes Apa segues again to excitedly talk to a fellow Kiwi about Richie Mo’unga re-signing with NZ Rugby reminding me, and his fans, that no matter where his star takes him the All Blacks are still his heroes and New Zealand will always be home

● The Map That Leads to You is out on

SPRING CLEAN

A palette of whites and pastel tones refreshes interiors with effortless style

As New Zealand Fashion Week, which opens tomorrow in Auckland, sets the tone for what we ll be wearing in the months ahead, the influence of the runway inevitably seeps into the spaces we live in This spring, interiors are echoing the catwalks fondness for restraint: crisp whites and soft, powdery pastels that speak to quiet luxury and modern romance

White remains the ultimate canvas clean versatile and quietly authoritative It allows form, texture, and craftsmanship to take centre stage offering a gallery-like backdrop for design Against this purity, the subtlest hints of blush misty blue or celadon green feel fresh and deliberate rather than decorative These shades don’t shout; they whisper creating atmospheres that are light effortless and deeply soothing

Much like fashion’s return to paredback tailoring in fluid fabrics as cleverly shown by designer Rory William Docherty who is heading to London

Fashion Week in September interiors are embracing an aesthetic of simplicity underscored by refinement The effect is neither minimal nor saccharine but rather a balance: white as a foundation, pastel as an accent, together suggesting a calm luminous elegance

We are all looking for a sense of calm against a complex global backdrop and this is a palette that feels both relevant and timeless an invitation to edit down, soften up and let light, space and understated luxury do the talking

hion F Walls Wallpaper Collection 103 6-26, po a la order from Resene ColorShops resene com/colorshops

m

2 Tempo Chateau chenille cushion in Chateau $89 from WeaveHome.co.nz

3 Panser table lamp with marble base by Michael Verheyden $8813 from SimonJames co nz

4 Sorrento brushed wool throw $125 from BayaLiving.com

5 Scilla Rope vase in off-white, $129, from FrenchCountryCollection co nz

6 Argentinean cowhide bench $2749 from Corcovado.co.nz

7 Dorset white boucle round floor rug, $2980, from Bayaliving com

8 Kip & Co quilted toiletry purse in Pistachio tartan $68 from TeaPea.co.nz

9 Bardell sheer S-fold curtain from $109, from FreedomFurniture co n 10 Sweet Art pouffe $639 from BoConcept com

CUSTOMISED COLOUR

Chameleon beauty products have ushered in a new era of makeup customisation, but how do they work exactly? And are they worth the hype? Ashleigh Cometti investigates

Anyone who was makeup obsessed in the 2010s will recall the chokehold of Lipstick Queens Frog Prince

While it wasn’t the original colour-adapting lipstick (Avon released its Color Magic Lipstick in 1974), the dramatic shift from the bullet’s signature emeraldgreen shade to a personalised pink when applied to lips coupled with some clever marketing shook up the industry

In the decade since Frog Prince’s launch a suite of brands have followed suit adding pHreactive makeup products into their repertoire especially in the realm of products designed for lips and cheeks

This includes everyone from luxury brands like Tom Ford which unveiled pH-responsive products with its gold-infused Soleil Lip Blush through to wallet-friendly alternatives from dupe brand MCo Beauty

More recently it’s the newest take on Cliniques colour adapting Black Honey thats caused a stir with Nude Honey offering a more neutral option for those who want to eschew the berry tones of the original Or Milk Makeup which launched a pH reactive shade in its viral Cooling Water Jelly Tint

A pH colour-changing product is typically available in a universal shade (whether that’s clear green blue etc) which transcends into an appropriate shade for that particular complexion when it comes into contact with skin

It promises to flatter a variety of skin tones meaning brands dont have to focus on diverse shade ranges and instead rely on the skin’s pH levels to create a customised hue

I love the way these types of products work as they can be interactive and fun says Stacey Fraser, a cosmetic chemist and Design Practice Fellow at the University of Canterbury

So how does pH-powered makeup work?

