Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, photographed by Jane Ussher, ahead of the release of her memoir A Different Kind of Power.
Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, photographed by Jane Ussher, ahead of the release of her memoir A Different Kind of Power.
While you enjoy a long weekend break, catch up on some of the best stories of 2025 so far.
From beauty to new books, divorce to David Seymour’s school lunches, and new uniforms to semi-naked firefighters, NZME’s Premium Lifestyle, Entertainment and Viva writers bring you insights you won’t find anywhereelse, in 22 of our best stories of 2025 so far.
January
For Meadowlark, running a decades-long New Zealand fine jewellery brand requires being made of tough stuff
Pressure makes diamonds, but for Auckland jewellery brand Meadowlark fun is what produces the real magic. Tyson Beckett caught up with co-founders Claire Hammon and Greg Fromont to find out why the brand founded in 2006 prioritises re-inventing each season.
One key quote: “To Claire’s eyes and mind Meadowlark exists with the purpose of adding beauty to world. ‘It sounds cheesy but that is the truth. Giving people things that take the pain away for a minute or whatever and hopefully not add any ugly stuff to the world. Ugly trash, there’s s***loads of that.’”
Claire Hammon and Greg Fromont of Meadowlark. Photo / Babiche Martens
David Seymour’s $3 school lunch programme: A restaurant critic’s verdict
The Government’s new school lunches programme, spearheaded by Associate Education Minister David Seymour, launched in more than 1000 schools at the start of the school year. Kim Knight joined students at Ōtahuhu College to taste-test the menu.
One key quote: “If you eat with your eyes, then I suggest you close them. I have opened a container of sadness and carrots. A tomato-ey sludge on a pile of structurally challenged penne. I’ve seen worse — but I also spent the bulk of my high school years eating dinner in a state-run hostel before the invention of Instagram.”
The reality of modelling over 50: The local faces challenging the status quo
Dan Ahwa talks to four local models in their 50s and 70s who are all redefining what it means to age gracefully in a society still obsessed with looking young.
One key quote: “In an AI-generated age, are models allowed to age or do they just get airbrushed? Do models over 50 get booked for a range of diverse work or are they typecast? How do you redefine the importance of ageing with dignity in a time where the public is exposed to the likes of tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson spending millions a year trying to reduce his biological age, or the way in which celebrities have seamlessly reversed visible signs of ageing with almost undetectable work?”
Top divorce lawyer Deborah Chambers KC on tradwives and the cost of ending a marriage
With ‘divorce season’ in full swing, Lady Deborah Chambers KC told Joanna Wane why you should (or shouldn’t) go through with it.
One key quote: “Don’t get her started on the “tradwife” movement that’s currently having a moment in the US. Giving up your financial independence to warm the hearth is a risky move, she warns, whether you’re male or female."
Some like it hot: The final chapter for NZ’s beloved firefighters calendar
A celebrated fundraiser that has evolved from beefcake and brawn to cancer kids and cute dogs is coming to an end. Production manager Tony Scott shares the stories — and photographs — from 35 years of the New Zealand Firefighters Calendar and tells Kim Knight why the latest is likely the last.
One key quote: “Flick through 500-plus pages of pin-up history and discover body paint and lace bras — but also historic equipment, rescued babies and the occasional kitten. Over the past 35 years, the calendar has evolved from beefcake and brawn to cute dogs and children with cancer. It has never featured an apostrophe in its title, but, for a handful of years, there was both a men’s and women’s version. Junior firefighters first made an appearance in the mid-1990s, and even the very earliest editions starred men who wore a helmet AND a shirt. At the heart of it all? More than $1 million raised for charity.”
BTL Emsella, reviewed: Can this 28-minute treatment improve your sex life?
Beauty editor Ashleigh Cometti trials a new non-invasive pelvic floor therapy.
