Page 2: Getting her house in order

Dame Patsy Reddy, who will will take over from Sir Jerry Mateparae, is understood to have sold her house to film director James Cameron.

Dame Patsy Reddy has shifted house as well as careers in recent months. Reddy was named New Zealand's latest Governor General last month, taking over the role from Sir Jerry Mateparae who has been in the position since August 2011. The current chair of the film commission, Reddy is understood to have sold her house to Canadian film maven James Cameron, famous for movies such as Titanic, The Terminator and Avatar. Cameron has been buying up land in New Zealand in recent years, and now owns around 1500 hectares of Wairarapa land. Reddy and her husband, Sir David Gascoigne, former judicial conduct commissioner, are remaining in Wairarapa, having bought a house in Greytown and hosting a celebration there on Saturday night.

Greta Kenyon.

International endeavours

Together Journal founder and creative director Greta Kenyon will be popping the champagne at the end of the month when the magazine's third issue appears on shelves in America, in a deal with US clothing chain Anthropologie. Launched just six months ago, wedding-focused Together Journal is already up for a Canon Media Award for best magazine design, and is sold internationally - something Kenyon said was a long-term goal and not one she thought would happen so fast.

"We had always planned to be a global niche wedding magazine and we had our sights set on the USA for the future, but thought our natural progression would be to move into the Australian market first and then on to the USA, the UK and Europe," Kenyon said. "But we were surprised and delighted to be approached by someone as notable as Anthropologie so early on. It proves to us that we do indeed have a strong and unique product that appeals to the international market." Although wedding-focused, Kenyon said the magazine was designed to appeal to a wide audience, featuring both local and international content and showcasing New Zealand brands such as Karen Walker, Crane Brothers, Zoe & Morgan, Bobbi Brown, Barkers, Huka Lodge and I Love Ugly. Kenyon's plans for the coming year are to continue growing the brand and the magazine and to use the US deal as a platform to look at further expansion. If the first six months of her business are anything to go by, it seems Kenyon is someone to keep an eye on.

One man's trash - another's treasure

The old adage of trash to treasure is certainly true in Hamilton City Council's case. The council has been working with the community to transform what was once the city dump into an internationally recognised public garden (Hamilton Gardens) -- securing it the coveted Supreme Award at the Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM) awards last week. At a gala dinner in Wellington, emceed by broadcaster Mark Sainsbury, Hamilton City Council was presented the award after beating out 43 other contestants for the prize. Judge Peter Winder said the award was well deserved. "Hamilton Gardens are a national treasure. The transformation of a city dump into an internationally renowned tourist facility would not have been possible without community support, a successful fundraising programme and passionate staff," Winder said. "The project's governance framework is an exemplar for all projects where councils and communities work together and for the use of trusts in general." Also praised on the night was Nicola Chrisp of Waikato Regional Council as the Brookfields Emerging Leader of the Year, Dunedin City Council as the winning team from the New Zealand leg of the Australasian Management Challenge, and the recipients of SOLGM's Overseas Manager Exchanges and Leadership Scholarships.

"The Gala Dinner is a very special event for professionals in the sector," said SOLGM chief executive Karen Thomas. "All across the country we have managers and staff who are working on innovative and collaborative projects and developing their leadership skills. We want to ensure these efforts, and the impact they have on the communities we all serve, are recognised."

James Cameron. Photo / AP

Partnership plans

Last week marked the start of software business SAP's partnership with Akina Foundation - a charity dedicated to growing social enterprises across New Zealand - at an event at Te Papa in Wellington. Several of Akina's venture companies showcased their work for guests including ministers Bill English and Jo Goodhew. The event also provided a chance to show off the company's launch of the young ICT explorer's programme, in association with Manukau Institute of Technology. The school-based competition was designed to inspire school kids to use technology creatively and, in the process, improve ICT skills and boost innovative thinking.

Let us know

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