Time for a brief science class

The pH scale is used to measure how acidic a substance is from 1-14 with 7 being neutral A pH of less than 7 indicates acidity, while a pH higher than 7 indicates alkaline

Stacey explains that these products contain pH-sensitive dyes (often referred to as Red 27 or Red 21) that are colourless or lightly tinted When applied to skin they react to our natural pH and moisture in our skin, which causes a visible colour shift usually into shades of pink red or berry she explains

The result is a custom colour that’s specific to your skin ” Does the science work on everyone? Yes and no, Stacey says adding those with very oily or very dry lips may not achieve the desired result

Stacey explains pH reactive formulas work best in products geared towards lips and cheeks, rather than base products

“Foundations are more marketing the pH changing term as they use encapsulated colour that burst on application ” she says Shes referring to the number of brands who claim that their shadeless foundation or concealer ranges suit myriad skin tones

Instead a handful of formulas use certain pigments in a white base so while they may look like they’re blending into skin they’re not loaded with the same adaptive technology as others in the pH space The takeaway here? If you see a foundation touted to be universally flattering, proceed with caution Tempted to try colour adaptive makeup for yourself? Consider the transformative power of these pH reactive picks for lips and cheeks

formulation contains a blend of peptides to help care for skin while imparting colour plus the cherry scent heaps on the nostalgia

Tom Ford Soleil Lip Blush, $94

Gold by name and by nature this wholly covetable lipstick bullet is dotted with 24K gold flecks The balm formula applies clear and transforms into a glossy pink stain, delivering a healthy flush of skin toneflattering colour

M A C Cosmetics Glow Play

Tendertalk Lip Balm, $46

This pH-activated conditioning lip balm comes in 10 different tints that promise to shade-shift upon contact with lips The unique formulation couples jojoba seed and sunflower oils with shea butter to help defend against dryness and boost moisture levels, all while delivering a playful pop of glowing colour

Dior Rosy Glow Blush, $83 Its long been one of Diors bestsellers and now the fashion and beauty house has reimagined the iconic product with Colour Reviver technology The powder blush reacts with the skins pH and moisture level to create a custom blush colour Available from Sephora in three hues, the ultra-fine texture melts seamlessly into skin for a lightweight second-skin finish

Milk Makeup Cooling Water

Jelly Tint, $52

Milk Makeups viral blush and lip stain is now available in a pHadaptive pink hue that reacts with the skins pH level to create a hydrating buildable pop of colour The formula sees vegan collagen, aloe and sea water combine which creates a cooling effect when applied directly to skin The original viral long-lasting blush and lip stain with a hydrating bouncy jelly texture that glides on for a sheer, buildable burst of colour

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Nude Honey, $58

The next chapter in Cliniques Almost Lipstick story comes

Nude Honey, a softer iteration on its predecessor for a “ your lips but better” finish While the original Black Honey imparts a berry-tinted shade that suits just about everyone Nude Honey is described by the brand as a “flexible nude that looks different on every lip” The neutral hue contains both warm and cool pigments, meaning it adapts to a variety of skin undertones

MCo Beauty Glow Up pH Lip Balm Universal Colour

Changing, $20

Dupe beauty brand MCo Beauty has released a wallet-friendly take on the trend with its ultrahydrating lip tint which doubles as a lip balm and treatment in one The universal shade adapts to the natural colour of lips for a custom shade and leaves lips feeling smooth and hydrated in one swipe

Makeup Revolution PH Bomb Lip & Cheek Oil Universal, $14

The hybrid lip and cheek oil transforms upon contact with the skin leaving behind a pop of pinky colour The non-sticky

Byoma Liptide pH Lip Oil, $23

Its one of the newest brands available from Sephora and now Byoma has unveiled its pH enhancing lip oil with local beauty aficionados It harnesses skin adaptive technology to create a tailored lip tint shade that appears naturally flushed The brands liptide complex sees ceramides and lipids combine to help support the skin barrier combat transepidermal water loss and leave lips full and healthy

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Shift, $52

Don’t be fooled by the turquoiseblue appearance, this pHpowered gloss-balm hybrid morphs into a custom pink shade to suit your unique skin tone It serves triple duty to plump hydrate and colour lips in one leaving behind what the brand calls stained glass shine The formula twins hyaluronic acid with superfruits to soften the appearance of fine lines and create the illusion of a soft pillowy pout