One key quote: “Confession: I’ve never been very good at doing my Kegels exercises. After the birth of my first son five years ago, I downloaded the Squeezy app, which coaches you through a series of exercises said to help restore tone to your pelvic floor. I did one session once, and the app has remained unopened on my phone screen ever since. So when I received an email about a treatment said to perform 1000 Kegels for you in less than half an hour, the lazy girl in me jumped at the chance to try it.”
My Waiheke weekend with the rude and entitled — Kim Knight
Kim Knight has a Waiheke holiday encounter with bus seat hogs and child hecklers.
One key quote: “We watched a grown man heckle a children’s storyteller because she was singing in te reo Māori. While it was potentially obvious that ‘pukapuka’ meant book and that ‘Aotearoa’ was another word for New Zealand, I admired the entertainer’s calm demeanour and refusal to be riled.”
Designer Jacqueline Tsang won the Mindful Fashion award with her creation 'Fabric Has Memory', drawing on her cultural background. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
Mindful Fashion: Jacqueline Tsang honours her ancestors through storied, circular design
Mindful Fashion award winner Jacqueline Tsang speaks to Madeleine Crutchley about her career in luxury fashion, eco-conscious learnings from local industry and the inspiration for her commemorating garment.
One key quote: “Jacqueline’s design shared the stage with other finalists, whose entries were constructed from sail-cloth, toile and film industry waste — the judges found lots to love in her meticulous construction of obsolete coffee sacks, damaged kimonos and wedding wear and vintage tapestry. They celebrated the ‘high fashion luxury outfit showing a high level of attention to detail and construction’.”
Susan and Willie MacDonald (centre) with their four adult children and extended family outside Middlehurst Station's farm store in Kaikōura.
Middlehurst Station: MacDonalds’ vision for sustainable family farming
The old MacDonalds have a farm. If they pull off their ambitious plan, the young MacDonalds will get to keep it, writes Joanna Wane
One key quote: “Exactly how it will play out at Middlehurst is still a work in progress. The past 12 months have been tough as the station’s associated businesses look to become financially sustainable in difficult economic times. ‘Most farming families would suggest what we’re doing is just making it bloody hard,’ says Willie. ‘The best — or the easiest — thing to do would be to sell in a few years, split her up, and everyone has a go on their own. But then everyone would have a piece of nothing and the heartbeat would be lost.’
Ali Mau has written a memoir called No Words for This. Photo / Dean Purcell
No Words for This: Ali Mau reveals childhood sexual abuse in candid new memoir
A family secret Ali Mau had carried in silence for more than 40 years was blown apart by a distraught phone call from her sister, writes Joanna Wane. Now, for the first time, she talks about the monster who haunted their childhood.
One key quote: "Curled barefoot on the couch, Ali Mau looks poised and composed as the squall whips past, bathing the bush-clad valley below her home in a soft, golden light. The real storm, she knows, is yet to come. Mau has pulled the pin on a hand grenade and lobbed it out into the world. Now, she’s quietly bracing for impact."
Dame Theresa Gattung at home, Westmere. Photo / Michael Craig
Dame Theresa Gattung: Burned out and on the brink, here’s what kept her going
She rose to the top with a reputation for straight shooting, but now her life revolves around giving back and doing good. Has Theresa Gattung gone woo-woo? Greg Bruce meets her to find out.
One key quote: “I don’t want to go into the details because these people are all still living, right, but there were women who tried to derail my career because they believed that there’s only room for one woman at the table — at two different companies actually — and that made me cry,” Gattung says. “I couldn’t understand it because I never — absolutely never — was a queen bee.”
Lime and salt chips paired with McLeod's Far North Chili Pils. Photo / Babiche Martens
The perfect beer and potato chip pairings, chosen by an expert
Beer expert and writer Michael Donaldson chooses the ideal beers to pair with your favourite potato chips because what’s better than a frosty pint and salty crisps?
