KEY POINTS:
A couple of weekends ago I crept out of Auckland, well, flew actually (thanks Air NZ!) for a private time away in Queenstown. It was a wonderful luxury, not only because I very rarely get the time to hop on a plane and sneak out of town for
something that isn't a booze-fuelled party, but because I stayed at the very pricey and exclusive Azur Lodge overlooking Lake Wakatipu.
There's something very liberating about hopping on a plane and leaving all your worries behind - especially if you know your only dilemma at the destination ahead is puzzling over what Pinot Noir to pick (anything from Central Otago, of course). I love luxury lodges. It was perfectly peaceful at Azur. The kind of place you could get lost in your thoughts. Thankfully I didn't. My thoughts too often involve sordid salacious gossip tidbits.
Instead, I got to thinking about this year: the movers, the players, the wannabes; the stories that drew whispers and sniggers, and those that brought inspiration, fascination and excitement; the people who were attracted to the Spy spotlight like a moth to a flame, posing for a photo in my column at any given opportunity; and those whose stated disdain for what I do and the coverage I give them was contradicted by their transparent attempt to court it.
Needless to say, ALL of the above WILL be outed in my final column of the year this Sunday.
But today, I thought I'd do something a little different. I thought I'd take a trip down fortune teller's lane and predict the names and personalities I predict will be the big players next year. Some of these names will be familiar to you, some not so much. Click here for the gallery to jog your visual memory. And you may, of course, have your own feelings towards who will be our targets of fascination next year. If you do, feel free to share. Post your comments.
THE NEWSBOY - Jack Tame
The pretty boy from TVNZ has gone and grown up right before my weary eyes. I awoke to him bright and early on Breakfast, and now I can tune into him at a more respectable hour on the 6 o'clock news. Mark my words, little Jack is the one to watch next year.
THE TV MOGUL - Rachel Gardiner
Everyone is talking about Rachel Gardiner. Julie Christie owned the entertainment mogul title for so long, but now Our Rach (the other one) has toppled Jules from her perch and claimed victory as the most powerful women in film and television. Want to be the next Jeremy Wells or Melanie Lynskey? Get in line my lovelies. Rachel (alongside her colleague Phil Smith) was crowned New Zealand Independent Producer of the year. And next year there'll be more achievements in her award cupboard. Check her out.
THE SPORTS HUNK - Richard Kahui
Chris Kahui has given a bad rap to the family name, but All Black Richard Kahui (no relation, I think) is pulling up the ranks with his AB cap this year. I met him at charity dinner and I fell in love (but not in a weird cougar way). He's incredibly smart, articulate, humble, fame-shy and, get this, he's an All Black! I know, it's not what you expect from a member of our highest-paid sports team. The best bit: he's drop-dead gorgeous. Fuggedabout Dan in his undies, and Ali with his lack of any on the Ponsonby strip. Mark my words: Richie Kahui is the new sports hero hunk.
THE INGENUE - Kimberley Owen
Kim Owen may look like the captain of the cheerleading squad with her pert young body and long blonde locks. And her daddy (the incredibly rich, eligible and successful Steve Owen) may be the money-bags behind her gorgeous designer outfits. But this adorable whippet blonde will be the ingénue socialite on the scene next year. Her beautiful, sweet, wholesome outlook will be a fresh change on a jaded sea too often crammed with trolls, urchins and hungry sharks.
THE SHOWMEN - Supergroove
I fell in love with them again this year when they performed at The Civic. It had been 10 years since my last obsession and my love had waned. Yeah, okay, so I am fickle. But I'm back! And so are Supergroove and the love affair has sparked up again. Shhh don't tell their significant others. Supergroove will be hotter than ever this summer thanks to their Rock'n'Roll Summer Caravan Tour. Next year, we'll want even more.
THE SATIRIST - Jeremy Wells
Satire has never been so sexy since Jeremy Wells pulled his lanky legs into a three-piece suit that looks like it's been nicked from the Gliding On set. I've witnessed his deadpan humour get ruffled a couple of times, but only in that most adorable of ways where he's shown a warm, sincere, human side. Yes, he may be our gentile Jon Stewart, but he needs his own daily show. Frankly, one series of Eating Media Lunch a year just isn't enough for my Jeremy fix. Check out his new Birdland series next year.
THE YUMMIEST MUMMY - Keisha Castle-Hughes
Keisha and Felicity are the Katie Holmes and Suri of New Zealand. I have to face it, I can't get enough of them since I saw them at Victoria Park a couple of weeks ago for the lighting of the Telecom Tree. Flick is growing up and looking cute and cheeky like toddlers do, and Keish has gone and gotten a cropped-top do to rival Posh. When's the wedding to Bradley? The first day of kindy? The next movie? Keisha, I want more! To paraphrase our top showman: I can't get enough.
THE SOCIALITE - Gretchen Hawkesby
She is the daughter of NZ's richest man (Graeme Hart) and automatically qualifies for socialite status. She hasn't married into money; down to it (a cougar she aint); or up to it (hubby Duncan Hawkesby - Kate's little brother - is around about the same age). You'd be forgiven for expecting Gretchen to be a spoilt brat in the manner of those other rich bitches the Hilton sisters, but you'd be wrong. Gretchen is warm, sincere and incredibly down-to-earth. She's also a mother of four and a very successful businesswoman. Hate her? I would, if I didn't love her so much. Check her out next year. I expect big things (no pressure, Gretch).
THE MAN ABOUT TOWN - Nick Clelland-Stokes
He first grabbed my attention when his face met the crotch of Lisa Lewis at the infamous Spy party earlier this year. But I've since met the rest of Nick Clelland-Stokes, and I like what I see. Sure, his South African manner can be a little brisk at first, but surely it's needed as the whip-wielding Chief of Staff keeping our personality-plus Mayor John Banks in line. Nick is one of Auckland's most eligible bachelors. But for how long? I predict this tall, strapping South African will be breaking a few local hearts. Ladies, beware.
THE FASHION PLATES - Michiko Hughes and Amanda Hotchin
This is a tie between two gorgeous brunettes who regularly draw whispers from the bitchy brigade at social gatherings, but for all the right reasons - because they have a wardrobe to die for and an instinctive flair for fashion. Amanda Hotchin is the rich-list socialite wife of Mark Hotchin de Hanover; Michiko Hughes is the talented Kiwi stylist TVNZ recruited from Sydney (her mother has one of the largest Dior and Louis Vuitton handbag collections in the world). Next year, we will be keenly watching their style (so we can copy it).
Rachel Glucina