Espressoh Glassy Blush By The Glass, $52

It may not look like much upon first glance, but this radiant-finish blush reacts with the pH of skin to create a dewy blushing colour on cheeks The jelly texture is a dream to apply and the glowy finish has earned this product a reputation for sitting somewhere between a blush and highlighter in one

SPICY THAI CHICKEN WITH CHOPPED CASHEWS

This fragrant to pull togethe quick weekni Don’t be put o long list of ing Most of them prepared sauc pastes and on cut up the chi of the prep wo opening jars a

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

700g boneless, skinless chicken breast

2 Tbsp cornflour

1⁄4 tsp salt

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 shallot thinly sliced

2 red capsicum thinly sliced

1 tsp lemongrass paste or 2-inch piece lemongrass

1 tsp chilli paste or 1 red chilli thinly sliced

1 tsp garlic paste or 4 garlic cloves minced

1 tsp ginger paste or 2 tsp minced fresh ginger

1⁄2 cup smooth peanut butter

1 400ml can coconut milk

3⁄4 cup chicken stock

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp fish sauce

1 Tbsp honey

2 limes juiced

1⁄2 cup cashews, toasted

4 spring onions, thinly sliced

1 small handful coriander leaves

2 limes cut into wedges Cooked rice, for serving

METHOD

Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces

Place in a bowl and toss well with the cornflour and salt

Heat a heavy pan over medium heat and add the oil Once hot, add the chicken Cook the chicken for about 3 minutes per side, until browned Transfer to a plate

Add the shallots and capsicum to the pan Saute for about 8 minutes until tender, stirring often

Add the lemongrass to the pan with the chilli, garlic, and ginger Cook for a few more minutes

Stir in the peanut butter coconut milk and chicken stock Mix well and bring to a simmer Add the chicken back to the skillet Simmer on a low heat for 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through

Stir in the soy sauce fish sauce and honey

Simmer for another 2 minutes, then

remove from the heat and stir in lime juice

Serve the peanut chicken over rice

Top with the cashews spring onions and coriander leaves Serve with lime wedges to squeeze over the top

NOTE: Fresh ingredients are great but, if youre pushed for time, its useful having some readymade pastes on hand for a super-quick solution fresh co nz

GIANT CROSSWORD

66

68

(5)

87 Similar (5)

88 Scarce (4,2,3,6)

89 High temperature (5)

2 Chewy sweet (6)

3 Thin candle (5)

5 Tale (4)

6 Parentless children (7)

7 A sir (6)

8 Assessed (5)

9 Rigging spar part (7)

10 Floating platform (4)

11 Renegade (6)

12 Make a pretence of (5)

13 Horizon (7)

14 Fast sailing ship (7)

18 Iteration (10)

23 Bid (5)

24 Triumphantly joyful (7)

26 Ancient two-handled jar (7)

27 Scold (4,3)

29 Firedog (7)

30 Clandestine (6)

31 Tall and thin (5)

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Form in charge of one of the great races (7)