One key quote: “Generally, the secret to matching beer and food is using contrasting but complementary flavours. I can tell you, for example, that putting a chocolate-accented beer with a chocolate dessert does no favours to either. On paper, you think it should work, but in practice, the sweet notes cancel each other out and the beer just tastes bitter, without any nuance.”
Sam Burton of Sure Shot is quietly shaping the look of Auckland hospitality
Could this West Auckland-based artist be the most quietly influential player in Tāmaki Makaurau’s dining scene? Tyson Beckett meets Burton to find out.
One key quote: " What defines Auckland hospitality in 2025? Raw fish? Martinis? A concise menu of shared plates? Sourdough and flavoured butter? A belief that tiramisu is the only palatable dessert option? The imprint of a West Auckland artist is an unlikely answer, but look around, and the signs of Sam Burton’s influence are there. Literally.”
Brands have been quick to capitalise on menopause care as the next frontier in skincare, but do you really need a moisturiser marketed to help you navigate the change? Ashleigh Cometti investigates.
One key quote: “It’s not just about slapping the word ‘menopause’ on a label — it’s about delivering real, results-driven formulations tailored to the needs of ageing, hormonally shifting skin,” says Jody Burke, director and founder of About Skin. “Women want skincare that acknowledges their changing needs, backed by scientific innovation rather than marketing buzzwords. Brands that create intelligent, evidence-based solutions for menopausal skin can fill an important gap in the industry.”
Neil Ieremia, founder of Black Grace dance company. Photo / Dean Purcell
Neil Ieremia reflects on 30 years of Black Grace and dance challenges
Greg Bruce meets the founder of New Zealand dance company Black Grace as he commemorates its 30th anniversary.
One key quote: “To Ieremia, 30 years is nothing. He wants Black Grace to go for 100 years, 200 years, even. He wants it to provide training and opportunities for people who look like he does to share their talent and stories with the world.
‘I know it sounds a little bit sort of hand on your chest, look up towards the lights, but that’s actually what I want to do, because it changed my life.’”
How second-hand and vintage store co-founder Rose Hope curates a collection from landfill-destined garments
Crushes is a boutique on Auckland’s Karangahape Rd, selling vintage and second-hand clothes alongside pieces made by local designers and artists. Co-founder Rose Hope has established a strict code for her sourcing process. She tells Madeleine Crutchley how a strong ethos and a “bad business model” work in an ultra-fast fashion climate.
Secret teacher confessions: What your child’s educator wishes they could tell you about NZ’s education crisis
A teacher says Kiwi kids are arriving at school not ready to learn, and parents are part of the problem. As told to Greg Bruce.
One key quote: “They learn so much in their first year of school. That sets them up forever. It’s the foundation of learning. The more you can close the gap then … if the gap gets mucked up or they haven’t learned for whatever reason, the gap just widens and then they’re switched off and they’re going to struggle and fail because it’s too late.”
Corporate lawyer turned author Rachel Paris. Photo / Jason Dorday
Former Bell Gully lawyer Rachel Paris’ novel scores ‘Succession’ comparisons — and Hollywood interest
Why leave a 20-year law career to become a fiction writer? Auckland-based debut author Rachel Paris talks to Kim Knight about how to survive a midlife career change – and the corporate bad behaviour that influenced her new novel.
One key quote: "It’s a thriller with the requisite underbelly. It’s also a delicious, voyeuristic glimpse into a world where people know the Limoges porcelain doesn’t go in the dishwasher and that an Ottolenghi chicken marbella is always the correct response to a crisis."
Kol closure: The history of the many Auckland restaurants of 23 Ponsonby Rd
With the news that Sid and Chand Sahrawat are closing their restaurant Kol, some have unfairly labelled its address — 23 Ponsonby Rd — ‘cursed’ after a string of short-lived ventures in recent years. But it hasn’t always been that way. Johanna Thornton charts the many brilliant incarnations of Ponsonby’s famous corner colonial house.
One key quote: “Moochowchow’s stairs though, remained the same as Rocco’s, labelled as “positively vertiginous” by the Herald on Sunday’s Peter Calder in 2015. He suggested the restaurant ought to have “amassed a decent body count in the four years it’s been open”, such was their precariousness. He also noted that, like Rocco, the front door remained inaccessible, with diners instead having to use the folding glass side door, causing much confusion.
Appearance medicine’s vibe shift: Here’s what you need to know about ‘undetectable aesthetics’
Forget over-filled, frozen faces. The 2025 beauty aesthetic favours a more ‘natural’ look, writes Beauty Editor Ashleigh Cometti.
One key quote: “While it’s difficult to predict exactly what these Hollywood A-listers have had done, cosmetic doctor and international trainer Dr Sarah Hart says she believes both Lindsay Lohan and Christina Aguilera have undergone deep-plane facelifts, which involve repositioning the underlying facial muscles and gently re-draping the skin, providing a visible lift to the cheeks and jawline without creating tension. She adds: ‘These procedures often incorporate fat transfer, where the stem cells in the fat can improve quality and texture, offering a noticeable rejuvenation.’”
Cake, croissants & ice cream: These vegan desserts are worthy of celebration
Aotearoa New Zealand is home to plenty of innovative vegan baking and desserts. Madeleine Crutchley talks to three makers who are taking on traditionally dairy-heavy recipes to make satisfying plant-based sweet treats.
One key quote: “A handful of bakers and makers based in Tāmaki Makaurau continue to draw on and push innovations forward. From ice cream to pastries and cakes, they’ve figured out how to emulate and innovate desserts and sweet treats that traditionally rely on the enriching flavours of butter, cream and eggs.
What drives their appetite for sugary, plant-based desserts? Notably, a desire for everyone to gather around during celebratory occasions."
Air New Zealand's new uniforms, designed by Emilia Wickstead, collaborating with Te Rangitu Netana
Why the new Air New Zealand uniforms represent modern multiculturalism
Air New Zealand’s new uniforms have been revealed to the public today. Dan Ahwaoffers his expert analysis of the new ensembles.
One key quote: “Stalking down the halls of any international airport, these uniforms offer a sophisticated balance of national pride and inclusivity. While the uniforms of its predecessor felt more whimsical, Wickstead’s designs take into account just how much the lives of New Zealanders have changed since 2011.”
Contemporary Artist Yona Lee Will Change The Way You See The World Around You
Sculptor Yona Lee, who winds mazes of stainless steel to expose and challenge the connotations of everyday objects, is set to showcase new works at the Aotearoa Art Fair. The artist speaks to Madeleine Crutchley about learning to weld, the influence of classical music and evoking emotion through small mundanities.
One key quote: “I think I try to read the space, whether that’s the regulations or the volume or the height or the materiality of it, how people naturally occupy the space and the nature of the space, as well as the construct, whether it’s a museum, commercial gallery space or domestic space. Then I kind of let the space dictate.”
What it’s like on a NICU ward in New Zealand, according to Kiwi parents and nurses
Each year, around 4800 babies in New Zealand are born prematurely - earlier than 37 weeks gestation. Another 1000, approximately, will be born with a severe illness or condition that requires treatment in a newborn intensive care unit (NICU) or special care baby unit (SCBU).
The parents of these babies have to navigate a rougher start to their newborn’s life than they expected, with some spending weeks or months in hospital.
One key quote: “[The] toughest part is when things go wrong with a baby or the family they are going home to. It’s also very rewarding walking alongside families through some of the toughest and most hopeful times of their lives,” one says.
Auckland restaurant names: Why are you called that? The stories behind your favourites
For a while, it seemed like every restaurant in Auckland started with an “A” or bore a woman’s name. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a city rich in restaurant names that are anything but generic, writes Johanna Thornton.