5 One resents their being borne (7)

9 How could lad endure getting washed with the clothing? (9)

10 She will shortly be seen to be shot from a gun (5)

11 Perfect ladies don’t finish, being changeable (5)

12. Fact of being seen around exit with Conservative (9)

13 Explosive egg: tile in pieces (9)

16 A doctor is behind conscription in the States (5)

17. Ship’s repair after fire destroyed top of taffrail (5)

18 Given sack if she makes seafood dainties (9)

20 British cocoa: one cc, about, taken by Italian writer (9)

23. Window one could see from the Loire (5)

25 Knockout given in the fashion of an Australian marsupial (5)

26 The inherent sin in RC, it might be (9)

27. Make out how to rescind it (7)

SUDOKU

32 Haggle, bargain (6)

34 Journey around (4)

36 Girl’s name (5)

38 Soldier’s decoration (5)

40 Tiny particle (4)

45 Horrify (5)

46 Defeat soundly (7)

47 Superstar (4)

48 Border (6)

49 Butter ingredient (5)

50 First (7)

52 Vulgar, offensive (2,3,5)

53 Enrage (7)

54 Overseas (6)

55 Fleet commander (7)

56 Frequently (5)

57 Wind instrument (4)

62 Gain points (5)

67 Hoodwink (7)

68 Pickling liquid (7)

70 Degrade, diminish worth (7)

72 Dizziness (7)

73 Grasp tightly (6)

74 Finale (6)

75 Mix-up or confuse (6)

76 Adage, saying (5)

78 Fabric (5)

80 Sky-blue (5)

82 Tribe (4)

83 Eager (4)

28 Do up the nut to hit gent like this (7) DOWN

1. Paying visits may be one’s vocation (7)

2 A quaintly pleasing sort of accent (5)

3 Incidental illumination is put up with great pleasure (9)

4 Do some whittling right inside the antre (5)

5 The heavenly quality that cleanliness is next to (9)

6 Being set up in the wrong order can cause a spill (5)

7. A novice player in defence got for a dollar (9)

8 One shouldn’t sniff at it if able to pay all debts (7)

14 Where students draw models in order to fill cases (4,5)

15. Something one catches if not nice maybe (9)

16 Tampering with the medical profession (9)

17 Told off, one might rue finding king in bed (7)

19 It makes chips one can’t eat (7)

21 Wear a change if knowing what’s going on (5)

SUNDAY KIDS

Fill in the blank squares of the grid, using 1 to 9, without repeating any number in any run line The the total in the shaded box at the top or beginning of each line.

Anumber in the bottom half of the shaded box gives a vertical total; in the top half, it’s a horizontal total It’s useful to learn number combinations: for instance, a clue of 16 over two squares can only be 7 and 9.

Aclue of 7 over 3 squares can only be 1 + 2 + 4. For a printable list of the number combinations go to: www.kakuro.com/singlecombos.php

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): If you never let the pendulum swing, you don’t get the rebound energy You don’t get restored. You just keep stretching thinner Rest isn’t a break from progress – it’s what makes progress possible Even brief stillness can return you to yourself.

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): Describe your problem in detail and you’re halfway to solving it. Talk it through with another bright mind. Good note-taking will make sure none of today’s gold gets lost You’ll be building on this foundation in the future

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): Sometimes you’re just tired – mentally physically emotionally and more. No amount of planning can override the fact that your body is asking for rest, not reform Honour sleep and you honour the great healer

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): You can see the event in your rearview mirror, but to understand how it links to everything else, you need a different vantage. Distance helps. Altitude, too. A high-level view brings pattern, reason and maybe even peace

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): You want to know someone better and you will by being unmistakably yourself If they’re drawn in, good. If not, let it free your attention to more fruitful directions. You’re here to connect VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): Your work clicks into place in a larger picture You’re no longer guessing at your value; you see it, and so do others. hen people stick with what they said they’d do, the day flows smoothly, and plans go off without a hitch. How satisfying.

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): You’re wishing and building at the same time. You have the vision You have the timeline You have the strength. And you have the love of another person who believes you can do it.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): One conversation, one spark, one unexpected pairing can shift the entire mood, outcome, or even life trajectory And today it will Social dynamics aren’t random – they’re active, alchemical forces.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): A relationship keeps you guessing. One minute: captivated. The next: confused. Then comes a flare-up. It’s not stable, but it’s not boring. Just don’t expect resolution yet. You’re still in the middle

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): Someone is trying to help, offering what they think is a fix. But what they forget in the moment is that you’re no beginner You’ve been to the edge and back a thousand times. You don’t need advice You need a witness

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): It’s up to you to read the room because others aren’t doing it. They are contributing in the vacuum of self-interest You’ll see and organise those interests in your own mind first, then navigate them through hours of upcoming interaction.

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): Whisper details about your next self into the universe. This incarnation of you is waiting to rise, not a dream, already real and walking toward you. In the meantime, keep building the routines that will serve this version of you.

BLACK OUT

We have removed all the black squares from this crossword grid and replaced them with letters. Can you black out all the surplus letters to reveal

JUNIOR CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Air-holes in your nose (8)

6 Become larger (4)

7 A spider’s trap (6)

9 Speaks (5)

11

A frightening dream (9) 2 Small seat without a back (5) 3 A feeling that makes you want to scratch (4)

Topic (7) 5 A chopping tool (3) 8 An insect that flutters by (9) 10 Baby cats (7) 14. Sea

BUILD A WORD