One key quote: “As our concept began with a Greek focus, we found ourselves drawn to the name Daphne. In Greek mythology, Daphne was a nymph — both a dryad, or tree spirit, and a naiad, associated with freshwater. Her story is one of strength and transformation: pursued by the god Apollo, she chose her own fate, transforming into a laurel tree to escape him. That tree became sacred to Apollo, a powerful symbol of beauty, resilience, and peace."
Our 2025 Beauty Trend Predictions Came True at Australian Fashion Week
From wine-stained lips to skincare-as-makeup, here are the top trends beauty editor Ashleigh Cometti spotted at AFW.
One key quote: “We started our brands around the same time, it [the partnership] really came from our personal connection. The standard, quality, precision, craftsmanship... there’s a real alignment in how we each create our products.”
Auckland Writers Festival: David Nicholls on One Day and the pursuit of happiness
One Day’s David Nicholls doesn’t believe in happy endings. For his latest book, he walked 300km across England to try to find one.
One key quote: “Hiking is a weird cultural phenomenon in the UK, as I’m sure it is in New Zealand. People are very passionate about it and always want to talk about the weather and the routes and how far they’ve walked that day and where they’re staying.”
It must be love: Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall as Emma and Dexter in Netflix's One Day.
Cost of cinema crisis? How independent theatres are keeping the art of movie-going alive
Inflation, power bills, insurance, wage hikes and even the cost of Jaffas – Kiwi cinema operators are doing it tough right now, and patrons are paying the price. But how are some of Aotearoa’s best independent cinemas faring with the challenges and trying to keep the treasured pastime alive for the best value? Mitchell Hageman reports.
One key quote: “Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theatre. In a time when the world is becoming more and more divided, [going to the movies] is more crucial than ever.”
Jacinda Ardern’s memoir and the untold stories from her time as Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern’s memoir reveals personal and political challenges, including a cancer scare and learning she was pregnant during coalition negotiations.
The book details her focus on empathy, a trait she observed in her parents when her father was a police officer in Murupara.
Ardern, now at Harvard, emphasises the importance of humane leadership and says she believes people want less combative politics.
One key quote: “Because the ‘maybe I could leave’ moment was almost an instant thought. I suspect some people might relate to a moment like that. When you feel a huge responsibility in a role you have, the idea of departing is incredibly difficult. I guess that was the first time that the idea of leaving, where it wasn’t a choice but a necessity, came up. And that really made me think hard.”
Kiwi divorce lawyer Sharon Chandra on common mistakes couples make that lead to splits
Barrister Sharon Chandra discusses what she observes NZ couples doing repeatedly.
One key quote: “What I am seeing increasingly these days are couples who have been together for 25, 30 years. They’ve waited for their kids to get old enough to be able to deal with a separation, perhaps finish high school, start uni, and then they decide to divorce or separate.”
Opinion: What social media travel posts reveal about each generation
OPINION: Gen Z ironic ambiguity, millennial normcore, and boomer cheese. We dive in.
One key quote: “For Zoomers particularly, there is an emphasis on the ephemeral – the quick-look-or-you-will-miss-it of [Instagram] Stories, rather than posting on the grid."
Auckland-based ICU doctor Ivor Popovich's book, A Dim Prognosis details a health system in crisis and his view on how to fix it.
A Dim Prognosis: Auckland ICU doctor’s book calls for NZ health system overhaul
Hospital bullies, mismanaged priorities, disparities between public and private health care – Auckland-based Dr Ivor Popovich is not holding back. He speaks to Kim Knight about his new book detailing a health system in crisis.
One key quote: “The 100th request and a busy night shift, and I just shout at the nurse and throw a piece of paper at her and then come crawling back in the morning and saying sorry. You do find yourself behaving in ways that you didn’t want yourself to. There’s those kinds of episodes, but then there’s sustained patterns of behaviour and people who actually don’t reflect and don’t apologise.”
